Ralph Osterhout

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Ralph Osterhout

Ralph Osterhout is an American inventor, designer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Osterhout Design Group (ODG). [1] During his career he has developed a range of products spanning toys, [2] [3] [4] consumer electronics, [5] dive equipment, [6] furniture [7] to devices for the Department of Defense. [8] Osterhout is named as inventor on 260 patents and patent applications. Over the course of his career, Osterhout has developed over 2,000 different products [9] [10] and hundreds of separate product lines [11] for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500s, as well as the government.

Contents

Since 2009, Osterhout has been highly focused on developing products and technologies in the head-worn computing field. Osterhout has over three decades of developing head-worn technology (starting with the PVS-7 Night Vision Goggles [12] in 1984) and has created nine different generations of smartglasses. [13]

Osterhout has been referred to as the "real-life Q", [14] in reference to the fictional character Q that equips James Bond with secret spy gadgets, after Osterhout designed and developed several gadgets for James Bond films. [15]

Early life

Ralph Osterhout was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1946 and moved to Santa Cruz, California, at the age of one. He attended Soquel High School graduating in 1964 and later went on to San Jose State University graduating in 1969.

A pivotal point in Osterhout's life was at the 1969 boat show, where he showcased the first of a kind diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) named the MK I. The Navy subsequently purchased the MK II in 1970. [16] [17] With the purchase of the DPV, Osterhout founded the scuba equipment company Farallon Industries and began a career in product development and design.

Companies

Tekna

Sport Scuba Diving Equipment and Consumer Products – CEO/Founder (1976–1990)

Tekna knives and flashlights are valued by outdoor enthusiasts and scuba divers for their innovative designs and ruggedness. In 1990 Ray-o-Vac purchased Tekna and continued to produce these items. [18] Tekna flashlights and knives are now owned and produced by Tektite Industries.

Products Osterhout developed as founder of Tekna include:

S-Tron

Defense Contractor – CEO/Founder (1985 to 1990)

Under S-Tron, some of the products Ralph Osterhout designed include the following:

Machina/Team Machina

Consumer Electronics – CEO/Founder (1990–1999)

Created products under the Machina brand and developed products for other brands under the company Team Machina. [27] [28]

Osterhout's first design for Tiger Electronics was the $20 Talkboy FX that had a tiny solid-state memory and voice-recording chip built into a pen. [29] Tiger president Roger Shiffman said, "It was a breakthrough product in the industry, because it was the first to bring digital recording technology to low-cost toys." In 1995, the Talkboy FX sold a million units within 45-day of launch. [27]

In 1996, Machina generated $12 million in yearly revenues. Some of the clients of Team Machina included: Tiger Electronics, Brookstone, Specialized, Sega, Nike, Playmates Toys, Tonka, Yes!, Milton Bradley, Ray-o-vac, Lockheed Martin, Fisher-Price, Hasbro, Bandai, and Eddie Bauer. [30] [27] Osterhout's toy product line includes:

  • Power Penz: Ballpoint pens that fly, shoot, spy, speak and write in invisible ink. [27]
  • Talk-Boy pens: A line of pens that have keyboards and voice modulation. [27]
  • CARDCORDER 90: Credit card sized voice recorder. [27]
  • Handheld games: Virtual Cop, Dragon Heart and WARHAWK made for Tiger Electronics. [31] [27]
  • Yapper: Telephone mounted voice changer. Made for Sega. [27]
  • Yak Bak, Mega Mouth, Radical Air Weapons (RAW): Made for Yes! and did $38 million in sales its first year. [27]

Osterhout Design Group (ODG)

CEO/Founder (1999–present)

San Francisco-based ODG was founded in 1999 as a technology incubator. ODG was one of the leading developers and manufacturers of mobile headworn computing devices that offer capabilities such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. [32] [33]

It is reported that in January 2014, Microsoft paid up to $150M to purchase wearable computing IP assets from ODG that are related to augmented reality and headworn computers. [34] [35] The acquisition included over 81 patents with 20 issued patents, and “at least” 75 patents in progress both in the U.S. and internationally. The patents sold to Microsoft covered features such as “See-through near-eye display glasses including a partially reflective, partially transmitting optical element” and “Video display modification based on sensor input for a see-through near-to-eye display. [34] ”

Following the IP asset acquisition with Microsoft, Osterhout and the ODG team have published 198 patent applications and have been issued 41 patents on optics, augmented reality, and headworn technology as well as developed three new models of headworn devices including the R-7, R-7HL, R-8, and R-9 Smartglasses.

In December 2016, ODG closed a $58 million Series A funding round with strategic investors including 21st Century Fox. [36] The Series A is the largest ever in the history of wearables, augmented reality, and virtual reality.

As of March 24, 2019, it was reported that ODG has closed its doors, suspended business, and continues to seek a sale of its remaining IP.

Films and television

Osterhout designed and built equipment that appeared in or on:

Lectures

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augmented reality</span> View of the real world with computer-generated supplementary features

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive, or destructive. This experience is seamlessly interwoven with the physical world such that it is perceived as an immersive aspect of the real environment. In this way, augmented reality alters one's ongoing perception of a real-world environment, whereas virtual reality completely replaces the user's real-world environment with a simulated one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray-Ban</span> Eyewear company

Ray-Ban is an American-Italian brand of luxury sunglasses and eyeglasses created in 1936 by Bausch & Lomb. The brand is known for its Wayfarer and Aviator lines of sunglasses. In 1999, Bausch & Lomb sold the brand to Italian eyewear conglomerate Luxottica Group for a reported $640 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed reality</span> Merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments

Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated one. Physical and virtual objects may co-exist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeri Ellsworth</span> 21st-century American entrepreneur and computer chip designer

Jeri Janet Ellsworth is an American entrepreneur, computer chip designer and inventor. She gained fame in 2004 for creating a complete Commodore 64 emulator system on a chip housed within a joystick, called Commodore 30-in-1 Direct to TV. It runs 30 video games from the 1980s, and at peak, sold over 70,000 units in a single day via the QVC shopping channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virtual retinal display</span> Display technology

A virtual retinal display (VRD), also known as a retinal scan display (RSD) or retinal projector (RP), is a display technology that draws a raster display directly onto the retina of the eye.

Vuzix is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1997 by Paul Travers, Vuzix is a supplier of wearable display technology, virtual reality, and augmented reality. Vuzix manufactures and sells computer display devices and software. Vuzix personal display devices are used for mobile and immersive augmented reality applications, such as 3D gaming, manufacturing training, and military tactical equipment. On January 5, 2015, Intel acquired 30% of Vuzix's stock for $24.8 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recon Instruments</span>

Recon Instruments was a Canadian technology company that produced smartglasses and wearable displays marketed by the company as "heads-up displays" for sports. Recon's products delivered live activity metrics, GPS maps, and notifications directly to the user's eye. Recon's first heads-up display offering was released commercially in October 2010, roughly a year and a half before Google introduced Google Glass.

Gamevice, Inc. is a Simi Valley, California based tablet and tablet peripherals manufacturer specializing in gaming products.

Advanced Mobile Applications, also known as AMA Studios or simply AMA, is an international developer and publisher of games and applications for phones, tablets, interactive TVs and connected objects founded in 2004 by Christian Guillemot. It is a sister company of Ubisoft and Gameloft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Optical head-mounted display</span> Type of wearable device

An optical head-mounted display (OHMD) is a wearable device that has the capability of reflecting projected images as well as allowing the user to see through it. In some cases, this may qualify as augmented reality (AR) technology. OHMD technology has existed since 1997 in various forms, but despite a number of attempts from industry, has yet to have had major commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smartglasses</span> Wearable computers glasses

Smartglasses or smart glasses are eye or head-worn wearable computers that offer useful capabilities to the user. Many smartglasses include displays that add information alongside or to what the wearer sees. Alternatively, smartglasses are sometimes defined as glasses that are able to change their optical properties, such as smart sunglasses that are programmed to change tint by electronic means.

castAR American technology company

castAR was a Palo Alto-based technology startup company founded in March 2013 by Jeri Ellsworth and Rick Johnson. Its first product was to be the castAR, a pair of augmented reality and virtual reality glasses. castAR was a founding member of the nonprofit Immersive Technology Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meta (augmented reality company)</span> Defunct Silicon Valley company (2012–2019)

Meta was a company that designed augmented reality products. The company was founded by Meron Gribetz in 2012, based on the "Extramissive spatial imaging digital eye glass" technology invented by Gribetz and Mann originally filed with the US Patent and Trademark office Jan 3, 2013.

LyteShot was an interactive augmented reality gaming platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windows Mixed Reality</span> Mixed reality platform

Windows Mixed Reality is a platform introduced as part of the Windows 10 and 11 operating system, which provides augmented reality and virtual reality experiences with compatible head-mounted displays.

DAQRI was an American augmented reality company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectacles (product)</span> Smartglasses for recording Snapchat video

Spectacles are smartglasses dedicated to recording video for the Snapchat service. This term is often used to address sunglasses and eyeglasses. They feature a camera lens and are capable of recording short video segments and syncing with a smartphone to upload to the user's online account. They were developed and manufactured by Snap Inc., and announced on September 23, 2016. The smartglasses were released on November 10, 2016. They are made for Snap's image messaging and multimedia platform, Snapchat, and were initially distributed exclusively through Snap's pop-up vending machine, Snapbot. On February 20, 2017, Snap Spectacles became available for purchase online.

Everysight Ltd. is an Israeli technology company established in 2014 as a spinoff of Elbit Systems. Everysight develops smartglasses based on augmented reality technology for the civilian market. The company's main product is Raptor smartglasses.

Ray-Ban Stories are smartglasses created as a collaboration between Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica. The product includes two cameras, open-ear speakers, a microphone, and touchpad, all built into the frame. The glasses, announced in August 2020 and released on September 9, 2021, had a controversial reception stemming from mistrust over Facebook’s privacy scandals. The small size of the recording indicator light has also led to controversy post-release. Ray-Ban Stories are the latest in a line of smartglasses released by major companies including Snap Inc and Google and are designed as one component of Facebook’s plans for a metaverse. Unlike smart glasses previously created by other companies, the Ray-Ban Stories do not include any HUD or AR head-mounted display.

Electronic glasses are a form of eyewear that incorporates digital electronics, and includes a few different types of devices.

References

  1. ↑ "Secretive Military Tech Company Announces Augmented Reality Glasses For Consumers". Forbes. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  2. ↑ Berger, Warren. "Adventures in the Toy Trade: Ralph Osterhout knocks himself out to make bots for tots - and brats, spies, and troublemakers". Wired. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  3. ↑ "Child's play". Newscientist.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. ↑ D.I.C.E. Summit. "2009 D.I.C.E. Summit Schedule". The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  5. 1 2 3 Newcomb, Doug. "The Spy Wares of a Real-Life Q". MSN. Archived from the original on 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  6. ↑ Knafelc, ME (1988). "Unmanned and Manned Evaluation of a Prototype Closed-Circuit Underwater Breathing Apparatus, the EX 19". Navy Experimental Diving Unit Technical report NEDU-5-88.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ↑ Larrabee, Eric. “Knoll Design”, Abrams, Harry N Publisher, 1990 - ISBN   0-8109-1220-1
  8. ↑ Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ "A trio of visionaries will explore the future of augmented reality". VentureBeat. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  10. ↑ Tilley, Aaron. "Military Tech Company ODG Raises $58 Million To Grow Its Augmented Reality Business". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  11. ↑ mlsentertainment (2016-10-30). "ODG CHANGING THE WORLD OF AUGMENTED REALITY – PROJECT HORIZON BEST IN SHOW – IN AWE WITH RALPH OSTERHOUT". mlsentertainment. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  12. ↑ "Osterhout Design Group unveils high-end enterprise augmented reality glasses". VentureBeat. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  13. ↑ "Osterhout Design Group Just Raised $58 Million—We'll See Why at CES 2017". WonderHowTo. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  14. ↑ Hollister, Sean. "Meet the 'Real-Life Q' Who Builds Secret Spy Gadgets for a Living". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  15. ↑ "James Bond's real-life 'Q' to show off new connected IoT tech". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  16. ↑ "Diving Equipment Authorized for U.S. Navy Use (ANU)" (PDF). Supsalv.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  17. ↑ Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ Inc., KMK Computer Group. "Tektite-TEKNA History, TEKNA Products, 000-HIS". www.tek-tite.com. Retrieved 2017-07-06.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ↑ "United States Patent: 4523379". patft1.uspto.gov. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  20. ↑ Inc., KMK Computer Group. "Tektite-TEKNA History, TEKNA Products, 000-HIS". www.tek-tite.com. Retrieved 2017-07-06.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  21. ↑ "Adventures in the Toy Trade". WIRED. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  22. 1 2 Hollister, Sean. "Meet the 'Real-Life Q' Who Builds Secret Spy Gadgets for a Living". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  23. ↑ "Osterhout Design Group unveils high-end enterprise augmented reality glasses". VentureBeat. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  24. ↑ Hollister, Sean. "Meet the 'Real-Life Q' Who Builds Secret Spy Gadgets for a Living". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  25. 1 2 Berger, Warren. "Adventures in the Toy Trade". WIRED. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  26. 1 2 3 Hollister, Sean. "Meet the 'Real-Life Q' Who Builds Secret Spy Gadgets for a Living". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Berger, Warren. "Adventures in the Toy Trade". WIRED. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  28. ↑ KOENENN, CONNIE (1993-08-12). "Product Prodigies : Award-Winning Designers Aim to Take the Work Out of Labor-Saving Devices". Los Angeles Times. ISSN   0458-3035 . Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  29. ↑ US 5313557,Osterhout, Ralph,"Pen recorder",published May 17, 1994
  30. ↑ US 3794565,Osiecki, Scott W.,"Hand-held analog recorder",published 27 May 1997
  31. ↑ US 5672108,Lam, Clive; HK& Osterhout, Ralph F.,"Electronic game with separate emitter",published September 30, 1997
  32. ↑ "Qualcomm and ODG Announce the First Augmented Reality Smartglasses Powered by the New Snapdragon 835 Processor | Qualcomm". Qualcomm. Retrieved 2017-05-22.
  33. ↑ "ODG's Next Smart Glasses Bring Powerful Augmented Reality To New Markets". Fast Company. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  34. 1 2 Lunden, Ingrid. "Microsoft Paid Up To $150M To Buy Wearable Computing IP From The Osterhout Design Group". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  35. ↑ "Microsoft acquires patents for wearable technology worth up to US$150". Technology Record. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  36. ↑ Tilley, Aaron. "Military Tech Company ODG Raises $58 Million To Grow Its Augmented Reality Business". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  37. ↑ "how its made s8 ep3- flashlights". YouTube. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  38. ↑ "Television News Archive: Display Complete Broadcast". Tvnews.vanderbilt.edu. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  39. ↑ "Invention is the Mother of Creativity Part 1 - IGN Video". Video.ign.com. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  40. ↑ "Invention is the Mother of Creativity Part 2 - IGN Video". Video.ign.com. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  41. ↑ "Invention is the Mother of Creativity Part 3 - IGN Video". Video.ign.com. 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  42. ↑ "Season 19, Episode 71". EP Daily. March 16, 2009. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
  43. ↑ "Ralph Osterhout: Toys Find Their Way Into Combat". FORA.tv. 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  44. ↑ Koenenn, Connie (1993-08-12). "Product Prodigies : Award-Winning Designers Aim to Take the Work Out of Labor-Saving Devices". Los Angeles Times.
  45. ↑ "Abstract/Bio". Stanford.edu. 2000-12-06. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
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