Patents by Inventor John R. Lewis

John R. Lewis 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: 8479454
    Abstract: Multiple assemblies are provided to overlie a gutter to preclude debris entry. Each assembly includes a mesh positioned upon an underlying substantially rigid support. The support has a tab which can reside beneath shingles and over other portions of the roof. A front edge is provided opposite the tab which rests upon a lip of the gutter when installed. A floor is located between the front edge and tab at a position slightly below a plane in which the tab and front edge are located. The mesh overlies the floor. Holes in the floor allow water which passes down through the mesh to be conducted through the floor and to fall down into the gutter. Ribs extend up from the floor to support the mesh and draw water off of the mesh. The mesh is corrugated into a plurality of crests and troughs which extend perpendicular to the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Gutterglove, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130169683
    Abstract: A see-through head mounted-display and method for operating the display to optimize performance of the display by referencing a user profile automatically. The identity of the user is determined by performing an iris scan and recognition of a user enabling user profile information to be retrieved and used to enhance the user's experience with the see through head mounted display. The user profile may contain user preferences regarding services providing augmented reality images to the see-through head-mounted display, as well as display adjustment information optimizing the position of display elements in the see-though head-mounted display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Kathryn Stone Perez, Bob Crocco, JR., John R. Lewis, Ben Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Patent number: 8438787
    Abstract: The invention includes a substantially rigid body providing underlying support for a filter screen. The invention further includes at least one heating wire disposed adjacent to the body, which is formed of heat conductive material. The body is configured with multiple ribs extending up from a floor so that heat transfer from the body to the screen can occur in a variety of different locations to keep the screen sufficiently heated. The body also includes a wing for interfacing with roofing and openings to allow water filtering through the screen to migrate down into the gutter. A cover overlies a channel, which contains one or more of the heating wires. The system includes a flange attached to the body and extends into the gutter enhancing the heat transfer from the body to within the gutter to keep the water flowing in gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Gutterglove, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John R Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130050642
    Abstract: The technology provides for automatic alignment of a see-through near-eye, mixed reality device with an inter-pupillary distance (IPD). A determination is made as to whether a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device is aligned with an IPD of a user. If the display device is not aligned with the IPD, the display device is automatically adjusted. In some examples, the alignment determination is based on determinations of whether an optical axis of each display optical system positioned to be seen through by a respective eye is aligned with a pupil of the respective eye in accordance with an alignment criteria. The pupil alignment may be determined based on an arrangement of gaze detection elements for each display optical system including at least one sensor for capturing data of the respective eye and the captured data. The captured data may be image data, image and glint data, and glint data only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Yichen Wei, Robert L. Crocco, Benjamin I. Vaught, Kathryn Stone Perez, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20130050432
    Abstract: Technology is disclosed for enhancing the experience of a user wearing a see-through, near eye mixed reality display device. Based on an arrangement of gaze detection elements on each display optical system for each eye of the display device, a respective gaze vector is determined and a current user focal region is determined based on the gaze vectors. Virtual objects are displayed at their respective focal regions in a user field of view for a natural sight view. Additionally, one or more objects of interest to a user may be identified. The identification may be based on a user intent to interact with the object. For example, the intent may be determined based on a gaze duration. Augmented content may be projected over or next to an object, real or virtual. Additionally, a real or virtual object intended for interaction may be zoomed in or out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Kathryn Stone Perez, Benjamin I. Vaught, John R. Lewis, Robert L. Crocco, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20130050070
    Abstract: The technology provides various embodiments for gaze determination within a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device. In some embodiments, the boundaries of a gaze detection coordinate system can be determined from a spatial relationship between a user eye and gaze detection elements such as illuminators and at least one light sensor positioned on a support structure such as an eyeglasses frame. The gaze detection coordinate system allows for determination of a gaze vector from each eye based on data representing glints on the user eye, or a combination of image and glint data. A point of gaze may be determined in a three-dimensional user field of view including real and virtual objects. The spatial relationship between the gaze detection elements and the eye may be checked and may trigger a re-calibration of training data sets if the boundaries of the gaze detection coordinate system have changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Yichen Wei, Robert L. Crocco, Benjamin I. Vaught, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Kathryn Stone Perez
  • Publication number: 20130050833
    Abstract: The technology provides for adjusting a see-through, near-eye, mixed reality display device for alignment with an inter-pupillary distance (IPD) of a user by different examples of display adjustment mechanisms. The see-through, near-eye, mixed reality system includes for each eye a display optical system having an optical axis. Each display optical system is positioned to be seen through by a respective eye, and is supported on a respective movable support structure. A display adjustment mechanism attached to the display device also connects with each movable support structure for moving the structure. A determination is automatically made as to whether the display device is aligned with an IPD of a user. If not aligned, one or more adjustment values for a position of at least one of the display optical systems is automatically determined. The display adjustment mechanism moves the at least one display optical system in accordance with the adjustment values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Kathryn Stone Perez, Robert L. Crocco, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman
  • Publication number: 20120159868
    Abstract: The invention includes a substantially rigid body providing underlying support for a filter screen. The invention further includes at least one heating wire disposed adjacent to the body, which is formed of heat conductive material. The body is configured with multiple ribs extending up from a floor so that heat transfer from the body to the screen can occur in a variety of different locations to keep the screen sufficiently heated. The body also includes a wing for interfacing with roofing and openings to allow water filtering through the screen to migrate down into the gutter. A cover overlies a channel, which contains one or more of the heating wires. The system includes a flange attached to the body and extends into the gutter enhancing the heat transfer from the body to within the gutter to keep the water flowing in gutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert C. LENNEY, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20120154277
    Abstract: A method and system that enhances a user's experience when using a near eye display device, such as a see-through display device or a head mounted display device is provided. An optimized image for display relative to the a field of view of a user in a scene is created. The user's head and eye position and movement are tracked to determine a focal region for the user. A portion of the optimized image is coupled to the user's focal region in the current position of the eyes, a next position of the head and eyes predicted, and a portion of the optimized image coupled to the user's focal region in the next position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Avi Bar-Zeev, John R. Lewis, Georg Klein
  • Patent number: 8143598
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Kurt A. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20110267501
    Abstract: A method for displaying or capturing an image comprises directing an illumination beam onto a mirror of a highly resonant, mirror-mount system and applying a drive signal to a transducer to deflect the mirror. In this method, the drive signal has a pulse frequency approaching a resonance frequency of the mirror-mount system. The method further comprises reflecting the illumination beam off the mirror so that the illumination beam scans through an area where the image is to be displayed or captured, and, addressing each pixel of the image in synchronicity with the drive signal to display or capture the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Westhues, Amar S. Vattakandy, Randall Crane, John R. Lewis, Steven Bathiche
  • Patent number: 7982765
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image capture apparatus comprises a light emitter, a beam scanner aligned to receive emitted light and operable to scan the light in a two-dimensional pattern, imaging optics aligned to receive the scanned two-dimensional pattern and image the pattern onto an object, and to collect light scattered from the object, a detector to receive scattered light from the imaging optics, an electronic controller c operable to receive an electrical signal from the detector corresponding to the received scattered light, and an actuator operable to modify the relative alignment between the beam scanner and the imaging optics to change an imaged location on the object. According to an embodiment, a method for capturing an image comprises scanning a beam of light through imaging optics onto a location on a surface, detecting light scattered by the surface, and steering the beam scanner relative to the imaging optics to change the trajectory of the scanned pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 7975435
    Abstract: A barrier is provided to preclude debris from passing into a rain gutter. The barrier includes a screen supported upon a channel. The channel includes a tab positionable between a roof and shingles upon the roof, and with a lip opposite the tab resting upon a portion of a gutter opposite the roof. The channel includes a recess between the tab and the lip. The recess includes a floor defining a lower plane of the channel. Ribs extend from the floor up to an upper plane of the channel in which the screen is supported. The ribs have sufficient height to remain in contact with the screen. Water is drawn through the screen and along the ribs down to the floor of the recess. Apertures in the floor allow the water to fall down through the channel and into the gutter, while debris is precluded from passing through the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110067318
    Abstract: Multiple assemblies are provided to overlie a gutter to preclude debris entry. Each assembly includes a mesh positioned upon an underlying substantially rigid support. The support has a tab which can reside beneath shingles and over other portions of the roof. A front edge is provided opposite the tab which rests upon a lip of the gutter when installed. A floor is located between the front edge and tab at a position slightly below a plane in which the tab and front edge are located. The mesh overlies the floor. Holes in the floor allow water which passes down through the mesh to be conducted through the floor and to fall down into the gutter. Ribs extend up from the floor to support the mesh and draw water off of the mesh. The mesh is corrugated into a plurality of crests and troughs which extend perpendicular to the ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110056145
    Abstract: Corrugated fine mesh material is configured to be located overlying a gutter. The fine mesh material has an upper edge opposite a lower edge with the upper edge configured to fit beneath shingles on a roof adjacent the gutter. The lower edge is configured to be held to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter. The corrugations add strength to the material and collect water at troughs thereof where the collected water more readily forms droplets that fall down into the gutter. A lower strip is preferably provided to hold the lower edge of the mesh to a lip of the gutter. An upper strip is optionally provided which includes a tab which can fit beneath shingles to the roof. A barrier such as a bead of caulk can optionally be coupled to an underside of the corrugated mesh to further encourage water droplets to fall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, John R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7901084
    Abstract: A portable video projector includes facility to direct a projected image field along an axis in an alignment corresponding to the state of an optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Willey, Randall B. Sprague, Thomas W. Montague, Christopher A. Wiklof, Maarten Niesten, Mark Freeman, Bruce Rothaar, V. G. Veeraraghavan, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100277890
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the use of photoluminescent material to improve the presentation of images being displayed by a user interface device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface device including a cuplet microstructure sheet that includes a plurality of cuplets. Each cuplet forms a light input opening and a light output opening. The light output opening has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the light input opening. The user interface device further includes a photoluminescent material that at least partially fills one or more cuplets of the plurality of cuplets. The user interface device further includes a light source configured to generate light that is directed to one or more selected cuplets of the plurality of cuplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Lewis, Kurt A. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7724210
    Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light and a curved mirror positioned to receive at least a portion of the light. The curved mirror is configured to substantially collimate the received light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source and the curved mirror relative to each other. Alternatively, the scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light, a curved mirror positioned to receive some of the light, and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the curved mirror. The optical element is configured to substantially collimate the reflected light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source, the curved mirror, and the optical element. Scanning mirror assemblies and methods of making are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Hakan Urey, Dean R. Brown, Margaret K. Brown, John R. Lewis, Mathew D. Watson, Thomas W. Montague, Stephen R. Willey
  • Patent number: 7639209
    Abstract: A scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light and a curved mirror positioned to receive at least a portion of the light. The curved mirror is configured to substantially collimate the received light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source and the curved mirror relative to each other. Alternatively, the scanned light display system includes a light source operable to emit light, a curved mirror positioned to receive some of the light, and an optical element positioned to receive light reflected from the curved mirror. The optical element is configured to substantially collimate the reflected light. The substantially collimated light is scanned to form an image by moving at least one of the light source, the curved mirror, and the optical element. Scanning mirror assemblies and methods of making are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Hakan Urey, Dean R. Brown, Margaret K. Brown, John R. Lewis, Mathew D. Watson, Thomas W. Montague, Stephen R. Willey
  • Patent number: 7612737
    Abstract: A scanned beam display is operable to compensate for variations in apparent pixel brightness arising from variations in beam scanning velocity and/or pixel dwell times. A compensation circuit modifies pixel values according to their scanning velocity and/or dwell time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Bright, Scott W. Straka, Philip C. Black, James G. Moore, John R. Lewis, Hakan Urey, Clarence T. Tegreene