Patents Examined by Ha Le
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Patent number: 8824747Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are disclosed relating to skin-tone filtering for reducing the impact of lighting conditions, while providing a low-computation solution for effective face detection. In one aspect, methods include sampling a digital image frame from among a series of digital image frames. The methods further include analyzing pixels within the sampled digital image frame to determine whether pixels in the sampled digital image frame have a hue, independent of lightness, that is within a range of hues corresponding to human skin tone. Further, the methods include deciding whether the sampled digital image frame includes a depiction of human skin based on a result of the analyzing.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Patent number: 8761508Abstract: An image processing system includes a first image processing apparatus and a second image processing apparatus. The first image processing apparatus includes a first image obtaining module, a first image extraction module, a first density extraction module, a first feature conversion module, a register module. The first image obtaining module obtains an image of an object having a seal impressed on a face thereof and having a film formed or laminated on the face thereof. The second image processing apparatus includes a second image obtaining module, a second image extraction module, a second density extraction module, a second feature conversion module, and a collation module.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Kimura, Kensuke Ito
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Patent number: 8744139Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for sensing at least one biometric measure of an individual. An electrical current flows through an electrode to induce an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field stimulates and excites the molecules associated with the sweat gland pores and causes molecular compounds to fluoresce. An image of the fluoresced dermal surface is obtained and a biometric function is performed with data derived from the image. Alternatively, sweat gland pore biometric information may be derived from variations, fluctuations or disturbances to the electromagnetic field induced by the electrical current.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventor: Scott McNulty
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Patent number: 8738344Abstract: A method for processing an image of a body region is provided, the region comprising a plurality of vessels capable of propagating a fluid of the body, the image comprising a plurality of pixels each being associated with an intensity. The method comprising determining, for each pixel, a probability that the pixel belongs to a vessel, based on the intensity of the pixel; simulating a propagation of the fluid from at least one source pixel towards the pixels of the image, the propagation being simulated to have a velocity that is function of the probability that the pixels of the image belong to a vessel; and inferring from the simulation a propagation time between the source pixel and each of the pixels of the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric Pichon, Michel F. Grimaud, Yves Lucien Trousset
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Patent number: 8731283Abstract: An input control unit that receives first content data from a content delivery apparatus via a communication unit, converts the first content data into first image data before causing a storage unit to store the first image data, receives second content data generated by a portion or all of the first content data being updated from the content delivery apparatus via the communication unit, and converts the second content data into second image data before causing the storage unit to store the second image data, a center of gravity candidate region extraction unit that calculates difference values of color information between corresponding pixels of the first image data and the second image data stored in the storage unit and extracts a center of gravity candidate region, which is a region constituted by pixels the difference values of which exceed a threshold value stored in the storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Fuminori Homma, Kouichi Matsuda, Tatsushi Nashida
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Patent number: 8712119Abstract: Described herein is a computer-aided technology for facilitating detection of folds of an object surface. In one implementation, image data is processed to determine curvature characteristics at one or more points of the surface of a region of interest. If the curvature characteristics of one of the one or more points correspond to a hyperbolic curvature, the point is identified as a seed point. A region of a predetermined thickness is grown around the seed point so as to detect the presence of any fold feature within the grown region.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Yoshihisa Shinagawa
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Patent number: 8712097Abstract: An approaching object detection system, approaching object can be accurately detected while reducing the load on a calculation processing. A first moving region detection unit (30) detects (#3) only an optical flow substantially in horizontal direction in an image (P) captured by a camera (10) (#1) and sets (#4) a rectangular image portion (Q) containing a region moving in a substantially horizontal direction according to the detected optical flow. A second moving region detection unit (40) obtains a distribution (profile) of signal values of the set rectangular image portion (Q), (#5) in a vertical direction (longitudinal direction). Furthermore, the second moving region detection unit (40) correlates distributions of signal values of image portions (Q, Q) of two continuous images (P, P) in time series (#6) based on dynamic programming based processing to obtain an enlargement rate (#7).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Uchida, Toshiyuki Aoki
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Patent number: 8699764Abstract: An automated biometric submission and scanning system includes a scanner adapted for creating digital image files corresponding to biometrics, such as fingerprints. A computer, which can be standalone or linked to a network, receives the scanner output. The computer is programmed with an image enhancement program, which transforms the biometric image to an appropriate format for searching in one or more biometrics databases. An automated biometric submission and scanning method includes the steps of scanning a biometric image, enhancing the scanned image file, running a biometrics tracking program, selecting a biometrics database, complying with the database submission standards and submitting a biometrics database search.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: AFIX Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joan L. Vitt, Derald E. Caudle
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Patent number: 8693784Abstract: An eyelid detection device that, based on first order differential values and second order differential values of vertical density change at an eyelid boundary in an eye image, shifts the second order differential values upwards by ¼ of the cycle of density change frequency of an eyelid boundary and combines the first order differential values and the second order differential values to compute upper eyelid feature amounts. The eyelid detection device detects a boundary between an upper eyelid and eyeball based on peak points in the vertical direction of the computed upper eyelid feature amounts. Consequently, the boundary between an eyelid and eyeball can be accurately detected even when the eyelid has been applied with makeup.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kadoya, Satoru Nakanishi, Shinichi Kojima
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Patent number: 8682057Abstract: Method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for identifying a graphic symbol within an image obtained by optical scanning. An image intensity is measured for each of a plurality of columns of the image, wherein each column has a length that extends across the graphic symbol in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of columns collectively extend across the graphic symbol in a second direction. The graphic symbol is then identified by matching a profile of the image intensity to a predetermined image intensity profile associated with a given graphic symbol. Optionally, the image is a digital image and the image intensity for each column is the sum of the image intensity for each pixel in that individual column. An image intensity differential between adjacent columns may be calculated for matching with a predetermined differential profile or comparison with an electronic profile generated by a magnetic scan.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Timothy W. Crockett
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Patent number: 8670624Abstract: Analysis filter processing is recursively repeated on horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients obtained as a result of the analysis filter processing, until a predetermined decomposition level is reached. Coefficients obtained during a process of computation in the analysis filter processing and, except for a preset decomposition level, horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients obtained as a result of the computation in the analysis filter processing are stored in a first storage section independently for each decomposition level. The coefficients stored in the first storage section are read as appropriate and the read coefficients are supplied for the analysis filter processing. The horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients of the preset decomposition level are stored in a second storage section. The coefficients stored in the second storage section are read as appropriate. The read coefficients are supplied for the analysis filter processing.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Takahiro Fukuhara, Katsutoshi Ando
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Patent number: 8666183Abstract: Several quality-aware transcoding systems and methods are described, in which the impact of both quality factor (QF) and scaling parameter choices on the quality of transcoded images are considered in combination. A basic transcoding system is enhanced by the addition of a quality prediction look-up table, and a method of generating such a table is also shown.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Ecole de Technologie SuperieurInventors: Stéphane Coulombe, Steven Pigeon, Jean-François Franche
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Patent number: 8660323Abstract: A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system includes selecting a first set of pixels in a digital image in the RGB color space. The pixels are selected such that, for each pixel in the set, a red component is a highest value component and a blue component is a lowest value component. The method also includes identifying at least a subset of the first set as a region of orange hue in the digital image.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Robert Mikio Free
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Patent number: 8655032Abstract: A mobile application stored within the mobile device allows for file collection, transfer, and display on a smart device with G3, G4, EDGE, or similar data communication capabilities. The software is used in conjunction with information collection devices synced to a smart device via blue tooth technology, such as a fingerprinting device. The device will transfer a file to the smart device running the mobile application. The application will then encrypt the file and encode the file that is then packaged into a proprietary format. The file is then sent to a web location using the data transmission capability of the mobile device. The device will then monitor a file location of a web address for a return response. It will then get the file from the web location in a standard NIST approved format, extract information and images from the file, displaying them in a GUI.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: AFIX Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joan L. Vitt, Tony L. McCowan, Derald E. Caudle
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Patent number: 8644627Abstract: First and second codewords are determined, based on first feature vector components of the image elements in an image block, as representations of a first and second component value. Third and fourth codewords are determined, based on second vector components, as representations of a third and fourth component value. First N1 and second N2 resolution numbers are selected based on the relation of a distribution of the first vector components and a distribution of the second vector components. N1 additional component values are generated based on the first and second component values and N2 additional component values are generated based on the third and fourth component values. Component indices indicative of the generated component values are then provided for the different image elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Tomas Akenine-Möller, Jacob Munkberg, Petrik Clarberg, Jon Hasselgren, Jacob Ström
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Patent number: 8630474Abstract: For filtered back-projection of a projection image data set, the projection image data set is cosine-weighted. The cosine-weighted projection image data set within the image plane of the projection image data set is subjected to a two-dimensional Radon transformation. The Radon transform of the cosine-weighted projection image data set differentiated with respect to the distance from an image origin of an image coordinate system. The derivative of the Radon transform is redundancy-weighted. The redundancy-weighted derivative is subjected to a two-dimensional Radon back-transformation. The Radon back-transform is differentiated and back-projected with respect to an image column coordinate. A differentiation step width entering into the differentiation is varied depending on depth.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Frank Dennerlein, Frederic Noo
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Patent number: 8620025Abstract: In order to perform vehicle control, a warning process, and the like which do not give a driver an uncomfortable feeling in speed adjustment, a warning process, and the like corresponding to a road shape such as a curve, it is necessary to recognize not only a near road shape but also a far road shape with high accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mirai Higuchi, Ryo Ota, Takuya Naka, Morihiko Sakano, Shoji Muramatsu, Tatsuhiko Monji
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Patent number: 8600152Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for transcribing text from artifacts to electronic files. A computer system is provided, wherein the computer system comprises a computer-readable storage device. An image of the artifact is received wherein text is present on the artifact. A first portion of the text is analyzed. Characters representing the first portion of the text are identified at a first confidence level equal to or greater than a threshold confidence level. The characters representing the first portion of the text are stored. A second portion of the text appearing on the artifact is analyzed. A plurality of candidates to represent the second portion of the text are identified at a second confidence level below the threshold confidence level. Finally, the plurality of candidates to a user for selection are presented.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.Inventor: Lee Samuel Jensen
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Patent number: 8588510Abstract: When a detection-target subject is imaged with an image pickup device having line-defect pixels, the detection-target subject is imaged, with the image pickup device or the detection-target subject rotated at a predetermined angle so that the edge of one side of the detection-target subject is not parallel to each of horizontal and vertical scanning lines of the image pickup device, and a gray-scale image is captured by a control apparatus. In the gray-scale image, the luminance of each of the line-defect pixels is corrected by interpolation with luminances of pixels adjacent to both sides of the line-defect pixel. The gray-scale image is subjected to sub-pixel processing to detect the edge of the detection-target subject. When the detection-target subject is a component in a rectangular shape, rotation is made so that four sides are not parallel to each of the horizontal and vertical scanning lines of the image pickup device.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazumi Hoshikawa
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Patent number: 8588512Abstract: A localization method of a moving robot is disclosed in which the moving robot includes: capturing a first omni-directional image by the moving robot; confirming at least one node at which a second omni-directional image having a high correlation with the first omni-directional image is captured; and determining that the moving robot is located at the first node when the moving robot reaches a first node, at which a second omni-directional image having a highest correlation with the first omni-directional image is captured, from among the at least one node.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sukjune Yoon, Woosup Han, Seung Ki Min, Kyung Shik Roh