Patents Examined by Sean Haiem
  • Patent number: 9154770
    Abstract: A 3D image capture device includes: a light transmitting section 2 with m transmitting areas (where m is an integer and m?2) that have different spectral transmittance characteristics; and an image sensor 1 which is arranged to receive light rays that have been transmitted through the m transmitting areas and in which unit elements are arranged. Each unit element includes n photosensitive cells (where n is an integer and n?m) and n transmitting filters with mutually different spectral transmittance characteristics which are arranged so as to face the n photosensitive cells. The image capture device further includes an image processing section which modifies an n×m matrix that is defined by the respective spectral transmittance characteristics of the m transmitting areas and the n transmitting filters by changing the angle between at least two out of m column vectors of the n×m matrix and which generates multi-viewpoint images using the modified n×m matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Ishii, Masao Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 9148589
    Abstract: A device (e.g., an image capture device, or camera) includes a sensor and a filtering apparatus. Incident light received by the device includes visible spectrum light and infrared light. The filtering apparatus can alternately filter out the infrared light while allowing the sensor to be exposed to the visible spectrum light, and filter out the visible spectrum light while allowing the sensor to be exposed to the infrared light. For example, the filtering apparatus can include a shutter that, when in a first position, filters out the infrared light and, when in a second position, filters out the visible spectrum light. In particular, the shutter can be a rotating shutter that includes a visible spectrum pass filter in one sector and an infrared pass filter in another sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NBCUniversal, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Fischer, Abraham Rank
  • Patent number: 9131212
    Abstract: Each control period includes a right eye display period and a left eye display period. A driving circuit supplies grayscale potential based on a right eye image to each pixel in each of the three unit periods of the right eye display period, and supplies the grayscale potential based on a left eye image to each pixel in each of the three unit periods of the left eye display period. The driving circuit performs overdriving in two unit periods from the beginning of each display period, sets the polarity of a voltage applied to each pixel in the two unit periods from the beginning of each display period reverse in the right eye display period of the control period and in the right eye display period of the control period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Patent number: 9131191
    Abstract: The current invention addresses the problem of causing closed captioning to be launched or not launched automatically when a viewer mutes the audio on a digital television. The current invention allows for individualized options associated with a particular viewer. These options can be selected from a plurality of options either manually or automatically as determined by the viewer settings or viewer behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Vizio Inc.
    Inventors: John Schindler, William Pat Price
  • Patent number: 9124831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 9111378
    Abstract: Techniques for virtualizing content are disclosed. One or more objects comprising source video content are determined. The one or more objects comprising the source video content are virtualized by mapping each to and representing each with a corresponding database object. Data comprising the corresponding database objects is provided for rendering the source video content instead of any original pixel information of the source video content so that a virtualized version of the source video content is rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Outward, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Marc Mignard
  • Patent number: 9111338
    Abstract: A system includes a data storage configured to store a model human visual system, an input module configured to receive an original picture in a video sequence and to receive a reference picture, and a processor. The processor is configured to create a pixel map of the original picture using the model human visual system. A first layer is determined from the pixel map. A weighting map is determined from a motion compensated difference between the original picture and the reference picture. A processed picture is then determined from the original picture using the weighting map and the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean T. McCarthy, Vijay Kamarshi, Amit Tikare
  • Patent number: 9112946
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting multimedia data in a hybrid network are provided. The apparatus includes a payload part including at least one of first data synchronized according to a time to be reproduced and second data other than the first data, a first header part including information on the payload part, a packet part for generating a packet, the packet part including a second header part including information on the packet, and a transceiver for generating and transmitting a signal including the payload part, the first header part, and the packet part to the hybrid network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Mo Park, Sung-Oh Hwang, Jae-Yeon Song
  • Patent number: 9104704
    Abstract: Imaging systems and related methods are provided. A representative system includes: a network identification system operative to identify image capturing devices operating within a vicinity of each other; an image cataloging system operative to receive image data, via a communication network, from at least a first image capturing device and a second image capturing device identified as operating within the vicinity of each other, the image cataloging system being further operative to automatically catalog the received image data; and a content feed system operative to receive, via the communication network, a request for a compilation of image data and, responsive thereto, create the compilation of image data such that the compilation of image data includes at least a portion of the image data received from each of the first image capturing device and the second image capturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott Wenger
  • Patent number: 9100615
    Abstract: On-screen display techniques and configurations for audiovisual content input selection and indications in a television, monitor, receiver, or other electronic display device are described herein. An on-screen user interface of a display device may be enhanced with on-screen indications that indicate the position of the respective audiovisual content. For example, a user interface may provide an arrow in the lower-left portion of the screen to correspond to audiovisual input obtained from a device connected to the lower-left portion of the display device housing. A listing of input sources arranged by position relative to the display device and appropriate previews of the audiovisual content from the sources may also be incorporated into the user interface. In further examples, determined labels and human-readable identifiers for the respective input sources may be coordinated with the listing of input sources arranged by position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: BBY Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Mahmood Majid
  • Patent number: 9100631
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more computing devices. The method includes identifying first and second portions of a digital video signal. First and second values of a plurality of quality metrics are determined for the first and second portions, respectively. The first and second values of the metrics are used to determine first and second values, respectively, of a plurality of picture quality parameters such that a signal transmitted using either the first or second values of the parameters would require at most a maximum output bitrate. The first values of the parameters may differ from the second values of the parameters. The first and second portions are adjusted using the first and second values, respectively, of the parameters. The first and second adjusted portions are transmitted in a continuous signal. Optionally, the first and second adjusted portions are compressed before they are transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: CABLE TELEVISION LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: David K. Broberg, Arianne Therese Hinds
  • Patent number: 9100618
    Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream and in response, displays the first video stream. The device allocates, in accordance with a bandwidth allocation, available bandwidth for receiving data at the device between receiving the first video stream and preloading one or more other, non-displayed, video streams. While displaying the first video stream on the display, the device preloads at least a portion of one or more non-displayed video streams based on the bandwidth allocation. After the preloading, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the second video stream on the display using a preloaded portion of the second video stream that was preloaded in accordance with the bandwidth allocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SPOTIFY AB
    Inventors: Eric Hoffert, Mike Berkley, Kevin Faaborg, Gustav Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 9100590
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 9078017
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for buffering data for multiplexing. The invention also relates to a method of multiplexing and to a multiplexer arrangement using the method and device for buffering data for multiplexing. In one embodiment the invention can be applied to the buffering of non-traffic data, such as firmware updates or other supplementary information, before multiplexing the non-traffic data with traffic data, such as television data of television channels, to form a satellite broadcast channel. In embodiments of the invention, non-traffic data for multiplexing is buffered and then read out again for multiplexing at a rate which is a function of buffer fullness. The non-traffic data may be multiplexed with at least one traffic data channel. A multiplexer can view the non-traffic data channel as another multiplexing input and can allocate the available bit rate between the traffic data channels and the non-traffic data accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Jeremy Bennett, Steven Woodhead
  • Patent number: 9071772
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 9066048
    Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream and in response, displays the first video stream on the display in a first video tile and plays first audio content that corresponds to the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device slides the first video tile off of the display and slides a second video tile that corresponds to second video tile onto the display. The device also starts to play second audio content for the second video stream and increases an amplitude of the second audio content relative to an amplitude of the first audio content in accordance with an amount of the second video tile that is displayed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SPOTIFY AB
    Inventors: Eric Hoffert, Mike Berkley, Kevin Faaborg, Gustav Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 9049401
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) service using a digital TeleVision (TV) and an external device are provided. It is determined whether a received broadcast channel supports a Multi Mode Service (MMS), and if so, one of subchannels included in the broadcast channel is set to a main channel. The digital TV reproduces a broadcast signal via the main channel, and broadcast signals of subchannels excluding the main channel are transmitted to at least one external device in communication with the digital TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheol-Sun Yoo
  • Patent number: 9049336
    Abstract: An auto-detect method for detecting a single-frame image format is provided. A single-frame image is divided into a plurality of macro-blocks. Each of the macro-blocks is divided into a plurality of sub-blocks. A meta-block is allocated in each of the sub-blocks. A pixel luminance sum characteristic value for each of the meta-blocks is calculated. A first confidence between a left half and a right half of the single-frame image is calculated according to the pixel luminance sum characteristic values. A second confidence between an upper half and a lower hap of the single-frame image is calculated according to the pixel luminance sum characteristic values. A format of the single-frame image is determined according to the pixel luminance sum characteristic values, and the first and second confidences of the single-frame image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Lei Zhou, Heng Yu, Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 9041865
    Abstract: A video switch system providing a collaborative environment for one or more users to share information. In the current embodiment, the video switch system enables users to quickly connect to the system, present information, have a video conference, or have a multi-user wireless video session, or a combination thereof, in a collaborative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McClymonds, Eric B. Snavely, Steffen Lipsky, Robert C. Wayner, Steven J. King, Randell E. Pate, Timothy J. Warwick, Patrick E. Young
  • Patent number: 9036030
    Abstract: Method comprising the steps of: choosing a set of calibration colors within said scene, measuring each calibration color of said set such as to get a set of XYZ to represent each calibration color in the given colorimetric color space, by using said image capture device, capturing calibration colors such as to get a set of Raw RGB values to represent each calibration color, estimating a parametric color transform such that any set of Raw RGB values corresponding to a calibration color is transformed into a set of XYZ values corresponding to the same calibration color, building a color calibration transform by the concatenation of the parametric color transform with an output color transform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Jurgen Stauder, Patrick Morvan, Corinne Poree