Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8692852
    Abstract: Disclosed is an intelligent display method for a multimedia mobile terminal. The method includes the steps of determining a type of a camera shot existing in a sport game video; deciding a region of interest within an image frame of the sport game video when it has been determined that the camera shot is a long-distance shot, magnifying the region of interest, and displaying the region of interest on the mobile terminal, and displaying the entire image frame on the mobile terminal when it has been determined that the video shot is a non-long-distance shot. The method enables the user to watch images in a more understandable and comfortable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    Inventors: Jae-Hoon Kwon, Jeong-Rok Park, Young-Hun Joo, Yun-Je Oh, Chang-Ick Kim, Il-Koo Ahn, Jae-Seung Ko
  • Patent number: 8692853
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a display unit configured to display at least a first 3D object at a first 3D depth level and a second 3D object at a second 3D depth level that is different than the first 3D depth level; and a controller configured to receive a first selection action on the first 3D object and a second selection action on the second 3D object image, to convert the second 3D depth level of the second 3D object to match the first 3D depth level of the first 3D object based on the first and second selection actions, and to control the display unit to display the first and second 3D objects at the first 3D depth level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jonghwan Kim, Jaehwa Yu
  • Patent number: 8692854
    Abstract: A method for generating a lookup table for color correction for a display device includes obtaining measured stimulus values for grayscales of primaries displayed on the display device, obtaining target stimulus values for the grayscales of the primaries, and obtaining the lookup table by comparing the measured stimulus values for the grayscales of the primaries and the target stimulus values for the grayscales of the primaries. The measured display characteristic is employed to calculate the corresponding lookup table for color correction for the display device for achieving a desired color temperature and brightness curve. It makes the adjustment of color temperature and brightness more accurate and quicker, to reduce cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Top Victory Investments Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 8692855
    Abstract: A compact arrangement of 3D filters is provided by a light source such as an LED and a spectral filter positioned to divide light from the light source into first and second lights having first and second spectral properties. A plurality of the compact sources may be arranged to illuminate (e.g., backlight) a modulator of a display (e.g., an LCD display). The modulator may be configured such that one region is illuminated by the first light and another region is illuminated by the second light (un modulated buffer between regions may be utilized to prevent crosstalk between the regions). The first and second lights are then modulated, for example, according to first and second channels of a 3D display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Chun Chi Wan, Henry Ip
  • Patent number: 8692856
    Abstract: A print apparatus is supplied capable of preventing print density unevenness. In the print apparatus that prints by moving a print head with respect to an ink ribbon that is rotated and transported in a predetermined direction, a controller analyzes print data, and performs one direction print by moving the print head in a reverse direction opposite to the predetermined direction on the basis of the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Noda
  • Patent number: 8692857
    Abstract: A printer performs printing on a thermal paper drawn from roll sheets having different widths. The printer has a thermal head and a platen roller arranged opposite to the thermal head and mounted to undergo rotation for sending out the thermal paper in a state of sandwiching the thermal paper between the thermal head and the platen roller. Elastic members are arrayed along the width direction of the thermal paper and are provided on an opposite side of the platen roller with respect to the thermal head for pressing the thermal head toward the platen roller. Only one of the elastic members is provided with a pressing force releasing mechanism for separating the one elastic member from the thermal head according to a width of the one roll sheet from which the thermal paper is drawn and for releasing pressing of the thermal head by the one elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko InstrumentsInc.
    Inventor: Takashi Jimbo
  • Patent number: 8692858
    Abstract: A portable thermal printer includes a housing and an anti-skew unit. The housing is provided with a thermal printer head and a platen roller, and is configured to convey a paper between the thermal printer head and the platen roller. The anti-skew unit inside the housing is configured to contact both side edges of the paper in a width direction to prevent the paper, which is being conveyed, from skewing, and the setting of the width of the paper by the anti-skew unit is configured to be adjustable from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ishii, Motohito Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8692859
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: plural light-emitting array units that each include plural light-emitting elements, and for which lighting up and not lighting up are controlled by using a combination of a selection signal for selecting a control target for lighting up or not lighting up and a light-up signal for supplying power for lighting up to each light-emitting element forming the plural light-emitting elements; a selection signal generating unit that sends plural selection signals including the selection signal to the plural light-emitting array units; and a light-up signal generating unit that sends plural light-up signals including the light-up signal to the plural light-emitting array units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Ohno
  • Patent number: 8692860
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes light emitting chips, a mount board on which the light emitting chips are mounted, and a buffer amplifier. Each of the light emitting chips includes light emitting elements and transfer elements. The transfer element sequentially specify, by sequentially entering an on-state, the light emitting elements as targets for control of illumination or non-illumination. Each of the transfer elements is provided for a corresponding one of the light emitting elements. The buffer amplifier is provided on the mount board, and outputs a transfer signal on the basis of an input transfer signal. The transfer signal is used to sequentially set the transfer elements, which are included in each of the light emitting chips, to be in the on-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8692861
    Abstract: A telepresence system, a telepresence method, and a video collection device are disclosed. The telepresence system includes a video collection device, a video display device, an audio collection device, an audio player, and an audio and video communication device. The audio and video communication device transmits videos collected by the video collection device on a local end and audios collected by the audio collection device on the local end to a remote end through a network; the video display device and the audio player on the remote end play the images and audios respectively; and the video collection device is a panoramic camera. The technical solution under the present invention overcomes the poor effect of panoramic presence in the existing telepresence system, and improves the telepresence system in terms of depth presence, seamless display and eye contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Liu, Jing Wang, Guangyao Zhao
  • Patent number: 8692862
    Abstract: A method is provided in one embodiment and includes establishing a communication session involving a first endpoint and a second endpoint that are associated with a video conference in a network environment. The first endpoint is associated with a first identifier and the second endpoint is associated with a second identifier. The method also includes evaluating first audio data for the first endpoint, and determining a vocative parameter associated with the first audio data, where image data can be rendered on a user interface at the first endpoint based on the detecting of the vocative parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sylvia Olayinka Aya Manfa N'guessan
  • Patent number: 8692863
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting resolution for a video conference through a streaming device. An invitation to accept a video conference is accepted through a streaming device. A determination is made whether available bandwidth supports a line resolution. The line resolution is adjusted in response to determining the available bandwidth does not support the line resolution. The video conference is implemented utilizing the adjusted line resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Curtis E. Tucker, Shekhar Gupta, Robert J. Morrill
  • Patent number: 8692864
    Abstract: A system for a multi-point videoconference consisting of three or more simultaneously connected end-points in a one-to-many or a many-to-many conference via a dynamic-virtual-multi-point-control-unit. The system comprising of a dynamic control unit is created when the Audio and Video parameters with conference participants are input by the initiator. After the establishment of the conference the dynamic-control-unit may shift from end-point to end-point in the course of a conference without terminating the conference. The movement of the Composite table of parameters creates a virtual multipoint conference control unit first by selecting the best endpoint to host the dynamic control unit using the client device resources. The dynamic-control-unit uses a protocol to establish the connections between multipliable endpoints, including a requesting or initiating endpoint and two or more participating endpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald Angelo
  • Patent number: 8692865
    Abstract: A visual-collaborative system including a display screen configured to display images and a camera configured to capture images. The system also includes a video cross-talk reducer configured to estimate video cross-talk that is to be displayed on the display screen and captured by the camera, and reducing the estimated video cross-talk from captured images by the camera. The estimation of the video cross-talk and reduction of the video cross-talk is signal based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John G. Apostolopoulos, Ramin Samadani
  • Patent number: 8692866
    Abstract: A self-adaptive adjustment method of video call service and a video mobile terminal are disclosed in the present invention, wherein the method includes: the video mobile terminal receiving parameter information representing the channel capacity of a cell to which the video mobile terminal belongs; and the video mobile terminal adjusting quality of a video call that is being performed or will be initiated by the video mobile terminal according to the parameter information received by the video mobile terminal. By the present invention, the video mobile terminal is enabled to accomplish utilization of the video call service to a maximum extent in a limited channel capacity of the cell, and the user experience is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Wei Sun
  • Patent number: 8692867
    Abstract: An image acquisition device having a wide field of view includes a lens and image sensor configured to capture an original wide field of view (WFoV) image with a field of view of more than 90°. The device has an object detection engine that includes one or more cascades of object classifiers, e.g., face classifiers. A WFoV correction engine may apply rectilinear and/or cylindrical projections to pixels of the WFoV image, and/or non-linear, rectilinear and/or cylindrical lens elements or lens portions serve to prevent and/or correct distortion within the original WFoV image. One or more objects located within the original and/or distortion-corrected WFoV image is/are detectable by the object detection engine upon application of the one or more cascades of object classifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Petronel Bigioi, Alexandru Drimbarean, Mihnea Gangea, Piotr Stec, Peter Corcoran
  • Patent number: 8692868
    Abstract: A letterbox margin processing method includes: receiving a three-dimensional (3D) video input; determining a frame packing type corresponding to the 3D video input; selecting a first image region from a target frame according to the determined frame packing type, wherein the target frame is derived from the 3D video input; and detecting letterbox margins within the first image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Yung-Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 8692869
    Abstract: An image processing device for processing image information including light reception value information obtained by imaging an inside of a living body includes: a distance information obtainment unit that obtains, at a bright region in the image information, information on a distance to a surface of the living body on the basis of the light reception value information on light in a first wavelength range, and obtains, at a dark region in the image information, information on a distance to the surface of the living body on the basis of the light reception value information on light in a second wavelength range which is a longer wavelength range than the first wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Minai
  • Patent number: 8692870
    Abstract: Described is a stereoscopic display (telepresence) system that includes a depth cue adjustment mechanism for changing screen disparity to move a fixation distance of a viewer (subject) closer to a focus distance, thereby providing more desirable viewing conditions. In one aspect, the depth cue adjustment mechanism adjusts a depth cue by moving the fixation distance forward, and/or by moving the focus distance backward. Also described is detecting encroachment, where the object is perceived as being too close to the subject viewer for comfort, and adjusting one or more depth cues (e.g., object scale) to counteract the sensation of the encroachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Barton Akeley, Jaron Zepel Lanier, Johnny Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 8692871
    Abstract: An autostereoscopic display apparatus includes a spatial light modulator in which alignment features such as bump features provide radially symmetric alignment of the molecules of the liquid crystal. A parallax element is arranged over the spatial light modulator to direct light from the pixels into different viewing windows. The apertures of the pixels are shaped such that, for each individual row of pixels, a notional line parallel to the geometric axes of the parallax elements has a total length of intersection with the pixels of the row, weighted for the intensity of light modulated by the alignment features, which is the same for all positions of the notional line. This improves angular intensity uniformity. The pixels may each include plural apertures, wherein the alignment features of the apertures of each individual pixel are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to said geometric axes. This improves angular contrast uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan Harrold, Graham John Woodgate, Ren-Wei Liao
  • Patent number: 8692872
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) glasses, a method for driving 3D glasses, and a system for providing a 3D image are provided. The 3D glasses driving method includes detecting a first pattern corresponding to a left eye image and a second pattern corresponding to a right eye image from a 3D display apparatus, converting the first pattern into a first histogram and the second pattern into a second histogram, comparing the converted first and second histograms with first and second optimal histograms, and adjusting an opening or a closing of a left eye glasses part and a right eye glasses part of the 3D glasses based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chan-young Jo
  • Patent number: 8692873
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a video frame data receiver that is capable of image acquisition at low frame rates. Such video frame data receivers may be used to capture images from diagnostic tests or assays in which lower frame capture rates are sufficient including, for example, lateral flow test strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Alverix, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Hengstler
  • Patent number: 8692874
    Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus (and related methods of manufacture and use), comprising: a chassis, having an open cylindrical groove formed therein; an image sensor assembly mounted in the chassis, the image sensor assembly comprising an electronic image sensor; a plurality of lenses, which are fitted into the groove in respective positions so as to form an image on the image sensor; and a cover, which closes over the image sensor assembly and the lenses in the chassis. The imaging system is particularly suitable as a compact imaging systems for use on instruments for open surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Adler, Shai Finkman, Oded Beckermus, Oren Beckermus
  • Patent number: 8692875
    Abstract: An organism information acquisition device is provided with an imaging part which images a user's hand opened and the user's hand bent to acquire a first image and a second image respectively; a dark line extraction part which extracts dark lines from the first image and the second image; a dark line element feature extraction part which extracts the darkness and width of the dark lines extracted by the dark line extraction part from the first image and the second image; and a surface information judgment part which extracts the dark lines being surface information relating to the hand on the basis of the darkness of the dark line in the first image, the deepness of the dark line in the second image, the width of the dark line in the first image, and the width of the dark line in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8692876
    Abstract: A method for imaging features on a substrate, comprising scanning the substrate and producing an image thereof, overlaying a grid model on the image, fitting the grid model to the locations of at least some of the features on the image, and extracting images of the features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Institut Pasteur Korea
    Inventors: Auguste Genovesio, Neil Emans
  • Patent number: 8692877
    Abstract: An imaging system (40), safety system (58) or combined imaging and safety system (FIG. 1) for an industrial machine (20), including a light transmitter (26) and a corresponding receiver (28). In an imaging application, image data relating to a machine tool (22) and/or work piece (32) is derived from said at least one receiver and processed by an image processing means to determine information regarding said tool and/or tool position and/or extent of work carried out on said work piece. A screen (34, 46), such as a shadow screen, can be used to form an image of a profile of the tool tip and end of the workpiece. Took tip position and extent of work on the workpiece can be derived from the image, e.g., via a camera viewing an image formed on the screen. Multiple cameras may be used. A safety system application (FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lazer Safe Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Meredith Appleyard, Dimitre Stantchev Stanev, Paul Gould
  • Patent number: 8692878
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method of automatically inspecting multiple array regions (102) simultaneously using an imaging apparatus (302). The method includes selecting (211 or 212) an optimal pixel size such that each array region in the multiple array regions has a grouped cell which is an integer number of pixels in size, and adjusting a pixel size of the imaging apparatus to be the selected optimal pixel size. Optimal pixel sizes within an available range of pixel sizes may be determined by finding (202) a largest common divider of cell sizes of the multiple array regions when the cell sizes are expressed in integers. Pre-set criteria may be applied to determine (208) which, if any, of the optimal pixel sizes are acceptable based on pre-set criteria. If none of the optimal pixel sizes are acceptable, then one of the array regions may be marked for digital interpolation (see 216). Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Chen, Jason Z. Lin
  • Patent number: 8692879
    Abstract: An image capturing system is provided which includes a detection section for detecting a position of an capturing section capable of performing a pan operation and a tilt operation, a determination section for determining which coordinate system is used, either a first coordinate system representing the position of the capturing section in the pan direction and the tilt direction or a second coordinate system representing a position of a subject image of the subject captured by the capturing section in a screen, and a coordinate calculator for calculating coordinates representing the position of the capturing section in the first coordinate system based on the detected position of the capturing section when using the first coordinate system, and calculating coordinates representing the position of the subject image in the second coordinate system based on the detected position of the capturing section when using the second coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Imata, Yusuke Kanehira, Tsuyoshi Umemura, Yuichi Yabushita
  • Patent number: 8692880
    Abstract: An image correlation displacement sensor for measuring a displacement component along a direction perpendicular to a target surface, with a simple configuration. The sensor may include: an illumination portion (130?) which emits illumination light; an imaging portion including at least two optical paths (A and B?) which are used to capture multiple images of a speckle field produced by the target surface (300), one of which (A) is inclined with respect to a normal to the target surface in proximity to the target surface, and an element (110?) which deflects an at least one of the optical paths (A and B?); and a processing portion (200) which measures a displacement relative to the target surface along a direction which includes a component normal to the target surface (300) in accordance with the correlation of multiple images captured in the optical paths (A) and (B?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Daniel Tobiason
  • Patent number: 8692881
    Abstract: A method for correlating views of two or more video camera systems includes obtaining a plurality of data point coordinate sets to represent relative positioning between the camera systems and data point objects in the environment. The views may be correlated through Interpolation or extrapolation using the obtained data point coordinate sets. Devices such as lasers may also be used to correlate views of two or more video camera systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: William Matthew Salivar, John Michael Rozmus, Robert Gerald Palmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8692882
    Abstract: A surveillance apparatus continuously records imaged data from a camera into a circular buffer in a local memory. When a record signal is received, the system records the video stream that was recorded before the record signal was received, and the video stream that is recorded after the record signal was received. The recorded segment is then write-protected, so that the surveillance apparatus does not overwrite the recorded segment. The recorded segment could then be sent to a remote memory via a wireless connection to free up local memory for future recording sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Stellar, LLC
    Inventor: Paul DeKeyser
  • Patent number: 8692883
    Abstract: An encoding apparatus of a video security system in which a stream to be stored in a storage medium and a stream to be transmitted through a network may be simultaneously or separately generated using one encoding chip. The encoding apparatus includes an image encoding unit which encodes an input image, received from a surveillance camera, selectively under at least one of an advanced video coding (AVC) scheme complying with an H.264/AVC standard to generate and store an AVC-encoded image in a storage medium, and a scalable video coding (SVC) scheme complying with the H.264/AVC standard to generate and transmit an SVC-encoded image to a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gwang-whoon Jang
  • Patent number: 8692884
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and associated method an apparatus and method for assessing visual acuity of an image captured by a digital security camera. The user is able to select a desired level of visual acuity based on displayed sample images and receive data regarding the hardware, settings, and placement required to reproduce the desired level of acuity. The sample images may account for acuity variations based on the type of object being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gish Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt A. Gish
  • Patent number: 8692885
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing for distribution to, distributing to and/or use by one or more devices broadband data associated with intelligence information garnered from an aerial vehicle (“AV”): The method may include obtaining from sensors coupled to the AV video depicting an area of surveillance, obtaining metadata associated with the video, aligning, temporally, the video and metadata, using reference information to align, spatially, the video and metadata, forming for distribution to the at least one device enhanced metadata as a function of the video, metadata and reference information, wherein the enhanced metadata is operable to enable displaying at the devices at least a portion of the video, whereby after receiving a distribution of the enhanced metadata, the devices are operable to display such portion of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Mark Alan Sartor, Philip Wayne Miller, Arthur Robert Pope, Peter L. Demers, Nikhil Gagvani, Vincent Paragano, Daniel Clement Williams
  • Patent number: 8692886
    Abstract: A multidirectional video capture assembly is provided that can include a multidirectional helmet camera with protective housing and plurality of image sensors. The image sensors may be oriented in a plurality of directions for simultaneous capture of image data. A multi channel flexible cable can emerge from said protective housing, said cable adapted to carry image signals from the image sensors to an image recording and/or image display device. The protective housing may also be equipped with a complimentary equipment cavity for inclusion of additional advantageous equipment, as may be included to suit individual circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy James Ennis
  • Patent number: 8692887
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining variable thickness of a coating on a surface of a substrate using in part a flash-lamp source, capable of generating a thermal pulse at the coating surface, and a image capture and processing device capable of capture sequential image frames of the coating surface, whereas each sequential image frame corresponds to an elapsed time and comprises a pixel array, and wherein each pixel of the array corresponds to a location on the coating surface. A method of calculating coating thickness is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harry Israel Ringermacher, Donald Robert Howard, Bryon Edward Knight
  • Patent number: 8692888
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first detection unit configured to detect movement information of an object which is a tracking target from a movie generated at an image pickup element; a second detection unit configured to detect movement information of an apparatus main body; and a determination unit configured to determine that tracking cannot be continued when the difference between a motion vector of the apparatus main body and a motion vector of the object is larger than a certain threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8692889
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking a cooperative, non-incandescent source may include collecting scene images of a scene that includes the cooperative, non-incandescent source and background clutter. First and second scene images of the scene may be generated over distinct spectral bands. The first and second scene images may be imaged onto respective first and second focal plane arrays. In one embodiment, the imaging may be substantially simultaneous. The first and second scene image frame data respectively generated by the first and second focal plane arrays may be processed to produce resultant scene image frame data. The scene image frame data may result in reducing magnitude of scene image frame data representative of the background clutter more than magnitude of scene image frame data representative of the cooperative, non-incandescent source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan A. Rakes
  • Patent number: 8692890
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing delay characteristics of a multimedia player in an enclosed environment includes a storage device, a controller, a recording device, and a processor. The controller controls the multimedia player to display a video having a number of different scenes with different brightness and sends a switching instruction to switch the scenes. The recording device records a number of ambient light intensities in a darkroom at predetermined time intervals. A testing system executed by the processor compares two adjacent ambient light intensities to determine the actual switching time between the scenes and evaluates the delay characteristic according to differences between the actual switching times and a transmitting time of the instructions to switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Kai Xiong, Xin Lu, Xin-Hua Li
  • Patent number: 8692891
    Abstract: A TV band device for indoor applications uses information gleaned from a database inquiry based on geo-location information in combination with spectrum sensing to determine if TV channels are available for unlicensed use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aurora Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Lingjie Li, Jung Yee
  • Patent number: 8692892
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with an external apparatus via a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The control unit determines whether or not the communication unit is in a predetermined state, in a case where the operation mode of the image capture apparatus changed to either a playback mode or an image capture mode. The control unit does not execute a connecting process in a case where the communication unit is in the predetermined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kimoto, Isao Abe
  • Patent number: 8692893
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving image data captured by an imager array including a plurality of focal planes are described. One embodiment of the invention includes capturing image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module, where an image is formed on each active focal plane by a separate lens stack, generating lines of image data by interleaving the image data captured by the plurality of active focal planes, and transmitting the lines of image data and the additional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
  • Patent number: 8692894
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamazaki, Masahiro Shibata, Yoshikazu Ishikawa, Kazunori Ishii, Hideo Kawahara, Hitoshi Yasuda, Daisuke Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8692895
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a barrel unit having a photographic lens, an image pickup device configured to receive light through the photographic lens to capture a subject image, a movable unit configured to movably support the image pickup device in a direction perpendicular to a light-receiving axis of the subject image, a processing unit configured to process signals from the image pickup device, a flexible board configured to connect the image pickup device to the processing unit, and a positioning unit configured to position the flexible board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehide Ohno, Koichi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8692896
    Abstract: The present invention evaluates the quality of an image shot by a terminal device in a state closer to that seen with the eye. A computer evaluates the quality of an image obtained by shooting a photographic subject including a periodic pattern that fluctuates periodically in one direction. A Fourier transform unit accomplishes a two-dimensional Fourier transform on the image to obtain two-dimensional spatial frequency spectrum components. An analysis unit analyzes the resolution of the image on the basis of spectrum components of spatial frequencies included in the periodic pattern, among the two-dimensional spatial frequency spectrum components obtained by the Fourier transform unit, and analyzes the deterioration of the image on the basis of spectrum components other than these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Casio Mobile Communications Ltd.
    Inventor: Kozo Masuda
  • Patent number: 8692897
    Abstract: A moving picture file is generated from moving picture data received from a camera. Control sequence information from the camera corresponding to the generated moving picture file, and information relating to an address of the camera, are incorporated into the moving picture file. The moving picture file is generated by dividing the received moving picture data, based on camera control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurosawa, Tomoaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 8692898
    Abstract: An image apparatus includes an image capture unit that captures a moving image and generates moving image data corresponding to the moving image, a generating unit that generates predetermined image data which is embedded in the moving image data based on still image data corresponding to the still image; and an encryption unit that encrypts the predetermined image data and the still image data if the image capture unit is instructed to capture the still image during capturing of the moving image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8692899
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging unit taking a subject image focused by an imaging optical system; a digital signal processing unit generating image data of the subject image taken by the imaging unit and luminance data thereof; an input/output unit inputting and outputting data; a focus evaluation value generating unit generating a focus evaluation value of the subject image based on the luminance data outputted from the digital signal processing unit and outputting the focus evaluation value from the input/output unit; and an imaging drive unit starting an imaging operation by the imaging unit when an imaging instruction signal is inputted from the input/output unit, and outputting an imaging-end timing signal from the input/output unit when the imaging operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Haruta, Eiji Makino, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Shinsuke Shimomoto
  • Patent number: 8692900
    Abstract: An apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates capturing an image in an electronic camera without having to wait for an image to settle or the camera to stabilize. Image frames are captured continuously. Data representing captured images is compressed. The compressed files are stored continuously, such that even before a shutter button is actuated, one or compressed image frames have already been recorded. When the shutter button is actuated, the largest of the compressed data files is selected for use, such as display, printing or transmission. Selection is made based on the size of the compressed image file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Dmitry Denisenkov, Gang Xue, Sung Ho Hong, Qian Wang
  • Patent number: 8692901
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and program for processing an image, capable of producing a sharp image. A digital camera 1 includes an imaging device 4 formed of a single-plane sensor that provides one color signal for each pixel. A plurality of images are captured at a high shutter speed by the imaging device 4 and stored in a frame memory 22 of a signal processor 7. The signal processor 7 detects a positional relationship among the plurality of images stored in the frame memory 22 and estimates a correct image with three color signals at each pixel, based on the detected positional relationship. The present invention is applicable, for example, to a digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Ohki