Patents by Inventor Paul Judkins

Paul Judkins 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: 11544830
    Abstract: A digital image sequence with multiple image frames can be enhanced. An appearance graph can be determined from the digital image sequence. The appearance graph includes prime layer nodes. Each prime layer node can represent a distinctive visual style. A prime layer image sequence can be computed for each prime layer node that matches the visual style represented by the prime layer node. An enhanced image sequence can be generated by blending at least two prime layer image sequences as defined by the appearance graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: IMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Zhang, Samuel Ziheng Zhou, Paul Judkins
  • Publication number: 20210065341
    Abstract: A digital image sequence with multiple image frames can be enhanced. An appearance graph can be determined from the digital image sequence. The appearance graph includes prime layer nodes. Each prime layer node can represent a distinctive visual style. A prime layer image sequence can be computed for each prime layer node that matches the visual style represented by the prime layer node. An enhanced image sequence can be generated by blending at least two prime layer image sequences as defined by the appearance graph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ning Zhang, Samuel Ziheng Zhou, Paul Judkins
  • Patent number: 9282313
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of digitally converting 2D motion pictures or any other 2D image sequences to stereoscopic 3D image data for 3D exhibition. In one embodiment, various types of Image data cues can be collected from 2D source images by various methods and then used for producing two distinct stereoscopic 3D views. Embodiments of the disclosed methods can be implemented within a highly efficient system comprising both software and computing hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: IMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Paul Judkins, Ping Ye
  • Patent number: 8842730
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the exhibition of a motion picture with enhanced perceived resolution and visual quality. The enhancement of perceived resolution is achieved both spatially and temporally. Spatial resolution enhancement creates image details using both temporal-based methods and learning-based methods. Temporal resolution enhancement creates synthesized new image frames that enable a motion picture to be displayed at a higher frame rate. The digitally enhanced motion picture is to be exhibited using a projection system or a display device that supports a higher frame rate and/or a higher display resolution than what is required for the original motion picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: IMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Paul Judkins, Ping Ye
  • Patent number: 8411931
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of digitally converting 2D motion pictures or any other 2D image sequences to stereoscopic 3D image data for 3D exhibition. In one embodiment, various types of image data cues can be collected from 2D source images by various methods and then used for producing two distinct stereoscopic 3D views. Embodiments of the disclosed methods can be implemented within a highly efficient system comprising both software and computing hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: IMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Paul Judkins, Ping Ye
  • Patent number: 7856055
    Abstract: A process and methods of digital enhancement of motion pictures and other moving image sequences for the purpose of being exhibited in an alternative display format including a large format cinema are disclosed. The invention efficiently enhances image resolution and quality through a temporal filtering process and achieves high performance using automated or interactive statistical quality evaluation methods. A system specially designed for efficient temporal computing with a parallel and distributed computing configuration equipped with a variety of optimization schemes is also disclosed. The performance of the process and the system is optimized through an intelligent controller and is scalable to support any throughput requirements demanded for concurrent motion picture releases in the original format as well as in any alternative format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Imax Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Ping Ye, Paul Judkins
  • Publication number: 20100231593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for the exhibition of a motion picture with enhanced perceived resolution and visual quality. The enhancement of perceived resolution is achieved both spatially and temporally. Spatial resolution enhancement creates image details using both temporal-based methods and learning-based methods. Temporal resolution enhancement creates synthesized new image frames that enable a motion picture to be displayed at a higher frame rate. The digitally enhanced motion picture is to be exhibited using a projection system or a display device that supports a higher frame rate and/or a higher display resolution than what is required for the original motion picture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Paul Judkins, Ping Ye
  • Publication number: 20090116732
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of digitally converting 2D motion pictures or any other 2D image sequences to stereoscopic 3D image data for 3D exhibition. In one embodiment, various types of image data cues can be collected from 2D source images by various methods and then used for producing two distinct stereoscopic 3D views. Embodiments of the disclosed methods can be implemented within a highly efficient system comprising both software and computing hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Paul Judkins, Ping Ye
  • Publication number: 20040130680
    Abstract: A process and methods of digital enhancement of motion pictures and other moving image sequences for the purpose of being exhibited in an alternative display format including a large format cinema are disclosed. The invention efficiently enhances image resolution and quality through a temporal filtering process and achieves high performance using automated or interactive statistical quality evaluation methods. A system specially designed for efficient temporal computing with a parallel and distributed computing configuration equipped with a variety of optimization schemes is also disclosed. The performance of the process and the system is optimized through an intelligent controller and is scalable to support any throughput requirements demanded for concurrent motion picture releases in the original format as well as in any alternative format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Samuel Zhou, Ping Ye, Paul Judkins