Patents Issued in November 18, 2008
  • Patent number: 7454031
    Abstract: A multifunction speaker has a frame made of an insulation material and having a cylindrical portion, a pair of supporting springs secured to the frame and to a magnetic circuit for supporting the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit comprises a pole piece having a center pole and a flange on which an annular magnet is mounted. The flange of the pole piece has a pair of positioning projections projected from a periphery of the flange for positioning the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroo Kajiwara, Kazumi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7454032
    Abstract: A substrate (580) made by a thin magnesium plate having a thickness of at most 60 ?m and bent in a predetermined shape is subjected to anodic oxidation using an alkali-mixture aqueous solution containing metallic salt with a pH 12 or more so that porous anodic oxide coatings (571) are formed on the surfaces thereof. A first treated substrate (581) having the anodic oxide coatings (571) is immersed in a bath of a dye (571B), which fills the pores (571A) of the anodic oxide coatings (571) and dyes the substrate, providing a second treated substrate (582). The second treated substrate (582) is subjected to electrodeposition using electrodeposition paint made mainly of acrylic resin, forming electrodeposition coatings (572) on the anodic oxide coatings (571). A magnesium diaphragm is thereby produced, which is thin and has sufficient sensitivity and desired characteristics. The diaphragm thus dyed has metallic gloss and hence acquires a high decorative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomiyama, Masatoshi Sato, Satoshi Hachiya, Kouichi Honma
  • Patent number: 7454033
    Abstract: Certain forms of distortion make it difficult to recover hidden data embedded in an audio or image signal by quanitzation techniques. To compensate for this distortion, an embedded data reader analyzes a statistical distribution (e.g., a histogram) of feature samples (124) in an audio or image signal suspected of having hidden auxiliary data to derive an estimate of quantizers used to encode a reference signal (126). The estimated quantizers then recover the reference signal (126), and the reader uses the reference signal (126) to determine and compensate for geometric or temporal distortion, like spatial scaling and rotation of image data, and time scale and speed changes of audio data. After compensating for such distortion, the reader can then more accurately recover hidden message data using quantization techniques to extract the message. The reference signal (126) is preferably repeated in blocks of the image or audio data to enable synchronization at many points in an image or audio data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: John Stach, Hugh L. Brunk, Ravi K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 7454034
    Abstract: A digital watermarking method performs tonal detection on a signal (e.g., audio) to identify tonal and non-tonal components. These components are analyzed to compute appropriate weighting of a digital watermark for the tonal and non-tonal components. This tonal detection method is also used in recovering the watermark. A decoding method performs tonal detection on a watermarked signal, computes weights for tonal and non-tonal components, and recovers the embedded watermark using the weights. The same or different watermark embedding schemes may be used to embed digital watermarks in the tonal and non-tonal components. Tonal analysis is used in conjunction with frequency and temporal shaping to adapt the digital watermark to the signal in which it is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed Tewfik, Mitchell D. Swanson, Bin Zhu
  • Patent number: 7454035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to digital watermarking systems and methods. In a first implementation, so-called movie studio rough-cuts are watermarked to provide a forensic tracking clue or to provide security for distributed rough-cuts. In another implementation, a watermark is determined for a compressed video object. The watermark is compressed as an object and the watermarked object is then associated with the compressed video object. The two separate objects are provided to a rendering device, which after decompressing both objects, embeds the watermark in the video prior to rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Marc D. Miller, Kenneth L. Levy, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 7454036
    Abstract: In an Internet fax, to receive an electronic mail document for fax transfer, if a password related to a control command for indicating a facsimile communication function is encrypted and set in the destination field or the main body of the received electronic mail, the encrypted password is decrypted and using the decrypted password, facsimile transfer of the electronic mail document is executed following the control command
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Koue, Makoto Takada, Soh Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7454037
    Abstract: A method for adaptive video processing includes identifying an object in a frame of video data, determining an object confidence value associated with the identified object, and determining if the object confidence value meets a predefined threshold object confidence value. If not, the method can further include repeatedly processing the frame of video data with additional processing algorithms, and again identifying the object, determining an updated object confidence value, and determining if the updated object confidence value meets the predefined threshold object confidence value, until the updated object confidence value meets the predefined threshold object confidence value. Thereafter, an event can be identified based upon the identified object and an object primitive defining a relationship between the identified object and one or more other objects in the frame of video data, where the events can be identified in accordance with a hierarchical event structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert P. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7454038
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses directional weighting functions while computing optical flow for an image through belief propagation. The system operates by computing local velocity estimates for points in the image. The system also computes directional weighting functions for points in the image, wherein the directional weighting functions facilitate propagating information in a manner which can vary with direction. The system subsequently uses these directional weighting functions during a belief propagation process, which propagates the local velocity estimates between points in the image, and which computes an optical flow field for points in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark A. Ruzon
  • Patent number: 7454039
    Abstract: A method for performing shape localization in an image includes deriving a model shape from a database of a plurality of sample shapes. The model shape is defined by a set of landmarks. The method further includes deriving a texture likelihood model of present sub-patches of the set of landmarks defining the model shape in the image, and proposing a new set of landmarks that approximates a true location of features of the shape based on a sample proposal model of the present sub-patches. A CONDENSATION algorithm is used to derive the texture likelihood model and the proposed new set of landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Jilin Tu, Thomas S. Huang
  • Patent number: 7454040
    Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and correcting redeye in an image are described. In one aspect, the input image is sub-sampled to generate a thumbnail image, redeye pixel areas are detected in the thumbnail image. In another aspect, an input image having lines of pixels with original color values is processed. One or more redeye pixel areas corresponding to respective areas in the input image are detected. Each pixel in the input image corresponding to the detected redeye pixel areas is classified as a redeye pixel or a non-redeye pixel on a line-by-line basis without reference to pixels in adjacent lines. The original color values of pixels in the input image classified as redeye pixels are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Huitao Luo, Jonathan Yen, Daniel Tretter, Niaz R. Pavel
  • Patent number: 7454041
    Abstract: When authentication data of a person O to be authenticated is registered as dictionary data, this authentication data of the person to be authenticated is acquired and collated with the registered dictionary data. In accordance with the collation result, the dictionary data is updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sukegawa, Kentaro Yokoi, Jun Ogata, Toshio Sato, Akio Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7454042
    Abstract: In an apparatus for online signature verification, a signature data input unit digitalizes a locus of a user signature and reads the locus as a sequence of points. A first and a second pattern transform unit performs a speed equalization and a velocity transform on the signature sequence and generates a first and a second transformed pattern sequence, respectively. A characteristics extraction unit extracts three characteristics vectors from the signature sequence, the first and the second transformed pattern sequence, respectively, to thereby generate the three characteristics vectors. A difference vector estimation unit generates a difference vector. A determination unit determines whether an input signature and the reference signature are signed by a single person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Lee, Yun Koo Chung, Jung Soh, Byung Tae Chun, Ho Sub Yoon, Kyu Seo Han, Do-Hyung Kim, Yongwha Chung
  • Patent number: 7454043
    Abstract: The invention relates to the association of a current (X-ray image) image of a body volume with one of several stored previous images, the ECG and the respiratory cycle being determined each time together with the images. Using this data, that one of the previous images is chosen which is closest to the current image in respect of cardiac rhythm and respiratory cycle. The resultant association yields a very high accuracy enabling superposed reproduction of the current image and the associated previous image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Kai Eck, Geert Gijsbers, Sabine Mollus
  • Patent number: 7454044
    Abstract: A method is presented to calculate the relative contribution of different tissues, or tissue mix, to at least one data element in a medical object data set, the medical object data set containing data elements, the data elements assigning data values to respective positions in a multi-dimensional geometrical space containing more than one tissue, by means by which parameters are calculated for the at least one data element, the parameters being dependent on the data value of the at least one data element and data values of surrounding data elements in the neighborhood of the at least one data element, the parameters being further compared to combinations of said parameters for data elements occurring in the region of boundaries between tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Koninkklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Roel Truyen, Steven Lobregt, Iwo Willem Oscar Serlie
  • Patent number: 7454045
    Abstract: A virtual anatomical structure can be analyzed to determine enclosing three-dimensional boundaries of features therein. Various techniques can be used to determine tissue types in the virtual anatomical structure. For example, tissue types can be determined via an iso-boundary between lumen and air in the virtual anatomical structure and a fuzzy clustering approach. Based on the tissue type determination, a deformable model approach can be used to determine an enclosing three-dimensional boundary of a feature in the virtual anatomical structure. The enclosing three-dimensional boundary can be used to determine characteristics of the feature and classify it as of interest or not of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Jianhua Yao, Ronald M. Summers
  • Patent number: 7454046
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for analyzing skin conditions using digital images. The method comprises acquiring a white-light image and an ultraviolet (UV) image of a portion of a body surface, such as a person's face, each of the white-light and UV images including a plurality of pixels and each pixel in the UV image corresponding to a respective pixel in the white-light image. The method further comprises identifying skin-pixels in the white-light and UV images, and obtaining results associated with at least one skin condition using information in the skin pixels in the first white light and UV images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: BrighTex Bio-Photonics, LLC
    Inventors: Rajeshwar Chhibber, Ashutosh Chhibber, Shefali Sharma, Shivanjli Sharma
  • Patent number: 7454047
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring a response to a stimulus of a plurality of samples spots of a sample using a measuring system having a measurement range to generate an image of the sample in digital space. The method includes, for each sample, while measuring the response, varying the stimulus to include at least one stimulus value where the measured response corresponds to a value in an intermediate portion of the measuring range, and storing a value of the measured response that corresponds to a value in the intermediate portion of the measurement range, and the stimulus value that produced that value of the measured response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Ragsdale
  • Patent number: 7454048
    Abstract: A method for correcting motion artifacts within a volumetric data set is provided. The method includes obtaining a volumetric data set containing spatial and temporal information regarding an object. The volumetric data set is organized into data slices such that at least two adjacent data slices are representative of a common physical slice within the object at different points in time. The relative motion between adjacent data slices in determined for the slices of the volumetric data set and used to correct for the relative motion between said adjacent slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Armin Schoisswohl, Peter Falkensammer
  • Patent number: 7454049
    Abstract: Currency is validated by comparing identifying information extracted from the currency, such as a serial number associated with the currency, to identifying information in a list corresponding to invalid currency, such as counterfeit currency. If the extracted identifying information matches identifying information on the list, the currency is deemed invalid. A photograph or thumbprint image can be obtained by a person using the invalid currency to help in later identification of that individual. Optical character recognition techniques can be used to extract the identifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: iCVn, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore G. Paraskevakos
  • Patent number: 7454050
    Abstract: A process for using a hand-held infrared inspection system incorporating on-board training, on-board validation, on-board operator certification, on-board reporting information, or on-board survey instructions. Improved methods for automating area surveys are provided through exception-driven surveillance practices. Imbedded information enables less experienced operators to use more sophisticated devices more effectively. Validation or certification assures operator knowledge or ability. Multilevel classification of anomalies aids in automated analysis and report generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond E. Garvey
  • Patent number: 7454051
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising detecting a defect of a pattern formed on the photo mask, acquiring a pattern image of a first region on the photo mask, extracting a pattern contour from the pattern image to acquire pattern contour extracted data, producing first graphic data based on the pattern contour extracted data and a pixel size, acquiring pattern data including the first region and corresponding to a second region from design data, producing second graphic data from the pattern data, replacing the second graphic data with the first graphic data to produce third graphic data only in a region where the first graphic data is superimposed upon the second graphic data, producing transfer patterns of pattern shapes represented by the second and third graphic data, and comparing the transfer patterns to judge whether or not the defect needs to be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Hirano, Eiji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7454052
    Abstract: A method is provided for the detection of defects on a semiconductor wafer by checking individual pixels on the wafer, collecting the signature of each pixel, defined by the way in which it responds to the light of a scanning beam, and determining whether the signature is that of a faultless pixel or of a pixel that is defective or suspect to be defective. An apparatus is also provided for the determination of such defects, which comprises a stage for supporting a wafer, a laser source generating a beam that is directed onto the wafer, collecting optics and photoelectric sensors for collecting the laser light scattered by the wafer in a number of directions and generating corresponding analog signals, an A/D converter deriving from the signals digital components defining pixel signatures, and selection systems for identifying the signatures of suspect pixels and verifying whether the suspect pixels are indeed defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeev Smilansky, Sagie Tsadka, Zvi Lapidot, Rivi Sherman
  • Patent number: 7454053
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically recovering a failed video inspection tool in a precision machine vision inspection system are described. A set of recovery instructions may be associated or merged with a video tool to allow the tool to automatically recover and proceed to provide an inspection result after an initial failure. The recovery instructions include operations that evaluate and modify feature inspection parameters that govern acquiring an image of a workpiece feature and inspecting the feature. The set of instructions may include an initial phase of recovery that adjusts image acquisition parameters. If adjusting image acquisition parameters does not result in proper tool operation, additional feature inspection parameters, such as the tool position, may be adjusted. The order in which the multiple feature inspection parameters and their related characteristics are considered may be predefined so as to most efficiently complete the automatic tool recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Bryll, Kozo Ariga
  • Patent number: 7454054
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shape input device for entering a three-dimensional shape of an object by a light projection method is provided, which includes a light projecting portion for projecting detection light onto an object, and an imaging portion for receiving reflected light from the object. The device includes a storage portion for storing a parameter that is used for computing the three-dimensional shape, a computing portion for computing the three-dimensional shape of the object by using image data delivered from the imaging portion and the parameter, and a dividing portion for dividing an imaging surface of an image sensor into plural areas. The storage portion stores parameters each of which is to be applied to each of the areas. The computing portion performs computation for each of the areas by using a parameter to be applied to each of the areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Sensing, Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7454055
    Abstract: A method for compressing images, the method including the steps of partitioning image information for an image into partitioned information, transforming the partitioned information into transformed information using a discrete cosine transform (“DCT”), and quantizing the transformed information into quantized information. The method further includes the steps of sequencing the quantized information into sequenced information using a Hilbert curve scan, encoding the sequenced information into encoded information, and storing the encoded information. The DCT is a JPEG DCT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Paul M. Payton
  • Patent number: 7454056
    Abstract: A CPU 200 acquires image data of a photographed image, determines a specific subject area containing a specific subject in the photographed image, and calculates a specific subject characteristic value for representing a characteristic of image data corresponding to the determined specific subject area. CPU200 calculates a correction value for color balance correction using the calculated specific subject characteristic value and a preset characteristic target value, and executes the color balance correction on the image data using the calculated correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ikuo Hayaishi
  • Patent number: 7454057
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus inputs an image obtained by sensing an optical image by an image sensing system, compensates an omitted color component, and outputs a color image. A weight setting unit sets a weight Wk in each direction Sk (k is an integer from 1 to n) of a plurality of directions S1, S2, . . . , Sn (n is an integer of not less than 1) starting from a pixel of interest in a predetermined neighborhood of the pixel of interest. An average value calculation unit calculates a weighted average of pixel values Vk of pixels having a specific color component and located on each direction Sk (k is an integer from 1 to n) in the predetermined neighborhood by using weights W1 to Wn of the pixel values V1 to Vn. An restoration unit causes the average calculation unit to calculate weighted averages of a plurality of types of color components and restores a value of an omitted color component of the pixel of interest on the basis of the weighted average result and the pixel value of the pixel of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Taketo Tsukioka
  • Patent number: 7454058
    Abstract: A computer implemented method extracts an integral histogram from sampled data, such as time series data, images, and volumetric data. First, a set of samples is acquired from a real-world signal. The set of samples is scanned in a predetermined order. For each current sample, an integral histogram integrating a histogram of the current sample and integral histograms of previously scanned samples is constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab, Inc.
    Inventor: Fatih M. Porikli
  • Patent number: 7454059
    Abstract: Software of a simple configuration checks whether an original image to be corrected is an image picture, and an image correction process based upon a formed histogram of the original image is not performed for an image different from the image picture. An image processing condition is set in accordance with the formed histogram to perform the image correction process for the original image. An image processing method judges from a shape of the formed histogram whether the original image is an image picture, and does not perform not perform the image correction process for the original image if it is judged that the original image is not an image picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Yamazoe, Nobuo Ogura, Akihiko Uekusa, Kentaro Yano, Tetsuya Suwa
  • Patent number: 7454060
    Abstract: In image processing of a document having image data of a document including an image with character images on a background image, the character images and the background image thereof are separated. First, areas in correspondence to the character images from the image data are extracted, and character code data are generated based on the extracted areas in the image data. On the other hand, the character image in the image data is replaced with the background image. The character images are reproduced with reference to the character code data at the positions of the character images. On the other hand, the original character images are deleted from the image data. The character images on the background image is complemented based on the background image data. Then the character images based on the character code data and the background image thereof are synthesized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7454061
    Abstract: In a system for providing an illegal use research service for image data, the image data received from a terminal apparatus is registered as a research subject, a research condition for research whether or not the image data being registered is illegally used by a Web site on the network is set, image data that are identical or similar to the image data being the research subject from a web site on the network are searched for based on a feature amount and the research condition, and a search result is informed as a research report to the research client using said terminal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yanagisawa, Yasushi Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 7454062
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a pattern recognition apparatus comprises a unit for inputting a pattern of a to-be recognized category; and a processor with a memory for: generating input subspace; calculating and storing reference subspaces; storing constraint subspaces for extracting features; projecting the input subspace and the reference subspaces respectively onto the constraint subspaces; calculating similarities between the respective reference subspaces and the input subspace in such projected state; combining the similarities in respect of the constraint subspaces on each of the reference subspaces; and identifying the to-be recognized category with a category corresponding to one of the reference subspaces, if the combined similarity between the one of reference subspace and the input subspace is highest among them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masashi Nishiyama, Osamu Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Fukui
  • Patent number: 7454063
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of optical character recognition. First, text is received. Next all words in the text are identified and associated with the appropriate line in the document. The directional derivative of the pixellation density function defining the text is then taken, and the highest value points for each word are identified from this equation. These highest value points are used to calculate a baseline for each word. A median anticipated baseline is also calculated and used to verify each baseline, which is corrected as necessary. Each word is then parsed into feature regions, and the features are identified through a series of complex analyses. After identifying the main features, outlying ornaments are identified and associated with appropriate features. The results are then compared to a database to identify the features and then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Director National Security Agency
    Inventors: Kyle E Kneisl, Jesse Otero
  • Patent number: 7454064
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coder and a coding method that raise the possibility of improving the compression ratio of multivalued image data in which one pixel consists of a plurality of bits and are accordingly effective to increase the amount of image that is stored in a recording medium with a certain capacity. The coder according to the present invention includes an obtaining unit for obtaining a predetermined amount of image data in which one pixel consists of a plurality of bits, a developing unit for developing on the virtual plane each piece of the bit data in the obtained image data, and a coding unit for performing the entropy coding on the developed bit data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Mishima
  • Patent number: 7454065
    Abstract: A template image creation module generates in predetermined timing a template image corresponding to a landmark existing in a real space from a fixed viewpoint image obtained from a fixed camera, and provides the template image to a landmark detection module, thereby updating a template image for use in template matching. The landmark detection module performs template matching for a photographed image from an observer viewpoint camera that is mounted on a HMD and moves along with an observer, using the template image updated by the template image creation module to detect the position of the landmark in the photographed image. In this way, specific points can be reliably detected from a photographed image, even if the environment during picture-taking is changed to cause changes in how specific points are viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyohide Satoh
  • Patent number: 7454066
    Abstract: An extracting method of a pattern contour, includes acquiring an image of a pattern to be inspected, calculating a schematic edge position of the pattern from the image, preparing an approximate polygon by approximating a polygon consisting of edges having predetermined direction components to a contour shape of the pattern on the basis of the calculated edge position, dividing the approximate polygon into star-shaped polygons, calculating the position of a kernel of the star-shaped polygon, and searching an edge of the-pattern in a direction connecting the kernel to an arbitrary point positioned on the edge of the approximate polygon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7454067
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for classifying elements of a digital image. An element of the digital image and a prototype representing a class of elements are received and a difference image is generated. The difference image represents differences between the received element and the prototype and includes ON pixels that represent local differences between the received element and the prototype. The difference image includes one or more clusters of neighboring ON pixels. Relative arrangements of ON pixels are determined in the difference image. One or more scores are assigned to the difference image using the relative arrangements of ON pixels in the difference image. Based on the assigned scores, it is determined whether the received element belongs to the class represented by the prototype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Amar K. Pati
  • Patent number: 7454068
    Abstract: A compression system and method for compressing a bitonal image. A system is disclosed that comprises: a scaling system for geometrically scaling the bitonal image such that transition and isolated attributes are preserved, wherein the scaling system reduces contiguous sets of original pixels down to fewer scaled pixels; and an encoding system that encodes the scaled bitonal image using an industry standard format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Ravinder Prakash
  • Patent number: 7454069
    Abstract: A code stream generating part converts image data into two-dimensional wavelet coefficients, quantizes the same and coding the quantization result so as to compress the image data and generate a code stream. An additional information creating part creates additional information concerning the image data, and an additional information embedding part embeds the thus-created additional information into the code stream as a code in an off-rule zone which is not decoded by a JPEG 2000 standard rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Kodama, Junichi Hara, Nekka Matsuura, Takanori Yano, Toshio Miyazawa, Yasuyuki Shinkai, Hiroyuki Sakuyama, Yasuyuki Nomizu, Takayuki Nishimura, Keiichi Suzuki, Takashi Maki, Ikuko Yamashiro
  • Patent number: 7454070
    Abstract: According to this invention, encoded data of a target data amount is generated by one image input operation while both lossless encoding and lossy encoding are adopted. For this purpose, an encoding sequence control unit controls a first encoding unit for lossy (JPEG) encoding, a second encoding unit for lossless (JPEG-LS) encoding, first and second memories, and a re-encoding unit, and stores, in a first memory, encoded data of a target data amount or less that contains both losslessly and lossily encoded data. A correction unit corrects, of encoded data stored in the first memory, encoded data of an isolated type to the type of neighboring encoded data, and outputs the corrected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ito, Hirokazu Tamura
  • Patent number: 7454071
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method of using pattern vectors for image coding and decoding. The method comprises converting a block of image data into a set of transform coefficients, quantizing the transform coefficients such that a number of the coefficients become zero, constructing a single entity or bit vector indicating which coefficients are non-zero, coding the single entity or bit vector as an integer using an adaptive, semi-adaptive or non-adaptive arithmetic coder, coding the values of the coefficients in any fixed order, using an adaptive, semi-adaptive or non-adaptive arithmetic coder, or some other coder, and coding all coefficients except the zero coefficients. The system and method of decoding data relate to the corresponding hardware and process steps performed by the decoder when decoding a bitstream coded as described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul Glor Howard
  • Patent number: 7454072
    Abstract: Disclosed is an input image data compressor which comprises an image recording controller for generating image information on respective input objects from the input image data, generating image information on a moving object using the image information, comparing the previously input image data with the presently input image data, generating new image information on the moving object and compressing the new image information; a storage unit for storing signals or data generated during compression operation of the image recording controller in a corresponding established address; and a compressed image storage unit for storing the compressed image data compressed by the control operation of the image recording controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7454073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to variable length code an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients of an image block. The method classifies the series into one of a plurality of classes. Each class has a corresponding coding process that is applicable to the statistical distribution of the coefficients in the series. The series is coded according to the particular corresponding coding process of the class of the classifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-hsiung Chen, Fang Wu, Gregory D. Pelton, John A. Toebes
  • Patent number: 7454074
    Abstract: A lossless image streaming system for the transmission of images over a communication network. The system eliminates the necessity to store a compressed version of the original image, by losslessly streaming ROI data using the original stored image. The imaging system also avoids the computationally intensive task of compression of the full image. When a user wishes to interact with a remote image, the imaging client generates and sends a ROI request list to the imaging server. The request list can be ordered according to the particular progressive mode selected (e.g., progressive by quality, resolution or spatial order). The imaging server performs a fast preprocessing step in near real time after which it can respond to any ROI requests in near real time. When a ROI request arrives at the server, a progressive image encoding algorithm is performed, but not for the full image. Instead, the encoding algorithm is performed only for the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shai Dekel, Nitzan Goldberg
  • Patent number: 7454075
    Abstract: In wavelet transform encoding, high-quality encoding is to be realized by enabling picture quality control from one fractional area to another. An input picture 100 is read out in an amount corresponding to a number of lines required for wavelet transform and buffered in a memory unit 6. The input picture then is wavelet transformed in a wavelet transform unit 2 and quantized in a coefficient quantizing unit 3. In quantizing wavelet transform coefficients, the wavelet transform coefficients are multiplied by weighting coefficients from one sub-band to another. The weighting coefficients are determined using the analysis information of a specified block area in a picture, such as motion information and texture fineness information. This enables fine quantization control in terms of a picture block as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuhara, Seiji Kimura
  • Patent number: 7454076
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of image compression, and a memory to store a data structure for compression. The method includes, for an ordered series of quantized coefficients of a transform of an image block, forming from the series events each with a run of non-zero-valued coefficients in a first contiguous region defined by a breakpoint, a run of zero-valued coefficients in the first region, or a run of zero-valued coefficients in a second region defined by the breakpoint. The breakpoint defines the first region and a second continuous region in the series. Codewords are formed for each runlength of non-zero-valued and zero-valued coefficients in the first region according to a first and a second coding method, respectively, and a codeword is formed for the non-zero amplitudes according to a first amplitude coding method. The runlengths of zero-valued coefficients in the second region are encoding using a third coding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-hsiung Chen, Fang Wu, Gregory D. Pelton, John A. Toebes
  • Patent number: 7454077
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting images to a user. A set of available animations to be performed when presenting digital images to a user is defined. A digital image and an available animation are selected. The selection of the available animation may include consideration of a previously performed animation and/or consideration of attributes of the selected digital image. The selected digital image is then presented to the user, and the selected animation is performed with respect to the image. The invention further includes methods for providing a slide show of digital images to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. MacKenzie, Louis Amadio, Mark S. Newell
  • Patent number: 7454078
    Abstract: A method for removing flicker in a sequence of images, wherein each image in the sequence of images includes a plurality of pixels. The method includes providing a sequence of images including a source image and a target image, defining a plurality of regions of interest in the source image and a plurality of spatially counterpart regions of interest in the target image, measuring an image quality for all of the pixels in each of the regions of interest in the source image, measuring an image quality for all of the pixels in each of the spatially counterpart regions of interest in the target image, and generating a corrected source image on a region of interest basis depending on the image quality for the pixels in each of the plurality of regions of interest in the source image and the spatially counterpart regions of interest in the target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Arjun Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 7454079
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates, from original image data, low- and high-frequency components of the original image data. By smoothing at least some of the high-frequency components, the second high-frequency component is generated. Image data is generated on the basis of the generated second high-frequency component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinbata
  • Patent number: 7454080
    Abstract: Block-based image processing methods and apparatus that provide a reduction in block-transform image coding artifacts are described. In various embodiments, the invention is directly incorporated into a decoding process. In such embodiments, transform coefficients are modified in simple but particularly effective ways that reduce or eliminate many of the artifacts that were caused by the quantization of the transform coefficients during encoding and/or by independent block processing during encoding. In other embodiments, the invention is used on an image that has already been decoded. In such embodiments image data values are directly modified in a block-based fashion or a forward block transform is applied and then the methods of the invention for processing transform coefficient blocks are used, followed by an inverse transform operation to generate pixel values from the resulting processed transform coefficient blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pegasus Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Martucci, John H. Elton