Location History:
- San Francisco, CA (US) (2013)
- Mountain View, CA (US) (2014 - 2015)
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2013-2015
Title: Katharine Ip: Innovator in Camera Technology and Image Processing
Introduction
Katharine Ip is a prominent inventor based in Mountain View, California. She has made significant contributions to the fields of camera technology and image processing, holding three patents that showcase her innovative spirit and technical expertise.
Latest Patents
One of her latest patents is focused on methods for enhancing camera focusing performance using camera orientation. This electronic system is designed to improve the focusing capabilities of cameras in portable electronic devices. It includes a body, a bus, and a camera module that features a photosensitive substrate and a lens assembly. The lens assembly can be adjusted to optimize light focus based on orientation information generated by an accelerometer. This system utilizes a memory and a processor to implement an autofocus program that determines the optimal distance for focus based on captured image data and orientation information.
Another notable patent involves segmenting human hairs and faces in color images. This patent outlines systems and methods for processing images to accurately identify and separate hair and facial features. The process includes cropping the image around the face, determining the illumination environment, and applying enhancements if necessary. It also involves creating preliminary masks for the face and hair using various cues, which are then refined through multiple techniques to achieve high accuracy.
Career Highlights
Katharine has worked with notable companies such as Flashfoto, Inc. and Nvidia Corporation. Her experience in these organizations has allowed her to develop and refine her skills in image processing and camera technology, contributing to her success as an inventor.
Collaborations
She has collaborated with talented individuals in her field, including Robinson Piramuthu and Kuang-chih Lee. These partnerships have further enriched her work and expanded her innovative contributions.
Conclusion
Katharine Ip is a trailblazer in the realm of camera technology and image processing. Her patents reflect her dedication to enhancing the capabilities of electronic devices and improving image quality. Through her work, she continues to inspire future innovations in these fields.