Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9554071
    Abstract: An imaging device that stores charge from a photosensor under at least one storage gate. A driver used to operate the at least one storage gate, senses how much charge was transferred to the storage gate. The sensed charge is used to obtain at least one signature of the image scene. The at least one signature may then be used for processing such as e.g., motion detection, auto-exposure, and auto-white balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Panicacci
  • Patent number: 9554072
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two- or multiple-stage analog to digital converter. The converter preferably includes an incremental ADC in the first stage. The incremental ADC comprises an integrator and a comparator. After the predefined number of comparisons performed by the comparator, the output of the integrator appropriately scaled is provided to the second stage where it is further sampled. In particular, the scaling gain is inversely proportional to the integrator gain. The second ADC performs the conversion of the remaining least significant bits and then the output of both stages is combined. Moreover, a calibration and correction approaches are provided for the multi-stage ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Innovaciones Microelectrónicas S.L.
    Inventors: Fernando Medeiro Hidalgo, Rafael Domínguez Castro
  • Patent number: 9554073
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a first signal transfer block comprising first through (M)-th aligning blocks that are cascade-coupled to produce first aligned control signals through (M)-th aligned control signals, respectively, by aligning first control signals with a clock signal, wherein M is an integer greater than one, and a functional block divided into first through (M)-th sub-functional blocks configured to perform a same function in parallel, each of the first through (M)-th sub-functional blocks operating according to corresponding ones of the first aligned control signals through (M)-th aligned control signals generated by the first through (M)-th aligning blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Young Jin, Kyo-Jin Choo, Yu-Jin Park, Han-Kook Cho
  • Patent number: 9554074
    Abstract: A readout circuit for use in an image sensor includes a sense amplifier circuit coupled to a bitline to sense analog image data from a pixel cell of the image sensor. An analog to digital converter is coupled to the sense amplifier circuit to convert the analog image data to digital image data. A ramp generator circuit is coupled to generate a first ramp signal. The analog to digital converter is coupled to generate the digital image data in response to the analog image data and the first ramp signal. A first capacitive voltage divider is coupled to the ramp generator. The first capacitive voltage divider is coupled to reduce an output voltage swing of the first ramp signal coupled to be received by the analog to digital converter to reduce noise in the first ramp signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Zuo, Zhiqiang Song, Liping Deng
  • Patent number: 9554075
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, each pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and analog/digital converters configured to convert analog signals from pixels into digital signals provided by column. The analog/digital converter performs a first operation of converting an analog signal corresponding to the reset level into a digital signal, a second operation of converting analog signals obtained from some portions of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals, and a third operation of converting analog signals obtained from all the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takafumi Kishi
  • Patent number: 9554077
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a channel loading method, comprising: storing channel parameters; generating a channel loading instruction according to a status of an operation menu and a user instruction; acquiring the channel parameters when the channel loading instruction is obtained, and loading the acquired channel parameters into a television service list database. Another embodiment is a display device having a channel parameter storing module and a channel loading method. A non-transient storage medium is also a part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Chen, Bendeng Lv
  • Patent number: 9554078
    Abstract: The application discloses a television base, comprising a supporting base fixedly connected with a television display screen and at least three supporting rods; the supporting base comprises rotating connection portions, the supporting rods are rotationally connected with the rotating connection portions, a surface of the supporting base provided with the rotating connection portions is located in a first plane, and the first plane is perpendicular to a plane where the television display screen is located; all the supporting rods relatively rotate around the supporting base in the first plane, when the supporting rods rotate to be opened, the supporting rods are positioned in the first plane to support a television shell; and when the supporting rods rotate to be folded, the supporting rods are positioned in the first plane and are perpendicular to the plane where the television displays screen is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Guofeng Fu
  • Patent number: 9554079
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted electronic device according to the present invention is provided with a sensor 15 that detects illumination 17 from a following vehicle 16, in at least one of a display unit 9 and a main body case 7, and is configured such that a control unit 11 rotates the display unit 9 by means of a drive unit 10 when the sensor 15 detects the illumination 17 from the following vehicle 16. Thereby, the illumination 17 from the following vehicle 16 does not reflect on the display unit 9 toward a viewer, as a result of which, the influence by illumination from the following vehicle 16 can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 9554080
    Abstract: Video event recorders are coupled to a vehicle power source via an on-board diagnostic system including its power bus, data bus, and scanner port connector. Video event recorders are provided with a power input arranged in conjunction with a standard ODBII type “D” connector. Systems further include an extension cable between the connector and the vehicle event record to accommodate mounting needs associated with each. In advanced versions, both OBD power and data networks are coupled to the vehicle event recorded such that data relating to vehicle diagnostic systems can be captured in a triggered event along with video data. In addition, some versions are provided with special detection mechanism to determine the use state of a vehicle and adjust application of power accordingly. Thus an “in-use” detector is coupled to the vehicle and/or OBD systems to provide feedback which helps to conserve power and regulate the power connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, Ramesh Kasavaraju, Bruce Lightner
  • Patent number: 9554081
    Abstract: Descriptions of video segments for use to search or select video segments are generated by using a combination of video based action type detection and image based object detection. Action type detection results in detection of action types from a predetermined set of action types, with little or no information about actors involved in the action. Object detection results in detection of individual objects in the images, with little or no information actions. A set of rules is used that define one or more roles associated with action types and conditions on objects that can fill these roles. Detected action types are used to select rules and detected objects are assigned to roles defined the selected rule. Score values are computed for different assignments of detected objects to the role, as a function of the attribute values of the assigned objects. A combination of the detected action type and the detected objects is selected on the basis of the score values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Patrick Hanckmann, Klamer Schutte, Leo de Penning, Gerardus Johannes Burghouts
  • Patent number: 9554082
    Abstract: A recording apparatus is arranged to control a file name of recorded moving image file and a file name of the recorded still image file, so as to, after a recording stop instruction, in accordance with the file name of at least one of the moving image file and still image file recorded in a period of time from a recording start instruction to the recording stop instruction, change the file name of at least one of the moving image file and still image file recorded in that period so that the file names of the plurality of moving image files recorded in that period have consecutive file numbers corresponding to recording order of the moving image files and the file names of the plurality of still image files recorded in that period have consecutive file numbers corresponding to recording order of the still image files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9554083
    Abstract: A method of operating an image processing according to an example embodiment includes generating a plurality of encoded bitstreams having different resolutions using an original image output from a video source, generating a plurality of restored images corresponding to the plurality of encoded bitstreams, respectively, the plurality of restored images having a same resolution as a first resolution of the original image, and outputting one of the plurality of encoded bitstreams, based on the plurality of restored images and the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Shik Jeon, Sung Ho Roh, Tae-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9554084
    Abstract: A display device including a display module configured to display a content corresponding to a video on a main screen of the display device; an interface module configured to receive an enlargement input request from a remote controller; and a controller configured to enter an enlargement mode in accordance with the enlargement input request received from the remote controller, display a window including the content displayed on the main screen, display an indicator for selecting a specific area of the displayed content within the displayed window, enlarge the selected specific area of the displayed content, and display the enlarged selected specific area of the displayed content on the main screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyeseung Lee, Sanghyun Baek, Hyeongjin Park, Jeean Chang
  • Patent number: 9554085
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and a device for dynamically controlling quality of a video displaying on a display associated to an electronic device is provided. The method comprises detecting current eye position of a user and identifying at least one region of interest (ROI) on a display screen of the display device based on the current eye position of the user. Then, the method comprises predicting next position of the eye based on at least one of the current eye position of the user or the at least one ROI. Also, the method comprises converting the SD video in to a high definition (HD) video displayed on the ROI on the display screen associated with the current and next position of the eye. Further, the method comprises displaying the HD video on the ROI of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Wipro Limited
    Inventors: Manjunath Ramachandra Iyer, Jijith Nadumuri Ravi, Vijay Garg
  • Patent number: 9554086
    Abstract: A method of generating motion vectors for image data includes identifying boundaries of at least one object in original frames of image data, performing object motion analysis based upon the boundaries, performing pixel-level motion layer generation, using the object motion analysis and the pixel-level motion layers to generate motion for blocks in the image data, and producing block level motion information and layer information for the original frames of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PIXELWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaojie Sheng, Neil Woodall, Bob Zhang, Guohua Cheng, Yue Ma
  • Patent number: 9554087
    Abstract: An information processing device including an image transmission control function includes an image pickup unit that picks up an image including a facial image of a speaker; a transmission unit that transmits a picked-up image; a reception unit that receives an image including a facial image picked up by a communication counterpart device; a display unit that displays a received image; and a transmission control unit that inhibits transmission of the image picked up by the image pickup unit in a case where the facial image is not being picked up by the communication counterpart device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ikeda, Yosuke Sato
  • Patent number: 9554088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for a display apparatus and a mobile terminal which includes a camera for taking a photograph and generating an image; a voice input unit which is used to input a voice; a user input unit which receives a user's input; a display unit which displays the image thereon; a wireless communication unit which communicates with a counterpart mobile terminal through a wireless network; and a controller which performs a video call by transmitting to the counterpart mobile terminal video call data comprising a video generated by the camera and a voice input by the voice input unit according user input, displays on the display unit a shared image during the video call, and transmits to the counterpart mobile terminal the shared image added to the video call data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-yong Chang, Seung-dong Yu, Se-jun Park, Min-jeong Moon
  • Patent number: 9554089
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides smart LED lighting devices and remote video chat systems thereof. A smart LED lighting device includes an LED light-emitting unit, a power supply unit, a wireless communication unit, an audio and video processing and controller unit, a projection unit, a video acquisition unit, a voice input unit, and a voice broadcast unit. The audio and video processing and controller unit receives, parses, and processes audio and video information from the wireless communication unit, the voice input unit, and the video acquisition unit. The projection unit projects the processed video data in projectable format to a screen. The voice broadcast unit plays the processed audio information. The disclosed devices and systems can play audio and video resources from local terminal or the cloud in the Internet, perform remote video chat freely, and integrate with indoor environment, enhancing the smart home life experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SHENGHUI LIGHTING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shumin Tang, Shuyu Cao, Jinxiang Shen
  • Patent number: 9554090
    Abstract: An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Eyetalk365, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Carter
  • Patent number: 9554091
    Abstract: A video conference endpoint includes a microphone array to detect ultrasound transmitted by a user device and that is encoded with a user identity. The endpoint determines a position of the user device relative to the microphone array based on the detected ultrasound and recovers the user identity from the detected ultrasound. The microphone array also detects audio in an audio frequency range perceptible to humans from an active talker, and determines a position of the active talker relative to the microphone array based on the detected audio. The endpoint determines whether the position of the active talker and the position of the user device are within a predetermined positional range of each other. If it is determined that the positions are both within the predetermined positional range, the endpoint assigns the user identity to the active talker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashutosh Malegaonkar, Keith Griffin
  • Patent number: 9554092
    Abstract: A technique for offering a reward to an audience member tuned to a broadcast signal which is performed by reproduction equipment, the broadcast signal having commercial content, program content, and commercial content identification codes respectively corresponding to advertisements contained in the commercial content, wherein the audience member captures the commercial content identification codes from the performed broadcast signal and actuates storing of a segment of a program content from the performed broadcast signal. The technique identifies the program based on the segment thereof that was stored in response to the command, and offers the audience member a reward related to the identified program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Winmore, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee S. Weinblatt
  • Patent number: 9554093
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically inserting advertisements into source video content playback streams are described. In one aspect, the systems and methods communicate a source video content playback stream to a video player to present source video to a user. During playback of the source video, and in response to receipt of a request from the user to navigate portions of the source video (e.g., a user command to fast forward the source video, rewind the source video, or other action), the systems and methods dynamically define a video advertisement clip insertion point (e.g., and insertion point based on a current playback position). The systems and methods then insert a contextually relevant and/or targeted video advertisement clip into the playback stream for presentation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Xian-Sheng Hua, Wei Lai, Wei-Ying Ma, Shipeng Li
  • Patent number: 9554094
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and/or determining the existence of displacement of a substrate with respect to a surrounding object uses a laser line that is free of contact with the object and that is received by an image sensor. A processor reads the line information in a series of image frames, and generates a range image with height information. The height information is provided to a 2D map. Differences between adjacent height measurements, and averages, are computed. Vision system tools are used to accurately locate features in the image and these are aligned with the height information. The height differences are interpreted, with missing height data due, for example, to specularity in the image being approximated. The height differences are compared to predetermined height parameters relative to identified locations, for example, wells, in the object to determine whether a substrate is displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Chiang, Robert Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9554095
    Abstract: Imagers and alignment methods for use by imagers imaging deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments on a flow cell are disclosed. The imagers capture intensity values at DNA fragment bead locations in tiles with each tile having a reference location in the flow cell. Flow cells may be aligned by obtaining a dark field image of each tile during a first imaging session, identifying dark field constellations of bead locations within two separate tiles during the first imaging session, identifying corresponding constellations during a second imaging session, altering the reference location of at least one tile during the second imaging session to correct for a linear offset in the corresponding constellations, and applying at least one correction factor for reading out intensity values from the imager for the bead locations in the flow cell to correct for an angular offset determined from offsets in the corresponding constellations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QIAGEN Waltham, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ray Stoops, Phillip Alan Veatch, Steven Jeffrey Gordon
  • Patent number: 9554096
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implementing a computerized garment photography system are described. A garment is placed on an exterior surface of the mannequin. The mannequin is controllable to assume a series of size combinations via one or more moveable portions of the robotic mannequin. One or more image capture devices capture a plurality of images of the mannequin as the mannequin assumes the size combinations. A fit adjustment mechanism adjusts a placement of the garment on the exterior surface of the mannequin during the automated photography process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry James Lewis Eakins
  • Patent number: 9554097
    Abstract: An endoscope image processing device includes an image acquisition section and a boundary region correction section. The image acquisition section acquires image signals that form a front image corresponding to a front field of view and a side image corresponding to a side field of view as a single acquired image. A region within the acquired image that corresponds to the front field of view is referred to as a front region, and a region within the acquired image that corresponds to the side field of view is referred to as a side region. The boundary area correction section performs a process that causes at least one of an image of the front region and an image of the side region to overlap a boundary region that is a region that defines a boundary between the front region and the side region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sasaki, Kazuki Honda
  • Patent number: 9554098
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and a control system are described for controlling operations involving residue. The method and system include analyzing residue on an agricultural field. A first image is captured with an image sensor of an area of the field that is ahead of or behind the implement. The first image is analyzed to determine an indicator of residue coverage on the field. A subsequent operation on the field is executed, one or more aspects of which are controlled based upon the determined indicator of residue coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Casper, Ricky B. Theilen, John M. Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 9554099
    Abstract: A multifunctional security and surveillance and lighting apparatus which takes the appearance of a prior art conventional lighting apparatus to discretely observe an area. The device has an optical video camera, a computer, an infrared detector, a motion detector, and a speaker. The device communicates the output of its various sensors to a remote server. The device further has a high output lighting apparatus, which apparatus is smaller than prior art conventional high intensity discharge lamps, allowing the housing to store surveillance equipment while still appearing similar to a prior art conventional housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Herbert L. Dursch
  • Patent number: 9554100
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein utilize a vision sensor that integrates a special-purpose camera with dedicated computer vision (CV) computation hardware and a dedicated low-power microprocessor for the purposes of detecting, tracking, recognizing, and/or analyzing subjects, objects, and scenes in the view of the camera. The vision sensor processes the information retrieved from the camera using the included low-power microprocessor and sends “events” (or indications that one or more reference occurrences have occurred, and, possibly, associated data) for the main processor only when needed or as defined and configured by the application. This allows the general-purpose microprocessor (which is typically relatively high-speed and high-power to support a variety of applications) to stay in a low-power (e.g., sleep mode) most of the time as conventional, while becoming active only when events are received from the vision sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Evgeni P. Gousev, Alok Govil, Jacek Maitan, Nelson Rasquinha, Venkat Rangan
  • Patent number: 9554101
    Abstract: A Gaussian-distributed excitation light beam of an excitation spectrum emitted from an excitation light source enters a light pipe and is there converted to a top-hat spatially distributed excitation beam. The top-hat distributed excitation beam is focused on a phosphor-coated or reflective portion of a surface of an optical wavelength conversion element. Fluoresced and reflected beams travel outward from the wavelength conversion element and re-enter the light pipe to be homogenized during transit through the light pipe. A homogenized fluoresced or reflected beam is relayed to an output as one of a sequence of colors of homogenized light. The functions of Gaussian to top-hat conversion of the excitation beams directed toward the optical conversion element and homogenization of beams directed outward from the optical conversion element are both efficiently performed using a single, shared light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vikrant R. Bhakta
  • Patent number: 9554102
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method for converting a digital image from a first color space to a second color space. The first color space is associated with an electronic source device, and the second color space is associated with a projection apparatus of digital images on a screen and coupled to the source device. The method includes: performing a first conversion on a first triad of parameters associated to the first color space by a first conversion matrix to map such a first triad in a third triad of parameters; the third triad is representative of a color space independent from the first and the second color spaces; performing a second conversion on the third triad of parameters by a second conversion matrix to map such a third triad of parameters in a second triad of parameters representative of the second color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Filippo Naccari, Angelo Bosco, Mirko Guarnera
  • Patent number: 9554103
    Abstract: A projector can be easily attached by mounting a connecting unit to a socket for illumination in an ordinary home. Since the projector includes a communication unit configured to receive an electronic mail, the projector updates an image signal and adjusts a diffusion degree of modulated light by a light-diffusion adjusting unit on the basis of contents of the mail received by the communication unit. Therefore, when a user desires to inform family members who will return home that the user suddenly has to go out, if the user transmits in advance, to the projector, a mail including a message for a family member who returns home, the family member who returns home turns on an illumination switch at the entrance, whereby the projector can start up, perform an illuminating function, and clearly project and display the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Kinebuchi, Kaoru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9554104
    Abstract: A projection system includes a projection apparatus, at least one image capture apparatus, and an arithmetic apparatus. The projection apparatus projects image light indicating image content and pattern light indicating a pattern image in which projection coordinates defined in a projection coordinate system are coded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Ryuji Fuchikami
  • Patent number: 9554105
    Abstract: An image display apparatus betters adjustment precision in the multi-projection in which two projection images are combined so that the images partially overlap each other. A display apparatus configuring an image projection system configured to project an image by combining on a screen a plurality of projection images so that the images partially overlap each other, includes a transformation unit configured to perform a geometrical transformation on a projection image, and a setting unit configured to set a parameter of the transformation by the transformation unit based on a relation between a position of an overlap region in a projection image obtained before the transformation by the transformation unit is performed, and a position of the overlap region in the projection image obtained after the transformation is performed, wherein an amount or value of the transformation is changed according to the position of a vertex of the overlap region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makiko Mori
  • Patent number: 9554106
    Abstract: A projector in which a liquid crystal display panel modulates light emitted from a light source and the modulated image light is projected, the projector includes a temperature detector that detects a temperature in the projector and a controller that determines the amount of overdrive based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector in accordance with a driven state of the projector and performs overdrive control on the liquid crystal display panel based on the amount of overdrive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sagawa, Bi Shi
  • Patent number: 9554107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording a composite image from a lens array are disclosed. A first composite image is recorded using a first lens providing imaging data in a first color, a second lens providing imaging data in a second color, and a third lens providing imaging data in a third color, wherein the first, second, and third colors are different colors. A second composite image is recorded using the first lens, a fourth lens providing imaging data in the second color, and a fifth lens providing imaging data in the third color. The first and second composite images are compared to identify color fringed areas. Based on the relative size and location of the color fringed areas in the first and second composite images, a de-fringing algorithm is applied to at least one of the composite images to mitigate the color fringing in the color fringed areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes Elg, Daniel Linåker, Jonas Gustavsson, Mats Wernersson, Allan Johansson
  • Patent number: 9554108
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an imaging unit generating RAW image data of a shot image and a gradation conversion unit. The imaging unit includes an imaging sensor which converts an image of a subject into an electrical signal. Then the gradation conversion unit performs gradation conversion according to a shooting condition for each of color signals based on a pixel array of the imaging sensor on the RAW image data of continuously shot images. Thus, it is possible to efficiently compress the RAW image data of continuously shot images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Doida
  • Patent number: 9554109
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure accurately define a gray region for automatic white balancing. Ratios corresponding to possible gray areas are white balanced before color distance metrics are calculated with respect to white points under different light sources. The color distance metrics of each point in the image data are compared with a predetermined threshold value to identify a gray region. Gray points within a captured image are identified using the gray region and input to any AWB method to accurately white balance the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Meng Yao
  • Patent number: 9554110
    Abstract: A method of controlling a data storage device comprising a storage medium using a storage device controller. The method may comprise receiving and providing data to be written to and read from the storage medium over a first interface of the data storage device; receiving and providing data to be written to and read from the storage medium over a second interface of the data storage device; and selectively processing at least data received and provided over the second interface through at least one of an audio codec and a video codec provided within the data storage device controller. The first interface may comprise, for example, a SAS/SATA interface and the second interface may comprise, for example, an HDMI or other high data rate interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Abou Ul Aala Ahsan, Alan T. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9554111
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that cause a computerized system to: acquire at least one picture; analyze the at least one picture to provide analysis result; suggest to a user to acquire at least one other picture, if the analysis result indicates that there is a need to acquire at least one other picture; acquire the at least one other picture if instructed by the user; receive from the user metadata related to an acquired picture, the acquired picture is selected out of the at least one picture and the at least one other picture; and process the acquired picture in response to the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAGISTO LTD.
    Inventors: Alex Rav-Acha, Oren Boiman
  • Patent number: 9554112
    Abstract: A simultaneous replay information storage unit stores a replay condition when simultaneously replaying the plurality of pieces of moving image data constituting the set of moving images so as to correspond to each of the sets of moving images in which a combination of the plurality of pieces of moving image data is different, respectively. A simultaneous replay control unit simultaneously replays, in a case in which the set of moving images as a replay target is designated from among a plurality of sets of moving images stored in the simultaneous replay information storage unit, a plurality of pieces of moving image data constituting the set of moving images, with a replay condition that is stored to be associated with the designated set of moving images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Nishizaka
  • Patent number: 9554113
    Abstract: A video frame processing method, which comprises: (a) capturing at least two video frames via a multi-view camera system comprising a plurality of cameras; (b) recording timestamps for each the video frame; (c) determining a major camera and a first sub camera out of the multi-view camera system, based on the timestamps, wherein the major camera captures a major video sequence comprising at least one major video frame, the first sub camera captures a video sequence of first view comprising at least one video frame of first view; (d) generating a first reference video frame of first view according to one first reference major video frame of the major video frames, which is at a reference timestamp corresponding to the first reference video frame of first view, and according to at least one the video frame of first view surrounding the reference timestamp; and (e) generating a multi-view video sequence comprising a first multi-view video frame, wherein the first multi-view video frame is generated based on the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Ming Cheng, Po-Hao Huang, Yuan-Chung Lee, Chung-Hung Tsai, Chi-Cheng Ju, Ding-Yun Chen, Cheng-Tsai Ho
  • Patent number: 9554114
    Abstract: A system is provided for generating a three dimensional image. The system may include a processor configured to generate a disparity map from a stereo image, adjust the disparity map to compress or expand a number of depth levels within the disparity map to generate an adjusted disparity map, and render a stereo view of the image based on the adjusted disparity map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Hyeong-Seok Victor Ha
  • Patent number: 9554115
    Abstract: An imager may include depth sensing pixels that receive and convert incident light into image signals. The imager may have an associated imaging lens that focuses the incident light onto the imager. Each of the depth sensing pixels may include a microlens that focuses incident light received from the imaging lens through a color filter onto first and second photosensitive regions of a substrate. The first and second photosensitive regions may provide different and asymmetrical angular responses to incident light. Depth information for each depth sensing pixel may be determined based on the difference between output signals of the first and second photosensitive regions of that depth sensing pixel. Color information for each depth sensing pixel may be determined from a summation of output signals of the first and second photosensitive regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gennadiy Agranov, Dongqing Cao, Hirofumi Komori
  • Patent number: 9554116
    Abstract: A plurality of two-dimensionally arranged microlenses, a pair of light-receiving elements corresponding to the microlenses, and a light-controlling member configured to control incidence of light onto adjacent light-receiving areas of the pair of light-receiving elements are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kanto Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9554117
    Abstract: A system for non-invasive registration between a patient and a three-dimensional (3D) medical image includes a near infrared 3D camera 110 which extracts a 3D blood vessel image I2 of a patients registration target area during surgical operation; a camera position tracer 120 which traces a position of the near infrared 3D camera 110 and calculates a real world coordinate system of the 3D blood vessel image I2; a controller 130 which extracts a first blood vessel pattern from a 3D medical image I1 of the registration target area, extracts a second blood vessel pattern from the 3D blood vessel image I2, and performs position registration between the patient and the 3D medical image I1 through the extracted first and second blood vessel patterns; and a display 140 which displays a registration result calculated by the controller 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Deukhee Lee, Se Hyung Park, Sunghwan Lim
  • Patent number: 9554118
    Abstract: Stereoscopic tracking during a zooming period is facilitated to alleviate eye fatigue. An image processing device includes an imaging unit 14 that acquires a stereoscopic image including a plurality of viewpoint images, an operation unit 16 that acquires a zoom value, an electronic zoom processing unit 17 that performs magnification of the stereoscopic image by image processing on the basis of the acquired zoom value, a monitor 21 capable of outputting the magnified stereoscopic image, and a control unit 25 that outputs the stereoscopic image immediately before or immediately after a change in the zoom value to the monitor 21 as a stereoscopic still image magnified by the electronic zoom processing unit 17 while the acquired zoom value is varying, and outputs the stereoscopic image acquired by the imaging unit 14 to the monitor 21 as a stereoscopic moving image while the zoom value is not varying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Youichi Sawachi
  • Patent number: 9554119
    Abstract: A method for generating a stereoscopic panorama image may include acquiring panorama images respectively captured by three or more panorama cameras located in a real space. A left-eye image and a right-eye image for stereoscopic display may be generated by synthesizing parts of the acquired panorama images. The generated left-eye image and the generated right-eye image may be displayed stereoscopically on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kira, Shinya Saito, Yasushi Mikawa
  • Patent number: 9554120
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a depth image using transition of light sources may include a surface information determination unit to determine surface information related to a surface of an object, using a plurality of intensity images generated according to position of light sources; and an output depth image generation unit to generate an output depth image, using an original depth image and the surface information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun Kwon Kim, Kee Chang Lee, Ouk Choi
  • Patent number: 9554121
    Abstract: A 3D scanning apparatus and method using lighting based on a smart phone. The 3D scanning apparatus includes: an image capturing unit for capturing the image of a 3D object using a camera and a lighting apparatus installed in a terminal; an image processing unit for generating a color-enhanced image corresponding to the light emitted by the lighting apparatus; and a scanning unit for scanning the 3D object in 3D by extracting a scan area from the color-enhanced image based on the light and by extracting position information corresponding to the scan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyun Kang, Jae-Hean Kim, Chang-Joon Park, Jin-Sung Choi