Patents by Inventor Neil Konzen

Neil Konzen 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: 10623743
    Abstract: An imaging device captures images of a head-mounted display (HMD), or other object, including locators providing a pattern of light. The imaging device compresses captured images of the locators of the HMD by identifying pixels of a captured image having at least a threshold brightness and additional pixels within a threshold distance of the identified pixels. To generate a compressed image, the camera performs run-length encoding of pixels other than the identified pixels and additional pixels. The compressed image is provided by the imaging device to a console or other computing device. In some embodiments, the imaging device also determines whether a segment of adjacent pixels in a captured image is above the threshold brightness and sets the segment of adjacent pixels to a specific value and performs run-length encoding on the segment of adjacent pixels above the threshold brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Enders Robertson, Maksym Katsev, Neil Konzen
  • Patent number: 10191561
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system tracks the position of a controller. The VR system includes an image tracking system comprising of a number of fixed cameras, and a headset worn by the user that includes an imaging device to capture images of a controller operated by the user. The controller includes a set of features disposed on the surface of the controller. The image tracking system provides a first view of the controller. The imaging device mounted on the headset provides a second view of the controller. Each view of the controller (i.e., from the headset and from the image tracking system) provides a distinct set of features observed on the controller. The first and second sets of features are identified from the captured images and a pose of the controller is determined using the first set of features and the second set of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Neil Konzen, Oskar Linde, Maksym Katsev
  • Patent number: 9779540
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a virtual reality headset. Using a model of the VR headset, the VR console identifies model locators corresponding to locators on the VR headset and generates estimated positions for locators included in slow calibration data. The VR console adjusts calibration parameters so a relative distance between estimated positions of the locators and positions of their corresponding model locators is less than a threshold value. From the estimated positions, the VR console generates calibrated positions of a reference point on the VR headset associated with images from the slow calibration data. The VR console determines predicted positions of the reference point from the calibrated positions and adjusts calibration parameters so intermediate estimated positions of the reference point are within a threshold distance of the predicted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Maksym Katsev, Neil Konzen, Steven LaValle, Michael Antonov
  • Publication number: 20170053454
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a virtual reality headset. Using a model of the VR headset, the VR console identifies model locators corresponding to locators on the VR headset and generates estimated positions for locators included in slow calibration data. The VR console adjusts calibration parameters so a relative distance between estimated positions of the locators and positions of their corresponding model locators is less than a threshold value. From the estimated positions, the VR console generates calibrated positions of a reference point on the VR headset associated with images from the slow calibration data. The VR console determines predicted positions of the reference point from the calibrated positions and adjusts calibration parameters so intermediate estimated positions of the reference point are within a threshold distance of the predicted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Maksym Katsev, Neil Konzen, Steven LaValle, Michael Antonov
  • Patent number: 9524580
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a virtual reality headset. Using a model of the VR headset, the VR console identifies model locators corresponding to locators on the VR headset and generates estimated positions for locators included in slow calibration data. The VR console adjusts calibration parameters so a relative distance between estimated positions of the locators and positions of their corresponding model locators is less than a threshold value. From the estimated positions, the VR console generates calibrated positions of a reference point on the VR headset associated with images from the slow calibration data. The VR console determines predicted positions of the reference point from the calibrated positions and adjusts calibration parameters so intermediate estimated positions of the reference point are within a threshold distance of the predicted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Maksym Katsev, Neil Konzen, Steve LaValle, Michael Antonov
  • Publication number: 20160364013
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system tracks the position of a controller. The VR system includes an image tracking system comprising of a number of fixed cameras, and a headset worn by the user that includes an imaging device to capture images of a controller operated by the user. The controller includes a set of features disposed on the surface of the controller. The image tracking system provides a first view of the controller. The imaging device mounted on the headset provides a second view of the controller. Each view of the controller (i.e., from the headset and from the image tracking system) provides a distinct set of features observed on the controller. The first and second sets of features are identified from the captured images and a pose of the controller is determined using the first set of features and the second set of features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Neil Konzen, Oskar Linde, Maksym Katsev
  • Publication number: 20150193983
    Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) console receives slow calibration data from an imaging device and fast calibration data from an inertial measurement unit on a virtual reality headset. Using a model of the VR headset, the VR console identifies model locators corresponding to locators on the VR headset and generates estimated positions for locators included in slow calibration data. The VR console adjusts calibration parameters so a relative distance between estimated positions of the locators and positions of their corresponding model locators is less than a threshold value. From the estimated positions, the VR console generates calibrated positions of a reference point on the VR headset associated with images from the slow calibration data. The VR console determines predicted positions of the reference point from the calibrated positions and adjusts calibration parameters so intermediate estimated positions of the reference point are within a threshold distance of the predicted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Dov Katz, Maksym Katsev, Neil Konzen, Steve LaValle, Michael Antonov
  • Publication number: 20050097576
    Abstract: An operating system includes APIs developed in part to support recent innovations in computer hardware and in part to provide enhanced services to application programs. Among their other features, these APIs provide access to operating system functionality in a manner that is comprehensive, efficient, usable, extendible and, in some cases, reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Chew, Neil Konzen
  • Publication number: 20050081219
    Abstract: An operating system includes APIs developed in part to support recent innovations in computer hardware and in part to provide enhanced services to application programs. Among their other features, these APIs provide access to operating system functionality in a manner that is comprehensive, efficient, usable, extendible and, in some cases, reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Chew, Neil Konzen
  • Patent number: 5990905
    Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee H. Chew, Neil Konzen, Christopher J. Guzak, Stuart T. Laney, George H. Pitt, III, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Ron O. Gery
  • Patent number: 5889521
    Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Heng Chew, Neil Konzen, Christopher J. Guzak, Stuart T. Laney, George H. Pitt, III, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Ron O. Gery
  • Patent number: 5889522
    Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Heng Chew, Neil Konzen, Christopher J. Guzak, Stuart T. Laney, George H. Pitt, III, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Ron O. Gery
  • Patent number: 5886695
    Abstract: New varieties of child window controls are provided as system resources that application programs may exploit. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a dynamic link library (DLL) for implementing the new child window controls as part of an operating system. The new child window controls include a header bar control for providing header bars in application programs. The new controls also include a hot key control that allows a user to view and edit hot key combinations. The new controls further include a tab control for establishing tabs that differentiate amongst pages in user interfaces provided by application programs. An image list data type is defined and functions are provided for manipulating the image list data type. Image lists include multiple like-sized images that are stored efficiently in a single bitmap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chee Heng Chew, Neil Konzen, Christopher J. Guzak, Stuart T. Laney, George H. Pitt, III, Ian M. Ellison-Taylor, Ron O. Gery
  • Patent number: 5590347
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a server with a plurality of clients is provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server is designed to provide a service to an activated client. The service provided is comprised of both common steps and a behavior group. The behavior group includes alternative behaviors, each of which corresponds to a series of steps that are only a portion of the steps designed to be executed when the service is requested by a single group of clients. The common steps are steps designed to be executed for all of the clients. An indicium is associated with the activated client. The indicium indicates which of the alternative behaviors is to be provided to the activated client. When the activated client requests the service from the server, the indicium associated with the activated client is checked. The series of steps corresponding to the alternative behavior indicated by the checked indicium are then executed. The common steps are also executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David J. D'Souza, Neil Konzen, David N. Weise