Pixar

Pixar Animation Studios

David DiFrancesco

Thomas Douglas Selkirk Duff

Babak Sanii

James R Burgess

Mark T Vande Wettering

Mark VandeWettering

Akhil Jiten Madhani

Oren M Jacob

Loren C Carpenter

Alexis Paul Wieland

Warren Trezevant

Dominic Glynn

Peter Flowers

Hee Soo Lee

Tolis Deslis

Matthew T Martin

Light field imaging systems, and in particular light field lenses that can be mated with a variety of conventional cameras (e.g., digital or photographic/film, image and video/movie cameras) to create light field imaging systems. Light field data collected by these light field imaging systems can then be used to produce 2D images, right eye/left eye 3D images, to refocus foreground images and/or background images together or separately (depth of field adjustments), and to move the camera angle, as well as to render and manipulate images using a computer graphics rendering engine and compositing tools.

Super light field lens with focus control and non spherical lenslet arrays

Super light-field lens and image processing methods

Light field imaging systems, and in particular light field lenses that can be mated with a variety of conventional cameras (e.g., digital or photographic/film, image and video/movie cameras) to create light field imaging systems. Light field data collected by these light field imaging systems can then be used to produce 2D images, right eye/left eye 3D images, to refocus foreground images and/or background images together or separately (depth of field adjustments), and to move the camera angle, as well as to render and manipulate images using a computer graphics rendering engine and compositing tools. A doublet lenslet array element for use in light field imaging systems includes a first lenslet array element having a first plurality of lenslet array elements, and a second lenslet array element having a first plurality of lenslet array elements, wherein the first lenslet array element is coupled in close proximity to the second lenslet array element. The first and second lenslet array elements are glued together or otherwise bonded together and the first lenslet array element is made from a first optical material different than a second material forming the second lenslet array element.

Super light-field lens with doublet lenslet array element

Super light-field lens

A method for specifying an animatronics unit includes receiving a force-based software model for the animatronics unit, receiving a kinematics-based software model for the animatronics unit, receiving animation data for animating the kinematics-based software model, wherein the animation data comprises artistically determined motions for the kinematics-based software model by a user, determining a plurality of driving signals in response to the animation data, animating the force-based software model of the animatronics unit in response to the plurality of driving signals, displaying animation of the force-based software model determined in response to the plurality of driving signals, and determining a specification for construction of the animatronics unit in response to animation of the force-based software model.

Animatronics animation method and apparatus

A method for inspecting a reel of motion picture film including a first plurality of frames of film, the method includes receiving the first plurality of frames of motion picture film to determine a first plurality of digital data, receiving a second plurality of digital data associated with source data, comparing digital data from the first plurality of digital data to respective digital data of the second plurality of digital data to determine plurality of anomalies associated with the first plurality of frames of motion picture film, and recording the plurality of anomalies associated with the first plurality of frames of motion picture film in a log.

Automatic print and negative verification methods and apparatus

A method for recording video images onto film media includes orienting a flat panel display relative to a film recording device, receiving a first frame of video data and a second frame of video data, displaying a first display image on the flat panel data, wherein the first display image is determined in response to the first frame of video data, and while displaying the fist display image on the flat panel display, exposing a portion of the film media with the film recording device.

Video to film flat panel digital recorder and method

A method for a film recorder includes displaying a plurality of images on a modified liquid crystal display movably coupled to the film recorder, wherein the modified liquid crystal display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel with only a single polarizing media layer, disposing a linearly polarizing filter in an optical path of the film recorder, orienting the linearly polarizing filter in a first orientation relative to the modified liquid crystal display panel to thereby configure the film recorder to receive the plurality of images as positive images, and orienting the linearly polarizing filter in a second orientation relative to the modified liquid crystal display panel to thereby configure the film recorder to receive the plurality of images as negative images.

Configurable flat panel image to film transfer method and apparatus

A method for forming an image transfer apparatus includes providing first image data to a flat-panel display, displaying a first output image on the flat-panel display in response to the first image data, wherein the first output image includes an optical distortion associated with a film disposed onto a front transparent media of the flat-panel display, recording the first output image onto film media with a film recorder movably coupled to the flat-panel display, producing a complementing image in response to the first output image as recorded on the film media, and disposing the complementing image on an optical path of the film recorder.

Flat panel image to film transfer method and apparatus

A spectroscope includes a light source providing a first and a second range of wavelengths, a dispersion unit to receive light and to output the first and second range of wavelengths at different angles, a positioning mechanism to position the dispersion unit such that the first range of wavelengths is applied to a first patch of a frame of film, to position the dispersion unit such that the second range of wavelengths is applied to the first patch but not the second patch and the first range of wavelengths is applied to the second patch at a second time, and to position the dispersion unit such that the second range of wavelengths is applied to the second patch, a first detector to detect responses from the frame of film from the first patch, and a second detector to independently detect responses from the frame of film from the second patch.

Two-dimensional array spectroscopy method and apparatus

The invention is a method and apparatus for deflecting a beam using multiple beam scanning galvanometers. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a system for deflecting an energy beam comprising a first reflective surface for directing an incident beam, a first galvanometer coupled to the first reflective surface for rotating the first reflective surface about a first axis, a second reflective surface for directing the incident beam after directed by the first reflective surface, and a second galvanometer coupled to the second reflective surface for rotating the second reflective surface about a second axis, the second galvanometer positioned remote from the first galvanometer. In one or more embodiments, the system is a part of a laser film recorder. In such an embodiment, the incident beam comprises combined red, green and blue laser beams. The incident beam is directed by the second reflective surface at a film surface.

Method and apparatus for beam deflection using multiple beam scanning galvanometers

A digital film scanner interface obtains digital image data produced by projecting a motion picture film frame onto a sensor. The image data is transferred from the sensor to a Digital Signal Processor (&ldquo;DSP&rdquo;) block. The DSP block processes the image data to, for example, minify, magnify, enhance colors, or correct for errors in the image data. The DSP block comprises four DSPs. One of the DSPs receives the image data from the sensor and controls the flow of the image data to the other three DSPs. The processing tasks can then be distributed to the DSPs based on availability. Alternatively, the digital signal processing tasks can be allocated such that each DSP processes one color component of image data. After the image data is processed, it is transferred over a bus to a long term storage device.

Method and apparatus for a film scanner interface

The present invention provides precise constant velocity linear motion for reading and writing information over an area. The present invention uses a multiple cylinder linear feed unit to move a reflective surface and control the deflection of one or more beams. One embodiment of the present invention involves use of a pneumatic/hydraulic linear feed unit with a three color laser based film scanner/recorder system. The system can convert a film image to a digitized image capable of being processed by a computer and can also convert a digitized image to a film image. Two-axis scanning of a film frame is accomplished using a single scan mirror attached to a galvanometer scanner. The scan mirror and galvanometer scanner are coupled to a custom controlled rotary head assembly. The galvanometer deflects the scan mirror in a fast scan direction to create a scanline of the laser beam. A pneumatic/hydraulic linear feed unit is used to rotate the galvanometer assembly. By rotating the head assembly, the entire galvanometer assembly is moved, resulting in displacement of the beam along a slow scan axis across the film plane.

Multiple cylinder deflection system

A method and apparatus for scanning an image using a moving lens scanning system is described. The present invention moves film through a pin registered film gate, creating a projected image. A light source exposes images on the film in the film gate. The projected image passes through a lens and exposes a sensor, for example, a CCD camera. The sensor converts the section of the projected image exposed to it into electronic signals, and transfers that data out of the sensor. In one embodiment, the position of the film gate relative to the lens and sensor is adjustable to accommodate different size film formats. A rectangular sensor is used having a width narrower than the projected image width, and a height corresponding to the height of the projected image. To expose an entire film frame image to the sensor, the lens moves along an axis parallel to the width of the film frame so as to move the projected image across the sensor at a predetermined rate sufficient to allow the sensor to capture each component of the projected image. The present invention thereby scans film images using a sensor substantially smaller than the projected image size, and can scan a variety of film formats without moving or changing the size of the sensor.

Method and apparatus for scanning an image using a moving lens system

The present invention is a method and apparatus for digitizing film frames. The invention utilizes different colored strobe lights housed in an integrating sphere, instead of the prior art filter and shutter mechanism. The invention's control system flashes each strobe light in sequence for a predetermined time to expose a film frame to various color components. The various color components of the film frame are projected onto a CCD array with the aid of a lens. Each strobe light is flashed at a desired frequency and for the predetermined time in order to saturate the CCD array with the component of light corresponding to that strobe light. The color data corresponding to each color component are passed to digital signal processors for processing and storage. In one embodiment of the invention, the strobe lights are red, green, and blue strobe lights.

Growing community of inventors

Point Richmond, CA, United States of America

David DiFrancesco