Jan Kautz

Title: Jan Kautz: Innovator in 3D Printing and Lenticular Displays

Introduction

Jan Kautz is a prominent inventor based in London, GB, known for his significant contributions to the fields of 3D printing and lenticular display technology. With a total of four patents to his name, Kautz has been at the forefront of developing innovative methods that enhance the capabilities of modern printing technologies.

Latest Patents

Kautz's latest patents include groundbreaking work in 3D printing with custom surface reflectance. This method focuses on fabricating custom surface reflectance and spatially-varying bi-directional reflectance distribution functions (BDRFs or svBRDFs). The 3D printing technique optimizes micro-geometry to produce a normal distribution function (NDF) that can be printed on surfaces using a 3D printer. The method involves optimizing the micro-geometry for a wide range of analytic NDFs and simulating the effective reflectance of the resulting surface. This innovation allows for the reproduction of the appearance of an input svBRDF, demonstrating the capability to print svBRDF on planar samples with current 3D printing technology, even with a limited set of printing materials.

Another notable patent is for content-adaptive lenticular prints. This invention enhances both perceived angular resolution and spatial resolution in lenticular display devices. By modifying the lenslet array to better match the content of a given light field, Kautz's optimization algorithm analyzes the input light field and computes an optimal lenslet size, shape, and arrangement. The resulting lenticular display device shows higher detail and smoother motion parallax compared to fixed-size lens arrays, proving its effectiveness through rendered simulations and user studies.

Career Highlights

Jan Kautz is currently employed at Disney Enterprises, Inc., where he continues to push the boundaries of technology in his field. His work has garnered attention for its innovative approach and practical applications in various industries.

Collaborations

Kautz has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Wojciech Matusik and Bernd Bickel, contributing to a dynamic environment of creativity and innovation.

Conclusion

Jan Kautz stands out as a leading inventor whose work in 3D printing and lenticular displays has the potential to revolutionize these technologies. His patents reflect a commitment to advancing the capabilities of modern printing methods