Patents Examined by Charles Kim
  • Patent number: 7643663
    Abstract: Volume measurement of for example a tumor in a 3D image dataset is an important and often performed task. The problem is to segment the tumor out of this volume in order to measure its dimensions. This problem is complicated by the fact that the tumors are often connected to vessels and other organs. According to the present invention, an automated method and corresponding device and computer software are provided, which analyze a volume of interest around a singled out tumor, and which, by virtue of a 3D distance transform and a region drawing scheme advantageously allow to automatically segment a tumor out of a given volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Blaffert
  • Patent number: 7639856
    Abstract: The disclosure is made for an apparatus for processing a radiation image of an object obtained by radiography using a grid which is used to remove scattered radiation from the object. The apparatus includes generation means for generating image components due to the grid on the basis of data of the radiation image, to remove the image components due to the grid from the radiation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Inoue, Makoto Nokita
  • Patent number: 7639866
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging method for three-dimensional reconstruction in which the three-dimensional shape of a model representing an object is calculated from a geometrical model of the object that is known a priori, and obtained from a confinement volume of the object estimated from a geometrical pattern visible in two images and from knowledge of the positions of the sources. A geometrical model is used that comprises information making it possible using an estimator for the object to establish a geometrical characteristic for the model representing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Biospace Med
    Inventors: Vincent Pomero, Wafa Skalli, Sylvain Deschenes, Jacques de Guise, Sébastien LaPorte, Benoit Godbout, Dominic Branchaud, André Bleau, David Mitton, Irène Dorion
  • Patent number: 7639838
    Abstract: A two-dimensional image is displayed and a grey level image is drawn on said two-dimensional image defining a depth map. A stereo image pair is generated based on the depth map and an anaglyph image of the stereo image pair is displayed. Edits of the depth map are displayed by anaglyph image. A plurality of projection frames are generated based on the depth map, and interlaced and printed for viewing through a micro optical media. Optionally, a layered image is extracted from the two-dimensional image and the plurality of projection frames have an alignment correction shift to center the apparent position of the image. A measured depth map is optionally input, and a stereo pair is optionally input, with a depth map calculated based on the pair. The user selectively modifies the calculated and measured depth map, and the extracted layers, using painted grey levels. A ray trace optionally modifies the interlacing for optimization to a particular media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Jerry C Nims
  • Patent number: 7636455
    Abstract: A system and method for finding edge orientation and magnitude, and extracting a road path from an image. An image is segmented into at least a first window and a second window. A first road segment having plural parameters within the first window is specified. Plural road segments are identified, each having plural parameters, in the second window. The orientation of plural line segments in the second window are determined, and paired, based on their orientation. The line segment orientations are determined by receiving a plurality of edge orientation estimates, transforming a portion of them, and aggregating the transformed portion into an edge orientation estimate. A stochastic process is performed on the plural parameters of the plural road segments to identify a second road segment having the maximum correlation with the plural parameters of the first road segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Patricia A. Keaton, Qin Jiang, Fatih Porikli
  • Patent number: 7636493
    Abstract: A filter device includes a vertical NR process portion, a vertical resolution conversion portion and a vertical NR process decision portion. The vertical NR process portion receives a horizontal NR processed signal and produces an NR processed signal. The vertical resolution conversion portion includes a plurality of resolution conversion filters and uses the NR processed signal to perform a vertical resolution conversion. The vertical NR process decision portion decides whether or not the vertical NR process portion should perform the vertical NR process on the horizontal NR processed signal in accordance with a resolution conversion filter selection signal for selecting one of plurality of resolution conversion filters for the vertical resolution conversion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakaguchi, Shinya Kadono, Hideaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7634141
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a classifying section for classifying a plurality of images by a predetermined time unit based on time information attached to the images, a display control section for displaying the images classified into the time units by the classifying section in display regions divided for the corresponding time units, and a selection section for selecting a plurality of images classified into the same time unit for displaying each of the plurality of images one by one in the corresponding display region if the plurality of images are classified into the same time unit by the classifying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Hayashi, Kensaku Ishizuka, Mitsuo Okumura
  • Patent number: 7634140
    Abstract: Feature decision means (303) decides a set of features appropriate for pattern identification from a plenty of feature candidates generated by feature candidate generation means (302) by using learning patterns stored in learning, pattern storage means (301). The feature decision means (303) successively decides features according to a reference of information maximization under the condition that the decided feature is known while adding an effective noise to the learning pattern and performs information amount calculation approximately and at a high speed while merging the learning patterns into a set of N elements when required. As a result, it is possible to automatically create a feature set appropriate for pattern identification of a high performance without requiring enormous learning. Moreover, by using a transition table (305) containing transitions between sets, it is possible to perform pattern judgment with a high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Okajima, Hitoshi Imaoka, Masanobu Miyasita
  • Patent number: 7630564
    Abstract: A decoding apparatus includes a dequantization-value generating section, distribution-information acquiring section, and a correcting section. The dequantization-value generating section generates a plurality of dequantization values for each quantization index value. The distribution-information acquiring section acquires distribution information of original data corresponding to each quantization index. The correcting section corrects at least a portion of the dequantization values generated by the dequantization-value generating section, based on the distribution information acquired by the distribution-information acquiring section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7630538
    Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope obtains an observed image of a sample while changing the focal-plane of the sample in the optical axial direction, and generates a three-dimensional image or an image of a large depth of focus of the sample. It includes a capture unit for performing a photoelectric conversion on the light from the sample and outputting a plurality of brightness signals having different wavelength bands of light; a selection unit for selecting a brightness signal having the optimum wavelength band from among the plurality of brightness signals of different wavelength bands of light output from the capture unit; and an image forming unit for generating a three-dimensional image or an image of a large depth of focus of the sample using a brightness signal having the optimum wavelength band selected by the selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishiyama, Tadashi Haraguchi, Shigeru Kanegae
  • Patent number: 7627159
    Abstract: An exemplary method of visualization is provided. A centerline is computed for each of a plurality of ribs in a three-dimensional (3D) image. The each of the plurality of ribs is straightened based on the centerline computation. A two-dimensional (2D) image is generated based on the straightened ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Atilla Peter Kiraly, Hong Shen
  • Patent number: 7627192
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided with a luminance component extracting system adapted to extract a luminance component from image data consisting of a plurality of image pixels arrange in a matrix, a first filter, first data being generated as the first filter is applied to the luminance component, an edge detecting system that detects an edge in the first data, a second filter, second data being generated as the second filter is applied to the luminance component, a third filter, third data being generated as the third filter is applied to the luminance component, an outputting system adapted to output the second data and the third data, and a selection controlling system adapted to control, in response to the result of edge detection, the outputting system to selectively output one of the second data and the third data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Yokochi
  • Patent number: 7627161
    Abstract: An authenticity determination method and an apparatus for determining the authenticity of solid object having a random and readable intrinsic characteristic distributed on the surface thereof are disclosed. In this method and apparatus, reference data expressing the characteristic distributed on the genuine solid object are acquired, and cross-checking data expressing the characteristic distributed on the solid object to be determined for authenticity are derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Shimizu, Hajime Sugino, Kensuke Ito
  • Patent number: 7623719
    Abstract: A video codec of a preferred embodiment is suitable for implementation on a variety of platforms, including platforms where devices require both encoding and decoding engines. Various features of preferred embodiment codecs reduce complexity for operations such as motion determination. Channel resources are allocated in preferred embodiments unequally, with an allocation being determined based upon channel conditions and the error level in a frame being encoded. A decoder of a preferred embodiment, provided with an error frame and motion vector information may conduct decoding with motion compensation. In an example encoder of the invention, a motion estimator identifies motion vectors using a phase plane correlation technique based on phase quantization, where the phase difference between the Fourier transformed version of blocks in a reference frame and a current frame is estimated by dividing the complex plane into sectors and assigning the Fourier domain difference to the sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Andrea Molino, Fabrizio Vacca, Mainak Biswas, Truong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7623727
    Abstract: In a digital camera, a CPU divides a multi-valued image into blocks and selects object blocks, which are to be the object of processing. A CCD outputs luminance values of the multi-valued image. A low luminance threshold value setter sets low luminance threshold values on the basis of mean luminance values of blocks adjacent to the object block. A mean luminance value calculator calculates mean luminance values using luminance values from which luminance values that do not reach the low luminance threshold value in a block have been removed. A binarization threshold value setting circuit sets a binarization threshold value of the block based on the mean luminance values. A binarizer then binarizes the multi-valued image in the block on the basis of the binarization threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7620202
    Abstract: A system for estimating orientation of a target based on real-time video data uses depth data included in the video to determine the estimated orientation. The system includes a time-of-flight camera capable of depth sensing within a depth window. The camera outputs hybrid image data (color and depth). Segmentation is performed to determine the location of the target within the image. Tracking is used to follow the target location from frame to frame. During a training mode, a target-specific training image set is collected with a corresponding orientation associated with each frame. During an estimation mode, a classifier compares new images with the stored training set to determine an estimated orientation. A motion estimation approach uses an accumulated rotation/translation parameter calculation based on optical flow and depth constrains. The parameters are reset to a reference value each time the image corresponds to a dominant orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kikuo Fujimura, Youding Zhu
  • Patent number: 7620213
    Abstract: Collation information comprises anatomical information, such as finger print feature information, etc., and identification information. For the identification information, the serial number or equipment description of a device by which the anatomical information is collected, information about a route taken between a collection device and an authentication device or serial number attached to anatomical information collected by a specifying device, etc., is used instead of conventional time information. Then, the entire collation information is encrypted and is transmitted from an anatomical information collecting device to an authentication device via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Jun Ikegami, Takashi Shinzaki, Yusaku Fujii
  • Patent number: 7616825
    Abstract: A method for compression includes applying a discrete cosine transform to said image data to obtain transform coefficients, quantizing the transform coefficients by applying a quantization level scaled through a gain value, adjusting the gain value as a function of desired image parameters by executing a first time said quantization operation applying a first gain value and obtaining first quantized data, estimating statistically a second gain value suitable to obtain the desired image parameters, and executing a second time said quantization operation applying said second gain value. The operation of statistical estimation of the second gain value includes evaluating a threshold value as a function of the desired image parameters and setting to zero a percentage of coefficients of the first quantized data as a function of the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Arcangelo Ranieri Bruna, Giovanni Gallo, Sebastiano Battiato, Salvatore La Rosa
  • Patent number: 7609855
    Abstract: A process of video capture, segmentation, tracking, and mapping to obtain position and time data for motion analysis. The moving object is captured in video in a series of frames at a known frame rate. The moving object is isolated from all other data in a frame and the position of the moving object is determined relative to stationary reference elements in the frame. However, the video captures a physical, three-dimensional space, in a two-dimensional image, causing distortions. This method associates all points in the quadrilateral with a rectangle defined by sides in real, physical space using a vanishing point algorithm. The preferred vanishing point algorithm maps a physical space to a quadrilateral defined by two sides that intersect at a first vanishing point, and two other sides that intersect at a second vanishing point. Single-point or three-point perspective may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Object Prediction Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Sada, Ping-Sing Tsai, Todd Meijome
  • Patent number: 7609292
    Abstract: An image processing device and method, where the device includes an image data continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of first image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, a real world estimating unit configured to generate signals approximating waveforms of the real world light signals from the data continuity in the first image data, and an image generator configured to convert the signal generated by the real world estimating unit into second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada