Patents Examined by Mehrdad Dastouri
  • Patent number: 8749619
    Abstract: In illustrative implementations of this invention, multi-path analysis of transient illumination is used to reconstruct scene geometry, even of objects that are occluded from the camera. An ultrafast camera system is used. It comprises a photo-sensor (e.g., accurate in the picosecond range), a pulsed illumination source (e.g. a femtosecond laser) and a processor. The camera emits a very brief light pulse that strikes a surface and bounces. Depending on the path taken, part of the light may return to the camera after one, two, three or more bounces. The photo-sensor captures the returning light bounces in a three-dimensional time image I(x,y,t) for each pixel. The camera takes different angular samples from the same viewpoint, recording a five-dimensional STIR (Space Time Impulse Response). A processor analyzes onset information in the STIR to estimate pairwise distances between patches in the scene, and then employs isometric embedding to estimate patch coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ahmed Kirmani, Ramesh Raskar, James Davis
  • Patent number: 8749633
    Abstract: An accessory system for a vehicle includes an attachment member attached at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, an accessory module configured to mount to the attachment member and an accessory disposed at least partially in the accessory module. The accessory includes a camera having a lens. The accessory module is detachably mounted to the attachment member. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the camera has a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. With the camera disposed in the accessory module and with the accessory module mounted to the attachment member, the lens of the camera is spaced from the interior surface of the vehicle windshield. A resilient element is provided to cushion the accessory module when the accessory module is mounted to the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Joshua L. DeWard, Peter J. Whitehead, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8743176
    Abstract: A hybrid three dimensional imaging camera comprises a 2-D video camera utilizing a focal plane array visible light detector and a 3-D flash laser radar utilizing an infrared focal plane array detector. The device is capable of capturing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. A production system combining multiple hybrid 3-D cameras around a subject provides 3-D solid models of an object or scene in the common field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Stettner, Brad Short, Patrick Gilliland, Tom Laux, Laurent Heughebaert
  • Patent number: 8736664
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of providing a display that simplifies presentation of related video frames to enable a user to better see and interpret videos exhibiting a high degree of localized apparent image jitter. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards presentation of image sequences in a contextual display responsive to a contextual map for controlling apparent jitter and towards compositing for production of contextual maps by co-locating content alignment attributes which results in non-alignment of individual frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: James W. Gruenig
  • Patent number: 8737481
    Abstract: Provided are an image encoding method and apparatus for generating an interpolation filter using an adjacent area of a current block and a corresponding adjacent area of a reference picture and interpolating the reference picture using the generated interpolation filter, and an image decoding method and apparatus therefor. By interpolating an adjacent area of a reference picture corresponding to an adjacent area of a current block according to fractional pixel resolution of a motion vector of the current block and determining interpolation filter coefficients to minimize a difference between an interpolated adjacent area of the reference picture and the adjacent area of the current block, an interpolation filter needed for motion compensation of the current block is adaptively generated using information on the adjacent area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyo-hyuk Lee, Bae-keun Lee, Yu-mi Sohn
  • Patent number: 8731054
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing weighted bi-directional predicted video pictures including locating first and second prediction regions in first and second reference frames, receiving first and second weight parameters related to the first and second prediction regions, where the weight parameters and weighting methodology used to encode the weight parameters can be from several different codec designs for weighted bi-directional prediction. Further including, modifying the weight parameters to conform to a bit configuration and weighting methodology, applying the weight parameters to the first and second prediction regions and combining them to form a weighted bi-directional predicted picture. The bit configuration being chosen to accommodate multiple encoded bit configurations and methodologies, where the encoded bit configurations and methodologies can differ in characteristics such as, for example, bit size, being signed or unsigned, and supporting offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gordon Kent Walker, Vijayalakshmi R. Raveendran
  • Patent number: 8730313
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a reading unit which reads video data and control data from a recording medium, the recording medium containing the video data including a plurality of image data and the control data used to control a measurement operation; a measuring unit which performs the measurement operation on the basis of the image data of the video data read by the reading unit; and a control unit which controls the measuring unit on the basis of the control data read by the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Numata
  • Patent number: 8723923
    Abstract: A structured light system based on a fast, linear array light modulator and an anamorphic optical system captures three-dimensional shape information at high rates and has strong resistance to interference from ambient light. A structured light system having a modulated light source offers improved signal to noise ratios. A wand permits single point detection of patterns in structured light systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Alces Technology
    Inventors: David M Bloom, Matthew A Leone
  • Patent number: 8717425
    Abstract: Moving pictures, as may be exemplified by television programming, are viewed stereoscopically. The system preferably comprises a visual display screen upon which may be displayed a left-to-right reversed visual display. A reflecting surface is positioned opposite the visual display screen for reflecting imagery from the visual display screen toward the viewer. The reflected imagery provides a reflected left-to-right correct visual display. The visual display screen is spaced from the reflecting surface such that the viewer's perception of the visual display screen causes the viewer to focus on a point behind the reflecting surface thereby requiring the viewer to perceive laterally offset reflections of the visual display screen at the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Leslie C. Hardison
  • Patent number: 8711930
    Abstract: In one aspect of this disclosure, techniques are described for selecting among default weighted prediction, implicit weighted prediction, and explicit weighted prediction. In this context, techniques are also described for adding offset to prediction data, e.g., using the format of explicit weighted prediction to allow for offsets to predictive data that is otherwise determined by implicit or default weighted prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Marta Karczewicz, Peisong Chen, Yan Ye
  • Patent number: 8711937
    Abstract: A method of motion vector prediction for use in differential motion vector coding within a block motion-compensation-based video coder. The video coder employs a generalized multiple reference picture buffer which may contain multiple reference pictures in both the forward and backward temporal direction from the current picture. For the purpose of coding selections of reference pictures within the buffer, the pictures are organized into two, potentially overlapping, lists of reference pictures. The prediction of a motion vector that selects a reference picture using a given reference picture list is not dependent upon any motion vectors that select their reference pictures using the other reference picture list. The values of spatially neighboring motion vectors that use the same list of reference pictures as the motion vector being predicted are used for prediction, regardless of the relative temporal direction of the current and neighboring motion vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony Joch, Faouzi Kossentini
  • Patent number: 8711205
    Abstract: An image display device includes: a memory unit that stores internal body image data acquired via a receiver from a capsule endoscope taking internal body image of a subject and information that is associated with the internal body image data and related to a position of the capsule endoscope within the subject; a position information acquisition unit that performs a position estimation process based on the information related to the position to acquire position information of the capsule endoscope at imaging each of the internal body images; a preferential image determination unit that determines whether each of the internal body images meets a predetermined condition; and a preferential process control unit that controls the position information acquisition unit to perform the position estimation process preferentially on the internal body image determined to meet the predetermined condition by the preferential image determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kei Takasugi, Satomi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8705617
    Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for processing multimedia data. The systems and methods comprise receiving a first set of quantized coefficients representing at least one video frame, receiving a second set of quantized coefficients representing the at least one video frame, and generating, using the first set of quantized coefficients and second set of quantized coefficients, a third set of quantized coefficients representing the at least one video frame. In certain embodiments, quantization parameters associated with the first and second sets are used in producing the third set of quantized coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Fang Shi, Vijayalakshmi R. Raveendran
  • Patent number: 8704888
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a separability calculating portion for calculating a separability of a frame image by filtering the frame image containing a ball image elliptically deformed using an ellipse separability filter having an inside region and an outside region located outside of the inside region, an estimating portion for estimating a set of a center position, major axis, minor axis and inclination angle of the inside region, the set resulting in a maximum separability by changing the center position, major axis, minor axis and inclination angle of the inside region, as a set of a center position, major axis, minor axis and inclination angle of the ball image, and a speed calculating portion for calculating a speed of the ball based on a difference between the center positions of the ball images estimated by the estimating portion, a number of frames between the frame images and a frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Nakagome
  • Patent number: 8698890
    Abstract: A method for controlling a scanning apparatus for scanning a continuously moved object includes seizing the actual momentary position of the moving object, and controlling the time instant or period in which image information is captured by the scanning devices in dependence of the actual momentary position of the object. The scanning apparatus in which the method is used includes a multiplicity of line scanning devices arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the movement of the moved object. Each of the line scanning devices has a multiplicity of pixels that are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction across a path along which the object is moved. The pixels of the line scanning devices accumulate charges according to the amount of incident light. A controlling means is provided for transferring the charges accumulated in individual pixels to pixels in the adjacent line scanning device in synchronism with direction of the movement and the speed of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: GVBB Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Klaus Anderle, Thomas Graen
  • Patent number: 8698896
    Abstract: An apparatus for tracking the use of at least one destination location, the apparatus including multiple cameras and one or more processors configured to identify a vehicle by use of identification images captured by an identification camera, such as by processing of images of license plates, determine characteristics of the vehicle visible in the identification images, and determine usage of a destination location, such as a parking spot, based on a camera monitoring the destination location capturing images of the vehicle having characteristics corresponding to those determined for the identification images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cloudparc, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven David Nerayoff, Thompson S. Wong
  • Patent number: 8698895
    Abstract: A method of tracking the use of at least one destination location, the method including identifying a vehicle by use of identification images captured by an identification camera, such as by processing of images of license plates, determining characteristics of the vehicle visible in the identification images, and determining usage of a destination location, such as a parking spot, based on a camera monitoring the destination location capturing images of the vehicle having characteristics corresponding to those determined for the identification images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cloudparc, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven David Nerayoff, Thompson S. Wong
  • Patent number: 8687041
    Abstract: In a stereoscopic panorama image creating method according to an embodiment of the presently disclosed subject matter, a plurality of stereoscopic images formed of left images and right images continuously shot with a stereoscopic imaging apparatus 1 being moved in one direction, the left images of the stereoscopic images are synthesized together and the right images thereof are synthesized together to create a stereoscopic panorama image, corresponding points of the stereoscopic images are detected, an image shift amount for setting a parallax of each corresponding point at a predetermined value is calculated, and information about the corresponding point and the image shift amount are recorded in association with the stereoscopic panorama image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8687064
    Abstract: A method and a device for describing and capturing video objects are provided in the embodiments of the present application, including: capturing video images to generate video sequences, generating a video object tracking sequence (OTS) according to the video sequences, and generating video object descriptors (ODs) according to the video OTS and video sequences. Therefore, in a generated video object tracking sequence (OTS), the video object region tracking number (TID) is used to capture and track video objects. This makes it unnecessary to create a video object descriptor (OD) for each video object on a frame-by-frame basis. Therefore, the quantity of video ODs is reduced, thereby suiting the application requirement for the intelligent video interaction and accelerating the search of the video materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guangyao Zhao
  • Patent number: 8675730
    Abstract: A method of video reconstruction includes providing a hardware accelerator to a video processing component of a video processing system, and a driver for the video processing component. In addition, the method includes segmenting macroblocks of a destination video frame in a raster order into groups based on reference parameters thereof using the driver, where the reference parameters define compensation needs of macroblocks of the destination frame. The method also includes constructing an indexed array of linked-lists using the driver, with each linked-list representing macroblocks of a group having the same reference parameters. The hardware accelerator may be programmed to accelerate motion compensation by reconstructing macroblocks of the destination frame group-wise in the indexed order of the array of linked-lists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Shashank Garg, Alexey Marinichev