Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9697561
    Abstract: A customer purchasing workflow management functionality related to a customer account hosted by a vendor system is presented on a client computing device in a dashboard page. The system allows a customer to visualize purchasing workflows and processes by authorized purchasers and by authorized approvers, including the spending and approval limits associated with each, and the relationships therebetween. The system further provides for editing of the stored information comprising the purchasing workflows and processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: W.W. GRAINGER, INC.
    Inventors: Andre Luis Wilman Rego, Julie A. Dierwechter, Craig Millman, Arlen James Young, Ezio Enrico Magarotto, Bryan David Anderson
  • Patent number: 9697562
    Abstract: A method for provisioning IT resources includes receiving a signal from an e-book reading device indicating that a user of the e-book reading device is approaching a practical procedure section within an e-book being read by the user on the e-book reading device. The practical procedure section includes an exercise to be performed by the user pertaining to the subject matter of the e-book. What IT resources are needed for the user to perform the exercise are determined. The needed IT resources are provisioned such that the IT resources that the needed IT resources are available when the user is ready to perform the exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcos Dias De Assuncao, Silvia Cristina Sardela Bianchi, Marco Aurelio Stelmar Netto
  • Patent number: 9697563
    Abstract: A mechanism for providing electronic commerce data onto publisher's site. The mechanism also provides ability for a consumer to interact with that data to complete a purchase from within the publisher's website or application. A method includes retrieving merchandise data from a plurality of merchants and storing at least one group of merchandise data formed based on the merchandise data and content on a publisher site. The method also includes embedding the group of merchandise data on the content of the publisher's website and generating a merchandise frame in view of the embedment. The method further includes rendering the merchandise frame directly onto the publisher site. The method further includes rendering a universal check out frame on the publisher's site, which provides the user the ability to check out from multiple retailers within a single universal check out on a publisher's site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: 72LUX, INC.
    Inventor: Heather Marie Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 9697564
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method including receiving a selection of an outline template; displaying the outline template in an image preview screen of a digital image capture device; responsive to a capture of an image of the digital image capture device, cropping the image to an outline of the outline template; positioning the cropped image over a second image and sending a combined image formed from the image positioned over the second image to a commerce server, the combined image for use as a product image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Angie Ruan
  • Patent number: 9697565
    Abstract: An online auction system includes a set of memory resources that store auction data and one or more processors. The one or more processors implement multiple auction forums for transacting a corresponding set of assets. The one or more processors enable a registrant to participate in any of the multiple auction forums by providing the registrant with multiple interfaces to prompt the user for input or action. In some embodiments, the one or more processors provide an entity type interface to prompt the registrant to declare an entity type of the registrant. The one or more processors operate to determine a set of requirements for the registrant based at least in part on (i) a type designation provided by the user, and (ii) a geographic region of one or more assets that are being transacted by the multiple auction forums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ten-X, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Friedman, Faramarz Farhoodi
  • Patent number: 9697566
    Abstract: A method for providing information about an auction for a plurality of assets is provided. A plurality of assets that is made to be available during an auction is identified. Each of the plurality of assets includes an auction state. During the auction, a matrix interface is displayed. The matrix interface includes a plurality of entries, where each entry identifies a corresponding asset and the auction state of that asset. The auction state of one or more assets is dynamically updated during the auction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ten-X, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Friedman, Sarina Kinder, Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 9697567
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking obligations incurred between individuals. The method may include receiving a request from a first party, where the request includes an expense incurred by the first party for the benefit of a second party. The method may also include providing a notice of the request to the second party and receiving an acceptance from the second party to assume an obligation associated with the expense. The method may further include associating the obligation with the second party and associating a benefit with the first party. The obligation and/or benefit may be substantially equal in value to the expense. The method may additionally include interfacing with a social network service to provide the social network service with information about the obligation and/or the benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
    Inventors: Michele Demark, Michael Michelsen, Diane Scott, Chris Cochran
  • Patent number: 9697568
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for credit dispute processing, resolution, and reporting. Credit dispute resolution requests may be received, processed, and sent to a credit bureau for submission to creditors. Status of credit dispute resolutions may be reported to consumers. If a creditor's response time is longer than its average response time or if a creditor does not respond to a credit dispute resolution request within a regulatory response period, alerts and reports may be sent to consumers to provide consumers with further options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CONSUMERINFO.COM, INC.
    Inventor: Herbert Harris Hunt, III
  • Patent number: 9697569
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to communication of financial messages from an Exchange to market participants whereby messages, or at least a portion of the content thereof, are indicative of changes in the market, due to one or more trades between two or more market participants, are structured so as to reduce redundant data therein and prioritize the transmission of that portion of the message which summarizes the event and result thereof. Further, these event reporting messages may further consolidate, or otherwise be combined with, corresponding directed reporting messages communicated to the particular market participants participating in the reported trade while preserving the anonymity of those market participants to which messages are particularly directed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Callaway, Fritz Caskey, Dennis Genetski, Pearce Peck-Walden, Jose Antonio Acuna-Rohter, Priteshkumar Soni, Rosa Frenkel
  • Patent number: 9697570
    Abstract: A graphical interface and method are provided for displaying market information corresponding to a tradeable object. One graphical interface includes a chart region for displaying historical market data in relation to a first value axis, and a market grid region in alignment with the chart region. The market grid region comprises a plurality of areas for receiving commands from a user input device to send trade orders, and the areas are displayed in relation to a second value axis. A plurality of values displayed along the second value axis is a subset of values displayed in relation to the first value axis, and can be modified to a new plurality of values that corresponds to a new subset of values on the first value axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Trading Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Singer, Michael J. Burns, Stephen P. Decker
  • Patent number: 9697571
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing real-time file system charge-back accounting with real time historical minimum and maximum usage per user or group during a report cycle. In a first storage area of file system memory, space allocation data for a current accounting period is monitored and persistently maintained. A minimum, maximum and average space allocation is calculated for the management object during the current accounting period. The calculated minimum, maximum and average space allocation for the management object may be moved to a second storage area of the file system memory while beginning to monitor and persistently maintain space allocation data of the management object in the first storage area of the file system memory during a subsequent accounting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James John Seeger, Jr., Jason Christopher Young
  • Patent number: 9697572
    Abstract: Lease calculations may be used by commercial real estate brokers, corporate tenants, landlords, financial professionals, financial advisors, accountants and/or the like, to compare financial aspects of one or more leases and/or contracts, determine the impact of new accounting rules on current and/or future leases, comply with current and/or future lease accounting rules, generate financial reports, generate market data comparables, allow clients and users to track, manage and administer lease information and repurpose independent data points to perform one or more of these or other lease calculations or actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LeaseCalcs, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc A. Maiona
  • Patent number: 9697573
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating social networking recommendations. A color preference of a first user may be determined from a color palette of a first image associated with the user and/or a color palette of an item associated with the user. Other users may be identified that have a similar color preference as the first user based at least in part on the determined color preference of the first user. Interactions between the first user and one or more other users having similar color preferences with respect to the first user may be facilitated. A social networking recommendation may be generated with respect to the one or more other users having similar color preferences with respect to the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Yuji Haitani, Jenny Ann Blackburn, Charles Shearer Dorner, Eva Manolis, Timothy Andrew Ong
  • Patent number: 9697574
    Abstract: A data processing method for processing usage history data of at least one electrical device used by a user, including: obtaining first usage history data indicating a usage history of at least one electrical device used by the user; obtaining second usage history data indicating a fixed dummy usage history; generating third usage history data by combining the first usage history data and the second usage history data; and transmitting the third usage history data from a first apparatus to a second apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Haga, Natsume Matsuzaki, Yuichi Futa, Hideki Matsushima, Manabu Maeda, Yuji Unagami
  • Patent number: 9697575
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically routing electric power in real time in accordance with parameters submitted by buyers and sellers of electric power using a feedback control scheme. A control node is arranged for receiving the parameters via a wide area network and to generate a route plan based on the parameters as well as current supply and demand in a network. The control node is also connected to the transmission and distribution systems to dynamically route electric power between matched buyers and sellers to effect the route plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Alex Mashinsky, Chi K. Eng
  • Patent number: 9697576
    Abstract: For mitigating unauthorized content claims, an identification module ranks a plurality of content according to a value policy. The plurality of content is provided through a content host. Each content item of the plurality of content is associated with at least one authorized claimant. The identification module further identifies an unauthorized claim for a content item of the plurality of content by an unauthorized claimant. A mitigation module mitigates the unauthorized claim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ZEFR, Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon Folkman
  • Patent number: 9697577
    Abstract: The present inventive subject matter provides systems, methods, software, and data structures for patent mapping, storage, and searching. Some such embodiments include mapping patent documents, claims, and claim limitations. Some further embodiments provide for searching a universe of patent documents by patent document, claim, limitation, class, element, or concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lucid Patent LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Lundberg, Janal M. Kalis, Pradeep Sinha
  • Patent number: 9697578
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to cell phones and cameras, and to digital watermarking involving such cell phones and cameras. One claim recites a method comprising: measuring distortion introduced by a cell phone camera; using a programmed electronic processor, quantifying the distortion; and providing quantified distortion as feedback to adjust a digital watermark embedding process in view of the distortion introduced by the cell phone camera. The act of quantifying distortion may include, e.g., quantifying a spatial frequency response (SFR) of the cell phone camera. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Aparna R. Gurijala, Alastair M. Reed
  • Patent number: 9697579
    Abstract: An operating system that includes an image processing framework as well as a job management layer is provided. The image processing framework is for performing image processing operations and the job management layer is for assigning the image processing operations to multiple concurrent computing resources. The computing resources include several processing units and one or more direct memory access (DMA) channels for concurrently rendering image data and transferring image data between the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Angus M. Taggart, Eric J. Graves, Jean-Francois N. Dumais
  • Patent number: 9697580
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus configured to process graphics data. The apparatus may include a fixed hardware pipeline configured to execute one or more functions on a current set of graphics data. The fixed hardware pipeline may include a plurality of stages including a bypassable portion of the plurality of stages. The apparatus may further include a shortcut circuit configured to route the current set of graphics data around the bypassable portion of the plurality of stages, and a controller positioned before the bypassable portion of the plurality of stages, the controller configured to selectively route the current set of graphics data to one of the shortcut circuit or the bypassable portion of the plurality of stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Liang Li, Andrew Evan Gruber, Guofang Jiao, Zhenyu Qi, Gregory Steve Pitarys, Scott William Nolan
  • Patent number: 9697581
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image storage unit, a conversion unit, and an output unit. The image storage unit stores therein multiple images with different viewpoint positions. The conversion unit converts each of the images stored in the image storage unit to each of images to be imaged by imaging devices that are arranged such that respective optical axes pass through a dynamically set position in a target object. The output unit outputs the images converted by the conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: YAHOO JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9697582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for obtaining and analyzing image pairs, obtained as sections of specimen. The invention facilitates registration of two corresponding images, one from each section of the specimen. The invention includes performing a registration process of the two images thereby obtaining a mathematical transformation rule and afterwards using said transformation rule for each image field identified in one image allowing that the corresponding image field in the other image may be identified as well. After the corresponding image pairs have been obtained using the method of the present invention, the sections can be assessed, such as by identifying the counting events for at least one type of object on the image fields within at least one corresponding image pair, optionally using automatic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Visiopharm A/S
    Inventors: Michael Grunkin, Steen T. Rasmussen, Kim A. Bjerrum, Johan Dore Hansen
  • Patent number: 9697583
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pre-processing unit and a coding unit. The pre-processing unit acquires, from an image, a patch obtained by extracting a partial area of the image. The coding unit determines a value of a design parameter relating to processing of the patch according to the amount of information contained in the acquired patch and representing a state of distribution of pixel values and generates a high-frequency patch from the patch by using the determined value of the design parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Motohashi, Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9697584
    Abstract: An apparatus for multi-stage super-resolution is described herein. The apparatus includes a personalized dictionary, a plurality of super-resolution stages, and a reference merger. Each of the plurality of super-resolution stages correspond to at least one personalized dictionary, and the personalized dictionary is applied to an input image that is sparse-coded to generate a reconstructed image. The reference merger is to merge the reconstructed image and the input image to generate a super-resolved image for each stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chit Kwan Lin, Marcus Z. Comiter, Harnek Gulati, Gautham N. Chinya
  • Patent number: 9697585
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for displaying a statistical chart. The method includes determining whether a screen rotation event of switching from portrait-orientation display to landscape-orientation display is received. The method further includes obtaining additional to-be-shown data added during switch from a portrait-orientation-display drawing area to a landscape-orientation-display drawing area if yes, and drawing the landscape-orientation-display drawing area. The method further includes displaying a statistical chart in the drawn landscape-orientation-display drawing area, where the additional to-be-shown data is shown in the statistical chart. A statistical chart fills a drawing area in a landscape-orientation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventors: Xiao Sun, Kexin Song, Junyi Cai, Yingxue Liu, Chengjun Li, Xiaopeng Song, Suning Wang, Yongjun Wang, Xinggang Li
  • Patent number: 9697586
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating an enhanced image for display from medical imaging data of a subject, a feature of interest in the imaging data elongated in at least one dimension is determined. A location of a line through the imaging data along the feature of interest is obtained, and a projection image along the line is generated from the imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Kaftan, Matthew David Kelly, Guenther Platsch
  • Patent number: 9697587
    Abstract: Techniques and architectures for video stabilization can transform a shaky video to a steady-looking video. A path smoothing process can generate an optimized camera path for video stabilization. With a large smoothing kernel, a path smoothing process can remove both high frequency jitters and low frequency bounces, and at the same time can preserve discontinuous camera motions (such as quick panning or scene transition) to avoid excessive cropping or geometry distortion. A sliding window based implementation includes a path smoothing process that can be used for real-time video stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Lu Yuan, Jian Sun
  • Patent number: 9697588
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for image sharpening is provided that involves capturing an image, and then decomposing the image into a plurality of image-representation components, such as RGB components for example. Each image-representation component is transformed to obtain an unsharpened multi-resolution representation for each image-representation component. A multi-resolution representation includes a plurality of transformation level representations. Sharpness information is transported from an unsharpened transformation level representation of a first one of the image-representation components to a transformation level representation of an unsharpened multi-resolution representation of a second one of the image-representation components to create a sharpened multi-resolution representation of the second one of the image-representation components. The sharpened multi-resolution representation of the second one of the image-representation components is then transformed to obtain a sharpened image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Simon P. DiMaio, David D. Scott
  • Patent number: 9697589
    Abstract: Provided is a signal processing apparatus, including an input unit into which first image data and second image data are input, the first image data and the second image data being obtained by capturing a predetermined subject with an imaging unit and having mutually different states of blurring; a distance information calculation unit that calculates first distance information in accordance with a position in a depth direction of the subject based on the first image data and the second image data; and a distance information correction unit that calculates second distance information by performing, on the first distance information, processing to correct a deviation of the blurring caused by a mismatch between an image-forming plane of the subject and an imaging plane of the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Matsui, Takami Mizukura
  • Patent number: 9697591
    Abstract: Provided are a non-dyadic lens distortion correction method and an apparatus thereof. The non-dyadic lens distortion correction method includes: (a) acquiring a non-dyadic lens image photographed through a non-dyadic lens; (b) correcting geometric distortion for the non-dyadic lens image by stage by applying a magnification ratio based on a projection model; and (c) compensating a high-frequency component of an image corrected in a previous step by the patch unit in the non-dyadic lens image of which the geometric distortion is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Chung-Ang University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Joon Ki Paik, Jin Ho Park, Dong Gyun Kim, Yoon Jong Yoo, Dae Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 9697592
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for converting a low dynamic range (LDR) image to a high dynamic range (HDR) image, including obtaining an input LDR image; and in an HDR image database, selecting one or more HDR images that match the input LDR image as candidate images. Further, the candidate images are warped according to a spatial correspondence between the candidate images and the input LDR image. The input LDR image is decomposed to an illumination component and a texture component. The illumination component and the texture component are reconstructed respectively based on the warped candidate images. The reconstructed illumination component and the reconstructed texture component are combined to produce an output HDR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TCL RESEARCH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Qiqin Dai, Xiaobo Ren, Haohong Wang
  • Patent number: 9697593
    Abstract: A system and method for tone mapping on a high dynamic range (HDR) image of a scene are disclosed. In one embodiment, tone mapping on the HDR image is performed using a set of bit-depths, that corresponds to a plurality of images of the scene, obtained at each unit of an irradiance range of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ITTIAM SYSTEMS (P) LTD.
    Inventors: Arun Kumar Patil, Tharun Battula, Preethi Konda
  • Patent number: 9697594
    Abstract: Apparatus for binning an input value into one of a plurality of bins which collectively represent a histogram of input values, each of the plurality of bins representing a corresponding range of input values, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving an input value; a noise source configured to generate an error value according to a predetermined noise distribution; and a binning controller configured to mix the received input value with the error value so as to generate a modified input value and to allocate the modified input value to the bin corresponding to that modified input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Tim Lee
  • Patent number: 9697595
    Abstract: A user identifies an unwanted object in a source image. Related images are identified on the basis of timestamp and/or geolocation metadata. Matching masks are identified in the source image, wherein each of the matching masks is adjacent to the selection mask. Features in the selection and matching masks which also appear in one of the related images are identified. The related image having a maximum of features which are tracked to a source image matching mask, but also a minimum of features which are tracked to the source image selection mask, is identified as a best-match related image. By mapping the source image matching masks onto the best-match related image, a seed region can be located in the best-match related image. This seed region is used for filling in the source image. This allows the unwanted object to be replaced with a visually plausible background having a reasonable appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ADOBE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ajay Bedi, Sourabh Gupta, Saurabh Gupta
  • Patent number: 9697596
    Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GII Acquisition, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Nygaard, Nathan Andrew-Paul Kujacznski
  • Patent number: 9697597
    Abstract: Correction of an initial three-dimensional image of a deformed object comprises the provision of a model of the undeformed object comprising first zones, the determination in the initial three-dimensional image of second zones corresponding to the first zones, the determination of a first geometric transformation which maps the second zones to the first zones and the determination of a three-dimensional image corrected on the basis of the first geometric transformation and of the initial three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: VIT
    Inventors: François Duplaix, Mathieu Perriollat, Romain Roux
  • Patent number: 9697598
    Abstract: A system (100) for generating a key-image from a medical image, the key-image comprising an image area selected from the medical image, the system comprising: —an image analyzer (140) for: i) detecting a lesion (300) in the medical image; ii) based on anatomical information, identifying an anatomical landmark (310) which has an anatomical relation with the lesion; and iii) detecting the anatomical landmark in the medical image; and —a key-image generator (160) for j) selecting an image area (400) in the medical image which comprises the lesion (300) and the anatomical landmark (310), and jj) generating the key-image (162) so as to comprise said image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Iwo Willem Oscar Serlie, Zarko Aleksovski, Rudolph Martherus
  • Patent number: 9697599
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for determining a subject's respiratory pattern from a video of that subject. One embodiment involves receiving a video comprising N?2 time-sequential image frames of a region of interest (ROI) of a subject where a signal corresponding to the subject's respiratory function can be registered by at least one imaging channel of a video imaging device. The ROI comprises P pixels. Time-series signals of duration N are generated from pixels isolated in the ROI. Features are extracted from the time-series signals and formed into P-number of M-dimensional vectors. The feature vectors are clustered into K clusters. The time-series signals corresponding to pixels represented by the feature vectors in each cluster are averaged along a temporal direction to obtain a representative signal for each cluster. One of the clusters is selected. A respiratory pattern is determined for the subject based on the representative signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Prathosh A. Prasad, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Himanshu J. Madhu
  • Patent number: 9697600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical data processing method of segmenting image features in medical images generated with different imaging modalities, wherein the image features represent a corresponding anatomical structure in each of the medical images, the method being constituted to be executed by a computer and comprising the following steps: a) acquiring (SI) first modality medical image data describing a first modality medical image containing a first modality image representation of the anatomical structure; b) acquiring (SI) second modality medical image data describing a second modality medical image containing a second modality image representation of the anatomical structure; c) determining, based on the first modality medical image data and the second modality medical image data, modality transformation data describing a mapping transformation between the image information in the first modality image data and the image information in the second modality image data; d) acquiring color value data de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Jens Keuchel, Daniel Modrow
  • Patent number: 9697601
    Abstract: A system for creating decision support material indicating damage to an anatomical joint of a patient. The system is configured to: i) receive a series of radiology images of at least a part of the anatomical joint; ii) obtain a three-dimensional image representation of the at least part of the anatomical joint; iii) identify tissue parts of the anatomical joint using image analysis; iv) determine damage to the anatomical joint by analyzing said image representation; v) mark damage to the anatomical joint in the obtained three-dimensional image representation; and vi) generate decision support material. The analysis comprises: detecting an irregular shape of a contour of a tissue part; and/or detecting that the intensity in an area within or adjacent to bone and/or cartilage parts differs from a predetermined value; and/or comparing at least one identified tissue part with a template representing a predefined damage pattern for an anatomical joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Episurf IP-Management AB
    Inventors: Richard LilliestrÄle, Anders Karlsson, Jeanette SpÄngberg, Nina Bake
  • Patent number: 9697602
    Abstract: A method for performing automatic contouring in a medical image. The method may include receiving an image containing a region of interest and determining a first contour of the region of interest using a boundary detector. The method may include refining the first contour based on a shape dictionary to generate a second contour of the region of interest and updating at least one of the boundary detector or the shape dictionary based on the second contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Zhou, Xiao Han, Nicolette Patricia Magro
  • Patent number: 9697603
    Abstract: An image data processing apparatus comprises a data receiving unit for receiving medical image data representative of a region of a subject, wherein the medical image data comprises for each of a plurality of points in the region of the subject a first intensity value and a second intensity value, each point having a respective position on an at least two-dimensional distribution of first intensity against second intensity, and wherein for each point at least one of the first intensity value and the second intensity value is obtained from a contrast-enhanced scan of the region of the subject; and a processing unit for rendering or segmenting the medical image data in dependence on the positions of points in the at least two-dimensional distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Reynolds, Brian Mohr, Marco Razeto
  • Patent number: 9697604
    Abstract: An image capturing device and a method for detecting image deformation thereof are provided. The method is for the image capturing device having a first sensor and a second image sensor, and the method includes the following steps. A first image is captured through the first image sensor, and a second image is captured through the second image sensor. A deform detection is performed according to the first and second images so as to obtain a comparison information between the first and second images. Whether a coordinate parameter relationship between the first and second images being varied is determined according to the comparison information, in which the coordinate parameter relationship is associated with a spatial configuration relationship between the first and second image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Chih Wang, Hong-Long Chou, Che-Lun Chuang, Yao-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9697605
    Abstract: A method for the three-dimensional imaging of a sample in which image information from different depth planes of the sample is stored in a spatially resolved manner, and the three-dimensional image of the sample is subsequently reconstructed from this stored image information is provided. A reference structure is applied to the illumination light, at least one fluorescing reference object is positioned next to or in the sample, images of the reference structure of the illumination light, of the reference object are recorded from at least one detection direction and evaluated. The light sheet is brought into an optimal position based on the results and image information of the reference object and of the sample from a plurality of detection directions is stored. Transformation operators are obtained on the basis of the stored image information and the reconstruction of the three-dimensional image of the is based on these transformation operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Lippert, Benno Radt, Michael Kempe, Christian Dietrich
  • Patent number: 9697606
    Abstract: Methods and systems for object detection using laser point clouds are described herein. In an example implementation, a computing device may receive laser data indicative of a vehicle's environment from a sensor and generate a two dimensional (2D) range image that includes pixels indicative of respective positions of objects in the environment based on the laser data. The computing device may modify the 2D range image to provide values to given pixels that map to portions of objects in the environment lacking laser data, which may involve providing values to the given pixels based on the average value of neighboring pixels positioned by the given pixels. Additionally, the computing device may determine normal vectors of sets of pixels that correspond to surfaces of objects in the environment based on the modified 2D range image and may use the normal vectors to provide object recognition information to systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: James Stout, Jiajun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9697607
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating parameters of an imaging device with respect to an image of a scene said method comprising the steps of locating a target coordinate system in a scene, using an imaging device to capture an image of the scene, and processing the image using the target coordination system as a reference to estimate the parameters of the imaging device with respect to the image, wherein the target coordinate system comprises at least one planer target and wherein the at least one planar target contains a set of identifiable features with known relative positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: i2o3d Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Adam Michael Baumberg
  • Patent number: 9697608
    Abstract: A computing device can be configured to analyze information, such as frames captured in a video by a camera in the computing device, to determine locations of objects in captured frames using a scene-based tracking approach without individually having to track the identified objects across the captured frames. The computing device can track scenes, a global planar surface, across newly captured frames and the changes to (or transformation) the scene can be used to determine updated locations for objects that were identified in previously captured frames. Changes to the scene between frames can be measured using various techniques for estimating homographies. An updated location for the particular object in the currently captured frame can be determined by adjusting the location of the object, as determined in the previously captured frame, with respect to the transformation of the scene between the previously captured frame and the currently captured frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Oleg Rybakov, Avinash Aghoram Ravichandran, Daniel Bibireata, Ajay Kumar Mishra, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9697609
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a pose that estimates a pose of a user using a depth image is provided, the method including, recognizing a pose of a user from a depth image, and tracking the pose of the user using a user model exclusively of one another to enhance precision of estimating the pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Jun Kim, Byung In Yoo, Chang Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 9697610
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: a shape modeling section detecting, from frames of an image captured from a movie of a target object, an image frame representing the target object captured from a predetermined direction, the shape modeling section acquiring a shape model of the target object based on a target object figure in the detected image frame; an information processing section determining a posture of the target object detected from the captured image based on the shape model, the information processing section performing information processing on a result of the determination; and an output data transmitting section outputting to an output device the data output as a result of the information processing. The shape modeling section generates data denoting presentation information indicating how an ongoing processing by the shape modeling section is progressing. The output data transmitting section transmits the data denoting the presentation information to the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Shoichi Ikenoue, Shotaro Hori
  • Patent number: 9697611
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an error in a contour of a lesion includes an extracting unit configured to extract a contour of a lesion in each of a plurality of two-dimensional image frames that form a three-dimensional image, and an error determining unit configured to determine a presence or an absence of an error in a contour of a lesion in a target image frame of the two-dimensional image frames based on estimation information about the lesion in the target image frame and/or an energy value that corresponds to the contour of the lesion in the target image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-Ho Chang, Yeong-Kyeong Seong, Moon-Ho Park