Patents by Inventor Takashi Sawao

Takashi Sawao 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: 7447378
    Abstract: The present invention enables processing results which are more accurate and which have higher precision as to events of the real world to be obtained. (An inverse gamma correction unit 5001 applies inverse gamma correction to an input image wherein light signals of the actual world have been projected and a part of the continuity of the light signals of the actual world has been lost, and which has been subjected to gamma correction. A data continuity detecting unit 101 detects, in the input image subjected to inverse gamma correction, data continuity corresponding to the continuity of light signals of the real world. An actual world estimating unit 102 estimates the light signals by estimating the continuity of the light signals of the real world, based on the data continuity. An image generating unit 103 generates an output image from the estimated light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takashi Sawao, Junichi Ishibashi, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20080199072
    Abstract: With the present invention, data continuity is used at the time of converting an input image into high-quality image data with higher quality than the input image data, to obtain processing results which are more accurate and have higher precision. A class tap extracting unit (902) and prediction tap extracting unit (906) extract a class tap and prediction tap based on data continuity of multiple perimeter pixels corresponding to a pixel of interest in the input image, detected by a data continuity detecting unit (901).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Sony corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takashi Sawao, Junichi Ishibashi, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Patent number: 7412075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a picture processing apparatus that allows detection of an area in which a plurality of objects, such as a background picture and a picture of a moving object, is mixed. A background picture generation unit 121 generates a background picture based on picture data. A binary object picture extraction unit 121 detects a correlation value between each pixel in picture data of a frame under consideration and a pixel in the background picture at a position corresponding to the pixel in the picture data of the frame under consideration. A temporal change detection unit 123 detects a mixed area in the frame under consideration, in which a plurality of real-world objects is mixed, based on a temporal change of the correlation value at each pixel position. The present invention can be applied to a picture processing apparatus that takes difference between a signal detected by a sensor and the real world into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Patent number: 7409074
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device enabling detection of a mixture ratio indicating the state of mixture between multiple objects. A contour region information generating unit 421 and a normal equation generating unit 422 extracts contour region pixel data within a frame of interest positioned at a contour region with approximately a same mixture ratio, extracts corresponding pixel data from a frame different to the frame of interest, extracting background pixel data corresponding to the contour region pixel data or the corresponding pixel data, and generating an equation wherein the mixture ratio is an unknown number, based on region specifying information specifying a non-mixed region made up of a foreground region and background region and a mixed region. A least square approximation unit 423 detects the mixture ratio by solving the equation. The present invention can be applied to signals processing devices for processing image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Patent number: 7352917
    Abstract: The present invention aims to recognize the mixture state of images. An area specifying unit 103 specifies a mixed area in which foreground object components which form a foreground object and background object components which form a background object are mixed. An estimated-mixture-ratio calculator 104 detects, in correspondence with the image data, the mixture ratio indicating the ratio of the mixture of the foreground object components to the mixture of the background object components in the mixed area in which the foreground object components and the background object components are mixed. At least one of the area specifying unit 103 and the estimated-mixture-ratio calculator 104 performs image processing on the basis of a plurality of types of components. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Takahiro Nagano, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Patent number: 7340106
    Abstract: The present invention allows the amount of movement indicating the movement of an object within an exposure period to be obtained. An estimated-mixture-ratio processor 401 calculates an estimated mixture ratio for each pixel and an estimated motion vector by a calculation corresponding to a model of a covered background area, and sends the calculated estimated mixture ratio and the calculated estimated motion vector to a mixture-ratio determining portion 403. An estimated-mixture-ratio processor 402 calculates an estimated mixture ratio for each pixel and an estimated motion vector by a calculation corresponding to a model of an uncovered background area, and sends the calculated estimated mixture ratio and the calculated estimated motion vector to the mixture-ratio determining portion 403.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Naoki Fujiwara, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Patent number: 7336818
    Abstract: The present invention allows an image to be processed corresponding to the mixture of a background image and an image of a moving object. A region specifying unit specifies a mixed region wherein foreground object components making up foreground objects and background object components making up background objects are mixed, and a non-mixed region configured of one of foreground object components making up foreground objects or background object components making up background objects, and outputs region information corresponding to the results of specifying. A region processing unit 5001 processes input images for each of the regions specified by the region information. The present invention can be applied to image processing devices for processing images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Takahiro Nagano, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Publication number: 20070268372
    Abstract: An image processing device and method, where the image processing device includes a continuity region detector configured to detect a region having data continuity within image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, and a real world estimating unit configured to estimate the light signals by estimating a continuity of the real world light signals which have been lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20070196029
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, and program capable of obtaining processing results which are even more accurate and even more precise as to events in the real world by taking into consideration the real world where data has been acquired. The image processing device may include a computer configured to calculate a product-sum coefficient and a recorder configured to record the product-sum coefficient. The image processing device may also include a data continuity detector, a recorder, and a real world estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano
  • Patent number: 7260260
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to separate in real time a captured image into a foreground component image and a background component image. An image captured by an image-capturing unit 74 is separated into a foreground component image and a background component image, which are stored in an image storage unit 72. A billing processor 75 performs billing processing to charge fees for separating the image. A separating portion 91 performs motion-blur processing of the separated foreground component image and outputs the processed foreground component image and the background component image to a synthesizer 92. The synthesizer 92 combines the input motion-blur-processed foreground component image and the separated background component image to synthesize an image and displays the synthesized image on a display unit 73. The present invention is applicable to a camera terminal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takahiro Nagano, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Publication number: 20070189634
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, and program are capable of obtaining processing results which are even more accurate and even more precise as to events in the real world, taking into consideration the real world where data has been acquired. The image processing device includes a data continuity detector and a real world estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano
  • Publication number: 20070165112
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an image taking means for taking images of a subject, a class-classification means for classifying a first image outputted by the image taking means into a class according to a characteristics thereof, a storage means for storing plural coefficient memories having different image taking conditions at the time of image taking, which store prediction coefficients according to the class acquired by learning, a designation means for designating one coefficient memory from among the plural coefficient memories based on the image taking condition when the image was taken by the image taking means, and a calculation means for calculating a second image in which noise is removed from the first image by calculating a prediction coefficient of the class of the first image, which is in the designated coefficient memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Shinmei, Kenji Takahashi, Tsutomu Ichikawa, Takashi Sawao, Koji Yano, Toshinobu Sugiyama, Akihiro Okumura, Takao Inoue, Noriaki Takahashi, Tetsujiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20070146365
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, recording medium, and program where the device includes an image data continuity detector configured to detect continuity of image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by real world light signals being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements, and a real world estimating unit configured to estimate real world light signals by approximating image data with discontinuous functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takahiro Nagano, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Publication number: 20070127838
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, recording medium, and program where the device includes a simple-type angle detecting unit simply detects the angle as continuity using correlation from an input image. The device includes an input configured to input image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by real world light signals being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements, and a real world estimating unit configured to estimate light signals being cast in an optical low-pass filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takahiro Nagano, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Publication number: 20070126882
    Abstract: An image processing device and method, where the device includes a data continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of a first image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, a real world estimating unit configured to detect real world features which a first function representing the real world light signals has, and an image generator configured to predict and generate second image data having a higher quality than the first image data, based on the real world features detected by the real world estimating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20070126881
    Abstract: An image processing device and method, where the device includes an image data continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of first image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, a real world estimating unit configured to generate signals approximating waveforms of the real world light signals from the data continuity in the first image data, and an image generator configured to convert the signal generated by the real world estimating unit into second image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20070120854
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, recording medium, and program and a learning device, where the learning device includes a computer configured to compute image data corresponding to light signals when the light signals corresponding to second image data pass through an optical low-pass filter and to output computed image data as first image data, a first tap extractor configured to extract a plurality of pixels corresponding to pixels of interest within the second image data from the first image data, and a learning unit configured to teach a predictor configured to predict pixel values of the pixels of interest from the pixel values of the plurality of pixels extracted by the first tap extractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takahiro Nagano, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Publication number: 20070122051
    Abstract: An image processing device and method, where the device includes a data continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, and a real world estimating unit configured to generate a gradient of pixel values of the plurality of pixels corresponding to a position in one dimensional direction of spatio-temporal directions as to pixels of interest within the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
  • Publication number: 20070121138
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, and a program capable of obtaining processing results which are even more accurate and even more precise as to events in the real world, taking into consideration the real world where data has been acquired. The image processing device may include a computer configured to compute a product-sum coefficient and a recorder configured to record the product-sum coefficient. In another embodiment, the image processing device may include a data continuity detector, a recorder, and a pixel extractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano
  • Publication number: 20070120855
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method, where the apparatus includes a region selecting unit configured to select a region corresponding to a pixel of interest, a frequency detector configured to detect a frequency corresponding to pixels belonging to the region, a continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of the image data, and a real world estimating unit configured to estimate the light signals by estimating the continuity of the real world light signals which have been lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Naoki Fujiwara, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada