Patents by Inventor Malcolm Blanchard

Malcolm Blanchard 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).

  • Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity across discrete animation changes
    Patent number: 7737977
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity in animation across discrete animation changes. Smooth animation is achieved without forcing the animator to manually calculate compensation values or introducing extra controls to the models that are animated. Continuity or smoothness of the animation is maintained as varying aspects of the animation change under continued authoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Frank Sebastian Grassia, Thomas Hahn, Malcolm Blanchard, Marco Jorge da Silva, Andrew Witkin
  • Pickwalking methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7486295
    Abstract: A method for an animation environment includes displaying a first geometric object on a display, wherein the first geometric object comprises a plurality of geometric components, wherein the plurality of geometric components are coupled according to a geometric hierarchy, wherein the plurality of geometric components includes a first geometric component and a second geometric component, and wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are not adjacent within the geometric hierarchy, receiving a selection signal from a user, selecting the first geometric component in response to the selection signal, receiving a navigation signal from the user, and selecting the second geometric component in response to the navigation signal by traversing an animation hierarchy, wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are adjacent within the animation hierarchy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: Robert Russ, Christopher King, Maxwell O. Drukman, Malcolm Blanchard, Marco Da Silva, Tom Hahn, Karon A. Weber
  • Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity across discrete animation changes
    Publication number: 20050253847
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically maintaining continuity in animation across discrete animation changes. Smooth animation is achieved without forcing the animator to manually calculate compensation values or introducing extra controls to the models that are animated. Continuity or smoothness of the animation is maintained as varying aspects of the animation change under continued authoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: Pixar
    Inventors: Frank Grassia, Thomas Hahn, Malcolm Blanchard, Marco da Silva, Andrew Witkin
  • Pickwalking methods and apparatus
    Publication number: 20050253845
    Abstract: A method for an animation environment includes displaying a first geometric object on a display, wherein the first geometric object comprises a plurality of geometric components, wherein the plurality of geometric components are coupled according to a geometric hierarchy, wherein the plurality of geometric components includes a first geometric component and a second geometric component, and wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are not adjacent within the geometric hierarchy, receiving a selection signal from a user, selecting the first geometric component in response to the selection signal, receiving a navigation signal from the user, and selecting the second geometric component in response to the navigation signal by traversing an animation hierarchy, wherein the first geometric component and the second geometric component are adjacent within the animation hierarchy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicant: Pixar
    Inventors: Robert Russ, Christopher King, Maxwell Drukman, Malcolm Blanchard, Marco da Silva, Tom Hahn, Karon Weber