Patents by Inventor James M. Powderly

James M. Powderly 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: 11960636
    Abstract: Examples of wearable systems and methods can use multiple inputs (e.g., gesture, head pose, eye gaze, voice, and/or environmental factors (e.g., location)) to determine a command that should be executed and objects in the three-dimensional (3D) environment that should be operated on. The multiple inputs can also be used by the wearable system to permit a user to interact with text, such as, e.g., composing, selecting, or editing text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Jennifer M. R. Devine, Adam C. Carlson, Jeffrey Scott Sommers, Praveen Babu J D, Ajoy Savio Fernandes, Anthony Robert Sheeder
  • Publication number: 20230350504
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects in a three-dimensional space using a wearable system are disclosed. The wearable system can be programmed to permit user interaction with interactable objects in a field of regard (FOR) of a user. The FOR includes a portion of the environment around the user that is capable of being perceived by the user via the AR system. The system can determine a group of interactable objects in the FOR of the user and determine a pose of the user. The system can update, based on a change in the pose or a field of view (FOV) of the user, a subgroup of the interactable objects that are located in the FOV of the user and receive a selection of a target interactable object from the subgroup of interactable objects. The system can initiate a selection event on the target interactable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Hamilton, Marshal A. Fontaine, Rony Abovitz, Alysha Naples
  • Patent number: 11741917
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a cursor and a focus indicator associated with real or virtual objects in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment by a wearable display device are disclosed. The system can determine a spatial relationship between a user-movable cursor and a target object within the environment. The system may render a focus indicator (e.g., a halo, shading, or highlighting) around or adjacent objects that are near the cursor. The focus indicator may be emphasized in directions closer to the cursor and deemphasized in directions farther from the cursor. When the cursor overlaps with a target object, the system can render the object in front of the cursor (or not render the cursor at all), so the object is not occluded by the cursor. The cursor and focus indicator can provide the user with positional feedback and help the user navigate among objects in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, Paul Armistead Hoover, Chris Sorrell, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles
  • Publication number: 20230266859
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a cursor and a focus indicator associated with real or virtual objects in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment by a wearable display device are disclosed. The system can determine a spatial relationship between a user-movable cursor and a target object within the environment. The system may render a focus indicator (e.g., a halo, shading, or highlighting) around or adjacent objects that are near the cursor. When the cursor overlaps with a target object, the system can render the object in front of the cursor (or not render the cursor at all), so the object is not occluded by the cursor. The object can be rendered closer to the user than the cursor. A group of virtual objects can be scrolled, and a virtual control panel can be displayed indicating objects that are upcoming in the scroll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, Paul Armistead Hoover, Chris Sorrell, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Richard St. Claire Bailey
  • Patent number: 11733786
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects in a three-dimensional space using a wearable system are disclosed. The wearable system can be programmed to permit user interaction with interactable objects in a field of regard (FOR) of a user. The FOR includes a portion of the environment around the user that is capable of being perceived by the user via the AR system. The system can determine a group of interactable objects in the FOR of the user and determine a pose of the user. The system can update, based on a change in the pose or a field of view (FOV) of the user, a subgroup of the interactable objects that are located in the FOV of the user and receive a selection of a target interactable object from the subgroup of interactable objects. The system can initiate a selection event on the target interactable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Hamilton, Marshal A. Fontaine, Rony Abovitz, Alysha Naples
  • Publication number: 20230245406
    Abstract: A wearable system can comprise a display system configured to present virtual content in a three-dimensional space, a user input device configured to receive a user input, and one or more sensors configured to detect a user's pose. The wearable system can support various user interactions with objects in the user's environment based on contextual information. As an example, the wearable system can adjust the size of an aperture of a virtual cone during a cone cast (e.g., with the user's poses) based on the contextual information. As another example, the wearable system can adjust the amount of movement of virtual objects associated with an actuation of the user input device based on the contextual information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Alexander Hamilton, IV, Marshal Ainsworth Fontaine, Paul Armistead Hoover
  • Publication number: 20230221831
    Abstract: A light emitting user input device can include a touch sensitive portion configured to accept user input (e.g., from a user's thumb) and a light emitting portion configured to output a light pattern. The light pattern can be used to assist the user in interacting with the user input device. Examples include emulating a multi-degree-of-freedom controller, indicating scrolling or swiping actions, indicating presence of objects nearby the device, indicating receipt of notifications, assisting pairing the user input device with another device, or assisting calibrating the user input device. The light emitting user input device can be used to provide user input to a wearable device, such as, e.g., a head mounted display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Christopher David Nesladek, Isioma Osagbemwenorue Azu, Marshal Ainsworth Fontaine, Haney Awad, William Wheeler, Brian David Schwab, Brian Edward Oliver Bucknor
  • Patent number: 11657579
    Abstract: A wearable system can comprise a display system configured to present virtual content in a three-dimensional space, a user input device configured to receive a user input, and one or more sensors configured to detect a user's pose. The wearable system can support various user interactions with objects in the user's environment based on contextual information. As an example, the wearable system can adjust the size of an aperture of a virtual cone during a cone cast (e.g., with the user's poses) based on the contextual information. As another example, the wearable system can adjust the amount of movement of virtual objects associated with an actuation of the user input device based on the contextual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Alexander Hamilton, IV, Marshal Ainsworth Fontaine, Paul Armistead Hoover
  • Patent number: 11610371
    Abstract: User interfaces for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality display systems are disclosed. The user interfaces may be virtual or physical keyboards. Techniques are described for displaying, configuring, and/or interacting with the user interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Haney Awad, William Wheeler, Nari Choi, Timothy Michael Stutts, Josh Anon, Jeffrey Scott Sommers
  • Publication number: 20230057175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects in a three-dimensional space using a wearable system are disclosed. The wearable system can be programmed to permit user interaction with interactable objects in a field of regard (FOR) of a user. The FOR includes a portion of the environment around the user that is capable of being perceived by the user via the AR system. The system can determine a group of interactable objects in the FOR of the user and determine a pose of the user. The system can update, based on a change in the pose or a field of view (FOV) of the user, a subgroup of the interactable objects that are located in the FOV of the user and receive a selection of a target interactable object from the subgroup of interactable objects. The system can initiate a selection event on the target interactable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Hamilton, Marshal A. Fontaine, Rony Abovitz, Alysha Naples
  • Patent number: 11573677
    Abstract: A light emitting user input device can include a touch sensitive portion configured to accept user input (e.g., from a user's thumb) and a light emitting portion configured to output a light pattern. The light pattern can be used to assist the user in interacting with the user input device. Examples include emulating a multi-degree-of-freedom controller, indicating scrolling or swiping actions, indicating presence of objects nearby the device, indicating receipt of notifications, assisting pairing the user input device with another device, or assisting calibrating the user input device. The light emitting user input device can be used to provide user input to a wearable device, such as, e.g., a head mounted display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Christopher David Nesladek, Isioma Osagbemwenorue Azu, Marshal Ainsworth Fontaine, Haney Awad, William Wheeler, Brian David Schwab, Brian Edward Oliver Bucknor
  • Patent number: 11567627
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a cursor and a focus indicator associated with real or virtual objects in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment by a wearable display device are disclosed. The system can determine a spatial relationship between a user-movable cursor and a target object within the environment. The system may render a focus indicator (e.g., a halo, shading, or highlighting) around or adjacent objects that are near the cursor. When the cursor overlaps with a target object, the system can render the object in front of the cursor (or not render the cursor at all), so the object is not occluded by the cursor. The object can be rendered closer to the user than the cursor. A group of virtual objects can be scrolled, and a virtual control panel can be displayed indicating objects that are upcoming in the scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, Paul Armistead Hoover, Chris Sorrell, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Richard St. Claire Bailey
  • Patent number: 11568643
    Abstract: Embodiments of a wearable device can include a head-mounted display (HMD) which can be configured to display virtual content. While the user is interacting with visual or audible virtual content, the user of the wearable may encounter a triggering event such as, for example, an emergency condition or an unsafe condition, detecting one or more triggering objects in an environment, or determining characteristics of the user's environment (e.g., home or office). Embodiments of the wearable device can automatically detect the triggering event and automatically control the HMD to deemphasize, block, or stop displaying the virtual content. The HMD may include a button that can be actuated by the user to manually deemphasize, block, or stop displaying the virtual content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Ali Amirhooshmand, Nastasja U. Robaina, Christopher M. Harrises, Mark Baerenrodt, Carlos A. Rivera Cintron, Brian Keith Smith
  • Patent number: 11520477
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a group of virtual objects and a scrollbar in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment are disclosed. The group of virtual objects can be scrolled, and a virtual control panel can be displayed indicating objects that are upcoming in the scroll. The scrollbar can provide real-time feedback that can give the user an indication of the point from which the scrolling started, the point at which the scrolling currently has reached, an amount of the group of virtual objects that are displayed to the user relative to the total amount of the group of virtual objects, or a relative position of the currently-viewable virtual objects relative to the entire group of virtual objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard St. Clair Bailey, Brian Everett Meaney, John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles
  • Patent number: 11507204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interacting with virtual objects in a three-dimensional space using a wearable system are disclosed. The wearable system can be programmed to permit user interaction with interactable objects in a field of regard (FOR) of a user. The FOR includes a portion of the environment around the user that is capable of being perceived by the user via the AR system. The system can determine a group of interactable objects in the FOR of the user and determine a pose of the user. The system can update, based on a change in the pose or a field of view (FOV) of the user, a subgroup of the interactable objects that are located in the FOV of the user and receive a selection of a target interactable object from the subgroup of interactable objects. The system can initiate a selection event on the target interactable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles, Frank Hamilton, Marshal A. Fontaine, Rony Abovitz, Alysha Naples
  • Publication number: 20220293065
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a cursor and a focus indicator associated with real or virtual objects in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment by a wearable display device are disclosed. The system can determine a spatial relationship between a user-movable cursor and a target object within the environment. The system may render a focus indicator (e.g., a halo, shading, or highlighting) around or adjacent objects that are near the cursor. The focus indicator may be emphasized in directions closer to the cursor and deemphasized in directions farther from the cursor. When the cursor overlaps with a target object, the system can render the object in front of the cursor (or not render the cursor at all), so the object is not occluded by the cursor. The cursor and focus indicator can provide the user with positional feedback and help the user navigate among objects in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, Paul Armistead Hoover, Chris Sorrell, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles
  • Publication number: 20220230404
    Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for a wearable system to automatically select or filter available user interface interactions or virtual objects are disclosed. The wearable system can select a group of virtual objects for user interaction based on contextual information associated with the user, the user's environment, physical or virtual objects in the user's environment, or the user's physiological or psychological state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Powderly, Alysha Naples, Paul Armistead Hoover, Tucker Spofford
  • Patent number: 11367410
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a cursor and a focus indicator associated with real or virtual objects in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment by a wearable display device are disclosed. The system can determine a spatial relationship between a user-movable cursor and a target object within the environment. The system may render a focus indicator (e.g., a halo, shading, or highlighting) around or adjacent objects that are near the cursor. The focus indicator may be emphasized in directions closer to the cursor and deemphasized in directions farther from the cursor. When the cursor overlaps with a target object, the system can render the object in front of the cursor (or not render the cursor at all), so the object is not occluded by the cursor. The cursor and focus indicator can provide the user with positional feedback and help the user navigate among objects in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: John Austin Day, Lorena Pazmino, James Cameron Petty, Paul Armistead Hoover, Chris Sorrell, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles
  • Patent number: D962981
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorena Pazmino, Brian Everett Meaney, James M. Powderly
  • Patent number: D984982
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeru Natsume, Timothy Michael Stutts, Sumanth Murali, Haney Awad, Brian David Schwab, James M. Powderly, Savannah Niles