Patents by Inventor Sagi Katz

Sagi Katz 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: 20120154542
    Abstract: A depth-mapping method comprises exposing first and second detectors oriented along different optical axes to light dispersed from a scene, and furnishing an output responsive to a depth coordinate of a locus of the scene. The output increases with an increasing first amount of light received by the first detector during a first period, and decreases with an increasing second amount of light received by the second detector during a second period different than the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler, Giora Yahav, John Tardif
  • Publication number: 20120154557
    Abstract: A method and system that enhances a user's experience when using a near eye display device, such as a see-through display device or a head mounted display device is provided. The user's intent to interact with one or more objects in the scene is determined. An optimized image is generated for the user based on the user's intent. The optimized image is displayed to the user, via the see-through display device. The optimized image visually enhances the appearance of objects that the user intends to interact with in the scene and diminishes the appearance of objects that the user does not intend to interact with in the scene. The optimized image can visually enhance the appearance of the objects that increase the user's comprehension. The optimized image is displayed to the user, via the see-through display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Katie Stone Perez, Avi Bar-Zeev, Sagi Katz
  • Publication number: 20120114180
    Abstract: A computing system generates a depth map from at least one image, detects objects in the depth map, and identifies anomalies in the objects from the depth map. Another computing system identifies at least one anomaly in an object in a depth map, and uses the anomaly to identify future occurrences of the object. A system includes a three dimensional (3D) imaging system to generate a depth map from at least one image, an object detector to detect objects within the depth map, and an anomaly detector to detect anomalies in the detected objects, wherein the anomalies are logical gaps and/or logical protrusions in the depth map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Giora Yahav
  • Publication number: 20120082346
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining depth to objects. A depth image may be determined based on two light intensity images. This technique may compensate for differences in reflectivity of objects in the field of view. However, there may be some misalignment between pixels in the two light intensity images. An iterative process may be used to relax a requirement for an exact match between the light intensity images. The iterative process may involve modifying one of the light intensity images based on a smoothed version of a depth image that is generated from the two light intensity images. Then, new values may be determined for the depth image based on the modified image and the other light intensity image. Thus, pixel misalignment between the two light intensity images may be compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler
  • Patent number: 8149210
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a pointing organ or a pointing device in a field of imaging of a 3-D imaging system and for calculating a line of pointing relative to this organ or device are disclosed. The method and system may be used to enable a user to communicate with computer programs, such as computer games, 3-D design programs and the like. The method and system may further employ a trigger-like mechanism to identify a movement of a user that may be interpreted as trigger activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft International Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Zvi Klier, Sagi Katz, Mattias Marder, Giora Yahav
  • Publication number: 20120075534
    Abstract: A video projector device includes a visible light projector to project an image on a surface or object, and a visible light sensor, which can be used to obtain depth data regarding the object using a time-of-flight principle. The sensor can be a charge-coupled device which obtains color images as well as obtaining depth data. The projected light can be provided in successive frames. A frame can include a gated sub-frame of pulsed light followed by continuous light, while the sensor is gated, to obtain time of flight data, an ungated sub-frame of pulsed light followed by continuous light, while the sensor is ungated, to obtain reflectivity data and a background sub-frame of no light followed by continuous light, while the sensor is gated, to determine a level of background light. A color sub-frame projects continuous light, while the sensor is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Shlomo Felzenshtein, Avishai Adler, Giora Yahav
  • Publication number: 20120056982
    Abstract: A depth camera system uses a structured light illuminator and multiple sensors such as infrared light detectors, such as in a system which tracks the Motion of a user in a field of view. One sensor can be optimized for shorter range detection while another sensor is optimized for longer range detection. The sensors can have a different baseline distance from the illuminator, as well as a different spatial resolution, exposure time and sensitivity. In one approach, depth values are obtained from each sensor by matching to the structured light pattern, and the depth values are merged to obtain a final depth map which is provided as an input to an application. The merging can involve unweighted averaging, weighted averaging, accuracy measures and/or confidence measures. In another approach, additional depth values which are included in the merging are obtained using stereoscopic matching among pixel data of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler
  • Patent number: 8121351
    Abstract: A method includes generating a depth map from at least one image, detecting objects in the depth map, and identifying anomalies in the objects from the depth map. Another method includes identifying at least one anomaly in an object in a depth map, and using the anomaly to identify future occurrences of the object. A system includes a three dimensional (3D) imaging system to generate a depth map from at least one image, an object detector to detect objects within the depth map, and an anomaly detector to detect anomalies in the detected objects, wherein the anomalies are logical gaps and/or logical protrusions in the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft International Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Giora Yahav
  • Publication number: 20110267345
    Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method of determining whether a point in a computerized image is visible from a viewpoint; said image is represented as a point cloud, the method comprising: performing inversion on a the vicinity of the point thus creating a computerized inversed objects each point in the vicinity of the point is related to a parallel point in the computerized inversed object and obtaining a convex hull of the inversed object; the point is likely to be visible from the viewpoint in case it belongs to the point set composing the convex hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD
    Inventors: Sagi KATZ, Ayellet Tal
  • Publication number: 20110234481
    Abstract: A depth camera and an optional visual camera are used in conjunction with a computing device and projector to display a presentation and automatically correct the geometry of the projected presentation. Interaction with the presentation (switching slides, pointing, etc.) is achieved by utilizing gesture recognition/human tracking based on the output of the depth camera and (optionally) the visual camera. Additionally, the output of the depth camera and/or visual camera can be used to detect occlusions between the projector and the screen (or other target area) in order to adjust the presentation to not project on the occlusion and, optionally, reorganize the presentation to avoid the occlusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler
  • Publication number: 20110234756
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for de-aliasing depth images. The depth image may have been generated based on phase differences between a transmitted and received modulated light beam. A method may include accessing a depth image that has a depth value for a plurality of locations in the depth image. Each location has one or more neighbor locations. Potential depth values are determined for each of the plurality of locations based on the depth value in the depth image for the location and potential aliasing in the depth image. A cost function is determined based on differences between the potential depth values of each location and its neighboring locations. Determining the cost function includes assigning a higher cost for greater differences in potential depth values between neighboring locations. The cost function is substantially minimized to select one of the potential depth values for each of the locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Avishai Adler, Sagi Katz, Guy Gilboa, John Tardif
  • Publication number: 20110187819
    Abstract: Compatibility between a depth image consumer and a plurality of different depth image producers is provided by receiving a native depth image having unsupported depth camera parameters that are not compatible with a depth image consumer, and converting the native depth image to a virtual depth image having supported virtual depth camera parameters that are compatible with the depth image consumer. This virtual depth image is then output to the depth image consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Avishai Adler, Guy Gilboa
  • Publication number: 20110187820
    Abstract: Compatibility between a depth image consumer and a depth image producer is provided by receiving a native depth image having an unsupported type that is not supported by a depth image consumer, and processing the native depth image into an emulation depth image having a supported type that is supported by the depth image consumer. This emulation depth image is then output to the depth image consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guy Gilboa, Avishai Adler, Sagi Katz
  • Publication number: 20110074776
    Abstract: A method of interfacing a person with a computer, the method comprising: providing the person with a device having: a shaft having an axis; a tsuba connected to the shaft and having a first side that extends away from the axis and faces the shaft; and a handgrip on a second side of the tsuba opposite the first side; acquiring an image of the device; determining an orientation of the device responsive to the image; and generating an action by the computer responsive to the orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Mattias Marder
  • Publication number: 20100295850
    Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method of determining whether a point in a computerized image is visible from a viewpoint; said image is represented as a point cloud, the method comprising: performing inversion on a the vicinity of the point thus creating a computerized inversed objects each point in the vicinity of the point is related to a parallel point in the computerized inversed object and obtaining a convex hull of the inversed object; the point is likely to be visible from the viewpoint in case it belongs to the point set composing the convex hull.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD
    Inventors: Sagi KATZ, Ayellet Tal
  • Publication number: 20100026850
    Abstract: An imaging system comprising: a light source for illuminating a scene with a known intensity light; a camera having an optic axis and center that images the scene responsive to light reflected by the scene from the illuminating, known intensity light; a range finder controllable to determine distances to surface elements of the scene imaged by the camera; a controller configured to determine reflectivity of a surface element of the scene imaged by the camera responsive to a distance of the surface element from the camera, the known intensity of illuminating light and light from the surface element imaged by the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.
    Inventor: Sagi Katz
  • Publication number: 20090226079
    Abstract: A method includes generating a depth map from at least one image, detecting objects in the depth map, and identifying anomalies in the objects from the depth map. Another method includes identifying at least one anomaly in an object in a depth map, and using the anomaly to identify future occurrences of the object. A system includes a three dimensional (3D) imaging system to generate a depth map from at least one image, an object detector to detect objects within the depth map, and an anomaly detector to detect anomalies in the detected objects, wherein the anomalies are logical gaps and/or logical protrusions in the depth map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Giora Yahav
  • Publication number: 20090167679
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying a pointing organ or a pointing device in a field of imaging of a 3-D imaging system and for calculating a line of pointing relative to this organ or device are disclosed. The method and system may be used to enable a user to communicate with computer programs, such as computer games, 3-D design programs and the like. The method and system may further employ a trigger-like mechanism to identify a movement of a user that may be interpreted as trigger activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Zvi Klier, Sagi Katz, Mattias Marder, Giora Yahav
  • Patent number: 7120568
    Abstract: A method for verification includes providing an implementation model, which defines model states of a target system and model transitions between the model states, and providing a specification of the target system, including properties that the system is expected to obey. A tableau is created from the specification, the tableau defining tableau states with tableau transitions between the tableau states in accordance with the properties. The tableau transitions are compared to the model transitions to determine whether a discrepancy exists therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Geist, Orna Grumberg, Sagi Katz
  • Patent number: 5678064
    Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided to support both fast Programmed Input/Output (PIO) and third party Direct Memory Access (DMA) data transfers between a system memory and Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) drives. A DMA controller attached to an ISA bus supplies address, read and write signals in third party DMA data transfers. An IDE controller provides control signals to support the DMA data transfers. The IDE controller additionally provides address and control signals to support the PIO data transfers at local bus speeds. A local bus-ISA bridge is incorporated to support the system memory that resides on the local bus. An arbitration circuit arbitrates access to the ISA bus, and allows the IDE controller to seize the ISA bus for fast PIO data transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amy L. Kulik, Patrick Maurice Bland, Dennis Moeller, William Alan Wall, Sagi Katz, Suksoon Yong