Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Umetani

Nobuyuki Umetani 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).

  • Publication number: 20230005204
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 11461950
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 11449649
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani, Jos Stam
  • Publication number: 20210134043
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 10916047
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Publication number: 20200364388
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for simulating a three-dimensional fluid flow. A parameterization application parameterizes a first representation of a design object to compute a first polycube representation. The parameterization application computes a first distortion grid based on the first polycube representation. A machine learning application computes, via a first neural network, a surface pressure model based on the first polycube representation. The machine learning application computes, via a second neural network, a velocity field model based on the first polycube representation and the first distortion grid. The machine learning application generates a visualization of the surface pressure model and the velocity field model for display on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Nobuyuki UMETANI
  • Patent number: 10759118
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani
  • Patent number: 10740509
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for simulating a three-dimensional fluid flow. A parameterization application parameterizes a first representation of a design object to compute a first polycube representation. The parameterization application computes a first distortion grid based on the first polycube representation. A machine learning application computes, via a first neural network, a surface pressure model based on the first polycube representation. The machine learning application computes, via a second neural network, a velocity field model based on the first polycube representation and the first distortion grid. The machine learning application generates a visualization of the surface pressure model and the velocity field model for display on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Umetani
  • Publication number: 20200151935
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 10607387
    Abstract: An animation engine is configured to apply motion amplifiers to sketches received from an end-user in order to create exaggerated, cartoon-style animation. The animation engine receives a sketch input from the end-user as well as a selection of one or more motion amplifiers. The animation engine also receives one or more control sketches that indicate how the selected motion amplifiers are applied to the sketch input. The animation engine projects the sketch input onto a sketch grid to create a sketch element, and then animates the sketch element by deforming the underlying sketch grid based on the control sketches. The animation engine then interpolates the sketch input, based on the deformations of the sketch grid, to animate the sketch. In this manner, the animation engine exposes an intuitive set of tools that allows end-users to easily apply the well-known Principles of Animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Rubiait Habib, Tovi Grossman, Nobuyuki Umetani, George Fitzmaurice
  • Patent number: 10573049
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 10434715
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a stress analysis engine efficiently computes stresses for an arbitrarily shaped three-dimension (3D) model. In operation, the stress analysis engine slices the 3D model into layers of cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then groups the cross-sections into virtual cross-sections. For each virtual cross-section, the stress analysis engine applies bending moment equilibrium-based equations to determine a corresponding structural stress for the 3D model. The efficiency of this stress analysis process enables real-time feedback of stresses to an interactive design tool that facilitates a trial-and-error design process. Using this trial-and-error process reduces the guesswork and/or over-engineering associated with conventional approaches based on finite element methods that are typically too slow for interactive feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Umetani, Ryan Michael Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190283328
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani
  • Patent number: 10403020
    Abstract: An animation engine is configured to apply motion amplifiers to sketches received from an end-user in order to create exaggerated, cartoon-style animation. The animation engine receives a sketch input from the end-user as well as a selection of one or more motion amplifiers. The animation engine also receives one or more control sketches that indicate how the selected motion amplifiers are applied to the sketch input. The animation engine projects the sketch input onto a sketch grid to create a sketch element, and then animates the sketch element by deforming the underlying sketch grid based on the control sketches. The animation engine then interpolates the sketch input, based on the deformations of the sketch grid, to animate the sketch. In this manner, the animation engine exposes an intuitive set of tools that allows end-users to easily apply the well-known Principles of Animation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Rubiait Habib, Tovi Grossman, Nobuyuki Umetani, George Fitzmaurice
  • Publication number: 20190155974
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani, Jos Stam
  • Patent number: 10239258
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a print orientation tool efficiently determines an orientation of a three-dimensional (3D) model such that, when 3D printed, the structural integrity of the resulting 3D object is optimized. In operation, the print orientation tool configures a stress analysis engine to slice the 3D model into two-dimensional (2D) cross-sections. The stress analysis engine then compute structural stresses associated with the 2D cross-sections. The print orientation tool translates the structural stresses to weakness metrics. Subsequently, the print orientation tool evaluates the orientations of the cross-sections in conjunction with the corresponding weakness metrics to select a printing orientation that minimizes weaknesses in the 3D model. Advantageously, by aligning the 3D model to the print bed based on the optimized printing orientation, the user mitigates weaknesses in the corresponding 3D object attributable to the 3D printing manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani
  • Publication number: 20190050506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide techniques for simulating a three-dimensional fluid flow. A parameterization application parameterizes a first representation of a design object to compute a first polycube representation. The parameterization application computes a first distortion grid based on the first polycube representation. A machine learning application computes, via a first neural network, a surface pressure model based on the first polycube representation. The machine learning application computes, via a second neural network, a velocity field model based on the first polycube representation and the first distortion grid. The machine learning application generates a visualization of the surface pressure model and the velocity field model for display on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: Nobuyuki UMETANI
  • Patent number: 10185789
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a position-based dynamics (PBD) framework provides realistic modeling and simulation for elastic rods. In particular, the twisting and bending physics of elastic rods is incorporated into the PBD framework. In operation, an elastic rod model generator represents the center line of an elastic rod as a polyline of points connected via edges. For each edge, the elastic rod model generator adds a ghost point to define the orientation of a material frame that encodes the twist of the edge. Subsequently, a PBD simulator solves for positions of both points and ghost points that, together, represent the evolving position and torsion of the elastic rod. Advantageously, the ghost points enable more realistic animation of deformable objects (e.g., curly hair) than conventional PBD frameworks. Further, unlike force based methods, elastic rod simulation in the PBD framework performs acceptably in environments where speed is critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Schmidt, Nobuyuki Umetani, Jos Stam
  • Publication number: 20180158226
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren
  • Patent number: 9928634
    Abstract: An intuitive interface may allow users of a computing device (e.g., children, etc.) to create imaginary three dimensional (3D) objects of any shape using body gestures performed by the users as a primary or only input. A user may make motions while in front of an imaging device that senses movement of the user. The interface may allow first-person and/or third person interaction during creation of objects, which may map a body of a user to a body of an object presented by a display. In an example process, the user may start by scanning an arbitrary body gesture into an initial shape of an object. Next, the user may perform various gestures using his body, which may result in various edits to the object. After the object is completed, the object may be animated, possibly based on movements of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Yang Liu, Teng Han, Takaaki Shiratori, Nobuyuki Umetani, Yupeng Zhang, Xin Tong, Zhimin Ren