Patents Examined by Leo Boudreau
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Patent number: 6766036Abstract: Disclosed herein are new forms of computer inputs particularly using TV Cameras, and providing affordable methods and apparatus for data communication with respect to people and computers using optically inputted information from specialized datum's on objects and/or natural features of objects. Particular embodiments capable of fast and reliable acquisition of features and tracking of motion are disclosed, together with numerous applications in various fields of endeavor.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Inventor: Timothy R. Pryor
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Patent number: 6766038Abstract: The method for measuring speed is performed by dividing the time sequence image data A into long and narrow frames (step 401). Next, the framed images and the time sequence image data B produced by the line scan camera B are correlated to obtain a moving time (step 402). Next, a moving time of each framed image and a corresponding moving distance are obtained to compute a moving speed (step 403). Next, scale of a specific shape pattern and the like is corrected using the moving speed obtained to match the scales in the two image sequences A and B to obtain a similarity degree (step 404). Next, a threshold value is applied to the similarity degree to recognize the specific shape pattern, thereby recognizing that the images are produced by a moving vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Satoshi Sakuma, Yasuko Takahashi, Akio Shio, Sakuichi Ohtsuka
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Patent number: 6763121Abstract: The watermark system and method. The watermark system includes a watermarking module for generating a half-tone image with a watermark (a watermarked halftone image) and a watermark recovery module for receiving a scanned image of a hard copy of the watermarked halftone image and recovering a watermark that is embedded in or specified by the scanned image. A print engine can be provided to receive the watermarked halftone image and generate a hard copy of the watermarked half-tone image. A scanner can be provided to scan a hard copy of a watermarked half-tone image and to generate a scanned image that can be provided to the watermark recovery module.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Doron Shaked, Izhak Baharav
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Patent number: 6763128Abstract: A computer aided detection method and system to assist radiologists in the reading of medical images. The method and system has particular application to the area of mammography including detection of clustered microcalcifications and densities. A microcalcification detector is provided wherein individual detections are rank ordered and classified, and one of the features for classification is derived using a multilayer perceptron. A density detector is provided including an iterative, dynamic region growing module with embedded subsystem for rank ordering and classification of a best subset of candidate masks. A post processing stage is provided where detections are analyzed in the context of a set of images for a patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Qualia Computing, Inc.Inventors: Steven K. Rogers, Michael J. Collins, Richard A. Mitchell
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Patent number: 6763138Abstract: To provide a picture coding method and apparatus capable of achieving a high image quality coding and executing a variable bit rate coding in real time. A moving picture coding means codes input moving picture data with a quantization scale Qj given from an average bit rate adjusting means. Then, the moving picture coding means outputs a code quantity Sj towards a GOP complexity computing means and an average complexity computing means. The GOP complexity is calculated on the basis of quantization scale and code quantity in the coded GOP, while the average complexity is calculated on the basis of quantization scale and code quantity from the beginning to the present. Quantization scale Qgop is calculated on the basis of the GOP complexity and the average complexity. The average bit rate adjusting means modifies Qgop and determines quantization scale Qj in accordance with an excess or shortage of Sj.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Yutaka Yokoyama
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Patent number: 6763129Abstract: An input image is inputted into a pre-process circuit and a spatial filter. The pre-process circuit emphasizes a linear shadow or an edge to some extent, or reduces noises overall. Following pre-processing, the image signal is supplied to a direction detection circuit, a direction and its intensity of an area of interest are detected. These two results of the detections are correlated with peripheral areas of interest to some extent by a vector filter. An output of the vector filter is supplied to a spatial filter coefficient generation circuit, and a filter coefficient of the spatial filter is decided. The spatial filter processes the input image based on the direction of the shadow and its intensity, whereby selectively suppressing noise components of the background in real time without damaging the contrasts of a linear shadow or an edge-like shadow.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Michitaka Honda, Hiroko Umazaki
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Patent number: 6760469Abstract: A radiographic imaging system (100) comprises an X-ray tube (110), a sensor plate (120), and a graphics engine (130). The tube (110) and the sensor plate (120) rotate synchronously about a patient (150) and expose a stereoscopic pair of images which are transmitted to the graphics engine (130). The graphics engine (130) determines (312) the geometry of the system (100). If (314) the pair of images are toed-in relative to each other, the graphics engine (130) converts (316) the images into a parallel geometry. Likewise, the graphics engine (130) also processes (320) the images for keystone distortion, if necessary. Simply flipping the images in the stereo pair distorts the depth of objects in the stereoscopic image. Instead of simply flipping the images, it is desirable to “go behind” the screen (412A) and look at the image from the back.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2000Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Alexander Berestov, Harry T. Garland, Roger D. Melen
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Patent number: 6757432Abstract: A communication system is provided, which includes: a transmitter for transmitting multi-dimensional stream data capable of representing a CG scene; and a receiver for receiving the multi-dimensional stream data.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiki Hijiri, Kazuhiro Nishitani, Yoshiyuki Mochizuki, Toshiya Naka, Shigeo Asahara
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Patent number: 6757405Abstract: A digital watermark embedding device has an input section which inputs pixel value data of an image which is a target for embedding of watermark information, an embedded position selection section which determines a position in frequency domain into which the watermark information is to be embedded, irrespectively of a frequency component value, a frequency component value variation decision section which determines a variation of a frequency component value at each embedded position determined by the embedded position selection section, a pixel value variation calculation section which calculates a variation of a pixel value at each point in pixel value domain of the image based on the embedded position in frequency domain determined by the embedded position selection section and on the variation of a frequency component value determined by the frequency component value variation decision section, a pixel value conversion section which embeds watermark information by changing corresponding pixel value data oType: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hirofumi Muratani, Taku Katoh, Naoki Endo
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Patent number: 6757430Abstract: A system includes a central processing unit, a bus and circuit. The central processing unit is coupled to the bus and segments an image into at least one text region and at least one graphics region. At least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the text region(s), and at least one of the circuit modules is associated with the processing of the graphics region(s).Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Werner Metz, Tinku Acharya
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Patent number: 6757413Abstract: A medical image transfer and control system of the present invention preferably utilizes a medical image snap-shot formatting device. This device generally includes a digital signal processor and a signal formatting component that is operably connected to the digital signal processor. The signal formatting component is designed to receive medical image snap-shot data from a camera and, if necessary, format the data to a digital format. The signal formatting component then forwards the digital data to the digital signal processor which operates to compress the data to a format suitable for transfer over a plain old telephone system (POTS).Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: American TeleCare, Inc.Inventor: Edward LeMahieu
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Patent number: 6757444Abstract: There is disclosed an image extraction method for extracting, from a subject image that records both the background and the object to be extracted, image data of the object using a mask. An initial mask used for extracting the subject region is generated on the basis of difference data between the subject image and the background image that records the background alone, the region of the initial mask is grown on the basis of the similarity between the features of a first region and its neighboring second region in the subject image corresponding to the initial mask, and the image data of the object is extracted from the first image on the basis of the grown mask region.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masakazu Matsugu, Hideo Takiguchi, Koji Hatanaka
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Patent number: 6757415Abstract: A computer aided detection method and system to assist radiologists in the reading of medical images. The method and system has particular application to the area of mammography including detection of clustered microcalcifications and densities. A microcalcification detector is provided wherein individual detections are rank ordered and classified, and one of the features for classification is derived using a multilayer perceptron. A density detector is provided including an iterative, dynamic region growing module with embedded subsystem for rank ordering and classification of a best subset of candidate masks. Features are computed from a detection on an input image by providing first and second regions on the input image corresponding to areas inside and outside the detection, measurements are computed based on values derived from the two regions, a standard deviation is computed for the measurements in each region, and a feature for the detection is computed using a Bauer-Fisher ratio.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Qualia Computing, Inc.Inventors: Steven K. Rogers, Kenneth W. Bauer, Michael J. Collins, Martin P. DeSimio, Richard A. Mitchell
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Patent number: 6757414Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for segmenting a left ventricular epicardium in a magnetic resonance image. Image shape, gradients, and intensity are used to locate the epicardial boundary. Specifically, an intensity map corresponding to acquired data is produced and refined so as to produce a classification map having variations in intensity. The variations, representing the epicardial boundary, are detected and the epicardial boundary may then be clearly identified in the MR image.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2000Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Matthew W. Turek, Gopal B. Avinash, William J. Bridge
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Patent number: 6754393Abstract: Encoding efficiency is enhanced by actively combining a plurality of encoding methods. A picture element memory receives and stores picture elements within a predetermined range. A mode determinator selects an encoding mode based upon a reference picture element. A first encoding section and a second encoding section predicts the value of the encoded picture element, determines whether the prediction is correct, and then encodes the value of the encoding picture element based on the determination result and outputs a codeword for the encoding picture element. An encoding controller selectively operates the first encoding section and the second encoding section based upon one of the specific encoding modes and the other encoding mode other than the specific encoding mode selected by the mode determinator.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomohiro Kimura, Ikuro Ueno, Taich Nagiya, Masayuki Yoshida, Fumitaka Ono, Narihiro Matoba, Kunio Ueda
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Patent number: 6754365Abstract: A method of detecting an embedded message in a digital image, the embedded message being embedded in periodic blocks in the image, including the steps of: selecting a first area in the digital image; selecting a second area in the digital image; performing a correlation between the first and the second image areas; and if the correlation exceeds an predetermined threshold value at at least one pixel location, producing a signal indicating the existence of embedded message in the digital image.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2000Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Xin Wen, Chris W. Honsinger
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Patent number: 6754374Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing images with regions representing target objects involves registering a first and a second image, where the second image contains a target object. The method comprises the steps of identifying a region in the second image containing one or more image data elements representing the target object, transforming the second image to reduce the size of the region containing the target object, and registering the first image and the second image. Another embodiment comprises the steps of identifying a region in the second image containing one or more image data elements representing a target object. After identifying this region, the first and second images are registered using a first transform component that filters one or more data elements in the second image that are contained in the identified region, and a second transform component that includes one or more data elements in the second image that are contained in the identified region.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael I. Miller, Ulf Grenander, Sarang C. Joshi
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Patent number: 6754364Abstract: Methods and systems for fingerprinting digital data are described. In the described embodiment, Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) technology is utilized. Unique fingerprinting words are defined where each includes at least one spread sequence. In the described embodiment, a fingerprinting word comprises a plurality symbols, called “&Ggr; symbols.” Each &Ggr; symbol is composed of 2c-1 blocks, where c represents the number of colluders that are desired to be protected against. Each block contains d spread sequence chips. The fingerprinting words are assigned to a plurality of entities to which protected objects embedded with the fingerprinting words are to be distributed. To ascertain the identity of an entity that has altered its unique fingerprinting word, the relative weight of each block is computed in accordance with a defined function and blocks whose weights satisfy a predetermined relationship are “clipped” to a so-called working range.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Yacov Yacobi
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Patent number: 6754372Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting the movement of objects which consists in computing the differences in each pixel of image signals into n-ary signals and carrying out a step of region growth and breaking it down.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: France Telecom S.A.Inventor: Michael Collobert
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Patent number: 6751339Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a texture which best matches an image (100) are provided. The method involves determination of an image feature value from the image (100), and determination of corresponding texture feature values for each member of a set of textures (106, 112). Thereafter the image feature value is compared with the corresponding texture feature values of each member of the set of textures (106, 112) to produce comparison values, from which the best comparison value is selected according to a rule. This best comparison value determines the coresponding desired matching texture.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: John Richard Windle, Jing Wu