Patents by Inventor Markus Gross

Markus Gross 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: 9478345
    Abstract: A converter unit includes: a housing with a moulded-on hollow cylinder that extends into the housing; a non-magnetic toroidal core supporting a first secondary winding, contacting the housing bottom concentrically with the hollow cylinder and is embedded in a solid compound; a magnetic toroidal core supporting a second secondary winding, arranged concentrically with the hollow cylinder above the non-magnetic toroidal coil; and a casting compound with which the housing opening is closed. To achieve a compact converter unit, a first planar spacing element is arranged between the first and the second secondary windings, directly contacting the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding. In addition, electrically insulating particles fill out the space between the second secondary winding and the housing wall, and the casting compound extends at least up to the particles, which lie at the top towards the housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Walter Fischer, Markus Gross, Volker Muhrer
  • Publication number: 20160261838
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a projection system with increased spatial resolution. The projection system includes one or more light sources, a spatial light modulator configured to reflect light received from the one or more light sources to generate a plurality of sub-images of a composite image, and an optical system configured to reflect each of the plurality of sub-images the sub-images at a different portion of a projection surface. By projecting the single composite image using a plurality of sub-images projected at different times and/or locations from one another, the composite full image has a higher resolution as compared to the resolution defined by the hardware of the spatial light modulator and light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Nicola Ranieri, Markus Gross, Quinn Yorklun Jen Smithwick, Hagen Friedrich Seifert
  • Publication number: 20160246891
    Abstract: A system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of tools and a processor configured to use the plurality of tools. The processor uses the plurality of tools to retrieve historical information relating to a storyline, retrieve user information relating to user interactions with the storyline, provide the historical information and the user information for incorporating into the content, and generate the content using the historical information and the user information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Accardo, Mark Arana, Markus Gross, Chris Thomes
  • Patent number: 9424650
    Abstract: To generate a pixel-accurate depth map, data from a range-estimation sensor (e.g., a time-of flight sensor) is combined with data from multiple cameras to produce a high-quality depth measurement for pixels in an image. To do so, a depth measurement system may use a plurality of cameras mounted on a support structure to perform a depth hypothesis technique to generate a first depth-support value. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a range-estimation sensor which generates a second depth-support value. In addition, the system may project a 3D point onto the auxiliary cameras and compare the color of the associated pixel in the auxiliary camera with the color of the pixel in reference camera to generate a third depth-support value. The system may combine these support values for each pixel in an image to determine respective depth values. Using these values, the system may generate a depth map for the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jereon van Baar, Paul A. Beardsley, Marc Pollefeys, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20160209740
    Abstract: A system for augmenting the appearance of an object including a plurality of projectors. Each projector includes a light source and a lens in optical communication with the light source, where the lens focuses light emitted by the light source on the object. The system also includes a computer in communication with the plurality of projectors, the computer including a memory component and a processing element in communication with the memory component and the plurality of projectors. The processing element determines a plurality of images to create an augmented appearance of the object and provides the plurality of images to the plurality of projectors to project light corresponding to the plurality of images onto the object to create the augmented appearance of the object. After the images are projected onto the object, the augmented appearance of the objected is substantially the same regardless of a viewing angle for the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Anselm Grundhofer, Amit Bermano, Bernd Bickel, Philipp Bruschweiler, Markus Gross, Daisuke Iwai
  • Patent number: 9378543
    Abstract: Approaches are described for tone-mapping an image frame in a sequence of image frames. A tone-mapping pipeline applies a spatiotemporal filter to each pixel of the image frame, based on a forward optical flow and a backward optical flow, to produce a base layer image. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a temporal filter to each pixel of the image frame, based on the forward and backward optical flows, to produce a temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a tone curve to the base and detail layer images to produce a tone-mapped base and detail layer image, respectively, and combines the tone-mapped base and detail layer images to produce a tone-mapped image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eldgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Simone Croci, Aljosa Aleksej Andrej Smolic, Nikolce Stefanoski, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 9361679
    Abstract: Approaches are described for filtering a first image frame in a sequence of image frames. A tone-mapping pipeline applies a spatiotemporal filter to each pixel of the first image frame, based on a forward optical flow and a backward optical flow, to produce a base layer image. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a temporal filter to each pixel of the first image frame, based on the forward optical flow and the backward optical flow, to produce a temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Simone Croci, Aljosa Aleksej Andrej Smolic, Nikolce Stefanoski, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20160140747
    Abstract: There are provided an interactive design system and method for character crafting. An example system includes a memory storing a machine software application and a processor configured to execute the machine software application to receive a plurality of components for a character, the plurality of components including at least a first component and a second component, receive a movement for the character, the movement including a first pose for the character and a second pose for the character, calculate a linkage for the first component and the second component based on the movement, and generate an updated character by connecting the second component to the first component using the linkage. The linkage may include at least one of a connector, a trimmer, and a propagation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Bernhard Thomaszewski, Vittorio Megaro, Markus Gross, Stelian Coros
  • Publication number: 20160132036
    Abstract: An automated machine wherein messages exchanged between components of the machine are forwarded to at least one component at a first time point that temporarily stores them and from that component to a central unit at a second time point is disclosed. Said first time point preceding said second time point within the framework of a cycle time of the automated machine. The time points are determined relative to that cycle time and provided to respective components in conjunction with a startup of the automated machine. The component temporarily storing messages forwards them in the manner of a layer-3 switch. This message forwarding is driven by the respective time points, rather than event-driven, can operate seamlessly in existing systems wherein communications are time-slot controlled, and decouples the components so that real-time communications within the machine can be optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: BERND DOTTERWEICH, MARKUS GROSS, OSWALD KASDORF, MICHAEL VON DER BANK
  • Patent number: 9330434
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for content-aware video retargeting. An interactive framework combines key frame-based constraint editing with numerous automatic algorithms for video analysis. This combination gives content producers a high level of control of the retargeting process. One component of the framework is a non-uniform, pixel-accurate warp to the target resolution that considers automatic as well as interactively-defined features. Automatic features comprise video saliency, edge preservation at the pixel resolution, and scene cut detection to enforce bilateral temporal coherence. Additional high level constraints can be added by the producer to achieve a consistent scene composition across arbitrary output formats. Advantageously, embodiments of the invention provide a better visual result for retargeted video when compared to using conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Markus Gross, Alexander Hornung, Manuel Lang, Philipp Kraehenbuehl
  • Publication number: 20160118175
    Abstract: A converter unit includes: a housing with a moulded-on hollow cylinder that extends into the housing; a non-magnetic toroidal core supporting a first secondary winding, contacting the housing bottom concentrically with the hollow cylinder and is embedded in a solid compound; a magnetic toroidal core supporting a second secondary winding, arranged concentrically with the hollow cylinder above the non-magnetic toroidal coil; and a casting compound with which the housing opening is closed. To achieve a compact converter unit, a first planar spacing element is arranged between the first and the second secondary windings, directly contacting the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding. In addition, electrically insulating particles fill out the space between the second secondary winding and the housing wall, and the casting compound extends at least up to the particles, which lie at the top towards the housing opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Walter FISCHER, Markus GROSS, Volker MUHRER
  • Publication number: 20160093084
    Abstract: A method of animation of surface deformation and wrinkling, such as on clothing, uses low-dimensional linear subspaces with temporally adapted bases to reduce computation. Full space simulation training data is used to construct a pool of low-dimensional bases across a pose space. For simulation, sets of basis vectors are selected based on the current pose of the character and the state of its clothing, using an adaptive scheme. Modifying the surface configuration comprises solving reduced system matrices with respect to the subspace of the adapted basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: PIXAR
    Inventors: ROBERT SUMNER, FABIAN HAHN, BERNHARD THOMASZEWSKI, STELIAN COROS, FORRESTER COLE, MARK MEYER, ANTHONY DEROSE, MARKUS GROSS
  • Patent number: 9300901
    Abstract: A system for augmenting the appearance of an object including a plurality of projectors. Each projector includes a light source and a lens in optical communication with the light source, where the lens focuses light emitted by the light source on the object. The system also includes a computer in communication with the plurality of projectors, the computer including a memory component and a processing element in communication with the memory component and the plurality of projectors. The processing element determines a plurality of images to create an augmented appearance of the object and provides the plurality of images to the plurality of projectors to project light corresponding to the plurality of images onto the object to create the augmented appearance of the object. After the images are projected onto the object, the augmented appearance of the objected is substantially the same regardless of a viewing angle for the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Anselm Grundhofer, Amit Bermano, Bernd Bickel, Philipp Bruschweiler, Markus Gross, Daisuke Iwai
  • Publication number: 20160027161
    Abstract: Approaches are described for filtering a first image frame in a sequence of image frames. A tone-mapping pipeline applies a spatiotemporal filter to each pixel of the first image frame, based on a forward optical flow and a backward optical flow, to produce a base layer image. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a temporal filter to each pixel of the first image frame, based on the forward optical flow and the backward optical flow, to produce a temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Simone Croci, Aijosa Aleksej Andrej Smolic, Nikolce Stefanoski, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20160027160
    Abstract: Approaches are described for tone-mapping an image frame in a sequence of image frames. A tone-mapping pipeline applies a spatiotemporal filter to each pixel of the image frame, based on a forward optical flow and a backward optical flow, to produce a base layer image. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a temporal filter to each pixel of the image frame, based on the forward and backward optical flows, to produce a temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline produces a detail layer image based on the base layer image and the temporally filtered frame. The tone-mapping pipeline applies a tone curve to the base and detail layer images to produce a tone-mapped base and detail layer image, respectively, and combines the tone-mapped base and detail layer images to produce a tone-mapped image frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Tunc Ozan Aydin, Simone Croci, Aljosa Aleksej Andrej Smolic, Nikolce Stefanoski, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 9237331
    Abstract: A closed-loop control system for stereoscopic video capture is provided. At least two motorized lenses are positioned in accordance with specified parameters to capture spatially-disparate images of a scene. The motorized lenses focus light on a corresponding one of the at least two sensors, which generate image streams. One or more processors execute instructions to provide a stream analyzer and a control module. The stream analyzer receives the image streams from the sensors and analyzes the image streams and the specified parameters in real time; the stream analyzer then modifies the image streams and generates metadata. The control module then receives and analyzes the image streams and metadata and transmits updated parameters to a control mechanism that is coupled to the at least two motorized lenses. The control mechanism then modifies operation of the at least two motorized lenses in real time in accordance with the updated parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Simon Heinzle, Pierre Greisen, Aljoscha Smolic, Wojciech Matusik, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20150332096
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for an interactive synchronization of multiple videos. An example system includes a memory storing a first video and a second video, the first video including first video clips and the second video including second video clips. The system further includes a processor configured to calculate a histogram based on a number of features that are similar between the first video clips and the second video clips, generate a cost matrix based on the histogram, generate a first graph that includes first nodes based on the cost matrix, compute a path through the graph using the nodes, and align the first video with the second video using the path, where the path corresponds to playback speeds for the first video and the second video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Oliver Wang, Christopher Schroers, Henning Zimmer, Alexander Sorkine Hornung, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20150317451
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for physical face cloning to generate a synthetic skin. Rather than attempt to reproduce the mechanical properties of biological tissue, an output-oriented approach is utilized that models the synthetic skin as an elastic material with isotropic and homogeneous properties (e.g., silicone rubber). The method includes capturing a plurality of expressive poses from a human subject and generating a computational model based on one or more material parameters of a material. In one embodiment, the computational model is a compressible neo-Hookean material model configured to simulate deformation behavior of the synthetic skin. The method further includes optimizing a shape geometry of the synthetic skin based on the computational model and the captured expressive poses. An optimization process is provided that varies the thickness of the synthetic skin based on a minimization of an elastic energy with respect to rest state positions of the synthetic skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Bernd BICKEL, Peter KAUFMAN, Bernhard THOMASZEWSKI, Derek Edward BRADLEY, Philip John JACKSON, Stephen R. MARSCHNER, Wojciech MATSUIK, Markus GROSS, Thabo Dominik BEELER
  • Publication number: 20150319423
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating stereoscopic content with granular control over binocular disparity based on multi-perspective imaging from representations of light fields are provided. The stereoscopic content is computed as piecewise continuous cuts through a representation of a light field, minimizing an energy reflecting prescribed parameters such as depth budget, maximum binocular disparity gradient, desired stereoscopic baseline. The methods and systems may be used for efficient and flexible stereoscopic post-processing, such as reducing excessive binocular disparity while preserving perceived depth or retargeting of already captured scenes to various view settings. Moreover, such methods and systems are highly useful for content creation in the context of multi-view autostereoscopic displays and provide a novel conceptual approach to stereoscopic image processing and post-production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: CHANGIL KIM, ALEXANDER HORNUNG, SIMON HEINZLE, WOJCIECH MATUSIK, MARKUS GROSS
  • Patent number: 9179134
    Abstract: A multi-planar plenoptic display assembly with multiple spatially-varying light emitting and modulating planes. The display assembly includes at least one light emitting device and may include a modulating device used in conjunction according to display methods taught herein to display light field data. A display assembly controller may be used to render a light field with depth into a multi-planar plenoptic display assembly by assigning decomposed portions of the light field to the display assembly for display or presentation by differing ones of the emitting elements and by operating a modulating device to provide a parallax barrier. In one embodiment, a projector is used with bi-state screens. In another embodiment, two automultiscopic displays (either parallax barrier or lenticular lenses) are overlaid with a beam splitter. In a further embodiment, an oscillating mirror is used to temporally and optically move one automultiscopic layer (either parallax barrier or lenses) through space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Nicola V. Ranieri, Simon Heinzle, Quinn Smithwick, Markus Gross, Wojciech Matusik, Lanny Smoot, Daniel Reetz