Patents by Inventor Thabo Beeler

Thabo Beeler 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: 20260051117
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques for volumetric performance capture with neural rendering. A technique may involve initially obtaining images that depict a subject from multiple viewpoints and under various lighting conditions using a light stage and depth data corresponding to the subject using infrared cameras. A neural network may extract features of the subject from the images based on the depth data and map the features into a texture space (e.g., the UV texture space). A neural renderer can be used to generate an output image depicting the subject from a target view such that illumination of the subject in the output image aligns with the target view. The neural render may resample the features of the subject from the texture space to an image space to generate the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Inventors: Sean Ryan Francesco FANELLO, Abhi MEKA, Rohit Kumar PANDEY, Christian HAENE, Sergio Orts ESCOLANO, Christoph RHEMANN, Paul DEBEVEC, Sofien BOUAZIZ, Thabo BEELER, Ryan OVERBECK, Peter BARNUM, Daniel ERICKSON, Philip DAVIDSON, Yinda ZHANG, Jonathan TAYLOR, Chloe LeGENDRE, Shahram IZADI
  • Patent number: 12475638
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques for volumetric performance capture with neural rendering. A technique may involve initially obtaining images that depict a subject from multiple viewpoints and under various lighting conditions using a light stage and depth data corresponding to the subject using infrared cameras. A neural network may extract features of the subject from the images based on the depth data and map the features into a texture space (e.g., the UV texture space). A neural renderer can be used to generate an output image depicting the subject from a target view such that illumination of the subject in the output image aligns with the target view. The neural render may resample the features of the subject from the texture space to an image space to generate the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Sean Ryan Francesco Fanello, Abhi Meka, Rohit Kumar Pandey, Christian Haene, Sergio Orts Escolano, Christoph Rhemann, Paul Debevec, Sofien Bouaziz, Thabo Beeler, Ryan Overbeck, Peter Barnum, Daniel Erickson, Philip Davidson, Yinda Zhang, Jonathan Taylor, Chloe LeGENDRE, Shahram Izadi
  • Publication number: 20250329112
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes generating at least one surface for a subject based on image data, the image data comprising a first image from a first perspective and a second image from a second perspective. The method further includes identifying a distribution of light intensity over the at least one surface and identifying a view independent feature based on the distribution of light intensity. The method also provides generating a texture map for a sequence of images based on the view independent feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Safa Can Medin, Gengyan Li, Ruofei Du, Stephan Joachim Garbin, Philip Lindsley Davidson, Thabo Beeler, Abhimitra Meka
  • Publication number: 20250124634
    Abstract: A method includes determining a trajectory of an object based on a mass of the object, and determining a motion of a hand based on the mass of the object and the trajectory of the object. The method can further include generating an animation of the hand interacting with the object based on the trajectory of the object and the motion of the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Jan Bednarík, Bardia Doosti, Bernd Bickel, Danhang Tang, Jonathan James Taylor, Soshi Shimada, Franziska Müller
  • Publication number: 20250111477
    Abstract: A method including capturing a first plurality of images that include a foreground object and a background, capturing a second plurality of images that include the background, generating an alpha matte based on the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images using a trained machine learned model trained using a loss function configured to cause the trained machine learned model to learn high-frequency details of the foreground object, generating a foreground object image based on the first plurality of images and the second plurality of images using the trained machine learned model, and synthesizing an image including the foreground object image and a second background scene using the alpha matte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Sergio Orts Escolano, Zhiwen Fan, Di Qiu, Yinda Zhang, Daoye Wang, Erroll Wood, Abhimitra Meka, Hossam Isack, Paulo Fabiano Urnau Gotardo, Kripasindhu Sarkar, Thabo Beeler, Zhengyang Shen, Alexander Sahba Koumis
  • Publication number: 20250078397
    Abstract: A method including determining a viewpoint, generating a first image using an image generator, the first image including an object in a first orientation based on the viewpoint, modifying the image generator based on a second orientation of the object, and generating a second image based on the first image using the modified image generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Abhimitra Meka, Marcel Bühler, Kripasindhu Sarkar, Tanmay Shah, Gengyan Li, Daoye Wang, Leonhard Helminger, Sergio Orts Escolano, Dmitry Lagun, Thabo Beeler
  • Publication number: 20240290025
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first sequence of images of a portion of a user, the first sequence of images being monocular images; generating an avatar based on the first sequence of images, the avatar being based on a model including a feature vector associated with a vertex; receiving a second sequence of images of the portion of the user; and based on the second sequence of images, modifying the avatar with a displacement of the vertex to represent a gesture of the avatar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Yinda Zhang, Sean Ryan Francesco Fanello, Ziqian Bai, Feitong Tan, Zeng Huang, Kripasindhu Sarkar, Danhang Tang, Di Qiu, Abhimitra Meka, Ruofei Du, Mingsong Dou, Sergio Orts Escolano, Rohit Kumar Pandey, Thabo Beeler
  • Publication number: 20240029333
    Abstract: A method including selecting a first point from a 3D model representing an avatar, the first point being associated with an eye, selecting a second point from the 3D model, the second point being associated with a periocular region associated with the eye, generating an albedo and spherical harmonics (SH) coefficients based on the first point and the second point, and generating an image point based on the albedo, and the SH coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Abhimitra Meka, Thabo Beeler, Franziska Müller, Gengyan Li, Marcel Bühler, Otmar Hilliges
  • Publication number: 20230419600
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to techniques for volumetric performance capture with neural rendering. A technique may involve initially obtaining images that depict a subject from multiple viewpoints and under various lighting conditions using a light stage and depth data corresponding to the subject using infrared cameras. A neural network may extract features of the subject from the images based on the depth data and map the features into a texture space (e.g., the UV texture space). A neural renderer can be used to generate an output image depicting the subject from a target view such that illumination of the subject in the output image aligns with the target view. The neural render may resample the features of the subject from the texture space to an image space to generate the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Ryan Francesco FANELLO, Abhi MEKA, Rohit Kumar PANDEY, Christian HAENE, Sergio Orts ESCOLANO, Christoph RHEMANN, Paul DEBEVEC, Sofien BOUAZIZ, Thabo BEELER, Ryan OVERBECK, Peter BARNUM, Daniel ERICKSON, Philip DAVIDSON, Yinda ZHANG, Jonathan TAYLOR, Chloe LeGENDRE, Shahram IZADI
  • Patent number: 10818038
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure techniques for modeling and capturing the dynamic appearance of skin. These techniques can couple dynamic reflectance parameters for skin (albedo and specular reflectance) with dynamic geometry. The disclosed techniques allow for capture and modeling of the dynamic appearance of skin for an actor. The techniques can re-render the actor's face accurately to accurately model the appearance of skin including the albedo of skin that can change primarily due to blood flow. The techniques can also re-render the actor's face accurately under multiple different lighting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Abhijeet Ghosh, Derek Bradley, Jeremy Riviere, Paulo F. Urnau Gotardo
  • Patent number: 10659679
    Abstract: A method of determining facial location and orientation may include receiving a location of a first radio frequency (RF) tag on a subject; receiving a location of a second RF tag on the subject; determining a location and orientation of a face of the subject using at least the location of the first RF tag and the location of the second RF tag; and sending commands to one or more camera units. The commands may cause the one or more camera units to capture the location and orientation of the face of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Giorgio Corbellini
  • Publication number: 20200082572
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure techniques for modeling and capturing the dynamic appearance of skin. These techniques can couple dynamic reflectance parameters for skin (albedo and specular reflectance) with dynamic geometry. The disclosed techniques allow for capture and modeling of the dynamic appearance of skin for an actor. The techniques can re-render the actor's face accurately to accurately model the appearance of skin including the albedo of skin that can change primarily due to blood flow. The techniques can also re-render the actor's face accurately under multiple different lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thabo BEELER, Abhijeet GHOSH, Derek BRADLEY, Jeremy RIVIERE, Paulo F. URNAU GOTARDO
  • Patent number: 10483004
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasive reconstruction of an entire object-specific or person-specific teeth row from just a set of photographs of the mouth region of an object (e.g., an animal) or a person (e.g., an actor or a patient) are provided. A teeth statistic model defining individual teeth in a teeth row can be developed. The teeth statistical model can jointly describe shape and pose variations per tooth, and as well as placement of the individual teeth in the teeth row. In some embodiments, the teeth statistic model can be trained using teeth information from 3D scan data of different sample subjects. The 3D scan data can be used to establish a database of teeth of various shapes and poses. Geometry information regarding the individual teeth can be extracted from the 3D scan data. The teeth statistic model can be trained using the geometry information regarding the individual teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Chenglei Wu, Derek Bradley, Thabo Beeler, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 10297065
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable memory are provided for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig. For example, shape and material properties are defined for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig. The shape and material properties are associated with the plurality of sample configurations. An animation of the animation rig is obtained, and one or more configurations of the animation rig are determined for one or more frames of the animation. The determined one or more configurations include shape and material properties, and are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig. A simulation of the animation rig is performed using the determined one or more configurations. Performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Yeara Kozlov, Bernhard Thomaszewski, Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Moritz Bächer, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 10217265
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for generating a parametric eye model of one or more eyes are provided. The systems and techniques may include obtaining eye data from an eye model database. The eye data includes eyeball data and iris data corresponding to a plurality of eyes. The systems and techniques may further include generating an eyeball model using the eyeball data. Generating the eyeball model includes establishing correspondences among the plurality of eyes. The systems and techniques may further include generating an iris model using the iris data. Generating the iris model includes sampling one or more patches of one or more of the plurality of eyes using an iris control map and merging the one or more patches into a synthesized texture. The systems and techniques may further include generating the parametric eye model that includes the eyeball model and the iris model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRICH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Pascal Bérard, Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 10217275
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for reconstructing one or more eyes using a parametric eye model are provided. The systems and techniques may include obtaining one or more input images that include at least one eye. The systems and techniques may further include obtaining a parametric eye model including an eyeball model and an iris model. The systems and techniques may further include determining parameters of the parametric eye model from the one or more input images. The parameters can be determined to fit the parametric eye model to the at least one eye in the one or more input images. The parameters include a control map used by the iris model to synthesize an iris of the at least one eye. The systems and techniques may further include reconstructing the at least one eye using the parametric eye model with the determined parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignees: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC., ETH ZÜRUCH (EIDGENÖSSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZÜRICH)
    Inventors: Pascal Bérard, Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 10147023
    Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium for synthetically generating training data to be used to train a learning algorithm that is capable of generating computer-generated images of a subject from real images that include the subject. The training data can be generated using a facial rig by changing expressions, camera viewpoints, and illumination in the training data. The training data can then be used for tracking faces in a real-time video stream. In such examples, the training data can be tuned to expected environmental conditions and camera properties of the real-time video stream. Provided herein are also strategies to improve training set construction by analyzing which attributes of a computer-generated image (e.g., expression, viewpoint, and illumination) require denser sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Klaudiny, Steven McDonagh, Derek Bradley, Thabo Beeler, Iain Matthews, Kenneth Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10019826
    Abstract: A method of transferring a facial expression from a subject to a computer-generated character and a system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for the same. The method can include receiving an input image depicting a face of a subject; matching a first facial model to the input image; generating a displacement map representing of finer-scale details not present in the first facial model using a regression function that estimates the shape of the finer-scale details. The displacement map can be combined with the first facial model to create a second facial model that includes the finer-scale details, and the second facial model can be rendered, if desired, to create a computer-generated image of the face of the subject that includes the finer-scale details.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Chen Cao
  • Publication number: 20180130245
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable memory are provided for determining time-varying anatomical and physiological tissue characteristics of an animation rig. For example, shape and material properties are defined for a plurality of sample configurations of the animation rig. The shape and material properties are associated with the plurality of sample configurations. An animation of the animation rig is obtained, and one or more configurations of the animation rig are determined for one or more frames of the animation. The determined one or more configurations include shape and material properties, and are determined using one or more sample configurations of the animation rig. A simulation of the animation rig is performed using the determined one or more configurations. Performing the simulation includes computing physical effects for addition to the animation of the animation rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicants: Disney Enterprises, Inc., ETH Zürich (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich)
    Inventors: Yeara Kozlov, Bernhard Thomaszewski, Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Moritz Bächer, Markus Gross
  • Publication number: 20180096511
    Abstract: A method of transferring a facial expression from a subject to a computer-generated character and a system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for the same. The method can include receiving an input image depicting a face of a subject; matching a first facial model to the input image; generating a displacement map representing of finer-scale details not present in the first facial model using a regression function that estimates the shape of the finer-scale details. The displacement map can be combined with the first facial model to create a second facial model that includes the finer-scale details, and the second facial model can be rendered, if desired, to create a computer-generated image of the face of the subject that includes the finer-scale details.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thabo Beeler, Derek Bradley, Chen Cao