Patents by Inventor Masashi Eshima

Masashi Eshima 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: 20200226774
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing device to enable a three-dimensional shape of an object in a real space to be estimated in a more preferred manner, the information processing device including: a division unit configured to divide, into one or more regions, an image plane corresponding to a viewing point in a real space on which geometric structure information is mapped in accordance with distribution of the geometric structure information; an acquisition unit configured to acquire orientation information indicating at least one of a position and an orientation of the viewing point; an extracting unit configured to extract, as a region of interest, at least part of the regions obtained by dividing the image plane; and an estimation unit configured to estimate a shape of an object in the real space based on the geometric structure information in regions of interest on image planes respectively corresponding to a plurality of different viewing points associated with each other among the viewing point
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko KAINO, Masashi ESHIMA, Daiki YAMANAKA
  • Publication number: 20200211275
    Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a technique to reduce volume of data for a model reconstructed from an object in real space and to reconstruct a shape of the object as a further preferable aspect. [Solution] An information processing device includes: a first estimation unit configured to estimate a first distribution of geometric structure information regarding at least part of a face of an object in real space, in accordance with each of a plurality of beams of polarized light, having different polarization directions from each other, as a result detected by a polarization sensor; a second estimation unit configured to estimate a second distribution of information related to continuity of a geometric structure in the real space based on an estimation result of the first distribution; and a processing unit configured to determine a size of unit data for simulating three-dimensional space in accordance with the second distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: MASASHI ESHIMA, AKIHIKO KAINO, DAIKI YAMANAKA
  • Patent number: 10587863
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that permit decision as to whether or not calibration of images is necessary. A decision section decides, using a current image captured by a camera and a past image captured by the camera, whether or not it is necessary to calibrate images captured by the camera. The present disclosure is applicable, for example, to a vehicle-mounted camera system that includes an automobile vehicle, two cameras, mounted to a front roof of the automobile vehicle such that imaging regions overlap, and an image processing apparatus, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Eshima, Akihiko Kaino, Takaaki Kato, Shingo Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 10542212
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a control device and a control method that make it possible to estimate a self-position reliably with lower power consumption. An activation determination unit selects some of a plurality of cameras as activation cameras to be used for self-position estimation, and on the basis of the selection result of the activation cameras, an activation switching unit sets cameras taken as the activation cameras among the plurality of cameras to an activation state and causes the cameras to photograph images, and suspends the activation of the other cameras. A self-position estimation unit performs self-position estimation on the basis of images photographed by the activation cameras. Further, the activation determination unit selects the activation cameras again at a predetermined timing. The present technology can be applied to a self-position estimation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaaki Kato, Akihiko Kaino, Tatsuki Kashitani, Masashi Eshima, Masaki Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 10508911
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an apparatus and a method for measurement, and a program each of which enables distance estimation to be more simply carried out with higher accuracy. A three-dimensional measurement apparatus has a rotation control portion controlling rotation of a photographing portion by a rotation mechanism in such a way that the photographing portion is rotated with a center of rotation as an axis in a state in which a distance from the center of rotation of the rotation mechanism portion to a focal point position of the photographing portion is a constant distance; and a distance calculating portion calculating a distance to an object on a space on the basis of a plurality of photographed images obtained through photographing in positions different from one another by the photographing portion in a state in which the photographing portion is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Tsurumi, Masashi Eshima, Takaaki Kato, Tatsuki Kashitani, Akihiko Kaino, Masaki Fukuchi, Takuto Motoyama, Suguru Aoki
  • Patent number: 10469794
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system capable of efficiently and temporarily storing contents in a case where the contents are played back using a play list. A calculation unit calculates, on the basis of a play list indicating contents adopted as a playback target chosen from among a plurality of contents, a priority level about a cash temporarily storing the contents, for each of the contents. For example, the present technique can be applied to an information processing system and the like performing streaming playback of contents based on MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group phase)-DASH standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oryoji, Masashi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20190313121
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method that enable suppression of a reduction in coding efficiency while suppressing a reduction in subjective quality. Information regarding a three-dimensional region is encoded on the basis of a distribution related to overlapping of visual fields of the three-dimensional region to be imaged by a plurality of imaging units, the distribution being specified by using a parameter relating to overlapping of visual fields that are imaging ranges of the plurality of imaging units. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an information processing device, an encoding device, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventor: MASASHI ESHIMA
  • Publication number: 20180300898
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that permit camera calibration with high accuracy by using a known object in images captured by a plurality of imaging sections. An estimation section estimates a 3D position of a road sign included in each of images captured by a plurality of cameras with respect to each of the imaging sections. A recognition section recognizes a positional relationship between the plurality of cameras on the basis of the 3D position of the road sign with respect to each of the cameras estimated by the estimation section. The positional relationship between the plurality of cameras recognized by the recognition section is used to correct the images captured by the plurality of cameras. The present disclosure is applicable, for example, to image processing apparatuses and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Eshima, Akihiko Kaino, Takaaki Kato, Shingo Tsurumi
  • Publication number: 20180286056
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program capable of performing continuous estimation of a self-position. An information processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a main imaging unit that includes a stereo camera mounted on a moving body, and captures moving images at a predetermined frame rate to output a pair of stereo main images as time-series images; a plurality of sub imaging units each of which is so mounted on the moving body as to have an imaging direction different from an imaging direction of the main imaging unit, and captures moving images at a predetermined frame rate; and a final pose determination unit that estimates a pose of the moving body on the basis of the pair of stereo main images captured by the main imaging unit, and sub images captured by the sub imaging units. For example, the present disclosure is applicable to a self-position sensor for in-vehicle use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Kaino, Shingo Tsurumi, Masashi Eshima, Takaaki Kato, Masaki Fukuchi, Tatsuki Kashitani, Shunichi Homma
  • Publication number: 20180288401
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that permit decision as to whether or not calibration of images is necessary. A decision section decides, using a current image captured by a camera and a past image captured by the camera, whether or not it is necessary to calibrate images captured by the camera. The present disclosure is applicable, for example, to a vehicle-mounted camera system that includes an automobile vehicle, two cameras, mounted to a front roof of the automobile vehicle such that imaging regions overlap, and an image processing apparatus, and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Eshima, Akihiko Kaino, Takaaki Kato, Shingo Tsurumi
  • Publication number: 20180274915
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an apparatus and a method for measurement, and a program each of which enables distance estimation to be more simply carried out with higher accuracy. A three-dimensional measurement apparatus has a rotation control portion controlling rotation of a photographing portion by a rotation mechanism in such a way that the photographing portion is rotated with a center of rotation as an axis in a state in which a distance from the center of rotation of the rotation mechanism portion to a focal point position of the photographing portion is a constant distance; and a distance calculating portion calculating a distance to an object on a space on the basis of a plurality of photographed images obtained through photographing in positions different from one another by the photographing portion in a state in which the photographing portion is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Tsurumi, Masashi Eshima, Takaaki Kato, Tatsuki Kashitani, Akihiko Kaino, Masaki Fukuchi, Takuto Motoyama, Suguru Aoki
  • Publication number: 20180266830
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that are capable of estimating the self-position by accurately and continuously estimating the self-movement. The information processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a downward imaging section and a movement estimation section. The downward imaging section is disposed on the bottom of a moving object traveling on a road surface and captures an image of the road surface. The movement estimation section estimates the movement of the moving object in accordance with a plurality of images representing the road surface and captured at different time points by the downward imaging section. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a position sensor mounted in an automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: TAKAAKI KATO, SHINGO TSURUMI, MASASHI ESHIMA, AKIHIKO KAINO, MASAKI FUKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180259353
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that enable enhancement of the accuracy in the recognition of locations of a moving body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: SHINGO TSURUMI, MASASHI ESHIMA, AKIHIKO KAINO, TAKAAKI KATO, MASAKI FUKUCHI, SUGURU AOKI, TAKUTO MOTOYAMA
  • Patent number: 10015393
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging control device including a result receiving unit configured to receive an example image selected by an image processing device used for image processing using image information, the image information being information regarding an image captured by an imaging unit used for image capturing, a selection result transmitting unit configured to transmit information regarding the example image received by the result receiving unit to the image processing device, a setting receiving unit configured to receive setting information generated by the image processing device based on the example image transmitted from the selection result transmitting unit, the setting information indicating a setting condition when image capturing is performed like the example image, and a setting change unit configured to change an imaging setting of the imaging unit using the setting information received by the setting receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironari Sakurai, Jun Kimura, Yuji Ando, Keisuke Yamaoka, Takefumi Nagumo, Masashi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20180115711
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a control device, a control method, and a program that make it possible to estimate a self-position reliably with lower power consumption. An activation determination unit selects some of a plurality of cameras as activation cameras to be used for self-position estimation; and on the basis of the selection result of the activation cameras, an activation switching unit sets cameras taken as the activation cameras among the plurality of cameras to an activation state and causes the cameras to photograph images, and suspends the activation of the other cameras. A self-position estimation unit performs self-position estimation on the basis of images photographed by the activation cameras. Further, the activation determination unit selects the activation cameras again at a predetermined timing. The present technology can be applied to a self-position estimation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: TAKAAKI KATO, AKIHIKO KAINO, TATSUKI KASHITANI, MASASHI ESHIMA, MASAKI FUKUCHI
  • Patent number: 9208227
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus including: a storage to store first and second contents, each of which includes scenes, and meta-information items each indicating a feature of each scene of the first and second contents; a reproducer to reproduce the first and second contents; an operation receiver to receive an input of an operation by a user; and a controller to control the storage to store an operation-history information item indicating an operation history of the user for each scene during reproduction of the first content while it is associated with the meta-information item of each scene, to calculate a similarity between scenes of the first and second contents based on the meta-information items, and to control the reproducer to change a reproduction mode for each scene based on the operation-history information item and the similarity during reproduction of the second content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kashima, Tatsumi Sakaguchi, Hiroshi Oryoji, Masashi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20150271440
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system capable of efficiently and temporarily storing contents in a case where the contents are played back using a play list. A calculation unit calculates, on the basis of a play list indicating contents adopted as a playback target chosen from among a plurality of contents, a priority level about a cash temporarily storing the contents, for each of the contents. For example, the present technique can be applied to an information processing system and the like performing streaming playback of contents based on MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group phase)-DASH standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oryoji, Masashi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20150036003
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging control device including a result receiving unit configured to receive an example image selected by an image processing device used for image processing using image information, the image information being information regarding an image captured by an imaging unit used for image capturing, a selection result transmitting unit configured to transmit information regarding the example image received by the result receiving unit to the image processing device, a setting receiving unit configured to receive setting information generated by the image processing device based on the example image transmitted from the selection result transmitting unit, the setting information indicating a setting condition when image capturing is performed like the example image, and a setting change unit configured to change an imaging setting of the imaging unit using the setting information received by the setting receiving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hironari Sakurai, Jun Kimura, Yuji Ando, Keisuke Yamaoka, Takefumi Nagumo, Masashi Eshima
  • Patent number: 8750681
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus including a storage configured to store video contents shot by a user; a reproducer configured to reproduce the stored video contents; a controller configured to analyze each of the video contents to extract lower meta-information items, to analyze the extracted lower meta-information items to derive an upper meta-information item, and to calculate, based on an upper meta-information item of a first video content being reproduced and upper meta-information items of second video contents other than the first video content among the video contents, a score for each of the second video contents; and an output unit configured to output, according to the calculated score, a recommendation information item for recommending at least one of the second video contents after the reproduction of the first video content is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oryoji, Koji Kashima, Tatsumi Sakaguchi, Masashi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20140140391
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including a generation unit configured to generate a combined stream, which is one encoded stream of a plurality of images generated from encoded streams of the plurality of images, from the encoded streams of the plurality of images according to a method corresponding to a process performed after decoding of the combined stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Eshima, Hiroshi Oryoji, Satoru Kuma