Patents Issued in March 28, 2017
  • Patent number: 9607377
    Abstract: A system for tracking a moving target having up to six degrees of freedom and rapidly determining positions of the target, said system includes an easy to locate precision optical target fixed to the target. This system includes at least two cameras positioned so as to view the optical camera from different directions with each of the at least two cameras being adapted to record two dimensional images of the precision optical target defining precise target point. A computer processor is programmed to determine the target position of x, y and z and pitch, roll and yaw. In an embodiment, the system can be configured to utilize an iteration procedure whereby an approximate first-order solution is proposed and tested against the identified precise target points to determine residual errors which can be divided by the local derivatives with respect to each component of rotation and translation, to determine an iterative correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kineticor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Arthur Lovberg, Xiaojiang Jason Pan
  • Patent number: 9607378
    Abstract: An image region mapping device captures a blood vessel through which a contrast medium is passing, serially at first and second photographing angles to acquire plural image sets each including first and second projection images captured at the angles, respectively acquires brightness change information on the medium for a predetermined time period in a first image region and each of a plurality of second image regions after a bifurcation on the first projection image each of a plurality of second image regions after the bifurcation on the second projection image in each image set, the second image regions being candidates corresponding to the first image region, calculates a similarity degree between the information acquired earlier and each information piece acquired later, determines one of the second image regions in accordance with the calculated similarity degrees, and maps the plural vessel image regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichi Sato, Toru Nakada, Hirohiko Kimura, Toyohiko Sakai, Hiroyuki Sashie
  • Patent number: 9607379
    Abstract: Feature analysis on consecutive tissue sections (FACTS) includes obtaining a plurality of consecutive tissue sections from a tissue sample, staining the sections with at least one biomarker, obtaining a digital image thereof, and identifying one or more regions of interest within a middle of the consecutive tissue sections. The digital images of the consecutive tissue sections are registered for alignment and the one or more regions of interest are transferred from the image of the middle section to the images of the adjacent sections. Each image of the consecutive tissue sections is then analyzed and scored as appropriate. Using FACTS methods, pathologist time for annotation is reduced to a single slide. Optionally, multiple middle sections may be annotated for regions of interest and transferred accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FLAGSHIP BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Potts, Trevor Johnson, Frank Voelker, George David Young
  • Patent number: 9607380
    Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for performing color-based reaction testing of biological materials. The method includes capturing and interpreting digital images of an unexposed and later exposed paddle at various delay times within an automatically calibrated environment. The test paddle includes a unique identification mechanism (UID), a Reference Color Bar (RCB) providing samples of standardized colors for image color calibration, compensation and corrections, and several test-specific sequences of Chemical Test Pads (CTP). The method further includes locating the paddle in the image, extracting the UID and validating the paddle, extracting the RCB and locating the plurality of CTP in each image. The method further reduces image noise in the CTP and calibrates the image automatically according to lighting measurements performed on the RCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Scanadu Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernard Burg, Martin Zizi, Aaron Alexander Rowe, Anthony Smart, Walter De Brouwer
  • Patent number: 9607381
    Abstract: A method for mapping coordinates between images and tracking systems includes providing a calibration tool having a fixed geometric shape. The calibration tool includes first sensors associated with an imaging mode and second sensors associated with a tracking mode. The first and second sensors are distributed and mounted at known locations on the fixed geometric shape. The first sensors are located in a field of view of an imaging system to determine a position of the calibration tool in image space. The second sensors are tracked to determine a same position of the calibration tool in tracking space. The image space and the tracking space are mapped in a common coordinate system based on artifacts of the calibration tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Vijay Parthasarathy, Ameet Kumar Jain, Hua Xie, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Christopher Stephen Hall
  • Patent number: 9607383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording individual three-dimensional optical images (2) to form a global image of a dental object (1) which is to be measured. After each individual image (2) is taken by means of a dental camera (3), a computer (8) automatically checks whether an overlapping area (5, 12) between the images which are to be combined meet the recording requirements determined for a correct recording. If the overlapping area (5) meets the recording requirements, the recording is carried out between the images (6, 7) to be combined and a first image sequence (9) is set in motion. Said images of the first image sequence (9) are subsequently combined to form a first cluster (23). If the overlapping area (12) of an image (13) does not meet the recording requirements, the first image sequence (9) is interrupted, an additional second image sequence (14) is automatically started with said image (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.
    Inventor: Anders Adamson
  • Patent number: 9607384
    Abstract: A method of determining a coordinate transform between a first image and a second image, said method comprising the steps of: determining a rate of change of pixel values for locations on the first image to identify candidate alignment patches in the first image; specifying subsets of patches from the set of candidate alignment patches based on an error metric, selecting a subset of candidate alignment patches from said plurality of subsets of candidate alignment patches based upon a predetermined criterion; estimating, for each patch in the selected subset, a shift between the patch and a corresponding patch in the second image, the location of the corresponding patch in the second image being determined from the location of the patch in the first image; and determining the coordinate transform between the first image and second image based on the estimated shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andrew Docherty, James Austin Besley
  • Patent number: 9607385
    Abstract: A method and device for adjusting a monitored region in a tracking scan, comprising: selecting a best match of a positioned image from tracked image(s) as a monitored layer image so as to reduce position deviation of the monitored layer image with respect to the positioned image in a direction perpendicular to a plane on which the positioned image is located; and adjusting a position of a second monitored region on the monitored layer image according to a position of a corresponding first monitored region selected from the positioned image so as to reduce position deviation of the second monitored region with respect to the first monitored region in a plane parallel to the plane on which the positioned image is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuangxue Li, Shanshan Lou
  • Patent number: 9607386
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for correcting for artificial deformations in anatomical modeling. One method includes obtaining an anatomic model; obtaining information indicating a presence of an artificial deformation of the anatomic model; identifying a portion of the anatomic model associated with the artificial deformation; estimating a non-deformed local area corresponding to the portion of the anatomic model; and modifying the portion of the anatomic model associated with the artificial deformation, based on the estimated non-deformed local area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo John Grady, Michiel Schaap, Sophie Khem, Sarah Wilkes, Ying Bai
  • Patent number: 9607387
    Abstract: A method for optimizing fiducial marker and camera positions/orientations is realized to simulate camera and fiducial positions and pose estimation algorithm to find best possible marker/camera placement comprises the steps of: acquiring mesh data representing possible camera positions and feasible orientation boundaries of cameras on the environment of tracked object; acquiring mesh data representing possible active marker positions and feasible orientation placements of markers on a tracked object; pose data representing possible poses of tracked object under working conditions; initializing the control parameter for camera placement; create initial solution strings for camera placement; solving marker placement problem for the current camera placement; evaluating the quality of the current LED and camera placement taking pose coverage, pose accuracy, number of placed markers, number of placed camera etc. into account; determining if a stopping criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ASELSAN ELEKTRONIK SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Erkan Okuyan, Ozgur Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9607388
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, from an image capture device, a first image frame of a sequence of image frames. The method also includes estimating, at a processor, a camera pose corresponding to the first image frame by comparing the first image frame to a second image frame. The second image frame precedes the first image frame in the sequence of image frames. The method further includes estimating, at the processor, a refined camera pose corresponding to the first image frame by comparing the first image frame to a keyframe. The keyframe corresponds to a particular image frame that precedes the second image frame in the sequence of image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kuen-Han Lin, Sairam Sundaresan, Michel Adib Sarkis
  • Patent number: 9607389
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning a wafer by optically detecting an alignment mark includes an imaging unit configured to image an imaging region extending across a circumferential edge of the wafer, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate light toward the imaging region, a reflection part configured to reflect toward the imaging region the light that is irradiated from the irradiation unit upwardly, and a control unit configured to detect the circumferential edge. The reflection part has a reflectance making a luminance difference between the outside of the wafer and the circumferential edge of the wafer in a luminance distribution pattern obtained by imaging the imaging region. The control unit detects the alignment mark and the circumferential edge based on the luminance distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kodama
  • Patent number: 9607390
    Abstract: A technique is provided for performing rasterisation of input primitives to generate graphics fragments to be processed to generate output data. The technique comprises determining a bounding box for an input primitive, and performing a multi-level patch analysis, each patch having an array of grid points defining boundaries of a set of sub-patches within that patch. The technique further comprises, when performing patch analysis of a selected patch, performing a bounding box evaluation step to determine if a condition exists where the bounding box does not cover any of the grid points, or if a special grid point coverage condition exists, and in the presence of the condition, adopting an alternative operation for that selected patch instead of a default operation. The alternative operation is configured to determine whether the primitive at least partially covers any of the sub-patches of the selected patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Frode Heggelund, Mukesh Haresh Lahori
  • Patent number: 9607391
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for using one or more computing devices to automatically segment an object in an image by referencing a dataset of already-segmented images. The technique generally involves identifying a patch of an already-segmented image in the dataset based on the patch of the already-segmented image being similar to an area of the image including a patch of the image. The technique further involves identifying a mask of the patch of the already-segmented image, the mask representing a segmentation in the already-segmented image. The technique also involves segmenting the object in the image based on at least a portion of the mask of the patch of the already-segmented image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Price, Zhe Lin, Scott Cohen, Jimei Yang
  • Patent number: 9607392
    Abstract: A method of automatically detecting tissue abnormalities in images of a region of interest of a subject includes obtaining first image data for the region of interest of the subject, normalizing the first image data based on statistical parameters derived from at least a portion of the first image data to provide first normalized image data, obtaining second image data for the region of interest of the subject, normalizing the second image data based on statistical parameters derived from at least a portion of the second image data to provide second normalized image data, processing the first and second normalized image data to provide resultant image data, and generating a probability map for the region of interest based on the resultant image data and a predefined statistical model. The probability map indicates the probability of at least a portion of an abnormality being present at locations within the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Ciprian M. Crainiceanu, Elizabeth M. Sweeney, Russell T. Shinohara, Arthur J. Goldsmith, Daniel Reich, Colin Shea
  • Patent number: 9607393
    Abstract: Multiple panel luminaires for light-based communication (LCom) and related techniques of use are disclosed. Each luminaire panel may comprise at least one solid-state light source, where the light sources are configured to output light. The luminaire may also include at least one modulator configured to modulate the light output of the light sources to allow for emission of LCom signals. The luminaire may also include a controller configured to synchronize timing of the LCom signals. In some cases, one panel may be configured to emit an LCom signal that is the inverse or duplicate of the LCom signal emitted from another panel. Panel signal inversion may be used to maintain a relatively constant level of light output from the luminaire and/or to create a virtual fiducial to provide orientation information. Using a multiple panel luminaire to transmit data may also result in improved data transmission rates and transmission reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Breuer, Anant Aggarwal, Barry Stout, Bernhard Siessegger
  • Patent number: 9607394
    Abstract: An information processing method is described that includes obtaining a first operation that is used to select a foreground image from a first picture; determining the foreground image in the first picture based on the first operation; obtaining status information of the foreground image; obtaining a second operation that is used to place the foreground image into a second picture; determining the second picture which serves as a background based on the second operation; obtaining status information of the second picture; determining a target size occupied by the foreground image in the second picture based on the status information of the foreground image and the second picture; scaling the foreground image into the target size; and displaying the foreground image in the second picture with the target size. An electronic device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiong Yan, Lin Sun
  • Patent number: 9607395
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for detecting a trachea of a patient, an exemplary method comprising obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) model of a chest of the patient, generating slice images of the 3D model along an axial direction, identifying a connected component in each of the generated slice images, labeling a connected component in a top slice image of the generated slice images as an active object, associating each connected component in a current slice image with a corresponding connected component in a previous slice image based on a connectivity criterion, labeling each connected component in the current slice image associated with a connected component of the preceding slice image as the active object, and identifying the active object as the trachea, based on a length of the active object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Igor A. Markov, Yuri Kreinin
  • Patent number: 9607396
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for discriminating a boundary of image, and a display panel, for effectively discriminating whether an image has a boundary and in which direction the boundary is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peng Liu, Xue Dong, Renwei Guo, Kai Yang
  • Patent number: 9607397
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for generating a user-hair-color model. One embodiment takes the form of a process that includes obtaining video data depicting a head of a user. The process also includes determining a set of line segments of pixels of the video data, wherein each line segment in the determined set of line segments intersects an upper contour of the depicted head of the user. The process also includes grouping at least some of the pixels of at least one of the line segments in the determined set of line segments into three sets of pixels based at least in part on respective color data of the pixels. The three sets of pixels include a skin-pixel set, a hair-pixel set, and a background-pixel set. The process also includes updating a user hair-color model based at least in part on the skin-pixel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PERSONIFY, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Lin, Glenn Francisco, Yi Zhang, Gia Dang, Simion Venshtain, Quang Nguyen, Long Dang
  • Patent number: 9607398
    Abstract: To improve a total throughput of graph generation processing. For doing so an inputted image is divided into a plurality of areas by clustering, based on a plurality of representative points, a plurality of pixels in the image. A set of representative points that are close is generated based on positions of the representative points. A plurality of the areas corresponding to the plurality of representative points included in the set based on respective feature amounts is unified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriyasu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 9607399
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for detecting motion of an object, capturing a video feed of the motion, analyzing the video feed according to a predefined characteristic of the motion, and playing back a modified video feed. Analyzing the video feed may include measuring an object motion measurement and generating an object motion metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Behan, Hend Dwiyono
  • Patent number: 9607400
    Abstract: A moving object recognizer includes an image input to receive stereo image signals from a stereo camera consecutively and output a stereo image, a brightness image generator to consecutively store frames of at least one of images of the output stereo image and generate a brightness image frame, a disparity image generator to calculate a disparity between the images of the stereo image output to the brightness image generator and generate a disparity image frame, an object recognizer to recognize an object at least from the brightness image frame, a tracking processor to track an object recognized at a certain time from an image frame through brightness image frames obtained from image frames subsequent to the image frame recognized at the certain time, and a change detector to detect a change in the state of the tracked object from the disparity image frame synchronized with the brightness image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Haike Guan
  • Patent number: 9607401
    Abstract: Estimation techniques for vision-aided inertial navigation are described. In one example, a vision-aided inertial navigation system (VINS) comprises an image source to produce image data for a keyframe and one or more non-keyframes along a trajectory, the one or more non-keyframes preceding the keyframe along the trajectory. The VINS comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to produce IMU data indicative of a motion of the VINS along the trajectory for the keyframe and the one or more non-keyframes, and a processing unit comprising an estimator that processes the IMU data and the image data to compute state estimates of the VINS. The estimator computes the state estimates of the VINS for the keyframe by constraining the state estimates based on the IMU data and the image data for the one or more non-keyframes of the VINS without computing state estimates of the VINS for the one or more non-keyframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Stergios I. Roumeliotis, Esha D. Nerurkar
  • Patent number: 9607402
    Abstract: Pedestrian detection and counting for traffic intersection control analyzes characteristics of a field of view of a traffic detection zone to determine a location and size of a pedestrian area, and applies protocols for evaluating pixel content in the field of view to identify individual pedestrians. The location and size of a pedestrian area is determined based either on locations of vehicle and bicycle detection areas or on movement of various objects within the field of view. Automatic pedestrian speed calibration with a region of interest for pedestrian detection is accomplished using lane and other intersection markings in the field of view. Detection and counting further includes identifying a presence, volume, velocity and trajectory of pedestrians in the pedestrian area of the traffic detection zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ITERIS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Whiting, Yan Gao, Dilip Swaminathan, Shashank Jayaram Shivakumar, Robert J. Hwang, Todd W. Kreter
  • Patent number: 9607403
    Abstract: A method that includes obtaining, using a processor, image data from a target coating. The method also includes performing, using the processor, an image analysis to determine at least one sparkle point from the image data, and performing, using the processor, a hue analysis to determine a sparkle color from the sparkle point. The method further includes calculating, using the processor, a sparkle color distribution, and generating, using the processor, a coating formulation that is the same or substantially similar in appearance to the target coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Beymore, A'Lisa Marie Krawciw
  • Patent number: 9607404
    Abstract: A system for normalizing, codifying and categorizing divergent color systems into a universal color system. A server connected to a communications network receives, processes, codifies and categorizes divergent color data from a merchant system. A middleware engine of the server receives a data feed comprising a plurality of color swatches or images from the merchant system, and normalizes the data feed into a common format. A server processor extracts image data comprising a plurality of product images from the normalized data feed, identifies and converts at least one dominant product color in each product image to a digital value, and assigns a hexadecimal code of the universal color system to each product image that is closest to the digital value of each product image based on color component intensity values of at least one dominant product color in each product image. A product categorization engine categorizes each product image into one of a plurality of product categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZENCOLOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dann Gershon, David Robinson, Jonathan Wilder, Maurice W. Schonfeld
  • Patent number: 9607405
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for detecting displacement in elastography. The method comprises: acquiring a target point, acquiring a cross-correlation phase calculation location of the target point in a second frame image; calculating a cross-correlation phase according to the cross-correlation phase calculation location; calculating a longitudinal displacement result according to the cross-correlation phase; and calculating a gradient of the displacement result to obtain a strain result. Through the elastography method and device, I/Q-channel echo baseband signals, obtained by downsampling, of two frames before and after compression are acquired, displace information between the two frames is rapidly detected by guiding phase estimation, and axial gradient calculation is performed to obtain strain information, which can not only obtain a strain image of high quality but also reduce the calculation amount, thereby satisfying the clinical real-time requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuangshuang Li, Rui Fan
  • Patent number: 9607406
    Abstract: A size measurement device for measuring a size of an object from a captured image of the object includes: an imaging unit that captures an image of an object; a display unit that displays image data captured by the imaging unit; an input unit for inputting instructions of a user; a region setting unit that, when positions are designated with the input unit in the image data displayed on the display unit, sets surrounding regions including therein respective designated positions; and a feature point determination unit that determines, in the surrounding regions set by the region setting unit, feature points providing coordinates of the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryouta Hata, Takahiro Shoji, Yuuji Toyomura
  • Patent number: 9607407
    Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include performing difference transformation of image samples. In addition, the method can also include performing length selection. Furthermore; the method can include performing packing that includes utilizing varying sized bit fields to produce a compressed representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Dunaisky, David Kirk McAllister, William Craig McKnight
  • Patent number: 9607408
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: determining an intensity of a visual effect to be applied to a user interface element; adjusting the intensity of the visual effect based on a characteristic feature of a background area; and rendering the user interface element based on the adjusted intensity of the visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Caroline Furches, Mike Matas
  • Patent number: 9607409
    Abstract: Technologies are described for display of a merged image on a display. A processor may receive first data that relates to a first image of a real object and second data that relates to a second image of a virtual object. The second image, if displayed, may overlap, in an overlap region, at least part of the first image if the first image were displayed. The processor may identify an overlap part in the first data that corresponds to the overlap region, clip the overlap part from the first data to produce clipped data, and blur the clipped data to produce blurred data. The processor may subtract the clipped data from the blurred data to produce an additive blur component, add the additive blur component to the second data to produce merged data, and generate the merged image to be displayed on the display based on the merged data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 9607410
    Abstract: A surface of a product is divided into a plurality of patches and a polygon mesh is formed. Sequences of vertexes on borderlines between the adjacent patches are allowed to correspond to each other, and then, a texture is mapped on each of patch units. The vertexes of the polygon mesh displaced in accordance with the mapped texture are connected together to form crimp applied polygon data for each of the patch units. In each of processing stages, since data to be processed can be limited to data of the two adjacent patches at the maximum, a practicable range of a computer is not exceeded due to the restriction of capacity of an operation memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION SHIZUOKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mamoru Kikuta, Kenjiro Miura, Daijiro Uzuyama
  • Patent number: 9607411
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for recording and viewing images of objects with specular highlights. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method may include accessing a first plurality of images, each of the images in the first plurality of images including an object recorded from a first position, and a reflection of light on the object from a light source located at a different location than in each of the other images in the first plurality of images. The method may also include generating a first composite image of the object, the first composite image comprising a superposition of the first plurality of images, and wherein each of the images in the first plurality of images is configured to change in a degree of transparency within the first composite image and in accordance with a first input based on a degree of tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Lane Ouzts, Monroe Williams
  • Patent number: 9607412
    Abstract: A method of setting up an end-to end connection between two end-points in an optical network. A plurality of validated paths in the network are defined. Each validated path extends between a respective pair of wavelength termination points and has requisite physical resources to carry signal traffic between its pair of wavelength termination points. A graph of the network is generated. An edge of the graph corresponds with a respective validated path, and a vertex of the of the graph corresponds with at least one wavelength termination point. The graph is analyzed to compute an end-to-end path between two vertices respectively corresponding with end-points of the end-to-end connection, and the end-to-end connection set up using the computed path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick LaLonde, Francois Blouin, Mark Draper
  • Patent number: 9607413
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for creating structural drawings and an electronic device adapted to the method are provided. The method includes setting a reference height for at least one wall, receiving image information regarding at least one wall, generating vectors for the wall of the image information, and generating a structural drawing based on one or more of the generated vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dusan Baek, Sunghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9607414
    Abstract: A system, a method and instructions embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that solve a 3D point-in-polygon (PIP) problem is presented. This system projects polygons that comprise a set of polyhedra onto projected polygons in a reference plane. Next, the system projects a data point onto the reference plane, and performs a 2D PIP operation in the reference plane to determine which projected polygons the projected data point falls into. For each projected polygon the projected data point falls into, the system performs a 3D crossing number operation by counting intersections between a ray projected from the corresponding data point in a direction orthogonal to the reference plane and polyhedral faces corresponding to projected polygons, to identify polyhedra the data point falls into. The system then generates a visual representation of the set of polyhedra, wherein each polyhedron is affected by data points that fall into it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Splunk Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Hendrey
  • Patent number: 9607415
    Abstract: Techniques for generating a visual representation of a graph are described herein. The techniques may include determining a metamodel indicating relationships between objects, and determining rules for obscuring data about the objects of the metamodel. A visual representation of a graph is generated, which visual representation illustrates at least some of the data about the objects and their relationships without illustrating the obscured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Fox, Itai Gordon
  • Patent number: 9607416
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device for displaying process trends related to a process variable of a process plant. The device has a display that has a number of pixels in the horizontal axis in a row in the vertical axis, a calculator that is used for dividing the plurality of data points by the number of pixels in the horizontal axis to get a first value. The display is further used for displaying the plurality of data points in a number of lines in a corresponding column of pixels, the number of lines is the half of the first value. This advantageously also allows the operator to comprehend the shape of the graph retaining the important information of the trend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vijaya Rama Raju Penumatcha
  • Patent number: 9607417
    Abstract: A method of rendering an image using a number of threads, by receiving edge data for the image comprising edges identified by indices, each edge having edge scan line crossing coordinates, arranging the coordinates into partitions indexed by the indices to form a data structure that is randomly accessible by a coordinate of a portion of the image; each partition comprising a list of edge scan line crossing coordinates associated with an edge that is identified by the edge index indexing the partition, and rendering the portions of the image concurrently, using corresponding threads by identifying, by randomly accessing a partition in the indexing data structure using a coordinate of said portion in the image, at least one edge in the indexing data structure associated with said portion of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Lena Qunying Ye Qian, Paul William Morrison, George Politis
  • Patent number: 9607418
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for recognition and interaction with transaction cards. A computing device collects images of a card via an image sensor, and implements facial recognition techniques to identify the card. An augmented reality program module causes the device to display a virtual object overlaid with the underlying video images. Upon identifying a dynamic trigger action by a user with respect to the virtual object, the program module enables an exchange of data associated with a card account between the device and a remote server. The dynamic trigger action may involve user manipulation of the displayed object via a pointing device with respect to the display, or of a virtual position in space of the object as viewed through the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Comdata Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Hemminger
  • Patent number: 9607419
    Abstract: A method of fitting a virtual item using a human body model and a system for providing a fitting service of a virtual item are provided, the method including determining whether a user is located in an experience area, loading a three-dimensional (3D) standard avatar corresponding to setting information input by the user when the user is located in the trial area, obtaining a depth image of the user corresponding to a preset posture, transforming the 3D standard avatar into a user avatar reflecting body characteristics of the user, using a depth image of the user, fitting a virtual item selected by the user to the user avatar, and applying a motion of the user changing in real time to the user avatar to which the virtual item is fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ho Won Kim, Seung Wook Lee, Ki Nam Kim, Jin Sung Choi, Bon Ki Koo, Kyu Sung Cho, Tae Joon Kim, Sung Ryull Sohn, Do Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 9607420
    Abstract: Smooth animation effects during zooming are provided by retaining content displayed at a previous zoom level. If the zoom operation is a zoom out operation, new content is stretched to a current zoom level, aligned with the retained content, and placed underneath it. If the zoom operation is a zoom in operation, new content is scaled down to the current zoom level, aligned with the retained content, and displayed on top of the retained content. The new content is then zoomed with the retained content. The retained content is then deleted. When zooming out, the retained content fades out. When zooming in, the new content fades in. Smooth scrolling animation is also provided by pre-rendering a portion of content and teleporting to a final viewport position and thereby skipping over blank content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Robert Adams, Michael Ivan Borysenko
  • Patent number: 9607421
    Abstract: Methods and electronic devices for displaying a particle effect are described. One method includes receiving an input on an area of a display screen, the area having a color. A main particle color is set based on the color, and then a secondary particle color is set based on the main particle color. A plurality of moving particles are displayed, the moving particles moving around the input area, and each of the plurality of moving particles has a color on a spectrum from the main particle color to the secondary particle color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae Myoung Lee, Gyu Chual Kim, Hyung Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9607422
    Abstract: A method for simulating a physical object includes receiving user input to move a vertex of a simulated surface from a first location to a second location that is across an edge of the surface. The method also includes generating a visual display that is configured to inform the user that the movement of a vertex to the second location across an edge of the surface is unpermitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: MSC.Software Corporation
    Inventor: James Harvey Leedom
  • Patent number: 9607423
    Abstract: This shape data generation method include: setting an input shape that has a simple shape that has a same topology as the target shape for a target shape that is a shape of a transformation target identified from image data; identifying first vertices that satisfy a predetermined condition including a first condition that a normal line of a certain vertex of the plural vertices crosses with the target shape, among plural vertices of the input shape; transforming the input shape so that a first vertex is moved in a direction of a normal line of the first vertex by a first distance that is shorter than a distance up to the target shape; and performing the identifying and the transforming a predetermined number of times while changing the input shape after the transforming as the input shape to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: FUJITSU LIMITED, The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Machiko Nakagawa, Kohei Hatanaka, Toshiaki Hisada, Seiryo Sugiura, Takumi Washio, Jun-ichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9607424
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, a system and method are provided for enabling interaction with, manipulation of, and control of depth-assigned content in depth-enhanced pictures. Depth-assigned content can be assigned to a specified depth value. When a depth-enhanced picture is refocused at a focus depth substantially different from the specified assigned depth value, the depth-assigned content may be omitted, grayed out, blurred, or otherwise visually distinguished. In this manner, content associated with an in-focus image element can be visually distinguished from content associated with an out-of-focus image element. For example, in at least one embodiment, depth-assigned content is visible only when an image element associated with the content is in focus (or nearly in focus). According to various embodiments of the invention, many different types of interactions are facilitated among depth-assigned content, depth-enhanced pictures, and other content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lytro, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Ren Ng, Eric Cheng, Chia-Kai Liang, Kayvon Fatahalian, David John Evans, Kira Wampler, Kristen Berman, Kurt Barton Akeley
  • Patent number: 9607425
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ray tracing may include using texture pipeline hardware of a GPU to perform ray intersection testing for a first ray and a first shape. Using the texture pipeline hardware to perform ray intersection testing may include calculating a plurality of dot products with the texture pipeline hardware, and determining whether the first ray intersects the first shape based on the plurality of dot products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Juraj Obert, Vineet Goel
  • Patent number: 9607426
    Abstract: Rendering systems that can use combinations of rasterization rendering processes and ray tracing rendering processes are disclosed. In some implementations, these systems perform a rasterization pass to identify visible surfaces of pixels in an image. Some implementations may begin shading processes for visible surfaces, before the geometry is entirely processed, in which rays are emitted. Rays can be culled at various points during processing, based on determining whether the surface from which the ray was emitted is still visible. Rendering systems may implement rendering effects as disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Luke T Peterson
  • Patent number: 9607427
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for analyzing and determining properties of virtual environments rendered on a display. The disclosed embodiments include, for example, a method for obtaining, by one or more processors, one or more depth parameters comprising one or more display parameters reflecting characteristics of the display, wherein the display parameters include a height and width of the display, and one or more environment depth multipliers reflecting a scaling factor to optimize display performance. The method may also include calculating, by the one or more processors, a diagonal display distance based on the display parameters. The method may also include calculating, by the one or more processors, an environment depth based on the diagonal display distance and the one or more environment depth multipliers. The method may also include setting, by the one or more processors, the depth of the display equal to the environment depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ariel Sachter-Zeltzer, Christian Robertson, Jon Wiley, John Nicholas Jitkoff, Zachary Gibson, David Haw Yun Chiu