Patents Examined by Eueng-nan Yeh
  • Patent number: 7643695
    Abstract: This invention allows Huffman encoding using a common Huffman table according to basic quantization values Qi,j even when image data expressed by n bits falling within the range from L to K is JPEG-coded, and can suppress the Huffman table size from increasing. To this end, a basic quantization table storage unit stores quantization step values Q0,0 to Q7,7 used in baseline JPEG coding. A minimum quantization step generator outputs a minimum quantization step value Qn—min to a comparator/selector according to the number n of bits of each color component of image data to be coded. The comparator/selector compares the quantization step values Q0,0 to Q7,7 with Qn—min and selects larger ones, and outputs the comparison results to a quantizer as Q?i,j. The quantizer stores Q?i,j in a quantization table storage unit and quantizes orthogonal transformation coefficients output from a DCT transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7639886
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing systems and techniques for determining quantizer values for a signal. In general, in one implementation, a technique includes: obtaining a target distortion and a transformed signal having sub-bands resulting from a source signal being transformed by a wavelet-based decomposition; distributing the target distortion among the sub-bands based on energy weights to produce target sub-band distortions; ascertaining actual sub-band distortion values that result at different grades of quantization; determining quantizer values for the sub-bands, including interpolating between at least two of the quantization grades; and quantizing the sub-bands with the determined quantizer values. The signal may be a digital image. Additionally, in another implementation, determining the quantizer values can involve determining approximations of sub-band coefficient quantization error rather than performing the interpolation, in which case, the ascertaining operation need not be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Anubha Rastogi
  • Patent number: 7613322
    Abstract: A method of video surveillance may include performing on input video at least one of the operations selected from the group consisting of motion detection and change detection, recording a motion pattern based on a result of said at least one of the operations, and analyzing the motion pattern to detect periodic motion in the video. A video surveillance apparatus may include a change detector, a motion detector, and/or a combination motion/change detector, a pattern analyzer, and a periodic motion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Objectvideo, Inc.
    Inventors: Weihong Yin, Andrew J. Chosak, John Ian Wallace Clark, Niels Haering, Alan J. Lipton, Donald G. Madden, Gary W. Myers, Peter L. Venetianer, Zhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 7609899
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a coefficient correction unit for correcting only a high frequency coefficient situated adjacent to a tile boundary of an encoded image data divided into non-overlapping tiles. The high frequency coefficient is corrected during a process of decoding the encoded image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tooru Suino
  • Patent number: 7609878
    Abstract: Color deviations of images are analyzed using a sensor. The received image sensor signal is analyzed pixel by pixel. An image sensor signal is produced for each color channel from a plurality of color channels. An image sensor signal from a first channel, and one from a second channel, are combined. An output signal of a first color contrast channel is generated. Now an image sensor signal from a third channel is combined with the ones from the first and second image sensors. An output signal of a second color contrast channel is generated. The outputs of these color contrast channels are classified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Lohweg, Harald Heinrich Willeke
  • Patent number: 7606416
    Abstract: A landmark detection apparatus and method, the apparatus including a first detection unit that generates N first sample blocks in a first sampling region using a first weighted sampling method according to a first degree of dispersion, and that performs a first landmark detection by comparing a feature of each first sample block a feature of a landmark model, where the first sample region is set to the entirety of a current frame image; and a second detection unit that generates N second sample blocks in a second sampling region using a second weighted sampling method according to a second degree of dispersion, and that performs a second landmark detection by comparing a feature of each second sample block the feature of the landmark model, where the second sampling region is set to an area less than the entirety of the current frame image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sup Han, Kyung-shik Roh, Woong Kwon, Young-bo Shim, Yeon-taek Oh, Ki-cheol Park
  • Patent number: 7602950
    Abstract: In a medical system architecture and method for interactive transmission and progressive representation of compressed image data of multi-component images, image data are obtained at least one modality with computer workstations being associated with the respective modalities to process the examination images. A device is provided to transfer the examination images; and a device is provided for storage of data and examination images; and further user workstations are provided for post-processing of the examination images. The image data are compressed and organized and stored in packets with specific parameters such that access to individual packets is possible; and the packetized data are decompressed packet-by-packet based on a request from a user workstation, such that multi-component images are generated with progressive parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Goldstein, Norbert Strobel
  • Patent number: 7602942
    Abstract: A face detection and recognition system having several arrays imaging a scene in the infrared and visible spectrums. The system may use weighted subtracting and thresholding to distinguish human skin in a sensed image. A feature selector may locate a face in the image. The image may be cropped with a frame or border incorporating essentially only the face. The border may be superimposed on images from an infrared imaging array and the visible imaging array. Sub-images containing the face may be extracted from within the border on the infrared and visible images, respectively, and compared with a database of face information to attain recognition of the face. Confidence levels of recognition for infrared and visible imaged faces may be established. A resultant confidence level of recognition may be determined from these confidence levels. Infrared lighting may be used as needed to illuminate the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Bazakos, Vassilios Morellas, Yunqian Ma
  • Patent number: 7599576
    Abstract: A method of removing an artifact resulting from an in-line illumination device of an imaging system from an object image. It includes obtaining a first image of the artifact using a first artifact illumination level and imaging the object using the imaging system wherein the illumination device is using an object illumination level. An artifact image is independent of the object and has pixel values related to the illumination level. Thus, the artifact can be removed by subtracting respective pixel values of an artifact image from respective values of the object image on a pixel address-by-pixel address basis. Various illumination levels can be used to create more than one artifact image. The artifact image for the subtraction can be one of the images taken or can be a scaled image where an artifact image is scaled to the object illumination level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7596267
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of segmenting an image of a structure stored as a set of spatially related data points representing variations in a predetermined parameter, said method comprising the steps of selecting a seed point within the structure to be segmented, assigning to each of the data points a value of connectivity indicative of the confidence that respective areas of the data points are part of the same structure as said seed point, said value of connectivity including a function of the distance of the respective point from said seed point, establishing a threshold value for said level of connectivity and selecting for display data points meeting said threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cedara Software Corp.
    Inventors: Vittorio Accomazzi, Renee Lazarowich, Christopher J. Barlow, Bruce Davey
  • Patent number: 7593569
    Abstract: A point defect and a line defect in a captured image resulting due to an imaging element defect in a digital camera are interpolated. A defect correction circuit of a digital camera simultaneously corrects a point flaw, a vertical line flaw, and a horizontal line flaw in a captured image. In consideration of cases in which a point flaw and a vertical line flaw are present adjacent to each other, the defect correction circuit executes predetermined difference calculations using pixels surrounding a target pixel to be corrected and determines an interpolation pattern based on a comparison of magnitude among the difference calculation values. The defect correction circuit also selects, for interpolation, an interpolation pattern from among interpolation patterns prepared in advance based on an adjacent pattern of the point flaw and line flaw. The adjacent pattern is detected by a defect decode circuit 78.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Junzo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7590293
    Abstract: An original image or other data sequence is modified with an internal marker value, and is communicated (stored and/or transmitted) as one component of a transform having multiple complementary components. The image is restored in a closed form, without iteration, and in some cases without any loss of precision from the original image. The original image may have complex element values. Multiple original images may be combined, and separated after restoration. Several types of maps may be embedded in or packaged with the communicated component. Communicated component elements may be stored with variable lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Hal H. Ottesen, James P. Licari
  • Patent number: 7583838
    Abstract: A color saturation adjusting apparatus is provided for use in a display system, including an RGB-HSV conversion unit, a color saturation adjusting function setting unit, a color saturation adjusting unit and an HSV-RGB conversion unit. The RGB-HSV conversion unit receives an input RGB image signal and converts RGB values of the input RGB image signal into corresponding HSV values. The color saturation adjusting function setting unit sets a color saturation adjusting function in response to key input of a user. The color saturation adjusting unit generates new HSV values in which color saturation values are varied from the color saturation values of the original HSV values by using the color saturation adjusting function. The HSV-RGB conversion unit converts the new HSV values obtained by the color saturation adjusting unit into corresponding RGB values and outputs the RGB values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-moon Lee
  • Patent number: 7577300
    Abstract: An image encoding apparatus comprises first processing means for determining whether or not each bit in a bit plane of a code block should be processed in a first pass, and second processing means for determining whether or not each bit in a bit plane of a code block should be processed in a second pass which is other than the first pass. The first processing means and the second processing means operate in parallel for the same bit plane of the same code block. The first pass is a SIG (significance propagation) pass used in the processing of JPEG-2000 image compression/decompression scheme, for example, and the second pass is a REF (magnitude refinement) pass used in the JPEG-2000 processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Hirao
  • Patent number: 7570827
    Abstract: A method, system and computer software product for improving rate-distortion performance while remaining faithful to JPEG/MPEG syntax, involving joint optimization of Huffman tables, quantization step sizes and quantized coefficients of a JPEG/MPEG encoder. This involves finding the optimal coefficient indices in the form of (run, size) pairs. By employing an interactive process including this search for optimal coefficient indices, joint improvement of run-length coding, Huffman coding and quantization table selection may be achieved. Additionally, the compression of quantized DC coefficients may also be improved using a trellis-structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Slipstream Data Inc.
    Inventors: En-hui Yang, Longji Wang
  • Patent number: 7555164
    Abstract: An exemplary method for estimating pixel values of displayed images captured by an image capture device comprises determining a status of a pixel of a displayed image based on a confidence value for the pixel and a comparison of an estimated value and a direct sampling value of the pixel, determining whether the pixel is obstructed based at least in part on the status and the confidence value, determining whether to update a pixel value of the pixel based at least in part on the status and whether the pixel is obstructed, repeating the determining steps for other pixels of the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: I-Jong Lin
  • Patent number: 7545966
    Abstract: Methods are described for efficient reconstruction of MRI data. In one practice, new reconstruction algorithms for non-uniformly sampled k-space data are presented. In the disclosed algorithms, Iterative Next-Neighbor re-Gridding (INNG) and Block INNG (BINNG), iterative procedures are performed using larger rescaled matrices than the target grid matrix In BINNG algorithm, the sampled k-space region is partitioned into several blocks and the INNG algorithm is applied to each block. In another practice, a novel partial spiral reconstruction (PFSR) uses an estimated phase map from a low-resolution image reconstructed from the central k-space data and performs iterations, similar to the iterative procedures with INNG, with an imposed phase constraint. According to yet another practice, an off-resonance correction is performed on matrices that are smaller than the full image matrix. All these methods reduce the computational costs while rendering high-quality reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Lewin, Hisamoto Moriguchi, Jeffrey L. Duerk, Brian M. Dale
  • Patent number: 7515757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing storage space in a storage medium of digital terminal equipment for data storage according to the prioritized pixel transmission method, wherein multiple files with pixel groups sorted according to priorities are saved to the storage medium, wherein the method comprises the following steps: definition of a lower priority threshold value and an upper priority threshold value, wherein the priority threshold values indirectly indicate how much information content of a file is stored on the storage medium, storage of files in the form of their pixel groups with the highest priority down to a priority corresponding to the selected lower priority threshold value until the available storage space of the storage medium has been filled, increasing of the lower priority threshold value by one priority level; deletion of all pixel groups with a lower priority than that of the current priority threshold value on the storage medium, use of the freed storage space in the stor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Mossakowski
  • Patent number: 7515760
    Abstract: A picture-data compression system for compressing inputted multiple picture data includes a storage device that stores the multiple picture data; a selection controller that writes the multiple picture data into the storage device and reads the multiple picture data from the storage device; a pixel-number converter that converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device; and an inter-picture predictive coding unit that codes the picture data whose number of pixels is converted by the pixel-number converter by inter-picture predictive coding. The selection controller reads the picture data written to the storage device at a period of 1/n (positive integer) times the frame period or field period of the picture data. The pixel-number converter converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device to 1/m times (positive integer) the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotomo Sai, Daisuke Yoshida, Tadasu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7508997
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for video sample interpolation with edge sharpening, whereby edge sharpness can be essentially preserved and/or enhanced in the interpolated image. Image interpolation for an original two dimensional image is conducted along the horizontal and vertical directions separately using a 1D digital filter. In interpolating a new sample in the image, the digital filter is first used to obtain a temporary interpolation value for the new sample. Then, an appropriate amount of edge enhancement is calculated for the new sample location. The enhancement value is combined with the temporary interpolation value to result in a final interpolation value for the new sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianglin Wang, Yeong-Taeg Kim