Patents by Inventor Robert Walker Sumner

Robert Walker Sumner 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: 11704853
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for learning a machine learning model that maps control data, such as renderings of skeletons, and associated three-dimensional (3D) information to two-dimensional (2D) renderings of a character. The machine learning model may be an adaptation of the U-Net architecture that accounts for 3D information and is trained using a perceptual loss between images generated by the machine learning model and ground truth images. Once trained, the machine learning model may be used to animate a character, such as in the context of previsualization or a video game, based on control of associated control points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Dominik Tobias Borer, Martin Guay, Jakob Joachim Buhmann, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Patent number: 11087517
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a 2D representation of an object may be provided. A first method may comprise: receiving sketch input identifying a target position for a specified portion of the object; computing a deformation for the object within the context of a character rig specification for the object; and displaying an updated version of the object. A second method may comprise detecting sketch input; classifying the sketch input, based on the 2D representation, as an instantiation of the object; instantiating the object using a 3D model of the object; and displaying a 3D visual representation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich)
    Inventors: Robert Walker Sumner, Maurizio Nitti, Stelian Coros, Bernhard Thomaszewski, Fabian Andreas Hahn, Markus Gross, Frederik Rudolf Mutzel
  • Publication number: 20210019928
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for learning a machine learning model that maps control data, such as renderings of skeletons, and associated three-dimensional (3D) information to two-dimensional (2D) renderings of a character. The machine learning model may be an adaptation of the U-Net architecture that accounts for 3D information and is trained using a perceptual loss between images generated by the machine learning model and ground truth images. Once trained, the machine learning model may be used to animate a character, such as in the context of previsualization or a video game, based on control of associated control points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Dominik Tobias BORER, Martin GUAY, Jakob Joachim BUHMANN, Robert Walker SUMNER
  • Patent number: 10445940
    Abstract: A simulation engine models interactions between a simulated character and real-world objects to produce a physically realistic augmented reality (AR) simulation. The simulation engine recognizes a given real-world object and then identifies, within a library of object models, an object model corresponding to that object. The simulation engine projects the object model onto the real-world object such that the object model is geometrically aligned with the real-world object. When the simulated character encounters the real-world object, the simulation engine models interactions between the simulated character and the real-world object by adjusting the kinematics of the simulated character relative to the object model associated with the real-world object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH
    Inventors: Martin Guay, Gökçen Çimen, Dominik Tobias Borer, Simone Guggiari, Ye Yuan, Stelian Coros, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Publication number: 20190287305
    Abstract: A simulation engine models interactions between a simulated character and real-world objects to produce a physically realistic augmented reality (AR) simulation. The simulation engine recognizes a given real-world object and then identifies, within a library of object models, an object model corresponding to that object. The simulation engine projects the object model onto the real-world object such that the object model is geometrically aligned with the real-world object. When the simulated character encounters the real-world object, the simulation engine models interactions between the simulated character and the real-world object by adjusting the kinematics of the simulated character relative to the object model associated with the real-world object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Martin GUAY, Gökçen ÇIMEN, Dominik Tobias BORER, Simone GUGGIARI, Ye YUAN, Stelian COROS, Robert Walker SUMNER
  • Patent number: 10217289
    Abstract: Embodiments capture one or more images of a visual scene that includes a first physical object. A first region of the first physical object to apply one or more augmentations to is determined. Embodiments determine which configuration the first physical object is currently in. The first physical object is configured to be physically manipulatable into each of a plurality of configurations. A sequence of frames is rendered for display in which the first region of the first physical object is animated in a predefined manner depicting a virtual light source within the first physical object, based on the determined configuration of the first physical object, by applying the one or more augmentations to a first virtual object generated based on predefined geometric information corresponding to a determined object type of the first physical object. The rendered sequence of frames is output for display using one or more display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth John Mitchell, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Patent number: 10171785
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for adjusting coloration of an image. A first selection of first one or more reference points within a first image is received. A second selection of a second one or more reference points within a second image is also received. Embodiments determine a coloration difference between a coloration of the first one or more reference points within the first image and a coloration of the second one or more reference points within the second image. The coloration of at least a portion of the first image is then adjusted, based on the determined coloration difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Sorkine Hornung, Thomas Oskam, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Publication number: 20180101993
    Abstract: Embodiments capture one or more images of a visual scene that includes a first physical object. A first region of the first physical object to apply one or more augmentations to is determined. Embodiments determine which configuration the first physical object is currently in. The first physical object is configured to be physically manipulatable into each of a plurality of configurations. A sequence of frames is rendered for display in which the first region of the first physical object is animated in a predefined manner depicting a virtual light source within the first physical object, based on the determined configuration of the first physical object, by applying the one or more augmentations to a first virtual object generated based on predefined geometric information corresponding to a determined object type of the first physical object. The rendered sequence of frames is output for display using one or more display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth John MITCHELL, Robert Walker SUMNER
  • Patent number: 9846965
    Abstract: Techniques for displaying an augmented reality toy. Embodiments capture a visual scene for display. The visual scene includes a first physical object and is captured using one or more camera devices. The first physical object is identified as a first predetermined object type, based on one or more object identifiers associated with the first physical object. Embodiments retrieve predefined geometric information corresponding to the first predetermined object type and render a sequence of frames for display in which the captured visual scene is augmented, based on the predefined geometric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth John Mitchell, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Publication number: 20170078635
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for adjusting coloration of an image. A first selection of first one or more reference points within a first image is received. A second selection of a second one or more reference points within a second image is also received. Embodiments determine a coloration difference between a coloration of the first one or more reference points within the first image and a coloration of the second one or more reference points within the second image. The coloration of at least a portion of the first image is then adjusted, based on the determined coloration difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander SORKINE HORNUNG, Thomas OSKAM, Robert Walker SUMNER
  • Publication number: 20160358365
    Abstract: In particular embodiments, a 2D representation of an object may be provided. A first method may comprise: receiving sketch input identifying a target position for a specified portion of the object; computing a deformation for the object within the context of a character rig specification for the object; and displaying an updated version of the object. A second method may comprise detecting sketch input; classifying the sketch input, based on the 2D representation, as an instantiation of the object; instantiating the object using a 3D model of the object; and displaying a 3D visual representation of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Walker Sumner, Maurizio Nitti, Stelian Coros, Bernhard Thomaszewski, Fabian Andreas Hahn, Markus Gross, Frederik Rudolf Mutzel
  • Patent number: 9491428
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for adjusting coloration of an image. A visual scene is captured using one or more camera devices, where the visual scene includes a reference object. Embodiments retrieve coloration information corresponding to the reference object. The coloration information generally describes coloration of the reference object under predefined conditions, such as neutral lighting conditions, desired lighting conditions, and so on. Additionally, a coloration difference is calculated between a depiction of the reference object within the captured visual scene and the retrieved coloration information. The coloration of the visual scene is adjusted based on the determined coloration difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zurich (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich)
    Inventors: Alexander Sorkine Hornung, Thomas Oskam, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Publication number: 20140320519
    Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for adjusting coloration of an image. A visual scene is captured using one or more camera devices, where the visual scene includes a reference object. Embodiments retrieve coloration information corresponding to the reference object. The coloration information generally describes coloration of the reference object under predefined conditions, such as neutral lighting conditions, desired lighting conditions, and so on. Additionally, a coloration difference is calculated between a depiction of the reference object within the captured visual scene and the retrieved coloration information. The coloration of the visual scene is adjusted based on the determined coloration difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Sorkine Hornung, Thomas Oskam, Robert Walker Sumner
  • Publication number: 20140267404
    Abstract: Techniques for displaying an augmented reality toy. Embodiments capture a visual scene for display. The visual scene includes a first physical object and is captured using one or more camera devices. The first physical object is identified as a first predetermined object type, based on one or more object identifiers associated with the first physical object. Embodiments retrieve predefined geometric information corresponding to the first predetermined object type and render a sequence of frames for display in which the captured visual scene is augmented, based on the predefined geometric information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth John Mitchell, Robert Walker Sumner