US6417841B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Information extraction apparatus and method
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1999-06-07
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Granted: 2002-07-09
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Expires: 2019-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In an information extraction apparatus of the present invention, a distance image input section inputs a distance image including a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized. An area division section divides the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks to respectively execute an active event. An image processing section recognizes the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks actually executed the active event, and supplies the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Inventors
- 👤 Miwako Doi
- 👤 Naoko Umeki
- 👤 Isao Mihara
- 👤 Yasunobu Yamauchi
- 👤 Akira Morishita
- 👤 Shunichi Numazaki
- 👤 Takahiro Harashima
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:32
CPC Classifications
A63F13/10; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/213; A63F13/212; A63F13/45; G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/20; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1012; A63F2300/1087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for emitting light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized, for intercepting light reflected from the plurality of objects, and for extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; and image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for emitting light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized, for intercepting light reflected from the plurality of objects, and for extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; and image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display means including the plurality of blocks, wherein at least two blocks contain an active event.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of objects are body parts of a user, which are respectively moving toward the active block on said display means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the body parts are a right arm and a left arm of the user and the active block on said display means momentarily includes a target character.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said area division means divides the distance image into the plurality of areas according to position and size of each block on said display means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said image processing means executes image processing for only particular areas corresponding to the active block on said display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said image processing means calculates a moving vector of the body p art or a distance from t he active block to the body part in the particular area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said information processing means decides whether the body part moves to within a predetermined space from the active block, and supplies a hit signal if the body part moves to within the predetermined space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
114 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for emitting light onto an object to be recognized, for intercepting light reflected from the object, and for extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for emitting light onto an object to be recognized, for intercepting light reflected from the object, and for extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said basis image extraction means extracts an area of pixels whose distance is larger or smaller than a threshold from the distance image as the basis part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said basis image extraction means extracts an area whose center of gravity does not change from the plurality of distance images as the basis part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said basis image extraction means extracts the basis image at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the input timing of the distance image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the basis part of the object is a body of a user, and wherein said image processing means recognizes the movement of arms of the user in the difference image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising a display means for displaying a target character, and wherein said image processing means supplies a hit signal to said display means if a position of the moving arms moves to within a predetermined space from the target character.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
94 words
An information extraction method, comprising: emitting light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; intercepting light reflected from the plurality of objects; extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks; identifying blocks containing an active event; recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event; and supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
An information extraction method, comprising: emitting light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; intercepting light reflected from the plurality of objects; extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks; identifying blocks containing an active event; recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event; and supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
An information extraction method, comprising: emitting light onto an object to be recognized; intercepting light reflected from the object; extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; extracting a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images; and recognizing the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
An information extraction method, comprising: emitting light onto an object to be recognized; intercepting light reflected from the object; extracting an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; extracting a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images; and recognizing the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising: instruction means for causing a computer to emit light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; instruction means for causing a computer to intercept light reflected from the plurality of objects; instruction means for causing a computer to extract an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; instruction means for causing a computer to divide the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks; instruction means for causing a computer to identify blocks containing an active event; instruction means for causing a computer to recognize the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event; and instruction means for causing a computer to supply the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising: instruction means for causing a computer to emit light onto a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; instruction means for causing a computer to intercept light reflected from the plurality of objects; instruction means for causing a computer to extract an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a distance image; instruction means for causing a computer to divide the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks; instruction means for causing a computer to identify blocks containing an active event; instruction means for causing a computer to recognize the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event; and instruction means for causing a computer to supply the recognition result to a system of the active event.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising: instruction means for causing a computer to emit light onto an object to be recognized; instructions means for causing a computer to intercept light reflected from the object; instruction means for causing a computer to extract an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; instruction means for causing a computer to extract a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; instruction means for causing a computer to calculate a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images; and instruction means for causing a computer to recognize the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
141 words
A computer readable memory containing computer readable instructions, comprising: instruction means for causing a computer to emit light onto an object to be recognized; instructions means for causing a computer to intercept light reflected from the object; instruction means for causing a computer to extract an intensity value of each pixel from a quantity of the reflected light as a plurality of distance images; instruction means for causing a computer to extract a basis part of the object based on the intensity value from at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; instruction means for causing a computer to calculate a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images; and instruction means for causing a computer to recognize the movement of another part of the object in the difference image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a distance image including a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event; and a display means including the plurality of blocks, wherein at least two blocks contain an active event, wherein the plurality of objects are body parts of a user, which are respectively moving toward the active block on said display means, and wherein said area division means divides the distance image into the plurality of areas according to position and size of each block on said display means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a distance image including a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event; and a display means including the plurality of blocks, wherein at least two blocks contain an active event, wherein the plurality of objects are body parts of a user, which are respectively moving toward the active block on said display means, and wherein said area division means divides the distance image into the plurality of areas according to position and size of each block on said display means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said image processing means executes image processing for only particular areas corresponding to the active block on said display means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image extraction apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein said image processing means calculates a moving vector of the body part or a distance from the active block to the body part in the particular area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The image extraction apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein said information processing means decides whether the body part moves to within a predetermined space from the active block, and supplies a hit signal if the body part moves to within the predetermined space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
156 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a distance image including a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event; and a display means including the plurality of blocks, wherein at least two blocks contain an active event, wherein the plurality of objects are body parts of a user, which are respectively moving toward the active block on said display means, and wherein the body parts are a right arm and a left arm of the user and the active block on said display means momentarily includes a target character.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
156 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a distance image including a plurality of objects to be respectively recognized; area division means for dividing the distance image into a plurality of areas according to position information of a plurality of blocks, and for identifying blocks containing an active event; image processing means for recognizing the plurality of objects in the areas corresponding to the blocks containing the active event, and for supplying the recognition result to a system of the active event; and a display means including the plurality of blocks, wherein at least two blocks contain an active event, wherein the plurality of objects are body parts of a user, which are respectively moving toward the active block on said display means, and wherein the body parts are a right arm and a left arm of the user and the active block on said display means momentarily includes a target character.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
108 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a plurality of distance images including an object to be recognized; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object that does not move between at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of the object in the difference image, wherein said basis image extraction means extracts the basis image at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the input timing of the distance image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
108 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a plurality of distance images including an object to be recognized; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object that does not move between at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of the object in the difference image, wherein said basis image extraction means extracts the basis image at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the input timing of the distance image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
116 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a plurality of distance images including an object to be recognized; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object that does not move between at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of the object in the difference image, wherein the basis part of the object is a body of a user, and wherein said image processing means recognizes the movement of arms of the user in the difference image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
116 words
An information extraction apparatus, comprising: distance image input means for inputting a plurality of distance images including an object to be recognized; basis image extraction means for extracting a basis part of the object that does not move between at least two of the plurality of distance images as a basis image; and image processing means for calculating a difference image between the basis image and each of the plurality of distance images, and for recognizing the movement of the object in the difference image, wherein the basis part of the object is a body of a user, and wherein said image processing means recognizes the movement of arms of the user in the difference image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The information extraction apparatus according to claim 25 , further comprising: a display means for displaying a target character, and wherein said image processing means supplies a hit signal to said display means if a position of the moving arms moves to within a predetermined space from the target character.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |