Patents by Inventor Michael Hall

Michael Hall 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: 20220036571
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines depth information. The DCA projects a dynamic structured light pattern into a local area and captures images including a portion of the dynamic structured light pattern. The DCA determines regions of interest in which it may be beneficial to increase or decrease an amount of texture added to the region of interest using the dynamic structured light pattern. For example, the DCA may identify the regions of interest based on contrast values calculated using a contrast algorithm, or based on the parameters received from a mapping server including a virtual model of the local area. The DCA may selectively increase or decrease an amount of texture added by the dynamic structured light pattern in portions of the local area. By selectively controlling portions of the dynamic structured light pattern, the DCA may decrease power consumption and/or increase the accuracy of depth sensing measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Xinqiao Liu, Zhaoming Zhu, Rajesh Lachhmandas Chhabria, Huixuan Tang, Shuochen Su, Zihe Gao
  • Patent number: 11236993
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a light generator emitting a beam of light into a local area and a detector. The detector captures light from the beam reflected by objects in the local area to a portion of an array of pixels that each include a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD). The location of the portion of the array is based in part on the angle of the beam emitted from the projector. The DCA identifies a set of pixels of the array corresponding to the portion and selectively retrieves current generated from the reflected light by the pixels in the portion of the array without retrieving current generated by pixels in other portions of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11238598
    Abstract: A head mounted display comprises an eye tracking system configured to enable eye tracking using polarization. The eye tracking system includes one or more illumination sources and an optical detector comprising polarization sensitive pixels. The one or more illumination sources are configured to illuminate a user's eye and generate reflections directed towards the optical detector. The eye tracking system determines, for each polarization sensitive pixel in a subset of the polarization sensitive pixels, one or more estimation parameters. The eye tracking system determines, for the subset of the polarization sensitive pixels, depth information for one or more glints associated with one or more surfaces of the eye, based in part on the polarization of the reflections and the one or more estimation parameters. The determined depth information is used to update a model of the eye. The eye tracking system determines eye tracking information based on the updated model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Ruonan Yang
  • Publication number: 20220023199
    Abstract: Provided herein are transmucosal and transdermal delivery systems comprising: at least one non-ionic surfactant; at least one polyol; and at least one active agent; and optionally further comprising at least one oil. In particular embodiments, the delivery system has an average particle size of from about 5 nm to about 200 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: David A. Rutolo, JR., Sean Michael Hall, Luis Vitetta, Yusi Zhou, Samantha Maree Coulson
  • Publication number: 20220030183
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The stored instructions include instructions for: receiving infrared image information for a three-dimensional area; receiving non-infrared image information for the same three-dimensional area; performing nonlinear intensity adjustment for the received infrared image information; performing nonlinear intensity adjustment for the received non-infrared image information; blending the intensity-adjusted infrared image information and the intensity-adjusted non-infrared image information to obtain a merged image information; and providing the merged image information for determining a depth map. Also disclosed are a corresponding method performed by the electronic device and a computer readable storage medium storing instructions for execution by one or more processors of an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Rajesh Lachhmandas CHHABRIA, Shuochen SU, Monica STEWART, David VAKRAT, Shengqiong XIE, Michael HALL
  • Publication number: 20220028103
    Abstract: A depth estimation system is described capable of determining depth information using two images from two cameras. A first camera captures a first image and a second camera captures a second image, both images including a plurality of light channels. A scan direction is selected from a plurality of scan directions. For the selected scan direction, along each of a plurality of scanlines, the system compares pixels from the first image to pixels from the second image. The comparison is based on calculating a census transform for each pixel in the first image and a census transform for each pixel in the second image. This comparison is used to determine a stereo correspondence between the pixels in the first image and the pixels in the second image. The system generates a depth map based on the stereo correspondence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Xinqiao Liu, Zhaoming Zhu, Rajesh Lachhmandas Chhabria, Huixuan Tang, Shuochen Su
  • Publication number: 20220016450
    Abstract: A device for covering the head of a user comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield and an air port, a fabric component, wherein the rigid component and the fabric component combine to cover the head of the user and seal around the neck of the user, and an air mover mounted on the rigid component so as to cause air to move either into or out of the air port, a filter that filters air moving through the air port, wherein at least a portion of the fabric component allows air to either move into the device if the air mover moves air out of the air port or move out of the device if the air mover moves air into the air port, and wherein the at least a portion of the fabric allows air to move into or out of the device also filters the air moving into or out of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, David R. Hall, Jacob Dean, Vicente Oliveira, Anthony E. Pullen, Jeff Duncan
  • Publication number: 20220016451
    Abstract: A device for filtering air, a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the fabric component and the rigid component combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port, an intake filter that filters intake air passing through the inlet port, an exhaust port, an exhaust filter that filters exhaust air passing through the outlet port, an air mover positioned to pull air through the exhaust port, whereby intake air is drawn into the device through the inlet port and whereby the intake air and exhaust air is filtered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, David R. Hall, Chandler Flinders, Jordan England, Carson Richards, Prabhakar Ramaraj, Jacob Dean, Vicente Oliveira, Anthony E. Pullen, Jeff Duncan
  • Patent number: 11227451
    Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for determining a vehicle maintenance condition based on weight. The system includes a monitoring station, a weight determination system, a data input device configured to receive input data, and a processing device. The processing device includes a processor and non-volatile memory. The processor is configured to receive load ratings for a tow vehicle and tow equipment, receive maintenance requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive vehicle use requirements for the tow vehicle and the tow equipment, receive weight data from the weight determination system, and receive the input data from the data input device. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine at least one maintenance condition based on the load ratings, the weight data, and the input data. The processor is also configured to send the maintenance condition data to the monitoring system and communicate the maintenance condition to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Michael Hall, Seth Myer
  • Publication number: 20220013991
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines depth information for a local area. The DCA includes a camera assembly and at least one illuminator. The DCA may select a subset of the VCSELs to provide illumination at any given time. The illuminator may comprise near-field VCSELs configured to generate a structured light (SL) pattern for depth sensing in the near-field and far-field VCSELs configured to generate a SL pattern for depth sensing in the far-field. The near-field VCSELs may comprise a linear emission region which is shorter than a linear emission region of the far-field VCSELs. The DCA may generate and phase shift a quasi-sinusoidal SL pattern. The DCA may phase shift the quasi-sinusoidal SL pattern by alternating which traces on the illuminator are active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Nadav Grossinger, Michael Hall, Robert Hasbun, Jonatan Ginzburg, Zihe Gao
  • Publication number: 20220000209
    Abstract: A head covering device comprising a rigid component comprising a transparent face shield, a fabric component, wherein the face shield and fabric combine to cover an entire head of a user and form a seal around the user's neck, an intake port with an inlet filter, an exhaust port with an exhaust filter, an air mover causing filtered air to enter the intake port and exhaust air to exit the exhaust port, and an environmental control component to condition air within the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, David R. Hall, Chandler Flinders, Jordan Englund, Vicente Oliveira, Anthony E. Pullen, Jeff Duncan
  • Patent number: 11215712
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Augusto Ronchini Ximenes, Michael Hall
  • Publication number: 20210396886
    Abstract: A direct time of flight depth system includes an addressable illumination source, an active depth sensor, and a controller. The addressable illumination source includes an array of emitters and an optical assembly that is used to generate an array of dots emitted into a local area. Each emitter is independently addressable, allowing selective illumination of different portions of the local area. The addressable illumination source is aligned with the active depth sensor so each dot maps to a corresponding macropixel (e.g., 4×4 array of SPADs) on the active depth sensor. Data from the active depth sensor is readout and used to determine depth information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Augusto Ronchini Ximenes, Michael Hall, Zhaoming Zhu, Shuochen Su
  • Publication number: 20210383560
    Abstract: A depth measurement assembly (DMA) includes an illumination source that projects pulses of light (e.g., structured light) at a temporal pulsing frequency into a local area. The DMA includes a sensor that capture images of the pulses of light reflected from the local area and determines, using one or more of the captured images, one or more TOF phase shifts for the pulses of light. The DMA includes a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to determine a first set of estimated radial distances to an object in the local area based on the one or more TOF phase shifts. The controller determines a second estimated radial distance to the object based on an encoding of structured light and at least one of the captured images. The controller selects an estimated radial distance from the first set of radial distances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 11195291
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) optimizes illumination and image capture of a local area to generate depth information of the local area. The DCA determines depth information for a first portion of the local area viewable at a first pose. The DCA is moved from the first pose to a second pose, where a second portion of the local area is viewable and overlaps with the first portion. The overlapping region is not illuminated by the DCA. A non-overlapping portion of the second portion is illuminated, captured, and depth information determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fengqiang Li, Zihe Gao, Michael Hall, Zhaoming Zhu, Shuochen Su, Huixuan Tang, Xinqiao Liu, Nicholas Daniel Trail
  • Patent number: 11192048
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R Hall, Michael Hall, Miguel Lazaro, Jacob Dean, Chandler Flinders, Keylan Jensen
  • Publication number: 20210366142
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines depth information for a local area. The DCA includes a plurality of cameras and at least one illuminator. The DCA dynamically determines depth sensing modes (e.g., passive stereo, active stereo, structured stereo) based in part on the surrounding environment and/or user activity. The DCA uses the depth information to update a depth model describing the local area. The DCA may determine that a portion of the depth information associated with some of portion of the local area is not accurate. The DCA may then select a different depth sensing mode for the portion of the local area and update the depth model with the additional depth information. In some embodiments, the DCA may update the depth model by utilizing a machine learning model to generate a refined depth model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nadav Grossinger, Michael Hall, Robert Hasbun, Niv Kantor, Arthur Benjamin Nieuwoudt, Shuochen Su, Andrey Tovchigrechko, Yue Zhao
  • Patent number: 11182914
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines depth information. The DCA projects a dynamic structured light pattern into a local area and captures images including a portion of the dynamic structured light pattern. The DCA determines regions of interest in which it may be beneficial to increase or decrease an amount of texture added to the region of interest using the dynamic structured light pattern. For example, the DCA may identify the regions of interest based on contrast values calculated using a contrast algorithm, or based on the parameters received from a mapping server including a virtual model of the local area. The DCA may selectively increase or decrease an amount of texture added by the dynamic structured light pattern in portions of the local area. By selectively controlling portions of the dynamic structured light pattern, the DCA may decrease power consumption and/or increase the accuracy of depth sensing measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Xinqiao Liu, Zhaoming Zhu, Rajesh Lachhmandas Chhabria, Huixuan Tang, Shuochen Su, Zihe Gao
  • Patent number: D936329
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Brennan Michael Hall, Mark Allan Granger, Eric James Lesnau
  • Patent number: D936330
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Brennan Michael Hall, Mark Allan Granger, Eric James Lesnau