Patents Examined by Victor Kostak
  • Patent number: 9177211
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying motor vehicles for monitoring traffic. The identification is carried out by image-evaluation and includes determining the size ratios of a license-plate contour in a perspectively distorted image on the basis of stored standardized license-plate formats, determining the size of the perspective distortion of the license-plate contour on the basis of the associated standardized license-plate format, establishing a calculation rule for the perspective rectification on the basis of the ascertained distortion of the license-plate contour with respect to the associated license-plate format, rectifying the extracted license-plate-containing motor-vehicle view, and comparing the rectified image with reference images of front views of motor vehicles stored in a database in order to assign the image with greatest correspondence to a group of classified motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: JENOPTIK Robot GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Lehning
  • Patent number: 9179111
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for generating and synchronizing video across multiple displays during a theatrical performance. In particular, the disclosure relates to individual handheld video monitors that can be arranged to create larger images or video. The system is adapted for use in theatrical performances during which performers manipulate and selectively arrange the monitors to produce differing visual effects. Each of the video monitors includes a computer and associated software for playing back still or video images. A control computer can wirelessly access each of the individual laptops to increase or decrease the rate at which the video or images appear. This allows all of the video monitors to be synchronized during the course of a performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Event Show Productions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorene M. Collier, Alfred J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 9172948
    Abstract: When a user views a three-dimensional video on an external apparatus, the user cannot always simultaneously view the three-dimensional video on another video display apparatus, because of the difference between the display methods used by these apparatuses, for example. In such case, when a three-dimensional video signal is output to the external apparatus, a display unit of the video display apparatus displays a two-dimensional video. In this way, even when the external apparatus is displaying a three-dimensional video, a user can simultaneously view the display unit of the video display apparatus easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Ogaki
  • Patent number: 9167294
    Abstract: An apparatus for switching television channels and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus for switching television channels includes a tuner unit, at least two video de-multiplexing modules and a switch unit. The tuner unit locks a specific frequency point in a broadcast stream, and the frequency point has at least two program channels. After the tuner unit locks the specific frequency point, each of the video de-multiplexing modules simultaneously and respectively receives the broadcast stream, and performs a de-multiplexing operation and a decoding operation to each of the program channels to generate at least two program streams. The switch unit selects and displays one of the at least two program streams corresponding to a first program channel, and when a second program channel is selected, the switch unit selects and displays the other one of the at least two program streams corresponding to the second program channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ALi (Zhuhai) Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Duo Wang, Lei-Ming Xu
  • Patent number: 9165374
    Abstract: An image processing device which performs a tracking control with respect to a moving object which is travelling forward, based on the controlled variable of the own vehicle includes, an image processing unit which specifies an area of a moving object from an input image, sets the specified area of the moving object as a reference image area after starting tracking control, and sets an area of the moving object after a predetermined time as a comparison image area; a comparison unit which compares the set reference image area and the comparison image area with each other, and calculates travelling information relating to the moving object; and a controlled variable calculation unit which calculates a controlled variable of the own vehicle from travelling information which is calculated in the comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mirai Higuchi, Takehito Ogata, Takeshi Shima
  • Patent number: 9167229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a small three-dimensional imaging device, including a tilt part that is plastically deformed by an external force so as to compensate for tilting between camera modules, and therefore reduces defects in order to improve productivity. The small three-dimensional imaging device of the present invention includes a main member and a camera module. The camera modules includes a first camera module and a second camera module, which are mounted on the top portion of the main member and are space apart from each other to capture a subject image in three dimensions. The main member include a tilt part for tilting the first camera module or the second camera module relative to the other by means of plastic deformation resulting from an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HYSONIC. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun Cheal Bang
  • Patent number: 9161020
    Abstract: The present invention provides a 3D video shooting control system which controls the position and direction of a pair of imaging devices in order to obtain a suitable 3D effect or maintain the safety, taking the shooting condition and the viewing condition into consideration comprehensively. A base-line length and a convergence angle of a pair of imaging devices are controlled based on an integration model in which a 3D shooting and broadcasting model and a 3D object model are integrated. A base-line length determination unit 6d-1 determines a base-line length based on the relationship expressed by an integration model equation 1 and a camera control unit 6e moves the pair of imaging devices to change the position thereof so that the pair of imaging devices has the determined base-line length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: B12-VISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zining Zhen, Xiaolin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9160929
    Abstract: A display system includes a line-of-sight tracking camera to detect an eyeball of a driver, first and second stereo cameras, a controlling unit, and a storing unit. The first and second stereo camera photographs a range corresponding to a field-of-view based on stereo camera-based line-of-sight information that is changed based on line-of-sight tracking camera-based line-of-sight information, and provide a photographed image. The controlling unit converts the line-of-sight tracking camera-based line-of-sight information into first and second stereo camera-based line-of-sight information based on pre-stored position and rotation information of the tracking camera and the first and second stereo cameras, and project the converted information onto the first and second stereo cameras, such that a three-dimensional line-of-sight coordinate is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hee Jin Ro, Seok Beom Lee, Dong Hee Seok, Sung Min Park
  • Patent number: 9160986
    Abstract: A device for monitoring surroundings of a vehicle mounted in a vehicle, captures an image of surroundings of the vehicle, extracts from the captured image an image area for a predetermined part of a desired type of object, and sets a predetermined area below the extracted image area. The device extracts candidates for the desired type of object present outside the vehicle based on the predetermined area and determines, for each of the extracted object candidates, whether the object candidate is the desired type of object. When no pattern different from the background is captured in the predetermined area, or when a pattern different from the background is captured only in one of a first and a second areas, then the object in the image area is excluded from the candidates for the desired type of object. Thus, a pedestrian, for example, can be distinguished from an artificial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuharu Nagaoka, Makoto Aimura
  • Patent number: 9158103
    Abstract: An endoscope includes: an objective optical section including a first barrel; an image pickup optical section including a solid image pickup device, an optical member forming an optical image through the objective optical section on an image pickup surface of the solid image pickup device, and a second barrel housing the optical member and the solid image pickup device, the second barrel fixed to the first barrel after positional adjustment in an axial direction relative to the first barrel; a holding member formed of material having a linear expansion coefficient lower than linear expansion coefficients of the first and second barrels, and fixed to outer surfaces of the first and second barrels; a first adhesive that bonds the first barrel and the second barrel; and a second adhesive having a bonding strength higher than that of the first adhesive, which bonds the holding member to the first and second barrels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 9147014
    Abstract: A bundled object image selection system includes an array of sensors configured to at least partially surround a bundle of objects, wherein the sensors are lasers adapted to obtain physical dimensional data about the bundle. The system also includes at least one camera configured to obtain a plurality of images of the bundle, a processor for executing computer-executable instructions, and a memory for storing computer executable instructions. When the instructions are executed, the processor implements a limit module that processes the physical dimensional data to determine a limit of the bundle and a selection module that selects at least one image from the plurality of images corresponding to the limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: WOODTECH MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Raúl Andrés Lastra
  • Patent number: 9148658
    Abstract: A method for performing light-based calibration of optics with caustic surfaces. The method includes mapping a light detecting device to a programmable light source. Then, the method includes operating a calibration light source to direct light onto one or more caustic surfaces of an optical assembly, e.g., an assembly of one or more lenses, facets, lenticules, and lenslets. The method may then involve, with the light detecting device, capturing an image of a projection surface of the optical assembly, which is opposite the one or more caustic surfaces in the optical assembly, as the projection surface is illuminated by the light from the light source. Further, the method includes processing the captured image, along with the mapping of the light detecting device to the programmable light source, to generate a calibration map of the optical assembly including the caustic surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Yael Pritch, Quinn Smithwick, Alexander Sorkine Hornung, Nicola Ranieri, Anselm Grundhofer, Lanny S. Smoot, Simon Heinzle, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 9147278
    Abstract: A parallax image generation device includes: a depth value correction unit which performs correction processing on a depth value, from among a plurality of depth values which define a depth image, to shift a position corresponding to the depth value to be closer to a display screen as the depth value is located closer to an end of the depth image, the display screen being for displaying a parallax image; and a parallax image generation unit which generates a first parallax image and a second parallax image having mutual parallax, using a two-dimensional image and the depth image corrected through the correction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Isogai, Masayuki Misaki, Junichi Tagawa, Takashi Kawamura, Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9148613
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and software are provided herein that allow a user to view video and manipulate viewing cells on a multi-view mode. In a first example, a method of merging viewing cells in a video management system is disclosed. The method includes presenting a plurality of viewing cells to a user, where the plurality of viewing cells are capable of displaying video of a plurality of video capture devices. The method also includes receiving an instruction to merge at least two of the plurality of viewing cells into a merged viewing cell, and associating the merged viewing cell with one of the plurality of video capture devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: VERINT SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventor: Royee Goldberg
  • Patent number: 9143719
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, electronic equipment configured to support an external apparatus including a display screen and a housing comprising an opening disposed on a side opposite the display screen, the electronic equipment includes: a first supporter electrically connected to the external apparatus, a connector being exposed from the first connector, the connector detachably being connected to the external apparatus; and a second supporter configured to support an area of the housing from the side opposite the display screen, the area excluding a portion on which the opening is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoaki Tamura, Yasuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9135851
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for measuring and correcting electronic visual displays. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present technology includes generating a series of patterns for illuminating proper subsets of the light emitting elements of the display, such as regular grids of nonadjacent activated light emitting elements with the elements in between deactivated. For each generated pattern, an imaging device captures information about the activated light emitting elements. A computing device analyzes the captured information, comparing the output of the activated light emitting elements to target output values, and determines correction factors to calibrate the display to better achieve the target output values. In some embodiments, the correction factors may be uploaded to firmware controlling the display or used to process images to be shown on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Radiant Vision Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald F. Rykowski
  • Patent number: 9135798
    Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring device 1 is equipped with a first recognizing unit 11 which recognizes a shape of a road in a traveling direction of a self vehicle C, a second recognizing unit 12 which recognizes a position of an object M existing in a periphery of the self vehicle C, an estimating unit 13 which estimates a moving direction of the object M from the position recognized by the second recognizing unit 12, and a contact avoiding process unit 15 which determines whether or not to perform an avoiding process for avoiding contact between the self vehicle C and the object M, on the basis of a relationship between the shape of the road recognized by the first recognizing unit 11 and the moving direction of the object M estimated by the estimating unit 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Sakagami, Christian Goerick, Jan Fritsch, Bernd Heisele
  • Patent number: 9119552
    Abstract: Endoscopic 3D data collection, including generating modulated measuring radiation, transmitting the measuring radiation to at least one partial area of a surface of an internal bodily cavity, receiving a signal radiation from the partial area of the surface of the cavity, transmitting the signal radiation from the distal to a proximal end portion of the shaft for reception by a time-of-flight (TOF) image sensor, and a controller to control the generation of the measuring radiation, to control the TOF image sensor and to evaluate the data supplied by the TOF image sensor to generate 3D data, also including a position sensor to record a position and an orientation of the shaft. The invention also relates to a method for endoscopic 3D data collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Baumann, Klaus M. Irion
  • Patent number: 9124864
    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 capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 9124784
    Abstract: A system for decreasing output power required to produce an output signal based on persistence of perception characteristics. The system includes a circuit configured to receive a perception signal at an input. The circuit is also configured to output a portion of the input perception signal when the circuit is receiving power output a zero amplitude signal when the circuit is not receiving power. The system also includes a switch configured to provide power to the circuit for a first interval of time and cut power to the circuit for a second interval of time contiguous to the first interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Archibald Doty