Patents Examined by Stephen R Koziol
  • Patent number: 9864436
    Abstract: A computer capable of recognizing gesture commands is disclosed. Suppose that a user makes a gesture of swinging a hand from side to side in front of a camera associated with a computer. A camera module receives frames with shots of the gesture in order. The camera module calculates a gradation difference between corresponding pixels of each frame and a background image to generate a set of binarized differential images. The camera module then combines differential images to generate composite images. In response to a determination that any of the composite images matches a reference pattern, the camera module outputs a computer command. The computer command can be used to control the power state of the computer or start a specific application within the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Yasushi Tsukamoto, Jun Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9858681
    Abstract: A method for obtaining object surface topology in which image frames of a scene (e.g., video frames from a user passing a smartphone camera over an object) are transformed into dense feature vectors, and feature vectors are correlated to obtain high precision depth maps. Six dimensional pose is determined from the video sequence, and then used to register patches of pixels from the frames. Registered patches are aligned and then correlated to local shifts. These local shifts are converted to precision depth maps, which are used to characterize surface detail of an object. Feature vector transforms are leveraged in a signal processing method comprising several levels of interacting loops. At a first loop level, a structure from motion loop process extracts anchor features from image frames. At another level, an interacting loop process extracts surface texture, as noted. At additional levels, object forms are segmented from the images, and objects are counted and/or measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 9852157
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for selecting an image for comparison with a plurality of images; specifying one or more visual criterion for searching the plurality of images, wherein the visual criteria are based upon a visual similarity between the image and the plurality of images; searching the plurality of images based upon the criteria to identify a subset of the plurality of images that meet a threshold with respect to the visual similarity; and displaying in a graphical user interface the subset of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony C. Spielberg
  • Patent number: 9852499
    Abstract: A method for processing high dynamic range (HDR) images by selecting preferred tone mapping operators and gamut mapping algorithms based on scene classification. Scenes are classified into indoor scenes, outdoor scenes, and scenes with people, and tone mapping operators and gamut mapping algorithms are selected on that basis. Prior to scene classification, the multiple images taken at various exposure values are fused into a low dynamic range (LDR) image using an exposure fusing algorithm, and scene classification is performed using the fused LDR image. Then, the HDR image generated from the multiple images are tone mapped into a LDR image using the selected tone mapping operator and then gamut mapped to the color space of the output device such as printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA LABORATORY U.S.A., INC.
    Inventors: Wei Ming, Xiaonong Zhan
  • Patent number: 9846708
    Abstract: Provided are techniques for selecting an image for comparison with a plurality of images; specifying one or more visual criterion for searching the plurality of images, wherein the visual criteria are based upon a visual similarity between the image and the plurality of images; searching the plurality of images based upon the criteria to identify a subset of the plurality of images that meet a threshold with respect to the visual similarity; and displaying in a graphical user interface the subset of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony C. Spielberg
  • Patent number: 9839483
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for assessing an arterio-venous malformation (AVM) may include, for example, receiving a patient-specific model of a portion of an anatomy of a patient; using a computer processor to analyze the patient-specific model for identifying one or more blood vessels associated with the AVM, in the patient-specific model; and estimating a risk of an undesirable outcome caused by the AVM, by performing computer simulations of blood flow through the one or more blood vessels associated with the AVM in the patient-specific model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: HEARTFLOW, INC.
    Inventors: Sethuraman Sankaran, Christopher Zarins, Leo J. Grady
  • Patent number: 9842271
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of corner detection and an image processing system for detecting corners in an image. The preferred implementation is in software using enabling and reusable hardware features in the underlying vector processor architecture. The advantage of this combined software and programmable processor datapath hardware is that the same hardware used for the FAST algorithm can also be readily applied to a variety of other computational tasks, not limited to image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Linear Algebra Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Cormac Brick, Brendan Barry, Fergal Connor, David Moloney
  • Patent number: 9836807
    Abstract: A phase estimation method estimates the phase of signal components using a point spread function. The method obtains a point spread function that expresses complex frequencies at a non integer location in terms of integral frequencies, for a complex frequency of a signal at a non integer location in a complex frequency domain. It obtains complex frequencies of the signal for the integral frequencies, and computes a sum of products of the complex frequencies of the signal at the integral frequencies with the corresponding complex values of the point spread function to provide an estimate of phase of the signal at the non integer location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Lyons, John D. Lord
  • Patent number: 9836644
    Abstract: Provided an information processing device including ail image acquisition configured to acquire a captured image, a change detection unit configured to detect a change in a state of a subject in a network service recognized from the captured image, and a depiction change unit configured to change a depiction of the subject shown in the captured image in a case where the change detection unit detects the change in the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maki Mori, Shunichi Kasahara, Osamu Shigeta, Seiji Suzuki, Ryo Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 9830503
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving a video feed of a scene. Selecting a first portion of the video feed and a second portion of the video feed based on a probability of an object being present in the first portion of the video feed compared to a probability of the object being present in the second portion of the video feed. Processing a first portion of the video feed using a first detection algorithm to detect the object in the first portion of the video feed. Processing a second portion of the video feed using a second detection algorithm to detect the object in the second portion of the video feet, where the first detection algorithm is different from the second detection algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MorphoTrust USA, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Martin, Brian Bertan
  • Patent number: 9826922
    Abstract: A method for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including stimulating the animal using a stimulus device; collecting data from the animal using a data collection device; analyzing the collected data; and developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A system for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including a stimulus device for stimulating the animal; a data collection device for collecting data from the animal; a device for analyzing the collected data; and a device for developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A computer implemented method, a computer system and a nontransitory computer readable storage medium related to the same. Also, a method and apparatus for automatically discovering, characterizing and classifying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area. Further, use of a depth camera and/or a touch sensitive device related to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Sandeep Robert Datta, Alexander B. Wiltschko
  • Patent number: 9824445
    Abstract: An endoscope system for analyzing, when an endoscope is inserted into a subject, an observed region and an unobserved region of the endoscope using information of a three-dimensional image of the subject obtained in advance, including: one or more processors comprising hardware, for: three-dimensionally changing a display direction for displaying a luminal organ model extracted from a three-dimensional image, and when an identification image provided with identification information is generated on the luminal organ model with the display direction changed, generating the identification image in a direction such that a proportion of the non-angle-of-view region in the identification image is largest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Syunya Akimoto, Junichi Onishi
  • Patent number: 9820651
    Abstract: Devices, such as computer readable media, and methods, such as automated methods, for labeling and/or matching. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for anatomical labeling of human airway trees. Some of the devices and methods are particularly useful for matching branch-points of human airway trees from represented in two or more graphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Juerg Tschirren, Milan Sonka, Joseph Reinhardt, Geoffrey McLennan, Eric Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9813725
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer program for encoding and decoding a unique signature for a user in a video file, wherein the video file was created using a video format that does not specifically support embedding a unique signature in the video file. A unique signature, comprising a plurality of data bits, is associated with a user and divided into groups. For each group, a different sine wave is created for each bit in the group. The frequencies of the sine waves correspond to the types of bits, and the amplitudes of the sine waves indicate the values of the bits. Group signals are overdubbed on the infrasound range of the audio track of the video file. The unique signature is decoded from the video file by analyzing the frequencies and amplitudes of sine waves in the infrasound range of the audio track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GoAnimate, Inc.
    Inventors: Tang Fei Yu, Omar Rabbolini
  • Patent number: 9811537
    Abstract: A method includes identifying, in an image, a shelf, a price tag affixed to the shelf, a first group of one or more first products resting on the shelf and positioned on a first side of the price tag, and a second group of one or more second products resting on the shelf and positioned on a second side of the price tag. One or more first candidates are identified for the one or more first products, and one or more second candidates are identified for the one or more second products. Upon receiving information indicating expected locations for the first and the second candidates, determining, an identity of the first products can be determined based on the expected locations and the one or more first candidates, and an identity of second products can be determined based on the expected locations and the one or more second candidates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Geva, Mattias Marder, Yoav Nahshon, Amnon Ribak
  • Patent number: 9811719
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a detecting unit, and an associating unit. The receiving unit receives a captured moving image of a target person. The detecting unit detects a cue given by the target person. The associating unit associates the cue, given by the target person and detected by the detecting unit, with the moving image so that the cue will be used to designate the moving image used for evaluating the target person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Nemoto
  • Patent number: 9811816
    Abstract: To enable registration of a commodity without interrupting the flow of sales registration by an operator, a commodity identification device 2 specifically includes: a camera 27 that takes an image of an object that an operator holds over the camera; and a CPU 211 that is configured to, when the object is recognized from an image taken by the camera 27 and the object recognized is compared with reference images of each commodity in plurality of directions, and when the object is similar to a plurality of commodities, specify reference images having a noticeable difference, and guide the operator to rotate the object so that the object in the direction corresponding to the specified reference images is directed toward the camera 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Sato
  • Patent number: 9811203
    Abstract: A system may comprise a registration device configured to register patterns for users; a recording device configured to record a received pattern, as an electronic pattern, wherein the recording device recognizes the received pattern as one of the registered patterns; a receiving device configured to observe human movement patterns with a camera, transform the observed human movement patterns to an electronic signal, and receive the recognized registered pattern from the recording device by a first wireless transmission; a forwarding device configured to transmit the electronic signal, and the received recognized registered pattern to an alert service by a second wireless transmission; and an alert service, configured to receive the electronic signal and the received recognized registered pattern from the forwarding device and configured to transmit the electronic signal and the received recognized registered pattern to a second electronic device by a third wireless transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter C. Bahrs, Peter H. Burton, Donna K. Byron, Sangeeta Gautam, Manvendra Gupta, Anne Kline
  • Patent number: 9807860
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for acquiring image data of a subject. The image data can be collected with an imaging system with at least two different power characteristics. A volumetric model of multiple phases can be reconstructed using dynamic or enhanced reconstruction techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Helm, Shuanghe Shi
  • Patent number: 9798709
    Abstract: A digital transaction management service provides notice to a recipient regarding one or more actions to take with respect to one or more transactions. The digital transaction management service is configured to determine that there is a new action required by the recipient and to send a new notice only if the recipient has accessed the digital transaction management service since the time the last notice was sent. Reminder notices are sent only if there has been no additional notice sent regarding any action for any transaction during a preset period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DocuSign, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Malden