Patents Examined by Kelly L. Jerabek
  • Patent number: 11651476
    Abstract: A noise removing circuit includes an image combiner suitable for generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image by combining images having different exposure times; a detailed image generator suitable for generating a detailed image from the HDR image; an image strength evaluator suitable for evaluating strength of the detailed image; and a noise coring component suitable for performing a noise coring operation for removing noise from a region of the detailed image in which a signal to noise ratio (SNR) has decreased using a low threshold and a saturation threshold when the strength of the detailed image is less than a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Ik Kim, Jin Su Kim, Chang Ki Min, Seong Hee Park
  • Patent number: 11641524
    Abstract: A method for displaying an image in an electronic device is provided. The method includes obtaining a first image including a plurality of subjects, setting a plurality of sub-regions respectively including the plurality of subjects, obtaining a distance between the plurality of sub-regions, when a distance between a first region and a second region, which are adjacent to each other, among the plurality of sub-regions is greater than or equal to a specified threshold distance, omitting at least a portion of a third region disposed between the first region and the second region in the first image, and displaying a second image obtained by resetting a size of each of the plurality of sub-regions and rearranging each of the plurality of sub-regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyuwon Kim, Yusic Kim, Chulsang Chang, Hyungmin Cho, Jaewoong Choi
  • Patent number: 11637970
    Abstract: To generate multiple types of images of the same subject, an electronic apparatus includes a drive control unit that controls the drive of an image sensor, a division unit that divides an image capture region of the image sensor into at least first and second regions, and an image generation unit that generates a first image by capturing an image of the same subject in the first region and generates a second image by capturing an image of the same subject in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shionoya, Toshiyuki Kanbara, Masakazu Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 11627267
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to active pixel sensors such as CMOS sensors. A sample stage of each pixel may comprise first and second sample switches in series between a buffer amplifier and a storage node. The first sample switch is connected to a column sample line, and the second sample switch is connected to a row sample line, such that an exposure signal is only passed to the storage node at a time when both a column sample signal and a row sample signal are active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED KINGDOM RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
    Inventor: Andrew Scott
  • Patent number: 11622083
    Abstract: A conferencing system terminal device includes an image capture device capturing images of a subject during a videoconference occurring across a network and a communication device transmitting the images to at least one remote electronic device engaged in the videoconference. The conferencing system terminal device includes one or more sensors determining that one or more portions of the subject are obscured in the images and one or more processors. The one or more processors apply obscured subject compensation content to the images at locations where the one or more portions of the subject are obscured, during the videoconference, and prior to the communication device transmitting the images to the at least one remote electronic device engaged in the videoconference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Alexandre Neves Creto, Amit Kumar Agrawal, Robert S Witte
  • Patent number: 11605660
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; and a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the pixel unit includes first pixel groups having two or more pixels and second pixel groups being different from the first pixel groups, wherein a portion of the pixels in the first pixel groups and a portion of the pixels in the second pixel groups share a floating diffusion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ishiwata, Sanghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 11595564
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new universal control interface for cameras and other audio-visual recording/using instruments, and more specifically a multi-axis visual interface for simultaneous display and control of aperture (Av), shutter speed (Tv), ISO, and/or other parameters like exposure value (EV). The invention relates to either a triangular, rectangle or clover shape interface where the parameters are visually represented on one of the axis, side or branch of the interface and where the user instead of altering the parameters, will provide intention such as (a) depth-of field, (b) motion blur, (c) granularity, or the composite (d) exposure. The invention further describes how in some cases, one or more of these parameters can be locked or not available based on the technology used for the delay and control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Christophe Seyve
  • Patent number: 11582376
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a dual camera module comprising a first camera module and a second camera module, wherein: a first magnet unit of the first camera module includes a first magnet and a second magnet, both disposed opposite to each other on a side surface of a first housing; a second magnet unit of the second camera module includes a third to a sixth magnet arranged on four respective corners of a second housing; a third magnet unit is disposed on a side surface of the first housing facing the second housing; the third magnet unit is disposed between the first magnet and the second magnet; and the third magnet unit is smaller than the first magnet and is disposed on a virtual line connecting an optical axis of the first camera module and an optical axis of the second camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Taek Lee, Sang Jun Min, Tae Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 11582381
    Abstract: A method includes providing a mission regarding image capturing to a user terminal having an image capture function, evaluating an image transmitted from the user terminal in response to the mission, and additionally providing a new mission regarding image capturing to the user terminal in a case where a level of achievement of the mission is determined to satisfy a criterion based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seiji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11582400
    Abstract: A method of image processing based on a plurality of frames of images, an electronic device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: capturing a plurality of frames of original images; obtaining a high dynamic range (HDR) image by performing image synthesis on the plurality of frames of original images; performing artificial intelligent-based denoising on the HDR image to obtain a target denoised image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiewen Huang
  • Patent number: 11581356
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device having a backside illuminated structure, includes: a pixel region in which pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion and a plurality of pixel transistors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; an element isolation region isolating the pixels which is provided in the pixel region and which includes a semiconductor layer provided in a trench by an epitaxial growth; and a light receiving surface at a rear surface side of a semiconductor substrate which is opposite to a multilayer wiring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takekazu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11563058
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first electrode, a charge accumulating electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode, an isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode and the charge accumulating electrode and surrounding the charge accumulating electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer formed in contact with the first electrode and above the charge accumulating electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer. The isolation electrode includes a first isolation electrode and a second isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first isolation electrode, and the first isolation electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second isolation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio Kaneda, Fumihiko Koga
  • Patent number: 11558552
    Abstract: An image signal processor includes a shared circuit, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The shared circuit processes input image data. The first circuit provides a first algorithm for processing the input image data and is used by the shared circuit to process the input image data at a first operation mode in a first shooting environment. The second circuit provides a second algorithm for processing the input image data and is used by the shared circuit to process the input image data at a second operation mode different from the first operation mode in a second shooting environment different from the first shooting environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Hyun Lee, Il Do Kim, Seong Wook Song
  • Patent number: 11538206
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for using electronic diffusers to implement message indicators are described. A segment of a diffuser attached to an electronic device is configured to indicate an informational message in response to signals that result in a change to an optical property. A set of information to be displayed using the segment is determined, and a signal is transmitted to the segment to display the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joel S. Armstrong-Muntner
  • Patent number: 11539911
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed to an artificial window system that can simulate the user experience of a traditional window in environments where exterior walls are unavailable or other constraints make traditional windows impractical. In an embodiment, an artificial window consistent with the present disclosure includes a window panel, a panel driver, and a camera device. The camera device captures a plurality of image frames representative of an outdoor environment and provides the same to the panel driver. A controller of the panel driver sends the image frames as a video signal to cause the window panel to visually output the same. The window panel may further include light panels, and the controller may extract light characteristics from the captured plurality of image frames to send signals to the light panels to cause the light panels to mimic outdoor lighting conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DPA VENTURES, INC.
    Inventors: Pooja Devendran, Partha Dutta, Saurabh Ullal, Anand Devendran, Kedar Gupta, Mark Pettus
  • Patent number: 11532672
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first electrode, a charge accumulating electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode, an isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first electrode and the charge accumulating electrode and surrounding the charge accumulating electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer formed in contact with the first electrode and above the charge accumulating electrode with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, and a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion layer. The isolation electrode includes a first isolation electrode and a second isolation electrode arranged with a space from the first isolation electrode, and the first isolation electrode is positioned between the first electrode and the second isolation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio Kaneda, Fumihiko Koga
  • Patent number: 11528412
    Abstract: An apparatus for stitching together multiple camera images to form a blended image having an output projection format. The apparatus is configured to convert each of the multiple camera images into the output projection format. It is configured to stitch together the converted images to form a single image. It is also configured to output the single image as the blended image having the output projection format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: James Andrew Hutchinson, Thomas Oscar Miller, Stephen John Barlow, Jack Stuart Haughton
  • Patent number: 11526969
    Abstract: A multi-spectrum based image fusion apparatus is disclosed, which includes a light acquisition device, an image processor, and an image sensor having five types of photosensitive channels. The five types of photosensitive channels including red, green and blue RGB channels, an infrared IR channel and a full-band W channel. The light acquisition device acquires target light corresponding to incident light. The image sensor converts the target light into an image signal through the RGB channels, the IR channel and the W channel. The image processor analyzes the image signal into RGB color signals and a brightness signal, and fuses the RGB color signals and the brightness signal to obtain a fused image. The collection of the channels based on which the RGB color signals and the brightness signal are obtained includes the five types of photosensitive channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HANGZHOU HIKIVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Meng Fan, Hai Yu, Shiliang Pu
  • Patent number: 11516384
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for operating system integrated image capture guidance are described herein. An indication may be received of an object to be captured for completing a transaction. Configuration data may be obtained for an image of the object. The configuration data may indicate an orientation of the object in the image. An image of the object may be obtained from an imaging sensor of a device. A discrepancy may be determined between the orientation of the object in the image using the configuration data. Orientation guidance may be generated that indicates repositioning of the object in the image. It may be determined that the discrepancy between the orientation of the object in the image has been eliminated. Capture guidance may be generated for output via the device based on a set of commands determined based on detection of an operating system executing on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventor: Katherine Anne Zagone
  • Patent number: 11516404
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a captured image obtained by capturing an image in an optical finder of an image capture device in a state in which AF frames are displayed on the optical finder, a display unit that displays the captured image and a UI (user interface) for selecting at least one AF frame from AF frames displayed on the captured image, and a transmitting unit that transmits, to the image capture device, information for specifying the at least one AF frame selected via the UI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Omori, Yoshikazu Kawai, Yosato Hitaka