Michael T Browne

US Patent:

20120257005, Oct 11, 2012

Filed:

Nov 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/950116

Inventors:

Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

Assignee:

SA PHOTONICS, INC. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/00

US Classification:

348 36, 348E07001

Abstract:

A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.

US Patent:

20210240275, Aug 5, 2021

Filed:

Jan 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/777764

Inventors:

- Los Gatos CA, US
Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/01
G06K 9/00
G06F 3/16
G09G 3/20
G02B 27/01

Abstract:

A system, such as a head-mounted display (HMD), displays images to a user. The system has an active state and an idle state. The system includes a display device, a beam combiner, and a user-operated control. The display device displays images when the system is in the active state and emits a reduced amount or no light when the system is in the idle state. The beam combiner provides a first optical path for light from an external environment to the user's eye and also provides a second optical path for light emitted from the display device to the user's eye. Responsive to activation by the user, the control switches the system between states that include the active state and the idle state, where the idle state is a default state and the system remains in the active state only while the user-operated control remains activated by the user.

US Patent:

20210168270, Jun 3, 2021

Filed:

Dec 1, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/699683

Inventors:

- Los Gatos CA, US
Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/225
G06T 5/00
H04N 5/247

Abstract:

A partial electronic see-through HMD includes one or more subassemblies that occlude a central portion of a user's field of view (the peripheral portions of the user's field of view may remain unobstructed). Each subassembly includes an outward facing camera, a display, and an eyepiece. Images of the occluded central zone are captured by the camera and projected to the user via the display and eyepiece. The projected images can also include electronic information, such as AR image overlays. The peripheral zones are not occluded and remain directly viewable by the user. Thus, the projected images complete (or partially complete) the user's FOV of the external environment between the peripheral zones and may provide additional electronic information to the user.

US Patent:

20200018958, Jan 16, 2020

Filed:

Aug 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/532407

Inventors:

- Los Gatos CA, US
Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

G02B 27/01

Abstract:

A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.

US Patent:

20180031838, Feb 1, 2018

Filed:

Apr 12, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/486134

Inventors:

- Los Gatos CA, US
Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

G02B 27/01
G06T 19/00
G02B 26/04
G09G 3/02

Abstract:

Apparatus and method of reducing light leakage from display devices are described. An embodiment of reducing light leakage from display devices includes providing an optical shutter that is configured to block light from a display device from being emitted into the ambient environment when the display device is in a bright state and configured to display visual information to the user. The optical shutter can be configured to transmit light from the ambient environment to the user when the display device is not displaying visual information.

US Patent:

20180011318, Jan 11, 2018

Filed:

Mar 28, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/471359

Inventors:

- Los Gatos CA, US
Michael P. Browne - San Mateo CA, US

International Classification:

G02B 27/01
H04N 5/232
H04N 5/225
H04N 5/33

Abstract:

A wide field of view night vision system is described. The system comprises a head attachment apparatus configured to attach to a user's head and a night vision subsystem. The night vision subsystem comprises one or more night vision image sensors attached to the head attachment apparatus. Each sensor receives input light and produces a digital image of the input light. A processor processes the digital image(s) to produce a wide-field image. The wide-field image spans at least 60 degrees of a user's horizontal field of view. A display and eyepiece attached to the head attachment apparatus receives and displays the wide-field image. The eyepiece is positionable between the display and the user's eye to image the wide-field image into the user's eye.