Patents Examined by John Strege
  • Patent number: 8913800
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered beneath a surface of the purported skin site is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lumidigm, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 8903196
    Abstract: This invention involves time domain interpolation of video signals. In order to adjust the presentation speed of a video data stream, a plurality of video frames is temporarily stored in a frame buffer, and the video frame to be displayed is generated by time domain interpolation between a plurality of the stored frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Akira Osamoto, Hiroki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8903180
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for security screening image analysis simplification through object pattern identification. Popular consumer electronics and other items are scanned in a control system, which creates an electronic signature for each known object. The system may reduce the signature to a hash value and place each signature for each known object in a “known good” storage set. For example, popular mobile phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and the like may be scanned for the known good signature database. At the time of scan, such as at an airport, objects in a bag may be rotated to a common axis alignment and transformed to the same signature or hash value to match against the known good signature database. If an item matches, the scanning system marks it as a known safe object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joaquin Madruga, Barry L. Minor, Michael A. Paolini
  • Patent number: 8897514
    Abstract: The invention concerns a system and method for generating a 3D imaging data set of an object or of at least two elements, including: obtaining a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in a first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position, moving at least one of the elements and/or deforming the object to have a second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position, different from the first shape, first absolute position, or first relative position; obtaining a 2D data set of the object or the at least two elements while in the second shape, second absolute position, or second relative position; and calculating a 3D image data set of the object or the at least two elements in the second shape, absolute, or relative position using said 2D image data set and said 3D image data set. The method also may be performed by obtaining the 2D image data set in the first position and obtaining the 3D image data set in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Brainlab AG, AO Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas Feikas, Matthias Brundobler, Stephen J. Ferguson, Paul Thistlethwaite
  • Patent number: 8897486
    Abstract: Character identity recognition is applied to identify text strings corresponding to character identities in a written work. The textual strings are grouped according to character identity and, from each group, a primary name is selected. A significance value may be calculated for each of the character identities. The character identities including the primary names are presented in a catalog based on the calculated significance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Killalea, Janna S. Hamaker, Eugene Kalenkovich
  • Patent number: 8897505
    Abstract: An embodiment provides for enabling retrieval of a collection of captured images that form at least a portion of a library of images. For each image in the collection, a captured image may be analyzed to recognize information from image data contained in the captured image, and an index may be generated, where the index data is based on the recognized information. Using the index, functionality such as search and retrieval is enabled. Various recognition techniques, including those that use the face, clothing, apparel, and combinations of characteristics may be utilized. Recognition may be performed on, among other things, persons and text carried on objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Salih Burak Gokturk, Dragomir Anguelov, Vincent Vanhoucke, Kuang-Chih Lee, Diem Vu, Danny Yang, Munjal Shah, Azhar Khan
  • Patent number: 8897504
    Abstract: A processor-based system operating according to digitally-embedded programming instructions performs a method including identifying a group of pixels corresponding to a face region within digital image data acquired by an image acquisition device. A set of face analysis parameter values is extracted from said face region, including a faceprint associated with the face region. First and second reference faceprints are determined for a person using reference images captured respectively in predetermined face-portrait conditions and using ambient conditions. The faceprints are analyzed to determine a baseline faceprint and a range of variability from the baseline associated with the person. Results of the analyzing are stored and used in subsequent recognition of the person in a subsequent image acquired under ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky, Petronel Bigioi, Mihai Ciuc, Stefanita Ciurel, Constantin Vertan
  • Patent number: 8897503
    Abstract: A representation framework is determined in a face recognition method for a first collection of facial images including at least principle component analysis (PCA) features. A representation of said first collection is stored using the representation framework. A modified representation framework is determined based on statistical properties of original facial image samples of a second collection of facial images and the stored representation of the first collection. The first and second collections are combined without using original facial image samples. A representation of the combined image collection (super-collection) is stored using the modified representation framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Peter Corcoran, Gabriel N. Costache
  • Patent number: 8885919
    Abstract: A failure analysis apparatus 1A is provided with a voltage applying unit 14 for applying a bias voltage to a semiconductor device S, an imaging device 18 for acquiring an image, and an image processing unit 30 for performing image processing, and the imaging device 18 acquires a plurality of analysis images each including a thermal image in a voltage applied state and a plurality of background images in a voltage non-applied state. The image processing unit 30 includes an imaging position calculating section 32 for calculating an imaging position of each of the analysis images and the background images, an image classifying section 33 for classifying the analysis images and the background images into N image groups based on a region division unit prepared for the imaging position, and a difference image generating section 34 for generating difference images between the analysis images and the background images individually for N image groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Tomochika Takeshima
  • Patent number: 8879869
    Abstract: A method of automatically determining a need to service a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes analyzing pixels within one or more acquired digital images according to probability determinations that such pixels correspond to blemish artifacts. It is automatically determined whether a threshold distribution of blemish artifacts is present within one or more of the digital images. A need for service is indicated when at least the threshold distribution is determined to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Marta Zamfir, Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi, Adrian Zamfir
  • Patent number: 8879795
    Abstract: A method of estimating a time to collision (TTC) of a vehicle with an object comprising: acquiring a plurality of images of the object; and determining a TTC from the images that is responsive to a relative velocity and relative acceleration between the vehicle and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Mobileye Vision Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Stein, Erez Dagan, Ofer Mano, Amnon Shashua
  • Patent number: 8879845
    Abstract: Techniques described herein may recognize handwritten characters that are written at least partially over the top of one another that are input to a computing device. The handwritten characters may be formed of one or more strokes. A user may write characters or parts of words over approximately the same area of graphical user interface (i.e., on top of each other) without having to wait for a timeout between character input and without having to select a button or provide another input indicating the character is complete before entering input for another character. Once a character is at least partially recognized, a graphical indication corresponding to the user input displayed on a screen may be altered. Such alterations may include fading or changing size or location of the graphical indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Henry A. Rowley, Franz Och, Yang Li
  • Patent number: 8861922
    Abstract: Watermark data is effectively placed in at least one of the bit positions, e.g., of the integer portion, of the average value of at least a selected one of the chrominance portions of up to each block, on up to a frame-by-frame basis. Values of the selected chrominance portion of individual pixels in a block may be adjusted if necessary in order to cause the resulting substitution of the selected bit of the average. The bit position replaced may be a function of the block's busyness. A “margin” value may also be added to the average value in order to better ensure that the bit of watermark data survives any MPEG encoding, while minimizing resulting artifacts. A receiver extracts the bit of watermark data from the selected bit position of the average value of the chrominance portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Mohammad Hossein Zarrabizadeh
  • Patent number: 8861845
    Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and correcting redeye in an image are described. In one aspect, pixels of the input image are segmented based on projections of color values of the pixels onto two-dimensional thresholding planes. Candidate redeye pixel areas are identified in the input image based on the segmented pixels of the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Huitao Luo, Jonathan Yen, Daniel Tretter
  • Patent number: 8861792
    Abstract: A method of estimating a time to collision (TTC) of a vehicle with an object comprising: acquiring a plurality of images of the object; and determining a TTC from the images that is responsive to a relative velocity and relative acceleration between the vehicle and the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mobileye Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Stein, Erez Dagan, Ofer Mano, Amnon Shashua
  • Patent number: 8848972
    Abstract: A method for proactively creating a photobook includes identifying a group of images by a computer system and automatically creating a design for a photobook by the computer system without receiving a user's request for designing a photobook if the number of images in the group is determined to be within a predetermined range. Pages of the photobook incorporate a plurality of images in the group. The method further includes presenting the design of the photobook to a user for preview and receiving an order from the user for a physical manifestation of the photobook based on the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Shutterfly, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Chen, Preeti Nathan, Trynne Anne Miller, Wiley H. Wang
  • Patent number: 8842902
    Abstract: In a method for aligning a part of a product (moving object) with a reference object, triangle data of the moving object is acquired, and feature elements of the moving object is fitted according to the triangle data. Feature elements of the reference object which match the feature elements of the moving object are determined, and the moving object is moved from a position of a center point of the feature elements of the moving object to a position of a center point of the matched feature elements of the reference object. A moving-and-rotating matrix of the moving object is obtained according to Quasi-Newton methods, and the moving object and the reference object are aligned by moving and rotating the moving object according to the moving-and-rotating matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Xin-Yuan Wu, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8837840
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-su Cheon
  • Patent number: 8831297
    Abstract: A number of biometric systems and methods are disclosed. A system according to one embodiment includes an illumination subsystem, an imaging subsystem, and an analyzer. The illumination subsystem is disposed to illuminate a target space. The imaging subsystem is configured to image the target space under distinct optical conditions. The analyzer is provided in communication with the illumination subsystem, the imaging subsystem, and the three-dimensional subsystem. The analyzer also has instructions to operate the subsystems to collect substantially simultaneously a plurality of images of the object disposed at the predetermined spatial location under multispectral conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Lumidigm, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Matthew Ennis, Stephen P. Corcoran
  • Patent number: 8831299
    Abstract: A method for capturing images of an individual to determine wellness for such individual, including establishing baseline physiological data for the individual, and baseline capture condition data for the individual; detecting and identifying the presence of the individual in the image capture environment; providing semantic data associated with the individual; capturing one or more images of the individual during a capture event and determining the capture conditions present during the capture event; using the event capture conditions, the baseline physiological data for the individual and the baseline capture condition data to determine the acceptability of event captured images; and using the acceptable images and the semantic data in determining the wellness of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Kevin M. Gobeyn, Donald E. Olson, John N. Border