Patents by Inventor Motohiro Asano

Motohiro Asano 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: 9215441
    Abstract: A technique that enables an image distortion caused on a pseudo image of an object to be reduced is provided. In order to achieve the object, an image processor includes a first obtaining section for obtaining a base image, a second obtaining section for obtaining first pieces of distance information, a first generating section for generating second pieces of distance information by executing a process for reducing dispersion of the first pieces of distance information, and a second generating section for generating a pseudo image constituting a stereoscopic image. The first generating section executes the reducing process so that strength for reducing the dispersion of the first pieces of distance information in a second direction crossing a first direction on an original distance image relating to the first pieces of distance information is stronger than strength for reducing the dispersion in the first direction on the original distance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20150332433
    Abstract: An RGB mosaic filter is disposed on one imaging element (301) of an imaging element array (11). An R, G or B one-color filters is disposed on each of the remaining imaging elements (302). In a mode for capturing a moving image, image data captured by the one imaging element (301) is displayed on a display, and, in a mode for capturing a still image, plural pieces of image data captured by all of the image elements (30) are integrated by super-resolution processing, and the integrated image data is displayed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: JUN TAKAYAMA, MOTOHIRO ASANO, KENJI KONNO
  • Publication number: 20150312496
    Abstract: A compound eye optical system forms a plurality of images with different fields of view for connecting the plurality of images with the different fields of view and outputting one composite image. The system includes: a plurality of individual eye optical systems forming the plurality of images with different fields of view on an imaging surface; and an overall optical system forming an image with a field of view incorporating the entire fields of view obtained by the plurality of individual eye optical systems on the imaging surface, wherein the individual eye optical systems and the overall optical system are configured by a lens array plate having a plurality of lenses integrally formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kenji KONNO, Motohiro ASANO, Jun TAKAYAMA, Makoto JIN, Shoji KOGO, Katsuya YAGI, Hiroshi HATANO
  • Publication number: 20150187054
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image represented with a plurality of color components including at least first and second color components, a correlation calculation unit configured to calculate a grayscale direction correlation indicating whether grayscale directions of the first color component and the second color component are identical or opposite for a region of interest in the input image, a high frequency component calculation unit configured to calculate a high frequency component of the first color component for the region of interest, and a correction unit configured to correct the second color component for the region of interest using the high frequency component of the first color component calculated by the high frequency component calculation unit in accordance with a method depending on the grayscale direction correlation calculated by the correlation calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20140340486
    Abstract: An image processing system includes first imaging means for capturing an image of a subject to acquire a first input image, second imaging means for capturing an image of the subject from a point of view different from the first imaging means to acquire a second input image, and distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information indicating a distance relative to a predetermined position, for each unit area having a predetermined pixel size, based on a correspondence for each point of the subject between the first input image and the second input image. The unit area is defined by a first pixel interval corresponding to a first direction in the first input image and a second pixel interval different from the first pixel interval, corresponding to a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 8885224
    Abstract: There are used a first information embedding method that is used for embedding first information and specified by a first information expression rule and a second information embedding method that is used for embedding second information and specified by a second information expression rule different from the first information expression rule. The first information and the second information are so embedded that at least parts of the first and second information overlap with each other in an identical area. This makes it possible to provide an information embedding method, its program, and an information embedding device capable of generating an embedded image that is beautiful in appearance because the boundary between the first and second information is inconspicuous and is also safe because it is difficult to decipher the embedded information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20140189833
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus determines whether a device accesses a box region of the information processing apparatus. When it is determined that the box region is accessed, a box ID entry screen is displayed on the device. The information processing apparatus determines whether a box ID is entered by a user of the device. If it is determined that a box ID is entered, then device information about the device is obtained. After the device information is obtained, the information processing apparatus determines whether the device possesses a hardware keyboard. If it is determined that the device possesses a hardware keyboard, a password authentication screen is displayed on the device. If it is determined that the device does not possess a hardware keyboard, an image authentication screen is displayed on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiho MURAI, Motohiro ASANO
  • Patent number: 8756670
    Abstract: Whether a log-in button has been pressed or not is determined. When it is determined that the log-in button has been pressed, an ID selection screen is displayed. Whether an ID has been selected or not is determined. When it is determined that an ID has been selected, whether a secure printing job is present or not is determined. Thereafter, whether password matching is successfully achieved or not is determined. Thereafter, whether a password image function is ON or not is determined. Then, when it is determined that password matching was successfully achieved and a password image authentication function is ON, password image authentication is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Motohiro Asano, Chiho Murai
  • Patent number: 8750607
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus successively counts numbers of continuous blocks starting from a left end in view of a number of color(s) forming each block and the color of a preceding block. In this counting, when a first block formed of two colors is input, then second block formed of one of the two colors of the first block is input and then blocks formed of the same one color as the second block are continuously input (second to fourth), the image processing apparatus handles the second to fourth blocks as one-color blocks continuing after the two-color block, and encodes the first to fourth blocks into a code indicating identification information to the effect, a continuation number of the two-color block, color information of each color, information specifying the color of the one-color block being one of the two colors, and the continuation number of the one-color blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 8713648
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus determines whether a device accesses a box region of the information processing apparatus. When it is determined that the box region is accessed, a box ID entry screen is displayed on the device. The information processing apparatus determines whether a box ID is entered by a user of the device. If it is determined that a box ID is entered, then device information about the device is obtained. After the device information is obtained, the information processing apparatus determines whether the device possesses a hardware keyboard. If it is determined that the device possesses a hardware keyboard, a password authentication screen is displayed on the device. If it is determined that the device does not possess a hardware keyboard, an image authentication screen is displayed on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiho Murai, Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 8683577
    Abstract: An authentication method in a system having a display and a storage device is provided. The authentication method includes the steps of registering an object selected for each user from among a plurality of visually distinguishable objects prepared in advance as a key object in the storage device; and presenting the plurality of objects to the display, accepting selection of an object by a user to be authenticated, and performing authentication based on matching/mismatching of the selected object with the key object registered in association with the user. The step of registering includes a step of determining a degree of freedom of selection of the object at the time of registration of the key object according to a degree of overlapping of the key object already registered in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiho Murai, Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20140043434
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of easily executing color matching between respective images obtained by carrying out image-capturing over an object respectively irrespective of an illumination condition of the object. In order to achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition section for acquiring a first image and a second image in which an object is captured, and a processing section for executing a color matching process between the first image and the second image by a conversion for causing a frequency distribution of a first histogram for pixel expression information about the first image to relatively approximate to a frequency distribution of a second histogram for the pixel expression information about the second image, in which the processing section further executes a saturation degree correction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Motohiro Asano, Hiroshi Yamato
  • Patent number: 8600099
    Abstract: Data to be embedded is divided and thus embedded in areas internal to a block corresponding to a predetermined region of a scanned image. Of the areas, a defined area has the embedded data's identification information embedded therein. A detection apparatus includes a counter including a region including a region storing identification information and a region storing a count value corresponding to embedded data divided that is detected in an area other than the defined area, and classifies a count value corresponding to embedded data divided that is detected from a scanned image for each identification information detected in the block, and stores it to the counter. The detection apparatus identifies data stored for each identification information that has the largest count value for each area as data embedded in that area, and reconstructs the embedded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20130308826
    Abstract: A technique that enables an image distortion caused on a pseudo image of an object to be reduced is provided. In order to achieve the object, an image processor includes a first obtaining section for obtaining a base image, a second obtaining section for obtaining first pieces of distance information, a first generating section for generating second pieces of distance information by executing a process for reducing dispersion of the first pieces of distance information, and a second generating section for generating a pseudo image constituting a stereoscopic image. The first generating section executes the reducing process so that strength for reducing the dispersion of the first pieces of distance information in a second direction crossing a first direction on an original distance image relating to the first pieces of distance information is stronger than strength for reducing the dispersion in the first direction on the original distance image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20130258066
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a technique that can generate an image group of a subject having parallax in a horizontal direction of the actual subject as a stereoscopic image of the subject. In order to attain the object, an information processor includes imaging section having a first imaging system and a second imaging system for imaging a subject from different directions, obtaining section for obtaining determination information for determining a geometrical relationship between an arrangement direction of the first imaging system and the second imaging system and a horizontal direction, determination section for determining the geometrical relationship, and generating section for executing one generating process selected from different first generating process and second generating process according to a determination result of the geometrical relationship based on an imaged result of the imaging section so as to generate a stereoscopic image of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 8270033
    Abstract: It is possible to provide an image processing device, an image processing method, and its program which generate a positioning pattern of an information pattern in accordance with block information. This eliminates the problem that a block number cannot be identified although an information block position can be identified, i.e., the problem that information for identifying an information block cannot be sufficiently extracted. If an information pattern is identified, the extracted information can be used effectively. Moreover, it is possible to enhance the information embedding efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 8149466
    Abstract: A PC generating image data divides data to be embedded into a predetermined size and arranges it in a predetermined area of a watermarking image. In the predetermined area are defined positions a-h assumed by an information dot configuring an information pattern based on the data to be embedded, and, of positions a-h, a position defined for the information pattern is assumed by a point dot. Of positions a-h, a position that is not defined for the information pattern is assumed by a linear dot. Furthermore in the predetermined area there is a position assumed by a positioning dot defining the predetermined area, and this position is assumed by a point dot. The linear dot has a geometry extending in one of the main scanning direction and vertical scanning direction of an image formation apparatus that allows higher performance in reproducibility for a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Patent number: 7925115
    Abstract: An image process capable of rapidly detecting and correcting the inclination of a document image is executed as follows. Dots are put on a document image at even intervals and the document image is printed to provide a printed object. The printed object is read with a scanner to provide image data. Processes are performed on the image data with a plurality of filters for detecting dots corresponding to a plurality of inclinations to calculate the degrees of agreement between the data and the filters. The inclination angle of a filter exhibiting a highest degree of agreement is set to the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Motohiro Asano
  • Publication number: 20110023112
    Abstract: An authentication method in a system having a display and a storage device is provided. The authentication method includes the steps of registering an object selected for each user from among a plurality of visually distinguishable objects prepared in advance as a key object in the storage device; and presenting the plurality of objects to the display, accepting selection of an object by a user to be authenticated, and performing authentication based on matching/mismatching of the selected object with the key object registered in association with the user. The step of registering includes a step of determining a degree of freedom of selection of the object at the time of registration of the key object according to a degree of overlapping of the key object already registered in the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiho MURAI, Motohiro ASANO
  • Patent number: 7869652
    Abstract: In flicker correction of a moving picture consisting of a plurality of frames, moving averages of accumulative histograms are calculated for each frame on image data. Then, gamma tables for correcting the image data of a frame in the plurality of frames are made such that the accumulative histograms after corrected with the gamma tables match with the moving averages of the accumulative histograms. Then, the image data of the frame in the plurality of frames is corrected with the gamma tables. In some cased, each frame is divided into areas, and the flicker correction is performed for each area if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Asano, Katsuhiko Matsusaka