Patents by Inventor Joseph Patrick Sullivan

Joseph Patrick Sullivan 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).

  • Publication number: 20210211640
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) system may include a body having a right side and a left side, a display device coupled to the body and positioned to display content to a user when the HMD system is donned by the user, a right side arm coupled to the right side of the body and dimensioned such that, when coupled to a first portion of a swappable strap, the right side arm and the first portion of the strap form a first fastener, and a left side arm coupled to the left side of the body and dimensioned such that, when coupled to a second portion of the strap, the left side arm and the second portion of the strap form a second fastener. The first fastener and the second fastener may detachably secure the strap to the body of the HMD system. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Wesley Bristol, Shane Michael Ellis, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Joel Bernard Jacobs, Glen Jason Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20210132397
    Abstract: The disclosed head-mounted display assemblies may include a first eyecup and a second eyecup that are configured for respectively positioning a first lens and a second lens in front of intended locations of a user's eyes when the head-mounted display assembly is donned. The first eyecup and the second eyecup may be movable relative to each other to adjust for an interpupillary distance of the user's eyes. A single near-eye display screen may be configured for displaying an image to the user through the first and second eyecups. An enclosure over the single near-eye display screen may include a first transparent component positioned between the first lens and the single near-eye display screen and a second transparent component positioned between the second lens and the single near-eye display screen. Various other methods, devices, systems, and assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey Taylor Stellman, Nirav Rajendra Patel, Samuel Redmond D'Amico, Wei Rong, Evan Lawrence Coons, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10869120
    Abstract: An audio assembly provides audio content to a user. The audio assembly comprises an elongated body, a negative vent assembly, and a positive vent assembly. The elongated body includes an audio waveguide. The negative vent assembly is coupled to the elongated body and includes at least one negative vent that vents negative acoustic pressure waves generated by a back surface of a transducer coupled to a first end of the audio waveguide. The positive vent assembly is part of the elongated body and is coupled to a second end of the audio waveguide. The positive vent assembly includes at least one positive vent that vents positive acoustic pressure waves generated by a front surface of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Bernard Jacobs, Clare Regimbal Long, Simon Porter, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Peter Allan Chase Newbury
  • Patent number: 10761567
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a facial interface in a head-mount display. The facial interface assembly is comprised of three separate layers of various materials that are contoured to assemble into a removable facial interface that may be replaced in the event that it becomes worn due to use. The facial interface assembly is composed of a periphery frame, a semi-rigid frame, and facial interface foam. These three layers are of varying rigidity, and support contours designed to fit together in a flush manner comprising a removable facial interface assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Michael Ellis, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10747005
    Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a strap that includes (1) a proximal section coupled to a proximal area of a head-mounted display and (2) a distal section coupled to a distal area of the head-mounted display in a manner that holds the head-mounted display, when being worn by a user, against the user's face. The apparatus may also include a spring that couples the proximal section of the strap to the proximal area of the head-mounted display. In addition, the apparatus may include an adjustment mechanism connected to the spring such that (1) actuation of the adjustment mechanism adjusts the spring and (2) adjusting the spring changes an amount of force that the head-mounted display, when being worn by the user, applies to the user's face. Various other head-mounted-display adjustment devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10653016
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a facial-interface cushion for a head-mounted display may include (1) positioning a foam layer between a recessed mold member and an insertion mold member of a mold assembly, with the foam layer overlapping at least a portion of a mold channel extending along an arcuate path, the foam layer including a reticulated foam material, (2) forcing the insertion mold member against the foam layer in a direction toward the recessed mold member such that at least a portion of the foam layer is forced into the mold channel toward a channel bottom surface, forming a shaped foam element having a curved surface within the mold channel, (3) heating the shaped foam element to soften the shaped foam element and form the facial-interface cushion, and (4) removing the facial-interface cushion from the mold assembly. Various other facial-interface cushions, systems, and methods for head-mounted displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Shane Michael Ellis
  • Patent number: 10545349
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a facial-interface cushion for a head-mounted display may include (1) positioning a foam layer between a recessed mold member and an insertion mold member of a mold assembly, with a first end portion of the foam layer overlapping a second end portion of the foam layer, (2) forcing the insertion mold member against the foam layer in a direction toward the recessed mold member, thereby forming a shaped foam element including a first end portion that is compressed against a second end portion between the insertion mold member and the recessed mold member, and (3) heating the shaped foam element to form a facial-interface cushion by softening the shaped foam element and bonding the first end portion of the shaped foam element to the second end portion of the shaped foam element. Various other facial-interface cushions, systems, and methods for head-mounted displays are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Shane Michael Ellis, Quintin Morris
  • Patent number: 10539792
    Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a strap with a distal section coupled to a distal area of a head-mounted display. The adjustment apparatus may also include a pinion rotatably coupled to a proximal area of the head-mounted display in a manner that holds the head-mounted display against a user's face when a user is wearing the head-mounted display. In addition, the adjustment apparatus may include a rack that is coupled to a proximal section of the strap and includes a plurality of teeth in mesh with the pinion such that (1) rotation of the pinion repositions the rack relative to the head-mounted display and (2) repositioning the rack adjusts an area between the strap and the head-mounted display. Various other head-mounted-display adjustment apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Jason Tompkins, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10466740
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a metal frame in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is structured to absorb impact and protect components of the HMD. The metal frame has a wall that is spaced away from a protection shell securing a display panel in the HMD. When the HMD is dropped or subject to external force, the wall may deform but keep the protection shell intact. Moreover, the metal frame has protruding ridges and brackets that surround outward facing cameras on the HMD. If the HMD is dropped, the protruding ridges and brackets can provide protection to the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, James Aldrich, Julian Hammerstein, Adam Hewko, Mark Alan Tempel, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190243145
    Abstract: A head-mounted-display assembly may include a knitted layer formed of a plurality of fibers and extending in three dimensions. The knitted layer may include (1) a first region having a first degree of at least one physical property, (2) a second region having a second degree of the at least one physical property, and (3) a transition region extending between the first region and the second region. The transition region of the knitted layer may progressively change in degree of the at least one physical property proceeding from the first region toward the second region. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Shane Michael Ellis, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10330887
    Abstract: A head-mounted display in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a display housing and one or more displays within the display housing. The display system further includes a first lens and a second lens, each being operably associated with the one or more displays. A lateral distance between the first and second lenses is adjustable to accommodate users having different interpupillary distances. The display system still further includes a flexible membrane having a region extending between the first and second lenses. The region of the membrane extending between the first and second lenses is configured to resiliently expand as the lateral distance between the first and second lenses increases and to resiliently contract as the lateral distance between the first and second lenses decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Chun Li Chen
  • Patent number: 10281728
    Abstract: Technology is provided for restraint systems for use with head mounted displays and head mounted displays incorporating the same. The head mounted display includes a display unit including a display housing and one or more display devices. A retention assembly attaches to the display unit to support the unit on a user's head. The retention assembly includes at least one tensioner mechanism including a housing having an anchor portion coupled to the display housing and a slider positioned in the housing. A strap is coupled to the slider and configured to support the head mounted display on the user's head. A tension element having a first end portion coupled to the housing and a second end portion coupled to the slider provides a constant force on the strap to comfortably pull the strap against the user's head in order to retain the head mounted display on the user's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Jared I. Drinkwater
  • Patent number: 10222622
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Mark Alan Tempel, Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10209738
    Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a spring with a restoring force that is, within an elastic limit of the spring, substantially disproportional to deflection of the spring. The adjustment apparatus may also include a mount that couples the spring to a head-mounted display. In addition, the adjustment apparatus may include a strap with a distal section coupled to the head-mounted display and a proximal section coupled to the spring such that (1) the strap is extendable, via deflection of the spring, away from the head-mounted display and (2) when a user is wearing the head-mounted display, the restoring force of the spring holds, via the strap, the head-mounted display against the user's face. Various other head-mounted-display adjustment devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Jason Tompkins, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10203506
    Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a telescoping assembly. The telescoping assembly may include (1) a track, (2) a boss element that bears upon the track and that is loosely coupled to the track such that the boss element is liftable from the track by a limited distance, and (3) a slide that moves along the track, the slide including a catch that restrains the slide from moving along the track when the boss element bears upon the track. The adjustment apparatus may also include a strap with a distal section coupled to the head-mounted display and a proximal section coupled to the slide such that the strap is extendable, via movement of the slide, away from the head-mounted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: D840399
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Adam Hewko
  • Patent number: D865764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Adam Hewko
  • Patent number: D875094
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Adam Hewko
  • Patent number: D892792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Adam Hewko
  • Patent number: D925528
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Wesley Bristol, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Mauricio Romano, David Michael Pickett, Peter Allan Chase Newbury, Quintin Morris, Shane Michael Ellis, Glen Jason Tompkins, Enric Vial Roig, Joel Bernard Jacobs