Patents by Inventor Quinn Y. J. Smithwick

Quinn Y. J. Smithwick 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: 11675429
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calibration, customization, and improved user experiences for smart or bionic lenses that are worn by a user. The calibration techniques include detecting and correcting distortion of a display of the bionic lenses, as well as distortion due to characteristics of the lens or eyes of the user. The customization techniques include utilizing the bionic lenses to detect eye characteristics that can be used to improve insertion of the bionic lenses, track health over time, and provide user alerts. The user experiences include interactive environments and animation techniques that are improved via the bionic lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Jon H. Snoddy, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Publication number: 20220283445
    Abstract: A system creating an autostereoscopic augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images, presented to a viewer without glasses or other head-gear. The system includes a projection screen, which includes a reflective surface formed using retroreflective material. The system includes a projection assembly and a beamsplitter, which is disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the projection screen. The system includes a physical scenic space facing a lower side of the beamsplitter and a viewing space facing an upper side of the beamsplitter. A controller operates the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the projection screen. The left and right eye images are then directed to left and right eye positions so a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions perceives a virtual object concurrently with light from the physical scenic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Dawson McLeod Dill, Michael John Ilardi, Elisabeth C. Papadopoulos, Robert J. Bristow, Colleen L. Bristow-Campbell, Chad Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 11385474
    Abstract: A system creating an autostereoscopic augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images, presented to a viewer without glasses or other head-gear. The system includes a projection screen, which includes a reflective surface formed using retroreflective material. The system includes a projection assembly and a beamsplitter, which is disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the projection screen. The system includes a physical scenic space facing a lower side of the beamsplitter and a viewing space facing an upper side of the beamsplitter. A controller operates the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the projection screen. The left and right eye images are then directed to left and right eye positions so a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions perceives a virtual object concurrently with light from the physical scenic space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Dawson McLeod Dill, Michael John Ilardi, Elisabeth C. Papadopoulos, Robert J. Bristow, Colleen L. Bristow-Campbell, Chad Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20210373660
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calibration, customization, and improved user experiences for smart or bionic lenses that are worn by a user. The calibration techniques include detecting and correcting distortion of a display of the bionic lenses, as well as distortion due to characteristics of the lens or eyes of the user. The customization techniques include utilizing the bionic lenses to detect eye characteristics that can be used to improve insertion of the bionic lenses, track health over time, and provide user alerts. The user experiences include interactive environments and animation techniques that are improved via the bionic lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Quinn Y.J. Smithwick, Jon H. Snoddy, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Publication number: 20210302758
    Abstract: A system creating an autostereoscopic augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or other visual display experience involving 3D images, presented to a viewer without glasses or other head-gear. The system includes a projection screen, which includes a reflective surface formed using retroreflective material. The system includes a projection assembly and a beamsplitter, which is disposed between an outlet of the projection assembly and the projection screen. The system includes a physical scenic space facing a lower side of the beamsplitter and a viewing space facing an upper side of the beamsplitter. A controller operates the projector assembly to project left and right eye images toward the projection screen. The left and right eye images are then directed to left and right eye positions so a viewer with eyes positioned at the left and right eye positions perceives a virtual object concurrently with light from the physical scenic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Dawson McLeod Dill, Michael John Ilardi, Elisabeth C. Papadopoulos, Robert J. Bristow, Colleen L. Bristow-Campbell, Chad Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 11099641
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calibration, customization, and improved user experiences for smart or bionic lenses that are worn by a user. The calibration techniques include detecting and correcting distortion of a display of the bionic lenses, as well as distortion due to characteristics of the lens or eyes of the user. The customization techniques include utilizing the bionic lenses to detect eye characteristics that can be used to improve insertion of the bionic lenses, track health over time, and provide user alerts. The user experiences include interactive environments and animation techniques that are improved via the bionic lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Jon H. Snoddy, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Publication number: 20200409458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to calibration, customization, and improved user experiences for smart or bionic lenses that are worn by a user. The calibration techniques include detecting and correcting distortion of a display of the bionic lenses, as well as distortion due to characteristics of the lens or eyes of the user. The customization techniques include utilizing the bionic lenses to detect eye characteristics that can be used to improve insertion of the bionic lenses, track health over time, and provide user alerts. The user experiences include interactive environments and animation techniques that are improved via the bionic lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Quinn Y.J. Smithwick, Jon H. Snoddy, Douglas A. Fidaleo
  • Patent number: 10108146
    Abstract: An anisotropic spatial acousto-optic modulator for a holographic display system includes a substrate, an anisotropic waveguide that guides light into a single polarization, and a transducer that generates surface acoustic waves that propagate linearly with the guided, polarized light, converting at least some of the polarized light into a leaky mode of orthogonally polarized light. The acoustic waves may be encoded with holographic information. The modulator may include coupling devices for coupling light into the waveguide, which may have multiple channels. A holographic video display system includes at least one anisotropic spatial acousto-optic modulator. The pattern of the surface acoustic waves, encoded with holographic information, acts as a diffraction pattern that causes the modulator output to form a wavefront that becomes at least part of a holographic image. The system may have multiple channels in multiple waveguides, wherein each waveguide writes one or more lines of the holographic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smalley, V. Michael Bove, Jr., Quinn Y. J. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 9983547
    Abstract: A holographic video display employs at least one light source adapted to produce at least one wavelength of monochromatic light, a video signal generator, at least one guided-wave acousto-optic modulator for diffracting light received from the light source according to signals received from the video signal generator, a vertical scanning subsystem, and an optical path between the acousto-optic modulator and the vertical scanning subsystem. The optical path may preferably include a Bravais lens system, at least one Fourier transform lens system, and at least one moving horizontal mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smalley, Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, V. Michael Bove, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140300694
    Abstract: An anisotropic spatial acousto-optic modulator for a holographic display system includes a substrate, an anisotropic waveguide that guides light into a single polarization, and a transducer that generates surface acoustic waves that propagate linearly with the guided, polarized light, converting at least some of the polarized light into a leaky mode of orthogonally polarized light. The acoustic waves may be encoded with holographic information. The modulator may include coupling devices for coupling light into the waveguide, which may have multiple channels. A holographic video display system includes at least one anisotropic spatial acousto-optic modulator. The pattern of the surface acoustic waves, encoded with holographic information, acts as a diffraction pattern that causes the modulator output to form a wavefront that becomes at least part of a holographic image. The system may have multiple channels in multiple waveguides, wherein each waveguide writes one or more lines of the holographic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smalley, V. Michael Bove, JR., Quinn Y. J. Smithwick
  • Publication number: 20120194638
    Abstract: A holographic video display employs at least one light source adapted to produce at least one wavelength of monochromatic light, a video signal generator, at least one guided-wave acousto-optic modulator for diffracting light received from the light source according to signals received from the video signal generator, a vertical scanning subsystem, and an optical path between the acousto-optic modulator and the vertical scanning subsystem. The optical path may preferably include a Bravais lens system, at least one Fourier transform lens system, and at least one moving horizontal mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Daniel E. SMALLEY, Quinn Y. J. SMITHWICK, V. Michael BOVE, JR.
  • Patent number: 8149265
    Abstract: A holographic video display comprises a monochromatic light source, a video signal generator, guided-wave acousto-optic modulators for diffracting light according to signals received from the video signal generator, a vertical scanning subsystem, and an optical path between the acousto-optic modulator and the vertical scanning subsystem. The optical path preferably comprises a Bravais lens system, first and second Fourier transform lens systems, and at least one holographic optical element or stationary mirror of continuous helical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smalley, Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, V. Michael Bove, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7583872
    Abstract: Scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanning fiber device may include an actuator tube. The scanning fiber device may also include a cantilevered free end portion of an optical fiber. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may have an attached end that is coupled with the actuator tube. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may also have a free end to be moved by the actuator tube. At least a portion of a length of the cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may be disposed within the actuator tube. Methods of using scanning fiber devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Eric J. Seibel, Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, John A. Myers, Richard S. Johnston, Charles David Melville
  • Publication number: 20090040294
    Abstract: A holographic video display comprises a monochromatic light source, a video signal generator, guided-wave acousto-optic modulators for diffracting light according to signals received from the video signal generator, a vertical scanning subsystem, and an optical path between the acousto-optic modulator and the vertical scanning subsystem. The optical path preferably comprises a Bravais lens system, first and second Fourier transform lens systems, and at least one holographic optical element or stationary mirror of continuous helical shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smalley, Quinn Y.J. Smithwick, V. Michael Bove, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080249369
    Abstract: Scanning fiber devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanning fiber device may include an actuator tube. The scanning fiber device may also include a cantilevered free end portion of an optical fiber. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may have an attached end that is coupled with the actuator tube. The cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may also have a free end to be moved by the actuator tube. At least a portion of a length of the cantilevered free end portion of the optical fiber may be disposed within the actuator tube. Methods of using scanning fiber devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Eric J. Seibel, Quinn Y.J. Smithwick, John A. Myers, Richard S. Johnston, Charles David Melville
  • Patent number: 6856712
    Abstract: Small, rugged scanners micro-fabricated from commercial optical fibers to form waveguides or other structures. The scanning waveguide has a distal portion on which is formed a non-linear taper with a diameter that decreases toward a distal end. Optionally, a hinge portion having a reduced diameter can be formed in the distal portion, improving the scanning properties of the waveguide. A micro-lens can be integrally formed at the distal tip of the waveguide with either a droplet of an optical adhesive, or by using an energy beam to melt the material of the waveguide to form a droplet. The droplet is shaped with an externally applied force. When mechanically driven in vibratory resonance, the tip of the optical waveguides moves in linear or two-dimensional scan patterns of relatively high amplitude and frequency, and large field of view. The scanner can be used either for image acquisition or image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Mark E. Fauver, Eric J. Seibel, Chris M. Brown, Per G. Reinhall, Quinn Y. J. Smithwick
  • Patent number: 6845190
    Abstract: Controls for an optical scanner, such as a single fiber scanning endoscope (SFSE) that includes a resonating optical fiber and a single photodetector to produce large field of view, high-resolution images. A nonlinear control scheme with feedback linearization is employed in one type of control to accurately produce a desired scan. Open loop and closed loops controllers are applied to the nonlinear optical scanner of the SFSE. A closed loop control (no model) uses either phase locked loop and PID controllers, or a dual-phase lock-in amplifier and two PIDs for each axis controlled. Other forms of the control that employ a model use a frequency space tracking control, an error space tracking control, feedback linearizing controls, an adaptive control, and a sliding mode control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Eric J. Seibel, Mark Fauver
  • Patent number: 6563105
    Abstract: A minimally invasive, medical, image acquisition system outputs a light beam or pulse which illuminates a precise spot size. A plurality of photon detector detect returning photons from the object, including the spot. Pixel resolution is determined by the area of the illumination spot (and thus the lens configuration), rather than an area sensed by the detector. Depth enhancement is determined by correlating images detected by the respective detectors, or alternatively by a range finding method based on phase difference, time of flight, frequency or interferometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Eric J. Seibel, Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Thomas A. Furness, III
  • Publication number: 20020139920
    Abstract: A minimally invasive, medical, image acquisition system outputs a light beam or pulse which illuminates a precise spot size. A plurality of photon detector detect returning photons from the object, including the spot. Pixel resolution is determined by the area of the illumination spot (and thus the lens configuration), rather than an area sensed by the detector. Depth enhancement is determined by correlating images detected by the respective detectors, or alternatively by a range finding method based on phase difference, time of flight, frequency or interferometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Eric J. Seibel, Quinn Y.J. Smithwick, Thomas A. Furness
  • Publication number: 20020064341
    Abstract: Small, rugged scanners micro-fabricated from commercial optical fibers to form waveguides or other structures. The scanning waveguide has a distal portion on which is formed a non-linear taper with a diameter that decreases toward a distal end. Optionally, a hinge portion having a reduced diameter can be formed in the distal portion, improving the scanning properties of the waveguide. A micro-lens can be integrally formed at the distal tip of the waveguide with either a droplet of an optical adhesive, or by using an energy beam to melt the material of the waveguide to form a droplet. The droplet is shaped with an externally applied force. When mechanically driven in vibratory resonance, the tip of the optical waveguides moves in linear or two-dimensional scan patterns of relatively high amplitude and frequency, and large field of view. The scanner can be used either for image acquisition or image display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Fauver, Eric J. Seibel, Chris M. Brown, Per G. Reinhall, Quinn Y.J. Smithwick