Patents by Inventor Steve H. McNelley

Steve H. McNelley 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: 20180084224
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. Methods for enterprise-wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. Direct projection see-through screen configurations are created that eliminate unwanted secondary images in the room, conceal exposed projector lenses, reduce lens flare, makes practical multi-use room installations, images conferees among a room environment, enables touch screen interactivity, and utilizes extreme short throw projectors to reduce cost and bulk of common throw projectors. Further, a multi-format VR/AR production system is disclosed enabling several formats to be created simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 9848169
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through the use of specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. Methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. The invention further advances the communication and display art by creating novel direct projection see-through screen configurations that eliminate unwanted secondary images in the room, conceal exposed projector lenses, reduce lens flare, makes practical multi-use room installations, images conferees among a room environment, enables touch screen interactivity, and utilizes extreme short throw projectors to reduce cost and bulk of common throw projectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 9819907
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable proportional life-like images of people for videoconferencing and for entertainment productions. Life-like images are made possible by appearing in a 3D environment which may be the actual real 3D physical space of a room where imaged people are seen amongst a real environment with the use of see-through displays. People may also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground without the use of inclined reflective optics. A dual mode use large high-resolution display is configured for watching and working modes. A nano stem camera device for improved eye contact is detailed. The present invention also discloses methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties integrated with a property management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Publication number: 20170264864
    Abstract: A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Steve H MCNELLEY
  • Publication number: 20170251172
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through the use of specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. A dual mode large high-resolution display is inventively configured for watching and working. Methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. The invention further discloses an online production system for large events. A remote production staff collaborates and controls a presentation with large scale audio/visual equipment. A campaign and marketing system for holographic communications using mobile vehicles is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Publication number: 20170223312
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable proportional life-like images of people for videoconferencing and for entertainment productions. Life-like images are made possible by appearing in a 3D environment which may be the actual real 3D physical space of a room where imaged people are seen amongst a real environment with the use of see-through displays. People may also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground without the use of inclined reflective optics. A dual mode use large high-resolution display is configured for watching and working modes. A nano stem camera device for improved eye contact is detailed. The present invention also discloses methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties integrated with a property management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Publication number: 20170163937
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through the use of specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. Methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. The invention further advances the communication and display art by creating novel direct projection see-through screen configurations that eliminate unwanted secondary images in the room, conceal exposed projector lenses, reduce lens flare, makes practical multi-use room installations, images conferees among a room environment, enables touch screen interactivity, and utilizes extreme short throw projectors to reduce cost and bulk of common throw projectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 9615054
    Abstract: Enterprise communication display systems enable life-like images for videoconferencing and entertainment productions. Life-like images appear in a 3D environment where imaged people are visible through the use of specially configured see-through displays. Imaged people can also be viewed amongst a reflected foreground. Methods for enterprise wide deployments for corporate, healthcare, education, and government communications, including hotel properties and a property management system are shown. The invention further advances the communication and display art by creating novel direct projection see-through screen devices that use extreme short throw projectors to reduce cost and bulk of common throw projectors. Further, numerous unique devices and systems are disclosed of transparent OLED videoconferencing and displays. Further, unique embodiments of aiming a camera through a transparent OLED for eye contact videoconferencing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Publication number: 20160048932
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a social media platform that enables a user with one account to access multiple social environments partitioned for various aspects of their lives. The partitioned platform creates environments for a user's personal life and professional life and also connected and partitioned to the user's enterprise life, which is privately controlled by an organization such as a business. Methods for shared computing devices are disclosed for use with the social media platform in physical locations such as corporate meeting rooms and hotel rooms. Further a method in presented for suggesting, navigating, selecting and engaging one of numerous disconnected collaboration applications. Further several methods for increasing social media adoption are disclosed as well as integration of the platform with a property management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Publication number: 20150156452
    Abstract: A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. MCNELLEY, Jeffrey S. MACHTIG
  • Patent number: 8947500
    Abstract: A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 8941715
    Abstract: A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 8199185
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beamsplitter for reflecting an image of a conferee. In one embodiment the image of the conferee appears to be in a backdrop. The display is positioned behind the viewing side of the beam-splitter so that the conferee views the display through the beamsplitter. The invention can be configured to create the appearance that a life-size teleconference image of a remote conferee appears in the same room as the local conferee apparently sitting on the other side of the desk or table—creating the experience of telepresence with eye contact. Additional embodiments include adaptable features of the present invention which enable it to be configured into many specific types of eye contact display products. The invention further teaches the design of a telepresence network, linking numerous terminals sharing a commonality in configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Patent number: 8072481
    Abstract: A telepresence communication system for group meeting rooms and personal home and office systems provides improved human factor experience through substantially life size images with eye level camera placement. The system provides switched presence interfaces so that conferees can select when to transmit their images during a conference and optionally provides individual microphones for each of conferee. Switched presence between presets of conferees are viewed on multipoint windows overlaying life-size images upon eye contact camera regions and eliminate seeing camera image movement during pan, tilt and zoom operations. An ambient light rejecting filter system enables an eye level camera to be hidden behind a projection screen and provides bright, high contrast images under normal meeting room and office environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 7209160
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beam-splitter. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beam-splitter to capture the conferee's image through the beam-splitter. The reflection of the video display appears to be positioned in a room environment with common room objects, serving to associate the position of the reflection in the room environment. The transparent quality of the beamsplitter is used not only for capturing eye contact images from one direction, but also revealing the room environment by enabling the conferee to see-through the beamsplitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Publication number: 20040165060
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beam-splitter. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beam-splitter to capture the conferee's image through the beam-splitter. The reflection of the video display appears to be positioned in a room environment with common room objects, serving to associate the position of the reflection in the room environment. The transparent quality of the beamsplitter is used not only for capturing eye contact images from one direction, but also revealing the room environment by enabling the conferee to see-through the beamsplitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 6710797
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beam-splitter. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beam-splitter to capture the conferee's image through the beam-splitter. The reflection of the video display appears to be positioned in a room environment with common room objects, serving to associate the position of the reflection in the room environment. The transparent quality of the beamsplitter is used not only for capturing eye contact images from one direction, but also revealing the room environment by enabling the conferee to see-through the beamsplitter. The invention can be configured to create the appearance that a life-size teleconference image of a remote conferee appears in the same room as the local conferee viewing the reflection and appears to be sitting on the other side of the desk or table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Patent number: 6481851
    Abstract: A transparent-reflective display constructed to be alterable so that reflected images are viewed upon a transparent surface that can alter to a darkened surface, thereby changing contrast of the reflection. An assembly consisting of a beamsplitter and an electronically adjustable contrast layer is constructed as a thin sheet and positioned to reflect an image source. The electronically adjustable contrast layer consists of a shuttering capable material, such as liquid crystal shutters and suspended particle devices, that can be electronically engaged to be in a transparent state and also a darkened (opaque) state. The electronically adjustable contrast layer enables images to been seen in a mode that best suits its video content as to the degree of contrast selected among the transparent to darkened states. An embodiment of the present invention synchronizes events in video content to one of the states of transparent, darkened and the increments between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Videotronic Systems
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig
  • Publication number: 20010038412
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beamsplitter for reflecting an image of a video display so that only the reflection and not a direct view of the display is seen by the conferee. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beamsplitter to capture the conferee's image through the beamsplitter. The direct view of the display is blocked by an image blocking film applied between the beamsplitter and the display. Blocking the direct view of the video display greatly improves teleconferencing by eliminating the distraction of simultaneously viewing both the video display and the reflection of the display. The present invention also substantially improves available desktop space, functional options by providing a direct view and a reflected view of the display, and portability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey Machtig
  • Patent number: 6243130
    Abstract: The present invention enables eye contact between conferees during a teleconference using a terminal equipped with a beamsplitter for reflecting an image of a video display so that only the reflection and not a direct view of the display is seen by the conferee. The camera is positioned behind the viewing side of the beamsplitter to capture the conferee's image through the beamsplitter. The direct view of the display is blocked by an image blocking film applied between the beamsplitter and the display. Blocking the direct view of the video display greatly improves teleconferencing by eliminating the distraction of simultaneously viewing both the video display and the reflection of the display. The present invention also substantially improves available desktop space, functional options by providing a direct view and a reflected view of the display, and portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventors: Steve H. McNelley, Jeffrey S. Machtig