Manufacturing Or Product Inspection Patents (Class 382/141)
  • Patent number: 10262200
    Abstract: There is described a method for examining a value document while employing a digital image of the value document which comprises pixels, wherein the image is examined for the presence of at least one irregularity relating to a pre-specified property of the value document, when such an irregularity is found an examination region representing the irregularity is fixed in dependence on the size and/or position and/or form of the irregularity in the image, and for checking the irregularity only a part of those pixels of the digital image that correspond to the examination region is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Schmalz, Shanchuan Su, Norbert Holl
  • Patent number: 10254193
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reflectance imaging using visible and/or non-visible light and optical sensors in a probe for use in a fluid transport pipeline are provided. One or more light beams may be emitted towards a bore-defining surface of a pipe wall. One or more first optical sensors may sense first image data based on light scattered by incidence of the light beams on the bore-defining surface. The first image data may be used to determine a first distance value corresponding to a distance of the bore-defining surface from a first reference point. The first image data may be used to determine a plurality of speckle patterns from the first image data, each speckle pattern associated with light scattered from light-scattering particles contained in the fluid at a corresponding time, and to determine a flow direction of the fluid based on the plurality of speckle patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Illusense Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Chan, Kirk Madison, Kyzyl Herzog
  • Patent number: 10210384
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical character recognition using captured video. According to one embodiment, using a first image in stream of images depicting a document, the device extracts text data in a portion of the document depicted in the first image and determines a first confidence level regarding an accuracy of the extracted text data. If the first confidence level satisfies a threshold value, the device saves the extracted text data as recognized content of the source document. Otherwise, the device extracts the text data from the portion of the document as depicted in one or more second images in the stream and determines a second confidence level for the text data extracted from each second image until identifying one of the second images where the second confidence level associated with the text data extracted from the identified second image satisfies the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTUIT INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Yellapragada, Peijun Chiang, Sreeneel K. Maddika
  • Patent number: 10209205
    Abstract: Among other things, a tire inspection system and method are provided. A radiation source and a detector array are configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. During a first examination of a tire, the tire has a first orientation relative to the axis of rotation, and during a second examination, the tire has a second orientation relative to the axis of rotation. For example, between the first examination and the second examination, the tire is at least one of shifted with respect to the axis of rotation or rotated about a tire rotation axis (e.g., perpendicular to the axis of rotation) to change the orientation of the tire relative to the axis of rotation. In this manner, imagery of the tire may be developed, which can be inspected to identify irregularities, etc., in the tire, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Charles H. Shaughnessy, Steven N. Urchuk, Basak Ulker Karbeyaz
  • Patent number: 10203197
    Abstract: A region projected with pattern light in an image sensed by an image sensing unit which senses an image of a target object projected with pattern light is specified. Geometric features of the target object are searched for from a region other than the region projected with the pattern light in the sensed image based on the specified region. A position and orientation of the target object are derived based on the searched geometric features of the target object and geometric features of a model of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hirota, Hisayoshi Furihata, Yusuke Nakazato
  • Patent number: 10198631
    Abstract: There is provided a pupil tracking device including an active light source, an image sensor and a processing unit. The active light source emits light toward an eyeball alternatively in a first brightness value and a second brightness value. The image sensor captures a first brightness image corresponding to the first brightness value and a second brightness image corresponding to the second brightness value. The processing unit identifies a brightest region at corresponding positions of the first brightness image and the second brightness image as an active light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Huang, Ming-Tsan Kao, Yi-Fang Lee, En-Feng Hsu, Meng-Huan Hsieh, Nien-Tse Chen
  • Patent number: 10191923
    Abstract: A method for applying a rule to data includes receiving data from a data source and processing a particular data unit of an ordered number of data units derived at least in part from the received data. The processing includes determining a set of data units including an ordered subset of data units from the ordered number of data units, each data unit of the ordered subset being related to the particular data unit and occurring before the particular data unit in the ordered number of data units. Prior to applying the rule the state variable is updated to a state that would result from iterating in order through the set of data units and, for each data unit of the ordered subset, applying the rule to the data unit. The rule is then applied to the particular data unit including reading the updated value of the state variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ab Initio Technology LLC
    Inventors: Scott Studer, Amit Weisman, David Phillimore
  • Patent number: 10191924
    Abstract: A computing system processes data units using one of at least two different modes of applying a rule. In a first mode, data units are received in a particular order and are processed including writing an updated value to at least one state variable based on a result of applying the rule to the data unit. In a second mode, a selection of particular data units is processed including determining a first set of data units including an ordered subset of data units that occur before the particular data unit from the number of data units, prior to applying the rule to the particular data unit, updating at least one state variable to a state that would result from processing the first set of data units in the first mode, and applying the rule to the particular data unit including reading the updated value of the state variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ab Initio Technology LLC
    Inventors: Scott Studer, Amit Weisman, David Phillimore
  • Patent number: 10194089
    Abstract: Devices and methods for providing seamless preview images for multi-camera devices having two or more asymmetric cameras. A multi-camera device may include two asymmetric cameras disposed to image a target scene. The multi-camera device further includes a processor coupled to a memory component and a display, the processor configured to retrieve an image generated by a first camera from the memory component, retrieve an image generated by a second camera from the memory component, receive input corresponding to a preview zoom level, retrieve spatial transform information and photometric transform information from memory, modify at least one image received from the first and second cameras by the spatial transform and the photometric transform, and provide on the display a preview image comprising at least a portion of the at least one modified image and a portion of either the first image or the second image based on the preview zoom level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: James Wilson Nash, Kalin Mitkov Atanassov, Sergiu Radu Goma, Narayana Karthik Sadanandam Ravirala, Venkata Ravi Kiran Dayana, Karthikeyan Shanmugavadivelu
  • Patent number: 10168216
    Abstract: The invention reduces a variation of a result of image inspection by alleviating a burden on the user relating to designation of an extracted color. An image inspection device displays a color image of an inspection target object, receives designation of at least a foreground region, and extracts a foreground color and a background color as color information from the foreground region and a background region, respectively. The image inspection device calculates a distance between a color of each pixel of the color image and the foreground color in a color space, and generates a foreground distance image. Similarly, the image inspection device forms a background distance image. The image inspection device inspects the inspection target object using a foreground-background image created by combining the foreground distance image and the background distance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Keyence Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Kido
  • Patent number: 10163271
    Abstract: A system configured to provide a three-dimensional representation of a physical environment. The three-dimensional representation including annotation data associated with particular objects and/or viewpoints of the three-dimensional representation. In some cases, the viewpoints may be rendered using image data associated with a photograph captured from a corresponding viewpoint within the physical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Occipital, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Powers, Vikas Reddy, Alex Schiff
  • Patent number: 10151580
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method to convert three-dimensional data into a two-dimensional height displacement map and extract the three-dimensional features and dimensions of a three-dimensional object using a two-dimensional image processing technique. An illumination source of the system scans across the workspace using a line laser and generates a two-dimensional height displacement map of the workspace. The individual pixel location represents an actual workspace sampled location. The pixel gray scale intensity represents the Z displacement height at the pixel location. A processing device processes the features and dimensions within two-dimensional image as a gray scale using two-dimensional image processing such as pattern match, blob, convolution and edge detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENERIC POWER PTD LTD
    Inventors: Kok Weng Wong, Albert Archwamety, Han Cheng Ge, Ruini Cao
  • Patent number: 10154255
    Abstract: The present invention inexpensively executes fault diagnosis in real time without obstructing an original image-processing function even while driving. To this end, this in-vehicle-camera image processing device has: one or more camera units capable of selectively switching between a captured image and a test image and outputting the same; an image-processing unit for subjecting a captured image outputted by the camera units to image processing; and a fault diagnosis unit for subjecting the camera units to fault diagnosis, on the basis of the test image outputted by the camera units. In addition, the image-processing unit determines whether or not a fault diagnosis is possible on the basis of the image-processing results, and when fault diagnosis is determined to be possible, outputs diagnosis instruction information to the fault diagnosis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ichige
  • Patent number: 10127470
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for improving interactions with and between computers in content communicating, rendering, generating, hosting and/or providing systems supported by or configured with computing devices, servers and/or platforms. The systems interact to improve the quality of data used in processing interactions between or among processors in such systems for determining obscured portions of displayed digital content. The disclosed method and apparatus involve acquiring and recording coordinates of each pixel in a digital image, and marking the pixels located at a boundary of the image as boundary pixels. The pixels located at a first region block are extracted and marked as obstruction pixels. An obstructed cutting space area corresponding to each pixel is determined based on positional relations of each pixel in the image. An image obstruction score is calculated based on the cutting space areas and utilized for rendering the pixels of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED
    Inventors: Qi Zheng, Yongpan Wang
  • Patent number: 10127647
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting cracks in an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an image of a front side of a mobile device and automatically identifying edges in the image. For given edges among the identified edges, the method includes determining whether another edge among the identified edges is present within a predetermined distance of the given edge. Next, straight line segments corresponding to the edges for which another edge is within the predetermined distance are identified, and then a crack evaluation assessment is assigned to the mobile device based at least in part on the identified straight line segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ecoATM, LLC
    Inventors: Babak Forutanpour, Jeffrey Ploetner
  • Patent number: 10121237
    Abstract: An inspection method includes: receiving image data from a non-contact inspection system, the image data indicative of a plurality of captured images of light projected onto a component system comprising a component; processing the image data using a processing system to provide model data that models at least a portion of a surface of the component; comparing the model data to nominal data for a design model for the component using the processing system to determine a subset of the model data that is closest to the nominal data; identifying model data points in the subset of the model data based on identities of correlated nominal data points in the nominal data using the processing system to provide measurement data; and comparing the measurement data to design data for the design model for the component using the processing system to determine deviation between the measurement data and the design data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Rojas, Larry W. Brannock
  • Patent number: 10099391
    Abstract: An example method is carried out in a warehouse environment having a plurality of inventory items located therein, each having a corresponding on-item identifier. The method involves determining a target inventory item having a target on-item identifier. The method also involves determining that a first inventory item having a first on-item identifier is loaded onto a first robotic device. The method further involves transmitting a request to verify the first on-item identifier. The method still further involves receiving data captured by a sensor of the second robotic device. The method yet further involves (i) analyzing the received data to determine the first on-item identifier, (ii) comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, and (iii) responsive to comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, performing an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Hance, Daniel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10074057
    Abstract: The invention provides for a graphical user interface which provides for very simple and intuitive ways of changing single or multiple inspection parameters. The graphical display immediately shows what the monitoring or inspection result would have been if the effected change had been in place during the inspection of the last “N” parts. This retrospective graphical “look-back” invokes immediate re-inspection facilitating an estimation of what the future inspection or process monitoring results will be if future production looks similar to the recent past production. The re-inspection results are immediately shown with a combination of visualization for ease of understanding and settings optimization. The visualization also shows selected other associated data to each specific inspection for ease of tracking and optimizing production processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Pressco Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Don W. Cochran, Fredrick F. Awig, II, Kevin E. Batty, Jesse C. Booher, David W. Cochran, Patrick Gilliland, Noel E. Morgan, Jr., Thomas H. Palombo, Timothy SirLouis, Michael L. Yoder
  • Patent number: 10074300
    Abstract: A display panel includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including a high sub-pixel and a low sub-pixel. A method of driving the display panel may include detecting a first pixel which corresponds to a first pattern in an image, and changing a gray scale value of the high or low sub-pixel of a second pixel which is adjacent to the first pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yeun-Mo Yeon, Seung-Hyun Ko, Choong-Yull Kwak, Dal-Jung Kwon, Jin-Tae Kim, Se-Young Oh
  • Patent number: 10067812
    Abstract: A method for a diagnostic headline system using simple linguistic terms is described. The method comprises receiving historical and current performance data for a component of a system. An anomaly is determined in the current performance data by comparing the current performance data and the historical performance data for the component. The anomaly is determined whether or not it indicates an error in the system. The cause of the anomaly is determined. Steps for addressing the cause of the anomaly are recommended. A display is formatted of the current performance data, the error, and the recommended steps for addressing the cause of the anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter William Mullarkey, Kevin Eugene Davis, Michael Charles Johns
  • Patent number: 10061958
    Abstract: Methods for determining whether a mark is genuine are described. According to various implementations, a computing device (or logic circuitry thereof) receives (e.g., via a camera or via a communication network) an image of a candidate mark (e.g., a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode), uses the image to make measurements of a characteristic of a feature of the candidate mark, resulting in a profile for that feature. The computing device filters out, from the feature profile, all spatial frequency components that are indicated to be sibling frequency components. In some embodiments, the computing device carries out the reverse procedure, and filters out all spatial frequency components except for those indicated to be sibling frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Sys-Tech Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Voigt, Michael L. Soborski, Rafik Ayoub
  • Patent number: 10054431
    Abstract: A shape measurement apparatus includes: a holder for holding a measuring object having a spherical measurement surface; a sensor configured to emit light onto the measurement surface to perform non-contact measurement of a distance between the sensor and the measurement surface and output a measured value; a rotation mechanism for rotating the sensor around a first axis; a sensor movement mechanism for moving the sensor along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis so as to be movable across an intersection of the second axis with the first axis; a holder movement mechanism for moving the holder along a vertical direction and on a plane orthogonal to vertical direction; and a control device configured to: calculate the shape of the measurement surface based on the measured value; calculate a spherical center of the measurement surface; and cause the holder movement mechanism to match the spherical center with the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Hiroyuki Seki, Masahiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 10043108
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for detecting and classifying an active matrix organic light emitting diode panel. The method includes: comparing images to be compared which are collected from the active matrix organic light emitting diode panel with template images in a preset template image library; classifying the active matrix organic light emitting diode panel depending on results of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., Ordos Yuansheng Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuan Zhang, Hongxia Yang, Sungho Kim, Wei Song, Yaorong Liu, Ling Tong, Lin Liu, Yonghong Zhang, Peng Chen, Tao Yang, Tianyu Xu, Zenghong Li
  • Patent number: 10024774
    Abstract: A hardness tester includes a memory storing, as a parts program, definitions of measurement conditions including a coordinate system and test position defined with respect to an image of a standard reference sample; a pattern searcher performing a pattern searching process, with reference to a plurality of samples to be measured, using a pattern image based on the image of the standard reference sample, and detecting a number of samples having a shape identical to that of the standard reference sample, as well as a position and angle of the samples having the identical shape; a pattern definer defining a coordinate system and test position for each of the samples having the identical shape based on the position and angle of each of the samples having the identical shape; and a measurer measuring the hardness of the samples for which the coordinate system and test position have been defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumihiko Koshimizu, Makoto Kaieda, Akira Takada
  • Patent number: 10006836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting defects on tires in a tire production process. The method includes: receiving a reference image of a surface portion of a reference tire substantially defects-free; providing a sample tire to be analyzed; illuminating a surface portion of the sample tire with a raking light source; acquiring a sample image of the illuminated surface portion of the sample tire; extracting the edges from the reference image and from the sample image and respectively generating an edge reference image and an edge sample image; carrying out a dilation of the edges of the edge reference image and generating therefrom a dilated edge reference image; comparing the edge sample image with respect to the dilated edge reference image and generating an edge image of possible defects; and identifying the edges in the edge image of possible defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Monti, Valeriano Ballardini, Fabio Regoli
  • Patent number: 10007980
    Abstract: An inspection method and apparatus comprising, a step of reflecting linearly-polarized light having a predetermined wavelength using an non-polarizing beam splitter after transmitting the linearly-polarized light through a half-wave plate, irradiating a sample with the linearly-polarized light having a polarization plane of a predetermined angle, causing the light reflected by the sample to be incident to an image capturing sensor through a lens, the non-polarizing beam splitter, and an analyzer, and acquiring an optical image of a pattern formed on the sample; acquiring a plurality of optical images by changing an angle of the analyzer or the half-wave plate, and obtaining an angle of the analyzer or the half-wave plate such that a value of (?/?A) becomes a minimum; and a step of inspecting whether a defect of the pattern exists, wherein the pattern is a repetitive pattern having a period at a resolution limit or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Riki Ogawa, Masatoshi Hirono
  • Patent number: 10001432
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an image capturer capturing an image of the sample to be measured; an image acquirer acquiring image data of the sample captured by the image capturer; a pattern searcher performing, on the image data of the sample acquired by the image acquirer, pattern searching process using a pattern image selected based on the sample and identifying a position in the image matching the pattern image; a profile extractor extracting a profile of the sample based on the position in the image identified by the pattern searcher; a calculator calculating a hardness measurement position of the sample based on the profile extracted by the profile extractor; and a measurer executing hardness testing on the sample based on the hardness measurement position calculated by the calculator and measuring the hardness of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Furuta, Makoto Kaieda, Akira Takada
  • Patent number: 9995573
    Abstract: The present application discloses a probe placement module for placing probes on a virtual object depicted in an image. The probe placement module is configured to place probes on interest points of an image so that the probes can accurately represent a pattern depicted in the image. The probe placement module can be configured to place the probes so that the probes can extract balanced information on all degrees of freedom associated with the pattern's movement, which improves the accuracy of the model generated from the probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Barker, David J. Michael, William M. Silver
  • Patent number: 9984163
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product may identify information of interest to form identified points of interest using a report specification, create a master detail relationship using the identified points of interest, apply an order to the identified points of interest, apply annotations to the identified points of interest, apply highlighting to the identified points of interest, generate an enhanced report specification based on at least the order, annotations, or highlighting of the identified points of interest, and execute the enhanced report specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Amer Hammoud
  • Patent number: 9979607
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing system anomalies and presenting recommended solutions is described. The method comprises receiving current component performance data and historical component performance data regarding performance of a component of a multi-tier system. A baseline tier performance for each tier and a baseline component performance is determined. A cause of an anomaly in the performance of the component is determined by discovering deviations in current component performance data and current tier performance in compared to their baseline values. Based on these deviations, a recommended procedure for addressing the cause of the anomaly is determined. A display is formatted within a user interface of the recommended procedure for addressing the cause of the anomaly in the performance of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter William Mullarkey, Kevin Eugene Davis, Michael Charles Johns
  • Patent number: 9955123
    Abstract: A machine-vision system for monitoring a quality metric for a product. The system includes a controller configured to receive a digital image from an image acquisition device. The controller is also configured to analyze the digital image using a first machine-vision algorithm to compute a measurement of the product. The system also includes a vision server connected to the controller, and configured to compute a quality metric and store the digital image and the measurement in a database storage. The system also includes a remote terminal connected to the vision server, and configured to display the digital image and the quality metric on the remote terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sight Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Oostendorp, Kurtis Alan Demaagd, Anthony Michael Oliver
  • Patent number: 9952586
    Abstract: A system is provided for programming workpiece feature inspection operations for a coordinate measuring machine. The system includes a computer-aided design (CAD) file processing portion and a user interface including a workpiece inspection program simulation portion, an editing user interface portion, and a simulation status and control portion. The simulation status and control portion is configured to respond to selection of workpiece features or inspection operation representations (e.g., as selected in the workpiece inspection program simulation portion or editing user interface portion). The simulation status and control portion response to the selection includes altering a simulation status portion (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: Mitutoyo Corporation, Mitutoyo Europe GMBH
    Inventors: Dahai Yu, Eric Yeh-Wei Tseo, Bart De Vlieghere
  • Patent number: 9950815
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting damage to a component may include a first sensor and a processor. The method may include the steps of receiving, by the processor, a first data for the component from a first sensor, aligning, by the processor, the first data with a reference model, determining, by the processor, a feature dissimilarity between the first data and the reference model, classifying, by the processor, the feature dissimilarity, and determining, by the processor, a probability that the feature dissimilarity indicates damage to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Matthew Finn, Srinivas Ravela, Joseph A. Sylvestro
  • Patent number: 9936213
    Abstract: A progressive JPEG bitstream may comprise an image component that is comprised of multiple scans of MCUs/data units that are in turn comprised of at least one MCU/data unit segment. Each MCU/data unit segment is successively scanned. The MCU/data unit segment is then reconstructed using multiple entropy decoders operating in parallel on different scans of each MCU/data unit segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Anurag Goel
  • Patent number: 9924142
    Abstract: A method for processing a plurality of images of a scene recorded from different vantage points, where the plurality of images includes a color reference image captured by a Bayer type camera and at least one additional image, the method including (a) registering at least a portion of the plurality of images, and (b) generating a unitary color image from the plurality of images, wherein color information of the unitary color image is determined exclusively from the color reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongshen Ni, Guansong Liu
  • Patent number: 9918028
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor which has a plurality of pixels; and a plurality of processing circuits which correct images of different frames output from the image sensor. Each processing circuit includes: a first detection circuit which performs defective pixel detection on a portion of a region of the plurality of pixels which is different from portions of the region on which the other processing circuits perform defective pixel detection; and a memory which stores information on defective pixels for the entire region obtained by combining information on defective pixels detected by the first detection circuit and information on defective pixels obtained by the other processing circuits. Further, each processing circuit corrects the image of each frame output from the image sensor, using the information on defective pixels for the entire region stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9912915
    Abstract: Verification and adjustment systems and methods correct at least one build error that is detected in a component built by additive manufacturing (hereinafter “AM”). The systems and methods comprise an AM device, a first imaging device, a second imaging device and computer-implement steps for correcting the build error present in the component. The first imaging device collects first digital images or data of the component and is positioned at a first orientation with respect to a build platform of the AM device. The second imaging device collects second digital images or data of the component and is positioned at a second orientation with respect to the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Solid Innovation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Matthew Sinclair
  • Patent number: 9894975
    Abstract: A light curing device includes a plurality of LEDs, a driver, a switch module and a timer. The timer includes a plurality of time-setting buttons corresponding to different timing configurations, respectively. When the timer is activated by the switch module and one of the time-setting buttons is operated, the timer outputs an activating signal, and outputs a deactivating signal when a time duration defined by the corresponding timing configuration has elapsed. The driver drives at least one of the LEDs to emit curing light into an irradiation space in a housing module when triggered by the activating signal, and stops driving the LEDs to emit the curing light when triggered by the deactivating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: QUAN MEI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuo-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 9883167
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional surface. In one embodiment, there is a method for generating a three-dimensional surface. The method includes capturing a plurality of images of a target object with at least two cameras, the target object illuminated by at least two sets of red-green-blue (RGB) lights positioned in an array about the target object and generating a three-dimensional surface of the target object by iteratively reconstructing a surface estimate of the target object and aligning images of the target object using motion estimation until the images converge, wherein the images are processed in n-frame intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: Disney Enterprises, Inc., Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Iain Matthews, Paulo Urnau Gotardo, Tomas Simon, Yaser Sheikh
  • Patent number: 9852502
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing section periodically performing image processing for a periodically captured image, a diagnosing section comparing an image processing result obtained from diagnostic image data with an expected value data which indicates a reference for a normal processing result of image processing of the diagnostic image data and determining whether the image processing result obtained from the diagnostic image data is normal, by making the image processing section perform image processing for the diagnostic image data which is directly accessible by the image processing section in parallel with image processing periodically performed by the image processing section for the captured image, and an output controlling section outputting the processing result of image processing for the captured image as valid to a control section on condition that the image processing result obtained from the diagnostic image data is determined as normal by the diagnosing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Nakashima, Tetsuya Kimata
  • Patent number: 9846025
    Abstract: A track data determination system including: a video camera device positioned on a vehicle to capture video data in at least one field-of-view; a geographic positioning unit associated with the vehicle to generate position data and time data; a recording device to store at least one of the following: at least a portion of the video data, at least a portion of the position data, at least a portion of the time data, or any combination thereof; and a controller to: (i) receive the video data, the position data, and/or the time data; and (ii) determine track data based at least in part upon the video data, the position data, and/or the time data. A computer-implemented track data determination method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Charles Kirchner, Jeffrey D. Kernwein, Chad E. Diefenderfer, Matthew T. Wall
  • Patent number: 9827683
    Abstract: An example method is carried out in a warehouse environment having a plurality of inventory items located therein, each having a corresponding on-item identifier. The method involves determining a target inventory item having a target on-item identifier. The method also involves determining that a first inventory item having a first on-item identifier is loaded onto a first robotic device. The method further involves transmitting a request to verify the first on-item identifier. The method still further involves receiving data captured by a sensor of the second robotic device. The method yet further involves (i) analyzing the received data to determine the first on-item identifier, (ii) comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, and (iii) responsive to comparing the first on-item identifier and the target on-item identifier, performing an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Hance, Daniel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9816866
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for a non-destructive, non-contacting and image forming examination of a sample by means of the heat flow thermography method where the examination consists of evaluating an existence and/or depth distance values of any heat flow velocity transitions below a surface of the sample, wherein the sample is excited by heat pulses of at least one excitation source, and a thermal flow originating therefrom is captured by at least one infrared sensor in an image sequence of thermal images, and wherein the thermal images obtained from the image sequence are evaluated by means of a signal and image processing and depicting a thermal flow with a resolution in time and in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FEI EFA, Inc.
    Inventors: Haymo Lang, Jochen Mielke
  • Patent number: 9815248
    Abstract: From three-dimensional numerical data of surface irregularities of a tire inner surface in a tire of a construction where a sheet member is disposed on the tire circumference, a tire inner surface image is formed for which height direction data of the surface irregularities of the tire inner surface are expressed as pixel gradation values, and the tire circumferential direction and the tire width direction on the tire inner surface correspond to either of the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the image. A surface irregularity enhanced image is generated by subjecting this tire inner surface image to spatial frequency processing using a low-pass filter for the tire width direction and a band-pass filter for the tire circumferential direction. A determination is made of whether a recessed region exists which indicates a bonding defect of the end portions of the sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirotaro Tada, Masamichi Oyama
  • Patent number: 9813575
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes an image forming section to form an image on a paper sheet based on image data; an output image reading section to read the image formed on the paper sheet by the forming section and to produce formed image data; a data memory section to memorize various kinds of data; an attribution information producing section to discriminate the contents of the formed image data and to produce attribution information which shows the attribute of the formed image data; and a control section to control image formation by the image forming section, reading by the output image reading section, and memorizing by the data memory section, wherein the control section controls the memorizing by the data memory section for formed image relating information in association with the formed image data based on the attribution information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Mikimasa Honma
  • Patent number: 9797777
    Abstract: A method for marking and analyzing at least one object in an IR image, for an embodiment, comprises receiving an image of an object scene comprising at least one object, receiving a first input control signal indicating pixel coordinates of a first selected object scene portion, locking a first marker of a camera on a first object region corresponding to said pixel coordinates in said object scene in response to said first input control signal, wherein said input control signal is generated by a user activating an input means by a single action. The invention for various embodiments also relates to an IR camera, a computer program product and an image processing system comprising such an IR camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventors: Erland George-Svahn, Torbjörn Johansson
  • Patent number: 9798946
    Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for recognizing a tire by using an image of a tire captured by using a terminal. The apparatus recognizes a tire by converting an image of a round tire included in the image into a linear image, extracting an area of a character to be recognized from the linear image, and determining a character for learning, which is most similar to the extracted area of the character to be recognized from among a pre-constructed group of characters for learning, as a character in the area of the character to be recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DAIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Gi Lee, Kun Woo Lee, Seung Yeob Baek, Dong Uk Kam, Dae Wook Kim, Soo Gon Yoo
  • Patent number: 9760265
    Abstract: An information processing device, and method use an attribute control unit to change an association between a detected object and an attribute stored in association with the detected object in response to a detected physical action between the detected object and another detected object. By changing an association of an attribute between detected objects allows for an autonomous tracking of substances that are moved between objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Yoshigahara, Hideki Shimomura, Seiji Kobayashi, Yoshihiro Wakita
  • Patent number: 9759757
    Abstract: A system and method of electronic component authentication or component classification can reduce the vulnerability of systems (e.g., satellites, weapons, critical infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, medical systems) to counterfeits. Intrinsic deterministically random property data can be obtained from a set of authentic electronic components, processed, and clustered to create a classifier that can distinguish whether an unknown electronic component is authentic or counterfeit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Larry J. House, Dale C. Engelhart
  • Patent number: 9754155
    Abstract: An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method includes the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, identifying a dominant region of single reflectance in the image and segregating the image into intrinsic images as a function of the dominant region of single reflectance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Casey Arthur Smith