Patents by Inventor Yasutaka Hirasawa

Yasutaka Hirasawa 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).

  • Publication number: 20220146434
    Abstract: A determination environment information acquisition unit 31 acquires incident polarized light information of a light source in a material determination environment. A determination target information acquisition unit 32 acquires emitted polarized light information from a polarized image obtained by capturing an image of a material determination target in the material determination environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: LEGONG SUN, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YUHI KONDO, TAISHI ONO
  • Publication number: 20220126821
    Abstract: A damage reduction device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an input unit, a prediction unit, a recognition unit, and a determination unit. The input unit inputs status data regarding a status in a moving direction of a moving body apparatus. The prediction unit predicts a collision with an object in the moving direction on the basis of the status data. The recognition unit recognizes whether the object includes a person. The determination unit determines, when the collision with the object is predicted and it is recognized that the object includes a person, a steering direction of the moving body apparatus in which a collision with the person is avoidable, on the basis of the status data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oyaizu, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Suguru Aoki, Taketo Akama
  • Patent number: 11314558
    Abstract: Methods, non-transitory machine readable media, and computing devices that dynamically throttle non-priority workloads to satisfy minimum throughput service level objectives (SLOs) are disclosed. With this technology, a determination is made when a number of detection intervals with a violation within a detection window exceeds a threshold, when a current one of the detection intervals is outside an observation area. The detection intervals are identified a violated based on an average throughput for priority workloads within the detection intervals exceeding a minimum throughput SLO. A throttle is then set to rate-limit non-priority workloads, when the number of violated detection intervals within the detection window exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NETAPP, INC.
    Inventors: Ranjit Nandagopal, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Chandan Hoode
  • Patent number: 11254307
    Abstract: A damage reduction device according to an embodiment of the present technology includes an input unit, a prediction unit, a recognition unit, and a determination unit. The input unit inputs status data regarding a status in a moving direction of a moving body apparatus. The prediction unit predicts a collision with an object in the moving direction on the basis of the status data. The recognition unit recognizes whether the object includes a person. The determination unit determines, when the collision with the object is predicted and it is recognized that the object includes a person, a steering direction of the moving body apparatus in which a collision with the person is avoidable, on the basis of the status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Oyaizu, Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Suguru Aoki, Taketo Akama
  • Patent number: 11206388
    Abstract: A depth map generation unit generates a depth map from images obtained by picking up a subject at a plurality of viewpoint positions by an image pickup unit. On the basis of the depth map generated by the depth map generation unit, an alignment unit aligns polarized images obtained by the image pickup unit picking up the subject at the plurality of viewpoint positions through polarizing filters in different polarization direction at the different viewpoint positions. A polarization characteristic acquisition unit acquires a polarization characteristic of the subject from a desired viewpoint position by using the polarized images aligned by the alignment unit to obtain the high-precision polarization characteristic with little degradation in temporal resolution and spatial resolution. It becomes possible to acquire the polarization characteristic of the subject at the desired viewpoint position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Kengo Hayasaka
  • Publication number: 20210374906
    Abstract: A normal candidate information generation unit 31 of an information processor 30 generates normal candidate information for each pixel indicating, for example, a zenith angle, or an azimuth angle, or a zenith angle and an azimuth angle, on the basis of a polarization image in a plurality of polarization directions obtained by a polarization imaging unit 20. The in-plane pixel selection unit 32 selects a plurality of pixels indicating the plane to be observed in the polarization image. A normal calculation unit 33 calculates a normal of the plane to be observed on the basis of the normal candidate information of the pixels selected by the in-plane pixel selection unit 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: LEGONG SUN, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YUHI KONDO, YING LU, TUO ZHUANG
  • Publication number: 20210281786
    Abstract: A polarization imaging section 20 includes polarized pixels in each of a plurality of polarization directions. The polarization imaging section 20 includes a polarizer. The polarization imaging section 20 outputs image signals of a polarized image to a defect detecting section 35 of an image processing section 30. In a case where a difference between a pixel value of a target polarized pixel generated by the polarization imaging section and a pixel value of the target polarized pixel estimated from polarization characteristics corresponding to pixel values of peripheral pixels in a polarization direction different from a polarization direction of the target polarized pixel is greater than a predetermined allowable range, the defect detecting section 35 determines that the target polarized pixel is a defective pixel. Therefore, it is possible to detect a defect of a pixel in the polarization imaging section that generates the polarized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: TEPPEI KURITA, SHUN KAIZU, YUHI KONDO, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA
  • Patent number: 11108951
    Abstract: In an image capturing unit 20, an imaging element has a 4×4-pixel area in which: pixels including at least one pixel of every color component of a plurality of color components are polarization pixels of the same polarization direction; and pixels which are not the polarization pixels constitute a majority of the 4×4-pixel area, and are non-polarization pixels. The unpolarized component calculating unit 31 of the image processing unit 30 calculates unpolarized components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20. The diffuse reflection component calculating unit 32 calculates diffuse reflection components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20210243437
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit 20 acquires a polarized image including polarization pixels with a plurality of polarization directions. An information compression unit 40 sets reference image information based on polarized image information of reference polarization pixels with at least a plurality of polarization directions in the polarized image and generates difference information between the polarized image information of each of polarization pixels different from the reference polarization pixels in the polarized image and the reference image information. In addition, the information compression unit 40 reduces the amount of information of the difference information generated for each of the polarization pixels with the plurality of polarization directions to generate compressed image information including the reference image information and the difference information with the reduced amount of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuhi KONDO, Yasutaka HIRASAWA, Takefumi NAGUMO, Toshinori IHARA, Teppei KURITA, Legong SUN
  • Patent number: 11082669
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus 20 performs spatial light modulation on unpolarized light indicating a projected image, generates projection light set into a polarization state based on a superimposed image, and projects the projection light onto a surface of projection 50. An image processing apparatus 40 calculates each direction of polarization in units of pixels using polarization images in at least three or more directions of polarization acquired by imaging the surface of projection 50 onto which the projection light is projected. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 40 converts the calculated direction of polarization into a pixel value, and generates a reconstructed image. It is, therefore, possible to generate the projection light indicating the superimposed image invisibly superimposed on the projected image, and to visibly reconstruct the superimposed image from a captured image of the surface of projection onto which the projection light is projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20210235060
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit 20 has a configuration in which each pixel group including a plurality of pixels is provided with a microlens and the pixel group includes at least three polarization pixels having different polarization directions, and the pixels included in the pixel group perform photoelectric conversion of light that is incident via the microlenses to acquire a polarization image. A polarization state calculation unit 31 of an information processing unit 30 accurately acquires a polarization state of an object by using a polarization image of the object acquired using the polarization imaging unit 20 and a main lens 15, and a correction parameter stored in advance in a correction parameter storage unit 32 and set for each microlens in accordance with the main lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YING LU
  • Patent number: 11076094
    Abstract: In an image capturing unit 20, an imaging element has a 4×4-pixel area in which: pixels including at least one pixel of every color component of a plurality of color components are polarization pixels of the same polarization direction; and pixels which are not the polarization pixels constitute a majority of the 4×4-pixel area, and are non-polarization pixels. The unpolarized component calculating unit 31 of the image processing unit 30 calculates unpolarized components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20. The diffuse reflection component calculating unit 32 calculates diffuse reflection components for each pixel and for each color component by using pixel signals of polarization pixels, and pixel signals of non-polarization pixels that are generated at the image capturing unit 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teppei Kurita, Shun Kaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20210217191
    Abstract: A local match processing section 361 of a parallax detecting section 36 generates a cost volume indicating a cost indicating, for each pixel and each parallax, the similarity between images acquired by imaging sections 21 and 22 that are different in viewpoint positions. A cost volume processing section 363 performs cost adjustment processing on a cost volume on the basis of a polarization image acquired by the imaging section 21, by using normal line information generated for each pixel by a normal line information generating section 31. A minimum value search processing section 365 detects, from the cost volume having undergone the cost adjustment processing, a parallax at which the similarity becomes maximum, by using the parallax-based costs of a parallax detection target pixel. A depth calculating section 37 generates depth information indicating depths of respective pixels on the basis of parallaxes detected, for the respective pixels, by the parallax detecting section 36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: SHUN KAIZU, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, TEPPEI KURITA
  • Publication number: 20210211619
    Abstract: An information generation unit 30 acquires, from a polarization imaging unit 20, observation values in which polarization directions are at least three or more directions (m?3). A noise amount calculation unit 35-1 calculates an amount of noise on the basis of an observation value in a first polarization direction. Similarly, noise amount calculation units 35-2 to 35-m calculate amounts of noise on the basis of observation values in second to m-th polarization directions. A polarization model estimation unit 36 estimates a polarization model by using the observation values for the respective polarization directions and the amounts of noise calculated by the noise amount calculation units 35-1 to 35-m. Thus, it is possible to calculate a polarization model that is robust against noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime MIHARA, Shun KAIZU, Teppei KURITA, Yasutaka HIRASAWA
  • Publication number: 20210201450
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit 20 generates, as polarization information, a polarization image including pixels in a plurality of polarization directions. An interpolation processing unit 31 of an information processor 30 performs interpolation processing using the polarization image obtained from the polarization imaging unit 20, and generates a polarization image for each polarization method. A polarization degree calculation unit 32 calculates, for example, a polarization degree for each pixel as object surface information on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method. A noise amount calculation unit 33 calculates a noise amount for each pixel on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: TEPPEI KURITA, SHUN KAIZU, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YUHI KONDO
  • Publication number: 20210174127
    Abstract: A polarized image acquisition section 11a acquires a polarized image of a target object having one or more polarization directions. A polarization parameter acquisition section 12-1 calculates the average brightness ? of a polarization model on the basis of a non-polarized image subjected to sensitivity correction. Further, the polarization parameter acquisition section 12-1 calculates the amplitude ? of the polarization model on the basis of the calculated average brightness ?, pre-stored information regarding the zenith angle ? of the normal line of the target object, a refractive index r, and reflectance property information indicative of whether a subject is diffuse reflection or specular reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: HAJIME MIHARA, SHUN KAIZU, TEPPEI KURITA, YUHI KONDO, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA
  • Publication number: 20210166007
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a detection unit, an estimation unit, and a prediction unit. The detection unit detects a target object from an input image. The estimation unit estimates a posture of the detected target object. The prediction unit predicts an action of the target object on a basis of the estimated posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: SUGURU AOKI, TAKETO AKAMA, HIDEKI OYAIZU, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YUHI KONDO
  • Publication number: 20210152748
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit 20 acquires a polarization image using a lens. In a parameter storage unit 32 of an information processing unit 30, parameters related to a change in polarization state due to the lens which are estimated in advance from polarization state information acquired by imaging a light source in a predetermined polarization state using the lens and polarization state information indicating the polarization state of the light source, for example, change parameters indicating the change in polarization state due to the lens or correction parameters for correcting the change in polarization state due to the lens are stored. A polarization state correction unit 33 of the information processing unit 30 corrects the change in polarization state due to the lens, using the parameters stored in advance in the parameter storage unit 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: YING LU, YASUTAKA HIRASAWA, YUHI KONDO, TUO ZHUANG, LEGONG SUN
  • Patent number: 10949656
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a detection unit, an estimation unit, and a prediction unit. The detection unit detects a target object from an input image. The estimation unit estimates a posture of the detected target object. The prediction unit predicts an action of the target object on a basis of the estimated posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Aoki, Taketo Akama, Hideki Oyaizu, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Yuhi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20210026704
    Abstract: Methods, non-transitory machine readable media, and computing devices that dynamically throttle non-priority workloads to satisfy minimum throughput service level objectives (SLOs) are disclosed. With this technology, a determination is made when a number of detection intervals with a violation within a detection window exceeds a threshold, when a current one of the detection intervals is outside an observation area. The detection intervals are identified a violated based on an average throughput for priority workloads within the detection intervals exceeding a minimum throughput SLO. A throttle is then set to rate-limit non-priority workloads, when the number of violated detection intervals within the detection window exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Ranjit Nandagopal, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Chandan Hoode