Patents by Inventor Yoshiaki Iwai

Yoshiaki Iwai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8254690
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that compares a query image and a model image and provides support information for discriminating a subject of the model image from a subject of the query image is disclosed. The information processing apparatus includes: a feature point extracting unit extracting one or more feature points from the model image; a feature describing unit describing features of the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting unit; and a discrimination capability value calculating unit generating correlation images among the features described by the feature describing unit, the extracted model image, and one or more other model images for the one or more feature points extracted by the feature point extracting unit, and calculating a discrimination capability value indicating the degree of contribution to discriminating the subject of the model image on the basis of the correlation images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nakamura, Yoshiaki Iwai, Takayuki Yoshigahara
  • Publication number: 20120215805
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus may include a control unit to control display of parts information of a plurality of items, to generate search information according to feedback from a user for the parts information, and to control display of a search result according to the search information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichi HOMMA, Yoshiaki IWAI, Jianing WU
  • Publication number: 20120210255
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image of a real space captured with an imaging device, a user interface unit configured to display the input image on a screen of a display device and detect a designated position designated by a user on the screen, a computation unit configured to compute a three-dimensional position of a virtual object in an augmented reality space from the designated position detected by the user interface unit, and an authoring unit configured to associate the three-dimensional position of the virtual object computed by the computation unit with the virtual object to store the three-dimensional position in a storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kenichirou Ooi, Shunichi Homma, Yoshiaki Iwai, Akihiko Kaino, Jianing Wu
  • Publication number: 20120194554
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit for executing the instructions to send signals to display, for a user, a first virtual image superimposed onto an image of real space, the image of real space comprising an image of a potential source of interest for the user. The control unit further executes instructions to send signals to send signals to analyze the image of real space to detect the potential source of interest. The control unit further executes instructions to send signals to notify the user of the potential source of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Akihiko KAINO, Yoshiaki Iwai, Kenichiro Oi, Shunichi Homma, Jianing Wu
  • Publication number: 20120179685
    Abstract: The present invention is associated with an information providing apparatus and method, a terminal apparatus and an information processing method, and a program that are configured to provide users with registered information without locational restrictions. A recognition device 21 recognizes a category from an image of a target object 122-1 obtained by the user in a terminal apparatus 12-1. A server 11 transmits the recognized category to the terminal apparatus 12-1 and receives category “fixed phone” selected by the user and additional information 123 corresponding thereto. An information DB 22 relates the additional information 123 with a recognition device 21 of “fixed phone” and register the related additional information 123. Subsequently, the recognition device 21 recognizes a category from an image of a target object 122-2 obtained by the user in the terminal apparatus 12-1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Iwai, Shunichi Homma, Akira Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8160366
    Abstract: An object recognition device includes: a model image processing unit having a feature point set decision unit setting a feature point set in a model image, and detecting the feature quantity of the feature point set, and a segmentation unit segmenting the model image; a processing-target image processing unit having a feature point setting unit setting a feature point in a processing-target image and detecting the feature quantity of the feature point; a matching unit comparing the feature quantities of the feature points set in the model image and in the processing-target image so as to detect the feature point corresponding to the feature point set, and executes a matching; and a determination unit determining the processing result in the matching unit so as to determine presence/absence of a model object in the processing-target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nakamura, Yoshiaki Iwai, Takayuki Yoshigahara
  • Patent number: 8103115
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus that compares an input image with a model image to identify the subject of the input image with the subject of the model image. The apparatus includes feature value extraction means for setting feature points, each of which is on an edge of the model image and provided to extract a model image feature value, which is the feature value of the model image, and extracting the model image feature value from each of a plurality of feature value extraction areas in the neighborhood of each of the feature points, and matching means for checking if an input image feature value, which is the feature value of the input image, at the point that is on an edge of the input image and corresponds to the feature point matches any of the plurality of model image feature values at the feature point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Iwai, Takayuki Yoshigahara, Akira Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110295778
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a data pool generation section which generates an unknown data pool, a learning sample collection section which randomly collects a plurality of learning samples from the unknown data pool, a classifier generation section which generates a plurality of classifiers using the learning samples, an output feature quantity acquisition section which associates with the data, for each piece of the data, a plurality of output values, which are obtained by inputting the data into the plurality of classifiers to identify the data, as an output feature quantity represented in an output feature quantity space different from the feature quantity space, and a classification section which classifies each piece of the data into any one of a predetermined number of the classes based on the output feature quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi HOMMA, Yoshiaki IWAI, Takayuki YOSHIGAHARA
  • Publication number: 20110249899
    Abstract: A recognition device includes storage unit that stores information of a cluster to which a model feature point belongs; extracting unit that extracts a feature amount of a query feature point; generating unit that determines a first set of the query feature point including a reference point and a dependent point, and generates geometric information; clustering unit that clusters the query feature point; correcting unit that sets up the model feature point as a nearest candidate of the reference point, sets up the model feature point as a nearest candidate of the dependent point, determines whether or not the nearest candidate of the reference point is present, and corrects the model feature point; and similarity degree calculating unit that calculates a similarity degree of the first set and a second set and determines the second set nearest to the first set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jianing WU, Yoshiaki IWAI, Shunichi HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20110238212
    Abstract: A robot apparatus, method and computer program storage device use a memory that stores cueing point information and user information to assist a user in an external environment. The cueing points are distributed within an environmental map held by the robot apparatus, and when the user is detected by the robot apparatus as approaching a predetermined region within the external environment classified as a cueing point, the robot apparatus reacts by providing a cue to the user. The cue may user-specific, or optionally provided based on a level of care required by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu SHIRADO, Masakuni NAGANO, Wataru KOKUBO, Yoshiaki IWAI, Satoru SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20110231018
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus comprising an executing unit for allowing a movable body to perform a predetermined process, a storage unit for storing an environment map of a movable area of the movable body, a detection unit for detecting information on the surroundings of the movable body, an update unit for updating the environment map based on the information on the surroundings of the movable body, which is detected by the detection unit, and an acquisition unit for acquiring instruction information representing an instruction of a user according to user input, wherein the executing unit allows the movable body to perform the process based on the instruction information with reference to the environment map, and the update unit updates the environment map based on the instruction information and the process performed by the movable body based on the instruction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki IWAI, Yasuhiro SUTO, Kenichiro NAGASAKA, Akichika TANAKA, Takashi KITO
  • Patent number: 8009879
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an object recognition device for recognition of an object that exists in an image, the device including: an edge image creator configured to create an edge image from a target image; a local feature extractor configured to extract a feature of each edge point on an edge image, and determine a base point and a support point from edge points in a local area defined for the edge image; a feature matching unit configured to implement, with reference to a memory, feature matching of a base point and a support point to thereby acquire a matching pair; and a matching pair determiner configured to determine final matching pairs by employing matching pairs having a highest matching cost among matching pairs obtained by the feature matching unit, wherein an object in a target image is identified based on matching pairs determined by the matching pair determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Iwai, Akira Nakamura, Weiguo Wu, Takayuki Yoshigahara
  • Publication number: 20110182515
    Abstract: A learning device includes: a feature point extracting unit for extracting a feature point from each of multiple generated images; a feature point feature amount extracting unit for extracting feature point feature amount representing the feature of the feature point from the generated image; a whole feature amount calculating unit for calculating the whole feature amount representing the feature of the whole generated image from the feature point feature amount of the generated image based on a shared code book including generated feature amount to be commonly used for generation of an identifier for identifying each of different identified objects; and an identifier generating unit for generating the identifier based on the whole feature amount of the generated image, and a correct answer label representing whether the generated image is the positive image or the negative image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: YOSHIAKI IWAI, SHUNICHI HOMMA, TAKAYUKI YOSHIGAHARA
  • Publication number: 20110182516
    Abstract: A learning device includes: a feature point extracting unit for extracting a feature point from each of multiple generated images made up of a positive image including an identified object, and a negative image excluding the identified object; a feature point feature amount extracting unit for extracting feature point feature amount representing the feature of the feature point from the generated image; a whole feature amount calculating unit for calculating the whole feature amount representing the feature of the whole generated image based on the feature point feature amount of a feature point existing on a feature point selection range determined based on the multiple generated images, of the generated image range; and an identifier generating unit for generating an identifier based on the whole feature amount of the generated image, and a correct answer label representing whether the generated image is the positive image or the negative image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki IWAI, Shunichi Homma, Takayuki Yoshigahara
  • Publication number: 20110176725
    Abstract: A learning apparatus includes a learning section which learns, according as a learning image used for learning a discriminator for discriminating whether a predetermined discrimination target is present in an image is designated from a plurality of sample images by a user, the discriminator using a random feature amount including a dimension feature amount randomly selected from a plurality of dimension feature amounts included in an image feature amount indicating features of the learning image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi HOMMA, Yoshiaki Iwai, Takayuki Yoshigahara
  • Patent number: 7965885
    Abstract: The invention aims at separating a background area of an image using a plurality of cameras by utilizing a method of estimating a background in combination with a stereo method. Data on input images, synchronous with one another, which are obtained by photographing images of a subject from different points of sight using at least two cameras is stored in a frame memory. A background area estimation processing unit performs global image superimposition for the input images, synchronous with one another, the data on which is stored in the frame memory on the assumption that a background area is in the distance and has a flat surface. Then, the background area estimation processing unit estimates the background area based on a degree of local similarity. A distance image generation processing unit performs distance measurement with respect to points other than those in the estimated background area by utilizing a stereo method to generate distance images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Iwai
  • Publication number: 20110010363
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a storage section for storing a plurality of images and a plurality of related terms related to each of the plurality of images, the plurality of images being associated with the plurality of related terms, an input section for inputting a concept term indicating a predetermined concept, an extraction section for extracting, when the input concept term corresponds to the related term, the plurality of images each associated with the related term, a selection section for selecting an image which matches the concept of the concept term from the extracted plurality of images, a collection section for collecting a related term associated with the selected image which matches the concept of the concept term, and a calculation section for calculating a term feature amount of a term group of the collected related term.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Homma, Yoshiaki Iwai
  • Patent number: 7780530
    Abstract: Characters set corresponding to users are registered in a character server, so the users can download characters from the character server and feature the characters in various games. Also, characters of different players can notify characters of players within a range permitted beforehand regarding their own locations in different games or different virtual spaces, and can send messages one to another. Further, in addition to the appearance of the character, attributes of the character and items which the player have can be stored in the character server, and used throughout various games. Thus, the same characters can be featured in various types of game programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Teruyuki Ushiro, Hideki Oyaizu, Yoshiaki Iwai, Masaaki Oka
  • Publication number: 20100208983
    Abstract: A learning device includes a feature-point extracting section extracting feature points from a generation image, a feature-point feature-quantity extracting section extracting feature-point feature-quantities representing features of the feature points, a total-feature-quantity generating section generating a total feature quantity represented by a multi-dimensional vector, and an identifier generating section generating an identifier using the total feature quantity and a true label indicating whether or not the generation image is a positive image or a negative image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshiaki IWAI, Akira NAKAMURA, Takayuki YOSHIGAHARA
  • Publication number: 20090316990
    Abstract: An object recognition device includes: a model image processing unit having a feature point set decision unit setting a feature point set in a model image, and detecting the feature quantity of the feature point set, and a segmentation unit segmenting the model image; a processing-target image processing unit having a feature point setting unit setting a feature point in a processing-target image and detecting the feature quantity of the feature point; a matching unit comparing the feature quantities of the feature points set in the model image and in the processing-target image so as to detect the feature point corresponding to the feature point set, and executes a matching; and a determination unit determining the processing result in the matching unit so as to determine presence/absence of a model object in the processing-target image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Akira NAKAMURA, Yoshiaki Iwai, Takayuki Yoshigahara