Patents Examined by Jean W. Desir
  • Patent number: 9342883
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to assess a resolution of an optical sensor. The method includes placing a target at a distance from a focal plane of the optical sensor. The target is oriented in a first orientation and includes a grid and a plurality of test objects having different sizes and orientations. An image of the target is acquired from the optical sensor. The target grid in the acquired image is identified. Each test object of the plurality of test objects is identified using the identified grid and an orientation of the identified test object is determined. The determined orientations of the identified test objects of the plurality of test objects are compared to a ground truth and presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: David W Dommett, Alan R Pinkus, Harry Lee Task
  • Patent number: 9322785
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a 3D model of and/or detecting inclusions in a polished gemstone such as diamond is described. The gemstone (103) is rotated in a series of discrete increments. At each rotational position of the gemstone, the gemstone (103) is illuminated with collimated light (111,112) and a silhouette image recorded. At each rotational position, the gemstone (103) is also (before further rotation) illuminated with diffuse light (109), and a diffuse image recorded. The images are analyzed to obtain a 3D model of the surface of the gemstone. Features may then be identified in the diffuse images and tracked between subsequent diffuse images. The tracked features may be located relative to the 3D model of the gemstone, taking into account reflection and refraction of light rays by the gemstone. Some or all of the located features may then be identified as inclusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.
    Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Graham Ralph Powell
  • Patent number: 9325987
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a signal, comprising: a combiner (103, 303) configured to combine the received signal to be monitored with an impairment signal; a signal spectrum analyzer (105, 305) configured to analyze spectrum of a signal output from the combiner (103, 303) upon receiving a trigger signal; a signal quality analyzer (108, 308) configured to analyze the signal output from the combiner and output a signal quality factor; a trigger generator (110, 310) configured to monitor the signal quality factor and output the trigger signal upon detecting the signal quality factor below a trigger threshold level; and an impairment simulator (112, 312) configured to generate the impairment signal and an impairment scaler (113, 313) configured to scale the impairment signal and input the scaled impairment signal to the combiner (103, 303).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED DIGITAL BROADCAST S.A.
    Inventors: Piotr Grzelka, Krzysztof Goraczkowski, Adam Macugowski
  • Patent number: 9319673
    Abstract: A system for analyzing video signals generated by an imaging modality is disclosed. The system includes a video signal input port to which a signal output of the imaging modality being can be connected. Additionally, there is a central processor that includes an analog input module, a signal analysis module, and a data communications module. A plurality of video signal parameters may be measurable from the video signal by the signal analysis module. The system also includes a data output port that is linked to the data communications module of the central processor, which is connectable to an external device for transferring the measure signal parameters thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ampronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Nausser Fathollahi
  • Patent number: 9318072
    Abstract: An operation method of a display driver includes generating a count value by counting a period of a synchronization signal related to a synchronization packet received from a host, receiving a mode change command from the host, the mode change command indicating a change from a video mode transmitting first image data to a display by bypassing a frame memory to a command mode transmitting second image data to the display through the frame memory, and generating an internal synchronization signal having a period substantially equal to the period of the synchronization signal by using the count value based on the mode change command after a last pulse of the synchronization signal is generated. A time interval between the last pulse and a first pulse of the internal synchronization signal is equal to the period of the synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi Ho Cha, Sang Kyu Lee, Hyun-Chul Lee, Jong Seon Kim, Hyo Jin Kim, Hak-Seong Lee, Seung Jin In, Hyon Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 9319513
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatic un-muting of a telephone call. A muted telephone of a user is automatically un-muted during a telephone call by evaluating whether the user is facing the telephone while speaking during the telephone call. The telephone can optionally be automatically muted when the user stops speaking and is not facing the telephone. A telephone call of a user can also be processed by evaluating whether the user is facing the telephone while speaking during the telephone call; and providing a message to the user indicating that the telephone is muted if the user is facing the telephone while speaking during the telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shang Q. Guo, Paul J. Landsberg, Jonathan Lenchner, Maharaj Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 9313421
    Abstract: A system and method for delaying a first version of a video feed from a video camera according to a first delay to generate a second version of the feed, supplying the first version to an insertion system, wherein the insertion system inserts an indicia into the first version to create an enhanced version with a second delay substantially matching the first delay and supplying the enhanced version and the second version to a production switcher, wherein the enhanced version and the second version supplied to the production switcher are synchronized with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Nikhil Deshpande, Ximin Gong, Peter A. von Kaenel, James W. Appleby, II, Randy W. Sills, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9311341
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a stored photographic image and metadata associated with the stored image, wherein the metadata includes a location and an orientation of a camera when the stored image was captured. The method further identifies a target photographic image to be requested, wherein a description of the target image is derived from the metadata of the stored image and includes a target location and a target orientation. The method monitors the location of a plurality of mobile communication devices and, in response to determining that a first mobile communication device is proximate to the target location, notifies the first mobile communication device of a request to capture the target photographic image, wherein the request includes the target location and the target direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Christopher J. Hardee, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9298746
    Abstract: A computer program product includes program instructions executable by a processor to perform a method including identifying a stored photographic image and metadata associated with the stored image, wherein the metadata includes a location and an orientation of a camera when the stored image was captured. The method identifies a target photographic image to be requested, wherein a description of the target image is derived from the metadata of the stored image and includes a target location and a target orientation. The method monitors the location of a plurality of mobile communication devices and, in response to determining that a first mobile communication device is proximate to the target location, notifies the first mobile communication device of a request to capture the target photographic image, wherein the request includes the target location and the target direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Cudak, Christopher J. Hardee, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 9289160
    Abstract: A device for personal identification using a dorsal band vein-pattern in preferable configuration is disclosed. The device utilizes an on-board or external camera using wired or wireless communication operating in both visible and near infrared range, a memory unit, a processor and Speeded-Up Robust Features algorithm for image acquisition, processing and comparison against the existing database of hand vein-pattern images. The matching criterion between the images to be used for the person's authentication. Device can optionally use wireless connection for image transferring and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Yaroslav Ryabov, Denis Broydo
  • Patent number: 9286655
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, jitter accompanying video resizing, can be reduced or even eliminated by analyzing the content that is to be depicted and resizing based on the nature of the content being depicted. As a result, dominant objects in one frame can be handled in a way that reduces or eliminates video jitter or sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chao Huang, Zhikai Song, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9277196
    Abstract: A method to encode high dynamic range and wide color gamut video content with a backward compatible base layer. The base layer may be an HDTV or UHDTV program with Rec.709 colorimetry coded with AVC/H.264 or HEVC/H.265. The coding method provides information for properly rendering the content on displays with a wide range of color and brightness capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: DDD IP Ventures, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin John Stec, Peshala Vishvajith Pahalawatta
  • Patent number: 9247108
    Abstract: An active shutter device for use in securely displaying content from a display to a user. The secure content is encoded as a sequence of video frames interspersed within a set of video frames, at least some of the other frames within the set including obfuscating data. The device comprises a receiver for receiving a synchronization signal, at least one shutter mechanism, and a processor. The processor, in response to the synchronization signal, controls the shutter mechanism so as to synchronize the shutter mechanism with, for example, the refresh rate or the video frame display rate of the display. The processor is configured to receive a frame sequence corresponding to the sequence of video frames used of the secure content, and control the shutter mechanism, in response to the received frame sequence, to allow only the video frames in the secure sequence to pass through the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Echostar UK Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Neale Hall, Martyn Ross Ward
  • Patent number: 9230326
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for automatic (non-manual) calibration of one or more cameras employs a tessellating calibration plate having a checkerboard tile pattern and a plurality of 2D codes embedded within the checkerboard pattern. Each 2D code encodes the (X,Y) coordinates that identify tile calibration feature locations in the pattern, and the remaining, surrounding tiles allow measurement of the corner positions as calibration features. One or more vision system camera(s) can be calibrated to a single coordinate system automatically. During calibration, an image of at least a portion of a calibration plate is acquired, the encoded data is decoded for at least one 2D code within the field of view of each camera and then the position of the field of view is determined on the calibration plate for each camera using the 2D code data and the checkerboard tile pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gang Liu
  • Patent number: 9230338
    Abstract: A method for merging graphics and high dynamic range video data is disclosed. In a video receiver, a display management process uses metadata to map input video data from a first dynamic range into the dynamic range of available graphics data. The remapped video signal is blended with the graphics data to generate a video composite signal. An inverse display management process uses the metadata to map the video composite signal to an output video signal with the first dynamic range. To alleviate perceptual tone-mapping jumps during video scene changes, a metadata transformer transforms the metadata to transformed so that on a television (TV) receiver metadata values transition smoothly between consecutive scenes. The TV receiver receives the output video signal and the transformed metadata to generate video data mapped to the dynamic range of the TV's display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timo Kunkel, Robin Atkins, Tao Chen, Samir N. Hulyalkar, Jaclyn Anne Pytlarz
  • Patent number: 9231717
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a one-segment tuner I/F that is connected to a one-segment tuner, a tuner I/F that is connected to a digital terrestrial tuner, a decoder that selectively decodes a first broadcast signal supplied from the one-segment tuner I/F and a second broadcast signal supplied from the tuner I/F, a general purpose processor that is provided separately from the decoder and decodes the first broadcast signal, and a switch unit that, based on signal intensity of the second broadcast wave, switches the decoding by the decoder between the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal while the general purpose processor is decoding the first broadcast signal. The one-segment tuner I/F, the tuner I/F, the decoder, the general purpose processor, and the switch unit are integrated on one chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hotta, Seiichi Saito, Kazushige Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 9224042
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for cross-sensor iris matching are described herein. One method includes capturing a first image of an iris using a first sensor, capturing a second image of an iris using a second sensor, and determining whether the iris in the first image matches the iris in the second image based on characteristics of the first sensor and the second sensor and image quality of the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Sharath Venkatesha, Scott McCloskey
  • Patent number: 9204121
    Abstract: The depth of one or more objects within a scene may be determined utilizing system that includes a single light source, a reflector (e.g., an ellipsoidal reflector), a shutter mechanism associated with the light source, and a camera. More particularly, the light source may output light that is directed towards the scene (a first set of light beams) and towards the reflector (a second set of light beams) utilizing the shutter mechanism. The reflector may reflect the second set of light beams towards the scene. The camera may then capture a first image that corresponds to the first set of light beams and a second image that corresponds to the second set of light beams. The depth of a particular one of the objects within the scene may be determined based at least in part on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric G. Marason, Christopher D. Coley, William Thomas Weatherford
  • Patent number: 9191700
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a hardware component for communications over a multimedia communication interface. In one embodiment, a hardware component includes a disparity circuit that stores a disparity value. The disparity value indicates the disparity between the number of “1”s and the number of “0”s previously transmitted by the hardware component. The hardware component also includes circuitry for receiving multimedia data to be scrambled, encoded and transmitted by the hardware component. In one embodiment, the multimedia data includes video data and data island data. In one embodiment, the hardware component generates transition minimized intermediate codes based on values in the guard band data included within the video data and data island data. The hardware component generates encoded guard band codes that are transition minimized as well as direct current balanced. The hardware component transmits the encoded guard band codes over a differential pair of the multimedia communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Hoon Choi, Laurence A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9189709
    Abstract: A probability at which a target object takes a target object state is acquired for each of target object states that the target object is allowed to take, and a distribution of the probabilities is acquired. A success rate is acquired, for each relative target object state being determined in advance for a position and orientation of an image capturing device, at which the target object is successfully identified from a captured image obtained by capturing the target object having the relative target object state, and a distribution of the success rates is acquired. A position and orientation that the device is to take is determined based on the distribution of the success rates acquired for each of a plurality of positions and orientations that the image capturing apparatus is allowed to take, and the distribution of the probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Saruta, Katsuhiko Mori