Patents by Inventor Mark Meyer

Mark Meyer 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: 12288281
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing frame interpolation. The technique includes generating (i) a first set of feature maps based on a first set of rendering features associated with a first key frame, (ii) a second set of feature maps based on a second set of rendering features associated with a second key frame, and (iii) a third set of feature maps based on a third set of rendering features associated with a target frame. The technique also includes applying one or more neural networks to the first, second, and third set of feature maps to generate a set of mappings from a first set of pixels in the first key frame to a second set of pixels in the target frame. The technique further includes generating the target frame based on the set of mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Schroers, Karlis Martins Briedis, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Ian McGonigal, Mark Meyer, Marios Papas, Markus Plack
  • Patent number: 12277662
    Abstract: Techniques for aligning object representations for animation include analyzing a source object representation and a target object representation to identify a category of the source object and a category of the target object. Based on the category or categories of the objects, a feature extraction machine learning models is selected. The source object representation and the target object representation are provided as input to the selected feature extraction machine learning model to generate respective semantic descriptors and shape vectors for the source and target objects. Based on the semantic descriptors and the shape vectors for the source and target objects, an alignment machine learning model generates an aligned target object representation that is aligned with the source object representation and usable for animating the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: PIXAR, DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Hayko Riemenschneider, Clara Fernandez, Joan Massich, Christopher Richard Schroers, Daniel Teece, Rasmus Tamstorf, Charles Tappan, Mark Meyer, Antoine Milliez
  • Patent number: 12169914
    Abstract: A modular architecture is provided for denoising Monte Carlo renderings using neural networks. The temporal approach extracts and combines feature representations from neighboring frames rather than building a temporal context using recurrent connections. A multiscale architecture includes separate single-frame or temporal denoising modules for individual scales, and one or more scale compositor neural networks configured to adaptively blend individual scales. An error-predicting module is configured to produce adaptive sampling maps for a renderer to achieve more uniform residual noise distribution. An asymmetric loss function may be used for training the neural networks, which can provide control over the variance-bias trade-off during denoising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: PIXAR, DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • Publication number: 20240249381
    Abstract: A system includes a processor and a memory storing software code. The processor executes the software code to receive a first rendered image having first color and auxiliary buffers, receive a second rendered image having second color and auxiliary buffers, provide a third auxiliary buffer for an intermediate image to be interpolated, and identify one or more context features from each of the color buffers and the auxiliary buffers. The software code further interpolates, based on the context features, the intermediate image to provide an interpolated image, determines, based on the one or more context features from each of the first, second, and third auxiliary buffers, a rendering mask for producing one or more rendered sub-portions of the intermediate image, partially renders, using the rendering mask, the intermediate image to provide a partially rendered image, and blends the interpolated image and the partially rendered image to provide a composite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Schroers, Karlis Martins Briedis, Mark Meyer, Ian McGonigal, Abdelaziz Djelouah, Raphael Francois Otriz
  • Publication number: 20240144622
    Abstract: Techniques for aligning object representations for animation include analyzing a source object representation and a target object representation to identify a category of the source object and a category of the target object. Based on the category or categories of the objects, a feature extraction machine learning models is selected. The source object representation and the target object representation are provided as input to the selected feature extraction machine learning model to generate respective semantic descriptors and shape vectors for the source and target objects. Based on the semantic descriptors and the shape vectors for the source and target objects, an alignment machine learning model generates an aligned target object representation that is aligned with the source object representation and usable for animating the target object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicants: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Hayko Riemenschneider, Clara Fernandez, Joan Massich, Christopher Richard Schroers, Daniel Teece, Rasmus Tamstorf, Charles Tappan, Mark Meyer, Antoine Milliez
  • Patent number: 11948274
    Abstract: A method performed by a computer is disclosed. The method comprises receiving color data for input pixels of an input image and an input set of features used to render the input image of a three-dimensional animation environment, wherein the input pixels are of a first resolution. The computer may then load into memory a generator of a generative adversarial network including a neural network used to scale the input image, the neural network trained using training data comprising color data of training input images and training output images and a training set of the features used to render the training input images. After the generator is loaded into memory, the computer may generate an output image having a second resolution that is different than the first resolution by passing the color data and the input set of features through the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PIXAR
    Inventors: Vaibhav Vavilala, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11941739
    Abstract: Systems and methods generate a modified three-dimensional mesh representation of an object using a trained neural network. A computer system receives a set of input values for posing an initial mesh defining a surface of a three-dimensional object. The computer system provides the input values to a neural network trained on posed meshes generated using a rigging model to generate mesh offset values based upon the set of input values and the initial mesh. The neural network includes an input layer, an output layer, and a plurality of intermediate layers. The computer system generates, by the output layer of the neural network, a set of offset values corresponding to a set of three-dimensional target points based on the set of input values. The offset values are applied to the initial mesh to generate a posed mesh. The computer system outputs the posed mesh for generating an animation frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: PIXAR
    Inventors: Sarah Radzihovsky, Fernando Ferrari de Goes, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11913417
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft and positioned above the engine block, an outer housing positioned above the engine block and the flywheel, and an electric starting system. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device positioned above the flywheel and below the outer housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor. When the electric starting system is configured to rotate the crankshaft to start the engine when the electric starting system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Procknow, Mark Meyer
  • Publication number: 20230184203
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis, a flywheel coupled to the crankshaft and positioned above the engine block, an outer housing positioned above the engine block and the flywheel, and an electric starting system. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device positioned above the flywheel and below the outer housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor. When the electric starting system is configured to rotate the crankshaft to start the engine when the electric starting system is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Procknow, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11639681
    Abstract: An engine including an engine block having a cylinder defining a front of the engine, a blower housing coupled to the engine block and defining a hot half positioned adjacent the front of the engine and a cool half opposite the hot half, and an electric starter system positioned within the blower housing. The electric starting system includes a starter mount assembly coupled to the blower housing, an electric starter motor retained by the starter mount assembly and positioned in the cool half, and a battery mounted to the blower housing and positioned in the cool half. The battery is electrically coupled to the electric starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyer, David W. Procknow, James Michael Busse
  • Publication number: 20230083929
    Abstract: A modular architecture is provided for denoising Monte Carlo renderings using neural networks. The temporal approach extracts and combines feature representations from neighboring frames rather than building a temporal context using recurrent connections. A multiscale architecture includes separate single-frame or temporal denoising modules for individual scales, and one or more scale compositor neural networks configured to adaptively blend individual scales. An error-predicting module is configured to produce adaptive sampling maps for a renderer to achieve more uniform residual noise distribution. An asymmetric loss function may be used for training the neural networks, which can provide control over the variance-bias trade-off during denoising.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicants: Pixar, Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • Patent number: 11578689
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a blower housing configured to direct cooling air to the engine block, an electric starting system, and a crankshaft configured to rotate about a crankshaft axis. The electric starting system includes an electric motor and an energy storage device located within the blower housing. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the electric motor to power the electric motor, and is positioned above the crankshaft. When the starter motor is activated, the electric starting system rotates the crankshaft to rotate the engine for starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Procknow, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11532073
    Abstract: A modular architecture is provided for denoising Monte Carlo renderings using neural networks. The temporal approach extracts and combines feature representations from neighboring frames rather than building a temporal context using recurrent connections. A multiscale architecture includes separate single-frame or temporal denoising modules for individual scales, and one or more scale compositor neural networks configured to adaptively blend individual scales. An error-predicting module is configured to produce adaptive sampling maps for a renderer to achieve more uniform residual noise distribution. An asymmetric loss function may be used for training the neural networks, which can provide control over the variance-bias trade-off during denoising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: Pixar, Disnev Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thijs Vogels, Fabrice Rousselle, Jan Novak, Brian McWilliams, Mark Meyer, Alex Harvill
  • Publication number: 20220381176
    Abstract: An engine including an engine block having a cylinder defining a front of the engine, a blower housing coupled to the engine block and defining a hot half positioned adjacent the front of the engine and a cool half opposite the hot half, and an electric starter system positioned within the blower housing. The electric starting system includes a starter mount assembly coupled to the blower housing, an electric starter motor retained by the starter mount assembly and positioned in the cool half, and a battery mounted to the blower housing and positioned in the cool half. The battery is electrically coupled to the electric starter motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyer, David W. Procknow, James Michael Busse
  • Publication number: 20220383573
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for performing frame interpolation. The technique includes generating (i) a first set of feature maps based on a first set of rendering features associated with a first key frame, (ii) a second set of feature maps based on a second set of rendering features associated with a second key frame, and (iii) a third set of feature maps based on a third set of rendering features associated with a target frame. The technique also includes applying one or more neural networks to the first, second, and third set of feature maps to generate a set of mappings from a first set of pixels in the first key frame to a second set of pixels in the target frame. The technique further includes generating the target frame based on the set of mappings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Richard SCHROERS, Karlis Martins BRIEDIS, Abdelaziz DJELOUAH, Ian MCGONIGAL, Mark MEYER, Marios PAPAS, Markus PLACK
  • Publication number: 20220330498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for treating irrigation water by introducing a propagating electromagnetic field into the irrigation water as it flows through an irrigation system. The treatments described herein may have a variety of beneficial effects when applied to hydrophobic soils, including a significant increase in the percentage of the water that is maintained in the root zone of a given crop as plant-available water and the essential mineral, e.g. calcium and/or magnesium, uptake of that crop. The treatments described herein may also have beneficial effects when applied to hydrophilic soils, and particularly high salinity, hydrophilic soils, including a reduction in the soil salinity, including the amount of chlorates, within a root zone of a crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Meyer, George Rihovsky
  • Publication number: 20220273921
    Abstract: A method of self-administration of growth factors, polypeptides and other therapeutic agents, derived from pluripotent stem cells, via a non-invasive application, and formulated and offered as a kit for reduced cost, improved storage, increased ease, and increased convenience of practitioner, partner, care assistant, or end-user administration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph Tracy, Majara Belisle, Mark Meyer
  • Patent number: 11408326
    Abstract: An engine including an engine block having a cylinder defining a front of the engine, a blower housing coupled to the engine block and defining a hot half and a cool half opposite the front half, a starter mount assembly coupled to the blower housing and positioned within the cool half, an electric starter motor retained by the starter mount assembly, and a battery mounted to the blower housing and positioned in the cool half. The battery is electrically coupled to the electric starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Meyer, David W. Procknow, James Michael Busse
  • Patent number: D964522
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Bradley Fixtures Corporation
    Inventors: Darnell Wesson, Will Haas, Mark Meyer, Laura Stang, James A. Wollmer, Douglas Carpiaux, Emily Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: D1027130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Bradley Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darnell Wesson, Will Haas, Mark Meyer, Laura Stang, James A. Wollmer, Douglas Carpiaux, Emily Schoenfelder