Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for searching images

US9020193B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
0References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 2013
Grant dateApr 28, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 7, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06T2207/30241
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for searching images. An image is received and a first search path is defined for the image. The first search path may be a straight line, horizontal, and/or near the bottom of the image, and/or may begin at one edge and move toward the other. A transition is defined for the image, distinguishing a feature to be found. The image is searched for the transition along the first search path. When the transition is detected, the image is searched along a second search path that follows the transition. The apparatus includes an image sensor and a processor. The sensor is adapted to obtain images. The processor is adapted to define a first search path and a transition for the image, to search for the transition along the first search path, and to search along a second search path upon detecting the transition, following the transition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.