Patents Examined by Utpal Shah
  • Patent number: 9684972
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging an object includes a geometric relation determination unit configured to determine a geometric relation between first and second images of the object. A marker determination unit configured to determine corresponding marker locations in the first and second images and marker appearances based on the geometric relation such that the marker appearances of a first marker to be located at a first location in the first image and of a second marker to be located at a second corresponding location in the second image are indicative of the geometric relation. The images with the markers at the respective corresponding locations are shown on a display unit. Since the marker appearances are indicative of the geometric relation between the images, a comparative reviewing of the images can be facilitated, in particular, if they correspond to different viewing geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Weese, Irina Wächter-Stehle, Thomas Heiko Stehle, Alex Saalbach, Sabine Mollus, Nicole Schadewaldt, Lyubomir Georgiev Zagorchev
  • Patent number: 9679207
    Abstract: A traffic light detecting device includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of surroundings of a vehicle and a traffic light detecting unit configured to detect a traffic light from the image. The traffic light detecting unit extracts a synchronized pixel with a luminance which varies in synchronization with an alternating current cycle of electric power supplied to the traffic light, and sets a predetermined range including the synchronized pixel as a pixel group. The traffic light detecting unit, then, judges from the synchronized pixel whether or not the traffic light is present when the synchronized pixel is continuously extracted from the pixel group for a predetermined determination period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Oki, Hidekazu Nishiuchi
  • Patent number: 9679387
    Abstract: A method separates foreground from background in a sequence of images, by first acquiring the sequence of images and a depth map of a scene by a camera. Groups of pixels are determined based on the depth map. Then, the sequence of images is decomposed into a sparse foreground component, and a low rank background component, according to apparent motion in the sequence of images, and the groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Tian, Hassan Mansour, Anthony Vetro
  • Patent number: 9668702
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for identifying when a subject is likely to be affected by a medical condition. For example, at least one processor may be configured to receive information reflective of an external soft tissue image of the subject. The processor may also be configured to perform an evaluation of the external soft tissue image information and to generate evaluation result information based, at least in part, on the evaluation. The processor may also be configured to predict a likelihood that the subject is affected by the medical condition based, at least in part, on the evaluation result information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FDNA Inc.
    Inventors: Dekel Gelbman, Yaron Gurovich
  • Patent number: 9672403
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for authenticating a candidate fingerprint using a fingerprint authentication system, and specifically to the possibility of using personalized fingerprint sensor setting for a fingerprint sensor comprised with the fingerprint authentication system. The invention also relates to a corresponding electronic device and to a computer program product. Advantages with the invention include a minimized processing time for acquiring a good quality fingerprint image, thus increasing user convenience. The invention also relates to a corresponding fingerprint sensing system and to a computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FINGERPRINT CARDS AB
    Inventors: Mats Tuneld, Eric Setterberg
  • Patent number: 9666117
    Abstract: To make it difficult to obtain an original image based on display data. An image display device includes an image set generating unit that generates a plurality of image sets S, each including a plurality of modified images Cj that are obtained by modifying an original image O, and an average of pixel values of corresponding pixels of the plurality of modified images Cj included in each of the image sets S corresponding to a value of a corresponding pixel of the original image O, and an image display unit for sequentially displaying the plurality of modified images Cj included in each of the image sets S by sequentially using the plurality of image sets S generated by the image set generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: RAKUTEN, INC.
    Inventors: Alex Yong-Sang Chia, Udana Bandara, Hiromi Hirano
  • Patent number: 9665785
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing system. The fingerprint sensing system includes: at least one sensor; at least one display device; at least one application processor; and at least one secure enclave processor. The application processor(s) receives fingerprint data from the sensor(s) and provides the fingerprint data to the secure enclave processor(s). The secure enclave processor(s) decodes the fingerprint data and provides a signal indicative of at least one matched node. The application processor(s), responsive to receipt of the signal indicative of the matched node(s), presents at least a portion of a synthetic fingerprint image via at least one display device corresponding to the matched node(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Byron B. Han, Craig A. Marciniak
  • Patent number: 9667983
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a request receiving unit that receives requests from a plurality of pieces of content, a variable-length code processing unit which decodes or encodes the content, a plurality of image signal processing units executing tasks according to the requests in parallel, an estimating unit that estimates estimate time by which a process of the task is completed in each of the image signal processing units on the basis of a parameter of decoding or encoding used in the variable-length code processing unit, and a scheduling unit that schedules tasks executed by the plurality of image signal processing units on the basis of estimation time estimated by the estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsushige Matsubara, Takayuki Matsumi, Seiji Mochizuki, Kenichi Iwata, Toshiyuki Kaya
  • Patent number: 9665939
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus obtains an input image acquired by image capturing, and classifies the input image into a main subject region and a background region. The image processing apparatus determines virtual image capturing conditions corresponding to an output image to be generated, based on the positional relationship between a main subject and a background subject in an image capturing environment when the input image was captured. The image processing apparatus deforms, of the input image, an image classified into the background region, and generates a background image of the output image that corresponds to the determined virtual image capturing conditions. The image processing apparatus composes, of the input image, an image classified into the main subject region and the background image, thereby generating the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumitaka Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9659352
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for identifying a first portion of a facial image in a first image, wherein the first portion includes noise. A corresponding portion of the facial image is identified in a second image, wherein the corresponding portion includes less noise than the first portion. One or more filter parameters of the first portion are determined based upon, at least in part, the first portion and the corresponding portion. At least a portion of the noise from the first portion is smoothed based upon, at least in part, the one or more filter parameters. At least a portion of face specific details from the corresponding portion is added to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Ioffe, Troy Chinen, Vivek Kwatra, Hui Fang, Yichang Shih
  • Patent number: 9659361
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes an optical image input unit to input optical image data of a figure pattern obtained by a pattern inspection apparatus, which inspects defects of a pattern on a target object to be inspected by scanning an inspection region of the target object, from the pattern inspection apparatus, a design data input unit to input design data of the pattern on the target object, a reference image generation unit to generate reference image data to be compared with the optical image data, by performing image development of the design data, a positional deviation distribution generation unit to generate positional deviation distribution by measuring a positional deviation amount of the pattern on the target object, by using the optical image data obtained from the pattern inspection apparatus and the reference image data having been generated, and an output unit to output generated positional deviation distribution of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ikunao Isomura, Nobutaka Kikuiri
  • Patent number: 9659224
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for merging optical character recognized (OCR'd) text from frames of image data. In some implementations, a device sends frames of image data to a server, where each frame includes at least a portion of a captured textual item. The server performs optical character recognition (OCR) on the image data of each frame. When OCR'd text from respective frames is returned to the device from the server, the device can perform matching operations on the text, for instance, using bounding boxes and/or edit distance processing. The device can merge any identified matches of OCR'd text from different frames. The device can then display the merged text with any corrections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Cole, Sonjeev Jahagirdar, Matthew Daniel Hart, David Paul Ramos, Ankur Datta, Utkarsh Prateek, Emilie Noelle McConville, Prashant Hegde, Avnish Sikka
  • Patent number: 9659390
    Abstract: A method for rib suppression in a volume chest x-ray image, executed at least in part by a computer captures a first set of unsegmented projection images, each at a corresponding angle, and forms a second set of segmented projection images by detecting rib features in a first projection image to form a first segmented projection image and generating a base model according to the detected rib features for the first projection image. Each of one or more additional projection images from the first set is processed to add members to the second set by a repeated sequence of generating a predictive model; detecting rib features using the predictive model; adjusting the base model according to detected rib features; and correcting rib detection in one or more members of the second set. The volume chest x-ray image is reconstructed according to the segmented projection images and is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhimin Huo, Richard A. Simon
  • Patent number: 9646192
    Abstract: A method, device and system for generating an enrollment template are provided. The enrollment template is generated by collecting a placement image representing a portion of a biometric object such as a fingerprint. The placement image is localized on the fingerprint by comparing the data in the placement image to data in a floor map representing a larger image of the fingerprint obtained by swiping or rolling the fingerprint over a sensing area of a partial placement sensor. As additional placement images are obtained more information is provided for the enrollment template. The additional placement images are also localized to one another utilizing the floor map. The enrollment template is generated based on a grouping of each placement image to its neighboring placement images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Hsun E. Cheng, Adam L. Schwartz, Kuntal Sengupta
  • Patent number: 9639764
    Abstract: The present invention can improve the recognition performance of a traffic sign board, improve the recognition performance of a reflective traffic sign board and a light emitting type traffic sign board by adjusting an exposure of a camera, improve the recognition performance of the reflective traffic sign board and the light emitting type traffic sign board by adjusting gain of an image signal, and improve the recognition performance of the reflective traffic sign board and the light emitting type traffic sign board by simultaneously adjusting the exposure of the camera and the gain of the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PLK TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Il Park, Sang Mook Lim, Jin Hyuck Kim
  • Patent number: 9635285
    Abstract: Techniques using small form factor infrared imaging modules are disclosed. An imaging system may include visible spectrum imaging modules, infrared imaging modules, and other modules to interface with a user and/or a monitoring system. Visible spectrum imaging modules and infrared imaging modules may be positioned in proximity to a scene that will be monitored while visible spectrum-only images of the scene are either not available or less desirable than infrared images of the scene. Imaging modules may be configured to capture images of the scene at different times. Image analytics and processing may be used to generate combined images with infrared imaging features and increased detail and contrast. Triple fusion processing, including selectable aspects of non-uniformity correction processing, true color processing, and high contrast processing, may be performed on the captured images. Control signals based on the combined images may be presented to a user and/or a monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Teich, Nicholas Högasten, Jeffrey S. Scott, Katrin Strandemar, Mark Nussmeier, Eric A. Kurth, Theodore R. Hoelter, Pierre Boulanger, Barbara Sharp
  • Patent number: 9635376
    Abstract: A method and apparatus prioritizing video information during coding and decoding. Video information is received and an element of the video information, such as a visual object, video object layer, video object plane or keyregion, is identified. A priority is assigned to the identified element and the video information is encoded into a bitstream, such as a visual bitstream encoded using the MPEG-4 standard, including an indication of the priority of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Barin Geoffry Haskell, Atul Puri, Robert Lewis Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9633437
    Abstract: A method for displaying successive image frames on a display. The method including: processing image data containing the successive image frames to identify features in an image frame and to display the image frame to a user with two or more of the identified features highlighted; manually selecting one of the identified features by a user; determining a portion of a subsequent image frame in which the selected feature is likely to be present; and if the selected feature is found in the portion of the subsequent image frame, displaying the subsequent image frame to change the position of the selected feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S Rastegar
  • Patent number: 9633482
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a data receiving unit for receiving a medical image data set, the medical image data set being representative of at least part of a patient, and a processing unit for processing the medical image data set to restrict visualization of at least part of the patient's skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic Ashmole, Andrew Smout
  • Patent number: 9626760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to align and merge differently exposed digital images to create a HDR image. In the present system, all the modules starting from the receiving module to fusion module are configured to produce a HDR image with better color purity and sharpness. Each captured image in the system is configured to operate in the HSI color space. The alignment module is configured to align the pixels of each image in a pyramid shaped resolution structure to derive alignment vectors for one or more regional partitions of each image across one or more levels of the pyramid. The system is configured such that, the saturation component in the HSI color space is used to pick the color purity of pixels and intensity channel is used to weigh the sharpness of pixels of each of the differently exposed captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PathPartner Technology Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Narasimha Kaushik Narahari, Radhesh Bhat, Ragavan Vijaya, Akshay Panday