Patents Examined by Janese Duley
  • Patent number: 10489928
    Abstract: An image processing system for inspecting object distance and dimensions is disclosed. A calibrated hand-held camera with an integrated collimated laser is deployed in order to capture input images. The images are then processed in order to determine the object distance and related parameters such as displacements and surface dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Librestream Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Radeon Shamilov, Scott Brewer
  • Patent number: 10484705
    Abstract: A predicted signal generation unit provided in a video predictive encoding device estimates a zero-th motion vector for derivation of a zero-th predicted signal, selects a zero-th motion vector predictor similar to the zero-th motion vector, and generates zero-th side information containing a zero-th motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector predictor and a motion vector difference determined from the zero-th motion vector and the zero-th motion vector predictor. The video predictive encoding device selects a motion vector for generation of a first predicted signal having a high correlation with a target region, generates first side information containing a first motion vector predictor index to identify the motion vector as a first motion vector predictor, sets the first motion vector predictor to a first motion vector, and combines the zero-th and first predicted signals to generate a predicted signal of the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Suzuki, Choong Seng Boon
  • Patent number: 10484616
    Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of a scene, detecting a face in a section of the scene from the first image, and activating an infrared (IR) light source to selectively illuminate the section of the scene with IR light. The IR light source includes an array of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method includes capturing a second image of the scene under selective IR lighting from the IR light source, detecting the face in the second image, and identifying a person based on the face in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Quint Van Voorst-Vader, Yourii Martynov, Charles Schrama
  • Patent number: 10477182
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to coding a multi-view signal, which includes processing a list of plurality of motion vector candidates associated with a coding block of a current picture in a dependent view of the multi-view signal. Such processing includes estimating a first motion vector based on a second motion vector associated with a reference block in a current picture of a reference view of the multi-view signal, the reference block corresponding to the coding block of the current picture in the dependent view. The first motion vector is added into the list, and an index is used that specifies at least one candidate from the list to be used for motion-compensated prediction. The coding block in the current picture is coded by performing the motion-compensated prediction based on the at least one candidate indicated by the index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GE VIDEO COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventors: Heiko Schwarz, Thomas Wiegand
  • Patent number: 10469745
    Abstract: The technology relates to transitioning between panoramic imagery and the imagery from which the panoramic imagery was generated. Individual images of a portion of a scene may be combined to create a panoramic image of the entire scene. The individual images may be associated with the portion of the panoramic image which they form. The full panoramic image may then be displayed. Based on user input, a portion of the panoramic image may be zoomed-in on, and the individual image associated with that portion of the panoramic image may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Robert Anderson, Carlos Hernandez Esteban
  • Patent number: 10466465
    Abstract: A biological specimen observation apparatus whereby observation of a biological specimen can be performed accurately. In macro observation, a biological change region is extracted from a macro image, a micro observation point corresponding to an extracted biological change region is registered, and an object for tracking is identified. In micro observation, it is judged from the micro image whether or not biological change has continued in the biological change region at the micro observation point, and the registered micro observation point is updated on the basis of this judgment result. It is possible to carry out both macro observation for detecting a biological change region and micro observation for observing the progress of growth of a partial minute region where biological change has been exhibited, and to carry out accurate observation of a biological specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Kuroda, Hirotada Watanabe, Yoichi Wada, Yasujiro Kiyota, Takayuki Uozumi, Ryuji Koshiba
  • Patent number: 10462363
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a plurality of first image capturing optical system facing different directions. Each of the first image capturing optical systems includes a reflective element configured to bend an optical path to an image sensor. Optical paths in the first image capturing optical systems intersect with one another on an object side of each reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohei Uemura
  • Patent number: 10455670
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a network video camera device. Specifically, various techniques and systems are provided for embodiments of a network video camera with a blocking mechanism for privacy and control of the blocking mechanism. Embodiments of the present invention include a network video capture device. The network video capture device comprises a lens connected to a housing; a blocking mechanism, wherein the a blocking mechanism is configured to selectively block the lens from capturing video images, and wherein the blocking mechanism includes a physical body; an indication device, wherein the indication device is configured to provide visible feedback that the lens is blocked; and a circuit board having a data processor, a wireless transceiver, and a memory configured to store a customizable setting associated with the blocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ohad Zeira, Thorben Neu, Jon Plummer, Dale Honda, Steve Lane, Joseph August, Peter Taylor, Oliver Duncan Seil, Michael Wick, Paer Saangloef, Matt Glidden, Francis Michael Kelly
  • Patent number: 10455236
    Abstract: An intra-frame decoding method is provided. The method includes: obtaining, from a video code stream, prediction mode information of a first signal component of a current block, determining a prediction mode of the first signal component of the current block from a prediction mode set of the first signal component of the current block according to the prediction mode information of the first signal component of the current block, where the prediction mode set of the first signal component of the current block includes at least one of a linear model above (LMA) mode and a linear model left (LML) mode, obtaining a predicted value of a first signal component sampling point of the current block, and obtaining a reconstructed value of the first signal component sampling point of the current block according to the predicted value of the first signal component sampling point of the current block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xingyu Zhang, Oscar Au, Haitao Yang, Jiantong Zhou
  • Patent number: 10440358
    Abstract: A video coding or decoding method using inter-image prediction to encode input video data in which each chrominance component has 1/Mth of the horizontal resolution of the luminance component and 1/Nth of the vertical resolution of the luminance component, where M and N are integers equal to 1 or more, comprises: storing one or more images preceding a current image; interpolating a higher resolution version of prediction units of the stored images; detecting inter-image motion between a current image and the one or more interpolated stored images so as to generate motion vectors between a prediction unit of the current image and areas of the one or more preceding images; and generating a motion compensated prediction of the prediction unit of the current image with respect to an area of an interpolated stored image pointed to by a respective motion vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: James Alexander Gamei, Nicholas Ian Saunders, Karl James Sharman, Paul James Silcock
  • Patent number: 10438337
    Abstract: A system and method for providing active real-time characterization of an article under test. A first scan assembly moves an infrared light source and an first visible light source so that a beam of coherent infrared light and a first beam of visible light move across a surface of an article under test in a raster pattern. A second scan assembly moves a visible light camera, a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera, an infrared second harmonic generation camera, and the sum-frequency camera so that each camera receives a respective predetermined return beam of light from the surface of the article under test. A processor receives signals from each camera and generates an image of mechanical properties of the surface of the article under test based on such signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10430936
    Abstract: An active real-time characterization system for identifying the presence of surface contaminants on to an outer surface of an article under test. Infrared and visible light sources controllably output a beam of coherent light directed at a particular area on the article under test, the infrared light source having an optical parametric oscillator coupled to an optical parametric amplifier. A series of cameras, including a visible light camera, a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera, an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum-frequency camera and a third-order camera each include an associated filter system and are each configured to receive return beams of light at predetermined frequencies controlled by the filter system. A processor determines whether the received signals have a spectral response that is different from a baseline spectral response thereby indicating that contaminants exist on the surface of the article under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10432908
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying an image across a plurality of displays are described herein. Pixel intensity values in the multifocal display are determined using correlation values and numerical iterations. An eye tracking system measures eye tracking information about a position of a user's eye, and the pixel intensity values are modified based on the eye tracking information. An image is displayed on the plurality of displays based on the determined pixel intensity values. The plurality of displays may be within an HMD, and address vergence accommodation conflict by simulating retinal defocus blur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Olivier Mercier, Yusufu Njoni Bamaxam Sulai, Kevin James MacKenzie, Marina Zannoli, James Hillis, Derek Nowrouzezahrai, Douglas Robert Lanman
  • Patent number: 10425619
    Abstract: A vehicular control system includes a plurality of cameras, a radar device and a central electronic control unit. The vehicular control system is operable to fuse image data captured by at least one of the cameras with radar data sensed by the radar device. The central electronic control unit is operable to at least partially control the vehicle. Threat recognition/evaluation by a threat recognizer/evaluator of the central electronic control unit and risk assessment by a risk assessor of the central electronic control unit is responsive, at least in part, to (i) image data captured by at least one of the cameras, (ii) radar data sensed by the radar device and (iii) map data associated with a current geographical location of the vehicle. The central electronic control unit, responsive at least in part to threat recognition/evaluation and risk assessment, controls braking of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolaus Dellantoni, Bernhard Schinkowitsch, André Schoenekaes, Axel Nix, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10420500
    Abstract: A hand held imaging device for measuring characteristics of hair and scalp, comprising a housing with a high magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of surface characteristics of hair fibers, said high magnification optic comprising a first lens and a first light source, and a low magnification optic for obtaining magnified images of the scalp and hair, said low magnification optic comprising a second lens and a second light source, wherein the high magnification optic has a fixed focal length and a slot for locating hair fibers in frame such that the hair fibers are in focus and wherein the device further comprises a viewing means, selected from an integral viewing means, an external viewing means and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joanne Louise Cook, Myriam Fessi, Mark Robert Florence, Abid Iftikhar, Jamie Gordon Nichol
  • Patent number: 10424076
    Abstract: A method can include generating reference image data representing a field of view of an interior of a fuel tank, and generating active image data representing the field of view of the interior of the fuel tank when the fuel tank contains fuel. The method can further include producing, by a processing device, a fuel measurement value representing an amount of fuel contained in the fuel tank based on the reference image data and the active image data, and outputting, by the processing device, an indication of the fuel measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Radoslaw Zakrzewski, Mark Sherwood Miller, Michael A. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10424056
    Abstract: An active real-time characterization system for monitoring the absorption and/or curing rate of a chemical substance applied to an outer surface of an article under test. Infrared and visible light sources controllably output a pulsed beam of coherent light directed at a particular area on the article under test where the chemical substance has been applied. A series of cameras, including a visible light camera, a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera, an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum-frequency camera and a third-order camera are configured to receive return beams of light. A processor controls the pulse rate of the light sources and the first visible light source and processes the signals received from the cameras to determine when the chemical substance applied to the outer surface of the article under test has been absorbed or has cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10424057
    Abstract: An active real-time characterization system for detecting unwanted elements and/or physical imperfections on a semiconductor wafer during manufacturing. Infrared and visible light sources output beams of coherent light directed at a particular area on the semiconductor wafer via associated polarizing control elements. A series of cameras, including a visible light camera, a visible light second harmonic generation camera, an infrared camera, an infrared second harmonic generation camera, a sum-frequency camera and a third-order camera are configured to receive return beams of light via associated polarizing control elements. The polarizing control elements include a polarizer, a quarter wave plate and/or a half wave plate. A processor processes the signals received from the cameras to detect unwanted elements and/or physical imperfections on the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10419750
    Abstract: A video coding or decoding method in which luminance and chrominance samples in a 4:4:4 format or a 4:2:2 format are predicted from other respective samples according to a prediction direction associated with blocks of samples to be predicted; comprises detecting a prediction direction in respect of a current block to be predicted; generating a predicted block of chrominance samples according to other chrominance samples defined by the prediction direction; if the detected prediction direction is substantially vertical, filtering the left column of samples in the predicted block of chrominance samples, or if the detected prediction direction is substantially horizontal, filtering the top row of samples in the predicted block of chrominance samples; and encoding a difference between the filtered predicted chrominance block and the actual chrominance block or applying a decoded difference to the filtered predicted chrominance block so as to encode or decode the block respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: James Alexander Gamei, Nicholas Ian Saunders, Karl James Sharman, Paul James Silcock
  • Patent number: 10413186
    Abstract: A neural imaging system may include an imaging array, an image data processor operably coupled to the imaging array to process image data received from the imaging array, and a beam angle separator disposed between the imaging array and an object being imaged. The beam angle separator may be configured to separate an object beam reflected from the object being imaged into a plurality of reference beams each having different angular separation with respect to the object beam. The image data processor may be configured to generate image data of the object for each one of the reference beams to correspond to a respective different depth within the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: David W. Blodgett, Mark A. Chevillet, Michael P. McLoughlin