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SamsungGranted patentAI & softwareInterest 4/10

Samsung patents method to flatten curved object surfaces in photos

This patent describes a way for a camera to take a picture of a curved object and mathematically straighten it out. It uses two AI models to find the curved area and calculate its shape, then applies a transformation to make the surface look flat in the final image.

Why it mattersThis could improve how cameras capture documents or labels on curved surfaces, making them easier to read or scan.

In the filing’s own words

A method includes: obtaining a first image of an object including a surface having a non-flat shape; identifying a region corresponding to the surface as a region of interest by applying the first image to a first artificial intelligence model; obtaining data about a three-dimensional (3D) shape type of the object by applying the first image to a second AI model; obtaining a set of values of a 3D parameter related to the object, the surface, or the first camera, based on the region and the data; estimating the non-flat shape of the surface, based on the set of values of the 3D parameter; and obtaining a flat surface image in which the non-flat shape of the surface is flattened, by performing a perspective transformation on the surface.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, performed by an electronic device, of processing an image, the method comprising: obtaining a first image of a three-dimensional (3D) object comprising at least one surface by using a first camera, the at least one surface having a non-flat shape; identifying a region of interest (ROI) within the first image of the 3D object, which corresponds to the at least one surface, by applying the first image of the 3D object to a first artificial intelligence (AI) model; identifying first keypoints representing the ROI; obtaining data about a 3D shape type of the 3D object by applying the first image of the 3D object to a second AI model; obtaining a virtual object corresponding to the 3D shape type of the 3D object and obtaining a set of initial values of a 3D parameter of the virtual object; adjusting the set of initial values of the 3D parameter of the virtual object, based on the first keypoints; obtaining the adjusted set of initial values of the 3D parameter of the virtual object as a set of values of a 3D parameter related to at least one of the 3D object, the at least one surface, or the first camera; estimating the non-flat shape of the at least one surface, based on the set of values of the 3D parameter; and obtaining a flat surface image in which the non-flat shape of the at least one surface is flattened, by performing a perspective transformation on the at least one surface.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Electronic device for processing image, and operation method of electronic device
Patent number
US12731361B2
Application number
18137266
Filed
Apr 20, 2023
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
18

Classified under

G06V 10/25 Physics & computingG06T 15/20 Physics & computingG06V 10/248 Physics & computingG06V 10/46 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.