Patents Examined by Edward Martello
  • Patent number: 8994753
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction unit configured to extract a structure of a tested eye from an OCT image obtained by optical coherence tomography, an extraction unit configured to extract a structure of the tested eye from an eyeground image obtained by a scanning laser ophthalmoscope or a fundus camera, a calculation unit configured to calculate a reliability degree of the extraction for each of the extracted structures, and a display control unit configured to display the extracted structures superimposed on a image of eyeground according to the calculated reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuta Nakano, Yasufumi Takama, Kenji Morita
  • Patent number: 8988421
    Abstract: The rendering of avatars in a virtual universe is selectively controlled by the avatar owner. Avatar ranking by several criteria, operating either jointly or independently, is employed to control avatar rendering in ways intended to reduce computational loading while not significantly impacting the virtual universe experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kulvir S. Bhogal, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover
  • Patent number: 8982124
    Abstract: In one embodiment described herein, a graphics engine with shader unit thread load balancing functionality executes shader instructions from multiple execution threads in a smaller number of execution threads by combining instructions from multiple threads at runtime. In one embodiment, multiple shader unit threads containing less than a minimum number of instructions are combined to minimize the discrepancy between the shortest and longest thread. In one embodiment, threads are merged when they contain a common output register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yunjiu Li, Michael Green
  • Patent number: 8976191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for creating a realistic color for a virtual object in an Augmented Reality environment produced by an Augmented Reality application. In one embodiment, the functions implemented include: selecting a reference image target frame; selecting a plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame; acquiring a subsequent new image target frame; determining a plurality of corresponding sample points in the new image target frame wherein the plurality of corresponding sample points correspond to the plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame; comparing a color of each of the plurality of sample points in the reference image target frame with a color of each of the corresponding sample points in the new image target frame and computing a Color Transfer function based at least in part on the comparison; and applying the Color Transfer function to the color of the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Erick Mendez Mendez
  • Patent number: 8963935
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for accessing display configuration information of a display device in a multi-graphics-processing-unit (multi-GPU) system based on a hot-plug detection signal associated with the same display device. The method includes the steps of changing the power state of a discrete GPU (dGPU) in the multi-GPU coupled to the display device after having detected an assertion of the hot-plug detection signal, retrieving the display configuration information of the display device with the dGPU, and powering down the dGPU after having retrieved the display configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: David Wyatt, Ludger Mimberg
  • Patent number: 8941641
    Abstract: In one example, images may be used to create a model of a three-dimensional space, and the three-dimensional space may be annotated and/or edited. When a three-dimensional model of a space has been created, a user may associate various items with points in the three-dimensional space. For example, the user may create a note or a hyperlink, and may associate the note or hyperlink with a specific point in the space. Additionally, a user may experiment with the space by adding images to, or deleting images from, the space. Annotating and editing the space, rather than the underlying images, allows annotations and edits to be associated with the underlying objects depicted in the images, rather than with the images themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Billy Chen, Eyal Ofek
  • Patent number: 8933928
    Abstract: New views of a 2D image are generated by identifying an object class within the image, such as through a face detector. The face is then fitted to a model face by means of an AAM, and the results extended to a fitted 3D polygon mesh face. A boundary perimeter with predefined anchor points and a predefined triangulation with the 3D polygon mesh is defined a predefined depth distance from the depth center of known landmarks within the 3D polygon mesh face. By rotating the 3D polygon mesh face relative to the boundary perimeter, which may follow the perimeter of the input image, new views of the input image are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Shiell, Jing Xiao
  • Patent number: 8913073
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to identifying function samples for use in interpolation. In general, in one implementation, the technique includes: obtaining a set of unevenly spaced sample points, x, and corresponding sample outputs, y, of a function y=f(x) within a domain; generating a data structure including first locations corresponding to a set of evenly spaced sample points within the domain, wherein the first locations store index values corresponding to second locations storing the sample outputs, y; receiving an input value of image data; identifying one of the first locations corresponding to the input value; finding two index values stored in the first locations using the one of the first locations as a starting point; and generating an image data output value corresponding to the input value by interpolation using two sample outputs, y, obtained from the second locations using the two index values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Manish S. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8902224
    Abstract: Effectively displaying the results of a search, or identifying a specific object in a collection when the user only has a vague recollection of the properties of the object or is uncertain of the best search terms to use, is a difficult problem. To address such difficulties a method for displaying a collection of objects in three dimensions (3D) is described. Each object is represented using an image or icon and has associated metadata. Common metadata attributes such as colour (RGB, Brightness), creation date, title etc, between the objects are used to define a data space and each object is assigned a point in the dataspace. The dataspace is then projected down to a 3D viewing space where a representation or image of the object will be displayed in. To improve the visualisation of the objects, the projected points are adjusted so as to reduce the clustering of points whilst maintaining or preserving the order of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Thereitis.com Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Theodor Gregory Wyeld
  • Patent number: 8902244
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a video input from a video source coupled to a display configured for rendering a user interface thereon; evaluating a plurality of pixels within the video input; and determining if a particular pixel within the pixels is associated with a color that matches a designated value associated with a chroma-key. If a match is found for the particular pixel, then the particular pixel is rendered as a clear image on the display, and if the match is not found, the particular pixel is darkened by a certain percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Kanalakis, Jr., Zachary R. Bean, David J. Mackie, Eddie Collins, Mark David Dyer
  • Patent number: 8896597
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for modifying a solid model representation that is manipulated in a computer having software instructions for design, comprising: a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a memory, a processor, a user input device, and a display device; a computer generated geometric model stored in the memory in the memory of the computer system; and wherein the computer system receives user input and accesses at least one data file having a plurality of geometric model definitions that define a geometric model; converts the geometric model definitions into a geometric representation of the geometric model; calculates a plurality of geometric conditions between at least one geometry identified by a user and the geometric model to create a set of constraints; and calculates a modified geometric model with a modified geometry according the set of constraints to display to the user; and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Staples, Mallikarjuna Gandikota, Aditya N. Gurushankar, Jeffrey A. Walker, Howard C. D. Mattson, Douglas J. King, Neil G. Mackay
  • Patent number: 8890882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a display, for instance, on an integrated message board, the display having at least one physical information item and at least one electronic information item are provided. The physical information item may include, by way of example only, a tagged physical object, hand-written data, and/or data obtained through touch or voice recognition. Methods and systems for integrating physical information items and electronic information items in a single display location are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Flora P. Goldthwaite, Jonathan C. Cluts, Gregory L. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 8890886
    Abstract: An application determines a colorization strategy for its graphical user interface according to colors of an input image. In particular, given one or more colors from the input image, and a plurality of elements of the graphical user interface, the colors for the elements of the graphical user interface are selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Kriese, J Craig Hally, Georgi Tonev, Ramrajprabu Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8884969
    Abstract: A method and system for providing three-dimensional preview of a finished document based on a key feature analysis. The document can be analyzed by a document analysis algorithm configured in association with a document visualization module in order to identify a number of key features associated with the document. A viewing script can be created with respect to the key features of the document in order to drive a visualization engine. A document-specific visual animation of the key features can be visually displayed based on the viewing script at a user interface in order to preview the finished document. A list of critical features with respect to the document can be selected and previewed by a user via a set of media controls displayed at the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edward Dangler, Robert John Rolleston
  • Patent number: 8878861
    Abstract: Conversion between z-scanning indices, raster-scanning indices and two-dimensional coordinates uses simple bit-operations in high efficiency video coding. Depending on the conversion, certain bits are extracted from one representation to obtain positions of another representation, or bits are interleaved to generate another representation. Conversion is able to be between any of z-scanning indices, raster-scanning indices and (x,y) representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Lina Dong
  • Patent number: 8872846
    Abstract: An interactive map may be provided. The map may include weather information such as temperature information, precipitation information, radar information, or the like, street information such as road information, traffic information, or the like, and/or advertising information for a particular area that may be chosen by the user. The map may also display information related to points of interest such as schools, golf courses, entertainment, or the like that may be chosen by the user. The map may be dynamic such that the weather information, street information, and/or advertising information may be dynamically updated on the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Weather Channel, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kew, Eli Wendkos, Jon Badenell, Casey A. Dement, Cameron Brown
  • Patent number: 8872813
    Abstract: An authoring tool assigns a first depth value to a first image layer and a second depth value to a second image layer. The first depth value is a first simulated distance from a user. The second depth value is a second simulated distance from the user. The authoring tool composes an image based on the first image layer and the second image layer such that the image is displayed within a page in a scrollable area on a viewing device. The first depth value is utilized to generate a first offset value from a first static position of the first image layer and the second depth value is utilized to generate a second offset value from a second static position of the second image layer based upon a scroll position of the page with respect to a target location in the scrollable area to create a parallax effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Benson Walton, Daniel Alan Wabyick
  • Patent number: 8866854
    Abstract: A guide is configured in an authoring program to aid the user in editing objects on a document. The guide can be a horizontally or vertically oriented guide line and can be created from a single ruler, either a vertical or horizontal ruler displayed on the workspace. To create a horizontal guide, the user can position the cursor on a horizontal ruler. The user can click-and-hold and drag the cursor to create and position a horizontal guide over the workspace. To create a vertical guide, the user can position the cursor in the horizontal ruler and click and release. The user can create both vertical and horizontal guides using the vertical ruler in a corresponding manner, where clicking on the vertical ruler creates a horizontal guide, and click-and-hold and dragging creates a vertical guide. Guides can be individually configured or altered in their visual characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel John Altin
  • Patent number: 8866813
    Abstract: A computer-animated scene illuminated by indirect light is shaded. The scene is comprised of sample locations on a surface element of an object in the scene. A point cloud representation of the scene is generated. Optionally, an importance map of the scene, based on the point cloud representation, is generated. The importance map is generated by rasterizing one or more points in the point cloud and designating areas of interest based on the energy value of the one or more points in the point cloud. A ray tracing engine is biased, based on the importance map. The biased ray tracing engine calculates the path of the ray to the sample locations in the scene to an area of interest. The scene is shaded using the output from the biased ray tracing engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: DreamWorks Animation LLC
    Inventors: Chris F. Armsden, Bruce Tartaglia
  • Patent number: 8860732
    Abstract: An interactive application may include a quasi-physical simulator configured to determine the configuration of animated characters as they move within the application and are acted on by external forces. The simulator may work together with a parameterized animation module that synthesizes and provides reference poses for the animation from example motion clips that it has segmented and parameterized. The simulator may receive input defining a trajectory for an animated character and input representing one or more external forces acting on the character, and may perform a quasi-physical simulation to determine a pose for the character in the current animation frame in reaction to the external forces. The simulator may enforce a goal constraint that the animated character follows the trajectory, e.g., by adding a non-physical force to the simulation, the magnitude of which may be dependent on a torque objective that attempts to minimize the use of such non-physical forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Jovan Popovic, Sergey V. Levine