Patents Examined by Nathan Bloom
  • Patent number: 9405994
    Abstract: Methods for characterizing two-dimensional concept drawings are disclosed. The concept drawings comprise cross-sections intersecting at cross-hairs. The method comprises: determining, for each cross-section: a plane on which the cross-section is located, the plane having a normal vector in a three-dimensional coordinate system; and, for each cross-hair on the cross-section, a tangent vector in the three-dimensional coordinate system which is tangent to the cross-section at the cross-hair. For each cross-hair comprising ith and jth intersecting cross-sections, one or more constraints are satisfied, the constraints comprising: the normal vector ni of the plane on which the ith cross-section is located is at least approximately orthogonal to the normal vector nj of the plane on which the jth cross-section is located; and the tangent vector tij to the ith cross-section at the cross-hair is at least approximately orthogonal to the tangent vector tji to the jth cross-section at the cross-hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: The University of British Columbia, Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (Inria), The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
    Inventors: Cloud Yunfei Shao, Adrien Bousseau, Alla Sheffer, Karansher Singh
  • Patent number: 9400996
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, selecting, and displaying an image or image set in a network based environment are described. The systems and methods can collect multiple images for any given item from multiple sources, select a desired image (or set of images) that best depicts that item, and then display that selected image (or image set) in the network based environment. The desired image (or image set) that best depicts the item can be selected using any number or combination of pre-selected criteria. By using the pre-selected criteria, the process needs no manual intervention, and can therefore be automated or semi-automated to save both time and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Toby R. Latin-Stoermer, Abhoy Bhaktwatsalam, Randy C. Chung, Chi Ming Kan
  • Patent number: 9400939
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for relating corresponding points in images with an overlapping scene. An example method includes generating transformed images of a target image using different image transformations for each of transformed images. Texture descriptors are extracted for feature points in the transformed images and a reference image. Matched feature points are identified and inliers from matched feature points are selected. An aligning transformation is generated using the inliers for at least one of the transformed images. A panorama image is created with the target image and reference image after the images are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Ching Lin, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, John R. Smith
  • Patent number: 9396577
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to selecting textures for a user-supplied photographic image in image-based three-dimensional modeling. In a first embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes a method positioning a geographic structure using user-supplied photographic images of a geographic structure. In the method, a user-supplied photographic images inputted by a user are received. Embedded camera parameters that specify a position of the cameras when each user-supplied photographic image was taken and are embedded in each user-supplied photographic image are read. An estimated location of the geographic structure is automatically determined based on the embedded camera parameters in each user-supplied photographic image. Each user-supplied photographic image to be texture mapped to the three-dimensional model is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Brewington, David Hawkey, Bryce Stout
  • Patent number: 9390171
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of archiving and optimizing lectures, presentations and other captured video for playback, particularly for blind and low vision individuals. A digital imaging device captures a preselected field of view that is subject to periodic change such as a whiteboard in a classroom. A sequence of frames is captured. Frames associated with additions or erasures to the whiteboard are identified. The Cartesian coordinates of the regions of these alterations within the frame are identified. When the presentation is played back, the regions that are altered are enlarged or masked to assist the low vision user. In another embodiment of the invention, the timing of the alterations segments the recorded audio into chapters so that the blind user can skip forward and backward to different sections of the presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Garald Lee Voorhees, Robert Steinberger, Ralph Ocampo
  • Patent number: 9390310
    Abstract: Provided are a striped pattern image examination support device, method, and program. The device includes: image transformation element for transforming at least one of two striped pattern images so as to cause coordinates of charting points, which are points that correspond across the two striped pattern images, to match in a plurality of pairs of the charting points which are included in the two striped pattern images; intersecting point extraction element for calculating coordinates of intersecting points of stripes in the striped pattern images and line segments each of which connects two of the charting points in the striped pattern images; charting diagram display element for displaying the two striped pattern images after transformation by the image transformation element, and displaying figures representing charting points at positions corresponding to coordinates after the transformations of each of the charting points on the two striped pattern images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: NEC CORPORATION, NEC SOFT, LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Hara, Hiroaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 9354606
    Abstract: Methodologies and systems for generating data that can be used to provide 3-D imaging for one or more viewers are described. In some implementations, images and depth information are obtained from objects. Processing systems are disclosed for producing from these images and depth information data that can be used by projectors to project images that appear in 3-D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Integrity Applications Incorporated
    Inventor: James A. Georges, III
  • Patent number: 9355338
    Abstract: A delivery device according to the present invention includes a learning image storage unit, a first recognition unit, a second recognition unit, and a registration unit. The learning image storage unit stores at least one piece of learning image. The first recognition unit recognizes a recognition target image using the learning image stored in the learning image storage unit. The second recognition unit recognizes the recognition target image with finer precision than that of the first recognition unit, when the first recognition unit fails to recognize the recognition target image. When the second recognition unit succeeds in recognizing the recognition target image, the registration unit registers information on the successfully recognized recognition target image in a storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: YAHOO JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masajiro Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9347765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to distributed computing system to acquire, process, and display OCT images at real-time frame rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Kemp, Austin Broderick McElroy, Joseph P. Piercy
  • Patent number: 9336455
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying lines in an image are described. An image to be processed is divided into a plurality of tiles, and processing is performed on a per tile basis. Lines are identified in tiles and a weight is assigned to each line based on among other things, the length of the line. Quantized first and second parameter values, e.g., values defining where lines enters and leave an area, are used in defining the identified lines. A set of lines is selected based on the weight information and output or used in image processing the image including the lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Accusoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Douglas Withers, Stephen A. Martucci
  • Patent number: 9330318
    Abstract: Important information about an object is detected using less arithmetic processing. An object detection unit generates an edge image from a color image. The object detection unit evaluates symmetry of an image included in the edge image. The object detection unit identifies a symmetry center pixel forming an object having symmetry. The object detection detects an object width for each symmetry center pixel. The object detection unit identifies the width of the object in the vertical direction based on the width of the symmetry center pixels in the vertical direction, and identifies the width of the object in the horizontal direction based on the object width identified for each symmetry center pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: MegaChips Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9311548
    Abstract: Handling data for a photographic image, includes detecting a reference pattern in the data, detecting at least one sticker in the data, determining an action associated with the at least one sticker, and performing the action on the data. The reference pattern may be a uniform grid pattern of dots preprinted on paper. A paper type may be determined according to the reference image. Determining an action associated with the at least one sticker may depend, at least in part, on the paper type. Detecting a particular one of the stickers may cause data for the photographic image to be stored in a particular location. Detecting a particular one of the stickers may cause data for the photographic images to be assigned particular tags used for organizing and searching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Evernote Corporation
    Inventors: Phil Constantinou, Chris Dahl, John W. Hoye, Jamie Hull, Gabriel Campodonico, Stephen James White, Alexander Pashintsev
  • Patent number: 9311713
    Abstract: An estimator training method and a pose estimating method using a depth image are disclosed, in which the estimator training method may train an estimator configured to estimate a pose of an object, based on an association between synthetic data and real data, and the pose estimating method may estimate the pose of the object using the trained estimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., IMPERIAL INNOVATIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Joon Han, Danhang Tang, Tae Kyun Kim, Seung Ju Han, Byung In Yoo, Chang Kyu Choi, Alykhan Tejani, Hyung Jin Chang
  • Patent number: 9311695
    Abstract: An image processing method is provided including the steps of generating a first band image through high-pass filter processing to a source image having an image of a subject falling thereon; generating a reduction image through reduction of the source image; performing low-pass filter processing to the reduction image to generate a low-pass image; magnifying the low-pass image to generate a magnified low-pass image; generating a second band image based on the source image, the first band image, and the magnified low-pass image; generating a third band image through performing of band-pass filter processing to the reduction image; and performing image processing to the source image with each of the band images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9239954
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an image processing device, image processing method, scanner and storage medium. The image processing device is used for tracing a boundary of an object image in an image, the boundary being continuous and the rate of change in slope between adjacent points on the boundary being slow. The image processing device includes: a boundary estimation unit, adapted to estimate the location of the boundary of the object image; an interfering gradient processing unit, adapted to process an interfering gradient near the estimated boundary, so as to reduce the interfering gradient or remove the interfering gradient from the image; and a boundary tracing unit, adapted to trace the boundary in the image having the interfering gradient processed. By using the technique of the disclosure, the accuracy of tracing a boundary of an image is improved significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Pan Pan, Yuan He, Jun Sun, Satoshi Naoi
  • Patent number: 9202265
    Abstract: A PSF cost function used for determining a PSF kernel (438) of at least a portion of an image (16) includes (i) a first fidelity term having a first direction derivative, (ii) a first fidelity term weight for the first fidelity term, (iii) a second fidelity term having a second direction derivative, and (iv) a second fidelity term weight for the second fidelity term. Another PSF cost function for determining a PSF kernel (638) includes (i) a first fidelity term with a first derivative in a dominant edge direction (d), and (ii) a second fidelity term having a second derivative in a perpendicular direction(p) to the dominant edge direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Radka Tezaur
  • Patent number: 9202282
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a boundary extraction method and apparatus, the method including: a gradient estimation step of estimating a gradient of each pixel in a captured image; a gradient adjustment step of adjusting, by enhancing a gradient of a target boundary of an object contained in the captured image and weakening a gradient of a noise boundary, the estimated gradient, so that the adjusted gradient is considered as a current gradient; and a boundary extraction step of extracting a boundary of the object based on the current gradient. According to the embodiments of the invention, in a case of using a non-contact imaging device to capture an image, it is possible to more accurately extract a boundary of an object contained in the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuan He, Jun Sun, Satoshi Naoi
  • Patent number: 9196019
    Abstract: A color image is enhanced in the following fashion. A saturation detector (SDT) detects a degree of color saturation (LC, CC) that occurs in an image area (SP). A filter arrangement (DE1, DE2, DE3) filters at least one spatial detail in the image area to a degree that depends on the degree of color saturation. This allows an improvement of perceptual quality of color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TP VISION HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Gerard De Haan
  • Patent number: 9196025
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a conditional probability calculating element calculates the probability of existence of an attribute as to each region in an input degraded image, for each attribute. Optimization function determining element uses a conditional probability calculated by the conditional probability calculating element with regard to each region in the degraded image for each attribute, a-priori knowledge defined as a conditional probability of appearance of an attribute in a region of a candidate of a restored image when there is the attribute in the region, and the input degraded image to determine an optimization function using the candidate of the restored image as a variable and yielding a smaller value as the candidate of the restored image is closer to a true restored image. Restored image determining element adopts the candidate of the restored image with which the optimization function yields a minimum value as the restored image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shibata, Akihiko Iketani, Shuji Senda
  • Patent number: 9177365
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting and removing a false contour, a method and an apparatus for verifying whether a pixel is included in a contour, and a method and an apparatus for calculating simplicity are provided. The method for detecting and removing the false contour includes: verifying whether a pixel of an input video is included in a contour; calculating simplicity of the pixel; determining whether the pixel is included in a false contour based on the simplicity and based on whether the pixel is included in the contour; and removing the false contour from the input video via smoothing with respect to the false contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Soon Lim, Seung Sin Lee, Young Ran Han