Patents Examined by Allen Wong
  • Patent number: 9560352
    Abstract: An image coding method of coding a current block to be coded using a first reference index indicating a first reference picture and a first motion vector, includes: calculating, using a second reference index and a second motion vector used to code a corresponding block, a third reference index and a third motion vector as respective candidates for the first reference index and the first motion vector; determining a value of a flag that indicates whether or not to code the current block using the third reference index and the third motion vector as the first reference index and the first motion vector; and coding the current block using the first reference index and the first motion vector according to the value of the flag, and adding the value of the flag to a bitstream generated by the coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SUN PATENT TRUST
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Sugio, Takahiro Nishi, Youji Sibahara, Hisao Sasai
  • Patent number: 9549191
    Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Jill MacDonald Boyce
  • Patent number: 9544577
    Abstract: A method of capturing three-dimensional (3D) information on a structure includes obtaining a first image set containing images of the structure with at least one physical camera located at a first position, the first image set comprising one or more images; reconstructing 3D information from the first image set; obtaining 3D information from a virtual camera out of an existing global model of the structure; determining correspondences between the obtained 3D information and the reconstructed 3D information; determining camera motion between the obtained 3D information and the reconstructed 3D information from the correspondences; and updating the existing global model by entering the obtained 3D information using the determined camera motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: A.TRON3D GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Blassnig, Helmut Angerer, Engelbert Kelz, Christian Zinner, Stephan Thierjung, Christoph Nowak, Jurgen Jesenko, Horst Koinig
  • Patent number: 9544578
    Abstract: A portable electronic equipment (1) has an autostereoscopic display (11), a sensor device (2), and a controller (6, 7). The autostereoscopic display (11) comprises a display panel and an image directing device. The sensor device (2) is configured to capture distance information indicative of a distance of a user from the autostereoscopic display (11) and a direction in which the user is positioned. The controller (6, 7) is coupled to the autostereoscopic display (11) to control the display panel (12) and the image directing device based on the distance information and/or direction informa-tion. The controller (6, 7) is configured to compute plural images to be output based on the distance information, to control the display panel to output the computed plural images, and to control the image directing device based on the distance information and/or direction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Anders Linge, Martin Ek, Jonas Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 9538168
    Abstract: A determination device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including: loading a plurality of video image signals including stereo images between which a position of an object in the stereo images differs in accordance with a parallax; performing block matching processing on the stereo images to detect a motion vector on a block-by-block basis in one of the stereo images and to calculate similarity on a block-by-block basis; determining whether to display a three-dimensional screen based on the stereo images or a two-dimensional screen, based on the motion vector or the similarity, or a combination thereof; and adding a result of the determining to the stereo images and outputting the stereo images added with the result to a display device that displays the stereo images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Chikara Imajo, Koji Takata
  • Patent number: 9536298
    Abstract: Method for detecting a surface flaw of an object using an electronic device includes requesting a detection device to control a camera unit to capture a current image of a test object placed on the detection device. The current image includes a sidewall image and a reflected image. The method obtains the current image, and detects whether the sidewall image has a surface flaw. When the sidewall image has a surface flaw, a rotation angle of the test object is determined based on the reflected image. The method obtains a standard sidewall image of a standard object stored in a storage device of the electronic device, based on the rotation angle, compares the sidewall image with the standard sidewall image, and determines and displays a position of the surface flaw on a sidewall of the test object based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen Airdrawing Technology Service Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
  • Patent number: 9538054
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted camera device that is mounted on a vehicle and captures a surrounding image from which lights are collected by a lens, in which the lens is set so as to have the surface having a contact angle less than or equal to 100°, preferably less than or equal to 60° so that water attached on the surface is made into a form of a film. For this reason, the surface of the lens has high hydrophilicity, and if water droplets are attached when it is raining, the water droplets extend over the surface of the lens to form a water film. Thus, if mud or other attached matter is attached on the surface of the lens, it is possible to remove the attached matter without delay, and it is possible to always keep the surface of the lens in a clean state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Osamu Fukata, Takashi Ashiduka, Toshimichi Gokan, Yonosuke Nishioku
  • Patent number: 9532048
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described including applying nonlinear scaling to a current image frame and a reference image frame to generate at least a corresponding current image layer and a corresponding reference image layer. Hierarchical motion estimation may then be performed using the nonlinearly scaled image layers. Further, source block size may be adaptively determined in a downsampled image layer and hierarchical motion estimation may be performed using the adaptively sized source blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Tanner, Hong Jiang
  • Patent number: 9530053
    Abstract: A method of detecting an original arrangement of laboratory articles of a laboratory work station records reference digital images with a digital camera. An image is displayed and visible regions with characteristic features are selected by a user within an input device. Reference image sections and corresponding reference image parameter files are produced and stored. A current arrangement of laboratory articles is compared with a previously recorded original arrangement. Detection of the current arrangement occurred by recording current digital images with a digital camera and creating current image sections defined by X/Y parameters of the reference image parameter files from the current digital images. A computer-based comparison of the processed current image sections with the processed reference image sections occurred and an analysis of this comparison and the display of agreements, deviations and errors is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Simon M. Eckard, Nikolaus Ingenhoven
  • Patent number: 9523845
    Abstract: An imaging system consisting of a cell-phone with camera as the detection part of an optical train which includes other components. Optionally, an illumination system to create controlled contrast in the sample. Uses include but are not limited to disease diagnosis, symptom analysis, and post-procedure monitoring, and other applications to humans, animals, and plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Daniel Fletcher, Wendy Hansen, Neil Switz, David N. Breslauer, Erik Douglas, Robi Maamari, Wilbur Lam, Jesse Dill
  • Patent number: 9524438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (10) with at least one camera (16), by means of which at least one image area of a surrounding of the vehicle (10) is capturable, the image area comprising a plurality of pixels and being arranged obliquely above a vehicle front as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and with a tunnel detection device (44) designed for determining an average brightness of the at least one image area. The tunnel detection device (44) comprises a device (46) for feature or edge detection, by means of which differences in the brightness of pixels differing from each other are capturable and thus features characterized by abrupt changes in brightness are detectable in the at least one image area. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating a camera arrangement for a vehicle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Brouk Wedajo, Yan Quelquejay, Samia Ahiad, Caroline Robert
  • Patent number: 9521400
    Abstract: Image data of respective images are recorded by multiple cameras that are arranged on a vehicle. A geometry of a three-dimensional environment model is provided, which has a level ground region that lies in a ground plane of the vehicle and which has a surface that has a ground surface of the level ground region and that encloses an ambient space, which also includes the vehicle. The image data of the respective images of the various cameras are projected on the surface of the three-dimensional environment model as environment model image data. Image data to be signaled of an image to be displayed from a view of a virtual camera on to the surface of the three-dimensional environment model are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Reicher, Guenter Bauer
  • Patent number: 9516391
    Abstract: Techniques for object based operations may include identifying one or more objects in a multimedia stream. The one or more objects may be classified. An operation may be performed based on the classification of the one or more objects. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bran Ferren, Cory J. Booth, Genevieve Bell
  • Patent number: 9513479
    Abstract: With respect to an emitting side optical axis, which is an optical axis on a first surface, a sight line reference axis which is assumed as a sight line axis of the eyes of an observer extends in a slightly inclined direction. In particular, the emitting side optical axis with respect to the sight line reference axis is configured to approach the eyes from the outside (that is, a corner of the eyes) of the eyes. In addition, a long image in a vertical direction which is perpendicular to an alignment of the eyes rather than in the horizontal direction which corresponds to the alignment of the eyes, is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Komatsu, Takahiro Totani, Masayuki Takagi, Takashi Takeda, Toshiaki Miyao
  • Patent number: 9514378
    Abstract: Three-dimensional imagers have conventionally been constrained by size, weight, and power (“SWaP”) limitations, readout circuitry bottlenecks, and the inability to image in sunlit environments. As described herein, an imager can illuminate a scene with spatially and temporally modulated light comprising a viewpoint-invariant pattern. The imager can detect diffuse reflections from the illuminated scene to produce a first image. The first image is background-corrected and compared with respect to a known reference image to produce a depth image. The imager can perform in sunlit environments and has improved SWaP and signal-to-noise (SNR) characteristics over existing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nicholas Lloyd Armstrong-Crews, Bryce Jason Remesch
  • Patent number: 9509921
    Abstract: A video processing circuit includes a video generating unit for generating a video output stream, a data generating unit (e.g. graphic generating unit) for providing a data stream (e.g. graphical stream), and a communication interface circuit. The communication interface circuit has a mode provided for merging the video output stream and the graphical stream to transmit a first merged signal through a channel. In the mode, the communication interface circuit merges the video output stream and the data stream by increasing a working frequency of the communication interface circuit to increase bandwidths of the channel, using positions for transmitting a portion of video control signals in the video output stream to transmit the data stream, and compressing the video output stream. The communication interface circuit may have another mode provided for mixing the video output stream and the data stream to transmit a mixed video output stream through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Yang-Hung Shih, Hung-Der Lin, Tang-Hung Po, Sau-Kwo Chiu
  • Patent number: 9509973
    Abstract: A device for compressing vertex data in three-dimensional (3D) image data includes a codebook design module and a codeword search module. The codebook design module is configured for: grouping residual vectors of vertices in 3D image data for codebook design; generating, for each group of residual vectors, a sub-codebook formed by a specified number of codewords; and sending the generated sub-codebook corresponding to a group of residual vectors to the codeword search module. The codeword search module is configured for: receiving a sub-codebook sent by the codebook design module; searching for a codeword of optimal match of a to-be-compressed residual vector of a vertex in 3D image data to be compressed; and taking an index of the codeword of optimal match and an index of a sub-codebook where the codeword of optimal match is located as compressed data of the vertex. A method for compressing vertex data in 3D image data is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Feifei He, Jian Hui, Gengmao Sun, Feng Gao, Zhibin Pan, Da Li, Jingyuan Li
  • Patent number: 9510016
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for video coding and decoding with reduced bit-depth update mode and reduced chroma sampling update mode. An apparatus includes an encoder for encoding at least a portion of a picture using at least one of a reduced bit-depth update mode and a reduced chroma sampling update mode that respectively reduces at least one of a bit-depth and a chroma sampling of a residue signal corresponding to the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Cristina Gomila, Oscar Divorra Escoda, Peng Yin, Joel Sole
  • Patent number: 9503852
    Abstract: Surveillance apparatus and method include a surveillance processor; a requestor terminal communicating with the surveillance processor for requesting information regarding a particular site of an object; a plurality of responder terminals; and a location processor for determining the locations of the responder terminals with respect to the particular site. The novelty is characterized in that the apparatus and method further include a media processor for relaying messages regarding the particular site to the responder terminals; and in that the information requested by the requestor terminal from the surveillance processor includes the locations of the responder terminals to be stored when located, by the location processor, within a specified distance from the particular site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Yariv Glazer
  • Patent number: 9485513
    Abstract: In the present invention, at least two component signals that represent luminance and a color difference in an original signal having a predetermined image format are encoded/decoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON HOSO KYOKAI
    Inventors: Atsuro Ichigaya, Yoshiaki Shishikui, Shinichi Sakaida, Kazuhisa Iguchi