Patents by Inventor Michael P. Browne
Michael P. Browne 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).
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Patent number: 12684109Abstract: Various AR systems include a fail-safe mode where the user can see the region in front of the user without the display and/or outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera), if for example, power to the display and/or outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera) is lost or the outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera) and/or display malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2024Date of Patent: July 14, 2026Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin Mellott
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Patent number: 12669871Abstract: A system may include an external facing camera arranged to capture images of an external environment in front of a user, a display configured to display images, and a beam combiner that provides a first optical path and a second optical path. The first optical path directs images from the display to an eye, and the second optical path directs light from the external environment to the eye. The system may include a shutter positioned along the second optical path, where the system is configured to operate in one of a plurality of states including an electronic see-through state and an optical see-through state.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2024Date of Patent: June 30, 2026Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin L. Mellott
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Publication number: 20250335146Abstract: Embodiments relate to collaborative workspaces using head-mounted displays (HMDs). Collaborative workspaces enable multiple users to collaborate together in a common environment while also viewing content specific to each user using HMDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2025Publication date: October 30, 2025Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin L. Mellott
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Publication number: 20250248595Abstract: An eye tracking system may include a light source with adjustable emission and positioned to illuminate an eye of a user with light. The system may include a light detector positioned to generate data corresponding to the eye of the user. The system may include a shutter with adjustable transmission and positioned between the eye of the user and an external environment. The system may include a control module configured to control the light source and the shutter to synchronize repeated variations of transmission of the shutter with repeated variations of emission from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2024Publication date: August 7, 2025Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin Lee Mellott
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Publication number: 20250240401Abstract: Various AR systems include a fail-safe mode where the user can see the region in front of the user without the display and/or outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera), if for example, power to the display and/or outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera) is lost or the outward facing imaging sensor (e.g., camera) and/or display malfunction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: July 24, 2025Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin Mellott
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Publication number: 20250173116Abstract: Embodiments relate to collaborative workspaces using head-mounted displays (HMDs). Collaborative workspaces enable multiple users to collaborate together in a common environment while also viewing content specific to each user using HMDs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: May 29, 2025Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin Lee Mellott
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Patent number: 12314627Abstract: Embodiments relate to collaborative workspaces using head-mounted displays (HMDs). Collaborative workspaces enable multiple users to collaborate together in a common environment while also viewing content specific to each user using HMDs.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2023Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin Lee Mellott
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Publication number: 20240272726Abstract: A system may include an external facing camera arranged to capture images of an external environment in front of a user, a display configured to display images, and a beam combiner that provides a first optical path and a second optical path. The first optical path directs images from the display to an eye, and the second optical path directs light from the external environment to the eye. The system may include a shutter positioned along the second optical path, where the system is configured to operate in one of a plurality of states including an electronic see-through state and an optical see-through state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Kevin L. Mellott
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Publication number: 20240188815Abstract: A handheld ophthalmic device configured to perform various optical diagnostic tests to determine the health of a subject's eye. The handheld ophthalmic device is configured to be attached to a smartphone, a cell phone or an electronic tablet. The smartphone, a cell phone or an electronic tablet can be used to view images obtained by the handheld ophthalmic device and to transmit data and images obtained by the handheld ophthalmic device to an ophthalmologist located remotely.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2023Publication date: June 13, 2024Inventors: Michael P. Browne, Andrew J. Olson, Nathan J. Fo
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Patent number: 11995243Abstract: A system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD), displays images to a user. The system has an active state and an idle state. The system includes a display device, a beam combiner, and a user-operated control. The display device displays images when the system is in the active state and emits a reduced amount or no light when the system is in the idle state. The beam combiner provides a first optical path for light from an external environment to the user's eye and also provides a second optical path for light emitted from the display device to the user's eye. Responsive to activation by the user, the control switches the system between states that include the active state and the idle state, where the idle state is a default state and the system remains in the active state only while the user-operated control remains activated by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventor: Michael P. Browne
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Patent number: 11730356Abstract: A handheld ophthalmic device configured to perform various optical diagnostic tests to determine the health of a subject's eye. The handheld ophthalmic device is configured to be attached to a smartphone, a cell phone or an electronic tablet. The smartphone, a cell phone or an electronic tablet can be used to view images obtained by the handheld ophthalmic device and to transmit data and images obtained by the handheld ophthalmic device to an ophthalmologist located remotely.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventors: Michael P. Browne, Andrew J. Olson, Nathan J. Fo
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Patent number: 11567323Abstract: A partial electronic see-through HMD includes one or more subassemblies that occlude a central portion of a user's field of view (the peripheral portions of the user's field of view may remain unobstructed). Each subassembly includes an outward facing camera, a display, and an eyepiece. Images of the occluded central zone are captured by the camera and projected to the user via the display and eyepiece. The projected images can also include electronic information, such as AR image overlays. The peripheral zones are not occluded and remain directly viewable by the user. Thus, the projected images complete (or partially complete) the user's FOV of the external environment between the peripheral zones and may provide additional electronic information to the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventor: Michael P. Browne
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Patent number: 11448881Abstract: A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventor: Michael P. Browne
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Patent number: 11378801Abstract: Described is a wide field of view, high resolution digital night vision system that uses transparent, repositionable eyepieces to present night vision information in the field of view of the user. The WNVS is advantageous in that it can be used in both night environments, but also in daytime environments by using clear eye pieces that allow the user to concurrently see the outside environment or allowing the eyepieces to be positioned out of the field of view of the user without significantly occluding the user's field of use during daytime use.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Vision Products, LLCInventors: Michael P. Browne, James A. Davey, Martin Vasquez
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Publication number: 20220147149Abstract: A system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD), displays images to a user. The system has an active state and an idle state. The system includes a display device, a beam combiner, and a user-operated control. The display device displays images when the system is in the active state and emits a reduced amount or no light when the system is in the idle state. The beam combiner provides a first optical path for light from an external environment to the user's eye and also provides a second optical path for light emitted from the display device to the user's eye. Responsive to activation by the user, the control switches the system between states that include the active state and the idle state, where the idle state is a default state and the system remains in the active state only while the user-operated control remains activated by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventor: Michael P. Browne
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Patent number: 11204649Abstract: A system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD), displays images to a user. The system has an active state and an idle state. The system includes a display device, a beam combiner, and a user-operated control. The display device displays images when the system is in the active state and emits a reduced amount or no light when the system is in the idle state. The beam combiner provides a first optical path for light from an external environment to the user's eye and also provides a second optical path for light emitted from the display device to the user's eye. Responsive to activation by the user, the control switches the system between states that include the active state and the idle state, where the idle state is a default state and the system remains in the active state only while the user-operated control remains activated by the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: SA Photonics, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Browne
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Publication number: 20210240275Abstract: A system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD), displays images to a user. The system has an active state and an idle state. The system includes a display device, a beam combiner, and a user-operated control. The display device displays images when the system is in the active state and emits a reduced amount or no light when the system is in the idle state. The beam combiner provides a first optical path for light from an external environment to the user's eye and also provides a second optical path for light emitted from the display device to the user's eye. Responsive to activation by the user, the control switches the system between states that include the active state and the idle state, where the idle state is a default state and the system remains in the active state only while the user-operated control remains activated by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventor: Michael P. Browne
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Publication number: 20210168270Abstract: A partial electronic see-through HMD includes one or more subassemblies that occlude a central portion of a user's field of view (the peripheral portions of the user's field of view may remain unobstructed). Each subassembly includes an outward facing camera, a display, and an eyepiece. Images of the occluded central zone are captured by the camera and projected to the user via the display and eyepiece. The projected images can also include electronic information, such as AR image overlays. The peripheral zones are not occluded and remain directly viewable by the user. Thus, the projected images complete (or partially complete) the user's FOV of the external environment between the peripheral zones and may provide additional electronic information to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2019Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventor: Michael P. Browne
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Publication number: 20200018958Abstract: A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventor: Michael P. Browne
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Patent number: 10473931Abstract: A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: SA Photonics, Inc.Inventor: Michael P. Browne