Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9549071
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for intercepting communications in an Internet Protocol (IP) network involve maintaining dialing profiles for respective subscribers to the IP network, each dialing profile including a username associated with the corresponding subscriber, and associating intercept information with the dialing profile of a subscriber whose communications are to be monitored. Intercept information will include determination information for determining whether to intercept a communication involving the subscriber, and destination information identifying a device to which intercepted communications involving the subscriber are to be sent. When the determination information meets intercept criteria communications are established with a media relay through which communications involving the subscriber will be conducted or are being conducted to cause the media relay to send a copy of the communications involving the subscriber to a mediation device specified by the destination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: VOIP-PAL.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Johan Emil Viktor Björsell, Maksym Sobolyev
  • Patent number: 9549072
    Abstract: Conference call alerting is provided. A first device of a plurality of telecommunications devices initiates a telecommunications link between the first device and a second device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The first device receives an interaction that includes a communications address of a third device of the plurality of telecommunications devices. The telecommunications link is modified to include the third device. In response to the third device joining the telecommunications link, the first device issues an alert to the second device and the third device, wherein the alert indicates that the third device has joined the telecommunications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krupa S. Gunhalkar, Gopi Janakiraman, Srinivas Mandava
  • Patent number: 9549073
    Abstract: This invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to a Rich Communication Suite (RCS) and RCS-e (“e” for enhanced) messaging infrastructure within a network without the need to deploy an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core within the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTEROP TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Zitnik, Steven D. Aubin, Roy Benton Rigas
  • Patent number: 9549074
    Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for providing a communications service in a communications network are disclosed. For example, the method monitors a conference call, detects a triggering event during the conference call registered for a particular user, wherein the particular user is not a participant in the conference call, and notifies the particular user of the triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles Douglas Blewett, Megan Blewett, Joseph Gibbons, Robert Haarde
  • Patent number: 9549075
    Abstract: A method for automatically establishing multi-participant interactions and/or conference calls between users of mobile devices, according to which an interaction establishing application is installed on the mobile device of each participating user and receives for each user, phone numbers of other users defined as his friends and a list of predetermined triggers as conditions for initiating an interaction between users. The application constantly monitors the location of each user's mobile device and upon detecting that one or more of the triggers are met, the application automatically initiates one or more interactions between users that comply with the triggers that are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
    Inventors: Barak Chizi, Dudu Mimran, Bracha Shapira, Gil Rosen
  • Patent number: 9549076
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lawful interception in the case of call forwarding (AW_TlnB) in a packet-oriented telecommunications network (TK1, TK2, TK3), in which switching functions (S-CSCF1, . . . , P-CSCF3) are made available by servers. The additional aim in this telecommunications network (TK1) is to monitor connections of a subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB) by means of lawful interception. In this case, monitoring (ÜW_TlnB) of the connections of the subscriber (Tln B) is notified to a first switching function (S-CSCF1) which is responsible for a called subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB). The first switching function (S-CSCF1) then writes (23) a tag for said subscriber (Tln B) to a predetermined parameter of a switching protocol. Only then is signalling of call forwarding (AW-TlnB) carried out to a second switching function (S-CSCF2) which is responsible for a calling subscriber (Tln A) and the connection is then forwarded to a third switching function (S-CSCF3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Herbert Paulis, Bernhard Spalt
  • Patent number: 9549077
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing a call to an aggregate endpoint device over a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a session request by a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF), wherein a route header for the session request comprises an aggregate endpoint identifier, and interacts with an application server to receive a Public User Identity (PUID) of the aggregate endpoint device in accordance with the aggregate endpoint identifier. The method performs a termination processing for the session request using the PUID of the aggregate endpoint device, and forwards the session request towards the aggregate endpoint device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven A. Siegel, Nancy E. Lambros, Leopold Strahs
  • Patent number: 9549078
    Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service system includes a SIP-enabled soft switch at a telephony service provider, executing code from a coupled machine-readable medium, routing SIP transactions to remote destinations, a media server coupled to the SIP-enabled soft switch storing media including ring tones and music-on-hold for use in progressing transactions, and an interface to a wide-area-network (WAN) for transmitting transactions and media. The SIP-enabled soft switch determines for each transaction from stored data whether media services are to be provided or not provided for that destination, and in the event media services are not to be provided, alters packet data to indicate media services to be provided by a server local to the destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Zhakov, Vyacheslav Valentinovich Sayko
  • Patent number: 9549079
    Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation is improved by receiving a speaker signal that is used to produce audio in a room, and receiving audio signals that capture audio from an array of microphones in the room, including an acoustic echo from the speakers. To cancel the acoustic echo, one adaptive filter is associated with a corresponding subspace in the room. Each of the audio signals is assigned to at least one of the adaptive filters, and a set of coefficients is iteratively determined for each of the adaptive filters. The coefficients for an adaptive filter are determined by selecting each of the audio signals assigned to that adaptive filter and adapting the filter to remove an acoustic echo from each of the selected audio signals. At each iteration, a different audio signal is selected from the audio signals assigned to the adaptive filter in order to determine the set of coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Xiangyu Bao, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 9549080
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to Wi-Fi signaling in conjunction with cellular communication in unlicensed frequency bands for efficient co-existence. According to one embodiment, a cell may be established between a cellular base station and a wireless user equipment device on a frequency channel in an unlicensed frequency band. A cellular communication may be scheduled between the base station and the user equipment device. A Wi-Fi signal may be transmitted on the frequency channel in conjunction with the scheduled cellular communication. The Wi-Fi signal may indicate a length of the scheduled cellular communication using Wi-Fi signaling. The scheduled cellular communication may be performed via the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tarik Tabet, Farouk Belghoul, Dawei Zhang, Huarui Liang
  • Patent number: 9549081
    Abstract: System and method for implementing a predictive disconnect in an Offline Charging System of a telecommunications network are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for implementing a charging function in the OFCS is configured to determine that a resource allocated to the OFCS for processing messages received from one or more Charging Trigger Functions (CTFs) connected to the OFCS is experiencing or about to experience a bottleneck condition. The apparatus is configured to heuristically determine an expected duration of time for the resource to return to a normal condition, and is further configured to initiate a disconnection between the OFCS and one or more of the CTFs connected to the OFCS for at least the determined expected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Alcatel Lucent, Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Ranjan Sharma, Maryse Gardella
  • Patent number: 9549082
    Abstract: A method of managing data traffic offload from a radio access network may include: determining a location of a mobile device; and identifying, based on data traffic offload requirements of a network operator and capabilities of alternative network providers, one or more alternative networks configured to be accessed by the mobile device at the determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BANDWIDTHX INC.
    Inventors: Pertti Juhani Visuri, Randy Salo, Christian Van Hamersveld, Johanna Katariina Visuri, Dan Zagursky
  • Patent number: 9549083
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique that enables an image communication apparatus capable of performing voice communication and T.30 in-band FAX communication over the IP network to positively detect a CNG signal and achieve switching to FAX reception in the answerphone connection mode and the FAX/TEL-switching mode. The communication apparatus includes a MODEM that controls facsimile communication and a SLIC that controls a telephone. A selector includes switches for connecting the IP network and the MODEM, and switches for connecting the IP network and the SLIC. A CPU controls the switches of the selector such that signals from the IP network are supplied to both of the MODEM and the SLIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Inoue
  • Patent number: 9549084
    Abstract: A shooting processing section shoots a user as an object, and an editing processing section allows the user to edit a shot image obtained by shooting. An input receiving section receives, a plurality of times, selection of manipulation processing to be applied to the entire shot image, and a manipulation processing section generates, when the selection of manipulation processing has been received this time, an image after manipulation processing that is the entire shot image to which the manipulation processing received this time is applied over the manipulation processing, selection of which has been received previous time. The present invention can be applied to a photo sticker creating device, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FURYU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aki Imahira, Tami Goya, Tadao Hayakawa, Sachiyo Kanazawa, Yoshiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 9549085
    Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes storing a library of specification terms for image products by a computer system, receiving a command from a user, tokenizing the command into a plurality of tokens by the computer system, matching one or more of the tokens to the specification terms in the library to determine specification parameters for an image product by the computer system, automatically identifying images based on the specification parameters by the computer system, and automatically creating a design for the image product that incorporates at least some of the images identified based on the specification parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shutterfly, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Chen, Preeti Nathan, Trynne Anne Miller, Wiley H. Wang, Shay Litvak, Marco Santini, Chris M. Denend
  • Patent number: 9549086
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a compression history recording portion stores compression history information in a non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium, wherein the compression history information represents results of accumulation of compression levels through the compression process executed by the data compression portion. A history monitoring portion executes a predetermined improvement process when the compression history information satisfies a predetermined insufficient compression condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Wataru Kakeno
  • Patent number: 9549087
    Abstract: Described herein is a fax processing system that improves the speed and reliability of fax transmissions via a data communications network and provides a new method of transmitting facsimile images. Fax images are encoded with an embedded bit signal by a fax software program on the originating fax, where such bit signal is recognized by fax software at a fax service such that the original image data is transferred to the fax service via a secure link over a data communications network at internet speeds and notifies the fax service software with a confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Basil
  • Patent number: 9549088
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus which logs into an external webmail server by using a web browser included in the image forming apparatus, the webmail is written on a webpage of the webmail server, a file to be attached to the webmail is selected, and the selected file is attached to the webmail so as to send the webmail to the webmail server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun-wook Park
  • Patent number: 9549089
    Abstract: A method for establishing a network connection between a mobile electronic device and a target network device includes establishing a short-range communications link between the mobile electronic device and the target network device. The method may also include, by a processor, executing an application that causes the processor to receive network device information from the target network device, via the short-range communications link, use the identifier associated with the target network device to identify a network to which the target network device is connected, use a transmitter component of the mobile electronic device to establish the network connection between the mobile electronic device and the target network device, via the identified network, and cause the transmitter component to send a communication to the target network device, via the identified network. The network device information comprises an identifier associated with the target network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gavan Leonard Tredoux, Roger T. Kramer, Premkumar Rajendran, Peter J. Zehler
  • Patent number: 9549090
    Abstract: An information processing device comprising: a data sharing unit causing an application to process data output from a data output source application; a communication interface configured to perform communication with an external device; and a processor that, when executing the instructions, performs operations comprising: acquiring an image data set from the external device through the communication interface; defining plural image data groups, each of the plural image data groups including at least one of the plurality of image data included in the image data set; selecting a plurality of the applications each of which is corresponding to each of the plural image data groups, respectively; and causing the data sharing unit to perform a sharing process of making each of the plurality of the selected applications process the at least one of the plurality of image data included in each of the plural image data groups, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Norihiko Asai
  • Patent number: 9549091
    Abstract: Provided is an image reading apparatus that instantaneously executes functions and settings with the setting of a document on a platen glass, and an image forming apparatus. The image reading part according to the present disclosure includes a platen cover, an opening and closing detecting part, and an operation executing part. The document placing position detecting part acquires position placing data by pre-scan of a scanner, when opening of the platen cover is detected, after the opening of the platen cover is detected, and detects a placing position of a document placed on the platen glass based on the acquired placing position detecting data. The operation executing part receives selection of functions corresponding to the placing position detected by the document placing position detecting part and executes the selected function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Kato
  • Patent number: 9549092
    Abstract: A printer includes a first determination unit, a first receiving unit, a second determination unit, a second receiving unit, and a controller. The first receiving unit receives a setting of a print type determined to be settable by the first determination unit and inhibits a setting of a print type determined to be unsettable by the first determination unit. The second receiving unit receives a setting of a print function determined to be settable by the second determination unit and inhibits a setting of a print function determined to be unsettable by the second determination unit. The controller controls a printing unit so that the printing unit prints an image on the paper sheet, in accordance with the data input by the input unit, the print type received by the first receiving unit, and the setting of the print function received by the second receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Keiya Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9549093
    Abstract: A light guide for use in an image reading apparatus. The light guide extends in a predetermined direction and includes: a reflecting surface being parallel to the predetermined direction; an emitting surface; and a prism configured to reflect light to the emitting surface. The prism includes a plurality of asperities formed on the reflecting surface. When viewed from a first direction orthogonal to the reflecting surface, at least one of the plurality of asperities includes a portion parallel to a predetermined curve or a predetermined straight line inclined from a second direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Satoko Tanaka, Masahiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9549094
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus and image forming apparatus are provided. The scanning apparatus includes a scanner body including a platen on which a document is placed, a platen cover that is pivoted between a closed position where the platen is covered and an open position where the platen cover is separated from the platen, a hinge unit that pivotably connects the platen cover to the main body between the closed position and the open position, an elastic member that provides a first elastic force such that the platen cover does not fall due to a self-weight of the platen cover in a first pivot section, and a damping spring that applies to the platen cover a second elastic force that mitigates a fall impact of the platen cover onto the closed position due to the self-weight of the platen cover in a second pivot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-gu Kang
  • Patent number: 9549095
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a an electronic device such as a digital camera 300 that includes a deletion mode whereby a camera/electronic device user can delete captured images or data files that have already been transferred in order to make room in the electronic device or digital camera memory for capturing further images. In one embodiment a digital camera keep track of which images have already been transferred to an external storage device and presents those to the user as potential images to be deleted. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a “delete all transferred images” which when selected deletes all the captured images that have already been transferred. In still another embodiment, a deletion criteria is used to prioritize which images are deleted first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES FUND 83 LLC
    Inventors: Keith Stoll Karn, Thomas A. Napoli, Frank W. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9549096
    Abstract: An image processing system includes: an application server located in the Internet; an image processing apparatus located in a local network connected to the Internet via a firewall; a relay server configured to relay communication between the image processing apparatus and the application server, the relay server being located in the local network; and a connection mediation server configured to transmit, to the relay server, a request for a connection to the application server, the connection mediation server being located in the Internet, wherein the connection mediation server includes a connection request transmitting unit so as to have communication established between the image processing apparatus and the application server, the relay server includes: a communication establishing unit; a job transferring unit; a job identifying unit; and a communication terminating unit, and after the communication terminating unit terminates the communication, the communication establishing unit reestablishes the com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Torigoshi, Kazumi Sawayanagi, Masami Yamada, Hisashi Uchida, Kazuya Anezaki, Yasutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 9549097
    Abstract: An imaging device comprises: a two-dimensional image sensor that includes a plurality of light receiving units capable of reading an output value individually according to a volume of received light thereof; a receiving unit that receives a control signal that specifies an operation mode of the two-dimensional image sensor that is predetermined according to a purpose of using the output value; and a sensor controller that sets, on the basis of the control signal received by the receiving unit, an imaging area representing an area of a light receiving unit that reads the output value from among the light receiving units of the two-dimensional image sensor and controls reading of the output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsumoto, Nobuyuki Satoh, Mamoru Yorimoto, Masato Kobayashi, Masayuki Fujii, Satoshi Hirata
  • Patent number: 9549098
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller controlling an image forming unit to form a test image, controlling a measurement unit to measure the test image on an image bearing member, and controlling a transfer unit to transfer the test image formed on the image bearing member to the sheet; a reception unit receiving a user instruction; and a second generation unit generating the conversion condition based on the user instruction and the measurement result of the test image, wherein the test image includes a first test image, a second test image, and an image indicating a position where the sheet is to be bent, and in a case where the sheet is bent along the position, a position of the first test image and a position of the second test image do not overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hayato Negishi, Takahiro Nakase, Keizo Takura, Atsushi Hori
  • Patent number: 9549099
    Abstract: A method for performing correlated double sampling for a sensor, such as an image sensor. The method includes collecting a first charge corresponding to a first parameter, transferring the first charge to a first storage component, transferring the first charge from the first storage component to a second storage component, resetting the first storage component, transferring the first charge from the second storage component to the first storage component, and reading the first storage component to determine the first charge. The method may be implemented in electronic devices including image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 9549100
    Abstract: A timing control system includes one or more device processors operatively coupled to one or more devices, a counter connected to the device processor(s), and a plurality of timing registers operatively coupled to the counter, each of the timing registers configured to store a value indicating a time at which an event is to be initiated at a corresponding one of the device(s). The system also includes a pulse generator operatively coupled to the counter and the timing registers, the pulse generator configured to generate one or more associated general-purpose input/output (GPIO) output signals, and send to each of the one or more devices an associated GPIO output signal to initiate the event at a plurality of the one or more devices in coordination with one another or to initiate the event at one of the one or more devices in coordination with another event at that device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Ross, Robert Allen Shearer, Elene Terry
  • Patent number: 9549101
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for image capture with infrared emitters, with associated computer control and processing for providing consistent and high quality image data. Image data of consecutive frames from a camera is obtained, with a first frame being taken during an emission of infrared light directed at a scene to be captured by the camera and a second frame being taken without an emission of infrared light. The consecutive frames provide a dynamic control image of the captured scene. The image data may be used to support photometric sampling techniques used in building geometric models for subject recognition in camera imagery in variable lighting environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Alister J. Brain
  • Patent number: 9549102
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for implementing an active imaging system. A method of obtaining an image in an active imaging system including: dividing an imaging region, and determining a plurality of divided imaging regions; scanning each of the plurality of divided imaging regions based on a laser; collecting reflected light for each of the plurality of divided imaging regions, and generating a plurality of divided images by an image sensor; and generating a whole image for the imaging region based on the plurality of divided images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jung Ho Song, Bong Ki Mheen, Myoung Sook Oh, Yong Hwan Kwon, Dong Sun Kim, Hong Seok Seo, Min Hyup Song, Jae Sik Sim
  • Patent number: 9549103
    Abstract: An antenna for a camera, comprising a camera having a communication module provided therein, a first radiator provided in a predetermined position of a lens barrel of the camera and having a length and a width for receiving a signal from a first wireless communication system, a power feeding line configured to feed a power from the communication module of the camera to the first radiator, and a ground line configured to ground the first radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sangbong Sung, Seunghwan Kim, Joonho Byun, Jaebong Chun
  • Patent number: 9549104
    Abstract: A borescope having a miniature camera concealable within a hand-held casing, includes a casing, which is preferably a clam shell casing and is able to be held in a single hand of a user, along with a device for opening the casing. A flexible probe has a first end mounted in the casing and a second end being a distal end that is able to be moved from inside the casing to outside the casing with the miniature camera being located at, or proximate to, the distal end of the flexible probe for viewing structures outside of the casing after the casing is opened. The flexible probe with the miniature camera is able to be completely concealed within the casing when not in use. A display is located on a surface of the casing for viewing by the user that which is being seen by the miniature camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Tools & Instruments Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Basso, Jerome O. Ennis
  • Patent number: 9549105
    Abstract: A container scanning system comprises a rail, a camera/sensor unit and a control unit. The rail is mounted on a support or beam of a container handling crane. The camera/sensor unit is movably mounted along the rail. The camera/sensor unit comprises a camera and/or a sensor for scanning the exterior surface of a container. The control unit is operationally coupled to the camera/sensor unit. The control unit is able to obtain position information indicative for the operational position of the container handling crane, and the control unit is adapted to control movement of the camera/sensor unit along the rail in function of the position information. The rail contains space for wiring for power feeding the camera/sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CAMCO TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Jef Simon Gaston De Geeter, Jan Amandus Michel Maria Bossens
  • Patent number: 9549106
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes a camera assembly having a first end connector electrically connected to circuitry disposed in a housing of the camera assembly, with the first end connector having no more than four connection points. A plurality of electrical conductors (such as conductors connected to a video display device) connect to the first end connector of the camera assembly. The electrical conductors may include (i) a first electrical conductor that electrically connects to a first connection point of said end connector, (ii) a second electrical conductor that electrically connects to a second connection point of said end connector, (iii) a third electrical conductor that electrically connects to a third connection point of said end connector and (iv) a fourth electrical conductor that electrically connects to a fourth connection point of said end connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Duane W. Gebauer, Nazar F. Bally, Brett Harris, Richard D. Shriner
  • Patent number: 9549107
    Abstract: Aspects relate to autofocus systems and techniques for an array camera having a low-profile height, for example approximately 4 mm. A voice coil motor (VCM) can be positioned proximate to a folded optic assembly in the array camera to enable vertical motion of a second light directing surface for changing the focal position of the corresponding sensor. A driving member can be positioned within the coil of the VCM to provide vertical movement, and the driving member can be coupled to the second light directing surface, for example by a lever. Accordingly, the movement of the VCM driving member can be transferred to the second light directing surface across a distance, providing autofocus capabilities without increasing the overall height of the array camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Todor Georgiev Georgiev
  • Patent number: 9549108
    Abstract: A photographic lens optical system which includes five lenses sequentially arranged in a direction from an object to an image sensor is disclosed. A first lens may have a positive refractive power and an entrance surface convex toward the object. A second lens may have a negative refractive power and an exit surface concave toward the image sensor. A third lens may have a positive refractive power and a meniscus shape convex toward the image sensor. A fourth lens may have a negative refractive power and a meniscus shape convex toward the image sensor. A fifth lens may have a negative refractive power, and at least one of an entrance surface and an exit surface of the fifth lens may be aspheric. The system may satisfy the formula: | tan ?|/f<1.0, ? denoting an angle of view of the system, and f denoting a focal length of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KOLEN CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Cho, Chi Ho Ahn, Ji Eun Kim, Se Jin Kim, Seong Hee Bae
  • Patent number: 9549109
    Abstract: A camera lens module according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to include an optical image stabilizing carrier for accommodating a lens barrel; an autofocus carrier for mounting the optical image stabilizing carrier; a rolling unit for supporting a plane motion orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical image stabilizing carrier with respect to the autofocus carrier; a base for accommodating the autofocus carrier which mounts the optical image stabilizing carrier to advance and retreat the autofocus carrier in an optical axis direction; an optical image stabilizer driving unit; and an autofocus driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Jahwa Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Seung Kim, In Soo Kim, Yo Han Noh
  • Patent number: 9549110
    Abstract: A Light device having built-in digital data means is powered by an unlimited power source for a lamp-holder, LED bulb, or light device connected to unlimited power source by prongs or a base that or conductive wires can be inserted into a socket that would otherwise receiving a bulb or light source. The device may take the form of a webcam having auto tracking added one of plurality functions to make different products and functions and retractable prongs that plug directly into a wall outlet or insert into existing lamp base or incorporate conductive wire to make electric connection at least one of built-in camera, storage unit, wireless kits, Bluetooth kits, motion sensor, light device. The said motion sensor and digital data related device(s) may in separated housing with light source assembly so people can upgrade the non-camera device to has built-in camera and digital device for their old non-camera security light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 9549111
    Abstract: A mobile terminal having a camera function includes a camera unit for capturing an image of a subject, and an image-capture control calculation unit that controls an image-capturing operation performed by the camera unit and that also calculates a movement speed of the subject that is being captured by the camera unit. Then, when the camera unit is performing continuous image capture, the image-capture control calculation unit dynamically changes and controls an image-capture time interval at the time of continuous image capture in accordance with a movement speed of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Masahide Ishino, Hiroaki Adachi, Kensuke Mashita, Yuuji Wada, Mitsuyo Usami
  • Patent number: 9549112
    Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus including a movable unit. An acceleration detection unit detects an acceleration of the image capturing apparatus. A geomagnetic detection unit detects geomagnetism. A determining unit determines a direction of the image capturing apparatus by using the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit and the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetic detection unit. When determining the direction of the image capturing apparatus at a predetermined timing during an operation period of the movable unit, the determining unit determines the direction of the image capturing apparatus by using the acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit before start of the operation period of the movable unit and the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetic detection unit during the operation period of the movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 9549113
    Abstract: An imaging control terminal includes a wireless communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an imaging terminal, an imaging module configured to generate imaging data, a display interface configured to display an image corresponding to the imaging data generated by the imaging module, an operation interface configured to receive an operation of an operator designating an imaging area or an imaging target to be imaged by the imaging terminal for the image, an information generation unit configured to generate imaging area information representing the imaging area or imaging target information representing the imaging target, and a communication control unit configured to cause the wireless communication interface to wirelessly transmit the imaging area information or the imaging target information to the imaging terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masaharu Yanagidate
  • Patent number: 9549114
    Abstract: In a focus identification method for identifying different focuses of an object, discrete image data is acquired from captured images of an object. The images are captured by a charge coupled device (CCD) in motion of a measurement machine at a predetermined time period. The discrete image data includes definitions of the images and Z-coordinates of the CCD when capturing the images. Maxima and minima of the discrete image data are computed to establish intervals within the discrete image data. The intervals are selected one by one, and a curve is fitted according to the discrete image data at the selected interval. A peak value of the fitted curve is computed as one of focuses of the object when a goodness of fit of the fitted curve meets a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Jia-Jia Chen, Zhong-Kui Yuan, Li Jiang, Dong-Hai Li, Xiao-Guang Xue
  • Patent number: 9549115
    Abstract: An depth sensing (AF) module including a depth sensing (DS) lens, DS image sensor, a prism array, and a DS controller is disclosed. The DS module may be configured to provide a control signal to an electromechanical device, such as a voice coil motor (VCM), of an image capture module to move a lens assembly to focus an image of an object to be imaged onto a primary image sensor. The DS module may direct the capture of an image for depth sensing by the DS image sensor and perform a depth sensing (DS) technique on the captured DS image to identify a focus point of the lens assembly. The DS technique may identify a magnitude of a split in segments of the DS image, where the segments correspond to light refracted through different prism elements of the array of prism elements. This determined focus point may be used to displace the lens assembly relative to the primary image sensor to achieve focus of the object onto the primary image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Benedict Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9549116
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device has an image sensor for forming a subject image using light flux that has been received through a photographing lens, and generating image signals, and executes focus adjustment based on the image signals. This focus adjustment device comprises a focus detection region setting section for setting a plurality of focus detection regions of differing sizes, within a region in which an image is formed by the image sensor, a determination section, for detecting contrast of image signals within focus detection regions respectively relating to the plurality of focus detection regions, and determining change of a subject based on amount of change of the contrast and temporal change in amount of change of the contrast, and a control section for, in a case where the determination section has determined that there is subject change when a focus adjustment operation is stopped, starting the focus adjustment operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9549117
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for adjusting an optical center. The method includes fixedly installing a viewport cover plate in a terminal device; movably installing a camera in the terminal device; and adjusting a position of the camera; wherein adjusting the position of the camera comprises adjusting a position of an optical center of the camera by aligning the optical center of the camera with a center of an external viewport on the viewport cover plate to achieve concentricity between the optical center of the camera and the center of the external viewport. The apparatus for adjusting the optical center includes a projector, a computer, and an adjusting assembly. The apparatus of the present disclosure could provide an advantage of simple operation, and each terminal device can achieve an excellent centering effect by using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: XIAOMI INC.
    Inventors: Yuan Gao, Shuo Zhang, Shibo Li
  • Patent number: 9549118
    Abstract: A method of blink and averted gaze avoidance with a camera includes detecting an averted gaze of a subject and/or one or more closed eyes of the subject in response to receiving an input to actuate a camera shutter. The method also includes scheduling actuation of the camera shutter to a future estimated time period to capture an image of the subject when a gaze direction of the subject is centered on the camera and/or both eyes of the subject are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Regan Blythe Towal, Somdeb Majumdar
  • Patent number: 9549119
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes an image capturing unit configured to obtain a plurality of images upon receiving one or more user inputs, a processor configured to process one or more of the plurality of images, and a display configured to display the one or more of the plurality of images, where the processor is further configured to select at least one image from the plurality of images, based on a facial expression of one or more objects recognized on the one or more of the plurality of images and a clarity of at least a portion of the one or more of the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Joo-Young Son, Tae-Hwa Hong, Hong-Il Kim, Woon-Tahk Sung
  • Patent number: 9549120
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive data path for computer-vision applications. Utilizing techniques provided herein, the data path can adapt to the needs of a computer-vision application to provide the needed data. The data path can be adapted by applying one or more filters to image data from one or more sensors. Some embodiments may utilize a computer-vision processing unit comprising a specialized instruction-based, in-line processor capable of interpreting commands from a computer-vision application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Khosro M. Rabii, Francis B. MacDougall, Evan R. Hildreth