Range Or Distance Measuring Patents (Class 382/106)
  • Patent number: 10157452
    Abstract: Images may be acquired by cameras and processed to detect the presence of objects. Described are techniques to use rectified images for further processing such as object detection, object identification, and so forth. In one implementation, an image from a camera is processed to produce a rectified image having an apparent perspective from overhead. For example, the rectified image may be an image that appears to have been obtained from a virtual camera that is above the shelf and having a field-of-view that looks downward. The rectified image may be an orthonormal projection of pixels in the acquired image, relative to a plane of the surface upon which the objects are resting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Tighe, Vuong Van Le, Gerard Guy Medioni
  • Patent number: 10157312
    Abstract: A method may comprise obtaining image data of a plurality of digital image frames captured of an assumed eye having an iris and a pupil while illuminating the assumed eye from different directions; and automatically detecting a characteristic feature of the iris on the basis of image data of the at least two of the plurality of digital image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jyri Rauhala, Pertti Husu
  • Patent number: 10140652
    Abstract: Methods for generating and sharing a virtual body model of a person, created with a small number of measurements and a single photograph, combined with one or more images of garments. The virtual body model represents a realistic representation of the users body and is used for visualizing photo-realistic fit visualizations of garments, hairstyles, make-up, and/or other accessories. The virtual garments are created from layers based on photographs of real garment from multiple angles. Furthermore the virtual body model is used in multiple embodiments of manual and automatic garment, make-up, and, hairstyle recommendations, such as, from channels, friends, and fashion entities. The virtual body model is sharable for, as example, visualization and comments on looks. Furthermore it is also used for enabling users to buy garments that fit other users, suitable for gifts or similar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: METAIL LIMITED
    Inventors: Tom Adeyoola, Nick Brown, Nikki Trott, Edward Herbert, Duncan Robertson, Jim Downing, Nick Day, Robert Boland, Tom Boucher, Joe Townsend, Edward Clay, Tom Warren, Anoop Unadkat, Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 10139218
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method that allow a user to easily use distance information of a subject of a captured image for image processing are disclosed. The disclosed image processing apparatus generates, from the captured image, a plurality of images, which respectively corresponds to ranges of individual subject distances, based on the distance information of the subject. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus selectably displays the generated plurality of images, and applies image processing to the selected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10140147
    Abstract: Intelligently assisted IoT endpoint devices are disclosed. For example, an endpoint device determined to have an active network connection redirects input/output data from a physical sensor to a network interface. First redirected data of the input/output data is received, over a network by a virtual sensor of a virtualized endpoint service then output to a virtualized endpoint engine that resulting in conversion into first converted data, which is sent to an endpoint control service. The virtualized endpoint engine receives a first command from the endpoint control service then sends the first command to a virtual interactive element controller which converts the first command into a second command compatible with an interactive element of the endpoint device which performs a task after receiving the second command. The virtual sensor receives second redirected data collected by the physical sensor different from first redirected data as a result of the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sanctum Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Noel Shepard Stephens
  • Patent number: 10115183
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems for displaying an image on a user interface. The methods and systems include components modules and so on for determining a minimum feature width of the image and determining and a distance field of each region associated with the image. The distance field of each region may be based on the minimum feature width. A filter threshold associated with the distance field is then determined and the image is output using the determined filter threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques P. Gasselin de Richebourg, Domenico P. Porcino, Nathaniel C. Begeman
  • Patent number: 10102427
    Abstract: A method of biometric recognition is provided. Multiple images of the face or other non-iris image and iris of an individual are acquired. If the multiple images are determined to form an expected sequence of images, the face and iris images are associated together. A single camera preferably acquires both the iris and face images by changing at least one of the zoom, position, or dynamic range of the camera. The dynamic range can be adjusted by at least one of adjusting the gain settings of the camera, adjusting the exposure time, and/or adjusting the illuminator brightness. The expected sequence determination can be made by determining if the accumulated motion vectors of the multiple images is consistent with an expected set of motion vectors and/or ensuring that the iris remains in the field of view of all of the multiple images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Eyelock LLC
    Inventors: Keith J. Hanna, Hector T. Hoyos
  • Patent number: 10094670
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to condensing sensor data for transmission and processing. For example, laser scan data including location, elevation, and intensity information may be collected along a roadway. This data may be sectioned into quanta representing some period of time during which the laser sweeps through a portion of its field of view. The data may also be filtered spatially to remove data outside of a threshold quality area. The data within the threshold quality area for a particular quantum may be projected onto a two-dimensional grid of cells. For each cell of the two-dimensional grid, a computer evaluates the cells to determine a set of characteristics for the cell. The sets of characteristics for all of the cells of the two-dimensional grid for the particular quantum are then sent to a central computing system for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Hughes Chatham, Michael Steven Montemerlo, Daniel Trawick Egnor
  • Patent number: 10088307
    Abstract: The invention provides a surveying instrument, which comprises a light emitting element for emitting a distance measuring light, a distance measuring light projecting unit for projecting the distance measuring light, a light receiving unit for receiving a reflected distance measuring light, a photodetection element for receiving the reflected distance measuring light and for producing a photodetection signal and a distance measuring unit for performing a distance measurement based on a light receiving result from the photodetection element, further comprises a first optical axis deflecting unit disposed on a projection optical axis of the distance measuring light for deflecting an optical axis of the distance measuring light at a deflection angle as required and in a direction as required, a second optical axis deflecting unit disposed on a light receiving optical axis for deflecting the reflected distance measuring light at the same deflection angle and in the same direction as the first optical axis deflect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kaoru Kumagai
  • Patent number: 10081376
    Abstract: The present application involves a railroad track asset surveying system comprising an image capture sensor, a location determining system, and an image processor. The image capture sensor is mounted to a railroad vehicle. The location determining system holds images captured by the image capture sensor. The image processor includes an asset classifier and an asset status analyzer. The asset classifier detects an asset in one or more captured images and classifies the detected asset by assigning an asset type to the detected asset from a predetermined list of asset types according to one or more features in the captured image. The asset status analyzer identifies an asset status characteristic and compares the identified status characteristic to a predetermined asset characteristic so as to evaluate a deviation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Sameer Singh
  • Patent number: 10083524
    Abstract: Methods and supporting systems calculate a three-dimensional orientation of a camera based on images of objects within the cameras field of view. A camera (such as a camera within a mobile phone), captures two-dimensional video content including a human body and at least one additional object and assigns a frame of the video content at a first time as an anchor frame. The human body within the anchor frame is modeled by assigning points of movement to a set of body elements. A subsequent frame of the video content is received in which the human body has moved, and a translation function is derived that calculates the three-dimensional position of each of the body elements based on two dimensional movements of the body elements between the anchor frame and the subsequent frame. Using the translation function, a three-dimensional relationship of the camera and the additional object is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Octi
    Inventors: Abed Malti, Justin Fuisz
  • Patent number: 10068127
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic detection of the face in a given image and localization of the eye region which is a target for recognizing iris is provided. The apparatus includes an image capturing unit collecting an image of a user; and a control unit extracting a characteristic vector from the image of the user, fitting an extracted vector into a Pseudo 2D Hidden Markov Model (HMM), and an operating method thereof for detecting a face and facial features of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: IRIS ID, INC.
    Inventors: Monalisa Mazumdar, Ravindra Gadde, Sehhwan Jung
  • Patent number: 10068141
    Abstract: An automatic operation vehicle that automatically performs an operation in an operation area is provided. The vehicle includes an image analysis unit configured to extract a marker included in an image captured by a camera provided on the automatic operation vehicle. If a situation in which the marker that was extracted from the image captured by the camera cannot be extracted by the image analysis unit from the image captured by the camera has occurred during a movement of the automatic operation vehicle in a constant direction. The image analysis unit determines whether the marker extracted before an occurrence of the situation and the marker extracted after an elimination of the situation are the same marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shiromizu, Tsutomu Mizoroke, Makoto Yamanaka, Yoshihisa Hirose, Minami Kigami, Kensei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10060740
    Abstract: A distance detection device calculates a pixel cost, every reference pixel, based on a difference between reference pixel information in a reference image and comparative pixel information in a comparative image while switching the reference and comparative images. The device calculates a parallax cost, every reference pixel, representing a cost regarding a change-amount of the parallax as a coordinate difference between a reference pixel and a comparative pixel when the reference image is switched. The device calculates a combination of each reference pixel and a comparative pixel having a minimum total cost every reference pixel. The minimum total cost represents a sum of the pixel cost and the parallax cost. The device obtains a relationship of a corresponding point between each reference pixel and its corresponding comparative pixel, and calculates a distance to an object in each captured image based on the relationship of the corresponding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ishimaru, Noriaki Shirai
  • Patent number: 10041793
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a method for providing a 3D-point cloud using a geodetic surveying instrument. Some embodiments also include an image capturing unit. A method, according to some embodiments may include scanning a surrounding with the surveying instrument according to a defined scanning region with at least partly covering the object and generating a scanning point cloud corresponding to the scanning region with reference to a surveying coordinate system which is defined by the surveying instrument and generating a first image on side of the surveying instrument covering a region basically corresponding to the scanning region, the first image representing a reference image the pose of which is known with reference to the surveying coordinate system due to the position and orientation of the surveying instrument for acquiring data the first image is base on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Alexander Velizhev, Thomas Fidler
  • Patent number: 10037602
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting an image are provided. The method may include the steps of clustering pixels from one of a plurality of images into one or more segments, determining one or more unstable segments changing by more than a predetermined threshold from a prior of the plurality of images, determining one or more segments transitioning from an unstable to a stable segment, determining depth for one or more of the one or more segments that have changed by more than the predetermined threshold, determining depth for one or more of the one or more transitioning segments, and combining the determined depth for the one or more unstable segments and the one or more transitioning segments with a predetermined depth of all segments changing less than the predetermined threshold from the prior of the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Edge 3 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarek El Dokor, Jordan Cluster
  • Patent number: 10032087
    Abstract: The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Gallagher, Shuchang Zhou, Zhiheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10007991
    Abstract: A system for detecting a change in object positioning by processing images by detecting a first entity tagged with a first visually unique identifier, and detecting a second entity tagged with a second visually unique identifier distinguishable from the first visually unique identifier. The system receives a first image, from a first image capturing device, containing the first visually unique identifier and the second visually unique identifier. The system analyzes the first image to determine a distance between the first visually unique identifier and the second visually unique identifier. The system receives a second image containing the first visually unique identifier. The system analyzes the second image to determine a location of the second visually unique identifier relative to the first visually unique identifier to form a distance assessment. Based on the distance assessment, the system determines a change in proximity between the first entity and the second entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce H. Hyre, Chiao-Fe Shu, Yun Zhai
  • Patent number: 10008001
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring depth information are provided. In the method, a structured light with a scan pattern is projected by a light projecting device to scan at least one object. Reflected light from the object is detected by a light sensing device, and depth information of each object is calculated according to a deformation of a reflective pattern of the reflected light. Then, images of the object are captured by an image capturing device and used to obtain location information of each object. At least one moving object is found among the objects according to a change of the location information. Finally, at least one of a scan area, a scan frequency, a scan resolution and the scan pattern of the structured light and an order for processing data obtained from scanning is adjusted so as to calculate the depth information of each object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yao-Tsung Chang
  • Patent number: 9997072
    Abstract: In a driving assistance apparatus, a detector is configured to detect whether or not a leading vehicle has started moving, where the leading vehicle is a vehicle just in front of an own vehicle and the own vehicle is a vehicle carrying the apparatus. A notifier is configured to, if it is detected by the detector that the leading vehicle has started moving, provide a notification that the leading vehicle has started moving. An inhibitor is configured to, when the own vehicle has approached a stop point along a road, at which every vehicle must stop before passing therethrough, inhibit the notifier from providing the notification that the leading vehicle has started moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jian Hu
  • Patent number: 9996770
    Abstract: A model containing a plurality of model edges is acquired, and a position that matches the model is searched for within a search image. Within the search image, a plurality of edge extraction regions including the respective plurality of model edges when the model is moved to the position searched for are set, and an arithmetic operation of extracting an edge in each of the plurality of edge extraction regions is performed. If there is an edge extraction region where no edge has been able to be extracted, of the model moved to the position searched for, a model edge located in the edge extraction region where no edge has been able to be extracted is incorporated into an edge set, and fitting is performed to the edge set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 9986232
    Abstract: A method for distance calibration of machine vision optical targets and associated observing imaging sensors using separation distances between discrete surface measurement points. First, a spatial position for each surface point is established from a series of observations by the associated observing imaging sensor of the optical targets mounted to a calibration fixture. Second, measures of a linear separation distance between particular pairs of surface points are identified independently from the machine vision observations. All resulting spatial positions and measurements are conveyed to a processing system configured with a set of software instructions for carrying out distance calibration calculations to establish a set of refined distance calibration parameters associated with each combination of optical target and observing imaging sensor. During subsequent use of the machine vision vehicle service system, the parameters are retrieved and utilized to improve vehicle measurement precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Mark S. Shylanski
  • Patent number: 9977782
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for creating an environment and sharing an experience using a plurality of mobile devices having a conventional camera and a depth camera employed near a point of interest. In one form, random crowdsourced images, depth information, and associated metadata are captured near said point of interest. Preferably, the images include depth camera information. A wireless network communicates with the mobile devices to accept the images, depth information, and metadata to build and store a 3D model of the point of interest. Users connect to this experience platform to view the 3D model from a user selected location and orientation and to participate in experiences with, for example, a social network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: Charles D. Huston, Chris Coleman
  • Patent number: 9971556
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for coupling to an imaging apparatus that generates a captured image covering substantially a 360-degree field of view and for transmitting an output image to an image forming apparatus includes a setting unit configured to select a type of a polyhedron that is to be constructed by folding a development printed on a medium according to the output image, a converter configured to convert coordinates in the captured image into coordinates in the development that is to be printed on the medium and folded to construct the polyhedron, such that a zenith in the captured image is printed at a topmost point of the polyhedron constructed by folding the development printed on the medium, and an image generator configured to generate the output image based on the converted coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aiko Ohtsuka, Atsushi Funami
  • Patent number: 9967535
    Abstract: Various features relating to reducing and/or eliminating noise from images are described. In some embodiments depth based denoising is used on images captured by one or more camera modules based on depth information of a scene area and optical characteristics of the one or more camera modules used to captures the images. In some embodiments by taking into consideration the camera module optics and the depth of the object included in the image portion, a maximum expected frequency can be determined and the image portion is then filtered to reduce or remove frequencies above the maximum expected frequency. In this way noise can be reduced or eliminated from image portions captured by one or more camera modules. The optical characteristic of different camera modules may be different. In some embodiments a maximum expected frequency is determined on a per camera module and depth basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Light Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Nitesh Shroff, Sapna A Shroff
  • Patent number: 9958267
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dual mode depth measurement are provided. The apparatus is used for measuring a depth information of a specular surface in a depth from defocus (DFD) mode or measuring a depth information of a textured surface in a depth from focus (DFF) mode. The apparatus includes a light source, a controller, a processor, a lighting optical system, an imaging optical system, a beam splitter and a camera. The controller is for switching between the depth from defocus mode and the depth from focus mode. The lighting optical system is used to focus a light from the light source on an object surface in the depth from defocus mode, and the lighting optical system is used to illuminate the object surface with a uniform irradiance in the depth from focus mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ludovic Angot, Kun-Lung Tseng, Yi-Heng Chou
  • Patent number: 9953618
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing localization and mapping with a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for performing localization and mapping with a mobile device includes identifying geometric constraints associated with a current area at which the mobile device is located, obtaining at least one image of the current area captured by at least a first camera of the mobile device, obtaining data associated with the current area via at least one of a second camera of the mobile device or a sensor of the mobile device, and performing localization and mapping for the current area by applying the geometric constraints and the data associated with the current area to the at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mahesh Ramachandran, Ashwin Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 9955141
    Abstract: A portable three-dimensional scanner includes at least two image sensing units and a depth map generation unit. When the portable three-dimensional scanner is moved around an object, a first image sensing unit and a second image sensing unit of the at least two image sensing units capture a plurality of first images comprising the object and a plurality of second images comprising the object, respectively. When the first image sensing unit captures each first image of the plurality of first images, a corresponding distance exists between the portable three-dimensional scanner and the object. The depth map generation unit generates a corresponding depth map according to the each first image and a corresponding second image. A plurality of depth maps generated by the depth map generation unit, the plurality of first images, and the plurality of second images are used for generating a color three-dimensional scan result corresponding to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: eYs3D Microelectronics, Co.
    Inventors: Chao-Chun Lu, Wen-Kuo Lin
  • Patent number: 9955147
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing user controlled zoom operations during a stereoscopic, e.g., 3D, presentation are described. While viewing a 3D presentation of a scene environment, a user may switch to a zoom mode allowing the user to zoom in on a particular portion of the environment being displayed. In order to maintain the effect of being physically present at the event, and also to reduce the risk of making the user sick from sudden non-real world like changes in views of the environment, the user in response to initiating a zoom mode of operation is presented with a view which is the same or similar to that which might be expected as the result of looking through a pair of binoculars. In some embodiments the restriction in view is achieved by applying masks to enlarged version of left and right eye views to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NextVR Inc.
    Inventors: David Cole, Alan McKay Moss
  • Patent number: 9947098
    Abstract: A solution for generating a 3D representation of an object in a scene is provided. A depth map representation of the object is combined with a reflectivity map representation of the object to generate the 3D representation of the object. The 3D representation of the object provides more complete and accurate information of the object. An image of the object is illuminated by structured light and is captured. Pattern features rendered in the captured image of the object are analyzed to derive a depth map representation and a reflectivity map representation of the illuminated object. The depth map representation provides depth information while the reflectivity map representation provides surface information (e.g., reflectivity) of the illuminated object. The 3D representation of the object can be enhanced with additional illumination projected onto the object and additional images of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitay Romano, Nadav Grossinger
  • Patent number: 9940717
    Abstract: Techniques related to geometric camera self-calibration quality assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Oliver Grau
  • Patent number: 9942534
    Abstract: An image processing system includes an acquisition unit, a candidate value estimation unit, a cutoff frequency acquisition unit and a candidate value modification unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image of a sample taken via an optical system. The candidate value estimation unit is configured to estimate a candidate value of a 3D shape of the sample based on the image. The cutoff frequency acquisition unit is configured to acquire a cutoff frequency of the optical system based on information of the optical system. The candidate value modification unit is configured to perform at least one of data correction and data interpolation for the candidate value based on the cutoff frequency and calculate a modified candidate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9928430
    Abstract: Methods and system for detecting an object are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a processor, image data from a single camera, the image data representing an image of scene; determining, by the processor, stixel data from the image data; detecting, by the processor, an object based on the stixel data; and selectively generating, by the processor, an alert signal based on the detected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dan Levi
  • Patent number: 9927223
    Abstract: The distance image acquisition apparatus (10) includes a projection unit (12) which projects a first pattern of structured light distributed in a two-dimensional manner with respect to a subject within a distance measurement region, a light modulation unit (22) which spatially modulates the first pattern projected from the projection unit (12), an imaging unit (14) which is provided in parallel with and apart from the projection unit (12) by a baseline length, and captures an image including the first pattern reflected from the subject within the distance measurement region, a pattern extraction unit (20A) which extracts the first pattern spatially modulated by the light modulation unit (22) from the image captured by the imaging unit (14), and a distance image acquisition unit (20B) which acquires a distance image indicating a distance of the subject within the distance measurement region based on the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takao, Takeshi Misawa, Takeshi Kamiya, Tomonori Masuda, Koudai Fujita
  • Patent number: 9924912
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for operating an X-ray image processing system of creating a panoramic image based on three-dimensional (3D) Computed Tomography (CT) image data and displaying the panoramic image on the display unit, receiving a part of an object to be measured in the panoramic image through the input unit, and calculating an actual 3D length of the part of the object based on depth information of the CT image data and displaying the actual 3D length on the display unit. The part of the object can be selected by the user to measure a length of a desired part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: VATECH Co., Ltd., VATECH EWOO Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se Yeol Im, Dong Wan Seo, Tae Hee Han
  • Patent number: 9916508
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a method that receives a real-time image of a road from a camera sensor communicatively coupled to an onboard computer of a vehicle. The method includes dividing the real-time image into superpixels. The method includes merging the superpixels to form superpixel regions. The method includes generating prior maps from a dataset of road scene images. The method includes drawing a set of bounding boxes where each bounding box surrounds one of the superpixel regions. The method includes comparing the bounding boxes in the set of bounding boxes to a road prior map to identify a road region in the real-time image. The method includes pruning bounding boxes from the set of bounding boxes to reduce the set to remaining bounding boxes. The method may include using a categorization module that identifies the presence of a road scene object in the remaining bounding boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventors: Preeti Jayagopi Pillai, Veeraganesh Yalla, Kentaro Oguchi, Hirokazu Nomoto
  • Patent number: 9911038
    Abstract: The efficiency of work for identifying reference points included in photographed images is improved. A survey data processing device includes a data receiving unit 103 that receives data of two still images, an operation information receiving unit 104 that receives a selection of reference points among multiple reference points which are included in both of the two still images and have known location information, an exterior orientation parameter calculating unit 106 that calculates exterior orientation parameters of a camera, a coordinate integrating unit 110 for obtaining an integrated coordinate system for describing both the locations of an unselected reference point and the camera, a back-projected image generating unit 111 for generating a back-projected image by back-projecting the unselected reference point in the integrated coordinate system, and a target position estimating unit 112 that estimates a position of the unselected reference point in a still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Takeshi Sasaki, Tetsuji Anai, Hitoshi Ootani, Nobuo Kochi
  • Patent number: 9892331
    Abstract: An imaging system and method for a vehicle is provided, and includes an imager configured to image a scene external and forward of the vehicle and to generate image data corresponding to the acquired images. A controller is configured to receive the image data and analyze an optical flow between successive image frames to compute a relative motion between the imager and the imaged scene, wherein the optical flow includes a pattern of apparent motion of objects of interest in the successive image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Wright, David M. Falb
  • Patent number: 9881377
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the distinct location of an image-recording camera within an environment, using visually detectable structures includes the image-recording camera, a measuring camera permanently mounted thereon, and an evaluation unit configured to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera from the measuring camera image structures. The two cameras are oriented to record a common detail from the environment, containing structures that are visually detectable by the two cameras in their images. The measuring camera is connected to the evaluation unit, which is designed to ascertain the distinct location of the image-recording camera from the environment structures detected by the measuring camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Thorsten Mika, Hendrik Fehlis
  • Patent number: 9864965
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums having program instructions thereon, provide for creating, storing and utilizing planned target data with a target-setting graphical user application based a cloud-based system. The target-setting application can create multi-dimensional target settings for any HANA or non-HANA based data source. The target-setting application can store planned targets for entities of an organization across varying dimensions and time granularity. Also, the target-setting application generates data access protocol service links of the target data so the target data can be consumed by both HANA and non-HANA based applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Swarnava Chatterjee, Sunny Lakhmani, Ashwin K S, Prabhu Jayakumar, Vinothkumar Vaithianathan, Monissha M. T Agil
  • Patent number: 9857311
    Abstract: Inspection devices nondestructively sense component shape and integrity such as through ultrasonic sensors. Inspection devices include a positional determinator to give orientation of devices relative to the tested object. True distances and relative boundaries of the object are determined with testing and orientation data regardless of rigid or known inspection device position. Inspection data can be corrected for refraction knowing distances and object boundaries. Inspection devices can include additional inspection components like cameras and lighting to match visual inspection with nondestructive testing data spatially and temporally. Inspection devices can be used with self- or manual-propulsion in a working environment with the inspection object. Inspection devices use an operator or computer processor, local or remotely-connected power sources, and communications structures to power and operate the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Viren
  • Patent number: 9855658
    Abstract: A method, a drone device, and an adaptive robot control system (ARCS) for adaptively controlling a programmable robot are provided. The ARCS receives environmental parameters of a work environment where the drone device operates and geometrical information of a target object to be operated on by the programmable robot. The ARCS dynamically receives a calibrated spatial location of the target object in the work environment based on the environmental parameters and a discernment of the target object from the drone device. The ARCS determines control information including parts geometry of the target object, a task trajectory of a task to be performed on the target object, and a collision-free robotic motion trajectory for the programmable robot, and dynamically transmits the control information to the programmable robot via a communication network to adaptively control the programmable robot while accounting for misalignments of the target object in the work environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Rahul Babu
  • Patent number: 9852343
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a position detection unit configured to detect position information of the imaging apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to acquire candidate object information indicating an object which a photographer may desire to capture an image thereof within a search range of position information based on the position information detected by the position detection unit, and a presenting unit configured to present the candidate object information to the photographer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kuroki
  • Patent number: 9836847
    Abstract: A depth estimation apparatus including: an imaging device which generates a first image signal and a second image signal by imaging an object at different phases; a storage unit configured to store model data defining a relationship between (i) lens blur and phase difference of the object in images and (ii) position of the object in the images in the depth axis; and a detecting unit configured to detect a position of the object in the depth axis from the first image signal and the second image signal, using the model data, wherein a phase difference between the first image signal and the second image signal is smaller than or equal to 15% in terms of a base line length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9824417
    Abstract: An image signal processor including a CPU is provided. The CPU receives image data and positional information of phase detection pixels from an imaging device, extracts first phase detection pixel data and second phase detection pixel data from the image data using the positional information of phase detection pixels, computes first phase graphs from the first phase detection pixel data based upon moving a first window, computes second phase graphs from the second phase detection pixel data based upon moving a second window, computes disparities of the phase detection pixels using the first phase graphs and the second phase graphs, and generates a depth map using the disparities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Kim, Ju Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9816786
    Abstract: A method for automatically generating a three-dimensional reference model as terrain information for a seeker head of an unmanned missile. A three-dimensional terrain model formed from model elements obtained with the aid of satellite and/or aerial reconnaissance is provided. Position data of the imaging device at least at one planned position and a direction vector from the planned position of the imaging device to a predetermined target point in the three-dimensional terrain model are provided. A three-dimensional reference model of the three dimensional terrain model is generated that incorporates only those model elements and sections of model elements from the terrain model, which in the viewing direction of the direction vector from the planned position of the imaging device, are not covered by other model elements and/or are not located outside the field of view of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MBDA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Holicki, Nikolaus Schweyer, Johannes Speth, Juergen Zoz
  • Patent number: 9802540
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for representing vehicle surroundings information of a motor vehicle, wherein the process comprises the following steps: recording a front surrounding environment of a vehicle by at least two cameras provided on a vehicle front end of the motor vehicle; detecting objects within the recorded front surrounding environment; if at least one object is detected within the front surrounding environment, determining a field of view of a driver of the motor vehicle and making a comparison to determine whether the object detrimentally affects the field of view of the driver of the motor vehicle; if the field of view of the driver is detrimentally affected by the detected object, acquiring information from the recorded front surrounding environment that is not within the field of view of the driver of the motor vehicle; and providing a perspective representation of the acquired information in the determined field of view of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Markus Frommann, Oleg Mazur
  • Patent number: 9805247
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automatic machine-implemented pattern registration, particularly suited to small sensor systems which include a reduced image capture area size relative to the pattern being sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: IDEX ASA
    Inventor: Roger A. Bauchspies
  • Patent number: 9800769
    Abstract: System and methods for pointing a device, such as a camera, at a remote target wherein the pointing of the device is controlled by a combination of location information obtained by global positioning technology and image recognition of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Taylor, Christopher T. Boyle, Alexander G. Sammons, Denes Marton
  • Patent number: 9798927
    Abstract: A mobile terminal iris recognition device having a human-computer interaction mechanism, the device includes a human-computer interaction module, an image acquisition module, an iris image analysis and processing module, a feedback control module and a power supply module. Also provided is an iris recognition method utilizing the device. Compared with the related art, the method has great improvement in such aspects as miniaturization, mobility and usability, is provided with a mobile terminal iris recognition function with an active visual, tactile and auditory interaction mechanism, and also has the advantages of high accuracy of iris recognition, low power consumption, reasonable structural layout, strong interaction functions and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING IRISKING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Li Ma, Xingguang Li, Zhaofeng He, Xianchao Qiu