Patents Examined by Dwight Alex C Tejano
  • Patent number: 11689802
    Abstract: An accessory apparatus is connectable to an imaging apparatus along with an interchangeable lens apparatus. The accessory apparatus includes an accessory communication unit configured to provide a communication channel to and from the imaging apparatus, an operation member allowing an operation by a user, and an accessory control unit configured to communicate with the imaging apparatus via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit notifies the imaging apparatus of a communication request according to detection of the operation of the operation member, and repeats transmitting operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the imaging apparatus from when the communication request is notified to when an end of the operation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugita
  • Patent number: 11627257
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second image sensors, an image signal processor, and a main processor. The first and second image sensors photograph an object in first and second FOVs to generate first and second signals, respectively. The image signal processor generates first image data based on the first signal, generates second image data based on the second signal, and generates cropped image data based on cropping ROI from the second image data. The main processor generates a first video stream based on the first image data, generates a second video stream based on the cropped image data, and outputs the first video stream to a display device. The main processor stops outputting the first video stream to the display device and initiates outputting the second video stream to the display device in response to receiving a user input command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungjun Kim, Kwangjin An, Jonha Lee, Su-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11622074
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus connectable to an external electronic apparatus and storing at least one power supply for operating the external electronic apparatus includes a connection interface that is connected to the external electronic apparatus, and at least one processor configured to control the electronic apparatus. Power of the at least one power supply is supplied to the external electronic apparatus via the connection interface. The at least one processor controls the external electronic apparatus by using power received from the external electronic apparatus via the connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichirou Hayashi, Kento Inai, Hiroshi Moritomo, Hirokazu Izuoka, Sayaka Kumon, Akira Matsuo, Sho Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 11587961
    Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed, which relates to technology for detecting the distance to a target object. The image sensor includes a first tap configured to capture and accumulate signal carriers, and a second tap spaced apart a set distance from the first tap. The first tap and the second tap are disposed in a diagonal direction at opposite vertex regions of a unit pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Jin Park, Kang Bong Seo, Nam Ryeol Kim, Jung Soon Shin
  • Patent number: 11575831
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first correction unit including a first movable unit and a first mechanism configured to lock a position of the first movable unit. An interchangeable lens including a second correction unit is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus, and the second correction unit includes a second movable unit and a second mechanism configured to lock a position of the second movable unit. The apparatus further includes a control unit configured to, when the interchangeable lens is attached to the apparatus and one of the first and second movable units is fixed by the first or second mechanism, move the position of the other movable unit in a direction that cancels a shift of an optical axis caused by the fixation of the one of the first and second movable units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuaki Yamana
  • Patent number: 11575839
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a zoom drive unit that controls an angle of view of the imaging unit, a pan drive unit that rotates the imaging unit in a pan direction, a tilt drive unit that rotates the imaging unit in a tilt direction, and a control unit that controls the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit. The control unit controls accelerations or decelerations of the pan drive unit and the tilt drive unit based on the angle of view controlled by the zoom drive unit so that an acceleration time or a deceleration time of movement of a video shot by the imaging unit is made constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Ashitani
  • Patent number: 11563875
    Abstract: A camera actuator comprises: a fixed-side member; a movable-side member disposed separated from the fixed-side member in a direction orthogonal to a light axis, the movable-side member holding a lens unit; a first lens drive actuator that displaces the movable-side member in at least a prescribed direction; an elastic support member that extends in the direction orthogonal to the light axis, and supports the movable-side member in relation to the fixed-side member so as to allow the displacement in at least the prescribed direction; and a gel-like first damping member provided to the elastic support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Saito
  • Patent number: 11563911
    Abstract: An image capturing system includes a light source configured to emit light toward an object or scene that is to be imaged. The system also includes a time-of-flight image sensor configured to receive light signals based on reflected light from the object or scene. The system also includes a processor operatively coupled to the light source and the time-of-flight image sensor. The processor is configured to perform compressive sensing of the received light signals. The processor is also configured to generate an image of the object or scene based at least in part on the compressive sensing of the received light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Fengqiang Li, Oliver Strider Cossairt
  • Patent number: 11543567
    Abstract: An embodiment of a camera module includes a holder configured such that the upper and lower portions of the holder are open and such that a first hole and a second hole, opposite to the first hole, are formed in the side surface of the holder, a first lens unit coupled to the upper portion of the holder, a second lens unit coupled to the lower portion of the holder, and a liquid lens disposed in the first hole and the second hole of the holder between the first lens unit and the second lens unit, the liquid lens protruding outward from the side surface of the holder, wherein at least a portion of the liquid lens may be spaced apart from the inner surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Ryong Park, Jung Shik Baik
  • Patent number: 11539906
    Abstract: Technologies relating to CMOS image sensors with integrated Resistive Random-Access Memory (RRAMs) units that provide energy efficient analog storage, ultra-high speed analog storage, and in-memory computing functions are disclosed. An example CMOS image sensor with integrated RRAM crossbar array circuit includes a CMOS image sensor having multiple pixels configured to receive image signals; a column decoder configured to select the pixels in columns to read out; a row decoder configured to select the pixels in rows to read out; an amplifier configured to amplify first signals received from the CMOS image sensor; a multiplexer configured to sequentially or serially read out second signals received from the amplifier; and a first RRAM crossbar array circuit configured to store third signals received from the multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TetraMem Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yin, Ning Ge
  • Patent number: 11533422
    Abstract: A detection unit detects a subject area that partially includes a subject to be detected in a shooting range. An obtainment unit obtains a plurality of defocus amounts corresponding to a plurality of ranging points inside a ranging area that includes the subject area. A categorization unit categorizes the ranging area into a plurality of partial areas based on the plurality of defocus amounts. Each of the plurality of partial areas corresponds to a different one of partial ranges in a range of the plurality of defocus amounts. A control unit performs shooting control based on the plurality of partial areas. The shooting control is performed so that a contribution of a partial area with a first subject degree is larger than a contribution of a partial area with a second subject degree that is lower than the first subject degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yu Inagaki
  • Patent number: 11527027
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a collaborative video campaign comprise establishing the campaign via a graphical user interface of a computing device by automatically authorizing one or more individuals each having image capture devices as remote contributors to contribute videos to the campaign based upon a meeting of one or more pre-determined criteria; setting up the campaign to automatically begin based upon the meeting of the one or more pre-determined criteria; creating, via the graphical user interface of the computing device, a list of shot templates for desired videos for collection through the campaign, generating a notification regarding the automatic authorization of the one or more individuals from the graphical user interface, and; sending the notification regarding the automatic authorization through a remote server to the one or more image capture devices of the one or more remote contributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Super 6 LLC
    Inventor: Scott McDonald
  • Patent number: 11523048
    Abstract: An electronic device according to the present invention, includes at least one memory and at least one processor which function as: an acquisition unit configured to acquire gaze information relating to a gaze position of a user; and a display control unit configured to execute control for displaying a captured image on a display surface and for displaying a predetermined item in a first state at the gaze position on the display surface, wherein, in a case where a predetermined first condition is satisfied, the display control unit switches a display state of the predetermined item from the first state to a second state in which the predetermined item is displayed in a more subdued manner than the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshimura, Yoshihito Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11513426
    Abstract: Provided is a lens apparatus attachable and removable to a camera apparatus, the lens apparatus comprising a communication device configured to transmit, to an external device, information for light amount compensation of image data obtained by image pickup in the camera apparatus, in which the information includes information of a coefficient A0 of a term of 0-th-order with respect to an image height in a polynomial of n-th-order with respect to the image height, and in which a conditional expression 0.7<A0(Z)×(Fw/F(Z))2<1.3 is satisfied where A0(Z) represents the coefficient A0 at a zoom state Z, F(Z) represents an effective F-number at the zoom state Z, and Fw represents an effective F-number at a wide angle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nakamura, Koichi Sakuma, Kei Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11509845
    Abstract: A method of defect pixel correction, includes, receiving at least one center pixel signal in a plurality of frames, receiving a plurality of neighboring pixel signals adjacent the center pixel in the plurality of frames, determining a brightness of the center pixel signal, determining the brightness of the plurality of neighboring pixel signals, determining if the brightness of the center pixel signal exceeds a wounded pixel threshold of the plurality of neighboring pixel signals, determining a location of the center pixel having the brightness greater than the wounded pixel threshold in at least one frame, determining a number of reoccurrences of the center pixel having the brightness greater than the wounded pixel threshold, determining if the number of reoccurrences exceeds a defect pixel threshold and updating the at least one center pixel signal to a mean of the plurality of neighboring pixel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Black Sesame Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaju Yue, Donghui Wu, Bin Chen, Chao Wang
  • Patent number: 11503236
    Abstract: An image-sensing system for the efficient detection of defective pixels is shown. An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) determines a defective pixel candidate of an image sensor based on the first frame captured by the image sensor, performs a lower-part comparison on the defective pixel candidate based on the first frame, and performs an upper-part comparison on the defective pixel candidate based on the second frame captured by the image sensor. The defective pixel candidate is confirmed to be defective based on the first frame as well as the second frame. Only limited pixel data is buffered for the defective pixel detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SILICON OPTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Chun-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 11500270
    Abstract: An accessory attachable to and detachable from an image pickup apparatus includes a second mount portion including a plurality of second bayonet claw portions capable of engaging with a plurality of first bayonet claw portions, a plurality of second terminals capable of contacting with a plurality of first terminals, an accessory body, and a mount fixing member for fixing the second mount portion to the accessory body. The plurality of second terminals is provided at positions different from positions of the plurality of second bayonet claw portions, and all of multiple second terminals, among the plurality of second terminals, used in communication between the image pickup apparatus and the accessory are provided at predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahisa Tamura, Kunihiko Sasaki, Toshinori Yamazaki, Masayasu Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 11503262
    Abstract: An auto white balance method is disclosed. The auto white balance method includes receiving image data to divide the image data into a plurality of partition cells, calculating an estimation value of a skin tone included in the image data, and selecting outliers for detection of a white point of the image data, based on at least some of the plurality of partition cells and the estimation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Sol Kang, Ju-Hyun Cho, Dong-Hee Kwon
  • Patent number: 11500174
    Abstract: Provided is a display control device including a display control unit that controls display, on a display unit, of highlighting an edge portion of a subject corresponding to a state of an image depending on an in-focus state of the subject in the image being within a predetermined in-focus near range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Wakazono
  • Patent number: 11496683
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a first generation circuit that generates a first synchronization signal with a predetermined cycle, a second generation circuit that generates a second synchronization signal for controlling timings for driving an image sensor including timings for repeatedly reading out image signals from the image sensor, a control circuit that controls the second generation circuit in accordance with a driving method of the image sensor, a selector that selects the first synchronization signal or the second synchronization signal in accordance with the driving method of the image sensor and outputs the selected synchronization signal, and a display panel that updates and displays image signals which are repeatedly read out from the image sensor at timings based on the synchronization signal selected by the selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Ito