Patents by Inventor Kalin Mitkov Atanassov

Kalin Mitkov Atanassov 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: 10157439
    Abstract: An electronic device for selecting a transform is described. The electronic device includes at least one image sensor, a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and to the at least one image sensor. The processor is configured to obtain at least two images from the at least one image sensor. The processor is also configured to characterize structural content of each of the at least two images to produce a characterization for each image that is relevant to transform performance. The processor is further configured to select at least one transform from a set of transforms based on the characterization. The processor is additionally configured to apply the at least one transform to at least one of the images to substantially align the at least two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: James Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui, Albrecht Johannes Lindner
  • Publication number: 20180321384
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating a depth map of a scene are provided. The method comprises projecting, onto the scene, a codeword pattern including a plurality of light points including a first set of light points projected at a first intensity and a second set of light points projected at a second intensity greater than the first intensity. The method further comprises detecting, from the scene, a reflection of the codeword pattern. The method further comprises generating a first depth map layer at a first resolution. The method further comprises generating a second depth map layer at a second resolution lower than the first resolution. The method further comprises generating the depth map of the scene, wherein the depth map includes depth information for the scene according to each of the first depth map layer and the second depth map layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Albrecht Johannes Lindner, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, James Wilson Nash
  • Patent number: 10104364
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sharing a bus between multiple imaging sensors, include, in some aspects, a device having at least two imaging sensors, an electronic hardware processor, and an imaging sensor controller. The imaging sensor controller includes first clock and data lines, operably coupling the electronic hardware processor to the imaging sensor controller, and a second clock line, operably coupling the imaging sensor controller to the first imaging sensor and the second imaging sensor. A second data line operably couples the imaging sensor controller to the first imaging sensor. A third data line operably couples the sensor controller to the second imaging sensor. The imaging sensor controller is configured to use the second clock line, and second data line to send a first command to the first imaging sensor, and, use the second clock line, and third data line to send a second command to the second imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sergiu R Goma, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Vikas Ramachandra
  • Patent number: 10074158
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a method of generating a high-resolution image containing depth information of an object. In one aspect, the method includes downsampling a first reference image and a second reference image from a first resolution to a second resolution, wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution, and wherein the first reference image and the second reference image comprising a stereo image pair. The method further includes generating a depth map at the second resolution based on global minimization techniques, using the downsampled stereo image pair. The method also includes upsampling the depth map from the second resolution to the first resolution and using a guided filter to align contours of the upsampled depth map to contours of the first reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Stephen Michael Verrall
  • Patent number: 10068338
    Abstract: Structured light active sensing systems transmit and receive spatial codes to generate depth maps. Spatial codes can't be repeated within a disparity range if they are to be uniquely identified. This results in large numbers of codes for single transmitter/single receiver systems, because reflected ray traces from two object locations may be focused onto the same location of the receiver sensor, making it impossible to determine which object location reflected the code. However, the original code location may be uniquely identified because ray traces from the two object locations that focus onto the same location of the first receiver sensor may focus onto different locations on the second receiver sensor. Described herein are active sensing systems and methods that use two receivers to uniquely identify original code positions and allow for greater code reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma
  • Patent number: 10021372
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for active depth sensing are disclosed. In some aspects, an imaging device may generate first depth information based on an active sensing technology, such as structured light. In some aspects, at least some of the first depth information may be missing or inaccurate, perhaps due to an extended range between the imaging device and a subject of the image. Additional range information may then be generated based on a zero order component of the structured light. The additional range information may then be used alone or combined with the first depth information and used to control one or more parameters of an imaging device, such as an exposure time and/or aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shandon Campbell, Stephen Michael Verrall, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov
  • Patent number: 10013764
    Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for performing local intensity equalization on images in a set of images exhibiting local intensity variations. For example, the local intensity equalization can be used to perform accurate region matching and alignment of the images. The images can be partitioned into regions of pixel blocks, for instance based on location, shape, and size of identified keypoints in the images. Regions depicting the same feature in the images can be equalized with respect to intensity. Region matching based on the keypoints in the intensity-equalized regions can be performed with accuracy even in images captured by asymmetric sensors or exhibiting spatially varying intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, James Wilson Nash, Stephen Michael Verrall, Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui
  • Publication number: 20180184070
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a depth of an object within a scene are provided. Image data of a scene can be captured using a lens configured to project an image of the scene onto an image sensor. The lens has a known focal length and is movable between at least a first lens position and a second lens position. A first image of the scene is captured with the lens at a first lens position, and a second image of the scene is captured with the lens at a second, different position. By measuring a first dimension of the object using the first image and a second dimension of the object using the second image, a depth of the object may be determined based upon a ratio of the first and second dimensions, the focal length of the lens, and a distance between the first and second lens positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Venkata Ravi Kiran Dayana, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov
  • Publication number: 20180124378
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described that facilitate processing of a depth map image in mobile devices. A mobile device comprising a depth camera, a camera and a processor may be configured to perform various aspects of the techniques. The depth camera may be configured to capture a depth map image of a scene. The camera may include a linear polarization unit configured to linearly polarize light entering into the camera. The camera may be configured to rotate the linearly polarization unit during capture of the scene to generate a sequence of linearly polarized images of the scene having different polarization orientations. The processor may be configured to perform image registration with respect to the sequence of linearly polarized images to generate a sequence of aligned linearly polarized images, and generate an enhanced depth map image based on the depth map image and the sequence of aligned linearly polarized images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Bijan Forutanpour, Stephen Michael Verrall, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Albrecht Johannes Lindner
  • Patent number: 9948920
    Abstract: Systems and methods for error correction in structured light are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, via a receiver sensor, a structured light image of at least a portion of a composite code mask encoding a plurality of codewords, the image including an invalid codeword. The method further includes detecting the invalid codeword. The method further includes generating a plurality of candidate codewords based on the invalid codeword. The method further includes selecting one of the plurality of candidate codewords to replace the invalid codeword. The method further includes generating a depth map for an image of the scene based on the selected candidate codeword. The method further includes generating a digital representation of a scene based on the depth map. The method further includes outputting the digital representation of the scene to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma
  • Publication number: 20180096487
    Abstract: A method performed by an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining a first image from a first camera, the first camera having a first focal length and a first field of view. The method also includes obtaining a second image from a second camera, the second camera having a second focal length and a second field of view disposed within the first field of view. The method further includes aligning at least a portion of the first image and at least a portion of the second image to produce aligned images. The method additionally includes fusing the aligned images based on a diffusion kernel to produce a fused image. The diffusion kernel indicates a threshold level over a gray level range. The method also includes outputting the fused image. The method may be performed for each of a plurality of frames of a video feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma
  • Publication number: 20180084240
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for active depth sensing are disclosed. In some aspects, an imaging device may generate first depth information based on an active sensing technology, such as structured light. In some aspects, at least some of the first depth information may be missing or inaccurate, perhaps due to an extended range between the imaging device and a subject of the image. Additional range information may then be generated based on a zero order component of the structured light. The additional range information may then be used alone or combined with the first depth information and used to control one or more parameters of an imaging device, such as an exposure time and/or aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Shandon Campbell, Stephen Michael VerraII, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov
  • Patent number: 9921688
    Abstract: An interactive display, including a cover glass having a front surface that includes a viewing area provides an input/output (I/O) interface for a user of an electronic device. An arrangement includes a processor, a light source, and a camera disposed outside the periphery of the viewing area coplanar with or behind the cover glass. The camera receives scattered light resulting from interaction, with an object, of light outputted from the interactive display, the outputted light being received by the cover glass from the object and directed toward the camera. The processor determines, from image data output by the camera, an azimuthal angle of the object with respect to an optical axis of the camera and/or a distance of the object from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: John Michael Wyrwas, Russell Wayne Gruhlke, Khurshid Syed Alam, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Vikas Ramachandra, Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui, James Wilson Nash, Robert Mitchell Kleiman, Albrecht Johannes Lindner, Evgeni Petrovich Gousev
  • Publication number: 20180068456
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling structured light laser systems are disclosed. One aspect is a structured light system. The system includes a memory device configured to store a depth map. The system further includes an image projecting device including a laser system configured to project codewords. The system further includes a receiver device including a sensor, the receiver device configured to sense the projected codewords reflected from an object. The system further includes a processing circuit configured to retrieve a portion of the depth map and calculate expected codewords from the depth map. The system further includes a feedback system configured to control the output power of the laser system based on the sensed codewords and the expected codewords.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Albrecht Johannes Lindner
  • Patent number: 9883119
    Abstract: System and methods for performing motion sensitive high dynamic range (HDR) image processing. A saturation analysis circuit is configured to receive a set of image data corresponding to portions of a set of image frames having different exposures time from a lowest exposure time to a highest exposure time, and select image data from a frame that does not exceed the saturation threshold value. A motion detection circuit may be configured to determine whether the image data is associated with movement, by comparing image data from pairs of frames of adjacent exposure times, and changing the selection to a lower exposure time frame if movement is detected. By selecting which exposure time is used based upon movement in the image frame, ghosting and blurring in HDR images containing movement can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma, Stephen Michael Verrall, Albrecht Johannes Lindner
  • Publication number: 20180025496
    Abstract: Methods and systems for surface normal estimation are disclosed. In some aspects, a plurality of images or depth maps representing a three dimensional object from multiple viewpoints is received. Surface normals at surface points within a single image of the plurality of images are estimated based on surface points within the single image. An electronic representation of a three dimensional surface of the object is generated based on the surface normals and a point cloud comprised of surface points derived from the plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Albrecht Johannes Lindner, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, James Wilson Nash
  • Publication number: 20180020195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reconstructing an object boundary in a disparity map generated by a structured light system are disclosed. One aspect is a structured light system. The system includes an image projecting device configured to project codewords. The system further includes a receiver device including a sensor, the receiver device configured to sense the projected codewords reflected from an object. The system further includes a processing circuit configured to generate a disparity map of the object, detect a first boundary of the object in the disparity map, identify a shadow region in the disparity map adjoining the first boundary, the shadow region including pixels with codeword outages, and change a shape of the object in the disparity map based on the detected shadow region. The system further includes a memory device configured to store the disparity map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Albrecht Johannes Lindner, Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov
  • Patent number: 9846943
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling structured light laser systems are disclosed. One aspect is a structured light system. The system includes a memory device configured to store a depth map. The system further includes an image projecting device including a laser system configured to project codewords. The system further includes a receiver device including a sensor, the receiver device configured to sense the projected codewords reflected from an object. The system further includes a processing circuit configured to retrieve a portion of the depth map and calculate expected codewords from the depth map. The system further includes a feedback system configured to control the output power of the laser system based on the sensed codewords and the expected codewords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Albrecht Johannes Lindner
  • Publication number: 20170237951
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to configurable demodulation of image data produced by an image sensor. In some aspects, a method includes receiving information indicating a configuration of the image sensor. In some aspects, the information may indicate a configuration of sensor elements and/or corresponding color filters for the sensor elements. A modulation function may then be generated based on the information. In some aspects, the method also includes demodulating the image data based on the generated modulation function to determine chrominance and luminance components of the image data, and generating the second image based on the determined chrominance and luminance components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Hasib Ahmed Siddiqui, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma
  • Publication number: 20170230585
    Abstract: Devices and methods for providing seamless preview images for multi-camera devices having two or more asymmetric cameras. A multi-camera device may include two asymmetric cameras disposed to image a target scene. The multi-camera device further includes a processor coupled to a memory component and a display, the processor configured to retrieve an image generated by a first camera from the memory component, retrieve an image generated by a second camera from the memory component, receive input corresponding to a preview zoom level, retrieve spatial transform information and photometric transform information from memory, modify at least one image received from the first and second cameras by the spatial transform and the photometric transform, and provide on the display a preview image comprising at least a portion of the at least one modified image and a portion of either the first image or the second image based on the preview zoom level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma, Narayana Karthik Sadanandam Ravirala, Venkata Ravi Kiran Dayana, Karthikeyan Shanmugavadivelu