With Camera And Object Moved Relative To Each Other Patents (Class 348/142)
  • Patent number: 9633446
    Abstract: In an example embodiment a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes extracting a first set of target-object regions and at least one set of non-target object regions from a plurality of regions of a video content based at least on likelihood information. A plurality of unlabeled regions of the video content are classified based on the first set of target-object regions and the at least one set of non-target object regions to generate a second set of target object regions that is denser than the first set of target object regions. A model is learned for modelling at least one of the target object and non-target objects of the video content based at least on the second set of target object regions. The target object in the video content is segmented based on the model and the second set of target object regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Tinghuai Wang
  • Patent number: 9618830
    Abstract: A photography workstation comprises a base and a working platform defining an inner region and an outer region having a plurality of accessory mounting stations constructed to removably secure a variety of image capturing accessories, the workstation further including an object positioner to removably secure an object to be photographically captured wherein at least one image capturing accessory may be removably secured to a mounting station and used to cooperate with an image capturing device to capture one or more images or videos of the object when the object is removably secured to the object positioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Nicholas, Jose Pinela
  • Patent number: 9594964
    Abstract: A method for determining a wet road surface condition for a vehicle driving on a road. A first image exterior of the vehicle is captured by an image capture device. A second image exterior of the vehicle is captured by the image capture device. A section of the road is identified in the first and second captured images. A texture of the road in the first and second images captured by a processor are compared. A determination is made whether the texture of the road in the first image is different from the texture of the road in the second image. A wet driving surface indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the texture of the road in the first image is different than the texture of the road in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qingrong Zhao, Wende Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi
  • Patent number: 9508189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a 3D image of vehicle surroundings. The method according to the present invention includes the steps of: mapping images captured by a plurality of cameras installed in a vehicle to a virtual plane defined by a 3-dimensional space model having a container shape with a flat bottom surface and a top surface which has an increasing radius; and creating a view image having a viewpoint of a virtual camera by using the image mapped to the virtual plane. According to the present invention, it is advantageous that an image of vehicle surroundings including surrounding obstacles can be expressed naturally and three-dimensionally. It is also advantageous that an optimal image of vehicle surroundings can be provided by changing the virtual viewpoint according to a traveling state of the vehicle. There is also the advantage that a user can conveniently adjust the viewpoint of the virtual camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KSS-IMAGENEXT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-In Han, Sung-Je Cheon, Jong-Woon Park, Won-In Baek
  • Patent number: 9453267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for stretching a pelt on a pelt board, by determining a length of the pelt and adjusting the stretch force in accordance with the determined length. In particular, the length may be determined prior to stretching of the pelt, or the length may be determined after the primary stretching of the pelt stretching the pelt, where after the stretching force is reduced before securing the pelt to the pelt board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: EIKON TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING SARL
    Inventor: Kurt Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9339700
    Abstract: A golf club 2 is provided with a head 4 having a hosel hole 18 and a shaft 6. The golf club 2 has a mounting/detaching mechanism detachably mounting the head 4 and the shaft 6 to each other. The mounting/detaching mechanism can fix the shaft 6 to the hosel hole 18 of the head 4 at a plurality of circumferential mounting positions. The shaft 6 has anisotropy producing coupled deformations of bending and torsion. Preferably, an angle ?1 between an axis line of the shaft 6 and an axis line of the hosel hole 18 is 0 degree. Preferably, a bending torsional amount of the shaft 6 is equal to or greater than 0.5 degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Oyama
  • Patent number: 9336460
    Abstract: One or more apparatus and method for adaptively detecting motion instability in video. In embodiments, video stabilization is predicated on adaptive detection of motion instability. Adaptive motion instability detection may entail determining an initial motion instability state associated with a plurality of video frames. Subsequent transitions of the instability state may be detected by comparing a first level of instability associated with a first plurality of the frames to a second level of instability associated with a second plurality of the frames. Image stabilization of received video frames may be toggled first based on the initial instability state, and thereafter based on detected changes in the instability state. Output video frames, which may be stabilized or non-stabilized, may then be stored to a memory. In certain embodiments, video motion instability is scored based on a probability distribution of video frame motion jitter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lidong Xu, Chen Wang, Yi-Jen Chiu, Jong Dae Oh, Heon-Mo Koo
  • Patent number: 9324136
    Abstract: A method, an electronic apparatus, and a computer readable medium for processing reflection in an image are proposed. In the method, a first image and a second image are obtained. A plurality of objects in the first image and the second image are recognized and a plurality of lighting regions having a brightness higher than a first threshold in the first image and the second image are detected. Then, a plurality of displacements between corresponding objects and corresponding lighting regions in the first image and the second image are calculated. It is determined whether a ratio of the displacement of the object nearby one of the lighting regions to the displacement of the lighting region is over a second threshold. Finally, the lighting region is determined as a reflection if the ratio is over the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Ruey-Jer Chang, Lun-Cheng Chu, Wei-Chung Yang
  • Patent number: 9285906
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus include a position detecting unit that detects positions of a plurality of users existing in a detection target area; a calculating unit that calculates a plurality of feature quantities representing a relation between the positions of the users detected by the position detecting unit and a projection plane on which a projection image is projected; and a determining unit that determines display control processing for the projection image depending on the feature quantities calculated by the calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Haruomi Higashi, Akira Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9262817
    Abstract: An environment estimation apparatus includes an image area dividing unit for dividing a camera image taken with a vehicle camera into a plurality of image areas, a camera image information extracting unit for extracting, from an image area that has the sky taken and is acquired from among the plurality of image areas undergoing the division by the image area dividing unit, image information indicating features of the image area, and an environment estimation unit for estimating, from the image information extracted by the camera image information extracting unit, the weather or intensity of light of a surrounding environment by referring to corresponding data indicating the correspondence between the features of the image area and the weather or the intensity of light of the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Mitsugi
  • Patent number: 9041796
    Abstract: A method, tool, and device for determining the coordinates or a plurality of points on a substantially plane surface by means of an accelerometer and a camera. The coordinates of each point are computed by determining a perpendicular projection of the camera onto the surface, identifying each point, measuring an inclination (the angle between the line of sight of the camera and gravity) using the accelerometer, and determining an azimuth (the angle of the line of sight of the camera around gravity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: Francis Ruben Malka, Gilles Jean Desforges
  • Patent number: 9030552
    Abstract: A method for calibrating measurement instruments of an optronic system in motion, with positions P1, P2, . . . , Pi, . . . , comprises: a device for acquiring images of a scene comprising a fixed object G0; and means for tracking the fixed object G0 during the acquisition of these images; means for obtaining the positions P1, P2, . . . ; at least one instrument for measuring the distance and/or an instrument for measuring angles of orientation and/or of attitude between this measurement instrument and the fixed object G0, according to a line of sight LoS. It comprises the following steps: acquisition at instants t1, t2, . . . of at least two images, each image being acquired on the basis of different positions P1, P2, . . . of the system, the fixed object G0 being sighted in each image, but its position being unknown; acquisition at the instants t?1, t?2, . . . of measurements of distance and/or of angle; synchronization of the measurements of distance and/or of angle with the positions P1, P2, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventor: Alain Simon
  • Patent number: 9025024
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for identifying materials comprising an object captured in a video and for using the identified materials to track that object as it moves across the captured video scene. In one embodiment, a multi-spectral or hyper-spectral sensor is used to capture a spectral image of an object in an area of interest. Pixels in the spectral planes of the spectral images are analyzed to identify a material comprising objects in that area of interest. A location of each of the identified objects is provided to an imaging sensor which then proceeds to track the objects as they move through a scene. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Beilei Xu, Wencheng Wu, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Graham Pennington
  • Patent number: 9025030
    Abstract: Improvements in a video system are presented that uses one or more camera(s) with a display system. The camera and display system operate together to allow a person to view the back or side of their head as they apply makeup or style their hair. The use of multiple cameras allows the person to view their hair, face or profile from different angles without requiring a single camera to be re-positioned or requiring the person to turn their head to view a particular area. The video system can blend the image from multiple cameras to achieve a view that is not from a single camera. The blending or morphing of the image allows the user the ability to obtain a view from nearly any angle without requiring them to move their head or adjust the camera angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventors: Cheryl Garcia, Christopher Sauceda
  • Patent number: 9019373
    Abstract: A monitoring device includes an indicating unit configured to indicate an object to be monitored; a camera to acquire time-series images; a predicting unit configured to predict the position of destination of the characteristic points belonging to a first aggregation including characteristic points having an amount of movement larger than a reference amount of movement set in advance; a detecting unit configured to detect the position of center of gravity of the changed area; a determining unit configured to determine the positions of destination as an indicating position when representative amount of movement is larger than a first threshold value and determine the position of center of gravity as the indicating position when the representative amount of movement is smaller than the first threshold value; and a control unit configured to control the indicating unit to cause the indicating unit to indicate the indicating position are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tasaki, Daisuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9019379
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a license plate image-pickup device and an image exposure adjustment method thereof. The license plate image-pickup device comprises an image-sensing module, a recognition module and a processing module. The license plate image-pickup device takes a scene. The image-sensing module senses the scene to produce an image. The recognition module detects a vehicle object. The processing module adjusts the exposure of the vehicle object to produce an exposure adjusted vehicle object, and then the recognition module detects a license plate object from the exposure adjusted vehicle object, and the processing module adjusts the exposure of the license plate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Yan Chang, Tai-Chang Yang, Chia-Chun Hsieh, Shan-Lung Chao, Hsin-Te Wang, Hong-Long Chou
  • Patent number: 9019375
    Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment a target locator and interceptor imaging and sensing assembly. The assembly has a disc shaped aerodynamic member configured to spin and self-position in flight, a plurality of pulsed thrusters positioned on the member, and a plurality of imaging and sensing devices positioned along a perimeter of the member. The assembly further has one or more munitions devices coupled to one or more detonators, both being coupled to the aerodynamic member. The assembly further has one or more antenna devices positioned on the member and in communication with a first processor device on the member. The first processor device receives data obtained by the plurality of imaging and sensing devices and wirelessly transmits the data to a second processor device not positioned on the member. The assembly further has a power supply powering the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David A. Whelan, John W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9019370
    Abstract: A method for minimizing glare and/or increasing privacy for a user of a self-service device is provided. The method may include mechanical means such as a fixed visor and/or hood or a user operated hinged glare reducing overlay screen. The method may further include as using sensors that detect the user's eyes and other sensors to detect a source of light that produces glare. Information from these sensors may be sent to a computer controlled system that operates system of actuators. The actuators are operated by the computer in response to sensor inputs to adjust the screen angle relative the user to minimize glare for that user and/or increase privacy from surreptitiously observing eyes or cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventor: Daryoosh Shirbabadi
  • Patent number: 9013579
    Abstract: A vehicle surrounding-area monitoring apparatus that, when recognizing an obstacle, allows for easy determination of the positional relationship between the obstacle and scenery included in a video image of the area surrounding the vehicle, generates a narrow view-field region that is a part of the video image as a notable video image, and if an obstacle region that is a region of the recognized obstacle in the video image is located outside of the narrow view-field region and if the obstacle region is contained in an image region that is partially overlapping with the narrow view-field region and is a part of the video image, generates the image region as a notable obstacle image so as to generate a surrounding-area monitoring display image comprised of the notable video image and the notable obstacle image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Ikeda, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Takashi Kato, Masaki Katagiri
  • Patent number: 9013576
    Abstract: An aerial photographing image pickup method comprises a step of making a flying object fly meanderingly, a step of taking the image at each vertex where a direction is changed in the meandering flight, a step of extracting feature points from a common overlay portion of the images taken from at least three adjacent vertices, a step of determining two images of two vertices in the images as one set and acquiring positional information of the two vertices by a GPS device for each set regarding at least two sets, a step of performing photogrammetry of the measuring points corresponding to the feature points based on positional information and based on the feature points of the two images and a step of determining the feature points when the surveying results of the measuring points coincide with each other in at least the two sets as tie points for image combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kazuki Osaragi, Tetsuji Anai, Hitoshi Otani
  • Patent number: 9007462
    Abstract: A driving assist apparatus acquires vehicle information which includes a gear state and speed of a vehicle; judges a state of preparing for movement, a state of starting movement, and a state during movement; generates a wide-angle image that is an image that can see a wide range although having distortion when the vehicle state is the state of preparing for movement or the state of starting movement; and generates a no-distortion image that is an image in which the distortion due to the lens shape and the distortion by the projection system are eliminated from the camera image when the vehicle state is the state during movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Mitsugi
  • Patent number: 9001214
    Abstract: A method, system and reference target for estimating spectral data on a selected one of three spectral information types is disclosed. Spectral information types comprise illumination of a scene, spectral sensitivity of an imager imaging the scene and reflectance of a surface in the scene. The method comprises obtaining a ranking order for plural sensor responses produced by the imager, each sensor responses being produced from a reference target in the scene, obtaining, from an alternate source, data on the other two spectral information types, determining a set of constraints, the set including, for each sequential pair combination of sensor responses when taken in said ranking order, a constraint determined in dependence on the ranking and on the other two spectral information types for the respective sensor responses and, in dependence on the ranking order and on the set of constraints, determining said spectral data that optimally satisfies said constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: University of East Anglia
    Inventor: Graham Finlayson
  • Patent number: 8994824
    Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring device is provided with a symmetrical image portion extraction unit (21) which extracts a first image portion (A1) and a second image portion (A2) which are line-symmetrical to each other in the horizontal direction; and expanded region setting unit (22) which sets a first expanded region (B1) containing the first image portion (A1); an expanded search range setting unit (23) which sets an expanded search range (C) which contains the second image portion (A2); and an object class recognition unit (24) which searches in the expanded search range (C) a second expanded region (B2) which has a correlation degree to a mirror reflection image (B1m) of the first expanded region (B1), and recognizes the image containing the first image portion (A1) and the second image portion (A2) as the image of another vehicle if the second expanded region (B2) is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Aimura, Nobuharu Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 8995712
    Abstract: A method for automatically detecting and tracking multiple targets in a multi-camera surveillance zone and system thereof. In each camera view of the system only a simple object detection algorithm is needed. The detection results from multiple cameras are fused into a posterior distribution, named TDP, based on the Bayesian rule. This TDP distribution represents a likelihood of presence of some moving targets on the ground plane. To properly handle the tracking of multiple moving targets with time, a sample-based framework which combines Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC), and Mean-Shift Clustering, is provided. The detection and tracking accuracy is evaluated by both synthesized videos and real videos. The experimental results show that this method and system can accurately track a varying number of targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Ching-Chun Huang, Sheng-Jyh Wang
  • Patent number: 8976242
    Abstract: The present invention includes a camera which takes an image of a camera or an inspection target; a device which estimates the movement of the inspection target; a device which generates a high resolution image having a higher resolution than the pixel resolution of a video image taken by the camera from the video image taken by the camera; a device which evaluates the quality of the high resolution image generated by the generation device; and a device which presents an inspector who visually inspects the inspection target with the high resolution image together with the quality evaluation result of the high resolution image. The present invention can improve the reliability of inspection by use of the high resolution image as well as can reduce the inspection time, and further can guarantee the reliability of the inspection using a high resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuro Aikawa, Yoshinori Satoh, Makoto Ochiai, Tatsuya Oodake, Hiroyuki Adachi, Yasuhiro Yuguchi, Junichi Takabayashi
  • Publication number: 20150049185
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus of detecting a posture of a camera such as a surveillance or monitoring camera. The method includes acquiring an image captured by the camera, acquiring ground information about the ground in the image based on the image, and detecting the posture of the camera based on the ground information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soon Min BAE, Seung In NOH
  • Patent number: 8953037
    Abstract: A system for reflectance acquisition of a target includes a light source, an image capture device, and a reflectance reference chart. The reflectance reference chart is fixed relative to the target. The light source provides a uniform band of light across at least a dimension of the target. The image capture device is configured and positioned to encompass at least a portion of the target and at least a portion of the reflectance reference chart within a field-of-view of the image capture device. The image capture device captures a sequence of images of the target and the reflectance reference chart during a scan thereof. Reflectance responses are calculated for the pixels in the sequence of images. Reference reflectance response distribution functions are matched to the calculated reflectance responses, and an image of the target is reconstructed based at least in part on the matched reference reflectance response distribution functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jiaping Wang, Baining Guo, Peiran Ren, John Michael Snyder, Xin Tong
  • Patent number: 8953041
    Abstract: An Engineer's View (EV) wireless video system for powered and unpowered model railroad engines is disclosed. The invention uses commercially available wireless spy cameras, powered by a custom power supply circuit which is compatible with either DC or DCC track systems. The present invention is compatible with all commercial model railroad gauge diesel engines including HO and N Gauge or may be factory installed. The EV system demonstrates a remarkably stable and realistic image of a model railroad layout. Moreover, the present invention may also provide a stable source of power to the engine where stalling could occur at points of track defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Johnson Bartlett, Sr., William Travis Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20150035974
    Abstract: combined imager and rangefinder includes an imaging sensor and an illuminator. The sensor acquires images of objects in a FOV. The illuminator directs a beam of light via the FOV. In a first mode, the sensor acquires full images of the whole FOV. In a second mode, the sensor acquires partial images, of only part of the FOV, that include a reflection of the light from one of the objects. The range to the object is determined from the location of the reflection in the partial images. Successive range measurements are used to determine whether a collision with the object is imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dov Lavi, Ezra Shamay
  • Patent number: 8947527
    Abstract: Zoom illumination system for use with closed circuit TV cameras in applications requiring long distance illumination, such as surveillance and night vision. The system includes multiple strings of LEDs, which may have additional lenses, with each LED string capable of providing illumination for a predetermined viewing angle. The LED strings can be switched on and off to provide illumination as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Valdis Postovalov, Dmitry Postovalov
  • Publication number: 20150015702
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Ichiro Yamaguchi, Naoki Kojo
  • Patent number: 8927917
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for optoelectronic detection and location of moving objects. The disclosed methods and systems capture one-dimensional images of a field of view through which objects may be moving, make measurements in those images, select from among those measurements those that are likely to correspond to objects in the field of view, make decisions responsive to various characteristics of the objects, and produce signals that indicate those decisions. The disclosed methods and systems provide excellent object discrimination, electronic setting of a reference point, no latency, high repeatability, and other advantages that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Silver
  • Publication number: 20150002664
    Abstract: A camera arrangement includes at least one illuminating device for illuminating a plurality of fields of vision. At least one object to be detected is in each of the fields of vision. The camera arrangement also includes at least one objective lens for focusing a beam path which includes at least one of the plurality of fields of vision or for focusing a plurality of beam paths each including at least one of the plurality of fields of vision. A TOF sensor is also provided. The at least one illuminating device, the at least one objective lens and the TOF sensor are arranged with respect to one another and with respect to the fields of vision and the objects in the latter in such a manner that images of the objects can be imaged on the one TOF sensor at the same time or in temporal succession.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Eppinger, Frank Schliep, Oliver Kirsch, Hannes Rene Boehm
  • Publication number: 20150002663
    Abstract: A portable device includes a sensor, a video capture module, a processor, and a computer-readable memory that stores instructions. When executed on the processor, the instructions operate to cause the sensor to generate raw sensor data indicative of a physical quantity, cause the video capture module to capture video imagery of a reference object concurrently with the sensor generating raw sensor data when the portable device is moving relative to the reference object, and cause the processor to calculate correction parameters for the sensor based on the captured video imagery of the reference object and the raw sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Weibin Pan, Liang Hu
  • Patent number: 8922648
    Abstract: A moving image capture device captures a first image at a first location along a motion path and captures a second image at a second location along the motion path. The optic center of the first image and the optic center of the second image are determined and a line intersecting the optic centers of the first image and the second image is determined. An imaging plane perpendicular to the line intersecting the optic centers of the first image and the second image is then determined and used to generate a first rotation-cancelled image and a second rotation-cancelled image. The first image is warped onto the generated imaging plane to create the first rotation-cancelled image and the second image is warped onto the generated imaging plane to generate the second rotation-cancelled image. Translational motion is preserved by the first rotation-cancelled image and the second rotation-cancelled image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morimichi Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 8922721
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a camera configured to capture an image of a remote controller; a storage configured to store information regarding a plurality of appearance states of the remote controller corresponding to user commands; and a controller configured to determine an appearance state from among the plurality of appearance states of the remote controller based on the image of remote controller captured by the camera, and control the display section to display the image of the content according to a user command corresponding to the determined appearance state of the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-sung Jung, Nam-hyun Park, Hae-sung Park, Ri-na Shin, Hyung-ho Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 8913128
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an image-based barrier detection and warning system and a method thereof, wherein an image processing technology is used to establish ROI and verify whether a horizontal line signal exists, and wherein the image processing technology determines whether an object is a barrier via detecting contours of an object and detecting distance to the object, and wherein the system timely outputs warning signals and presents distance to a barrier when detecting the barrier. The image-based barrier detection and warning system enables the driver to watch the surroundings of the vehicle directly and clearly and learn the relative positions of barriers, whereby the driver can park more easily and safely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Test Center
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Wu, Chia-Tseng Chen, Ming-Feng Hsieh, Yi-Feng Su
  • Patent number: 8896691
    Abstract: A surveillance device is disclosed, comprising an interface and a controller coupled with the interface. The interface is coupled with a communication device to receive an image data transmitted from an image capturing device through the communication device. The controller generates a control signal according to the image data and transmits the control signal to the image capturing device for adjusting one or more transmission parameters and/or image capturing parameters of the image capturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsun-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 8896690
    Abstract: A vehicle-based image acquisition system having an image sensor that has a characteristic curve assembled from linear segments. The system includes an arrangement for determining the distance of luminous objects imaged by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Karsten Muehlmann, Alexander Wuerz-Wessel
  • Patent number: 8890944
    Abstract: A firearms pulverizer system is disclosed which comprises a pulverizer unit having an inlet chute, a cutting chamber, and an outlet, a first image capturing device positioned above the inlet chute for capturing an image of an identification number associated with a firearm, and a second image capturing device positioned above the cutting chamber for recording destruction of the firearm inserted into the cutting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gunbusters, LLC
    Inventor: Raymond W Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8885048
    Abstract: The invention discloses a computer vision and radio frequency identification technology based book enrolment management apparatus, which comprises an image acquisition working platform, an image acquisition device, an RFID tag reader/written and antenna group for extracting information characteristics of the book to control and operate embedded firmware modules to analyze the image acquired information characteristics of each registered book, and record them in a storage database and RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rainbow Spirit Limited
    Inventor: Hanguang Liu
  • Publication number: 20140320645
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for detecting and documenting the speeds of a plurality of vehicles in an image document. The plurality of vehicles drive simultaneously through the measurement zone of a radiation-based, multitarget-capable measuring arrangement. Vehicle-specific measurement data are acquired from the measurement results, and measurement data sets are formed from these vehicle-specific measurement data and stored. One of the vehicles driving at a speed above a limiting value causes a camera to be triggered. An image document in which a speed is displayed so as to be assigned to the imaged vehicles is generated from the image data acquired by the camera and from the last stored measurement data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: JENOPTIK Robot GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf SCHMITZ
  • Publication number: 20140313325
    Abstract: A method of improving a spectral reflectance profile of an object using a hyperspectral imaging device includes, among other things, obtaining a series of hyperspectral images of the object where there is relative motion between the object and the hyperspectral imaging device; determining one or more parameters of the relative motion; mapping the parameters to determine an orientation of the object in each hyperspectral image in the series; identifying two or more spatial portions of the object in each hyperspectral image in the series; assigning a spectral signature to each spatial portion; and generating a multi-dimensional spectral reflectance profile from the orientation, the spatial portions, and the spectral signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Eric Daniel Buehler, Benjamin Thomas Occhipinti
  • Patent number: 8866901
    Abstract: A motion calculation device includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a range including a plane and outputs the captured image, an extraction unit configured to extract a region of the plane from the image, a detection unit configured to detect feature points and motion vectors of the feature points from a plurality of images captured by the image-capturing unit at a predetermined time interval; and a calculation unit configured to calculate the motion of the host device based on both of an epipolar constraint relating to the feature points and a homography relating to the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Elesys Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Azuma, Masatoshi Okutomi, Shigeki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8854458
    Abstract: An object detection device, including: an imaging unit that is mounted on a movable body; an object detection unit that calculates an image displacement of a partial image between two images captured by the imaging unit at different times, and performs detection processing to detect an object in an image based on at least the image displacement; and a control unit that changes a manner of performing the detection processing based on a position in the image in a lateral direction of the movable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Fukamachi, Naohide Uchida, Takeshi Nanami, Masakazu Nishijima, Hiroki Goto, Tatsuya Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8848052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a workpiece, such as a wall, a ceiling, a floor or the like in a building, by means of an appliance which can be moved, in particular an electric tool, wherein the appliance can be moved to at least one predeterminable nominal position. Essentially continuous position identification, in particular by means of optical methods, is carried out for the respective actual position of the appliance and/or of an object which can be moved corresponding to the appliance. The position information, such as the coordinates of the respective determined actual position and/or information relating to any, discrepancy between the nominal position and the actual position, is transmitted wirelessly to the appliance. The respective position information is indicated to the user on the appliance, for manual position control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fuchs, Jochen Ganz
  • Patent number: 8836781
    Abstract: Technology for system and method of providing surrounding information of a vehicle which accurately calculates positions of obstacles around the vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of image acquisition units installed in the vehicle at a preset interval, an image acquisition unit selector which selects at least two image acquisition units of the plurality of image acquisition units and receives image data from the selected acquisition unit selector, and a control unit which recognizes an obstacle from the image data received from the image acquisition units, calculates a position of the obstacle, and controls the image acquisition unit selector to select the at least two image acquisition units of the plurality of image acquisition units according to information for vehicle speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Pil Hwang, Sung Bo Sim, Eui Yoon Chung
  • Publication number: 20140240460
    Abstract: A laser frame tracer (12) including a laser measuring unit (20) with a laser (36) and one or more cameras (38, 40) for optically measuring dimensions of eyeglass frames (10). A frame carrier (22) is provided for moving the eyeglass frames (10) through a laser line emitted by the laser (36). The frame carrier (22) includes a linear carriage (44) and a rotary carriage (88). Movement of the linear carriage (44) and the rotary carriage (88) are controlled by an on-board computer (116) which collects image data from the one or more cameras (38, 40). Image data is processed to determine a 3D model from which selected dimensions for the eyeglass frames (10) may be measured. The dimensions may be stored in a cloud database for access by others in cutting lenses to fit the eyeglass frames (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Pro Fit Optix Inc
    Inventors: William Todd Hofmeister, Hoa D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8816834
    Abstract: A steering angle sensing device for vehicle wheel alignment includes a swingable rocking arm. The rocking arm can be located in a predetermined position and slidably connected with a simple wheel alignment calibrator. When a wheel of the vehicle is steered, the wheel alignment calibrator affixed to the wheel is synchronously rotated along with the steering of the wheel. At this time, the rocking arm is driven to swing by a corresponding angle and the steering angle sensing device emits a human-perceivable signal to a calibration worker, whereby the calibration worker can real-time know the steering angle of the wheel for conveniently performing the wheel alignment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Jen-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 8817099
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise a system and method for improving visibility of a roadway using an improved visibility system. The method comprising receiving data from a plurality of fog detectors located proximate a roadway and determining, based on the data from the plurality of fog detectors, that fog is present about the roadway. The method further comprising obtaining, after the determining that fog is present about the roadway, a plurality of images of the roadway by activating a plurality of cameras located proximate the roadway. The method further comprising creating a composite image by combining two or more of the plurality of images, wherein the composite image depicts the roadway unobstructed by fog and transmitting the composite image to a display device located in a vehicle traveling along the roadway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Giuseppe Longobardi