Patents by Inventor Timothy James Knight
Timothy James Knight 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).
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Patent number: 10038909Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Kurt Akeley, Brendan Bevensee, Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Carl Warren Craddock, Chia-Kai Liang
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Publication number: 20160316218Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: Kurt Akeley, Brendan Bevensee, Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Carl Warren Craddock, Chia-Kai Liang
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Patent number: 9414087Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Akeley, Brendan Bevensee, Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Carl Warren Craddock, Chia-Kai Liang
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Patent number: 9386288Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Publication number: 20150312593Abstract: RAW images and/or light field images may be compressed through the use of specialized techniques. The color depth of a light field image may be reduced through the use of a bit reduction algorithm such as a K-means algorithm. The image may then be retiled to group pixels of similar intensities and/or colors. The retiled image may be padded with extra pixel rows and/or pixel columns as needed, and compressed through the use of an image compression algorithm. The compressed image may be assembled with metadata pertinent to the manner in which compression was done to form a compressed image file. The compressed image file may be decompressed by following the compression method in reverse.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Akeley, Brendan Bevensee, Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Carl Warren Craddock, Chia-Kai Liang
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Patent number: 9172853Abstract: Light-field image data is processed in a manner that reduces projection artifacts in the presence of variation in microlens position by calibrating microlens positions. Approximate centers of disks in a light-field image are identified, and gridded calibration is performed, by fitting lines to disk centers along orthogonal directions, and then fitting a rigid grid to the light-field image. For each grid region, a corresponding disk center is computed, and a displacement vector is generated. For each grid region, the final disk center is computed as the vector sum of the grid region's geometric center and displacement vector. Calibration data, including displacement vectors, is then used in calibrating disk centers for more accurate projection of light-field images. In at least one embodiment, the imaging geometry is arranged so that disks are separated by a gap, so as to limit or eliminate ghosting.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Publication number: 20150097985Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8995785Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for capturing, processing, analyzing, displaying, annotating, modifying, and/or interacting with light-field data on a light-field capture device. In at least one embodiment, the light-field capture device communicates to the user information about the scene during live-view to aid him or her in capturing light-field images that provide increased refocusing ability, increased parallax and perspective shifting ability, increased stereo disparity, and/or more dramatic post-capture effects. Additional embodiments present a standard 2D camera interface to software running on the light-field capture device to enable such software to function normally even though the device is actually capturing light-field data.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Knight, Colvin Pitts, Yi-Ren Ng, Alex Fishman, Yuriy Romanenko, Jeff Kalt, Kurt Barton Akeley
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Patent number: 8971625Abstract: According to various embodiments, a dolly zoom effect is generated using light field image data. The dolly zoom effect simulates an in-camera technique wherein a camera moves toward or away from the subject in such a way that the subject is kept at the same size throughout the effect. The effect causes the relative size of foreground background elements to change while foreground elements such as the subject remain the same size. By varying a parameter while projecting the light field image, the size of each object in the projection image scales depending on its relative depth as compared with the depth of the target subject, thus simulating the dolly zoom effect without any need to physically move the camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8948545Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Brian Cabral, Colvin Pitts, Chia-Kai Liang, Bennett Wilburn, Timothy James Knight, Yi-Ren Ng
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Publication number: 20150029386Abstract: Light-field image data is processed in a manner that reduces projection artifacts in the presence of variation in microlens position by calibrating microlens positions. Approximate centers of disks in a light-field image are identified, and gridded calibration is performed, by fitting lines to disk centers along orthogonal directions, and then fitting a rigid grid to the light-field image. For each grid region, a corresponding disk center is computed, and a displacement vector is generated. For each grid region, the final disk center is computed as the vector sum of the grid region's geometric center and displacement vector. Calibration data, including displacement vectors, is then used in calibrating disk centers for more accurate projection of light-field images. In at least one embodiment, the imaging geometry is arranged so that disks are separated by a gap, so as to limit or eliminate ghosting.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8908058Abstract: According to various embodiments, multiple frames, each having image data and metadata, can be aggregated into pictures. The frames may come from different image capture devices, enabling aggregation of image data from multiple sources. Aggregation can be automatic, or it can be performed in response to user input specifying particular combinations of frames to be aggregated. In various embodiments, pictures are mutable, whereas immutability of the constituent frames is enforced. In various embodiments, certain metadata elements that are not essential to rendering can be selectively removed from frames, so as to address privacy concerns. In various embodiments, frames can be authenticated by the use of digests generated by a hash function.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko
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Publication number: 20140300646Abstract: According to various embodiments, a dolly zoom effect is generated using light field image data. The dolly zoom effect simulates an in-camera technique wherein a camera moves toward or away from the subject in such a way that the subject is kept at the same size throughout the effect. The effect causes the relative size of foreground background elements to change while foreground elements such as the subject remain the same size. By varying a parameter while projecting the light field image, the size of each object in the projection image scales depending on its relative depth as compared with the depth of the target subject, thus simulating the dolly zoom effect without any need to physically move the camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8831377Abstract: Light-field image data is processed in a manner that reduces projection artifacts in the presence of variation in microlens position by calibrating microlens positions. Initially, approximate centers of disks in a light-field image are identified. Gridded calibration is then performed, by fitting lines to disk centers along orthogonal directions, and then fitting a rigid grid to the light-field image. For each grid region, a corresponding disk center is computed by passing values for pixels within that grid region into weighted-center equations. A displacement vector is then generated, based on the distance from the geometric center of the grid region to the computed disk center. For each grid region, the final disk center is computed as the vector sum of the grid region's geometric center and displacement vector. Calibration data, including displacement vectors, is then used in calibrating disk centers for more accurate projection of light-field images.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8811769Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data in a manner that reduces artifacts and that yields 2-D images with extended depth of field, and with variable placement of the center of perspective. Center of perspective can be varied based on user input or on pre-specified parameters. Various techniques for improving the presentation of light-field images with variable center of perspective are described, and for performing other effects in connection with projection of light-field images.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Colvin Pitts, Timothy James Knight, Chia-Kai Liang, Yi-Ren Ng
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Patent number: 8768102Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, improved downsampling techniques are employed, which can be applied to light field images and which preserve the ability to refocus (and otherwise manipulate) such images. Groups of pixels, rather than individual pixels, are downsampled; such groups of pixels can be defined, for example, as disks of pixels. Such downsampling is accomplished, for example, by aggregating values for pixels having similar relative positions within adjacent disks (or other defined regions or pixel groups) of the image. When applied to light field images, the downsampling techniques of the present invention reduce spatial resolution without sacrificing angular resolution. This ensures that the refocusing capability of the resulting light field image is not reduced and/or adversely impacted.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Lytro, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Kurt Barton Akeley, Timothy James Knight, Colvin Pitts
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Publication number: 20120249550Abstract: A system and method are provided for storing, manipulating, and/or transmitting image data, such as light field photographs and the like, in a manner that efficiently delivers different capabilities and features based on device attributes, user requirements and preferences, context, and/or other factors. Acceleration structures are provided, which enable selective use of certain types of data (also referred to as “assets”) based on device attributes such as image size, desired functionality, user preference, and/or the like. In this manner, the system and method of the present invention takes into account specific attributes and parameters in determining which data should be included, so as to optimize transmission, storage, and/or rendering of image data, including light field data, to improve efficiency and avoid waste of resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: LYTRO, INC.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko, Chia-Kai Liang, Colvin Pitts, Thomas Hanley, Mugur Marculescu
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Publication number: 20110234841Abstract: According to various embodiments, multiple frames, each having image data and metadata, can be aggregated into pictures. The frames may come from different image capture devices, enabling aggregation of image data from multiple sources. Aggregation can be automatic, or it can be performed in response to user input specifying particular combinations of frames to be aggregated. In various embodiments, pictures are mutable, whereas immutability of the constituent frames is enforced. In various embodiments, certain metadata elements that are not essential to rendering can be selectively removed from frames, so as to address privacy concerns. In various embodiments, frames can be authenticated by the use of digests generated by a hash function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: LYTRO, INC.Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Yi-Ren Ng, Kenneth Wayne Waters, Kayvon Fatahalian, Timothy James Knight, Yuriy Aleksandrovich Romanenko