Patents Examined by Sinh Tran
  • Patent number: 11689828
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Minagawa, Go Asayama
  • Patent number: 11689789
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a visualization device may include an image sensor, a lens for focusing light onto the image sensor, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a lateral wall surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating on the lateral wall surface. The coating may include at least one of an electrically-insulating layer and a light-blocking layer, and may be deposited on the lateral wall surface using, for example, physical vapor deposition (PVD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Adam Freeseman, Danielle Frankson, Benn Horrisberger, Kenneth Gunter, Mark D. Wood, Paul D. Aquilino, James P. Rohl, James A. Klos
  • Patent number: 11683455
    Abstract: A mobile device includes an image sensor separated from a processing component by an open space. The image sensor includes one or more light source modules and the processing component includes one or more light sensors aligned with the one or more light source modules. Image data from the image sensor may be transmitted to the processing component via light signals exchanged between the one or more light source modules and the one or more light sensors. In some embodiments, light signals transmitted between one or more light source modules of an image sensor and one or more light sensors of the processing component are used to determine positional and angular data about the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Neil MacKinnon
  • Patent number: 11671703
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image capturing, device that captures images of a first sensor that includes a first imaging modality, a second sensor that includes a first imaging modality and a third sensor that includes a second imaging modality. A controller connected with the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor, wherein the controller registers an image captured by the first sensor or the second sensor to an image captured by the third sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Unify Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Maziyar Askari Karchegani
  • Patent number: 11671689
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes at least one dual molded lens element. The dual molded lens element has a central axis, and includes a light transmitting portion and a light absorbing portion. The light transmitting portion includes an optical effective region and a lens peripheral region, and the lens peripheral region surrounds the optical effective region. A light absorbing portion surrounds the optical effective region. The light transmitting portion and the light absorbing portion are made of different plastic materials with different colors, and the light absorbing portion includes at least three gate portions surrounding the central axis, wherein all gate portions are located on the same surface of the dual molded lens element. The light transmitting portion and the light absorbing portion of the dual molded lens element are integrally formed by the injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Shun Chang, Ming-Ta Chou, Chun-Hua Tsai
  • Patent number: 11653081
    Abstract: An imaging method is provided that includes: taking an image of an object to generate an image signal of the object; generating a taken image of the object on a basis of the image signal; detecting motion information of the object on the basis of the image signal; taking an image of the object on a basis of the motion information multiple times so as to differentiate an exposure amount thereof and generating an HDR synthetic image of the object on the basis of a plurality of image signals whose exposure amounts are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimizu, Akira Ishiyama, Kazuhiko Yoshizawa, Yasunobu Hashimoto, Motoyuki Suzuki, Mitsunobu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11614822
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that includes a rear display and an electronic viewfinder and is excellent in operability to a touch panel when an electronic viewfinder is used. When a user performs a touch manipulation on a touch panel installed in a rear display in order to set a focus area, an effective detection area for detecting a touch position is different between when the rear display is used and when the electronic viewfinder is used. When the rear display is used, the effective detection area is set to coincide with the entire display screen, and when the electronic viewfinder is used, the effective detection area is set to be reduced to an area of a part of the display screen of the rear display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11601581
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus including a panel device including a plurality of image display pixels and a plurality of image sensing elements, wherein each image sensing element is disposed between the plurality of image display pixels, an optical element disposed on an upper portion of the panel device, wherein the plurality of image sensing elements are configured to sense an incident light through the optical element, a viewing zone adjusting assembly configured to adjust a field of view (FOV) of the plurality of image sensing elements, and a processor configured to control the viewing zone adjusting assembly to adjust the FOV of at least one image sensing element, and control the panel device to display an image generated based on the sensed incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaephil Koo, Donguk Kang, Seun Ryu, Sunghyun Jang
  • Patent number: 11575832
    Abstract: There is realized an imaging device that monitors a communication status or the like, and executes switching processing from an MSC mode to a PTP mode in a case where a pre-defined condition is satisfied. There is provided a control unit configured to execute switching processing between a PTP communication mode applied with a PTP protocol, and an MSC mode, which is a communication mode according to a mass storage class (MSC). For example, in a case where MSC mode communication processing has not been executed for a specified time or more, a case where a movement indicating start of image capturing is detected, or the like, the control unit executes switching processing from the MSC mode to the PTP mode. After switching to the PTP mode, it is possible to execute imaging by inputting an image capturing control command from a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Harada, Ryunosuke Oda
  • Patent number: 11570388
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a light shielding unit and a transfer transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit generates charges by photoelectrically converting light. The light shielding unit is formed by engraving a semiconductor substrate on which the photoelectric conversion unit is formed, so as to surround an outer periphery of the photoelectric conversion unit. The transfer transistor transfers charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. During a charge accumulation period in which charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, a potential that repels the charges is supplied to the light shielding unit and a gate electrode of the transfer transistor. During a charge transfer period in which charges are transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, a potential that repels the charges is supplied to the light shielding unit and a potential that attracts the charges is supplied to the gate electrode of the transfer transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 11558548
    Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding regions containing an element of interest in a sequence of images with a high resolution are provided. Such systems and methods can include a camera that can capture the sequence of images of a monitored region, a detection processor that can identify a first region that contains an element of interest within the sequence of images, and an encoder that can encode the first region within a first subset of the sequence of images with a first resolution and encode a second region within the first subset of the sequence of images outside of the first region with a second resolution that is less than the first resolution, wherein a number of the sequence of images in the first subset of the sequence of images is less than all of the sequence of images and is based on a predefined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ADEMCO INC.
    Inventors: Ting Li, Xiaoxiang Lin, Jun Wu
  • Patent number: 11539864
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera with a folded optics arrangement and include a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly to provide autofocus (AF) and/or optical image stabilization (OIS) movement. The camera with folded optics and the associated VCM actuator assembly have a first rotational normal mode of free vibration such that lenses of the camera rotate about an optical axis of the camera such that the rotational motion in the first rotational mode of free vibration is invisible from a perspective of an image sensor of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Brad V. Johnson, Alfred N. Mireault
  • Patent number: 11532652
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a counter electrode on the first surface; a first electrode on the second surface; a second electrode on the second surface, the second electrode being spaced from the first electrode; and an auxiliary electrode on the second surface between the first electrode and the second electrode. The auxiliary electrode is spaced from the first electrode and the second electrode, where a shortest distance between the first electrode and the auxiliary electrode is different from a shortest distance between the second electrode and the auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takase, Takayoshi Yamada, Tokuhiko Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11528439
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a dual conversion gain pixel to output a high conversion gain signal according to a high conversion gain and output a low conversion gain signal according to a low conversion gain, by adjusting a conversion gain; a scaler to scale a voltage level of the high conversion gain signal; a ramp generator to generate a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal, slopes of the first and second ramp signals being different from each other; a comparator to compare the scaled high conversion gain signal and the first ramp signal to output a first comparison result, and compare the low conversion gain signal and the second ramp signal to output a second comparison result; and a counter to output a first counting result value based on the first comparison result and output a second counting result value based on the second comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sunjung Kim, Sejun Kim, Hoyong Na, Seongyeop Park, Jihun Shin, Minwoo Lee, Youngtae Jang, Youngkyun Jeong, Jinkyeong Heo
  • Patent number: 11523077
    Abstract: An electronic device and a control method are provided. The electronic device includes a sensing pixel. The sensing pixel includes a photosensitive element, a first transistor, a second transistor and a third transistor. The first transistor is coupled to the photosensitive element and for receiving a reset signal. The second transistor is coupled to the photosensitive element. The third transistor is coupled to the second transistor and for receiving a scan signal. During a reset period, a reset signal waveform of the reset signal and a first scan signal waveform of the scan signal are at least partially overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Yuko Furui, Akihiro Iwatsu, Shuji Hagino
  • Patent number: 11516397
    Abstract: A camera module is provided, disposed in an electronic device, including a base, a holder, an image sensor, a bottom, and a first biasing element. The base is fixed to a casing of the electronic device. The holder is configured to hold an optical lens and connects to the base. The image sensor is supported by the bottom. The base is situated between the holder and the bottom. The first biasing element connects to the bottom and the base, and forces the bottom and the image sensor to move relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Hsien Fan, Yi-Liang Chan
  • Patent number: 11503189
    Abstract: A camera includes a lens, an image sensor, and a display. The lens and the image sensor are configured to capture images. The display may include an array of lights that are selectively illuminable to display the graphics. The lights may be arranged in a grid with each of the lights forming a pixel of the display. The display is hidden from view when not illuminated and displays graphics when illuminated. The camera may include a body that hides the display from view when not illuminated and permits light from the display to pass therethrough when illuminated. The body may include an elastomeric, light-permeable outer layer through which light from the display passes. The body may have a first side having the lens and on which the display displays the graphics. The camera may include a second display on a second side of the body facing opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Yui, Clark Weber, John George Muhlenkamp, IV, Huy Phuong Nguyen, Grant Adam McCauley
  • Patent number: 11503237
    Abstract: Provided are a solid state imaging device, an imaging apparatus, and an imaging method that may acquire a desired image without using a frame memory. The solid state imaging device includes: a sensor unit that generates pulses at a frequency in accordance with a frequency of photon reception; a count unit that generates an image signal by counting the number of signals generated from the sensor unit; and a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on a count value obtained in acquisition of a first image signal, and the count unit combines a second image signal and a value obtained by performing a predetermined process on the count value obtained in the acquisition of the first image signal to generate a third image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuma Sakato, Yohei Horikawa
  • Patent number: 11483458
    Abstract: A camera module is provided. A camera module according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a lens barrel accommodating a lens; a lens holder accommodating the lens barrel; an image sensor disposed under the lens barrel; and a printed circuit board having an image sensor mounted thereon and coupled to the lens holder, wherein the lens barrel and the lens holder are primarily coupled to each other in a state where an optical axis of the lens and an optical axis of the image sensor are aligned, and are secondarily coupled to each other in the primarily coupled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwang Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 11477401
    Abstract: In an imaging device according to the present disclosure, during a period in which a signal from an amplifier transistor is output from a pixel via a select transistor, the gate voltage of the capacitance addition transistor changes frons the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL, and the amount of voltage change per time until the gate voltage changes from the first voltage VH to the second voltage VL is smaller than the amount of voltage change per unit time until the gate voltage changes from the second voltage VL to the first voltage VH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Masaki Sato