Patents by Inventor Robert M. Neuman

Robert M. Neuman 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: 10652522
    Abstract: A method for creating multiple viewpoint images for an image frame. The method includes receiving by a processing element a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein the left eye image and right eye image comprise a stereoscopic image pair. Once the images are received, the method includes determining by the processing element a first viewing location corresponding to the left eye image and a second viewing location corresponding to the right eye image and determining by the processing element a plurality of new viewpoint locations using the first viewing location and the second viewpoint location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Lewis Nathaniel Siegel, Brandon Bloch, Robert M. Neuman, Brian Whited, David Anthony Bossert
  • Publication number: 20190045172
    Abstract: A method for creating multiple viewpoint images for an image frame. The method includes receiving by a processing element a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein the left eye image and right eye image comprise a stereoscopic image pair. Once the images are received, the method includes determining by the processing element a first viewing location corresponding to the left eye image and a second viewing location corresponding to the right eye image and determining by the processing element a plurality of new viewpoint locations using the first viewing location and the second viewpoint location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Lewis Nathaniel Siegel, Brandon Bloch, Robert M. Neuman, Brian Whited, David Anthony Bossert
  • Patent number: 10122992
    Abstract: A method for creating multiple viewpoint images for an image frame. The method includes receiving by a processing element a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein the left eye image and right eye image comprise a stereoscopic image pair. Once the images are received, the method includes determining by the processing element a first viewing location corresponding to the left eye image and a second viewing location corresponding to the right eye image and determining by the processing element a plurality of new viewpoint locations using the first viewing location and the second viewpoint location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Nathaniel Siegel, Brandon Bloch, Robert M. Neuman, Brian Whited, David Anthony Bossert
  • Patent number: 9390538
    Abstract: The present application includes a computer implemented method including at least two modes for analyzing a stereoscopic image corresponding to a two dimensional image. The method includes analyzing one or more layers of the two dimensional image to determine a depth pixel offset for every pixel in the two dimensional image and creating by the processing element a depth map, such as a gray scale map, by coloring every pixel a color shade based on the respective depth pixel offset for the pixel. The method further includes displaying on a display an output image corresponding to the stereoscopic image, receiving a first user selection corresponding a first depth pixel offset, determining a plurality of pixels of the output image corresponding to the first depth pixel offset, and applying a first identifier to the plurality of pixels on the output image corresponding to the first depth pixel offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman, Matthew F. Schnittker, Tara Handy Turner
  • Patent number: 9342914
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D multimedia image to a 3-D multimedia image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image. The layers may comprise one or more portions of the 2-D image and may be digitized and stored in a computer-readable database. The layers may be reproduced as a corresponding left eye and right eye version of the layer, including a pixel offset corresponding to a desired 3-D effect for each layer of the image. The combined left eye layers and right eye layers may form the composite right eye and composite left eye images for a single 3-D multimedia image. Further, this process may be applied to each frame of a animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20150341616
    Abstract: A method for creating multiple viewpoint images for an image frame. The method includes receiving by a processing element a left eye image and a right eye image, wherein the left eye image and right eye image comprise a stereoscopic image pair. Once the images are received, the method includes determining by the processing element a first viewing location corresponding to the left eye image and a second viewing location corresponding to the right eye image and determining by the processing element a plurality of new viewpoint locations using the first viewing location and the second viewpoint location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lewis Nathaniel Siegel, Brandon Bloch, Robert M. Neuman, Brian Whited, David Anthony Bossert
  • Patent number: 9196080
    Abstract: A computer-based method for generating a stereoscopic image from a two dimensional (2D) image such as a 2D cell animation. An object is selected in the 2D image, such as an animated character, and is stored in memory as the base image. With an erosion engine, the selected object is eroded to generate a set of eroded versions of the base image corresponding to a number of erosion levels. Each erosion level image may be formed by eroding or removing a set of outer or edge pixels from the image on the prior level. The method continues with calculating a parallax shift value for each of the eroded versions of the base image. An alternate eye image is then generated by compositing the set of eroded versions along with the base image. The eroded versions are horizontally offset from the base image by the level-specific parallax shift values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M. Neuman, Evan Matthew Goldberg, Tara Handy Turner
  • Publication number: 20150254888
    Abstract: The present application includes a computer implemented method including at least two modes for analyzing a stereoscopic image corresponding to a two dimensional image. The method includes analyzing one or more layers of the two dimensional image to determine a depth pixel offset for every pixel in the two dimensional image and creating by the processing element a depth map, such as a gray scale map, by coloring every pixel a color shade based on the respective depth pixel offset for the pixel. The method further includes displaying on a display an output image corresponding to the stereoscopic image, receiving a first user selection corresponding a first depth pixel offset, determining a plurality of pixels of the output image corresponding to the first depth pixel offset, and applying a first identifier to the plurality of pixels on the output image corresponding to the first depth pixel offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Evan M. Goldberg, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman, Matthew F. Schnittker, Tara Handy Turner
  • Patent number: 9042636
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D image to a stereoscopic 3-D image and displaying the depth of one or more pixels of the 3-D image through an output image of a user interface. The pixels of the output image display the perceived depth of the corresponding 3-D image such that the user may determine the relative depth of the pixels of the image. In addition, one or more x-offset values or z-axis positions may be individually selected such that any pixel of the output image that correspond to the selected values is indicated in the output image. By providing the user with a visualization tool to quickly determine the perceived position of any pixel of a stereoscopic image, the user may confirm the proper alignment of the objects of the image in relation to the image as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8957892
    Abstract: A method for performing stereo composition using multiple camera pairs. The method includes positioning first and second pairs of virtual cameras for imaging an animated scene. The method includes, with the first and second pairs of the cameras, obtaining 3D data for each camera for the animated scene. Then, a blending region is selected by defining a first boundary surface for the first pair of the cameras and a second boundary surface, spaced a distance apart from the first boundary surface, for the second pair of the cameras, with the blending region being the space between the first and second boundary surfaces. The method includes, with a blending module or function, combining the 3D data from a number of consequent cameras. The blending module monotonically increases the stereoscopic disparity function in a viewing direction and combines the 3D data in a continuous manner, e.g., to insure C1 continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Neuman, Dmitriy V. Pinskiy, Henry Driskill, Joseph W. Longson
  • Patent number: 8947422
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D planar image to create an associated 3-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers, with one or both layers including a pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a depth model may be created for one or more objects of the 2-D image to provide a template upon which the pixel offset for one or more pixels of the 2-D image may be adjusted to provide the 2-D image with a more nuanced 3-D effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding 3-D image with a perceived depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8884948
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers that include a depth pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a volume effect may also be applied to one or more objects of the 2-D image by associating a volume pixel offset to one or more pixels of the image. Thus, any pixel of the 2-D image may have a depth pixel offset to provide a perceived depth as well as a volume pixel offset to provide a stereoscopic 3-D volume effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding stereoscopic 3-D image with perceived depth and volume effects applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman, Lewis N. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20140049536
    Abstract: A method for performing stereo composition using multiple camera pairs. The method includes positioning first and second pairs of virtual cameras for imaging an animated scene. The method includes, with the first and second pairs of the cameras, obtaining 3D data for each camera for the animated scene. Then, a blending region is selected by defining a first boundary surface for the first pair of the cameras and a second boundary surface, spaced a distance apart from the first boundary surface, for the second pair of the cameras, with the blending region being the space between the first and second boundary surfaces. The method includes, with a blending module or function, combining the 3D data from a number of consequent cameras. The blending module monotonically increases the stereoscopic disparity function in a viewing direction and combines the 3D data in a continuous manner, e.g., to insure C1 continuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M. Neuman, Dmitriy V. Pinskiy, Henry Driskill, Joseph W. Longson
  • Patent number: 8643704
    Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images with retinal rivalry effects. The method includes retrieving primary eye images and alternate eye images from memory. These images are filmed from horizontally offset cameras but include the same content. The method continues with processing the alternate eye images to introduce retinal rivalry such as by including a set of frames that have differing content from a corresponding set of frames from the primary eye images. The differing content, for example, may include an object rendered for the alternate eye that was not rendered in the primary eye images. The method may further include editing the primary eye images by inserting a transition and then editing the alternate eye images to perform the transition (e.g., a dissolve or cut) at a temporally offset transition point such as several frames later to introduce frames that differ in content from one eye stream to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20130321408
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D multimedia image to a 3-D multimedia image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image. The layers may comprise one or more portions of the 2-D image and may be digitized and stored in a computer-readable database. The layers may be reproduced as a corresponding left eye and right eye version of the layer, including a pixel offset corresponding to a desired 3-D effect for each layer of the image. The combined left eye layers and right eye layers may form the composite right eye and composite left eye images for a single 3-D multimedia image. Further, this process may be applied to each frame of a animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20130257864
    Abstract: A computer-based method for generating a stereoscopic image from a two dimensional (2D) image such as a 2D cell animation. An object is selected in the 2D image, such as an animated character, and is stored in memory as the base image. With an erosion engine, the selected object is eroded to generate a set of eroded versions of the base image corresponding to a number of erosion levels. Each erosion level image may be formed by eroding or removing a set of outer or edge pixels from the image on the prior level. The method continues with calculating a parallax shift value for each of the eroded versions of the base image. An alternate eye image is then generated by compositing the set of eroded versions along with the base image. The eroded versions are horizontally offset from the base image by the level-specific parallax shift values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Robert M. Neuman, Evan Matthew Goldberg, Tara Handy Turner
  • Patent number: 8502862
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D multimedia image to a 3-D multimedia image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image. The layers may comprise one or more portions of the 2-D image and may be digitized and stored in a computer-readable database. The layers may be reproduced as a corresponding left eye and right eye version of the layer, including a pixel offset corresponding to a desired 3-D effect for each layer of the image. The combined left eye layers and right eye layers may form the composite right eye and composite left eye images for a single 3-D multimedia image. Further, this process may be applied to each frame of a animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8471898
    Abstract: A computer-based method for generating a stereoscopic image from a two dimensional (2D) image such as a 2D cell animation. An object is selected in the 2D image, such as an animated character, and is stored in memory as the base image. With an erosion engine, the selected object is eroded to generate a set of eroded versions of the base image corresponding to a number of erosion levels. Each erosion level image may be formed by eroding or removing a set of outer or edge pixels from the image on the prior level. The method continues with calculating a parallax shift value for each of the eroded versions of the base image. An alternate eye image is then generated by compositing the set of eroded versions along with the base image. The eroded versions are horizontally offset from the base image by the level-specific parallax shift values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8351689
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D image to a stereoscopic 3-D image by segmenting one or more portions of the 2-D image based on one or more pixel color ranges. Further, a matte may be created that takes the shape of the segmented region such that several stereoscopic effects may be applied to the segmented region. In addition, ink lines that are contained within the segmented region may be removed to further define the corresponding matte. Implementations of the present disclosure also include a interface that provides the above functionality to a user for ease of segmentation and region selection. By utilizing the segmentation process, a 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding stereoscopic 3-D image with a perceived depth. Further, this process may be applied to each image of an animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120194653
    Abstract: A method for generating stereoscopic images with retinal rivalry effects. The method includes retrieving primary eye images and alternate eye images from memory. These images are filmed from horizontally offset cameras but include the same content. The method continues with processing the alternate eye images to introduce retinal rivalry such as by including a set of frames that have differing content from a corresponding set of frames from the primary eye images. The differing content, for example, may include an object rendered for the alternate eye that was not rendered in the primary eye images. The method may further include editing the primary eye images by inserting a transition and then editing the alternate eye images to perform the transition (e.g., a dissolve or cut) at a temporally offset transition point such as several frames later to introduce frames that differ in content from one eye stream to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert M. Neuman