Patents by Inventor Teruaki YAMASAKI

Teruaki YAMASAKI 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: 11503982
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: calculate a motion evaluation value on a motion of a subject in a determination target frame; acquire a difference evaluation value of the determination target frame; determine whether to perform defective pixel detection on an image of the determination target frame by using the motion evaluation value and the difference evaluation value; and when it is determined that the defective pixel detection is to be performed, detect a defective pixel by determining whether a pixel of interest that is a determination target is a defective pixel with respect to the image of the determination target frame, based on a pixel value of the pixel of interest and pixel values of neighboring pixels that are located in a vicinity of the pixel of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamasaki, Hiroki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11228724
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: detect a defective pixel from among the multiple pixels; calculate a level of a pixel value of the defective pixel; compare the calculated level of the pixel value of the defective pixel with a threshold to determine whether a defective pixel that is stored in a storage is to be corrected, the threshold being determined based on a brightness that is calculated from pixel values close to a defective pixel and on any one of an exposure time of image data corresponding to a defective pixel on which a determination is to be made, a value of gain, and variation in pixel value among pixels surrounding the defective pixel on which a determination is to be made; and interpolate the pixel value of the determined defective pixel that is to be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Maruyama, Teruaki Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20210044769
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to: detect a defective pixel from among the multiple pixels; calculate a level of a pixel value of the defective pixel; compare the calculated level of the pixel value of the defective pixel with a threshold to determine whether a defective pixel that is stored in a storage is to be corrected, the threshold being determined based on a brightness that is calculated from pixel values close to a defective pixel and on any one of an exposure time of image data corresponding to a defective pixel on which a determination is to be made, a value of gain, and variation in pixel value among pixels surrounding the defective pixel on which a determination is to be made; and interpolate the pixel value of the determined defective pixel that is to be corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki MARUYAMA, Teruaki YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20200359875
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: calculate a motion evaluation value on a motion of a subject in a determination target frame; acquire a difference evaluation value of the determination target frame; determine whether to perform defective pixel detection on an image of the determination target frame by using the motion evaluation value and the difference evaluation value; and when it is determined that the defective pixel detection is to be performed, detect a defective pixel by determining whether a pixel of interest that is a determination target is a defective pixel with respect to the image of the determination target frame, based on a pixel value of the pixel of interest and pixel values of neighboring pixels that are located in a vicinity of the pixel of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki YAMASAKI, Hiroki MARUYAMA
  • Patent number: 10791290
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which processes noise resulting from a defective pixel different from a low saturation pixel, included in image data generated by an image sensor including a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged to receive light from outside and generate a signal according to an amount of received light and including a plurality of read-out circuits that read out the signal as a pixel value. The image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that obtains the image data generated by the image sensor and a saturation level of each of the plurality of pixels; and a noise processing unit that processes the noise on the basis of the saturation level obtained by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Maruyama, Manabu Ichikawa, Teruaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10791289
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes noise from a defective pixel in image data generated by an image sensor including plural pixels, and plural read-out circuits that read out the signal. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit that obtains the image data and position information of the defective pixel; a defective pixel correction unit that corrects the signal from the defective pixel included in the image data, based on the position information; a low saturation pixel correction unit that corrects a signal from a low saturation pixel included in the image data where the signal from the defective pixel has been corrected, the low saturation pixel having a saturation level lower than the other pixels, based on a preliminarily calculated saturation level of the plural pixels; and a saturation level calculation unit that calculates the saturation level of the defective pixel corrected by the defective pixel correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Maruyama, Manabu Ichikawa, Teruaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10728476
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a computer that is configured to: perform order-statistic filter processing on pixel values of individual pixels in a block including a pixel of interest and peripheral pixels in an acquired image; calculate a difference value between the pixel values of the pixel of interest before and after the order-statistic filter processing is performed; calculate a statistical variation of the pixel values of the peripheral pixels subjected to the order-statistic filter processing; and determine the pixel of interest as being a defective pixel in the case where a value obtained by dividing the difference value by the statistical variation is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10623674
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data generated by an imaging element including sharing blocks, each including multiple adjacent pixels configured to generate signals according to amounts of light received externally and one read circuit; an offset calculator configured to, based on the acquired image data and using pixel values of pixels in a sharing block of interest that is one of the multiple sharing blocks and pixel values of pixels outside the sharing block of interest, detect an offset component of a pixel value occurring in the sharing block of interest; and a corrector configured to calculate a correction amount to correct a pixel value of at least one pixel in the sharing block of interest based on the offset component and use the correction amount to correct a pixel value of at least one pixel in the sharing block of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamasaki, Manabu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10565688
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a dispersion calculation unit for calculating a dispersion of pixel values in each of a plurality of pixel groups which are each composed of a pixel of interest and peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest in an image and in which the pixel of interest and the peripheral pixels are arranged in directions different from one another; and a gradation determination unit for determining whether or not the pixel of interest belongs to a gradation region on the basis of a magnitude relationship among the dispersions calculated by the dispersion calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20190238771
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which processes noise resulting from a defective pixel different from a low saturation pixel, included in image data generated by an image sensor including a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged to receive light from outside and generate a signal according to an amount of received light and including a plurality of read-out circuits that read out the signal as a pixel value. The image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that obtains the image data generated by the image sensor and a saturation level of each of the plurality of pixels; and a noise processing unit that processes the noise on the basis of the saturation level obtained by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki MARUYAMA, Manabu ICHIKAWA, Teruaki YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20190166320
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes noise from a defective pixel in image data generated by an image sensor including plural pixels, and plural read-out circuits that read out the signal. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit that obtains the image data and position information of the defective pixel; a defective pixel correction unit that corrects the signal from the defective pixel included in the image data, based on the position information; a low saturation pixel correction unit that corrects a signal from a low saturation pixel included in the image data where the signal from the defective pixel has been corrected, the low saturation pixel having a saturation level lower than the other pixels, based on a preliminarily calculated saturation level of the plural pixels; and a saturation level calculation unit that calculates the saturation level of the defective pixel corrected by the defective pixel correction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki MARUYAMA, Manabu ICHIKAWA, Teruaki YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20190149757
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a computer that is configured to: perform order-statistic filter processing on pixel values of individual pixels in a block including a pixel of interest and peripheral pixels in an acquired image; calculate a difference value between the pixel values of the pixel of interest before and after the order-statistic filter processing is performed; calculate a statistical variation of the pixel values of the peripheral pixels subjected to the order-statistic filter processing; and determine the pixel of interest as being a defective pixel in the case where a value obtained by dividing the difference value by the statistical variation is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki YAMASAKI
  • Publication number: 20180338100
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data generated by an imaging element including sharing blocks, each including multiple adjacent pixels configured to generate signals according to amounts of light received externally and one read circuit; an offset calculator configured to, based on the acquired image data and using pixel values of pixels in a sharing block of interest that is one of the multiple sharing blocks and pixel values of pixels outside the sharing block of interest, detect an offset component of a pixel value occurring in the sharing block of interest; and a corrector configured to calculate a correction amount to correct a pixel value of at least one pixel in the sharing block of interest based on the offset component and use the correction amount to correct a pixel value of at least one pixel in the sharing block of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teruaki YAMASAKI, Manabu ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180130187
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a dispersion calculation unit for calculating a dispersion of pixel values in each of a plurality of pixel groups which are each composed of a pixel of interest and peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest in an image and in which the pixel of interest and the peripheral pixels are arranged in directions different from one another; and a gradation determination unit for determining whether or not the pixel of interest belongs to a gradation region on the basis of a magnitude relationship among the dispersions calculated by the dispersion calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruaki YAMASAKI
  • Patent number: 9503661
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a high-frequency pattern detector calculating a difference or a ratio between a value obtained by integrating averages of pixel outputs of a first pixel group arranged in identical positions in a vertical direction with respect to a focus detection pixel or in identical positions in a vertical direction with respect to another focus detection pixel located around the focus detection pixel and a value obtained by integrating averages of pixel outputs of a second pixel group arranged in positions shifted from the first pixel group in the horizontal or vertical direction, and sets a high-frequency degree in accordance with a magnitude of the difference or the ratio. An application determination unit increases the mixing rate of the focus detection pixel when the high-frequency pattern degree is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuro Okazawa, Teruaki Yamasaki, Takeshi Fukutomi
  • Patent number: 9467629
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is designed to process pixel outputs of an imaging element including imaging pixels and phase-difference detecting pixels. The apparatus includes a pixel mixing unit and an image processing unit. The pixel mixing unit mixes the pixel outputs. The image processing unit corrects the pixel outputs to prevent the phase-difference detecting pixels from degrading image quality, by using at least one of information selected from a group consisting of the number of mixed pixel outputs of phase-difference detecting pixels having the same opening direction and the number of mixed pixel outputs of imaging pixels having the same opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuro Okazawa, Teruaki Yamasaki, Takeshi Fukutomi
  • Publication number: 20160212364
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a high-frequency pattern detector calculating a difference or a ratio between a value obtained by integrating averages of pixel outputs of a first pixel group arranged in identical positions in a vertical direction with respect to a focus detection pixel or in identical positions in a vertical direction with respect to another focus detection pixel located around the focus detection pixel and a value obtained by integrating averages of pixel outputs of a second pixel group arranged in positions shifted from the first pixel group in the horizontal or vertical direction, and sets a high-frequency degree in accordance with a magnitude of the difference or the ratio. An application determination unit increases the mixing rate of the focus detection pixel when the high-frequency pattern degree is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Atsuro OKAZAWA, Teruaki YAMASAKI, Takeshi FUKUTOMI
  • Patent number: 9319599
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gain correcting unit and a gain estimating unit. The gain correcting unit corrects a gain of a pixel output of a phase-difference detecting pixel. The gain estimating unit estimates the gain with which to correct the pixel output of the phase-difference detecting pixel. The gain estimating unit includes a provisional true-value calculating unit configured to calculate a pixel output of a provisional true-value calculating pixel, in accordance with a correlation of the pixel outputs between a base block including the phase-difference detecting pixel and a reference block set in a search area for which a block similar to the base block is searched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuro Okazawa, Teruaki Yamasaki, Takeshi Fukutomi
  • Publication number: 20150097992
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is designed to process pixel outputs of an imaging element including imaging pixels and phase-difference detecting pixels. The apparatus includes a pixel mixing unit and an image processing unit. The pixel mixing unit mixes the pixel outputs. The image processing unit corrects the pixel outputs to prevent the phase-difference detecting pixels from degrading image quality, by using at least one of information selected from a group consisting of the number of mixed pixel outputs of phase-difference detecting pixels having the same opening direction and the number of mixed pixel outputs of imaging pixels having the same opening direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Atsuro OKAZAWA, Teruaki YAMASAKI, Takeshi FUKUTOMI
  • Publication number: 20150092088
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gain correcting unit and a gain estimating unit. The gain correcting unit corrects a gain of a pixel output of a phase-difference detecting pixel. The gain estimating unit estimates the gain with which to correct the pixel output of the phase-difference detecting pixel. The gain estimating unit includes a provisional true-value calculating unit configured to calculate a pixel output of a provisional true-value calculating pixel, in accordance with a correlation of the pixel outputs between a base block including the phase-difference detecting pixel and a reference block set in a search area for which a block similar to the base block is searched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Atsuro OKAZAWA, Teruaki YAMASAKI, Takeshi FUKUTOMI