Range Or Distance Measuring Patents (Class 382/106)
  • Patent number: 8538084
    Abstract: A method for depth sensing keystoning. The method of depth sensing keystoning may include an optical system and electrical devices. The method of depth sensing keystoning may correct for image distortion using depth measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Dean Slack, Aaron Leiba, Alex J. Crumlin, Jason Medeiros
  • Patent number: 8532337
    Abstract: An object tracking method includes steps of obtaining multiple first classifications of pixels within a first focus frame in a first frame picture, wherein the first focus frame includes an object to be tracked and has a first rectangular frame in a second frame picture; performing a positioning process to obtain a second rectangular frame; and obtaining color features of pixels around the second rectangular frame sequentially and establishing multiple second classifications according to the color feature. The established second classifications are compared with the first classifications sequentially to obtain an approximation value, compared with a predetermined threshold. The second rectangular frame is progressively adjusted, so as to establish a second focus frame. By analyzing color features of the pixels of the object and with a classification manner, the efficacy of detecting a shape and size of the object so as to update information of the focus frame is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Yin-Pin Chang, Wen-Yan Chang, Hong-Long Chou
  • Patent number: 8532340
    Abstract: Camera-based texture extraction in Augmented Reality (AR) systems is enhanced by manipulating projected patterns. One or more fine line patterns are projected onto a textured surface, a Moiré interference pattern measured, and different properties of the projected pattern(s) adjusted until the Moiré interference pattern measurements indicate that a similar texture pattern to that of the three dimensional target is being projected. Thereby, the target texture may be more closely matched even as sub-pixel resolutions, variable lighting conditions, and/or complicated geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development, LLC
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 8532420
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for correcting a positional deviation between a plurality of images obtained in time series and performing synthesis processing on the plurality of corrected images determines a motion vector between the plurality of images, corrects the positional deviation between images on the basis of the determined motion vector, and generates a synthesized image by synthesizing the plurality of images subjected to the positional deviation correction. The image processing apparatus extracts a filter area in which filter processing is to be performed on the basis of a degree of inconsistency occurring when the positional deviation between the plurality of images is corrected, determines a filter kernel on the basis of an imaging condition, and performs filter processing based on the filter kernel on the filter area of the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Munenori Fukunishi
  • Publication number: 20130230213
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for counting the number of fibers emanating from the surface of a web substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Dominic MALADEN
  • Patent number: 8525870
    Abstract: A remote communication apparatus for receiving the image of a remote user captured by an imaging device to show the image to another user includes a zoom controller for controlling a zoom ratio defining the angle of view of the imaging device, and an estimator for estimating a distance between the imaging device and the remote user on the basis of the zoom ratio of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8526679
    Abstract: A feature amount cluster holding unit extracts respective feature amounts from N images sensed under N respective types of image sensing conditions, and manages the feature amounts extracted from each sensed image as a feature amount cluster in association with corresponding one of the image sensing conditions. A feature space distance calculation unit specifies the second feature amount cluster containing a feature amount similar to the feature amount of interest in the first feature amount cluster. An image sensing condition setting unit specifies sets of feature amounts associated with the N respective types of image sensing conditions from the first and second feature amount clusters. The image sensing condition setting unit specifies a set having a largest distance between feature amounts in the set among the specified sets. An image sensing condition associated with the specified set is output as an image sensing condition for discriminating the feature amount clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Saruta, Masato Aoba
  • Publication number: 20130223690
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antonio Criminisi
  • Publication number: 20130223691
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for graphically representing physical objects in a contextual setting are disclosed. A first data for a predetermined location, at least one distance measurement between at least two location points at the predetermined location, and at least one image of at least one portion of the predetermined location can be received. Based on the receiving and information obtained from at least one publicly available resource, a spatial representation of the predetermined location configured to include at least one existing feature can be generated. Spatial representation of the predetermined location includes a detailed representation of the at least one portion of the predetermined location having the at least one existing feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: YALE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Patrick Paczkowski, Julie Dorsey, Min Hyuk Kim, Holly Rushmeier
  • Patent number: 8520125
    Abstract: An image capture device according to the present invention includes: a first optical system 10 that has a longitudinal chromatic aberration to cause first, second and third colors to form images at mutually different positions on an optical axis; a first image capturing region Na for generating an image that has a component in at least one of the first, second and third colors by using light that has been transmitted through the first optical system 10; a second optical system 20 that has a different longitudinal chromatic aberration from that of the first optical system 10; a second image capturing region Nb for generating an image that has a component in the same color as the at least one color by using light that has been transmitted through the second optical system 20; and an arithmetic processing section C for generating an output image by using one of the two images that has been generated in the first or second image capturing region Na or Nb so as to have the component in the at least one color apiec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiro Imamura
  • Patent number: 8520895
    Abstract: A system and method calculate a range and velocity of an object in image data. The range calculation includes detecting a contour of the object from the image data, forming a template from the image data based on the contour; and calculating a range to the object using pixel resolution and dimension statistics of the object. A three-dimensional velocity of the object is determined by calculating a radial component and an angular component of the velocity. The radial velocity component is calculated by determining the range of the object in two or more image frames, determining a time differential between the two or more image frames, and calculating the radial velocity as a function of the range of the object in the two or more image frames and the time differential between the two or more image frames. The angular component is calculated using spatial-temporal derivatives as a function of a motion constraint equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kwong Wing Au, Saad J. Bedros
  • Publication number: 20130216099
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a whole image read out unit for reading out a whole image in a first resolution from an imaging device, a partial image region selecting unit for selecting a region of a partial image in a part of the whole image which is read out, a partial image read out unit for reading out the partial image in the selected region in a second resolution from the imaging device, a characteristic region setting unit for setting a characteristic region, in which a characteristic object exists, within the partial image, a characteristic region image read out unit for reading out an image of the characteristic region, which is set, in a third resolution from the imaging device, and a resolution setting unit for setting such that the first resolution<the second resolution<the third resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8514100
    Abstract: A control unit detects presence of a person and a direction of his/her face based on image information inputted from an imaging device, and determines that a warning need be provided to notify the person of vehicle approach if the person is detected but his/her face is not detected. The control unit checks a determination result as to whether the warning should be provided to a warning sound output device. The warning sound output device generates warning sound in response to the determination result indicating that sound warning is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Youji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8514299
    Abstract: An information processing device includes an imaging unit photographing images, a photographing location acquiring unit acquiring photographing locations corresponding to the images when the images are photographed by the imaging unit, a storage controlling unit storing the images sequentially photographed by the imaging unit into predetermined storage unit, a photographing location mark generating unit generating predetermined photographing location marks for showing the corresponding photographing locations in a map, and a controlling unit switching between a latitudinally-ordered display mode and a longitudinally-ordered display mode, the latitudinally-ordered display mode allowing the images to be read out of the storage unit and displayed in latitudinal order and the corresponding photographing location marks to be displayed in the map, the longitudinally-ordered display mode allowing the images to be read out of the storage unit and displayed in longitudinal order and the corresponding photographing loc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Eisuke Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8508595
    Abstract: Provided is a surveillance camera system for controlling cameras by calculating a movement amount of the cameras based on position information and orientation information of the cameras and position information of an object being surveilled. The surveillance camera system includes: a camera receiving an image from a surveillance area; a driving device combined with the camera, wherein the driving device moves the camera; and a camera controller controlling the driving device by using initial coordinates defined with a position and an azimuth at which the camera is installed and a current direction of the camera, so that the camera faces a target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myung-seok An
  • Patent number: 8509487
    Abstract: A system and method for optically measuring a parameter of an object uses a first segment of the object captured as a first frame of image data using a first imaging region of an image sensor array and a second segment of the object as a second frame of image data using a second imaging region of the image sensor array, which is larger than the first imaging region, to determine a displaced distance of the object relative to the image sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng Hun Lim, Kuldeep Kumar Saxena, Meng Whui Tan
  • Patent number: 8509488
    Abstract: Satellite-based navigation techniques can help determine a user's position on a map and can also determine directions to a destination. Functionality can be implemented to determine the user's orientation and direction of motion based on a captured image taken in the direction of motion. The captured image may be preprocessed to compensate for a camera angle and to vary image properties before being transmitted to a server. The user's orientation may be determined based, at least in part, on knowledge of a user's position on a map and comparing the captured image to a set of other images. Walking directions can accordingly be tailored based on the user's orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Per K. Enge, Yi-Hsiu Wang
  • Patent number: 8509519
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting perspective and disparity in a stereoscopic image pair using range information includes receiving the stereoscopic image pair representing a scene; identifying range information associated with the stereoscopic image pair and including distances of pixels in the scene from a reference location; generating a cluster map based at least upon an analysis of the range information and the stereoscopic images, the cluster map grouping pixels of the stereoscopic images by their distances from a viewpoint; identifying objects and background in the stereoscopic images based at least upon an analysis of the cluster map and the stereoscopic images; generating a new stereoscopic image pair at least by adjusting perspective and disparity of the object and the background in the stereoscopic image pair, the adjusting occurring based at least upon an analysis of the range information; and storing the new generated stereoscopic image pair in a processor-accessible memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventor: Sen Wang
  • Publication number: 20130202157
    Abstract: A wall area estimation system generates an estimated wall area measurement of a building based on the received roof measurements (e.g., those generated by, received from or found in a three dimensional model of the roof) and a reference distance. The reference distance is a measurement indicative of a distance between a reference point on the roof and a ground surface. This reference distance may be used to determine how for down to extend the walls of the building (e.g., to a ground level) when building a three dimensional digital model of the building to aid in generating wall area measurements. The resulting wall measurements, roof measurements, measurements of areas missing from the wall used to generate a wall estimate report, or a combined roof and wall estimate report including various different identifiers indicating the different features and measurements based on the three dimensional model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Chris Pershing
  • Patent number: 8503731
    Abstract: A sign language recognition method includes a depth-sensing camera capturing an image of a gesture of a signer and gathering data about distances between a number of points on the signer and the depth-sensing camera, building a three dimension (3D) model of the gesture, comparing the 3D model of the gesture with a number of 3D models of different gestures to find out the representations of the 3D model of the gesture, and displaying or vocalizing the representations of the 3D model of the gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hou-Hsien Lee, Chang-Jung Lee, Chih-Ping Lo
  • Patent number: 8503730
    Abstract: A navigation system comprises an image sensor operable to obtain range data for a first scene, and a processing unit coupled to the image sensor. The processing unit is operable to identify one or more plane features, based on the range data, using each of a plurality of scales. The processing unit is further operable to combine each of the one or more plane features with a corresponding plane feature from each of the plurality of scales and to project the one or more combined plane features to a reference orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ondrej Kotaba
  • Patent number: 8503765
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for correcting errors in stereo images. The apparatus for correcting errors in stereo images according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a space histogram generation unit generating space histogram information using the depth map information on the input image data; a peak frequency generation unit generating a peak frequency using the 2D image data of the input image data; an object analysis unit determining the error in each frame of the input image data on the basis of the space histogram and peak frequency; a depth map error correction unit correcting the depth map information to reduce the error; and a rendering processing unit generating left and right eye images, which are stereo images, by using the corrected depth map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SK Planet Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Sic Woo, Byoung Ki Jeon, A Ran Kim, Hong Woo Lee, Jong Dae Kim, Won Suk Chung
  • Patent number: 8497841
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method that includes capturing images of a working area that includes indicia of a virtual keyboard having a plurality of keys and detecting a selected key of the plurality of keys. The detecting of the selected key includes detecting an object in the working area by analyzing the captured images for variations in light intensity in the captured images. The detecting of the object includes generating a first row histogram based on the light intensity in each of the rows in each of the captured images, generating a first column histogram based on the light intensity in each of the columns in each of the captured images, and determining an identification of the selected key based on the first row histogram and the first column histogram. The method also includes outputting the identification of the selected key to a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Celluon, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Sze, Raymyung Cha, Jae Eul Koo, Koang Hui Jeong
  • Patent number: 8498479
    Abstract: An image processing device for dividing an image imaged by imaging means into multiple regions includes: processing means for grouping, when difference of the pieces of image data between a single pixel within the image and a pixel adjacent thereto is less than a predetermined threshold, the single pixel and the adjacent pixel, and dividing the image into multiple regions with finally obtained each group as each region of the image; and average-value calculating means for calculating the average value of the image data within the group including the single pixel; with the processing means comparing the image data of the single pixel, and the average value calculated at the average-value calculating means regarding the group to which the adjacent pixel belongs; and when the difference thereof is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, doing not group the single pixel and the adjacent pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Saito
  • Patent number: 8497901
    Abstract: A method and a device for the accurate measurement of objects, where, according to the invention, a camera (4) is arranged on a manually operated portable jointed arm (1) in order to take two-dimensional images of the object that is to be measured and where the measurements are carried out based on the two-dimensional images taken with the camera (4) and based on the displacements that are carried out by the jointed arm (1) during the measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB
    Inventor: Bo Pettersson
  • Patent number: 8494218
    Abstract: A light information receiving method, a method and a unit for the recognition of light-emitting objects are provided. The light information receiving method includes the following steps. A light-emitting object array is captured to obtain a plurality of images, wherein the light-emitting object array includes at least one light-emitting object. A temporal filtering process is performed to the images to recognize a light-emitting object. A light-emitting status of the light-emitting object array is recognized according to the light-emitting object location. A decoding process is performed according to the light-emitting status to output an item of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Yuan Chen, Kung-Ming Lan, Hung-I Pai, Jen-Hui Chuang, Chii-Yah Yuan
  • Patent number: 8494224
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing distance-based distortion in a camera image of an object, where the distanced-based distortion is due to differences in distance from the camera to different parts of the object. In one approach, the distortion is reduced by estimating distances to different parts of the object and then generating a reprojected image of the object dependent upon the estimated distances and upon a virtual viewpoint that is more distant than the camera from the object. In a further approach, the image is warped such that points in the image match corresponding points in one or more stored templates. In a still further approach, if excessive distortion is present in the image, the camera zoom is increased and a magnified image is displayed, prompting a person to move farther from the camera thereby reducing the distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Boaz J. Super, Bruce A. Augustine, James E. Crenshaw, Evan A. Groat, Michael S. Theims
  • Patent number: 8493430
    Abstract: A remote communication apparatus for receiving the image of a remote user captured by an imaging device to show the image to another user includes a zoom controller for controlling a zoom ratio defining the angle of view of the imaging device, and an estimator for estimating a distance between the imaging device and the remote user on the basis of the zoom ratio of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8488839
    Abstract: A computer program and apparatus function to extract objects from a video by identifying regions to be tracked, tracking the regions across several frames, calculating motions of the regions, and identifying new regions to be tracked. Regions of a selected frame of the video that are appropriate for tracking are selected. Tracking of the identified regions is then performed across frames subsequent to the selected frame of the video. Motions of the identified regions are calculated, and new regions for tracking are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Videosurf, Inc.
    Inventors: Eitan Sharon, Achi Brandt
  • Patent number: 8483441
    Abstract: Image recognition and distance calculation methods and devices are provided. First, an image corresponding to a level ruler is obtained, wherein the image includes a first predefined scale and a second predefined scale projected on the level ruler. Then, a baseline height of a baseline mark in the level ruler is determined according to the image. The heights of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale are calculated according to the baseline height of the baseline mark, the position of the baseline mark in the image, and the positions of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale in the image. Thereafter, a distance to the level ruler is calculated according to a height difference between the heights of the first predefined scale and the second predefined scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Fei-Xing Yu, Xiang-Zhe Kang
  • Patent number: 8482736
    Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of a turf grass is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises steps of attaching an active sensor to a mower; traversing a section of turf grass; and processing the output of the sensor. A device for detecting the condition of turf grass is also disclosed. The device comprises an array of illuminating devices generating a pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device receiving a pattern of reflected light which is coincident with the pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device adapted to detect stray light from the array of illuminating devices; and a feedback loop controlling the array of illuminating devices. A system employing the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: David Franzen, John Rada, Kevin Ediger, Greg Biggs, Jonathan M. Welles, Tanvir Demetriades-Shah
  • Patent number: 8483444
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting and measuring an object to be measured includes: a distance measurement device having a light projector that projects a two-dimensional optical pattern onto a measurement target of the measurement object, imaging devices disposed in a stereoscopic arrangement that image the measurement object, and a driving device that rotates a posture of at least one of the imaging devices to control a parallax angle between the imaging devices; a working distance control device that controls the driving device and adjusts a position at which optical axes of the imaging devices intersect; and a distance calculation device having a correspondence position calculation device that determines a correspondence position at which the same region is imaged among images of the imaging devices, and a distance calculation devices that calculates a distance to the measurement target of the measurement object based on a calculation result of the calculation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuro Aikawa, Yoshinori Satoh, Tatsuya Oodake, Naruhiko Mukai, Hisashi Hozumi, Yasuhiro Yuguchi
  • Patent number: 8483504
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for digital auto-focus are provided. The apparatus includes a local block generator generating a local block from an input image, a distance-estimation unit estimating distances of each image of the local block, a focal-distance-setting unit setting one of the estimated distances of the local block image as a focal distance of the input image, a reblurred-image generator generating a reblurred image from the local block image, a reconstructed image generator generating an in-focus image focused to the estimated distances from the local block image, a local-block-image-matching unit matching the reblurred image to the in-focus image with different weight values based on the set focal distance, and a final-image generator generating a final image by summing the matched local block images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Guyn Lim, Joo-Young Kang, Hyun-Wook Ok, Seong-Deok Lee
  • Patent number: 8483442
    Abstract: It is an object to measure a position of a feature around a road. An image memory unit stores images in which neighborhood of the road is captured. Further, a three-dimensional point cloud model memory unit 709 stores a point cloud showing three-dimensional coordinates obtained by laser measurement which is carried out simultaneously to the image-capturing of the images as a road surface shape model. A model projecting unit 172 projects a point cloud on the image, and an image displaying unit 341 displays the point cloud superimposed with the image on the displaying device. Using an image point inputting unit 342, a pixel on a feature of a measurement target is specified by a user as a measurement image point. A neighborhood extracting unit 171 extracts a point which is located adjacent to the measurement image point and superimposed on the feature for the measurement target from the point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Waseda University
    Inventors: Junichi Takiguchi, Naoyuki Kajiwara, Yoshihiro Shima, Ryujiro Kurosaki, Takumi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 8483512
    Abstract: The invention relates to a position determination method for a geodetic device having a distance and angle measuring functionality, such as a total station (1), a determination being made of the relative location of the geodetic device and reference points (2) marked with reflectors (P1-Pn) of a quantity of reference points, by measuring the distance (D1-Dn) and at least one angle (?i-?n, ?1-?n) from the geodetic device to the reference points as reference variables, the reference variables being determined in a device-based reference system. For the reference point quantity formed by the reference points (P1-Pn) and a reference point quantity of measurable reference points (A-G), the positions of which are known in an external reference system, common elements are identified, the relative location of the reference points (P1-Pn) being derived from the reference variables and the common elements being identified and associated based on the relative location of the reference points (P1-Pn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Bernd Moeller
  • Publication number: 20130170712
    Abstract: A device for measuring a height of a microscopic structure, the device may include: a storage circuit arranged to store information that comprises amplitude information and phase information, wherein the information is indicative of a shape and a size of the microscopic structure; a mask generation circuit arranged to threshold pixels of the amplitude information to provide a mask that comprises masked amplitude pixels; a phase information circuit arranged to apply the mask on the phase information to provide masked phase pixels; select, out of the masked phase pixels, selected phase pixels that correspond to a phase criterion, the selected phase pixels have selected phase pixels attribute values; find, out of the phase information, elected phase pixels that have the selected phase pixel attribute values; and a height calculation circuit arranged to generate a height measurement result based the elected phase pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: CAMTEK LTD.
    Inventors: Shimon Koren, Or Shur, Gilad Golan
  • Publication number: 20130169595
    Abstract: A ranging apparatus including an image sensor, an imaging lens, and a processor is provided. The imaging lens is configured to image an object on the image sensor to produce an image signal having at least one image parameter, wherein the at least one image parameter changes with a change of an object distance of the object. The processor is configured to determine the change of the object distance according to a change of the at least one image parameter. A ranging method and an interactive display system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTIT
  • Patent number: 8478001
    Abstract: An image processing program causes a computer to execute processing of obtaining an image, photographed with a camera, of markers disposed in a real space, creating vectors from the camera and to the markers, selecting a reference marker from the markers, calculating a inner product of the vectors, canceling use of a negative sign included in an equation that obtains a distance between the camera and a remaining marker, creating sign patterns based on to the cancelled remaining markers, setting a first distance between the reference marker and the camera, calculating candidates of a distance between the camera and the remaining markers, calculating error between an inter-marker distance in a real space and the sign patterns, calculating other error when a second distance is set, determining the distance according to the error and the other error, and calculating a position and pose of the camera according to the determined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoki, Masami Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20130163824
    Abstract: An electronic device for recognizing a position of a target object in a smart portable device includes a distance detection device for determining a distance between the smart portable device and the target object according to an image of the target object, a direction determination unit for acquiring a direction from the smart portable device to the target object, a positioning unit for acquiring coordinate information of a current position of the smart portable device, and a determination unit for determining the position of the target object according to the distance between the smart portable device and the target object, the direction from the smart portable device to the target object and the coordinate information of the current position of the smart portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: WISTRON CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8472699
    Abstract: Three-dimensional image data is generated. According to an example embodiment, three-dimensional depth information is estimated from a still image. A set of monocular images and their corresponding ground-truth depth maps are used to determine a relationship between monocular image features and the depth of image points. For different points in a particular image, the determined relationship is used together with local and global image features including monocular cues to determine relative depths of the points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Andrew Y. Ng, Ashutosh Saxena, Sung Hwan Chung, Min Sun
  • Patent number: 8472756
    Abstract: A high resolution image producing method includes the following steps. Firstly, an object is continuously shot to produce plural shot images. Then, plural original images are selected from the plural shot images. Then, each of the original images is segmented into plural blocks, and the motion vector of each block of each original image is calculated. Then, a first original image is scaled-up to acquire a first basis image, and a second basis image is acquired by copying the first basis image. A phase error is calculated according to the first basis image, and an interpolating operation is performed on the second basis image to obtain a high resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd
    Inventor: Ting-Yuan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130156268
    Abstract: An image information processing apparatus performs three-dimensional measurement of an object using a captured image obtained by projecting onto the object a projection pattern containing a two-dimensional symbol sequence that is obtained by assigning a predetermined symbol to each code in a projection code string in which a plurality of types of codes are arranged two-dimensionally and capturing an image of the object. The apparatus obtains an imaging pattern by extracting a symbol sequence from the captured image, and converts symbol dots in the imaging pattern into corresponding codes, thereby obtaining an imaging code string. The apparatus obtains a predetermined number of codes according to one sampling feature selected from a plurality of types of sampling features, generates an information code string by arranging the obtained codes, and determining the correspondence between the information code string and a part of the projection code string, thereby performing three-dimensional measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuri Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8467579
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for estimating a distance and a position between a photographing unit and a predetermined object based on an image of the photographing unit using a single camera. An apparatus for estimating a distance of an object based on a single camera image includes: a region detector detecting an object region box including the predetermined object in an image photographed by a photographing unit; a distance estimator measuring the size of the detected object region box and estimating a distance between the predetermined object and the photographing unit on the basis of an interpolating function interpolating the relationship of the size of the object region box and distances up to the photographing unit and the predetermined object; and a position estimator generating object position information estimating the position of the predetermined object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Joon-Myun Cho, Kang-Woo Lee, Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8467578
    Abstract: A method and optical apparatus are utilized not only to increase the degree of the similarity of the point spread functions of different fields of view, but also to maintain the degree of the difference of point spread functions which are along the optical axis of the optical apparatus. Using the degree of the difference of on-axis point spread functions, the depth information of scenery can be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chuan Chung Chang, Chir Weei Chang, Yung Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 8467596
    Abstract: A pose of an object is estimated from an from an input image and an object pose estimation is then stored by: inputting an image containing an object; creating a binary mask of the input image; extracting a set of singlets from the binary mask of the input image, each singlet representing points in an inner and outer contour of the object in the input image; connecting the set of singlets into a mesh represented as a duplex matrix; comparing two duplex matrices to produce a set of candidate poses; and producing an object pose estimate, and storing the object pose estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Arash Abadpour, Guoyi Fu, Ivo Moravec
  • Publication number: 20130148859
    Abstract: The perspective in the captured image is enhanced. Provided is an image processing apparatus including: a detecting section that detects a subject distance in each region of a captured image; and an image processing section that changes a distance perspective of an image of the region depending on the subject distance detected for each region of the captured image. In an example, the image processing section may increase the blue component ratio of a region whose detected subject distance is larger than a reference value. In an example, the image processing section may blur an image of a region whose detected subject distance is larger than a reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nikon Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130142395
    Abstract: A distance measurement apparatus and a distance measurement method are provided. The apparatus includes a line-shaped laser transmitter, an image sensing device and a processing unit. The line-shaped laser transmitter transmits a line-shaped laser, and the image sensing device senses the line-shaped laser to output a line-shaped laser image. The processing unit receives the line-shaped laser image, and segments the line-shaped laser image into several sub-line-shaped laser images. The processing unit further calculates a vertical position for a laser line in each sub-line-shaped laser image, and outputs each distance information according to the corresponding sub-line-shaped laser image and a transformation relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
  • Publication number: 20130142396
    Abstract: Disclosed is method of measuring the displacement between a reference region of a reference image and a sample region of a sample image. The method spatially varies the reference region using a one-dimensional filter having complex kernel values, wherein a length (radius) and direction (angle or tangent segment) of the filter is a function of position in the reference region. The method then measures a displacement between the reference region and the sample region by comparing the spatially varied reference region and the sample region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130142394
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a depth estimation procedure utilizing defocused pillbox images includes a camera device with a sensor device for capturing pillbox blur images of a photographic target. The camera utilizes a depth estimator for performing a Gaussianization procedure that transforms the pillbox blur images into corresponding Gaussian blur images. The Gaussianization procedure is performed by convolving the pillbox blur images with a Gaussianization kernel to generate the corresponding Gaussian blur images. The depth estimator then utilizes the Gaussian blur images for effectively performing the depth estimation procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Pingshan Li, Kensuke Miyagi, Florian Ciurea, Tomonori Shuda
  • Publication number: 20130136311
    Abstract: A three-dimensional position observation apparatus provided with a lens system having focusing and diaphragm mechanisms, for forming an image on an imaging plane by light from an observation object includes a beam steering member disposed in a light path extending from the observation object to the imaging plane, for changing a traveling direction of observation light into a plurality of different directions, and an image analyzing unit for analyzing a position of the observation object based on a positional relation between a plurality of images on the imaging plane formed by light passing through the beam steering member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Takayuki NISHIZAKA, Kana MIZUTANI