Patents by Inventor Homoud B. Alkouh

Homoud B. Alkouh 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: 11908057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Soul Machines Limited, Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Patent number: 11893671
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Publication number: 20240037826
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Publication number: 20220092837
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Publication number: 20220058849
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Patent number: 11176725
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC, Soul Machines Limited
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Publication number: 20200388086
    Abstract: A method and system that dynamically partitions a 3-D model into multiple regions. The method determines the vertices to be included in each region according to values assigned to an appropriate color channel for each vertex. After partitioning the 3-D model into different regions, the method allows a user to assign different weights to each region to specify a contribution by a driving shape for deforming that region. Dynamic partitioning may be used on multiple color channels to partition the three dimensional model into more than two regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Publication number: 20200342649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Patent number: 10783690
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Patent number: 10762717
    Abstract: A method and system that dynamically partitions a 3-D model into multiple regions. The method determines the vertices to be included in each region according to values assigned to an appropriate color channel for each vertex. After partitioning the 3-D model into different regions, the method allows a user to assign different weights to each region to specify a contribution by a driving shape for deforming that region. Dynamic partitioning may be used on multiple color channels to partition the three dimensional model into more than two regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA, LLC
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Patent number: 10275925
    Abstract: A blend shape method and system that modifies the U-V values associated with vertices in blend shapes constructed in a 3-D blend shape combination system. The blend shape method determines the U-V coordinates associated with each vertex in a base shape and the U-V coordinates associated with corresponding vertices in one or more driving shapes. The method calculates U-V delta values that are associated with vertices in the driving shape. The method multiplies the U-V delta values by a weight value associated with the driving shape to determine a transitional U-V delta value for each vertex. The transitional U-V delta value for each vertex is added to the U-V coordinates for the corresponding vertex in the base shape to determine the modified U-V coordinates for the resulting blend shape. Multiple driving shapes may be used with each shape contributing to the modified U-V values according to its relative weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America, LLC
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Patent number: 10147218
    Abstract: Methods and systems that enhance motion capture capabilities. In one such method, the motion capture system enables a user to set parameters, based on hue, lightness, and saturation, for example, to assist in identifying and searching for motion capture markers that are applied to real-life subjects. In another implementation, the motion capture system enables a user to determine a distance between a master marker and a slave marker, and to use that distance to establish bounding boxes for searching for the slave marker in subsequent frames. Further, in some implementations, the motion capture system further uses the distance when rendering an animated scene based on the motion capture session to estimate the position of the slave marker when the slave marker is not visible in a captured frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America, LLC
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Publication number: 20180197322
    Abstract: Systems and methods for image retargeting are provided. Image data may be acquired that includes motion capture data indicative of motion of a plurality of markers disposed on a surface of a first subject. Each of the markers may be associated with a respective location on the first subject. A plurality of blendshapes may be calculated for the motion capture data based on a configuration of the markers. An error function may be identified for the plurality of blendshapes, and it may be determined that the plurality of blendshapes can be used to retarget a second subject based on the error function. The plurality of blendshapes may then be applied to a second subject to generate a new animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sagar, Tim Szu-Hsien Wu, Frank Filipe Bonniwell, Homoud B. Alkouh, Colin Joseph Hodges
  • Publication number: 20180089906
    Abstract: A method and system that dynamically partitions a 3-D model into multiple regions. The method determines the vertices to be included in each region according to values assigned to an appropriate color channel for each vertex. After partitioning the 3-D model into different regions, the method allows a user to assign different weights to each region to specify a contribution by a driving shape for deforming that region. Dynamic partitioning may be used on multiple color channels to partition the three dimensional model into more than two regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Publication number: 20180089882
    Abstract: A blend shape method and system that modifies the U-V values associated with vertices in blend shapes constructed in a 3-D blend shape combination system. The blend shape method determines the U-V coordinates associated with each vertex in a base shape and the U-V coordinates associated with corresponding vertices in one or more driving shapes. The method calculates U-V delta values that are associated with vertices in the driving shape. The method multiplies the U-V delta values by a weight value associated with the driving shape to determine a transitional U-V delta value for each vertex. The transitional U-V delta value for each vertex is added to the U-V coordinates for the corresponding vertex in the base shape to determine the modified U-V coordinates for the resulting blend shape. Multiple driving shapes may be used with each shape contributing to the modified U-V values according to its relative weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Publication number: 20180089876
    Abstract: Methods and systems that enhance motion capture capabilities. In one such method, the motion capture system enables a user to set parameters, based on hue, lightness, and saturation, for example, to assist in identifying and searching for motion capture markers that are applied to real-life subjects. In another implementation, the motion capture system enables a user to determine a distance between a master marker and a slave marker, and to use that distance to establish bounding boxes for searching for the slave marker in subsequent frames. Further, in some implementations, the motion capture system further uses the distance when rendering an animated scene based on the motion capture session to estimate the position of the slave marker when the slave marker is not visible in a captured frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Patent number: 7227544
    Abstract: A method for processing video image data for display during interactive game play is provided. During a game play session, processing of one or more images of the game play session is performed to adjust scene representation of objects at a first distance relative to objects at a second distance. During the game play session, the method generates a sharp image for a scene and produces a blur image of the scene. The method then generates a composited blend image of the sharp and blur images using data from z-dimension image data. The composited blend image has depth of field information provided by the z-dimension image data, and then rendering of the scene for display during the interactive game play. The method then repeats for the one or more images during the game play session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Patent number: 7081892
    Abstract: A graphics image is produced for a computer display with depth of field information by producing a sharp image of a scene, producing a blur image of the scene, and producing z-buffer image data, and producing an alpha channel RGBA image comprising an alpha blend of the sharp and blur images with the z-buffer data. The alpha channel RGBA image thereby provides an image having depth of field information when reproduced on a computer display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh
  • Publication number: 20030189568
    Abstract: A graphics image is produced for a computer display with depth of field information by producing a sharp image of a scene, producing a blur image of the scene, and producing z-buffer image data, and producing an alpha channel RGBA image comprising an alpha blend of the sharp and blur images with the z-buffer data. The alpha channel RGBA image thereby provides an image having depth of field information when reproduced on a computer display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Homoud B. Alkouh