Patents by Inventor Kurt Barton Akeley
Kurt Barton Akeley 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).
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Patent number: 10129524Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for enabling interaction with, manipulation of, and control of depth-assigned content in depth-enhanced pictures, such as virtual reality images. Depth-assigned content can be assigned to a specified depth value. When a depth-enhanced picture is refocused at a focus depth substantially different from the specified assigned depth value, the depth-assigned content may be omitted, grayed out, blurred, or otherwise visually distinguished. In this manner, content associated with an in-focus image element can be visually distinguished from content associated with an out-of-focus image element. For example, in at least one embodiment, depth-assigned content is visible only when an image element associated with the content is in focus (or nearly in focus).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Eric Cheng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kayvon Fatahalian, David John Evans, Kira Wampler, Kristen Berman, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Publication number: 20170302903Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for enabling interaction with, manipulation of, and control of depth-assigned content in depth-enhanced pictures, such as virtual reality images. Depth-assigned content can be assigned to a specified depth value. When a depth-enhanced picture is refocused at a focus depth substantially different from the specified assigned depth value, the depth-assigned content may be omitted, grayed out, blurred, or otherwise visually distinguished. In this manner, content associated with an in-focus image element can be visually distinguished from content associated with an out-of-focus image element. For example, in at least one embodiment, depth-assigned content is visible only when an image element associated with the content is in focus (or nearly in focus).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Eric Cheng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kayvon Fatahalian, David John Evans, Kira Wampler, Kristen Berman, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 9607424Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for enabling interaction with, manipulation of, and control of depth-assigned content in depth-enhanced pictures. Depth-assigned content can be assigned to a specified depth value. When a depth-enhanced picture is refocused at a focus depth substantially different from the specified assigned depth value, the depth-assigned content may be omitted, grayed out, blurred, or otherwise visually distinguished. In this manner, content associated with an in-focus image element can be visually distinguished from content associated with an out-of-focus image element. For example, in at least one embodiment, depth-assigned content is visible only when an image element associated with the content is in focus (or nearly in focus). According to various embodiments of the invention, many different types of interactions are facilitated among depth-assigned content, depth-enhanced pictures, and other content.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Eric Cheng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kayvon Fatahalian, David John Evans, Kira Wampler, Kristen Berman, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 9386288Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Publication number: 20150312553Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating image capture using multiple devices, including for example multiple image capture devices (cameras), multiple lighting devices (flash), and/or the like. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is configured to collect image information from multiple image capture devices, such as cameras, and/or to collect multiple images having different lighting configurations. The collected image data can be processed to generate various effects, such as relighting, parallax, refocusing, and/or three-dimensional effects, and/or to introduce interactivity into the image presentation. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented using any combination of any number of image capture device(s) and/or flash (lighting) device(s), which may be equipped to communicate with one another via any suitable means, such as wirelessly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kurt Barton Akeley, Bennett Wilburn
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Publication number: 20150097985Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 9001226Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating image capture using multiple devices, including for example multiple image capture devices (cameras), multiple lighting devices (flash), and/or the like. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is configured to collect image information from multiple image capture devices, such as cameras, and/or to collect multiple images having different lighting configurations. The collected image data can be processed to generate various effects, such as relighting, parallax, refocusing, and/or three-dimensional effects, and/or to introduce interactivity into the image presentation. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented using any combination of any number of image capture device(s) and/or flash (lighting) device(s), which may be equipped to communicate with one another via any suitable means, such as wirelessly.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kurt Barton Akeley, Bennett Wilburn
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Patent number: 8995785Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for capturing, processing, analyzing, displaying, annotating, modifying, and/or interacting with light-field data on a light-field capture device. In at least one embodiment, the light-field capture device communicates to the user information about the scene during live-view to aid him or her in capturing light-field images that provide increased refocusing ability, increased parallax and perspective shifting ability, increased stereo disparity, and/or more dramatic post-capture effects. Additional embodiments present a standard 2D camera interface to software running on the light-field capture device to enable such software to function normally even though the device is actually capturing light-field data.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Knight, Colvin Pitts, Yi-Ren Ng, Alex Fishman, Yuriy Romanenko, Jeff Kalt, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 8948545Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8908058Abstract: According to various embodiments, multiple frames, each having image data and metadata, can be aggregated into pictures. The frames may come from different image capture devices, enabling aggregation of image data from multiple sources. Aggregation can be automatic, or it can be performed in response to user input specifying particular combinations of frames to be aggregated. In various embodiments, pictures are mutable, whereas immutability of the constituent frames is enforced. In various embodiments, certain metadata elements that are not essential to rendering can be selectively removed from frames, so as to address privacy concerns. In various embodiments, frames can be authenticated by the use of digests generated by a hash function.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko
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Patent number: 8768102Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, improved downsampling techniques are employed, which can be applied to light field images and which preserve the ability to refocus (and otherwise manipulate) such images. Groups of pixels, rather than individual pixels, are downsampled; such groups of pixels can be defined, for example, as disks of pixels. Such downsampling is accomplished, for example, by aggregating values for pixels having similar relative positions within adjacent disks (or other defined regions or pixel groups) of the image. When applied to light field images, the downsampling techniques of the present invention reduce spatial resolution without sacrificing angular resolution. This ensures that the refocusing capability of the resulting light field image is not reduced and/or adversely impacted.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Kurt Barton Akeley, Timothy James Knight, Colvin Pitts
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Patent number: 8692870Abstract: Described is a stereoscopic display (telepresence) system that includes a depth cue adjustment mechanism for changing screen disparity to move a fixation distance of a viewer (subject) closer to a focus distance, thereby providing more desirable viewing conditions. In one aspect, the depth cue adjustment mechanism adjusts a depth cue by moving the fixation distance forward, and/or by moving the focus distance backward. Also described is detecting encroachment, where the object is perceived as being too close to the subject viewer for comfort, and adjusting one or more depth cues (e.g., object scale) to counteract the sensation of the encroachment.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Jaron Zepel Lanier, Johnny Chung Lee
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Publication number: 20130342526Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for enabling interaction with, manipulation of, and control of depth-assigned content in depth-enhanced pictures. Depth-assigned content can be assigned to a specified depth value. When a depth-enhanced picture is refocused at a focus depth substantially different from the specified assigned depth value, the depth-assigned content may be omitted, grayed out, blurred, or otherwise visually distinguished. In this manner, content associated with an in-focus image element can be visually distinguished from content associated with an out-of-focus image element. For example, in at least one embodiment, depth-assigned content is visible only when an image element associated with the content is in focus (or nearly in focus). According to various embodiments of the invention, many different types of interactions are facilitated among depth-assigned content, depth-enhanced pictures, and other content.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Eric Cheng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kayvon Fatahalian, David John Evans, Kira Wampler, Kristen Berman, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Publication number: 20120249550Abstract: A system and method are provided for storing, manipulating, and/or transmitting image data, such as light field photographs and the like, in a manner that efficiently delivers different capabilities and features based on device attributes, user requirements and preferences, context, and/or other factors. Acceleration structures are provided, which enable selective use of certain types of data (also referred to as “assets”) based on device attributes such as image size, desired functionality, user preference, and/or the like. In this manner, the system and method of the present invention takes into account specific attributes and parameters in determining which data should be included, so as to optimize transmission, storage, and/or rendering of image data, including light field data, to improve efficiency and avoid waste of resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: LYTRO, INC.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko, Chia-Kai Liang, Colvin Pitts, Thomas Hanley, Mugur Marculescu
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Publication number: 20110316984Abstract: Described is a stereoscopic display (telepresence) system that includes a depth cue adjustment mechanism for changing screen disparity to move a fixation distance of a viewer (subject) closer to a focus distance, thereby providing more desirable viewing conditions. In one aspect, the depth cue adjustment mechanism adjusts a depth cue by moving the fixation distance forward, and/or by moving the focus distance backward. Also described is detecting encroachment, where the object is perceived as being too close to the subject viewer for comfort, and adjusting one or more depth cues (e.g., object scale) to counteract the sensation of the encroachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2010Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Jaron Zepel Lanier, Johnny Chung Lee
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Publication number: 20110234841Abstract: According to various embodiments, multiple frames, each having image data and metadata, can be aggregated into pictures. The frames may come from different image capture devices, enabling aggregation of image data from multiple sources. Aggregation can be automatic, or it can be performed in response to user input specifying particular combinations of frames to be aggregated. In various embodiments, pictures are mutable, whereas immutability of the constituent frames is enforced. In various embodiments, certain metadata elements that are not essential to rendering can be selectively removed from frames, so as to address privacy concerns. In various embodiments, frames can be authenticated by the use of digests generated by a hash function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: LYTRO, INC.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko
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Patent number: 6075543Abstract: A system and method for managing multiple frame buffers. The system includes multiple frame buffers, and thus reduces the risk of dropped frames. The system controls and bounds render-to-display latency, and provides an application friendly and effective interface to the frame buffers. The system operates by estimating a latency of a frame that is yet to be rendered. The system determines whether the latency is greater than a target latency. If the latency is greater than the target latency, then the system blocks the application that is responsible for rendering the frame before rendering of the frame commences. As a result, render-to-display latency is bounded to the target latency. The system addresses the naming issue by providing the application with access to only the front buffer and the back buffer. In particular, the present system maintains a queue of one or more frame buffers. The newest frame buffer appended to the queue is considered to be the front buffer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 5933155Abstract: A system and method for managing multiple frame buffers. The system includes multiple frame buffers, and thus reduces the risk of dropped frames. The system controls and bounds render-to-display latency, and provides an application friendly and effective interface to the frame buffers. The system operates by estimating a latency of a frame that is yet to be rendered. The system determines whether the latency is greater than a target latency. If the latency is greater than the target latency, then the system blocks the application that is responsible for rendering the frame before rendering of the frame commences. As a result, render-to-display latency is bounded to the target latency. The system addresses the naming issue by providing the application with access to only the front buffer and the back buffer. In particular, the present system maintains a queue of one or more frame buffers. The newest frame buffer appended to the queue is considered to be the front buffer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 5854631Abstract: A system and method for merging received pixel fragments with an existing fragment compares a depth range for the received fragment with a depth range for the existing fragment. If there is a range overlap, the new fragment is merged with the existing fragment for which there is overlap. If there is no range overlap, the new fragment is discarded. The merge operation can be performed for fragments received for a single surface, such as the nearest surface. Alternatively, the merge operation can be performed for fragments received for a plurality of surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1995Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Carroll Philip Gossett