Patents Examined by Mark T Monk
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Patent number: 11245865Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Sen-Huang Huang, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Patent number: 11245856Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method and apparatus. The image processing method includes receiving an image including frames captured over time in a light environment including an alternating current (AC) light, extracting AC pixels corresponding to the AC light from pixels in the image, estimating visual spaces of the AC pixels based on values of the AC pixels in the frames, estimating information of the AC light included in the image based on the visual spaces, and processing the image based on the information of the AC light.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business FoundationInventors: Jong Ok Kim, Jun Sang Yoo
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Patent number: 11245825Abstract: A dual camera assembly, an electronic apparatus and a method of acquiring an image are provided. The dual camera assembly includes: a first camera lens and a second camera lens; a first sensor configured for receiving light that has passed through the first camera lens; a liquid crystal light valve and a polarizer which are on a side, which is close to the first camera lens, of the first sensor. The polarizer is on a side, which is close to the first sensor, of the liquid crystal light valve, and liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal light valve are rotatable.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignees: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei Li, Yi Yang, Hongyang Yu, Jiaxing Chen, Shuai Gao, Meng Shi
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Patent number: 11240454Abstract: An image sensor includes a source follower coupled to a photodiode to generate an image signal responsive to photogenerated charge. The image signal is received by image readout circuitry through a row select transistor. A reset transistor resets the photogenerated charge. A first node of mode select circuit is coupled to the reset transistor, a second node is coupled to a pixel supply voltage, and a third node is coupled to an event driven circuit. The mode select circuit couples the first node to the second node during an imaging mode to supply the pixel supply voltage to the reset transistor. The mode select circuit is further configured to couple the first node to the third node during an event driven mode to couple a photocurrent of the photodiode to drive the event driven circuit through the reset transistor to detect changes in the photocurrent.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Zhe Gao, Tiejun Dai
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Patent number: 11237388Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus that displays the camera captured image via the spin window on the display and the condition of the travel direction even in the bad weather can be more reliably checked. The image processing apparatus includes a camera that captures an image via the spin window, an image processor that generates a display image, and a display that displays the generated image by the image processor. The image processing apparatus further includes a pulse light output unit, and the camera includes a first camera and a second camera that capture images at timings after elapse of different times from a pulse light output timing of the pulse light output unit. The respective cameras capture images of different spaces, and the image processor generates a differential image between the images captured by the respective cameras and displays the differential image on the display.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Eiji Oba, Tsuyoshi Toukairin
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Patent number: 11233968Abstract: A CMOS image sensor comprises an array of pixels. A column of the pixel array is coupled to a readout column. The readout column is couple to a readout circuitry (RC) that reads out image data from the pixel array. The RC comprises a sampling switch which is coupled to a 1-column successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The 1-column SAR ADC comprises a differential comparator, a local SAR control, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The sampling switch is coupled between a readout column and a non-inverting input of the differential comparator. An image readout method reads one pixel with two conversions through the RC. The RC is operated by the local SAR control to set the DAC based on comparator output, and upon which a reset digital value is obtained and stored. An overall reduced algorithm calculation is achieved herein.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Oyvind Janbu, Tore Martinussen
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Patent number: 11233948Abstract: The disclosure provides an exposure control method, an exposure control device, an electronic device and a computer readable storage medium. The method includes: determining a target exposure for an image to be captured based on ambient light luminance; determining an exposure time for the image to be captured based on the target exposure and a preset photo-sensibility for the image to be captured; in response to determining that the exposure time for the image to be captured is greater than an upper limit, updating the exposure time for the image to be captured based on the upper limit; and performing an exposure control based on the exposure time and the photo-sensibility for the image to be captured.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: SHENZHEN HEYTAP TECHNOLOGY CORP., LTD.Inventor: Gong Zhang
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Patent number: 11216978Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for a system and method for recalibrating an augmented reality experience in mobile devices using a plurality of physical markers. The system and methods provide for realigning the digital representation to the physical world using known physical locations associated with the physical markers that map directly to the digital representation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLCInventors: Geoffrey Dagley, Stephen Wylie, Jason Hoover, Micah Price, Qiaochu Tang
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Patent number: 11218654Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising: a first signal transfer unit group having a plurality of signal transfer units which transfer digital signals to a first common output line from a first holding circuit group; and a second signal transfer unit group having a plurality of signal transfer units which transfer digital signals to a second common output line from a second holding circuit group, wherein each of the plurality of signal transfer units is capable of transiting to a second state in which current consumption is less than current consumption in a first state, and, in a predetermined period, a number of the signal transfer units in the second state increases in the first signal transfer unit group and a number of the signal transfer units in the second state decreases in the second signal transfer unit group.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanori Suzuki, Satoshi Kato, Keigo Nakazawa
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Patent number: 11204432Abstract: A photon counting device includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert input light to charge, and an amplifier configured to amplify the charge converted by the photoelectric conversion element and convert the charge to a voltage, an A/D converter configured to convert the voltages output from the amplifiers of the plurality of pixels to digital values; and a conversion unit configured to convert the digital value output from the A/D converter to the number of photons by referring to reference data, for each of the plurality of pixels, and the reference data is created based on a gain and an offset value for each of the plurality of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Tadashi Maruno, Eiji Toda, Mao Nakajima, Teruo Takahashi, Takafumi Higuchi
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Patent number: 11202024Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a wide dynamic range and a stable black level without decreasing frame rate comprises a pixel unit including pixels, a read out unit for reading out the noise signal from each pixel and to amplify the noise signal by a first gain to generate a first noise signal, reads out the pixel signal and amplifies the pixel signal by the first gain and a second gain to generate a first and a second pixel signal, a first memory unit for storing a second noise signal generated by amplifying, by the second gain, the noise signal read out from a pixel of a predetermined row, and a subtraction unit for subtracting the first noise signal from the first pixel signal and to subtract the second noise signal stored in the first memory unit from the second pixel signal, while sequentially reading out signals from each pixel.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takenori Kobuse, Yusuke Yamashita
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Patent number: 11196950Abstract: An image sensor has an array of pixels, each pixel having an associated shutter transistor coupled to transfer a charge dependent on light exposure of the pixel onto an image storage capacitor, the image-storage capacitors being configured to be read into an analog to digital converter. The shutter transistors are P-type transistors in N-wells, the wells held at an analog power voltage to reduce sensitivity of pixels to dark current; in an alternative embodiment the shutter transistors are N-type transistors in P-wells, the wells held at an analog ground voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keiji Mabuchi, Sohei Manabe, Lindsay Grant
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Patent number: 11190719Abstract: A first input receiving a voltage to be sampled formed by a terminal of a sampling capacitor. An amplifier has a first input connected to another terminal of the sampling capacitor and a second input connected to a reference voltage. The amplifier is supplied by a power supply configured to deliver a reduced current and to supply the amplifier in a first condition during a first period, deliver a rated current and to supply the amplifier in a second condition during a second period, the reduced current being lower than the rated current. During the first period, the first and second inputs of the amplifier are short-circuited.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: LYNREDInventor: Gilbert Decaens
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Patent number: 11186234Abstract: Vehicle sensor systems include modular sensor kits having one or more pods (e.g., sensor roof pods) and/or one or more bumpers (e.g., sensor bumpers). The sensor roof pods are configured to couple to a vehicle. A sensor roof pod may be positioned atop a vehicle proximate a front of the vehicle, proximate a back of the vehicle, or at any position along a top side of the vehicle being coupled, for example, using a mounting shim or a tripod. The sensor roof pods can include sensors (e.g., LIDAR sensors, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, etc.), processing units, control systems (e.g., temperature and/or environmental control systems), and communication devices (e.g., networking and/or wireless devices).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: CYNGN, INC.Inventors: Ain McKendrick, Michael W. Lowe, Andrea Mariotti, Pranav Bajoria, Akash Joshi
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Patent number: 11184521Abstract: A focus detection apparatus configured to perform a focus detection using a pixel signal obtained by photoelectrically converting light passing through different pupil areas in an imaging optical system includes an acquirer configured to acquire the pixel signal, a signal generator configured to generate a plurality of focus detection signals corresponding to the different pupil areas using the pixel signal, and a focus detector configured to calculate a detected defocus amount based on the plurality of focus detection signals, and to calculate a corrected defocus amount by correcting the detected defocus amount based on a phase transfer function corresponding to the different pupil areas.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Fukuda
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Patent number: 11184536Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a dual camera unit and a device, the dual camera unit includes a first camera, a second camera and a driving component. The second camera is movable relative to the first camera. The method includes determining whether current ambient-light intensity reaches a preset threshold; controlling the driving component to deform, thereby to drive the second camera to move and change the distance between the first camera and the second camera to a first preset distance, when the current ambient-light intensity fails to reach the preset threshold; controlling the first camera and the second camera to be in a first imaging mode corresponding to the first preset distance; and controlling the first camera and the second camera to shoot in the first imaging mode, and outputting a first image in the first imaging mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.Inventor: Yuanqing Zeng
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Patent number: 11178317Abstract: Compact camera heads as used in inspection systems having improved thermal extraction architectures are disclosed. Methods for assembling a camera head and associated components having improved thermal extraction architectures are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Alexander L. Warren, Mark S. Olsson
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Patent number: 11172157Abstract: Techniques are described for digital conversion of pixel signals in a CMOS image sensor (CIS). The CIS includes column-parallel analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), each having a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) supporting N gain settings. Each ADC can execute, for each gain setting (Gn) of the N gain settings, a respective reset phase conversion to obtain a respective baseline offset (BOn) associated with the Gn. A pre-decision value can be determined as a function of a pixel signal, the pre-decision value corresponding to a selected one of the gain settings (Gs). The pixel signal can be converted by using the pre-decision value to set a gain of the PGA to the Gs and obtaining a signal offset (SO). A digital pixel output can be computed for the pixel signal as a function of the SO and the BOs, wherein the BOs is the BOn corresponding to the Gs.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: SHENZHEN GOODIX TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Xiaodong Wang
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Patent number: 11172156Abstract: An image sensor includes a photosensitive sensor, a floating diffusion node, a reset transistor, and a source follower transistor. The reset transistor comprises a first source/drain coupled to the floating diffusion node and a second source/drain coupled to a first voltage source. The source follower transistor comprises a gate coupled to the floating diffusion node and a first source/drain coupled to the second source/drain of the reset transistor. A first elongated contact contacts the second source/drain of the reset transistor and the first source/drain of the source follower transistor. The first elongated contact has a first dimension in a horizontal cross-section and a second dimension in the horizontal cross-section. The second dimension is perpendicular to the first dimension, and the second dimension is less than the first dimension.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Chia Chun-Wei, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee
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Patent number: 11172143Abstract: This invention enables one to check flicker of a HFR image signal. A display image signal of a first frame rate for flicker check is obtained on the basis of an image signal of a second frame rate. For example, the display image signal of the first frame rate is generated from the image signal of the second frame rate by a frame thinning process. In this case, a frame to be thinned is determined from a relationship between the second frame rate and a light source frequency. For example, the number of frames to be a flicker period is obtained from the second frame rate and the light source frequency, and the frame to be thinned is determined so that continuous frames of the number of frames to be the flicker period are present.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Sohhei Okada
