Patents Examined by Michael Osinski
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Patent number: 9892487Abstract: A signal processing circuit, a method of processing an image, and an imaging device are disclosed. In one example of the present disclosure, the signal processing circuit includes image processing circuitry configured to receive a first set of signals corresponding to linear pixels in an array of pixels, receive a second set of signals corresponding to logarithmic pixels in the array of pixels, perform a linear pixel interpolation using the first set of signals to determine a linear rgb value associated with a given pixel in the array of pixels, perform a logarithmic pixel interpolation using the second set of signals to determine a logarithmic RGB value associated with the given pixel in the array of pixels, and combine the linear rgb value and the logarithmic RGB value to generate a combined pixel value associated with the given pixel in the array of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Ping Wah Wong
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Patent number: 9877004Abstract: When a color-filter-array of a color-imaging-element is a Bayer-array, outputs of pixels prior to color-mixture correction are acquired from the color imaging element when red light is incident onto the color-imaging-element through a photography optical system, the outputs of the green pixels adjacent to the red pixels, among the acquired outputs of each pixel, are regarded as components of color mixture caused by the red pixels, and ratios of color mixture are calculated. In a central portion of an imaging surface of the color-imaging-element, ratios of color mixture, which do not depend on directions of the color mixture caused by the red pixels, are calculated. In end portions of the imaging surface of the color-imaging-element, separate ratios of color mixture according to the directions of the color mixture caused by the red pixels are respectively calculated. The calculated ratios of color mixture are subjected to interpolation calculation.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Arito Sawadaishi, Hayato Yamashita
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Patent number: 9871972Abstract: An auto exposure control system includes a mean statistics unit that generates a weighted mean brightness value for an image array; a target control unit that determines a target brightness value according to an ambient status that is determined in accordance with an ambient light value, wherein, in one embodiment, the weighted mean brightness value is used as the ambient light value; a stabilization unit that generates stabilization control signals for the target control unit according to the ambient light value and ambient status information provided by the target control unit; and an exposure value control unit that computes a desired exposure value by comparing the target brightness value with the weighted mean brightness value and determines an exposure command according to the desired exposure value.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignees: Himax Imaging Limited, Himax Technologies LimitedInventors: Po-Chang Chen, Po-Fang Chen, Wei-Chieh Yang
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Patent number: 9871966Abstract: A photographing device may reduce additional consumption of memory capacity and power and capture high resolution images. A method of controlling the photographing device includes storing first resolution input images acquired from live view images in a buffer; storing, according to an input of a time point, a second resolution input image acquired at the time point from the live view images in the buffer; and generating a result image based on the second resolution input image when the second resolution input image, which is stored within a threshold time from a photography command reception time point, is found in the buffer, and generating at least one of the stored first resolution image images as the result image when the second resolution input image, which is stored within the threshold time from the photography command reception time point, is not found in the buffer.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yeong-rok Lee, Hyun-seok Hong, Sahng-gyu Park, Tae-hee Lee
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Patent number: 9871965Abstract: A signal processing chain implements wide dynamic range (WDR) multi-frame processing including receiving raw image signals from a WDR sensor including a plurality of frames including a first frame including first exposure time pixel data and a second frame including second exposure time pixel data. Statistics for camera control are generated including first statistics for the first pixel data and second statistics for the second pixel data. The first and second pixel data are merged using WDR merge algorithm in a WDR merge block which utilizes the first and second statistics to generate a raw higher bit width single frame image. The single frame image is post-processed in post-processing block using at least a defect pixel correction algorithm, and at least a portion of tone mapping is performed on the single frame image after the post-processing to provide an output toned mapped image.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Shashank Dabral, Mihir Narendra Mody, Gang Hua, Anthony Lell, Niraj Nandan, Rajashekhar Allu
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Patent number: 9869840Abstract: A disposable lens applied to electronic operation device for recognition includes a substrate, a lens and a fix adhesive. It is only necessary for the user to fix the disposable lens to the electronic operation device provided with an image-capturing unit and enable the image-capturing unit to align with a recognized unit to be recognized through the lens, such that the image of the recognized unit is expanded through the lens through optical properties. Thus, the image signal captured by the image-capturing unit is clearer, and then processed by the electronic operation device. Not only compactness with portability enabling the user to recognize the recognized unit immediately, but also the effect of low-priced material are provided due to simple structure of the disposable lens of the present invention. Thereby, relative advantages in volume, convenience and cost are all obtained.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventors: Ming-Jui Li, Chia-Iun Tsai
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Patent number: 9866770Abstract: In time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) imaging, a charge-couple device (CCD) integrates and transfers charge across its columns. Unfortunately, the limited well depth of the CCD limits the dynamic range of the resulting image. Fortunately, TDI imaging can be implemented with a digital focal plane array (DFPA) that includes a detector, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and counter in each pixel and transfer circuitry connected adjacent pixels. During each integration period in the TDI scan, each detector in the DFPA generates a photocurrent that the corresponding ADC turns into digital pulses, which the corresponding counter counts. Between integration periods, the DFPA transfers the counts from one column to the next, just like in a TDI CCD. The DFPA also non-destructively transfers some or all of the counts to a separate memory. A processor uses these counts to estimate photon flux and correct any rollovers caused by “saturation” of the counters.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Curtis B. Colonero, Michael W. Kelly, Megan H. Blackwell, Lauren L. White
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Patent number: 9856856Abstract: An automated system for mitigating risk from a wind farm. The automated system may include an array of a plurality of image capturing devices independently mounted in a wind farm. The array may include a plurality of low resolution cameras and at least one high resolution camera. The plurality of low resolution cameras may be interconnected and may detect a spherical field surrounding the wind farm. A server is in communication with the array of image capturing devices. The server may automatically analyze images to classify an airborne object captured by the array of image capturing devices in response to receiving the images.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: IdentiFlight International, LLCInventors: Eric S. Wenger, Andrew G. Oliver, Victor L. Babbitt, Thomas R. Hiester
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Patent number: 9858689Abstract: A computer-implemented method of performing image reconstruction with sequential cycle-spinning includes a computer system acquiring an input signal comprising k-space data using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device and initializing an estimate of a sparse signal associated with the input signal. The computer system selects one or more orthogonal wavelet transforms corresponding to a wavelet family and performs an iterative reconstruction process to update the estimate of the sparse signal over a plurality of iterations. During each iteration, one or more orthogonal wavelet transforms are applied to the estimate of the sparse signal to yield one or more orthogonal domain signals, the estimate of the sparse signal is updated by applying a non-convex shrinkage function to the one or more orthogonal domain signals, and a shift to the orthogonal wavelet transforms. Following the iterative reconstruction process, the computer system generates an image based on the estimate of the sparse signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Boris Mailhe, Alexander Ruppel, Qiu Wang, Mariappan S. Nadar
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Patent number: 9860436Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James A. Howard, Eric S. Lee, Hugh W. Johnson, James C. Dovey, Gregory R. Chapman, James D. Batson, George E. Williams, Walker J. Eagleston, Gregory B. Novick, Chanaka G. Karunamuni
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Patent number: 9854180Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera includes an image sensor within a camera housing that converts light entering the camera housing through an optical filter into digital image data. The optical filter can have a variable opacity. A processor in communication with the image sensor identifies operation settings for the optical filter and adjusts an opacity level of the optical filter over an exposure period in accordance with the operation settings for the optical filter. In addition, the processor modifies values of the digital image data based at least on the operation settings for the optical filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: RED.COM, LLCInventors: Anthony Wayne Davis, Robert Rose, Thomas Graeme Nattress, Peter Jarred Land, James H. Jannard
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Patent number: 9843711Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing device includes an imaging element, a lens and an image processor. Light passes through the lens toward the imaging element. A relative position of the imaging element and the lens is changeable. The image processor acquires a first image and a second image. The image processor derives a first stored image by adding at least a portion of the second image to the first image. The first image is captured by the imaging element when the relative position is in a first range. The second image is captured by the imaging element when the relative position is in a second range different from the first range.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Nao Mishima, Takeshi Mita, Yusuke Moriuchi
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Patent number: 9838589Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an exchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body transmits a synchronizing signal having the same cycle as the cycle of the capturing operation in the imaging unit, to the interchangeable lens. The controller of the exchangeable lens performs a zoom tracking control by determining the focus position of the focus lens from the position of the zoom lens detected by the position detector by referring to the relation information, and controlling the focus lens driver to move the focus lens to the determined focus position, The controller performs the zoom tracking control in a cycle (for example, one-eighth) shorter than a cycle indicated by the synchronizing signal received from the camera body.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Naotaka Kishida, Yasuhiro Shingu
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Patent number: 9832368Abstract: A camera invocation gesture to access a first camera on a mobile device is received by the mobile device. Responsive to receiving the camera invocation gesture, a second camera on the mobile device is utilized to ascertain a context associated with whether a user likely intends to take a picture. If the mobile device ascertains that the user likely intends to take a picture, the mobile device can be placed in an operational picture mode in which pictures can be or can continue to be taken and saved on the mobile device. If the mobile device ascertains, from the context associated with the second camera, that the user likely does not intend to take a picture, then any pictures that are or were taken can be saved and the user can be prompted as to whether they wish to delete the pictures.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLCInventors: Amit Kumar Agrawal, Mayank Gupta
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Patent number: 9832326Abstract: In certain embodiments, a mobile device having a digital camera captures a camera image, locally stores the camera image, automatically assigns the camera image to a session based on the camera image being captured during a particular time range, and provides, for display on a display screen of the mobile device, a session specific image manager pane together with a live camera sensor view in a graphical user interface, the session specific image manager pane including data representative of the camera image assigned to the session.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventors: Heath Stallings, James Y. Hwang, Shadman Zafar
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Transmission apparatus, setting apparatus, transmission method, reception method, and storage medium
Patent number: 9832384Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a reception unit and a superposition unit. The reception unit receives a parameter for setting a superposition mode in which superposition information is superposed on an image picked up by an image pickup unit from a setting apparatus. The superposition unit (i) selects, in accordance with the parameter received by the reception unit, one of a first superposition mode in which the superposition information is superposed on a predetermined position on a display screen of the picked-up image and a second superposition mode in which the superposition information is superposed on a position of the picked-up image in accordance with a change in the picked-up image displayed on the display screen and (ii) superposes the superposition information on the picked-up image.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Iwasaki -
Patent number: 9826143Abstract: A mobile terminal including a touchscreen; a camera; and a controller configured to display a first graphic object on the touchscreen that is linked with an image capture function for capturing an image through the camera, execute the image capture function in response to a first touch input applied to the graphic object, and execute both the image capture function and a linked function corresponding to the image capture function in response to a second touch input applied to the graphic object.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yunmi Kwon, Kiseon Lee
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Patent number: 9819882Abstract: The present invention provides a pixel circuit comprising a pinned photodiode, at least one first transfer gate for electrically connecting the pinned photodiode to at least one storage node and at least one further transfer gate. The at least one further gate can connect the at least one storage node with at least one floating diffusion node. At least one merging switch is included for allowing connection between the at least one floating diffusion node with one or more capacitor nodes, which can accept charge that exceeds the maximum storage capacity of the storage node.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: CAELESTE CVBAInventors: Bart Dierickx, Jiaqi Zhu, Ajit Kumar Kalgi, Qiang Yao, Koen Liekens, Gaozhan Cai, Bert Luyssaert, Dirk Van Aken, Peng Gao
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Patent number: 9800805Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a frequency selective imager. In particular, the frequency selective imager includes an array of pixels arranged in a focal plane array. Each pixel includes at least one nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction that is formed between nanowires of different compositions. When a nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction senses a photon, the nanoparticle-sized diameter thermoelectric junction emits an electrical pulse voltage that is proportional to an energy level of the sensed photon. In one or more embodiments, the frequency selective imager is a frequency selective optical imager that is used to sense photons having optical frequencies. In at least one embodiment, at least one of the nanowires in the frequency selective imager is manufactured from a compound material including Bismuth (Bi) and Tellurium (Te).Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Jeffrey H. Hunt
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Patent number: 9791674Abstract: Some embodiments include a fixed chassis structure and a moveable carriage body carrying one or more lenses. The fixed chassis structure includes a magnetic friction track. The moveable carriage body carries one or more lenses. An electrically-controllable magnet is mounted to the moveable carriage body for generating a magnetic attraction force between the magnet and the magnetic friction track. The moveable carriage body is movably mounted to the chassis to allow movement along an optical axis through the one or more lenses. An inertial actuator is mounted to the moveable carriage body in an alignment such that the axis of motion of the actuator is parallel to the optical axis through the one or more lenses. The moveable carriage body is held in place with respect to the at least one allowed degree of freedom by one or more friction forces resulting from the magnetic attraction force.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Richard J. Topliss, Richard H. Tsai, Albert A. Ho, Thomas M. Gregory