Patents by Inventor Danny D. Lowe

Danny D. Lowe 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: 9082224
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. The system and method includes receiving an image and masking the objects in the image using segmentation layers Each segmentation layer can have weighted values for static and dynamic features. Iterations are used to form the final image which, if desired, can be formed using less than all of the segmentation layers. A final iteration can be run with the weighted values equal for static and dynamic features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher Levi Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe, Jonathan Adelman
  • Patent number: 8878835
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion and/or generation. The methods and systems use auto-fitting techniques to create a mask based upon tracking features from frame to frame. When features are determined to be missing they are added prior to auto-fitting the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8860712
    Abstract: Embodiments use point clouds to form a three dimensional image of an object. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images of the object. Various techniques may be used on the point cloud to form a three dimensional model of the object which is then used to create a stereoscopic representation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, David A. Spooner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher Levi Simmons, Natascha Wallner, Steven Birtwistle, Jonathan Adelman
  • Patent number: 8791941
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. In one embodiment, a mask is generated from an object model of the image. The mask is then used to from a 2-D mesh which is then converted to a 3-D volume mesh. The 3-D volume mesh is then used to produce 3-D image conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher Levi Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20120313940
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for processing 2-D to 3-D image conversion. The systems and methods fill in light among image frames when object have been removed or otherwise changed. In one embodiment, light is treated as an object and can be removed during image processing. The light is added back during the rendering process using the created light object. In other embodiments, light from other frames is filled in using weighted averaging of the light depending upon temporal distance from a particular frame and a base frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20120280989
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for processing 2-D to 3-D images. The system and method includes a procedure for optimizing occlusion and/or texturing by creating tolerances in which such texturing need not occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20120275652
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion and/or generation. The methods and systems use auto-fitting techniques to create a mask based upon tracking features from frame to frame. When features are determined to be missing they are added prior to auto-fitting the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20120275689
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. The system and method includes receiving an image and masking the objects in the image using segmentation layers Each segmentation layer can have weighted values for static and dynamic features. Iterations are used to form the final image which, if desired, can be formed using less than all of the segmentation layers. A final iteration can be run with the weighted values equal for static and dynamic features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe, Jonathan Adelman
  • Publication number: 20120274638
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for controlling 2-D to 3-D image conversion. In one embodiment, a mask is generated from an object model of the image. The mask is then used to from a 2-D mesh which is then converted to a 3-D volume mesh. The 3-D volume mesh is then used to produce 3-D image conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20120275687
    Abstract: Embodiments use point clouds to form a three dimensional image of an object. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images of the object. Various techniques may be used on the point cloud to form a three dimensional model of the object which is then used to create a stereoscopic representation of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, David A. Spooner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, Natascha Wallner, Steven Birtwistle, Jonathan Adelman
  • Patent number: 8274530
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for processing 2-D to 3-D image conversion. The system and method includes erode filling when an object has been removed from an image. In one embodiment, a target binary t image mask of the removed object is used for comparison with a binary source mask of the image. In an iterative process, color differences between pixels in the target mask and pixels in the source mask are identified and the pixels in the target mask are changed working from the periphery of the target mask to the center of the mask. Color noise is eliminated in the filled region of the target mask and, if desired, random color noise is added to the filled target mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher Levi Simmons, David A. Spooner, Danny D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8217931
    Abstract: Embodiments use point clouds to form a three dimensional image of an object. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images of the object. Various techniques may be used on the point cloud to form a 3D model of the object which is then used to create a stereoscopic representation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, David A. Spooner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher Levi Simmons, Natascha Wallner, Steven Birtwistle, Jonathan Adelman
  • Publication number: 20120032948
    Abstract: Embodiments use point clouds to recreate a camera. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images taken by the camera. Once the virtual camera has been formed, the camera may be used in the process of generating stereoscopic three dimensional images of the scene within the 2D images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, David A. Spooner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, Natascha Wallner, Steven Birtwistle, Jonathan Adelman
  • Publication number: 20110321104
    Abstract: Systems and methods of compressing source video to 3 MBits/sec and under (deep compression), making it is possible to distribute a wide range of movies, sports and other action laden videos simultaneously to a wide number of viewers. In one embodiment, deeply compressed video distribution is delivered on demand to requesting viewers via an addressable network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Worldplay (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory K. Lancaster, Matt Sherwood, Danny D. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8077773
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for compressing digital video signals in a manner that prevents the creation of block artifacts and improves compression efficiency by the selective removal of data representing visually imperceptible or irrelevant detail. Bandwidth control is improved through prioritized removal of data exceeding permissible bandwidth limits. This provides a process by which a coupled compressor and de-compressor system can effect the transmission or storage of video at low bitrates with high perceptual quality of the decompressed video. In one embodiment, the low frequency components are removed from a video stream and either stored or transmitted in compressed format separate from the storage or transmission of the high frequency components of the video stream. Certain high frequency video stream details can be suppressed to further reduce bitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Worldplay (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Lancaster, Matt Sherwood, Leonard Thomas Bruton, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20110227917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for compensating for clipped portions of one or more objects in an image provide a boundary mask portion adjacent to one or more edges of an image display. The boundary mask portion is used to display information which will fill clipped portions of the objects in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, Steven Birtwistle, Natascha Wallner, Christopher L. Simmons, Gregory R. Keech, Jonathan Adelman
  • Publication number: 20110169914
    Abstract: Embodiments use point clouds to form a three dimensional image of an object. The point cloud of the object may be formed from analysis of two dimensional images of the object. Various techniques may be used on the point cloud to form a 3D model of the object which is then used to create a stereoscopic representation of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Conversion Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, David A. Spooner, Gregory R. Keech, Christopher L. Simmons, Natascha Wallner, Steven Birtwistle, Jonathan Adelman
  • Publication number: 20100208830
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows highly compressed data files to be expanded in a standalone decoder having an output at least 80 times larger than the compressed input. In one embodiment, a universally available interface is used to transport encoded media from a host PC to a decoder external to the PC for expansion and presentation as a HD display image. In one embodiment, a USB port of the user's PC (or other storage device) is used to transport data at a rate of between 0.3 Mbit/sec and 5 Mbits/sec for expansion into a robust HD signal of up to about 3Gbits/sec or higher. In other embodiments, provision is made for reducing the decompressed expanded data file to below 480 Mbits/sec so as to accommodate retransport of the decompressed file back to the PC or storage device for temporary storage or display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Headplay (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Danny D. Lowe, Don Lafont, Kevin Miles Greenwood, Ray E. Lehtiniemi, David James Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100150470
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for improving the quality of an image as perceived by the Human Vision System by smoothing block artifacts in an image. In one embodiment, smoothing is accomplished by identifying target pixels to be smoothed and then replacing the pixel values of the target pixels with values derived from statistically similar neighboring pixels. The statistically similar neighboring pixels are chosen based on specific measurement criteria from within a region identified to contain such neighbors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald M. Sherwood, Gregory K. Lancaster, Leonard T. Bruton, Danny D. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20100014777
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the quality of compressed digital video signals by separating the video signals into Deblock and Detail regions and, by smoothing the entire frame, and then by over-writing each smoothed frame by a preserved Detail region of the frame. The Detail region may be computed only in Key Frames after which it may be employed in adjacent frames in order to improve computational efficiency. This improvement is enhanced by computing an Expanded Detailed Region in Key Frames. The concept of employing a smooth Canvas Image onto which the Detail image is overwritten is analogous to an artist first painting the entire picture with an undetailed Canvas (usually using a broad large brush) and then over-painting that Canvas with the required detail (usually using a small fine brush).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Leonard T. Bruton, Greg Lancaster, Matt Sherwood, Danny D. Lowe