Patents Examined by Shan Elahi
  • Patent number: 9835841
    Abstract: A video microscopy system for displaying a 3D image on a monitor by magnifying a portion that is not easily visually observed or a portion that is generally out of visual reach. The 3D image is displayed on the monitor such that the object can be more realistically observed. The 3D video microscopy system can display the object flat without distortion by focusing the image using an achromatic prism, clearly display the object by removing chromatic aberration, and adjust the convergence angle and the degree of magnification of the object in a simple manner. The 3D video microscopy system includes a pair of image sensors, an achromatic prism focusing an image of an object on the image sensors by removing chromatic aberration thereof, and a pair of magnifying lenses transferring the image of the object that has passed through the achromatic prism to the image sensors by a predetermined ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SOMETECH CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hee Bong Yang
  • Patent number: 9832485
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for coding coefficients of a video block having a non-square shape defined by a width and a height, comprising coding one or more of x- and y-coordinates that indicate a position of a last non-zero coefficient within the block according to an associated scanning order, including coding each coordinate by determining one or more contexts used to code the coordinate based on one of the width and the height that corresponds to the coordinate, and coding the coordinate by performing a context adaptive entropy coding process based on the contexts. Also disclosed are techniques for coding information that identifies positions of non-zero coefficients within the block, including determining one or more contexts used to code the information based on one or more of the width and the height, and coding the information by performing a context adaptive entropy coding process based on the contexts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel Sole Rojals, Rajan Laxman Joshi, Marta Karczewicz
  • Patent number: 9826250
    Abstract: A method for encoding a frame having a plurality of blocks in a video stream using transform-domain intra prediction is disclosed. The method includes generating, using a two-dimensional transform, a set of transform coefficients for a current block; generating, using a one-dimensional transform, a set of transform coefficients for previously coded pixel values in the frame; determining, using the set of transform coefficients for the previously coded pixel values, a set of transform coefficients for a prediction block; determining a residual based on the difference between the set of transform coefficients for the current block and the set of coefficients for the prediction block; and encoding the residual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yaowu Xu, Qunshan Gu
  • Patent number: 9824427
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a sharp image are described. A camera device includes a plurality of camera modules, e.g., optical chains, where at least some of the camera modules have different depths of field. Multiple images of a scene are captured using the plurality of camera modules. Portions of the multiple images which correspond to the same scene area are identified. Image portion sharpness levels are determined for individual image portions. Image portions with high sharpness levels are selected and included in a composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Light Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Kari Pulli, Nitesh Shroff, Sapna A. Shroff, Rajiv Laroia
  • Patent number: 9819948
    Abstract: In one example, a device for coding (e.g., encoding or decoding) video data includes a memory configured to store video data, and a video coder configured to code a value for a syntax element that indicates a number of sub-layers of a bitstream for which hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters are coded, wherein the value indicates that the number of sub-layers for which HRD parameters are coded is less than a maximum number of sub-layers indicated by a video parameter set (VPS) of the bitstream, code HRD parameters for the number of sub-layers as indicated by the value for the syntax element, and process the bitstream using the HRD parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Ye-Kui Wang
  • Patent number: 9813619
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting image distortion of a camera in a vehicle includes: a camera mounted in the vehicle; a camera characteristic extractor configured to extract camera characteristic parameters of the camera based on a preset mathematical model; a tilt angle calculator configured to calculate tilt angles of a virtual camera corresponding to the camera in each photographing region using the camera characteristic parameters; a yaw angle calculator configured to calculate yaw angles of the virtual camera in each photographing region; an image corrector configured to view-transform a photographed image photographed by the camera by adjusting angles of the virtual camera based on a correction model in order to secure a view region of the photographed image and create a corrected image depending on the view-transform; and a display configured to display the corrected image output from the image corrector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jun Sik An, Joong Ryoul Lee, Kap Je Sung, Eu Gene Chang
  • Patent number: 9813733
    Abstract: A video codec including a memory and a processor operably coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to compute a reconstructed pixel based on a residual pixel and a first prediction pixel and compute a second prediction pixel in a directional intra prediction mode based on the reconstructed pixel, where the first and second prediction pixels are located in a same block of a video frame. A method for intra prediction including computing a prediction pixel adaptively based on a plurality of reconstructed neighboring pixels, where a distance between the prediction pixel and each of the plurality of reconstructed neighboring pixels is one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Gao, Minqiang Jiang, Ye He, Jin Song, Haoping Yu
  • Patent number: 9813719
    Abstract: In one example, a device for coding (e.g., encoding or decoding) video data includes a memory configured to store video data, and a video coder configured to code hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters for each sub-layer of each bitstream partition of a video bitstream; and process the video bitstream using the HRD parameters. The video coder may code the HRD parameters in the form of a loop over the HRD parameters that is iterated for each of the sub-layers, and/or indexes to respective sets of HRD parameters for each of the sub-layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Ye-Kui Wang
  • Patent number: 9802542
    Abstract: A dynamic calibration method for calibrating a trailer angle detection system of a vehicle towing a trailer includes providing cameras configured to be disposed at the vehicle so as to have respective fields of view. Image data captured by at least some of the cameras is processed as the vehicle is driven forwardly and towing the trailer. A location of a portion of the trailer is determined via processing of captured image data. Responsive at least in part to processing of captured image data, a plurality of trailer parameters and vehicle-trailer interface parameters are determined. The plurality of trailer parameters and vehicle-trailer interface parameters are determined while the vehicle is driven forwardly and towing the trailer. The trailer angle detection system of the vehicle is calibrated responsive to determination that the trailer portion is not where the system expects it to be when the vehicle is traveling straight forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Steven V. Byrne, Paul A. VanOphem, James D. Harris
  • Patent number: 9800841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of video monitoring and provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for acquiring a visual angle, so as to acquire an accurate visual angle value. The method for acquiring a visual angle includes: receiving, by a central processing unit CPU of a camera, angle information that is sent by an accelerometer sensor arranged on the camera; converting, by the CPU, the received angle information to a visual angle value; sending, by the CPU, the visual angle value to a server, so that a client receives the visual angle value forwarded by the server. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to a video monitoring scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhiquan Yang
  • Patent number: 9795858
    Abstract: Systems for detecting a successful field goal are described herein. More specifically, the systems are directed at automated detection for a field goal attempt. The systems evaluate whether the football was kicked within the designated area (e.g., above the cross bar and between the two upright poles). The detection is performed through the use of cameras, lasers and detectors associated with the field goal post. In this way, the systems assist referees in determining the success of the field goal attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PROSPORTS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Cronin, Nick Reasner
  • Patent number: 9797964
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to devices and methods for determining a magnetic field distribution of a magnet along a main surface of said magnet. An example device for determining a magnetic field distribution of a magnet along a main surface of said magnet includes an arrangement of at least two independent magnetic field camera modules being arranged in a fixed relative position with respect to each other, each magnetic field camera module being adapted for measuring a magnetic field distribution to which it is exposed by means of a respective detection surface. The device also includes a means for providing a predetermined relative movement between the main surface and the arrangement to thereby scan the magnetic field distribution of the magnet along the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAGCAM NV
    Inventor: Koen Vervaeke
  • Patent number: 9798322
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for new paradigms for user interaction with an unmanned aerial vehicle (referred to as a flying digital assistant or FDA) using a portable multifunction device (PMD) such as smart phone. In some embodiments, a user may control image capture from an FDA by adjusting the position and orientation of a PMD. In other embodiments, a user may input a touch gesture via a touch display of a PMD that corresponds with a flight path to be autonomously flown by the FDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Bachrach, Adam Bry, Matthew Donahoe
  • Patent number: 9794522
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes an enclosed housing having a rear surface, a front surface, and a periphery. The camera assembly also includes a lens module located within the housing and configured to receive light via the front surface, and a circuit board comprising communication circuitry located within the housing and configured to wireless communicate over a plurality of different communication protocols. The camera assembly further includes a first antenna arranged at a location on the circuit board, the first antenna configured for communication over a first one of the communication protocols, and a second antenna arranged at a location on the inner surface of the periphery, the second antenna configured for communication over a second one of the communication protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Mikko Pekka Sannala
  • Patent number: 9794479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of panoramic still and motion photography. In a first embodiment, a camera apparatus for panoramic photography includes a first image sensor positioned to capture a first image. The first image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. The camera apparatus also includes second image sensor positioned to capture a second image. The second image sensor has a rolling-shutter readout arranged in portrait orientation. Finally, the camera apparatus includes a controller configured to signal the second image sensor to start capturing the second image before the first image sensor finishes capturing the first image. At least a portion of the first image is in front of the second image relative to a forward direction of the camera apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Francis Lyon, Gary Embler, Iain Richard Tyrone McClatchie, Jason Holt
  • Patent number: 9787912
    Abstract: Read electrodes are provided to drain signal charge of pixels from photoelectric conversion units provided in the pixels separately to a vertical transfer unit. During a first exposure period during which an object is illuminated with infrared light, signal charge obtained from a first pixel, and signal charge obtained from a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, are added together in the vertical transfer unit to produce first signal charge. During a second exposure period during which the object is not illuminated with infrared light, signal charge obtained from the first pixel, and signal charge obtained from the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, are transferred without being added to the first signal charge in the vertical transfer unit, and are added together in another packet to produce second signal charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Asano, Tohru Yamada, Junichi Matsuo, Toshiya Fujii, Nobukazu Teranishi
  • Patent number: 9778102
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an ambient light sensor includes: acquiring a color temperature of light received by the ambient light sensor; and adjusting an output light intensity of the ambient light sensor according to the color temperature to enable output light intensities of the ambient light sensor to be consistent under received light with different color temperatures. The ambient light sensor includes: an acquiring device, configured to acquire a color temperature of light received by the ambient light sensor; and an adjuster, configured to adjust an output light intensity of the ambient light sensor according to the color temperature acquired by the acquiring device to enable output light intensities of the ambient light sensor to be consistent under received light with different color temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HUAWEI DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Leilei Pang
  • Patent number: 9781411
    Abstract: A three-dimensional volumetric display includes a light source that generates a two-dimensional image output and a transparent scattering volume, coupled to the light source on a first face of the scattering volume, that scatters the image output of the light source in a direction perpendicular to the light axis of the output of the light source; where the scattering volume comprises a three-dimensional array of scattering elements arranged in a plurality of scattering planes tilted relative to the first face of the scattering volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Looking Glass Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Frayne, Shiu Pong Lee, Alexis Hornstein, Tung Yiu Fok
  • Patent number: 9774797
    Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for monitoring electrical equipment. A system may include a camera having an ultraviolet light imaging module, an infrared light imaging module, a visible light imaging module, and a processor that combines image data from one or more of the imaging modules. The processor may detect anomalies such as hot spots, corona discharges or failures in the electrical equipment based on the image data. The system may include motion control components that move the camera with respect to the electrical equipment during monitoring operations. The motion control components may include components of a manned or unmanned vehicle that incorporates the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin A. Richards, Daniel Pettersson, David Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 9772505
    Abstract: A synthetic aperture optics (SAO) imaging method minimizes the number of selective excitation patterns used to illuminate the imaging target, based on the objects' physical characteristics corresponding to spatial frequency content from the illuminated target and/or one or more parameters of the optical imaging system used for SAO. With the minimized number of selective excitation patterns, the time required to perform SAO is reduced dramatically, thereby allowing SAO to be used with DNA sequencing applications that require massive parallelization for cost reduction and high throughput. In addition, an SAO apparatus optimized to perform the SAO method is provided. The SAO apparatus includes a plurality of interference pattern generation modules that can be arranged in a half-ring shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Optical Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Sheu Lee, Jong Buhm Park