Patents Examined by Quang V Le
  • Patent number: 8189038
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, polarization modulation, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. An alternating polarizer is used to modulate the projected image, and an electronic control circuit is described which can stabilize the alternating polarizer in both frequency and phase lock with a DLP visual signal (as an alternate embodiment, a frequency lock with a fixed phase offset may be employed). A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability, while an alternate embodiment allows this capability to be integrated into the design of new DLP based projection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Casimer M. DeCusatis, Timothy M. Trifilo
  • Patent number: 8089540
    Abstract: A method for reading data from a holographic storage medium is described. An image sensor is used for acquiring data. The holographic storage medium, which contains binary information in the form of at least one two-dimensional data page, is illuminated by means of a laser beam bundle and the retrieved data page is read out by means of the image sensor, for which purpose the latter is provided with an activatable area having a multiplicity of pixels. It achieves the object of configuring a method of this type in such a way that the read-out of the information is accelerated with a number of pixels remaining the same. For this purpose, the activatable area of the image sensor is subdivided into different regions which are in each case assigned to a region having a specific intensity of the light beam. In this case, a longer exposure time and/or a higher sensitivity are/is determined for regions assigned to regions having lower intensity than for regions assigned to regions having a higher intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Christof Ballweg, Joachim Knittel
  • Patent number: 8045012
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes: an image-pickup device for converting light into an electric signal and outputting a first image data; a transmitting unit for successively transmitting the first image data to an apparatus in the exterior of the image-pickup apparatus; and a storage unit for storing a second image data extracted from the first image data per frame unit under a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Miyanohara
  • Patent number: 8013928
    Abstract: An image pickup device includes a signal processing unit which processes a signal generated by separating a luminous signal into wavelength components of two or more colors by use of a sensor unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels to which a wavelength separating unit for separating light wavelengths is arranged at a front face of a photoelectric converting element which converts the luminous signal condensed by an optical lens unit into electric signals, wherein the optical lens unit includes at least one optical lens having different focusing positions in accordance with the wavelengths of the luminous signal, and the signal processing unit includes an outline signal generating unit which extracts an outline signal from an output signal of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Egawa
  • Patent number: 8009201
    Abstract: An image capture device includes an image pickup unit including a plurality of pixels and photoelectrically converting an object image by the plurality of pixels; a white balance control unit for performing a white balance correction processing on pixel signals from the image pickup unit; and a sensitivity changing unit for changing the sensitivity of photographing, wherein the white balance control unit performs the white balance correction processing such that, as the sensitivity increases, a response to the light source is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Takayama
  • Patent number: 8004579
    Abstract: A CCD Device of the type for providing charge gain by impact ionisation has a multiplication register. Gain provided by a subset of the elements of the multiplication register are independently controllable from other elements in the register. This enables the register to be used in one setting with the same gain applied to all elements and a different setting with a subset of elements arranged to provide a different gain. By comparing the two signals, the gain provided by each element and the register as a whole may be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Stanford Robbins
  • Patent number: 7995114
    Abstract: A method for providing image illumination calibration includes: generating a plurality of images of a calibration target at a plurality of exposure levels, each image of the plurality of images being represented by a total pixel area; identifying a plurality of zones of the total pixel area, each zone of the plurality of zones corresponding to a particular image of the plurality of images at a particular exposure level of the plurality of exposure levels, with each zone representing a pixel sub-area that excludes saturated pixels; combining the plurality of zones for the plurality of images of the calibration target to generate a final calibration image; and generating a shading table to correct the final calibration image to obtain a uniform image of the calibration target over the total pixel area, the shading table including gain and offset values associated with each pixel of the total pixel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael King, Mark Eric Miller
  • Patent number: 7995099
    Abstract: A blur correction mechanism includes: a first guide shaft extending in a first direction, the direction being a predetermined direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens groups; a base frame supporting the first guide shaft; a first correcting moving frame supported by the base frame so as to be movable in the first direction via the first guide shaft; a second guide shaft extending in a second direction orthogonal to both the optical axis and the first direction, and being supported by the first correcting moving frame; and a second correcting moving frame supported by the first correcting moving frame so as to be movable in the second direction via the second guide shaft, and holding the lens groups therein. The first guide shaft and the second guide shaft are positioned so as to be substantially coplanar in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Maeda
  • Patent number: 7995110
    Abstract: A scan conversion device includes a first buffer unit, a pixel packing unit, a second buffer unit, and a scan output unit. The first buffer unit stores therein pixel signals of the input image on every line in a main scanning direction thereof. The pixel packing unit groups N (N?2) pixel signals on each line into pixel signal packs according to a predetermined pixel combination rule, and outputs them sequentially. The second buffer unit stores therein the pixel signal packs and aligns them in a second main scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. The scan output unit sequentially outputs the pixel signal packs aligned in the second main scanning direction. According to this configuration, a scan pattern of the input image is changed into a scan pattern of outputting every N output lines in the second main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Morishita
  • Patent number: 7982776
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for eliminating image tearing effects and other visual artifacts perceived when scanning moving subject matter with a scanned beam imaging device. The system, method and apparatus uses a motion detection means in conjunction with an image processor to alter the native image to one without image tearing or other visual artifacts. The image processor monitors the motion detection means and reduces the image resolution or translates portions of the imaged subject matter in response to the detected motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Dunki-Jacobs, Michael P. Weir
  • Patent number: 7978225
    Abstract: An image recording/playback control apparatus includes a moving image capturing section capturing a moving image and generating moving image data; a still image capturing section capturing a still image and generating still image data; a still image information generation section generating still image information in which the moving image data and the still image data are associated with each other by an image-capturing time; moving and still image coding sections coding the moving and still image data, respectively; a recording section recording the coded moving and still image data; a separation section separating the coded moving and still image data; moving and still image decoding sections decoding the coded moving and still image data, respectively; a still image information indication section indicating the moving or still image data; a selection section selecting the moving and still image data; and a display control displaying the moving or still image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Tabuchi, Yuji Saitou, Takeshi Harada, Masahiro Takahashi, Mitsuo Okumura
  • Patent number: 7978220
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a rectangular optical member provided on an optical axis, a supporting member configured to support the optical member, and a rectangular vibrating device stuck to the optical member close to and in parallel with one of four sides of the optical member and configured to vibrate the optical member in a wave fashion having a predetermined wavelength to have a plurality of nodes parallel with the one side. A support position at which the optical member is supported by the supporting member at a side opposite the one side of the optical member is located inward from the opposite side by ¼ the predetermined wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshifumi Urakami, Shoji Kaihara
  • Patent number: 7969462
    Abstract: A user portable viewing device includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors for sensing a scene. A processing element combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis including an eye of the user and an input end of the first sensor for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors for generating sets of image data. An information processor receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Ostromek, Joseph P. Estrera, Jeffrey C. Short, Lee S. May, Jr., Bruce V. Hoodswain, Timothy B. Hogan
  • Patent number: 7969482
    Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, image data obtained by an image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined image processing, and an image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder screen based on the image data that has undergone the image processing. A specified color is determined based on color information included in a predetermined region of an image that is currently being displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen, and image processing parameters are produced so that color conversion is carried out on the image while eliminating color components of colors other than the determined specified color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7961234
    Abstract: The invention relates to electronic equipment. The equipment includes camera means for forming data from an object located in the imaging direction, in which case the said camera means include at least two camera units (CAM1, CAM2) and data-processing means, which are arranged to process the data formed using the camera means, in a manner corresponding to the currently selected imaging mode, to form image information. In the equipment, the mutual position of the camera units (CAM1, CAM2) relative to each other is arranged to be altered to correspond to the current imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarkko Viinikanoja, Marko Eromäki
  • Patent number: 7956917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor apparatus having a structure capable of obtaining digital values of signal components with a high accuracy using an A/D conversing circuit with the outputted digital value thereof having a small number of expressive bits. In the sensor apparatus, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to a photodiode is held by a holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. Meanwhile, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to an adjacent photodiode is held by another holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. The voltage values held by the respective different holding circuits are inputted to a subtracting circuit through different paths. The subtracting circuit outputs a voltage value corresponding to the difference between the two inputted voltage values. In an A/D converting section, the difference voltage outputted from the subtracting circuit is converted into a digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Mizuno, Haruhiro Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7952632
    Abstract: A camera device for recording an image comprises an image sensor having a plurality of light-sensitive image cells. The image cells can be selectively addressed in order to read their image signal values. The device also has a plurality of memory cells for storing identification codes, with an identification code being assigned to each image cell. The image cells and the memory cells are coupled to one another such that, when an image signal value is read from an image cell, the assigned identification code can also be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Schnaithmann
  • Patent number: 7948531
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided for reducing noise which is derived from random noise contained in a correction signal used for correcting an image data and is newly generated on correction of the image data. The imaging apparatus drives vertical transfer registers with no signal charge from photoelectric transducers read out to the vertical transfer registers to obtain and store a correction signal into a field memory. The apparatus subtracts the correction signal from the image data by a subtractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tanizoe, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yoshimasa Okabe, Hiromasa Funakoshi
  • Patent number: 7944473
    Abstract: A method of operating a handheld camera comprises sensing an image via an image sensor, controlling the sensing of the image via a camera manager, receiving predetermined data in the form of a card image, the card image read from a card by a card reader, rotating the card image in accordance with a skew of the card with respect to the card reader, manipulating the image via an image processing manager, and controlling printing of the manipulated image via a print manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7929031
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a feedback unit configured to perform first nonlinear conversion of a signal obtained by subtracting a value of a subtraction image signal from that of a current-frame image signal, and to obtain the next subtraction signal by subtracting a signal obtained by performing the first nonlinearly conversion from the current-frame image signal, and a noise reduction unit configured to perform second nonlinear conversion of a signal obtained by subtracting a value of the subtraction image signal from that of the current-frame image signal, and to obtain an output image signal by subtracting a signal obtained by performing the second nonlinear from the current-frame image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nakayama