Patents by Inventor Alexandru Malaescu

Alexandru Malaescu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12249184
    Abstract: A method to determine activity in a sequence of successively acquired images of a scene, comprises: acquiring the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, forming a feature block of features extracted from the image and determining image specific information including a weighting for the image; normalizing the determined weightings to form a normalized weighting for each image in the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, combining the associated normalized weighting and associated feature block to form a weighted feature block; passing a combination of the weighted feature blocks through a predictive module to determine an activity in the sequence of images; and outputting a result comprising the determined activity in the sequence of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Tobii Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Dan Filip, Mihai Ciuc, Liviu-Cristian Dutu, Madalin Dumitru-Guzu
  • Publication number: 20230419727
    Abstract: A method to determine activity in a sequence of successively acquired images of a scene, comprises: acquiring the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, forming a feature block of features extracted from the image and determining image specific information including a weighting for the image; normalizing the determined weightings to form a normalized weighting for each image in the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, combining the associated normalized weighting and associated feature block to form a weighted feature block; passing a combination of the weighted feature blocks through a predictive module to determine an activity in the sequence of images; and outputting a result comprising the determined activity in the sequence of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Dan Filip, Mihai Ciuc, Liviu-Cristian Dutu, Madalin Dumitru-Guzu
  • Patent number: 11776319
    Abstract: A method to determine activity in a sequence of successively acquired images of a scene, comprises: acquiring the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, forming a feature block of features extracted from the image and determining image specific information including a weighting for the image; normalizing the determined weightings to form a normalized weighting for each image in the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, combining the associated normalized weighting and associated feature block to form a weighted feature block; passing a combination of the weighted feature blocks through a predictive module to determine an activity in the sequence of images; and outputting a result comprising the determined activity in the sequence of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Dan Filip, Mihai Ciuc, Liviu-Cristian Dutu, Madalin Dumitru-Guzu
  • Patent number: 11727273
    Abstract: The technology relates to tuning a data translation block (DTB) including a generator model and a discriminator model. One or more processors may be configured to receive training data including an image in a second domain. The image in the second domain may be transformed into a first domain with a generator model. The transformed image may be processed to determine one or more outputs with one or more deep neural networks (DNNs) trained to process data in the first domain. An original objective function for the DTB may be updated based on the one or more outputs. The generator and discriminator models may be trained to satisfy the updated objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Adrian Dorin Capata, Mihai Ciuc, Alina Sultana, Dan Filip, Liviu-Cristian Dutu
  • Publication number: 20220092361
    Abstract: The technology relates to tuning a data translation block (DTB) including a generator model and a discriminator model. One or more processors may be configured to receive training data including an image in a second domain. The image in the second domain may be transformed into a first domain with a generator model. The transformed image may be processed to determine one or more outputs with one or more deep neural networks (DNNs) trained to process data in the first domain. An original objective function for the DTB may be updated based on the one or more outputs. The generator and discriminator models may be trained to satisfy the updated objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Adrian Dorin Capata, Mihai Ciuc, Alina Sultana, Dan Filip, Liviu-Cristian Dutu
  • Patent number: 11244429
    Abstract: A method of providing a sharpness measure for an image comprises detecting an object region within an image; obtaining meta-data for the image; and scaling the chosen object region to a fixed size. A gradient map is calculated for the scaled object region and compared against a threshold determined for the image to provide a filtered gradient map of values exceeding the threshold. The threshold for the image is a function of at least: a contrast level for the detected object region, a distance to the subject and an ISO/gain used for image acquisition. A sharpness measure for the object region is determined as a function of the filtered gradient map values, the sharpness measure being proportional to the filtered gradient map values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Bobei, Alexandru Malaescu, Cosmin Clapon
  • Publication number: 20220019776
    Abstract: A method to determine activity in a sequence of successively acquired images of a scene, comprises: acquiring the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, forming a feature block of features extracted from the image and determining image specific information including a weighting for the image; normalizing the determined weightings to form a normalized weighting for each image in the sequence of images; for each image in the sequence of images, combining the associated normalized weighting and associated feature block to form a weighted feature block; passing a combination of the weighted feature blocks through a predictive module to determine an activity in the sequence of images; and outputting a result comprising the determined activity in the sequence of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru MALAESCU, Dan FILIP, Mihai CIUC, Liviu-Cristian DUTU, Madalin DUMITRU-GUZU
  • Patent number: 11195056
    Abstract: The technology relates to tuning a data translation block (DTB) including a generator model and a discriminator model. One or more processors may be configured to receive training data including an image in a second domain. The image in the second domain may be transformed into a first domain with a generator model. The transformed image may be processed to determine one or more outputs with one or more deep neural networks (DNNs) trained to process data in the first domain. An original objective function for the DTB may be updated based on the one or more outputs. The generator and discriminator models may be trained to satisfy the updated objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Adrian Dorin Capata, Mihai Ciuc, Alina Sultana, Dan Filip, Liviu-Cristian Dutu
  • Publication number: 20210089831
    Abstract: The technology relates to tuning a data translation block (DTB) including a generator model and a discriminator model. One or more processors may be configured to receive training data including an image in a second domain. The image in the second domain may be transformed into a first domain with a generator model. The transformed image may be processed to determine one or more outputs with one or more deep neural networks (DNNs) trained to process data in the first domain. An original objective function for the DTB may be updated based on the one or more outputs. The generator and discriminator models may be trained to satisfy the updated objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru MALAESCU, Adrian Dorin CAPATA, Mihai CIUC, Alina SULTANA, Dan FILIP, Liviu-Cristian DUTU
  • Publication number: 20200294206
    Abstract: A method of providing a sharpness measure for an image comprises detecting an object region within an image; obtaining meta-data for the image; and scaling the chosen object region to a fixed size. A gradient map is calculated for the scaled object region and compared against a threshold determined for the image to provide a filtered gradient map of values exceeding the threshold. The threshold for the image is a function of at least: a contrast level for the detected object region, a distance to the subject and an ISO/gain used for image acquisition. A sharpness measure for the object region is determined as a function of the filtered gradient map values, the sharpness measure being proportional to the filtered gradient map values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin NANU, Adrian BOBEI, Alexandru MALAESCU, Cosmin CLAPON
  • Patent number: 10657628
    Abstract: A method of providing a sharpness measure for an image comprises detecting an object region within an image; obtaining meta-data for the image; and scaling the chosen object region to a fixed size. A gradient map is calculated for the scaled object region and compared against a threshold determined for the image to provide a filtered gradient map of values exceeding the threshold. The threshold for the image is a function of at least: a contrast level for the detected object region, a distance to the subject and an ISO/gain used for image acquisition. A sharpness measure for the object region is determined as a function of the filtered gradient map values, the sharpness measure being proportional to the filtered gradient map values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Bobei, Alexandru Malaescu, Cosmin Clapon
  • Patent number: 10560690
    Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating an image capture device comprises: a) determining a distance (DCRT, DEST) to an object within a scene; b) determining a first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for the determined distance; c) determining a second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) providing maximum sharpness for the object in a captured image of the scene; and d) storing the determined distance (DCRT, DEST) and the first and second lens actuator settings. These steps are repeated at a second determined distance separated from the first determined distance. A calibration correction (ERRNEARPLP, ERRFARPLP) for stored calibrated lens actuator settings (DACNEARPLP, DACFARPLP) is determined as a function of at least: respective differences between the second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) and the first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for each of the first and second determined distances; and the stored calibrated lens actuator settings are adjusted according to the determined calibration corrections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Florin Nanu
  • Patent number: 10455147
    Abstract: A method of processing an image comprises: acquiring an image of a scene including an object having a recognizable feature. A lens actuator setting providing a maximum sharpness for a region of the image including the object and a lens displacement corresponding to the lens actuator setting are determined. A distance to the object based on the lens displacement is calculated. A dimension of the feature as a function of the distance to the object, the imaged object size and a focal length of a lens assembly with which the image was acquired, is determined. The determined dimension of the feature is employed instead of an assumed dimension of the feature for subsequent processing of images of the scene including the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Florin Nanu, Stefan Petrescu, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Publication number: 20190279342
    Abstract: A method of providing a sharpness measure for an image comprises detecting an object region within an image; obtaining meta-data for the image; and scaling the chosen object region to a fixed size. A gradient map is calculated for the scaled object region and compared against a threshold determined for the image to provide a filtered gradient map of values exceeding the threshold. The threshold for the image is a function of at least: a contrast level for the detected object region, a distance to the subject and an ISO/gain used for image acquisition. A sharpness measure for the object region is determined as a function of the filtered gradient map values, the sharpness measure being proportional to the filtered gradient map values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin NANU, Adrian BOBEI, Alexandru MALAESCU, Cosmin CLAPON
  • Patent number: 10334152
    Abstract: A method for acquiring an image comprises acquiring a first image frame including a region containing a subject at a first focus position; determining a first sharpness of the subject within the first image frame; identifying an imaged subject size within the first image frame; determining a second focus position based on the imaged subject size; acquiring a second image frame at the second focus position; and determining a second sharpness of the subject within the second image frame. A sharpness threshold is determined as a function of image acquisition parameters for the first and/or second image frame. Responsive to the second sharpness not exceeding the first sharpness and the sharpness threshold, camera motion parameters and/or subject motion parameters for the second image frame are determined before performing a focus sweep to determine an optimal focus position for the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Alexandru Malaescu, Cosmin Clapon
  • Patent number: 10311554
    Abstract: A method of providing a sharpness measure for an image comprises detecting an object region within an image; obtaining meta-data for the image; and scaling the chosen object region to a fixed size. A gradient map is calculated for the scaled object region and compared against a threshold determined for the image to provide a filtered gradient map of values exceeding the threshold. The threshold for the image is a function of at least: a contrast level for the detected object region, a distance to the subject and an ISO/gain used for image acquisition. A sharpness measure for the object region is determined as a function of the filtered gradient map values, the sharpness measure being proportional to the filtered gradient map values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Adrian Bobei, Alexandru Malaescu, Cosmin Clapon
  • Publication number: 20190158822
    Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating an image capture device comprises: a) determining a distance (DCRT, DEST) to an object within a scene; b) determining a first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for the determined distance; c) determining a second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) providing maximum sharpness for the object in a captured image of the scene; and d) storing the determined distance (DCRT, DEST) and the first and second lens actuator settings. These steps are repeated at a second determined distance separated from the first determined distance. A calibration correction (ERRNEARPLP, ERRFARPLP) for stored calibrated lens actuator settings (DACNEARPLP, DACFARPLP) is determined as a function of at least: respective differences between the second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) and the first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for each of the first and second determined distances; and the stored calibrated lens actuator settings are adjusted according to the determined calibration corrections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru MALAESCU, Florin NANU
  • Patent number: 10148943
    Abstract: A method for acquiring an image comprises acquiring a first image frame including a region containing a subject at a first focus position; determining a first sharpness of the subject within the first image frame; identifying an imaged subject size within the first image frame; determining a second focus position based on the imaged subject size; acquiring a second image frame at the second focus position; and determining a second sharpness of the subject within the second image frame. A sharpness threshold is determined as a function of image acquisition parameters for the first and/or second image frame. Responsive to the second sharpness not exceeding the first sharpness and the sharpness threshold, camera motion parameters and/or subject motion parameters for the second image frame are determined before performing a focus sweep to determine an optimal focus position for the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Florin Nanu, Alexandru Malaescu
  • Patent number: 10148945
    Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating an image capture device comprises: a) determining a distance (DCRT, DEST) to an object within a scene; b) determining a first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for the determined distance; c) determining a second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) providing maximum sharpness for the object in a captured image of the scene; and d) storing the determined distance (DCRT, DEST) and the first and second lens actuator settings. These steps are repeated at a second determined distance separated from the first determined distance. A calibration correction (ERRNEARPLP, ERRFARPLP) for stored calibrated lens actuator settings (DACNEARPLP, DACFARPLP) is determined as a function of at least: respective differences between the second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) and the first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for each of the first and second determined distances; and the stored calibrated lens actuator settings are adjusted according to the determined calibration corrections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Florin Nanu
  • Publication number: 20180343444
    Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating an image capture device comprises: a) determining a distance (DCRT, DEST) to an object within a scene; b) determining a first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for the determined distance; c) determining a second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) providing maximum sharpness for the object in a captured image of the scene; and d) storing the determined distance (DCRT, DEST) and the first and second lens actuator settings. These steps are repeated at a second determined distance separated from the first determined distance. A calibration correction (ERRNEARPLP, ERRFARPLP) for stored calibrated lens actuator settings (DACNEARPLP, DACFARPLP) is determined as a function of at least: respective differences between the second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) and the first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for each of the first and second determined distances; and the stored calibrated lens actuator settings are adjusted according to the determined calibration corrections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Alexandru MALAESCU, Florin NANU