Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9008365
    Abstract: System, apparatus, and method embodiments are provided for detecting the presence of a pedestrian in an image. In an embodiment, a method for determining whether a person is present in an image includes receiving a plurality of images, wherein each image comprises a plurality of pixels and determining a modified center symmetric local binary pattern (MS-LBP) for the plurality of pixels for each image, wherein the MS-LBP is calculated on a gradient magnitude map without using an interpolation process, and wherein a value for each pixel is a gradient magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jingsong Xu, Zefeng Ni, Qiang Wu, Jian Zhang, Haibo Liu, Chen-Xiong Zhang, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9008366
    Abstract: Described is method for object cueing in motion imagery. Key points and features are extracted from motion imagery, and features between consecutive image frames of the motion imagery are compared to identify similar image frames. A candidate set of matching keypoints is generated by matching keypoints between the similar image frames. A ground plane homography model that fits the candidate set of matching keypoints is determined to generate a set of correct matching keypoints. Each image frame of a set of image frames within a selected time window is registered into a reference frame's coordinate system using the homography transformation. A difference image is obtained between the reference frame and each registered image frame, resulting in multiple difference images. The difference images are then accumulated to calculate a detection image which is used for detection of salient regions. Object cues for surveillance use are produced based on the detected salient regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Kyungnam Kim, Changsoo S. Jeong, Deepak Khosla, Yang Chen, Shinko Y. Cheng, Alexander L. Honda, Lei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9008367
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for imaging a portion of a body of a subject that undergoes a motion cycle, including acquiring a plurality of image frames of the portion of the subject's body. A given feature is identified in at least some of the image frames. At least some image frames are image tracked with respect to the feature, and the image frames that have been image tracked with respect to the given feature are displayed as a stream of image frames. Visibility of a periphery of the displayed stream of image frames is at least partially reduced. Other applications are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sync-RX, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Tolkowsky, Ran Cohen, Alexander Steinberg, Sagiv Philipp, Eldad Klaiman
  • Patent number: 9008368
    Abstract: A method for inspecting tire tread, having circumferentially juxtaposed elements separated by identically shaped boundaries and having patterns arranged in a predetermined sequence, includes: acquiring an image of a surface of the tire tread, the image including pixels associated with a light-intensity level; transforming the image by circumferentially offsetting pixels located axially at a same distance (x1, x2) from a given circumferential reference (OY), by an inverse (?y1, ?y2) of a circumferential offset (y1, y2) with respect to an axial line (OX) of a point (P1, P2) located on a boundary line of known shape at the same axial distance (x1, x2) from the circumferential reference (OY), such that boundaries between elements appear as straight traces orientated in an axial direction; and analyzing the image to identify points located on an axially orientated straight line, the points being treated as points located on a boundary line between two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Joly, Jean-Paul Zanella
  • Patent number: 9008369
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a forward facing camera at a windshield of a vehicle with a forward field of view through the vehicle windshield. The camera is operable to capture image data for a plurality of driver assistance systems of the vehicle. Responsive to processing by an image processor of captured image data, a lane of a road along which the vehicle is traveling is determined and an oncoming vehicle approaching the vehicle is detected, and the vision system determines whether a detected oncoming vehicle is in a lane to the right of the determined lane along which the vehicle is traveling or is in a lane to the left of the determined lane along which the vehicle is traveling. The at least three driver assistance systems of the vehicle includes a lane departure warning system of the vehicle and at least another driver assistance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9008370
    Abstract: A method and system for tracking a customer history data utilizing a combination of vehicle and facial information. A license plate image with respect to a customer vehicle can be captured and information with respect to the license plate obtained. The license plate information can be employed as an unique customer identifier with respect to customer history data, if the customer places an order (e.g., drive-through service). Facial images of the customer upon entry to a store and/or upon checkout can be captured and processed. The checkout image can be matched against a set of images in order to associate customer order information with customer history data identified from the license plate information for tracking an in-store order transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Burry, Peter Paul
  • Patent number: 9008371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ascertaining the position and orientation of a camera (11) relative to a real object (12) for use in merging a virtual data model (13) with an image generated by the camera (11), said image comprising at least one part of the real object (12). The method comprises the following steps: disposing the camera (11) on a movable part (22) of a sensor system (20) which is coupleable to at least one probe (23) which is suitable to come in contact with at least one part of the real object (12), positioning the movable part (22) of the sensor system, with the camera (11) applied, in such a manner that the image is generatable by the camera, and generating position data (31) of the sensor system (20) with respect to the real object (12), and determining the position and orientation of the camera (11) on the basis of the position data (31, 32) of the sensor system (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Metaio GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Meier
  • Patent number: 9008372
    Abstract: A method for determination of a spatial distribution and concentration of contrast components in a porous sample comprises the steps of scanning a sample with X-ray and obtaining a computer tomographic image of the sample. Then an area of interest inside the obtained computer tomographic image is selected and a first cross-section of the computer tomographic image is defined. Spatial distribution and concentration of contrast components inside the area of interest are determined by analyzing histograms of grayness distribution in the cross-sections of the computer tomographic image starting with the reference cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Valery Vasilievich Shako, Nikita Ilyich Ryzhikov, Dmitry Nikolaevich Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9008373
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and device for testing an agricultural product for the presence of an unwanted residue including a reader-incubator combination that can utilize onboard motor vehicle systems, such as an onboard microprocessor and onboard power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Charm Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Markovsky, Stanley E. Charm, Richard T. Skiffington
  • Patent number: 9008374
    Abstract: A method of generating one or more new spatial and chromatic variation digital images uses an original digitally-acquired image which including a face or portions of a face. A group of pixels that correspond to a face within the original digitally-acquired image is identified. A portion of the original image is selected to include the group of pixels. Values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion are automatically generated, or an option to generate them is provided, in a manner which always includes the face within the one or more new images. Such method may be implemented to automatically establish the correct orientation and color balance of an image. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Yury Prilutsky, Peter Corcoran, Petronel Bigioi
  • Patent number: 9008375
    Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of an eye provided for identification purposes in an iris recognition identification system is described. The method comprises: illuminating the eye using an illumination source to generate a specular reflection in a pupil and/or iris region of the eye, the specular reflection forming as a result of light emitted from the illumination source being reflected from the eye; capturing an image of the eye including the specular reflection; determining the position of the specular reflection formed in the pupil and/or iris region, from the captured image; and verifying the authenticity of the eye by comparing the determined position with an expected position for an authentic eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: IrisGuard Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Malhas, Andrew Holland, Alan Renforth
  • Patent number: 9008376
    Abstract: An ultra-thin sensing device with a flat contact surface comprises a package substrate, an interposer structure, a vertical electrical connection structure and a sensing chip. The interposer structure disposed on the package substrate comprises connection pads and second bonding pads electrically connected to the connection pads and first bonding pads of the package substrate. The vertical electrical connection structure disposed on the interposer structure comprises vertical conductors electrically connected to the connection pads. The sensing chip disposed on the vertical electrical connection structure comprises a chip substrate, and sensing members, sensing circuit cells and vertical through electrodes, which are formed on the chip substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: J-Metrics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 9008377
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for identifying an individual provided with a portable communication device. In a system for identifying an individual using a portable communication device with a display, the display is a sensor-incorporated display, the sensor-incorporated display reads the biological information of a user, and, based on the read information, identifies an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Jun Koyama, Yu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9008378
    Abstract: High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of a specimen is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a series of very thin slices from a specimen are serially and robustly arranged on an imaging device such as a microscope slide. The slices are imaged and the images are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image having high resolution at depths into the specimen. The serial arrangement of the slices facilitates the proper ordering of images for reconstruction. Further, the robust nature of the slice arrangement facilitates treatment of the slices and, in some applications, multiple treatments with corresponding imaging sequences for each treatment. Various embodiments are directed to methods and arrangements for three-dimensional characterization of biological specimen and to data that is accessible and/or executable by a computer for linking different images together in order to characterize such biological specimen in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Kristina D. Micheva, Stephen J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9008379
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for facilitating the acquisition of medical images used as part of a clinical trials process by requiring Imaging Centers to compete with each other to supply the images. Agreements between the Sponsor and a plurality of Imaging Centers stipulate that the Sponsor is only required to accept a certain total number of medical images and is free to reject any medical images that either do not comply with the protocol, or which exceed the total number of medical images required for the study. This motivates the Imaging Centers to quickly obtain and transmit to the Sponsor high quality medical images that meet the basic requirements outlined in the clinical study protocol, since images are accepted and compensated for by the Sponsor on a first-come, first-served basis. A system for implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven F. Owens, Gudrun Zahlmann, Patrick K. DeGrouchy
  • Patent number: 9008381
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an image processing method for estimating a brain shift in a patient, the method involving: the processing of a three-dimensional image of the brain of a patient, acquired before a surgical operation, in order to obtain a reference cerebral arterial tree structure of the patient; the processing of three-dimensional images of the brain of the patient, acquired during the operation, in order to at least partially reconstitute a current cerebral arterial tree structure of the patient; the determination from the combination of the reference and current cerebral arterial tree structures, of a field of shift of the vascular tree representing the shift of the current vascular tree in relation to the reference vascular tree; the application of the determined field of shift of the vascular tree to a biomechanical model of the brain of the patient in order to estimate the brain shift of the patient; and the generation, from the estimated brain shift, of at least one image of the brain of the p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Universite Joseph Fourier—Grenoble 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
    Inventors: Marek Bucki, Yohan Payan
  • Patent number: 9008382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing tissue from an image comprising providing an electronic image of tissue (100, 400, 450, 600, 800, 1100), determining a reference value from the image (1070, 1170, 1270), establishing an hint representation (500,700) of the image, and using the hint representation in analysis of the tissue to quantify the breast and compute a calibration error. Also disclosed is a system which runs an inner breast edge detection algorithm (1310) on the electronic image to detect the inner breast edge on the image (1315), and refined the inner breast edge location (1340) if a calibration error is not acceptable (1324). Also disclosed is automatic estimation of breast composition and temporal analysis of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph Highnam, John Michael Brady, Nico Karssemeijer, Martin Yaffe
  • Patent number: 9008383
    Abstract: There are provided embodiments for enhancing the quality of an ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data corresponding to at least one ultrasound image; a storage unit for storing at least one beam profile indicating a spreading degree of an ultrasound beam according to depth based on at least one focusing point; and a processing unit configured to set an amount of blurring corresponding to spreading of the ultrasound beam according to the depth based on the at least one beam profile, and perform a filtering process for compensating the blurring by the spreading of the ultrasound beam based on the ultrasound data and the amount of blurring to enhance quality of the at least one ultrasound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Medison Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Sik Kim, Song Yi Han
  • Patent number: 9008384
    Abstract: A method of managing a personal medicine information management service by a user device and a server includes obtaining a medicine image captured by photographing appearance of a user medicine; transmitting the obtained medicine image to the server as a request for recognition of the user medicine; and receiving medicine quantity information and personal medicine information from the server based on a result of the recognition of the user medicine. The personal medicine information includes an image of the user medicine of which recognition training is performed by the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhang-hoon Oh
  • Patent number: 9008385
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for tracking, registering, etc. of medical staff, patients, instrumentation, events, or the like according to a treatment staging plan. For example a medical apparatus includes a right-patient verification device having an interrogation interface device that elicits at least one of identification data, authorization data, or treatment plan data from a medical procedure authorization device associated with a patient; and a right-site verification device that generates patient-specific treatment staging data consistent with the at least one of the identification data, the authorization data, or the treatment plan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, Ralph G. Dacey, Jr., Roy P. Diaz, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Michael A. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9008386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of optimizing workflow for an intervention, comprising the steps of reconstruction of an image of a target area representative of an envisaged intervention based on imaging dataset; automatically selecting an optimal viewing direction for enabling a pre-operative quantitative analysis of intervention features. The invention further relates to a computer program and a system for optimizing a workflow of an intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3mensio Medical Imaging B.V.
    Inventors: Luc Verstraeten, Jan Svarovsky, Gerard Burgstede, Frank Wessels
  • Patent number: 9008387
    Abstract: A method of processing ultrasound images, the method including operations of receiving color image data including a plurality of frames; determining one or more key-frames from among the plurality of frames, based on a brightness value of each of the plurality of frames; setting a region of interest (ROI) in each of the one or more key-frames based on brightness values of a plurality of regions included in each of the one or more key-frames; performing image compensation on the plurality of frames based on the ROIs of the one or more key-frames; and reconstructing the color image data by using the image-compensated frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Medison Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-keun Lee
  • Patent number: 9008388
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method more excellent in convenience for the user. [Solving Means] An information processing system according to a first aspect of the present technology includes: an acquisition unit to acquire image data obtained by capturing a slide on which a plurality of sections obtained by cutting a single specimen in the same direction are discretely placed; a detector to detect a plurality of specimen areas in the acquired image data and to calculate position information relatively indicating positions of the individual specimen areas in a coordinate space of the image data, the plurality of specimen areas having the same shape and including the individual sections; a first storage unit to store the calculated position information; and a controller to switch display between the specimen areas based on the stored position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeatsu Yoshioka, Kenji Yamane, Naoki Tagami
  • Patent number: 9008389
    Abstract: A portable system for determining the amount of Vitamin D generated by a user includes a computer processing unit. A database communicates with the central processing unit and stores body type information regarding a user to be monitored by the system. A geographic positioning system sensor communicates with the computer processing unit for determining a geographic location of the system. The central processing unit determines a skin darkness, and a sun intensity as a function of the output of the geographic sensor to calculate a real time Vitamin D manufactured amount for the user as a function of the body type data, skin darkness and an amount of skin exposed, and displaying an accumulated Vitamin D manufactured amount for a selected time period at a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert D. Williams
  • Patent number: 9008390
    Abstract: A similar case searching apparatus includes: a search vector generating unit which: with reference to a relevance database storing the degrees of relevance between (i) a combination of the keyword extracted by the keyword extracting unit and the attribute value of the keyword obtained by the keyword attribute obtaining unit and (ii) the respective image feature quantities extracted by the image feature extracting unit, performs weighting on (i) the image feature quantities extracted by the image feature extracting unit and (ii) image feature quantities extracted from a second medical image group of medical images included in a second case data item stored in the case database, using the degrees of relevance as weights; and a similar case searching unit which searches out, from the case database, the second case data item similar to a first case data item by comparing the weighed image feature quantities (i) and (ii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoyo Takata, Kenji Kondo, Kazuki Kozuka, Yoshikuni Sato
  • Patent number: 9008391
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose systems and methods that aid in screening, diagnosis and/or monitoring of medical conditions. The design includes a system and method for accessing retinal images related to a patient, each retinal image including a plurality of pixels. For each of the retinal images, the system designates a first set of the plurality of pixels as active pixels including interesting retinal image regions and computes a first vector of numbers comprising pixel-level descriptors for each of the active pixels. The system computes a second vector of numbers for each of the retinal images and provides a second classification using supervised learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: EYENUK, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaushal Mohanlal Solanki, Sandeep Bhat Krupakar, Chaithanya Amai Ramachandra, Malavika Bhaskaranand
  • Patent number: 9008392
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to medical imaging and related methods. More specifically, particular embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for visualizing elongated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Bai, Jonathan Tang, Razik Yousfi
  • Patent number: 9008393
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to automating image classification with respect to coronary vessels in an angiography sequence. Two primary elements are employed, including training and recognition. Training pertains to the pre-processing images and extracting salient features that characterize the appearance of coronary arteries under different viewpoints. Recognition pertains to extraction of features from a new image sequence and determining a classification boundary for the new image from previously classified and labeled image sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Beymer, Hayit Greenspan, Tanveer Syeda-Mahmood, Fei Wang, Yong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9008394
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining brain cortical thickness are provided. One method includes determining an intensity profile at each of a plurality of cortical surface points of an imaged brain using brain tissue image data and calculating a cortical thickness based on a parametrically determined transition point of each intensity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: General Electric Company, University of Washington
    Inventors: Zhongmin Steve Lin, Gopal Avinash, Saad Sirohey, Ananth Mohan, Satoshi Minoshima
  • Patent number: 9008396
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including: receiving a time resolved series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of an imaged region of a subject; processing the images to generate comparison data by comparing a temporal behavior of a reference region of the MR images to at least one other region of the MR images; an generating an output based on the comparison data. The method may be applied in a variety of contexts, including perfusion weighted imaging, determination of T2*, and other time series functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Magnetic Resonance Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Mark Haacke
  • Patent number: 9008397
    Abstract: A tomography system based on Cerenkov tomography, comprising: a detector of Cerenkov fluorescence for acquiring optical plane images; a structural imaging system for acquiring three-dimensional structural images; a bed device for supporting an object to be imaged; a computer for forming an optical image, a structural image and a CLT image. The invention adopts the SP3 model and the semi threshold iterator to implement the global reconstruction of the CLT, and obtains the three-dimensional tomography image of the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical and the molecular probe in vivo within a short time. Since ordinary CCD camera is used, the cost of the imaging system has been sharply reduced for the equipment's construct and maintenance compared with PET/SPECT or ? camera. Therefore the present invention expands the options of the molecular probe, and application of the medicine Imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Science
    Inventors: Jie Tian, Jianghong Zhong, Xin Yang, Chenghu Qin
  • Patent number: 9008398
    Abstract: An image processing method includes: obtaining an input image; enhancing an object in the input image; and after the input image is enhanced, applying a low-pass filter using a processor to obtain a processed image. A computer product includes a non-transitory medium storing a set of instructions, an execution of which causes a method to be performed, the method comprising: obtaining an input image; enhancing an object in the input image; and after the input image is enhanced, applying a low-pass filter to obtain a processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Mostafavi, Alexander Sloutsky, Andrew G. Jeung
  • Patent number: 9008399
    Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously generating spectral images and spatial images of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring MR image data using a k-space sampling trajectory. The k-space sampling trajectory is designed to spatially oversample to elicit phase differences between oversampled points. The MR image data is jointly reconstructed into spatial and spectral images by resolving spatial information from spatial encoding associated with each of the oversampled points and resolving spectral information from the phase differences between the oversampled points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sean B. Fain, Kevin M. Johnson, Jeremy W. Gordon
  • Patent number: 9008400
    Abstract: In a method for the calculation of individual elements of a matrix to correct artifacts in magnetic resonance images that are reconstructed from measurement data acquired using an MR pulse sequence, in which gradients are switched simultaneously during the radiation of at least one non-selective excitation pulse, at least one excitation profile of an excitation pulse used to acquire measurement data is loaded into a process, the profile depending on the measured location x and the measured k-space point k and the gradient strength applied in the measurement. From each loaded excitation profile, an element of a transposed, inverted disturbance matrix is calculated which corresponds to the location x and the measured k-space point k. Instead of a Fourier back-transformation, matrix inversion is used for the image reconstruction of a corrected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: David Grodzki
  • Patent number: 9008401
    Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention is an algorithm which estimates motion inside objects that change during the scan. The algorithm is flexible and can be used for solving the misalignment correction problem and, more generally, for finding scan parameters that are not accurately known. The algorithm is based on Local Tomography so it is faster and is not limited to a source trajectory for which accurate and efficient inversion formulas exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Katsevich, Michael D. Silver, Alexander Zamyatin
  • Patent number: 9008402
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus comprises an X-ray generating unit, an X-ray detecting unit, a rotating mechanism configured to rotate the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray detecting unit, a reconstruction processing unit configured to reconstruct first images respectively corresponding to volumes, a shift detecting unit configured to detect shifts of an object image due to warp of the top within a reconstruction coordinate system of the reconstruction processing unit, which shifts respectively correspond to the first images, and a control unit configured to move an origin of the reconstruction coordinate system for each of the volumes based on each of the detected shifts and control the reconstruction processing unit to reconstruct second images, which shifts respectively correspond to the volumes from the output from the X-ray detecting unit on the reconstruction coordinate system whose origin has been moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Uebayashi, Chisaka Nagami, Mitsuji Inoue
  • Patent number: 9008403
    Abstract: A method of compensating ultrasound image comprising demarcating a plurality of a main material regions of an ultrasound image; executing a full compensation process to generate a full compensation image according to a first attenuation curve of the main material region; generating a brightness comparison table including a plurality of brightness zones which are correspond to a plurality of brightness compensation values according to a plurality of first pixel brightness values of the ultrasound image and a plurality of second pixel brightness values of the full compensation image; executing a linear sum process to generate a compensation image including a second attenuation curve according to the brightness compensation values; generating a compensation curve according to the first and second attenuation curve; and executing space comparison process to the compensation image to generate a better compensation image according to the compensation curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Pai-Chi Li, Yu-Ming Wei
  • Patent number: 9008405
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing the quality of medical images of at least a portion of a patient's anatomy, using a computer system. One method includes receiving one or more images of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy; determining, using a processor of the computer system, one or more image properties of the received images; performing, using a processor of the computer system, anatomic localization or modeling of at least a portion of the patient's anatomy based on the received images; obtaining an identification of one or more image characteristics associated with an anatomic feature of the patient's anatomy based on the anatomic localization or modeling; and calculating, using a processor of the computer system, an image quality score based on the one or more image properties and the one or more image characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Fonte, Leo J. Grady, Zhongle Wu, Michiel Schaap, Stanley C. Hunley, Souma Sengupta
  • Patent number: 9008406
    Abstract: Provided are a method capable of discriminating between a colony of differentiated pluripotent stem cells and a colony of undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells, and a method for automatically culturing undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and a system thereof. A differentiated colony composed of differentiated pluripotent stem cells, an undifferentiated colony composed of undifferentiated pluripotent stem cells and a multilayered colony having pluripotent stem cells stacked in multiple layers are discriminated by processing a photo image of a colony including pluripotent stem cells in a culture vessel. Specifically, a colony having a luminance higher than a first threshold A is determined as a differentiated colony, a colony having a luminance equal to or lower than the first threshold A and equal to or higher than a second threshold B is determined as an undifferentiated colony, and a colony having a luminance lower than the second threshold B is determined as a multilayered colony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Watakabe, Yohichi Nakamura, Osamu Ohji, Katsumi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9008407
    Abstract: Noise reduction processing for measured spectrum data is performed without any information loss due to discrete data characteristics of the measured spectrum data. Optical spectra in one or more cross-sections are measured through use of a signal correlated with a substance distributed in a biological tissue, and a biological tissue image having reduced noise is reconstructed from the spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Tanji
  • Patent number: 9008408
    Abstract: Thermographic imaging is used to monitor quality parameters of pharmaceutical products in a manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: D.I.R. Technologies (Detection IR) Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Sinbar, Yoav Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9008409
    Abstract: A method of evaluating one or more kernels of an ear of maize using digital imagery includes acquiring a digital image of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize, processing the digital image to estimate at least one physical property of the one or more kernels of the ear of maize from the digital image, and evaluating the at least one kernel of maize using the estimate of the at least one physical property of the at least one kernel of maize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventors: Neil Jonathan Hausmann, Tabare E. Abadie, Mark Cooper, Honor Renee LaFitte, Jeffrey R. Schussler
  • Patent number: 9008410
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting defects on a wafer are provided. One method includes generating output for a wafer by scanning the wafer with a dark field inspection system. The method also includes generating first image data for the wafer using the output and a first cell size and second image data for the wafer using the output and a second cell size. In addition, the method includes combining the first image data and the second image data corresponding to substantially the same locations on the wafer thereby creating additional image data for the wafer. The method further includes detecting defects on the wafer using the additional image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Tong Huang
  • Patent number: 9008411
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is provided for identifying pharmaceutical products. A database of known pharmaceuticals is provided with links to virtual 3D models of each pharmaceutical. When a pill needs to be identified, an image of the pill is transmitted to the database CPU. The CPU screens out non-matching records and obtains perspective data based on the orientation of the pill. The CPU manipulates a 3D model into the same perspective as the pill to facilitate identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MiniGraphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. DeLise, Jr., James F. DeLise, Frank DeLise
  • Patent number: 9008412
    Abstract: To enhance the accuracy of the search of a corresponding point in a plurality of sheets of images photographed by a camera array and to acquire more pieces of color information on a subject. First color information is calculated from pixel values of the plurality of pieces of photographed image data photographed by the camera array, and the first color information is used to calculate a corresponding point between images indicated by the plurality of pieces of photographed image data. The calculated corresponding point is used to calculate information on the depth of the subject in the image indicated by the photographed image data. Second color information that is used for reproducing the color of the subject faithfully is calculated from the pixel values of the plurality of pieces of photographed image data. The calculated depth information and second color information are used to combine the plurality of photographed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9008413
    Abstract: A processing method for a pair of stereo images is provided. The method includes: extracting a pair of edge images from the stereo images, each edge image having edge pixels, each edge pixel of one of the edge images being associated with an overlap record and a disparity record; providing a plurality of image lateral shifts to sequentially determine a plurality of overlap levels between the pair of edge images; and updating the overlap record and the disparity record associated with a selected edge pixel to a maximum overlap level and a most-likely disparity, respectively. The maximum overlap level is a maximum among a plurality of associated overlap levels to which the selected edge pixel contributes. The most-likely disparity corresponds to the maximum overlap level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 9008414
    Abstract: A procedure can be assisted by a processor system, such as a computer system. A trajectory can be used to identify a selected trajectory or path of an instrument to reach a tumor within a brain of a subject, reach a selected portion of the anatomy (e.g. sub-thalamic nucleus (STN) or spinal cord), or other appropriate target. The planning algorithm can include both inputted data and learned rankings or ratings related to selected trajectories. The planning algorithm can used the learned ratings to rate and later determined trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Merkl, Rasool Khadem
  • Patent number: 9008415
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to modifying an automatically predicted adjustment. In one embodiment, the automatically predicted adjustment may be adjusted, for example, based on a rule. The automatically predicted adjustment may be based on a machine learning prediction. A new image may be globally adjusted based on the modified automatically predicted adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Sylvain Paris, Jen-Chan Chien, Vladimir Leonid Bychkovsky
  • Patent number: 9008416
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for implementing crowdsourcing pipelines that generate training examples for machine learning expression classifiers. Crowdsourcing providers actively generate images with expressions, according to cues or goals. The cues or goals may be to mimic an expression or appear in a certain way, or to “break” an existing expression recognizer. The images are collected and rated by same or different crowdsourcing providers, and the images that meet a first quality criterion are then vetted by expert(s). The vetted images are then used as positive or negative examples in training machine learning expression classifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Emotient, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Movellan, Marian Steward Bartlett, Ian Fasel, Gwen Ford Littlewort, Joshua Susskind, Jacob Whitehill
  • Patent number: 9008417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dental color analyzing device comprising a housing, a computer device having a storage unit, and a display on which a reference object together with at least one tooth and/or a gingival area is represented, wherein at least one first image section that shows the reference object as well as at least one second image section that displays the tooth, a tooth region or a gingival area, may be detected with the aid of the computer device, characterized in that the reference object is mounted on a tooth and in particular is attached thereto and comprises a smaller size than the represented tooth, wherein the reference object is a dental color key comprising color samples that are arranged next to one another and that each represent a dental color, and in that the color of the second, in particular selectable image section, is comparable to the represented color samples with the aid of the computer device such that the color sample that matches the color of the second image section best, m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Rohner, Diethard Bertsch, Michael Brotzge