Patents by Inventor David Michael Cole
David Michael Cole 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).
-
Publication number: 20230403384Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with 3D immersion systems and/or head mounted display which allow a user to turn his or her head and see a corresponding scene portion. The methods and apparatus can support real or near real time streaming of 3D image content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Patent number: 11770558Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Nevermind Capital LLCInventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20210029379Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, JR.
-
Patent number: 10750154Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing and displaying stereoscopic images are described in a manner that allows a user to obtain a 3d virtual reality experience simulating that of being in a seat at a football game or other event. Rear images are modified, e.g., in luminance intensity, to make them consistent with the luminance intensity of the forward images to avoid or reduce edges or differences in luminance intensity as a users turns his head from viewing a main image area to a side or rear image area. A seamless 3D presentation is made possible through the use of fisheye lenses at capture time and combining of images corresponding to forward and rear image areas as a user turns his or her head requiring a change in the captured image area which is displayed to the user.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Nevermind Capital LLCInventor: David Michael Cole
-
Patent number: 10715831Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: NextVR Inc.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20180359488Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, JR.
-
Publication number: 20180197309Abstract: Camera and/or lens calibration information is generated as part of a calibration process in video systems including 3-dimensional (3D) immersive content systems. The calibration information can be used to correct for distortions associated with the source camera and/or lens. A calibration profile can include information sufficient to allow the system to correct for camera and/or lens distortion/variation. This can be accomplished by capturing a calibration image of a physical 3D object corresponding to the simulated 3D environment, and creating the calibration profile by processing the calibration image. The calibration profile can then be used to project the source content directly into the 3D viewing space while also accounting for distortion/variation, and without first translating into an intermediate space (e.g., a rectilinear space) to account for lens distortion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, Hector M. Medina
-
Patent number: 9865055Abstract: Camera and/or lens calibration information is generated as part of a calibration process in video systems including 3-dimensional (3D) immersive content systems. The calibration information can be used to correct for distortions associated with the source camera and/or lens. A calibration profile can include information sufficient to allow the system to correct for camera and/or lens distortion/variation. This can be accomplished by capturing a calibration image of a physical 3D object corresponding to the simulated 3D environment, and creating the calibration profile by processing the calibration image. The calibration profile can then be used to project the source content directly into the 3D viewing space while also accounting for distortion/variation, and without first translating into an intermediate space (e.g., a rectilinear space) to account for lens distortion.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: NextVR Inc.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, Hector Medina
-
Publication number: 20170324945Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with 3D immersion systems and/or head mounted display which allow a user to turn his or her head and see a corresponding scene portion. The methods and apparatus can support real or near real time streaming of 3D image content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Patent number: 9699437Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with 3D immersion systems and/or head mounted display which allow a user to turn his or her head and see a corresponding scene portion. The methods and apparatus can support real or near real time streaming of 3D image content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Publication number: 20170150122Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing and displaying stereoscopic images are described in a manner that allows a user to obtain a 3d virtual reality experience simulating that of being in a seat at a football game or other event. Rear images are modified, e.g., in luminance intensity, to make them consistent with the luminance intensity of the forward images to avoid or reduce edges or differences in luminance intensity as a users turns his head from viewing a main image area to a side or rear image area. A seamless 3D presentation is made possible through the use of fisheye lenses at capture time and combining of images corresponding to forward and rear image areas as a user turns his or her head requiring a change in the captured image area which is displayed to the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventor: David Michael Cole
-
Patent number: 9538160Abstract: Methods and apparatus for capturing and displaying stereoscopic images are described in a manner that allows a user to obtain a 3d virtual reality experience simulating that of being in a seat at a football game or other event. Rear images are modified, e.g., in luminance intensity, to make them consistent with the luminance intensity of the forward images to avoid or reduce edges or differences in luminance intensity as a users turns his head from viewing a main image area to a side or rear image area. A seamless 3D presentation is made possible through the use of fisheye lenses at capture time and combining of images corresponding to forward and rear image areas as a user turns his or her head requiring a change in the captured image area which is displayed to the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventor: David Michael Cole
-
Patent number: 9485494Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to encoding and decoding stereoscopic (3D) image data, e.g., left and right eye images, are described. Various pre-encoding and post-decoding operations are described in conjunction with difference based encoding and decoding techniques. In some embodiments left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operation(s) and cropping prior to encoding. In addition, in some embodiments decoded left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operations(s) and filling operations prior to being output to a display device. Transform information and/or scaling information may be included in a bitstream communicating encoded left and right eye images. The amount of scaling can be the same for an entire scene and/or program.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Publication number: 20160253795Abstract: Camera and/or lens calibration information is generated as part of a calibration process in video systems including 3-dimensional (3D) immersive content systems. The calibration information can be used to correct for distortions associated with the source camera and/or lens. A calibration profile can include information sufficient to allow the system to correct for camera and/or lens distortion/variation. This can be accomplished by capturing a calibration image of a physical 3D object corresponding to the simulated 3D environment, and creating the calibration profile by processing the calibration image. The calibration profile can then be used to project the source content directly into the 3D viewing space while also accounting for distortion/variation, and without first translating into an intermediate space (e.g., a rectilinear space) to account for lens distortion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, Hector Medina
-
Patent number: 9407902Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to encoding and decoding stereoscopic (3D) image data, e.g., left and right eye images, are described. Various pre-encoding and post-decoding operations are described in conjunction with difference based encoding and decoding techniques. In some embodiments left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operation(s) and cropping prior to encoding. In addition, in some embodiments decoded left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operations(s) and cropping prior to being output to a display device. Transform information, scaling information and/or cropping information may be included in a bitstream communicating encoded left and right eye images. The amount of scaling can be the same for an entire scene and/or program.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Patent number: 9313474Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, Jr.
-
Patent number: 9204127Abstract: Stereoscopic image processing methods and apparatus are described. Left and right eye images of a stereoscopic frame are examined to determine if one or more difference reduction operations designed to reduce the luminance and/or chrominance differences between the left and right frames is within a range used to trigger a difference reduction operation. A difference reduction operation may involve assigning portions of the left and right frames to different depth regions and/or other region categories. A decision on whether or not to perform a difference reduction operation is then performed on a per regions basis with at the difference between the left and right eye portions of at least one region being reduced when a difference reduction operation is to be performed. The difference reduction process may, and in some embodiments is, performed in a precoder which processes left and right eye images of stereoscopic frames prior to stereoscopic encoding.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: NEXTVR INC.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Publication number: 20150249813Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view are described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are well suited for use with 3D immersion systems and/or head mounted display which allow a user to turn his or her head and see a corresponding scene portion. The methods and apparatus can support real or near real time streaming of 3D image content corresponding to a 360 degree field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: Next3D, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
-
Patent number: 8610757Abstract: In some embodiments left and right eye images are encoded following an entropy reduction operation being applied to one of the eye images when there is a difference between the left and right images of an image pair. Information about regions of negative parallax within the entropy reduced image of an image pair is encoded along with the images. Upon decoding a sharpening filter is applied to the image in an image pair which was subjected to the entropy reduction operation. In addition edge enhancement filtering is performed on the regions of the recovered entropy reduced image which are identified in the encoded image data as regions of negative parallax. Interleaving of left and right eye images at the input of the encoder combined with entropy reduction allows for efficient encoding, storage, and transmission of 3D images.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Next3D, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8451320Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing stereoscopic image encoding and decoding are described. Left and right eye images are generated. Image difference information is generated, e.g., a set of pixel values resulting from XORing the pixel values of the left and right eye images. One of the left and right eye images is compressed along with the difference map. The compressed image and compressed difference map is stored and/or transmitted. Stereoscopic images are generated by decompressing and using the received compressed image and compressed difference information. Prior to generation of the difference map the left and right eye images may be subject to a transposition operation to minimize the differences between the images and thus the size of the difference map. When transposition is applied, transposition information is stored and communicated in addition to the compressed image data so that the transposition can be reversed during the stereoscopic image generation process.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Next3D, Inc.Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss, David Roller, Jr.