Patents by Inventor John A. Robbins

John A. Robbins 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: 10502876
    Abstract: In embodiments of waveguide optics focus elements, an imaging structure includes a waveguide for viewing of an environment that is viewable with the imaging structure. The waveguide transmits light of a virtual image that is generated to appear as part of the environment for augmented-reality imaging or virtual-reality imaging. The imaging structure also includes one or more focus elements that are integrated in the waveguide and switchable to focus the virtual image at a focus depth that approximately correlates to a focal distance of the environment. The focus elements can each be implemented for a different focus depth of the virtual image, and the focus depth is adjustable based on a combination of the focus elements being switched-on or switched-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, Ian Anh Nguyen, David D. Bohn
  • Patent number: 10478717
    Abstract: Augmented reality and physical game techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an indication is received by a computing device of a location of a physical gaming piece of a game. An augmentation is computed based on the indication by the computing device to be displayed as part of the game. The augmentation is displayed by the computing device on a display device that is at least partially transparent such that a physical portion of the game is viewable through the display device concurrently with the augmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, William J. Westerinen, Lisa M. Hanson, Sung Ho Son, Richard J. Wattles
  • Publication number: 20190285899
    Abstract: A wearable image display system includes a headpiece, a first and a second light engine, and a first and a second optical component. The first and second light engines generate a first and a second set of beams respectively, each beam substantially collimated so that the first and second set form a first and a second virtual image respectively. Each optical component is located to project an image onto a first and a second eye of a wearer respectively. The first and second sets of beams are directed to incoupling structures of the first and second optical components respectively. Exit structures of the first and second optical components guide the first and second sets of beams onto the first and second eyes respectively. The optical components are located between the light engines and the eyes. Both of the light engines are mounted to a central portion of the headpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tapani Levola, Pasi Saarikko, Steven John Robbins, Yarn Chee Poon, Lena Adele Wolfe, Erica Lee Towle
  • Patent number: 10388073
    Abstract: Augmented reality light guide display techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing configured in a hand-held form factor, one or more sensors configured to detect a position and orientation of the housing in three dimensions in a physical environment of the housing, a light guide that is at least partially transparent and supported by the housing, a light engine that is optically coupled to the light guide, and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to calculate a position and orientation of an augmentation and cause the light engine to output the augmentation for display using the light guide such that the augmentation is viewable concurrently with at least a portion of the physical environment through the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Westerinen, Steven John Robbins, Rajeev Badyal, Rod G. Fleck
  • Patent number: 10359627
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in replicating an image associated with an input-pupil to an output-pupil includes a planar optical waveguide including a bulk-substrate, and also including an input-coupler, an intermediate-component and an output-coupler. The input-coupler couples light corresponding to the image into the bulk-substrate and towards the intermediate-component. The intermediate-component performs horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and directs the light corresponding to the image towards the output-coupler. The output-coupler performs the other one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and couples light corresponding to the image, which travels from the input-coupler to the output-coupler, out of the waveguide. The apparatus further includes an adjacent planar optical component to provide a more uniform intensity distribution compared to if the adjacent planar optical component were absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: R. Andrew Wall, Scott Woltman, Steven John Robbins, Xinye Lou, Gangok Lee, Yarn Chee Poon, Tuomas Vallius, Pasi Kostamo, Tapani Levola, Yijing Fu
  • Patent number: 10345601
    Abstract: A wearable image display system includes a headpiece, a first and a second light engine, and a first and a second optical component. The first and second light engines generate a first and a second set of beams respectively, each beam substantially collimated so that the first and second set form a first and a second virtual image respectively. Each optical component is located to project an image onto a first and a second eye of a wearer respectively. The first and second sets of beams are directed to incoupling structures of the first and second optical components respectively. Exit structures of the first and second optical components guide the first and second sets of beams onto the first and second eyes respectively. The optical components are located between the light engines and the eyes. Both of the light engines are mounted to a central portion of the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tapani Levola, Pasi Saarikko, Steven John Robbins, Yarn Chee Poon, Lena Adele Wolfe, Erica Lee Towle
  • Patent number: 10324291
    Abstract: A display system includes a display alignment tracker configured track the position of a first signal and the position of a second signal. The display alignment tracker optically multiplexes a portion of a first signal and a portion of the second signal into a combined optical signal and measures a differential between the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, Drew Edward Steedly, Michael Edward Samples, Zhiqiang Liu, Andrew K. Juenger
  • Publication number: 20190171020
    Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Steven John ROBBINS, David Douglas BOHN
  • Patent number: 10274732
    Abstract: In implementations of hologram focus accommodation, a focus accommodation system is implemented for variable focus of a generated image, such as a hologram, that is displayed for viewing on a waveguide display. The focus accommodation system includes switchable polarization retarders that rotate a polarization of light of the generated image, where the light passes through the switchable polarization retarders along an imaging path in which the generated image is viewable. The focus accommodation system also includes polarization sensitive gratings alternatingly interspersed with the switchable polarization retarders. Each of the polarization sensitive gratings are configurable to diffract the light in a first polarization state and transmit the light in a second polarization state. The variable focus is adjustable to a focal distance at which a user perceives viewing the generated image as displayed by the waveguide display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, Xinye Lou, Eliezer M. Glik
  • Patent number: 10254542
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to a near-eye display device including a holographic display system. The holographic display system includes a light source configured to emit light that is converging or diverging, a waveguide configured to be positioned in a field of view of a user's eye, and a digital dynamic hologram configured to receive the light, and project the light into the waveguide such that the light propagates through the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Steven Kollin, Andrew Maimone, Steven John Robbins, Eliezer Glik, Andreas Georgiou, Xinye Lou
  • Patent number: 10216263
    Abstract: A display system includes a display alignment tracker configured track the position of a first signal in a first waveguide and the position of a second signal in a second waveguide. The display alignment tracker optically multiplexes a portion of a first signal and a portion of the second signal into a combined optical signal and measures a differential between the first signal and the second signal. The differential is used to adjust the position, dimensions, or a color attribute of the first signal relative to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, Drew Edward Steedly, Michael Edward Samples, Zhiqiang Liu, Andrew K. Juenger
  • Patent number: 10192358
    Abstract: In embodiments of an auto-stereoscopic augmented reality display, the display device is implemented with an imaging structure that includes a waveguide for see-through viewing of an environment. The waveguide also transmits light of a virtual image that is generated as a near-display object to appear at a distance in the environment. The imaging structure includes switchable diffractive elements that are integrated in the waveguide and configured in display zones. The switchable diffractive elements are switchable to independently activate the display zones effective to correct for an accurate stereopsis view of the virtual image that appears at the distance in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Steven John Robbins
  • Patent number: 10191515
    Abstract: Light guide techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a light guide supported by the housing, a light engine disposed within the housing and optically coupled to the light guide, and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to cause the light engine to output a user interface for display using the light guide along an image plane focused at infinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Westerinen, Steven John Robbins, Rajeev Badyal, Rod G. Fleck
  • Publication number: 20190016712
    Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein X is O, S or NR5; or X is —C(R6)?C(R7)—, wherein the carbon atom bonded to R6 is also bonded to the carbon atom bonded to R4, and the carbon atom bonded to R7 is also bonded to the phenyl ring moiety in Formula 1; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, G and W are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling undesired vegetation comprising contacting the undesired vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: THOMAS PAUL SELBY, Nicholas Ryan Deprez, Thomas Martin Stevenson, Andrew Edmund Taggi, John Robbins DeBergh
  • Publication number: 20190011705
    Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Steven John ROBBINS, David Douglas BOHN
  • Patent number: 10175489
    Abstract: An optical system that deploys micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) scanners to contemporaneously generate CG images and to scan a terrain of a real-world environment. An illumination engine emits a first spectral bandwidth and a second spectral bandwidth into an optical assembly along a common optical path. The optical assembly then separates the spectral bandwidth by directing the first spectral bandwidth onto an image-generation optical path and the second spectral bandwidth onto a terrain-mapping optical path. The optical system deploys the MEMS scanners to generate CG images by directing the first spectral bandwidth within the image-generation optical path and also to irradiate a terrain by directing the second spectral bandwidth within the terrain-mapping optical path. Accordingly, the disclosed system provides substantial reductions in both weight and cost for systems such as, for example, augmented reality and virtual reality systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John Robbins, David Douglas Bohn
  • Patent number: 10162181
    Abstract: Introduced here is a display device that comprises a light emitter and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that is optically coupled to receive light from the light emitter and to convey the light along an optical path. The DOE may have an input surface and an output surface parallel to the input surface, where the input surface and the output surface each have a central region and a peripheral region. The DOE further may have optical characteristics such that light exiting the DOE in the peripheral region of the output surface has greater brightness than light exiting the DOE in the central region of the output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James Randolph Webster, Jeb Wu, Steven John Robbins, Tuomas Heikki Sakari Vallius, Yarn Chee Poon
  • Publication number: 20180364481
    Abstract: An optical device comprises a pixel array including one or more pixels. Two or more independently controllable electrodes are electrically coupled to each pixel. A common ground reference electrode is electrically coupled to all pixels of the pixel array. Each pixel includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal molecules may be oriented in a first direction based on a first function of voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel, and oriented in a second direction based on a second function of the voltages applied by the two or more independently controllable electrodes for the pixel. In this way, both phase modulation and polarization modulation may be introduced to light illuminating the pixel array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven John ROBBINS, Joel Steven KOLLIN, Andreas GEORGIOU, Adrian Robert Leigh TRAVIS
  • Publication number: 20180338131
    Abstract: A non-telecentric display system that prevents ghost images includes an optical waveguide and a display engine. An image former of the display engine includes a reflective surface having a surface normal thereto. An illumination engine of the display engine emits light towards the reflective surface of the image former such that chief rays are offset by acute angles from the surface normal to the reflective surface. The display engine directs light corresponding to an image, that reflects off the reflective surface of the image former, towards an input-coupler of the optical waveguide so light corresponding to the image is coupled therein and travels by total internal reflection to an output-coupler of the waveguide. Ghost images are prevented at least in part due to the chief rays of light emitted by the illumination engine being offset by acute angles from the surface normal to the reflective surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Steven John Robbins
  • Patent number: 10118917
    Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein X is O, S or NR5; or X is —C(R6)?C(R7)—, wherein the carbon atom bonded to R6 is also bonded to the carbon atom bonded to R4, and the carbon atom bonded to R7 is also bonded to the phenyl ring moiety in Formula 1; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, G and W are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling undesired vegetation comprising contacting the undesired vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Paul Selby, Nicholas Ryan Deprez, Thomas Martin Stevenson, Andrew Edmund Taggi, John Robbins DeBergh