Patents Examined by Chan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11985747
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for filming a scene using a plurality of strobable lighting setups in rapid sequence to concurrently record a plurality of motion picture clips of the scene, one motion picture clip for each strobable lighting setup. The apparatus includes a plurality of strobable light sources that are coordinated to form the plurality of lighting setups, a controller to actuate the strobable lighting setups at a constant rate in a sequence that repeats multiple times during each macro frame, and a camera to capture a burst sequence of images within each macro frame. The burst sequence of images shows the scene illuminated by each one of the plurality of lighting setups in sequence during each macro frame. Since the constant rate is above the flicker threshold, people on set viewing the scene illuminated by the repeating sequence of strobable lighting setups perceive apparently continuous (non-flickering) illumination of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventors: Carlo Van de Roer, Stuart Rutherford
  • Patent number: 11956560
    Abstract: In some examples, a sensor apparatus comprises: a pixel cell configured to generate a voltages, the pixel cell including a photodiode configured to generate charge in response to incoming light, and a charge storage device to convert the charge to a voltage; an integrated circuit configured to: determine a first captured voltage converted by the charge storage device during a first time period; compare the first captured voltage to a threshold voltage value; and in response to determining that the first captured voltage meets or exceeds the threshold voltage value: determine first time data corresponding to the first time period; and prevent the charge storage device from further generating a charge; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a digital pixel value based on the first captured voltage, and a memory to store the digital pixel value and the first time data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsun Tsai, Song Chen, Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11954833
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided, which includes a display; an under display camera (UDC); a processor; and a memory that stores instructions, which when executed, causes the processor to receive a first image from the UDC, generate a second image by lowering a resolution of the first image, obtain a third image representing a difference between the second image and an image corresponding to the second image in which artifacts are not present, generate a fourth image by increasing the resolution of the third image, and generate a fifth image by subtracting the fourth image from the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woojhon Choi, Wonjoon Do, Jaesung Choi
  • Patent number: 11924543
    Abstract: An accessory detachably attached to an electronic apparatus includes an accessory processing unit communicable with an electronic apparatus by a first communication method as communication via a first contact group, and by a second communication method as communication via a second contact group different from the first contact group. The accessory processing unit controls the communication by the second communication method based on information communicated by the first communication method, executes communication via a second contact included in the second contact group in the second communication method, in response to a change in a signal level of a signal via a first contact included in the second contact group from a first signal level to a second signal level, and executes communication by the second communication method based on information on the second signal level included in the information communicated by the first communication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomokuni Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 11917313
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of sampling switches, a plurality of sample-and-hold circuits, and a plurality of output switches. The plurality of pixels are arranged at least in a column direction. The plurality of sampling switches are configured to sample signals outputted from the pixels belonging to columns in parallel. The plurality of sample-and-hold circuits are configured to sample and hold signals outputted from the plurality of sampling switches. The plurality of output switches are configured to output signals stored in the plurality of sample-and-hold circuits at predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masakazu Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11902677
    Abstract: An image sensor suitable for use in an augmented reality system to provide low latency image analysis with low power consumption. The augmented reality system can be compact, and may be small enough to be packaged within a wearable device such as a set of goggles or mounted on a frame resembling ordinary eyeglasses. The image sensor may receive information about a region of an imaging array associated with a movable object and selectively output imaging information for that region. The region may be updated dynamically as the image sensor and/or the object moves. Such an image sensor provides a small amount of data from which object information used in rendering an augmented reality scene can be developed. The amount of data may be further reduced by configuring the image sensor to output indications of pixels for which the measured intensity of incident light changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Georg Zahnert, Alexander Ilic, Erik Fonseka
  • Patent number: 11889212
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a comparator that can easily modify operating point potential of the comparator, and an imaging device. A pixel signal output from a pixel, and, a reference signal with changeable voltage are input to a differential pair. A current mirror connected to the differential pair, and a voltage drop mechanism allowed to cause a predetermined voltage drop is connected between a transistor that configures the differential pair, and a transistor that configures the current mirror. A switch is connected in parallel to the voltage drop mechanism. The present technology can be applied, for example, to an image sensor that captures an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Chiba, Shinichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11889033
    Abstract: A method includes capturing, by a camera disposed behind a display panel of the electronic device, a plurality of images at a plurality of exposures, respectively. One or more captured images include one or more flare artifacts. The method further includes generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image by fusing the captured images. The method further includes accessing a HDR point spread function (PSF) from a memory of the electronic device. The HDR PSF may be generated, at an initial camera calibration stage, by fusing a plurality of PSFs captured at the plurality of exposures, respectively. The method further includes generating, using an image deconvolution technique, a reconstructed image with flare artifacts mitigated based on the HDR image and the HDR PSF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ye Zhao, Changgeng Liu, Brian R. Patton, Ernest Rehmatulla Post
  • Patent number: 11874482
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens holder having a hollow region; a first lens unit disposed in the hollow region and including at least one lens; a second lens unit disposed above the lens holder; a circuit board disposed under the lens holder; an adhesion unit disposed between a lower surface of the lens holder and an upper surface of the circuit board and configured to couple the lens holder and the circuit board to each other. The adhesion unit includes an opening and a portion of an internal space formed by a coupling of the circuit board and the lens holder is to be open to an outside through the opening of the adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hwan Park, Myoung Jin An, Dong Wook Park
  • Patent number: 11871125
    Abstract: The method processes a series of events received asynchronously from an array of pixels of an event-based light sensor. Each event of the series comprises an address of a pixel of the array from which the event is received, and an attribute value depending on incident light sensed by that pixel. The method comprises: storing a data structure in a first memory, the data structure including event data for at least some of the pixels of the array, the event data for a pixel being related to at least one event most recently received from said pixel; during a timeslot, building, in a second memory having a faster access than the first memory, a map for the pixels of the array as the events of the series are received, the map including an information element for each pixel of the array, the information element having one of a plurality of values including a nil value indicating an absence of event during the timeslot; and updating the data structure after the timeslot using the map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PROPHESEE
    Inventors: Daniele Perrone, Xavier Lagorce, Vitor Schambach Costa, Ludovic Chotard, Sylvain Brohan
  • Patent number: 11863885
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a time delay integration (TDI) sensor using a rolling shutter. The TDI sensor includes two pixel arrays each having multiple pixel columns. Each pixel column includes multiple pixels arranged in an along-track direction, wherein two adjacent pixels or two adjacent pixel groups in every pixel column have a separation space therebetween. The separation space is equal to a pixel height multiplied by a time ratio of a line time difference of the rolling shutter and a frame period, or equal to a summation of at least one pixel height and a multiplication of the pixel height by a time ratio of the line time difference and the frame period. The TDI sensor doubles a number of times of integrating pixel data corresponding to the same position of a scene by arranging two separately operated pixel arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Ren-Chieh Liu, Chao-Chi Lee
  • Patent number: 11849238
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a first substrate including a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a second substrate layered on the first substrate and including an AD conversion portion including a plurality of AD conversion circuits configured to convert a signal output from the first substrate into a digital signal, wherein the second substrate further includes a plurality of signal processing units including a first signal processing unit and a second signal processing unit both configured to perform machine learning processing, wherein each of a plurality of sets includes a plurality of AD conversion circuits that differ between the plurality of sets, wherein the first signal processing unit is arranged to correspond to one of the plurality of sets, and wherein the second signal processing unit is arranged to correspond to another one of the plurality of sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Ochiai, Yoshiaki Takada, Masaki Sato, Masahiro Kobayashi, Daisuke Kobayashi, Tetsuya Itano, Nao Nakatsuji, Yasuhiro Oguro
  • Patent number: 11849229
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes M detection elements, a readout circuit, and a control pulse providing circuit. Each of the M detection elements includes a detection pixel configured to detect incidence of a photon and a generation circuit configured to generate a readout request and data based on the detection of the photon in the detection pixel. The readout circuit is configured to receive the readout request and the data from each of the M detection elements. The control pulse providing circuit is configured to provide a control pulse to the M detection elements and the readout circuit. The readout circuit determines the generation circuit corresponding to the readout request and a generation timing at which the readout request is generated, based on a counter value of the time counter and the number of delay cycles included in the data corresponding to the received readout request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Niwa
  • Patent number: 11843880
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and outputting a signal corresponding to an amount of charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, an output line from which a signal of the pixel is output, a clip circuit constituting a source follower circuit and including a transistor having a source connected to the output line and an interconnection connected to a gate of the transistor, and a voltage supply circuit configured to supply a first voltage and a second voltage to the interconnection. A driving power when the interconnection is controlled to the first voltage by the voltage supply circuit and a driving power when the interconnection is controlled to the second voltage by the voltage supply circuit is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, So Hasegawa, Yu Katase
  • Patent number: 11843893
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising a pixel portion in which pixels each including a photoelectric converter are arranged, a sample/hold unit configured to sample a signal generated in the photoelectric converter via a vertical signal line and hold the signal, and a converter configured to perform an analog/digital conversion is provided. In the sample/hold unit, a first sample/hold circuit that samples a signal for when the photoelectric converter is reset and a second sample/hold circuit that samples a signal for when a photoelectric conversion operation is performed are connected to one vertical signal line. The pixel portion is arranged on a first substrate, a part of a group configured by the sample/hold unit and the converter is arranged on a second substrate, and another part of the group is arranged on a third substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11843869
    Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of displaying a good live view image even during continuous emission photographing. The apparatus includes a sensor, a memory device that stores a set of instructions, and at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to obtain a display image cyclically using the sensor, and obtain a flash control image accompanied with a pre-emission of a first flash unit using the sensor at a non-accumulation timing at which the sensor does not perform charge accumulation for cyclic obtainment of the display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takuro Morita
  • Patent number: 11838669
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array configured to include a plurality of pixel groups consecutively arranged in row and column directions. Each of the pixel groups includes a plurality of unit pixels and each unit pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element structured to generate photocharges through a conversion of incident light. Each pixel group outputs a first pixel signal corresponding to photocharges generated by a single unit pixel and a second pixel signal corresponding to a sum of photocharges generated by two or more unit pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Dong Ho Ha
  • Patent number: 11838668
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes pixels each including photoelectric converters and a floating diffusion to which charges of the photoelectric converters are transferred, a vertical scanning unit for performing readout processing and reset processing on the pixels while switching the photoelectric converter to be processed and the floating diffusion to be processed, and a control unit that controls the vertical scanning unit. The control unit includes a readout row address generation unit and a reset row address generation unit that generate a row address to be processed. A first cycle in which the photoelectric converter is switched is shorter than a second cycle in which the floating diffusion is switched, an update cycle of the row address is equal to the second cycle, and a setting unit of an update timing of the row address is equal to the length of one cycle of the first cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taichi Kasugai, Shintaro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11838659
    Abstract: An image sensing system comprising: a storage device, comprising at least two first registers, wherein a number of the first registers following a first direction of the storage device is larger than a number of the first registers following a second direction of the storage device; a filter, comprising at least two second registers; and an SIPO (serial in parallel out) circuit, coupled between the storage device and the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Wai Lian Teo
  • Patent number: 11818476
    Abstract: An embodiment method for estimating a missing or incorrect value in a table of values generated by a photosite matrix comprises a definition of a zone of the table comprising the value to be estimated and other values, referred to as neighboring values, and an estimation of the value to be estimated based on the primary neighboring values and the weight associated with these primary neighboring values, wherein a weight of each neighboring value, referred to as primary neighboring value, of the same colorimetric component as that of the missing or incorrect value to be estimated, is determined according to differences between neighboring values disposed on an axis and neighboring values disposed parallel with this axis and positioned in relation to this axis on the same side as the primary neighboring value for which the weight is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Valentin Rebiere, Antoine Drouot