Patents by Inventor Thomas Ellenby

Thomas Ellenby 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: 6522292
    Abstract: Systems are arranged to provide a user information which relates to objects of interest. A user may provide indication of a directional reference to a device. The device determines which objects are being addressed by searching a database containing preprogrammed information relating to objects. Information relating to objects being addressed can then be presented at a user interface. A device of the system may include a point reference, a position determining means, a input receiving means, a computer processor and database, and a user interface. Methods of the system includes the steps of indicating a direction, determining position, searching a database, and presenting information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: GeoVector Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby, Jeffrey Alan Jay
  • Patent number: 6414696
    Abstract: Computer vision systems provide a user a view of a scene whereby an image of the scene may have been augmented with information generated by a computer. Computer vision systems of the present invention include graphical user interfaces which have been discovered to operably interact with geometric constructs of a user environment, objects within a scene, perspective of the scene, image features of a signal which represents the scene, among others. These graphical user interfaces of the invention do not behave as those known because operation of these interfaces depends on properties and features particular to computer vision systems which have position and attitude determining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Geo Vector Corp.
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby, Joseph Page
  • Patent number: 6396475
    Abstract: A device for addressing objects via pointing is provided. In response to an object being addressed, a computer provides a graphical user interface which relates to the particular object being addressed. As different objects are addressed, the user interface provided changes to agree with the object being addressed at any given time. Devices have position and attitude determining facility in communication with a computer having prerecorded data and a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Geo Vector Corp.
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby, Joseph Page
  • Patent number: 6307556
    Abstract: A vision system which collects information from similar vision systems having a different perspective of a scene are arranged to produce a composite image. The composite image having information from both perspectives can then include features impossible to otherwise show. Objects otherwise “hidden” from a first perspective are displayed as information from a second perspective may contain imagery relating to those images. A translation of spatial coordinates conditions the image from the second perspective such that it will fit into a composite image and match the first perspective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: GeoVector Corp.
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby
  • Patent number: 6173239
    Abstract: Systems are arranged to provide a user information which relates to objects of interest. A user may point a device toward an object to address it. The device determines which objects are being addressed by reference to an internal database containing preprogrammed information relating to objects. Information relating to objects being addressed can then be presented at a user interface. A device of the system may include a point reference, a direction reference, a position determining support, attitude determining support, a computer processor and database, and a user interface. Methods of systems include the steps of addressing an object, determining position and attitude, searching a database, and presenting information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Geo Vector Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Ellenby
  • Patent number: 6031545
    Abstract: The systems combine images of a real scene with computer generated imagery where the computer generated imagery is particular to the position and pointing attitude of the device. Being useful to spectators of the game baseball, the device can produce images showing where a strike zone is relative to the position of the players; can produce images of ball tracks; of replays and many other forms of information having characteristics dependent on a viewer's position and attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Geovector Corporation
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby
  • Patent number: 5742521
    Abstract: The following invention is primarily concerned with new and improved systems for viewing a sporting event. In particular, systems which combine images of a real scene with computer generated imagery where the computer generated imagery is particular to the position and pointing attitude of the device. Being useful to spectators of the game baseball, the device can produce images showing where a strike zone is relative to the position of the players; can produce images of ball tracks; of replays and many other forms of information having characteristics dependent on a viewer's position and attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Criticom Corp.
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby
  • Patent number: 5682332
    Abstract: Vision systems having knowledge of position and attitude can reliably determine what scenes are being addressed by the system. Real images of the scene can then be augmented with computer generated information which relates to the known scene. A determination of position and attitude of the device identifies which scene is being addressed. A computer recalls information regarding the scene and generates imagery according to that recalled information. The computer generated imagery is then combined with an image of the scene to form an augmented image which is presented to the user aligned to the viewing direction of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Criticom Corporation
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby
  • Patent number: 5625765
    Abstract: Vision systems having knowledge of position and attitude can reliably determine what scenes are being addressed by the system. Real images of the scene can then be augmented with computer generated information which relates to the known scene. Since the level of detail or resolution is not restricted in computer generated models, a system can continue to provide further magnified images without limit. As magnification increases, the amount of information presented to a user from images of the real scene decreases but computer generated imagery continues to provides realistic images which represent scenes being addressed by the apparatus. Computer generated imagery is combined with an image of a real scene to form an augmented image which is presented to the user aligned to the viewing direction of the device at any desired magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Criticom Corp.
    Inventors: John Ellenby, Thomas Ellenby, Peter Ellenby