Registering Or Aligning Multiple Images To One Another Patents (Class 382/294)
  • Patent number: 8929621
    Abstract: A contoured surface map of a lesion within a patient is obtained by shifting a reference surface to an estimated location in operational images. The process can be repeated to minimize errors, and the contoured surface map can then be segmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Elekta, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fabienne Lathuilière, Véronique Audet, Tony Falco, Martin Lachaine
  • Patent number: 8923648
    Abstract: A method of processing image data is provided. The method includes determining an overlap area based on image data from a first image sensor and image data from a second image sensor; computing a first weight and a second weight based on a relative position of the image data in the overlap area; and generating a final image by blending the image data from the first image sensor and the second image sensor based on the first weight and the second weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Kurpinski, Tanemichi Chiba, Justin McBride
  • Patent number: 8923617
    Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquiring section for acquiring images; a mount number setting section for setting a mount number for mounts; an image dividing section for dividing the acquired images into a predetermined number of groups based on accessory information of the images, with the number of groups being equal to the mount number; and an image arranging section for arranging images included in each group after division on each corresponding mount. The image dividing section divides the images into the groups so that the number of images included in each group is not more than the upper limit number of images capable of being arranged on the corresponding mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Yamaji, Tetsuya Matsumoto, Kazuma Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 8917956
    Abstract: A method of enhancing spatial resolution of an image. An image is accessed. The image comprises a set of confident pixels and an unconfident pixel positioned adjacent to each confident pixel of the set of confident pixels. The set of confident pixels comprises four or fewer pixels and corresponds to a plurality of known depth values, the unconfident pixel comprises an unknown depth value. A best depth hypothesis for the unconfident pixel is determined using a filter module in which the plurality of known depth values are used as depth hypotheses. The unconfident pixel is updated as a confident pixel using the best depth hypothesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Qingxiong Yang, Kar-Han Tan
  • Patent number: 8917902
    Abstract: Image overlaying and comparison for inventory display auditing is disclosed herein. An example method to perform inventory display auditing disclosed herein comprises overlaying a reference image over a current image displayed on a camera display, the reference image corresponding to an inventory display to be audited, comparing the reference image and the current image to determine whether the current image and the reference image correspond to a same scene and when the reference image and the current image are determined to correspond to the same scene, indicating a difference region in the current image displayed on the camera display, the difference region being a first region of the current image that differs from a corresponding first region of the reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Hicks
  • Patent number: 8913851
    Abstract: A system and method of use are provided for generating video fingerprints that are robust to rotation, stretching, scaling, flipping and other affine transformations. The system and method are based on determining points of interest for a target video image and a collection of images stored in a database. A method of identifying a copied video image is also provided through comparison of the fingerprint of the target video image with fingerprints of images in a database. The method of video fingerprinting involves: defining points of interest from a video image, determining an oriented bounding area encompassing said points of interest that have been transformed by the same transformations used to produce the oriented bounding area and creating a fingerprint by encoding the points of interest as Gray Code such that similar images have a small Hamming distance and dissimilar images have a large Hamming distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
  • Patent number: 8913852
    Abstract: A method of selecting a plurality of patches (e.g., 1040) within a region of a page (e.g., 1010), for use in image alignment, is disclosed. One or more candidate image alignment patches distributed across a region of the page are determined, based on content in the page region, each candidate patch being associated with a feature strength value. A distribution of grid nodes is applied to the page region, at least one attribute of the distribution of grid nodes being dynamically adjusted according to the distribution of the candidate patches across the page region. A corresponding patch from the distribution of candidate patches is selected for each of a plurality of the grid nodes, wherein each of the selected patches is selected based on proximity of the selected patch to a corresponding grid node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eric Wai-Shing Chong
  • Patent number: 8913791
    Abstract: Field of view overlap among multiple cameras is automatically determined as a function of the temporal overlap of object tracks determined within their fields-of-view. Object tracks with the highest similarity value are assigned into pairs, and portions of the assigned object track pairs having a temporally overlapping period of time are determined. Scene entry points are determined from object locations on the tracks at a beginning of the temporally overlapping period of time, and scene exit points from object locations at an ending of the temporally overlapping period of time. Boundary lines for the overlapping fields-of-view portions within the corresponding camera fields-of-view are defined as a function of the determined entry and exit points in their respective fields-of-view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ankur Datta, Rogerio S. Feris, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Yun Zhai
  • Patent number: 8913853
    Abstract: An image retrieval method applies an application server, one or more calculating servers, and a sorting server to perform image retrieval. The application server extracts visual features of an exemplary image. The one or more calculating servers calculate similarities of available images according to the visual features of the exemplary image. The sorting server sorts the available images according to the similarities so as to obtain images similar to the exemplary image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gold Charm Limited
    Inventors: Chung-I Lee, Chien-Fa Yeh, Wei-Qing Xiao
  • Patent number: 8913821
    Abstract: A three-dimensional model of a scene is reconstructed from images of the scene. The three-dimensional model comprises parameters describing points of the scene and cameras that captured the scene. The parameters are iteratively modified by adding a correction to the parameters in each iteration. A preconditioner matrix is determined for solving the linear system of equations. To determine the preconditioner matrix, cameras that observed the scene are clustered, each cluster including cameras that observed a portion of the scene. The preconditioner matrix is determined by selectively eliminating terms of the linear system of equations that correspond to interactions across clusters of cameras. The linear system of equations is preconditioned using the preconditioner matrix. The preconditioned linear system of equations is solved to obtain the corrections to the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Agarwal, Avanish M. Kushal
  • Publication number: 20140363096
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to improve image stabilization operations are described. A novel approach to pixel-based registration of non-reference images to a reference frame in a set of commonly captured images is disclosed which makes use of pyramid decomposition to more efficiently detect corners. The disclosed pixel-based registration operation may also be combined with motion sensor data-based registration approaches to register non-reference images with respect to the reference frame. When the registered non-reference images are combined with the pre-selected reference image, the resulting image is a quality stabilized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jianping Zhou, Paul Hubel, Marius Tico, Anita Nariani Schulze, Rolf Toft
  • Patent number: 8903191
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of processing a video sequence may include receiving an input video sequence having an input video sequence resolution, aligning images from the input video sequence, reducing noise in the aligned images, and producing an output video sequence from the reduced noise images, wherein the output video sequence has the same resolution as the input video sequence resolution. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar Nestares, Horst W. Haussecker, Scott M. Ettinger, Yoram Gat, Sreenath Kurupati
  • Patent number: 8903145
    Abstract: Image processing for computer-aided eye-surgery includes acquiring a reference image of the eye and enriching said reference image by inserting additional context information which are helpful for a surgeon when performing the eye surgery. The reference image is registered with a real time image of the eye. The context information is overlayed over the real time image of the eye based on a tracking of the eye movement such that the context information is displayed at the same position despite a movement of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Kersting
  • Publication number: 20140348432
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which calculates a feature value of an image. The apparatus comprises first obtaining means for obtaining an image; calculation means for calculating a set of numerical values formed from degrees of contributions of each of a plurality of order, wherein the degree of contributions of each order indicate contributions of monomials of the order for intensity values which are calculated using an approximation polynomial, and wherein the approximation polynomial provides a relationship between a pixel position of the image and an intensity value at the pixel position and is formed from a plurality of the monomials each having an order out of the plurality of orders; and first output means for outputting the set of the calculated numerical values as the feature value of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Ryo Ishikawa, Kiyohide Satoh, Katsushi Ikeuchi, Bo Zheng, Yonggi Sun
  • Patent number: 8896625
    Abstract: A method and a system for fusing images in an image processing field are described. The method includes: capturing at least two frames of images having different intensity under different exposure time in the same scene; fusing the images having different intensity values according to an intensity mapping relation between every two frames of images in the images having different intensity values, and obtaining a fused image is, in which the intensity mapping relation represents a corresponding relation between an intensity value of a pixel location in a bright image and that at the corresponding location in a dark image. Through the method and the system for fusing the images according to the present invention, the dynamic range of the image is enhanced, and the fusing process has a desired result and is easy to implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hai Chen, Lingzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 8897517
    Abstract: A data acquisition method performed by one or more controllers includes receiving information related to a sequence of a plurality of images. The method further includes receiving, from an ultrasonic probe, image information corresponding to a current image of the plurality of images in the sequence. The method still further includes determining whether a caliper input has been received, and when it is determined that a caliper input has been received: obtaining coordinate information corresponding to one or more locations in the current image, selecting an other image which is different from, and associated with, the current image, and obtaining one or more coordinates corresponding to one or more locations in the other image. The method further includes saving a report including the image information and the coordinate information corresponding to each image of the plurality of images of the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Julia Dmitrieva, Jayne Louise Angela Armfield, Michael R. Vion
  • Patent number: 8897601
    Abstract: An image conversion parameter calculation device accurately calculates a conversion parameter for image alignment with a processing amount that does not depend on the size of an image to be aligned. A pixel selection element randomly selects pixels from a predetermined number or pixels of not more than the predetermined number from a first image. A parameter derivation element derives a conversion parameter by performing processing for pixels selected by the pixel selection element, the conversion parameter being a parameter for converting, to the first image, a second image that is subject to image alignment with the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shuji Senda
  • Patent number: 8897521
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an ultrasound image registration apparatus and a method thereof suitable for registering two ultrasound images partially overlapped with each other. The apparatus comprises: a first-stage image-developing processing module, a second-stage image-developing processing module and a registration module. The first-stage image-developing processing module performs beam-forming processing on two ultrasound images so as to generate two raw images. The second-stage image-developing processing module connects the first-stage module for performing envelope detection processing and compression processing on the raw images so as to generate two developed ultrasound images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Lu, Guo-Zua Wu
  • Patent number: 8897593
    Abstract: An image evaluation device includes: a partial area extracting section extracting plural partial areas from an original image; an extracted image generating section generating an extracted image corresponding to each of the partial areas and having pixels whose pixel values correspond to a gradient of pixel values in the image; an autocorrelation calculating section calculating plural autocorrelation coefficients for each extracted images; a representative coefficient value calculating section calculating a representative coefficient value for each of the autocorrelation coefficients among the partial areas; and a checking section checking the quality of the image based on a distribution of the representative coefficient values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohisa Suzuki, Hiroyuki Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8890894
    Abstract: An image mosaic is created from overlapping images. A first seam is shown between a first pair of overlapping images such that, on a first side, a first image of the first pair is shown, and on a second side, a second image of the first pair is shown. The first seam includes a plurality of pixels in the image mosaic. An indicator of an interaction with the image mosaic is received. The indicator indicates that the user has selected a pixel of the plurality of pixels of the first seam and has moved the selected pixel to a first location within an overlapping region between the first pair of overlapping images. A second seam that includes the first location is computed. The image mosaic including the second seam is presented. The second seam replaces at least a portion of the first seam in the image mosaic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Brian Summa, Valerio Pascucci
  • Patent number: 8891820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing images. A sequence of images for a scene is received from an imaging system. An object in the scene is detected using the sequence of images. A viewpoint of the imaging system is registered to a model of the scene using a region in the model of the scene in which an expected behavior of the object is expected to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yuri Owechko, Shinko Y. Cheng, Swarup S. Medasani, Kyungnam Kim
  • Patent number: 8885973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the distortions in the projection system of a TEM, and a method of correcting for these aberrations. The aberrations are determined by collecting a large number of images of a sample, the sample slightly displaced between each acquisition of an image. On the images sub-fields (303, 304-i) showing identical parts of the sample are compared. These sub-fields (303, 304-i) will show small differences, corresponding to differential aberrations. In this way the differential aberrations in a large number of points can determined, after which the aberrations for each point can be determined by integration. By now correcting the position of each detected pixel in an image to be displayed, the displayed image has much reduced aberrations. An advantage of the method according to the invention is that no highly accurate steps of the sample are needed, nor is a sample with known geometry needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Bernd Rieger, Michiel van der Stam
  • Patent number: 8885976
    Abstract: A method implemented in an image processing system for combining multi-exposure images comprises obtaining a plurality of images each having different exposure levels for a same scene. A merged weight map for at least one obtained image is constructed by determining at least one merged weight value for at least one pixel of each obtained image based on characteristics of the pixel, wherein the merged weight map comprises a weight map corresponding to the plurality of images. A Gaussian pyramid and a Laplacian pyramid of each obtained image are generated, and a Gaussian pyramid of the merged weight map is generated. A merged Gaussian pyramid and a merged Laplacian pyramid are generated based on the Gaussian pyramid of the merged weight map. An intermediate pyramid is generated based on the merged Laplacian pyramid, and a resultant image is constructed by blending the merged Gaussian pyramid with the intermediate pyramid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberlink Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Chen Kuo, Po-Yu Huang, Wei-Chung Huang, Chia-En Chiang
  • Patent number: 8879871
    Abstract: An image processing system in which the georeferencing of at least one digital image is achieved by means of at least one picture model of the said digital image and of a digital reference relief form. The digital image is obtained from a pair of digital images acquired in the same focal plane. An intermediate digital relief form is produced from said pair of digital images. The intermediate digital relief form and said digital reference relief form are processed to refine the said picture model of the said digital image to be georeferenced. A final digital relief form is generated and said final digital relief form and said digital image are projected in a geographical or cartographic system, for the purpose of their georeferencing. The pair of digital images in the same focal plane are acquired in a small stereoscopic base configuration by sensors located in the same focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales
    Inventors: Hélène Vadon, Christophe Latry
  • Patent number: 8879807
    Abstract: After selecting two or more image series for comparison, images of the image series are interleaved so that they are alternatively displayed in a comparison pane on a display device. In one embodiment, after one or more image series are selected for comparison, an interleaved image series is created containing each of the images of the one or more selected image series, or, alternatively, the interleaved image series comprises links to the images arranged in the interleaved pattern. If differences exist in the images of the multiple image series, these differences may be more easily detectable as the display device cycles between the images. Comparison of images in an interleaved image series may be more advantageous if the images of each selected image series are of a common anatomical area, common image size, and the images are in the same order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan K. Fram, Murray A. Reicher, Steven M. Greim, John J. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8879828
    Abstract: The capture and alignment of multiple 3D scenes is disclosed. Three dimensional capture device data from different locations is received thereby allowing for different perspectives of 3D scenes. An algorithm uses the data to determine potential alignments between different 3D scenes via coordinate transformations. Potential alignments are evaluated for quality and subsequently aligned subject to the existence of sufficiently high relative or absolute quality. A global alignment of all or most of the input 3D scenes into a single coordinate frame may be achieved. The presentation of areas around a particular hole or holes takes place thereby allowing the user to capture the requisite 3D scene containing areas within the hole or holes as well as part of the surrounding area using, for example, the 3D capture device. The new 3D captured scene is aligned with existing 3D scenes and/or 3D composite scenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Matterport, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Bell, Dave Gausebeck
  • Patent number: 8867800
    Abstract: Taking a digital implant or abutment level digital impression by means of intra-oral, computed tomography or other imaging method provides the restorative doctor and laboratory accurate and effective data for determining the implant position, angulation and locking feature orientation without a physical impression. Such data is correlated with a digital library to produce an output which enables design and fabrication of an accurate restorative device such as a prosthetic tooth or crown. In this way the time-consuming, costly and error prone mechanical replication of the relevant dental anatomy is obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: James R. Glidewell Dental Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Bullis, Tao Nguyen, Greg Minzenmayer
  • Patent number: 8866814
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing a rendered drawing or rendering from a detailed image of an object (e.g. photograph) resulting in a rendering that is photogrammetric and that preserves detail in the said image of said object. The combination of the metric nature and image detail preservation in a rendering resulting from the process enhances the usefulness of the rendering to users. The invention is useful in particular for large format renderings such as wire frame style drawings used for blueprints in the architecture, engineering and construction industry (AEC industry) when used for existing structures. The processes combine graphic arts techniques with photogrammetric techniques to preserve, fully or partially, information about an object as captured in image detail of said object and to present said information in photogrammetrically correct rendering, which rendering may be incorporated into drawings useful to and/or familiar to end users of said drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Battle M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8861838
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a stereoscopic image using matching information, includes: a matching information visualizer receiving input of original stereoscopic images and intuitive matching information and visualizing a pair of stereoscopic images based on the intuitive matching information; a correction information processor obtaining a statistical camera parameter based on the intuitive matching information and correcting the received stereoscopic image using the statistical camera parameter; and an error allowable controller providing allowable error information to the correction information processor in consideration of an error allowable degree according to a selected time from the received intuitive matching information and preset human factor guide information, to extract a correlation between stereoscopic images using a stereoscopic image and provided information, thereby helping such that an erroneously photographed image is correctly photographed or correcting the image such that the erroneously p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hae Dong Kim, Kyung Ho Jang, Jung Jae Yu, Myung Ha Kim, Ho Wook Jang, Seung Woo Nam
  • Patent number: 8861892
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a projection area of an image are provided. The method for determining a projection area of an image, comprises: an input step of inputting an image sequence having a plurality of images; a detecting step of detecting locations of projection areas of the respective images in the image sequence; a relationship classification judging step of judging a relationship classification between the image and a previous image before the image being projected based on a relationship between the location of the projection area of the image and the location of the projection area of the previous image; and a determining step of determining the locations of the projection areas of the respective images based on the relationship classification judged in the relationship classification judging step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haihua Yu, Hong Yi, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8861891
    Abstract: A method for segmenting an image includes registering an annotated template image to an acquired reference image using only rigid transformations to define a transformation function relating the annotated template image to the acquired reference image. The defined transformation function is refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using only affine transformations. The refined transformation function is further refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using only multi-affine transformations. The twice refined transformation function is further refined by registering the annotated template image to the acquired reference image using deformation transformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hari Sundar, Ali Kamen, Thomas Boettger
  • Patent number: 8861809
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus includes a selection unit which selects a combination of images acquired in substantially equal time phases in a cycle from a first image group including a plurality of first images acquired at different time points in a first period by imaging an organ whose shape cyclically varies and a second image group including a plurality of second images acquired at different time points in a second period different from the first period by imaging the organ based on a characteristics value indicative of characteristics of the shape of the organ measured from the first and second image groups, and a generation unit which generates combination information indicative of the combination selected by the selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Matsue, Kenichi Niwa
  • Patent number: 8861893
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing images. A portion of a selected image in which a moving object is present is identified. The selected image is one of a sequence of images. Pixels in a region of interest are identified in the selected image. First values are identified for a first portion of the pixels using the images and first transformations. The first portion of the pixels corresponds to the background in the selected image. A first transformation is configured to align features of the background between one image in the images and the selected image. Second values are identified for a second portion of the pixels using the images and second transformations. The second portion of the pixels corresponds to the moving object in the selected image. A second transformation is configured to align features of the moving object between one image in the images and the selected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Yang Chen, David R. Gerwe, Deying Zhang
  • Patent number: 8861890
    Abstract: A system for continuously displaying individual images to present a visual narrative is provided. The system includes a storage module that stores multiple digital images. The images include image data that corresponds to a portion of a least one panel of narrative artwork. At least one of the images includes image data that corresponds to a transition that conforms to a visual grammar. An image processor retrieves the images from the storage module and arranges the image data of the images in an ordered configuration according to a predetermined sequence. The predetermined sequence specifies an order for the images. A display module accesses the ordered image data for display as a continuous image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas Alan Lefler
  • Patent number: 8858438
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including: an ultrasound probe to acquire a received signal via transmitting and receiving an ultrasound to and from a subject; an image generating section to generate an ultrasound image data based on the received signal acquired via said ultrasound probe; an output image generating section to generate output image data in such a manner that the output image data becomes a predetermined output size, by performing an image size changing process with respect to the ultrasound image data; a comparison image generating section to generate comparison image data by changing an image size of the output image data so that the comparison image data has an image size same as an image based on the ultrasound image data; and an image correction section to perform correction of the output image data, based on a difference between the comparison image data and the ultrasound image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshiki Katou
  • Patent number: 8861015
    Abstract: An approach that prepares an electronic document of continuous information for document exchange that simultaneously supports continuous and page-by-page printing is described. In one embodiment, there is an electronic document generator tool for document exchange that includes an input component configured to receive input with respect to preparing the electronic document of continuous information for continuous and page-by-page printing. The input comprises an indication to represent the electronic document of continuous information in a page-based file format for document exchange and an indication of target page sizes with respective unprintable margins that are desired for printing the electronic document of continuous information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Ireland
  • Patent number: 8861889
    Abstract: An image processing device for determining extraction conditions for extracting still images from a moving image according to a template and arranging the still images. The image processing device includes an image data input unit, an operating unit, a display, a material selector for selecting a template applied to layout data and moving image data, an extraction condition determiner for determining extraction conditions for extracting still image data from the moving image data according to a selected template, a moving image analyzer for analyzing the moving image data, a still image data extractor for extracting the still image data meeting extraction conditions from the moving image data according to analysis results, and a layout synthesizer for producing the layout data by positioning the extracted still image data in corresponding synthesis areas of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Yamaji
  • Patent number: 8855407
    Abstract: An electronic device and method creates a part coordinate system of a three-dimensional (3D) product model based on dimensional information in a two-dimensional (2D) drawing of the product, determines transformation matrices of the part coordinate system relative to a machine coordinate system of the measuring machine, and automatically adjusts the orientation of the product model in the machine coordinate system, to align the part coordinate system with the machine coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Xin-Yuan Wu, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8855442
    Abstract: An accurate, flexible and scalable technique for multi-modal image registration is described, a technique that does not need to rely on direct feature matching and does not need to rely on precise geometric models. The methods and/or systems described in this disclosure enable the registration (fusion) of multi-modal images of a scene with a three dimensional (3D) representation of the same scene using, among other information, viewpoint data from a sensor that generated a target image, as well as 3D-GeoArcs. The registration techniques of the present disclosure may be comprised of three main steps, as shown in FIG. 1. The first main step includes forming a 3D reference model of a scene. The second main step includes estimating the 3D geospatial viewpoint of a sensor that generated a target image using 3D-GeoArcs. The third main step includes projecting the target image's data into a composite 3D scene representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Yuri Owechko
  • Patent number: 8849058
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining manipulation history among a plurality of images. The described techniques include selecting a pair of images from the plurality of images, detecting one or more manipulations operable to transform one of the images to the other, and based on the manipulations detected, determining a parent-child relationship between the pair or pairs of images. The described techniques can further include repeating the selecting two images, detecting manipulations, and determining the parent-child relationship for each pairs of images in the plurality of images, constructing a visual migration map for the images, and presenting the visual migration map in a user readable format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Lyndon Kennedy, Shih-Fu Chang
  • Patent number: 8848990
    Abstract: A method for performing motion compensation in a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images includes acquiring a set of MR image frames spanning different points along an MR recovery curve. A motion-free synthetic image is generated for each of the acquired MR image frames using prior knowledge pertaining to an MR recovery curve. Each of the acquired MR images is registered to its corresponding generated synthetic images. Motion within each of the acquired MR image is corrected based on its corresponding generated synthetic image that has been registered thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hui Xue, Saurabh Shah, Jens Gühring, Andreas Greiser, Christophe Chefd'hotel, Christoph Guetter, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Sven Zuehlsdorff
  • Patent number: 8842893
    Abstract: A system and method for a procedure that can be performed on any appropriate subject. Procedures can include assembling any appropriate work piece or installing members into a work piece, such as an airframe, autoframe, etc. Regardless of the subject, generally the procedure can have a selected result that is efficacious. The efficacious result may be the desired or best result for the procedure. The system and method can be used in confirming a selected result that can be efficacious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Teichman, Eric Potts, Robert J. Reddy
  • Patent number: 8842936
    Abstract: A band image generating means generates a plurality of first band images and a plurality of second band images that represent structures of different frequency bands within a first and a second image of the same portion of a single subject. A positional shift amount obtaining means obtains amounts of positional shift among corresponding positions within the first band images and the second band images of corresponding frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8837863
    Abstract: A signal-processing device, which processes transparent images each expressed by transparent superimposition of a target such as an affected part and a background, includes a transparent image acquiring unit that acquires the transparent images each including the target at a plurality of times; a calculating unit that calculates a component of the transparent image originating from the target and a component of the transparent image originating from the background at a given time t among the plurality of times in association with estimated values of at least one of a distribution originating from the target and a distribution originating from the background and that evaluates consistency with the transparent images; and an updating unit that updates the estimated values of at least one of a distribution originating from the target and a distribution originating from the background at the time t based on the evaluation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tohoku University
    Inventors: Noriyasu Homma, Yoshihiro Takai, Haruna Endo, Kei Ichiji, Masao Sakai, Makoto Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8837812
    Abstract: Provided are an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program which are capable of high density restoration and which are also strong to image processing. An image processing device mainly consists of a projector serving as a projection means, a camera as a photographing means, and an image processing means consisting of, for example, a personal computer. The image processing means acquires the intersection point between patterns from a photographed image and calculates a first solution including degree of freedom by using the constraint condition of a first tentative plane and a second tentative plane including the intersection point and the constraint condition obtained from the positional relationship between the projector and the camera. The degree of freedom is cancelled by primary search, thereby restoring a three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Techno Dream 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawasaki, Ryo Furukawa, Ryusuke Sagawa, Yasushi Yagi
  • Patent number: 8837861
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to enhancing a quality attribute of an input image. The input image can have a first level of the quality attribute. Dense correspondences between the input image and candidate exemplar images, which are included in an image database, can be computed utilizing a dense image alignment technique. The candidate exemplar images can have a second level of the quality attribute. Further, the candidate exemplar images can be warped to align with the input image based upon the dense correspondences. Moreover, patches from the candidate exemplar images as warped can be integrated with the input image to generate an output image. The output image can have the second level of the quality attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ce Liu, Marshall Friend Tappen
  • Patent number: 8837862
    Abstract: An image stitching method adapted to stitch a plurality of fundus images of an animal is provided. The image stitching method includes following steps. A plurality of fundus images of the animal are captured, where the fundus images partially overlap. The fundus images are respectively converted into a plurality of grayscale images. The contrasts of the grayscale images are enhanced. The grayscale images with enhanced contrasts are compared to obtain a plurality of stitching data. The fundus images are stitched according to the stitching data. Additionally, a camera system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Shin-Hao Cheng, Pin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8830241
    Abstract: Conversion of text-based images to vector graphics (VG) is disclosed. The text-based images may include images of equations, custom typefaces, or other types of text that may not be included in a font selection of an optical character recognition (OCR) device or an application stored on a viewing device. A textual image may be converted from a raster graphics (RG) image to a VG image, which may enable resizing and alignment of the VG image with body text. In some aspects, the server may determine a body size of a reference character in the VG image. The server may determine a baseline of the VG image that may be used to align the image with the body text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Gorner
  • Patent number: 8831330
    Abstract: This invention provides a parameter determination assisting device and a parameter determination assisting program enabling a more rapid and easy determination of a parameter to be set in a processing device, which obtains a processing result by performing a process using a set of parameters defined in advance on image data obtained by imaging a measuring target object. A user can easily select an optimum parameter set when a determination result and a statistical output are displayed in a list for each of a plurality of trial parameter candidates. For instance, while trial numbers “2”, “4”, and “5”, in which the number of false detections is zero, can perform a stable process, the parameter set of the trial number “2” is comprehensively assumed as optimum since the trial number “2” can perform the process in the shortest processing time length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujikawa, Daisuke Mitani, Masahiro Takayama, Katsuhiro Shimoda, Yoshihiro Moritoki
  • Patent number: 8831380
    Abstract: A system for displaying hybrid image data produced by embedding additional media objects within street-level panoramic images includes a user interface through which a user may view, search for, and/or navigate through additional media objects in the context of browsing a virtual environment of a location at street level. In response to user input indicating a request to view a geographic location and/or an additional media object, street-level panoramic image data associated with the geographic location, in which one or more additional media objects also associated with the geographic location have been embedded, may be provided for display through the user interface. The user interface may be provided by a client device including one or more processors that receive hybrid image data produced by one or more processors of a server and display the image data to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eyal Ofek, Michael Kroepfl, Julian R. Walker, Gonzalo A. Ramos, Blaise Hilary Aguera y Arcas