Patents by Inventor Maryann Simmons

Maryann Simmons has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11418817
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 9648356
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Publication number: 20160345031
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 9412156
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 9123145
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for controlling the amount of temporal noise in certain animation sequences. Sketchy animation sequences are received in an input in a digital form and used to create an altered version of the same animation with temporal coherence enforced down to the stroke level, resulting in a reduction of the perceived noise. The amount of reduction is variable and can be controlled via a single parameter to achieve a desired artistic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Gioacchino Noris, Daniel Sykora, Stelian Coros, Alexander Hornung, Brian Whited, Maryann Simmons, Markus Gross, Robert Sumner
  • Patent number: 9082005
    Abstract: A method is provided for sketch segmentation via smart scribbles, the results of which are especially suitable for interactive real-time graphics editing applications. A vector-based drawing may be segmented into labels based on input scribbles provided by a user. By organizing the labeling as an energy minimization problem, an approximate solution can be found using a sequence of binary graph cuts for an equivalent graph, providing an optimized implementation in a polynomial time suitable for real-time drawing applications. The energy function may include time, proximity, direction, and curvature between strokes as smoothness terms, and proximity, direction, and oriented curvature between strokes and scribbles as data terms. Additionally, the energy function may be modified to provide for user control over locality control, allowing the selection of appropriately sized labeling regions by scribble input speed or scribble input pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gioacchino Noris, Daniel Sykora, Ariel Shamir, Stelian Coros, Alexander Hornung, Robert Sumner, Maryann Simmons, Brian Whited, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20150003537
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 8766982
    Abstract: An animation system can vectorize an image by generating, from an input drawing, a dataset corresponding to vector and digital representations of the input drawing such that a rendering engine could render an image having features in common with the input drawing from the representations, as a collection of strokes and/or objects rather than merely a collection of pixels having pixel color values. A vectorizer might receive an input image, generate a particle clustering data structure from a digitization of the input image, generate a stroke list, wherein strokes in the stroke list correspond to clusters of particles represented in the particle clustering data structure, generate a graph structure that represents connections between strokes on the stroke list, and determine additional characteristics of a stroke beyond the path of the stroke, additional characteristics being stored such that they correspond to strokes. The strokes might be generated using global topology information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gioacchino Noris, Alexander Hornung, Robert Sumner, Maryann Simmons, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20130335426
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for controlling the amount of temporal noise in certain animation sequences. Sketchy animation sequences are received in an input in a digital form and used to create an altered version of the same animation with temporal coherence enforced down to the stroke level, resulting in a reduction of the perceived noise. The amount of reduction is variable and can be controlled via a single parameter to achieve a desired artistic effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Gioacchino NORIS, Daniel SYKORA, Stelian COROS, Alexander HORNUNG, Brian WHITED, Maryann SIMMONS, Markus GROSS, Robert SUMNER
  • Publication number: 20130241934
    Abstract: A method is provided for sketch segmentation via smart scribbles, the results of which are especially suitable for interactive real-time graphics editing applications. A vector-based drawing may be segmented into labels based on input scribbles provided by a user. By organizing the labeling as an energy minimization problem, an approximate solution can be found using a sequence of binary graph cuts for an equivalent graph, providing an optimized implementation in a polynomial time suitable for real-time drawing applications. The energy function may include time, proximity, direction, and curvature between strokes as smoothness terms, and proximity, direction, and oriented curvature between strokes and scribbles as data terms. Additionally, the energy function may be modified to provide for user control over locality control, allowing the selection of appropriately sized labeling regions by scribble input speed or scribble input pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Gioacchino Norris, Daniel Sykora, Ariel Shamir, Stelian Coros, Alexander Hornung, Robert Sumner, Maryann Simmons, Brian Whited, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 8514934
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 8451277
    Abstract: A tool for inbetweening is provided, wherein inbetween frames are at least partly computer generated by analyzing elements of key frames to identify strokes, determining corresponding stroke pairs, computing a continuous stroke motion for each stroke pair, defined by a carrier defined by endpoints of the two strokes and, for mutual endpoints, adjusting the continuous stroke motion of the meeting strokes such that the adjustment results in the continuous stroke motion coinciding at the mutual endpoint such that the mutual endpoint would follow the same path and deforming the stroke as it is moved by the stroke motion, wherein the deformation is a weighted combination of deformations, each reconstructed using shape descriptors that are interpolated from the shape descriptors of the corresponding samples on the key frames, wherein the shape descriptors are computed from neighboring sample points in the cyclic order of samples along the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Whited, Jarek Rossignac, Maryann Simmons
  • Publication number: 20120230597
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Patent number: 8218625
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Maryann Simmons
  • Publication number: 20110175916
    Abstract: An animation system can vectorize an image by generating, from an input drawing, a dataset corresponding to vector and digital representations of the input drawing such that a rendering engine could render an image having features in common with the input drawing from the representations, as a collection of strokes and/or objects rather than merely a collection of pixels having pixel color values. A vectorizer might receive an input image, generate a particle clustering data structure from a digitization of the input image, generate a stroke list, wherein strokes in the stroke list correspond to clusters of particles represented in the particle clustering data structure, generate a graph structure that represents connections between strokes on the stroke list, and determine additional characteristics of a stroke beyond the path of the stroke, additional characteristics being stored such that they correspond to strokes. The strokes might be generated using global topology information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gioacchino Noris, Alexander Hornung, Robert Sumner, Maryann Simmons, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20110018880
    Abstract: A tool for inbetweening is provided, wherein inbetween frames are at least partly computer generated by analyzing elements of key frames to identify strokes, determining corresponding stroke pairs, computing a continuous stroke motion for each stroke pair, defined by a carrier defined by endpoints of the two strokes and, for mutual endpoints, adjusting the continuous stroke motion of the meeting strokes such that the adjustment results in the continuous stroke motion coinciding at the mutual endpoint such that the mutual endpoint would follow the same path and deforming the stroke as it is moved by the stroke motion, wherein the deformation is a weighted combination of deformations, each reconstructed using shape descriptors that are interpolated from the shape descriptors of the corresponding samples on the key frames, wherein the shape descriptors are computed from neighboring sample points in the cyclic order of samples along the stroke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Disney Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Whited, Jarek Rossignac, Maryann Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080310501
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: BRIGHTSIDE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Gregory John WARD, Maryann SIMMONS
  • Publication number: 20080192819
    Abstract: A data structure defining a high dynamic range image comprises a tone map having a reduced dynamic range and HDR information. The high dynamic range image can be reconstructed from the tone map and the HDR information. The data structure can be backwards compatible with legacy hardware or software viewers. The data structure may comprise a JFIF file having the tone map encoded as a JPEG image with the HDR information in an application extension or comment field of the JFIF file, or a MPEG file having the tone map encoded as a MPEG image with the HDR information in a video or audio channel of the MPEG file. Apparatus and methods for encoding or decoding the data structure may apply pre- or post correction to compensate for lossy encoding of the high dynamic range information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: BRIGHTSIDE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Ward, Maryann Simmons