Patents Examined by Sean N. Haiem
  • Patent number: 10760919
    Abstract: For evaluating navigation information based on line-of-sight measurements, a method measures a line-of-sight measurement with an imager. The method further calculates an information metric based on the line-of-sight measurement. The information metric is a function of imager pixel measurement noise and a relative position vector for an imager frame aligned with a focal plane frame for the imager. The method evaluates navigation information using the information metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Ryan Lamoreaux
  • Patent number: 10754242
    Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing format configurations for multi-directional video and for switching between them. Source images may be assigned to formats that may change during a coding session. When a change occurs between formats, video coders and decoder may transform decoded reference frames from the first format to the second format. Thereafter, new frames in the second configuration may be coded or decoded predictively using transformed reference frame(s) as source(s) of prediction. In this manner, video coders and decoders may use intra-coding techniques and achieve high efficiency in coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Kim, Ming Chen, Xiaosong Zhou, Hsi-Jung Wu, Dazhong Zhang, Hang Yuan, Jiefu Zhai, Chris Y. Chung
  • Patent number: 10750157
    Abstract: An example method for determining three-dimensional coordinates of an object from a plurality of two-dimensional images may include: acquiring two-dimensional input frames via a camera, the camera being associated with one or more calibration parameters; isolating a contour of at least one object contained within each input frame; calculating coordinates of one or more visual rays corresponding to each contour in a direction specified by at least one of the calibration parameters; estimating a spatial tangent vector of each contour using finite differences; estimating a tangent space of the visual rays at each visual ray; calculating epipolar numbers based on basis vectors of the tangent space, the one or more calibration parameters, and the tangent vector; forming a line-based epipolar matrix using the epipolar numbers and line coordinates; and de-homogenizing the column space of the matrix into object points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: VUU TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, James Matthews
  • Patent number: 10728604
    Abstract: A remote control for remotely controlling an apparatus capable of working in different operative modes—namely receiving broadcasted signals, connecting to the Internet and functioning as a multimedia center. The remote control is able to cooperate with said television apparatus and comprises rotary means and actuating means. The said remote control is also configured to carry out different functions depending on which of said operative modes of the television apparatus has been selected and in reply to an execution of said rotary means and/or said actuating means of said remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Saronikos Trading and Services, Unipessoal LDA
    Inventor: Robert James
  • Patent number: 10715720
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises an image capturing device, a viewer, a control element, and a processor. The control element controls or adjusts an image characteristic of one of the image capturing device and the viewer. The processor is programmed to determine a depth value relative to the image capturing device, determine a desirable adjustment to the control element by using the determined depth value, and control adjustment of the control element to assist manual adjustment of the control element to the desirable adjustment. The processor may also be programmed to determine whether the adjustment of the control element is to be automatically or manually adjusted and control adjustment of the control element automatically to the desirable adjustment if the control element is to be automatically adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Lilagan, Wenyi Zhao
  • Patent number: 10696240
    Abstract: A method for deriving extrinsic camera parameters of a vehicle camera. Calibration markers are provided on a flat ground surface and the vehicle is driven past the calibration markers. Marker boundaries are detected and matched to stored pre-determined shape parameters and a marker shape is identified. At least one extrinsic parameter of the camera is derived using the tracked positions of identified marker shape in the video sequence captured while vehicle is moving, wherein the extrinsic parameter is selected from mounting positions and a rotation is selected from both horizontal axis and vertical axis of a vehicle coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Lingjun Gao, Heba Khafagy, Dave Wibberley
  • Patent number: 10642137
    Abstract: A lens shift mechanism 32 of the projection-type image display device 10 includes a horizontal movable base 60 for horizontally shifting a projection lens 31, a vertical movable base 70 for vertically shifting the projection lens 31, and a horizontal drive actuator 61 and a vertical drive actuator 71 for driving these bases 60, 70. Driving forces of these actuators 61, 71 are transmitted via respective lead screws 671 (751) and a pair of lead nuts 672, 672b (752, 752b) meshing with the lead screws to shift the bases 60, 70. A pair of lead nuts are installed with elastic bodies 672c (752c) applying a pressure such that the pair of lead nuts recede from or approach each other in the axial direction of the lead screw. In this configuration, a delay in the shift operation is removed by reducing a backlash in the lens movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiki Ishijima, Shinro Inui, Hiroshi Oshima, Nobuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 10638111
    Abstract: An imaging system with a light source controls the sensitivity of pixels to light, by performing both superpixel modulation and curtain modulation. The superpixel modulation may facilitate rapid data acquisition. The curtain modulation may suppress the effect of ambient light. In superpixel modulation, each pixel set may be modulated by a separate superpixel modulation signal that causes sensitivity of the pixel set to light to vary over time, and each superpixel may include a pixel from each pixel set. The curtain modulation may cause pixels in only a small region of the photodetector to be sensitive to light. The curtain modulation may cause the small region to move to track the dot of light, by changing which pixels are in the region. This invention may be used for 3D scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: Tomas Kovacovsky, Jan Zizka, Michal Maly
  • Patent number: 10630959
    Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods for detecting and tracking a quantity of items in a particular location by optical means. The system includes an imager having a field of view directed over a region of interest where the items to be tracked are located, the imager being operable to acquire images of the items. The system further includes a controller in operative communication with the imager, where the controller acquires depth data from the images and determines volume measurements based on the depth data. Based on the determined volume measurements, the system is capable of counting and tracking the items present in the region of interest using optical means to avoid relying on barcodes or other identifier information affixed to the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: DATALOGIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Bryan L. Olmstead
  • Patent number: 10623665
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus may include converter device(s), a matrix switch, processor(s), and memory(s), where one or more of the converter devices provide video input signals to the matrix switch. A processor may determine if one of a plurality of video signals input to the matrix switch includes data representative of identification information overlain on a video image derived from one of the plurality of video signals. The determination may be based on a flag value stored in the converter device(s). The flag value may be retrieved by a server coupled to the matrix switch. If the information is included in the video signal, the video signal may be passed through a path in a matrix switch configured by the processor. If the information is not included in the video signal, the data representative of identification information may be retrieved from the converter device and then overlain on the video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: BLACK DIAMOND VIDEO, INC.
    Inventor: Edward Priest
  • Patent number: 10616383
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting video for a display panel between a transmitter in electronic communication with a receiver over a wireless communication channel, the method includes: receiving, by a transmitter, a frame of video data from a data source; reorganizing, by the transmitter, the frame of video data into a plurality of packets according to levels of importance of bits of the frame of video data; generating, by the transmitter, a tag for each of the packets, the tags corresponding to different relatively levels of importance of the packets; performing, by the transmitter, different protection techniques for each of the packets based on the tag corresponding to each of the packets; and transmitting, by the transmitter, the packets and the tags to the receiver for display on the display panel such that each packet is transmitted according to the different protection techniques based on their corresponding tagging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Amin Mobasher, Jalil Kamali, Gregory W. Cook, David Zamora
  • Patent number: 10616542
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional image projection apparatus is provided. The multi-dimensional image projection apparatus includes an image projector and an image-processing circuit. The image-processing circuit is configured to receive an input image, and perform a linearity transformation process and a first inverse image warping process on the input image according to sensor information about the multi-dimensional image projection apparatus relative to the projection surface to generate a first image. The image-processing circuit performs a matrix transformation process and a second inverse image warping process on the first image according to the sensor information to generate a second image, and generate an output image according to the second image. The image projector projects the output image onto the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Terawins, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Kuang Wang, Wen Yi Huang, Pei Kai Hsu, Wei Ya Wu
  • Patent number: 10616554
    Abstract: An imaging system with a light source controls the sensitivity of pixels to light, by performing both superpixel modulation and curtain modulation. The superpixel modulation may facilitate rapid data acquisition. The curtain modulation may suppress the effect of ambient light. In superpixel modulation, each pixel set may be modulated by a separate superpixel modulation signal that causes sensitivity of the pixel set to light to vary over time, and each superpixel may include a pixel from each pixel set. The curtain modulation may cause pixels in only a small region of the photodetector to be sensitive to light. The curtain modulation may cause the small region to move to track the dot of light, by changing which pixels are in the region. This invention may be used for 3D scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventors: Tomas Kovacovsky, Jan Zizka, Michal Maly
  • Patent number: 10598914
    Abstract: System and method configured to operate under conditions when the object being imaged destroys or negates the information which otherwise allows the user to take advantage of optical parallax, configured to elicit luminescence from the same targets in the object as a result of irradiation of these targets with pump light at different, respectively corresponding wavelengths, and acquire optical data from so-illuminated targets through the very same optical path to image the object at different wavelengths. One embodiment enables acquisition, by the same optical detector and from the same object, of imaging data that includes a reflectance image and multiple fluorescence-based images caused by light at different wavelengths, to assess difference in depths of locations of targets within the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Andrew M. Siegel, Nandini Rajan, Angela M. Belcher, Neelkanth M. Bardhan
  • Patent number: 10602025
    Abstract: Image and video processing techniques are disclosed for processing components of a color space individually by determining limits for each component based on the relationship between each component in a color space. These limits may then be used to clip each component such that the component values are within the determined range for that component. In this manner, more efficient processing of images and/or video may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Michael Tourapis, Yeping Su, David William Singer, Hsi-Jung Wu
  • Patent number: 10574969
    Abstract: An imaging system with a light source controls the sensitivity of pixels to light, by performing both superpixel modulation and curtain modulation. The superpixel modulation may facilitate rapid data acquisition. The curtain modulation may suppress the effect of ambient light. In superpixel modulation, each pixel set may be modulated by a separate superpixel modulation signal that causes sensitivity of the pixel set to light to vary over time, and each superpixel may include a pixel from each pixel set. The curtain modulation may cause pixels in only a small region of the photodetector to be sensitive to light. The curtain modulation may cause the small region to move to track the dot of light, by changing which pixels are in the region. This invention may be used for 3D scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Tomas Kovacovsky, Jan Zizka, Michal Maly
  • Patent number: 10560674
    Abstract: Display with an appropriate luminance dynamic range is realizable on a receiving side. A gamma curve is applied to input video data having a level range from 0% to 100%*N (N: a number larger than 1) to obtain transmission video data. This transmission video data is transmitted together with auxiliary information used for converting a high-luminance level on the receiving side. A high-level side level range of the transmission video data is converted on the receiving side such that a maximum level becomes a predetermined level based on the auxiliary information received together with the transmission video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Ikuo Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 10542246
    Abstract: An imaging system with a light source controls the sensitivity of pixels to light, by performing both superpixel modulation and curtain modulation. The superpixel modulation may facilitate rapid data acquisition. The curtain modulation may suppress the effect of ambient light. In superpixel modulation, each pixel set may be modulated by a separate superpixel modulation signal that causes sensitivity of the pixel set to light to vary over time, and each superpixel may include a pixel from each pixel set. The curtain modulation may cause pixels in only a small region of the photodetector to be sensitive to light. The curtain modulation may cause the small region to move to track the dot of light, by changing which pixels are in the region. This invention may be used for 3D scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Inventors: Tomas Kovacovsky, Jan Zizka, Michal Maly
  • Patent number: 10531156
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including: a reception portion configured to receive audio video content; a trigger extraction portion configured to extract trigger information for operating an application program transmitted along with the audio video content and executed in interlocked relation to the audio video content; a table acquisition portion configured to acquire a correspondence table for associating the trigger information with commands for controlling the operation of the application program; a command determination portion configured such that, based on the acquired correspondence table, the command determination portion determines the commands associated with the extracted trigger information; and a control portion configured to control the operation of the application program in response to the determined commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Naohisa Kitazato, Mark Eyer
  • Patent number: 10516871
    Abstract: An imaging system processes images of a plurality of objects which have been captured by an image capture device for display. Normal processing of the images is modified as either a function of a depth corresponding to one or more of the plurality of objects appearing in the captured images relative to the image capture device or as a function of the depth and one or more image characteristics extracted from the captured images. A depth threshold may be used to avoid inadvertent modifications due to noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy E. Kerdok, Wenyi Zhao