Patents by Inventor Erin Tomson

Erin Tomson 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: 7864176
    Abstract: A computer system method includes determining a first surface illumination on an object based upon a respective irradiance, determining a first surface reflection based upon the respective irradiance, determining a second surface illumination on the object based upon a respective irradiance, determining a second surface reflection based upon the respective irradiance, receiving a first weighting for the first illumination and the first reflection value, and a second weighting for the second illumination and the second reflection value, wherein the weightings are different, determining a first surface illumination in response to the first illumination value, the first reflection, and the first weighting, determining a second surface illumination in response to the second illumination value, the second reflection, and the second weighting, and determining an image including the object based on the first surface illumination and the second surface illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Maxwell Planck, Erin Tomson, John R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7859530
    Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a three-dimensional model of an object, wherein the object includes a surface region, determining an incident irradiance associated with the surface region, determining a plurality of voxels associated with the three-dimensional model of the object, wherein a first plurality of voxels is associated with the surface region, and wherein a second plurality of voxels is associated with a sub-surface region of the object, associating the incident irradiance with the second plurality of voxels, and determining a subsurface scattering contribution associated with the surface region of the object in response to the incident irradiance associated with the second plurality of voxels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Erin Tomson, Maxwell Planck, John R. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090109220
    Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a three-dimensional model of an object, wherein the object includes a surface region, determining an incident irradiance associated with the surface region, determining a plurality of voxels associated with the three-dimensional model of the object, wherein a first plurality of voxels is associated with the surface region, and wherein a second plurality of voxels is associated with a sub-surface region of the object, associating the incident irradiance with the second plurality of voxels, and determining a subsurface scattering contribution associated with the surface region of the object in response to the incident irradiance associated with the second plurality of voxels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Pixar
    Inventors: Erin Tomson, Maxwell Planck, John R. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090109221
    Abstract: A computer system method includes determining a first surface illumination on an object based upon a respective irradiance, determining a first surface reflection based upon the respective irradiance, determining a second surface illumination on the object based upon a respective irradiance, determining a second surface reflection based upon the respective irradiance, receiving a first weighting for the first illumination and the first reflection value, and a second weighting for the second illumination and the second reflection value, wherein the weightings are different, determining a first surface illumination in response to the first illumination value, the first reflection, and the first weighting, determining a second surface illumination in response to the second illumination value, the second reflection, and the second weighting, and determining an image including the object based on the first surface illumination and the second surface illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Pixar
    Inventors: Maxwell Planck, Erin Tomson, John R. Anderson