Patents by Inventor Lifeng Wang

Lifeng Wang 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: 20080001950
    Abstract: A strategy is described for producing an animated scene from multiple high resolution still images. The strategy involves: creating a graph based on an analysis of similarity among the plural still images; performing partial temporal order recovery to define a partial ordering among the plural still images; and extracting an output sequence from the plural still images using second-order Markov Chain analysis, using the partial ordering as a reference. The strategy can perform the above-described analysis with respect to multiple independent animated regions (IARs) within the still images. Further, the strategy can decompose any IAR with a significant amount of motion into multiple semi-independent animated regions (SIARs). The SIARs are defined to be weakly interdependent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhouchen Lin, Lifeng Wang, Yunbo Wang, Jian Wang, Xiaoou Tang
  • Publication number: 20070297646
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a representation of structure for use in rendering a synthesized image is provided. The representation is a view-dependent displacement mapping that represents displacements along a viewing direction. This view dependency allows the representation to be used to determine self shadows as well as shading, occlusion and silhouettes when used during rendering for synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Xi Wang, Xing Tong, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Publication number: 20070227126
    Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system has a common source of pressurized fuel, at least one injection device, an exhaust treatment device, and a regeneration device. The at least one injection device is configured to inject fuel from the common source into a combustion chamber of the engine. The exhaust treatment device is configured to remove particulate matter from an exhaust flow of the engine. The regeneration device is configured to inject fuel from the common source into at least one of the exhaust treatment device and the exhaust flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Rui Zhang, John D. Gierszewski, Curtis J. Graham, Andrew C. Heebink, Jack A. Merchant
  • Patent number: 7205998
    Abstract: A system and process for reconstructing optimal texture maps from multiple views of a scene is described. In essence, this reconstruction is based on the optimal synthesis of textures from multiple sources. This is generally accomplished using basic image processing theory to derive the correct weights for blending the multiple views. Namely, the steps of reconstructing, warping, prefiltering, and resampling are followed in order to warp reference textures to a desired location, and to compute spatially-variant weights for optimal blending. These weights take into consideration the anisotropy in the texture projection and changes in sampling frequency due to foreshortening. The weights are combined and the computation of the optimal texture is treated as a restoration problem, which involves solving a linear system of equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Sing Bing Kang, Richard Szeliski, Heung-Yeung Shum, Baining Guo
  • Patent number: 7196711
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for generating a representation of structure for use in rendering a synthesized image is provided. The representation is a view-dependent displacement mapping that represents displacements along a viewing direction. This view dependency allows the representation to be used to determine self shadows as well as shading, occlusion and silhouettes when used during rendering for synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Xi Wang, Xin Tong, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Patent number: 7174881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to engines having multiple hydraulic devices. For instance a multi-cylinder diesel engine might include both an a fuel injector and an engine compression release brake. Traditionally, each of these hydraulic devices has been controlled by an individual actuator control valve. However, engineers have learned that decreasing the number of engine components can increase engine robustness. In addition, engineers have learned that de-coupling fluid pressure to the needle valve member hydraulic surface from fluid pressure lines to other injector components can result in greater control of the injector. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a single actuator control valve to control both hydraulic devices for an engine cylinder and to provide independent control of fluid pressure to the needle valve member closing hydraulic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ye Tian, Scott Leman, Xinshuang Nan, Lifeng Wang, Jianyuan Yang
  • Publication number: 20070018996
    Abstract: Rendering of a partially translucent object is performed using a set of parameter maps derived from data measuring reflectance and transmittance of light received at the surface of the partially translucent object. Data is captured from an actual object being modeled, rather than estimated based on internal structure and composition. Parameter maps relating albedo, thickness variation, and specular intensity and roughness are stored as textures to facilitate rendering. In addition, realistic illumination from high energy sources such as sunlight is effected by separating light into low frequency and high frequency components. Low frequency components are rendered by precomputed radiance transfer. High frequency components, which are not modeled well by precomputed radiance transfer, are modeled using a light visibility convolution integral to generate light visibility maps for positions of the high frequency light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Xu Yang, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Patent number: 7150268
    Abstract: A fuel pumping system that includes a pump drive is provided. A first pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a first flow of pressurized fuel. A second pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a second flow of pressurized fuel. A first solenoid is operatively connected to the first pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel. A second solenoid is operatively connected to the second pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Lifeng Wang
  • Patent number: 7139005
    Abstract: A software-implemented graphics rendering system and method designed and optimized for embedded devices (such as mobile computing devices) using fixed-point operations including a variable-length fixed point representation for numbers and a normalized homogenous coordinates system for vector operations. The graphics rendering system and method includes a fixed-point mathematics library and graphics functions that includes optimized basic functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, all vertex operations, matrix operations, transform functions and lighting functions, and graphics functions. The mathematical library and graphics functions are modified and optimized by using a variable-length fixed-point representation and a normalized homogenous coordinate system (NHCS) for vector operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Ke Deng, Baining Guo, Joshua William Buckman
  • Patent number: 7129943
    Abstract: A “light field morpher,” as described herein, provides a computationally efficient system and method for image-based three-dimensional (3D) morphing and texture transfer of 3D objects by morphing “light fields” or “lumigraphs,” associated with source and target 3D objects. The light field morpher is applicable to morphing of objects having either or both Lambertian, or non-Lambertian surfaces, including surfaces having complex properties such as fur, subsurface scattering, and hypertextures, without the need for object modeling, or otherwise recovering detailed object geometry. Light field morphing begins by first specifying corresponding 2D and 3D feature elements, such as, “feature lines,” “feature polygons,” and “background edges,” in the input light fields representing the source and target light fields. Once the feature elements have been specified, “ray-space warping” of both light fields then warps those light fields to produce feature alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhunping Zhang, Lifeng Wang, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Patent number: 7124744
    Abstract: Engineers have determined that the ability to front end rate shape injection events can result in a number of advantages, including improved injector performance and a reduction in undesirable emissions. In addition, engineers have learned that it is desirable for the needle valve to open slowly at the beginning of an injection event and to close abruptly to end the injection event. Therefore, the present invention utilizes at least one orifice member that is movably positioned in an injector body such that fluid flowing away from the needle valve member closing hydraulic surface flows through a relatively restricted flow path and fluid flowing toward the needle valve member flow through a relatively unrestricted flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norval J. Weimken, Xinshuang Nan, Ye Tian, Lifeng Wang, Jianyuan Yang, Ronald D. Shinogle, Chetan J. Desai
  • Publication number: 20060170695
    Abstract: Surfaces can be decorated with texture tiling and/or texture painting using one or more sample textures, such as BTFs. In a described implementation of texture tiling, a patch-based BTF synthesis algorithm is utilized. In an example embodiment, a mesh of a target surface is re-sampled to produce a dense mesh such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between vertices of the dense mesh and pixels of an image. Patch matching is then employed with a working image that corresponds to a working patch. In an example embodiment, the patch matching is effectuated using translations and rotations of the sample texture. In a described implementation of texture painting, irregular feature(s) of a sample texture are synthesized onto a target surface. In an example embodiment, user-specified constraints as to a desired foreground feature of a sample texture and an intended foreground region of a targeted surface are factored into a graphcut operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kun Zhou, Baining Guo, Heung-Yeung Shum, Lifeng Wang, Yasuyuki Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20060054140
    Abstract: A fuel pumping system that includes a pump drive is provided. A first pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a first flow of pressurized fuel. A second pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a second flow of pressurized fuel. A first solenoid is operatively connected to the first pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel. A second solenoid is operatively connected to the second pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Lifeng Wang
  • Patent number: 6999095
    Abstract: A system and process for reconstructing optimal texture maps from multiple views of a scene is described. In essence, this reconstruction is based on the optimal synthesis of textures from multiple sources. This is generally accomplished using basic image processing theory to derive the correct weights for blending the multiple views. Namely, the steps of reconstructing, warping, prefiltering, and resampling are followed in order to warp reference textures to a desired location, and to compute spatially-variant weights for optimal blending. These weights take into consideration the anisotropy in the texture projection and changes in sampling frequency due to foreshortening. The weights are combined and the computation of the optimal texture is treated as a restoration problem, which involves solving a linear system of equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Sing Bing Kang, Richard Szeliski, Heung-Yeung Shum, Baining Guo
  • Patent number: 6985156
    Abstract: A system and process for reconstructing optimal texture maps from multiple views of a scene is described. In essence, this reconstruction is based on the optimal synthesis of textures from multiple sources. This is generally accomplished using basic image processing theory to derive the correct weights for blending the multiple views. Namely, the steps of reconstructing, warping, prefiltering, and resampling are followed in order to warp reference textures to a desired location, and to compute spatially-variant weights for optimal blending. These weights take into consideration the anisotropy in the texture projection and changes in sampling frequency due to foreshortening. The weights are combined and the computation of the optimal texture is treated as a restoration problem, which involves solving a linear system of equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Sing Bing Kang, Richard Szeliski, Heung-Yeung Shum, Baining Guo
  • Publication number: 20050285872
    Abstract: A system and process for reconstructing optimal texture maps from multiple views of a scene is described. In essence, this reconstruction is based on the optimal synthesis of textures from multiple sources. This is generally accomplished using basic image processing theory to derive the correct weights for blending the multiple views. Namely, the steps of reconstructing, warping, prefiltering, and resampling are followed in order to warp reference textures to a desired location, and to compute spatially-variant weights for optimal blending. These weights take into consideration the anisotropy in the texture projection and changes in sampling frequency due to foreshortening. The weights are combined and the computation of the optimal texture is treated as a restoration problem, which involves solving a linear system of equations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Lifeng Wang, Sing Bing Kang, Richard Szeliski, Heung-Yeung Shum, Baining Guo
  • Patent number: 6978760
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set that are controlled respectively by first and second three way needle control valves. Each fuel injector includes first and second concentric needle valve members. One of the needle valve members moves to an open position for a homogenous charge injection event, while the other needle valve member moves to an open position for a conventional injection event. The fuel injector has the ability to operate in a homogenous charge mode with a homogenous charge spray pattern, a conventional mode with a conventional spray pattern or a mixed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Chris Lee Stewart, Ye Tian, Lifeng Wang, Scott F. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6973921
    Abstract: A fuel pumping system that includes a pump drive is provided. A first pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a first flow of pressurized fuel. A second pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a second flow of pressurized fuel. A first solenoid is operatively connected to the first pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel. A second solenoid is operatively connected to the second pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Lifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20050126545
    Abstract: A fuel pumping system that includes a pump drive is provided. A first pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a first flow of pressurized fuel. A second pumping element is operatively connected to the pump drive and is operable to generate a second flow of pressurized fuel. A first solenoid is operatively connected to the first pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the first flow of pressurized fuel. A second solenoid is operatively connected to the second pumping element and is operable to vary at least one of a fuel pressure and a fuel flow rate of the second flow of pressurized fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Lifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20050098144
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set that are controlled respectively by first and second three way needle control valves. Each fuel injector includes first and second concentric needle valve members. One of the needle valve members moves to an open position for a homogenous charge injection event, while the other needle valve member moves to an open position for a conventional injection event. The fuel injector has the ability to operate in a homogenous charge mode with a homogenous charge spray pattern, a conventional mode with a conventional spray pattern or a mixed mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Chris Stewart, Ye Tian, Lifeng Wang, Scott Shafer