Patents by Inventor Ryan Michael Ebert

Ryan Michael Ebert 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: 20240069345
    Abstract: Techniques are described for backlighting electronic headset display panels. The backlight can include a light guide plate that is illuminated via a light transmitting element that is coupled to a light source. The light guide plate, in turn, illuminates the display panel. The light source is located within the headset but is disposed remotely from the display panels. A photodiode is coupled to a surface of the light transmitting element and is configured to detect a characteristic of the light transmitted by the light transmitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Maimone, Ryan Michael Ebert, Nathaniel David Ginzton, Bruce A. Cleary, III
  • Publication number: 20230418076
    Abstract: A system for adjusting an interpupillary distance and an eye relief distance of a headset. The system can determine an interpupillary distance of a user and an eye relief distance of the user. The system can cause an adjustment assembly to adjust a first distance between the first lens and the second lens along a first axis based at least in part on the interpupillary distance and cause the adjustment assembly to adjust the optical assembly a second distance along a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis based at least in part on the eye relief distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: David Christopher Lindberg, Ryan Michael Ebert, Seth Moczydlowski, Bruce A Cleary, III, Eric Penner, Robert Birch
  • Publication number: 20230418022
    Abstract: A headset includes an optical assembly, an adjustment assembly, and a measurement component. The measurement component is configured to measure an interpupillary distance provided by an adjustment assembly in a first direction and an eye relief distance provided by the adjustment assembly in a second direction, where the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. The measurement component includes a first rheostat configured to measure the interpupillary distance and a second rheostat configured to measure the eye relief distance, wherein the second rheostat is placed parallel to the first rheostat. The measurement component further includes a linkage configured to translate a motion of the adjustment assembly in the second direction to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: David Christopher Lindberg, Ryan Michael Ebert, Nathaniel David Ginzton, Seth Moczydlowski
  • Patent number: 11796823
    Abstract: A headset includes a housing, an optical assembly disposed in the housing, and an adjustment assembly coupling the optical assembly to the housing. The optical assembly includes a first lens and a second lens spaced from the first lens by a first distance. The adjustment assembly includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism and an eye relief distance adjustment mechanism. The interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the first distance between the first lens and the second lens along a first axis. The eye relief distance adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the optical assembly a second distance along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Ebert, Nathaniel David Ginzton, David Christopher Lindberg, Seth Moczydlowski
  • Patent number: 11774705
    Abstract: The disclosed system for varifocal adjustments may include a frame, an optical lens pair supported by the frame, and a brake mechanism coupled to the frame. The optical lens pair may include a first lens that is movably coupled to the frame and a second lens that is fixedly coupled to the frame. The brake mechanism may be configured to frictionally stop movement of the first lens and to maintain a position of the first lens. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Ebert, Clinton Smith, David C. Lindberg, Nathaniel David Ginzton, Seth Robert Moczydlowski
  • Patent number: 11740476
    Abstract: The disclosed head-mounted display systems may include an optical element supported by a head-mounted display frame, a projector mounted to the head-mounted display frame, and at least one voice coil actuator mounted on the head-mounted display frame. The projector may be configured to project, via the optical element, an image toward an eye of a user of the head-mounted display system. The at least one voice coil actuator may be coupled to at least one of the projector or the optical element. When actuated, the at least one voice coil actuator may translate at least one of the projector or the optical element in at least one direction relative to the head-mounted display frame. Various other methods, systems, and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11733734
    Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) includes a set of one or more lenses defining an optical axis, a display configured to project light through the set of the one or more lenses, a voice coil actuator coupled with the display and configured to move the display along the optical axis, and a first guide that is separate from the first voice coil actuator and coupled with the first display to guide the movement of the first display. The HMD additionally includes a set of one or more position sensors configured to determine a position of the display long the optical axis and an electronic controller configured to receive information identifying a reference position of the display along the optical axis and generate one or more electrical signals for initiating a movement of the first display toward the first reference point along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joyce S Fang, Nicholas Colonnese, Bruce A Cleary, III, Ryan Michael Ebert, Douglas Robert Lanman
  • Patent number: 11714254
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes one or more lenses and a display configured to provide visual data through the one or more lenses. The head-mounted display device also includes a direct-current (DC) motor mechanically coupled to the display, and the DC motor is configured to move the display along an axis by rotating a rotatable component of the DC motor. The head-mounted display device further includes: position sensor(s) configured to determine a position of the display, and electronic controller(s) in communication with the position sensor(s). The electronic controller(s) are configured to: (i) receive, from the position sensor(s), the determined position of the display as a first position of the display, (ii) receive information identifying a second position of the display, and (iii) generate electrical signal(s) that cause the DC motor to move the display from the first position to the second position along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joyce S. Fang, Nicholas Colonnese, Bruce A. Cleary, III, Ryan Michael Ebert, Douglas Robert Lanman
  • Patent number: 11709366
    Abstract: A headset includes a housing, an optical assembly disposed in the housing, and an adjustment assembly coupling the optical assembly to the housing. The optical assembly includes a first lens and a second lens spaced from the first lens by a first distance. The adjustment assembly includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism and an eye relief distance adjustment mechanism. The interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the first distance between the first lens and the second lens along a first axis. The eye relief distance adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the optical assembly a second distance along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Ebert, Nathaniel David Ginzton, David Christopher Lindberg, Seth Moczydlowski
  • Patent number: 11681367
    Abstract: A flexure guidance system may be provided for controlling movement of an optical subassembly and/or a connected combiner lens. For instance, the flexure guidance system may include a distal end piece, a proximal end piece, and multiple wire flexures that link the distal end piece to the proximal end piece. The linking wire flexures may be spaced to form an interior cavity between the distal end piece and the proximal end piece. This interior cavity may house various electronic components. One or more actuators in the system may move the electronic components according to input signals along different axes of movement provided by the wire flexures. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11662550
    Abstract: The disclosed systems for varifocal adjustments may include a frame, an optical lens pair supported by the frame, and a flexure assembly. The optical lens pair may include a first lens that is movably coupled to the frame and a second lens that is fixedly coupled to the frame. The flexure assembly may be configured to constrain movement of the first lens to a substantially linear pathway. The flexure assembly may include at least one substantially planar flexure element having a first movable end portion coupled to the first lens and a second fixed end portion coupled to the frame. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton Smith, Ryan Michael Ebert, David C. Lindberg, Nathaniel David Ginzton, Seth Robert Moczydlowski
  • Patent number: 11607607
    Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) includes an electronic display configured to display a virtual scene to a user, an optics block, an eye tracking system, and a varifocal actuation that mechanically changes a distance between the optics block and the electronic display. The varifocal actuation block is configured to change a location of an image plane of the HMD and includes a motor, a power screw coupled to the actuating motor configured to turn responsive to actuation of the motor, and a nut sled on the power screw that is coupled to the electronic display. The nut sled is configured to move back and forth along a length of the power screw responsive to the power screw being turned by the motor that results in movement of the electronic display relative to the optics block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11480803
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus may include a frame that includes an optical component configured for use with a near-eye display that is part of a head-worn display system. The frame magnetically attaches to the head-worn display system, and when the frame is attached to the head-worn display system, the frame may align the optical component for use with the near-eye display. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11454992
    Abstract: A flexure based guidance system for precision motion control includes a base that is fixed in position, a carriage that can move relative to the base, an actuator provides the force to move the carriage relative to the base, and one or more flexures arrays that each comprise two or more leaf flexure elements. The actuator causes the carriage to move relative to the base, which causes the flexure elements in the flexure array to flex. The leaf flexure elements are thin, compliant and deform, bend, or deflect in a deterministic manner when mechanically stressed. In some embodiments, stiffeners can be added to the flexures. The guidance system can be integrated into a varifocal head mounted display (HMD) to adjust a location of one or moveable elements in an optical system of the HMD to control a location of an image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton Smith, Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11454779
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device includes a first set of one or more lenses and a first display configured to provide visual data through the first set of one or more lenses. The head-mounted display device further includes a first stepper motor mechanically coupled to the first display, and the first stepper motor is configured to move the first display along a first axis by rotating a rotatable component of the first stepper motor. The head-mounted display device further includes a first electronic controller configured to (i) determine a first position of the first display, (ii) receive information identifying a second position of the first display, and (iii) generate one or more electrical signals that cause the first stepper motor to move the first display from the first position to the second position along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joyce Fang, Nicholas Colonnese, Bruce A. Cleary, Ryan Michael Ebert, Douglas Robert Lanman
  • Publication number: 20220261078
    Abstract: A flexure guidance system may be provided for controlling movement of an optical subassembly and/or a connected combiner lens. For instance, the flexure guidance system may include a distal end piece, a proximal end piece, and multiple wire flexures that link the distal end piece to the proximal end piece. The linking wire flexures may be spaced to form an interior cavity between the distal end piece and the proximal end piece. This interior cavity may house various electronic components. One or more actuators in the system may move the electronic components according to input signals along different axes of movement provided by the wire flexures. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11402635
    Abstract: A method may include displaying, to a user, a first color in a first area and a second color in a second area, where (1) the second color has a longer wavelength than the first color and (2) the first and second color have an expected longitudinal chromatic aberration for a human eye. The method may also include receiving, from the user, an indication of whether the user perceives (1) the first area as being clearer than the second area or (2) the second area as being clearer than the first area. The method may further include determining, based on the indication of the user and the expected longitudinal chromatic aberration, information about a refractive error of the user's vision. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marina Zannoli, Kristen Bowles, Ryan Michael Ebert, Douglas Robert Lanman, Kevin James MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 11372480
    Abstract: A flexure guidance system may be provided for controlling movement of an optical subassembly and/or a connected combiner lens. For instance, the flexure guidance system may include a distal end piece, a proximal end piece, and multiple wire flexures that link the distal end piece to the proximal end piece. The linking wire flexures may be spaced to form an interior cavity between the distal end piece and the proximal end piece. This interior cavity may house various electronic components. One or more actuators in the system may move the electronic components according to input signals along different axes of movement provided by the wire flexures. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11353966
    Abstract: The disclosed handheld controllers may include at least one finger force-feedback mechanism. The finger force-feedback mechanism may include a rotational element positioned to have an axis of rotation that is located along a palm side of a finger of an intended user's hand when holding the handheld controller, a proximal linkage element positioned and configured to rotate with the intended user's finger about the major knuckle when the user squeezes the handheld controller, and a distal linkage element positioned and configured to rotate relative to the proximal linkage element with the intended user's finger about the second knuckle when the user squeezes the handheld controller. Various other handheld controllers, artificial-reality systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert
  • Patent number: 11318375
    Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) includes an electronic display configured to display a virtual scene to a user, an optics block, an eye tracking system, and a varifocal actuation that mechanically changes a distance between the optics block and the electronic display. The varifocal actuation block is configured to change a location of an image plane of the HMD and includes a motor, a power screw coupled to the actuating motor configured to turn responsive to actuation of the motor, and a nut sled on the power screw that is coupled to the electronic display. The nut sled is configured to move back and forth along a length of the power screw responsive to the power screw being turned by the motor that results in movement of the electronic display relative to the optics block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Michael Ebert