Patents Examined by Jimmy S Lee
  • Patent number: 9609321
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a video signal, an output for outputting the video signal to a screen, storage device or further terminal; and a concealment module for applying a concealment algorithm to a lost area of the video signal. The concealment module is configured to determine an estimate of concealment quality selectively directed toward a region of interest within the area in question, and based on this estimate to determine whether or not to apply the concealment algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David Yuheng Zhao, Sergei Nikiforov, Konrad Hofbauer, Magnus Hemmendorff, Pontus Carlsson
  • Patent number: 9609315
    Abstract: Iterative video encoding systems, methods and computer program products, where residue quantization and data packing operations of an encoding process may he repeated with various values for a quantization parameter, without repeating the determination of macroblock prediction codes. In an embodiment, the size of an actual file generated by encoding is compared to a target file size. The QP may be adjusted depending on the amount by which these file sizes differ. The quantization and packing may then be repeated with the adjusted QP. In an embodiment, a greater difference in these file sizes results in a greater adjustment to the QP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Lu, Hong Jiang, Atthar H. Mohammed, Satya N. Yedidi
  • Patent number: 9571795
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an image receiving part configured to receive an image of a target workpiece on a surface of a conveying path captured by means of the imaging unit; a position acquiring part configured to acquire a position of the target workpiece in the captured image; a tilt acquiring part configured to acquire, by using the position of the target workpiece in the captured image acquired by means of the position acquiring part, a tilt angle of an imaging plane of the imaging unit relative to the surface of conveying path; and an outputting part configured to output assistant information used for assisting in the adjustment of the posture of the imaging unit by using the acquired tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujikawa, Koji Shimada, Kakuto Shirane, Katsuhiro Shimoda, Yoshihiro Moritoki, Yasuyuki Ikeda, Takeshi Yoshiura
  • Patent number: 9495749
    Abstract: A pose detecting system includes: a marker using a microlens array; a camera; and a computer receiving a marker image. The marker includes: a lens area constituted of the microlens array and a mark array having a plurality of marks arrayed with a pitch similar to that between a plurality of lenses constituting the microlens array so as to produce a moiré pattern; and four reference points. The computer performs: determining the pose of the marker based on the four reference points; analyzing the moiré pattern so as to calculate an angle formed by the marker and a straight line connecting the center of an integrated mark that emerges at the lens area as the moiré pattern and is similar in shape to each of the plurality of marks to a viewpoint at the marker; and correcting the pose of the marker by using the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideyuki Tanaka, Yasushi Sumi, Yoshio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9485494
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to encoding and decoding stereoscopic (3D) image data, e.g., left and right eye images, are described. Various pre-encoding and post-decoding operations are described in conjunction with difference based encoding and decoding techniques. In some embodiments left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operation(s) and cropping prior to encoding. In addition, in some embodiments decoded left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operations(s) and filling operations prior to being output to a display device. Transform information and/or scaling information may be included in a bitstream communicating encoded left and right eye images. The amount of scaling can be the same for an entire scene and/or program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTVR INC.
    Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
  • Patent number: 9451258
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus for processing video data comprises a video coder configured to, for each of the one or more chrominance components, calculate a chrominance quantization parameter for a common edge between two blocks of video data based on a first luminance quantization parameter for the first block of video data, a second luminance quantization parameter for the second block of video data, and a chrominance quantization parameter offset value for the chrominance component. The video coder is further configured to determine a strength for a deblocking filter for the common edge based on the chrominance quantization parameter for the chrominance component, and apply the deblocking filter according to the determined strength to deblock the common edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Geert Van Der Auwera, Xianglin Wang, Marta Karczewicz
  • Patent number: 9446434
    Abstract: Inspection apparatus comprises a feed system for delivering a stream of articles to an imaging zone. A camera generates image data from the stream at the imaging zone for processing by a computer. The computer comprises a pattern recognition system for identifying defects in areas from the image data, and for ranking identified defects. The pattern recognition system is programmed to operate according to multiple defect criteria. The computer is also coupled to a graphical user interface to display the areas identified from the image data as thumbnails on the interface arranged according to rank of the identified defects in the areas, in each of at least two defect criteria. The areas from the generated image data will normally be defined around each identified defect with the defect central therein. These areas, or thumbnails, can overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BUHLER SORTEX LTD.
    Inventors: Gabriel Hamid, Charles Dean Mallah
  • Patent number: 9426345
    Abstract: An intruding flash is detected by a light detector in a plastic case that may be mounted adjacent to a license plate or window which is made safe from the intruding camera. The flash detector triggers a counteracting light flash. The case and electrical PC board have reflectors to capture lost light, guiding direct and indirect light to the desired surface area, increasing the invention's counteracting flash over the “target” area protected from an intruder camera. The counteracting flash is not directed at the intruding camera to blind the entire camera lens and field of view as with previous art. Instead the counter flash is directed about perpendicular to the incoming angle of the intruding flash, over exposing only that surface area within the intruder camera's full field of view to be protected from photography, preventing only that portion of the intruder camera's field of view from being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Fred John Turner, Jr., Martin John Young, Frank Strazzabonsco, James Dennis Vohlken, Michael L Rowley
  • Patent number: 9407902
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to encoding and decoding stereoscopic (3D) image data, e.g., left and right eye images, are described. Various pre-encoding and post-decoding operations are described in conjunction with difference based encoding and decoding techniques. In some embodiments left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operation(s) and cropping prior to encoding. In addition, in some embodiments decoded left and right eye image data is subject to scaling, transform operations(s) and cropping prior to being output to a display device. Transform information, scaling information and/or cropping information may be included in a bitstream communicating encoded left and right eye images. The amount of scaling can be the same for an entire scene and/or program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NEXTVR INC.
    Inventors: David Michael Cole, Alan McKay Moss
  • Patent number: 9344715
    Abstract: A method of intra prediction comprising computing a prediction block for a luma block, wherein computing the prediction block includes using a plurality of directional intra prediction modes and an angular table (angTable) comprising a plurality of entries, and wherein a value of each entry is determined via a mathematical derivation. An apparatus comprising a memory configured to store an angTable comprising a plurality of entries, wherein a value of each entry is determined via a mathematical derivation, and a processor configured to compute a prediction block for a luma block using a plurality of directional intra prediction modes and the angTable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lingzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 9300975
    Abstract: A video encoder includes a buffer, a DMA engine, a motion estimator and a motion compensator. The buffer includes four pages where macroblocks are stored. The motion estimator generates a motion vector for a given macroblock. The motion compensator applies the motion vectors generated by the motion estimator to a previously encoded frame. Each of the four pages is concurrently accessed by one of the motion estimator, the motion compensator, and a channel of the DMA engine. Simultaneously the motion compensator accesses one page of the buffer containing a first set of macroblocks, the motion estimator accesses a second page of the buffer containing a second set of macroblocks, a first DMA engine channel writes a different set of macroblocks to a third page of the buffer and a second DMA engine channel writes another set of macroblocks to a fourth page of the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shyam Jagannathan, Naveen Srinivasamurthy
  • Patent number: 9266694
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining multiple images of a sheet of material. The images contain a first line projected onto a first side of the sheet and a second line projected onto a second side of the sheet. The images include (i) at least one first image containing the first line reflected off the first side of the sheet and the second line transmitted through the sheet and (ii) at least one second image containing the second line reflected off the second side of the sheet and the first line transmitted through the sheet. The method also includes identifying at least one point of intersection in the images where the lines intersect on the sheet. The method further includes identifying a caliper of the sheet using the at least one point of intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Shakespeare, Taria T. Shakespeare
  • Patent number: 9250193
    Abstract: A system is described for obtaining images of a gemstone, and performing quantitative analysis on the images to obtain measures of properties of the gemstone. The system comprises a support structure for supporting the gemstone at an observation position. An illumination structure is arranged to illuminate the gemstone. The illumination structure comprises a plurality of radially dispersed directional light sources directed towards the observation position, the support structure and illumination system being rotatable relative to one another around a rotation axis so that the gemstone can be illuminated by one or more of the directional light sources at each of a plurality of rotational positions, the axis of rotation being normal to a selected facet of the gemstone. An imaging device is directed towards the gemstone for obtaining images of the gemstone at each of the rotational positions, the imaging device having an imaging axis parallel to or coincident with the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.
    Inventor: James Gordon Charters Smith
  • Patent number: 9204108
    Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring system is provided, in which by matching a behavior of a semitransparent tire image with an operation from a driver's viewpoint, a feeling of strangeness is reduced, an intuitive space perception is assisted and also a moving direction and a behavior of a vehicle can be easily perceived. In a side-view monitor system an image processing controller converts a real camera image including a blind spot into an image to be viewed from a driver's viewpoint to generate a blind spot image, and superimposes a semitransparent vehicle image which is obtained by making a vehicle viewed from the driver's viewpoint semitransparent and a semitransparent tire image which is obtained by making a tire semitransparent and displaying a behavior following a handle operation viewed from the driver's viewpoint on the blind spot image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Satoh, Katsuichi Ishii
  • Patent number: 9172970
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to selecting an inter frame candidate for encoding. In particular, one or more previous motion vectors for a current block and a zero valued motion vector are selected. At least one of the one or more previously determined motion vectors is generated for a neighboring block in a current frame. Additionally, an estimated motion vector is determined based at least in part on a sum of absolute difference (SAD) calculation and a penalty value. A cost value for each of the one or more previous motion vectors, the zero valued motion vector and the estimated motion vector are calculated based at least in part on a sum of squared differences (SSD) calculation. Accordingly, a motion vector with a lowest cost value is selected from the one or more previous motion vectors, the zero motion vector and the estimated motion vector as an inter frame candidate for encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Juha Pekka Maaninen
  • Patent number: 9001204
    Abstract: On the basis of the illumination output from the illumination estimation unit (3), a necessary image storage time calculation unit (4) calculates the time required for storing the image in order to acquire the contrast to make image recognition possible. A possible image storage time calculation unit (8) calculates a time in which image storage is feasible using the vehicle speed acquired from a vehicle information acquisition section (7). A recognition possibility determination unit (5) compares the required image storage time and the feasible image storage time, and determines whether or not it is possible to carry out image recognition. If the recognition possibility determination unit (5) determines that recognition is possible, a synthesis of the acquired image data is accumulated/superimposed to generate an image with improved contrast that is displayed on a display device (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisaya Fukuda