Patents by Inventor Jared I. Drinkwater

Jared I. Drinkwater 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: 9854340
    Abstract: A detachable coupling structure for an audio system is disclosed. The detachable coupling structure includes a base and a plurality of posts, extending from the base, to couple to a strap. The detachable coupling structure also includes a spring, contacting the base, to detach the plurality of posts from the strap when the plurality of posts decouple from the strap. The detachable coupling structure further includes a spacer through which the plurality of posts extends. The spring contacts the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Peter Wesley Bristol, Blake F. Andersen, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Lesley Ribble Magrath
  • Publication number: 20170340964
    Abstract: A virtual-reality system includes a head-mounted display, a camera protruding from a surface of the head-mounted display, and a compressible shock mount mounting the camera to the head-mounted display. The shock mount is to retract the camera towards the head-mounted display when compressed. The shock mount protects the camera from damage when the head-mounted display is dropped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Boyd Drew Allin, Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater
  • Patent number: 9810911
    Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display system includes a rigid bar, semi-rigid segment, and rigid segment. The rigid bar includes a lateral slot and a vertical slot. The rigid segment includes a first end to fixedly couple to the semi-rigid segment and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end of the rigid segment inserts into the lateral slot from the first end of the rigid bar. The strap system further includes one or more compression springs coupled to the rigid segment, and a shuttle to press against the one or more compressions spring so as to slide along the lateral dimension. The strap system also includes an adjustment strap fixedly coupled to the shuttle and extending beyond the second end of the rigid segment and through the vertical slot on the rigid bar to adjustably couple to the outer surface of the rigid bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170311064
    Abstract: A detachable coupling structure for an audio system is disclosed. The detachable coupling structure includes a base and a plurality of posts, extending from the base, to couple to a strap. The detachable coupling structure also includes a spring, contacting the base, to detach the plurality of posts from the strap when the plurality of posts decouple from the strap. The detachable coupling structure further includes a spacer through which the plurality of posts extends. The spring contacts the spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Peter Wesley Bristol, Blake F. Andersen, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Lesley Ribble Magrath
  • Patent number: 9776084
    Abstract: A virtual-reality system includes a head-mounted display, a camera mounted on and protruding from a surface of the head-mounted display, and a compressible shock mount mounting the camera on the surface. The shock mount is to retract the camera towards the head-mounted display when compressed. The shock mount protects the camera from damage when the head-mounted display is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Boyd Drew Allin, Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater
  • Publication number: 20170235335
    Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The strap system includes a rigid segment and a cylindrical structure to couple the rigid segment to the head-mounted display. The strap system also includes a flat circuit within the rigid segment and the cylindrical structure, to couple to the head-mounted display through the cylindrical structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170230740
    Abstract: An audio headphone to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The audio headphone includes a headphone speaker, a strap connector, and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector to provide movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member coupled to the strap connector via a first joint, a second member coupled to the first member via a second joint, a third member coupled to the second member via a third joint, and a fourth member coupled to the third member. The fourth member has first and second sides that are coupled to the first member via a fourth joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Blake Francis Andersen
  • Patent number: 9716932
    Abstract: A detachable audio system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The detachable audio system includes a speaker, an arm coupled to the speaker, a strap connector including a first side coupled to the arm and a second side opposite to the first side, and a coupling subsystem coupled to the second side of the strap connector and to couple to a strap for the head-mounted display. The coupling subsystem includes a base, a plurality of posts, and a spring. The base includes a first side engaged with the second side of the strap connector and a second side opposite to the first side. The plurality of posts extends from the second side of the base to couple to the strap. The spring contacts the second side of the base and is to detach the detachable audio system from the strap when the plurality of posts decouple from the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Peter Wesley Bristol, Blake F. Andersen, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Lesley Ribble Magrath
  • Publication number: 20170192495
    Abstract: Technology is provided for a tracking constellation assembly for use in a virtual reality system. The tracking constellation assembly includes a translucent panel having an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface and a mounting surface each opposite the outward facing surface. The translucent panel is substantially opaque to visible light and translucent to infrared light. The assembly includes a flexible circuit board including first and second opposed surfaces. A spacer interconnects the first surface of the flexible circuit board and the mounting surface of the translucent panel. Infrared light emitting diodes are connected to the flexible circuit board and positioned to direct light through the translucent panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller, Boyd Drew Allin
  • Publication number: 20170192240
    Abstract: Head mounted displays having lens movement assemblies and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a head mounted display system includes a display housing surrounding one or more display devices, a first lens and a second lens. An input device on the display housing includes a control member moveable between a first position and a second position. A lens movement assembly is operatively coupled to the input device and the first and second lenses, and is configured to move the first lens relative to the second lens in response to movement of the control member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Mark Alan Tempel, Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170131555
    Abstract: Head mounted displays are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a head mounted display includes a front display module and a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes first and second connector arms coupling the strap assembly to the front display module. The head mounted display further includes a flex circuit for providing power and control to an electronic component coupled to the strap assembly. The flex circuit can deflect to allow the strap assembly to move relative to the front display module without damaging the flex circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Blake Francis Andersen
  • Patent number: 9638921
    Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The strap system includes a rigid segment and a latching subsystem coupled to the rigid segment. The rigid segment has opposite first and second sides. The rigid segment couples to the head-mounted display from the first side. The latching subsystem couples to the second side of the rigid segment. The latching subsystem includes a plate including a pair of slots to respectively receive a pair of posts protruding from a detachable audio system. The latching subsystem also includes a pair of latches to latch to grooves in the pair of posts. Each latch of the pair of latches includes an opening that overlaps a respective slot of the pair of slots. The opening receives a respective post of the pair of posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9635450
    Abstract: An audio headphone to couple to a strap for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The audio headphone includes a headphone speaker, a strap connector, and a four-bar linkage coupled to the strap connector to provide inward and outward movement of the headphone speaker with respect to a user's ear. The four-bar linkage comprises a first member coupled to the strap connector via a first joint, a second member coupled to the first member via a second joint, a third member coupled to the second member via a third joint, and a fourth member connected to the third member and coupled to the first member via a fourth joint. The fourth member is further coupled to the strap connector via a fifth joint. The third member comprises one or more rigid poles extending from the second member to the fourth member and surrounded by one or more respective elastic springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Blake Francis Andersen
  • Publication number: 20170103573
    Abstract: Friction joints for use with head mounted displays are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a head mounted display includes a front display module and a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes first and second connectors coupling the strap assembly to the front display module. The connectors allow the strap assembly to be moved toward and away from the front display module. The connectors are coupled to the front display module with first and second friction joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Jared I. DRINKWATER, Robin Michael Miller, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Boyd Drew Allin
  • Publication number: 20170102546
    Abstract: Head mounted displays having lens movement assemblies and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a head mounted display system includes a display housing surrounding one or more display devices, a first lens and a second lens. An input device on the display housing includes a control member moveable between a first position and a second position. A lens movement assembly is operatively coupled to the input device and the first and second lenses, and is configured to move the first lens relative to the second lens in response to movement of the control member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: MARK ALAN TEMPEL, Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller
  • Publication number: 20170082859
    Abstract: Technology is provided for a facial interface assembly for use with a head mounted display. The facial interface assembly includes a contoured spacer frame and an interchangeable face gasket removably attached to the contoured spacer frame. The contoured spacer frame includes a forehead interface portion, a pair of cheek interface portions, a bridge portion extending between the pair of cheek interface portions, and one or more attachment tabs configured to mate with a housing of the head mounted display. The face gasket includes a high-density foam layer, a low-density foam layer, and a fabric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller
  • Publication number: 20160363768
    Abstract: A head-mounted display for a virtual-reality system includes one or more outer surfaces having a plurality of recesses. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are installed in respective recesses of the plurality of recesses. The recesses are covered with covers that are substantially flush with respective surfaces of the one or more outer surfaces of the head-mounted display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Jeffrey P. Mills, Mark Alan Tempel, Robin Michael Miller, Peter Wesley Bristol
  • Publication number: 20160366503
    Abstract: A detachable audio system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The detachable audio system includes a speaker, an arm coupled to the speaker, a strap connector including a first side coupled to the arm and a second side opposite to the first side, and a coupling subsystem coupled to the second side of the strap connector and to couple to a strap for the head-mounted display. The coupling subsystem includes a base, a plurality of posts, and a spring. The base includes a first side engaged with the second side of the strap connector and a second side opposite to the first side. The plurality of posts extends from the second side of the base to couple to the strap. The spring contacts the second side of the base and is to detach the detachable audio system from the strap when the plurality of posts decouple from the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Peter Wesley Bristol
  • Publication number: 20160363771
    Abstract: A strap system for a head-mounted display is disclosed. The strap system includes a rigid segment and a latching subsystem coupled to the rigid segment. The rigid segment has opposite first and second sides. The rigid segment couples to the head-mounted display from the first side. The latching subsystem couples to the second side of the rigid segment. The latching subsystem includes a plate including a pair of slots to respectively receive a pair of posts protruding from a detachable audio system. The latching subsystem also includes a pair of latches to latch to grooves in the pair of posts. Each latch of the pair of latches includes an opening that overlaps a respective slot of the pair of slots. The opening receives a respective post of the pair of posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Jared I. Drinkwater, Peter Wesley Bristol, Lesley Ribble Magrath, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20160363773
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a first display screen and a second display screen to display images to respective eyes of a user. The head-mounted display further includes a first member comprising a first rack and a second member comprising a second rack. The first member is coupled to the first display screen, and the second member is coupled to the second display screen. The head-mounted display includes a button and a gear train to transfer a linear sliding motion of the button to a linear motion of the first rack in a first direction and a linear motion of the second rack in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The gear train includes a first gear engaged with the first rack and a second gear concurrently engaged with the first gear and the second rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Alan Tempel, Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan