Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Lacey

Stephen J. Lacey 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: 6437782
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for generating a shadow for a three dimensional model without visual artifacts. A shadow of a model is projected onto a shadow plane using a shadow projection matrix and disabling alpha blending, creating a projected shadow model. A three-dimensional (3D) bounding volume of the model is projected onto the shadow plane and clipped against the view frustum. Based on the bounding volume projected onto the shadow plane, a screen extent that encompasses the entire projected bounding volume is determined. A texture map sized in relation to the screen extent is created in memory for storing a texture map. This texture map is cleared to a non-shadow color and a chromakey is set to the non-shadow color. The projected shadow model without alpha blending has its colors and texture set to the desired shadow color. The projected shadow model is then rendered onto the texture map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ian B. Pieragostini, Stephen J. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6271858
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for efficiently rendering changed portions of a document stored in a texture image file that is mapped to a generated three-dimensional model. The system includes a display device, a memory for storing texture image files, and a processor coupled to the display device and the memory. The processor includes a document component for determining the portions in a document that will change based on the input event, determining the locations of the determined portions that will change based on the input event, rendering the determined portions in the document that will change based on the input event, and storing the rendered portions within a texture image file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan K. Dalal, Ian B. Pieragostini, Stephen J. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6232976
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for generating images of three-dimensional models in a digital three-dimensional world, wherein the three-dimensional models include markup documents preassigned as texture. First, the three-dimensional models located in the digital three-dimensional world to be displayed are determined. Next, the markup documents that are preassigned to the texture of the three-dimensional models that are determined to be displayed are identified. Then, the identified markup documents and the three-dimensional models that were determined to be displayed are rendered. The rendered markup documents are mapped as texture to the corresponding rendered three-dimensional models and displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan K. Dalal, Ian B. Pieragostini, Stephen J. Lacey
  • Patent number: 4400098
    Abstract: A self-contained bearing unit rotatably supports a tool spindle in a bore of a machine tool housing wall. The unit employs an angular-contact ball bearing and the outer race is displaced axially to alter the pre-loading by supplying pressure fluid to a chamber containing a resiliently deformable seal or an annular bellows device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Ransome Hoffmann Pollard Limited
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lacey, Frank P. Wardle, Thomas L. H. Walford, Samuel H. Knight, Anthony J. Kent, Kenneth E. Sharman