Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9536119
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system and method of identifying a cable terminal plug and port on a computer system. An aspect includes a method having a step of positioning a cable plug adjacent to a computer port, the cable plug having a passive transponder. An RF signal is transmitted to the passive transponder. The passive transponder is activated with the RF signal. An identification signal is transmitted based on receiving the RF signal. It is determined that identification signal matches an identification value of the computer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Anuradha Rao
  • Patent number: 9536120
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for enhancing stability of communication between a contactless card and a card reader, relating to communication field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Feitian Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhou Lu, Huazhang Yu
  • Patent number: 9536121
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip transmits a request signal which requests notification of the setting state of a chip identifier to another semiconductor chip connected to one of the upstream and downstream, receives a response signal indicating the setting state of the chip identifier and the value of the chip identifier, as a response to the request signal, and performs a chip identifier setting process based on the response signal. When receiving a request signal from another semiconductor chip connected to the other of the upstream and downstream, the semiconductor chip transmits a response signal indicating the setting state of the chip identifier and the value of the chip identifier, as a response to the request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kato, Wataru Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9536122
    Abstract: A multivariable sensing device for sensing one or more parameters of a process fluid disposed in a container is provided. The multivariable sensing device includes a radio frequency based sensor configured to sense a physical parameter, a chemical parameter, a biological parameter, or combinations thereof, representative of the process fluid. The radio frequency based sensor includes a sensor substrate, a radio frequency coil disposed on at least a portion of the sensor substrate, and a support structure configured to be physically coupled to the container. Further, the support structure is configured to position the radio frequency based sensor in operative proximity to an inside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo
  • Patent number: 9536123
    Abstract: A data application method and system of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. The method includes: when a first-type RFID tag is within a readable range of a first-type RFID reader, acquiring, by the first-type RFID reader, data of the first-type RFID tag; obtaining, by an RFID emulator, the data of the first-type RFID tag, converting the data of the first-type RFID tag to data of a second-type RFID tag according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and providing the data of the second-type RFID tag for a second-type RFID reader; and forming, by the second-type RFID reader, a second-type RFID signal according to the data of the second-type RFID tag and sending the second-type RFID signal. The data application method and system expand applications of RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN WALE INTELLIGENT SYSTEM LIMITED
    Inventor: Ching Ho Chau
  • Patent number: 9536124
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide an illumination assembly for a mark reader. A light transmitter is arranged in a surrounding relationship to an interior area, with the light transmitter having a proximal end and a distal end. An illumination source provides a light for transmission into the light transmitter. The light transmitter distal end allows the light from within the light transmitter to pass through and out of the distal end to provide bright field illumination and dark field illumination. The light transmitter distal end may include a first portion and a second portion, where light from within the light transmitter passes through and out of the first portion to provide bright field illumination, and light from within the light transmitter passes through and out of the second portion to provide dark field illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, William H Equitz
  • Patent number: 9536125
    Abstract: A data determination device includes a plurality of determination units that determine, based on respective different criteria, whether each of plural pieces of data included in a sequence of read data of a barcode represents either a first value or a second value, the plural pieces of data being output from a read unit in response to an instruction for reading the barcode, and a selection unit that selects, from a plurality of determination results obtained by each determination unit for the plural pieces of data, a plurality of determination results obtained by one determination unit based on a selection condition preset in accordance with a standard of the barcode, and outputs the selected plurality of determination results to a source of the instruction for reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yoshiki Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9536126
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for executing a function based on a user input. The method of executing a function in an electronic device includes: sensing a user input for selecting an object in a first area; recognizing a surface pattern of an input unit used for providing a user input in a third area when the user input is sensed in the third area; and executing a related function, based on a surface pattern recognition result in the third area when the user input of the first area and the user input of the third area are associated with each other. Accordingly, a function desired by a user may be readily executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Jin Yoon, Yu-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 9536127
    Abstract: A system and method for contactless handprint capture is disclosed that includes an image capture device to capture handprint images of a subject hand at each of a plurality of different focal distances, with the image capture device including an imaging camera and an electro-optics arrangement having a plurality of light modulating elements and polarization sensitive optical elements having differing optical path lengths based on polarization states. A control system is coupled to the image capture device to cause the device to capture the handprint images at each of the different focal distances, with each handprint image having a depth-of-focus that overlaps with a depth-of-focus of handprint images at adjacent focal distances such that redundant handprint image data is captured. The control system registers each handprint image with positional data and creates a composite handprint image from the handprint images captured at the different focal distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Joseph Czechowski, III, Frederick Wilson Wheeler
  • Patent number: 9536128
    Abstract: There is provided a thin biometric detection module, which is advantageous in being able to detect scattered light from body tissue after the light transmitting in the body tissue without additional optical mechanism placed on the semiconductor optical detection pixel of the detection module for biometric detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Ren-Hau Gu, Yen-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 9536129
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting fingerprints is provided having first and second substrates, a two-dimensional array of sensing elements formed on the first substrate, and a plurality of thin-film transistors or TFTs for controlling the sensing elements at pixel locations along the array. Each of the sensing elements detects one of electrical signals (e.g., capacitance, resistance, or impedance), temperature, or light via one of the first or second substrates representative of one or more fingerprints. The top of the second substrate or the bottom of the first substrate may provide a platen upon which one or more fingers can be disposed. The sensor may be utilized in a fingerprint scanner having one or more processors driving sensing elements or reading from sensing elements analog signals representative of one or more fingerprints, and generating an image representative of the one or more fingerprints from the analog signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CROSS MATCH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Carver, Daniel H. Raguin
  • Patent number: 9536130
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device is provided, in which the device detects contact with a user's finger, scans its fingerprint and sets the orientation of the electronic device based on the fingerprint (e.g., whether is from the user's left hand or right hand) and on an angle of the fingerprint with respect to the device. This allows the electronic device to determine its orientation with respect to the user rather than with respect to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Amber M. Pierce, Michael J. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 9536131
    Abstract: An electronic device and method are provided. The fingerprint recognition method includes: obtaining a verification fingerprint image; transmitting the verification fingerprint image to the second processing unit; generating verification fingerprint data according to the verification fingerprint image by the second processing unit; transmitting the verification fingerprint data to the first processing unit by the second processing unit; comparing the verification fingerprint data with a plurality of registered fingerprint datasets to generate matching information by the first processing unit; transmitting the matching information from the first processing unit to the second processing unit; and verifying the verification fingerprint data according to the matching information by the second processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan-Lin Chiang, Yu-Chun Cheng
  • Patent number: 9536132
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are provided for facilitating the capture and review of visual images by visually impaired users. In one implementation, these techniques and mechanisms provide pre image capture functionality and captured image review functionality. With the pre image capture functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user position an image capturing mechanism properly to capture the desired subjects in a picture, to frame the subjects properly within the picture, to size the subjects properly within the picture, etc. With the image review functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user enjoy and “visualize” a visual image that has been captured and is being displayed to the user. With these functionalities, a visually impaired user is able capture and review images to a much greater degree than is currently possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jerremy Holland, Eric Seymour, Chris Fleizach, Dean Hudson
  • Patent number: 9536133
    Abstract: A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a photographing unit configured to photograph the shape of a face; a detector is configured to detect a direction and angle of the face shape; a transformer is configured to mix the photographed face shape and a 3D face model and to transform the mixed face shape by using the detected direction and angle of the face shape; and an output interface is configured to output the transformed face shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do-wan Kim, Sung-yeol Kim, Sung-jin Kim, Ju-hee Kim, Jin-sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9536134
    Abstract: The present invention provides an athletic performance monitoring device having an accelerometer configured such that it can be worn by a user close to the center of gravity of the athlete; and a processing system including a global positioning system. The accelerometer is further configured such that it can wirelessly communicate acceleration data, relating to the acceleration of the user, to the processing system. In addition, the processing system is configured such that it can request acceleration data from the accelerometer only when some events depending on the output of the global positioning system and/or on a clock are occurring. It can also process the acceleration data it receives from the accelerometer to provide athletic performance information. There is further provided a corresponding method for providing athletic performance information. There is also provided an accelerometer for use in an athletic performance monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Myotest SA
    Inventor: Patrick Flaction
  • Patent number: 9536135
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which dynamic hand gestures are recognized by processing depth data, including in real-time. In an offline stage, a classifier is trained from feature values extracted from frames of depth data that are associated with intended hand gestures. In an online stage, a feature extractor extracts feature values from sensed depth data that corresponds to an unknown hand gesture. These feature values are input to the classifier as a feature vector to receive a recognition result of the unknown hand gesture. The technology may be used in real time, and may be robust to variations in lighting, hand orientation, and the user's gesturing speed and style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Zhengyou Zhang, Alexey Vladimirovich Kurakin
  • Patent number: 9536136
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and methods for skin detection and pose determination of a hand in an image are generally described herein. A method for may include detecting skin pixels in an image using a multi-layer skin filter and classifying the skin pixels into a set of foreground skin pixels and a set of background skin pixels. The method may include storing information about the set of background skin pixels in a persistent memory. The method may include determining a set of features from the set of foreground skin pixels, and clustering features from the set of features to create a set of hand pose descriptors. The method may include determining a set of candidate hand pose region descriptors and a set of candidate hand pose contour descriptors that match the set of hand pose descriptors and detecting a valid hand pose using the sets of candidate descriptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kounavis, Aaron Debattista
  • Patent number: 9536137
    Abstract: In an object detection apparatus 1, a window definer 11 defines a window relative to the location of a pixel in an input image 20. A classification value calculator 13 calculates a classification value indicative of the likelihood that a detection target is present in the window image contained in the window based on the feature data of the detection target. A classification image generator 14 arranges the classification value calculated from the window image according to the pixel location to generate a classification image. An integrator 15 integrates the classification image and a past classification image 42 generated from a past input image input prior to the input image 20 to generate an integrated image 45. A determiner 16 determines whether the detection target is present in the input image 20 based on the integrated image 45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MegaChips Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Haraguchi, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9536138
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for dynamically remapping components of a virtual skeleton to enhance the control and appearance of an avatar. Embodiments disclosed herein may remap components of the virtual skeleton if a need for an enhancement, replacement or correction is identified. For example, one or more components of a virtual skeleton, e.g., a joint, hand, arm or leg, may be remapped with modeled components if the component is distorted, missing or incomplete. Components of a virtual skeleton may be remapped with modeled components if enhancements, augmentations, corrections or special effects are desired. A remapped skeleton defining one or more modeled components may be generated from model data. The remapped skeleton may be used to drive user-controlled animations having enhanced movement and appearance characteristics. In addition to driving user-controlled animations, the remapped skeleton may be used to drive robotic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Marlow, Eike Jens Umlauf, Andrew John Preston
  • Patent number: 9536139
    Abstract: Methods are provided for defining and determining a formal and verifiable mobile document image quality and usability (MDIQU) standard, or Standard for short. The Standard ensures that a mobile image can be used in an appropriate mobile document processing application, for example an application for mobile check deposit. In order to quantify the usability, the Standard establishes 5 quality and usability grades. A mobile image is first tested to determine if the quality is sufficient to obtain content from the image by performing multiple different image quality assessment tests. If the image quality is sufficient, one or more document usability computations are made to determine if the document or content in the image is usable by a particular application. A ranking is then assigned to the image based on the results of the tests which is indicative of the quality and usability of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MITEK SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Grigori Nepomniachtchi, Mike Strange
  • Patent number: 9536140
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: an image pickup unit, a recognition unit and an execution unit. The image pickup unit photographs a recording medium to generate a picked-up image. The recognition unit recognizes a handwritten mark in the picked-up image generated by the image pickup unit. The execution unit performs a predetermined process according to the handwritten mark recognized by the recognized unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tatsuzi Ichikawa, Koji Nishitani, Fuminori Sano, Noriyoshi Katsumura, Kazuyasu Yamane
  • Patent number: 9536141
    Abstract: A method and system generates an idealized image of a form. An image of a form and a template model of the form are received. The form includes data fields. Word boxes of the image are identified. The word boxes are assigned to corresponding data fields of the form. An idealized image of the from is generated based on the assignments and the template model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Eric Saund
  • Patent number: 9536142
    Abstract: A method for automated user information provision using an image includes requesting at least one user information image in response to receiving a user information form from a requesting entity over a network. The at least one user information image is received from a camera. The at least one user information image is analyzed using a processor to determine that the at least one user information image includes requested user information in at least one request section of the user information form. The requested user information is automatically provided into the at least one request section of the user information form. The user information form including the requested user information in the at least one request section is displayed on a display. The user information form may then be sent over the network to provide the requested user information to the requesting entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PayPal, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl B. Stone
  • Patent number: 9536143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging seismic data using hybrid one-way wave-equation-migration in tilted transverse isotropic media and/or hybrid two-way reverse-time-migration in tilted transverse isotropic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Fan Jiang, Shengwen Jin
  • Patent number: 9536144
    Abstract: A method, system and product for image classification. The method comprising obtaining a set of encoding functions and signature values which corresponds to a set of class images, wherein each pair of an encoding function and a signature value corresponds to a class image of the set of class images, wherein the signature value is a value produced by applying the encoding function on the class image; obtaining an image to be classified to a class associated with a class image of the set of class images; with respect to each class image of the set of class images: determining a transformation from the image to the class image; and applying the encoding function using the transformation on the image to produce a value; and automatically determining a class to which the image is classified based on the values and the signature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Alpert, Mattias Marder
  • Patent number: 9536145
    Abstract: A System and method for identifying one or more human activities in a human-computer interacting environment. Skeleton points associated with a human are received. A data variation factor for the skeleton points is calculated, and a set of skeleton points is selected based on the data variation factor. One or more features are defined from the set of skeleton points by identifying a variance in coordinates of the set of skeleton points by using one or more statistical parameters. The one or more features are used to identify the one or more human activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Ramu Reddy Vempada, Tanushyam Chattopadhyay
  • Patent number: 9536146
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting outliers in data and determining spatiotemporal causal interactions in the data are discussed. A process collects global positioning system (GPS) points in logs and identifies geographical locations to represent the area where the service vehicles travelled with a passenger. The process models traffic patterns by: partitioning the area into regions, segmenting the GPS points from the logs into time bins, and identifying the GPS points associated with transporting the passenger. The process projects the identified GPS points onto the regions to construct links connecting GPS points located in two or more regions. Furthermore, the process builds a three-dimensional unit cube to represent features of each link. The points farthest away from a center of data cluster are detected as outliers, which represent abnormal traffic patterns. The process constructs outlier trees to evaluate relationships of the outliers and determines the spatiotemporal causal interactions in the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Zheng, Xing Xie
  • Patent number: 9536147
    Abstract: An optical flow tracking method includes generating a random structure according to an object to be tracked in an image, where the random structure includes at least two structure blocks with fixed relative positions; tracking all structure blocks in the random structure using an optical flow tracking algorithm to obtain a position offset of the random structure; and estimating a target position of the object according to the position offset of the random structure. According to the optical flow tracking method and apparatus provided in embodiments of the present invention, characteristic points of an object in an image are obtained, and a random structure is generated according to the characteristic points, and each random structure is tracked to obtain a position offset of the random structure, so as to estimate a position of the object, thereby reducing tracking errors and effectively improving tracking precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guoxiong Yan
  • Patent number: 9536148
    Abstract: A property assessment system includes image processing logic configured to identify building structure attributes from image data and rate their associated condition. The outputs can include property condition ratings, occupancy predictions and similar scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Real Data Guru, Inc.
    Inventor: John Nicholas Gross
  • Patent number: 9536149
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus facilitating assessments of structural and electronic features, parameters, characteristics or any combination thereof using one or more unmanned autonomous vehicles. In some embodiments, an unmanned vehicle may be configured to monitor one or both of the structural and electrical characteristics of an object, and can also include cooperative behavior between two or more unmanned vehicles to test electrical communication in a directional fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PROXY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick C. Cesarano
  • Patent number: 9536150
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a video camera that can be configured to allow tagging of recorded video and/or capture of video segments or sequences of images in response to user actuation of a camera control identifying an event of interest. For example, a user may press a button on the camera when an event of interest occurs, and in response the camera may tag a captured video file at a timestamp corresponding to the event. In another example, the user may initiate capture of video segments or sequences of images at an occurrence of an event of interest by pressing a button. The camera may include an image data buffer that may enable capture of video segments and/or sequences of images occurring before the user initiates capture of the event. User interfaces may enable the user to quickly review the captured video or sequences of images of the events of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: RED.COM, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Jarred Land, James H. Jannard
  • Patent number: 9536151
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein relating to real-time detection of inactive broadcasts during live stream ingestion. Both audio fingerprints and video fingerprints can be dynamically and continuously generated for a live stream ingestion. Sets of video fingerprints and sets of audio fingerprints can be continuously generated based on common successive overlapping time windows. A set of audio fingerprints and a set of video fingerprints can be associated with each time window. Video similarity scores and audio similarity scores can be generates for each time window to determine whether the stream is inactive or static during the time window. Only fingerprints relating to an active broadcast can be indexed in a fingerprint index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Postelnicu, Matthew Sharifi
  • Patent number: 9536152
    Abstract: A system and method of providing annotated trajectories by receiving image frames from a video camera and determining a location based on the image frames from the video camera. The system and method can further include the steps of determining that the location is associated with a preexisting annotation and displaying the preexisting annotation. Additionally or alternatively, the system and method can further include the steps of generating a new annotation automatically or based on a user input and associating the new annotation with the current location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qun Li, Edgar A Bernal, Wencheng Wu, Beilei Xu, Robert P Loce, Raja Bala, Stuart A Schweid
  • Patent number: 9536153
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems to automatically detect and optionally classify when a recipient receives goods in surveillance video. According to one exemplary embodiment, a computer implemented method determines a customer has received goods which are associated with a retail environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Adam Shreve, Michael C. Mongeon, Robert Paul Loce
  • Patent number: 9536154
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a scene by a camera (7) comprises marking a part (14) of the scene with light having a predefined spectral content and a spatial verification pattern. An analysis image is captured of the scene by a sensor sensitive to the predefined spectral content. The analysis image is segmented based on the predefined spectral content, to find a candidate image region. A spatial pattern is detected in the candidate image region, and a characteristic of the detected spatial pattern is compared to a corresponding characteristic of the spatial verification pattern. If the characteristics match, the candidate image region is identified as a verified image region corresponding to the marked part (14) of the scene. Image data representing the scene is obtained, and image data corresponding to the verified image region is processed in a first manner, and remaining image data is processed in a second manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventors: Markus Skans, Anders Johannesson, Jiandan Chen, Joakim Baltsen
  • Patent number: 9536155
    Abstract: A marking line detection system includes an imaging device and an ECU. An information extraction unit of the ECU is configured to extract depth distance information from the imaging device to an imaging object based on image information in an imaging area captured by the imaging device. A road surface area identification unit of the ECU is configured to identify a distant road surface area based on the depth distance information, the distant road surface area being a road surface area that excludes an immediately-preceding road surface area of the vehicle in the image information and is more distant from the vehicle than the immediately-preceding road surface area. A marking line detection unit of the ECU is configured to detect a marking line in the distant road surface area based on image information corresponding to a position of the distant road surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinao Takemae
  • Patent number: 9536156
    Abstract: Various embodiment include a system and a method for recognizing road signs. An image of a road sign may be captured by least one image sensor. A vehicle computer may receive the image data representing one or more road signs along a route and display one or more images of the road sign based on the image data. The display may be capable of presenting one or more status of the road sign based on one or more travel states for the vehicle. These travel states may include at least one of an amount of elapsed travel time, distance travelled, or speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Wey, Gerald Doerne, Dirk Gunia, Marc Roeber, Christoph Schlaug
  • Patent number: 9536157
    Abstract: A method and a camera-based driver assistance system in a subject vehicle uses image processing to automatically recognize dynamic intangible symbols that are projected as light onto the road by another vehicle, and responds in an appropriate manner based on the recognized symbols. For example, advice is given to the driver or signals are transmitted to vehicle devices in order to bring about an appropriate vehicle response, such as an emergency braking action or a distance alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Zobel
  • Patent number: 9536158
    Abstract: Systems and methods to determine demographic attributes of pedestrians in a retail environment are presented. In some examples, media content is selected for presentation to one or more pedestrians based on the determined demographic attributes. In a further example, the media content is interactive, and a response is received from the pedestrian indicating recognition of the interactive media content and an identity of the pedestrian. In some examples, the demographic attributes of a group of pedestrians passing a particular location are aggregated to determine a demographic profile of a pedestrian traffic flow. In some other examples, demographic attributes of pedestrians are derived from biometric responses to a media presentation. Based on the location and duration of visual attention to the media presentation, a demographic attribute of the pedestrian is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ARBOC, LLC
    Inventor: Howard Jason Harrison
  • Patent number: 9536159
    Abstract: Smart glasses and a method for recognizing and prompting a face are provided. The smart glasses store a database recording a plurality of profile information and business card information thereof. In the method, an image located in the field of view of the smart glasses is captured by an image capturing unit and at least one face appearing in the image is recognized. Facial features of each of the recognized faces are compared with those of the profile information in the database to find the profile information matching the facial features. In particular, if profile information matching the facial features is found, business card information corresponding to the profile information is displayed on a display unit; if profile information matching the facial features is not found, the business card information of a business card appearing in the image is recognized to associate the business card information with the recognized face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Chien Wu, Wei-Hsin Kan, Cheng-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 9536160
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide computer-implemented techniques for allowing a user computing device to extract financial card information using optical character recognition (“OCR”). Extracting financial card information may be improved by applying various classifiers and other transformations to the image data. For example, applying a linear classifier to the image to determine digit locations before applying the OCR algorithm allows the user computing device to use less processing capacity to extract accurate card data. The OCR application may train a classifier to use the wear patterns of a card to improve OCR algorithm performance. The OCR application may apply a linear classifier and then a nonlinear classifier to improve the performance and the accuracy of the OCR algorithm. The OCR application uses the known digit patterns used by typical credit and debit cards to improve the accuracy of the OCR algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Sanjiv Kumar, Henry Allan Rowley, Xiaohang Wang, Jose Jeronimo Moreira Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 9536161
    Abstract: Various embodiments describe systems and methods for utilizing a reduced amount of processing capacity for incoming data over time, and, in response to detecting a scene-change-event, notify one or more data processors that a scene-change-event has occurred, and cause incoming data to be processed as new data. In some embodiments, an incoming frame can be compared with a reference frame to determine a difference between the reference frame and the incoming frame. The reference frame may be correlated to a latest scene-change-event. In response to a determination that the difference does not meet one or more difference criteria, a user interface or at least one processor of the computing device can be notified to reduce processing of incoming data over time. In response to a determination that the difference meets the one or more difference criteria, the user interface or the at least one processor can be notified that a scene-change-event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Lish, Oleg Rybakov, Sonjeev Jahagirdar, Junxiong Jia, Neil David Cooper, Avnish Sikka
  • Patent number: 9536162
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a mark that is invisible in the visible light region. Here, the invisible mark is displayed on a card using a characteristic according to which the color of light is changed by means of a refractive index difference according to media in the visible light region. According to the method for detecting the invisible mark, it may be quickly determined whether the card is a counterfeit card in an investigation. In addition, since it is unnecessary to repeatedly inspect the card to be checked using various wavelengths, the time required for determining whether the card is a counterfeit card may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Republic of Korea (National Forensic Service Director Ministry of Public Administration and Security)
    Inventors: Joong Lee, Tae-Yi Kang, Jun Seok Byun
  • Patent number: 9536163
    Abstract: An object position and orientation detection system and in particular one which is capable of describing observed movement in 3 dimensions. In one example, a spherical patterned marker with concentric rings is imaged using one or more digital cameras, and the resulting images are processed to determine the position and orientation of an object to which the patterned marker is attached. The method of optical tracking employed by the system allows motion to be determined in six degrees of freedom. In conjunction with a suitable display, such as a projector, an interactive white board or similar application can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: OXFORD AI LIMITED
    Inventors: Stefan Veeser, David Cumming
  • Patent number: 9536164
    Abstract: A setting apparatus for making a setting to detect that a moving object in an image has passed a line set in the image accepts designation of one of a position and a partial region in an object region in the image, and makes a setting to detect that the designated position or partial region in the object region of the moving object in the image has passed the line set in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Funagi
  • Patent number: 9536165
    Abstract: A method (100) is provided for characterizing a functionality of a flash (14) from at least one image (200) captured with a camera (12) using the flash (14). The method (100) includes: analyzing the image (200) by segmenting (106) the image (200) into at least one sub-region (206, 208), and applying a metric (108) to the sub-region (206, 208) to measure an image property within the sub-region (206, 208); and determining (110) the functionality of the flash (14) in response to a result of the applied metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ajay Raghavan, Juan Liu, Robert R. Price
  • Patent number: 9536166
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention are configured to render images using light field image files containing an image synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the image that includes a depth map. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor and memory containing a rendering application and a light field image file including an encoded image, a set of low resolution images, and metadata describing the encoded image, where the metadata comprises a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the encoded image. In addition, the rendering application configures the processor to: locate the encoded image within the light field image file; decode the encoded image; locate the metadata within the light field image file; and post process the decoded image by modifying the pixels based on the depths indicated within the depth map and the set of low resolution images to create a rendered image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KIP PELI P1 LP
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
  • Patent number: 9536167
    Abstract: The techniques include an image recognition system to receive a realogram image including a plurality of organized objects and to detect and identify objects in the realogram image of one or more items on a retail shelf, identify shelf fronts and labels on the shelf fronts, identify empty space under shelves, identify areas where unidentified products may be, and identify areas where products are “out of stock”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9536168
    Abstract: A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne C. Boncyck, Ronald H. Cohen