Patents by Inventor Clifford S. Champion

Clifford S. Champion 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: 11948240
    Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and is configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: O3 Story Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Soulvie, Richard R. Hurrey, R. Jason Bickerstaff, Clifford S. Champion, Peter E. McGowan, Robert Ernest Schnurstein
  • Patent number: 11843755
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230336701
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230328213
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230319247
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230308623
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230291882
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Publication number: 20230245368
    Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and is configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Soulvie, Richard R. Hurrey, R. Jason Bickerstaff, Clifford S. Champion, Peter E. McGowan, Robert Ernest Schnurstein
  • Patent number: 11645809
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for user selection of a virtual object in a virtual scene. A user input may be received via a user input device. The user input may be an attempt to select a virtual object from a plurality of virtual objects rendered in a virtual scene on a display of a display system. A position and orientation of the user input device may be determined in response to the first user input. A probability the user input may select each virtual object may be calculated via a probability model. Based on the position and orientation of the user input device, a ray-cast procedure and a sphere-cast procedure may be performed to determine the virtual object being selected. The probability of selection may also be considered in determining the virtual object. A virtual beam may be rendered from the user input device to the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: zSpace, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Clifford S. Champion, David A. Chavez, Kevin S. Yamada, Alexandre R. Lelievre
  • Patent number: 11631209
    Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving, by a processor executing a multi-platform deformation engine system in association with a third-party game engine system, an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: KITESTRING, INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. Soulvie, Richard R. Hurrey, R. Jason Bickerstaff, Clifford S. Champion, Peter E. McGowan, Robert Ernest Schnurstein
  • Publication number: 20220394225
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for cloud-based rendering of interactive augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) experiences. A client device may initiate execution of a content application on a server and provide information associated with the content application to the server. The client device may initialize, while awaiting a notification from the server, local systems associated with the content application and, upon receipt of the notification, provide, to the server, information associated with the local systems. Further, the client device may receive, from the server, data associated with the content application and render an AR/VR scene based on the received data. The data may be based, at least in part, on the information associated with the local system. The providing and receiving may be performed periodically, e.g., at a rate to sustain a comfortable viewing environment of the AR/VR scene by a user of the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Baifang Lu, Alex Shorey, Robert D. Kalnins
  • Patent number: 11287905
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing trackability of a passive stylus. A six degree of freedom (6DoF) location and orientation of a passive stylus may be tracked by a tracking system via a retroreflector system disposed on the passive stylus. Additionally, characteristic movements of one of a user's finger, hand, and/or wrist may be recognized by the tracking system. The passive stylus may useable to interact with a virtual 3D scene being displayed via a 3D display. A user input via the passive stylus may be determined based on the tracked 6DoF location and orientation of the passive stylus and/or the recognized characteristic movements. The retroreflector system may include multiple patterns of retroreflectors and one of the patterns may be a spiral pattern of retroreflectors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the passive stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Yamada, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Christian R. Larsen, David A. Chavez, Arthur L. Berman, Clifford S. Champion
  • Publication number: 20220028150
    Abstract: A method for computer animation includes receiving, by a processor executing a multi-platform deformation engine system in association with a third-party game engine system, an input file that includes an asset geometry, where the asset geometry defines an asset mesh structure, where the asset geometry may exclude an internal support frame, and where logic for custom deformation steps may be included, altogether in a fashion portable and made to produce consistent results across multiple different software and/or hardware platform environments and/or across real-time and/or offline scenarios. The method also includes applying at least one deformer to the asset mesh structure, where the at least one deformer includes a plurality of user-selectable deformer channels, and where each deformer channel is associated with at least a portion of the asset mesh structure and configured to adjust a visual appearance of the associated portion of the asset mesh structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Eric A. Soulvie, Richard R. Hurrey, R. Jason Bickerstaff, Clifford S. Champion, Peter E. McGowan, Robert Ernest Schnurstein
  • Publication number: 20210208700
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing trackability of a passive stylus. A six degree of freedom (6 DoF) location and orientation of a passive stylus may be tracked by a tracking system via a retroreflector system disposed on the passive stylus. Additionally, characteristic movements of one of a user's finger, hand, and/or wrist may be recognized by the tracking system. The passive stylus may useable to interact with a virtual 3D scene being displayed via a 3D display. A user input via the passive stylus may be determined based on the tracked 6 DoF location and orientation of the passive stylus and/or the recognized characteristic movements. The retroreflector system may include multiple patterns of retroreflectors and one of the patterns may be a spiral pattern of retroreflectors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the passive stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin S. Yamada, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Christian R. Larsen, David A. Chavez, Arthur L. Berman, Clifford S. Champion
  • Publication number: 20210183132
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for user selection of a virtual object in a virtual scene. A user input may be received via a user input device. The user input may be an attempt to select a virtual object from a plurality of virtual objects rendered in a virtual scene on a display of a display system. A position and orientation of the user input device may be determined in response to the first user input. A probability the user input may select each virtual object may be calculated via a probability model. Based on the position and orientation of the user input device, a ray-cast procedure and a sphere-cast procedure may be performed to determine the virtual object being selected. The probability of selection may also be considered in determining the virtual object. A virtual beam may be rendered from the user input device to the virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Clifford S. Champion, David A. Chavez, Kevin S. Yamada, Alexandre R. Lelievre
  • Patent number: 11003305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) workspace, including a 3D internet browser, in addition to a traditional two-dimensional (2D) workspace and for browsing the internet in a 3D/virtual reality workspace and transforming and/or upconverting objects and/or visual media from the 2D workspace and/or 2D webpages to the 3D workspace as 3D objects and/or stereoscopic output for display in the 3D workspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ZSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Clifford S. Champion, Eduardo Baraf, Alexandre R. Lelievre, Jonathan J. Hosenpud
  • Publication number: 20210074055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for user selection of a virtual object in a virtual scene. A user input may be received via a user input device. The user input may be an attempt to select a virtual object from a plurality of virtual objects rendered in a virtual scene on a display of a display system. A position and orientation of the user input device may be determined in response to the first user input. A probability the user input may select each virtual object may be calculated via a probability model. Based on the position and orientation of the user input device, a ray-cast procedure and a sphere-cast procedure may be performed to determine the virtual object being selected. The probability of selection may also be considered in determining the virtual object. A virtual beam may be rendered from the user input device to the virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Clifford S. Champion, David A. Chavez, Kevin S. Yamada, Alexandre R. Lelievre
  • Patent number: 10943388
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing methods for user selection of a virtual object in a virtual scene. A user input may be received via a user input device. The user input may be an attempt to select a virtual object from a plurality of virtual objects rendered in a virtual scene on a display of a display system. A position and orientation of the user input device may be determined in response to the first user input. A probability the user input may select each virtual object may be calculated via a probability model. Based on the position and orientation of the user input device, a ray-cast procedure and a sphere-cast procedure may be performed to determine the virtual object being selected. The probability of selection may also be considered in determining the virtual object. A virtual beam may be rendered from the user input device to the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Clifford S. Champion, David A. Chavez, Kevin S. Yamada, Alexandre R. Lelievre
  • Patent number: 10942585
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing trackability of a passive stylus. A six degree of freedom (6DoF) location and orientation of a passive stylus may be tracked by a tracking system via a retroreflector system disposed on the passive stylus. Additionally, characteristic movements of one of a user's finger, hand, and/or wrist may be recognized by the tracking system. The passive stylus may useable to interact with a virtual 3D scene being displayed via a 3D display. A user input via the passive stylus may be determined based on the tracked 6DoF location and orientation of the passive stylus and/or the recognized characteristic movements. The retroreflector system may include multiple patterns of retroreflectors and one of the patterns may be a spiral pattern of retroreflectors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the passive stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Yamada, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Christian R. Larsen, David A. Chavez, Arthur L. Berman, Clifford S. Champion
  • Publication number: 20210026464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing trackability of a passive stylus. A six degree of freedom (6DoF) location and orientation of a passive stylus may be tracked by a tracking system via a retroreflector system disposed on the passive stylus. Additionally, characteristic movements of one of a user's finger, hand, and/or wrist may be recognized by the tracking system. The passive stylus may useable to interact with a virtual 3D scene being displayed via a 3D display. A user input via the passive stylus may be determined based on the tracked 6DoF location and orientation of the passive stylus and/or the recognized characteristic movements. The retroreflector system may include multiple patterns of retroreflectors and one of the patterns may be a spiral pattern of retroreflectors disposed along a longitudinal axis of the passive stylus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin S. Yamada, Jonathan J. Hosenpud, Christian R. Larsen, David A. Chavez, Arthur L. Berman, Clifford S. Champion