Patents by Inventor James F. Flack

James F. Flack 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: 6577296
    Abstract: A cursor which is fixed at a point in a display screen, where navigational controls move the contents of display screen rather than the cursor. Preferably the cursor is used in conjunction with hand held displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Flack
  • Publication number: 20020084981
    Abstract: The present invention is a cursor that reflects what portion of a virtual space a display is showing by the cursor being in a corresponding space on the display. Embodiments of this invention include the cursor being limited to movement within a cursor zone, and reflecting what portion of a virtual space is on display by having a corresponding position with the cursor zone. The cursor zone may have a variety of sizes, shapes and locations, and may also act as a scrolling barrier for contents of the virtual space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: James F. Flack, Thierry Valet
  • Publication number: 20020057256
    Abstract: A cursor which is fixed at a point in a display screen, where navigational controls move the contents of display screen rather than the cursor. Preferably the cursor is used in conjunction with hand held displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: James F. Flack
  • Publication number: 20020057228
    Abstract: An ergonomically designed display that is preferably wearable. The display treats two-dimensional data as though it were three-dimensional, thus reducing the strain associated with display devices. This is combined with positioning the display below the horizon of vision and angling the displays so that they are perpendicular with the line of vision of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Publication number: 20020024506
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method to track motion and control navigation and display of an object viewer. Information content generated by a digital processor is mapped into a virtual display space suitable for conveying the information to a user. A certain portion of the virtual display space is displayed using a display device coupled to the digital processor. An image capture device captures an image from which a reference navigation target is acquired. Tracked movement of a display device relative to the reference navigation target is used to update the displayed certain portion of the virtual display space in a manner related to the tracked movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: James F. Flack, Sina Fateh, David L. Motte
  • Patent number: 6345893
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6288704
    Abstract: A computer program, system and method to track motion and control navigation and display of an object viewer. Information content generated by a digital processor is mapped into a virtual display space suitable for conveying the information to a user. A certain portion of the virtual display space is displayed using a display device coupled to the digital processor. An image capture device captures an image from which a reference navigation target is acquired. Tracked movement of a display device relative to the reference navigation target is used to update the displayed certain portion of the virtual display space in a manner related to the tracked movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Vega, Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Flack, Sina Fateh, David L. Motte
  • Publication number: 20010015792
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6244711
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: 6184847
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display or holds a portable display containing a head-tracker or other motion tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head or moving the portable display, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Vega Vista, Inc.
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack, Arthur L Zwern
  • Patent number: 6076928
    Abstract: The teachings of the present invention aid a user in attaining an ergonomic position with respect to a remote object such as a display screen (e.g., VDT) or a manufacturing tool. To that end, various mechanisms which feedback to the viewer information related to position and orientation are taught. A first aspect incorporates a feedback mechanism into a display screen. The feedback mechanism could be formed in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, four lights are arranged such that a viewer in the proper orientation will perceive all four lights. However, as the viewer's orientation varies, one or more of the lights is concealed, thereby indicating to the user that the orientation is improper. In another embodiment, the cluster of lights is replaced with a cluster of four distinct pieces of diffraction grating. The diffraction grating could be such that the intensity of the reflected light varies as the viewer's orientation varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack
  • Patent number: RE42336
    Abstract: A virtual computer monitor is described which enables instantaneous and intuitive visual access to large amounts of visual data by providing the user with a large display projected virtually in front of the user. The user wears a head-mounted display or holds a portable display containing a head-tracker or other motion tracker, which together allow the user to position an instantaneous viewport provided by the display at any position within the large virtual display by turning to look in the desired direction. The instantaneous viewport further includes a mouse pointer, which may be positioned by turning the user's head or moving the portable display, and which may be further positioned using a mouse or analogous control device. A particular advantage of the virtual computer monitor is intuitive access to enlarged computer output for visually-impaired individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Rembrandt Portable Display Technologies, LP
    Inventors: Sina Fateh, James F. Flack, Arthur L. Zwern