Patents by Inventor Erik Stuart

Erik Stuart has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230353710
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method, system, device, and computer program product for providing awareness of who are able to hear audio in a virtual conference. For each of the users in the virtual conference, a device of the speaking user or a server determines whether a respective user is able to hear the speaking user based on whether a respective sound volume at which the respective user is able hear the speaking user exceeds a threshold amount. The speaking user's device or the server outputs a notification indicating the users that are able to hear the speaking user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis KROL, Erik Stuart BRAUND
  • Publication number: 20230291869
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a video stream captured from a camera on a first device of a first user and a specification of an emote are received. The specification is input by the first user through the first device. Then, the video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the three-dimensional virtual environment is rendered for display to the second user through a second device. This rendering includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar, and the emote attached to the three-dimensional model of the avatar, where the emote emits sound played by the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis KROL, Erik Stuart BRAUND
  • Patent number: 11743430
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method, system, device, and computer program product for providing awareness of who are able to hear audio in a virtual conference. For each of the users in the virtual conference, a device of the speaking user or a server determines whether a respective user is able to hear the speaking user based on whether a respective sound volume at which the respective user is able hear the speaking user exceeds a threshold amount. The speaking user's device or the server outputs a notification indicating the users that are able to hear the speaking user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11695901
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a position and direction, a specification of an emote, and a video stream are received. The position and direction specify a location and orientation in the virtual environment and are input by a first user. The specification of the emote is also input by the first user. The video stream is captured from a camera on a device of the first user that is positioned to capture photographic images of the first user. The video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the virtual environment is rendering for display to the second user. The rendered environment includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar located at the position and oriented at the direction and the emote attached to the video stream-mapped avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11651108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the three-dimensional virtual environment. The system and methods provided include those for: (1) using zones in a three-dimensional virtual environment for limiting audio and video, (2) access control using zones, (3) access control of the three-dimensional virtual environment itself, and (4) controlling user connections in a three dimensional virtual environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Bernard Swanson, Gerard Cornelis Krol, Petr Polyakov, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Publication number: 20230128659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar’s position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis KROL, Erik Stuart BRAUND
  • Publication number: 20220360742
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method, system, device, and computer program product for providing awareness of who are able to hear audio in a virtual conference. For each of the users in the virtual conference, a device of the speaking user or a server determines whether a respective user is able to hear the speaking user based on whether a respective sound volume at which the respective user is able hear the speaking user exceeds a threshold amount. The speaking user's device or the server outputs a notification indicating the users that are able to hear the speaking user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis KROL, Erik Stuart BRAUND
  • Publication number: 20220311971
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a position and direction, a specification of an emote, and a video stream are received. The position and direction specify a location and orientation in the virtual environment and are input by a first user. The specification of the emote is also input by the first user. The video stream is captured from a camera on a device of the first user that is positioned to capture photographic images of the first user. The video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the virtual environment is rendering for display to the second user. The rendered environment includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar located at the position and oriented at the direction and the emote attached to the video stream-mapped avatar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis KROL, Erik Stuart BRAUND
  • Patent number: 11457178
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Publication number: 20220124284
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Publication number: 20220124283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: GERARD CORNELIS KROL, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11290688
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11184362
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method, system, device, and computer program product for securing private audio in a virtual conference. For each of the users in the virtual conference, a device of the speaking user or a server determines whether a respective user is able to hear the speaking user based on whether a respective sound volume at which the respective user is able to hear the speaking user exceeds a threshold amount. The speaking user's device or the server prevents the transmission of the audio stream to devices of the users determined not to be able to hear the speaking user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11140361
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for videoconferencing in a three-dimensional virtual environment. In the method, a position and direction, a specification of an emote, and a video stream are received. The position and direction specify a location and orientation in the virtual environment and are input by a first user. The specification of the emote is also input by the first user. The video stream is captured from a camera on a device of the first user that is positioned to capture photographic images of the first user. The video stream is mapped onto a three-dimensional model of an avatar. From a perspective of a virtual camera of a second user, the virtual environment is rendering for display to the second user. The rendered environment includes the mapped three-dimensional model of the avatar located at the position and oriented at the direction and the emote attached to the video stream-mapped avatar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11095857
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11076128
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 11070768
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 10979672
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Patent number: 10952006
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a web-based videoconference system that allows for video avatars to navigate within the virtual environment. The system has a presented mode that allows for a presentation stream to be texture mapped to a presenter screen situated within the virtual environment. The relative left-right sound is adjusted to provide sense of an avatar's position in a virtual space. The sound is further adjusted based on the area where the avatar is located and where the virtual camera is located. Video stream quality is adjusted based on relative position in a virtual space. Three-dimensional modeling is available inside the virtual video conferencing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Katmai Tech Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gerard Cornelis Krol, Erik Stuart Braund
  • Publication number: 20060293994
    Abstract: A method of allowing a seller in a multi-unit auction facility to offer buyers the option of buying an offering at a pre-auction seller determined price or using a regular auction process. In one embodiment, the option to buy at the pre-auction seller determined price remains throughout the auction as long as there are units of an item remaining that have not yet been bid on. In another embodiment, the duration of an option of purchasing an item at a pre-auction seller determined prices depends on a configurable threshold, the current auction price in relation to the threshold, and whether the unit has been bid on. In another embodiment, a participant in an auction is allowed to re-bid, but is not allowed to reduce the price in that re-bid, or the quantity in that re-bid, unless that participant is currently not winning any units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventor: Erik Stuart