Patents by Inventor Tohru Kurata

Tohru Kurata 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: 7692688
    Abstract: A method for correcting distortion of a captured image is provided. The method includes receiving a detection output from a sensor; optically correcting distortion of a captured image in image data from the element due to the positional change of the imaging element by controlling a control mechanism depending on the detection output in the receiving step, the mechanism being configured to control a position at which incident light from a target object enters the imaging element; receiving image data resulting from the optical correction of a captured image in the correcting step from the element, and detecting a motion vector per one screen of a captured image from the image data; and further correcting distortion of a captured image due to the positional change of the imaging element for the image data from the imaging element based on the motion vector detected in the motion vector detecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Kurata
  • Publication number: 20100020244
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus, including, a local motion vector detection section, a global motion vector acquisition section, an index value calculation section, a motion compensation section, an addition ratio calculation section, and an addition section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Mitsuya, Tohru Kurata
  • Patent number: 7630584
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20090285301
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a local motion vector detection section; a global motion calculation section; a global motion vector calculation section; and an evaluation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tohru Kurata
  • Publication number: 20090257498
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: motion vector detection section configured to detect a motion vector of each of a plurality of blocks of a predetermined size set in an image and formed from a plurality of pixels; and global motion calculation section configured to carry out convergence mathematical operation, from the motion vectors of the blocks detected by the motion vector detection section, using extended affine transformation in which at least one of affine parameters is represented by a function of a variable regarding a displacement axis of the image to calculate a global motion representative of deformation applied to the entire image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tohru Kurata
  • Patent number: 7596286
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20090232216
    Abstract: The present application provides an image processing apparatus, including: a correlation value calculation section configured to determine a correlation value between a target block and a each of reference blocks; a section configured to determine a highest value from among the correlation values; a motion vector detection section configured to detect a motion vector of the target block; and a section configured to calculate an index to reliability of the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tohru Kurata
  • Patent number: 7583280
    Abstract: An image display device that resolution-converts input image data to perform image display. The image display device includes an image memory storing the input image data, a control section specifying an effective range from the input image data, and a resolution converting section reading image data within the effective range from the image memory, and resolution-converts the image data within the effective range to obtain as a resolution of output image data. The resolution converting section starts reading of the image data of a single screen from said image memory before writing of the image data of the single screen is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kubo, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Publication number: 20090103621
    Abstract: Described herein is an image processing apparatus for calculating a motion vector between two screen images including a target screen image and a reference screen image, including: a base face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section; a reduction face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section; first and second base face search range determination sections; and a selection section configured to select a calculation section to be used from among the base face motion vector calculation section, high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section, reduction face motion vector calculation section and high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section and select whether the first or second base face search range determination section should be used and then select, where use of any of the determination sections is determined, a determination section to be used from between the determinat
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Numata, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20090073277
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided wherein a plurality of reference blocks of a size equal to that of a target block which has a predetermined size and includes a plurality of pixels set to a predetermined position in a target screen are set in a search range set on a reference screen and a motion vector is detected based on a positional displacement amount, on the screen, of that one of the reference blocks which has the highest correlation to the target block from the target block, comprising, a compression section, a first storage section, a decompression decoding section, a second storage section, and a mathematical operation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Numata, Tohru Kurata, Koji Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20090046179
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method can correct the distortion of an image at a low cost and can generate a high quality image in real time. An image processing apparatus is provided which is an image processing apparatus for correcting an original image having distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Atsushi Nose, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7457478
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method can correct the distortion of an image at a low cost and can generate a high quality image in real time. An image processing apparatus is provided which is an image processing apparatus for correcting an original image having distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Atsushi Nose, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7424172
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7418155
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080175439
    Abstract: An image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes per-block motion vector calculating means for calculating a motion vector between two pictures of an image input in picture units sequentially, performing block matching in each of divided regions obtained by dividing one picture into a plurality of regions, and calculating a per-block motion vector for each of said divided regions. The image processing device also includes translation amount calculating means for calculating an amount of translation of the other of said two pictures with respect to one of said two pictures from a plurality of said per-block motion vectors calculated by said per-block motion vector calculating means. The image processing device also includes rotation angle calculating means for calculating a rotation angle of the other of said two pictures with respect to one of said two pictures from the plurality of said per-block motion vectors calculated by said per-block motion vector calculating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tohru Kurata
  • Publication number: 20080175514
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080174822
    Abstract: An image-data processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: an image memory for storing image data; a plurality of processing sections each configured to output image data to be stored in the image memory, receive image data read out from the image memory and carry out image processing determined in advance on the received image data; and a memory control section configured to receive a write or read request from each of the processing sections and control a write access to store image data in the image memory in accordance with the write request and a read access to read out image data from the image memory in accordance with the read request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaimi, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7352915
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory. A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit. In the derived division polynomial of degree n, internal points which result from dividing both ends of the division polynomial of degree n by n is supplied to the distortion correction memory as new distortion correction parameters (approximated distortion correction coordinates).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080063292
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080062288
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada