Patents by Inventor Jeff Forbes

Jeff Forbes 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: 8633933
    Abstract: A real-time method for producing an animated performance is disclosed. The real-time method involves receiving animation data, the animation data used to animate a computer generated character. The animation data may comprise motion capture data, or puppetry data, or a combination thereof. A computer generated animated character is rendered in real-time with receiving the animation data. A body movement of the computer generated character may be based on the motion capture data, and a head and a facial movement are based on the puppetry data. A first view of the computer generated animated character is created from a first reference point. A second view of the computer generated animated character is created from a second reference point that is distinct from the first reference point. One or more of the first and second views of the computer generated animated character are displayed in real-time with receiving the animation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Jim Henson Company
    Inventors: Brian Henson, Jeff Forbes, Michael Babcock, Glenn Muravsky, John Criswell
  • Patent number: 8339402
    Abstract: A real-time method for producing an animated performance is disclosed. The real-time method involves receiving animation data, the animation data used to animate a computer generated character. The animation data may comprise motion capture data, or puppetry data, or a combination thereof. A computer generated animated character is rendered in real-time with receiving the animation data. A body movement of the computer generated character may be based on the motion capture data, and a head and a facial movement are based on the puppetry data. A first view of the computer generated animated character is created from a first reference point. A second view of the computer generated animated character is created from a second reference point that is distinct from the first reference point. One or more of the first and second views of the computer generated animated character are displayed in real-time with receiving the animation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Henson, Jeff Forbes, Michael Babcock, Glenn Muravsky, John Criswell
  • Patent number: 7791608
    Abstract: A method of animating a computer generated character in real-time through a single person performance is disclosed. The method provides a mobile input device configured to receive a hand puppetry movement as an input from a performer. Further, the method provides a motion capture device that includes a plurality of markers. The motion capture device is configured to be worn on the body of the performer. Motion capture data is received at a computer. The motion capture data is representative of the positions of the plurality of markers. In addition, input device data is received from the mobile input device at the computer. A computer generated animated character is then generated, the body movements of the character being based on the motion capture data, and head and facial movements being based on the input device data received from the mobile input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Jim Henson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Henson, Jeff Forbes, Michael Babcock, Glenn Muravsky, John Criswell
  • Publication number: 20080012865
    Abstract: A method of animating a computer generated character in real-time through a single person performance is disclosed. The method provides a mobile input device configured to receive a hand puppetry movement as an input from a performer. Further, the method provides a motion capture device that includes a plurality of markers. The motion capture device is configured to be worn on the body of the performer. Motion capture data is received at a computer. The motion capture data is representative of the positions of the plurality of markers. In addition, input device data is received from the mobile input device at the computer. A computer generated animated character is then generated, the body movements of the character being based on the motion capture data, and head and facial movements being based on the input device data received from the mobile input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeff Forbes
  • Publication number: 20080012866
    Abstract: A real-time method for producing an animated performance is disclosed. The real-time method involves receiving animation data, the animation data used to animate a computer generated character. The animation data may comprise motion capture data, or puppetry data, or a combination thereof. A computer generated animated character is rendered in real-time with receiving the animation data. A body movement of the computer generated character may be based on the motion capture data, and a head and a facial movement are based on the puppetry data. A first view of the computer generated animated character is created from a first reference point. A second view of the computer generated animated character is created from a second reference point that is distinct from the first reference point. One or more of the first and second views of the computer generated animated character are displayed in real-time with receiving the animation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeff Forbes