Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140022261 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ACHIEVE BETTER EYELINES IN CG CHARACTERS - Systems and methods are provided to create better-looking animated eyes for CG characters. The systems and methods set the rigging of each eye to, rather than precisely converge on a target location, converge but be rotationally or angularly offset by a certain amount to simulate correct physical eye positioning and movements. In addition, the systems and methods provide even more realistic eye appearance by taking account of the refractive properties of the cornea, e.g., which can make the pupil appear larger than it actually is. The systems and methods may further take account of a shadowing effect of the upper eye caused by the brow, eyelashes, and upper lid (as well as an effect caused by reflection from the underside of the eyelashes). This darkening of the upper portion of the eye addresses vertical eyeline discrepancies caused by the visual and optical illusion of incorrect lighting. | 01-23-2014 |
20140104282 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANIMATING A BODY - Systems and methods are disclosed for applying a controllable and predictable muscle oscillation to a portion of a body such as a character in a predetermined and intuitive way. Positions of separate muscle locations are analyzed throughout a timeline. A third derivative with respect to time of the positions of the separate muscles is calculated to measure a change of acceleration for a particular point of interest. The change in the acceleration gives positive or negative changes in the applied forces. The direction and magnitude of the applied forces is passed onto a part of a solution that creates a procedural oscillation based on the magnitude and the direction of the applied forces in the muscle space. | 04-17-2014 |
20140210815 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCEDURAL CG EYE MENISCUS - Systems and methods are disclosed to provide a highly convenient and practically automated system for creation of highly-realistic menisci for CG characters. Creating the meniscus in the correct place and maintaining its correlation with moving eyes and eyelids was in the past difficult. The systems and methods disclosed provide a highly-realistic way to create and control such features. The systems and methods may create the meniscus in a procedural fashion, allowing the meniscus to properly track movements of character eyes and eyelids and to be animated in a highly-realistic fashion. | 07-31-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110168480 | PHASE PLUG AND ACOUSTIC LENS FOR DIRECT RADIATING LOUDSPEAKER - A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle. | 07-14-2011 |
20120269356 | SELF CALIBRATING MULTI-ELEMENT DIPOLE MICROPHONE - A self calibrating dipole microphone formed from two omni-directional acoustic sensors. The microphone includes a sound source acoustically coupled to the acoustic sensors and a processor. The sound source is excited with a test signal, exposing the acoustic sensors to acoustic calibration signals. The responses of the acoustic sensors to the calibration signals are compared by the processor, and one or more correction factors determined. Digital filter coefficients are calculated based on the one or more correction factors, and applied to the output signals of the acoustic sensors to compensate for differences in the sensitivities of the acoustic sensors. The filtered signals provide acoustic sensor outputs having matching responses, which are subtractively combined to form the dipole microphone output. | 10-25-2012 |
20120279797 | PHASE PLUG AND ACOUSTIC LENS FOR DIRECT RADIATING LOUDSPEAKER - A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle. | 11-08-2012 |
20130228393 | PHASE PLUG AND ACOUSTIC LENS FOR DIRECT RADIATING LOUDSPEAKER - A phase plugs or acoustic lens improves the directional audio performance of a loudspeaker. Application of the improved directional audio performance to a sound system in a listening area may improve the performance of the audio system. Configuration of the acoustic lens or phase plug may include both symmetrical and asymmetrical features to provide an improved frequency response and directivity. The improved loudspeaker may provide improved an improved listing location, for example, in a vehicle. | 09-05-2013 |
20140369511 | SELF CALIBRATING MULTI-ELEMENT DIPOLE MICROPHONE - A self calibrating dipole microphone formed from two omni-directional acoustic sensors. The microphone includes a sound source acoustically coupled to the acoustic sensors and a processor. The sound source is excited with a test signal, exposing the acoustic sensors to acoustic calibration signals. The responses of the acoustic sensors to the calibration signals are compared by the processor, and one or more correction factors determined. Digital filter coefficients are calculated based on the one or more correction factors, and applied to the output signals of the acoustic sensors to compensate for differences in the sensitivities of the acoustic sensors. The filtered signals provide acoustic sensor outputs having matching responses, which are subtractively combined to form the dipole microphone output. | 12-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200614 | Emulsion Polymer Blend Coating Compositions and Methods for Increasing Chalky Substrate Adhesion - The present invention relates to a coating composition containing a polymer blend dispersion including: a first polymer having a relatively low molecular weight and a relatively low glass transition temperature and comprising a self-crosslinking monomer; and a second polymer having a relatively high molecular weight and a relatively high glass transition temperature. Latex paint compositions and architectural coatings containing the coating composition according to the invention are also described herein, as well as substrates coated therewith. | 08-21-2008 |
20090023850 | Self-Priming Color Foundation Finishes - Paint systems, in accordance with exemplary embodiments, of the present invention include a foundation base component and a top coat component. The foundation base component is tinted to match the top coat component to provide both the desired amount of hiding of colors or markings on the substrate to which the paint system is applied, and to enhance the brightness and hue of the color of the paint system. Furthermore, in another innovative aspect of the present invention, the foundation base component comprises at least one low molecular weight polymer that undergoes self-crosslinking at ambient conditions during and after paint drying. The low molecular weight polymer penetrates various substrates, including chalky surfaces, to provide improved adhesion. Moreover, because the low molecular weight polymer is self-crosslinking at ambient conditions, the polymer enhances the performance of dried paints, including improving mechanical strength, tannin block properties, and weatherability. | 01-22-2009 |
20120165428 | Polymer for Extending the Open Time of Waterborne Architectural Coatings - The present invention relates to water soluble open time extenders, which are mixed with an architectural coating, such as aqueous latex paints, to increase the coating's open time and crosslink to the architectural coating upon drying. The open time extender comprises neutralized water soluble polymers with hydrophobic, hydrophilic and cross-linkable monomers, and at least one crosslinking agent. The open time extender also comprises water and the total solid content of the open time extender is less than about 25% by weight. | 06-28-2012 |
20130005881 | Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposites - The present invention relates to a dispersion of hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite molecules comprising discrete inorganic silica nanoparticles that are covalently bonded to organic polymers, wherein the dispersion has a high solid content (>30% wt.) and high silica content (>35% wt.) with low coagulum (about 100-400 ppm or about 0.05% wt or less). The hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposite is prepared by (1) hydrolyzing silane monomers at acidic conditions; (2) surface treating inorganic silica nanoparticles with silane monomers; (3) stabilizing the surface-treated inorganic silica nanoparticles with an amine stabilizer; and (4) reacting organic monomers with surface-treated inorganic silica nanoparticles. | 01-03-2013 |
20140007794 | Universal VOC-Free Metallic/Pearlescent Colorants - The present invention relates to a universal metallic/pearlescent colorant composition that is free of VOCs including alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE) and formaldehyde. The colorant composition comprises substantially no resin and comprises microcrystalline cellulose and optionally a synthetic silicate to disperse the metallic pigments. | 01-09-2014 |
20140235752 | Self-Coalescing Latex - The present invention relates to self-coalescing latexes that incorporate film fat ing polymers that are low molecular weight polymers that are compatible with the latex and act as thin plasticizers penetrating through the remainder of the latex particle and aiding in the coalescence of the remaining polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the self-coalescing latex is a sequentially polymerized polymer having at least a core, a shell and a skin. The film forming polymers are formed of monomers substantially the same as the monomers of the shell but having average weighted molecular weights substantially less than the polymers of the shell. The present invention also relates to the method of polymerizing the self-coalescing latex of the current invention, which largely results from the addition of a substantial amount of chain transfer agent to a remaining portion, about 15% or less, of the monomer pre-emulsion prior to polymerization. Lastly, the invention relates to paint compositions incorporating the self-coalescing latexes that are substantially free of coalescing agents or aids. | 08-21-2014 |
20150057406 | Additives for Improved Hiding and Paint Compositions Containing Same - The architectural compositions, such as paints and stains, include an additive comprising a plurality of latex particles added to an existing mixture of opacifying pigments and a film-forming binder as an admixture. Each latex particle is made from a latex polymer copolymerized with a polymerizable surfactant. The latex polymer is a non-film forming polymer at ambient temperatures. | 02-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120142847 | AQUEOUS CROSS-LINKING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS - Water-borne cross-linking polymeric compositions and related embodiments, such as methods of making and using the compositions, as well as products formed with said compositions are described. For example, the water-borne composition may comprise polymers incorporating cross-linking functionality such as, but not limited to, carbonyl or epoxy functionality, and a blocked cross-linking agent, for example, a hydrazone. The cross-linking functionality does not react with the blocked cross-linking agent; however, the blocked cross-linking agent is capable of reacting with the alternative form cross-linking agent such as, but not limited to, a hydrazide, to yield a cross-linked polymer. The alternative form cross-linking agent may be formed in an equilibrium reaction including the blocked cross-linking agent. | 06-07-2012 |
20140179859 | COATINGS FOR USE IN HIGH HUMIDITY CONDITIONS - The present invention is directed to a coating composition comprising a vinyl acrylic copolymer latex wherein said copolymer latex has a water contact angle of about 60° or higher on the dried latex film surface, wherein said copolymer latex further has a specific water vapor permeability of about 0.5 mg/cm | 06-26-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110098376 | Aqueous Coating Compositions with De Minimis Volatile Emissions - The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition comprising a treated latex polymer dispersion with less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers. The latex polymer dispersion can be treated by various means, including stripping and chasing, to remove unreacted monomers from the dispersion. Unreacted monomers significantly contribute to paint odor. In an innovative aspect of the present invention, the synergistic combination of the treated latex dispersion with pigments and other low or zero-VOC additives results in an aqueous coating composition with de minimis levels of volatile emissions, low odor, and paint performance comparable to premium latex paints. | 04-28-2011 |
20110112223 | Environmentally Friendly Colorant Compositions and Latex Paints/Coatings - The invention relates to colorant compositions, and aqueous latex paints or other water-borne coatings made from them, which have a mitigated environmental impact. Levels of solvents, additives and impurities comprising volatile non-aqueous constituents, alkylphenol ethoxylates (and derivatives thereof), crystalline silica, and/or formaldehyde are decreased relative to those typical of preceding generations of colorants and tinted aqueous latex paints and other water-borne coatings. On the other hand, paint-performance as indicated by any of Stormer viscosity stabilization, rheological profile flow/leveling and sag resistance, water sensitivity and color transfer resistance is comparable to a paint in which the aforementioned solvents, additives and impurities are still present. | 05-12-2011 |
20130079456 | PAINTS WITH IMPROVED WATER STAINING AND COLOR RUB-OFF QUALITIES - The present invention comprises a hybrid latex polymer composition with one or more hydrophobic compound which is a solid or has a 50% distillation temperature of at least 200° C. and one or more matrix polymer, wherein the hydrophobic compound is entrapped in the structure of the matrix polymer. Further, the invention is a method of improving resistance to water staining and color rub-off in latex paints by including a hybrid latex polymer. | 03-28-2013 |
20140171585 | Grafted Pigment Dispersing Polymeric Additive and Paint Employing the Same with Improved Hiding - The present invention relates to a grafted pigment dispersing polymeric additive for opacifying pigments, prepared by polymerizing monomers in the presence of a polymeric pigment dispersant. The polymeric pigment dispersant has low molecular weight, high acid number and is dissolvable in alkali solution. When incorporated into paint compositions, hiding is improved with less opacifying pigments. | 06-19-2014 |
20140179839 | Environmentally Friendly Colorant Compositions and Latex Paints/Coatings - The invention relates to colorant compositions, and aqueous latex paints or other water-borne coatings made from them, which have a mitigated environmental impact. Levels of solvents, additives and impurities comprising volatile non-aqueous constituents, alkylphenol ethoxylates (and derivatives thereof), crystalline silica, and/or formaldehyde are decreased relative to those typical of preceding generations of colorants and tinted aqueous latex paints and other water-borne coatings. On the other hand, paint-performance as indicated by any of Stormer viscosity stabilization, rheological profile flow/leveling and sag resistance, water sensitivity and color transfer resistance is comparable to a paint in which the aforementioned solvents, additives and impurities are still present. | 06-26-2014 |
20140323635 | Ambient Self-Crosslinkable Latex - The present invention relates to storage stable film forming latex particles substantially free of adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) that crosslink under ambient conditions during or after drying. Monomers for the formation of the crosslinkable moieties in the latex particles include diacetone acrylamide (DAAM) or the likes and methacrylamide (MAM) or the likes with or without styrene. A paint composition comprising the storage stable latex particles was described. | 10-30-2014 |