Patents Examined by Abdelaaziz Tissire
  • Patent number: 11115575
    Abstract: Device for acquiring images inside a vehicle, comprising an illuminator to illuminate a field of view, an image sensor that is arranged to acquire images from the field of view, and an optical element having a light-transparent portion and a light-blocking portion, wherein the light-transparent portion is arranged so that light of the illuminator being emitted to the field of view passes through the light-transparent portion, and wherein the light-blocking portion is arranged to block light of the illuminator being emitted in a direction towards the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Andrzej Polak
  • Patent number: 11115582
    Abstract: The signal calculation unit calculates first, second, and third signal about an amount of blur or high frequency signal, which are related to an edge, based on a first luminance signal, a second luminance signal, and a third luminance signal, respectively. The data expansion unit expands the signals about an amount of blur or high frequency signal respectively to first, second, and third expanded signal data. A control method determination unit sets a back focus area based on a magnitude relation between the first expanded signal data and the second expanded signal data and set a front focus area based on magnitude relation between the first expanded signal data and the third expanded signal data to thereby control focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: JVCKENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kunio Yamada
  • Patent number: 11108940
    Abstract: A multi-lens camera and a lens adjustment device, the multi-lens camera includes a main housing assembly, lenses, and a lens adjustment device; the main housing assembly includes a main housing and an inner baffle arranged at the top opening of the main housing; the inner baffle and the main housing constitute a main board cavity; a main board is arranged in the main board cavity; the area of the main board is less than that of the main board cavity, the lenses are mounted on the lens adjustment device, and the overall area of the lenses and the lens adjustment device is within the area of the support region of the inner baffle; the lens adjustment device includes a cylindrical component and at least two lens brackets, the lenses are mounted on the lens brackets, which are connected with the component to drive the lenses to rotate around the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Li, Caisheng Yan, Zhiqiang Rong, Man Jiang, Zhan Ye
  • Patent number: 11108937
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a gangway having a proximal end and a distal end. A cage assembly is connected to the distal end of the gangway. The apparatus further comprises a container spotting system including a camera mounted such that its field of view will show a hatch cover of a container when the hatch cover is in a predetermined location. Video electronics are in electrical communication with the camera. The container spotting system further includes a display device in electrical communication with the video electronics, the display device being operative to show at least a selected portion of the field of view of the camera. The camera may comprise an outdoor dome camera mounted to an underside of the gangway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Safe Rack LLC
    Inventors: Jason Ronald McKinney, Jeff W. Reichert
  • Patent number: 11073973
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an electronic device may comprise: a first camera arranged on a first surface of a housing of the electronic device; a second camera arranged apart from the first camera on the first surface; a display; and a processor set to process at least a portion of a first inputted image by applying a first image effect and display same on the display, on the basis of a first object area for the first inputted image obtained by using phase difference information of the first inputted image from among the first inputted image obtained from the first camera or a second inputted image obtained from the second camera, and to process at least a portion of the first inputted image by applying a second image effect and displaying same on the display, on the basis of a second object area for the first inputted image obtained by using time difference information between the first inputted image and the second inputted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Yong Lee, Hye-Jin Kang, Jae-Yun Song, Min-Sheok Choi, Ki-Huk Lee, Cheol-Ho Cheong
  • Patent number: 11076110
    Abstract: An apparatus, when it is determined that a resolution of a captured image is higher than or equal to a predetermined resolution, transmits, to an external apparatus, a first request for an image of a resolution corresponding to a resolution higher than or equal to the predetermined resolution, and when it is determined that the resolution of the captured image is not higher than or equal to the predetermined resolution, transmits, to the external apparatus, a second request for an image of a resolution corresponding to a resolution lower than the predetermined resolution, performs control to sequentially receive images that are sequentially captured by the external apparatus, and performs control to combine the images that are captured by the external apparatus with the images that are sequentially generated by the image capturing, and sequentially display the combined images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takumi Iko
  • Patent number: 11070731
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and an array of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes an optic for projecting a partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam-deflecting unit for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels, and an optical image stabilizer for the image stabilization along a first image axis by generating a first translational relative movement between the image sensor and the array and the beam-deflecting unit and for the image stabilization along a second image axis by generating a second relative movement between the image sensor, the array and the beam-deflecting unit. The device includes an electronic image stabilizer for the image stabilization of a first optical channel of the array along the first and the second image axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 11054620
    Abstract: A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes a lens unit and an imager to image the external environment by forming an optical image, which is from the external environment through the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuki Furutake, Takeshi Kazama, Soji Masui
  • Patent number: 11050914
    Abstract: A camera module includes a first driver integrated circuit (IC) generating a driving signal to move a first lens barrel in one or more directions perpendicular to an optical axis direction, a second driver IC generating a driving signal to move a second lens barrel in one or more directions perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and a gyro sensor generating gyro data corresponding to a first address transmitted from the first driver IC, and transmitting the gyro data to the first driver IC and the second driver IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Yong Kang
  • Patent number: 11044428
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses with one or more shared pixel structures are provided. The shared pixel structure includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices or photodiodes. Each photodiode in the shared pixel structure is located within a rectangular area. The shared pixel structure also includes a plurality of shared transistors. The shared transistors in the shared pixel structure are located adjacent the photoelectric conversion devices of the shared pixel structure. The rectangular area can have two short sides and two long sides, with the shared transistors located along one of the long sides. In addition, a length of one or more of the transistors can be extended in a direction parallel to the long side of the rectangular area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nanako Kato, Toshifumi Wakano, Yusuke Otake
  • Patent number: 11044411
    Abstract: An imaging element that outputs an image signal acquired by an imaging unit which has a plurality of pixel units is provided that includes a gain unit that sets gain with respect to an output signal of the imaging unit; a control unit that controls an accumulation time of the pixel units; and an arithmetic operation unit that receives a target luminance value and exposure control information, calculates the gain or the accumulation time by detecting a luminance value using an image signal read from the pixel units, and causes the gain unit or the control unit to perform exposure control of the imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Hisamoto
  • Patent number: 11039071
    Abstract: A camera module includes a gyro sensor configured to generate a gyro signal, an optical image stabilization (OIS) controller configured to generate, in response to the gyro signal, a driving signal indicating target positions in first and second directions perpendicular to an optical axis of a lens barrel, a first OIS driver configured to detect a present position of the lens barrel in the first direction, and based on the detected present position in the first direction and the indicated target position in the first direction, provide a driving force to the lens barrel in the first direction, and a second OIS driver configured to detect a present position of the lens barrel in the second direction, and based on the detected present position in the second direction and the indicated target position in the second direction, provide a driving force to the lens barrel in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung Joong Min
  • Patent number: 11022560
    Abstract: An image inspection device which can image an object with a plurality of cameras in a state in which the object is optimally illuminated and which can also be downsized is provided. The image inspection device includes a plurality of imaging parts that image the object, an illumination part that is disposed between the object and the plurality of imaging parts and radiates light toward the object and has a light-transmissive property, and a control part that controls the plurality of imaging parts and the illumination part. The illumination part includes a plurality of illumination elements which are arranged in a matrix and are allowed to be turned on independently. The control part controls the plurality of illumination elements to cause the illumination part to illuminate a region of the object corresponding to a field of view of the plurality of imaging parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Kato
  • Patent number: 11019246
    Abstract: A video or still hand-held digital camera is activated or controlled based on estimation of a user head pose or gaze direction. The system comprises uses two wearable devices associated with right and left sides of the user body, each comprises an RF beacon. The head pose or gaze detection is estimated by comparing the signal strength (such as RSSI) or the phase of the RF signals from the wearable devices at the digital camera device. An angular deviation between the head pose (or gaze detection) and the digital camera (such as the line of sight) is estimated, and the digital camera is activated or controlled based on comparing the angular deviation to a set threshold. The RF signals may be Personal Area Network (PAN) signals, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals. The wearable devices may be head mounted, structured as glasses, earpieces, headphones, or hat mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Snap-Aid Patents LTD.
    Inventor: Ishay Sivan
  • Patent number: 11019288
    Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array having a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines; a plurality of ramp buffers configured to output a ramp voltage generated by a ramp voltage generator; a sampling circuit including a plurality of samplers, each of the plurality of samplers having a first input terminal for receiving the ramp voltage and a second input terminal connected to one of the plurality of column lines; and a switching circuit configured to connect the first input terminals of the samplers to each other or disconnect the first input terminals of the samplers from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soon Ik Cho, Takao Ishii
  • Patent number: 11012613
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting whether a photograph is of a flat surface, e.g. a “photograph of a photograph”, or of a real three dimensional scene. The method includes using a digital camera to take a photograph, and within a predetermined time period either before or after taking the photograph, recording focal length information from a plurality of focus areas using the autofocus routine of the digital camera. The recorded focal length information forms the input to a machine learning classifier which has been trained to classify scenes as “flat” or “3D”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SERELAY LTD.
    Inventors: Roy Azoulay, Ian Field, Clinton Montague
  • Patent number: 10996460
    Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes an image sensor and array of optical channels, wherein each optical channel includes optics for projecting at least one partial field of view of a total field of view on an image sensor area of the image sensor. The multi-aperture imaging device includes a beam deflector for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. A first optical channel of the array is configured to image a first partial field of view of a first total field of view, wherein a second optical channel of the array is configured to image a second partial field of view of the first total field of view. A third optical channel is configured to completely image a second total field of view. The second total field of view is an incomplete section of the first total field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Wippermann, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 10992877
    Abstract: A video display apparatus includes: a tone mapping processor that converts, by using dynamic metadata indicating a maximum luminance of a video in each of a plurality of time intervals included in a predetermined period, a luminance of the video in each time interval based on conversion characteristics according to the maximum luminance of the video in the time interval; and a display. The tone mapping processor switches between: a first operation of performing the tone mapping process by using first dynamic metadata that indicates the maximum luminance that is constant over the plurality of time intervals, the first dynamic metadata being generated by using static metadata that indicates a maximum luminance of the video in the predetermined period; and a second operation of performing the tone mapping process by using second dynamic metadata in which the maximum luminance varies over the plurality of time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaya Yamamoto, Masayuki Kozuka, Yoshiichiro Kashiwagi, Toshiroh Nishio, Kazuhiko Kouno, Hiroshi Yahata, Takeshi Hirota, Yoshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 10971532
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus in which a pixel for obtaining an image based on radiation and a light shielded pixel which is shielded from light are arranged in an array, comprises: a setting unit configured to set a region including a plurality of pixels for obtaining the image based on the radiation and cause pixel values based on the plurality of pixels in the region to be output; and a correction unit configured to determine whether the light shielded pixel is included in the region, and correct the pixel values based on the plurality of pixels in the region if the light shielded pixel is included in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinsuke Hayashida
  • Patent number: 10972652
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus and an imaging method that sets a type of a subject as a focusing target in each imaging. The imaging apparatus includes an image sensor that acquires an image, and an operation unit that selects a type of the subject as the focusing target in each imaging of the image acquired by the image sensor. In the case where the type of the subject as the focusing target is selected by the operation unit, a microcomputer detects an area of the subject of that type from the image and sets the detected area as an in-focus area of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Fukuda