Lucasfilm Patents Granted

Patents granted to Lucasfilm by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11978154
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an immersive content generation system may receive a first input from a user indicating a lighting value. The computing device may receive a second input indicating a region of an immersive virtual environment to which the lighting value is to be applied. The computing device may apply the lighting value to the region of the immersive virtual environment. The computing device may output one or more images of the immersive virtual environment, the one or more images based, in part, on the input lighting value. Numerous other aspects are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Jeff Webster, Scott Richards
  • Patent number: 11948260
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 11887251
    Abstract: A computing device in communication with an immersive content generation system can generate and present images of a virtual environment on one or more light-emitting diode (LED) displays at least partially surrounding a performance area. The device may capture a plurality of images of a performer or a physical object in the performance area along with at least some portion of the images of the virtual environment by a taking camera. The device may identify a color mismatch between a portion of the performer or the physical object and a virtual image of the performer or the physical object in the images of the virtual environment. The device may generate a patch for the images of the virtual environment to correct the color mismatch. The device may insert the patch into the images of the virtual environment. Also, the device may generate content based on the plurality of captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Alan Bucior
  • Patent number: 11783493
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to techniques for facial reconstruction from a sparse set of facial markers. In one implementation, a method comprises: obtaining data comprising a captured facial performance of a subject with a plurality of facial markers; determining a three-dimensional (3D) bundle corresponding to each of the plurality of facial markers of the captured facial performance; using at least the determined 3D bundles to retrieve, from a facial dataset comprising a plurality of facial shapes of the subject, a local geometric shape corresponding to each of the plurality of the facial markers; and merging the retrieved local geometric shapes to create a facial reconstruction of the subject for the captured facial performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Cong, Ronald Fedkiw, Lana Lan
  • Patent number: 11762481
    Abstract: In some implementations, an apparatus may include a housing enclosing a circuitry may include a processor and a memory, the housing forming a handgrip. In addition, the apparatus may include a plurality of light sensors arranged in a particular configuration, each of the plurality of light sensors coupled to an exterior the housing via a sensor arm. Also, the apparatus may include one or more controls mounted on the exterior of the housing and electrically coupled to the circuitry. The apparatus can include one or more antenna mounted on an exterior of the housing; and a transmitter connected to the circuitry and electrically connected to the one or more antenna to send data from the apparatus via a wireless protocol. The apparatus can include an electronic device for mounting an electronic device to the housing, the electronic device configured to execute an application for an immersive content generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Robert Derry, Gary Martinez
  • Patent number: 11758243
    Abstract: A system includes a computing platform including processing hardware and a memory storing software code, a trained machine learning (ML) model, and a content thumbnail generator. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive interaction data describing interactions by a user with content thumbnails, identify, using the interaction data, an affinity by the user for at least one content thumbnail feature, and determine, using the interaction data, a predetermined business rule, or both, content for promotion to the user. The software code further provides a prediction, using the trained ML model and based on the affinity by the user, of the desirability of each of multiple candidate thumbnails for the content to the user, generates, using the content thumbnail generator and based on the prediction, a thumbnail having features of one or more of the candidate thumbnails, and displays the thumbnail to promote the content to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., LucasFilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC.
    Inventors: Alexander Niedt, Mara Idai Lucien, Juli Logemann, Miquel Angel Farre Guiu, Monica Alfaro Vendrell, Marc Junyent Martin
  • Patent number: 11756279
    Abstract: An immersive content generation system can capture a plurality of images of an object in the performance area using a camera. The object is at least partially surrounded by one or more displays presenting images of a virtual environment. The system can determine attributes of a lens of the taking camera, a first distance from the taking camera to the physical object, and a second distance between a LED display presenting a virtual image of the physical object and the taking camera. The system can determine the depth of field blur for the virtual objects based on the attributes of the taking camera and the virtual depth of each of the virtual objects. The system can apply the depth of field blur to the virtual objects and generate content based on the plurality of captured images and the determined amount of depth of field blur to the virtual objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Lutz Latta
  • Patent number: 11748406
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to a method, comprising: obtaining, at a computing device, first video clip data including multiple sequential video frames, the multiple sequential video frames including at least a first video frame and a second video frame that occurs after the first video frame; inputting, at the computing device, the first video clip data into at least one trained model that automatically predicts, based on at least features of the first video frame and features of the second video frame, sound effect data corresponding to the second video frame; and determining, at the computing device, based on the sound effect data predicted for the second video frame, a first sound effect file corresponding to the second video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Tsingos, Scott Levine, Stephen Morris
  • Patent number: 11727644
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system and techniques that can detect and correct lighting artifacts caused by movements of one or more taking camera in a performance area consisting of multiple displays (e.g., LED or LCD displays). The techniques include capturing, with a camera, a plurality of images of a performer performing in a performance area at least partially surrounded by one or more displays presenting images of a virtual environment. Where the images of the virtual environment within a frustum of the camera are updated on the one or more displays based on movement of the camera, and images of the virtual environment outside of the frustum of the camera are not updated based on movement of the camera. The techniques further include generating content based on the plurality of captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Nicholas Rasmussen, Kevin Wooley, Rachel Rose
  • Patent number: 11726581
    Abstract: In some implementations, an apparatus may include a housing enclosing a circuitry may include a processor and a memory, the housing forming a handgrip. In addition, the apparatus may include a plurality of light sensors arranged in a particular configuration, each of the plurality of light sensors coupled to an exterior the housing via a sensor arm. Also, the apparatus may include one or more controls mounted on the exterior of the housing and electrically coupled to the circuitry. The apparatus can include one or more antenna mounted on an exterior of the housing; and a transmitter connected to the circuitry and electrically connected to the one or more antenna to send data from the apparatus via a wireless protocol. The apparatus can include an electronic device for mounting an electronic device to the housing, the electronic device configured to execute an application for an immersive content generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Robert Derry, Gary Martinez
  • Patent number: 11671717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: John Knoll, Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Per Karefelt, Pablo Helman, John M. Levin
  • Patent number: 11580616
    Abstract: A method of content production includes generating a survey of a performance area that includes a point cloud representing a first physical object, in a survey graph hierarchy, constraining the point cloud and a taking camera coordinate system as child nodes of an origin of a survey coordinate system, obtaining virtual content including a first virtual object that corresponds to the first physical object, applying a transformation to the origin of the survey coordinate system so that at least a portion of the point cloud that represents the first physical object is substantially aligned with a portion of the virtual content that represents the first virtual object, displaying the first virtual object on one or more displays from a perspective of the taking camera, capturing, using the taking camera, one or more images of the performance area, and generating content based on the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Watkins, Paige M. Warner, Dacklin R. Young
  • Patent number: 11581970
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure relate to using a model trained on mixing console data of sound mixes to automate the process of sound mix creation. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining a first version of a sound mix; extracting first audio features from the first version of the sound mix obtaining mixing metadata; automatically calculating with a trained model, using at least the mixing metadata and the first audio features, mixing console features; and deriving a second version of the sound mix using at least the mixing console features calculated by the trained model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Morris, Scott Levine, Nicolas Tsingos
  • Patent number: 11532102
    Abstract: Views of a virtual environment can be displayed on mobile devices in a real-world environment simultaneously for multiple users. The users can operate selections devices in the real-world environment that interact with objects in the virtual environment. Virtual characters and objects can be moved and manipulated using selection shapes. A graphical interface can be instantiated and rendered as part of the virtual environment. Virtual cameras and screens can also be instantiated to created storyboards, backdrops, and animated sequences of the virtual environment. These immersive experiences with the virtual environment can be used to generate content for users and for feature films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jose Perez, III, Peter Dollar, Barak Moshe
  • Patent number: 11514653
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 11508125
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for switching between different modes of a media content item. A media content item may include a movie that has different modes, such as a cinematic mode and an interactive mode. For example, a movie may be presented in a cinematic mode that does not allow certain user interactions with the movie. The movie may be switched to an interactive mode during any point of the movie, allowing a viewer to interact with various aspects of the movie. The movie may be displayed using different formats and resolutions depending on which mode the movie is being presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Lutz Markus Latta, Ian Wakelin, Darby Johnston, Andrew Grant, John Gaeta
  • Patent number: 11403769
    Abstract: A motion capture tracking device comprising a base portion including a first alignment feature, a first magnetic element and an attachment mechanism operative to mechanically couple the base portion to a rod, a detachable end cap configured to be removably mated with the base portion, and a plurality of motion capture markers coupled to the end cap. The detachable end cap can include a second alignment feature and a second magnetic element, such that, during a mating event in which the detachable end cap is coupled to the base portion, the second alignment feature cooperates with the first alignment feature to ensure that the base portion and detachable end cap are mated in accordance with a unique registration and the second magnetic feature cooperates with the first magnetic feature to magnetically retain the detachable end cap in physical contact with the base portion upon completion of the mating event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Paige M. Warner
  • Patent number: 11308693
    Abstract: A method of edge loop selection includes accessing a polygon mesh; receiving a selection of a first edge connected to a first non-four-way intersection vertex; receiving, after receiving the selection of the first edge, a selection of a second edge connected to the first non-four-way intersection vertex; in response to receiving a command invoking an edge loop selection process: evaluating a topological relationship between the first edge and the second edge; determining a rule for processing a non-four-way intersection vertex based on the topological relationship between the first edge and the second edge; and completing an edge loop by, from the second edge, processing each respective four-way intersection vertex by choosing a middle edge as a next edge at the respective four-way intersection vertex, and processing each respective non-four-way intersection vertex based on the rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Colette Mullenhoff
  • Patent number: 11238619
    Abstract: Views of a virtual environment can be displayed on mobile devices in a real-world environment simultaneously for multiple users. The users can operate selections devices in the real-world environment that interact with objects in the virtual environment. Virtual characters and objects can be moved and manipulated using selection shapes. A graphical interface can be instantiated and rendered as part of the virtual environment. Virtual cameras and screens can also be instantiated to created storyboards, backdrops, and animated sequences of the virtual environment. These immersive experiences with the virtual environment can be used to generate content for users and for feature films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jose Perez, III, Peter Dollar, Barak Moshe
  • Patent number: 11200752
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an immersive content generation system may receive a first user input that defines a three-dimensional (3D) volume within a performance area. In at least one embodiment, the system may capture a plurality of images of an object in the performance area using a camera, wherein the object is at least partially surrounded by one or more displays presenting images of a virtual environment. In at least one embodiment, the system may receive a second user input to adjust a color value of a virtual image of the object as displayed in the images in the virtual environment. In at least one embodiment, the system may perform a color correction pass for the displayed images of the virtual environment. In at least one embodiment, the system may generate content based on the plurality of captured images that are corrected via the color correction pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Lutz Latta
  • Patent number: 11170571
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to techniques for facial reconstruction from a sparse set of facial markers. In one implementation, a method comprises: obtaining data comprising a captured facial performance of a subject with a plurality of facial markers; determining a three-dimensional (3D) bundle corresponding to each of the plurality of facial markers of the captured facial performance; using at least the determined 3D bundles to retrieve, from a facial dataset comprising a plurality of facial shapes of the subject, a local geometric shape corresponding to each of the plurality of the facial markers; and merging the retrieved local geometric shapes to create a facial reconstruction of the subject for the captured facial performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Cong, Ronald Fedkiw, Lana Lan
  • Patent number: 11145125
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 11132837
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system and techniques that can detect and correct lighting artifacts caused by movements of one or more taking camera in a performance area consisting of multiple displays (e.g., LED or LCD displays). The techniques include capturing, with a camera, a plurality of images of a performer performing in a performance area at least partially surrounded by one or more displays presenting images of a virtual environment. Where the images of the virtual environment within a frustum of the camera are updated on the one or more displays based on movement of the camera, and images of the virtual environment outside of the frustum of the camera are not updated based on movement of the camera. The techniques further include generating content based on the plurality of captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Nicholas Rasmussen, Kevin Wooley, Rachel Rose
  • Patent number: 11132838
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system and techniques that can detect and correct lighting artifacts caused by movements of one or more taking camera in a performance area consisting of multiple displays (e.g., LED or LCD displays). The techniques include capturing, with a camera, a plurality of images of a performer performing in a performance area at least partially surrounded by one or more displays presenting images of a virtual environment. Where the images of the virtual environment within a frustum of the camera are updated on the one or more displays based on movement of the camera, and images of the virtual environment outside of the frustum of the camera are not updated based on movement of the camera. The techniques further include generating content based on the plurality of captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Richard Bluff, Lutz Latta
  • Patent number: 11128984
    Abstract: A method may include causing first content to be displayed on a display device; causing second content to be rendered irrespective of a location of a mobile device relative to the display device; and causing the second content to be displayed on the mobile device such that the second content is layered over the first content. When the second content has moved a predetermined distance from the screen, The method may also include causing the second content to be rendered based on the location of the mobile device relative to the display device; and causing the second content to be displayed on the mobile device such that the second content is layered over the first content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENIERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: John Gaeta, Michael Koperwas, Nicholas Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 11113885
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 11107195
    Abstract: An immersive content production system may capture a plurality of images of a physical object in a performance area using a taking camera. The system may determine an orientation and a velocity of the taking camera with respect to the physical object in the performance area. A user may select a first amount of motion blur exhibited by the images of the physical object based on a desired motion effects. The system may determine a correction to apply to a virtual object based at least in part on the orientation and the velocity of the taking camera and the desired motion blur effect. The system may also detect the distance from the taking camera to a physical object and the taking camera to the virtual display. The system may use these distances to generate a corrected circle of confusion for the virtual images on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, Lutz Latta
  • Patent number: 11099654
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a view of a virtual reality (VR) environment via a computing device with a touch sensitive surface are disclosed. In some examples, a user may be enabled to augment the view of the VR environment by providing finger gestures to the touch sensitive surface. In one example, the user is enabled to call up a menu in the view of the VR environment. In one example, the user is enabled to switch the view of the VR environment displayed on a device associated with another user to a new location within the VR environment. In some examples, the user may be enabled to use the computing device to control a virtual camera within the VR environment and have various information regarding one or more aspects of the virtual camera displayed in the view of the VR environment presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Darby Johnston, Ian Wakelin
  • Patent number: 11087738
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure describe systems and methods that leverage machine learning to automate the process of creating music and effects mixes from original sound mixes including domestic dialogue. In some implementations, a method includes: receiving a sound mix including human dialogue; extracting metadata from the sound mix, where the extracted metadata categorizes the sound mix; extracting content feature data from the sound mix, the extracted content feature data including an identification of the human dialogue and instances or times the human dialogue occurs within the sound mix; automatically calculating, with a trained model, content feature data of a music and effects (M&E) sound mix using at least the extracted metadata and the extracted content feature data of the sound mix; and deriving the M&E sound mix using at least the calculated content feature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Scott Levine, Stephen Morris
  • Patent number: 11069135
    Abstract: A method of transferring a facial expression from a subject to a computer generated character that includes receiving a plate with an image of the subject's facial expression, a three-dimensional parameterized deformable model of the subject's face where different facial expressions of the subject can be obtained by varying values of the model parameters, a model of a camera rig used to capture the plate, and a virtual lighting model that estimates lighting conditions when the image on the plate was captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Stéphane Grabli, Michael Bao, Per Karefelt, Adam Ferrall-Nunge, Jeffery Yost, Ronald Fedkiw, Cary Phillips, Pablo Helman, Leandro Estebecorena
  • Patent number: 11049332
    Abstract: A method of transferring a facial expression from a subject to a computer generated character that includes: receiving a plate with an image of the subject's facial expression and an estimate of intrinsic parameters of a camera used to film the plate; generating a three-dimensional parameterized deformable model of the subject's face where different facial expressions of the subject can be obtained by varying values of the model parameters; solving for the facial expression in the plate by executing a deformation solver to solve for at least some parameters of the deformable model with a differentiable renderer and shape-from-shading techniques, using as inputs, the three-dimensional parameterized deformable model, estimated intrinsic camera parameters, estimated lighting conditions and albedo estimates over a series of iterations to infer geometry of the facial expression and generate an intermediate facial; generating, from the intermediate facial mesh, refined albedo estimates for the deformable model; and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew Loper, Stéphane Grabli, Kiran Bhat
  • Patent number: 11039083
    Abstract: Embodiments can enable motion capture cameras to be optimally placed in a set. For achieving this, a virtual set can be generated based on information regarding the set. Movement of a virtual actor or a virtual object may be controlled in the virtual set to simulate movement of the corresponding real actor and real object in the set. Based on such movement, camera aspects and obstructions in the set can be determined. Based on this determination, indication information indicating whether regions in the set may be viewable by one or more cameras placed in the physical set may be obtained. Based on the indication information, it can be determined an optimal placement of the motion capture cameras in the set. In some embodiments, an interface may be provided to show whether the markers attached to the actor can be captured by the motion capture cameras placed in a specific configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: John Levin, Mincho Marinov, Brian Cantwell
  • Patent number: 11030810
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 10964083
    Abstract: A system includes a computing device that includes a memory configured to store instructions. The system also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a method that includes receiving multiple representations of one or more expressions of an object. Each of the representations includes position information attained from one or more images of the object. The method also includes producing an animation model from one or more groups of controls that respectively define each of the one or more expressions of the object as provided by the multiple representations. Each control of each group of controls has an adjustable value that defines the geometry of at least one shape of a portion of the respective expression of the object. Producing the animation model includes producing one or more corrective shapes if the animation model is incapable of accurately presenting the one or more expressions of the object as provided by the multiple representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Kiran S. Bhat, Michael Koperwas, Rachel M. Rose, Jung-Seung Hong, Frederic P. Pighin, Christopher David Twigg, Cary Phillips, Steve Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10928995
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for UV packing. The system includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium operatively coupled to processors. The non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processors to perform a number of operations. One operation is to present a packing map using a graphical user interface including a selection tool. Another operation is to present a first set of one or more target objects using the graphical user interface. Individual ones of the first set include one or more features. One operation is to receive a first user input. Another operation is to, based on the first user input and the one or more features corresponding to the individual ones of the first set, pack the first set into a packing map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Colette Mullenhoff, Benjamin Neall
  • Patent number: 10846920
    Abstract: Implementations of the disclosure are directed to generating shadows in the physical world that correspond to virtual objects displayed on MR displays. In some implementations, a method includes: synchronously presenting a version of a scene on each of a MR display system and a projector display system, where during presentation: the MR display system displays a virtual object overlaid over a view of a physical environment; and a projector of the projector display system creates a shadow on a surface in the physical environment, the created shadow corresponding to the virtual object displayed by the MR display. In some implementations, the method includes: loading in a memory of the MR display system, a first version of the scene including the virtual object; and loading in a memory of the projector display system a second version of the scene including a virtual surface onto which the virtual object casts a shadow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Michael Koperwas, Lutz Latta
  • Patent number: 10825225
    Abstract: Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to a pipeline that enables real time engines such as gaming engines to leverage high quality simulations generated offline via film grade simulation systems. In one implementation, a method includes: obtaining simulation data and skeletal mesh data of a character, the simulation data and skeletal mesh data including the character in the same rest pose; importing the skeletal mesh data into a real-time rendering engine; and using at least the simulation data and the imported skeletal mesh data to derive from the simulation data a transformed simulation vertex cache that is usable by the real-time rendering engine during runtime to be skinned in place of the rest pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD. LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Radeztsky, Michael Koperwas
  • Patent number: 10812693
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LucasFilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Leandro Estebecorena, John Knoll, Stephane Grabli, Per Karefelt, Pablo Helman, John M. Levin
  • Patent number: 10796489
    Abstract: An immersive content presentation system can capture the motion or position of a performer in a real-world environment. A game engine can be modified to receive the position or motion of the performer and identify predetermined gestures or positions that can be used to trigger actions in a 3-D virtual environment, such as generating a digital effect, transitioning virtual assets through an animation graph, adding new objects, and so forth. The use of the 3-D environment can be rendered and composited views can be generated. Information for constructing the composited views can be streamed to numerous display devices in many different physical locations using a customized communication protocol. Multiple real-world performers can interact with virtual objects through the game engine in a shared mixed-reality experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger Cordes, David Brickhill
  • Patent number: 10762599
    Abstract: A method is described that includes receiving, from a first device, input used to select a first object in a computer-generated environment. The first device has at least two degrees of freedom with which to control the selection of the first object. The method also includes removing, in response to the selection of the first object, at least two degrees of freedom previously available to a second device used to manipulating a second object in the computer-generated environment. The removed degrees of freedom correspond to the at least two degrees of freedom of the first device and specify an orientation of the second object relative to the selected first object. Additionally, the method includes receiving, from the second device, input including movements within the reduced degrees of freedom used to manipulate a position of the second object while maintaining the specified orientation relative to the selected first object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Steve Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10732797
    Abstract: Views of a virtual environment can be displayed on mobile devices in a real-world environment simultaneously for multiple users. The users can operate selections devices in the real-world environment that interact with objects in the virtual environment. Virtual characters and objects can be moved and manipulated using selection shapes. A graphical interface can be instantiated and rendered as part of the virtual environment. Virtual cameras and screens can also be instantiated to created storyboards, backdrops, and animated sequences of the virtual environment. These immersive experiences with the virtual environment can be used to generate content for users and for feature films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jose Perez, III, Peter Dollar, Barak Moshe
  • Patent number: 10701253
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: John Knoll, Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Per Karefelt, Pablo Helman, John M. Levin
  • Patent number: 10692288
    Abstract: A method may include capturing a first image of a physical environment using a mobile device. The mobile device may include a physical camera and a display. The method may also include receiving a second image from a content provider system. The second image may be generated by the content provider system by rendering a view from a virtual camera in a virtual environment. The virtual environment may represent at least a portion of the physical environment. A location of the virtual camera in the virtual environment may correspond to a location of the physical camera in the physical environment. The second image may include a view of a computer-generated object. The method may additionally include generating a third image by compositing the first image and the second image, and causing the third image to be displayed on the display of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Nicholas Rasmussen, Michael Koperwas, Earle M. Alexander, IV
  • Patent number: 10627908
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a view of a virtual reality (VR) environment via a computing device with a touch sensitive surface are disclosed. In some examples, a user may be enabled to augment the view of the VR environment by providing finger gestures to the touch sensitive surface. In one example, the user is enabled to call up a menu in the view of the VR environment. In one example, the user is enabled to switch the view of the VR environment displayed on a device associated with another user to a new location within the VR environment. In some examples, the user may be enabled to use the computing device to control a virtual camera within the VR environment and have various information regarding one or more aspects of the virtual camera displayed in the view of the VR environment presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Darby Johnston, Ian Wakelin
  • Patent number: 10602200
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for switching between different modes of a media content item. A media content item may include a movie that has different modes, such as a cinematic mode and an interactive mode. For example, a movie may be presented in a cinematic mode that does not allow certain user interactions with the movie. The movie may be switched to an interactive mode during any point of the movie, allowing a viewer to interact with various aspects of the movie. The movie may be displayed using different formats and resolutions depending on which mode the movie is being presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Grant, Lutz Markus Latta, Ian Wakelin, Darby Johnston, John Gaeta
  • Patent number: 10600245
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for switching between different modes of a media content item. A media content item may include a movie that has different modes, such as a cinematic mode and an interactive mode. For example, a movie may be presented in a cinematic mode that does not allow certain user interactions with the movie. The movie may be switched to an interactive mode during any point of the movie, allowing a viewer to interact with various aspects of the movie. The movie may be displayed using different formats and resolutions depending on which mode the movie is being presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Lutz Markus Latta, Ian Wakelin, Darby Johnston, Andrew Grant, John Gaeta
  • Patent number: 10594786
    Abstract: Views of a virtual environment can be displayed on mobile devices in a real-world environment simultaneously for multiple users. The users can operate selections devices in the real-world environment that interact with objects in the virtual environment. Virtual characters and objects can be moved and manipulated using selection shapes. A graphical interface can be instantiated and rendered as part of the virtual environment. Virtual cameras and screens can also be instantiated to created storyboards, backdrops, and animated sequences of the virtual environment. These immersive experiences with the virtual environment can be used to generate content for users and for feature films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jose Perez, III, Peter Dollar, Barak Moshe
  • Patent number: 10553036
    Abstract: Views of a virtual environment can be displayed on mobile devices in a real-world environment simultaneously for multiple users. The users can operate selections devices in the real-world environment that interact with objects in the virtual environment. Virtual characters and objects can be moved and manipulated using selection shapes. A graphical interface can be instantiated and rendered as part of the virtual environment. Virtual cameras and screens can also be instantiated to created storyboards, backdrops, and animated sequences of the virtual environment. These immersive experiences with the virtual environment can be used to generate content for users and for feature films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jose Perez, III, Peter Dollar, Barak Moshe
  • Patent number: D910738
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: John M. Levin, Leandro F. Estebecorena, Paige Warner
  • Patent number: D976992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Paige Warner