Patents by Inventor Kenneth Perlin

Kenneth Perlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20100042258
    Abstract: A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Joel S. Kollin
  • Publication number: 20090256817
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing input to a processor includes a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing pressure at the surface and producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface. The sensor array having columns and rows of electrodes that are covered with resistive material which fills in the spaces between the electrodes and acts as a linear resistor between the electrodes and measures pressure on the pad surface between the electrodes. The apparatus includes an interface in contact with the sensor pad and in communication with the sensor array which couples to the processor to communicate the signals to the processor. A method for providing input to a processor includes the steps of sensing pressure with a sensor pad having a surface and a sensor array for sensing the pressure at the surface. There is the step of producing signals corresponding to the pressure at the surface with the sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Ilya Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7489331
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic imaging apparatus for an observer includes an eye tracking mechanism for determining a position of each eye of the observer. The apparatus includes a computer for constructing a right image and a left image of a scene. The left image being seen by the observer's left eye and the right image being seen by the observer's right eye when looking at the scene from the observer's location. The apparatus includes an image display on which the left image and the right image is displayed. The display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a lenticular lenslet array sheet through which a first portion of the scene displayed on the display passes and forms a first seamless image of the left image which is visible only to the observer's left eye, and through which a second portion of the scene displayed on the display passes through and forms a second seamless image of the right image which is visible only to the observer's right eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 7488072
    Abstract: An apparatus for viewing includes a screen. The apparatus includes means for detecting a fixation point of a viewer's eyes on an image on the screen. The apparatus includes means for displaying a foveal inset image on the image on the screen about the fixation point so a viewer's fovea sees the foveal image while the rest of the eye sees the image. A method for viewing. The method includes the steps of detecting a fixation point of a viewer's eyes on an image on a screen. There is the step of displaying a foveal inset image on the image on the screen about the fixation point so the viewers fovea sees the foveal image while the rest of the eye sees the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Joel S. Kollin
  • Publication number: 20080060854
    Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a multilocation sensor. The apparatus includes a sheet in communication with the sensor, which when a plurality of locations of the sheet are simultaneously activated, the sensor senses these locations, simultaneously. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a surface. The apparatus includes a sensor in communication with the surface that detects variable pressure regarding a touch on the surface. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a sensor in communication with the surface that is capable of detecting a touch on a surface and also a presence of an object near the surface but not touching the surface. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a lenslet array where the lenslets are diffractive. The apparatus includes a sensor for determining where the array is being touched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Publication number: 20080024598
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image to an observer. The apparatus comprises a display screen upon which stripes of the image appear in at least three distinct phases. The apparatus comprises a light blocking shutter disposed in front of the display screen forming a stripe pattern which lets through only ? of each stripe of the image on the display screen during each of the at least three distinct phases. The apparatus comprises a computer connected to the display screen and the light blocking shutter which changes the phases so in each phase the stripe pattern is shifted laterally, which renders 2 3D scenes corresponding to the eyes of the observer, which produces a proper left/right orientation pattern for each of the three phases and which interleaves the left/right orientations into three successive time phases as red, green and blue, respectively. The apparatus comprises an eye tracker for identifying the locations of the observers' eyes and providing the location to the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Salvatore Paxia, Joel Kollin
  • Publication number: 20070216905
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining reflectance data of an object includes a diffuser having a surface. The apparatus includes a mapping portion that effects a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at the diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object. A method for obtaining reflectance data usable to determine a plurality of values of the BRDF of an object. The method includes the steps of illuminating the object. There is the step of effecting a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at a diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object with a mapping portion. An apparatus and a method for measuring an 8D reflectance field of an object or a 3D object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Jefferson Han, Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 7239293
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image to an observer. The apparatus comprises a display screen upon which stripes of the image appear in at least three distinct phases. The apparatus comprises a light blocking shutter disposed in front of the display screen forming a stripe pattern which lets through only ? of each stripe of the image on the display screen during each of the at least three distinct phases. The apparatus comprises a computer connected to the display screen and the light blocking shutter which changes the phases so in each phase the stripe pattern is shifted laterally, which renders 2 3D scenes corresponding to the eyes of the observer, which produces a proper left/right orientation pattern for each of the three phases and which interleaves the left/right orientations into three successive time phases as red, green and blue, respectively. The apparatus comprises an eye tracker for identifying the locations of the observers' eyes and providing the location to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Salvatore Paxia, Joel S. Kollin
  • Patent number: 7190461
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a light source for producing light. The apparatus includes means for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the subject from multiple locations simultaneously with the light. A method for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Jefferson Y. Han, Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 7177026
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject. The apparatus includes a light source for producing light. The apparatus includes sensing means for sensing the light. The apparatus includes means for focusing the light between the light source and the sensing means and the subject. The apparatus includes a computer connected to the sensing means for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the subject from the light sensed by the sensing means. The apparatus can include only one CCD camera for sensing the light. The apparatus can include means for taking sub-measurements of the subject with light from the light source without any physical movement between sub-measurements. A method for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 7168808
    Abstract: An apparatus for viewing an image includes a screen on which an image of a superimposed projection for left and right eye views of a viewer is displayed image. The apparatus includes a mechanism for projecting the projections onto the screen image. The apparatus includes a rear retarder disposed in front of the screen image. The apparatus includes a front retarder disposed in front of the rear retarder image. The apparatus includes a mechanism for applying an increasing ramp of phase retardance across an image in the rear retarder, and applying a decreasing ramp of phase retardance across the image in the front retarder so a constant phase retardance is created across an entire surface of the screen disposed behind the rear retarder and the front retarder when seen by a viewer in front of the front retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Joel S. Kollin
  • Publication number: 20060250402
    Abstract: A method for creating a computer simulation of an actor having a first foot, a second foot and a body including the steps of planting the first foot as a support foot along a space time-varying path. There is the step of stopping time regarding placement of the first foot. There is the step of changing posture of the first foot while the first foot is planted. There is the step of moving time into the future for the second foot as a lifted foot and changing posture for the lifted foot. An apparatus for creating a computer simulation of an actor having a first foot, a second foot and a body. A software program for creating a computer simulation of an actor having a first foot, a second foot and a body that performs the steps of planting the first foot as a support foot along a space time-varying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 6997558
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a scanning collimated light source that creates an image by illuminating a suspension of light-scattering particles in an optically transparent medium with a collimated beam, where the brightness of the collimated beam is modulated at each moment in time by an amount that is dependent upon the momentary direction of the beam and also on the distance of the scattering particle encountered by the beam at that moment. A method for producing a volumetric display. An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a light source for providing light. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source. The method includes the steps of producing light from a light source. There is the step of producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Jefferson Y. Han
  • Publication number: 20050185281
    Abstract: An apparatus for viewing includes a screen. The apparatus includes means for detecting a fixation point of a viewer's eyes on an image on the screen. The apparatus includes means for displaying a foveal inset image on the image on the screen about the fixation point so a viewer's fovea sees the foveal image while the rest of the eye sees the image. A method for viewing. The method includes the steps of detecting a fixation point of a viewer's eyes on an image on a screen. There is the step of displaying a foveal inset image on the image on the screen about the fixation point so the viewers fovea sees the foveal image while the rest of the eye sees the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Joel Kollin
  • Publication number: 20050185051
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic imaging apparatus for an observer includes an eye tracking mechanism for determining a position of each eye of the observer. The apparatus includes a computer for constructing a right image and a left image of a scene. The left image being seen by the observer's left eye and the right image being seen by the observer's right eye when looking at the scene from the observer's location. The apparatus includes an image display on which the left image and the right image is displayed. The display in communication with the computer. The apparatus includes a lenticular lenslet array sheet through which a first portion of the scene displayed on the display passes and forms a first seamless image of the left image which is visible only to the observer's left eye, and through which a second portion of the scene displayed on the display passes through and forms a second seamless image of the right image which is visible only to the observer's right eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 6877857
    Abstract: An apparatus for showing images. The apparatus includes a screen. The apparatus includes a mechanism for displaying a distinct and separate image for each of a number of different observers simultaneously on the screen. A method for showing images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Publication number: 20050068537
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a light source for producing light. The apparatus includes means for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function of the subject from multiple locations simultaneously with the light. A method for determining a bidirectional reflectance distribution function of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Jefferson Han, Kenneth Perlin
  • Patent number: 6867776
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an image. The apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a display connected to the computer upon which images from the computer appear. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing images with texture that do not have visible grid artifacts. The producing mechanism disposed in the computer. A method for generating images. The method includes the steps of producing the images with texture that do not have visible grid artifacts with the computer. There is the step of displaying the images on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Perlin
  • Publication number: 20050052738
    Abstract: An apparatus for viewing an image. The apparatus includes a screen on which an image of a superimposed projection for left and right eye views of a viewer is displayed image. The apparatus includes means for projecting the projections onto the screen image. The apparatus includes a rear retarder disposed in front of the screen image. The apparatus includes a front retarder disposed in front of the rear retarder image. The apparatus includes means for applying an increasing ramp of phase retardance across an image in the rear retarder, and applying a decreasing ramp of phase retardance across the image in the front retarder so a constant phase retardance is created across an entire surface of the screen disposed behind the rear retarder and the front retarder when seen by a viewer in front of the front retarder. An apparatus for viewing an image. The apparatus includes an eye tracker which tracks positions of the eyes of a viewer image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Joel Kollin
  • Publication number: 20040218148
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a scanning collimated light source that creates an image by illuminating a suspension of light-scattering particles in an optically transparent medium with a collimated beam, where the brightness of the collimated beam is modulated at each moment in time by an amount that is dependent upon the momentary direction of the beam and also on the distance of the scattering particle encountered by the beam at that moment. A method for producing a volumetric display. An apparatus for producing a volumetric display includes a light source for providing light. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source. The method includes the steps of producing light from a light source. There is the step of producing a volumetric image with the light from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: New York University
    Inventors: Kenneth Perlin, Jefferson Y. Han