Patents Examined by Dave Czekaj
  • Patent number: 11134269
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an image encoding method and apparatus and an image decoding method and apparatus. For a to-be-encoded image in a to-be-encoded video sequence, a reference image may be selected from at least one knowledge-base image in a knowledge-base image set. In addition, bitstream data of the to-be-encoded image includes identification information used to identify the reference image of the to-be-encoded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yin Zhao, Peiyun Di, Lu Yu
  • Patent number: 11117520
    Abstract: A display control device includes a video data acquiring unit that acquires video data from a plurality of cameras photographing a periphery of a vehicle, a bird's-eye view video generator that applies view point conversion processing and synthesis processing to the video data to generate a bird's-eye view video, an adjacent information acquiring unit that acquires first obstacle information serving as information about obstacles around the vehicle when the vehicle has moved backward and entered the parked state, and second obstacle information serving as the information about the obstacles around the vehicle when the vehicle moves forward to exit the parked state, a comparing unit that compares the first obstacle information with the second obstacle information to determine whether the number of obstacles around the vehicle has increased when the vehicle exits the parked state, and a display controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shimizu, Ichiro Ishida, Takuji Teruuchi, Naoto Hayashi, Noboru Katsumata
  • Patent number: 11120540
    Abstract: An inline vision-based system used for the inspection and processing of food material and associated imaging methods are disclosed. The system includes a conveyor belt, a transparent plate, and an imaging system, wherein the imaging system includes a light source and at least one camera. The imaging system produces image data from multiple views of light passing through an object on the transparent plate and captured by the camera. The image data corresponds to one of transmittance, interactance, or reflectance image data and is transmitted to a processor. The processor processes the data using machine learning to generate a three dimensional model of the geometry of a portion of material internal to the object so as to determine boundaries of the portion relative to the surrounding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: THAI UNION GROUP PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Stefan Mairhofer
  • Patent number: 11122283
    Abstract: The present invention is made to enable switching between lossless coding which prioritizes compatibility with a lossy coding process and lossless coding which prioritizes compression performance. An image coding apparatus of the present invention includes the following configuration. The image coding apparatus which encodes an image on a block-by-block basis includes a first coding unit and a second coding unit. The first coding unit performs irreversible compression coding on a received first block. The second coding unit performs reversible compression coding on a received second block. The second coding unit encodes the second block by using either of a first intra prediction mode for performing intra prediction on a block-by-block basis and a second intra prediction mode for performing intra prediction on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Shima
  • Patent number: 11113841
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed. The techniques include receiving, from a camera, an image showing a portion of a physical topography and target object. The techniques include determining, based on the image, a location of the target object shown in the image and a physical characteristic of the target object shown in the image, the physical characteristic being common with at least another target object. The techniques then include determining a three dimensional (3D) position of the target object in a 3D representation of the portion of the physical topography, the 3D position determined based on (i) the location of the target object, and (ii) the physical characteristic. Based on detecting a cluster of 3D positions of target objects (over several images), the techniques involve generating a 3D boundary of a zone of a portion of the physical topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Zelenskiy, Jon Ducrou, James Eather, Michael Neville
  • Patent number: 11115654
    Abstract: An encoder is disclosed which includes circuitry and memory. Using the memory, the circuitry, in a first operating mode, derives first motion vectors for a first block obtained by splitting a picture, and generates a prediction image corresponding to the first block, with a bi-directional optical flow flag settable to true, and by referring to spatial gradients of luminance generated based on the first motion vectors. Using the memory, the circuitry, in a second operating mode, derives second motion vectors for a sub-block obtained by splitting a second block, the second block being obtained by splitting the picture, and generates a prediction image corresponding to the sub-block, with the bi-directional optical flow flag set to false.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Abe, Takahiro Nishi, Tadamasa Toma, Ryuichi Kanoh
  • Patent number: 11109038
    Abstract: An intra frame bit rate allocation method being performed by a computer device comprising at least one processor, includes when a current frame of picture is an intra frame in a specified frame sequence, pre-encoding the current frame of picture; calculating a corresponding intra frame encoding cost and an inter frame encoding cost of the pre-encoding; and allocating an intra frame bit rate according to the calculated intra frame encoding cost and the inter frame encoding cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LTD
    Inventors: Xu Nan Mao, Yao Yao Guo, Li Cai Guo, Yong Fang Shi, An Lin Gao, Haibo Deng, Chen Chen Gu, Jing Lv
  • Patent number: 11107251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and method which enable encoding efficiency in intra prediction to be improved. In the event that the optimal intra prediction mode is mode 0, adjacent pixels to be used for prediction of the current block are pixels A0, A1, A2, and A3. According to these pixels and a 6-tap FIR filter, pixels a?0.5, a+0.5, and so on with ½ pixel precision are generated, and further, pixels a?0.75, a?0.25, a+0.25, and a+0.75 with ¼ pixel precision are generated by linear interpolation. Subsequently, the optimal shift amount is determined with a value of ?0.75 through +0.75 that is phase difference between an integer pixel and generated fractional pixel precision serving as a candidate of the shift amount in the horizontal direction. The present invention may be applied to an image encoding device which performs encoding using the H.264/AVC system, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazushi Sato
  • Patent number: 11100634
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with a cell sample. For each of one or more imaging fields of the cell sample, a depth scan of the cell sample is performed using a microscope. One of the depth levels is identified as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, at least partially in response to detecting that the depth level corresponds to a drop in image contrast relative to image contrast at other depth levels. Based upon the depth level identified as being the optimum focal plane for each of the one or more imaging fields of the cell sample, a scanning depth interval over which to perform a depth scan of the cell sample at a further imaging field is defined. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: S.D. Sight Diagnostics Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuval Greenfield, Yonatan Bilu, Joseph Joel Pollak, Noam Yorav-Raphael
  • Patent number: 11095886
    Abstract: A method of video decoding includes determining, for a current block of a picture, one of a plurality of reference lines. The method includes determining an intra prediction mode for the current block in accordance with the determined one of the plurality of reference lines. The method further includes performing intra prediction for the current block based on the determined intra prediction mode and one or more samples included in the determined one of the plurality of reference lines. The plurality of reference lines includes an adjacent reference line that is adjacent to the current block and at least one non-adjacent reference line that is not adjacent to the current block, and each of the at least one non-adjacent reference line is associated with a decreasing number of intra prediction modes with respect to a direction away from the current block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Tencent America LLC
    Inventors: Xin Zhao, Xiang Li, Shan Liu, Liang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11094191
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assisting navigation of traffic participants are described herein. An exemplary method may commence with collecting street object data by at least one sensor mounted on one of a plurality of poles. The street object data may be associated with at least one street object within a range of the at least one sensor. The method may continue with analyzing the street object data and generating street object metadata corresponding to the at least one street object. The method may continue with broadcasting the street object metadata to at least one traffic participant within the range. The street object metadata may be used to provide at least one warning to the at least one traffic participant of traffic conditions to allow the at least one traffic participant to take at least one proactive action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Iurii V. Iuzifovich, Anzhelina Iuzifovich, Natalia Yuzifovich
  • Patent number: 11087438
    Abstract: A driver assistance system and a method for merging partial images to form an image of a contiguous surrounding region of a mode of transport are provided. The method includes the following steps: detecting a first partial region of the surrounding region by a first environmental sensor; detecting a second partial region of the surrounding region by a second environmental sensor; generating a first partial image of the first partial region on the basis of a signal from the first environmental sensor; generating a second partial image of the second partial region on the basis of a signal of the second environmental sensor and a multiplicity of virtual sensors for detecting the second partial region; and merging the first partial image and the second partial image along a straight first joining line, wherein the virtual sensors are arranged at positions substantially on a perpendicular to the joining line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Schmidt, Philipp Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11087149
    Abstract: An ECU is applied to a vehicle system that is provided with lateral sensors which acquire distance information expressing a distance to an object that is located at a position on a lateral side of a vehicle. When distance information on the object is acquired by the lateral sensors, a judgement is made by the ECU as to whether or not the object is a predetermined moving object that moves relative to the vehicle. The ECU determines that the object is a target to be subjected to contact avoidance processing for avoiding contact with the object, based on a result of judging whether or not the object for which the distance information is acquired is a moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taketo Harada, Mitsuyasu Matsuura, Yosuke Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11089324
    Abstract: A method, device, and computer program for motion vector prediction in scalable video encoder and decoder. The method concerns the process to determine motion information predictor in the enhancement layer of a scalable encoding scheme also known as motion derivation process. The method comprises a correction of the position in the reference layer used to pick-up the more relevant motion information available due to the compression scheme. Accordingly, motion information prediction is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Christophe Gisquet, Patrice Onno, Guillaume Laroche, Edouard Francois
  • Patent number: 11079303
    Abstract: Vibrometric signatures of portions of a vehicle, such as a joint between two or more aspects of the vehicle, may be generated and used to make determinations regarding the integrity or suitability of the vehicle for one or more missions. Vibrometric signatures are generated based on imaging data captured with the vehicle subjected to excitation over a range of frequencies, and power levels of vibrations of the vehicle are calculated based on the images. Pixels corresponding to surfaces on either side of a joint are selected and vibrometric signatures calculated for such surfaces are compared to determine whether the joint adequately transfers vibrations, or whether the joint is sufficiently tight. Where the vibrometric signatures are sufficiently similar to one another, the joint may be presumed to be tight. Where the vibrometric signatures are not sufficiently similar to one another, the joint is presumed to require maintenance or inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pragyana Mishra, Kevin Tseng
  • Patent number: 11082652
    Abstract: Image sensors and methods of operating the image sensors are provided. The image sensors may include a pixel configured to generate an image signal in response to light incident on the pixel. The pixel may include a charge collection circuit configured to collect charges, which are produced by the light incident on the pixel, during a sensing period and a floating diffusion region. The image sensor may further include a storage unit configured to store the charges and, during a transfer period after the sensing period, configured to transfer at least a portion of the charges to the floating diffusion region. An amount of charges that is transferred from the storage unit to the floating diffusion region may be controlled by a voltage level of a storage control signal that is applied to a storage control terminal of the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Younggu Jin, Youngchan Kim, Min-Sun Keel
  • Patent number: 11066280
    Abstract: A container crane control system including: a camera configured to be fixedly mounted to a crane to obtain a series of captured images, a video output configured to provide a video signal including a series of cropped image based on the series of captured images; and a control device configured to, for at least part of the captured images and the respective cropped image, receive an input signal indicating a current height of a load of the crane, wherein the control device is configured to control a position of the respective cropped image within the captured image based on the current height of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Peter Almhager, Stefan Lindberg, Uno Bryfors
  • Patent number: 11070844
    Abstract: A method and a video processor for preventing start code confusion. The method includes aligning bytes of a slice header relating to slice data when the slice header is not byte aligned or inserting differential data at the end of the slice header before the slice data when the slice header is byte aligned, performing emulation prevention byte insertion on the slice header, and combine the slice header and the slice data after performing emulation prevention byte insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vivienne Sze, Madhukar Budagavi, Akira Osamoto, Yasutomo Matsuba
  • Patent number: 11064215
    Abstract: A method, device, and computer program for motion vector prediction in scalable video encoder and decoder. The method concerns the process to determine motion information predictor in the enhancement layer of a scalable encoding scheme also known as motion derivation process. The method comprises a correction of the position in the reference layer used to pick-up the more relevant motion information available due to the compression scheme. Accordingly, motion information prediction is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Christophe Gisquet, Patrice Onno, Guillaume Laroche, Edouard Francois
  • Patent number: 11050940
    Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning method of a photoelectric remote sensing system including the following steps: providing a photoelectric remote sensing system that is suspended in the air; and S20, driving the photographing device by the pan-tilt device to scan a target area along a plurality of circular trajectories, driving the photographing device by the pan-tilt device to switch between the circular trajectories, so as to enable a scanning area of the photographing device to cover the entire target area; and adjusting an optical parameter of the photographing device while the photographing device is switched between the circular trajectories, so as to enable pictures photographed at all scanning points to have the same spatial resolution. The scanning method of the present invention can ensure that the scanning area fully covers a target area and pictures photographed at different target points have the same spatial resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DONGGUAN FRONTIER TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ruopeng Liu, Lin Luan, Faguo Xu