Patents by Inventor Glenn T. Black

Glenn T. Black 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).

  • Patent number: 11826651
    Abstract: Methods for providing guidance to a user wearing a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One example method includes using a camera of the HMD to track the user wearing the HMD in a real-world space, and identifying a safe zone within the real-world space for interacting with a virtual reality space via the HMD. The method further includes detecting movements of the user in the real-world space. The method includes integrating content into the virtual reality space. The content is configured to provide guidance in direction of movement of the user toward the safe zone of the real-world space. If the user continues to move away from safe zone, pausing presentation of the virtual reality space, and resuming the presentation when the user is in the safe zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 11327708
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing operations for integrating audience participation content into virtual reality (VR) content presented by a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user is provided. The method includes providing a VR scene to the HMD of the HMD user and receiving indications from one or more spectator devices of respective one or more spectators. The indications corresponding to requests for audience participation content for participating in the VR scene. The method includes sending audience participation content to the one or more spectator devices. The audience participation content configured to be displayed on respective displays associated with the one or more spectator devices. The audience participation content further includes interactive content for obtaining spectator input from the one or more spectators via the one or more spectator devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20210370172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving a scene by a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user. One method includes receiving image data of a real world space where the HMD is located. The image data is analyzed to identify positional data on the one or more spectators present in the real world space. The method includes identifying, based on the positional data, that a personal space of a spectator is being encroached. The identifying causing an indicator to alert the HMD user of said encroachment of said personal space of the spectator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 11071915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing operations for delivering spectator feedback content to a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user are provided. A computer-implemented method includes providing a VR scene to an HMD user and capturing images of one or more spectators usable to detect a presence and emotional state of the one or more spectators. The method also includes displaying within the VR scene of the HMD user one or more avatars representing the presence of the one or more spectators. Further, the method includes delivering an indication of the detected emotional state of the one or more spectators via the one or more avatars, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 10905950
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), a computer-implemented method, and a VR tracking system are described. Generally, a VR HMD includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an optical sensor. When a second VR HMD is located in a same physical environment, the VR HMD can be operated to track a motion of the second VR HMD in the physical environment. For example, image data captured by the VR HMD in addition to inertial data of both VR HMDs are used to determine a three dimensional (3D) physical position of the second VR HMD and to track the 3D physical position over time. Three degrees of freedom (DOF) or six DOF for the motion are derived from the tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn T. Black
  • Publication number: 20210026588
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing operations for integrating audience participation content into virtual reality (VR) content presented by a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user is provided. The method includes providing a VR scene to the HMD of the HMD user and receiving indications from one or more spectator devices of respective one or more spectators. The indications corresponding to requests for audience participation content for participating in the VR scene. The method includes sending audience participation content to the one or more spectator devices. The audience participation content configured to be displayed on respective displays associated with the one or more spectator devices. The audience participation content further includes interactive content for obtaining spectator input from the one or more spectators via the one or more spectator devices, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 10802787
    Abstract: A method and system for integrating audience participation content into virtual reality (VR) content presented by head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user is provided. The method includes providing a VR scene to the HMD of an HMD user and receiving indications from one or more spectator devices of one or more spectators that correspond to requests for audience participation content for participating in the VR scene. The method and system is capable of sending audience participation content to the spectator devices for enabling spectator interactivity with the audience participation content via respective spectator devices. The method and system provided also enables a receiving of the spectator input, which may then be subsequently integrated into the VR scene of the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20200238177
    Abstract: Methods for providing guidance to a user wearing a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One example method includes using a camera of the HMD to track the user wearing the HMD in a real-world space, and identifying a safe zone within the real-world space for interacting with a virtual reality space via the HMD. The method further includes detecting movements of the user in the real-world space. The method includes integrating content into the virtual reality space. The content is configured to provide guidance in direction of movement of the user toward the safe zone of the real-world space. If the user continues to move away from safe zone, pausing presentation of the virtual reality space, and resuming the presentation when the user is in the safe zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 10617956
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for providing guidance to a user wearing a head mounted display. One example method includes tracking the user wearing the HMD in a real-world space. The method also includes identifying the real-world space and a safe zone within the real-world space for interacting with a virtual reality space via the HMD. Then, detecting movements of the user in the real-world space. The method includes integrating content into the virtual reality space to guide the user to stay in the safe zone of the real-world space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 10616563
    Abstract: A reconfigurable imaging apparatus, a computer-implemented method, and an imaging system are described. Generally, the apparatus includes platforms. Each platform houses one or more optical sensors. A pivotal connector is connected with at least two platforms and supports a relative movement of such platforms with respect to one another. Hence, the platforms can be arranged and switched between different arrangements based on the pivotal connector, thereby allowing a reconfiguration of the apparatus. In an example, arrangement, the optical sensors are pointed in different directions to cover different fields of views, thereby supporting monoscopic imagery. In another example arrangement, the optical sensors are pointed in substantially a same direction to cover substantially a same field of view, thereby supporting stereoscopic imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Glenn T. Black, Todd S. Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20190046873
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), a computer-implemented method, and a VR tracking system are described. Generally, a VR HMD includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an optical sensor. When a second VR HMD is located in a same physical environment, the VR HMD can be operated to track a motion of the second VR HMD in the physical environment. For example, image data captured by the VR HMD in addition to inertial data of both VR HMDs are used to determine a three dimensional (3D) physical position of the second VR HMD and to track the 3D physical position over time. Three degrees of freedom (DOF) or six DOF for the motion are derived from the tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: Glenn T. Black
  • Patent number: 10099122
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), a computer-implemented method, and a VR tracking system are described. Generally, a VR HMD includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an optical sensor. When a second VR HMD is located in a same physical environment, the VR HMD can be operated to track a motion of the second VR HMD in the physical environment. For example, image data captured by the VR HMD in addition to inertial data of both VR HMDs are used to determine a three dimensional (3D) physical position of the second VR HMD and to track the 3D physical position over time. Three degrees of freedom (DOF) or six DOF for the motion are derived from the tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn T. Black
  • Publication number: 20180093185
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing operations for delivering spectator feedback content to a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user are provided. A computer-implemented method includes providing a VR scene to an HMD user and capturing images of one or more spectators usable to detect a presence and emotional state of the one or more spectators. The method also includes displaying within the VR scene of the HMD user one or more avatars representing the presence of the one or more spectators. Further, the method includes delivering an indication of the detected emotional state of the one or more spectators via the one or more avatars, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20180095708
    Abstract: A method and system for integrating audience participation content into virtual reality (VR) content presented by head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD user is provided. The method includes providing a VR scene to the HMD of an HMD user and receiving indications from one or more spectator devices of one or more spectators that correspond to requests for audience participation content for participating in the VR scene. The method and system is capable of sending audience participation content to the spectator devices for enabling spectator interactivity with the audience participation content via respective spectator devices. The method and system provided also enables a receiving of the spectator input, which may then be subsequently integrated into the VR scene of the HMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20180093186
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media are provided for providing guidance to a user wearing a head mounted display. One example method includes tracking the user wearing the HMD in a real-world space. The method also includes identifying the real-world space and a safe zone within the real-world space for interacting with a virtual reality space via the HMD. Then, detecting movements of the user in the real-world space. The method includes integrating content into the virtual reality space to guide the user to stay in the safe zone of the real-world space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Glenn T. Black, Michael G. Taylor, Todd Tokubo
  • Publication number: 20170282062
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD), a computer-implemented method, and a VR tracking system are described. Generally, a VR HMD includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and an optical sensor. When a second VR HMD is located in a same physical environment, the VR HMD can be operated to track a motion of the second VR HMD in the physical environment. For example, image data captured by the VR HMD in addition to inertial data of both VR HMDs are used to determine a three dimensional (3D) physical position of the second VR HMD and to track the 3D physical position over time. Three degrees of freedom (DOF) or six DOF for the motion are derived from the tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn T. Black
  • Publication number: 20170287301
    Abstract: A proximity device, a computer-implemented method, and proximity system are described. Generally, the proximity device can be wearable or non-wearable. A wearable proximity device is configured to be worn by a user. As the user moves within a physical environment, the wearable proximity devices monitors the user's proximity to objects. Proximity indications are accordingly generated and presented to the user. A non-wearable proximity device is configured to monitor the user's proximity relative to a perimeter of an area. If the user approaches or overruns the perimeter, a proximity indication is generated and presented to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: MICHAEL G. TAYLOR, GLENN T. BLACK, ELLIOT S. BRODZKI
  • Publication number: 20170289527
    Abstract: A reconfigurable imaging apparatus, a computer-implemented method, and an imaging system are described. Generally, the apparatus includes platforms. Each platform houses one or more optical sensors. A pivotal connector is connected with at least two platforms and supports a relative movement of such platforms with respect to one another. Hence, the platforms can be arranged and switched between different arrangements based on the pivotal connector, thereby allowing a reconfiguration of the apparatus. In an example, arrangement, the optical sensors are pointed in different directions to cover different fields of views, thereby supporting monoscopic imagery. In another example arrangement, the optical sensors are pointed in substantially a same direction to cover substantially a same field of view, thereby supporting stereoscopic imagery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: MICHAEL G. TAYLOR, GLENN T. BLACK, TODD S. TOKUBO
  • Patent number: 9779605
    Abstract: A proximity device, a computer-implemented method, and proximity system are described. Generally, the proximity device can be wearable or non-wearable. A wearable proximity device is configured to be worn by a user. As the user moves within a physical environment, the wearable proximity devices monitors the user's proximity to objects. Proximity indications are accordingly generated and presented to the user. A non-wearable proximity device is configured to monitor the user's proximity relative to a perimeter of an area. If the user approaches or overruns the perimeter, a proximity indication is generated and presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Taylor, Glenn T. Black, Elliot S. Brodzki