Patents Examined by Charles Kim
  • Patent number: 7747068
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for tracking the eye. In one embodiment, a method for tracking the eye includes acquiring stereo images of the eye using multiple sensors, isolating internal features of the eye in the stereo images acquired from the multiple sensors, and determining an eye gaze direction relative to the isolated internal features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Smyth, Christopher Charles Smyth
  • Patent number: 7747051
    Abstract: A method and system for differentiating a vessel and a nodule within an image. The method and system first identifies a complex object in the image and then identifies portions of the complex object as a vessel or a nodule using a distance transform based method. A simplex object is identified in the image and the simplex object is identified as a vessel or a nodule using compactness values. Complex objects are analyzed using features in a distance transform map to identify a) nodule parts and b) vessels that are attached to or pass through the nodule parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Li Zhang
  • Patent number: 7747069
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus processes input data and outputs processed data. The data processing apparatus includes a data processing section and a real-time learning section. The data processing section processes the input data by a predetermined processing method and outputs the processed data. The real-time learning section controls the data processing section such that the processing method is learned in real time. The data processing section processes the input data by the learned processing method so that the output data is improved as time elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 7742619
    Abstract: This invention is a new approach for the image watermarking in the wavelet transform domain based on sequency of the host and watermark image. For each sub-band a first transform level of the host image is thresholded and binarized. Sequencies of thresholded and binarized data host image are compared with sequencies of the discrete wavelet transformed watermark image to form a watermarking sequency mask. The watermarked wavelet domain data is formed by combining data elements of the discrete wavelet transformed host image with corresponding data elements of the wavelet transformed watermark image as filtered by the watermarking mask. A reverse process can extract the watermark with a high degree of accuracy even after attack upon the watermarked host image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar, Raghuram Karthik Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 7734080
    Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a pulmonary nodule volume using a dual-energy subtraction image are provided. The method includes: (a) obtaining a dual-energy subtraction image of a chest; (b) setting a specific region including a pulmonary nodule region in the obtained dual-energy subtraction image; (c) interpolating a gray level trend of a region surrounding the pulmonary nodule region into the pulmonary nodule region using a fitting function; and (d) measuring the pulmonary nodule volume by subtracting the interpolation result from the gray level data of the pulmonary nodule region. Accordingly, when it is desired to measure the pulmonary nodule volume using the dual-energy subtraction image, information on the thickness of the pulmonary nodule is obtained from the characteristic of the dual-energy subtraction image, and the pulmonary nodule volume is accurately measured by correcting errors at the border of the pulmonary nodule region using the fitting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sooyeul Lee, Jeong Won Lee, Seunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7724916
    Abstract: Data may be embedded in rows of text by modulating inter-word spaces in a row. Inter-word spaces in a particular row may be divided into two or more sets of (approximately) equal spacing. The inter-word spaces of one or more of the sets may then be modified to embed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yun-Qing Shi, Dekun Zou
  • Patent number: 7724955
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for segmenting image data into windows and rendering a best-estimate outline delineating document windows may include adjusting a background white threshold differently than adjusting a white threshold normally used to classify pixels as white for video processing purposes. Such an independently arrived at threshold may be more suitable for the different task of differentiating between document background and document content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Jon Metcalfe, Jeng-Nan Shiau
  • Patent number: 7720268
    Abstract: A method for segmenting a digitized ultrasound image includes providing a digitized in-phase/quadrature ultrasound image comprising a plurality of intensities defined on an N-dimensional grid, decorrelating the ultrasound image wherein spatial correlations are substantially reduced in the intensity data, modeling the decorrelated image intensities with a statistical distribution, propagating, an active contour in the image where the contour segments the image, where the contour is propagated based on the statistical distributions of intensity data inside and outside the active contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory G. Slabaugh, Gozde Unal, Tong Fang, Michael Wels
  • Patent number: 7720296
    Abstract: In a method to determine a selection vector that indicates a displacement of an image area from a first position in a first image to a second position in a second image, a set of prediction vectors and a set of test vectors are provided. Using selected test vectors, an image comparison is performed to supply an image comparison result for each selected test vector. The selected test vectors and at least one prediction vector are compared to provide at least one test vector comparison result for each selected test vector. The image comparison result and the at least one test vector comparison result are linked to provide at least one quality characteristic for each selected test vector. A ranking order is determined for these quality characteristics, where at least one test vector is selected as the displacement vector based on the ranking order determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Trident Microsystems (Far East) Ltd.
    Inventors: Marko Hahn, Christian Tuschen
  • Patent number: 7720306
    Abstract: Systems and methods of this invention display data using pixels with information indicated by color and intensity changes, particularly used for monitoring of physiological variables in real time. For certain methods, physiological data can be acquired by sensors, acquired data can be stored in data frames, data frames can be processed using computer-implemented methods, and processed data frames can be scaled to a display frame for display on a display device. Using such methods, a spot made up of a group of pixels can be updated during a time frame, or cycle using a computer-implemented method, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or a time dependent function. Newly received data can be combined with prior received data to indicate time-dependent changes. In this way, each spot contains a cumulative history of data starting at some initial time. In other embodiments, visual contrast can be enhanced between desired data and other data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Photomed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Gardiner, Brent Michael McCullough
  • Patent number: 7720259
    Abstract: Capturing the motion of a target. One method includes: coupling a plurality of primary markers to the target; coupling at least one secondary marker to the target; capturing a plurality of primary marker data points, wherein each primary marker data point corresponds to one primary marker of the plurality of primary markers; capturing at least one secondary marker signature, each secondary marker signature corresponding to and uniquely identifying each secondary marker of said at least one secondary marker; and identifying the plurality of primary markers using said at least one secondary marker signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Demian Gordon, Dennis J. Hauck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7715612
    Abstract: In a discriminating apparatus, a substrate portion of printed matter is irradiated with a light beam emitted from a light source, and the intensity of the light beam reflected from the substrate is detected by a photodetector. The discrimination as to whether the printed matter is the original or a reproduction is performed by a discriminating unit based on the contrast value in the intensity of the reflected light detected by the photodetector. Thus, the discriminating apparatus discriminates whether the printed matter is the original or a reproduction at high speed and also permits lowering the possibility of an erroneous discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masataka Shiratsuchi, Hiromichi Hayashihara
  • Patent number: 7715603
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for processing available time/phase-dependent primary data sets of a computer tomography of a displaced object, preferably a beating heart, in order to produce an image sequence 3D-recording set records for representing the displacement of an object. The method includes the following steps: calculating and representing of a 3D reference display of any particular orientation in relation to any particular displacement phase of an available present primary data sequence of a CT-scan, determining the desired calculation parameters of the image sequence which is to be calculated, single transfer of the calculation parameter to the calculation process and automatic creation of the entire image sequence with the predetermined calculation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Niethammer
  • Patent number: 7715636
    Abstract: A decoding apparatus includes a random-number generating section and a decoding section. The random-number generating section generates random numbers according to distribution of original data corresponding to respective quantization indexes. The decoding section generates decoded data on a basis of the random numbers generated by the random-number generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7706616
    Abstract: A word pattern recognition system based on a virtual keyboard layout combines handwriting recognition with a virtual, graphical, or on-screen keyboard to provide a text input method with relative ease of use. The system allows the user to input text quickly with little or no visual attention from the user. The system supports a very large vocabulary of gesture templates in a lexicon, including practically all words needed for a particular user. In addition, the system utilizes various techniques and methods to achieve reliable recognition of a very large gesture vocabulary. Further, the system provides feedback and display methods to help the user effectively use and learn shorthand gestures for words. Word patterns are recognized independent of gesture scale and location. The present system uses language rules to recognize and connect suffixes with a preceding word, allowing users to break complex words into easily remembered segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Per-Ola Kristensson, Jingtao Wang, Shumin Zhai
  • Patent number: 7706617
    Abstract: An image indexer for indexing a plurality of images that includes a first data structure for subsequent classification of the one or more images. The first data structure includes characteristics for at least one class. An image classifier classifies one or more individual images found in the plurality of images as classified images according to the first data structure. A second data structure performs subsequent clustering of the plurality of images, wherein the second data structure includes at least two sequential events in a set of known events. The classified images are clustered according to the second data structure, and a representative image is selected from each cluster of classified images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Marvin M. Goodgame, Shoupu Chen, Lawrence A. Ray
  • Patent number: 7706578
    Abstract: An image compilation production system and method, for use in a setting attended by multiple visitors. The system comprises multiple identification devices, multiple digital image capturing devices, and a reader device associated with each of the image capturing devices. Each identification device includes an electronic data storage device having identification data stored therein. One of the identification devices is carried by at least one of the visitors to the setting. The reader device activates the digital image capturing device to capture the image of the visitor when the identification data stored in the electronic data storage device of the identification device is carried within the detection range of the associated reader device by the visitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Steven Amico, Michael John Martin
  • Patent number: 7706568
    Abstract: A method is provided that enables verification of whether a component of original image data has been altered at the location at which the component is to be reused without newly generating a signature. More specifically, the method includes inputting first document data including a plurality of components and signature information corresponding to the components, selecting at least one component from among the components, and extracting signature information corresponding to the at least one selected component. The method further includes storing the at least one selected component and the signature information corresponding to the at least one selected component in a memory, and generating second document data by pasting the at least one stored component and the stored signature information into a document selected as a paste location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taeko Yamazaki, Junichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7706592
    Abstract: A method for detecting a boundary of a monetary banknote within an image includes dividing the image into a plurality of sections; generating a color feature map containing color histogram data for each section of the image; generating a gray level feature map indicating a gray level value for each section of the image; recording border sections onto a banknote boundary map, the border sections being sections having color histogram data within a first predetermined range and gray level values within a second predetermined range; removing internal border sections enclosed by perimeter border sections from the banknote boundary map; and dilating the perimeter border sections on the banknote boundary map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Xu-Hua Liu, Byung-Tae Oh, Young-Min Kwak, Chung-Chieh Kuo, Ying-Jieh Huang
  • Patent number: 7706630
    Abstract: A method for extracting a subset of data from an ordered set of bi-dimensional matrices (data arrays) such as a sequence of pictures or a multi-dimensional matrix, for instance, is implemented by dedicated hardware that may be used each time it is necessary to extract a subset of data from a data array. For each matrix of data, the method calculates very quickly row and column indices of border data of the portion to be extracted, which are obtained by arithmetical operations among row and column indices of vertices of a closed area of interest. The method is implemented in a device for selectively transferring a data stream sampled at a certain bit-rate to a microprocessor unit or to a memory receiving the data stream at a different rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.R.L.
    Inventors: Riccardo Angrilli, Renzo Liberato Arce Arguedas, Eros Pedrini, Andrea De Marchi