Patents Examined by Jay Patel
  • Patent number: 9813694
    Abstract: An image reducer executes a reduction process on a comparison image to generate a reduced comparison image, and executes a reduction process on a reference image to generate a reduced reference image. A disparity value deriver (a deriving unit) derives a disparity value by setting the minimum value of synthesized costs of pixels in the reduced comparison image in connection with a reference pixel in the reduced reference image, which have been calculated by a cost synthesizer. A disparity image generator generates a reduced disparity image, which is an image obtained by replacing the luminance values of the respective pixels in the reduced reference image with the disparity values corresponding to the pixels. The disparity image enlarger executes an enlargement process for enlarging the image size of the reduced disparity image generated by the disparity image generator to generate a disparity image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Zhong, Kiichiro Saito
  • Patent number: 9813716
    Abstract: A video encoder includes: a restriction block identification unit that determines a valid prediction mode with a reference range not overlapping an unrefreshed region, for each size of a first sub-block, which is a unit for generating a prediction block, when a coding-target block in a refreshed region is to be encoded by intra prediction coding; and a coding mode determination unit that identifies a combination of the size of the first sub-block, the size of a second sub-block, which is a unit for application of a prediction mode, and a valid prediction mode with the smallest estimation value of the amount of code for encoding a third block, which is a unit for application of an intra prediction coding mode, as a combination to be used for intra prediction coding of the third sub-block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hidenobu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 9813737
    Abstract: Methods and devices for video coding are described. If an intra-prediction mode to be used in encoding a block of residual data is in a specific predetermined class, e.g., the horizontal class, then at least a portion of a quantized transformed block of residual data is transposed during encoding. Likewise, if an intra-prediction mode that was used to generate an encoded block of residual data is in such a class, then at least a portion of an entropy-decoded block of residual data is transposed during decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Xiaofeng Wang, Dake He, Tianying Ji
  • Patent number: 9807372
    Abstract: An image processing device including an image sensor array, an image pre-processing unit, a depth information generator, and a focusing unit is provided. The image sensor array takes multiple images of a first object and a second object. The image pre-processing unit processes the images to generate two shift images associated with the two objects. The depth information generator generates depth information according to the two shift images. The depth information includes distance information associated with the first object. The focusing unit generates a pair of focused images that have the first object focused thereon according to the depth information and the two shift images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Jing-Jo Bei, Heng-Chien Wu
  • Patent number: 9807415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deriving a motion vector predictor (MVP) for a motion vector (MV) of a current block of a current picture in Inter, or Merge, or Skip mode. The method selects a co-located block corresponding to a co-located picture, receives one or more reference motion vectors (MVs) of one or more co-located reference blocks associated with the co-located block, and determines a search set that includes one or more search MVs associated with said one or more co-located reference blocks. The method further determines a search order for the search set having an order associated with a reference list attribute for a first search MV and a second search MV associated with an identical co-located reference block. Finally, the method determines the MVP for the current block based on the search set and the search order, and provides the MVP for the current block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: HFI INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Jian-Liang Lin, Yu-Pao Tsai, Yi-Wen Chen, Jicheng An, Yu-Wen Huang, Shaw-Min Lei
  • Patent number: 9797981
    Abstract: A moving-object position/attitude estimation apparatus includes: an image-capturing unit configured to acquire a captured image; a comparative image acquiring unit configured to acquire a comparative image viewed from a predetermined position at a predetermined attitude angle; a likelihood setting unit configured to compare the captured image with the comparative image and to assigns a high attitude angle likelihood to the comparative image and to assigns a high position likelihood to the comparative image; a moving-object position/attitude estimation unit configured to estimate the attitude angle of the moving object based on the attitude angle of the comparative image assigned the high attitude angle likelihood and to estimate the position of the moving object based on the position of the comparative image assigned the high position likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Naoki Kojo
  • Patent number: 9789462
    Abstract: Working equipment includes a tool configured to work a structure at a working location thereon, with the structure having an applied marking at a known location with a known relationship with the working location. A computer system is configured to determine placement of the structure, and accordingly position the tool into at least partial alignment with the working location, and which in at least one instance, the tool is aligned with a second, offset location. A camera is configured to capture an image of the structure and including the marking, and further including the second location with which the tool is aligned. And the computer system is configured to process the image to locate the working location, reposition the tool from the second location and into greater alignment with the located working location, and control the repositioned tool to work the structure at the located working location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Navrit Pal Singh
  • Patent number: 9794557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for chroma intra prediction is based on reconstructed luma pixels and chroma pixels, where the chroma intra prediction is based on a linear model of derived co-located current luma pixels of the current luma block scaled by a scaling factor. The scaling factor comprises a product term of a division factor and a scaled covariance-like value associated with neighboring reconstructed luma and chroma pixels of a current block. The division factor is related to a first data range divided with rounding by a scaled variance-like value associated with the neighboring reconstructed luma pixels of the current block. The scaled covariance-like value, the first data range, or both of the scaled covariance-like value and the first data range are dependent on the internal bit depth, with which the chroma signal is processed during video coding process, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Juliana Hsu, Mei Guo, Xun Guo
  • Patent number: 9792504
    Abstract: A modularized monitoring apparatus pivotally connected to a supporter includes a photographic module, a lighting module, a communication control module, a power supply module, and a detection module. The photographic module includes a first joint interface. The lighting module includes a second joint interface selectively connected to the first joint interface. The communication control module, the power supply module, and the detection module can be selectively connected to one another, and each includes a third joint interface and a fourth joint interface disposed corresponding thereto. The third joint interface is selectively connected to the first joint interface or the fourth joint interface, and the fourth joint interface is selectively connected to the second joint interface or the third joint interface. The multifunctional modularized monitoring apparatus can rotate and be operated by a smart phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BRAINCHILD ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Lin, Shuang-Te Chang
  • Patent number: 9784577
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a distance can include a camera module and a film having a reference pattern. The camera module can include an infrared LED transmission unit to transmit an infrared LED light toward the film and a module unit calculating a distance from an object by using a size of a pattern projected onto the object which is obtained from an image of a camera unit. The film can include an infrared film and a plurality of holes formed in the infrared film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Chul Kim, Sung Hyun Lim
  • Patent number: 9788021
    Abstract: A video display system for a passenger seat of a vehicle. The video display system is configured to be mounted to a seatback of each passenger seat or to other structure such that the system may be utilized by the passenger. The display system includes a video display assembly having a display housing configured to be mounted to structure in the vehicle. A video monitor is housed within the display housing. The video display assembly includes a depending tab portion disposed below the area of the video monitor. The depending tab portion includes a tab display capable of displaying a computer generated graphic and/or information. The display system may also have one or more indicator lights provided adjacent the external edge of the display housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Margis, Craig Depner, Mehdi Izadyar, Omar Lopez, Sangho Kim, Kaname Tomita, Mitsuhiro Tosa, Masashi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9784688
    Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a reflective surface configured to reflect photons onto a surface of an article, a stage configured to support the article, and an assembly. The assembly is configured to radiate photons through the article to the reflective surface. The assembly is further configured to image the article with irradiance of the photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Walter Ahner, David M. Tung, Samuel Kah Hean Wong, Henry Luis Lott, Stephen Keith McLaurin, Maissarath Nassirou, Florin Zavaliche
  • Patent number: 9781448
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for performing intra-prediction using an adaptive filter. The method for performing intra-prediction comprises the steps of: determining whether or not to apply a first filter for a reference pixel value on the basis of information of a neighboring block of a current block; applying the first filter for the reference pixel value when it is determined to apply the first filter; performing intra-prediction on the current block on the basis of the reference pixel value; determining whether or not to apply a second filter for a prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block, which is predicted by the intra-prediction performance on the basis of the information of the neighboring block; and applying the second filter for the prediction value according to each prediction mode of the current block when it is determined to apply the second filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin Ho Lee, Hui Yong Kim, Se Yoon Jeong, Suk Hee Cho, Ha Hyun Lee, Jong Ho Kim, Sung Chang Lim, Jin Soo Choi, Jin Woong Kim, Chie Teuk Ahn
  • Patent number: 9781342
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Logan Turley, David Chalmers, Todd Garnet Wagner, Karan Nischol
  • Patent number: 9779313
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera and an image processor operable to process captured image data. When the vehicle is towing a trailer, and based at least in part on image processing of image data captured by the camera during maneuvering of the vehicle and the trailer, the vision system estimates a length of the trailer. Image data captured during maneuvering of the vehicle and the trailer includes image data captured when the vehicle is maneuvered with the trailer at an angle relative to the vehicle. The vision system, responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, determines a trailer angle of the trailer that is towed by the vehicle, and is operable to determine a path of the trailer responsive to a steering angle of the vehicle and the determined trailer angle of the trailer and the estimated length of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pliefke, Paul Jarmola, Thomas Wierich, Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9772480
    Abstract: The image measurement device includes: a measurement target place specifying part that specifies a measurement target place on a workpiece image based on a user's operation; an illumination condition storage part that holds two or more illumination conditions; an imaging control part that controls a camera and an illumination device to acquire two or more of the workpiece images sequentially photographed while making the illumination condition different; a workpiece image display part that displays the acquired plurality of workpiece images; a workpiece image selecting part that selects any one of the displayed workpiece images; an illumination condition deciding part that decides the illumination condition based on the selected workpiece image; and a dimension calculating part that extracts an edge of the measurement target place based on the workpiece image photographed on the decided illumination condition, and obtains a dimension of the measurement target place based on the extracted edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Hayato Oba
  • Patent number: 9774827
    Abstract: An imaging inspection apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a predetermined position between a first position and a second position as a signal output position, the predetermined position being set by using a distance from a reference position that is based on at least one of the first position and the second position; an image-capturing command signal generator configured to determine, when causing a distal end portion of a robot to move from the first position to the second position, whether or not the distal end portion of the robot is located at the signal output position, and if it is determined that the distal end portion of the robot is located at the signal output position, the image-capturing command signal generator transmits, to the image-capturing device, an image-capturing command signal for capturing an image of the inspection object by using the image-capturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Hiroaki Kitatsuji, Kazuhiko Kojima
  • Patent number: 9766062
    Abstract: A method of documenting a position of an underground utility which involves placing temporary markings on a ground surface designating an underground location of the underground utility. A photograph is then taken providing an overhead panoramic view of the temporary markings designating the underground location of the underground utility. The photograph includes visual landmarks, such as sidewalks, driveways, trees and hedges, thereby providing a visual reference. After excavation has taken place and the temporary markings have been removed along with the ground surface, using the photograph to reconfirm the underground location of the underground utility by using the visual reference provided by the relationship that the temporary markings depicted in the photograph bear to the visual landmarks that remain after excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Inventor: Frederick D. Lake
  • Patent number: 9769485
    Abstract: Innovations described herein provide a generic encoding and decoding framework that includes some features of simulcast and some features of scalable video coding. For example, a bitstream multiplexer multiplexes component bitstreams into a multi-layer encoding (MLE) bitstream that provides temporal scalability, spatial resolution scalability and/or signal to noise ratio scalability. Each of the component bitstreams provides an alternative version of input video, and a given component bitstream can be a non-scalable bitstream or scalable bitstream. The multiplexer follows composition rules for the MLE bitstream and may rewrite values of certain syntax elements of component bitstreams using an approach that avoids bit shifting operations. A corresponding demultiplexer receives an MLE bitstream that includes component bitstreams and demultiplexes at least part of at least one of the component bitstreams from the MLE bitstream, following decomposition rules for the demultiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Mei-Hsuan Lu, Ming-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 9769433
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and methods of monitoring a child seated in the rear seat of a vehicle in a child's car seat employing a video camera which transmits a video signal to a video display receiver placed in the driver's frame of vision. The video camera as envisioned herein is placed within a child's stuffed toy, the camera signal being transmitted remotely to a separate video display monitor screen device, viewable to the parent driving the vehicle. The camera is adjustable in the number of positions in which it is placed in the vehicle compartment as well as the direction in which the camera is directed. To adjust the direction in which the camera is pointed, the invention includes a bendable, flexible and sturdy neck that interconnects the camera to a transmission unit, which provides the driver with a view of the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Baby-Tech Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Veneziano