Testing Of Camera Patents (Class 348/187)
  • Patent number: 8059155
    Abstract: A measuring system (200) for measuring a FOV of a digital camera module (52) includes a measuring chart (22), a parameter inputting module (32), and a processing module (42). The measuring chart defines a colored portion. The parameter inputting module is used to input relative parameters. The processing module is connected to the parameter inputting module and receives electronic image signals converted from images of the colored portion and of the measuring chart screened by the lens module. The processing module is configured for calculating the FOV ? of the digital camera module. A measuring method for measuring the FOV ? of the digital camera module is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Altus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Lung Jao, Kuo-Liang Tai
  • Publication number: 20110273555
    Abstract: A method for filtering radiation on a CCD based camera inspection video, the method including: capturing video signals via the camera; converting the video signals to a plurality of digital video frames; identifying radiation bright spots, defined as xnoids, in a pixel of at least one of the frames, replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame. A system for the inspection of a nuclear power plant comprising: a camera; and a computer, the computer configured to execute identifying xnoids in a pixel of at least one digitized video frame and replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AREVA INC.
    Inventor: Gary Pitcher
  • Publication number: 20110273569
    Abstract: Method of monitoring an image capture system (1) comprising a sensor (C) comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements (Z1, Z2, Zn) and an optical device (L) for focusing the light emitted from a scene towards the sensor. This method comprises the obtaining (100) of respective responses of certain at least of the photosensitive elements (E1, E1?, P1, P2) of the sensor to an exposure of the image capture system to any scene (S), followed by a determination (200) of at least one deviation (?) between at least one quantity (G) deduced from the responses obtained and at least one reference quantity (Gref). These steps may be followed by an estimation (300) of an optical effect of the image capture system (1) on the basis of said deviation (?) determined and optionally by an implementation of an action able to at least partially compensate (400) for the estimated optical defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Cesar Douady, Frederic Guichard, Imene Tarchouna
  • Patent number: 8054354
    Abstract: A data transfer circuit includes at least one data transfer line that transfers digital data, at least one data detecting circuit connected to the transfer line, holding circuits that hold digital values corresponding to input levels and that transfer the digital values to the transfer line, a scanning circuit that selects a holding circuit from among the holding circuits, at least one test-pattern generating circuit that generates a predetermined digital value, the test-pattern generating circuit being connected to the transfer line, at least one test-column scanning circuit that selects the test-pattern generating circuit, and a start-pulse selecting circuit that controls starting of the scanning circuit and starting of the test-column scanning circuit. The start-pulse selecting circuit has a function of transferring the predetermined digital value to the data transfer line by activating the test-pattern generating circuit via the test-column scanning circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tadayuki Taura
  • Patent number: 8049779
    Abstract: A camera calibrating apparatus uses a calibration target in combination with a laser source generating a laser beam defining a calibration plane and intersecting the camera field of view to define an object imaging area. The calibration target includes a frame defining a coplanar arrangement of more than five reference points having known position coordinates within an object reference system. The frame is disposed in a camera calibration position wherein the coplanar arrangement of reference points is substantially parallel to the calibration plane. The target includes an arrangement of light reflecting members protruding from the arrangement of reference points in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to extend within the object imaging area, to allow the camera to capture an image formed by illuminated portions of the light reflecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec
    Inventors: Pierre Poulin, Jean-Luc Lessard, Denis Lessard
  • Patent number: 8049780
    Abstract: A calibration error correction device for an optical instrument includes a detector operable to detect a position of a focusing lens of an optical instrument along a mechanical path of the focusing lens. A line of sight through an image plane of the optical instrument and the focusing lens at a present position defines an actual viewing direction. The device also includes a memory configured to store viewing direction errors specifying a deviation between a known theoretical viewing direction and the actual viewing direction associated with a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens along the mechanical path and an indicator of at least one value indicative of the actual viewing direction based on the theoretical viewing direction and the viewing direction errors at each of the different positions of the focusing lens along the mechanical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Volkmar Hofmann, Thomas Marold, Matthias Menzel
  • Publication number: 20110261209
    Abstract: A digital imaging apparatus is disclosed including: a light source module; an image synchronization signal generator for generating an image synchronization signal; and a light source controller, coupled with the light source module and the image synchronization signal generator, for generating a light source control signal having a frequency corresponding to the image synchronization signal and synchronized with the image synchronization signal to control the light output of the light source module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: AnMo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Neng-Wei WU
  • Publication number: 20110261208
    Abstract: A method of automatically calibrating a visual parameter, such as luminance or contrast, for an imaging device is disclosed. A ratio of visual parameter difference to lens position difference between two predetermined lens positions is pre-determined for a predetermined focal length. A target visual parameter is then obtained according to the pre-determined ratio, a current visual parameter and lens position difference between a current lens position and a target lens position. Finally, the current visual parameter is updated by the target visual parameter in an automatic mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-YUAN WANG, CHENG-CHANG WU
  • Patent number: 8035688
    Abstract: A computer program product and method for calibrating and characterizing a color display perform calibrating and characterizing steps. A light source is operated in order to emit light from one or more light emitters on the light source. A color capture device, e.g., a digital camera, is calibrated and characterized based on the emitted light. Then, color images are displayed on the color display and captured on the color capture device. The color display is calibrated and characterized based on the captured color images. Computer program instructions are recorded on the computer readable medium, and are executable by a processor, for performing the calibrating and characterizing steps. A method for generating a controlled light source includes displaying light source selections to a user and receiving a user light source selection. Selected light emitters produce a light output matching the user light source selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Snyderman, Geoffrey John Woolfe, Raja Bala
  • Publication number: 20110242331
    Abstract: A diagnosis unit for an electronic camera comprises a housing and a coupling device for coupling the diagnosis unit to an objective connection of a camera or to a camera objective, wherein the coupling device surrounds a light exit opening of the housing. The diagnosis unit further comprises at least one light source arranged in the housing for outputting a diagnosis illumination through the light exit opening, and an interface for electrically connecting the diagnosis unit to a camera. A camera system comprises a diagnosis unit and an electronic camera having an image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventor: Michael CIESLINSKI
  • Patent number: 8031224
    Abstract: The invention concerns a camera system, especially a camera system in a camera-based analysis system and/or assistance system of a vehicle, comprising a camera with an optical beam path (12), which has at least one optical element to guide image information to a light-sensitive image sensor (14). At least one test beam (22) can be coupled into a transparent test element (30) arranged on the input side in front of beam path (12) and, depending on a degree of soiling of the test element (30), at least one partial beam (24) indicating soiling can be directed from the test element (30) onto a sensor (14a) to receive the partial beam (24) indicating soiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Frank Linsenmaier, Oliver Eder, Bernd Mack
  • Publication number: 20110234811
    Abstract: Improving color calibration, and similar operations, by generating an optimal raw RGB color chart, in the raw RGB domain, for an imaging device with a given type of image sensor, such as for a digital still camera. Calibration is performed in response to a constraint which takes into account the spectral sensitivity of the image sensor used on the camera as well as spectral reflectance and spectral radiance of multiple illuminants. Calibration is performed using the raw RGB color chart which is illuminant independent and image sensor specific and which can match the calibration performance of known calibration standards, such as Macbeth 24.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaoling Wang, Farhan Baqai, Takami Mizukura, Naoya Katoh
  • Publication number: 20110234812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying and optionally quantifying stained cells in a cell or tissue sample and determining expression level of a target, as well as methods for determining staining intensity and/or staining quality of a stained sample, calibrating digital imaging apparatus using the methods, as well as systems and a computer readable mediums therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Visiopharm A/S
    Inventors: Michael Grunkin, Niels Taekker Foged
  • Publication number: 20110234813
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the function of a sensor module, which has a sensor, by means of the sensor a measurement signal for a physical quantity to be determined is generated and applied to an output terminal in an unchanged form or in processed form—after at least one linear signal processing step and/or at least one nonlinear signal processing step are performed. In addition, a test signal is generated whose spectrum lies substantially outside the spectrum of the measurement signal. The test signal is supplied at a place in the sensor from which it reaches the output terminal in unchanged form or in processed form—after the performance of the at least one linear signal processing step—only in the case of a functional sensor. An output signal present at the output terminal is compared with the test signal and a diagnosis signal is generated, which indicates whether the test signal is present at the output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Dieter Baecher, David Muthers, Joerg Franke
  • Publication number: 20110228102
    Abstract: A shake measurement system (1) is an apparatus for measuring the amount of shake of a camera (2), and comprises a first shake amount acquisition section, a second shake amount acquisition section, and a third shake amount acquisition section. The first shake amount acquisition section uses image processing to acquire the amount of shake of the camera (2) as a first shake amount. The second shake amount acquisition section acquires the amount of shake of the camera (2) as a second shake amount by a different method from that of the first shake amount acquisition section. The third shake amount acquisition section acquires the amount of translational shake of the camera (2) on the basis of the first shake amount and the second shake amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hashi, Kenichi Hayashi, Hiroya Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20110228103
    Abstract: In a method of calibrating an image capture environment based on a captured image obtained by capturing an image of a physical space by an image capturing unit that captures the image of the physical space, an image of the physical space is captured using the image capturing unit, an index serving as a reference for calibration is detected from the captured image of the physical space, the position and orientation of the image capturing unit are calculated from the detected index, and image capturing unit unique information, geometric information associated with the physical space, or the relationship between the image capturing unit and the physical space is calibrated using the obtained data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: KAZUKI TAKEMOTO, Shinji Uchiyama, Takaaki Endo
  • Patent number: 8022990
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for calibration of an imaging camera or other image acquisition device. Certain embodiments include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imager to a coordinate system of a first sensor positioned with respect to the imager using a first off-line calibration. Certain embodiments also include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imaging camera source to a coordinate system of a second sensor positioned with respect to the imaging camera source using a second off-line calibration. Additionally, certain embodiments include quantifying intrinsic parameters of the imaging camera source based on a transformation from the coordinate system of the imager to the coordinate system of the imaging camera source based on the first and second off-line calibrations and information from the first and second sensors and a transmitter positioned with respect to an object being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher Allen Nafis
  • Publication number: 20110221599
    Abstract: An imager array may be provided as part of an imaging system. The imager array may include a plurality of sensor arrays (e.g., also referred to as lenslets or optical elements). Each sensor array may include a plurality of sensors (e.g., pixels) associated with a lens. The sensor arrays may be oriented, for example, substantially in a plane facing the same direction and configured to detect images from the same scene (e.g., target area). Such images may be processed in accordance with various techniques to provide images of electromagnetic radiation. The sensor arrays may include filters or lens coatings to selectively detect desired ranges of electromagnetic radiation. Such arrangements of sensor arrays in an imager array may be used to advantageous effect in a variety of different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas Högasten
  • Patent number: 8013891
    Abstract: An illuminance acquiring device calculates the intensity of light sensed by the image pickup device acquired every different exposure time, and acquires the calculated intensity of light. The illuminance acquiring device including a noise-model data calculating section calculating noise-model data for modeling an influence of a noise generated in the image pickup device by using image pickup data obtained by means of the image pickup at different exposure time; and an illuminance calculating section calculating the output value of the image pickup device in consideration of the influence of the noise from the noise-model data and the output value of the image pickup device, acquiring the light energy by using the calculated output value, and calculating the intensity of the sensed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Yamada
  • Publication number: 20110211076
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for calibration of an imaging camera or other image acquisition device. Certain embodiments include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imager to a coordinate system of a first sensor positioned with respect to the imager using a first off-line calibration. Certain embodiments also include characterizing a transformation from a coordinate system of an imaging camera source to a coordinate system of a second sensor positioned with respect to the imaging camera source using a second off-line calibration. Additionally, certain embodiments include quantifying intrinsic parameters of the imaging camera source based on a transformation from the coordinate system of the imager to the coordinate system of the imaging camera source based on the first and second off-line calibrations and information from the first and second sensors and a transmitter positioned with respect to an object being imaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dun Alex Li, Christopher Allen Nafis
  • Patent number: 8004566
    Abstract: This disclosure describes automatic self-calibration techniques for digital camera devices. In one aspect, a method for performing a calibration procedure in a digital camera device comprises initiating the calibration procedure when a camera sensor of the digital camera device is operating, accumulating data for the calibration procedure, the data comprising one or more averages of correlated color temperature (CCT) associated with information captured by the camera sensor, calculating one or more CCT vectors based on the one or more averages of CCT, and generating gray point correction factors based on the one or more CCT vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Szepo Robert Hung, Jingqiang Li, Ruben M. Velarde
  • Patent number: 8000520
    Abstract: An image sensor testing apparatus is disclosed. The image sensor testing apparatus includes an electronic test system having a light source for illuminating an image sensor wafer to generate pixel data and a host processor for receiving the pixel data. An interface card coupled to the electronic test system has a programmable processor for processing the pixel data to generate processed data, the processed data transmitted to and analyzed by the host processor together with the pixel data to detect pixel defects in the image sensor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Lun Chang, Chih-huei Wu, John T. Yue
  • Patent number: 7999851
    Abstract: A method for calibration of an imaging device that includes a sensor and optics for forming an image on the sensor. The method includes making a first image quality measurement, based on an output of the sensor, while imaging a first target at a first distance from the device and varying an offset between the optics and the sensor. A second image quality measurement is made while imaging a second target at a second distance from the device, which is different from the first distance, and varying the offset between the optics and the sensor. A working point of the optics is set relative to the sensor responsively to the first and second image quality measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Tessera Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Liron Nunez Weissman, Uri Kinrot, Alex Alon, Irina Alon
  • Publication number: 20110181734
    Abstract: A calibration parameter creating apparatus includes a first reproducer. A first reproducer reproduces a reference image representing a state in which a plane is overlooked, along an X axis and a Y axis orthogonal to each other. A first acceptor accepts a first designating manipulation designating a plurality of X-Y coordinates on the reference image reproduced by the first reproducer. A determiner determines whether or not a designated manner by the first designating manipulation matches an error condition, based on the plurality of X-Y coordinates designated by the first designating manipulation. A first generator generates a notification when a determined result of the determiner is positive. A calculator calculates a calibration parameter indicating a corresponding relationship between an X-Y coordinate system and a U-V coordinate system based on the X-Y coordinates designated by the first designating manipulation, when the determined result of the determiner is negative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke ASARI, Yohei ISHII
  • Publication number: 20110181733
    Abstract: A calibrating apparatus includes a first reproducer which reproduces a reference image representing a state in which a plane is overlooked, along an X axis and a Y axis orthogonal to each other. A second reproducer reproduces a scene image outputted from a camera that captures the plane, along a U axis and a V axis orthogonal to each other. An acceptor accepts a designating manipulation of designating a first area of an X-Y coordinate system, in association with a reproducing process of the first reproducer. A first calculator calculates a second area of a U-V coordinate system corresponding to the first area designated by the designating manipulation, by referring to a calibration parameter indicating a corresponding relationship between the X-Y coordinate system and the U-V coordinate system. A definer defines the second area calculated by the first calculator, in association with a reproducing process of the second reproducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei ISHII, Keisuke ASARI
  • Patent number: 7986356
    Abstract: A method of determining a gamma curve of a display device includes identifying a region of interest of a display surface of the display device. A centroid of the region of interest is calculated. A plurality of input levels is applied to the display device to generate a corresponding plurality of displayed images on the display surface. At least one image of each of the displayed images is captured with a camera. A gamma curve of the display device is calculated based on the captured images and the centroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Nelson Liang An Chang, Niranjan Damera-Venkata
  • Patent number: 7984346
    Abstract: An integrated apparatus for testing image devices is disclosed, in which a plurality of testing apparatuses needed when an image-related device is installed are integrated into one construction for thereby achieving a good portability as compared to a conventional art in which a plurality of testing apparatuses such as a multi-meter, a portable monitor, a communication tester, etc. are separately needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Byeongil Seo
  • Publication number: 20110157373
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for runtime determination (self-diagnosis) of camera miscalibration (accuracy), typically related to camera extrinsics, based on historical statistics of runtime alignment scores for objects acquired in the scene, which are defined based on matching of observed and expected image data of trained object models. This arrangement avoids a need to cease runtime operation of the vision system and/or stop the production line that is served by the vision system to diagnose if the system's camera(s) remain calibrated. Under the assumption that objects or features inspected by the vision system over time are substantially the same, the vision system accumulates statistics of part alignment results and stores intermediate results to be used as indicator of current system accuracy. For multi-camera vision systems, cross validation is illustratively employed to identify individual problematic cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiangyun Ye, David Y. Li, Guruprasad Shivaram, David J. Michael
  • Publication number: 20110149084
    Abstract: A method for testing an optic investigation system with a light source and an imaging device for the optic investigation of an object in remitted light and fluorescent light, where the light source is configured to generate illuminating light with a first predetermined illumination spectrum or with a second predetermined illumination spectrum, and where an observation beam path of the imaging device includes a first predetermined transmission spectrum or a second predetermined transmission spectrum, the imaging device is positioned with respect to a reference surface with an indicator area with a wavelength-dependent optical property, where the optical property essentially varies between a first focal point of a first product of a first predetermined illumination spectrum and the first predetermined transmission spectrum and a second focal point of a second product of the second predetermined illumination spectrum and the second predetermined transmission spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Gerd Beck, Andre Ehrhardt, Uwe Martin, Bernhard Gloeggler
  • Publication number: 20110149353
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a calibration surface for an image capture device includes a surface comprising glossy areas and matte areas. In another embodiment, a platen for supporting a document or other object to be imaged in an image capture device includes a flat surface having glossy areas and matte areas thereon. The surface may include, for example, a checkerboard or other pattern of alternating glossy white areas and matte white areas in which each glossy white area is surrounded by matte white areas and each matte white area is surrounded by glossy white areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Majewicz
  • Patent number: 7965316
    Abstract: An intelligent light source for use with the test of a digital camera module provides a plurality of shapes of light. A fast light pulse is created with turn-on and turn-off transitions less than or equal to one microsecond. Other waveform shapes comprise a ramp and a sinusoid, and all shapes can be made to occur once or repetitively. The magnitude of the light has a range from 0.01 LUX to 1000 LUX, and the ramp has a ramp time that has a range from microseconds to 100 ms. The light comprises of a plurality of colors created by serial connected strings of LED devices, where the LED devices in a string emit the same color. The light emanating from the light source is calibrated using a photo diode and the control of a tester by adjusting offset voltages of a DAC controlling a current through the LED strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Dirk Huettmann
  • Publication number: 20110141291
    Abstract: Multi-phase black level calibration (BLC) methods and systems are generally disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor comprises a pixel sensor array, a timing generator, and a front-end processing block. The front-end processing block also includes a first summing junction, a first BLC block, and a second BLC block. According to a first timing signal from the timing generator, the first BLC block is configured to iteratively generate a first calibration signal in a first phase based on a first set of adjusted black level signals associated with a first set of black pixels, a changing accumulator step, and a predetermined condition associated with a first target black level. According to a second timing signal from the timing generator, the second BLC block is configured to generate a second calibration signal for a second summing junction to apply to an image signal associated with one or more active pixels in the frame in a second phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HIMAX IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Nguyen DONG, Amit MITTRA, Ray-Chi CHANG
  • Publication number: 20110141292
    Abstract: A system for measuring lens deflection of an electronic device includes a first shape, an image processing module, a first angle calculation module, and a second angle calculation module. The first shape is formed by edges of an ideal image captured that corresponds to a correctly mounted lens in the electronic device. The image processing module processes a currently captured image to acquire a second shape formed by edges of the present image. The first shape and the second shaped are imposed on each other. The first angle calculation module computes a first angle according to a rotation angle of the second shape relative to the first shape. A second angle calculation module computes a second angle according to a translating distance of the second shape relative to the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WEN-YI WU, XI WANG
  • Publication number: 20110134254
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining the distortion of an imaging system (32), the imaging system having an object plane (40) and an image plane (42). The method comprises the steps of determining (204) the positions of the image light spots (46) on a sensitive area (44) of an image sensor (34) by analyzing the image data; and fitting (205) a mapping function such that the mapping function maps the lattice points of an auxiliary lattice (48) into the positions of the image light spots (46), wherein the auxiliary lattice (48) is geometrically similar to the Bravais lattice (8) of the probe light spots (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bas Hulsken, Sjoerd Stallinga
  • Publication number: 20110134253
    Abstract: With the distance between a reference plane and a line light source (13) maintained at a first distance, the line light source (13) is translated in two different directions, and the position of the line light source (13) for each individual pixel where the pixel has been photographed from an incident ray radiated from the line light source (13) is stored (STEP 3, 4). With the distance between the reference plane and the line light source (13) maintained at a second distance different from the first distance, the line light source (13) is translated in two different directions, and the position of the line light source (13) for each individual pixel where the pixel has been photographed from an incident ray radiated from the line light source (13) is stored (STEP 6, 7). A straight line with the minimum distance to the positions of the four line light sources is deduced as the trajectory (S) of the incident ray to each pixel (STEP 8, 9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chiaki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7957581
    Abstract: Directions normal to images of an object captured by at least two cameras from different points of view are aligned with each other to form corrected object images, and a correspondence is determined between at least one pixel position on a horizontal line in one of the corrected object images and at least one pixel position on the same horizontal line in another of the corrected object images. The correspondence is determined by determining a similarity in brightness and color components at the pixel positions and a parallax between the corrected object images A robust, accurate image matching can be done by making dynamic matching between all pixels on a scan line in the images captured by the cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Weiguo Wu
  • Publication number: 20110128388
    Abstract: A camera calibration system including a coordinate data generation device and a coordinate data recognition device is provided. The coordinate data generation device generates a plurality of map coordinate data corresponding to a plurality of real positions in a real scene. The coordinate data recognition device receives an image plane of the real scene from a camera to be calibrated and receives the map coordinate data from the coordinate data generation device. Besides, the coordinate data recognition device recognizes image positions corresponding to the real positions in the image plane and calculates image coordinate data corresponding to the image positions. Moreover, the coordinate data recognition device calculates a coordinate transform matrix corresponding to the camera according to the image coordinate data and the map coordinate data. Thereby, the camera calibration system can finish the calibration of the camera quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hung-I Pai, Shang-Chih Hung, Chii-Yah Yuan, Yi-Yuan Chen, Kung-Ming Lan
  • Publication number: 20110122257
    Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of fixed cameras that each having a field of regard. Each point within an area of interest is covered by the field of regard of at least two of the cameras. Each camera captures an image of its field of regard and a plurality of calibration points within the area of interest. A processor calibrates the imaging system by at least associating the coordinates of each of the plurality of calibration points with a calibration pixel corresponding to an image of the calibration point in the image of each of the cameras. The processor geolocates the object of interest within the area of interest by at least comparing the location an image of the object of interest to the calibration pixels in the images generated by each of the plurality of cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Kirk
  • Patent number: 7948536
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for equalizing gain in an array of electron multiplication (EM) pixels is disclosed, each pixel having one or more impact ionization gain stages with implants to achieve charge transfer directionality and comprising a phase 1 clocked gate, an EM clocked gate, and two DC gates formed between the phase 1 clocked gate and the EM clocked gate, comprising the steps of (a) applying initial voltages to each of the DC gates and the EM clocked gates of at least two pixels of a plurality of pixels; (b) clocking phase 1 clock gates and an EM clock gates associated with the at least two pixels of the plurality of pixels a predetermined number of times to achieve an average pixel intensity value after impact ionization gain; and (c) selectively adjusting the difference in voltage between the DC gate and corresponding EM clocked gate of the at least two pixels of the plurality of pixels until the difference between the resulting pixel intensity values and the average pixel intensity value needed to p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: John Robertson Tower, Peter Alan Levine
  • Publication number: 20110115921
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include systems and methods for generating a novel view interpolation. In embodiments, feature correspondences and geometrical contexts are used to find additional correspondences based on the assumption of the local linear transformation. The accuracy and the number of correspondence matches may be improved by iterative refinement. Having obtained a set of correspondences, a novel view image can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Xianwang Wang, Jing Xiao
  • Publication number: 20110109743
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for evaluating sensor images of an image-evaluating surroundings-detection system on a moved carrier, preferably a vehicle (1), are proposed, wherein areas in the sensor images captured by a camera (4) which are dark in relation to the surroundings are evaluated in chronologically successive evaluation steps in order to determine whether said dark areas are moving toward the carrier at the speed of said carrier, and in that these dark areas are detected as shadows (7) of a static object and corresponding signaling is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Kuehnle, Cathy Boon
  • Publication number: 20110102603
    Abstract: A method for testing a camera module of an electronic device includes following blocks. An analysis module and a control module are installed in the electronic device. A test fixture is utilized to secure the electronic device. The control module instructs the camera module to capture a video and a photo. The analysis module automatically examines whether the video and the photo fall within predetermined parameters. A system associated with above method for testing the camera module of the electronic device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: QING-HUA LIU
  • Patent number: 7936371
    Abstract: An image-taking apparatus, which can automatically adjust parameters relating to image-taking regardless of variations in manufacturing errors and adjustment errors, is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus takes images by using an image pickup element. The image-taking apparatus successively shifts a parameter relating to image-taking so as to include a reference value, and takes a plurality of images with the parameters different from each other. Furthermore, the image-taking apparatus stores information on the parameter corresponding to an image selected by a user among the plurality of images in a memory, and determines the parameter to be used for image-taking on the basis of information stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Uchida
  • Publication number: 20110096171
    Abstract: A focal point adjusting apparatus comprises: a photoelectric converting unit that photoelectrically converts at least a pair of optical images and outputs at least a pair of image signals; a phase difference detecting unit that detects the phase difference between the pair of image signals that is output by the photoelectric conversion unit; a conversion unit that carries out the conversion of a phase difference that is detected by the phase difference detecting unit into a defocus amount by using a conversion coefficient; a focal point moving unit that moves the focal point position based on the defocus amount resulting of the conversion by the conversion unit; and a calibrating unit that calibrates the conversion coefficient depending on the result of the focal point moving unit moving the focal point position when the operator photographs a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masafumi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110096170
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically evaluating the quality of a signal transmitted by an imaging device. The amount of noise in the video signal is analyzed using an algorithm that does not require comparison to a template signal. The results of the algorithm determine whether the signal meets a pre-determined threshold value for signal quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Contec LLC
    Inventors: Rafael Villanueva, Vicente Miranda
  • Publication number: 20110074961
    Abstract: A method for testing a digital camera module reads a digital image from the digital camera module under test, extracts a tricolor coefficient of each pixel of the digital image to form a measurement array, and compares the measurement array with a reference array to find tricolor coefficient differences. The method extracts an edge of the digital image, processes the edge of the digital image using binarization to obtain measurement binary values, and compares the measurement binary values with reference binary values to find binary values differences. The method further compares a count of the tricolor coefficient differences with a first acceptable value, and compares a count of the binary values differences with a second acceptable value to determine quality of the digital camera module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: CHUN-YI LEE
  • Patent number: 7898571
    Abstract: An adaptable system (10) for automatically characterizing a sensor array (12) in software in response to commands from a user. The system (10) includes a first mechanism (12, 16, 18, 20) for acquiring and analyzing image data from the sensor array (12). A second mechanism (90, 114, 124) connected to the first mechanism (12, 16, 18, 20) obtains parameters specific to the sensor array (12). A third mechanism (114, 118, 120) automatically adjusts the first mechanism (12, 16, 18, 20) in accordance with the parameters to efficiently accommodate image acquisition and analysis by the first mechanism (12, 16, 18, 20) from the specific sensor array (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Larry W. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7889234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a distortion corrected video signal. A camera is directed toward a test pattern for producing a raw video signal. An image processor is operatively connected to the camera for receiving the raw video signal. The image processor is operable to capture at least one calibration image of the test pattern using the raw video signal from the camera, analyze the at least one calibration image to provide a calibration data table, and store the calibration data table within the image processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Williams, Arnab S. Dhua
  • Patent number: 7872099
    Abstract: A camera device includes: an iris unit for varying exposure; a shutter control unit for varying a shutter speed of an imaging element; and a control unit for controlling the signal processing unit and the entire device. The camera device further includes: an exposure target calculation unit for calculating a control value used for controlling the iris unit or the shutter control unit so that an exposure amount will be a target value based on information on a signal level from a signal processing unit; and a malfunction judgment unit for determining a malfunction in the device based on information on the control value obtained by the exposure target calculation unit and the signal level from the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Sagawa, Makoto Kikuchi, Naoki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7869703
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an image shake correction optical element driven in a movable range including an optical origin position, a detector detecting a position of the optical element, a locking mechanism limiting movement of the optical element within a lock range including the optical origin position and is narrower than the movable range. The apparatus further includes a memory storing a first distance between a first reference position in the movable range and the optical origin position and a second distance between a second reference position in the lock range and the optical origin position. A controller controls a position of the optical element based on a control origin position, and performs correction of at least one of the first distance, the second distance and the control origin position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takurou Asano