Patents Examined by James Pontius
  • Patent number: 9759343
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within the field of view. The processor is operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive image data from the image sensor and is configured to: capture an image of a drip chamber using an image sensor; compare the image of a drip chamber with a dynamic background image; and adjust a flow rate of fluid flowing through the fluid line in accordance with the comparison between the image of the drip chamber and the dynamic background image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9754172
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object detection device includes an image capturing unit, a detection area setting unit, an image conversion unit, a three-dimensional object detection unit, a reference image area setting unit, a contour information extraction unit, a reference sharpness calculation unit and a subject sharpness calculation unit. The image conversion unit converts a viewpoint of an image obtained by the image capturing unit to create a bird's-eye view image. The reference image area unit sets a reference image area for extracting contour information by the contour information extraction unit. The reference sharpness calculation unit calculates a reference sharpness using contour information of the reference image area. The subject sharpness calculation unit calculates a subject sharpness using contour information of the detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hayakawa, Osamu Fukata
  • Patent number: 9746093
    Abstract: A flow meter includes an image sensor and a processor. The image sensor is configured to capture an image of a drip chamber. The processor is configured to determine whether the captured image of the drip chamber contains a match to a template, and to apply a blurring function to the image captured by the image sensor of the drip chamber such that the processor can determine if the captured image contains a match to the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9746094
    Abstract: A flow meter includes a first image sensor, a background pattern, and at least one processor. The first image sensor has a first field of view and is positioned to view a drip chamber within the first field of view. The background pattern is positioned within the field of view of the first image sensor, and the background pattern includes first and second portions. The processor is operatively coupled to the first image sensor and configured to: receive a first image from the first image sensor, and estimate at least one parameter of liquid within the drip chamber in accordance with a distortion of the background pattern caused by the liquid as indicated by the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9724465
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data therefrom. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9724467
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data thereform. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9724466
    Abstract: An flow meter includes a coupler, a support member, an image sensor, and one or more processors. The coupler is adapted to couple to a drip chamber. The support member is operatively coupled to the coupler. The image sensor has a field of view and is operatively coupled to the support member. The image sensor is positioned to view the drip chamber within its field of view. The one or more processors are operatively coupled to the image sensor to receive data thereform. The one or more processors (1) receive image data from the image sensor, and (2) determine an existence of a free flow condition by identifying an optical distortion of an area behind the free flow condition within the drip chamber using the received image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9727963
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide improved navigation through tubular networks such as lung airways by providing improved estimation of location and orientation information of a medical instrument (e.g., an endoscope) within the tubular network. Various input data such as image data, EM data, and robot data are used by different algorithms to estimate the state of the medical instrument, and the state information is used to locate a specific site within a tubular network and/or to determine navigation information for what positions/orientations the medical instrument should travel through to arrive at the specific site. Probability distributions together with confidence values are generated corresponding to different algorithms are used to determine the medical instrument's estimated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Auris Surgical Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Mintz, Atiyeh Ghoreyshi, Prasanth Jeevan, Yiliang Xu, Gehua Yang, Matthew Joseph Leotta, Charles V. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9723313
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for encoding and decoding videos, and relate to the communication field, and an efficient transformation matrix corresponding to features of each residual block is selected for transformation, which therefore improves encoding efficiency. The solution provided in an embodiment of the present invention is: generating a prediction residual according to input video data; selecting a set of best transformation matrixes among multiple candidate transformation matrixes according to an intra-frame prediction mode and rate-distortion criteria to perform transform-coding on the prediction residual and obtain a transformation result; and generating an encoded stream according to the transformation result and selected transformation matrix index information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingyuan Yang, Dong Wang, Lianhuan Xiong, Xin Zhao, Li Zhang, Siwei Ma, Wen Gao
  • Patent number: 9715100
    Abstract: Regarding a blade inspection system, each of endo scope guide devices for a borescope has an insertion portion guide tube for guiding an insertion portion and a first fixing portion which is provided on the insertion portion guide tube and fixes the insertion portion guide tube in a corresponding external access port. When the insertion portion is attached into the insertion portion guide tube, lengths of extending portions of the endoscope guide devices are different between the plurality of endoscope guide devices extending from the corresponding external access port so that a position for observing a predetermined portion of a blade by an observation optical system of the insertion portion comes to a position determined in advance for each of the corresponding external access ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Konomura, Eiichi Kobayashi, Fumio Hori
  • Patent number: 9709992
    Abstract: A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality by optimizing the control of autopilot and auto-throttle functions and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of iteratively controlling the autopilot and auto-throttle during all phases of flight and of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV, LPV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, Shahram Askarpour
  • Patent number: 9681091
    Abstract: A system and method as described herein involve materially improving the quality of encoded content generated on systems or platforms such as remote or CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) platforms. An aspect of the described system and method comprises profiling the source content, for example, on a per title basis, and generating profile information as a set of metadata that reflects the optimal transcoding parameters. This metadata is transmitted along with the content to be transcoded to the remote device which can then perform a superior process on the content, compared to a generic non-hinted transcode. Other aspects of the described system and method comprise separation of profiling analysis from the actual transcoding at a remote location, and encapsulation of profile information with the program content for delivery to the remote premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Elliott
  • Patent number: 9676095
    Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed for optical analysis of a biological specimen. In at least one embodiment, the analyzer includes optics which includes a camera, intermediate optics and front optics. The intermediate optics is movably arranged and the front optics is fixedly arranged. An analyzer for optical analysis of a biological specimen, in at least one embodiment includes a robot for transporting a slide to be analyzed. The robot is controlled by at least three motors to allow movement of the robot in three dimensions. The robot includes a handling device configured to grip the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: CELLAVISION AB
    Inventors: Jan Nilsson, Hans Bengtsson, Ragnar Segersten, Conny Gillström
  • Patent number: 9668000
    Abstract: A method of decoding video, the method including receiving and parsing a bitstream which includes encoded video; extracting encoded image data relating to a current picture, which image data is assigned to at least one maximum coding unit, information relating to a coded depth and an encoding mode for each of the at least one maximum coding unit, and filter coefficient information for performing loop filtering on the current picture, from the bitstream; decoding the encoded image data in units of the at least one maximum coding unit, based on the information relating to the coded depth and the encoding mode for each of the at least one maximum coding unit; and performing deblocking on the decoded image data relating to the current picture, and performing loop filtering on the deblocked data, based on continuous one-dimensional (1D) filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tammy Lee, Woo-Jin Han, Il-Koo Kim
  • Patent number: 9667981
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to rate control aspects for content transcoding. A rate control scheme for transcoding is disclosed that is considerate of quantization parameters related to an encoded input content stream and when transcoding the input content stream into an output content stream. Quantization parameters can be determined for an encoded input content stream by parsing the stream. These can be combined with a rate-distortion model for transcoding to determine transcoding quantization parameters. Further, iteratively applying the derived rate-distortion model to windows of frames during transcoding can facilitate real-time two-pass transcoding. Window size can be based on buffer constraints. Moreover, a sliding window buffer check scheme can be employed to avoid buffer constraint violations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Long Xu, Sam Tak Wu Kwong
  • Patent number: 9661302
    Abstract: A depth information acquisition apparatus acquires depth information of a subject by using two real space images, each having a different blur value, that are obtained by capturing a subject with different imaging parameters. A processor and a memory store instructions that cause the processor to perform converting the two real space images into two frequency space images, each having a frequency including at least one frequency ingredient and an amplitude. A frequency space phase image is generated for each of the frequency space images by dividing each frequency ingredient by the amplitude of each respective frequency space image using a frequency. Frequency space correlation value information representing a correlation value for each frequency between the frequencies of the two frequency space phase images is calculated. The frequency space correlation value information is converted into real space correlation value information having a peak maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9651499
    Abstract: This invention provides a trigger for a vision system that can be set using a user interface that allows the straightforward variation of a plurality of exposed trigger parameters. Illustratively, the vision system includes a triggering mode in which the system keeps acquiring an image of a field of view with respect to objects in relative motion. The system runs user-configurable “trigger logic”. When the trigger logic succeeds/passes, the current image or a newly acquired image is then transmitted to the main inspection logic for processing. The trigger logic can be readily configured by a user operating an interface, which can also be used to configure the main inspection process, to trigger the vision system by tools such as presence-absence, edge finding, barcode finding, pattern matching, image thresholding, or any arbitrary combination of tools exposed by the vision system in the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tyson Mahuna
  • Patent number: 9654138
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for explicit updates for symbol probabilities of an entropy encoder or decoder. An apparatus includes a video encoder having an entropy encoder for encoding symbols for picture data for at least a portion of a picture. An explicit update function is used to update probabilities of the symbols processed by the entropy encoder. The explicit update function at least one of is truncated at a threshold value and has a varying rate of adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING DTV
    Inventors: Joel Sole, Xiaoan Lu, Peng Yin, Qian Xu, Yunfei Zheng
  • Patent number: 9654769
    Abstract: Three dimensional (3-D) program content viewing system in a media environment with different media presentation devices detects a first synchronization signal transmitted from a first synchronization signal source, wherein the first synchronization signal is associated with first 3-D program content and includes a first signal identifier. The system detects a second synchronization signal transmitted from a second synchronization signal source, wherein the second synchronization signal is associated with second 3-D program content and includes a second signal identifier. The system then receives a selection of one of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal and discriminates between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal based upon the first signal identifier and the second signal identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon Richardson, Stephen Strong, Eric Holley, Frederick Tuck, Grant Turpin
  • Patent number: 9635388
    Abstract: Provided is a moving image encoding device including an encoding unit which includes: a local decoding image signal generating unit; a filtering unit; and a control unit configured to divide a screen of the local decoding image signal, in a horizontal or a vertical direction, into a first area serving as the overlapping boundary areas, a second area adjacent to the first area, and other areas, to encode the first area of the first small image and the second area of the second small image with a same encoding parameter, to encode the second area of the first small image and the first area of the second small image with a same encoding parameter, and to perform orthogonal transform on the second area of the first small image and the first area of the second small image in the unit of the orthogonal transform block of the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kurashige