Patents by Inventor Michimasa Obana
Michimasa Obana 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: 7672536Abstract: A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a motion vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Kanemaru, Hideo Kasama
-
Patent number: 7672526Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. With regard to an input image of dimensions fewer than the dimensions of actual world light signals, wherein actual world light signals have been projected and a part of the continuity of the actual world light signals has been lost, actual world signals are estimated at an actual world signal estimating unit 10003 from the input image within a processing region set at a processing region setting unit 10001, corresponding to continuity set at a continuity setting unit 10002. On the other hand, information relating to at least one of processing region, continuity, and actual world signals, is supplied from a user I/F 10006 to the processing region setting unit 10001, continuity setting unit 10002, or actual world signal estimating unit 10003, according to user operations.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Kanemaru, Hideo Kasama
-
Publication number: 20090296986Abstract: An image processing device includes: a tracking unit to track a predetermined point on an image as a tracking point, to correspond with an operation of a user; a display control unit to display the tracking point candidate serving as the tracking point candidates, which are greater in number than objects moving on the image and fewer than the number of pixels of the image, on the image; and a setting unit to set the tracking point candidates as the tracking points on the next frame of the tracking unit, corresponding to an operation by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Michimasa OBANA
-
Publication number: 20090259653Abstract: An information processing apparatus searches search target frame images in video data to find a frame image matching a search query frame image. An extractor extracts characteristic quantities expressing the characteristics of respective images. A reliability judge judges the reliability of the values of each characteristic quantity in a characteristic quantity group extracted from the search query frame. If certain characteristic quantity values in the search query frame are judged to be of low reliability, the converter converts those values into predetermined values. Values are similarly converted for all search target frames. A comparer compares the converted characteristic quantities in the search query frame to the converted characteristic quantities in all search target frames. On the basis of the comparisons, a decision unit then chooses a search solution frame that matches the search query frame. In so doing, search processing robustness with respect to data variance is improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Michimasa OBANA, Tetsujiro KONDO
-
Patent number: 7512285Abstract: A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a movement vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, an activity detector, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru
-
Patent number: 7499895Abstract: A signal processing device for learning operations made by a user, and for generating signal optimal to the user based on the learning results. A learning unit monitors supplied operating signals generated based on user operations, and judges whether to learn the operating signals. When the operating signals are to be learned, the learning unit learns a correction norm for correcting input signals, based on the learning operating signals and outputs the correction norm to a correcting unit. The correcting unit corrects input signals based on the correction norm and outputs the corrected signals as output signals. The present invention can be applied to an NR (Noise Reduction) circuit which removes noise.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru
-
Publication number: 20080319930Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: strength estimation means for calculating an operation frequency for each predetermined time period from an operation history, and estimating a time period of the operation frequency which exceeds a predetermined value as a time period over which the user has a strong desire to adjust; detecting means for calculating, from the operation history, an operation frequency for each function of the electronic apparatus of the operation history in a time period corresponding to the time period of the strong desire to adjust estimated by the strength estimation means, and detecting a feature of the adjustment operation made by the user for the function of the electronic apparatus, the feature corresponding to the operation frequency for each function of the electronic apparatus; and determination means for determining a function, desired by the user to adjust, of the electronic apparatus, the function corresponding to the feature detected by the detecting means.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Michimasa Obana, Tetsujiro Kondo
-
Publication number: 20080310764Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes reproduction control means for controlling reproduction of a first parameter in order to reproduce an edit applied to a first image, generation means for generating a second parameter from a plurality of first parameters reproduced by the reproduction control means, and edit means for editing the first image based on the second parameter generated by the generation means, and generating a second image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Toru Miyake, Kei Hiraizumi, Yoshinori Takagi, Masato Akao, Yasunobu Node, Yoshihito Fujiwara, Kazutaka Ando, Naoki Kobayashi, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Masanori Machimura, Toru Nakagawa, Yusuke Kajio, Yasuhiro Fujimori, Tetsujiro Kondo
-
Publication number: 20080285800Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain feature quantities of an image; and a detector configured to detect a gazing point at which a user gazes within the image, wherein the gazing point detected by the detector among the feature quantities obtained by the obtaining unit or the feature quantities extracted from the image in a predetermined range containing the gazing point is stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Toru Miyake, Kei Hiraizumi, Yoshinori Takagi, Masato Akao, Yasunobu Node, Yoshihito Fujiwara, Kazutaka Ando, Naoki Kobayashi, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Masanori Machimura, Toru Nakagawa, Yusuke Kajio, Yasuhiro Fujimori, Tetsujiro Kondo
-
Publication number: 20080209463Abstract: The present invention provides users with functions matching their preferences. In an information processing apparatus, a user-information analyzing unit analyzes user information and calculates a variation in parameter. A procedure selecting unit classifies, based on the calculated amount, the user into a predetermined group, and acquires, from a procedure database, a procedure corresponding to the group of the user. A basic part producing unit records, in a product's ROM, various set values. Based on the result of analysis by the user-information analyzing unit, a unique part producing unit records an initial parameter value in the product's ROM. A system controller controls a storage unit to store a characteristic amount extracted by an image-characteristic-amount extracting unit and setting conditions on the image processing which are supplied from a remote control signal receiving circuit so that both are associated to each other. The present invention may apply to television receivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Hideo Nakaya, Masaaki Hattori, Michimasa Obana, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Takeyuki Fujii, Yasushi Tatehira
-
Publication number: 20080019594Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature value extraction unit adapted to extract a feature value from an image, a setting unit adapted to set setting-information defining a process to be performed on the image, an editing unit adapted to edit the setting-information set by the setting unit, and recording unit adapted to record the setting-information edited by the editing unit, in association with the feature value of the image, on a data recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Kei Hiraizumi, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
-
Publication number: 20070297677Abstract: An image processing apparatus may include a feature quantity extraction unit configured to extract a feature quantity from an image, a setting unit configured to set setting information including a plurality of setting items used to perform processing upon the image so that a designated setting item can be changed among the setting items; and a recording unit configured to associate the setting information with a feature quantity of the image and record them.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Masanori Machimura, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masato Akao
-
Publication number: 20070209003Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature value extractor extracting a feature value from an image; a setting unit setting setting information for applying a process to the image; a recorder recording the setting information in association with the feature value in a data recording medium; a synchronizing unit synchronizing the feature value in the recording medium with the extracted feature value; a reader reading, when the feature value in the recording medium is synchronized with the extracted feature value, setting information recorded in association with the synchronized feature value from the recording medium; a reflecting unit reflecting the process applied to the image on the basis of the read setting information; a display image generator generating a display image by combining an object indicating the read setting information with the processed image; and a selector selectively supplying the setting information to the reflecting unit or the display image generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: September 6, 2007Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Michimasa OBANA, Tetsujiro Kondo
-
Publication number: 20070201769Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feature value extractor configured to extract a feature value from an image; a setting unit configured to set setting information for applying a process to the image; and a recorder configured to record the setting information in association with the feature value of the image in a data recording medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Yasunobu Node, Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazutaka Ando, Kei Hiraizumi, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
-
Publication number: 20070201107Abstract: An image processing system includes an image capturing apparatus, and an image processing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus is configured to capture an image including an object, to obtain status information of the object, and to record the image and the status information of the object. The image processing apparatus is configured to specify details of a modification to be applied to the image according to the recorded image and status information of the object, to set setting information for modifying the image on the basis of the details of the modification, to extract a feature value from the image, and to record the setting information in a setting-information recording medium in association with the extracted feature value of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2007Publication date: August 30, 2007Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Kazutaka Ando, Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasunobu Node, Michimasa Obana, Kei Hiraizumi, Masanori Machimura, Masato Akao
-
Publication number: 20070116372Abstract: A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a movement vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, an activity detector, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru
-
Publication number: 20070115286Abstract: A signal processing device, signal processing method, and program and recording medium which provide images and the like closer approximating real world signals. The signal processing device includes a processing region setting unit, a motion vector setting unit, a model generator, a normal equation generator, a weighting change unit, and a real world estimating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2007Publication date: May 24, 2007Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Kanemaru, Hideo Kasama
-
Publication number: 20070110333Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. With regard to an input image of dimensions fewer than the dimensions of actual world light signals, wherein actual world light signals have been projected and a part of the continuity of the actual world light signals has been lost, actual world signals are estimated at an actual world signal estimating unit 10003 from the input image within a processing region set at a processing region setting unit 10001, corresponding to continuity set at a continuity setting unit 10002. On the other hand, information relating to at least one of processing region, continuity, and actual world signals, is supplied from a user I/F 10006 to the processing region setting unit 10001, continuity setting unit 10002, or actual world signal estimating unit 10003, according to user operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: May 17, 2007Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Masanori Kanemaru, Hideo Kasama
-
Publication number: 20070098289Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing device and signal processing method, and program and recording medium, whereby images and the like closer approximating real world signals can be obtained. An object which is moving at a movement amount v in the horizontal direction is photographed, and an image wherein the object is blurred is input into a signal processing device. A continuity setting unit 15012 supplies the movement amount v of the object to an actual world estimating unit 15013 as continuity information. The actual world estimating unit 15013 estimates a pixel value for an image without blurring, by computing a normal equation comprising a model equation which models the relation of the pixel values in the input image and the pixel values in an image without blurring according to the movement amount v, and a constraint condition expression which constrains between the pixels in an image without blurring, and supplies this to an image generating unit 15014.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru
-
Publication number: 20050007159Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing device which learns operations made by a user without the user knowing, and which can perform processing optimal to the user based on the learning results. At a learning unit 22, operating signals supplied according to user operations are monitored, and judgment is made whether or not these can be used for learning. In the event that the operating signals are learning operating signals which can be used for learning, the learning unit 22 learns a correction norm which is the norm for correcting input signals, based on the learning operating signals. On the other hand, at a correcting unit 21, post-correction signals, wherein the input signals are corrected based on the correction norm obtained by learning, are output as output signals. The present invention can be applied to an NR (Noise Reduction) circuit which removes noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kazushi Yoshikawa, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hisakazu Shiraki, Michimasa Obana, Hideo Kasama, Masanori Kanemaru