Patents by Inventor Steven Lavalle

Steven Lavalle 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20150234455
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of and apparatus for predictive tracking for a head mounted display. The method comprises obtaining one or more three-dimensional angular velocity measurements from a sensor monitoring the head mounted display and setting a prediction interval based upon the one or more three-dimensional angular velocity measurements such that the prediction interval is substantially zero when the head mounted display is substantially stationary and the prediction interval increases up to a predetermined latency interval when the head mounted display is moving at an angular velocity of or above a predetermined threshold. The method further includes predicting a three-dimensional orientation for the head mounted display to create a predicted orientation at a time corresponding to the prediction interval, and generating a rendered image corresponding to the predicted orientation for presentation on the head mounted display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Steven LaValle, Peter Giokaris
  • Publication number: 20090273180
    Abstract: A plumbing connector for connecting plumbing pipe includes a housing having an inner surface substantially conforming to an outer surface of a plumbing pipe. A glue channel is formed within the housing, near to its open end, and located along the inner surface of the housing. A glue filling inlet is formed through the housing and accessible from the outside of the housing in fluid communication with the glue channel, the glue filling inlet being adapted to allow glue to pass therethrough and into the glue channel. Preferably, at least one air escape outlet is formed through the housing and in communication with the glue channel. When the housing is mounted on a pipe segment and glue is introduced via the glue filling inlet, air trapped inside the glue channel exits via the air escape outlet. A transparent section of housing or a window is preferably provided above the glue channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Lavalle, Greg V. Johnson