Patents by Inventor Lawrence A. Ray
Lawrence A. Ray 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).
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Publication number: 20040022423Abstract: A digital image processing method for locating faces in a digital color image includes the steps of: generating a mean grid pattern element (MGPe) image from a plurality of sample face images; generating an integral image from the digital color image; and locating faces in the color digital image by using the integral image to perform a correlation between the mean grid pattern element (MGPe) image and the digital color image at a plurality of effective resolutions by reducing the digital color image to grid pattern element images (GPes) at different effective resolutions and correlating the MGPe with the GPes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Shoupu Chen, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20040008267Abstract: In a method of obtaining an extended dynamic range image of a scene from a plurality of limited dynamic range images captured by an image sensor in a digital camera, a plurality of digital images comprising image pixels of the scene are captured by exposing the image sensor to light transmitted from the scene, wherein light transmittance upon the image sensor is adjustable. Each image is evaluated after it is captured for an illumination level exceeding the limited dynamic range of the image for at least some of the image pixels. Based on the evaluation of each image exceeding the limited dynamic range, the light transmittance upon the image sensor is adjusted in order to obtain a subsequent digital image having a different scene brightness range. The plurality of digital images are stored, and subsequently the stored digital images are processed to generate a composite image having an extended dynamic range greater than any of the digital images by themselves.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Shoupu Chen, Joseph F. Revelli, Nathan D. Cahill, Lawrence A. Ray
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Patent number: 6677982Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for deriving a three-dimensional panorama from a plurality of stereo image pairs of a scene generated from a plurality of cameras, that includes acquiring a plurality of stereo image pairs of the scene, wherein there is an intra-overlap region between vertically aligned stereo image pairs; acquiring a plurality of stereo image pairs of the scene by rotating the plurality of cameras about a Y-axis, wherein there is an inter-overlap region between adjacent stereo image pairs; providing displacement data for capturing scene depth from a local XYZ image with non-distorted depth information; generating (X,Y,Z) values for each of the stereo image pairs with respect to a local three-dimensional coordinate system wherein the intra-stereo image pair is taken; selecting a reference three-dimensional world coordinate system against which spatial information of the scene can be correctly presented; transforming the generated (X,Y,Z) values from each of the local three-diType: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Shoupu Chen, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20030235325Abstract: A method for securely transacting a transaction based on a transaction document having an image contained within the document, the method includes the steps of compressing an image on the document; scrambling the structure of the compressed image according to a permutation; obtaining the inverse permutation; applying the inverse permutation to the scrambled image for obtaining an unscrambled image; and decompressing the unscrambled image.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Ray, Rajan L. Joshi, Gene E. Pios
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Publication number: 20030223618Abstract: A method for generating a stabilized three-dimensional image from a scannerless range imaging system comprises the steps of acquiring a bundle of three or more phase offset images corresponding to modulated illumination reflected from a scene, whereby one or more of the phase offset images includes image motion relative to another phase offset image; searching for a stable chain of phase offset images in the image bundle, wherein a stable chain is a collection of images that is obtained by testing the phase offset images against a confidence measure that separates less severe correctable image motion from more severe image motion and then populating the stable chain only with those phase offset images that meet the confidence measure for correctable image motion; correcting for the image motion in the stable chain of images if a stable chain of at least three phase offset images is found to exist; and computing a stabilized three-dimensional image using the phase offset images from the stable chain of phase oType: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Lawrence A. Ray, Joseph F. Revelli
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Publication number: 20030178549Abstract: A scannerless range imaging system includes an illumination system for illuminating a scene with modulated illumination of a predetermined modulation frequency, and an image intensifier receiving reflected modulated illumination and including a modulating stage for modulating the reflected modulated illumination from the scene with the predetermined modulation frequency. An image responsive element includes an array of individual pixels for capturing images output by the image intensifier, whereby the modulation of the reflected modulated illumination incorporates a phase delay corresponding to the distance of objects in the scene from the range imaging system. A transmittance filter, including a plurality of filter elements having a spatially varying pattern of transmittance, are arranged in a one-to-one mapping with respect to the pixels forming the image responsive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Lawrence A. Ray
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Patent number: 6624874Abstract: An apparatus for optically embedding hidden data in a source image, wherein the hidden data is updateable in real-time, the apparatus includes (a) optical masks bearing a data image and an encoding carrier image either or both of which may be updated in real-time; (b) optical components for convolving, the data image with the encoding carrier image to produce a spatially dispersed data image; and (c) optical beam combiner for combining the spatially dispersed data image with the source image to produce a source image containing embedded hidden data.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Joseph F. Revelli, Jr., Chris W. Honsinger, Paul W. Jones, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20030147002Abstract: A color scannerless range imaging system comprises an illumination system for illuminating a scene with modulated illumination of a predetermined modulation frequency, whereby some of the modulated illumination is reflected from objects in the scene; a sequentially selectable color filter arrangement positioned in an optical path of the reflected illumination and comprised of a first color filter that preferentially transmits the reflected modulated illumination and a plurality of other color filters that preferentially transmit reflected unmodulated illumination; a control system for driving the color filter arrangement to sequentially provide each of the color filters in the optical path; an image intensifier for modulating the reflected modulated illumination from the scene with the predetermined modulation frequency, thereby generating phase images needed for range information; and an image capture system for capturing a plurality of images output by the image intensifier, including a plurality of phase iType: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Ray, Louis R. Gabello, Joseph F. Revelli, Dennis J. Whipple
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Publication number: 20030117584Abstract: An apparatus for optically embedding hidden data in a source image, wherein the hidden data is updateable in real-time, the apparatus includes (a) optical masks bearing a data image and an encoding carrier image either or both of which may be updated in real-time; (b) optical components for convolving, the data image with the encoding carrier image to produce a spatially dispersed data image; and (c) optical beam combiner for combining the spatially dispersed data image with the source image to produce a source image containing embedded hidden data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Joseph F. Revelli, Chris W. Honsinger, Paul W. Jones, Lawrence A. Ray
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Patent number: 6584283Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) illumination device for generating modulated light for a scannerless range imaging system includes circuitry for generating a drive signal having a given phase and frequency characteristic; a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a plurality of LED banks, wherein each LED bank comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series to the circuitry to receive the drive signal; and a switching stage for simultaneously activating the plurality of LED banks such that the LED banks generate the modulated light according to the phase and frequency characteristics of the drive signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Louis R. Gabello, Dennis J. Whipple, Lawrence A. Ray, Kenneth J. Repich
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Publication number: 20030113035Abstract: A method for producing a cropped digital image, includes the steps of: providing a plurality of partially overlapping source digital images; providing a cropping aspect ratio L:H, the cropping aspect ratio being the ratio of the length to the height of the cropped digital image; providing a cropping criterion, the cropping criterion being a criterion for the size and location of the cropped digital image; combining the source digital images to form a composite digital image; selecting the cropping region of the composite digital image according to the cropping criterion, said cropping region being a rectangular region having aspect ratio L:H, and having size and location determined by the cropping criterion; and, cropping the composite digital image to the cropping region to form a cropped digital image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20030090496Abstract: Intermediate panoramic images are each generated from two original panoramic images, where each panoramic image provides a 360 degree field of view of a scene from different nodal points. First, pairs of planar images are derived, where each pair corresponds to original planar views derived from respective portions of the original panoramic images, where a similar area of the scene is visible from each pair of planar views. Then, an intermediate planar image is generated from each pair of planar images, and the resulting series of intermediate planar images are cylindrically concatenated to form the intermediate panoramic image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20030091226Abstract: A three-dimensional model of a scene is obtained from a plurality of three-dimensional panoramic images of a scene, wherein each three-dimensional panoramic image is derived from a plurality of range images captured from a distinct spatial position. Transformations are determined that align the plurality of three-dimensional panoramic images, and spatial information is integrated from the plurality of three-dimensional panoramic images to form a spatial three-dimensional model of the scene. Finally, intensity and texture information is integrated from the plurality of three-dimensional panoramic images onto the spatial three-dimensional model to form a three-dimensional model of the scene containing both spatial and intensity information.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Mark R. Bolin, Lawrence A. Ray
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Patent number: 6536665Abstract: A highly secure personal identification badge is achieved by having an area which contains machine readable information and also having a printed region having embedded data in the image printed thereon. A method of producing the identification badge, includes the steps of: forming a digital image of the badge holder; generating an array of random numbers using a random number generator that employs a seed value; adding the array of random numbers to the digital image to produce a modified digital image; and printing the modified digital image on the identification badge. The badge is authenticated by scanning the image on the identification badge to produce a recovered digital image; and correlating the array of random numbers with the recovered digital image to produce a validity check of the identification badge.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Ray, Chris W. Honsinger
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Publication number: 20030048921Abstract: A scannerless range imaging system employs a technique for embedding digital data into its image output in a manner that allows exact recovery of its associated images. The range imaging system captures (a) a plurality of phase images of reflected modulated illumination, wherein each image incorporates a phase delay term corresponding to the distance of objects in the scene from the range imaging system, together with a phase offset term unique for each image, and (b) at least one intensity image of reflected unmodulated illumination, and then generates an image bundle of associated images including the plurality of phase images and the intensity image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Nathan D. Cahill, Lawrence A. Ray
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Publication number: 20030021599Abstract: A scannerless range imaging system includes an illumination system and an electromechanical light modulator. The illumination system illuminates objects in the scene with modulated illumination of a predetermined modulation frequency, and the modulated illumination reflected from objects in the scene incorporates a phase delay corresponding to the distance of the objects from the range imaging system. The electromechanical light modulator, which is positioned in an optical path of the reflected illumination, operates at a reference frequency that corresponds to the predetermined modulation frequency and accordingly modulates the modulated illumination reflected from the object, thereby generating a phase image from the interference between the reference frequency and the reflected modulated illumination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: John C. Brazas, Louis R. Gabello, Marek Kowarz, Lawrence A. Ray, Kenneth J. Repich
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Publication number: 20030021448Abstract: A digital image processing method for locating eyes and mouth in a digital face image. The method includes the steps of detecting iris colored pixels in the digital face image; grouping the iris colored pixels into clusters; detecting eye positions using the iris colored pixels; identifying salient pixels relating to a facial feature in the digital face image; generating a signature curve using the salient pixels; and using the signature curve and the eye positions to locate a mouth position. In a preferred embodiment, a summation of squared difference method is used to detect the eye positions. In another preferred embodiment, the eyes and mouth positions are validated using statistics.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Shoupu Chen, Lawrence A. Ray
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Patent number: 6507706Abstract: A scannerless range imaging system includes an illumination system and an electromechanical light modulator. The illumination system illuminates objects in the scene with modulated illumination of a predetermined modulation frequency, and the modulated illumination reflected from objects in the scene incorporates a phase delay corresponding to the distance of the objects from the range imaging system. The electromechanical light modulator, which is positioned in an optical path of the reflected illumination, operates at a reference frequency that corresponds to the predetermined modulation frequency and accordingly modulates the modulated illumination reflected from the object, thereby generating a phase image from the interference between the reference frequency and the reflected modulated illumination.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: John C. Brazas, Louis R. Gabello, Marek Kowarz, Lawrence A. Ray, Kenneth J. Repich
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Publication number: 20020172514Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) illumination device for generating modulated light for a scannerless range imaging system includes circuitry for generating a drive signal having a given phase and frequency characteristic; a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a plurality of LED banks, wherein each LED bank comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series to the circuitry to receive the drive signal; and a switching stage for simultaneously activating the plurality of LED banks such that the LED banks generate the modulated light according to the phase and frequency characteristics of the drive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Louis R. Gabello, Dennis J. Whipple, Lawrence A. Ray, Kenneth J. Repich
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Patent number: 6456793Abstract: A color scannerless range imaging system includes an illumination system for illuminating the scene with modulated illumination of a predetermined modulation frequency and an image capture section positioned in an optical path of the reflected illumination from the scene for capturing a plurality of images including (a) at least one range image corresponding to the reflected modulated illumination and including a phase delay corresponding to the distance of objects in the scene from the range imaging system, and (b) at least one other image of reflected unmodulated illumination corresponding to color in the scene.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Ray, Louis R. Gabello