Patents by Inventor Peter M. Hillman

Peter M. Hillman 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: 11501468
    Abstract: An image dataset is compressed by combining depth values from pixel depth arrays, wherein combining criteria are based on object data and/or depth variations of depth values in the first pixel image value array and generating a modified image dataset wherein a first pixel image value array represented in a received image dataset by the first number of image value array samples is in turn represented in the modified image dataset by a second number of compressed image value array samples with the second number being less than or equal to the first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventor: Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11503224
    Abstract: The processor obtains a third pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. The processor determines a desired pixel value range that exceeds the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a threshold between the third pixel value of the display and the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a function mapping the desired pixel value range to a range between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor applies the first function to an input image prior to displaying the input image on the display. The display presents the image. Upon recording the presented image, the processor determines a region within the recorded image having a pixel value between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor increases dynamic range of the recorded image by applying an inverse of the function to the pixel value of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11488348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for generating a virtual scene rendering usable in a captured scene based on a camera position of a camera in a stage environment, a mapping of a plurality of subregions of a virtual scene display in the stage environment to corresponding positions in the stage environment, and details of a virtual scene element. The details might include a subregion of the plurality of subregions for the virtual scene element where on the virtual scene display the given virtual scene element would, at least in part, appear, and stage subregion depth values. A blur factor for a corresponding subregion might be determined based at least in part on the stage subregion depth value and the virtual subregion depth value. Rendering the virtual scene might take into account the blur factor for the given virtual scene element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Kimball D. Thurston, III, Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Millicent Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11490034
    Abstract: The disclosed system and method can increase resolution of a display in postprocessing. The processor can obtain multiple images presented on a display, where the display is configured to present the multiple images at a first frame rate higher than a frame rate needed to form a perception of motion. The processor can obtain a mask corresponding to one or more images among the multiple images, where the mask indicates a portion of the one or more images among the multiple images to include in an output image. The processor can increase resolution of the display in proportion to the number of multiple images presented to the display by combining, based on the mask, the one or more images among the multiple images to obtain the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz, Carter Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11468546
    Abstract: A processor performing postprocessing obtains an input image containing both bright and dark regions. The processor obtains a threshold between a first pixel value of the virtual production display and a second pixel value of the virtual production display. The processor modifies the region according to predetermined steps producing a pattern unlikely to occur within the input image, where the pattern corresponds to a difference between the original pixel value and the threshold. The processor can replace the region of the input image with the pattern to obtain a modified image. The virtual production display can present the modified image. A processor performing postprocessing detects the pattern within the modified image displayed on the virtual production display. The processor calculates the original pixel value of the region by reversing the predetermined steps. The processor replaces the pattern in the modified image with the original pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11451708
    Abstract: A processor calibrates the camera by presenting an input image on the display to obtain a presented image. The camera, arbitrarily positioned relative to the display, records the presented image. The processor obtains the input image via a channel different from the display. The processor obtains an indication of a display region associated with the display. The processor determines an input image region corresponding to the display region, and a recorded image region corresponding to the display region. The processor obtains a first pixel value associated with the input image region and a second pixel value associated with the recorded image region. The processor determines a mapping between the first pixel value and the second pixel value, where applying the mapping to the second pixel value substantially produces the first pixel value. The processor stores an identifier associated with the recorded image region and the mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11451709
    Abstract: A processor performing postprocessing obtains an input image containing both bright and dark regions. The processor obtains a threshold between a first pixel value of the virtual production display and a second pixel value of the virtual production display. The processor modifies the region according to predetermined steps producing a pattern unlikely to occur within the input image, where the pattern corresponds to a difference between the original pixel value and the threshold. The processor can replace the region of the input image with the pattern to obtain a modified image. The virtual production display can present the modified image. A processor performing postprocessing detects the pattern within the modified image displayed on the virtual production display. The processor calculates the original pixel value of the region by reversing the predetermined steps. The processor replaces the pattern in the modified image with the original pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Publication number: 20220292764
    Abstract: An image dataset is processed with a shadow map generated from objects in a virtual scene that can cast shadows and the scene is rendered independent of the shadows. The shadow might be edited separately, and then applied to a post-render image of the scene to form a shadowed image. Light factor values for pixels of the shadow map might be stored as summed-area table values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11443676
    Abstract: The disclosed system modifies luminance of a display associated with a selective screen. The display provides a camera with an image having resolution higher than the resolution of the display by presenting multiple images while the selective screen enables light from different portions of the multiple images to reach the camera. The resulting luminance of the recorded image is lower than a combination of luminance values of the multiple images. The processor obtains a criterion indicating a property of the input image where image detail is unnecessary. The processor detects a region of the input image satisfying the criterion, and determines a region of the selective screen corresponding to the region of the input image. The processor increases the luminance of the display by disabling the region of the selective screen corresponding to the region of the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz, Carter Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11438520
    Abstract: A processor obtains an input image containing both bright and dark regions. The processor obtains a threshold between a first pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. Upon detecting a region of the input image having an original pixel value above the threshold, the processor can create a data structure including a location of the region in the input image and an original pixel value of the region. The data structure occupies less memory than the input image. The display presents the input image including the region of the image having the original pixel value above the threshold. The processor sends the data structure to a camera, which records the presented image. The processor performing postprocessing obtains the data structure and the recorded image and increases dynamic range of the recorded image by modifying the recorded image based on the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz, Lena Petrovic
  • Patent number: 11425283
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for generating a virtual scene rendering of a captured scene based on a relative position of a camera and a virtual scene display in a stage environment, along with real and virtual lens effects. The details might include determining the camera position and virtual display position in the stage environment, and determining a depth value of a virtual scene element displayed on the virtual scene display. A desired focus model can then be determined from focus parameters of the camera, the depth value, and a desired lens effect, and an adjusted focus for the virtual scene element can be determined from the desired focus model. The adjusted focus can then be applied to the camera, the image of the virtual scene element on the virtual scene display, or pixels representing the virtual scene element in a composite image captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Kimball D. Thurston, III, Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Millicent Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11423853
    Abstract: The disclosed system increases resolution of a display. The display operates at a predetermined frequency by displaying a first image at a first time and a second image at a second time. A selective screen disposed between the display and the camera includes multiple light transmitting elements. A light transmitting element A redirects a first portion of light transmitted by the display. A light transmitting element B allows a second portion of light transmitted by the display to reach the camera. The selective screen increases the resolution of the display by operating at the predetermined frequency and causing a first portion of the first image to be shown at the first time, and a second portion of the second image to be shown at the second time. The camera forms an image from the first portion of the first image, and the second portion of the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz, Carter Bart Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11425313
    Abstract: Disclosed here are various techniques to increase dynamic range of an image recorded from a display. A processor performing preprocessing splits an input image containing both bright and dark regions into two images, image A containing bright regions, and image B containing dark regions. The display presents image A and image B in alternating fashion. Camera is synchronized with the display to record image A and image B independently. In postprocessing, a processor obtains the recorded images A and B. The processor increases the pixel value of the recorded image A to obtain image A with increased pixel value. Finally, the processor increases pixel value of the image recorded from the display by combining the first recorded image with increased pixel value and the second recorded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11417048
    Abstract: In an image processing system, artist user interface provides for user input of specifications for an inserted object, specified in frame space. The inserted objects can be specified in frame space but can be aligned with object points in a virtual scene space. For other frames, where the object points move in the frame space, the object movements are applied to the inserted object in the frame space. The alignment can be manual by the user or programmatically determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventor: Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11418724
    Abstract: The processor obtains a first pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. The processor determines a desired pixel value range that exceeds the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a threshold between the first pixel value of the display and the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a function mapping the desired pixel value range to a range between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor applies the first function to an input image prior to displaying the input image on the display. The display presents the image. Upon recording the presented image, the processor determines a region within the recorded image having a pixel value between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor increases dynamic range of the recorded image by applying an inverse of the function to the pixel value of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11418725
    Abstract: The processor obtains a first pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. The processor determines a desired pixel value range that exceeds the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a threshold between the first pixel value of the display and the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a function mapping the desired pixel value range to a range between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor applies the first function to an input image prior to displaying the input image on the display. The display presents the image. Upon recording the presented image, the processor determines a region within the recorded image having a pixel value between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor increases dynamic range of the recorded image by applying an inverse of the function to the pixel value of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11418723
    Abstract: Disclosed here are various techniques to increase dynamic range of an image recorded from a display. A processor performing preprocessing splits an input image containing both bright and dark regions into two images, image A containing bright regions, and image B containing dark regions. The display presents image A and image B in alternating fashion. Camera is synchronized with the display to record image A and image B independently. In postprocessing, a processor obtains the recorded images A and B. The processor increases the pixel value of the recorded image A to obtain image A with increased pixel value. Finally, the processor increases pixel value of the image recorded from the display by combining the first recorded image with increased pixel value and the second recorded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11417019
    Abstract: Implementations provide for automated detection of a calibration object within a recorded image. In some implementations, a system receives an original image from a camera, wherein the original image includes at least a portion of a calibration chart. The system further derives a working image from the original image. The system further determines regions in the working image, wherein the regions include groups of pixels having values within a predetermined criterion. The system further analyzes two or more of the regions to identify a candidate calibration chart in the working image. The system further identifies at least one region within the candidate calibration chart as a patch, where the identifying of the at least one region is based on a color of the patch. The system further predicts a location of one or more additional patches based on at least the identified patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: UNITY TECHNOLOGIES SF
    Inventor: Peter M. Hillman
  • Patent number: 11412156
    Abstract: A processor obtains an input image containing both bright and dark regions. The processor obtains a threshold between a first pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. Upon detecting a region of the input image having an original pixel value above the threshold, the processor can create a data structure including a location of the region in the input image and an original pixel value of the region. The data structure occupies less memory than the input image. The display presents the input image including the region of the image having the original pixel value above the threshold. The processor sends the data structure to a camera, which records the presented image. The processor performing postprocessing obtains the data structure and the recorded image and increases dynamic range of the recorded image by modifying the recorded image based on the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz, Lena Petrovic
  • Patent number: 11410281
    Abstract: A processor performing postprocessing obtains an input image containing both bright and dark regions. The processor obtains a threshold between a first pixel value of the virtual production display and a second pixel value of the virtual production display. The processor modifies the region according to predetermined steps producing a pattern unlikely to occur within the input image, where the pattern corresponds to a difference between the original pixel value and the threshold. The processor can replace the region of the input image with the pattern to obtain a modified image. The virtual production display can present the modified image. A processor performing postprocessing detects the pattern within the modified image displayed on the virtual production display. The processor calculates the original pixel value of the region by reversing the predetermined steps. The processor replaces the pattern in the modified image with the original pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz