Patents by Inventor Michael S. Fenton
Michael S. Fenton 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).
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Patent number: 11513231Abstract: The technology described herein recalibrates a structured light sensor in the field using time-of-flight sensor data. Structured light sensors are sensitive to mechanical changes that result in decreased accuracy. A structured light system calculates the range to an object by comparing a reference image to the actual image of the scene. The reference image is what the projected light pattern would look like on a flat object at a known distance. When the projected image changes, the reference image no longer matches the projected pattern. The calibration technology described herein captures a new reference image based on the current sensor characteristics using a time-of-flight capable sensor as the structured light imaging sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Michael S. Fenton, John Peter Godbaz
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Publication number: 20200319322Abstract: The technology described herein recalibrates a structured light sensor in the field using time-of-flight sensor data. Structured light sensors are sensitive to mechanical changes that result in decreased accuracy. A structured light system calculates the range to an object by comparing a reference image to the actual image of the scene. The reference image is what the projected light pattern would look like on a flat object at a known distance. When the projected image changes, the reference image no longer matches the projected pattern. The calibration technology described herein captures a new reference image based on the current sensor characteristics using a time-of-flight capable sensor as the structured light imaging sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Michael S. FENTON, John Peter GODBAZ
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Patent number: 10663567Abstract: The technology described herein recalibrates a structured light sensor in the field using time-of-flight sensor data. Structured light sensors are sensitive to mechanical changes that result in decreased accuracy. A structured light system calculates the range to an object by comparing a reference image to the actual image of the scene. The reference image is what the projected light pattern would look like on a flat object at a known distance. When the projected image changes, the reference image no longer matches the projected pattern. The calibration technology described herein captures a new reference image based on the current sensor characteristics using a time-of-flight capable sensor as the structured light imaging sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael S. Fenton, John Peter Godbaz
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Patent number: 10613228Abstract: The technology described herein is a depth camera that uses structured light and modulated light to produce a depth image. The modulated and structured light allows a time-of-flight depth to be calculated for each unit (e.g., a single dot) of the reflected structured light image captured by the depth camera's image sensor. The time-of-flight depth can be used to accurately identify each unit of the reflected structured light image. Once each unit of the reflected structured light image is identified, a structured light triangulation algorithm can be used to calculate a depth for each unit of the reflected structured light image. The present technology also allows a confidence score to be generated for the assigned depths within the depth image by comparing the structured light depth for each unit to the TOF depth for each unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Microsoft Techology Licensing, LLCInventors: Michael S. Fenton, John P. Godbaz
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Publication number: 20190339369Abstract: The technology described herein recalibrates a structured light sensor in the field using time-of-flight sensor data. Structured light sensors are sensitive to mechanical changes that result in decreased accuracy. A structured light system calculates the range to an object by comparing a reference image to the actual image of the scene. The reference image is what the projected light pattern would look like on a flat object at a known distance. When the projected image changes, the reference image no longer matches the projected pattern. The calibration technology described herein captures a new reference image based on the current sensor characteristics using a time-of-flight capable sensor as the structured light imaging sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Michael S. FENTON, John Peter GODBAZ
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Patent number: 10412280Abstract: A camera includes a sensor array including a plurality of individually addressable sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements responsive to incident light over a broad wavelength band. Covering the sensor array is a light valve switchable electronically between closed and open states. The light valve is configured to, in the closed state, block light of a stopband and transmit light outside the stopband, and, in the open state, transmit the light of the stopband. An electronic controller of the camera is configured to switch the light valve from the closed to the open state and, synchronously with switching the light valve, address the sensor elements of the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLCInventors: Onur Can Akkaya, Cyrus Bamji, Arrigo Benedetti, Michael S. Fenton, Jayachandra Gullapalli
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Patent number: 10241958Abstract: A system includes operational circuit blocks associated with configurable counter circuits. A configurable counter circuit is configured to control event signal when counting expires and includes a mode input configured to receive a setting of a programmable control event asynchronous mode and a programmable control event synchronous mode. Depending on the programmed mode and whether a control event has occurred in a previous synchronization period, the configurable counter circuit processes an associated operation responsive to issuance of a synchronization instruction or to issuance of a subsequent control event.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Avdhesh Chhodavdia, Michael S. Fenton, Sheethal Somesh Nayak
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Publication number: 20190079192Abstract: The technology described herein is a depth camera that uses structured light and modulated light to produce a depth image. The modulated and structured light allows a time-of-flight depth to be calculated for each unit (e.g., a single dot) of the reflected structured light image captured by the depth camera's image sensor. The time-of-flight depth can be used to accurately identify each unit of the reflected structured light image. Once each unit of the reflected structured light image is identified, a structured light triangulation algorithm can be used to calculate a depth for each unit of the reflected structured light image. The present technology also allows a confidence score to be generated for the assigned depths within the depth image by comparing the structured light depth for each unit to the TOF depth for each unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: MICHAEL S. FENTON, JOHN P. GODBAZ
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Publication number: 20170230551Abstract: A camera includes a sensor array including a plurality of individually addressable sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements responsive to incident light over a broad wavelength band. Covering the sensor array is a light valve switchable electronically between closed and open states. The light valve is configured to, in the closed state, block light of a stopband and transmit light outside the stopband, and, in the open state, transmit the light of the stopband. An electronic controller of the camera is configured to switch the light valve from the closed to the open state and, synchronously with switching the light valve, address the sensor elements of the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Onur Can Akkaya, Cyrus Bamji, Arrigo Benedetti, Michael S. Fenton, Jayachandra Gullapalli
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Publication number: 20160062945Abstract: A system includes operational circuit blocks associated with configurable counter circuits. A configurable counter circuit is configured to control event signal when counting expires and includes a mode input configured to receive a setting of a programmable control event asynchronous mode and a programmable control event synchronous mode. Depending on the programmed mode and whether a control event has occurred in a previous synchronization period, the configurable counter circuit processes an associated operation responsive to issuance of a synchronization instruction or to issuance of a subsequent control event.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Avdhesh Chhodavdia, Michael S. Fenton, Sheethal Somesh Nayak
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Patent number: 9106216Abstract: An electronic device includes a configurable pulse generator configured to generate a programmable master pulse train. One or more functional circuits of the electronic device includes a programming interface to receive one or more a programmable slave pulse parameters for the one or more functional circuits. The programmable slave pulse parameters are dependent upon the programmable master pulse train. A slave pulse generator generates a slave pulse for one of the functional circuits based on the one or more programmable slave pulse parameters corresponding to the functional circuits relative to the programmable master pulse train.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLCInventors: Avdhesh Chhodavdia, Michael S. Fenton, Sheethal Somesh Nayak