Patents by Inventor Mark Alan Tempel

Mark Alan Tempel 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: 11467411
    Abstract: The disclosed head-mounted display assemblies may include a first eyecup and a second eyecup that are configured for positioning in front of intended locations of a user's eyes. 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. The head-mounted display assemblies may also include a single near-eye display screen configured for displaying an image to the user through the first eyecup and the second eyecup. A flexible shroud may be positioned to provide a seal between a first interior volume of the first eyecup, a second interior volume of the second eyecup, and the single near-eye display screen. Various other methods, devices, systems, and assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Bernard Jacobs, Evan Lawrence Coons, Jeffrey Taylor Stellman, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 11327266
    Abstract: A housing assembly for mounting a first lens and a second lens includes a first lens holder. The first lens holder includes a ring-shaped structure configured to mount the first lens. The housing assembly also includes a second lens holder including a cup-shaped structure. The cup-shaped structure includes an upper portion configured to mount the first lens holder, and a lower portion configured to mount the second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Aiqing Chen, Weihua Gao, Daozhi Wang, Ashvath Sharma, Matthew Erich, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 11204504
    Abstract: The disclosed head-mounted display assemblies may include a first eyecup and a second eyecup that are configured for positioning in front of intended locations of a user's eyes. 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. The head-mounted display assemblies may also include a single near-eye display screen configured for displaying an image to the user through the first eyecup and the second eyecup. A flexible shroud may be positioned to provide a seal between a first interior volume of the first eyecup, a second interior volume of the second eyecup, and the single near-eye display screen. Various other methods, devices, systems, and assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Bernard Jacobs, Evan Lawrence Coons, Jeffrey Taylor Stellman, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 11086161
    Abstract: A display assembly of a head mounted display (HMD) includes a pancake lens display assembly. The pancake display assembly comprises a first lens with a quarter-waveplate and a partially reflective surface, a second lens with a reflective polarizer, and a display. An alignment system positions the first lens relative to the second lens to align the reflective polarizer of the second lens with the quarter-waveplate of the first lens. The alignment system rotates the first lens about an optical axis to position the quarter-waveplate on the first lens such that the quarter-waveplate and the reflective polarizer on the second lens are at an angle where light transmitted through the second lens and then through the first lens is substantially circularly polarized. The alignment system mounts the second lens to the lens housing such that the quarter-waveplate is at the angle relative to the reflective polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Hannah D. Noble, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Publication number: 20210103150
    Abstract: An inter-pupillary distance (IPD) adjustment mechanism for a head-mounted display (HMD) is disclosed. The IPD adjustment mechanism is coupled to a structural plate of the HMD and to an eyecup for each eye that includes a lens and display assemblies. The IPD adjustment mechanism includes an arm for each optical assembly, and a gear that interfaces with the arms. In one embodiment, each arm is a rack gear that interfaces with a pinion gear. The eyecups are each mounted on one or more rails that allow for the eyecups to adjust a distance between the eyecups along a single dimension. Accordingly, movement of the gear causes both eyecups to move either away from or towards each other. In some embodiments, the IPD adjustment mechanisms is driven by a motor. In some embodiments, the IPD adjustment mechanism is manually controlled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 10859843
    Abstract: A backplate for a head-mounted display (HMD) is disclosed. The backplate provides structural support as well as thermal cooling for components coupled to the backplate. The backplate includes a plurality of mounting regions that are used to couple components to the backplate. The mounting regions may include camera mounting regions (e.g., for inside-out tracking), an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounting region, circuit board mounting regions, heat pipe mounting region, and a fan mounting region. The mounting regions may be specific to the component. In various embodiments, the backplate is a single diecast metal plate that includes the mounting regions designed to provide certain levels of thermal management, stiffness, and conductivity (e.g., ground) for the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Tempel, James Aldrich
  • Patent number: 10848751
    Abstract: A device is configured to adjust interpupillary distance in a HMD. The device include a fixed plate, a button assembly, a spring, and a gear. The spring biases the button assembly towards the fixed plate to prevent movement of the button assembly. A button of the button assembly can be pressed beyond a threshold distance to disengage the button assembly and the fixed plate. Consequently, the button assembly can be moved relative to the fixed plate. The gear meshes with a gear rack of the button assembly and is associated with two display assemblies of the HMD. The movement of the button assembly drives the gear to rotate. The rotation of the gear causes the two display assemblies of the HMD to move in opposite directions. The movement of one of the display assemblies relative to the other display assembly adjusts interpupillary distance in the HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Publication number: 20200292777
    Abstract: A housing assembly for mounting a first lens and a second lens includes a first lens holder. The first lens holder includes a ring-shaped structure configured to mount the first lens. The housing assembly also includes a second lens holder including a cup-shaped structure. The cup-shaped structure includes an upper portion configured to mount the first lens holder, and a lower portion configured to mount the second lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Aiqing CHEN, Weihua GAO, Daozhi WANG, Ashvath SHARMA, Matthew ERICH, Mark Alan TEMPEL
  • Patent number: 10725305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing head mounted displays may include lens movement assemblies. 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: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Tempel, Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller
  • Publication number: 20200096817
    Abstract: A display assembly of a head mounted display (HMD) includes a pancake lens display assembly. The pancake display assembly comprises a first lens with a quarter-waveplate and a partially reflective surface, a second lens with a reflective polarizer, and a display. An alignment system positions the first lens relative to the second lens to align the reflective polarizer of the second lens with the quarter-waveplate of the first lens. The alignment system rotates the first lens about an optical axis to position the quarter-waveplate on the first lens such that the quarter-waveplate and the reflective polarizer on the second lens are at an angle where light transmitted through the second lens and then through the first lens is substantially circularly polarized. The alignment system mounts the second lens to the lens housing such that the quarter-waveplate is at the angle relative to the reflective polarizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Evan M. Richards, Hannah D. Noble, Mark Alan Tempel
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10386647
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for adjusting the interpupillary distance (IPD) of an optical device. A system for IPD adjustment includes a first nonmoving component, a sliding assembly comprising a button, and a pair of magnets, wherein a first magnet of the pair of magnets is coupled to the sliding assembly. The pair of magnets is configured to exert a magnetic force on the sliding assembly in a first direction to press the sliding assembly against the first nonmoving component to lock the sliding assembly to the first nonmoving component. The sliding assembly is configured to, when the button of the sliding assembly is pushed by a force in a second direction opposite the first direction of the magnetic force, disengage with the first nonmoving component and become slidable with respect to the first nonmoving component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Xingyi Yu, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 10261324
    Abstract: A lens assembly can be removably attached to an eye cone of a HMD. The eye cone displays images to an eye of a user of the HMD. The eye cone includes a peripheral wall that extends towards rear of the HMD. The lens assembly includes a corrective lens and a frame. The corrective lens corrects a vision error of the eye of the user. The frame includes an inner surface onto which the corrective lens is attached. The frame also includes a wall that receives a peripheral wall of the eye cone for removably securing the lens assembly to the HMD. The HMD can include another eye cone that displays images to the other eye of the user. Another lens assembly can be removably attached to the other eye cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Lawrence Chuang, Mark Alan Tempel
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190056590
    Abstract: A lens assembly can be removably attached to an eye cone of a HMD. The eye cone displays images to an eye of a user of the HMD. The eye cone includes a peripheral wall that extends towards rear of the HMD. The lens assembly includes a corrective lens and a frame. The corrective lens corrects a vision error of the eye of the user. The frame includes an inner surface onto which the corrective lens is attached. The frame also includes a wall that receives a peripheral wall of the eye cone for removably securing the lens assembly to the HMD. The HMD can include another eye cone that displays images to the other eye of the user. Another lens assembly can be removably attached to the other eye cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brian Lawrence Chuang, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Publication number: 20180348812
    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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, James Aldrich, Julian Hammerstein, Adam Hewko, Mark Alan Tempel, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20180338130
    Abstract: A device is configured to adjust interpupillary distance in a HMD. The device include a fixed plate, a button assembly, a spring, and a gear. The spring biases the button assembly towards the fixed plate to prevent movement of the button assembly. A button of the button assembly can be pressed beyond a threshold distance to disengage the button assembly and the fixed plate. Consequently, the button assembly can be moved relative to the fixed plate. The gear meshes with a gear rack of the button assembly and is associated with two display assemblies of the HMD. The movement of the button assembly drives the gear to rotate. The rotation of the gear causes the two display assemblies of the HMD to move in opposite directions. The movement of one of the display assemblies relative to the other display assembly adjusts interpupillary distance in the HMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Mark Alan Tempel
  • Patent number: 10085004
    Abstract: A head-mounted display system includes a left lens for a user's left eye and a right lens for the user's right eye. The head-mounted display system also includes left and right display screens. The left display screen is coupled to the left lens to provide images to the user's left eye through the left lens. The right display screen is coupled to the right lens to provide images to the user's right eye through the right lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Tempel, Jared I. Drinkwater, Robin Michael Miller, Joseph Patrick Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10007116
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: OCULUS VR, LLC
    Inventors: Jared I. Drinkwater, Mark Alan Tempel, Robin Michael Miller, Peter Wesley Bristol, Boyd Drew Allin, Joseph Patrick Sullivan, Yi-yaun Chen
  • Patent number: D835622
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Michael Miller, Michael Xingyi Yu, Mark Alan Tempel, Adam Hewko, Joseph P. Sullivan