Patents by Inventor Yancey Christopher Smith
Yancey Christopher Smith 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).
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Patent number: 10535181Abstract: The systems and methods generate geometric proxies for participants in an online communication session, where each geometric proxy is a geometric representation of a participant and each geometric proxy is generated from acquired depth information and is associated with a particular virtual box. The systems and methods also include generating a scene geometry that visually simulates an in-person meeting of the participants where the scene geometry includes the geometric proxies, and the virtual boxes of the geometric proxies are aligned within the scene geometry based on a number of the participants and a reference object to which the virtual boxes are aligned. In addition, the systems and methods cause a display of the scene geometry with the geometric proxies, where the display of a particular geometric proxy includes a video of the participant corresponding to the particular geometric painted onto the particular geometric proxy.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Publication number: 20190244413Abstract: The systems and methods generate geometric proxies for participants in an online communication session, where each geometric proxy is a geometric representation of a participant and each geometric proxy is generated from acquired depth information and is associated with a particular virtual box. The systems and methods also include generating a scene geometry that visually simulates an in-person meeting of the participants where the scene geometry includes the geometric proxies, and the virtual boxes of the geometric proxies are aligned within the scene geometry based on a number of the participants and a reference object to which the virtual boxes are aligned. In addition, the systems and methods cause a display of the scene geometry with the geometric proxies, where the display of a particular geometric proxy includes a video of the participant corresponding to the particular geometric painted onto the particular geometric proxy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Patent number: 10325400Abstract: Implementations provide an in-person communication experience by generating a changable virtual viewpoint for a participant in an online communication. For instance, techniques described herein capture visual data about participants in an online communication, and create a realistic geometric proxy from the visual data. A virtual scene geometry is generated that mimics an arrangement of an in-person meeting for the online communication. According to various implementations, a virtual viewpoint displays a changing virtual viewpoint, such as based on a change in position of a participants face.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Publication number: 20180089884Abstract: Implementations provide an in-person communication experience by generating a changable virtual viewpoint for a participant in an online communication. For instance, techniques described herein capture visual data about participants in an online communication, and create a realistic geometric proxy from the visual data. A virtual scene geometry is generated that mimics an arrangement of an in-person meeting for the online communication. According to various implementations, a virtual viewpoint displays a changing virtual viewpoint, such as based on a change in position of a participants face.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Patent number: 9836870Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Publication number: 20160316170Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Patent number: 9332218Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Patent number: 9332222Abstract: A controlled three-dimensional (3D) communication endpoint system and method for simulating an in-person communication between participants in an online meeting or conference and providing easy scaling of a virtual environment when additional participants join. This gives the participants the illusion that the other participants are in the same room and sitting around the same table with the viewer. The controlled communication endpoint includes a plurality of camera pods that capture video of a participant from 360 degrees around the participant. The controlled communication endpoint also includes a display device configuration containing display devices placed at least 180 degrees around the participant and display the virtual environment containing geometric proxies of the other participants. Placing the participants at a round virtual table and increasing the diameter of the virtual table as additional participants are added easily achieves scalability.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
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Publication number: 20160028991Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
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Publication number: 20150163454Abstract: A controlled three-dimensional (3D) communication endpoint system and method for simulating an in-person communication between participants in an online meeting or conference and providing easy scaling of a virtual environment when additional participants join. This gives the participants the illusion that the other participants are in the same room and sitting around the same table with the viewer. The controlled communication endpoint includes a plurality of camera pods that capture video of a participant from 360 degrees around the participant. The controlled communication endpoint also includes a display device configuration containing display devices placed at least 180 degrees around the participant and display the virtual environment containing geometric proxies of the other participants. Placing the participants at a round virtual table and increasing the diameter of the virtual table as additional participants are added easily achieves scalability.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
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Patent number: 8976224Abstract: A controlled three-dimensional (3D) communication endpoint system and method for simulating an in-person communication between participants in an online meeting or conference and providing easy scaling of a virtual environment when additional participants join. This gives the participants the illusion that the other participants are in the same room and sitting around the same table with the viewer. The controlled communication endpoint includes a plurality of camera pods that capture video of a participant from 360 degrees around the participant. The controlled communication endpoint also includes a display device configuration containing display devices placed at least 180 degrees around the participant and display the virtual environment containing geometric proxies of the other participants. Placing the participants at a round virtual table and increasing the diameter of the virtual table as additional participants are added easily achieves scalability.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
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Publication number: 20140098183Abstract: A controlled three-dimensional (3D) communication endpoint system and method for simulating an in-person communication between participants in an online meeting or conference and providing easy scaling of a virtual environment when additional participants join. This gives the participants the illusion that the other participants are in the same room and sitting around the same table with the viewer. The controlled communication endpoint includes a plurality of camera pods that capture video of a participant from 360 degrees around the participant. The controlled communication endpoint also includes a display device configuration containing display devices placed at least 180 degrees around the participant and display the virtual environment containing geometric proxies of the other participants. Placing the participants at a round virtual table and increasing the diameter of the virtual table as additional participants are added easily achieves scalability.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
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Publication number: 20130321564Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema