Patents Examined by Chan T. Nguyen
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Patent number: 11451728Abstract: An organic photoelectric film on a substrate may perform photoelectric conversion of incident light. Pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix form in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction between the substrate and the organic photoelectric film. A driving circuit may read pixel information from each pixel electrode of a pixel electrode line including a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in the X-axis direction, and applies an on-voltage or an off-voltage to each pixel electrode 40 of the pixel electrode line. The driving circuit may scan a photoelectric conversion ON region to which the on-voltage is applied in the ?Y-axis direction in synchronization with a timing of scanning a read line to which the pixel information is read in the ?Y-axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Okazaki, Mineki Taoka
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Patent number: 11451716Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Paul Poloniewicz, Michael Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Gregory Rueblinger, Erik Van Horn, Tao Xian, David Wilz, Sr., Chen Feng, Shankar Ban
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Patent number: 11445138Abstract: A solid-state imaging device configured to suppress fixed pattern noise having column correlation and/or lateral correlation from being generated in images is disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging device includes unit pixels arranged in row and column directions, vertical signal lines respectively connected to at least one of the unit pixels arranged in the column direction, first converters connected to the respective vertical signal lines and configured to convert an analog pixel signal into a digital pixel signal in reading each unit pixel arranged in the row direction, an initialization voltage generator that outputs an initialization voltage for initializing the unit pixels or input nodes of the first converters, and an initialization voltage line that connects the initialization voltage generator and the first converters. The initialization voltage generator changes the initialization voltage that is output for each row and/or column to be processed by the first converters.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Kazutoshi Tomita, Shinichirou Etou
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Patent number: 11445134Abstract: Provided is a high-sensitivity-side transfer transistor that transfers a charge from a high-sensitivity photodiode having a sensitivity higher than a predetermined sensitivity to a first charge storage unit. A low-sensitivity-side transfer transistor that transfers a charge from a low-sensitivity photodiode having a sensitivity lower than the predetermined sensitivity to a second charge storage unit. An amplification transistor that amplifies a voltage of the first charge storage unit. A first conversion efficiency control transistor that controls conversion efficiency of converting the charge to the voltage by opening and closing a pathway between the first and second charge storage units. A second conversion efficiency control transistor that controls the conversion efficiency by opening and closing a pathway between the second charge storage unit and a third charge storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuya Yonemoto
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Patent number: 11438537Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has a plurality of pixels each of which includes first and second photoelectric converters and is arranged in a matrix and connected to a column output line, a reading unit configured to perform a first reading operation that reads a signal of the first photoelectric converter to the column output line and a second reading operation that reads a signal obtained by mixing the signals of the first and second photoelectric converters to the column output line, a column circuit configured to be connected to the column output line, and a control unit configured to save power in at least some of the column circuits not used during the first reading operation from among the column circuits used in the second reading operation, during the first reading operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideaki Sambonsugi
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Patent number: 11438538Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Masayoshi Chiba, Shinichi Watanabe
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Patent number: 11431930Abstract: An array sensor and a method for forming and operating the same are provided. The array sensor includes: a sensor circuit including an array of pixel units that includes N rows of pixel units; and a driving circuit including at least N rows of shifting units; where the driving circuit further includes: a first global clearing signal line connected with odd rows of shifting units, a signal of which being applied to trigger the odd rows of shifting units to simultaneously turn on odd rows of pixel units, so that the odd rows of pixel units simultaneously discharge residual charge; and a second global clearing signal line connected with even rows of shifting units, a signal of which being applied to trigger the even rows of shifting units to simultaneously turn on even rows of pixel units, so that the even rows of pixel units simultaneously discharge residual charge.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Shanghai OxiTech. Co, LtdInventors: Yan Ling, Hong Zhu
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Patent number: 11425319Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, first electric charge is generated by at least two first photoelectric conversion elements in a first exposure period. At least two pieces of the first electric charge are added in a floating diffusion. A first memory stores a first pixel signal that is based on the first electric charge. Second electric charge is generated by at least one second photoelectric conversion element in a second exposure period. At least part of the second exposure period overlaps at least part of the first exposure period. The second electric charge is held in the floating diffusion. A second memory stores a second pixel signal that is based on the second electric charge.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Yuichi Gomi
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Patent number: 11418746Abstract: In a solid-state image sensor that transfers electric charges to a floating diffusion layer, exposure is started before transferring the electric charges to the floating diffusion layer. Electric charges are generated by photoelectric conversion in a photodiode and they are accumulated in an accumulation unit. An exposure end transfer transistor transfers the electric charges from the photodiode to the accumulation unit when a predetermined exposure period ends. A reset transistor initializes a voltage of a floating diffusion layer to a predetermined reset level when the exposure period ends. When a new exposure period is started after the electric charges are transferred to the accumulation unit, a discharge transistor discharges electric charges newly generated in the photodiode. When processing of converting a predetermined reset level into a digital signal ends, a conversion end transistor transfers the electric charges from the accumulation unit to the floating diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Shin Kitano
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Patent number: 11418735Abstract: An image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a vision sensor including a plurality of pixels, each pixel configured to generate a plurality of events per frame by sensing a change in intensity of light and configured to generate a plurality of timestamps indicating event occurrence times of the plurality of events, and a processor configured to correct an event data packet based on a response time and to output the event data packet based on the response time, the response time determined by a position of the pixel and an illuminance value.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong-Seok Seo, Jeong Seok Kim
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Patent number: 11375149Abstract: In a solid-state image sensor that detects presence or absence of an address event, power consumption when capturing an image is reduced. The solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels and an analog-digital conversion unit. In the solid-state image sensor, each of the plurality of pixels generates an analog signal by photoelectric conversion. Moreover, in the solid-state image sensor, the analog-digital conversion unit converts the analog signal of a pixel into a digital signal, the pixel having an amount of change in incident light amount that falls outside a predetermined range, of the plurality of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Atsumi Niwa
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Patent number: 11355536Abstract: [Object] To execute online calibration without using a light source. [Solution] An image sensor includes: a pixel array portion in which a plurality of pixels are disposed and which generates a pixel signal; a reference signal generation unit configured to generate a reference signal for calibration; an analog digital (AD) conversion unit configured to execute AD conversion on the pixel signal and the reference signal to generate pixel data and reference data; and a correction processing unit configured to correct the pixel data on a basis of the reference data. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an image sensor performing online calibration.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Bostamam Anas, Katsuhiko Hanzawa, Shinichiro Futami
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Patent number: 11350027Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program that enable operation in which a display unit is brought into a turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses after start of capturing a moving image, a command from a remote commander is accepted and executed, and the captured moving image is output to an external apparatus. In a case where a manipulation unit that outputs a command depending on content of a user manipulation is manipulated and a command causing a moving image to be recorded on a recording medium is output, recording of the moving image is started and the display unit is controlled to a turn-off state in which an image is not displayed. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Shutaro Yorozu
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Patent number: 11336846Abstract: An image sensor array and circuit design employs a method of black level compensation to address vertical image shading related to global exposure image capture and rolling row by row readout schemes. An image sensor having the invented black level compensation pixel array and method may be incorporated within a digital camera.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: SmartSens Technology (HK) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xuanping Zhou, Yaowu Mo, Xiaoyong Wang, Guanjing Ren
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Patent number: 11336843Abstract: The present disclosure provides a time delay integration (TDI) sensor using a rolling shutter. The TDI sensor includes 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 line time difference of the TDI sensor is changeable without changing the separation space.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Ren-Chieh Liu, Chao-Chi Lee, Wen-Cheng Yen
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Patent number: 11330204Abstract: Examples are described of automatic exposure timing synchronization. An imaging system includes a first image sensor configured to capture a first image according to a first exposure timing, including by exposing first region of interest (ROI) image data at the first image sensor for a first ROI exposure time period. Based on the first exposure timing, the imaging system sets a second exposure timing for a second image sensor to capture a second image. Capture of the second image according to the second exposure timing includes exposure of second ROI image data at the second image sensor for a second ROI exposure time period. The second exposure timing may be set so that the start of the second ROI exposure time period aligns with the start of the first ROI exposure time period, and/or so that the first and second ROI exposure time periods overlap.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Jeyaprakash Soundrapandian, Ramesh Ramaswamy, Sureshnaidu Laveti, Rajakumar Govindaram
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Patent number: 11317041Abstract: A method for black-level calibration for an image-sensing device is provided. The image-sensing device includes a pixel array that has a first non-light-sensing region, a second non-light-sensing region, and an image-pixel region. The method includes the following steps: receiving a first analog signal, a second analog signal, and a third analog signal respectively from the first non-light-sensing region, the second non-light-sensing region, and the image-pixel region every predetermined scanning period; utilizing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the image-sensing device to convert the first analog signal, the second analog signal, and the third analog signal to a first digital signal, a second digital signal, and a third digital signal, respectively; and performing a black-level-calibration (BLC) process on the first digital signal, the second digital signal, and the third digital signal to generate a black-level-calibrated digital signal, wherein the BLC process is implemented using a Kalman filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: SILICON OPTRONICS, INC.Inventor: Sheng-Yi Peng
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Patent number: 11310422Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a first correcting unit configured to correct image blur by driving at least one of a panning driver that rotates an imaging unit including an imaging optical system and an image sensor in the horizontal direction, and a tilting driver that rotates the imaging unit in the vertical direction; a shake detection unit configured to detect shake; a calculation unit configured to calculate an amount of image blur correction in accordance with the shake detected by the shake detection unit; and a determination unit configured to determine a driving range required by the panning driver or the tilting driver in order to correct an image blur, in accordance with the amount of image blur correction and a mechanical driving end of the panning driver or the tilting driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hidenori Higashi
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Patent number: 11277568Abstract: To present various types of information related to image capturing in a more suitable manner. An information processing apparatus including: a display control unit that causes an image captured by any of one or a plurality of imaging devices to be displayed in a captured image display region that is a part of a display unit, cause second information related to the one or plurality of imaging devices to be displayed in a captured image hiding region that is a part of the display unit and different from the captured image display region, and cause first information related to the one or plurality of corresponding imaging devices to be displayed in the captured image display region in accordance with the second information being displayed and the one or plurality of imaging devices being in a determined state.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Atsutaka Ito
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Patent number: 11272094Abstract: Providing object-oriented-zoom by identifying, in a transmitter, a region-of-interest in a captured video part, communicating to a receiver the video stream, and an identification of the region-of-interest, marking, on a display of the receiver, the region-of-interest over the captured video stream on a screen display, receiving from a selection of the displayed region-of-interest forming a selected object, communicating the selection to the transmitter, dividing the video stream, in the transmitter, into a first part including the selected object, and a second part including at least a part of the captured video stream less the first part, communicating the first and second parts to the receiver, displaying the first and second parts simultaneously, where the first part is displayed in a substantially constant location of a screen display of the receiver, and where the second part is displayed around the first part to fill the screen display of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: ENDLESS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventors: Roi Ginat, Liron Hertz