Remote Control Patents (Class 348/211.99)
  • Publication number: 20100149338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing a personalized interactive experience to view a scene to a plurality of concurrent users. A plurality of image sources with different attributes such as frame-rate and resolution, are digitally processed to provide controllable enhanced user-specific visualization. An image source control method is also described to adjust the image sources based on collective requirement of a plurality of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: MAMIGO INC
    Inventors: Manoj Aggarwal, Vijay Ganti
  • Patent number: 7733416
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact mobile reconnaissance device that is designed to be deployed in hostile, dangerous, or difficult to access environments, to absorb shocks, to be resistant to adverse environmental conditions, and to transmit video and audio streams related to events at which it has been deployed to a remote receiver and display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: O.D.F. Optronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Ehud Gal
  • Patent number: 7734254
    Abstract: A system and method for remote device control are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a radio controlled toy and a controller for controlling the toy. In some embodiments, the controller may have an input mechanism and a housing component that defines a cavity, within which may be located a wireless wide area transceiver and a wireless local area transceiver. Some controllers may also have an operating system for the controller and an application resident on the controller and operable to convert inputs received via the input mechanism into commands for the toy. The controller may have a microprocessor operable to execute the application and to cause the commands to be communicated to the toy using the wireless local area transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Affinity Labs of Texas, LLC
    Inventors: Harlie D. Frost, William Reber
  • Patent number: 7720251
    Abstract: A multimedia device includes input ports dedicated to receiving a real-time media signal and a processor system dedicated to capturing the real-time media signal. The processor system defines an embedded environment. The input ports and the processor system are integrated into the multimedia capture device. The input ports include an audio input port and at least one of a visual-capture input port or a digital-image input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Echo 360, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Benjamin Allen, Steven Lee Geyer, Rodney Dale McElrath
  • Publication number: 20100118148
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is provided, including an adapter that converts alternating power into driving power; a communication unit connected to the adapter and configured to communicate with a remote controller; a controller connected to the communication unit and configured to generate a control signal according to a control command from the communication unit; and a light emitting device illumination part configured to be connected detachably and electrically to the adapter, comprising a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light according to the driving power and the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Young Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 7714902
    Abstract: In a camera apparatus of the present invention, a phase difference sensor, which is normally used for automatic focusing operation, is effectively used to detect a flicker of the fluorescent light (S104), and it is judged whether the flicker has been detected or not (S105). When the flicker has been detected, gain No. (3) prepared for the fluorescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit at a time of a capture (S106). The infrared light is detected (S107) based on an output used from an infrared light sensor, which is provided for receiving an infrared-light code signal from a remote control unit, and it is judged whether the infrared light has been detected or not (S108) . When the infrared light has been detected, gain No. (4) prepared for the incandescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit (S109).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Yuyama
  • Patent number: 7715033
    Abstract: When the function of a printer has been changed, the printer notifies a DSC of a change in printer function using a capabilityChanged tag. If the DSC does not return any inquiry about the capabilityChanged tag, the printer determines that the DSC has no function that supports the capabilityChanged tag. The printer executes disconnection and re-connection of USB to execute a communication procedure with the DSC from the beginning, thereby notifying the DSC of the latest capability information in the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ruriko Mikami, Akitoshi Yamada, Kentaro Yano, Takao Aichi, Fumihiro Goto, Kazuyuki Masumoto, Hiromitsu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7710456
    Abstract: According to a remote control device of the present invention, the operation situation according to the transmission of the remote control signal is judged based on a changing brightness of the image, and the information of the content according to the result of judgment is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to investigate a reaction of the apparatus to be controlled to the remote control signal, and visually indicate the reaction to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Koshiba
  • Publication number: 20100103254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photographing control device, microscope and program that can simply confirm whether time lapse photography is being executed normally or not. A number of a display target round, time required for processing of the round, and the operation state of each device of an inverted microscope and a camera in the round, are displayed in a window 431 on a photographed result display screen 421 that displays the photographed result of the time lapse photography. The individual operation time of the each device of the inverted microscope and the camera from the start of the processing of a photographing point selected in a list box 433 to the completion of the photographing of a channel selected in a list box 434, is displayed in a window 435. When an image button is pressed, the image of a photographed sample is displayed. The present invention can be applied to software for controlling time lapse photography using a microscope, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Nikon Corproation
    Inventor: Takaaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7705888
    Abstract: The user of an objective device registers a favorite setup of the objective device in a user setup data recording device in correspondence with user information based on a physical feature. Upon detecting the physical feature of the user, the objective device sends its device ID to the user setup data recording device together with the user information based on the physical feature. The user setup data recording device sends setup data of the objective device, which is set in advance by the user, to the objective device on the basis of the received user information and device ID. The objective device changes its setup on the basis of the received setup data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruyuki Kitawaki
  • Patent number: 7701488
    Abstract: A system is used to remotely control camera positioning. A transformation model is used. By in putting image coordinates of the monitored position form camera, the object coordinates is obtained and displayed on a digital map. By inputting object coordinates on a digital map, image coordinates for the camera is obtained. After transferring parameters for camera positioning, the camera is moved to a desired position for monitoring an area and taking a photo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Chi-Farn Chen, Li-Yu Chang, Bing-Cyuan Lai
  • Publication number: 20100090829
    Abstract: The invention relates to the automatic detection of the presence of non-authorized persons in the vicinity of an apparatus of the aircraft type. To this end, the invention comprises equipping persons with radio transmitters for identifying them as authorized personnel. The aircraft are also fitted, such as at the existing PODs, with a transceiver device of a radio identification system of the RFID type for recognition of the persons wearing the radio transmitters. Only the persons who are not authorized in the vicinity of the aircraft initiate an alarm procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventor: Olivier Pujol
  • Publication number: 20100091103
    Abstract: User interface of a mineral processing equipment governs a mineral processing line having several units (crushers, screens) connected in series. The user interface comprises a display screen (14) and control buttons or keys and is connected through a data transmission link to sensors and actuators of the mineral processing equipment for receiving measurement data and sending control commands. The user interface is arranged to show within the display screen (14), by choice of the user status of the mineral processing equipment in diagrammatic representation, or a live camera view (21) of at least one point of the equipment. The diagrammatic representations can be in form of a traffic lights (20) indicating the feeding speeds of the units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Metso Minerals Inc.
    Inventors: Mika Peltonen, Hannu Heman, Ari Posti, Jarmo Eloranta, Jouni Mahonen
  • Patent number: 7697605
    Abstract: A signal transmitting/receiving system and method, signal transmitting apparatus and method, signal processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program are provided. A signal transmitting/receiving system includes a transmitter configured to transmit signals; and a receiver configured to receive the signals transmitted from the transmitter. The transmitter transmits signals using a first signal having an edge at a position that is 1/n from the beginning of a unit segment and a second signal having an edge at a position of (n?1)/n from the beginning of a unit segment, where n is an integer greater than or equal to three, one of the first signal and the second signal representing logic “0” and the other representing logic “1”. The receiver determines a signal type based on a length of an edge interval of either rising edges or falling edges of the signals received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Machimura, Masaaki Hattori, Hiroto Kimura, Ryosuke Araki, Tetsujiro Kondo, Takashi Tago, Seiji Wada, Takashi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7697035
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a rotatable camera attachment and, more particularly to a rotatable lens system that works in conjunction with after-market digital and video cameras by means of a corresponding electronic device. The rotatable camera attachment comprises a lens that rotates 360° horizontally and 180° vertically to simultaneously capture the images surrounding a primary image recorded with the conventional camera. The electronic device is provided as a means to process the images so they can be viewed together. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Edward H. Suber, III, Dana Hawes
  • Publication number: 20100073496
    Abstract: Remote control units are used to interact with a variety of devices. Modeling of the usage of a remote control unit while interacting with a device helps in (a) redesigning the remote for better usability; (b) dynamic adapting of the remote to provide improved interactions; and (c) characterizing the usage behaviors. In particular, it is very popular to use remote control units to interact with TVs and PVR devices. A system and method for the modeling of a remote usage involves the use of both pre-defined models and discovered models. Specifically, a pattern of usage of a remote control unit is abstracted to be one of either a pre-defined model or a discovered model. The model discovery involves the process of generalization based on a set of particular remote control unit usage patterns. The labels associated with the models help in characterizing the remote control unit usage patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SATYAM COMPUTER SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sridhar Varadarajan, Amit Thawani, Kamakhya Prasad Gupta
  • Publication number: 20100073497
    Abstract: An operation input apparatus includes a body portion detection unit for receiving image data and detecting a certain body portion of a subject in an image of the image data, a state determination unit for determining a certain state corresponding to a priority-level setting condition for each body portion, a priority-level setting unit for setting priority levels to the individual body portions in accordance with results of the determination, an operation determination unit for determining whether the body portions performed a predetermined motion corresponding to a certain operation in accordance with determination allowance degrees of the body portions serving as determination subjects which are set in accordance with the priority levels, and a control unit for controlling the operation input apparatus so that the operation input apparatus performs a predetermined operation in accordance with the determination that the certain motion corresponding to the certain operation has been performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Katsumata, Yosuke Hiratsuka, Shingo Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 7683933
    Abstract: In an image display system which has a management station for saving, in a server, management data that contains at least names, identification numbers, and connection numbers of image sensing devices, and is described in the data description language, and the display style of the management data, and a display device, and which displays a video obtained from an arbitrary one or more image sensing devices connected, the management data of the image sensing devices is read out from the server, the display style of the readout management data is read out from the server, and an image is generated and displayed by applying the management data to the display style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichiro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100066845
    Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention allows a lens unit to be attachable/detachable with respect thereto. The digital camera of the present invention includes a plurality of display portions, and a control portion that causes the plurality of display portions to selectively display the image data as a moving image in real time. When the receiving portion receives a control signal from a remote controller, the control portion causes a first display portion among the plurality of display portions to display an image. Further, when the digital camera is fixed to a tripod, the control portion causes a first display portion among the plurality of display portions to display an image. Further, when the display portion capable of being rotated among the plurality of display portions is rotated, the control portion causes the display portion that is being rotated to display an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ueda, Kenichi Honjo, Naoto Yumiki
  • Patent number: 7680391
    Abstract: A control device remotely controls a controlled device. The control device includes a display unit, a communication unit and a control unit. The display unit displays a control panel of the controlled device. The control unit produces operation information. The communication unit sends the operation information to the controlled device. The operation information includes a shifting history of a cursor displayed on the control panel. The shifting history includes identification information of buttons depressed by the cursor in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Matsumoto, Masaki Kutsuna
  • Patent number: 7679650
    Abstract: An image-capturing system having a function of allowing the user to easily find the position of an image-capturing device is provided. An image-capturing system includes: an image-capturing unit; an image storage unit for storing a camera position image taken toward the image-capturing unit from an image-capturing region taken by the image-capturing unit; and a remote control unit which allows the user to perform operation for remote control of the image-capturing unit. With such an arrangement, the remote control unit includes a reception unit for receiving the camera position image stored in the image storage unit, and a display unit for displaying the camera position image received by the reception unit. The remote control unit further includes an image-capturing request unit for making a request to the image-capturing unit for image capturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7675542
    Abstract: A camera controller establishes a desired shooting range as the direction of a camera is changed. Coordinate data on a pseudo subject-plane representing a subject-plane virtually covering a plurality of subjects to be shot by the camera are stored. The direction of the camera is indicated by a cursor or the like on the image displayed on a display unit. Coordinates of an intersection point of a straight line extending from the camera in the instructed direction with the pseudo subject-plane stored in the memory are determined, and the distance between the camera and the intersection point is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: University of Aizu
    Inventor: Aiguo He
  • Patent number: 7663666
    Abstract: A mobile terminal, which is capable of communicating with a camera server via a network, has a display unit and a plurality of operating units. Operations for acquiring video and for controlling a camera are assigned to respective ones of the plurality of operating units. Depending upon the operation of the plurality of operating units, processing is executed for acquiring video from the camera server or for instructing the camera server to control the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Kawai, Motoo Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7656427
    Abstract: A charge pump can be used with a bus-powered device connected to a bus. The charge pump is formed of a power connection from the bus carrying a DC power signal constrained to not exceed a given current limit and a given voltage limit, a DC-to-DC step-down voltage converter, a capacitor, and a DC-to-DC step-up voltage converter. The step-down converter has an input connected to the power connection and produces an intermediate signal having a voltage the same or less than the voltage of the power signal. The capacitor is connected to the output of the step-down converter. The step-up converter has an input connected to the output of the step-down converter and to the capacitor, and produces a final output signal having a voltage greater than the given voltage limit. The output of the step-up converter is connected to and provides DC power to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Leonard Reynolds, Jay Johnson
  • Patent number: 7649551
    Abstract: An electronic camera system includes a photographing ordering system and a photographing system. The photographing system includes an image sensor which photographs a subject and generates an image signal; a camera-side communication unit which communicates with the photographing ordering system; a subject judging unit which judges whether or not the subject is the person to be photographed based on the person identifying data when or after the subject is photographed; an image processing unit which generates the image data with the image signal; and a camera-side control unit which extracts the image data of which the person to be photographed has been photographed based on a judged result of the subject judging unit and transmits the extracted image data to the photographing ordering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ohmura, Shinichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7643066
    Abstract: A method of processing video images includes capturing a first image with a camera having a first field of view. The capturing occurs at a first point in time. Commands are transmitted to the camera to make pan, tilt and zoom movements. A second image is captured with the camera at a second point in time. The second point in time is after the movements have commenced. A second field of view of the camera is calculated at the second point in time. The calculating is based upon the commands. The second image is processed based upon the first field of view and the calculated second field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul E Henninger, III, Mark Bell, Bruce Magid
  • Patent number: 7643065
    Abstract: In a system having a server and a client apparatus, the client apparatus edits image data by using a representative image of the image data stored in the server, generates play list data indicating the order of reproducing the image data, in accordance with the editing results, and the server stores the image data sent from the client apparatus, reproduces the stored image data in accordance with the play list data sent from the client, and transmits the reproduced image data to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuma Mikawa
  • Patent number: 7602420
    Abstract: An information code displayed on an image receiver is photographed by an image capture apparatus. Digital data representing a number unique to the image capture apparatus and digital data representing the information code unique to the image receiver obtained by photographing are encoded in accordance with digital data representing the information code, then transferred to a digital wireless sending section, and broadcasted via an antenna as a digital wireless signal. A microprocessor mounted on the image receiver decodes the digital data representing a number unique to the image capture apparatus and the digital data representing the information code unique to the image receiver utilizing the digital data representing the information code. Thus, for transmitting an image signal and an audio signal between the image capture apparatus and the image receiver by wireless, apparatuses are authenticated by each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Watanae
  • Publication number: 20090251553
    Abstract: Data processing apparatus arranged to receive successive images from a video camera comprises means for detecting inter-image motion for selected points in an image region associated with a control function of the data processing apparatus; and means for executing the control function if inter-image motion is detected in the image region; in which the detecting means is arranged to detect inter-image motion by detecting the cumulative inter-image motion for the points in the image region over a group of m consecutive images, where m is at least three.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE LTD
    Inventors: Diarmid Archibald Cambell, Mauritius Seeger
  • Publication number: 20090237518
    Abstract: A computer method and apparatus control virtual environment cameras based on context. Current context is detected in a subject virtual environment. As a function of detected context, a set of predefined camera views is provided and displayed for user selection. Upon user selection of a camera view from the provided and displayed set of predefined camera views, a camera of the subject virtual environment is updated. The camera view is changed to the user selected camera view. There is ongoing detection of context and indicating of candidate camera views based on context, for user selection and update of the camera view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Li-Te Cheng, Steven L. Rohall, John F. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7593055
    Abstract: In a connection check mode, a camera main body sends an electromagnetic wave signal to a lens unit to enable radio communication between the camera main body and the lens unit. Then the camera main body sends its own specification data to the lens unit through the radio communication, and the lens unit judges based on the specification data as to whether the lens unit is compatible with the camera main body or not. If the answer is yes, the lens unit derives from the specification data of the camera main body data on performances of the lens unit achievable in connection to the camera main body. The judgment and the performance data are sent through the radio communication to the camera main body, and are displayed as connection data on an LCD of the camera main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Yukihiro Kawada
  • Patent number: 7580059
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup unit, a recording unit for recording image data obtained by the image pickup unit, on a recording medium, a communication unit for exchanging data with an external equipment, a setting unit for setting a parameter relating to an image pickup operation of the image pickup unit, a generation unit for generating setting information based on the parameter set by the setting unit and a control unit for controlling the communication unit to transmit a command for instructing a start of an image reading and the setting information to an image scanner provided externally so that image data corresponding to the setting information are transmitted from the image scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20090207262
    Abstract: A controller has a connection interface used to connect an external device, changes an operational profile of an operation unit to that according to the external device connected by the connection interface, and controls a host apparatus based on an input operation from the user at the operation unit, the operational profile of which is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 7557836
    Abstract: A camera system capable of suitably displaying a through image is provided. A through image signal processing section is provided in a camera head. If signal processing cannot be performed by a digital signal processing section on a camera main body side, a through image is displayed based on a through image signal supplied from the through image signal processing section on the camera head side. In initialization of the camera system, the camera main body side, in advance, requests the camera head side to transmit a list of display modes that can be processed by the through image signal processing section. Subsequently, the through image is displayed in display modes common in the display mode list transmitted from the camera head and a display mode list of a display section in the camera main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Suemoto
  • Patent number: 7548258
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is the network video camera capable of delivering high-resolution digital images, comprising over a million of pixels per image, at full motion video frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Arecont Vision LLC.
    Inventor: Michael Kaplinsky
  • Patent number: 7544000
    Abstract: A camera that has an acquisition unit which acquires an identifier via a cradle apparatus connected to the camera, a comparison unit which compares the identifier acquired by the acquisition unit with an identifier stored in a memory, and a camera controller which controls access of the apparatus connected via the cradle apparatus based on comparison results by the comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ichiko Mayuzumi
  • Patent number: 7545949
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for setting various operating parameters of a vision detector from production line information that can be supplied by a manufacturing technician who is not skilled in the art of the invention. These operating parameters include shutter time, video gain, idle time, frame count, and locator search range. The production line information includes line speed, field of view size, direction of motion, and object spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Brian V. Mirtich, William M. Silver
  • Patent number: 7542072
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for imaging a screen of a display device, including filtering light emitted or reflected from the screen and a background region in proximity to the screen using first and second polarizing angles; sensing the filtered light; and generating at least one image set corresponding to the sensed filtered light. Each image set includes at least one image having a first plurality of pixels corresponding to the sensed filtered light using the first polarizing angle and a second plurality of pixels corresponding to the sensed filtered light using the second polarizing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Maryland
    Inventor: Daniel DeMenthon
  • Patent number: 7539472
    Abstract: Type-ahead keypad input is described. In an embodiment, keypad inputs that are entered as characters of a search term on a keypad of an input device, such as a television remote control, are received by a television-based client device. A user interface displays the keypad inputs as they are received, and displays an alphanumeric keypad as a representation of the keypad of the input device. The keypad representation of the input device has input keys that include a display of characters, any of which can change after each keypad input is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: David Hendler Sloo
  • Publication number: 20090109295
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that operate at least one camera configured to mount on a container handler by creating a position estimate of a container being handled by the container handler and controlling the camera with a directive in response to the position estimate, to generate a container image to estimate a container code of a container that is used to move cargo typically through container terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Henry King, Toru Takehara
  • Patent number: 7525575
    Abstract: An image capture device is described having a remote photograph mode in which images can be captured without physical contact with the device. The device is activated by the user speaking a keyword. The image capturing device is arranged so that after being initialized in the remote capture mode of operation, it enters a standby state for a period of time in which it is unresponsive to utterances and, after a period of time sets itself into a listening state in which it can capture images in response to detecting spoken keywords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Europa N.V.
    Inventors: David Llewellyn Rees, Robert Anthony Walkinshaw Fraser, Takashi Saito
  • Patent number: 7515176
    Abstract: A camera control system capable of controlling a plurality of cameras determines whether or not the camera to be controlled is controllable. The display state of an interface is used for performing a camera operation is changed in accordance with a result of this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akitomo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7515180
    Abstract: There is disclosed a shooting apparatus includes a shooting portion which shoots a subject to generate an original image, an index image generating portion which generates an index image from the original image, an image memory which stores at least an image, a communicating portion which performs transmission/reception of information with a managing server which manages images by radio, a transmitting portion which transmits the original image shot by the shooting portion to the managing server through the communicating portion, and an original image specifying information storage portion which stores in the image memory the index image of the original image and original image specifying information which specifies the original image in the managing server in association with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Wada
  • Patent number: 7508420
    Abstract: When an external communication device (14) is connected to an image processing apparatus, the external communication device (14) transfers identification information to the image processing apparatus through a communication driver (10). A central processing portion (8) transmits information of the image processing apparatus through the communication driver (10) when a communication with the connected communication device (14) is possible. This information of the image processing apparatus is information which can be processed by the communication device, and includes a program which can be executed by the communication device (14). As a result of executing the program of the information of the image processing apparatus, functions of photographing and playback and the like of the image processing apparatus can be selected and instructed from the communication device (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsutoshi Kitajima
  • Patent number: 7505065
    Abstract: An image pickup system including a digital camera and a personal computer (PC) connected to each other. The camera includes a camera control unit for controlling picture-taking based on photographing conditions set either by the camera or the PC, and a communication unit for communicating with the PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Koutatsu Oura, Ko Yokokawa, Hiroto Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7495697
    Abstract: A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph Ward, Kenneth A. Parulski, James D. Allen
  • Patent number: 7495687
    Abstract: A software-based application enables network communication devices in a wireless network to receive and display video from a plurality of network enabled cameras positioned in a plurality of select spaced apart geographic locations. Various types of network enabled cameras may be employed, including disparate cameras manufactured by different manufacturers. In addition, group pre-sets may be created by network administrators for easy access by end-users in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: F4W, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip James DuMas, Larry Alan Williamson
  • Publication number: 20090046162
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera system and camera controller having a modularized design. Camera control functions within the controller are distributed among a number of modules, each module performing a component task of controlling a camera. Individual modules can perform tasks such as generating clock signals, digitizing an analog video signal, and providing multiplexed digital video output. Modules communicate with each other over a common bus sufficient to carry the signals necessary to control the camera. The system implements a RAM-based digital sequencer that provides the capability of loading bit patterns into memory and using these patterns to generate waveforms for clocking a CCD. Clock and readout sequences can be composed in a high level language, compiled and uploaded into the controller. Adjustable clamp and sample signal delays used in digitizing an analog video signal provide the capability to optimize the performance of the system in a given application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: SciMeasure Analytical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Bleau, Raymond C. DuVarney
  • Publication number: 20090039734
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor includes: a driven member having a substantially spherical shape; a base; a support member provided on the base; a gimbal frame that is provided on a periphery of the driven member; a first bearing that couples the gimbal frame to the support member to be rotatable around a first rotation axis; a second bearing that couples the driven member to the gimbal frame to be rotatable around a second rotation axis that is orthogonal to the first rotation axis; a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each of which has one end fixed onto the base and the other end disposed to be in contact with an actuation portion that abuts the driven member; and an elastic portion that is formed on the gimbal frame, the elastic portion being displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takahashi, Takahiro Kokubo, Osamu Nishimura, Toshikatsu Akiba
  • Patent number: 7485115
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a remote operation support system includes a first control system arranged in an operating room, a second control system arranged in a primary support room, and a third control system arranged in at least one secondary support room, the first to third control systems being connected to each other through communication lines. The first control system has an imaging device for obtaining an image signal of a patient under operation, a first transmission/reception device for transmitting the image signal supplied from the imaging device to the second control system, simultaneously transmitting patient information regarding the patient under operation to the third control system, and receiving support information from the second control system, and a reproduction device for displaying the image signal and reproducing the support information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeaki Nakamura