Patents by Inventor Tzu-Yi Chao

Tzu-Yi Chao 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: 9024880
    Abstract: An interactive system capable of improving image processing includes a reference device, a processing module and a controller. The reference device is used for transmitting and/or reflecting light signals within a predetermined spectrum. The processing module includes an image sensor, an estimation unit and a transmission interface. The image sensor is used for sensing an image so as to generate pixel signals; the estimation unit is used for determining static parameters of at least one image object according to the pixel signals; and the transmission interface is used for serially outputting the static parameters of the at least one image object. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive system according to the static parameters of the at least one image object outputted from the transmission interface. The image sensor, the estimation unit, and the transmission interface can all be formed on the same substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chia Chen, Chih-Hung Lu, Cho-Yi Lin, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8786719
    Abstract: A sensor array module with wide angle for creating a composite image includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a storage unit and a processor. The first image sensor is for capturing a first image. The second image sensor is for capturing a second image and has a relative spatial relationship with respective to the first image sensor. The storage unit stores at least one transformation matrix obtained according to the relative spatial relationship between the first and the second image sensors. The processor combines the first image and the second image by using the transformation matrix to create the composite image. The present invention also provides an image calibration method, an operation method and an application for a sensor array module with wide angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Hsin Chia Chen, Chih Hsin Lin, Ren Hau Gu, Chang Che Tsai
  • Patent number: 8760390
    Abstract: An interactive device for improving image processing. The interactive device includes a processing module and a controller. The processing module includes a substrate, an image sensor formed on the substrate for generating a plurality of pixel signals, a calculation unit formed on the substrate for calculating at least one motion vector based on the plurality of pixel signals, and a transmission interface formed on the substrate for serially outputting the motion vector. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive device based on the motion vector output by the transmission interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Hsien Lee, Chin-Hsin Yang, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8638398
    Abstract: A cursor control method for controlling a cursor on an image display includes: providing at least two reference points for generating light of a predetermined spectrum and defining a predetermined area; providing an image sensor pointing inside the predetermined area; receiving the light of the predetermined spectrum by the image sensor to form a digital image; identifying positions and shapes of the images of the reference points on the digital image to form a first parameter; performing distance and angle compensations on the first parameter; moving the aiming point of the image sensor inside the predetermined area to form a second parameter; and calculating an displacement of the images of the reference points on the digital image according to the compensated first and second parameters so as to accordingly control the cursor. The present invention further provides a cursor control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Meng Tsung Wu, Hsin Chia Chen, Chih Hsin Lin, Chang Che Tsai, Chao Chien Huang, Yi Fang Lee
  • Patent number: 8605987
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an object-based 3-dimensional stereo information generation apparatus and method, and an interactive system using the same. The method comprises: obtaining at least two 2-dimensional images with respect to the same space at a first time point; extracting objects from the at least two 2-dimensional images, respectively; establishing correspondences between objects; and generating 3-dimensional stereo information according to corresponding objects. The apparatus and interactive system comprises: at least two image capturing units for respectively capturing 2-dimensional images; and processing means for generating 3-dimensional stereo information according to the captured 2-dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Incorporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Yi Chao, Hsin-Chia Chen, Chuan-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 8582917
    Abstract: A data conversion method and a data conversion device convert a large cubic three-dimensional image data to a plurality of pieces of small cubic one-dimensional image data, or convert a plurality of pieces of small cubic one-dimensional image data to a large cubic three-dimensional image data. The data conversion method includes the following steps, marking a three-dimensional index on three-dimensional image data; converting the three-dimensional index to a writing sequence index; inputting the three-dimensional image data to a buffer memory in sequence according to the writing sequence index; computing a reading sequence index according to the writing sequence index; outputting data blocks from the buffer memory in sequence according to the reading sequence index. Through the method and the device, use of the memory is reduced, and time for conversion is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8558793
    Abstract: A locus smoothing method processes a current estimated displacement according to a predetermined number of previous output smoothed displacements. The locus smoothing method includes the steps of: accumulating a predetermined number of previous output smoothed displacements to produce an accumulated displacement and recording a last output smoothed displacement; estimating a current estimated displacement; forming a digital filter according to the accumulated displacement, the last output smoothed displacement and the current estimated displacement; processing the current estimated displacement with the digital filter to produce a current smoothed displacement; and transmitting the current smoothed displacement to an image display. The present invention further provides a navigation device having smooth locus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin Chia Chen, Tzung Min Su, Tzu Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8462115
    Abstract: A power saving method for a motion estimation device which has a fixed sampling period and includes a light source illuminating with an adjustable emitting cycle to provide the needed light for the motion estimation device during capturing images. The power saving method includes: capturing a first image at a first time; capturing a second image at a second time, wherein a time interval between the first time and the second time is identical to one emitting cycle which is an integral multiple of the sampling period; comparing the first image and the second image to obtain a displacement; comparing the displacement with at least one threshold value; and adjusting the emitting cycle of the light source according to a comparison result of comparing the displacement and the threshold value. The present invention further provides a motion estimation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin Chia Chen, Ching Lin Chung, Yao Ching Hsu, Cho Yi Lin, Tzu Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8451227
    Abstract: An image processing method of a optical navigator includes the steps of: capturing a first image and calculating an average brightness of the first image; determining whether the average brightness is between a first threshold value and a second threshold value; when the average brightness is between the first and second threshold values, determining whether the first image is attenuated by an attenuation value; when the first image is not attenuated by the attenuation value, updating the attenuation value and a gain; attenuating the first image with the updated attenuation value and amplifying the attenuated first image with the gain; and comparing the attenuated and amplified first image with a reference image to obtain a displacement. The present invention further provides an optical navigator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Hsin Chia Chen, Tzung Min Su
  • Patent number: 8427480
    Abstract: A method for calculating an ocular distance is presented. The method includes the following steps. A three-dimensional (3D) image display device generates one or more second display points and displays one or more virtual reference points. One or more calibration points are obtained, and these calibration points are generated through interaction by a user using an interaction component with the reference points. An ocular distance of the user is calculated according to a relative position between the display points, the calibration points, and the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8384789
    Abstract: A sensor array module with wide angle for creating a composite image includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a storage unit and a processor. The first image sensor is for capturing a first image. The second image sensor is for capturing a second image and has a relative spatial relationship with respective to the first image sensor. The storage unit stores at least one transformation matrix obtained according to the relative spatial relationship between the first and the second image sensors. The processor combines the first image and the second image by using the transformation matrix to create the composite image. The present invention also provides an image calibration method, an operation method and an application for a sensor array module with wide angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Hsin Chia Chen, Chih Hsin Lin, Ren Hau Gu, Chang Che Tsai
  • Patent number: 8300011
    Abstract: A pointer positioning device for positioning an aiming point on a display screen of an image display comprises at least one auxiliary point, an image sensor and an optical filter. The auxiliary point is disposed at the peripheral of the display screen for generating a predetermined spectrum. The image sensor receives signals of the predetermined spectrum generated by the auxiliary point. The optical filter is disposed in front of the image sensor for filtering out spectrum outside the predetermined spectrum such that the image sensor can merely sense the signals of the predetermined spectrum, wherein the auxiliary point is utilized as a reference point for correcting an initial setup and positioning the aiming point so as to position the aiming point inside a predetermined range on the display screen. The present invention also provides a pointer positioning method adapted to the pointer positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Meng Tsung Wu, Chih Hsin Lin, Hsin Chia Chen, Chao Chien Huang, Hsuan Hsien Lee, Yi Fang Lee
  • Patent number: 8206221
    Abstract: A method for coordinate generation to be implemented using an orientation device includes the steps of: providing at least three reference marks on a target; aiming the orientation device at a target point on the target, and operating the orientation device such that the orientation device is able to capture an image of the target that contains the reference marks; assigning absolute coordinates to the reference marks in the image captured by the orientation device; and determining relative coordinates of the target point in a coordinate space of the target with reference to the absolute coordinates assigned to the reference marks. An orientation device that performs the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporation
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin Lin, Tzu-Yi Chao, Hsin-Chia Chen
  • Patent number: 8194743
    Abstract: A displacement estimation device includes a vector calculator and a displacement calculator, for use in estimating a displacement vector from a pattern in a first original image to a pattern in a second original image. The vector calculator calculates a parameter for each pixel in the first original image and the second original image. The parameter of a pixel integrates the information of the intensities of all the pixels in a region of interest (ROI) surrounding the pixel, and the relative distances from all the pixels in the ROI to the pixel. The displacement calculator calculates the displacement vector from a pattern in the first original image to a pattern in the second original image based on the parameters calculated by the vector calculator for the first original image and the second original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Incorporation
    Inventors: Hsin-Chia Chen, Yi-Fang Lee, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Publication number: 20120113000
    Abstract: A cursor control method for controlling a cursor on an image display includes: providing at least two reference points for generating light of a predetermined spectrum and defining a predetermined area; providing an image sensor pointing inside the predetermined area; receiving the light of the predetermined spectrum by the image sensor to form a digital image; identifying positions and shapes of the images of the reference points on the digital image to form a first parameter; performing distance and angle compensations on the first parameter; moving the aiming point of the image sensor inside the predetermined area to form a second parameter; and calculating an displacement of the images of the reference points on the digital image according to the compensated first and second parameters so as to accordingly control the cursor. The present invention further provides a cursor control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi CHAO, Meng Tsung WU, Hsin Chia CHEN, Chih Hsin LIN, Chang Che TSAI, Chao Chien HUANG, Yi Fang LEE
  • Patent number: 8169550
    Abstract: A cursor control method for controlling a cursor on an image display includes: providing at least two reference points for generating light of a predetermined spectrum and defining a predetermined area; providing an image sensor pointing inside the predetermined area; receiving the light of the predetermined spectrum by the image sensor to form a digital image; identifying positions and shapes of the images of the reference points on the digital image to form a first parameter; performing distance and angle compensations on the first parameter; moving the aiming point of the image sensor inside the predetermined area to form a second parameter; and calculating an displacement of the images of the reference points on the digital image according to the compensated first and second parameters so as to accordingly control the cursor. The present invention further provides a cursor control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Meng Tsung Wu, Hsin Chia Chen, Chih Hsin Lin, Chang Che Tsai, Chao Chien Huang, Yi Fang Lee
  • Patent number: 8155255
    Abstract: A displacement estimation method is disclosed which includes: a signal capturing step for capturing a signal; a displacement estimation step for calculating a displacement based on a state change of the signal; and an output step for outputting the displacement, in which the displacement estimation step includes one or more of the steps of (A) consistency check to determine whether the state change of the signal is consistent with the waveform of the signal; (B) period prediction and compensation to count in the present period according to a proportional length of a previous period; and (C) adaptive threshold update to adjust the definition of the state change corresponding to the amplitude of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Hsin Chia Chen, Tzu Yi Chao, Chun Huang Lin, Jeng Feng Lan, Yi Fang Lee
  • Patent number: 8131502
    Abstract: In a sensing system and a method for obtaining a location of a pointer, the sensing system includes a sensing area, a reflective mirror, a first image sensor and a second image sensor. The reflective mirror is configured for generating a mirror image of the sensing area. The sensing system utilizes the above two image sensors to sense the pointer disposed in the sensing area and a mirror image of the pointer for obtaining two coordinate values. And then the sensing system endues each of the two coordinate values with a weighting factor for calculating the location of the pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzung-Min Su, Cho-Yi Lin, Hsin-Chia Chen, Chih-Hsin Lin, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8121340
    Abstract: A method is provided for decoding an encoded point matrix image including a first set of real grid points aligned along a first axis, a second set of real grid points aligned along a second axis intersecting the first axis, and a plurality of encoded data points distributed throughout the encoded point matrix image. The method includes: locating the first and second axes according to a first predetermined principle; finding a set of virtual grid points according to a second predetermined principle, each of the virtual grid points being located at an intersection of a corresponding first virtual line parallel to the first axis and a corresponding second virtual line parallel to the second axis; and decoding each of the encoded data points based on positional relation thereof with a closest one of the virtual grid points so as to obtain information encoded in the encoded point matrix image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Shou-Der Wei, Hsin-Chia Chen, Tzu-Yi Chao
  • Patent number: 8116912
    Abstract: A control device of a temperature controller, for adjusting the temperature of an environment having at least one active object, includes a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a process unit and a control unit. The first image sensor is for capturing a first image containing the image of the active object. The second image sensor is for capturing a second image containing the image of the active object. The process unit calculates a distance between the active object and the temperature controller according to the first and second images. The control unit controls an operational status of the temperature controller according to the distance calculated by the process unit. The present invention further provides a control method of a temperature controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Yi Chao, Hsin Chia Chen, Tzung Min Su, Chih Hung Lu, Cheng Kuang Sun, Cho Yi Lin