Patents Assigned to Lucasfilm
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230136632
    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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Tsingos, Scott Levine, Stephen Morris
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220343590
    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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: LUCASFILM ENTERNTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Jeff Webster, Scott Richards
  • Publication number: 20220343562
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device in communication with an immersive content generation system may generate a first set of user interface elements configured to receive a first selection of a shape of a virtual stage light. In addition, the device may generate a second set of user interface elements configured to receive a second selection of an image for the virtual stage light. Also, the device may generate a third set of user interface elements configured to receive a third selection of a position and an orientation of the virtual stage light. Further, the generate a fourth set of user interface elements configured to receive a fourth selection of a color for the virtual stage light. Numerous other aspects are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: LUCASFILM ENTERNTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: David Hirschfield, Michael Jutan
  • Publication number: 20220345234
    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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Morris, Scott Levine, Nicolas Tsingos
  • Publication number: 20220343591
    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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: LUCASFILM ENTERNTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Alan Bucior
  • Publication number: 20220342488
    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: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: LUCASFILM ENTERNTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Jutan, David Hirschfield, Robert Derry, Gary Martinez
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20220067948
    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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Paige M. Warner
  • Publication number: 20220058870
    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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Cong, Ronald Fedkiw, Lana Lan
  • 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: D976992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Paige Warner