Patents by Inventor Ian Clarke

Ian Clarke 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: 20110121737
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: LIGHT AND SOUND DESIGN LTD.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A. Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 7880957
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Publication number: 20100110520
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 7693342
    Abstract: An evaluating method of image information acquires image information, performs camera shake evaluation of the image information by determining a camera shake direction on the basis of the image information, and performs out-of-focus evaluation of the image information by using information concerning a camera shake direction determined in the camera shake evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Megumi Kanda, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7653256
    Abstract: The present method of evaluating image information, includes: extracting, from image information to be evaluated, a plurality of edge pixels located in a boundary of an image expressed by the image information; calculating, for each of the edge pixels, a number of pixels that include the edge pixel targeted for calculation, that exist in the boundary, and that are arranged in a direction intersecting with the boundary; and performing out-of-focus blurring evaluation of the image information on the basis of the number of pixels that exist in the boundary and a number of the edge pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Megumi Kanda, Eunice Poon, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7643204
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Cook, Richard Parker, Mark A Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 7593039
    Abstract: An image correcting method includes: (a) acquiring original image information to be corrected; (b) setting a confirmation range for confirming an effect of a correction; (c) producing corrected image information; and (d) displaying, on an image display section, an original image based on the original image information and a corrected image based on the corrected image information. The confirmation range is set based on the original image information. The corrected image information is produced by correcting the original image information within the confirmation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Megumi Kanda, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7593591
    Abstract: A method of enhancing contrast in a digital image comprises isolating pixels of the image having intensities falling within a low intensity range, determining at least one feature of the pixel distribution with the range and adjusting intensities of pixels in the image to make the pixels within the range more visually distinct. An apparatus for enhancing contrast in a digital image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Achong, Hui Zhou, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7590275
    Abstract: A system and method of recognizing characters in a captured image, includes selecting a portion of the image encompassing a string of characters in the captured image to be recognized. The selected portion is examined to identify segments that potentially include the characters of the string. During the examining multiple tests on pixels in the selected portion are performed. The identified segments are then examined to recognize the string of characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Clarke, Hui Zhou, Jeffrey Matthew Achong
  • Patent number: 7574071
    Abstract: A method of fractionally resizing an image comprises locating areas of sensitivity in the image. Adjustment lines in the image are selected at least partially based on the location of the located areas of sensitivity. The image is then resized along the adjustment lines. An apparatus for fractionally resizing an image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Clarke, Hui Zhou, Jeffrey Matthew Achong
  • Patent number: 7565029
    Abstract: A method of estimating three-dimensional camera position information from a series of two-dimensional images that form a panorama employs common features in adjoining image pairs in the series to estimate a transform between the images in the pairs. The common features are subsequently employed to adjust an estimated rotational component of each transform by reducing error between coordinates corresponding to the common features in three-dimensional space in image pairs, on a pair-by-pair basis. A global optimization of the position estimation, used for long sequences of images such as 360 degree panoramas, refines the estimates of the rotational and focal length components of the transforms by concurrently reducing error between all 3D common feature coordinates for all adjoining pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Zhou, Derek Hang Chun Kwok, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7564482
    Abstract: An image capturing device is adapted to capture an object image and to generate an image data. Each of a plurality of image capturers is adapted to perform an image capturing of a part of the object image and to generate a partial image data which constitutes a part of the image data based on the part of the object image. Each of the image capturers has an optical axis. A detector is operable to detect movement of each of the image capturers in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis during the image capturing and to generate movement data based on the detected movement, for each of the image capturers. A processor is operable to correct the partial image data so as to compensate the movement during the image capturing based on the movement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Clarke, Eunice Poon
  • Patent number: 7551791
    Abstract: In the present invention, an image evaluation method includes: (a) a step of acquiring image information to be evaluated; (b) a step of setting an evaluation area for the acquired image information, the evaluation area being smaller than an area corresponding to the image information; (c) a step of obtaining an individual evaluation on the acquired image information; (d) a step of obtaining another individual evaluation on the acquired image information; and (e) a step of obtaining a comprehensive evaluation based on the individual evaluation and the other individual evaluation. Herein, the individual evaluation is obtained by individually evaluating a predetermined item in the set evaluation area. The other individual evaluation is obtained by individually evaluating another predetermined item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Megumi Kanda, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7515771
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of reducing brightness variations in a panorama comprises calculating a gamma plane based on the panorama, blurring and normalizing the gamma plane and then applying the blurred and normalized gamma plane to the panorama thereby to reduce brightness variations therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Clarke, Hui Zhou, Puneet Khanduri
  • Patent number: 7509038
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and image capture device for limiting motion blur during capture of an image predetermines a relationship between movement of the image capture device, time and blur extent. A rate of movement of the image capture device is obtained and used in conjunction with the determined relationship and a blur extent limit as a basis for obtaining a maximum exposure time for the image capture device in order to limit blur extent. On the basis of the maximum exposure time obtained and a required image brightness, the image capture device is configured, and then an image is captured by the image capture device. Once the image has been captured, due to the possibility of under-exposure from having limited the exposure time, the image is processed as required to increase its intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Guoyi Fu, Ian Clarke
  • Publication number: 20090015729
    Abstract: A stage lighting system with a digital and analog part. The digital part is used to form the image, which can be, for example, a full brightness image. The analog part is used to dim the image, and to carry out failsafe operation. If an error occurs in the digital part, then the analog part prevents the image from being shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Production Resource Group L.L.C
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Ian Clarke
  • Publication number: 20080225372
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: PRODUCTION RESOURCE GROUP L.L.C
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Cook, Richard Parker, Mark A Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 7424217
    Abstract: An evaluation on image information is indicated before operating a shutter operating section. For example, a method of evaluating image information includes: (a) a step of converting an optical image of an object to be photographed into electrical image information; (b) a step of evaluating the image information that has not yet been stored in a non-volatile memory, wherein the image information is evaluated in a state in which a shutter operating section, on which a predetermined operation is performed when storing the image information in the non-volatile memory, is not being subjected to the predetermined operation; and (c) a step of outputting an evaluation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eunice Poon, Megumi Kanda, Ian Clarke
  • Patent number: 7379230
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A. Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Publication number: 20080107186
    Abstract: A method of estimating and compensating for jitter between two video frames in a digital video sequence comprises comparing a pixel subset in one video frame to candidate matching pixel subsets within a search area in the other video frame to obtain a preliminary matching pixel subset. Based on the location of the preliminary matching pixel subset, an adapted search area is formed and the comparing is continued within the adapted search area to obtain a final matching pixel subset. Motion is calculated between the video frames based on the final match thereby to estimate the jitter. The video frames are then transformed based on the estimated jitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Mikhail Brusnitsyn, Ian Clarke, Hui Zhou