Patents by Inventor Richard P. Williamson

Richard P. Williamson 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: 8428741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman
  • Patent number: 8019428
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman
  • Patent number: 7925354
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman
  • Patent number: 7266413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman
  • Patent number: 6920358
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman
  • Patent number: 6718209
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved retinal electrode array with a remote return electrode outside of the eye. An array of stimulating electrodes is placed on the retinal surface (epiretinally) or under the retina (subretinally) and a large return electrode is placed outside of the sclera and distant from the array of stimulating electrodes. The remote return electrode promotes deeper stimulation of retinal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Williamson, Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20030149458
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved retinal electrode array with a remote return electrode outside of the eye. An array of stimulating electrodes is placed on the retinal surface (epiretinally) or under the retina (subretinally) and a large return electrode is placed outside of the sclera and distant from the array of stimulating electrodes. The remote return electrode promotes deeper stimulation of retinal tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Richard P. Williamson, Jerry Ok, Robert J. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20020010496
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving visual acuity when providing a visual image from a “high” resolution input device to a “low” resolution output device. The described invention is of particular use when the output device is an array of electrodes as part of a retinal prosthesis used to restore vision to a visually-impaired patient. In that various limitations may, within the foreseeable future, limit the density of such an electrode array (and thus the resolution of the output image), the present invention teaches techniques to assign processed pixel subsets of a higher resolution image to a single electrode. By varying the pixel subsets, e.g., by jittering, and/or altering the processing criteria, the perceived visual acuity may be further improved. Alternatively and additionally, such processing may be further extended to drive neighboring electrodes in combination to thus stimulate virtual electrode sites and thus further enhance visual acuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Richard P. Williamson, Joseph H. Schulman, Reza P. Rassool, Lee J. Mandell, Abraham N. Seidman