Patents by Inventor Karlton David Powell

Karlton David Powell 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: 12094170
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating camera and measuring offsets for reducing distortions on images. The calibrating includes aligning an on-board image sensor and a lens barrel using a kinematic mount and affixing the onboard image sensor and the lens barrel to assemble a camera. The kinematic mount provides a predetermined number of degrees of freedom in aligning the on-board image sensor and the lens barrel. A device embeds the camera. The measuring includes receiving the camera in the kinematic mount and measuring an opposing pair of offset values as measured optical centers from the lens optical axis to the image sensor pointing reference at yaw orientations of the camera at 0 degree and 180 degrees. The method determines a total offset value by taking an average of the pair and canceling the rotationally symmetrical error. The method uses the offset value for reducing distortions on images by de-warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Lin, Rhishikesh A. Sathe, Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20240112315
    Abstract: A method for processing a stream of input images is provided. The method includes receiving a stream of input images, and applying a digital effect to the stream of input images. The digital effect is one or more from the group of: a pan, a tilt, or a zoom, of the stream of input images. The method further includes selecting an analytical projection type, from a plurality of analytical projection types, that maps pixels of the input stream of images to projected pixels of a modified stream of images, generating the modified stream of images, using the selected analytical projection type, thereby correcting a geometric distortion within the stream of input images, while applying the digital effect, and displaying the modified stream of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20230230210
    Abstract: One disclosed example provides a videoconferencing system comprising a processor and a storage device storing instructions executable by the processor to obtain an image of a scene acquired via a camera, the image of the scene comprising image distortion arising from a camera pitch angle at which the image of the scene was acquired. The instructions are further executable to apply a projection mapping to the image of the scene to map the image of the scene to a projection comprising a tilt parameter that is based upon the camera pitch angle at which the image of the scene was acquired, thereby obtaining a corrected image, and output the corrected image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Patent number: 11663704
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed relating to applying an analytical geometric projection that has been modified by an amplitude function. One example provides a computing device comprising a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive an image of a scene as acquired by an image sensor, apply a mapping to the image of the scene that maps pixels of the image to projected pixels on an analytical projection that is modified by an amplitude function such that the analytical projection achieves a higher zoom effect on pixels closer to a center of the image compared to pixels closer to an edge of the image, thereby obtaining a corrected image, and output the corrected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20230116036
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating camera and measuring offsets for reducing distortions on images. The calibrating includes aligning an on-board image sensor and a lens barrel using a kinematic mount and affixing the onboard image sensor and the lens barrel to assemble a camera. The kinematic mount provides a predetermined number of degrees of freedom in aligning the on-board image sensor and the lens barrel. A device embeds the camera. The measuring includes receiving the camera in the kinematic mount and measuring an opposing pair of offset values as measured optical centers from the lens optical axis to the image sensor pointing reference at yaw orientations of the camera at 0 degree and 180 degrees. The method determines a total offset value by taking an average of the pair and canceling the rotationally symmetrical error. The method uses the offset value for reducing distortions on images by de-warping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. LIN, Rhishikesh A. SATHE, Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20220414819
    Abstract: A method for processing a stream of input images is described. A stream of input images that are from an image sensor is received. The stream comprises an initial sequence of input images including a subject having an initial orientation. A change in an angular orientation of the image sensor while receiving the stream of input images is determined. In response to determining the change in the angular orientation, a subsequent sequence of input images of the stream of input images is processed for rotation to counteract the change in the angular orientation of the image sensor and maintain the subject in the initial orientation. The stream of input images is transmitted to one or more display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Justin RAPPAPORT, Russell I. SANCHEZ, Jonathan L. WORSLEY, Kae-Ling J. GURR, Karlton David POWELL
  • Patent number: 11508090
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating camera and measuring offsets for reducing distortions on images. The calibrating includes aligning an on-board image sensor and a lens barrel using a kinematic mount and affixing the onboard image sensor and the lens barrel to assemble a camera. The kinematic mount provides a predetermined number of degrees of freedom in aligning the on-board image sensor and the lens barrel. A device embeds the camera. The measuring includes receiving the camera in the kinematic mount and measuring an opposing pair of offset values as measured optical centers from the lens optical axis to the image sensor pointing reference at yaw orientations of the camera at 0 degree and 180 degrees. The method determines a total offset value by taking an average of the pair and canceling the rotationally symmetrical error. The method uses the offset value for reducing distortions on images by de-warping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Lin, Rhishikesh A. Sathe, Karlton David Powell
  • Publication number: 20220366547
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed relating to applying an analytical geometric projection that has been modified by an amplitude function. One example provides a computing device comprising a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem holding instructions executable by the logic subsystem to receive an image of a scene as acquired by an image sensor, apply a mapping to the image of the scene that maps pixels of the image to projected pixels on an analytical projection that is modified by an amplitude function such that the analytical projection achieves a higher zoom effect on pixels closer to a center of the image compared to pixels closer to an edge of the image, thereby obtaining a corrected image, and output the corrected image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20220357546
    Abstract: A camera assembly for inclusion in a camera is described. The camera assembly includes a lens barrel and a retaining mechanism that is configured to restrict movement of the lens barrel relative to the retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism is configured to be attached to a mounting surface of a camera enclosure, such that position of the camera assembly remains fixed relative to the camera enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Lalit Anil PALVE, Karlton David POWELL, Rhishikesh A. SATHE, Marlo Elizabeth CASTILLO
  • Publication number: 20220301225
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating camera and measuring offsets for reducing distortions on images. The calibrating includes aligning an on-board image sensor and a lens barrel using a kinematic mount and affixing the onboard image sensor and the lens barrel to assemble a camera. The kinematic mount provides a predetermined number of degrees of freedom in aligning the on-board image sensor and the lens barrel. A device embeds the camera. The measuring includes receiving the camera in the kinematic mount and measuring an opposing pair of offset values as measured optical centers from the lens optical axis to the image sensor pointing reference at yaw orientations of the camera at 0 degree and 180 degrees. The method determines a total offset value by taking an average of the pair and canceling the rotationally symmetrical error. The method uses the offset value for reducing distortions on images by de-warping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. LIN, Rhishikesh A. SATHE, Karlton David POWELL
  • Patent number: 11277544
    Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, a lens, memory, and a controller. The lens is positioned to direct object light from a scene onto the image sensor. The memory is configured to store a camera-specific optical center of the lens relative to the image sensor. The camera-specific optical center is measured after a position of the lens is center fixed relative to a position of the image sensor. The controller is configured to acquire a raw image of the scene via the image sensor and generate a distortion corrected image from the raw image based on at least the camera-specific optical center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 11204152
    Abstract: An illumination device including a light source and a reflector with a pair of vertically opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces and a pair of horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces. Each of the vertically and horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces includes a concave region positioned proximate a light source, and a convex region positioned distal the light source. The pairs of vertically opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces and horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces of the reflector redistribute light emitted from the light source such that the illumination device outputs a field of illumination having a substantially uniform intensity of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 11092491
    Abstract: An optical system, comprising a multi-spectral optical element, a switchable filter, a dual bandpass filter, and a sensor. The multi-spectral optical element receives light in at least a first spectral band and a second spectral band. The dual bandpass filter filters out wavelengths of light in a transition region of the switchable filter between the first spectral band and the second spectral band. The switchable filter filters light received from the dual bandpass filter in the first spectral band in a first mode where the switchable filter transmits light in the first spectral band and in a second mode where the switchable filter does not transmit light in the first spectral band. The sensor is disposed at an image plane, and the multi-spectral optical element is configured to produce a modulation transfer function value that is a above a predetermined threshold for each of the spectral bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Vivek Pradeep
  • Publication number: 20210127059
    Abstract: A camera is disclosed. The camera includes an image sensor and a f-theta lens fixed relative to the image sensor. The f-theta lens is configured to direct object light from a scene onto the image sensor. An optical axis of the f-theta lens is offset from an optical center of the image sensor such that the image sensor is configured to capture a field of view having an angular bias relative to the optical axis of the f-theta lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David POWELL, Russell Irvin SANCHEZ, Michael Chia-Yin LIN, Rhishikesh Ashok SATHE
  • Publication number: 20210048167
    Abstract: An illumination device that includes a light source and a reflector having a pair of vertically opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces and a pair of horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces. Each of the vertically and horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces is formed according to a local surface slope and redirection relationship so as to have a first region that is concave, and a second region that is convex. For each of the vertically and horizontally opposed symmetrical reflective surfaces, the first region is formed proximate to a mounting location of the light source, the first region being positioned to reflect high angle light emitted from the light source. The second region is formed on a distal side of the first region relative to the mounting location of the light source, the second region being positioned to reflect moderate angle light emitted from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Publication number: 20210044725
    Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, a lens, memory, and a controller. The lens is positioned to direct object light from a scene onto the image sensor. The memory is configured to store a camera-specific optical center of the lens relative to the image sensor. The camera-specific optical center is measured after a position of the lens is center fixed relative to a position of the image sensor. The controller is configured to acquire a raw image of the scene via the image sensor and generate a distortion corrected image from the raw image based on at least the camera-specific optical center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David POWELL
  • Patent number: 10871657
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to optical systems. One example provides a display device comprising an image source including a plurality of encoded regions from which encoded image light is output, and a lens array. The lens array may be positioned to receive the encoded image light and output decoded image light that forms a floating image viewable from a plurality of different vantage points, wherein from a first vantage point decoded image light forming a portion of the floating image originates from a first encoded region, and wherein from a second vantage point decoded image light forming the portion originates from a second encoded region, different than the first encoded region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 10845508
    Abstract: An optical system comprises an optical sensor configured to receive light within one or more bandwidths of interest and an optical stack placed optically in front of the optical sensor. The optical stack comprises a polymeric layer optically transparent to at least the one or more bandwidths of interest, and a matching index layer positioned optically in front of the polymeric layer, the matching index layer and polymeric layer having refractive indexes within a threshold similarity. The optical stack further includes a bumpy diffuse surface embedded between the polymeric layer and the matching index layer, and a partially reflective layer positioned in between the bumpy diffuse surface and the matching index layer, the partially reflective layer configured to at least partially reflect at least some wavelengths outside the one or more bandwidths of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 10725643
    Abstract: An accessory for a touch-sensitive display includes an image transfer structure and a capacitive marker. The image transfer structure is configured to relay or transfer, above the touch-sensitive display, an optical display plane of an image displayed by the touch-sensitive display. Further, the capacitive marker is capacitively-recognizable by the touch-sensitive display such that the touch-sensitive display visually presents the image in alignment with the image transfer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Pablo Luis Sala
  • Publication number: 20190377486
    Abstract: An accessory for a touch-sensitive display includes an image transfer structure and a capacitive marker. The image transfer structure is configured to relay or transfer, above the touch-sensitive display, an optical display plane of an image displayed by the touch-sensitive display. Further, the capacitive marker is capacitively-recognizable by the touch-sensitive display such that the touch-sensitive display visually presents the image in alignment with the image transfer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton David Powell, Pablo Luis Sala