Patents by Inventor Robert Mullis

Robert Mullis 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: 9412206
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the manipulation of captured light fields and captured light field image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for manipulating captured light field image data includes a processor, a display, a user input device, and a memory, wherein a depth map includes depth information for one or more pixels in the image data, and wherein an image manipulation application configures the processor to display a first synthesized image, receive user input data identifying a region within the first synthesized image, determine boundary data for the identified region using the depth map, receive user input data identifying at least one action, and perform the received action using the boundary data and the captured light field image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon, Kartik Venkataraman, Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20160165212
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20160163051
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20150312455
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention utilize array cameras incorporating quantum dot color filters. One embodiment includes: lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers form a plurality of optical channels; at least one aperture located within each optical channel; at least one spectral filter located within each optical channel, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light; and at least one quantum dot color filter located within each optical channel to receive the specific spectral band of light passed by the at least one spectral filter located within the optical channel, where the at least one quantum dot color filter is configured to emit a spectral band of light having a bandwidth that is narrower than the specific spectral band of light passed by the at least one spectral filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Jacques Duparre, Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 9124831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 9124864
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20150235476
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the manipulation of captured light fields and captured light field image data in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a system for manipulating captured light field image data includes a processor, a display, a user input device, and a memory, wherein a depth map includes depth information for one or more pixels in the image data, and wherein an image manipulation application configures the processor to display a first synthesized image, receive user input data identifying a region within the first synthesized image, determine boundary data for the identified region using the depth map, receive user input data identifying at least one action, and perform the received action using the boundary data and the captured light field image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon, Kartik Venkataraman, Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20150035992
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 8866912
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20140285675
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20140267762
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extended color processing on Pelican array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of generating a high resolution image includes obtaining input images, where a first set of images includes information in a first band of visible wavelengths and a second set of images includes information in a second band of visible wavelengths and non-visible wavelengths, determining an initial estimate by combining the first set of images into a first fused image, combining the second set of images into a second fused image, spatially registering the fused images, denoising the fused images using bilateral filters, normalizing the second fused image in the photometric reference space of the first fused image, combining the fused images, determining a high resolution image that when mapped through a forward imaging transformation matches the input images within at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Mullis, Dan Lelescu, Kartik Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20140253738
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the capturing of an image of a test pattern with the array camera such that each imaging component in the array camera captures an image of the test pattern. The image of the test pattern captured by a reference imaging component is then used to derive calibration information for the reference component. A corrected image of the test pattern for the reference component is then generated from the calibration information and the image of the test pattern captured by the reference imaging component. The corrected image is then used with the images captured by each of the associate imaging components associated with the reference component to generate calibration information for the associate imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 8131097
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for restoring an image captured through an extended depth-of-field lens. Preprocessed data relating to image degradation is stored and used during an image restoration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Lelescu, Robert Mullis, Pravin Rao, Kartik Venkataraman, Cheng Lu, Junqing Chen
  • Patent number: 8035704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing which performs pixel defect correction and color demosaicing on pixel image data while held in a line buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Shane C. Hu, Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20090297056
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for restoring an image captured through an extended depth-of-field lens. Preprocessed data relating to image degradation is stored and used during an image restoration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Dan Lelescu, Robert Mullis, Pravin Rao, Kartik Venkataraman, Cheng Lu, Junqing Chen
  • Publication number: 20090174797
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing which performs pixel defect correction and color demosaicing on pixel image data while held in a line buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Shane C. Hu, Robert Mullis
  • Publication number: 20060197778
    Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample rendering of antialiased images. The pixels of an image are sampled in accordance with sampling patterns. Each of the sampling patterns defines sampling locations at which sample values are calculated. A value for a pixel in the image is calculated by combining respective sample values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: James Peterson, Robert Mullis, Gregory Hunter