Range Or Distance Measuring Patents (Class 382/106)
  • Publication number: 20140294243
    Abstract: A gap and height difference measurement module may include a mounting frame with a flange mounted on a first end thereof and a connecting frame mounted on a second end of the mounting frame, first and second housings mounted on both sides of the connecting frame respectively, a first light source mounted on a lower end of the first housing and emitting light onto the panels, a second light source mounted on a lower end of the second housing and emitting light onto the panels, first and second sensors respectively mounted on front ends of the first and second housings, and first and second filters that are respectively mounted to the first and second sensors so as to allow the first and second sensors to each extract straight-line elements from cross sections formed as the lights emitted from the first and second light are irradiated onto the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sangkyu PARK
  • Patent number: 8849570
    Abstract: Navigation information may be provided. First, a destination location may be received at a portable device. Next, a current location of the portable device maybe detected. Then, at least one way-point may be calculated based on the current location and the destination location. An orientation and a level of the portable device may be determined and the at least one way-point may then be projected from the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: V. Kevin Russ, John A. Snavely, Edwin R. Burtner, Ian M. Sands
  • Patent number: 8848056
    Abstract: A vehicle periphery monitoring apparatus displays a mobile object on a display unit, encircled by a detection frame, which notifies the driver of the vehicle concerning the presence of the mobile object. A mobile object detector judges a travel path of the mobile object, and a display processor changes an area within which the detection frame is not displayed, depending on the direction in which the judged travel path extends. The detection frame is displayed only when necessary, so as to indicate the presence of the mobile object to the driver using the detection frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Saigusa, Yasushi Shoda, Katsuyuki Takei, Yoshitaka Yokoo
  • Publication number: 20140286536
    Abstract: A method for a six degree of freedom position and orientation determination of a known shape in a scenery is disclosed. The method includes taking a range image with a range imaging camera and a visual picture with a digital camera. The range imaging camera includes a sensor array with a first number of pixels. Determining a 3D cluster of points from range information collected from the sensor array to a point of the scenery. The digital camera comprises an image sensor having a second number of pixels, resulting in a 2D picture. A stored 3D digital representation of the known shape may be fitted in a virtual space to match the reproduction of the known object in the 2D picture and the 3D cluster of points and determining the six degree of freedom position and orientation of the known shape according to the virtual match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Knut Siercks, Eugen Voit, Jürg Hinderling, Benedikt Zebhauser, Klaus Schneider
  • Patent number: 8843959
    Abstract: The method, system and computer program product generate online interactive maps linking tracked objects (in a live or pre-recorded video sequence) to multimedia content in real time. Specifically, an object tracking and link generation (OTLG) utility allows a user to access multimedia content by clicking on moving (or still) objects within the frames of a video (or image) sequence. The OTLG utility identifies and stores a clear image(s) of an object or of multiple objects to be tracked and initiates a mechanism to track the identified objects over a sequence of video or image frames. The OTLG utility utilizes the results of the tracking mechanism to generate, for each video frame, an interactive map frame with interactive links placed in the map frame at a location corresponding to the object's tracked location in each video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: Orlando McMaster, Eustace P. Isidore
  • Patent number: 8842922
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-su Cheon
  • Patent number: 8842925
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-su Cheon
  • Patent number: 8842926
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-su Cheon
  • Patent number: 8842885
    Abstract: The invention discloses a camera device that contains an image capture module for capturing image data including a user; an information processing module for obtaining human face image data from the image data, and obtaining a distance information between a human face corresponding to the human face image data and the camera device according to the human face image data; a decision module for determining whether the distance corresponding to said distance information is less than a predetermined value, and generating a prompt information while the distance corresponding to said distance information is less than a predetermined value; and a prompt output module for outputting said prompt information based on said distance information, said prompt information is configured to give a prompt to said user. The invention also discloses an information prompt method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventors: Yuancheng Wang, Honglei Zhu, Hai Chi, Lu Lu
  • Patent number: 8836776
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope apparatus capable of stably and precisely measuring a distance to an object by suppressing variations in measured values of the distance to the object depending on the presence or absence of pigment dispersion or the like and capable of enabling observations based on clear and high quality images. The endoscope apparatus includes an optical system that condenses light from an object and simultaneously forms two optical images having the same characteristics with difference only in focal point; an imaging element that captures the two optical images formed by the optical system and acquires two images; and a calculation unit that obtains distance information corresponding to a distance to the object based on a contrast ratio of the two images in a range in which the two images acquired by the imaging element have a common contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Mitsujiro Konno
  • Patent number: 8837782
    Abstract: Data or electrooptic sensor (EOS) images are made of a star field and at least one, and possibly multiple, Earth satellites associated therewith. Calculations performed on the imaged locations of a satellite and two stars of a star field provide all the information needed to identify the observer's position. When the ephemerides of the satellite(s) are less accurately known, calculations performed on the imaged locations of at least two satellites and four stars of a star field provide all the information needed to identify the observer's position, because the along-track and cross-track ephemerides errors are different. Thus, the cross-track information of multiple satellites is preferentially used to determine the geolocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Rosenwinkel, Jonathan Mercurio, Kellie Bucha
  • Publication number: 20140254880
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor environments are disclosed. An example method includes analyzing a first depth value corresponding to a coordinate of an object of an image captured by a depth sensor, the first depth value having been captured with the depth sensor positioned at a first angle relative to a reference axis; moving the depth sensor to a second angle relative to the reference axis, the second angle being different than the first angle; triggering capture of a second depth value at the coordinate with the depth sensor positioned at the second angle; and calculating a depth gradient for the coordinate based on the first and second depth values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Venugopal Srinivasan, Padmanabhan Soundararajan
  • Patent number: 8831336
    Abstract: First information is about respective depths of pixel coordinates within an image. Second information is about respective depths of the pixel coordinates within a ground plane. In response to comparing the first information against the second information, respective markings are generated to identify whether any one or more of the pixel coordinates within the image has significant protrusion from the ground plane. In response to a particular depth of a representative pixel coordinate within the image, a window of pixel coordinates is identified that is formed by different pixel coordinates and the representative pixel coordinate. In response to the respective markings, respective probabilities are computed for the pixel coordinates, so that the respective probability for the representative pixel coordinate is computed in response to the respective markings of all pixel coordinates within the window. In response to the respective probabilities, at least one object is detected within the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter Barnum
  • Patent number: 8831289
    Abstract: A computing system generates a depth map from at least one image, detects objects in the depth map, and identifies anomalies in the objects from the depth map. Another computing system identifies at least one anomaly in an object in a depth map, and uses the anomaly to identify future occurrences of the object. A system includes a three dimensional (3D) imaging system to generate a depth map from at least one image, an object detector to detect objects within the depth map, and an anomaly detector to detect anomalies in the detected objects, wherein the anomalies are logical gaps and/or logical protrusions in the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft International Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Giora Yahav
  • Patent number: 8824737
    Abstract: A method for processing data includes receiving a depth map of a scene containing a humanoid form. The depth map is processed so as to identify three-dimensional (3D) connected components in the scene, each connected component including a set of the pixels that are mutually adjacent and have mutually-adjacent depth values. Separate, first and second connected components are identified as both belonging to the humanoid form, and a representation of the humanoid form is generated including both of the first and second connected components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Primesense Ltd.
    Inventors: Amiad Gurman, Tomer Yanir, Michael Brand, Eran Guendelman
  • Patent number: 8824780
    Abstract: An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device. A grid of voxels may then be generated based on the depth image such that the depth image may be downsampled. A background included in the grid of voxels may also be removed to isolate one or more voxels associated with a foreground object such as a human target. A location or position of one or more extremities of the isolated human target may be determined and a model may be adjusted based on the location or position of the one or more extremities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Tommer Leyvand, Johnny Chung Lee, Szymon Stachniak, Craig Peeper, Shao Liu
  • Patent number: 8824743
    Abstract: An image reconstruction system method for forming an image of media using data acquired from an ultrasound transducer, the method including the steps of detecting relative motion between locations in the media and the transducer; determining relative media velocity from the detecting relative motion; setting a reconstruction period for an image point based on the determined velocity; determining the amount of acquired data to use during the reconstruction period based on the reconstruction period; and using the determined amount of acquired data to reconstruct the image point for display. The system includes a data acquisition system, a processor configured to process the data, and an image display device for displaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Verasonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Elvin Daigle
  • Patent number: 8824778
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for generating depth maps. One embodiment is a method implemented in an image processing device. The method comprises retrieving, by the image processing device, a (2D) image; and determining, by the image processing device, at least one region within the (2D) image having a high gradient characteristic relative to other regions within the (2D) image. The method further comprises identifying, by the image processing device, an out-of-focus region based on the at least one region having a high gradient characteristic; and deriving, by the image processing device, a color model according to the out-of-focus region. Based on the color model, the image processing device provides a depth map for (2D)-to-stereoscopic conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberlink Corp.
    Inventor: Pei-Jen Tsai
  • Patent number: 8824733
    Abstract: Objects in a range map image are clustered into regions of interest responsive to range as determined from either a separate ranging system or from a top-down transformation of a range map image from a stereo vision system. A relatively-central location of each region of interest is transformed to mono-image geometry, and the corresponding portion of an associated mono-image is searched radially outwards from the relatively-central location along a plurality of radial search paths, along which the associated image pixels are filtered using an Edge-Preserving Smoothing filter in order to find an edge of the associated object along the radial search path. Edge locations for each of the radial search paths are combined in an edge profile vector that provides for discriminating the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Gerhard Schamp
  • Publication number: 20140241586
    Abstract: A prepaid card 2 retaining a prepaid code 31 has a marker 3a that is capable of determining a position and attitude relative to an imaging device 15 by being imaged by the imaging device. The prepaid code 31 is information that enables predetermined value or content to be acquired without handing over the prepaid card 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru MIYAMOTO, Yoshiaki KOIZUMI, Takeshi HAYAKAWA
  • Patent number: 8818044
    Abstract: A method of determining an azimuth and elevation of a point in an image is provided. The method comprises positioning an imaging device at a first position and acquiring a first image. The method also comprises rotating the imaging device and acquiring a second image at the first position. The first image includes the point, and a portion of the first image overlaps a portion of the second image. The method also includes determining correspondences between features in overlapping portions of the images, determining a first transformation between coordinates of the first image and coordinates of the second image based on the correspondences, and determining a second transformation between the coordinates of the second image and a local coordinate frame. The method also includes computing the azimuth and elevation of the point based on the first transformation and the second transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Sharp
  • Patent number: 8818028
    Abstract: A color image and a depth image of a live video are received. Each of the color image and the depth image are processed to identify a foreground, background, and an unknown region band of the live video. The unknown region band may comprise pixels between the foreground and the background. Further processing is performed to segment the pixels of the unknown region band between the foreground and the background. As such, processing is performed on the unknown region band in order to provide an improved user foreground video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Personify, Inc.
    Inventors: Quang H. Nguyen, Greg Meyer, Minh N. Do, Dennis Lin, Sanjay J. Patel
  • Publication number: 20140233806
    Abstract: A method, computer readable storage device, and apparatus for determining the distance a computing device is located from a user's face. An image of an individual is obtained. A first pupil location and a second pupil location are identified based on the obtained image. A first distance between the identified first and second pupil location is determined. A second distance between the individual and the computing device is determined based on the determined first distance between the identified first and second pupil locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Google Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140233807
    Abstract: In an object detecting method according to an embodiment, external reference points are set in external space of a model of an object and an internal reference point is set in internal space of the model. A table is stored in which feature quantities on a local surface of the model are associated with positions of the external reference points and the internal reference point. The feature quantity on the local surface of the model is calculated, and the position of the reference point whose feature quantity is identical to the calculated feature quantity is acquired from the table and is converted into a position in a real space. When the converted position is outside the object, the position is excluded from information for estimation and the position and the attitude of the object are estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI, KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Toshiaki EJIMA, Shuichi Enokida, Masakazu Sadano, Hisashi Ideguchi, Tomoyuki Horiuchi, Toshiyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 8811669
    Abstract: In an object tracking device, a search region setting unit sets the search region of an object in a frame image at a present point in time, based on an object region in a frame image at a previous point in time, zoom center coordinates in the frame image at the previous point in time, and a ratio between the zoom scaling factor of the frame image at the previous point in time and the zoom scaling factor of the frame image at the present point in time. A normalizing unit normalizes the image of a search region of the object included in the frame image at the present point in time to a fixed size. A matching unit searches the normalized mage of the search region for an object region similar to a template image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Sugio
  • Patent number: 8811767
    Abstract: Depth values in a scene are measured by projecting sets of patterns on the scene, wherein each set of patterns is structured with different spatial frequency using different encoding functions. Sets of images of the scene is acquired, wherein there is one image for each pattern in each set. Depth values are determining for each pixel at corresponding locations in the sets of images. The depth values of each pixel are analyzed, and the depth value is returned if the depth values at the corresponding locations are similar. Otherwise, the depth value is marked as having an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Veeraraghavan, Mohit Gupta, Amit Agrawal
  • Patent number: 8811676
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a distance information calculator that calculates distance information corresponding to a distance to an imaging object at each of portions in an image; a feature data calculator that calculates feature data at each portion in the image; a feature data distribution calculator that calculates a distribution of the feature data in each of regions that are classified according to the distance information in the image; a reliability determining unit that determines the reliability of the distribution of the feature data in each of the regions; and a discrimination criterion generator that generates, for each of the regions, a discrimination criterion for discriminating a specific region in the image based on a determination result of the reliability and the distribution of the feature data in each of the regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitamura, Yamato Kanda, Takehiro Matsuda, Takashi Kono, Masashi Hirota
  • Patent number: 8810599
    Abstract: A computer-implemented augmented reality method includes obtaining an image acquired by a computing device running an augmented reality application, identifying image characterizing data in the obtained image, the data identifying characteristic points in the image, comparing the image characterizing data with image characterizing data for a plurality of geo-coded images stored by a computer server system, identifying locations of items in the obtained image using the comparison, and providing, for display on the computing device at the identified locations, data for textual or graphical annotations that correspond to each of the items in the obtained image, and formatted to be displayed with the obtained image or a subsequently acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Erick Tseng
  • Patent number: 8811718
    Abstract: A position measurement method includes an exterior orientation parameter correcting step S11 for correcting exterior orientation parameters calculated in a step S10, based on difference between photographing timing of an image and obtaining timing of a photographing position and/or a photographing posture measured outside, a bundle-adjusting step S12 for simultaneously adjusting a bundle of the exterior orientation parameters of one or more images and three-dimensional coordinates of characteristic points, based on the exterior orientation parameters corrected by the step S11, a three-dimensional coordinate calculating step S13 for calculating three-dimensional coordinates of characteristic points subsequently detected in an area in which the density of the characteristic points is decreased, based on the exterior orientation parameters adjusted bundle thereof, and a repeating step for repeating processing from the steps S10 to S13 until the image becomes a final image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Tetsuji Anai, Nobuo Kochi, Nobuyuki Fukaya
  • Patent number: 8811658
    Abstract: An interpolation method, applied to image pictures, for interpolating at least one pixel into a position to be interpolated in a target image frame is disclosed. The interpolation method includes receiving a plurality of image fields having a corresponding image object, estimating a motion speed of the image object according to a distance between a first pixel position to which the image object located in a first image field of the plurality of image fields and a second pixel position to which the image object located in a second image field of the plurality of image fields, determining the pixel from the plurality of image fields according to the motion speed of the image object, and interpolating the pixel into the position to be interpolated in the target image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Hua Chang, Chun-Hsing Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140226863
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for projection of a plurality of structured light patterns. In one example, the method may include generating a low-resolution pattern image utilizing a returned image, wherein the low-resolution pattern image is an approximation of an image that would have been generated utilizing a low-resolution pattern and generating a high-resolution pattern image utilizing a preprocessed returned image and a preprocessed low-resolution pattern image, wherein high-resolution pattern image is an approximation of an image that would have been generated utilizing a high-resolution pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Arie Bernstein, Ziv Aviv
  • Publication number: 20140226862
    Abstract: A system for forming an image on a flexographic media includes a digital front end that provides a screened image; locating transition points from data regions to non-data regions in said screened image; determining a distance between pixels in adjacent data and non-data regions; if the distance is greater than a predetermined distance modify said screened image to remove a shoulder of pixels at the transition point; and an imaging device the screen modified image on the flexographic media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Krol, Lior Perry
  • Patent number: 8805020
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a depth signal generating apparatus includes following units. The calculating unit is configured to calculate a statistic value for pixel values for each of predefined areas in the first image, and calculate, for each of predetermined base depth models, a first evaluation value based on the calculated statistic value. The correcting unit is configured to correct, based on a second evaluation value previously derived for the second image and a first degree of similarity indicating a similarity between the predetermined base depth models, the first evaluation value to derive second evaluation values for the predetermined base depth models. The selecting unit is configured to select a base depth model having the highest second evaluation value from the predetermined base depth models. The generating unit is configured to generate a depth signal based on the selected base depth model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Mita, Nao Mishima, Kenichi Shimoyama, Ryusuke Hirai
  • Patent number: 8805021
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a three-dimensional face position. The method of estimating the three-dimensional face position includes acquiring two-dimensional image information from a single camera, detecting a face region of a user from the two-dimensional image information, calculating the size of the detected face region, estimating a distance between the single camera and the user's face using the calculated size of the face region, and obtaining positional information of the user's face in a three-dimensional coordinate system using the estimated distance between the single camera and the user's face. Accordingly, it is possible to estimate the distance between the user and the single camera using the size of the face region of the user in the image information acquired by the single camera so as to acquire the three-dimensional position coordinates of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Jun Hwang, Ji Hyo Lee, Kyung Shik Roh, Suk June Yoon
  • Patent number: 8797264
    Abstract: Predetermined image processing is performed in accordance with an input operation performed by an input device having image pickup means for taking an image of one or a plurality of imaging targets. Target image data, which is obtained from one target image of the one imaging target or a plurality of target images of the plurality of imaging targets in the image taken by the image pickup means and which indicates a distance between the plurality of target images or a size of the one target image, is sequentially obtained. A display image is enlarged and reduced in accordance with a change in the target image data. Then, the display image processed in such a manner is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keizo Ohta
  • Patent number: 8798317
    Abstract: A print format adjustment system includes a receiving module, a visual condition determination module, a print format determination module, and a print control module. The receiving module receives content for printing in a first print format. The visual condition determination module establishes the sharpness of vision of a viewer in front of a display, at a predetermined view distance. The print format determination module determines a second print format based on both the first print format and the visual condition of the viewer. The print control module prints the content in the second print format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tung-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 8798510
    Abstract: When reading calibration chevrons during mark-on-belt (MOB) sensor timing calibration, cyan portions or legs of printed chevrons are detected in order to determine a timing window offset adjustment. Depending on which of the six cyan legs on the left side of the chevrons are detected, a determination can be made regarding whether the window needs to be started earlier or later. If only the first two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too early and an appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate later. If only the last two cyan legs on the left side of the chevron are detected, then the MOB sensor timing window is beginning (and ending) too late, and appropriate adjustment can be made to cause the timing window to initiate earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Calamita
  • Publication number: 20140205150
    Abstract: A region-setting unit sets, in an image, a region based on one reference point designated by a user in the image or a predetermined region as an extraction region. An edge extraction unit extracts an edge of the subject based on an image of the extraction region. When a plurality of edges are extracted, a display control unit causes a line indicating the plurality of extracted edges to be displayed on a display unit together with the image. An edge selection unit selects a reference edge from among the plurality of extracted edges based on an instruction from the user. A three-dimensional coordinate calculation unit calculates three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to points in the image. A reference line calculation unit calculates a reference line on a space based on the three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to points constituting the reference edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyotomi OGAWA
  • Publication number: 20140205152
    Abstract: A position and orientation measurement apparatus for measuring the position and orientation of a target object includes a first search unit which searches a geometric model for a lost model region corresponding to a lost image region in a range image, a determination unit which determines whether or not a point on a geometric model corresponding to a pixel on the range image of the target object falls within the lost model region, a correction unit which corrects combinations of pixels on the range image and corresponding points which are determined to fall within the lost model region, and a calculation unit which calculates the position and orientation of the target object based on the corrected combinations of the pixels on the range image and points on the geometric model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masakazu Fujiki, Shinji Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20140205151
    Abstract: An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, and an estimation unit. The detection unit detects each three-dimensional position of a plurality of parts of an instruction object for indicating an image output surface. The calculation unit calculates an intersection point of a direction indicated by the instruction object and the image output surface based on each three-dimensional position of the parts of the instruction object. The determination unit determines whether the intersection point is within a predetermined range on the image output surface. The estimation unit estimates a position indicated by the instruction object on the image output surface based on the determination made by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Takahiro YAGISHITA
  • Patent number: 8786752
    Abstract: The method for controlling a digital device comprises the steps of acquiring at least one image data, wherein the image data includes a still image or moving picture image; extracting additional information of the acquired image data, wherein the additional information includes position information and time information of a recording device corresponding to actual time and location when the image data are recorded by the recording device; generating path information on a map related to the image data, on the basis of the additional information; and displaying a path of the image data on the map in a form of line on the basis of the generated path information, wherein the step of displaying the path includes dividing the path into one or more sections, and adjusting line thickness of the divided sections in accordance with amount of the image data according to a distance within the divided section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyorim Park
  • Patent number: 8781173
    Abstract: Computing high dynamic range photographs is described for example, to enable high ranges of intensities to be represented in a single image. In various embodiments two or more photographs of the same scene taken at different exposure levels are combined in a way which takes into account intensity or other gradients in the images to form a high dynamic range image. In embodiments geodesic distances (which take into account intensity or other image gradients) are computed and used to form weights for a weighted aggregation of the photographs. In some embodiments a user configurable parameter is operable to control a degree of mixing of the photographs as the high dynamic range image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Antonio Criminisi
  • Patent number: 8781162
    Abstract: Techniques for performing accurate and automatic head pose estimation are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, head pose estimation is integrated with a scale-invariant head tracking method along with facial features detected from a located head in images. Thus the head pose estimation works efficiently even when there are large translational movements resulting from the head motion. Various computation techniques are used to optimize the process of estimation so that the head pose estimation can be applied to control one or more objects in a virtual environment and virtual character gaze control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AiLive Inc.
    Inventors: Youding Zhu, Charles Musick, Jr., Robert Kay, William Robert Powers, III, Dana Wilkinson, Stuart Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20140193039
    Abstract: A system and method for the measurement of distances related to an object depicted in an image. One aspect including delivery of supplemental materials for fenestration and for constructing insulating materials for fenestration. A digital image containing a primary object dimension and a reference object dimension in substantially the same plane undergoes digital image processing to provide improved measurement capability. Information regarding a primary object is provided to an automated measurement process, design and manufacturing system to provide customized parts to end users. A digital image is obtained having an observable constraint dimension to which a customized part is to conform wherein the digital image contains a reference object having a reference dimension and a constraint dimension is calculated from the digital image based on a reference dimension. The custom part is designed and manufactured based on the calculated constraint dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald M. Wexler
  • Patent number: 8774457
    Abstract: A method and a system for calculating a time to go value between a vehicle and an intruding object. A first image of the intruding object at a first point of time retrieved. A second image of the intruding object at a second point of time is retrieved. The first image and the second image are filtered so that the first image and the second image become independent of absolute signal energy and so that edges become enhanced. An X fractional pixel position and a Y fractional pixel position are set to zero. The X fractional pixel position denotes a horizontal displacement at sub pixel level and the Y fractional pixel position denotes a vertical displacement at sub pixel level. A scale factor is selected. The second image is scaled with the scale factor and resampled to the X fractional pixel position and the Y fractional pixel position, which results in a resampled scaled image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Jimmy Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8766934
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes at least a display unit, a sensing unit, and a controller. The display unit includes a touch screen and displays at least two three-dimensional (3D) menu icons and each of the at least two 3D menu icons includes at least one menu. The display unit further displays a first menu on a first display surface of each of the at least two 3D menu icons, the first menu on each of the at least two 3D menu icons being different. The sensing unit detects an input for controlling at least one of the at least two 3D menu icons. The controller controls the display unit to display a second menu on a second display surface of each of the at least two 3D menu icons in response to the detected input. Each of the at least two 3D menu icons displayed on the display unit includes at least two display surfaces, each of the at least two display surfaces displaying a different menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyesook Jeong, Inyoung Hwang, Meeyeon Choi, Jungseok Hong, Hyunsuk Jung, Byoungnam Lee, Harim Jang
  • Patent number: 8768010
    Abstract: Disclosed are a distance measuring apparatus which can measure the distance to an object with high accuracy, a distance measuring method, and a program. The distance measuring apparatus is provided with: a light source which emits light; an image pickup unit, which picks up an image of light which has been emitted from the light source and reflected by means of the object; an image distance data converting unit, which converts image data obtained by the image pickup performed by the image pickup unit into image distance data which indicates the distance to the object; an image pickup condition setting unit, which sets first image pickup conditions on the basis of the image distance data; and an image pickup control unit, which controls the light source and the image pickup unit and have an image of the object picked up under the first image pickup conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Korekado, Tomoyuki Kamiyama
  • Publication number: 20140168422
    Abstract: Techniques for vision-based sensing of structural displacement of an object, are disclosed. An example system includes digital video cameras adapted to generate digital image information corresponding to features of the object, an input to receive the digital image information corresponding to the one or more features, a converter configured to convert the digital image information into templates, and a comparator to compare the templates in sequence and to subtract displacement of stationary reference features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Maria Q. FENG, Yoshio Fukuda, Masato Mizuta
  • Publication number: 20140168268
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device including a data acquisition unit configured to acquire sensor data indicating the direction of gravity exerted on an imaging device configured to image an image in which a physical space is projected, a decision unit configured to decide a relative attitude of a plane in the physical space with respect to the image based on the sensor data, and a conversion unit configured to perform conversion between a three-dimensional position of a given point on the plane and a two-dimensional position in the corresponding image using the attitude decided by the decision unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Oi, Hiroyuki Ishiwatara
  • Patent number: RE45122
    Abstract: A non-contact passive ranging system wherein a first imager on a platform is focused on a first object and a second imager on the platform is also focused on the first object. The optical path from the first object to the first imager is configured to be shorter than the optical path from the object to the second imager. Processing circuitry is responsive to an output of the first imager and an output of the second imager as relative motion is provided between the platform and the first object and is configured to calculate the distance from the platform to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Zervoglos, Paul DeBitetto, Scott Rasmussen