Patents by Inventor Francisco Imai

Francisco Imai 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).

  • Publication number: 20120224077
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, method, and storage medium identifying image metadata based on user interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Francisco Imai, John S. Haikin
  • Publication number: 20120224787
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an image determine scene information based on a first image of a scene, the first image including an image of a subject at a first position in the scene, and the first image information including a first field of view of the first image and a first capture location where the first image was captured, acquire a second image of the scene from a repository storing a plurality of images based on the scene information, the second image having a second field of view similar to the first field of view and a second capture location similar to the first capture location, adjust light parameters of the image of the subject based on the light parameters of the second image, and generate a combined image based on the second image and the image of the subject, the combined image including at least part of the second image, and the adjusted image of the subject at a position in the scene similar to the first position in the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Patent number: 8253795
    Abstract: Linear and rotational speeds of a mobile device are calculated using distance estimates between imaging sensors in the device and objects or scenes in front of the sensors. The distance estimates are used to modify optical flow vectors from the sensors. Shifting and rotational speeds of the mobile device may then be calculated using the modified optical flow vector values. For example, given a configuration where the first imaging sensor and the second imaging sensor face opposite directions on a single axis, a shifting speed is calculated in the following way: multiplying a first optical flow vector and a first distance estimate, thereby deriving a first modified optical flow vector value; multiplying a second optical flow vector and a second distance estimate, thereby deriving a second modified optical flow vector value; the second modified optical flow vector value may then be subtracted from the first modified optical flow vector value, resulting in a measurement of the shifting speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Wook Kim, Stefan Marti, Francisco Imai
  • Patent number: 8253649
    Abstract: Two or more display components are used to provide spatially correlated displays of 3D content. Three-dimensional content is rendered on multiple displays where the 3D content refers to the same virtual 3D coordinates, in which the relative position of the displays to each other determines the 3D virtual camera position for each display. Although not required, one of the displays may be mobile, such as a cell phone, and the other stationary or nomadic, such as a laptop. Each display shows a view based on a virtual camera into 3D content, such as an online virtual world. By continuously sensing and updating the relative physical distances and orientations of each device to one another, the devices show the user a view into the 3D content that is spatially correlated. Each device has a virtual camera that uses a common pool of 3D geometrical data and renders this data to display images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Francisco Imai, Seung Wook Kim, Stefan Marti
  • Publication number: 20120212636
    Abstract: Image data of a scene is captured. Spectral profile information is obtained for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, each of which maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the scene is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the scene are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the scene against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the scene is constructed, and the metadata is embedded with the image data for the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: John Haikin, Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120213407
    Abstract: Image data of a scene is captured. Spectral profile information is obtained for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, each of which maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the scene is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the scene are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the scene against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the scene is constructed, and the metadata is embedded with the image data for the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: John Haikin, Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120206632
    Abstract: Compensation is performed for an image capture device which includes an image sensor which has a tunable spectral response and which is tunable in accordance with a capture mask. The compensation is for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A default capture mask is applied to the image sensor, and a sample image is captured using the image sensor tuned by the default capture mask. Color of the sample image is analyzed to identify spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A compensation capture mask is constructed. The compensation capture mask is constructed using calculations based on the identified spatial non-uniformity so as to compensate for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. The compensation capture mask is stored in a memory of the image capture device for application of the compensation capture mask to the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120206631
    Abstract: Compensation is performed for an image capture device which includes an image sensor which has a tunable spectral response and which is tunable in accordance with a capture mask. The compensation is for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A default capture mask is applied to the image sensor, and a sample image is captured using the image sensor tuned by the default capture mask. Color of the sample image is analyzed to identify spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. A compensation capture mask is constructed. The compensation capture mask is constructed using calculations based on the identified spatial non-uniformity so as to compensate for spatial non-uniformity in color sensitivity of the image sensor. The compensation capture mask is stored in a memory of the image capture device for application of the compensation capture mask to the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120188344
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative imaging include a device for collaborative image capturing device comprising a computational image sensor including a imaging sensor configured to detect light signals from a field of view, and one or more processors configured to control at least one parameter of the imaging sensor and to adjust the at least one imaging sensor parameter based on a respective light signal detected by one or more other computational image sensors, and a network interface configured to exchange data with the one or more other computational image sensors, wherein the exchanged data indicates the respective light signals detected by the one or more other computational image sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120133816
    Abstract: A method for capturing an image using an image acquisition device, includes determining that at least one area of an image to be captured has been selected, analyzing geometrical and compositional properties of an area surrounding the at least one area, providing a dynamic compositional guideline based on a result of analyzing the geometrical and compositional properties, and indicating when the image to be captured should be captured based on a position of the dynamic compositional guideline relative to the image to be captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120127302
    Abstract: An image processing device includes capture optics for capturing light-field information for a scene, and a display unit for providing a display of the scene to a viewer. A tracking unit tracks relative positions of a viewer's head and the display and the viewer's gaze to adjust the display based on the relative positions and to determine a region of interest on the display. A virtual tag location unit determines locations to place one or more virtual tags on the region of interest, by using computational photography of the captured light-field information to determine depth information of an object in the region of interest. A mixed-reality display is produced by combining display of the virtual tags with the display of objects in the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120127334
    Abstract: Image capture using an image capture device which includes an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. A default capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly, wherein the default capture parameter has high spectral dimensionality. A sample image of a scene is captured. The sample image is analyzed to identify multiple different regions in the scene, wherein each such region shares similar imaging properties that are dissimilar from imaging properties in other regions of the scene. A spectral mask is derived based on the analysis, wherein the spectral mask is derived so as to achieve good image capture tailored to the imaging properties of each different region of the scene. The spectral mask is applied as the capture parameter to the imaging assembly. A final image of the scene is captured and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120127301
    Abstract: Image capture using an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. The capture parameter has high spectral dimensionality. A sample image of a scene is captured and the sample image is analyzed to identify multiple different regions in the scene. Each such region shares similar spectral content that is dissimilar from spectral content in other regions of the scene. Spectral bands for each region of the multiple different regions are determined so as to increase spectral differentiation for spectral content in each such region. A spectral mask is constructed for application to the imaging assembly. The spectral mask is constructed from the spectral bands for the multiple different regions. The spectral mask is applied as the capture parameter to the imaging assembly, and a spectral image of the scene is captured and stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120127335
    Abstract: Image capture with an image capture device including an imaging assembly having a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. A first capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A preview image of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the first capture parameter. A user interface is displayed by which first and second regions of the preview image are designated, and by which a target range is set for contrast between the first and second regions. A second capture parameter is derived for the imaging assembly, by implementing the target range for contrast between the first and second regions. The second capture parameter is applied to the imaging assembly. A second image of the scene is captured by using the imaging assembly whose spectral response is tuned in accordance with the second capture parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120127203
    Abstract: An image processing device includes capture optics for capturing light-field information for a scene, and a display unit for providing a display of the scene to a viewer. A tracking unit tracks relative positions of a viewer's head and the display and the viewer's gaze to adjust the display based on the relative positions and to determine a region of interest on the display. A virtual tag location unit determines locations to place one or more virtual tags on the region of interest, by using computational photography of the captured light-field information to determine depth information of an object in the region of interest. A mixed-reality display is produced by combining display of the virtual tags with the display of objects in the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco IMAI
  • Publication number: 20120069212
    Abstract: Image capture by using an imaging assembly having spectral sensitivities which are tunable in accordance with a capture parameter. First and second capture parameters are applied respectively to first and second regions of a scene, and a preview image is captured and displayed, together with a user interface which permits a user to adjust a transition of the capture parameter at a boundary between the first and second regions. Further preview images may be captured and displayed until the user is satisfied with the appearance of the preview image at the boundary of the first and second regions. A final image is captured using the first and second capture parameters together with any adjustment to the transition of the capture parameters at the boundary between the first and second regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120069221
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image sensor for capturing image data of a scene, and a display screen for displaying a preview of the captured image of the scene. Additionally, the image capture device includes a photovoltaic solar cell for outputting electrical energy responsive to environmental lighting conditions. A control section determines whether the image capture device is or is not currently being used in a bright environment. Responsive to a determination that the image capture device is currently being used in a bright environment, the control section increases brightness of the display screen, and switches electrical energy outputted from the photovoltaic cell for use by the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120069235
    Abstract: An image capture device includes capture optics for capturing light-field information for a scene. A display screen displays a preview of the scene by using the captured light-field information at a default focal plane. The display displays a user interface for accepting a user selection of a region in the preview together with a user selection of focus for the selected region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120050565
    Abstract: Image capture with an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a tunable spectral response. A default capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Preview image data of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly with the default capture setting. A user interface includes a preview image based on the captured preview image data of the scene. A user designation of a region of interest (ROI) in the preview image is accepted, and a user selection of a targeted imaging property for the ROI is accepted. A revised capture setting for the spectral responsivity of the tunable imaging assembly is computed, by revising the default capture setting based on the targeted imaging property for the ROI as selected by the user. The revised capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Image data from the imaging assembly is captured using the revised capture setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20120044380
    Abstract: Image capture of a scene in which there is an identification of an imaging property of the scene, such as the illuminant or dynamic range of the scene. An imaging assembly has a spectral response which is tunable in accordance with a capture parameter, and first and second different capture parameters are applied to the image sensor. Respective first and second images of the scene are captured. The first and second images of the scene are compared to identify an imaging property of the scene, such as the illuminant or multiple illuminants in respective ones of multiple regions in the scene. In accordance with the property identified for the scene, a third capture parameter is derived, such as to obtain color correction or white balance in accordance with each identified illuminant. The third capture parameter is applied to the image sensor, and a final image of the scene is captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Francisco Imai