Patents by Inventor Eric Sommerlade

Eric Sommerlade 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: 11854243
    Abstract: Gaze is corrected by adjusting multi-view images of a head. Image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head are identified and a feature vector is derived from plural local image descriptors of the image patch in at least one image of the multi-view images. A displacement vector field representing a transformation of an image patch is derived, using the derived feature vector to look up reference data comprising reference displacement vector fields associated with possible values of the feature vector produced by machine learning. The multi-view images are adjusted by transforming the image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head in accordance with the derived displacement vector field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11836880
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating reference data for adjusting a digital representation of a head region, and methods and devices for adjusting the digital representation of a head region are disclosed. In some arrangements, training data are received. A first machine learning algorithm generates first reference data using the training data. A second machine learning algorithm generates second reference data using the same training data and the first reference data generated by the first machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 11657557
    Abstract: Generating data to provide an animated visual representation is disclosed. A method comprises receiving input data obtained by a first sensor system measuring information about at least one target person. One data unit is selected from a database comprising a plurality of the data units. Each data unit comprises information about a reference person in a reference state measured at a previous time by the first sensor system or by a second sensor system. The information in each data unit allows generation of an animated visual representation of the reference person in the reference state. The reference state is different for each of the data units. The selected data unit and the input data are used to generate output data usable to provide an animated visual representation corresponding to the target person and synchronized with activity of the target person measured by the first sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 11647158
    Abstract: A computing system, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium for adjusting eye gaze are described. The method includes capturing a video stream including images of a user, detecting the user's face region within the images, and detecting the user's facial feature regions within the images based on the detected face region. The method includes determining whether the user is completely disengaged from the computing system and, if the user is not completely disengaged, detecting the user's eye region within the images based on the detected facial feature regions. The method also includes computing the user's desired eye gaze direction based on the detected eye region, generating gaze-adjusted images based on the desired eye gaze direction, wherein the gaze-adjusted images include a saccadic eye movement, a micro-saccadic eye movement, and/or a vergence eye movement, and replacing the images within the video stream with the gaze-adjusted images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven N. Bathiche, Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neofytou, Panos C. Panay
  • Publication number: 20220400246
    Abstract: Gaze is corrected by adjusting multi-view images of a head. Image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head are identified and a feature vector is derived from plural local image descriptors of the image patch in at least one image of the multi-view images. A displacement vector field representing a transformation of an image patch is derived, using the derived feature vector to look up reference data comprising reference displacement vector fields associated with possible values of the feature vector produced by machine learning. The multi-view images are adjusted by transforming the image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head in accordance with the derived displacement vector field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Michael G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220207847
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating reference data for adjusting a digital representation of a head region, and methods and devices for adjusting the digital representation of a head region are disclosed. In some arrangements, training data are received. A first machine learning algorithm generates first reference data using the training data. A second machine learning algorithm generates second reference data using the same training data and the first reference data generated by the first machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Publication number: 20220141422
    Abstract: A computing system, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium for adjusting eye gaze are described. The method includes capturing a video stream including images of a user, detecting the user's face region within the images, and detecting the user's facial feature regions within the images based on the detected face region. The method includes determining whether the user is completely disengaged from the computing system and, if the user is not completely disengaged, detecting the user's eye region within the images based on the detected facial feature regions. The method also includes computing the user's desired eye gaze direction based on the detected eye region, generating gaze-adjusted images based on the desired eye gaze direction, wherein the gaze-adjusted images include a saccadic eye movement, a micro-saccadic eye movement, and/or a vergence eye movement, and replacing the images within the video stream with the gaze-adjusted images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven N. BATHICHE, Eric SOMMERLADE, Alexandros NEOFYTOU, Panos C. PANAY
  • Patent number: 11317081
    Abstract: Gaze is corrected by adjusting multi-view images of a head. Image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head are identified and a feature vector is derived from plural local image descriptors of the image patch in at least one image of the multi-view images. A displacement vector field representing a transformation of an image patch is derived, using the derived feature vector to look up reference data comprising reference displacement vector fields associated with possible values of the feature vector produced by machine learning. The multi-view images are adjusted by transforming the image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head in accordance with the derived displacement vector field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Michael G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20220084275
    Abstract: Generating data to provide an animated visual representation is disclosed. A method comprises receiving input data obtained by a first sensor system measuring information about at least one target person. One data unit is selected from a database comprising a plurality of the data units. Each data unit comprises information about a reference person in a reference state measured at a previous time by the first sensor system or by a second sensor system. The information in each data unit allows generation of an animated visual representation of the reference person in the reference state. The reference state is different for each of the data units. The selected data unit and the input data are used to generate output data usable to provide an animated visual representation corresponding to the target person and synchronized with activity of the target person measured by the first sensor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 11232647
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating reference data for adjusting a digital representation of a head region, and methods and devices for adjusting the digital representation of a head region are disclosed. In some arrangements, training data are received. A first machine learning algorithm generates first reference data using the training data. A second machine learning algorithm generates second reference data using the same training data and the first reference data generated by the first machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 11030981
    Abstract: A directional display apparatus including a directional display device that is capable of directing a displayed image into a viewing window of variable width is provided with a privacy control function. A control system detects the presence of one or more secondary viewers in addition to a primary viewer, and decides whether the one or more secondary viewers is permitted to view the displayed image. The control system directs a displayed image into a viewing window which is adjusted, for example by decreasing the width, in dependence on that detection. In addition, the control system detects relative movement between the primary viewer and the display device, and the width of the viewing window is increased in response to detection of said relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Graham J. Woodgate, Helen Flynn
  • Patent number: 11017575
    Abstract: Generating data to provide an animated visual representation is disclosed. A method comprises receiving input data obtained by a first sensor system measuring information about at least one target person. One data unit is selected from a database comprising a plurality of the data units. Each data unit comprises information about a reference person in a reference state measured at a previous time by the first sensor system or by a second sensor system. The information in each data unit allows generation of an animated visual representation of the reference person in the reference state. The reference state is different for each of the data units. The selected data unit and the input data are used to generate output data usable to provide an animated visual representation corresponding to the target person and synchronized with activity of the target person measured by the first sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 11006104
    Abstract: A method includes generating calibration data by geometrically calibrating first image data from a first camera unit relative to second image data from a second camera unit based on first descriptor data and second descriptor data. The first descriptor data is based on the first image data. The second descriptor data is based on the second image data. The calibration data is generated based on first position data corresponding to the first camera unit and second position data corresponding to the second camera unit. The method includes identifying, based on the calibration data, a target location relative to the first image data. The method further includes generating an output image that includes the first image data and an indication of where the target location is relative to a scene depicted in the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Emmet Spier, Julian Morris
  • Publication number: 20210044794
    Abstract: Gaze is corrected by adjusting multi-view images of a head. Image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head are identified and a feature vector is derived from plural local image descriptors of the image patch in at least one image of the multi-view images. A displacement vector field representing a transformation of an image patch is derived, using the derived feature vector to look up reference data comprising reference displacement vector fields associated with possible values of the feature vector produced by machine learning. The multi-view images are adjusted by transforming the image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head in accordance with the derived displacement vector field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Michael G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210012575
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating reference data for adjusting a digital representation of a head region, and methods and devices for adjusting the digital representation of a head region are disclosed. In some arrangements, training data are received. A first machine learning algorithm generates first reference data using the training data. A second machine learning algorithm generates second reference data using the same training data and the first reference data generated by the first machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 10750160
    Abstract: Gaze is corrected by adjusting multi-view images of a head. Image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head are identified and a feature vector is derived from plural local image descriptors of the image patch in at least one image of the multi-view images. A displacement vector field representing a transformation of an image patch is derived, using the derived feature vector to look up reference data comprising reference displacement vector fields associated with possible values of the feature vector produced by machine learning. The multi-view images are adjusted by transforming the image patches containing the left and right eyes of the head in accordance with the derived displacement vector field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10740985
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating reference data for adjusting a digital representation of a head region, and methods and devices for adjusting the digital representation of a head region are disclosed. In some arrangements, training data are received. A first machine learning algorithm generates first reference data using the training data. A second machine learning algorithm generates second reference data using the same training data and the first reference data generated by the first machine learning algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Alexandros Neophytou
  • Patent number: 10634840
    Abstract: An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. Lateral non-uniformities of output image are improved by means of adjustment of input aperture shape and reflective aperture shape. Cross talk in autostereoscopic and privacy displays may further be improved by light blocking layers arranged on the input end of the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: RealD Spark, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Graham J. Woodgate, Jonathan Harrold, Eric Sommerlade
  • Publication number: 20200098342
    Abstract: A directional display apparatus including a directional display device that is capable of directing a displayed image into a viewing window of variable width is provided with a privacy control function. A control system detects the presence of one or more secondary viewers in addition to a primary viewer, and decides whether the one or more secondary viewers is permitted to view the displayed image. The control system directs a displayed image into a viewing window which is adjusted, for example by decreasing the width, in dependence on that detection. In addition, the control system detects relative movement between the primary viewer and the display device, and the width of the viewing window is increased in response to detection of said relative movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Graham J. Woodgate, Helen Flynn
  • Publication number: 20200084440
    Abstract: A method includes generating calibration data by geometrically calibrating first image data from a first camera unit relative to second image data from a second camera unit based on first descriptor data and second descriptor data. The first descriptor data is based on the first image data. The second descriptor data is based on the second image data. The calibration data is generated based on first position data corresponding to the first camera unit and second position data corresponding to the second camera unit. The method includes identifying, based on the calibration data, a target location relative to the first image data. The method further includes generating an output image that includes the first image data and an indication of where the target location is relative to a scene depicted in the first image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Eric Sommerlade, Emmet Spier, Julian Morris