Patents by Inventor Tom G. Salter

Tom G. Salter 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: 11915097
    Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that provide color visual markers that include colored markings that encode data, where the colors of the colored markings are determined by scanning (e.g., detecting the visual marker using a sensor of an electronic device) the visual marker itself. In some implementations, a visual marker is detected in an image of a physical environment. In some implementations, the visual marker is detected in the image by detecting a predefined shape of a first portion of the visual marker in the image. Then, a color-interpretation scheme is determined for interpreting colored markings of the visual marker that encode data by identifying a set of colors at a corresponding set of predetermined locations on the visual marker. Then, the data of the visual marker is decoded using the colored markings and the set of colors of the color-interpretation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Selim Ben Himane, Anselm Grundhoefer, Arun Srivatsan Rangaprasad, Jeffrey S. Norris, Paul Ewers, Scott G. Wade, Thomas G. Salter, Tom Sengelaub
  • Patent number: 10955665
    Abstract: A see through head mounted display apparatus includes code performing a method of choosing and optimal viewing location and perspective for shared-view virtual objects rendered for multiple users in a common environment. Multiple objects and multiple users are taken into account in determining the optimal, common viewing location. The technology allows each user to have a common view if the relative position of the object in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 10175483
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is not focused on the virtual object, which may be a heads-up display, or HUD, the HUD may remain body locked to the user. As such, the user may explore and interact with a mixed reality environment presented by the head mounted display device without interference from the HUD. When a user wishes to view and/or interact with the HUD, the user may look at the HUD. At this point, the HUD may change from a body locked virtual object to a world locked virtual object. The user is then able to view and interact with the HUD from different positions and perspectives of the HUD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 10139623
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation of a perspective-locked virtual object having in world space. The virtual object may be consumed) by another user with a consumption device at a location, position, and orientation which is the same as, or proximate to, the location, position, and orientation where the virtual object is created. Objects may have one, few or many allowable consumption locations, positions, and orientations defined by its creator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9329682
    Abstract: A head mounted display allows user selection of a virtual object through multi-step focusing by the user. Focus on the selectable object is determined and then a validation object is displayed. When user focus moves to the validation object, a timeout determines that a selection of the validation object, and thus the selectable object has occurred. The technology can be used in see through head mounted displays to allow a user to effectively navigate an environment with a multitude of virtual objects without unintended selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9235051
    Abstract: A see-through head mounted display apparatus includes a display and a processor. The processor determines geo-located positions of points of interest within a field of view and generates markers indicating information regarding an associated real world object is available to the user. Markers are rendered in the display relative to the geo-located position and the field of view of the user. When a user selects a marker though a user gesture, the device displays a near-field virtual object having a visual tether to the marker simultaneously with the marker. The user may interact with the marker to view, add or delete information associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9230368
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is moving through the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may remain world-locked, so that the user can move around and explore the virtual objects from different perspectives. When the user is motionless in the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may rotate to face the user so that the user can easily view and interact with the virtual objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Patent number: 9116666
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a user to select a region within virtual imagery, such as a hologram, being presented in an HMD. The user could select the region by using their hands to form a closed loop such that from the perspective of the user, the closed loop corresponds to the region the user wishes to select. The user could select the region by using a prop, such as a picture frame. In response to the selection, the selected region could be presented using a different rendering technique than other regions of the virtual imagery. Various rendering techniques such as zooming, filtering, etc. could be applied to the selected region. The identification of the region by the user could also serve as a selection of an element in that portion of the virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Mathew J. Lamb
  • Publication number: 20140368532
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the creation of a perspective-locked virtual object having in world space. The virtual object may be consumed) by another user with a consumption device at a location, position, and orientation which is the same as, or proximate to, the location, position, and orientation where the virtual object is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368535
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is not focused on the virtual object, which may be a heads-up display, or HUD, the HUD may remain body locked to the user. As such, the user may explore and interact with a mixed reality environment presented by the head mounted display device without interference from the HUD. When a user wishes to view and/or interact with the HUD, the user may look at the HUD. At this point, the HUD may change from a body locked virtual object to a world locked virtual object. The user is then able to view and interact with the HUD from different positions and perspectives of the HUD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368537
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment including shared virtual objects and private virtual objects. Multiple users can collaborate together in interacting with the shared virtual objects. A private virtual object may be visible to a single user. In examples, private virtual objects of respective users may facilitate the users' collaborative interaction with one or more shared virtual objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140372957
    Abstract: A head mounted display allows user selection of a virtual object through multi-step focusing by the user. Focus on the selectable object is determined and then a validation object is displayed. When user focus moves to the validation object, a timeout determines that a selection of the validation object, and thus the selectable object has occurred. The technology can be used in see through head mounted displays to allow a user to effectively navigate an environment with a multitude of virtual objects without unintended selections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368533
    Abstract: A see-through head mounted display apparatus includes a display and a processor. The processor determines geo-located positions of points of interest within a field of view and generates markers indicating information regarding an associated real world object is available to the user. Markers are rendered in the display relative to the geo-located position and the field of view of the user. When a user selects a marker though a user gesture, the device displays a near-field virtual object having a visual tether to the marker simultaneously with the marker. The user may interact with the marker to view, add or delete information associated with the point of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, Jr., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140368534
    Abstract: A see through head mounted display apparatus includes code performing a method of choosing and optimal viewing location and perspective for shared-view virtual objects rendered for multiple users in a common environment. Multiple objects and multiple users are taken into account in determining the optimal, common viewing location. The technology allows each user to have a common view if the relative position of the object in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Ben J. Sugden, Daniel Deptford, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140347391
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying virtual objects in a mixed reality environment in a way that is optimal and most comfortable for a user to interact with the virtual objects. When a user is moving through the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may remain world-locked, so that the user can move around and explore the virtual objects from different perspectives. When the user is motionless in the mixed reality environment, the virtual objects may rotate to face the user so that the user can easily view and interact with the virtual objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Brian E. Keane, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Daniel Deptford, Tom G. Salter, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Peter Tobias Kinnebrew, Nicholas Ferianc Kamuda
  • Publication number: 20140002492
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for propagating real world properties into mixed reality images in a see-through, near-eye mixed reality display device. A physical property from the real world may be propagated into a virtual image to be rendered in the display device. Thus, the physics depicted in the mixed reality images may be influenced by a physical property in the environment. Therefore, the user wearing the mixed reality display device is provided a better sense that it is mixed reality, as opposed to simply virtual reality. The mixed reality image may be linked to a real world physical object. This physical object can be movable such as a book, paper, cellular telephone, etc. Forces on the physical object may be propagated into the virtual image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Mathew J. Lamb, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Tom G. Salter
  • Publication number: 20130321462
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing a user to select a region within virtual imagery, such as a hologram, being presented in an HMD. The user could select the region by using their hands to form a closed loop such that from the perspective of the user, the closed loop corresponds to the region the user wishes to select. The user could select the region by using a prop, such as a picture frame. In response to the selection, the selected region could be presented using a different rendering technique than other regions of the virtual imagery. Various rendering techniques such as zooming, filtering, etc. could be applied to the selected region. The identification of the region by the user could also serve as a selection of an element in that portion of the virtual image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Tom G. Salter, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Ben J. Sugden, Robert L. Crocco, JR., Brian E. Keane, Christopher E. Miles, Kathryn Stone Perez, Laura K. Massey, Mathew J. Lamb