Photography Patents (Class 356/404)
  • Patent number: 11885686
    Abstract: A color measuring system includes a color measuring section configured to perform color measurement, a receiving section configured to receive designation of a color sample book, a selecting section configured to, in response to the color measurement being performed, compare colors of the color sample book and a color measured by the color measuring section and automatically select colors close to the measured color out of the color sample book, and a notifying section configured to notify the selected colors to a user as approximate colors of the measured color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Kobayashi, Yuka Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11129579
    Abstract: Provided are a dental treatment planning apparatus and method using image matching. The dental treatment planning apparatus includes a two-dimensional image photographing unit configured to generate a two-dimensional medical image by photographing a head of a person being treated, a three-dimensional image photographing unit configured to generate a three-dimensional medical image by photographing teeth of the person being treated, an image converting unit configured to generate a converted image by photographing the three-dimensional medical image under a photographing condition of the two-dimensional medical image, and an image matching unit configured to generate a matched image by matching the converted image to one region of the two-dimensional medical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: GENORAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Hyun Lim, Wook Song, Bong Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 11117774
    Abstract: A system for controlling curl in sheets passing beneath a camera includes applying a thin layer of high velocity air to a curved baffle positioned beneath the camera. The high velocity air layer, which will have a tendency to follow the curved baffle (Coanda effect), will divert sheets (Bernoulli effect) towards the curved baffle. By positioning the curved baffle along the media paper path and by applying a uniform air stream to it, a lower pressure area will be created. This will flatten the trajectory of the sheets and thereby remove curl before the sheets pass the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rachel Lynn Tanchak, Erwin Ruiz, Carlos M Terrero, Roberto A Irizarry, Glenn Batchelor, Ali R Dergham
  • Patent number: 9442013
    Abstract: A microscope spectrometer in which, when an excitation light from a light source illuminates a sample, a light emitted from the sample that enters a microscope is analyzed, may include: a first optical means that forms the light emitted from the sample as a parallel beam; a first variable bandpass filter means having a variable wavelength passband that transmits incident light, which of the parallel beam of incident light, is light of a pre-established wavelength passband; a two-dimensional array light detection means that images the light in the wavelength passband; and a control means that controls the timing of the imaging by the two-dimensional array light detection means and, in accordance with the timing, changes the wavelength passband of the first variable bandpass filter means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Iga
  • Patent number: 9347873
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printing unit that prints at least one object image using a color material; a color information acquiring unit that acquires color information of the object image; and a control unit that starts one of colorimetry of the object image using the color information acquired by the color information acquiring unit and color adjustment of the printing unit after a variation amount of color information of the object image measured at different points of time is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Fujii, Nobuyuki Satoh, Mamoru Yorimoto, Masato Kobayashi, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Daisaku Horikawa, Suguru Yokozawa, Kenji Morita, Yuichi Sakurada, Tomohiro Sasa, Masaya Kawarada
  • Patent number: 9170195
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and print process control strip determine a curing level of printing inks on printing material. Conventional measuring areas of a print process control strip are always formed by tonal value combinations of individual, reliably thoroughly dried, printing inks, in particular when using intermediate dryers. Measuring the measuring areas furnishes no more accurate information with regard to the curing level of ink combinations in the actual printed image which differ from the combinations of the measuring areas of the print process control strip. A level-of-curing control area is provided, which is formed by overprinting preferably at least four printing inks, in each case in full tone, to obtain statements relating to the curing level of the printing inks with the print process control strip. Measuring the level-of-curing control area provides information about the curing level of all printing ink combinations in the printed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Martin Hirning, Michael Kohlmann
  • Patent number: 9100532
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an output signal obtaining unit that is connected to a pixel group having a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel and obtains a first output signal, a second output signal, and a third output signal, a spectral sensitivity determination unit that determines a first spectral sensitivity, a second spectral sensitivity, and a third spectral sensitivity, which are spectral sensitivities of the first, second, and third output signals, respectively, with respect to a wavelength of incident light entering the pixel group, an output signal amplification unit that amplifies the first, second, and third output signals based on the first, second, and third spectral sensitivities, respectively, and an image generation unit calculates pixel values of the first pixel, the second pixel, and the third pixel from the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal amplified, and generates an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryu Narusawa, Koichiro Kishima
  • Patent number: 8824005
    Abstract: A method of characterizing an imaging system is described includes printing a color chart having a plurality of predetermined color patches; measuring the color patches to obtain colorimetric data; initializing a Neugebauer model with the Neugebauer solids of said colorimetric data; optimizing the global parameters of the Neugebauer model; optimizing the parameters associated with Demichel terms based on the Neugebauer primary associated with the Demichel term; optimizing parameters that vary with device coordinates; and creating a characterization file for the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Edge
  • Patent number: 8603772
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel methods and devices for measurement of particle concentration or changes in particle concentration over a wide linear range. The invention comprises one or more radiation sources and one or more detectors contained in a housing which is interfaced to a medium containing particulate matter. The one or more radiation sources are directed into the medium, scattered or transmitted by the particulate matter, and then some portion of the radiation is detected by the one or more detectors. Methods for confining the measurement to a specific volume within the medium are described. Algorithms are provided for combining the signals generated by multiple source-detector pairs in a manner that results in a wide linear range of response to changes in particle concentration. In one embodiment the sensor provides non-invasive measurements of biomass in a bioreactor. In another embodiment an immersible probe design is described, which may be suited for one-time use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Bug Lab LLC
    Inventors: Martin P. Debreczeny, Jaime Romero, Ethan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20130107261
    Abstract: A method for determining the effectiveness of the treatment of a fluid for the purpose of reducing or eliminating particles in the fluid. The method includes the steps of obtaining samples of the fluid before and after treatment, delivering the samples to a particle imaging system, obtaining image information of particles in the samples, including particle colors, and comparing the difference in particle color from the first sample to the second sample. A change in particle color detected is indicative of particle death.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: FLUID IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: FLUID IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Publication number: 20120044498
    Abstract: Products and methods for identifying rock samples based on an average color value for each rock sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Ellington & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William Eugene Ellington, JR., Jacob Cecill Moore, Mark Alan Smith, Grigory Leonidovich Dubinsky
  • Publication number: 20120004884
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device and a method for the space-colorimetric measurement of a three-dimensional object, in order to digitally model the low-relief and the colorimetric coordinates of this object according to multiple analysis points. In order to do so, the measuring device of the disclosure combines a lighting means with at least four optical detection means, including at least two twin detection means sensitive to substantially identical light wavelength ranges, in order to determine by stereoscopic effect the low-relief of the object analysed. The disclosure thus proposes a device for the space-colorimetric measurement of a three-dimensional object, that comprises a detection head including a lighting means for the object and at least four detection means for detecting the light reflected by the object, wherein said device further includes a unit for processing the information received by the detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Bernard Fillol, Philippe Gremillet, Jean-Marie Magain, Jean Tretout, Frédéric Weimann
  • Patent number: 7980650
    Abstract: A system removes a light sensor artifact from a light sensor in a printer that is used to obtain reflectance measurements from test patterns printed on an image substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yeqing Zhang, Howard A. Mizes, Luo Cheng
  • Patent number: 7911613
    Abstract: A colorimeter of a profile generator calorimetrically measures a color chart after elapse of a sufficient period of time from printing of the color chart, thereby producing post-dry-down colorimetric values. The colorimeter also calorimetrically measures certain patches selected from the color chart immediately after printing thereof, thereby producing pre-dry-down calorimetric values. Colorimetric value differences between the post-dry-down colorimetric values and the pre-dry-down colorimetric values are calculated. Using the calorimetric value differences and the post-dry-down calorimetric values, device-dependent data are converted into colorimetric values, which represent pre-dry-down device-independent data. The colors of a print prior to dry-down are predicted based on such converted colorimetric values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Horita
  • Patent number: 7898663
    Abstract: A uniform light generating system for testing an image-sensing device includes a light-generating unit, a light-transmitting unit, a light-diffusing unit, and a lens unit. The light-generating unit has a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting elements electrically disposed on the substrate. The light-transmitting unit has one side communicated with the light-generating unit for receiving and uniformizing light beams projected from the light-emitting elements. The light-diffusing unit has one side disposed on the other side of the light-transmitting unit for receiving and diffusing the light beams that have passed through the light-transmitting unit. The lens unit is disposed on the other side of the light-diffusing unit for transmitting the light beams that have passed through the light-diffusing unit to the image-sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Youngtek Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bily Wang, Kuei-Pao Chen, Chih-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 7889919
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a photographing apparatus and a processing apparatus. The photographing apparatus includes LEDs for emitting light with characteristics of spectroscopic distributions varied in a visible light area, an image pick-up device unit which picks-up a subject image that is illuminated by the LEDs and is formed by an image pick-up optical system and which outputs an image signal, and a control unit. The control unit sequentially lights-on the LEDs upon an instruction for photographing a subject spectroscopic image being input from an operating switch, picks-up the image, and thus controls the operation for capturing subject spectroscopic images. The processing apparatus includes a calculating device which performs a desired image calculation based on the image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Komiya, Toru Wada, Osamu Konno, Takeyuki Ajito, Tomoyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7869043
    Abstract: A passive skin detection system includes a main body which houses a collection optics system having an image splitting device, a visible light filter mechanism having a plurality of narrow band filters and an image capture system. The image capture system stores visible light data as a plurality of digital images formed from a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of digital images is associated with visible light passed through a respective one of the plurality of narrow band filters. An image processing system, operatively connected to the image capture system, compares relative intensities of each of the plurality of digital images to identify one or more of the plurality of pixels having an absorption bandwidth indicating a presence of skin. The processing system determines whether a person, identified by his skin, is present in any of the images captured by the detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sparta, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Campbell, Jeffrey E. Thoma, Andrew J. Dally, Merrick J. DeWitt, Troy A. Crites
  • Patent number: 7812971
    Abstract: An autofocus system and method that includes a controllable light source having at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths adapted for illuminating an object; a camera receiving light from said light source reflected from a portion of said object and generating output signals responsive to said received light; a controller connected to said camera and said controllable light source for positioning said camera and sequentially illuminating a first portion of the object with at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths, moving the camera to a second position and sequentially illuminating a second portion of the object with at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths; and a data processor connected to said camera and receiving said output signals and for each portion, comparing the output signals associated with each wavelength and determining a focus parameter from said comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Quality Vision International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Jackson, Edward T. Polidor
  • Patent number: 7804597
    Abstract: A method for matching colour properties and texture properties of a repair paint to colour properties and texture properties of a paint film on a substrate to be repaired is provided. In the method, the texture of the paint film is imaged with a digital imaging device, the imaged texture is analyzed using image analysis software, texture data is calculated, and the repair paint is formulated on the basis of the concentrations of paint modules, wherein each paint module is associated to specified texture data and colour data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: AKZO Nobel Coatings International B.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Hendrik De Haas, Swie Lan Njo, Eric Jacob Jan Kirchner, Roelof Johannes Baptist Gottenbos
  • Patent number: 7778786
    Abstract: A method for estimating surface moisture content of wood chips for use in a pulp and paper production process comprises measuring chip surface moisture using an infrared surface moisture sensor, and adjusting a calibration of the surface moisture measured with a model using values of a set of optical parameters representing light reflection characteristics of the wood chips, to estimate their surface moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Quebec
    Inventor: Feng Ding
  • Patent number: 7667844
    Abstract: A line sensor includes a light source section for irradiating light of a plurality of colors to an inspecting object, and a light-receiving section for detecting reflected light from the inspecting object. The light source section has a plurality of light sources for each of the plurality of colors. The light-receiving section has a plurality of light-receiving sensors disposed in a row. The light sources are disposed in two rows so that the light-receiving section is interposed between the two rows. The light sources of the plurality of colors are divided into a first color light source group and a second color light source group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayasu Ogawa, Shuichi Takemoto, Kazushi Okamoto, Seishi Oda
  • Publication number: 20100027009
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a method for detecting a color of a signal light from a moving vehicle such as railroad train. The method includes capturing an image from a camera mounted on the moving vehicle and extracting candidate regions in the image that contain light region. The method further includes classifying the candidate regions as a signal light region or a non-signal light region and identifying the color of the signal light region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rahul Bhotika, Paulo Ricardo dos Santos Mendonca, Jens Rittscher, Thomas Baby Sebastian
  • Publication number: 20090168063
    Abstract: A dental color measurement tool disposed opposite an opening portion for capturing light from an artificial tooth to undergo color measurement with a color measurement device includes at least one pair of guide posts having an engaging portion corresponding to an engaging portion on the color measurement device side, and an abutment post disposed between the pair of guide posts and having a pointed convex shape to which the artificial tooth can be mounted. The abutment post has a color measurement reference surface in a color measurement light axis direction as the vicinity of a focus position of the color measurement device in a photographing state. When performing color measurement photographing, the artificial tooth is mounted to the abutment post to position the front thereof at the color measurement reference surface. Thus, the artificial tooth can be stably retained at a suitable position with respect to the color measurement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi KOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20090153858
    Abstract: A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Cadent Ltd.
    Inventor: Noam Babayoff
  • Publication number: 20090021738
    Abstract: A colorimeter of a profile generator calorimetrically measures a color chart after elapse of a sufficient period of time from printing of the color chart, thereby producing post-dry-down colorimetric values. The colorimeter also calorimetrically measures certain patches selected from the color chart immediately after printing thereof, thereby producing pre-dry-down calorimetric values. Colorimetric value differences between the post-dry-down colorimetric values and the pre-dry-down colorimetric values are calculated. Using the calorimetric value differences and the post-dry-down calorimetric values, device-dependent data are converted into colorimetric values, which represent pre-dry-down device-independent data. The colors of a print prior to dry-down are predicted based on such converted colorimetric values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei HORITA
  • Publication number: 20080259336
    Abstract: An image processing system which performs photography of the teeth of a patient while causing a plurality of illumination light LEDs of different wavelengths to emit light by means of a photography device when producing a crown repair or denture of the patient, whereby image data are acquired. The image data are transmitted to a dental filing system constituting a processing device where color reproduction data are determined through computation. In addition, color reproduction data are transmitted to the dental technician's office via a public switched network. A repair material compound ratio calculation database is searched and compound data for a material that matches the hue of the patient's teeth is retrieved, so that a crown repair or denture or the like that very closely matches the color of the patient's teeth can be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu KONNO, Yasuhiro KOMIYA, Toru WADA, Nobumasa SATO
  • Patent number: 7292949
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating surface moisture content of wood chips employing a surface moisture measurement obtained from a non-contact surface moisture sensor, which measurement is calibrated with values of a set of optical parameters, such as HSL color camera signals, representing light reflection characteristics of the wood chips in order to estimate the surface moisture content thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec
    Inventor: Feng Ding
  • Patent number: 7035437
    Abstract: The image reading apparatus for photoelectrically reading an original image includes an image reading device and a detection device. The image reading device has first reading unit for reading a visible image carried by the original image and a second reading unit for reading a reference image in a wavelength different from that used to read the visible image. The detection device acquires correlative pixel distribution information between a visible image signal and a reference image signal using the visible image and the reference image having been read by the image reading device and detects an image defect caused by a foreign particle deposited on the original image and a flaw of an original using the information. The apparatus can detect the image defect of the film with pinpoint accuracy without erroneous detection without depending upon a type of the film and a state of the image, and output in excellent productivity an image of high quality whose image defect has been preferably corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6900886
    Abstract: A photometric apparatus includes an exposure value calculator for calculating an exposure value based on light data from a photo sensor and an inputted photosensitivity; an exposure value difference calculator for calculating a difference between a calculated exposure value and a reference exposure value; a gamma characteristic provider, which provides a gamma characteristic concerning a relationship between the exposure value difference and a gradation value of digital data; a gradation calculator for calculating, based on the exposure value difference and the gamma characteristic, a gradation value of digital data in connection with an object having the calculated exposure value when the object is photographed at the reference exposure value; and an indicator for indicating the calculated gradation value of digital data in connection with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Yuasa
  • Patent number: 6810209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to establish a sensitometry curve for a photographic medium, including the following steps: the formation on the medium of at least one sensitometry control by exposing many ranges of the medium with various exposure energies; the capture of the optical density values of the sensitometry control in each range; the formation from the captured values of sensitometry curve sections; and the energy offset of the curve section to obtain a partial overlap of sections corresponding to neighboring exposure energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Thierry Prigent
  • Patent number: 6793489
    Abstract: A method of making a patient's dental prosthesis (e.g., a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contain black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: DenTech, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan C. Morris, Craig A. Mabrito, Matthew R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6792137
    Abstract: A method for providing a preliminary diagnosis of skin cancer, more specifically a screening risk assessment of pigmented lesions receiving digital photographs of skin abnormalities from a plurality of consumers at a server, receiving medical information related to each of the plurality of consumers at the server, assigning an identification to at least one of the consumers and the digital photographs, reviewing the digital photographs and categorizing the digital photographs into at least three categories so as to define category information, the at least three categories including a first category of a first risk, a second category of risk lower than the first category and a third category of insufficient photograph quality, and providing the category information as a function of the identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Kenet
  • Patent number: 6717672
    Abstract: A color measurement method performs a color measurement in which an influence of a fluorescent brightening age included in a printed form is corrected. With respect to the influence of the fluorescent brightening age, a measurement is performed only on a white portion of the printed form. With respect to the color patches constituting a color chart, a correction is performed by a correction quantity in which a reference correction quantity for correcting the influence of the white portion is weighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyomi Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 6567170
    Abstract: A low cost yet higher speed color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for on-line color printer color control systems, wherein multiple test patches of different colors may be simultaneously illuminated and substantially simultaneously discretely color analyzed. Reduced numbers of test print sheets, with multiple sets of multiple small adjacent different color test patches, may be used. Reflected images of the multiple different color test patches may be simultaneously focused on different areas of a photodetector chip to expose differently color responsive sets of multiple photo-sites to provide plural discrete color signals for each different color test patch image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jagdish C. Tandon, Lingappa K. Mestha
  • Patent number: 6563531
    Abstract: The image processing method of the invention for subjecting image data which is obtained by reading an image on a film photoelectrically to specified image processing, which comprises the step of: acquiring film characteristic of said film; and correcting the image data in accordance with the acquired film characteristic. According to this method, the characteristic change, particularly, gradation characteristic change of the film can be suitably corrected and as a result, a high-quality print having a high-quality image can be constantly and stably obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Matama
  • Patent number: 6517055
    Abstract: In a printing device which prints a color image on a photosensitive material by allowing an exposing head to modulate light from a light source for each pixel in accordance with image information, the exposing head is constituted by superposing three LCS's in the light-axis direction. The respective LCS's control the transmission and interruption of only the respective blue, green and red color components so that color tones in the respective pixels with respect to an image printed on printing paper are controlled based upon the subtractive color process. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the generation of pixel offsets in an image printed on the photosensitive material by using a simple structure, and consequently to provide a printing device having a superior processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6462772
    Abstract: In a photographic film digital image scanner, long term adverse effects on image scanning system response are compensated for by establishing an initial gain calibration profile in advance of commencing image scanning operation. A reference Dmin value is established at the same time, preferably from film Dmin regions associated with the bar code pattern located in the leader portion of the film. When image scanning operation is commenced, an updated Dmin value is established for the frame being scanned and the initial gain calibration profile is adjusted by multiplying the pixel-by-pixel values in the profile by the ratio of the reference Dmin over the up-dated frame-specific Dmin value. Preferably, the same image sensor photosites used to establish the reference Dmin value are used for establishing the frame-specific Dmin value and the readings are taken from Dmin regions of the film associated the bar code pattern adjacent the frame to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20020081233
    Abstract: A system for automatically testing a fluid specimen, e.g., urine, to indicate the presence of specified chemical components in the specimen. The system preferably utilizes an assaying device comprised of a collection cup and a cap which carries at least one test strip. The device includes an integrated aliquot delivery mechanism actuatable to wet the test strip with an aliquot delivered from the fluid specimen. The assaying device is configured to operate in conjunction with an electronic reader device capable of actuating the aliquot delivery mechanism and reading the reaction of the test strip. A preferred reader device defines a keyed receptacle for accommodating a complementary shaped cup housing in a particular orientation. The reader device is comprised of a camera for capturing the image of a test strip, an actuator for actuating an aliquot delivery mechanism, and a microprocessor/controller for (1) controlling the camera and actuator and (2) processing the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Murray I. Lappe, David A. Birkner, John W. Goodin, Keith Patten, Bill Whitford
  • Patent number: 6128090
    Abstract: A visual control strip for imageable media such as a printing plate, a photographic film or a printable substrate is described wherein the visual control strip is to be applied to the imageable medium. The control strip includes a plurality of first control fields having differing grey tone values which are relatively insensitive to the processing variables which influence the size of the spots or dots produced on the imaged medium. The control strip also includes at least one second control field which is relatively sensitive to these process variables. The second control field is located immediately adjacent to the first insensitive control fields for ease of comparison. The second sensitive control field has a target grey tone value which may typically be 25%, 50% or 75%. To improve assessment of exposure parameters, the insensitive fields are completely surrounded by a sensitive field or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Agfa Gevaert N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Van hunsel, Jan Van Cauwenberge
  • Patent number: 6115111
    Abstract: A system for determining a distance to a target object or a displacement of a target object monitors electrical characteristics of a semiconductor laser aimed at the object. Light emitted from the laser is reflected from a surface of the object back into the laser. The amount of reflected light reaching the laser affects electrical characteristics of the laser. Because the amount of reflected light reaching the laser depends on the distance to the target object, the electrical characteristics of the semiconductor laser provide an indication of the distance to the target object. Also, a change in the electrical characteristics can be used to determine an amount of displacement of a target object. A system embodying the invention could also include an optical detector array which can be focused on a target object by monitoring electrical characteristics of one or more semiconductor lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: John K. Korah, Kristina M. Johnson, Valentin Morozov, Chong Chang Mao
  • Patent number: 6108435
    Abstract: A method of detecting a phase difference between a pair of images of an object which are formed on a pair of optical sensor arrays through different optical paths, with presence of flare in one of the images, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Mori, Shotaro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6007332
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the color characteristic of a tooth, particularly in a mouth in which restorative dentistry is contemplated, employs the photographic imaging of the tooth of the patient, and the photographing of visually selected color standards, to achieve the final selection of the closest color match. The resulting photographic images, which may be on a single photograph, are subjected to calorimetric or spectrophotometric analysis to achieve the final selection of the closest match. The system avoids the need to rely upon the visual color acuity of the practitioner in order to achieve a close color match for a prosthetic device. Additionally, the method and system of the invention avoid the problems associated with color shifts associated with photography, when such is used alone as the indicator of tooth color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: William J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5900927
    Abstract: An image pickup frame is divided into a plurality of areas. A contrast at each area is measured. An area where a main subject is located is detected by comparing contrasts at areas. A distance to a subject in the area where the main subject is located is measured. With this range finding technique, even if a main subject is not located at the central area of an image pickup frame, an area where the main subject is located can be identified and range finding can be performed only for that area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5900975
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a plate beamsplitter having a first surface coated with a partially reflective coating, and a second surface coated with an anti-reflective coating, and a polarizing filter, oriented with respect to the plate beamsplitter so as to substantially block light of substantially incompatible polarization that has traversed the plate beamsplitter, has been reflected by the object to be range imaged, and has been reflected by the plate beamsplitter towards the polarizing filter, thereby substantially preventing the formation of a ghost image of the object to be range imaged. Thus, the invention does not suffer from optical ghost images which commonly occur due to imperfect anti-reflection coatings used to make plate beam splitters. Also, the invention makes practical the use of plate beam splitters in depth from defocus and depth from focus range imaging systems employing coaxial active illumination and viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Sussman
  • Patent number: 5799216
    Abstract: Scene intensity measuring and illumination source detection apparatus for determining scene illuminant and appropriate exposure settings for an image capture device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a diffractive optical element including an off-axis segment for dispersing incident scene illumination into its spectral components and for focusing the incident scene illumination, a structure responsive to the spectral intensities of the spectral components of the incident scene illumination for producing detection signals corresponding to such spectral components, a structure coupled to the sensing means for producing digitized detection signals, and a structure responsive to the digitized detection signals for determining the scene illuminant and the appropriate exposure settings for the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Paul Teremy, Mark M. Meyers
  • Patent number: 5790242
    Abstract: A three dimensional sensor includes an illumination source that produces broadband, high intensity optical energy. This optical energy includes a number of individual wavelength components. The individual wavelength components are impinged in a spot on a target. Dispersion is applied to the light reflected from the spot, either before target impingement, after target impingement, or both, whereby light of different colors is focused at different distances from the target. A maximum reflected wavelength, dependent on target range, is detected to determine the target range. In one embodiment, temporal modulation is applied to the light before target impingement. A stationary detector determines the target range by relating the maximum light received to the time it is received in order to determine the color received at that time. In another embodiment, all colors are reflected from the target simultaneously, and the reflected beam is chromatically dispersed in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Stern, Robert J. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5703677
    Abstract: A single lens range sensor comprises a camera 27 having a pair of plano-convex lenses 28a and 28b, an optical mask 30, an imaging sensor 32, a digitizer 34 and a computer 36. The optical mask 30 may be implemented with a liquid crystal array having spatially varying opacity which can be switched (e.g., by the computer 36) between masks derived from a differentiable mask function and its derivative. Alternatively, the mask 30 may be composed of two printed masks which are mechanically switched to obtain two images based on the differentiable mask function and its derivative. The imaging sensor 32 may be implemented with a CCD array. The invention avoids the correspondence problems of the two camera and moving camera approaches, and is simple to calibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Eero Simoncelli, Hany Farid
  • Patent number: 5686210
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for identifying image-forming material type, particularly photographic material types. The method comprises illuminating a sample of the material at a plurality of wavelengths and measuring the density at each of these wavelengths. The set of density values obtained are then used to determine the slope of the cyan dye curve between the magenta and cyan peaks. This slope can then be compared to data to identify the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard Arthur Sharman
  • Patent number: 5686983
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to estimate subject illuminating light using the minimum number of on-photography information. When no flashes of light exist, color differences R-G and G-B are calculated based on image information detected by an image sensor and the calculated color differences are plotted on color coordinates. It is further determined whether R-G and G-B distributions fall within a fluorescent-lamp light region or a tungsten light region (106). If it is determined that the distributions fall within the fluorescent-lamp light region, then the subject illuminating light is estimated as light such as a night view or fireworks, which is emitted from a light source other than the fluorescent lamp, when an average intensity (BV).ltoreq.-1.5 ?EV!. Further, the subject illuminating light is estimated as the fluorescent-lamp light when -1.5 ?EV!<BV.ltoreq.3 ?EV! and is estimated as daylight producing a green failure when 3 ?EV!<BV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5565990
    Abstract: A photographic color temperature meter capable of measuring light including stationary light and flash light. The meter controls timing of light measurements so that light measurement is performed during the time when stationary light and flash light are included and when only stationary light is included. Thereafter, calculation of color temperature only of flash light is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihisa Hosoi, Seiki Yamaguchi, Mikio Uematsu, Yoshihiro Okui