Sonic Or Ultrasonic Patents (Class 348/163)
  • Patent number: 11960002
    Abstract: Some systems include an acoustic sensor array configured to receive acoustic signals, an electromagnetic imaging tool configured to receive electromagnetic radiation, a user interface, a display, and a processor. The processor can receive electromagnetic data from the electromagnetic imaging tool and acoustic data from the acoustic sensor array. The processor can generate acoustic image data of the scene based on the received acoustic data, generate a display image comprising combined acoustic image data and electromagnetic image data, and present the display image on the display. The processor can receive an annotation input from the user interface and update the display image based on the received annotation input. The processor can be configured to determine one or more acoustic parameters associated with the received acoustic signal and determine a criticality associated with the acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Stuart, Dileepa Prabhakar, Scott M. Tsukamaki, Darwin C. Witt
  • Patent number: 11544839
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for facilitating inspection of a target object. In the context of a method, an image is received that includes the target object. The method applies a first mask to at least a portion of the image in order to mask one or more foreground objects that at least partially block view of the target object. The method further includes applying a second mask to at least a portion of the image in order to mask a background of the target object. The method additionally includes analyzing the image of the target object following application of the first and second masks in order to identify one or more regions of the target object that merit further inspection. A corresponding system and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Mathew Albert Coffman
  • Patent number: 11406362
    Abstract: There are provided embodiments for providing a user interface for performing a filtering process upon a vector Doppler image. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: a processing unit configured to form vector information of a target object based on ultrasound data corresponding to the target object and form a user interface for performing the filtering process upon the vector Doppler image based on the vector information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyoung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11402273
    Abstract: A temperature detection system includes a housing, a thermal imaging system at least partially disposed within the housing, and a data correction system communicatively coupled with the thermal imaging system. The thermal imaging system is configured to capture at least one thermal image of a subject. The data correction system is configured to correct at least one error associated with the at least one thermal image of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: ECB CONSULTING LLC
    Inventor: Erik Bryan Beall
  • Patent number: 11375982
    Abstract: A shear wave velocity is accurately measured. Time change data of a displacement of a tissue due to a shear wave generated in a test object is calculated from a reception signal obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the test object and receiving a reflected wave. The time change data of the displacement is converted into spectrum data indicating a displacement distribution in a frequency space having a spatial frequency and a time frequency as two axes. Spectrum data in a predetermined region is extracted by rotating the spectrum data by a predetermined angle in the frequency space, and filtering the rotated spectrum data. A velocity of the shear wave is calculated based on the extracted spectrum data in the predetermined region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Yasuda, Noriaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 11333573
    Abstract: An integrated fiber interferometry interrogator for generating superimposed waves is disclosed. The system is optimized for efficiency and vibration attenuation. The system comprises an optical light source for generating a first signal, a first signal splitter which splits the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal, optical modulators for modulating the signals, a fiber coupler connected to a fiber under test, an isolator, a circulator with a plurality of connections for directing the signals, a signal mixer for mixing the signals into superimposed waves, and photo diodes for receiving the superimposed waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Adelos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, Stephen Timothy Doll, James Alexander Philp
  • Patent number: 11263732
    Abstract: Image processing apparatus 110 for applying a mask to an object, comprising an input 120 for obtaining an image 122, a processor 130 for (i) detecting the object in the image, and (ii) applying the mask to the object in the image for obtaining an output image 60, and the processor being arranged for said applying the mask to the object by (j) establishing an object contour of the object, (jj) generating, based on the object contour, a mask being smaller than the object, and (jjj) positioning the mask over the object for masking a body of the object while keeping clear a border area of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Iwo Willem Oscar Serlie, Rudolph Martherus
  • Patent number: 11250564
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatic measurement of strains and strain-ratio calculation for sonoelastography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventor: Helmut Brandl
  • Patent number: 11197657
    Abstract: Systems and methods generally relate to identifying ultrasound images from multiple ultrasound exams. The systems and methods identify a first ultrasound image feature of a current ultrasound image of an anatomical structure during a current ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasound probe, and accessing a plurality of prior ultrasound images that were acquired during a prior ultrasound exam. The systems and methods compare the first ultrasound image feature in the current ultrasound image with related ultrasound image features in the plurality of prior ultrasound images to identify candidate ultrasound images. The systems and methods identify a resultant ultrasound image from the candidate ultrasound images based on the related ultrasound image features, and display the current and resultant ultrasound images on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Olivier Gerard, Elina Sokulin, Svein Arne Aase
  • Patent number: 11172259
    Abstract: A video surveillance method comprises displaying a first stream of video data from a first video camera on a display of an operator client. On receipt of a command, prestored alternative camera data is consulted to select a second video camera. A second stream of video data from the second video camera is then displayed on the display. The first and second video cameras have fields of view which overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Bo Andersen
  • Patent number: 11103219
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes the following. A deflection controller generates delay time information to make phases of reception signals input to channels uniform according to a deflection angle. A channel selector selects a channel in which the reception signal is turned on or off so that the phases of the reception signals input to channels are different and which generates channel selection information. A reception delay interrupter provides the delay amount to the reception signal and which turns on or off the reception signal. An adder adds the plurality of reception signals which are provided with the delay amount and turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yushi Nishimura, Masashi Kunita, Yoshihiko Ito, Mutsuhiro Akahane, Yasuhiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11026655
    Abstract: An ultrasound image is generated by repeatedly transmitting an ultrasound signal to scan lines in an object and receiving echo signals respectively corresponding to the scan lines. Each of at least three echo signal groups is formed to include the echo signals received as a result of a single execution of transmitting the ultrasound signal and receiving corresponding echo signals. A B-flow image is generated by partially overlapping the echo signal groups and represents a tissue component and a blood flow component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kang-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 10958807
    Abstract: The present technology relates to image signal processing. One aspect of the present technology involves analyzing reference imagery gathered by a camera system to determine which parts of an image frame offer high probabilities of—relative to other image parts—containing decodable watermark data. Another aspect of the present technology whittles-down such determined image frame parts based on detected content (e.g., a cereal box) vs expected background within such determined image frame parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Vojtech Holub
  • Patent number: 10952703
    Abstract: An ultrasound system is described which produces blended fundamental and harmonic frequency images. Successively transmitted, differently modulated pulses are transmitted by an ultrasound probe and both fundamental and harmonic frequencies are received in response. The echo signals received from the two pulses are processed by pulse inversion, producing cleanly separated bands of fundamental and harmonic signals in which undesired components have been cancelled. Since the two bands have been separated by signal cancellation rather than filtering, the two bands are allowed to overlap, providing broadband signals in each band. The bands are filtered by bandpass filtering to define the fundamental and harmonic signals to be imaged. The signals are detected, and the detected signals are combined after weighting to produce a blended fundamental/harmonic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Darwin Philip Adams, Scott William Dianis
  • Patent number: 10795008
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for optimizing an ultrasonic signal are provided, one of apparatus comprises, an ultrasonic signal sensing unit which transmits and receives an ultrasonic signal, a residual oscillation measurement unit which measures a first ringing time of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ultrasonic signal sensing unit, a comparison and calculation unit which compares the first ringing time with a pre-stored second ringing time and calculates a correction frequency based on the comparison result, an electrical damping pulse generation unit which generates an electrical damping pulse having the correction frequency and a control unit which controls the electrical damping pulse to be applied to the ultrasonic signal sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10768147
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting a characteristic in a test object having a cylindrical peripheral surface. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of adjacent transducer elements. Each transducer is operatively configured to emit a respective beam into the test object so as to provide a pattern of constructive interference. The ultrasonic detection assembly is structurally configured to provide for cylindrical contact between the phased array probe and the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the phased array probe for causing each transducer to emit the respective beam into the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 10706574
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a gap between objects in an image, the method comprising: detecting contours of the objects in the image or in a binarized version thereof; locating at least one path or gap between the objects, in the image or in an intersection region being a portion of the image containing at least respective portions of the objects by: determining representative attenuations or densities of respective one or more rows and columns of the image or of the intersection region, identifying first pixels, being pixels in a column that has a representative attenuation or density of 0, and second pixels, being pixels in a row that has a representative attenuation or density of 0, determining whether there exists a path or gap between two or more boundaries by identifying at least one first or second pixel on each of two or more of the boundaries, and detecting one or more paths between the at least two boundaries; and outputting a result indicative of one or more detected paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: STRAXCORP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Roger Zebaze, Yu Peng
  • Patent number: 10646205
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to methods for providing viewing access to an ultrasound image feed generated at an ultrasound imaging machine. A multi-use display device may form a first link-layer connection with the ultrasound image machine for transmitting commands that control imaging parameters of the ultrasound image feed. The multi-use display device may then: determine link-layer connection parameters that allow the ultrasound imaging machine to form a second link-layer connection with a receiving device (the receiving device having no link-layer connection with the ultrasound imaging machine), and provide the connection parameters to the receiving device. The ultrasound imaging machine forms a second link-layer connection with the receiving device, based the connection parameters. The second link-layer connection is then used for receiving, at the receiving device, the ultrasound image feed controlled by the multi-use display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Kris Dickie, Laurent Pelissier, Benjamin Eric Kerby, Trevor Stephen Hansen
  • Patent number: 10616451
    Abstract: A method includes determining blocks of speckle-free regions in a first image; storing information about the blocks in a memory; and processing at least one second image based on the stored information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nir Dagani, Nathan Henri Levy, Yuri Friedman, Dor Barber
  • Patent number: 10613205
    Abstract: A system for ultrasound beamforming is provided, including a sampled analog beamformer, an array of ultrasound transducers, and a high voltage amplifier coupled to the sampled analog beamformer and the array of ultrasound transducers. The sampled analog beamformer includes a sampled analog filter for filtering an incoming analog signal and adding a fractional delay, and transmitting a filtered analog ultrasound signal. The array of ultrasound transducers further transmits the filtered analog ultrasound signal. The high voltage amplifier drives transducers in the array of ultrasound transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mikael Mortensen, Eric G. Nestler, J. Brian Harrington, Jeffrey G. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 10537310
    Abstract: The present invention obtains certainty of the blood-flow velocity information that is estimated in the blood-flow mapping display. The signal processor in the ultrasound imager is provided with a Doppler velocity operation part configured to calculate a Doppler velocity from echo signals by using the Doppler effect, and a first blood-flow velocity operation part configured to generate a tissue tomographic image from the echo signals and calculate a blood-flow velocity of a predetermined portion from a motion of the tissue, on the basis of the tissue tomographic image. It is further provided with a second blood-flow velocity operation part configured to calculate the blood-flow velocity of the predetermined portion by using the Doppler velocity calculated by the Doppler velocity operation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Tanaka, Kunio Hashiba, Takashi Okada
  • Patent number: 10527592
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the same, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which relate to a method for changing a pulse signal received by an ultrasonic probe by controlling a switching element mounted to an ultrasonic probe during pulse inversion harmonic imaging. The ultrasonic probe includes: a transducer array configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal; a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the transducer array so as to transmit a pulse signal received from a main body of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus to the transducer array; and a switching circuit configured to change a waveform of the pulse signal received by the PCB and transmitted to the transducer array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hong-Gyo Lee
  • Patent number: 10470741
    Abstract: A transducer array for an ultrasound probe is provided. The transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements. Each of the transducer elements have an acoustic stack configured to generate ultrasound signals. The transducer array includes a front layer having a base and a transmission surface. The front layer is mounted to the acoustic stacks of the plurality or transducer elements. The transmission surface includes a linear incline. The transmission surface is configured to emit the ultrasound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Reinhold Bruestle, Jean-Francois Gelly, Bruno Hans Haider
  • Patent number: 10446172
    Abstract: A noise source visualization data accumulation and display device is provided where at two or more acoustic data are generated by beamforming acoustic signals acquired at different moments by using a plurality of microphone arrays and thereafter, one selected among two or more acoustic data or acoustic data processed therefrom is mapped to one optical image to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SM INSTRUMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 10321895
    Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the controller writes and reads element data of one frame into and out from two or more buffer memories 21a, 21b, . . . 21i sequentially frame by frame and assigns the element data of one frame sequentially read out from the buffer memories to a plurality of arithmetic blocks of a signal processor, wherein the element data assigned is subjected to processing by each of a plurality of arithmetic cores in the plurality of arithmetic blocks to produce an image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Satoh
  • Patent number: 10262188
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for detecting a spoof finger are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor comprises an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a finger, an ultrasonic sensor array configured to receive a reflected ultrasonic wave from the finger, and a controller configured to determine a reflected acoustic energy of the finger based on a difference between average amplitudes of the reflected ultrasonic wave from ridges and valleys of the finger; and determine whether the finger is a spoof based at least in part on the reflected acoustic energy of the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Meir Agassy, Boaz Castro, Arye Lerner, Gal Rotem, Liran Galili, Nathan Altman
  • Patent number: 10244243
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods and systems for detecting the blockiness of a video signal comprised of a number of pixels. The method includes the steps of determining if the pixel forms a part of at least one visible horizontal transition along a macroblock border, at least one visible vertical transition along a macroblock border, at least one flat area or at least one flat macroblock; calculating a horizontal border transitions count, a vertical border transitions count, a flat area count and a macroblock flat area count; and generating at least one blockiness indicator for the region of interest selected from the group consisting of a block border indicator, a flat area indicator and a flat block indicator, wherein the at least one blockiness indicator is based on at least one of the horizontal border transitions count, the vertical border transitions count, the flat area count and the macroblock flat area count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Evertz Microsystems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeff Wei, Rakesh Patel
  • Patent number: 10234558
    Abstract: A moving object detection device using an ultrasonic sensor, a method thereof, and a warning system using the same is provided. The moving object detection device includes: an ultrasonic sensor configured to receive a plurality of reflected signals per period; and a detector configured to divide a sensing distance of the ultrasonic sensor into a plurality of regions, detect a region of the plurality of regions as a region of interest (ROI) when an intensity of a reflected signal of the plurality of reflected signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in a region of the plurality of regions, and detect a moving object based on changes in the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bo-Hyeon Kim, In Young Choi
  • Patent number: 10225817
    Abstract: In a video conferencing application, a user viewing a scene can performing zooming by selecting an area in the scene, then dynamically switching a video feed of the scene to the selected area of the scene. The hardware and software of the video conferencing application can limit the video transmitted to the user to include only the selected area of the scene. Transmitting only the selected area of the scene, and excluding the non-selected area of the scene from transmission, can more efficiently use the available bandwidth of the video conferencing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventor: Ozgur Oyman
  • Patent number: 10203264
    Abstract: An integrated fiber interferometry interrogator for generating superimposed waves is disclosed. The system is optimized for efficiency and vibration attenuation. The system comprises an optical light source for generating a first signal, a first signal splitter which splits the first signal into a reference signal and an interrogation signal, optical modulators for modulating the signals, a fiber coupler connected to a fiber under test, an isolator, a circulator with a plurality of connections for directing the signals, a signal mixer for mixing the signals into superimposed waves, and photo diodes for receiving the superimposed waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: ADELOS, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Alan Preston, Stephen Timothy Doll, James Alexander Philp, Trinitie Marie Vance
  • Patent number: 10175207
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting a characteristic in a test object having a cylindrical peripheral surface. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of adjacent transducer elements. Each transducer is operatively configured to emit a respective beam into the test object so as to provide a pattern of constructive interference. The ultrasonic detection assembly is structurally configured to provide for cylindrical contact between the phased array probe and the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the phased array probe for causing each transducer to emit the respective beam into the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 10080550
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ultrasonic apparatus for imaging an ultrasonic signal and a control method for the same. The ultrasonic apparatus may include a transducer configured to irradiate a plurality of ultrasonic waves which have different traveling directions onto an object and to collect a plurality of echo ultrasonic waves reflected from the object; and a controller configured to acquire a plurality of sound velocities of the plurality of ultrasonic waves in the object and to compound the acquired plurality of sound velocities in order to determine a composite sound velocity in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Baehyung Kim, Youngil Kim, Jong Keun Song, Seungheun Lee, Taeho Jeon, Kyungil Cho
  • Patent number: 10034658
    Abstract: A medical imaging probe (102) for contact with an imaging subject includes an indicium placement apparatus for, while the probe is in contact, selectively performing an instance of marking the subject so as to record a position of the probe. The device may further include a feedback module for determining whether an orientation, with respect to a the mark, that currently exists for a medical imaging probe of the device meets a criterion of proximity to a predetermined orientation. Responsive to the determination that the criterion is met, a quantitative evaluation may be made automatically and without need for user intervention, via live imaging via the probe, of a lesion that was, prior to the determination, specifically identified for the evaluation. Change, such as growth (116), in the lesion, like a brain lesion, may thereby be tracked over consistent sequential imaging acquisitions, such as through ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Balasundar Iyyavu Raju, William Tao Shi, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon
  • Patent number: 9952447
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one behavioral, postural or geometric-morphological characteristic of a person wearing spectacles, the method includes the steps of: a) illuminating the wearer's head using an infrared light source (220, 230, 240), b) acquiring an image of the wearer's head using an infrared image sensor (210); c) in the image, locating reflections from the infrared light surface, reflected by the two lenses of the spectacles; and d) using a computation unit (250) to deduce the required characteristic as a function of the positions of the reflections in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE)
    Inventors: Ahmed Haddadi, Jean Delzers
  • Patent number: 9900568
    Abstract: A remote communication system includes a projector that projects one or more images transmitted from a remote site onto a screen. The screen has at least one front camera thereon. A CPU performs an extraction process to extract a person part from each of the images captured by the front camera and a scaling process to scale the image(s) captured by the front camera in accordance with a distance from the front camera to a person serving as a subject. The remote communication system further includes a projector that projects the image(s) subjected to the extraction process and the scaling process onto a screen set in the remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9892090
    Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and method that more efficiently process image data. The image processing apparatus includes a vector data manager that receives at least some of all image data and converts the received image data into vector data, a vector processor that receives the vector data from the vector data manager, performs a vector processing operation by using the vector data, and generates output vector data as a result of the vector processing operation, and a synchronizer that controls a timing of when the vector data manager transmits the vector data to the vector processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-uk Cho, Young-su Moon, Jong-hun Lee, Yong-min Tai, Do-hyung Kim, Si-hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 9683896
    Abstract: A method and a system for scanning a time delay between a first ultrafast optical pulse of duration shorter than 10 ps and a second ultrafast optical pulse of duration shorter than 10 ps, wherein the second ultrafast pulse is submitted to an acousto-optic Bragg diffraction by an acoustic pulse in the bulk of an acousto-optic material and the delay scanning is produced by time variation of the acoustic pulse in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FASTLITE
    Inventors: Rupert Huber, Olaf Schubert, Daniel Kaplan
  • Patent number: 9625334
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring elongation of a fastener by means of minimum peak side lobe (MPS) coded ultrasonic signals, and a power tool configured to performing the method. MPS coded signals with different base frequencies are transmitted into the fastener and a corresponding set of reflected signals are received from the fastener. Each reflected signal is cross-correlated with the corresponding transmitted signal, and a quality attribute of each transmitted signal is determined from the cross-correlated signals. Based on the quality attributes at least one parameter of an ultrasonic measurement signal is determined and the measurement is performed by transmitting the ultrasonic measurement signal into the fastener, and receiving a reflected ultrasonic measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventors: Carl-Gustaf Carlin, Erik Vilhelm Persson, Jarl-Olof Hulden
  • Patent number: 9575491
    Abstract: A system for automated operation of a plurality of machines deployed on an underground worksite is provided. The system includes a monitoring module provided on-board each of the plurality of machines. The system also includes an area isolation control module associated with the underground worksite. The system further includes a machine control module coupled to the monitoring module and the area isolation control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Anthony K N Nelson, Joshua G. Bynon
  • Patent number: 9569820
    Abstract: Image correcting methods and apparatuses for removing speckles from an image are provided. The image correcting method includes selecting a first region in an image; removing a speckle from a second region except for the first region from the image by using image information at a predetermined frequency band in the image; and increasing a contrast level of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-hee Choe, Jae-guyn Lim, Seong-deok Lee
  • Patent number: 9513262
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus comprises a receiver receiving an acoustic wave propagating inside an object and convert the acoustic wave into an electric signal; a scanning unit configured to causing the receiver to scan the object; a control unit configured to controlling operation of the scanning unit; a detection unit configured to detecting a status of the acoustic wave reception; and a processing unit for acquiring characteristic information on the inside of the object on the basis of the electric signal, wherein the control unit decides whether or not the operation of the scanning unit is changed, on the basis of a result of detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tadaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9412167
    Abstract: The present invention provides an acceleration and enhancement methods for ultrasound scatterer structure visualization. The method includes: obtaining an ultrasonic image, calculating all values of the ultrasonic signal points in each mth window centered at a nth signal point to obtain a plurality of original statistical values anxm, obtaining a plurality of mth statistical values by averaging value of original statistical values in the same window, calculating a plurality of mth weighting values based on the statistical values by different weighting formulas, multiplying each weighting value with the original statistical values corresponding to the various size of windows, summing up to obtain an ultrasound structure scatterer value of the nth ultrasonic signal point, and generating an ultrasound scatterer structure image based on a matrix of the ultrasound scatterer values. The present invention further combined interpolation method can reduce the computation time and retain the 80% accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: AMCAD BIOMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Po-Hsiang Tsui, Ming-Chih Ho, Chiung-Nein Chen, Argon Chen, Jia-Jiun Chen, Yu-Hsin Wang, Kuo-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 9202124
    Abstract: An image information acquiring apparatus of the present invention includes an acoustic wave detector having, disposed on a reception surface thereof, a plurality of elements that detect acoustic waves generated by an object corresponding to a reconstruction area; an acoustic signal generator that generates acoustic signals that are used in image reconstruction, from the detected acoustic waves; an element selector that selects elements that are used in image reconstruction; and a reconstructor that performs image reconstruction of a point of interest using acoustic signals based on the acoustic waves detected by the selected elements, the image information acquiring apparatus being configured such that, for each selected element, there exists another selected element located at a symmetrical position with respect to a point at which the reception surface is intersected by a perpendicular line drawn from the point of interest to the reception surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichiro Wanda
  • Patent number: 9117371
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to creating and utilizing a vehicle surveillance network to monitor objects and/or events. Messages may be broadcasted from at least one communication system of a surveillance network which is communicating with one or more vehicles of the surveillance network and received in a vehicle. Instructions may be transmitted to at least one vehicle camera to capture one or more images of objects or events outside of the vehicle in response to receiving the at least one broadcasted message. At least one vehicle camera in each of the vehicles of the surveillance network may capture the images of the object and/or events. Further instructions may include transmitting the captured images from the one or more vehicles to one or more event responders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Hutchings
  • Patent number: 9036029
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical transducers are used to actively cloak a targeted object in a way that absorbs incoming waves without reflection, sends them out the opposite side of the target and returns the wave without leaving a shadow behind the target. The present invention pertains to an improvement in the cloaking of an object without requiring the use of special materials for the object itself and allows the use of SONAR and other possible transducer systems that would be covered and rendered ineffective with passive cloaking materials. Other means are also provided for extending the bandwidth as well as increasing the efficiency for cloaking or other transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8976249
    Abstract: Technologies and implementations for capturing images from IR signals are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Seungil Kim
  • Patent number: 8970484
    Abstract: Provided is a three dimensional display device that includes: three dimensional image display unit (1) having display surface (11) for spatially separating and displaying parallax images corresponding to at least two viewpoints; and force sense generation unit (2) configured to generate a sound wave toward display surface (11) of three dimensional display unit (1) and then generate predetermined pressure of the sound wave reflected on display surface (11) at a position spatially similar to the position of three dimensional image (8) displayed by three dimensional display unit (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Imai, Nobuaki Takanashi, Fujio Okumura
  • Publication number: 20150015720
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an image processor, an ultrasonic imaging device, and an image processing method. The image processor includes a signal input unit configured to receive an input signal on a channel, a weighting coefficient database configured to store a weighting coefficient wherein the weighting coefficient is part of a weighting coefficient subgroup, and a processor configured to select the weighting coefficient subgroup from the weighting coefficient database, and convert the input signal by selecting and using the weighting coefficient from the weighting coefficient subgroup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyu Hong KIM, Sung Chan PARK, Su Hyun PARK, Joo Young KANG, Jung Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20140354823
    Abstract: A method is disclosed, including obtaining an infrared representation based on a detected infrared signal and obtaining a combined representation based on a detected combined ultrasonic and infrared signal. An output representation is generated from the infrared representation and the combined representation. The output representation can be generated from a comparison between the combined representation and the infrared signal representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jack C. Kitchens, John K. Schneider, David Burns
  • Publication number: 20140320611
    Abstract: In one aspect, a multispectral multi-camera display unit is disclosed, including a display unit, a camera array, and an image integration processing unit. In some embodiments, the camera array is configured such that at least one camera is located at each of two or more sides of the display unit. In some embodiments, each camera comprises a color image sensor or multispectral imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: nanoLambda Korea
    Inventor: Byung Il Choi