Patents by Inventor Michael J. Surma

Michael J. Surma 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: 11039119
    Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a depth and position detection device. The digital camera is configured to capture a digital image of a subject. The depth and position detection device scans the subject and determines three-dimensional locations of the subject and any other objects within the field of view. The depth and position detection device also determines locations of body points of the subject. The depth and position information can then be mapped to the digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Surma, Jolinda K. Conzemius
  • Patent number: 10573045
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Shutterfly, LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Publication number: 20200029064
    Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a depth and position detection device. The digital camera is configured to capture a digital image of a subject. The depth and position detection device scans the subject and determines three-dimensional locations of the subject and any other objects within the field of view. The depth and position detection device also determines locations of body points of the subject. The depth and position information can then be mapped to the digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Surma, Jolinda K. Conzemius
  • Patent number: 10477184
    Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a depth and position detection device. The digital camera is configured to capture a digital image of a subject. The depth and position detection device scans the subject and determines three-dimensional locations of the subject and any other objects within the field of view. The depth and position detection device also determines locations of body points of the subject. The depth and position information can then be mapped to the digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Lifetouch Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Surma, Jolinda K. Conzemius
  • Publication number: 20180276867
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Patent number: 10013784
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lifetouch Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Publication number: 20160012623
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Patent number: 9025906
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lifetouch Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Publication number: 20140169696
    Abstract: An assembled group image is generated from subject images. Each of the subject images is associated with height data for the subject in the image. The height data is used to position the subject images in the assembled group image to provide a natural appearance. Shadows can also be added to the assembled group image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: LIFETOUCH INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Breckenridge, Eric J. Runquist, Michael J. Surma, Earl John Adolphi
  • Publication number: 20130265396
    Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a depth and position detection device. The digital camera is configured to capture a digital image of a subject. The depth and position detection device scans the subject and determines three-dimensional locations of the subject and any other objects within the field of view. The depth and position detection device also determines locations of body points of the subject. The depth and position information can then be mapped to the digital image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Michael J. Surma, Jolinda K. Conzemius
  • Patent number: 7406256
    Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: Earl J. Adolphi, Michael J. Surma, Gerald A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7177537
    Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetouch, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl J. Adolphi, Michael J. Surma, Gerald A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5717454
    Abstract: To facilitate creating professional poses for a person to be photographed, a posing mask generating system is provided including a microprocessor having a video graphics board therein. The microprocessor also has a memory and a data input and output device. A video camera is interfaced with the video graphics board so that a video image of a model to be photographed can be viewed on a display terminal. Using the data input device, a professional photographer, experienced in posing subjects, enters graphics information into the system which is then overlaid with the video image and appropriately positioned to define a mask or template defining the location for prominent features of the subject within the frame of reference. This is repeated for a number of possible poses, with the graphics information being stored in the memory of the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lifetouch Portrait Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl John Adolphi, Michael T. Breckenridge, Michael J. Surma
  • Patent number: 5434958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a video image of a subsequent photographic print having a posed subject and a selected special effects modification added to it. Included are a computer having a data input device, a data storage device preferably housing a plurality of special effects, a data recall device, a video image capture device, and a video display device. The video image capture device provides a video image of a posed subject on the video display device, while the data recall device provides a special effect from the data storage device. Both the posed subject and the special effect are simultaneously displayed on the video display device to thereby create a combination display of the special effect and the posed subject. Examples of special effects which can be stored for recall include vignetting, burnt corners, a blend for double exposure, soft focus, captions and graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Lifetouch Portrait Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Surma, Earl J. Adolphi, Larry G. Peterson