Range Or Distance Measuring Patents (Class 382/106)
  • Publication number: 20100245386
    Abstract: A method for processing data, in particular an image representative of an observation zone in which is situated an object arranged with respect to a reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: France Telecom
    Inventor: OLIVIER GACHIGNARD
  • Publication number: 20100246896
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Saito
  • Publication number: 20100246891
    Abstract: A method generates a distance field of an object, where the distance field includes a set of cells and the object includes a set of outlines. A processor is included for performing steps of the method. A first cell of the set of cells enclosing the object is determined. An outside reconstruction method is associated with the first cell. A set of boundary cells of the set of cells is determined, where each boundary cell encloses a portion of a particular outline in the set of outlines. A boundary reconstruction method is associated with each boundary cell. A final cell of the set of cells is determined enclosing the object. An inside reconstruction method is associated with the final cell. The outside and boundary reconstruction methods are used to determine combined distances, which are further processed by the inside reconstruction method to generate the distance field of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald N. Perry, Sarah F. Frisken
  • Publication number: 20100246892
    Abstract: Multiple imaging areas (101a, 101b) are disposed in a one-to-one relationship with multiple optical lenses (100a, 100b) disposed in a substantially coplanar alignment. A baffle wall (110) interposed between the multiple imaging areas is provided with means for diffusively reflecting incident light rays. Low frequency components are removed from the spatial frequencies of multiple images captured in the multiple imaging areas, whereupon the multiple images are compared to determine the amount of parallax and measure the distance to the object. This allows for preventing degradation in the accuracy of distance measurement when light rays emanating from a high-intensity object located outside of the field angle are reflected from the baffle wall and impinge on the imaging area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taku Hirasawa, Jyunpei Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20100246897
    Abstract: Method for producing a known fixed spatial relationship between a laser scanner and a digital camera for monitoring traffic, wherein the laser scanner axis and the optical axis of the digital camera are aligned relative to one another only roughly, and the spatial relationship between a scanner coordinate system (1) defined by the position of the laser scanner and orientation of the laser scanner axis and a camera coordinate system (3) defined by the position of the digital camera and orientation of the optical axis of the digital camera is calculated computationally based on the measured values and the image of a vehicle driving through the monitoring area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Lehning
  • Publication number: 20100246898
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed at detecting an operator's height and position of each body part with a certain range of accuracy, which is used for calculation of a BMI value or operation of a game. An exercise assist device (101) is provided with a horizontal bar (102), a bar support (103) to support the bar, and a floor mat (104) on a surface of its body. A video camera (201) is mounted on the top of a monitor (701) as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7 and captures the operator as well as the horizontal bar (102) and bar support (103) in one image. Since the horizontal bar (102) and bar support (103) together with the operator are captured in one image, they become a three-dimensional measurement reference, so that the operator's height can be calculated from the captured image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Shimane Prefectural Government
    Inventor: Kenji Izumi
  • Patent number: 7804518
    Abstract: A method for enhancing underwater imaging affected by image degradation effects, the method comprising: acquiring at least one image of an underwater scene using an imaging device; determining information regarding distances of parts of the scene relative to the imaging device; and reconstructing an image of the underwater scene using a physics-based mathematical model, compensating image characteristics influenced by distance-dependent underwater degradation effects including veiling light, using the information on the distances of parts of the scene from the imaging device, and compensating distance-dependent underwater degradation effects relating to the distance of illumination sources from the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Schechner, Nir Karpel
  • Patent number: 7804980
    Abstract: A color information creating part calculates the average color of captured image data in units of macro blocks, and determines to which color index the average color of each macro block corresponds. Color arrangement information formed by associating color information with the macro blocks is stored in a color index memory. A histogram creating part creates color histograms representative of the distribution of macro blocks added with color information corresponding to aimed color indexes. Based on the color arrangement information and the color histograms, a color application execution part recognizes objects, surroundings, or the situation of a driver's own vehicle without performing area splitting (shape acquisition) of an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100239126
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a distance to an eardrum has an optical sensor and a signal-processing device. The optical sensor acquires an image of the eardrum and the signal-processing device determines an area or separation extending perpendicular to the spacing distance to be measured in the image and determines the spacing distance to the eardrum as a function of the determined area or separation. A corresponding method includes the steps of acquiring an image of the eardrum, determining an area or separation extending perpendicular to the distance to be measured in the image, and determining the distance as a function of the determined area or separation. A projection image may be projected onto or into a vicinity of the eardrum and then the distance can be determined from the separation between the projection image and the eardrum or the image center of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Alexander Grafenberg, Martin Kunz, Uwe Rass, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100238220
    Abstract: A system evaluates image quality in an image generating system in the presence of digital image noise and/or missing jets. The system includes a test pattern generator configured to generate a test pattern on an image substrate, an image capture device configured to generate a digital image of the generated test pattern on the image substrate, an image evaluator configured to process the digital image and generate a solution for an over-determined matrix of equations formed from differential distance measurements obtained with reference to a jet in the digital image by minimizing the root-mean-square (RMS) of residual errors corresponding to the matrix, and a controller configured to generate a correction parameter from the generated solution and to apply the correction parameter to the jet used for the used for the differential distance measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew S. Yeh, Cary Eric Sjolander
  • Publication number: 20100232650
    Abstract: In a measurement apparatus, higher-quality measurement is realized in measurement of measurement object displacement or imaging of a two-dimensional image. In a controller, a light receiving signal of a photodiode is supplied to a displacement measuring unit of a sensor head in order to measure a height of a measurement object, and the height of a surface of the measurement object is measured based on the light receiving signal. Then, in the controller, image obtaining timing is determined based on the height of the measurement object. Specifically, a focus adjustment value corresponding to the computed height of the measurement object is obtained from the table, and an image obtaining signal is transmitted to an imaging device at the timing the focus adjustment value is realized. Therefore, a length between two points on the measurement object is computed from the thus obtained image based on the height of the measurement object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihiro KANETANI, Takahiro SUGA, Hiroaki TAKIMASA, Naoya NAKASHITA, Yusuke IIDA
  • Patent number: 7796782
    Abstract: The disclosed method measures the distance between two arbitrary points of interest from the user position by determining the range and angle between the two points. To measure the angle between the two points, a first method uses a micro-opto-electro-mechanical scanner to form a scan line between the two points of interest. A scan angle is determined based on the applied AC voltage needed to cause the endpoints of the scan line to coincide with the points of interest. The second method, an image-processing method, is applied to determine the angles between the points of interest. A Microprocessor uses captured images including the points of interest to determine the angle between the points. In both methods, the Microprocessor calculates the distance between the two points of interest by using the determined angle, together with the measured ranges and sends the calculated distance to a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventors: Manouchehr Motamedi, Ali Dabiri
  • Publication number: 20100226540
    Abstract: A detecting method for measuring gaps between two parts of an object is provided. The detecting method selects a reference image and a measured image, merges the reference image and the measured image to form an image of the object, grids the reference image and the measured image to obtain triangle mesh surfaces, obtains boundary points and outline points of the measured image, and obtains triangles on a joint portion of the reference image and measured points on a corresponding joint portion of the measured image. The method further compares each measured point with an obtained triangle to obtain gap values of the joint portion between the reference image and the measured image, and outputs an analysis report of the gap values on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicants: HON FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (Shenzhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, XIN-YUAN WU, SHAO-QIN XIE
  • Publication number: 20100226542
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for generating elevation maps or images of a tissue layer/boundary with respect to a fitted reference surface, comprising the steps of finding and segmenting a desired tissue layer/boundary; fitting a smooth reference surface to the segmented tissue layer/boundary; calculating elevations of the same or other tissue layer/boundary relative to the fitted reference surface; and generating maps of elevation relative to the fitted surface. The elevation can be displayed in various ways including three-dimensional surface renderings, topographical contour maps, contour maps, en-face color maps, and en-face grayscale maps. The elevation can also be combined and simultaneously displayed with another tissue layer/boundary dependent set of image data to provide additional information for diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Everett, Scott A. Meyer, Paul F. Stetson, Yan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100228437
    Abstract: A steering control device for a vehicle has a steering assistance means (7) which performs steering assistance processing for driving an actuator (6) so that a vehicle (1) travels along a lane recognized by a lane recognition means (5) from an image acquired by an image acquisition means (4); a side displacement amount calculation means (8) which calculates a displacement amount in the lane width direction between the position of the vehicle (1) and the center of the recognized lane; a complexity calculation means (10) which calculates the complexity of the acquired image; and a steering assistance inhibition means (11) which inhibits, according to the displacement amount in the lane width direction calculated based on the lane recognized from the acquired image at a given time point and the complexity of the acquired image, steering assistance processing based on the lane by the steering assistance means (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Daisuke Hanzawa, Tetsuo Ikeda, Kiyozumi Unoura, Tomoyoshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20100226541
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a system for detecting the position of an underwater vehicle that enables an improvement in the accuracy of detecting the position of the underwater vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI - GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke KOBAYASHI, Satoshi OKADA, Masahiro TOOMA, Yutaka KOMETANI, Yosuke TAKATORI, Mitsuru ODAKURA, Kojirou KODAIRA
  • Patent number: 7792622
    Abstract: The method and system for vehicular guidance comprises an imaging device for collecting color image data to facilitate distinguishing crop image data (e.g., crop rows) from background data. A definer defines a series of scan line segments generally perpendicular to a transverse axis of the vehicle or of the imaging device. An intensity evaluator determines scan line intensity data for each of the scan line segments. An alignment detector (e.g., search engine) identifies a preferential heading of the vehicle that is generally aligned with respect to a crop feature, associated with the crop image data, based on the determined scan line intensity meeting or exceeding a maximum value or minimum threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jiantao Wei, Shufeng Han
  • Patent number: 7792330
    Abstract: A distance determining system for use in a movable device. The system comprises circuitry for capturing an image of an object external from the movable device. The system also comprises circuitry, responsive to the image, for determining an angle between a direction of movement of the movable device and the object. Lastly, the system also comprises circuitry for determining a distance to the object in response to at least the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mustang Technology Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Lowder, Robert Bless, Jr., Rustin Allred
  • Publication number: 20100220893
    Abstract: A method and system of mono-view depth estimation are disclosed. A two-dimensional (2D) image is first segmented into a number of objects. A depth diffusion region (DDR), such as the ground or a floor, is then detected among the objects. The DDR generally includes a horizontal plane. The DDR is assigned the depth, and each object connected to the DDR is assigned depth according to the depth of the DDR at the connected site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: GWO GIUN LEE, MING-JIUN WANG, LING-HSIU HUANG
  • Publication number: 20100220894
    Abstract: A system and method are described for determining the dimensions of items using an optical device, such as a barcode and/or RFID tag reader, for example. The dimensions of the field of view of the optical device are established, indexed by distance, and the dimensions of items in the field of view of the optical device are determined as a percentage of the full field of view of the optical device at the appropriate distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: INTERMEC IP CORP.
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, Christophe Lopez
  • Publication number: 20100220208
    Abstract: Provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing on one or more faces in an image according to the distances of faces from the digital photographing apparatus or whether auto-focusing has been performed on the faces. Also provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing which assist in preventing faces at farther distances from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces at closer distances and which assist in preventing faces that have not been auto-focused from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces that have been auto-focused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-jung Park, Soon-ea Kim, Seung-yun Lee, I-saac Lee, Byoung-kwon Lee
  • Patent number: 7787658
    Abstract: A method of generating a depth map (122) comprising depth values representing distances to a viewer, for respective pixels of an image (100), is disclosed. The method comprises: determining a contour (106) on basis of pixel values of the image (100), the contour comprising a collection of adjacent points; computing curvature vectors (108 114) at a number of the points; and assigning a first one of the depth values corresponding to the first one of the pixels on basis of the curvature vectors (108-114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter-Andre Redert
  • Patent number: 7787659
    Abstract: A computerized system for displaying, geolocating, and taking measurements from captured oblique images includes a data file accessible by the computer system. The data file includes a plurality of image files corresponding to a plurality of captured oblique images, and positional data corresponding to the images. Image display and analysis software is executed by the system for reading the data file and displaying at least a portion of the captured oblique images. The software retrieves the positional data for one or more user-selected points on the displayed image, and calculates a separation distance between any two or more selected points. The separation distance calculation is user-selectable to determine various parameters including linear distance between, area encompassed within, relative elevation of, and height difference between selected points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Schultz, Frank D. Giuffrida, Robert L. Gray, Charles Mondello
  • Publication number: 20100215220
    Abstract: While a view angle is switched between wide and narrow view angles, images with the wide view angle and images with the narrow view angle are alternately taken. Based on images taken with the narrow view angle, movements of corresponding points in images in correspondence between the narrow-angle images are detected. Based on the images taken with the wide view angle, a translational vector and a rotation matrix that represent changes in the position/posture between the wide-angle images are calculated. By linearly interpolating the translational vector and the rotation matrix between the wide-angle images, a translational vector and a rotation matrix that represent changes in the position/posture between the narrow-angle images are estimated. Based on movements of corresponding points in the images and the translational vector and the rotational matrix between the narrow-angle images, three-dimensional coordinates of the corresponding points on the measurement object are highly accurately measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Yamaguchi, Naoya Chujo, Kenichi Ohue
  • Publication number: 20100215219
    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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chuan Chung CHANG, Chir Weei Chang, Yung Lin Chen
  • Publication number: 20100209078
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus selectively recording an image taken by itself or at least one other apparatus is disclosed. A digital video camera selects between an image taken by a camera block (10) thereof, and an image taken by each of at least one other camera and received by a wireless communication module (120), and records the selected image on a magnetic tape of a video cassette (111). The camera transmits an image it takes to at least other camera by the communication module (120). Processed by a control portion (60), the image taken by the camera itself and the image(s) from the other camera(s) are composited to be concurrently presented on a LCD (80). An image selected through a touch panel (90) is recorded on the tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Tanoue
  • Publication number: 20100208942
    Abstract: An image processing device comprises receiving means operable to receive, from a camera, a captured image corresponding to an image of a scene captured by the camera. The scene contains at least one object. The device comprises determining means operable to determine a distance between the object within the scene and a reference position defined with respect to the camera, and generating means operable to detect a position of the object within the captured image, and to generate a modified image from the captured image based on image features within the captured image which correspond to the object in the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Mark Stefan PORTER, Clive Henry Gillard
  • Publication number: 20100208062
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: HEXAGON METROLOGY AB
    Inventor: Bo Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20100208943
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Boaz J. Super, Bruce A. Augustine, James E. Crenshaw, Evan A. Groat, Michael S. Thiems
  • Patent number: 7774075
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining an object's three-dimensional location (i.e. real world coordinates) using the audio-video infrastructure of a 3G cellular phone or a 3C (Computer, Communications, Consumer) electronic device. A first detection device (e.g. a camera) is used to capture images of the objects. The captured image data is used to compute location data of the object in a first two-dimensional plane. A second detection device (e.g. microphone or infrared detector) may be used to collect additional location data in a second plane, which when combined with image data from the captured images allows the determination of the real world coordinates (x, y, z) of the object. The real-world coordinate data may be used in various applications. If the size of an object of interest is known or can be calculated, and the size of the projected image does not vary due to rotation of the object, a single camera (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Julius J. Y. Lin
  • Patent number: 7773799
    Abstract: A method for performing automatic stereo measure of a selected point in a scene. A sensor image is initially obtained from a sensor providing an image of a scene. First and second reference images of the scene that are a stereo pair of images are also provided. The sensor image is registered with the first reference image and a point of interest is selected from one of the sensor or first reference images. A stereo point measurement using the selected point and the two reference images is performed to determine a point in the second reference image that represents a stereo mate of the selected point in the first reference image. An analysis of a three dimensional grid volume centered about the selected point in the first reference image is then performed. The analysis uses both reference images, the selected point and its stereo mate to determine the three dimensional coordinates of the point in the grid that best matches the location of the stereo mate point in the second reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Oldroyd
  • Publication number: 20100195873
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for computing depth sectioning of an object using a quantitative differential interference contrast device having a wavefront sensor with one or more structured apertures, a light detector and a transparent layer between the structured apertures and the light detector. The method comprises receiving light, by the light detector, through the one or more structured apertures. The method also measures the amplitude of an image wavefront, and measures the phase gradient in two orthogonal directions of the image wavefront based on the light. The method can then reconstruct the image wavefront using the amplitude and phase gradient. The method can then propagate the reconstructed wavefront to a first plane intersecting an object at a first depth. In one embodiment, the method propagates the reconstructed wavefront to additional planes and generates a three-dimensional image based on the propagated wavefronts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Xiquan Cui, Changhuei Yang
  • Publication number: 20100195872
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for identifying objects in an image. The method includes: capturing a series of images of a scene using a camera; receiving a topographical map for the scene that defines distances between objects in the scene; determining distances between objects in the scene from a given image; approximating identities of objects in the given image by comparing the distances between objects as determined from the given image in relation to the distances between objects from the map. The identities of objects can be re-estimated using features of the objects extracted from the other images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carmelo Velardo, David Kryze, Luca Rigazio, Philippe Morin, Peter Veprek
  • Patent number: 7769205
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and an apparatus for three dimensional modeling to allow dense depth maps to be recovered, without previous knowledge of the surface reflectance, from only a single pair of stereo images. Several initial steps are performed for stereo and radiometric calibration and rectification for obtaining accurate results. The apparatus for the stereo images acquisition includes internal light sources, these are automatically commuted by a illumination control in order to fulfill the reciprocity property, a stereo camera head composed by the necessary optics to acquire the reciprocal stereo images and a compatible PC interface. The invention is faster than other systems since it requires only two images for obtaining a dense depth model of objects with an arbitrary surface reflectance distribution allowing the system to be used in a wide range of applications such as metrology, quality control, medical and dynamic three dimensional modeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Prefixa International Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Arias-Estrada, Alicia Morales-Reyes, Maria Luisa Rosas-Cholula, Gerardo Sosa-Ramirez
  • Patent number: 7769491
    Abstract: The present invention provides an obstacle avoiding apparatus, an obstacle avoiding method, an obstacle avoiding program, and a mobile robot apparatus that can accurately model a robot apparatus and plan a highly precise moving route for the robot apparatus that avoids obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Fukuchi, Steffen Gutmann
  • Publication number: 20100189307
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a measuring unit that measures lengths of segments in an image; a first evaluating unit that evaluates each segment based on the length of the segment measured by the measuring unit and a position of the segment; a second evaluating unit that evaluates each segment based on a similarity of the length of the segment measured by the measuring unit and the position of the segment; and a determining unit that determines whether each segment is a ruled line based on an evaluation result obtained by the first evaluating unit and an evaluation result obtained by the second evaluating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi YADA, Kunikazu UENO
  • Publication number: 20100189308
    Abstract: An image of a measurement object is displayed, and specification of a feature image and a measurement position is received on the displayed image. The feature image, the specification has been received, and information on relative positions for the feature image, which represents the measurement position and a display position of a dimension line, are stored. A newly acquired image of the measurement object is compared with the feature image to identify information on the attitude and the position of the image of the measurement object. A measurement position is set for the image of the measurement object with the identified attitude and position, and then predetermined physical quantities are measured. Based on the stored information on the relative position for the feature image displaying the dimension line, a dimension line indicating a measurement position and a measurement result are displayed at predetermined positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Nakatsukasa
  • Publication number: 20100188504
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging a three-dimensional scene having one or more objects. The system includes a light source, a detector array, a timing circuit, an inertial guidance system and a processor connected to the timing circuit and the inertial guidance system. The light source generates an optical pulse and projects the optical pulse on an object so that it is reflected as a reflected pulse. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors, wherein the detectors are oriented to receive the reflected pulse. The timing circuit determines when the reflected pulse reached detectors on the detector array. The inertial guidance system measures angular velocity and acceleration. The processor forms a composite image of the three-dimensional scene as a function of camera position and range to objects in the three-dimensional scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Dimsdale Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Dimsdale, Andrew Lewis, William Chen
  • Patent number: 7764809
    Abstract: A surveying instrument, comprising an optical system for collimating a measuring point, a driving unit for performing scanning in a measurement range the optical system, a distance-measuring unit comprising a light wave distance measuring system, an image pickup unit for taking an image in the measurement range, an image processing unit for performing image processing to extract edges from the image picked up, and a control arithmetic operation unit for selecting a point near the edge as a measuring point on the image picked up and for controlling the distance-measuring unit to carry out surveying operation of the measuring point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Hitoshi Otani, Makoto Omori
  • Publication number: 20100182426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of telemetry of a target performed by an operator by means of binoculars which comprise an image sensor (1), a display screen (2), a processing unit and a laser telemeter (4) exhibiting a firing window centered on the sighting axis of the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Ludovic Perruchot, Denis Rabault, Patrick Seugnet, Olivier Cocle
  • Publication number: 20100183197
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Aikawa, Yoshinori Satoh, Tatsuya Oodake, Naruhiko Mukai, Hisashi Hozumi, Yasuhiro Yuguchi
  • Publication number: 20100177185
    Abstract: The application concerns a method of integrating image information (3, 5, 8, 9) from an external source, e.g. an imaging device (1), and an operating microscope (2) before or during an operative procedure on an object (18) or body parts of a patient comprising: positioning an operating microscope (2) before or in the course of said operative procedure at an operative location relative to the patient (18); establishing the spatial relationship among the image information, the patient (18), and the focal plane of a projector (7) or the projection space or the projector (7) itself; introducing the image information and spatial relationship to a computer and reformatting the image information to generate a computer-generated image of the body part at a determined area or plane related to or directly on the surface of the object (18); and projecting the computer-generated image onto the object (18) or patient for coordinated viewing (12) of the computer-generated image and the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Swen Woerlein, Ingmar Tiehmann, Martin Mathis, Anke Weissenborn
  • Patent number: 7756299
    Abstract: The invention provides a face region estimating device capable of extracting a person's face region even when an illumination environment, for example, is changed and persons with different skin colors are contained in a picked-up image taken by a camera. The face region estimating device includes: a mobile body detecting unit for extracting the outline of a mobile body from the picked-up image and for generating an object distance image composed of pixels corresponding to a distance in which the mobile body exists; a head region setting unit for setting a head region based on the pixel distribution in the object distance image corresponding to a predetermined range on the basis of a pixel position at the upper part of the outline; and a face region extracting unit for extracting the person's face region from the picked-up image based on the color distribution in the picked-up image corresponding to the head region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Higaki
  • Publication number: 20100172545
    Abstract: An optical navigation device for absolute tracking in a sub-pixel range. The optical navigation device includes an image sensor and a tracking engine. The image sensor includes a pixel array to generate a plurality of tracking images. The tracking images correspond to incident light at the pixel array. The tracking engine determines a sub-pixel displacement value of a tracking surface based on a comparison of at least two of the tracking images. The tracking engine includes a sub-pixel approximation engine and a linear approximation engine. The sub-pixel approximation engine generates an intermediate sub-pixel displacement value based on a sub-pixel approximation according to a non-linear sub-pixel distribution. The linear approximation engine generates a final sub-pixel displacement value from the intermediate sub-pixel displacement value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES ECBU IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Teng Hun Lim, Meng Whui Tan
  • Publication number: 20100172546
    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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100172544
    Abstract: An on-the-fly method for measuring the length, along an axis (z?z) of an anode (20) used in the production of aluminium by molten salt electrolysis in which: i) said anode is suspended from a gripping member (13a) which is fitted with a displacement sensor measuring the vertical position of the point of attachment (O); ii) said gripping member is moved vertically so that the lower surface (21a) of the anode passes through a plane (P) formed by n beams (f1, . . . , fi, . . . , fn) and, each time one of said beams i (i=1 to n) is disturbed by the lower surface of the anode passing through it, the vertical position hi of said point of attachment (O) is measured; iii) the angle of inclination zz? of the anode stem is measured and the distance between the point of attachment and the lower surface (21a) of the anode block (21) is deduced based on values measured hi (i=1 to n), and the inclination value of the anode stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: E.C.L.
    Inventors: Alain Van Acker, Alain Rose, Patrick Marchand
  • Patent number: 7750969
    Abstract: Camera calibration which is robust against noise factors such as variation in environmental lighting and obstructions is realized. Light-emitting markers, whose on/off states can be controlled, are arrayed in a matrix on a reference panel on which an object is placed. The light-emitting markers blink in accordance with respective switching patterns in synchronism with the frame of continuous imaging of a camera. A three-dimensional measuring instrument determines the time-varying bright-and-dark pattern of a blinking point from the image of each frame and identifies, on the basis of the pattern, to which light-emitting marker each point corresponds. By reference to the identification results, camera calibration is performed, and a coordinate transformation parameter is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Spacevision, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukio Sato, Susumu Shibata
  • Patent number: 7751601
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing module includes a sensor substrate having a sensing side and a circuit side, an image sensor including conductive traces on the circuit side of the sensor substrate, and a sensor circuit including at least one integrated circuit mounted on the circuit side of the sensor substrate and electrically connected to the image sensor. The sensor substrate may be a flexible substrate. The module may include a velocity sensor on the sensor substrate or on a separate substrate. The module may further include a rigid substrate, and the sensor substrate may be affixed to the rigid substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Validity Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred G. Benkley, III
  • Publication number: 20100166263
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an image capturing device, a touch sensitive display, a distance measuring device, and a processor. The image capturing device picks up an image of the object and determining a focal length of the image capturing device at which the image capturing device captures the image. The touch sensitive display displays the image and receives input touches on the image to determine a touching region. The distance measuring device determines a distance between the electronic device and the object. The processor extracts the dimension of the touching region to determine the dimension of the image of the object, and determines the dimension of the object based on the dimension of the image of the object, the distance, and a pre-setting proportional relationship about the dimension of the image of the object, the distance between the electronic device and the object, and the focal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISON INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHUAI CAO, JING-BO YU
  • Patent number: 7747348
    Abstract: Provided is a method of using a rotational movement amount of a mobile device including obtaining images at two different points on a path along which the mobile device moves, searching for matching points with respect to the obtained images and obtaining an image coordinate value of each of the matching points, sensing linear movement of the mobile device and obtaining a linear movement amount using a result of sensing, and obtaining the rotational movement amount using the image coordinate values and the linear movement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-bo Shim, Kyung-shik Roh, Woo-sup Han, Woong Kwon