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).

  • Patent number: 10535181
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Publication number: 20190244413
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 10325400
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Publication number: 20180089884
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 9836870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Publication number: 20160316170
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 9332218
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 9332222
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160028991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Publication number: 20150163454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 8976224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140098183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130321564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema