Patents by Inventor Charles C. Rhodes

Charles C. Rhodes 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: 8514266
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relates to orthorectifying oblique imagery to a nadir view. In an embodiment, a method orthorectifies oblique photographic imagery. An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Wilson, Charles C. Rhodes, Andrew Kirmse, Stephen D. Zelinka
  • Patent number: 8482487
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for methods and devices for displaying images. In some example embodiments, methods may include receiving data corresponding to an image. The image data may include at least one image object. Each image object may be assigned to either a foreground image set or a background image set. An embodiment may also include rendering a first display image based on at least the foreground image set. The first display image may include the objects assigned to the foreground image set. Additionally, the objects assigned to the foreground image set may be in focus in the first display image. Embodiments may also include rendering a second display image based on at least the background image set. The second display image may include the objects assigned to the background image set. Additionally, the objects assigned to the background image set may be in focus in the second display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C Rhodes, Babak Amirparviz
  • Patent number: 8471783
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for transmitting, receiving, and displaying data. The systems and methods may be directed to providing a constant or substantially constant data transmission rate (e.g., frame rate per second) to a device and controlling bandwidth by presenting information directed to an area of interest to a user. Bandwidth can be lowered, for example by presenting high resolution data directed to the area of interest to the user (e.g., an area to which the user is looking or “gazing” using a heads-up display), and lower resolution data directed to other areas. Data can be transmitted and received at a constant frame rate or substantially constant frame rate, and gaze direction and progressive compression/decompression techniques can be used to transmit data focused on areas directed to an area of interest to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20120319928
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for transmitting, receiving, and displaying data. The systems and methods may be directed to providing a constant or substantially constant data transmission rate (e.g., frame rate per second) to a device and controlling bandwidth by presenting information directed to an area of interest to a user. Bandwidth can be lowered, for example by presenting high resolution data directed to the area of interest to the user (e.g., an area to which the user is looking or “gazing” using a heads-up display), and lower resolution data directed to other areas. Data can be transmitted and received at a constant frame rate or substantially constant frame rate, and gaze direction and progressive compression/decompression techniques can be used to transmit data focused on areas directed to an area of interest to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20120200702
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relates to orthorectifying oblique imagery to a nadir view. In an embodiment, a method orthorectifies oblique photographic imagery. An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Wilson, Charles C. Rhodes, Andrew Kirmse, Stephen D. Zelinka
  • Patent number: 8233741
    Abstract: A method for reducing building lean in stitched images includes accessing overlapping images of a geographic area, and calculating a pixel preference cost for each pixel region of a plurality of pixel regions in each image based on a location of the respective pixel region in a three-dimensional projection of each image. The method also includes selecting a pixel region from the images for each of a plurality of pixel region positions in the geographic area by reducing a cost function that includes the pixel preference cost, and assigning the respective selected pixel region to each of the pixel region positions to create the stitched image containing the building with reduced lean. In another embodiment, the pixel preference cost includes a distance from center cost that is based on a distance to the respective pixel region from the center of the image. Corresponding systems and computer readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Wilson, Charles C. Rhodes, Yong K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 8184068
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments for methods and devices for displaying images. In some example embodiments, methods may include receiving data corresponding to an image with a processor. The image data may include at least one image object. In additional example embodiments, each image object may be assigned to either a foreground image set or a background image set using a processor, for example. An example embodiment may also include rendering a first display image based on at least the foreground image set. The first display image may include the objects assigned to the foreground image set. Additionally, the objects assigned to the foreground image set may be in focus in the first display image. Embodiments may also include rendering a second display image based on at least the background image set. The second display image may include the objects assigned to the background image set. Additionally, the objects assigned to the background image set may be in focus in the second display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Rhodes, Babak Amirparviz
  • Patent number: 8184069
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for transmitting, receiving, and displaying data. The systems and methods may be directed to providing a constant or substantially constant data transmission rate (e.g., frame rate per second) to a device and controlling bandwidth by presenting information directed to an area of interest to a user. Bandwidth can be lowered, for example by presenting high resolution data directed to the area of interest to the user (e.g., an area to which the user is looking or “gazing” using a heads-up display), and lower resolution data directed to other areas. Data can be transmitted and received at a constant frame rate or substantially constant frame rate, and gaze direction and progressive compression/decompression techniques can be used to transmit data focused on areas directed to an area of interest to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8159524
    Abstract: An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Wilson, Charles C. Rhodes, Andrew Kirmse, Stephen D. Zelinka
  • Patent number: 8135212
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating composite images for displays are provided. For some embodiments, ray tracing algorithms may be utilized to efficiently generate a composite image corresponding to multiple views. Because ray tracing is done on a per pixel basis, it is possible to generate pixel values for only those pixels that will be allocated to a particular image view. By tracing rays from a viewpoint only through those pixels allocated to displaying images corresponding to that viewpoint, a composite image may be generated without discarding pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20110181592
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating composite images for displays are provided. For some embodiments, ray tracing algorithms may be utilized to efficiently generate a composite image corresponding to multiple views. Because ray tracing is done on a per pixel basis, it is possible to generate pixel values for only those pixels that will be allocated to a particular image view. By tracing rays from a viewpoint only through those pixels allocated to displaying images corresponding to that viewpoint, a composite image may be generated without discarding pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. RHODES
  • Publication number: 20110109719
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relates to orthorectifying oblique imagery to a nadir view. In an embodiment, a method orthorectifies oblique photographic imagery. An oblique photographic image is projected onto a three-dimensional model of terrain. Points are sampled from the projected photographic image at the intersection of the three-dimensional model of terrain and parallel rays extended from a virtual viewport having a nadir perspective. The sampled points are assembled into an orthorectified image. Finally, the orthorectified image or the sampled points are adjusted approximately according to a difference in tilt angle between a camera that captured the oblique photographic image and the viewport having the nadir perspective to generate a foreshortened orthorectified image. Each location in the foreshortened orthorectified image corresponds linearly to a corresponding location in a two-dimensional map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Wilson, Charles C. Rhodes, Andrew Kirmse, Stephen D. Zelinka
  • Patent number: 7925078
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating composite images for displays are provided. For some embodiments, ray tracing algorithms may be utilized to efficiently generate a composite image corresponding to multiple views. Because ray tracing is done on a per pixel basis, it is possible to generate pixel values for only those pixels that will be allocated to a particular image view. By tracing rays from a viewpoint only through those pixels allocated to displaying images corresponding to that viewpoint, a composite image may be generated without discarding pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20100188481
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating composite images for displays are provided. For some embodiments, ray tracing algorithms may be utilized to efficiently generate a composite image corresponding to multiple views. Because ray tracing is done on a per pixel basis, it is possible to generate pixel values for only those pixels that will be allocated to a particular image view. By tracing rays from a viewpoint only through those pixels allocated to displaying images corresponding to that viewpoint, a composite image may be generated without discarding pixel data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. RHODES
  • Patent number: 7697751
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating composite images for displays are provided. For some embodiments, ray tracing algorithms may be utilized to efficiently generate a composite image corresponding to multiple views. Because ray tracing is done on a per pixel basis, it is possible to generate pixel values for only those pixels that will be allocated to a particular image view. By tracing rays from a viewpoint only through those pixels allocated to displaying images corresponding to that viewpoint, a composite image may be generated without discarding pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles C. Rhodes