Patents by Inventor Karlton D. Powell

Karlton D. Powell 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: 10795238
    Abstract: The description relates to devices that emit light from a light source. One example device can include a reflector extending along an arc and oriented in light receiving relation relative to the light source. The reflector can have a cross-sectional reflector profile taken transverse to the arc that includes a first portion having a swept profile that transitions to a second portion having a reverse swept profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Lalit Anil Palve
  • Patent number: 10684470
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of first Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of second Fourier transform lenses. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that light diverging from an object at a plane disposed at an object conjugate distance from the first lens array assembly reconverges at an image plane after passing through the first and second lens array assemblies. The image plane is disposed at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly in accordance with the object conjugate distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20200183253
    Abstract: The description relates to devices that emit light from a light source. One example device can include a reflector extending along an arc and oriented in light receiving relation relative to the light source. The reflector can have a cross-sectional reflector profile taken transverse to the arc that includes a first portion having a swept profile that transitions to a second portion having a reverse swept profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. POWELL, Lalit Anil PALVE
  • Patent number: 10666848
    Abstract: Remote depth sensing techniques are described via relayed depth from diffusion. In one or more implementations, a remote depth sensing system is configured to sense depth as relayed from diffusion. The system includes an image capture system including an image sensor and an imaging lens configured to transmit light to the image sensor through an intermediate image plane that is disposed between the imaging lens and the image sensor, the intermediate plane having an optical diffuser disposed proximal thereto that is configured to diffuse the transmitted light. The system also includes a depth sensing module configured to receive one or more images from the image sensor and determine a distance to one or more objects in an object scene captured by the one or more images using a depth by diffusion technique that is based at least in part on an amount of blurring exhibited by respective said objects in the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Vivek Pradeep
  • Patent number: 10191188
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of Fourier transform lenses. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that an image of an object is provided at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Patent number: 10012834
    Abstract: A display includes a source that establishes an exit pupil of far field content, a reconvergent sheet disposed along an optical axis to receive light of the far field content, the reconvergent sheet being configured to reconverge the far field content in position space, a reflective surface disposed along the optical axis for reflection of light of the position space back through the reconvergent sheet after reflection off of the reflective surface to re-form the exit pupil of the far field content, and a splitter disposed along the optical axis between the source and the reconvergent sheet and configured to redirect light exhibiting the re-formed exit pupil in a direction offset from the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Patent number: 9945988
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of first Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of second Fourier transform lenses. The first Fourier transform lenses have a first pitch. The second Fourier transform lenses have a second pitch differing from the first pitch. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that a Fourier transform of light from an object is developed at a plane between the first and second lens array assemblies and an image of the object is provided at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Patent number: 9798064
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Timothy Andrew Large
  • Publication number: 20170261651
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of first Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of second Fourier transform lenses. The first Fourier transform lenses have a first pitch. The second Fourier transform lenses have a second pitch differing from the first pitch. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that a Fourier transform of light from an object is developed at a plane between the first and second lens array assemblies and an image of the object is provided at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20170261650
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of Fourier transform lenses. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that an image of an object is provided at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20170261748
    Abstract: A display includes a source that establishes an exit pupil of far field content, a reconvergent sheet disposed along an optical axis to receive light of the far field content, the reconvergent sheet being configured to reconverge the far field content in position space, a reflective surface disposed along the optical axis for reflection of light of the position space back through the reconvergent sheet after reflection off of the reflective surface to re-form the exit pupil of the far field content, and a splitter disposed along the optical axis between the source and the reconvergent sheet and configured to redirect light exhibiting the re-formed exit pupil in a direction offset from the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20170261729
    Abstract: A lens system includes a first lens array assembly including a first plurality of cells, each cell of the first plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of first Fourier transform lenses, and a second lens array assembly including a second plurality of cells, each cell of the second plurality of cells configured to exhibit a pair of second Fourier transform lenses. The first and second lens array assemblies are positioned relative to one another along an optical axis of the lens system such that light diverging from an object at a plane disposed at an object conjugate distance from the first lens array assembly reconverges at an image plane after passing through the first and second lens array assemblies. The image plane is disposed at an image conjugate distance from the second lens array assembly in accordance with the object conjugate distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20160330360
    Abstract: Remote depth sensing techniques are described via relayed depth from diffusion. In one or more implementations, a remote depth sensing system is configured to sense depth as relayed from diffusion. The system includes an image capture system including an image sensor and an imaging lens configured to transmit light to the image sensor through an intermediate image plane that is disposed between the imaging lens and the image sensor, the intermediate plane having an optical diffuser disposed proximal thereto that is configured to diffuse the transmitted light. The system also includes a depth sensing module configured to receive one or more images from the image sensor and determine a distance to one or more objects in an object scene captured by the one or more images using a depth by diffusion technique that is based at least in part on an amount of blurring exhibited by respective said objects in the one or more images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Vivek Pradeep
  • Publication number: 20160209574
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Timothy Andrew Large
  • Patent number: 9354748
    Abstract: Optical stylus interaction techniques are described. In an implementation, a display of a computing device includes optical sensors capable of detecting images projected by a stylus. A stylus may include a projection system to project various images used to convey interaction information that may be interpreted by the computing device. Based on recognition of different projected images, a context for interaction of the stylus may be ascertained and corresponding operations may be performed by the computing device. This may include resolving a spatial position of the stylus relative to the display device as well as movement of the stylus and images that defines various stylus-based gestures. In addition, the environment for optical stylus interaction enables a writing mode that emulates natural writing by mapping different projectable images to changes in pressure applied to the stylus when in contact with the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lutian, Liang Wang, Karlton D. Powell, Steven Nabil Bathiche
  • Patent number: 9355345
    Abstract: Transparent tags with encoded data include both a base mirror component and a matrix component, and may optionally include a filter component. These components are combined to achieve a system having a tag that absorbs infrared light in particular portions and reflects infrared light in other portions, presenting a pattern which encodes the data included in the tag to sensors of a display panel. This combination of components also reduces near infrared and/or red ambient light that can be sensed by the sensor in the display panel, reducing interference from such ambient light when identifying the pattern while enabling the tag to be substantially visibly transparent to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell
  • Patent number: 9316778
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Timothy Andrew Large
  • Publication number: 20140376260
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Timothy Andrew Large
  • Patent number: 8749529
    Abstract: A display system includes both a cover panel and a display panel. The display panel includes multiple display pixels and multiple sensor elements configured to detect infrared light reflected from an object touching or close to the cover panel. The filter layer is configured to increase rejection of near infrared light reflected from the object prior to detection of the infrared light by the multiple sensor elements. The filter layer can be positioned in different locations, such as between the display panel and the cover panel, within the display panel, or within or on top of the cover panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Rajesh Manohar Dighde
  • Publication number: 20140022629
    Abstract: Transparent tags with encoded data include both a base mirror component and a matrix component, and may optionally include a filter component. These components are combined to achieve a system having a tag that absorbs infrared light in particular portions and reflects infrared light in other portions, presenting a pattern which encodes the data included in the tag to sensors of a display panel. This combination of components also reduces near infrared and/or red ambient light that can be sensed by the sensor in the display panel, reducing interference from such ambient light when identifying the pattern while enabling the tag to be substantially visibly transparent to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Karlton D. Powell