Patents by Inventor Zhengyou Zhang

Zhengyou Zhang 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: 9430040
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards eye gaze detection based upon multiple cameras and/or light sources. The cameras and/or light sources are configured to provide eye gaze detection for a device display at different orientations, at different tilt angles, at different user positions, at different user distances, and so on. Also described is a controller that selectively controls light source power and camera on/off state to provide images of the eye having sufficient quality for eye gaze detection and/or to conserve power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, Anoop Gupta, Qin Cai
  • Publication number: 20160234221
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically connecting to a service controller are described herein. In one example, a service controller device includes a processor and a computer-readable memory storage device storing executable instructions that cause the processor to broadcast at least one of an access credential, connection information or an access credential hash embedded in an audio signal. The processor can also authenticate a client device based on a transmission of at least one of the connection information, the access credential, or the access credential hash from the client device to the client connector and transmit data to the client device in response to authenticating the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Sasa Junuzovic, Yinpeng Chen, Cha Zhang, Dinei Florencio, Zhengyou Zhang, Alastair Wolman
  • Patent number: 9400548
    Abstract: A gesture-based system may have default or pre-packaged gesture information, where a gesture is derived from a user's position or motion in a physical space. In other words, no controllers or devices are necessary. Depending on how a user uses his or her gesture to accomplish the task, the system may refine the properties and the gesture may become personalized. The personalized gesture information may be stored in a gesture profile and can be further updated with the latest data. The gesture-based system may use the gesture profile information for gesture recognition techniques. Further, the gesture profile may be roaming such that the gesture profile is available in a second location without requiring the system to relearn gestures that have already been personalized on behalf of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, Alex Aben-Athar Kipman, Kenneth Alan Lobb, Joseph Reginald Scott Molnar
  • Publication number: 20160202756
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that are related to gaze tracking via image data. One example provides, on a gaze tracking system comprising an image sensor, a method of determining a gaze direction, the method comprising acquiring image data via the image sensor, detecting in the image data facial features of a human subject, determining an eye rotation center based upon the facial features using a calibrated face model, determining an estimated position of a center of a lens of an eye from the image data, determining an optical axis based upon the eye rotation center and the estimated position of the center of the lens, determining a visual axis by applying an adjustment to the optical axis, determining the gaze direction based upon the visual axis, and providing an output based upon the gaze direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Dijia Wu, Michael J. Conrad, Tim Burrell, Xu Miao, Zicheng Liu, Qin Cai, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160205353
    Abstract: A tele-immersive environment is described that provides interaction among participants of a tele-immersive session. The environment includes two or more set-ups, each associated with a participant. Each set-up, in turn, includes mirror functionality for presenting a three-dimensional virtual space for viewing by a local participant. The virtual space shows at least some of the participants as if the participants were physically present at a same location and looking into a mirror. The mirror functionality can be implemented as a combination of a semi-transparent mirror and a display device, or just a display device acting alone. According to another feature, the environment may present a virtual object in a manner that allows any of the participants of the tele-immersive session to interact with the virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Zhengyou Zhang, Philip A. Chou, Neil S. Fishman, Donald M. Gillett, Hrvoje Benko
  • Patent number: 9332218
    Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 9332222
    Abstract: A controlled three-dimensional (3D) communication endpoint system and method for simulating an in-person communication between participants in an online meeting or conference and providing easy scaling of a virtual environment when additional participants join. This gives the participants the illusion that the other participants are in the same room and sitting around the same table with the viewer. The controlled communication endpoint includes a plurality of camera pods that capture video of a participant from 360 degrees around the participant. The controlled communication endpoint also includes a display device configuration containing display devices placed at least 180 degrees around the participant and display the virtual environment containing geometric proxies of the other participants. Placing the participants at a round virtual table and increasing the diameter of the virtual table as additional participants are added easily achieves scalability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Christian F. Huitema, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 9325943
    Abstract: A tele-immersive environment is described that provides interaction among participants of a tele-immersive session. The environment includes two or more set-ups, each associated with a participant. Each set-up, in turn, includes mirror functionality for presenting a three-dimensional virtual space for viewing by a local participant. The virtual space shows at least some of the participants as if the participants were physically present at a same location and looking into a mirror. The mirror functionality can be implemented as a combination of a semi-transparent mirror and a display device, or just a display device acting alone. According to another feature, the environment may present a virtual object in a manner that allows any of the participants of the tele-immersive session to interact with the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew D. Wilson, Philip A. Chou, Donald M. Gillett, Hrvoje Benko, Zhengyou Zhang, Neil S. Fishman
  • Patent number: 9270974
    Abstract: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a first digital image from a color camera, wherein the first digital image comprises a planar object, and a second digital image from a depth sensor, wherein the second digital image comprises the planar object. The system also includes a calibrator component that jointly calibrates the color camera and the depth sensor based at least in part upon the first digital image and the second digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Cha Zhang, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160028991
    Abstract: A perspective-correct communication window system and method for communicating between participants in an online meeting, where the participants are not in the same physical locations. Embodiments of the system and method provide an in-person communications experience by changing virtual viewpoint for the participants when they are viewing the online meeting. The participant sees a different perspective displayed on a monitor based on the location of the participant's eyes. Embodiments of the system and method include a capture and creation component that is used to capture visual data about each participant and create a realistic geometric proxy from the data. A scene geometry component is used to create a virtual scene geometry that mimics the arrangement of an in-person meeting. A virtual viewpoint component displays the changing virtual viewpoint to the viewer and can add perceived depth using motion parallax.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Yancey Christopher Smith, Eric G. Lang, Zhengyou Zhang, Christian F. Huitema
  • Patent number: 9240056
    Abstract: Videos are retargeted to a target display for viewing with little to no geometric distortion or video information loss. Salient regions of video frames may be determined using scale-space spatiotemporal information. Video information loss may be a result of spatial loss, due to cropping, and resolution loss, due to resizing. A desired cropping window may be determined using a coarse-to-fine searching strategy. Video frames may be cropped with a window that matches an aspect ratio of the target display, and resized isotropically to match a size of the target display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Hua, Cha Zhang, Zhengyou Zhang, Zicheng Liu, Ying Shan
  • Publication number: 20150382129
    Abstract: Described herein are various technologies pertaining to parametric speakers. A parametric speaker is driven based upon a determined location of an ear of a listener. The parametric speaker outputs an ultrasonic beam that comprises several modulated signals, the modulated signals being carrier signals modulated by an audio signal. The parametric speaker is driven such that a main lobe of the ultrasonic beam has a focal point between the ear of the listener and the parametric speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dinei Florencio, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150341593
    Abstract: The described implementations relate to enhancement images, such as in videoconferencing scenarios. One system includes a poriferous display screen having generally opposing front and back surfaces. This system also includes a camera positioned proximate to the back surface to capture an image through the poriferous display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Cha ZHANG, Timothy A. LARGE, Zhengyou ZHANG, Ruigang YANG
  • Publication number: 20150310263
    Abstract: The description relates to facial tracking. One example can include an orientation structure configured to position the wearable device relative to a user's face. The example can also include a camera secured by the orientation structure parallel to or at a low angle to the user's face to capture images across the user's face. The example can further include a processor configured to receive the images and to map the images to parameters associated with an avatar model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cha ZHANG, Zhengyou ZHANG, Bernardino ROMERA PAREDES
  • Patent number: 9160966
    Abstract: The described implementations relate to enhancement images, such as in videoconferencing scenarios. One system includes a poriferous display screen having generally opposing front and back surfaces. This system also includes a camera positioned proximate to the back surface to capture an image through the poriferous display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Cha Zhang, Timothy A. Large, Zhengyou Zhang, Ruigang Yang
  • Publication number: 20150277553
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is generally directed towards eye gaze detection based upon both eyes being fixated on the same gaze location. In one aspect, an image including a subject's left and right eyes is captured, from which left and right glint and pupil center information are extracted. The left and right glint data and the left and right pupil data are used with left and right bias correction matrices to jointly determine a gaze location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, Qin Cai
  • Publication number: 20150278599
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards eye gaze detection based upon multiple cameras and/or light sources along with an adaptive homography mapping model. Learning of the model includes compensating for spatially-varying gaze errors and head pose dependent errors simultaneously in a unified framework. Aspects including training the model of adaptive homography offline using simulated data at various head positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, Qin Cai, Zicheng Liu, Jia-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 9123144
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shape parameter computation system and method for computing three-dimensional human head shape parameters from two-dimensional facial feature points. A series of images containing a user's face is captured. Embodiments of the system and method deduce the 3D parameters of the user's head by examining a series of captured images of the user over time and in a variety of head poses and facial expressions, and then computing an average. An energy function is constructed over a batch of frames containing 2D face feature points obtained from the captured images, and the energy function is minimized to solve for the head shape parameters valid for the batch of frames. Head pose parameters and facial expression and animation parameters can vary over each captured image in the batch of frames. In some embodiments this minimization is performed using a modified Gauss-Newton minimization technique using a single iteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolay Smolyanskiy, Christian F. Huitema, Cha Zhang, Lin Liang, Sean Eron Anderson, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150242107
    Abstract: The description relates to interactions with a display device. In one example, the interactions can include detecting a user proximate to a display and detecting a non-touch control gesture performed by the user proximate to the display. The example can also include presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display that includes options associated with the control gesture. The example can also include receiving user input selecting one of the options and receiving additional user input from the user to interact with the GUI via the selected one of the options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yinpeng CHEN, Zicheng LIU, Zhengyou ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20150244976
    Abstract: The description relates to remote collaboration via a telepresence experience. One example can include an interactive digital display. The example can also include a virtual user presentation component configured to generate a graphical user interface that includes a virtual representation of a remote user on the interactive digital display. The graphical user interface can be configured to present the remote user in a side by side or mirror image relationship to a local user of the interactive digital display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yinpeng CHEN, Philip A. CHOU, Zhengyou ZHANG