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Amnon Silverstein, Ph.D. |
Additional contact info on request email: amnonREMOVETHIStoo@hotmail.com |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Principle Architect, NVIDIA,
2007-Present
Architect of next generation image processing hardware pipeline for Tegra
mobile chips. Software algorithm inventor for automatic white balance, auto
focus, auto black level, lens shading compensation, and other key processing
stages. Design of automated lab equipment for test and calibration including
automated lighting and test chart control. Designed robotic test platform for
cellphone testing which allows test charts to be imaged through all parts of
the camera’s field of view.
Distinguished Scientist / Senior
Manager, Advanced R&D, Micron Technology, 2006-2007
Led a team of 4 and developed a research plan that combines long-term strategic
research with short-term transfers to products. The research is in the area of
harnessing all of the dynamic information that is available to the camera to
deliver the best possible image quality, and to invent and enable new
applications that can use the new capabilities dynamic information provides.
Architected a low-cost system for improving CMOS SOC image quality under
low-light conditions. Considerations included gate count, memory transactions
and memory footprint, and the computational requirements were minimized through
the use of integer arithmetic. Applied for four patents on the designs. Led the
team to implement the architecture and successfully transferred it to the
product team. Presented a demo to a major cellphone manufacturer and assisted
the sales team to convey the benefits of the new technology.
Program Lead, Video Restoration, Hewlett Packard
Laboratories, 2004-2006
Technical lead for a team of 6 scientists. Engineered and implemented a video
restoration pipeline for commercial HD broadcast. Invented new processing
algorithms and applied for 15 patents on the pipeline, including noise
filtering, resolution enhancement, automatic color correction, lens vignette
correction, geometric distortion correction. Presented results to Warner
Brothers executives and secured go-ahead for deployment. Worked with legal team
and external engineers to transfer the software application to Warner Brothers.
Press release at http://www.hpl.hp.com/news/2006/apr-jun/movie.html
Senior Scientist, Imaging, Hewlett
Packard Laboratories, 2000-2004
Led a team of 2 scientists, 2 interns and a technician to develop new tools for
mobile and wireless imaging appliances and to improve the consumer camera
imaging pipeline. Developed new camera and palmtop camera proof-of-concept
prototypes, for image organization and sharing, wireless printing, small panel
display viewing, microdisplay UI, onboard image manipulation, evaluation and
enhancement. Developed software for improved camera-back LCD display.
Implemented methods in TI firmware on HP camera platform. Developed alternative
sensors for new camera, including alternatives to Bayer mosaic with improved
demosaicing. Developed and applied for patents on improved color correction
with reduced image noise. Invented and patented techniques to improve autofocus
search. Invented techniques for on-camera panoramic image stitching, shipped in
HP 700 series cameras. Demonstrated proof-of-concept wireless image and device
management.
Research Scientist, Image Quality, Hewlett
Packard Laboratories, 1995-1999
Developed technology for display systems. Designed models of LED illumination
for head-mounted LCD microdisplay. Characterized and evaluated camera-back LCD
systems with goniospectrophotometry. Developed prototype optical system for
document capture device. Conducted human factors study of color
field-sequential display artifacts. Invented algorithms and hardware prototypes
for hardcopy color image processing. Developed software and hardware tools for
the extraction and analysis of print defects, and applied the same tools to
descreening halftoned images. Designed a model of visual sensitivity to spatial
patterns. Managed five summer interns and led studies in scanner color
reproduction, printer banding visibility, web-based visual quality analysis and
digital camera user interface. Conducted analysis of electrophotographic print
defects including ghosting and toner light scatter. Assisted with the
development of optical systems for digital capture devices. Developed new
statistical tools that allow hardcopy quality experiments to be conducted
efficiently. Worked with division partners to produce a new digital camera
prototype and applied for a patent on the design.
Research Assistant, University of
California, Berkeley, 1990-1995.
Developed a spatial filter model of visual perception for use with image
compression systems. Invented an image compression method for encoding image
enhancement instructions with JPEG image files (United States Patent
5,822,458). Constructed a cellular automaton model of visual cortex
development. Conducted an experiment that revealed motion effects on spatial
acuity.
EARLIER WORK: (details on request) Graduate student instructor in optics, Professional programmer, Computer consultant and PC repair, Pharmacology laboratory assistant-scientist.
SKILLS
Hardware: LED, LCD, microdisplay, CMOS
and CCD sensor, thermal inkjet and electrophotographic image generation,
display processing techniques, characterization and metrology. Motion sensor
expert, microgyro and accelerometer.
Firmware: ATMEL MEGA, TI MSP430
Programming languages including: Matlab, C++ and variants, Java, Unix
scripting, Perl, and most other commonly used languages. Expert in Postscript.
Operating Systems: Primarily Windows, with experience in Windows Mobile, Unix,
MacOS, Symbian.
Web: Developed client/server software for web imaging. TCP/IP, HTML, XML and
XSL developer.
Software Packages: 3DSMAX Scripting (coded custom model exporter).
Statistics, image analysis in Matlab and Optimas, optics design with OSLO-6
Laboratory procedure: including safety procedures, experimental design and the
construction of test equipment and prototypes
Mechanics: Basic competency with machine tool operation including mill and
lathe, basic electronics and mechanics. Fabricated prototype imaging devices.
Machined lens barrels and optics fixtures. Technical glassblowing for lab
glassware fabrication.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Vision Science, University of
California, Berkeley, 1999
M.S. Physiological Optics, University of California, Berkeley, 1991
B.A. Computer Science, Oberlin College, 1987
Patents
29 Granted US Patents
7,643,088
Artifact reduction in a digital video
7,643,062 Method and system for deblurring an image based on motion tracking
7,634,152 System and method for correcting image vignetting
7,620,241 Artifact reduction in a digital video
7,599,566 Image feature identification and motion compensation apparatus, systems, and methods
7,551,772 Blur estimation in a digital image
7,542,614 Image feature identification and motion compensation apparatus, systems, and methods
7,522,782 Digital image denoising
7,499,081 Digital video imaging devices and methods of processing image data of different moments in time
7,450,778 Artifact reduction in a digital video
7,450,157 Remote high resolution photography and video recording using a streaming video as a view-finder
7,450,137 System and method for blending images
7,440,608 Method and system for detecting image defects
7,394,929 Digital picture image color conversion
7,310,439 Robot having an imaging capability
7,239,327 Method of processing an image for display and system of same
7,190,805 Method of and system for edge watermarking of an image
7,187,412 Pointing device for digital camera display
7,165,268 Digital signatures for tangible medium delivery
7,133,148 Digital camera for image device calibration
7,061,532 Single sensor chip digital stereo camera
7,050,978 System and method of providing evaluation feedback to a speaker while giving a real-time oral presentation
6,970,156 Collapsible computer mouse
6,882,755 Image transmission for low bandwidth with region of interest
6,781,069 Method and apparatus for virtual interaction with physical documents
6,590,764 Palmtop computer stand
5,920,653 Multiple spatial channel printing
5,822,469 Post-filter for improving halftone image sharpness
5,822,458 Precomputing and encoding compressed image enhancement instructions
57 Published US Patent Applications
Additional International Patents,
research papers, conference presentations as well.