Patents by Inventor Thomas Muttenthaler

Thomas Muttenthaler 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: 12657753
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to scale estimation for facilitating extended reality (XR) experiences. An image of a hand of a user is captured via one or more optical sensors of an XR device. The image is processed to detect a hand pose relative to the XR device. A hand scale estimate corresponding to the detected hand pose is accessed. The hand scale estimate is one of a plurality of hand scale estimates each uniquely associated with a respective hand pose. The hand scale estimate is applied to generate positional data for one or more features of the hand of the user. The XR device tracks the hand of the user based on the positional data while the user uses the XR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf, Jeremias Beyene Yehdegho
  • Publication number: 20260073545
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to scale estimation for facilitating extended reality (XR) experiences. An image of a hand of a user is captured via one or more optical sensors of an XR device. The image is processed to detect a hand pose relative to the XR device. A hand scale estimate corresponding to the detected hand pose is accessed. The hand scale estimate is one of a plurality of hand scale estimates each uniquely associated with a respective hand pose. The hand scale estimate is applied to generate positional data for one or more features of the hand of the user. The XR device tracks the hand of the user based on the positional data while the user uses the XR device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniele Wolf, Jeremias Beyene Yehdegho
  • Publication number: 20260073529
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to temporally sparse scale estimation for object tracking. A computing device detects a current orientation of an object. The computing device determines that a difference between the current orientation and at least one of a plurality of previously detected orientations of the object is less than a threshold value. Each previously detected orientation has a respective scale estimate. In response to determining that the difference is less than the threshold value, the computing device generates an effective scale estimate for the object based on a combination of the respective scale estimates for the plurality of previously detected orientations. Each respective scale estimate contributes to the effective scale estimate according to a respective difference between the current orientation and the previously detected orientation for the respective scale estimate. The computing device tracks a pose of the object based on the effective scale estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Blake Lucas, Thomas Muttenthaler, Thomas Faeulhammer
  • Publication number: 20260073536
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for reducing noise in object tracking data. Images of an object are obtained via one or more cameras. The images are processed to obtain first pose data indicative of a pose of the object over time. The first pose data is represented in a camera space. The first pose data is transformed to second pose data represented in a world space. The second pose data is filtered using a smoothing filter to generate filtered pose data. The filtering includes, for each pose data item in a time series of the second pose data, using a rotation transformation between the world space and camera space to apply one or more camera space-specific filter parameters to the pose data item that is represented in the world space. The pose of the object is dynamically tracked based on the filtered pose data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2024
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Blake Lucas, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12572216
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to the prediction of motion of a body part by an extended reality (XR) device. Tracking data is captured by one or more sensors associated with the XR device. The tracking data is processed to track the body part. Based on the tracking of the body part and a kinematic model of the body part, kinematic state tracking data is dynamically updated. The kinematic model and the kinematic state tracking data are used to generate a predicted future kinematic state of the body part. In some examples, operation of the XR device is controlled based on the predicted future kinematic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20260065610
    Abstract: In examples described herein, a sensor external to an extended reality (XR) device is connected to an extremity of a user of the XR device. The external sensor is communicatively coupled to the XR device. The XR device captures image data comprising one or more images of the extremity of the user. The XR device accesses external tracking data generated by the external sensor. A forecast of a pose of the extremity is generated based on the image data and the external tracking data. The forecast may be used for tracking of the extremity or to render virtual content for presentation to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Thomas Faeulhammer, Matthias Kalkgruber, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20260064192
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to hand chirality estimation. Tracking data captured by one or more sensors associated with an extended reality (XR) device is processed to determine positions of a plurality of joints of a hand of a person. A reference vector is generated based on a first subset of the positions. The first subset of the positions includes positions of at least two metacarpophalangeal joints. A plurality of bending angles is determined based on at least a second subset of the positions. Each bending angle represents an angle between a respective pair of articulating bones that is measured in relation to the reference vector. An estimated chirality of the hand is identified based on the plurality of bending angles. Operation of the XR device is controlled using the estimated chirality of the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20260057544
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to the use of shared pose data in extended reality (XR) tracking. A communication link is established between a first XR device and a second XR device. The second XR device is worn by a user. The first XR device receives pose data of the second XR device via the communication link and captures an image of the user. The user is identified based on the image and the pose data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2025
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Inventors: Brian Fulkerson, Thomas Muttenthaler, Georgios Papandreou, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20260030850
    Abstract: Examples describe adaptive image processing for an augmented reality (AR) device. An input image is captured by a camera of the AR device, and a region of interest of the input image is determined. The region of interest is associated with an object that is being tracked using an object tracking system. A crop-and-scale order of an image processing operation directed at the region of interest is determined for the input image. One or more object tracking parameters may be used to determine the crop-and-scale order. The crop-and-scale order is dynamically adjustable between a first order and a second order. An output image is generated from the input image by performing the image processing operation according to the determined crop-and-scale order for the particular input image. The output image can be accessed by the object tracking system to track the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Thomas Muttenthaler, Kai Zhou
  • Publication number: 20250383702
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to hand chirality estimation. Tracking data captured by one or more sensors associated with an extended reality (XR) device is processed to determine positions of a plurality of joints of a hand of a person. A reference vector is generated based on a first subset of the positions. The first subset of the positions includes positions of at least two metacarpophalangeal joints. A plurality of bending angles is determined based on at least a second subset of the positions. Each bending angle represents an angle between a respective pair of articulating bones that is measured in relation to the reference vector. An estimated chirality of the hand is identified based on the plurality of bending angles. Operation of the XR device is controlled using the estimated chirality of the hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20250383715
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to the prediction of motion of a body part by an extended reality (XR) device. Tracking data is captured by one or more sensors associated with the XR device. The tracking data is processed to track the body part. Based on the tracking of the body part and a kinematic model of the body part, kinematic state tracking data is dynamically updated. The kinematic model and the kinematic state tracking data are used to generate a predicted future kinematic state of the body part. In some examples, operation of the XR device is controlled based on the predicted future kinematic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12499633
    Abstract: In examples described herein, a sensor external to an extended reality (XR) device is connected to an extremity of a user of the XR device. The external sensor is communicatively coupled to the XR device. The XR device captures image data comprising one or more images of the extremity of the user. The XR device accesses external tracking data generated by the external sensor. A forecast of a pose of the extremity is generated based on the image data and the external tracking data. The forecast may be used for tracking of the extremity or to render virtual content for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Faeulhammer, Matthias Kalkgruber, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12498783
    Abstract: Examples in the present disclosure relate to hand chirality estimation. Tracking data captured by one or more sensors associated with an extended reality (XR) device is processed to determine positions of a plurality of joints of a hand of a person. A reference vector is generated based on a first subset of the positions. The first subset of the positions includes positions of at least two metacarpophalangeal joints. A plurality of bending angles is determined based on at least a second subset of the positions. Each bending angle represents an angle between a respective pair of articulating bones that is measured in relation to the reference vector. An estimated chirality of the hand is identified based on the plurality of bending angles. Operation of the XR device is controlled using the estimated chirality of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Diem, Thomas Muttenthaler, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12482131
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to the use of shared pose data in extended reality (XR) tracking. A communication link is established between a first XR device and a second XR device. The second XR device is worn by a user. The first XR device receives pose data of the second XR device via the communication link and captures an image of the user. The user is identified based on the image and the pose data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Fulkerson, Thomas Muttenthaler, Georgios Papandreou, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12462491
    Abstract: Examples describe adaptive image processing for an augmented reality (AR) device. An input image is captured by a camera of the AR device, and a region of interest of the input image is determined. The region of interest is associated with an object that is being tracked using an object tracking system. A crop-and-scale order of an image processing operation directed at the region of interest is determined for the input image. One or more object tracking parameters may be used to determine the crop-and-scale order. The crop-and-scale order is dynamically adjustable between a first order and a second order. An output image is generated from the input image by performing the image processing operation according to the determined crop-and-scale order for the particular input image. The output image can be accessed by the object tracking system to track the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Muttenthaler, Kai Zhou
  • Publication number: 20250190050
    Abstract: Bending data is used to facilitate tracking operations of an extended reality (XR) device, such as hand tracking or other object tracking operations. The XR device obtains bending data indicative of bending of the XR device to accommodate a body part of a user wearing the XR device. The XR device determines, based on the bending data, whether to use previously identified biometric data in a tracking operation. A mode of the XR device is selected based on this determination. The XR device performs the tracking operation based on the selected mode. The selected mode may be a first mode in which the previously identified biometric data is used in the tracking operation or a second mode which does not apply previously identified biometric data in the tracking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Faeulhammer, Matthias Kalkgruber, Thomas Muttenthaler, Tiago Miguel Pereira Torres, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 12271517
    Abstract: Bending data is used to facilitate tracking operations of an extended reality (XR) device, such as hand tracking or other object tracking operations. The XR device obtains bending data indicative of bending of the XR device to accommodate a body part of a user wearing the XR device. The XR device determines, based on the bending data, whether to use previously identified biometric data in a tracking operation. A mode of the XR device is selected responsive to determining whether to use the previously identified biometric data. The selected mode is used to initialize the tracking operation. The selected mode may be a first mode in which the previously identified biometric data is used in the tracking operation or a second mode in which the previously identified biometric data is not used in the tracking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Faeulhammer, Matthias Kalkgruber, Thomas Muttenthaler, Tiago Miguel Pereira Torres, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20250110547
    Abstract: Bending data is used to facilitate tracking operations of an extended reality (XR) device, such as hand tracking or other object tracking operations. The XR device obtains bending data indicative of bending of the XR device to accommodate a body part of a user wearing the XR device. The XR device determines, based on the bending data, whether to use previously identified biometric data in a tracking operation. A mode of the XR device is selected responsive to determining whether to use the previously identified biometric data. The selected mode is used to initialize the tracking operation. The selected mode may be a first mode in which the previously identified biometric data is used in the tracking operation or a second mode in which the previously identified biometric data is not used in the tracking operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Faeulhammer, Matthias Kalkgruber, Thomas Muttenthaler, Tiago Miguel Pereira Torres, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20250022162
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to the use of shared pose data in extended reality (XR) tracking. A communication link is established between a first XR device and a second XR device. The second XR device is worn by a user. The first XR device receives pose data of the second XR device via the communication link and captures an image of the user. The user is identified based on the image and the pose data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Brian Fulkerson, Thomas Muttenthaler, Georgios Papandreou, Daniel Wolf
  • Publication number: 20240303934
    Abstract: Examples describe adaptive image processing for an augmented reality (AR) device. An input image is captured by a camera of the AR device, and a region of interest of the input image is determined. The region of interest is associated with an object that is being tracked using an object tracking system. A crop-and-scale order of an image processing operation directed at the region of interest is determined for the input image. One or more object tracking parameters may be used to determine the crop-and-scale order. The crop-and-scale order is dynamically adjustable between a first order and a second order. An output image is generated from the input image by performing the image processing operation according to the determined crop-and-scale order for the particular input image. The output image can be accessed by the object tracking system to track the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Muttenthaler, Kai Zhou