Patents Examined by Delomia Gilliard
  • Patent number: 8693781
    Abstract: Provided is a marker generation device which has a feature comparison means and a marker pattern generation means. The feature comparison means disposes feature points extracted from an image in a predetermined space, sets parts in which the number of feature points in the predetermined space is equal to or less than a predetermined number as singular features, disposes feature points extracted from an identifier in the predetermined space, and counts the number of feature points that coincide with the singular features. The marker pattern generation means converts the structure of the identifier and extracts the feature points from the converted identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8687846
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining part configured to obtain a plurality of images including a photographing object photographed by a photographing part; a determination part configured to detects a shift in position between a first image and a second image included in the plurality of images obtained by the obtaining part, and determine whether the first image is suitable for being superposed to the second image; a selection part configured to select a certain number of images from the plurality of images based on a determination result of the determination part; and a synthesis part configured to synthesize the certain number of images selected by the selection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shimizu, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8682081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pattern noise removal device for removing background pattern noise having periodicity from a digital image, which includes a candidate pixel extracting module for extracting candidate pixels that constitute the background pattern noise from the pixels in the image on the bases of the concentration of each of the pixels, a dot pattern feature extracting module for extracting the feature of a dot pattern formed by each of the candidate pixels and the peripheral neighborhood pixels among the extracted candidate pixels, a dot pattern area extracting module for extracting a dot pattern area including the candidate pixels of the periodicity and the neighborhood pixels, which have the feature of the dot pattern, and a periodic pattern noise removal module for removing the candidate pixels of the periodicity and the neighborhood pixels, which are included in the dot pattern area, as the background pattern noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Hara
  • Patent number: 8675954
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a first setting unit, a second setting unit, and a specifying unit. The first setting unit detects a position of at least a part of an object in an image so as to obtain, for one pixel or each of a plurality of pixels in the image, a first likelihood that indicates whether the corresponding pixel is included in a region where the object is present. The second setting unit obtains, for one pixel or each of a plurality of pixels in the image, a second likelihood indicating whether the pixel is a pixel corresponding to a 3D body by using a feature amount of the pixel. The a specifying unit specifies a region, in the image, where the object is present by using the first likelihood and the second likelihood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Io Nakayama, Takeshi Mita
  • Patent number: 8670628
    Abstract: A method of filtering hyperspectral image data associated with a hyperspectral image to produce a detection image data having a plurality of pixels, where the detection image data is associated with the degree to which a target may be present in a pixel. The method also includes adaptively processing the detection image data to determine a background variation in the plurality of pixels. The method additionally includes establishing a plurality of spatial filters for the detection image data, where each of the plurality of spatial filters are associated with energy being received at different locations on each of the plurality of pixels, and where the outputs of the plurality of spatial filters are weighted by the variation in background. The method further includes applying each of the plurality of spatial filers to the detection image data, such that each of the plurality of pixels are associated with a selected one of the plurality of spatial filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Ian S. Robinson, Eric P. Frans, Bradley A. Flanders
  • Patent number: 8666140
    Abstract: A defect inspection method for a wafer is provided. The wafer comprises a component pattern. The method comprises the following steps: providing a defect inspection apparatus for inspecting the defects on the wafer to obtain a defect distribution map; providing a photo mask, wherein the photo mask comprises a exposure pattern corresponding to the component pattern; and comparing the defect distribution map with the exposure pattern and dividing the defects in the defect distribution map into a first killer defect group and a first non-killer defect group according to their corresponding locations in the exposure pattern. In addition, a wafer defect inspection system applying the same method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Kai-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 8660347
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for dividing image data into blocks having a predetermined number of pixels and processing each of the divided blocks in sequence, color data of pixels in a block to be processed is compared to identify a pattern flag that corresponds to a placement pattern of the color data included in the block. The identified pattern flag and the color data for the number of colors included in the block are output and, assuming that output color data that corresponds to a pixel at a predefined position in the block is first color data, the pattern flag, the first color data, and other color data that are output for each of the divided blocks are collectively stored in respectively different memory areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8660359
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating atmospheric radiance and transmittance. An atmospheric estimation system is divided into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase inputs an observed multispectral image and an initial estimate of the atmospheric radiance and transmittance for each spectral band and calculates the atmospheric radiance and transmittance for each spectral band, which can be used to generate a “corrected” multispectral image that is an estimate of the surface multispectral image. The second phase inputs the observed multispectral image and the surface multispectral image that was generated by the first phase and removes noise from the surface multispectral image by smoothing out change in average deviations of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: James Lynn Conger
  • Patent number: 8655017
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying images of a scene including illuminating the scene with a beam of 3 or more wavelengths, polarized according to a determined direction; simultaneously acquiring for each wavelength an image X//(?i) polarized according to said direction and an image X?(?i) polarized according to a direction perpendicular to said direction, X?(?i) being spatially distinct from X//(?i); calculating for each wavelength an intensity image which is a linear combination of X//(?i) and X?(?i), providing an intensity spectrum for each pixel; calculating for each wavelength a polarization contrast image on the basis of an intensity ratio calculated as a function of X//(?i) and of X?(?i), providing a polarization contrast spectrum for each pixel; and calculating a spectro-polarimetric contrast image of the scene, each pixel of this spectro-polarimetric contrast image calculated based on the intensity spectrum and the contrast spectrum of the pixel considered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Thales, Institut D'Optique
    Inventors: Mehdi Alouini, Arnaud Beniere, Daniel Dolfi, Gérard Berginc, François Goudail
  • Patent number: 8655015
    Abstract: An image generation system includes an image information acquisition section that acquires image information from an image sensor, a skeleton information acquisition section that acquires skeleton information based on the image information from the image sensor, the skeleton information specifying a motion of an operator viewed from the image sensor, a correction section that performs a correction process on position information about a bone of a skeleton indicated by the skeleton information, and an image generation section that generates an image based on a result of the correction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nishimoto, Chihiro Kozasa, Tadashi Sakakibara, Daisuke Sekioka
  • Patent number: 8644620
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a computer-readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions that when executed cause a host device to perform a process. The instructions can include instructions to calculate a set of hash values associated with a set of blocks of a first image, and calculate a hash value associated with a block of a second image. The instructions can include instructions to receive an indicator that the hash value of the block of the second image matches a hash value from the set of hash values associated with the first image, and designate, in response to the indicator, the block of the second image for duplication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Hin Chung Lam
  • Patent number: 8634628
    Abstract: A continuous-region-extraction unit extracts a continuous-region having a voxel value corresponding to an air-region in bronchi from a three-dimensional-medical-image. A tree-structure-construction unit constructs a tree-structure corresponding to the continuous-region. A linear-structure-extraction unit extracts plural linear-structures representing fragments of small-bronchi by analyzing a local density structure in a neighborhood of each point in the three-dimensional-medical-image. A tree-structure-reconstruction unit reconstructs a graph-structure representing the whole bronchi by connecting a node constituting the graph-structure of large-bronchi and a node representing the linear-structures of small-bronchi. At this time, different cost functions are used for a segment connecting the node of the large-bronchi and the node representing the linear-structures of the small-bronchi and a segment connecting the nodes representing the linear-structures to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Inoue
  • Patent number: 8630458
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums are provided for navigating a virtual camera within a virtual three-dimensional environment using a mobile device. An exemplary method includes receiving, from at least one sensor on the mobile device, an indication that the mobile device has pivoted about a first rotation axis. A change in a user's position in relation to the mobile device is tracked as the mobile device is pivoted about the first rotation axis. A location of the first rotation axis is then determined based on the change in the user's position in relation to the mobile device. When the location of the first rotation axis is proximate to the mobile device, a first action to navigate within the three-dimensional environment is executed. When the location of the first rotation axis is proximate to the user, however, a second action to navigate within the three-dimensional environment is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Oster, Julien C. Mercay
  • Patent number: 8630451
    Abstract: A method of processing digital images, in which method a digital image is taken of a mailpiece, which image includes certain information, and certain OCR processing is applied to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information using OCR, the method is characterized in that it further includes a step of applying other OCR processing to said image for the purpose of recognizing said information, and a step of overlaying in said image results of said other OCR processing in a form recognizable by said certain OCR processing. This method makes it possible to obtain reinforced processing capacities by enriching the capacities of the first processing with the capacities of the other processing without calling into question the logical and physical interfaces of the first processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventors: Emmanuel Miette, Christophe Caillon
  • Patent number: 8625891
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for dividing image data into blocks having a predetermined number of pixels and processing each of the divided blocks in sequence, color data of pixels in a block to be processed is compared to identify a pattern flag that corresponds to a placement pattern of the color data included in the block. The identified pattern flag and the color data for the number of colors included in the block are output and, assuming that output color data that corresponds to a pixel at a predefined position in the block is first color data, the pattern flag, the first color data, and other color data that are output for each of the divided blocks are collectively stored in respectively different memory areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 8620100
    Abstract: A motion blur control device uses inter-frame movement computation means to compute an inter-frame movement direction and an inter-frame movement amount from plural frame images acquired at a specific time interval. Motion blur correction means then generates a corrected frame image by correcting motion blur in a specific frame image in plural frame images based on the blur amount set within a range not exceeding the inter-frame movement amount and based on the inter-frame movement direction. Evaluation means evaluates the corrected frame image using a motion blur evaluation function. The motion blur control device controls the blur amount such that the motion blur evaluation function satisfies a specific condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporation Shizuoka University
    Inventors: Kenjiro Miura, Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8620105
    Abstract: According to this invention, image processes are classified into a plurality of categories, and the result of processes belonging to each category is written in an intermediate buffer prepared for the category. The order of categories is determined in advance, and an output from a process of a preceding category serves as an input to a process of a succeeding category. The preceding category includes image processes such as automatic correction requiring no quick response. The succeeding category includes image processes such as manual correction requiring a quick response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinjiro Hori, Kouta Murasawa
  • Patent number: 8615104
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products facilitate the extraction of embedded watermarks in the presence of content distortions. Pre-distorted synchronization templates are used to detect synchronization portions of embedded watermark frames. A pre-distorted synchronization template that best matches the synchronization portion of the embedded watermark frame produces an estimation of one or more distortions that are present in the content. The remainder of watermark frame can be evaluated based on the outcome of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Verance Corporation
    Inventors: Rade Petrovic, Venkatraman Atti
  • Patent number: 8615135
    Abstract: A feature point positioning apparatus positions a plurality of feature points for a predetermined pattern in image data. The apparatus selectively executes first candidate decision processing which decides position candidates of the feature points and second candidate decision processing which decides position candidates of the feature points at a higher processing speed than the first candidate decision processing in accordance with an operation mode, and executes, when the operation mode is a high-speed mode in which an operation is executed at a higher speed than a normal mode, the second candidate decision processing for more feature points than in the normal mode; and corrects the position candidates of the plurality of feature points obtained by the first candidate decision processing and the second candidate decision processing based on a layout relationship among the plurality of feature points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Kato, Katsuhiko Mori
  • Patent number: 8611642
    Abstract: A method for forming a stereoscopic image from a main image of a scene captured from a main image viewpoint including one or more foreground objects, together a main image range map and a background image. A first-eye image is determined corresponding to a first-eye viewpoint and a second-eye image is determined corresponding to a second-eye viewpoint. At least one of the first-eye image and the second-eye image is determined by warping the main image to the associated viewpoint, wherein the warped main image includes one or more holes corresponding to scene content that was occluded in the main image; warping the background image to the associated viewpoint; and determining pixel values to fill the one or more holes in the warped main image using pixel values at corresponding pixel locations in the warped background image; and forming a stereoscopic image including the first-eye image and the second-eye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Sen Wang