Feature Extraction Patents (Class 382/190)
  • Patent number: 8666175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an object are provided. The method calculates a feature value based on features extracted from an input image by using a classifier of an ith stage, compares the calculated feature value with a first threshold value of the ith stage, compares the feature value with a second threshold value of the ith stage according to a result of the comparison between the feature value and the first threshold value of the ith stage, and jumps to a classifier of an i+2th stage according to a result of the comparison between the feature value and the second threshold value of the ith stage. By doing so, the method can avoid repeated calculations and can rapidly detect the object in the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-bae Kim, Seong-deok Lee, Jong-ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8666169
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for determining feature descriptors are provided. An example includes defining a plurality of anchor points within a patch of pixels in a particular area that includes a detected feature in an image, defining a first set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the first set of subpatches, defining a second set of subpatches and calculating an intensity of each of the second set of subpatches, comparing the intensity of each of the second set of subpatches to the intensity of each of the first set of subpatches and if the intensity of a second set subpatch is higher than the intensity of a first set subpatch assign a binary value, otherwise assign an alternative binary value, and concatenating all the assigned binary values into a binary feature descriptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Feng Tang, Daniel R. Tretter
  • Patent number: 8666167
    Abstract: The different illustrative embodiments provide a method, computer program product, and apparatus for managing an image. A determination is made whether an object is present in a subset of a plurality of images using an identification of the object. A determination is made whether the object is permitted to be present in the subset of the plurality of images using the policy for the user associated with the object responsive to a determination that the object is present in the subset of the plurality of images using a policy for a user associated with the object. A removal action of the object is performed on the subset of the plurality of images responsive to an absence of a determination that the object is permitted to be present in the subset of the plurality of images using the policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shadi E. Albouyeh, Yen-Kwang Lin, Robert C. Weir
  • Patent number: 8666171
    Abstract: A periodicity determining unit determines whether an image region including a target pixel is a periodic region in which pixel values vary periodically. A first generating unit generates a pixel value using a first interpolation method. A second generating unit generates a pixel value using a second interpolation method. A control unit determines, based on the determination result of the periodicity determining unit, which one of the first and second generating units is to be used for generating a pixel value of the target pixel. A pixel value inserting unit inserts the generated pixel value to the target pixel. The periodicity determining unit includes a cycle estimating unit to estimate, using pixel values of pixels within the image region, a variation cycle of the pixel values, and/or a determining unit to determine whether each region positioned at left and right sides of the target pixel is the periodic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8666146
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a stereoscopic pair of images from a monoscopic image input are described. At least one brushstroke input corresponding to a location in the monoscopic image is received. A saliency map and edge map of the monoscopic image are computed. A first image warp and a second image warp are computed using the at least one brushstroke, the saliency map, and the edge map. A stereoscopic pair of images are generated from the first image warp and the second image warp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Aljosa A. Smolic, Manuel Lang, Alexander Hornung, Oliver Wang, Markus Gross
  • Patent number: 8666168
    Abstract: Scaleable video sequence processing with various filtering rules is applied to extract dominant features, and generate unique set of signatures based on video content. Video sequence structuring and subsequent video sequence characterization is performed by tracking statistical changes in the content of a succession of video frames and selecting suitable frames for further treatment by region based intra-frame segmentation and contour tracing and description. Compact representative signatures are generated on the video sequence structural level as well as on the selected video frame level, resulting in an efficient video database formation and search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Zeitera LLC
    Inventors: Mihailo M. Stojancic, Jose Pio Pereira, Shashank Merchant
  • Publication number: 20140056524
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including an image processing unit configured to divide an input image, to generate a plurality of divided images, and configured to generate an output image which includes the divided images, and a communication unit configured to output the output image to a second image processing device adapted to be able to restore the input image by combining the divided images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: KENSUKE ISHII, SATOSHI SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20140056525
    Abstract: A request receiver (101) receives a request in which image ID information and a parameter for image processing are specified, from a terminal. An image processor (102) acquires an image based on the ID information that was specified in the received request, and by using the parameter that was specified in the received request to apply the image processing on the acquired image, outputs extracted information that was extracted from inside the image. A response transmitter (103) transmits a response in which the extracted information that was outputted by the image processor (102) is specified, to the terminal. When the extracted information that is associated with the ID information and the parameter that were specified in the received request is cached, the image processor (102), instead of acquiring the image and applying the image processing, obtains the cached extracted information, and outputs the obtained extracted information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: RAKUTEN, INC.
    Inventor: Soh Masuko
  • Patent number: 8659391
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a man-made object comprising a distinctive structure with a feature to identify the object, wherein the object has a size such that the object is observable under visible light, wherein the feature is embedded in or on the object and a size of the feature is such that the feature is not observable under visible light, wherein the feature comprises an attribute originating from the feature, and wherein the attribute defines the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology Madras
    Inventors: Thalappil Pradeep, Panikkanvalappil Ravindranathan Sajanlal
  • Patent number: 8660368
    Abstract: A trajectory of movement of an object is tracked in a video data image field that is partitioned into a plurality of different grids. Global image features from video data relative to the trajectory are extracted and compared to a learned trajectory model to generate a global anomaly detection confidence decision value as a function of fitting to the learned trajectory model. Local image features are also extracted for each of the image field grids that include object trajectory, which are compared to learned feature models for the grids to generate local anomaly detection confidence decisions for each grid as a function of fitting to the learned feature models for the grids. The global anomaly detection confidence decision value and the local anomaly detection confidence decision values for the grids are into a fused anomaly decision with respect to the tracked object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ankur Datta, Balamanohar Paluri, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Yun Zhai
  • Patent number: 8660358
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selectively providing images. In one aspect, a method includes receiving image data that specify feature values for a plurality of images. The image data include, for each image, location data that specify a geographic location for the image. A group of images in which each image has location data specifying a geographic location that is within a threshold distance of a reference location are selected. Pairs of matching images are selected from the group of images. A reference image for the geographic location is selected from the pairs of matching images. Data that cause presentation in a map space of a photo collection image that includes a visual representation of the reference image are provided. The photo collection image is presented in the map space and at a map position for the geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Niek Bergboer, Jonah Jones, Frederik Schaffalitzky
  • Patent number: 8659649
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image pickup part; a display part; a position detecting part for detecting a position of a target relative to the display part; a face detecting part for detecting a face from a taken image; an attribute obtaining part for obtaining attribute information of the target; a group determining part for determining a group to which the target belongs, at least based on the attribute information of the detected target; a content determining part for determining a content to be provided to the target based on at least one of group information of the target and the attribute information of the target; and a display processing part for displaying content information of the content to be provided to the target, on the display part in a display style in accordance with the position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Tsurumi, Takuro Noda, Akiko Terayama, Eijiro Mori, Kenichi Okada, Atsushi Koshiyama
  • Patent number: 8660320
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a data processing section which processes input image data and obtains output image data; a face detecting section which detects a face image on the basis of the input image data and obtains information about a face image region in which the face image exists; and a processing controller which controls the process of the data processing section on the basis of the information about the face image region obtained in the face detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Yokoyama, Takahiro Sakaguchi, Tomoichi Fujisawa, Masayuki Tsumura, Mitsuharu Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8660302
    Abstract: A target tracking apparatus and method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may quickly and accurately perform target detection and tracking in a photographed image given as consecutive frames by acquiring at least one target candidate image most similar to a photographed image of a previous frame among prepared reference target images, determining one of the target candidate images as a target confirmation message based on the photographed image, and calculating a homography between the determined target confirmation image and the photographed image, and searching the photographed image of the previous image for feature points according to the calculated homography, and tracking an inter-frame change from the previous frame of the found feature points to a current frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Woon Tack Woo, Ki Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8660372
    Abstract: Techniques and structures are disclosed in which one or more distortion categories are identified for an image or video, and a quality of the image or video is determined based on the one or more distortion categories. The image or video may be of a natural scene, and may be of unknown provenance. Identifying a distortion category and/or determining a quality may be performed without any corresponding reference (e.g., undistorted) image or video. Identifying a distortion category may be performed using a distortion classifier. Quality may be determined with respect to a plurality of human opinion scores that correspond to a particular distortion category to which an image or video of unknown provenance is identified as belonging. Various statistical methods may be used in performing said identifying and said determining, including use of generalized Gaussian distribution density models and natural scene statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Alan Bovik, Anush Moorthy
  • Patent number: 8660350
    Abstract: Provided is an image segmentation device and method based on a sequential frame image of a static scene. The image segmentation device includes an image extraction unit, a seed point detection unit, and an image segmentation unit. The image extraction unit extracts a plurality of sequential frame images from a static scene, and calculates an average and standard deviation of each corresponding pixel. The seed point detection unit extracts a seed point with the average and standard deviation of each pixel calculated by the image extraction unit. The image segmentation unit generates a segmentation image through labeling by a region growing technique, based on the seed point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Su Young Seo
  • Publication number: 20140050400
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a video capture screen includes: a video frame extracting unit extracting at least one frame from a video having a plurality of frames; an extracted frame digitizing unit digitizing features of each of the at least one frame extracted by the video frame extracting unit; an image digitizing unit digitizing features of at least one collected search target image; an image comparing and searching unit comparing the search target image with the at least one frame extracted from the plurality of frames by digitized values of the collected search target image and the at least one frame; and a search result processing unit mapping related information of the collected search target image to a frame coinciding with the search target image and storing the related information in a database, when the extracted at least one frame coinciding with the search target image is present in a comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Gunhan PARK, Jeanie JUNG
  • Publication number: 20140050404
    Abstract: A technique for combining multiple individual feature detectors to identify a combined feature in a digital image is disclosed. A combined feature detection rule may specify multiple individual feature detectors with which an image is to be analyzed. The multiple individual feature detectors may identify constituent parts of the combined feature and/or may identify features based on different image properties. An analysis of the image with the specified feature detectors may result in the identification of multiple candidate regions (i.e., regions within which the detectors identify their respective features). The combined feature detection rule may operate directly on the multiple candidate regions to adjust the spatial properties of the candidate regions and group the adjusted candidate regions into candidate region groups, it may then be determined if one or more of the candidate region groups is representative of a presence of the combined feature in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Erik Solem, Oualid Merzouga, Michael Rousson
  • Patent number: 8655026
    Abstract: A basic idea of the present invention is to selectively employ one of at least two different feature extraction processes when generating a biometric template of an individual. An individual offers a physiological property, such as a fingerprint, an iris, an ear, a face, etc., from which biometric data can be derived, to a sensor of an enrollment authority. In the following, the property to be discussed will be fingerprints, even though any suitable biometric property may be used. From the fingerprint, a positional reference point of the biometric data is derived. The derivation of the positional reference point may be accomplished using any appropriate method out of a number of known methods. Such a reference point could be the location of a core, a delta, a weighted average of minutiae coordinates, or alike. Typically, the reference point includes a core of a fingerprint expressed as a three-dimensional coordinate denoted by means of xr, yr, and angle ?r.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Antonius Hermanus Maria Akkermans, Sabri Boughorbel, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Alphons Antonius Maria Lambertus Bruekers, Berk Gokberk, Koen Theo Johan De Groot, Emile Josephus Carlos Kelkboom, Thomas Andreas Maria Kevenaar, Aweke Negash Lemma
  • Patent number: 8655076
    Abstract: A marker generating system is characterized in having a special feature extracting element that extracts a portion, as a special feature, including a distinctive pattern in a video image not including a marker; a unique special feature selecting element that, based on the extracted special feature, selects a special feature of an image, as a unique special feature, that does not appear on the video image; and a marker generating element that generates a marker based on the unique special feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8655057
    Abstract: In an information processing apparatus that processes data using cascade-connected weak classifiers, processing specification information specifying the processing content of each of the weak classifiers is stored. The weak classifiers to be used in processing the data are selected from the weak classifiers by referring to a table in which is specified information for determining the weak classifiers to be used based on a condition for processing the data. The data is then processed by the selected weak classifiers based on the processing specification information that corresponds to those weak classifiers, and an object is extracted from the data using an obtained evaluation value. Through this, a combination of extraction process speed and extraction accuracy can be changed in a flexible manner when extracting a specific object from image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Kato, Takahisa Yamamoto, Yoshinori Ito
  • Patent number: 8655077
    Abstract: An image-capturing device including an image-capturing element, a data extraction device, a recording device, a reproduction device, and a display control device is provided. The image-capturing element captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs image data. The data extraction device extracts data corresponding to a region designated in advance within the image data outputted from the image-capturing element. The recording device records the extracted data and the image data into a recording medium individually. The reproduction device reads out the extracted data from the recording medium. The display control device outputs an image signal to a display device, so as to display an image according to the extracted data read out by the reproduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Akihiko Hamamura
  • Patent number: 8655018
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for detecting presence of an object in an image are disclosed. According to an embodiment, a method for detecting a presence of an object in an image comprises: receiving multiple training image samples; determining a set of adaptive features for each training image sample, the set of adaptive features matching the local structure of each training image sample; integrating the sets of adaptive features of the multiple training image samples to generate an adaptive feature pool; determining a general feature based on the adaptive feature pool; and examining the image using a classifier determined based on the general feature to detect the presence of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rogerio S. Feris, Arun Hampapur, Ying-Li Tian
  • Patent number: 8655028
    Abstract: A photo sharing system with a face recognition function is provided. The photo sharing system includes a photo browser and a photo sharing platform. The photo browser has a photo classification module for classifying plural photos according to face image contained in the plural photos, thereby generating a photo classification message. The photo classification message contains the photos having the face image of the same person. Moreover, the photo classification message may be transmitted to the photo sharing platform at the same time to be shared to the receiver corresponding to face image. By the photo sharing system, the efficacy of sharing photos will be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Ning Hsi
  • Publication number: 20140044358
    Abstract: Methods and systems for intelligently cropping images, including receiving, over a computer network, a source image, and then associating a first identifier tag with a first object in the source image. A cropped image is generated from the source image wherein the cropping is based on the first object. The system and method then notifying a first user that the first identifier tag is associated with the first object in the cropped image, wherein the notification includes the cropped image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Balaji SRINIVASAN, Brett Rolston Lider, Zach Yeskel, Alison Boncha
  • Patent number: 8649604
    Abstract: A method of detecting a face in an image includes performing face detection within a first window of the image at a first location. A confidence level is obtained from the face detection indicating a probability of the image including a face at or in the vicinity of the first location. Face detection is then performed within a second window at a second location, wherein the second location is determined based on the confidence level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Mihnea Gangea, Stefan Mirel Petrescu, Andrei Vasiliu, Gabriel Costache, Alexandru Drimbarean
  • Patent number: 8649594
    Abstract: A method for assessing events detected by a surveillance system includes assessing the likelihood that the events correspond to events being monitored from feedback in response to a condition set by a user. Classifiers are created for the events from the feedback. The classifiers are applied to allow the surveillance system improve its accuracy when processing new video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Agilence, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Hua, Juwei Lu, Jinman Kang, Jon Cook, Haisong Gu
  • Patent number: 8648863
    Abstract: A method for a computer system for inspecting an animation sequence having a series of specified poses of an animated character includes receiving a mathematical performance style model associated with the animated character, receiving the series of specified poses of the animated character, each specified pose comprising respective values for the plurality of animation variables, determining an associated quality factor for each specified pose in response to the respective values for the plurality of animation variables and in response to the mathematical performance style model associated with the animated character, and providing feedback to a user in response to an associated quality factor for at least one specified pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Pixar
    Inventors: John Anderson, Andrew P. Witkin, Robert Cook
  • Patent number: 8649605
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting foam on a liquid surface in a vessel is presented. The vessel has an upper opening surrounded by a border. The vessel can be a tube-shaped. At least one image is taken from a region suspected to contain foam in the vessel by using an image sensing device that provides corresponding image data. An automatic evaluation of the image is performed on the basis of the image data by a data processing system using an image evaluation program. The at least one image is taken from the top of the vessel through the open upper opening onto the liquid surface. The image evaluation program of the data processing system identifies foam areas and non-foam areas in the image and provides information about the presence or absence of foam areas in the image as a result of the image evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias Franz, Martin Gutekunst, Hans-Joachim Polland, Claudia Schiller
  • Patent number: 8649593
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a projective transformation unit that performs projective transformation on left and right images captured from different points of view, a projective transformation parameter generating unit that generates a projective transformation parameter used by the projective transformation unit by receiving feature point information regarding the left and right images, a stereo matching unit that performs stereo matching using left and right projective transformation images subjected to projective transformation, and a matching error minimization control unit that computes image rotation angle information regarding the left and right projective transformation images and correspondence information of an error evaluation value of the stereo matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Myokan
  • Patent number: 8648912
    Abstract: Bicycles present before a vehicle are identified. A picked-up image having intensity values that are in accordance with the temperatures of objects is acquired to extract image regions having intensity values representative of higher temperatures than a background. An object, which includes a pair of first object portions (legs) and a second object portion (a tire), would be identified as a bicycle if the pair of first object portions, which have greater dimensions in length in the vertical direction than in width in the horizontal direction and the distance between which is less than a predetermined value in the horizontal direction, are detected from the extracted image regions and further if the second object portion, which has a different intensity value from any one of the first object portions and also has a length greater than a predetermined value in the vertical direction, is existent between the pair of first object portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kodai Matsuda, Makoto Aimura, Izumi Takatsudo
  • Publication number: 20140037203
    Abstract: An image recognition system in a cloud environment including uploading a plurality of images to the cloud environment, preprocessing the plurality of images, determining image classifiers for each of the plurality of images, extracting the features of each of the plurality of images, storing the images, features and classifiers, determining the image classifiers and key features of an image to be recognized from a multiplatform image device, selecting from the plurality of images, images which have the same classifiers as the image to be identified, matching a best one of the selected images with the image to be identified and displaying the match on a display of the .multi-platform image device. The system further functions by performing one or more of the above in the multiplatform imaging device and/or cloud environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Augmented Reality Lab LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Garcia Morato Fernandez Baillo, Frida Issa
  • Patent number: 8645279
    Abstract: A method for detecting against unauthorized transmission of digital works comprises the steps of maintaining a registry of information permitting identification of digital copyrighted works, monitoring a network for transmission of at least one packet-based digital signal, extracting at least one feature from the at least one digital signal, comparing the extracted at least one feature with registry information and applying business rules based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Audible Magic Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 8644612
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a gesture locus data recognition unit configured to execute processing for recognizing gesture locus data included in locus data according to characteristic data of the locus data and gesture characteristic shape data included in gesture dictionary data and output a result of the processing, a separation unit configured to separate gesture locus data and locus data other than the gesture locus data from the locus data according to the result of the recognition by the gesture locus data recognition unit, and a character locus data recognition unit configured to execute processing for recognizing locus data of a character included in the locus data other than the gesture locus data according to the characteristic data of the locus data other than the gesture locus data which is separated by the separation unit, and the locus characteristic data of a character included in a character dictionary data, and output a result of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsunekazu Arai
  • Patent number: 8643738
    Abstract: A control unit detects a face area from a first image and a second image which differ in shooting conditions by a face detector. If an area of the first image which is in a position corresponding to a face area detected from the second image is not detected as a face area, the control unit extracts the area of the first image as a non-detected area, and based on the non-detected area, executes learning of the face detector so that the non-detected area is detected as a face area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiyuki Shiratani
  • Patent number: 8644595
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of displaying data is provided. The method comprises obtaining projection data of an object by exposing an object to radiation at a plurality of view angles and detecting at least some of the radiation exiting the object to form the projection data, operating a computer to reconstruct the projection data at a reconstruction resolution to form image data comprising a plurality of voxels representing locations within the object, each of the plurality of voxels being assigned an associated intensity indicative of a density of the subject matter at the respective location, determining a maximum resolution for display, above which variation in intensity between adjacent voxels is not supported by information in the projection data, the maximum resolution being less than the reconstruction resolution, and displaying the image data at or below the maximum resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dexela Limited
    Inventors: Martin Stanton, Alexander Stewart, Edward Bullard
  • Patent number: 8644614
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input unit configured to input an image in which a real space is captured by an image capturing apparatus, an image recognition unit configured to recognize a situation in the real space captured in the input image, an image recording unit configured to record the input image, an image selection unit configured to select an image used for image communication from a plurality of images including images recorded by the image recording unit in the past based on a recognition result of the input image, and an image output unit configured to modify the selected image and output the modified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukamoto, Mahoro Anabuki, Masakazu Matsugu
  • Patent number: 8644613
    Abstract: When image data are input from a memory card or the like, a printing apparatus detects face region captured in these image data. Where the size and position of a face region fall within permitted ranges therefor set in advance in a permitted range table derived via sense evaluation testing, the input image data is selected as a printing target candidate. If the face region size and position do not each fall within their permitted range, however, the image data is not selected as a printing target. As a result, image data suitable for printing can be efficiently selected as printing targets from image data that contain human faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuzaka, Seiji Aiso, Ayahiro Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8644615
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a system, method, and program product. A described system includes a circuit that determines a substantial correspondence between a human-perceivable feature included in a border region segment of a selected medical skin image and a human-perceivable feature included in each other medical skin image of a plurality of medical skin images. A circuit gathers the determined substantial correspondences. A circuit generates data indicative of a border region-overlap status of the selected medical skin image. A circuit adds the data to an omitted-coverage list. A circuit iteratively designates a next medical skin image as the selected digital image, and initiates a processing of each of the iteratively designated next medical skin images. A circuit identifies a possible non-imaged portion of the region of interest. A circuit outputs user-assistance information based on the identified possible non-imaged portion of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Erez Lieberman, Dennis J. Rivet, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8644610
    Abstract: Present invention relates to a method and system for automatic searching for information on a network in response to an image query sent by a user. The image query includes an image that is captured by using a mobile communications device with a camera. The image is processed to detect the text present in it. The detected text is then recognized using an OCR. Subsequently, the text is searched for matches in the corresponding domain database, selected from the various domain databases present in the network. Thereafter, selected matches and additional related information is sent to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurumurthy D. Ramkumar, Raghavan Manmatha, Supratik Bhattacharyya, Gautam Bhargava, Mark A. Ruzon
  • Patent number: 8644563
    Abstract: Face recognition may be performed using a combination of visual analysis and social context. In one example, a web site such as a social networking site or photo-sharing site allows users to upload photos, and allows faces that appear in the photo to be tagged with users' names. When user A uploads a new photo, two analyses may be performed. First, a face in the photo is compared with known faces of users to determine similarity. Second, it is determined which other users user A frequently uploads photos of. Two probability distributions are created. One distribution assigns high probabilities to users whose photos are similar to the new photo. The other assigns high probabilities to users who frequently appear in photos uploaded by user A. These probability distributions are combined, and the person in the photo is identified as being the person with the highest probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Akbarzadeh, Gang Hua
  • Patent number: 8643739
    Abstract: An image recognition apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a dictionary used to recognize a predetermined pattern; a recognition unit configured to detect in image data using the dictionary, as recognition results, a plurality of partial regions having a likelihood of being the predetermined pattern greater than a predetermined threshold; a display unit configured to display the image data, and also display information indicating the partial regions that were detected by the recognition unit; a determination unit configured to determine, based on an instruction by a user, a negative region from among the plurality of partial regions that were detected by the recognition unit; a generation unit configured to generate a learning image based on the determined negative region; and an update unit configured to update the dictionary based on the learning image that was generated by the generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naotsugu Sagawa
  • Publication number: 20140029854
    Abstract: A method for creating and using metadata supersets for matching images includes identify images from a first source of images and identify images from a second source of images. Images from the first source that match images from the second source are identified as matching images. Metadata associated with the matching images are extracted to form a superset of metadata for the matching images. The superset of metadata is analyzed to create a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Lyons, Feng Tang
  • Patent number: 8639033
    Abstract: A method of utilizing data extracted from an electronic image includes receiving an electronic image associated with a subclient and receiving a plurality of data extracted from the electronic image and organized into predefined fields associated with the subclient. The method also includes displaying the electronic image in a first portion of a user interface and, in a second portion of the user interface, a field table containing the plurality of data and associated field names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Perot Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Vardhman Jain, Arvind Perumbala
  • Patent number: 8639039
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an interface unit for acquiring a readout image produced by capturing an image formed on a medium; a storage unit for storing a plurality of templates generated by superimposing different amounts of blurring on a prescribed pattern contained in the image, and for storing the amounts of blurring superimposed on the respective templates; and a processing unit adapted to detect a pattern region where the prescribed pattern is located on the readout image, calculate the degree of matching between the pattern region and each of the plurality of templates and, based on the degree of matching, identify a template that most closely matches the prescribed pattern located on the readout image, and estimate that the amount of blurring corresponding to the most closely matching template represents the amount of blurring superimposed on the readout image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Kuraki, Jun Takahashi, Shohei Nakagata, Taizo Anan
  • Patent number: 8639062
    Abstract: Image integrity in an archive can be verified using document characteristics. Embodiments of the invention provide a way to verify the integrity of a stored document image by determining document characteristics, which can also be embedded in the image file. Before allowing access to the image file by an application, the characteristics data from an image analysis can be compared to either or both of, characteristics information otherwise stored, or embedded characteristics data. The embedded data can optionally be encrypted. In example embodiments the data can include a result of an optical character recognition of contents of the document, a length of data describing the image, a percentage of a specified color of pixels in the image, or a checksum. Example embedding techniques can include those making use of a tagged image file format (TIFF) header, a steganographic watermark, or an image artifact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Bank of America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Calman, Lisa Gibson, Lowell R. Huff, James G. Ronca
  • Patent number: 8638990
    Abstract: An image processing unit 4 performs the recognition of a traffic signal in front of an own vehicle on the carriageway thereof. When the image processing unit 4 recognizes that there is a traffic signal front closet to the vehicle on the carriageway within a set distance L2 and the traffic signal is displaying red light, the process shifts to a stop line recognition mode and the image processing unit 4 performs stop line recognition. Accordingly, unnecessary execution of stop line recognition can be accurately avoided. Therefore, a stop line that is necessary for the control of the own vehicle can be recognized with a high accuracy without generating excessive calculation load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Kudo
  • Patent number: 8638987
    Abstract: An image-based hand detection apparatus includes a hand image detection unit for detecting a hand image corresponding to a shape of a hand clenched to form a fist from an image input. A feature point extraction unit extracts feature points from an area, having lower brightness than a reference value, in the detected hand image. An image rotation unit compares the feature points of the detected hand image with feature points of hand images stored in a hand image storage unit, and rotates the detected hand image or the stored hand images. A matching unit compares the detected hand image with the stored hand images and generates a result of the comparison. If at least one of the stored hand images is matched with the detected hand image, a hand shape recognition unit selects the at least one of the stored hand images as a matching hand image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Electonics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seung-Min Choi, Jae-Chan Jeong, Jae-Il Cho, Dae-Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 8639034
    Abstract: A system and method for information retrieval comprises a computing device with a client and a progressive feature server coupled by a network. The client includes a feature extraction module, a progressive sending module, a sampling module and a feedback receiver. The progressive sending module divides the features into groups and sends them to the server. The progressive sending module is also responsive to commands from the feedback receiver to terminate the transmission of additional features if a match is found. The progressive feature server is coupled for communication with the client and includes a progressive receiving module, a feedback generator, an image recognizer and a result delivery module. The image recognizer progressively processes the groups of extracted features received from the client and provides results and hints for improved recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xu Liu, Jamey Graham, Michael Simbirsky, Peter E. Hart
  • Publication number: 20140023269
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a feature descriptor for robust facial expression recognition pre-processes a facial image using a Gaussian filter to smooth the facial image. Then, gradient based images at M scales and N orientations are generated from the pre-processed facial image. Further, a portion of an image corresponding to each action unit is selected from each of the gradient based images. Thereafter, appearance of at least one facial event in the selected portion of the image is captured. Also, a geometry of the at least one facial event in the selected portion of image is determined to obtain a feature descriptor for each action unit for robust facial expression recognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Velusamy SUDHA, Anand BALASUBRAMANIAN, Gopalakrishnan VISWANATH, Moogi PRATIBHA