Determining The Position Of An Object Patents (Class 382/291)
  • Patent number: 7995241
    Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a document is provided. First, a notebook computer having a base is provided, wherein an image pickup device is disposed on the notebook computer, and a symbol mark is formed on the base of the notebook computer. Next, a document fixer having a fixer middle mark is provided. The document is fixed by the document fixer, wherein a centerline of a long edge of the document is aligned with the fixer middle mark. Next, the document fixer is moved according to a size of the document until the fixer middle mark is aligned with the symbol mark. After the image of the document is captured, an image processing procedure is performed. By aligning the fixer middle mark with the symbol mark of the notebook computer, the document is precisely positioned and thus a sharp image with no tilted distortion is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Chung Wang, Chen-Ning Hsi
  • Patent number: 7995792
    Abstract: There is provided a system and/or method of monitoring media content. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method of monitoring operation of an electronic device having a plurality of signal inputs, the method comprising periodically collecting images from each of the plurality of signal inputs, storing the collected images for later evaluation if an image storage option is enabled, and sending the collected images for direct viewing if the image storage option is not enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Nierzwick, Ronald Thomas Keen
  • Patent number: 7995239
    Abstract: Correction processing is performed on a region that requires correction processing, in a photographed image obtained by taking a photograph of a subject, and a corrected image is obtained. The degree of effect is calculated in the corrected image. Then, judgment is made, based on the magnitude of the degree of effect, as to whether it is required to check the effect of correction processing performed on the photographed image. If it is judged that it is required to check the effect of correction processing, at least one of the photographed image and the corrected image is displayed to check the effect. Then, the corrected image is printed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Yonaha
  • Patent number: 7990574
    Abstract: A printing system includes a converter for replacing graphic elements of a color matched document (104). Conversion replaces original elements (2-4) with replacement elements (21-24, 40-42) having modified transparency attributes so that overprinting elements that overlap areas (10-15) appear as intended when subjected to color matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Glen Cairns
  • Patent number: 7983450
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for recognizing a gesture in which one or more relationships are determined between a plurality of body parts and the gesture is then determined based upon these relationships. Each relationship may be determined by determining an angle associated with at least one joint, determining one or more states of a body part based upon the angle associated with at least one joint, and determining a probability of a body part being in each respective state. The gesture may thereafter be determined based upon the one or more states and the probability associated with each state of the body part. Directions may be provided, such as to an unmanned vehicle, based upon the gesture to, for example, control its taxing and parking operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7970576
    Abstract: An orientation measurement value acquisition unit (145) acquires an orientation measurement value measured by an orientation sensor (110) mounted on an image capturing apparatus (120), and an orientation measurement value measured by a sensor (115) mounted on a physical object (125). An image processing unit (135) acquires the image coordinates, on a captured image, of indices allocated on the physical object (125). A calibration unit (160) calculates at least one of allocation information of the sensor (110) with respect to the image capturing apparatus (120) and allocation information of the sensor (115) with respect to the physical object (125) using the two orientation measurement values and image coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyohide Satoh
  • Patent number: 7970176
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of identifying a user's gestures for use in an interactive game application. Videocamera images of the user are obtained, and feature point locations of a user's body are identified in the images. A similarity measure is used to compare the feature point locations in the images with a library of gestures. The gesture in the library corresponding to the largest calculated similarity measure which is greater than a threshold value of the gesture is identified as the user's gesture. The identified gesture may be integrated into the user's movements within a virtual gaming environment, and visual feedback is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Omek Interactive, Inc.
    Inventors: Gershom Kutliroff, Amit Bleiweiss
  • Patent number: 7970171
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for generating video. Object information is received. A path of motion of the object relative to a reference point is generated. A series of images and ground for a reference frame are generated from the ground truth and the generated path. A system and a method are disclosed for generating an image. Object information is received. Image data and ground truth may be generated using position, the image description, the camera characteristics, and image distortion parameters. A positional relationship between the document and a reference point is determined. An image of the document and ground truth are generated from the object information and the positional relationship and in response to user specified environment of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Lookingbill, Emilio Antunez, Berna Erol, Jonathan J. Hull, Qifa Ke
  • Publication number: 20110150363
    Abstract: A displacement detection method includes the steps of: capturing a first frame and a second frame; selecting a first block with a predetermined size in the first frame and selecting a second block with the predetermined size in the second frame; determining a displacement according to the first block and the second block; comparing the displacement with at least one threshold; and adjusting the predetermined size according to a comparison result of comparing the displacement and the threshold. The present invention further provides a displacement detection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: H sin Chia CHEN, Chun Wei CHEN
  • Patent number: 7965904
    Abstract: A position and orientation measuring apparatus comprising, a storage unit adapted to store character region specifying information and position information in association with a character region place in a physical space, a detection unit adapted to detect the character region from first captured image data obtained by capturing an image of the physical space by an image sensing apparatus, using the character region specifying information stored in the storage unit, and an estimation unit adapted to estimate a position and orientation of the image sensing apparatus upon capturing the captured image data based on image position information of the character region, detected by the detection unit, in the first captured image data, and the position information which is stored in the storage unit and corresponds to the detected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7962252
    Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Qamar A. Shams, Michael J. Logan, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox, legal representative, John C. Ingham, Sean A. Laughter, Theodore R. Kuhn, III, James K. Adams, Walter C. Babel, III
  • Patent number: 7961908
    Abstract: The likelihood of a particular type of object, such as a human face, being present within a digital image, and its location in that image, are determined by comparing the image data within defined windows across the image in sequence with two or more sets of data representing features of the particular type of object. The evaluation of each set of features after the first is preferably performed only on data of those windows that pass the evaluation with respect to the first set of features, thereby quickly narrowing potential target windows that contain at least some portion of the object. Correlation scores are preferably calculated by the use of non-linear interpolation techniques in order to obtain a more refined score. Evaluation of the individual windows also preferably includes maintaining separate feature set data for various positions of the object around one axis and rotating the feature set data with respect to the image data for the individual windows about another axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Zoran Corporation
    Inventors: Meir Tzur, Ben-Zion Shaick, Itsik Dvir, Victor Pinto
  • Patent number: 7961911
    Abstract: A method and system providing a transfer container crane with container code recognition of a container identified by a container code to a container inventory management system is disclosed. The system and method are capable of performing these tasks without the use of non-standard container tagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Paceco Corp.
    Inventors: Toru Takehara, Maxwell W. King, Chingyel Chung
  • Patent number: 7957555
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus localize an object part location in a digital image. The method according to one embodiment accesses digital image data containing an object part; obtains an initial position estimate for object part location of the object part; extracts a sub-image window around the initial position estimate of the object part location; calculates feature values based on pixel values within the sub-image window; and determines an updated position estimate for the object part location based on the calculated feature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Sergey Ioffe
  • Patent number: 7957557
    Abstract: A tracing device and a tracing method for realizing a real-time trace of a moving object such as a person from a time-varying image by method of a light processing load, and for learning features through the trace thereby to realize a trace of higher precision. The tracing device divides time-varying data inputted into partial images (in a strip or rectangle shape), and compares the background image containing no tracing object thereby with the current image thereby to extract the divided image having the tracing object. In order to discriminate the tracing object, moreover, the tracing device calculates the color high-level local self-correlated data, from which the features of color and shape can be extracted all at once, and performs the discrimination on the basis of a distance from the featuring data of the tracing object registered. The tracing device updates the background image and the registered featuring data into the latest ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Otsu, Masaaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 7953294
    Abstract: Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for altering a camera image, in which the source image may be angularly displaced from a camera image. A plurality of points on the camera image is located and a mesh is generated. Compensation information based on the displacement is determined, and a reshaped image is rendered from the mesh, the compensation information, and the camera image. The camera image is reshaped by relocating a proper subset of the points on the camera image. Deformation vectors are applied to corresponding points on the mesh using the compensation information. A correction factor is obtained from an angular displacement and a translation displacement of the source image from the camera image. The deformation factor is multiplied by the compensation factor to form a deformation vector to compensate for angular and translational displacements of the source image from the camera image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventor: Ana Cristina Andres del Valle
  • Patent number: 7949157
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relating to identifying hand gestures. In one embodiment, a hand gesture is identified by capturing an image including an image object of the hand gesture, generating a numerical signature based on the image object, and identifying the hand gesture from reference numerical signatures associated with reference hand gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Nitin Afzulpurkar, Trinh Huu Phuc
  • Patent number: 7949486
    Abstract: A camera (17) mounted on a rear view minor housing (5) of a vehicle (1), which captures a plan view image of the ground on one side of the vehicle for display on an in-vehicle visual display unit (13) is calibrated to correct for offset of the camera (17) from an ideal position. During calibration an image of a reference point (34) on the vehicle (1) is captured as the mirror housing (5) is swiveled from a rest position to an operative position. The offset of the actual position of the image of the reference point in the captured image from its ideal position is computed, and a look-up table is prepared, which indicates the position at which pixels of subsequently captured image frames should be located to produce image frames with offset correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hi-Key Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Eoghan Denny, Tycho Lorenz Roland Raab, Lloyd Anthony Sharman
  • Patent number: 7940959
    Abstract: The invention described herein is generally directed to methods for analyzing an image. In particular, crowded field images may be analyzed for unidentified, unobserved objects based on an iterative analysis of modified images including artificial objects or removed real objects. The results can provide an estimate of the completeness of analysis of the image, an estimate of the number of objects that are unobserved in the image, and an assessment of the quality of other similar images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric P. Rubenstein
  • Patent number: 7940998
    Abstract: A method of re-locating an object in a sample is provided for a previously-scanned slide having determined objects each with corresponding stored coordinates and a stored image, the objects being mapped relative to each other. The slide is positioned on a microscope stage, stored images of the objects are visually displayed, and a target object is selected. The slide is moved to an estimated coordinate position, corresponding to the coordinates of the target object, and a field-of-view image of the sample is captured for comparison to the stored image of the target. If the target is in the image, an offset between actual coordinates of the located target and the stored coordinates of the corresponding object is determined. The slide is then moved, via the stage, from the estimated coordinate position, according to the offset, to center the target in the image. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Tripath Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Döerrer
  • Patent number: 7929802
    Abstract: A computer system for registering synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images includes a database for storing SAR images to be registered, and a processor for registering SAR images from the database. The registering includes selecting first and second SAR images to be registered, individually processing the selected first and second SAR images with an anisotropic diffusion algorithm, and registering the first and second SAR images after the processing. A shock filter is applied to the respective first and second processed SAR images before the registering. Elevation data is extracted based on the registered SAR images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Rahmes, Josef Allen, Emile Ganthier, Matthew Winter, Patrick Kelley
  • Patent number: 7929730
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for object detection and tracking. Spatio-temporal information for a foreground/background appearance module is updated, based on a new input image and the accumulated previous appearance information and foreground/background information module labeling information over time. Object detection is performed according to the new input image and the updated spatio-temporal information and transmitted previous information over time, based on the labeling result generated by the object detection. The information for the foreground/background appearance module is repeatedly updated until a convergent condition is reached. The produced labeling result from objection detection is considered as a new tracking measurement for further updating on a tracking prediction module. A final tracking result may be obtained through the updated tracking prediction module, which is determined by the current tracking measurement and the previous observed tracking results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ching-Chun Huang, Yao-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 7929811
    Abstract: A handwritten information management system, which includes a paper sheet document generation section that generates a paper sheet document in which plurality pieces of coded information including coordinate information indicating a position on a paper sheet and document identification information of the paper sheet document formed on the paper sheet are recorded; a paper sheet document registration section that registers the generated paper sheet document and an electronic document corresponding to the paper sheet document correlated with the document identification information; a handwritten information detection section that detects handwritten information handwriting on the generated paper sheet document; a handwritten information registration section that registers handwritten information identification information to identify the handwritten information correlated with the detected handwritten information; and an identification information management section that manages the document identification info
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Onishi, Takashi Sonoda
  • Patent number: 7925066
    Abstract: An error in the co-registration of a coordinate system used to represent a head of a subject in image data with a coordinate system used to represent the location of trackers affixed to the scalp surface of the head and a tracked device, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation (“TMS”) induction coil device, is corrected using information representative of the actual distance between the tracked device and the scalp of the subject, such that representations of the tracked device and the subject's head are accurately shown on a display of a navigated brain stimulation (“NBS”) system tracking movement of the tracked device in relation to the subject's head. The correction of the error in the co-registration is performed without collecting additional tracking information from trackers on a tracked TMS coil device and the head, which avoids interrupting NBS using the TMS coil device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nexstim Oy
    Inventors: Jarmo Ruohonen, Perttu Sipilä, Raine Hurme, Risto Ilmoniemi, Jari Karhu
  • Patent number: 7916972
    Abstract: A form reader includes a landmarks extractor configured to select textboxes of a converted document as form landmarks based on textual characteristics. A set of positional constraints constrain the form entries relative to the identified form landmarks. A constraints solver selects textboxes of the converted document as form entries by solving the set of positional constraints respective to a set of facts including the selected form landmarks and converted document. In some embodiments, the constraints solver includes a query engine configured to (i) construct a query in a logic programming language setting forth the set of positional constraints and the set of facts and to (ii) input said query to a logic programming language query solving engine and to (iii) receive a response from the query solving engine responsive to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Meunier
  • Patent number: 7916344
    Abstract: An image detecting method is provided that permits the specific image information to be present within image data of a document and is capable of detecting the specific image information within a relatively short period of time and accurately, with little effect of interference with the image data of the document and without regard to an angle at which the document is placed. The specific pattern image comprises a plurality of dot images Sa and Sb arranged in a straight line, and by positioning one of the plurality of dot images Sa and Sb at the center O of a plurality of concentric circles of different diameters and detecting that other dot images are on the plurality of concentric circles R1 to R4 and are on a straight line L running through the center O of the concentric circles, the pattern image is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakai, Koichi Sumida, Yohichi Shimazawa
  • Patent number: 7916899
    Abstract: A parameter selection section selects one from a plurality of image synthesis parameters stored in a parameter storage section according to an output of a vehicle state detection section. An image synthesis section reads out camera images from frame memories according to the selected image synthesis parameter and generates a synthesized image showing a state of vehicle surroundings. A moving object detection section detects, in the thus generated synthetic image, a moving object region estimated as a region where a moving object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nobori, Masaki Sato, Kazufumi Mizusawa, Hirofumi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7907796
    Abstract: A method for aligning a tape cartridge accessor with cartridges in cells of a tape cartridge magazine is provided. IR illumination is applied to an object expected to include a desired physical feature. Specular reflections are received from the illuminated object to create an image of the object. Dynamic image thresholding is applied to the image to select an optimum gray scale level of the image expected to include the desired physical feature. Bounding boxes are used to identify the location of the desired physical feature in the thresholded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lyle Joseph Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7903843
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus uses a bird's eye image for supporting a backing operation of a vehicle for parking. The bird's eye image is processed to display an area view that at least includes a parking lot captured in the image. Then, the area view is displayed in a display space in a display unit of the image processing apparatus for representing a parking area and related information. In this manner, the area view excludes unnecessary part from the bird's eye image for effectively providing a visual support for the backing operation by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru Sawaki, Masatoshi Aboh, Takemi Ueno, Yoshinori Watanabe, Hidehiko Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7893991
    Abstract: An original is inclined with respect to an optical axis of a camera until the camera is positioned outside a reflected-image taking range by inclining a mounting surface of an original glass on which the original is placed. This makes it possible, when the original is taken by the camera, to prevent the camera from being reflected on the original and being taken in with the original. An imaging case formed of a diffusing member that is made of a high light-diffusing material or a high light-absorbing material is arranged in the reflected-image taking range. This makes it possible to prevent an object positioned in the reflected-image taking range from being reflected on the original and being taken by the camera. Consequently, clear image information can be more reliably obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: PFU Limited
    Inventors: Masanari Takabatake, Satoshi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7894688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for creating an icon (11, 12), representing a group of images comprising a plurality of images (1, 2, . . . , N). The icon is composed of a selection of images from that group of images. The method comprises: —determining a relative importance (I1, . . . IN) of each image (1, 2, . . . N) and —generating an icon composed of a selection of images based on the determined relative importance of each image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Mauro Barbieri
  • Patent number: 7889929
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature region extracting section, a feature amount calculating section, a position calculating section, first and second selecting sections and a correction factor calculating section. The feature region extracting section extracts feature regions. The feature amount calculating section calculates feature amounts of the extracted feature regions. The position calculating section calculates positions of the extracted feature regions. The first selecting section selects pairs of feature regions, which are estimated to be common in the first and second images, based on the feature amounts and the positions. The second selecting section narrows down the selected pairs of feature regions based on similarity in relative positional relation between the feature regions of the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Ashikaga
  • Patent number: 7889946
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates computer-assisted tagging of objects in a digital image. During operation, the system receives locations for one or more objects-of-interest in the digital image. Next, the system determines likelihoods of specific tags being assigned to the objects-of-interest. The system then automatically assigns tentative tags to the objects-of-interest based on the determined likelihoods. Next, the system displays the assignments of tentative tags to a user, and receives corrections to the assignments, if any, from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Lubomir B. Bourdev
  • Patent number: 7889362
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus prints images on print sheets, and insets tab-index sheets between the printed print sheets. The image forming apparatus includes an orientation detecting unit which detects an orientation of a print sheet being supplied, a rotation-angle selecting unit which selects a rotation angle of an image such that the image is arranged in an orientation matching the detected orientation of the print sheet and in a predetermined positional relationship with a tab of the tab-index sheets, and a printing unit which prints the image being rotated by the selected rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tsukuba, Yoh Masuyama, Masato Terao
  • Patent number: 7885429
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and a method for determining whether a person is carrying concealed contraband, such as an improvised explosives device or other weapon. The system includes a people tracking video subsystem, a people tracking decisioning subsystem, a concealed contraband detection aiming subsystem, and a concealed contraband detection decisioning subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Henry Tu, Kai Erik Thomenius, Nils Oliver Krahnstoever, Jens Rittscher, John Charles Hill, Jr., Gianfranco Doretto, Thomas Baby Sebastian, Jeffrey Michael Ashe
  • Patent number: 7880919
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus enabling identical editing of a plurality of edit target images includes an edit position designator for designating, for a single image, an edit position as an edit target, an alignment position designator for designating an image alignment position and a edit unit that aligns an edit image and edits a designated area having the edit position for the single image as its reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Tomita, Koji Nakagiri, Yasuo Mori, Junko Sato, Wataru Kanaya, Michiko Kanaya, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7869662
    Abstract: A location system and a location system on a chip (LCoS) and method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Janet Yun, David C. Chu, Matthew D. Tenuta, Raymond Yeung, Nhan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7864198
    Abstract: A noted image information extraction section 31 specifies a region of a noted image in an original image, and noted image information containing information relating to position and size of the noted image WMM region within the original image is extracted. Continuing on, mask image formation means 31 forms a mask image by displaying superimposed on the original image, based on noted image information and mask image information registered in a mask image information file. As a result, a mask image comprised of element images selected using element image selection information contained in mask image information is formed at a specified position and specified size in the noted image region of the original image. A composite image having the mask image superimposed on the original image is then formed by composite image formation means 33. As a result, an image that a user has rendered in an original image is simply and appropriately formed, regardless of whether it is a still image or a moving picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Vodafone Group Plc.
    Inventors: Mineko Moroto, Akiho Shibata, Takashi Katayama, Junko Asakura, Yusaku Nagai
  • Patent number: 7860302
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an inputting section for inputting a plurality of continuous images which were photographed by a photographing section progressively moving relative to a photographed object; an extracting section for extracting characteristic points from images input by the inputting section; a tracking section for tracking the points corresponding to the characteristic points in the plurality of continuous images; an embedding section for embedding tracking data, which includes data of extracted and tracked points by the extracting section and the tracking section, into each image; and an outputting section for outputting the plurality of continuous images sequentially in which the tracking data was embedded by the embedding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Hirokazu Sato, Nobuyuki Fukaya, Mitsuharu Yamada, Tetsuji Anai, Nobuo Kochi
  • Patent number: 7860345
    Abstract: The first values of position and orientation of an image sensing device are obtained by using positions of all indices in a frame image. Indices having the same inherent information between a first index group (FIG) in the frame image and a second index group (SIG) in a preceding frame image are detected as a common index. If the information of the SIG contains information different from that of the FIG, second values of the position and orientation are obtained by using the positions of the common indices in the preceding frame image. If the information of the FIG contains information different from that of the SIG, third values of the position and orientation are obtained by using the positions of the common indices in the frame image. The first values are corrected by using correction values based on the obtained first to third values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyohide Satoh, Shinichi Aratani, Shinji Uchiyama, Kenji Morita, Rika Takemoto
  • Patent number: 7860344
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methodology for image processing and object tracking that, inter alia, reduces noise. In one embodiment, the methodology is applied to moving targets such as missiles in flight, and comprises processing sequences of images that have been corrupted by one or more noise sources (e.g., sensor noise, medium noise, and/or target reflection noise). In this embodiment, a multi-dimensional image is acquired for a first time step t; the acquired image is normalized and sampled, and then segmented into target and background pixel sets. Intensity statistics of the pixel sets are determined, and a prior probability image from a previous time step smoothed. The smoothed prior image is then shifted to produce an updated prior image, and a posterior probability image calculated using the updated prior probability. Finally, the position of the target is extracted using the posterior probability image. A tracking system and controller utilizing this methodology are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Stochastech Corporation
    Inventors: Ben G. Fitzpatrick, Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 7856132
    Abstract: A method for processing an image comprising the steps of assigning a value of a positioning error to a detail in the image, wherein the value corresponds to a positioning uncertainty of a position of the detail in the image. The method includes visualizing the value of the positioning error enabling an interactive adjustment of the value. The method further includes storing the adjusted value of the positioning error with reference to a position of the detail in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rutger Nijlunsing, Jean-Pierre Franciscus Alexander Maria Ermes
  • Patent number: 7856145
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an image capturing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus is configured to capture an image including an object, to obtain status information of the object, and to record the image and the status information of the object. The image processing apparatus is configured to specify details of a modification to be applied to the image according to the recorded image and status information of the object, to set setting information for modifying the image on the basis of the details of the modification, to extract a feature value from the image, and to record the setting information in a setting-information recording medium in association with the extracted feature value of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
  • Patent number: 7847990
    Abstract: There is provided a method to print a composite image, by using a data processing apparatus, capable of generating first data, and an image forming apparatus, capable of generating second data and forming the composite image. The method includes providing one of a print instruction and a composition instruction to the data processing apparatus, setting a configuration of the second data, providing the one of the printing instruction and the composition instruction along with the first data to the image forming apparatus, reading and storing the second image, composing third data by combining the first data with the second data, judging whether the composition instruction is provided, pausing the printing operation when the composition instruction is provided, controlling reading the second image when the printing operation is paused, controlling the composition of the third data when the composition instruction is provided, and controlling forming the composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sunao Kawai
  • Patent number: 7848592
    Abstract: An image fusion method for medical applications, comprising: a. acquiring a first image with a planned radiation region; b. acquiring a second image with actual radiation region; c. determining if user defined landmarks have been placed on the first and second images, if user defined landmarks are present go to step (d), if not go to step (e); d. pre-transforming the first image or second image or both images; e. performing a first delineation step on the actual radiation region; f. determining if the delineation is correct, if yes go to step (g), if not go to step (h); g. fusing the first and second image and exit process; and h. selecting multiple contour points around the actual radiation region in the second image; i. performing a second delineation step on the actual radiation region and go to step (f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Shoupu Chen, Jay S. Schildkraut
  • Patent number: 7844131
    Abstract: A method of forming images on a lithographic substrate is disclosed, the method including grouping a plurality of image regions together to form a combined image, determining or receiving a location at which the combined image is to be positioned on the substrate, calculating locations at which the image regions forming the combined image are to be positioned on the substrate, and using a lithographic apparatus to project the image regions at the calculated locations onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Melle Cornelis Geers, Enno Van Den Brink, Eric Maria Geelink
  • Patent number: 7840061
    Abstract: A method adapts a boosted classifier to new samples. A boosted classifier is trained using initial samples. The boosted classifier is a combination of weak classifiers. Each weak classifier of the boosted classifier is updated adaptively by adding contributions of new samples and deleting contributions old samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatih M. Porikli, Toufiq Parag
  • Patent number: 7835543
    Abstract: An object detection method which rapidly detects one or more objects existing in an image includes: a primary search step which judges whether an object exists at a predetermined interval by using a simple judgment device requiring a small number of calculation amounts; a range estimation step which estimates a range where an object actually exists from a spatial relationship obtained as a result of the primary search; a secondary search step which performs an object judgment process by using a secondary judgment device capable of performing more detailed judgment than the object judgment device used in the primary search; an object position estimation step which estimates a position where the similarity is maximum in a certain object existing range as an object existing position; and a final search step which judges a final object position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yoshinaga, Shigeki Nagaya, Isao Karube
  • Patent number: 7834895
    Abstract: Trace shape information, representing the shape of a trace along which an object has moved across a game field in a virtual game world is updated based on the change in the position where the object is located in the virtual game world. A ground texture is produced by blending together an image of the game field in the virtual game world with the trace and that without the trace based on the trace shape information. The game field in the virtual game world is rendered by using the ground texture. Then, the virtual game world, in which the object has been placed, is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Akifusa, Kenichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7830561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a lensless optical device for acquiring an image. The device can include a light attenuating layer having a plurality of elements, where transmittance of each of the plurality of elements is controllable, and an image detector disposed at a distance from the light attenuating layer, the image detector configured to acquire an image with light that passes through the light attenuating layer. The device also can include a light attenuating layer controller configured to simultaneously control transmittance of each of the plurality of elements independent of each other. Methods of detecting and tracking an object in a scene are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Asaf Zomet, Shree K. Nayar