Patents by Inventor Kurt E. Spears

Kurt E. Spears 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: 10735711
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for generating a three-dimensional image from a captured two-dimensional image. The method includes capturing, via a wide-angle camera sensor of an image capturing device, a two-dimensional image of a scene. The method further includes determining depth information of the scene. The method further includes generating, from the depth information, a depth map that depicts a depth of the scene in a third dimension. The method further includes generating a wide-angle three-dimensional image by merging the depth map and the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Kurt E. Spears, Sean C. Kelly, Yuxin Wang
  • Publication number: 20180324399
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for generating a three-dimensional image from a captured two-dimensional image. The method includes capturing, via a wide-angle camera sensor of an image capturing device, a two-dimensional image of a scene. The method further includes determining depth information of the scene. The method further includes generating, from the depth information, a depth map that depicts a depth of the scene in a third dimension. The method further includes generating a wide-angle three-dimensional image by merging the depth map and the two-dimensional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: KURT E. SPEARS, SEAN C. KELLY, YUXIN WANG
  • Patent number: 9270868
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for generating a pixel value use at least a first pixel in a first row of a charge coupled device (CCD) and a first pixel in a second row, adjacent to the first row, of the CCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Spears, Mark W. Majette, Patrick J. Chase
  • Patent number: 9215363
    Abstract: A system and method for focusing an image capture device are disclosed. One embodiment is a method comprising moving an autofocus window in response to detected movement of the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stavely, Mark J. Bianchi, Daniel M. Bloom, Charles E. Schinner, Kurt E. Spears, Wilfred Brake
  • Publication number: 20140375613
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of an object on a planar surface is provided. The apparatus includes a conical mirror having an axis that is perpendicular to the planar surface and a time-of-flight sensor array having a spatial relationship to the conical mirror such that a field of view of the time of flight sensor array is reflected radially from the conical mirror in a plurality of directions across the planar surface. The apparatus also includes electrical circuitry configured to receive a ranged image captured by the time-of-flight sensor array through the conical mirror, process the ranged image to determine the position of the object on the planar surface by determining an angle and a radius of the object relative to the axis of the conical mirror, and transmit the position of the object to a display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: KURT E. SPEARS
  • Publication number: 20140353467
    Abstract: A system for determining a location of an object on a planar surface includes a time-of-flight sensor having sensing elements that provide a field of view for the time-of-flight sensor. The system also includes a mirror attached to the shaft of a motor for reflecting the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor across the planar surface. The system also includes electrical circuitry configured to receive range images from the time-of-flight sensor as the field of view is swept across the planar surface and process the range images to identify the object in at least one of the range images. The electrical circuitry is also configured to calculate a location of the object on the planar surface relative to the motor based on an angle of the shaft associated with the at least one range image and based on a distance of the object from time-of-flight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: 1 OAK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: KURT E. SPEARS
  • Publication number: 20140340362
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a location of an object on a planar surface are provided. In one example, a method includes determining a receive angle of a first light beam based on a difference between a time the first light beam is received at the object and a time that the first light beam is received at a calibration location. The method also includes determining a receive angle of a second light beam based on a difference between a time the second light beam is received at the object and a time that the second light beam is received at the calibration location. Finally, the method includes determining the position of the object based on the receive angle of the first light beam, the receive angle of the second light beam, the first source location, and the second source location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Kurt E. Spears
  • Publication number: 20140340361
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a stylus on a planar surface are provided. In one example, a system includes a first optical source, a second optical source, a stylus, and electrical circuitry. The optical sources are at source locations and configured to rotationally sweep optical beams along the planar surface. The optical beams include encoded data sequences that vary with time. The stylus contains at least one optical receiver and is configured to receive the optical beams. The stylus is also configured to detect the data sequences from the optical beams. The electrical circuitry is configured to determine angular relationships between the stylus and the source locations based on the detected encoded data sequences. The electrical circuitry is also configured to calculate coordinates of the stylus on the planar surface based on the angular relationships and the source locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: 1 OAK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 8421873
    Abstract: A system composed of a housing and an arm coupled to the housing. The arm supports a first lamp, a second lamp, and an optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Majewicz, Kurt E. Spears, Jennifer L. Melin
  • Patent number: 8125695
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for actuating image sensors based on alignment are disclosed. An example method includes determining by a controller an alignment of a plurality of sensors, the sensors adapted to capture an image of an object. The method also includes actuating the sensors with the controller based on the alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Kurt E. Spears
  • Publication number: 20120026353
    Abstract: A system composed of a housing and an arm coupled to the housing. The arm supports a first lamp, a second lamp, and an optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Majewicz, Kurt E. Spears, Jennifer L. Melin
  • Patent number: 7755836
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a masking element configured to mask a predetermined quantity of lens elements of a lens array during a scan of a media object to change a depth of field of the lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Harris, Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 7646514
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an image capture device comprises a first scanning module operable to scan a first side of an object and a second scanning module operable to scan a second side of the object, the first and second scanning modules translatable along their respective displacement paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Spears, David D. Bohn, John G. Thelen
  • Patent number: 7495806
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that compensates for noise in a captured image. One embodiment comprises scanning an image a predefined number of times with a plurality of pixels, receiving light information from each of the plurality of pixels each time the image is scanned, converting the received light information into a plurality of data values, each of the data values corresponding uniquely to light information from one of the plurality of pixels, generating a plurality of pre-divided data values by dividing each of the data values by a number corresponding to the number of times that the image is scanned, and adding corresponding ones of the pre-divided data values together such that an average data value is determined uniquely for each of the plurality of pixels so that noise is compensated by the averaging of the data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 7433097
    Abstract: A scanner has a calibration target that can be moved in front of the scanline during a scan. This enables multiple calibrations during a scan. A full-color calibration can be performed during scanning without the need for a separate array of photosensors. Scanning can start as soon as the lamp provides sufficient light for scanning, without waiting for the lamp to stabilize. It is not necessary to keep the lamp on, or to keep the lamp warm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 7355193
    Abstract: Multiple scans of the same object are obtained, where for any given line on the object to be scanned, the angle of the illumination is different for each scan. The different scans are obtained from different rows of photosensors that are separated. Because the angles of illumination are different, the resulting shadows in each scan are different. The multiple scans may be combined into a single composite color image. In a composite image, a dust particle may generate a series of overlapping shadows, where each shadow is a different color. Searching the composite image for the unique pattern of colors may identify artifacts or defects. Alternatively, the data for one scanned image may be compared to the data for another scanned image, and any differences may be due to shadows, which may indicate defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert G Gann, Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 7349129
    Abstract: A controller controls selection of rows of photosensors residing in a photosensor array having at least one row of photosensors with a first sensor size, and at least one row of photosensors with a second sensor size. In a first example embodiment, the controller may select each sensor in a double row of sensors for white light having a smaller area than the sensors in other rows. For the first embodiment, the native input sampling rate for luminance is greater than the native input sampling rate for color information. In a second example embodiment, for every band of wavelengths being sensed, the controller selects one of two rows of sensors, with one row having relatively small sensor areas and the other row having relatively large sensor areas. In the second example embodiment, the rows with relatively small sensor areas are used for high native input sampling rates, and the rows with relatively large sensor areas are used for high color accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Spears, Edward S Beeman
  • Patent number: 7333250
    Abstract: An image scanner has a movable photosensor array that can be moved in two dimensions in a plane. Two dimensional movement is provided using a single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Spears, David W. Boyd, Robert G Gann
  • Patent number: 7298414
    Abstract: Viewfinder apparatus, methods, and digital cameras that provide autofocus using retroreflected eye focus measurements. When a user looks at a part of a scene that is the intended subject of the image, his or her eye is correctly focused. The present invention measures the focus distance of the eye when the eye is focused on the desired location in the scene, and then uses the measured distance to set the focus of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stavely, David K. Campbell, Eric F. Aas, Gregory V. Hofer, Scott A. Woods, Dan L. Dalton, Kurt E. Spears
  • Patent number: 7268802
    Abstract: A photography system includes a digital camera and a remote control. The remote control emits a light that the photographer can use to designate a subject to be photographed by pointing the remote control at the subject, casting a light spot on the subject. In a preferred embodiment, the light is generated by a laser pointer included in the remote control. The camera selects a region to photograph from its field of view, based on the location or motion of the light spot. The camera may optionally select a region that is centered on the light spot. The photographer may optionally specify the size of the region to be selected. The camera may optionally adjust the size of the selected region to assist in photographic composition. The camera may optionally be capable of making video recordings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Stavely, Mark J. Bianchi, Daniel M. Bloom, Charles E. Schinner, Kurt E. Spears, Wilfred Francis Brake