Patents Examined by Sinh Tran
  • Patent number: 10708523
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device configured to sequentially perform AD conversion for A signals of pixels of the first row, A signals of pixels of the second row, A+B signals of the pixels of the first row, and A+B signals of the pixels of the second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Ochiai, Katsuhito Sakurai, Atsushi Furubayashi
  • Patent number: 10687003
    Abstract: A pixel array for use in a high dynamic range image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the pixel array. Each one of the pixels includes a linear subpixel and a log subpixel disposed in a semiconductor material. The linear subpixel is coupled to generate a linear output signal having a linear response, and the log subpixel is coupled to generate a log output signal having a logarithmic response in response to the incident light. A bitline is coupled to the linear subpixel and to the log subpixel to receive the linear output signal and the log output signal. The bitline is one of a plurality of bitlines coupled to the plurality of pixels. Each one of the plurality of bitlines is coupled to a corresponding grouping of the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiji Mabuchi, Dyson H. Tai, Oray Orkun Cellek, Duli Mao, Sohei Manabe
  • Patent number: 10681275
    Abstract: A digital photographing method and apparatus include determining a motion vector of an object in a preview image, determining whether the motion vector meets a predetermined condition and, when it does, generating an image capturing signal to photograph a scene desired by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-yun Lee
  • Patent number: 10666841
    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: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance Adam Freeseman, Danielle Frankson, Benn Horrisberger, Kenneth Gunter, Mark D. Wood, Paul Daniel Aquilino, James P. Rohl, James A. Klos
  • Patent number: 10659700
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mobile terminal and a method for filling light for same, and relates to the field of electronic technologies. The method includes: upon receiving an activating instruction for a target camera, activating the target camera; displaying an image acquired by the target camera on a display screen which is located on a surface different from a surface where the target camera is located; detecting brightness of present ambient light, and in response to that the brightness of the present ambient light is less than a preset brightness threshold, illuminating the display screen on the same surface where the target camera is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: HISENSE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., HISENSE USA CORPORATION, HISENSE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peng Jiang, Xing Yang, Qi He
  • Patent number: 10652460
    Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing device configured to perform image capturing through multiple magnification-variable optical systems, which face in mutually different directions, to acquire multiple images to be continuously joined together, a controller configured to control magnification-varying operations of the respective magnification-variable optical systems to set field angles thereof, a main body holding the multiple magnification-variable optical systems, and a protrusion detector configured to detect a protruding member. The controller is configured to perform, depending on a detection result of the protrusion detector, a field angle setting process for setting the field angles of the respective magnification-variable optical systems such that the detected protruding member is not included in all the field angles of the magnification-variable optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiko Masuki
  • Patent number: 10643308
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-local means denoising of images. For example, methods may include receiving an image from an image sensor; determining a set of non-local means weights for the image; applying the set of non-local means weights to the image to obtain a first denoised image; applying the set of non-local means weights to the first denoised image to obtain a second denoised image; and storing, displaying, or transmitting an output image based on the second denoised image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno César Douady-Pleven, Thomas Nicolas Emmanuel Veit, Marc Lebrun
  • Patent number: 10644049
    Abstract: In an imaging device, a photoelectric converter of a first pixel and a photoelectric converter of a second pixel are arranged along a first direction. At least part of a charge accumulation portion of the first pixel is disposed between the photoelectric converter of the first pixel and the photoelectric converter of the second pixel. An exit surface of a light guiding path of the first pixel is longer in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in plan view than in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekine, Yusuke Onuki, Kazunari Kawabata
  • Patent number: 10630888
    Abstract: A method of selecting capture configuration based on scene analysis and an image capturing device are provided. The method includes analyzing by a processor, a scene currently being captured by an image capturing device having a plurality of imaging sensors, identifying a current image capturing mode of the image capturing device, setting at least one capture parameter for the plurality of the imaging sensors, upon determining that the at least one capture parameter of the current image capturing mode has to be changed, and determining a timing sequence for triggering the plurality of imaging sensors to capture a plurality of image frames based on the set at least one capture parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sankaranarayanan Parameswaran, Sandeep Jana, Ankit Dhiman, Narasimba Gopalakrishna Pai, Lokesh Rayasandra Boregowda, Santle Camilus
  • Patent number: 10630866
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an imager and one or more processors operable with the imager. The imager captures at least one image of a plurality of persons. The one or more processors blur depictions of one or more persons of the plurality of persons until a reveal permission instruction is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Amitkumar Balar, James Wylder, Jarrett Simerson, Thomas Merrell
  • Patent number: 10627706
    Abstract: An apparatus has a left handle, a right handle, an adjustable chamber operably attached to the left handle and the right handle, and one or more adjustable members positioned within the adjustable chamber. The adjustable chamber receives a mobile computing device that performs image capture. Further, the one or more adjustable members retract so that the mobile computing device fits within the adjustable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: iOgrapher, LLC
    Inventors: David Basulto, Dale Woiken
  • Patent number: 10630926
    Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit for use in an imager includes a differential amplifier and a feedback circuit. The differential amplifier is coupled to an output line for receiving an output signal associated with the voltage level of a floating diffusion region in a pixel of the imager and configured to detect when a reset signal received from the pixel drops below a predetermined level. The feedback circuit is configured to increase the reset signal when the output signal is lower than the clamp voltage, thereby keeping the reset signal at the constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HIMAX IMAGING LIMITED
    Inventors: Youngchul Sohn, Kwangoh Kim, Amit Mittra
  • Patent number: 10623647
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a detection unit configured to detect a touch operation performed on a display unit that is arranged out of a viewfinder, and a control unit configured to perform control such that, in a case where an object image is visible via the viewfinder, in accordance with detection of a start of touching at a first position on the display unit by the detection unit, the display unit displays that an item at the first position was touched, and in accordance with a touch position movement operation that satisfies a predetermined condition being performed after the first position was touched, an in-finder display unit that is visible via the viewfinder displays that a setting of a predetermined setting item is changed according to movement of a touch position from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichiro Ishitsuka
  • Patent number: 10623676
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel that outputs a pixel signal corresponding to incident light; a comparator that compares the pixel signal with a reference signal and generates an output signal that indicates a comparison result; a counter that generates a digital signal corresponding to the pixel signal by counting the number of periods until the output signal is inverted, the counter including first to fourth counter parts, each of which corresponds to one of bits included in the digital signal; a memory that stores the digital signal, the memory including first to fourth memory parts corresponding to the first to fourth counter parts; and first and second lines. The first and third counter parts are respectively connected to the first and third memory parts through the first line. The second and fourth counter parts are respectively connected to the second and fourth memory parts through the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenari Kanehara, Norihiko Sumitani
  • Patent number: 10623640
    Abstract: A method and system for detection of contaminants present on a lens of an imaging device is disclosed. An input image received from an imaging device is split into a plurality of patches of predefined size and a kurtosis value calculated for each and compared with a median kurtosis value. Patches having kurtosis value less than the median kurtosis value are selected. Based on comparison of a first maximum likelihood of the selected patches with a predefined threshold, one or more selected patches are stored. Such patches are split into a top and a bottom portion for processing based on discrete wavelet transform and singular value decomposition, respectively. The top and the bottom portion are merged patches for which a second maximum likelihood is greater than a second predefined threshold, are stored. Further, contaminants in the image are classified into predefined categories based on one or more image features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventors: Vivek Akkala, Parth Nayankumar Parikh, Mahesh Kumar B S, Ajinkya S. Deshmukh, Swarup S. Medasani
  • Patent number: 10616522
    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: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Minagawa, Go Asayama
  • Patent number: 10616487
    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: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Chen-Hsien Fan, Yi-Liang Chan
  • Patent number: 10607315
    Abstract: The present invention relate to an optical apparatus to capture images of a wide-angle scene with a single camera having a continuous panomorph zoom distortion profile. When combined with a processing unit, the hybrid zoom system creates an output image with constant resolution while allowing continuous adjustment in the magnification and field of view of the image without interpolation like a digital zoom system or without any moving parts like an optical zoom system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ImmerVision, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Roulet, Jocelyn Parent, Xavier Dallaire, Pierre Konen, Pascale Nini
  • Patent number: 10602083
    Abstract: In an image sensor, some pixels in an array contain a sampling circuit to sample the light intensity and a capacitor to store an analog value representing the intensity at that pixel. Alternatively, a group of pixel circuits will be equipped with such sampling and capacitor circuits. This allows simple redundancy-reducing computations with a relatively simple pixel architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Insightness AG
    Inventors: Raphael Berner, Christian Brändli
  • Patent number: 10602070
    Abstract: Imaging systems and a method of generating an image. One example of an imaging system includes a detection subsystem including a focal plane array (FPA) coupled to a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the ROIC being configured to activate a portion of the FPA in a selected pattern during an integration period, an optical scanning subsystem including an optical source and a waveguide, the waveguide being configured to direct optical radiation generated by the optical source within a field of view of the detection subsystem and over an area of a scene, the portion of the FPA activated in the selected pattern corresponding to the area of the scene, and an adaptive polymer lens assembly positioned at an aperture of the imaging system shared by the detection subsystem and the optical scanning subsystem, the adaptive polymer lens assembly being configured to adjust an optical magnification of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Sean D. Keller, Gerald P. Uyeno