Patents Examined by William C. Vaughn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11252376
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an electronic control unit having at least four coaxial connectors. At least four coaxial cables are electrically connected at respective coaxial connectors of the electronic control unit and respective cameras of at least four cameras. Each of the coaxial cables carries DC power from the electronic control unit to the respective camera. Each of the coaxial cables carries respective control data from the electronic control unit to the respective camera. Each of the coaxial cables carries image data captured by an imager of the respective camera to the electronic control unit via low-voltage differential signaling. Image data carried to the electronic control unit is processed at the electronic control unit by a processor of the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Joern Ihlenburg
  • Patent number: 11237628
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for eye illumination for eye position tracking. An illumination system includes a light source configured to emit a light beam in a first wavelength range, a beam splitter configured to split the light beam emitted by the light source into a plurality of light beams, a substrate configured to be placed in front of an eye of a user, and a plurality of reflectors located within the substrate. Each of the plurality of reflectors is configured to intercept one or more light beams from the plurality of light beams, reflect light in the one or more light beams from the plurality of light beams to the eye of the user, and transmit light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range to the eye of the user. The substrate is transparent to both light in the first wavelength range and light in the second wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robin Sharma, Andrew John Ouderkirk, Brian Wheelwright
  • Patent number: 11234378
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control irrigation. An image of an area of vegetation is received from a video camera supporting security monitoring wherein the video camera provides image data to both a security monitoring system and an irrigation control system. Vegetation is identified in the image based on processing the image's pixel information. Respective colors of the vegetation are determined by further processing color information within the pixel information depicting the vegetation. Based on the respective color of the vegetation, a respective irrigation state of the vegetation is determined. An irrigation need is determined based on the respective determined irrigation state of the vegetation. Irrigation is provided to the vegetation independently of a set irrigation schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: FPL Smart Services, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick G. McElhaney, Christine S. Donayri
  • Patent number: 11212463
    Abstract: Method for visually representing scanning data, which are composed of a multiplicity of individual measurement data. The individual measurement data in each case have at least one measurement value that is linked to a respective measurement direction, wherein the measurement directions are different from one another such that a predetermined scanning region with a predetermined scanning resolution is covered. The representation of the scanning data is effected by way of an image map with a number of map points that is dependent on a predetermined display resolution and by way of an assignment rule for assigning measurement value to map point, wherein the assignment is effected immediately on the basis of the respective measurement direction that is linked to the measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Christoph Herbst
  • Patent number: 11202087
    Abstract: Basic format image data and the predetermined number of pieces of high-quality format image data are successfully transmitted. A basic video stream obtained by encoding basic format image data and a predetermined number of extended video streams obtained by encoding the predetermined number of pieces of high-quality format image data are generated. A container in a predetermined format including each of the video streams is transmitted. Identification information in a high-quality format corresponding to each of the predetermined number of extended video streams is inserted into a layer of the container and/or the video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ikuo Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 11190766
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining division of a coding unit, a and a readable storage medium are provided. The method includes: determining whether a size of a current coding unit is greater than a size of a smallest coding unit; obtaining a gradient of the current coding unit when the size of the current coding unit is greater than the size of the smallest coding unit; determining to divide the current coding unit when the gradient of the current coding unit is not less than a first threshold; and when the gradient of the current coding unit is less than a first threshold, obtaining gradients of sub-coding units included in the current coding unit; and determining, according to the gradients of the sub-coding units, whether to divide the current coding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xunan Mao
  • Patent number: 11164213
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for storing information related to objects associated with a hand of a user via a wearable camera system. In one implementation, a wearable apparatus for storing the information is provided comprising a wearable image sensor configured to capture a plurality of images from the environment of the user, and at least one processing device programmed to process the images. The processing device may detect the hand of the user, and an object associated with the user's hand. The processing device may proceed to store information related to the object. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, the stored information may be used for various purposes, such as warning the user of dangers, catering advertising to the user, and helping the user find objects when they are lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: OrCam Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonatan Wexler, Amnon Shashua
  • Patent number: 11160688
    Abstract: A display device and an operating method thereof are provided. The display device may include: a display; a camera; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the instructions to obtain an image captured by the camera, transform the image based on visual condition information of a user, the visual condition information including information about a type of visual impairment of the user, and display the transformed image on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-hoon Cho, Yong-nam Kim, Seung-chan Kim
  • Patent number: 11153557
    Abstract: A method of video decoding includes maintaining a number of tables, wherein each table includes a set of motion candidates and each motion candidate is associated with corresponding motion information derived from previously coded video blocks, performing a conversion between a current video block and a bitstream representation of the current video block in a video region, and updating the one or more tables based on an updating rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BYTEDANCE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BYTEDANCE INC.
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Kai Zhang, Hongbin Liu, Yue Wang
  • Patent number: 11153492
    Abstract: A method for selecting spectator viewpoints in volumetric video presentations of live events includes receiving a plurality of video streams depicting an event occurring in a venue, wherein the plurality of video streams are provided to a processor by a plurality of cameras which are geographically distributed within the venue, identifying an initial position of a target that is present in the venue, based on an analysis of the plurality of video streams, compositing the plurality of video streams to produce a first volumetric video traversal of the live event that follows the target through the venue, predicting a future position of the target in the venue at a future point in time, based in part on a current position of the target, and sending an alert to a display device that is streaming a volumetric video presentation of the event, wherein the alert indicates the future position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Molly Hutsler, Eric Zavesky, Timothy Henderson
  • Patent number: 11148661
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for mobile device tethering for a remote parking assist system of a vehicle. A vehicle includes a camera and a body control module. The body control module sends an instruction to a mobile device and captures, with the camera, an image of the mobile device. The body control module also analyzes the image to determine an initial location of the mobile device relative to the vehicle, and based on the initial location, performs dead reckoning on the mobile device to track the mobile device. When the mobile device is within a threshold distance, the body control module enables autonomous parking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hamid M. Golgiri, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Erick Michael Lavoie, Vivekanandh Elangovan
  • Patent number: 11109036
    Abstract: Innovations in encoder-side options for intra block copy (“BC”) prediction mode facilitate intra BC prediction that is more effective in terms of rate-distortion performance and/or computational efficiency of encoding. For example, some of the innovations relate to concurrently performing block vector (“BV”) estimation and making block splitting decisions for a block. Other innovations relate to selectively merging blocks into a larger block during BV estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Bin Li, Jizheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11109020
    Abstract: A method of video decoding includes maintaining a number of tables, wherein each table includes a set of motion candidates and each motion candidate is associated with corresponding motion information derived from previously coded video blocks, performing a conversion between a current video block and a bitstream representation of the current video block in a video region, and updating the one or more tables based on an updating rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BYTEDANCE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BYTEDANCE INC.
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Kai Zhang, Hongbin Liu, Yue Wang
  • Patent number: 11089353
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described. In one aspect, a control user interface including selectable representations identifying a plurality of operating media players is presented. A user selection identifying a selected portion of the plurality of operating media players is received. And, an indication is provided allowing a media player in the selected portion access to a presentation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: AMERICAN INVENTOR TECH, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Paul Morris
  • Patent number: 11082640
    Abstract: An infrared camera includes a lens unit including a lens and a lens barrel, a heater that is provided at the lens unit and heats the lens, an infrared image sensor that captures an image using infrared light focused by the lens, a chassis that is fixed to an external surface side of the lens barrel while being thermally insulated from the lens unit and contains the infrared image sensor, and a light-blocking member that is located between the lens barrel and the infrared image sensor inside the chassis as viewed in a direction of an optical axis of the lens and blocks infrared light radiated toward the infrared image sensor and coming without passing through the lens, thus reducing the influence of infrared light coming without passing through the lens on capturing of an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Nagata, Hiroshi Sakanoue, Takafumi Hara
  • Patent number: 11073903
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for imaging in eye tracking. An imaging system for eye tracking includes a camera configured to detect light in a first wavelength range, a substrate configured to be placed in front of an eye of a user, and at least one reflector located within the substrate. The at least one reflector is configured to receive light in the first wavelength range reflected by the eye of the user, reflect at least a portion of the received light in the first wavelength range to the camera, and transmit light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range to the eye of the user. The substrate is transparent to both the light in the first wavelength range and the light in the second wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Robin Sharma
  • Patent number: 11064210
    Abstract: A processing for a first pixel in a picture comprises obtaining a lower limit of a first color component of the first pixel in a first color space based on a distance between a color of the first pixel and a first distorted version of the color in a second color space. An upper limit of the first color component in the first color 5 space is obtained based on a distance between the color and a second distorted version of the color in the second color space. A filtered value is obtained of the first color component and which is equal to or larger than the lower limit and equal to or lower than the upper limit. The processing results in filtered values that are cheaper to encode but that are visibly undistinguishable from the original colors of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Jacob Ström, Kenneth Andersson, Per Hermansson, Jonatan Samuelsson, Per Wennersten
  • Patent number: 11032568
    Abstract: A method of signaling of coding modes including an IntraBC mode (Intra-block copy mode) to improve the coding efficiency is disclosed. In one embodiment, the partition mode associated with IntraBC mode and the corresponding partition mode for Inter mode use the same binarization process and the same context modelling. In another embodiment, the displacement vector of IntraBC prediction for the chroma block is derived from the displacement vectors of the corresponding luma block. In yet another embodiment, a non-square PU is partitioned into multiple TUs (transform units) and IntraBC prediction is performed TU by TU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: HFI INNOVATION INC.
    Inventors: Shan Liu, Xiaozhong Xu
  • Patent number: 11016281
    Abstract: An imaging optical system includes an objective, an image-formation optical system, and an image sensor, wherein an object, the objective, the image-formation optical system, and the image sensor are arranged in this order, the objective includes: a first lens group that includes a meniscus lens component that is the closest to an image among the first lens group, the meniscus lens component having a convex surface facing the object; and a second lens group that is closer to the image than the first lens group is, and the imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression: 4×106??PXn?1×1010??(1) where PXn indicates the number of pixels included in a region on the image sensor in which an MTF specific to an e line is 40% or higher at a spatial frequency of 750×NAi, and NAi indicates the numerical aperture of the image side of the imaging optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Abe, Atsushi Yonetani
  • Patent number: 10999586
    Abstract: To encode an image divided into blocks of a set of images, each block being encoded according to one of a plurality of encoding modes including at least one temporal correlation prediction encoding mode utilizing a plurality of images, a motion estimation vector search area is defined in a second image of the set of images, distinct from the first image and previously encoded according to a predefined sequence of encoding images of the set of images, a portion at least of the search area having substantially the shape of an ovoid, the data from the search area is stored in a cache memory, a motion estimation vector of the current block is determined by a search in the search area in the cache memory, and the motion estimation vector is used to decide the encoding of the current block according to the one of the plurality of encoding modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ATEME
    Inventor: Olivier Batard