Patents by Inventor Tom Waterson

Tom Waterson 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: 10632385
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing participant likeness for a video game character are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles. A target participant may be identified, at the pose generation system, in the multiple videos. A set of poses may be generated, at the pose generation system, of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus. The set of poses may be received, at a model processing system, from the pose generation system. The method may further comprise generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses, and storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Harvey, Tom Waterson
  • Patent number: 10497163
    Abstract: Methods for improving animation of a character in a simulation by using physics driven by muscle activation data are provided. In one aspect, a method includes detecting a first trigger for a character to perform a movement. Animation data for the character is selected based on the first trigger. A muscle state corresponding to a body part of the character is determined based on the animation data. The movement is performed based on the animation data. A second trigger for altering the movement is detected. The movement is changed based on the muscle state and the second trigger. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Jalpesh Sachania, Tom Waterson, Fabio Zinno
  • Patent number: 10086286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing participant likeness for a video game character are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles. A target participant may be identified, at the pose generation system, in the multiple videos. A set of poses may be generated, at the pose generation system, of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus. The set of poses may be received, at a model processing system, from the pose generation system. The method may further comprise generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses, and storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Roy Harvey, Tom Waterson
  • Patent number: 9990754
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of systems and methods for rendering and skinning in video game applications that utilize a modified finite elements analysis in combination with position based dynamics. Position based dynamics can be used to provide a tradeoff of accuracy for speed and stability. The resulting position based finite element process provides for rendering and skinning elements, such as character models, during real time execution of a game application. Embodiments of the position based finite element technique can provide high quality deformations with a small number of elements, and simulate those elements more efficiently than previous methods used in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
    Inventors: Tom Waterson, Chris Lewin
  • Publication number: 20170209795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing participant likeness for a video game character are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, at a pose generation system, multiple videos of one or more live events, the multiple videos recorded from a plurality of camera angles. A target participant may be identified, at the pose generation system, in the multiple videos. A set of poses may be generated, at the pose generation system, of the target participant from the multiple videos, the set of poses associated with a movement type or game stimulus. The set of poses may be received, at a model processing system, from the pose generation system. The method may further comprise generating, at the model processing system, a graphic dataset based on the set of poses, and storing, at the model processing system, the graphic dataset to assist in rendering gameplay of a video game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Harvey, Tom Waterson