Patents Examined by Timothy J. Henn
  • Patent number: 11418696
    Abstract: In order to effectively perform auto focusing and an OIS function, provided is an optical device in a first diopter state, the optical device comprising: a liquid lens having a variable diopter; a memory in which regions of interest (ROIs) according to the variable diopter are recorded; a lens control unit for retrieving a first ROI corresponding to the first diopter from the memory and configuring the first ROI; and a diopter operating unit for auto-focusing the first ROI to change the liquid lens to have a second diopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeeho Hyun, Sungmin Woo, Gunshik Shin
  • Patent number: 11418709
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camera module. The camera module includes an image sensor that captures an image of a target to generate first image data, outputs the first image data, and outputs an interval information signal; an image signal processor that receives the first image data, performs image processing on the first image data to generate second image data and outputs the second image data; and an interface circuit that receives the second image data and the interval information signal and outputs the second image data as third image data. The interface circuit adjusts a timing to output the third image data, based on the interval information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Daechul Kwon, Jaehyuck Kang, Gyeonghan Cha, Moo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11412164
    Abstract: A method, an image processing apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with software for residual row noise removal in digital images are provided. The residual row noise is removed by dividing color plane images into vertical stripes and for each vertical stripe masking out the stripe pixels, determining a row means profile, determining a smoothed row means profile, determining row offset values for each of the horizontal stripe rows, determining corrected row offset values for horizontal stripe rows based on corresponding row offset values of adjacent vertical stripes and subtracting the corrected row offset value from the stripe pixel values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventor: David Abreu
  • Patent number: 11412154
    Abstract: An auto exposure method for a spatially-multiplexed-exposure (SME) high-dynamic-range (HDR) image sensor includes (a) retrieving raw image data from an exposure of the spatially-multiplexed-exposure high-dynamic-range image sensor, (b) preprocessing long-exposure pixel values and short-exposure pixel values of the raw image data to remove therefrom long-exposure pixel values and short-exposure pixel values failing to meet one or more quality requirements, (c) synthesizing, into an high-dynamic-range histogram, the long-exposure pixel values remaining after the step of preprocessing and the short-exposure pixel values remaining after the step of preprocessing, (d) deriving a goodness metric from the high-dynamic-range histogram, (e) adjusting at least one of the long exposure time and the short exposure time, based at least in part upon the goodness metric, and (f) outputting the at least one of the long exposure time and the short exposure time, as adjusted, to the spatially-multiplexed-exposure high-dynamic-
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jon S. McElvain, Walter C. Gish, Jonathan Robert Miller, Gregory John Ward, Robin Atkins
  • Patent number: 11405563
    Abstract: This disclosure provides devices, methods, computer-readable medium, and means for spatial alignment transform. In some aspects, a device may perform operations including capturing a first image of a scene using a first sensor at a first zoom ratio, capturing a second image of the scene using a second sensor at a second zoom ratio, the first image having a different field-of-view (FOV) than the second image, determining a translation matrix based on one or more spatial misalignments between the first image and the second image, determining a confidence associated with the translation matrix, in response to the confidence being greater than a confidence threshold, determining a weighting factor based on the first zoom ratio, the second zoom ratio, and a current zoom ratio of the device, applying the weighting factor to the translation matrix, and warping the first image to the second image using the weighted translation matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jianfeng Ren, Shizhong Liu, Weiliang Liu, Kuan-Chen Pan, Nikhil Uchil, Wei Zou
  • Patent number: 11405555
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus. A detecting unit detects a first motion amount of an object from an image obtained through first shooting carried out repeatedly at predetermined intervals of time. A converting unit converts the first motion amount into a first motion blur amount that will arise in second shooting, on the basis of the predetermined intervals of time and a shutter speed used in the second shooting. A determining unit determines a first shutter speed adjustment step size on the basis of a difference between the first motion blur amount and a first target motion blur amount that is lower than the first motion blur amount. A changing unit changes the shutter speed of the second shooting at the first shutter speed adjustment step size in response to a first shutter speed changing unit being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Honda
  • Patent number: 11399127
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a storage unit configured to store track data indicating a positional relationship between a zoom lens and a focus lens when an imaging optical system focuses at a predetermined subject distance, an adjustment value acquisition unit configured to acquire adjustment values for adjusting the track data, and a focus control unit configured to control a drive of the focus lens based on the track data and the adjustment values acquired by an adjustment value acquisition unit at a time of a zoom operation. The adjustment value acquisition unit selects adjustment value acquisition processing to be performed from a plurality of pieces of adjustment value acquisition processing, based on the track data, a position of the zoom lens, and a position of the focus lens, and acquires the adjustment values based on the selected adjustment value acquisition processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Kamba
  • Patent number: 11394910
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a floating diffusion node, a reset circuit coupled between a supply terminal of a high voltage and the floating diffusion node, and suitable for resetting the floating diffusion node with the high voltage during a reference period based on a reset control signal, a photodiode coupled between a supply terminal of a low voltage and a coupling node, and suitable for generating a photocharge based on incident light during an exposure period, a transmission block coupled between the coupling node and the floating diffusion node, and suitable for transmitting the photocharge to the floating diffusion node during a transmission period based on a transmission control signal, and a selection circuit coupled between an input terminal of a boost control signal and an output terminal of a pixel signal, and suitable for generating the pixel signal with a boost voltage greater than the high voltage during the transmission period based on a selection control signal and a voltage applied to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Pyong-Su Kwag, Sung-Kun Park, Dong-Hyun Woo
  • Patent number: 11394935
    Abstract: A pixel array for reducing image information loss and an image sensor including the same are provided. The pixel array includes a plurality of color filter array (CFA) cells having a certain size and each including a plurality of CFA blocks in width and length directions of the CFA cell, wherein each of the CFA blocks includes a sub block, which is at a central region of each of the CFA blocks and includes m*n color pixels, and an outer region, which is other than the sub block and includes color pixels, wherein the m*n color pixels of the sub block include color pixels sensing first through third colors, and the outer region includes a relatively high number of first pixels sensing the first color and a relatively low number of second pixels sensing at least one selected from the second color and the third color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soyoun Park, Byungwook Jung
  • Patent number: 11394858
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a camera module that includes a housing having an inner space, a frame disposed in the inner space of the housing and configured to accommodate a lens barrel therein, and optical image stabilization driving wires including driving wires driving the frame in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The method includes fixing both end portions of a target driving wire, among the driving wires, to a first inner side surface of the housing, disposing the frame adjacent a second inner side surface of the housing that opposes the first inner side surface, and coupling a center part of the target driving wire to a mounting member of the frame that faces the first inner side surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyu Won Kim, Kyoung Joong Min
  • Patent number: 11394930
    Abstract: Architectures and techniques are presented that can record video data and wireless communication device data. Signals from sources outside a field of view of a camera recording the video data can be filtered. Such can affect a shielding technique in which a signal shielding apparatus is adjusted in orientation based on an orientation of a camera device. Techniques are further presented to synchronize, according to time, video data and device data. Such synchronization can allow for improved correlation between visual objects (e.g., recorded by the camera) and radio objects (e.g., recorded by a transceiver). For example, visual techniques can be employed to estimate distance/locomotion of a visual object, whereas signal strength metrics can be used to estimate distance/locomotion of a radio object, and the relationship between the two can indicate a strong correlation that a particular device ID is linked to a particular visual object and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Stephen Francis Triano
  • Patent number: 11385385
    Abstract: This invention provides a vision system that is arranged to compensate for optical drift that can occur in certain variable lens assemblies, including, but not limited to, liquid lens arrangements. The system includes an image sensor operatively connected to a vision system processor, and a variable lens assembly that is controlled (e.g. by the vision processor or another range-determining device) to vary a focal distance thereof. A positive lens assembly is configured to weaken an effect of the variable lens assembly over a predetermined operational range of the object from the positive lens assembly. The variable lens assembly is located adjacent to a front or rear focal point of the positive lens. The variable lens assembly illustratively comprises a liquid lens assembly that can be inherently variable over approximately 20 diopter. In an embodiment, the lens barrel has a C-mount lens base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Esther Oteo Lozano, Jose Fernandez Dorado
  • Patent number: 11385658
    Abstract: A video processing method includes receiving a video to be edited including a target object and shot by a photographing device mounted at an aircraft, determining a first video frame from the video to be edited, determining a display area of the target object in the first video frame, and obtaining a target video including performing an adjustment processing on an image position of the target object in a second video frame of the video to be edited according to the display area. The image position of the target object in the second video frame after being adjusted is the same as an image position of the display area in the first video frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Long Cheng, Guanhua Su
  • Patent number: 11388339
    Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-shake method for a panoramic video, which comprises: obtaining, in real time, an output video frame, a fisheye image corresponding thereto, a pixel timestamp in the video frame, and a corresponding camera gyroscope timestamp; synchronizing the pixel timestamp in the video frame with the corresponding camera gyroscope timestamp, and calculating a rotation matrix of the camera movement in the camera gyroscope timestamp; smoothing the camera movement and establishing a coordinate system of a smooth trajectory; correcting the fisheye image distortion; and rendering the fisheye image by means of forward rendering to generate a stable video. According to the present invention, the rolling shutter distortion of a panoramic video sequence can be corrected, the image distortion caused by the rolling shutter of a CMOS can be corrected, and the rolling shutter is eliminated, thereby achieving a better anti-shake effect of a video image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ARASHI VISION INC.
    Inventors: Cong Chen, Jingkang Liu, Wenjie Jiang, Yibin Guo
  • Patent number: 11386635
    Abstract: A smart chip assembly capable of communicating with each other and variable array in packaging contains at least two intelligent single-chip, which can be easily formed into a smart chip assembly by cutting after packaging. Each intelligent single-chip has a camera lens module, and each lens module is arranged in a different position and angle to separately obtain images of different angles or depths of field of the object to be recognized, and provide each intelligent single-chip to independently process the image and judge by itself. The result of each judgment based on the obtained images of different angles or depths of field can also be used as one of the options for reference judgment. Then through the mutual communication between the intelligent single-chips, they calculate and analyze different image and image dynamics, and make comprehensive judgments to obtain the best interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Neuronbasic Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Wu
  • Patent number: 11388356
    Abstract: Technologies relating to AI fusion pixel sensor for MLP using active pixel sensors with memristors are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: many of active pixel sensors, wherein each active pixel sensors includes: a photodiode configured to receive image signal; a transfer gate; a selector controller; a reset controller; a voltage readout end; a first 1T1R cell, a second 1T1R cell, and a third 1T1R cell connected to the voltage readout end; and a first current readout end, a second current readout end, and a third current readout end connected to the first 1T1R cell, the second 1T1R cell, and the third 1T1R cell respectively; a first total current readout end, a second total current readout end, and a third total current readout end, whose total current equals the sum of the currents of all current readout ends in each active pixel sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TetraMem Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbo Yin, Ning Ge
  • Patent number: 11379095
    Abstract: An image capture device may include a display for presenting controls. The controls may be used by a user to operate the image capture device in capturing visual content. A control customization interface may include interface feature(s) that enables selection of one or more selectable controls for inclusion in a set of controls. Based on user interaction with the control customization interface, the set of controls may be determined and presented on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant Adam McCauley
  • Patent number: 11381720
    Abstract: A camera module includes a substrate, a number of sensors, and a film. The substrate defines a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity includes a bottom portion. The bottom portion defines an opening. The sensors are mounted around the opening. The film is attached to the substrate and covers the receiving cavity. The camera module defines a channel communicating with the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Fei-Fan Yu
  • Patent number: 11375085
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for capturing digital images. In use, an ambient image comprising a plurality of ambient pixels and a flash image comprising a plurality of flash pixels is captured, via a camera module. Next, at least one de-noised pixel based on the ambient image is generated. Additionally, a resulting image is generated by combining the at least one de-noised pixel and a corresponding flash pixel. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DUELIGHT LLC
    Inventors: William Guie Rivard, Adam Barry Feder, Brian J. Kindle
  • Patent number: 11375102
    Abstract: A camera for detecting an object moved through a detection zone is provided that has an image sensor for recording image data, a reception optics having a focus adjustment unit for setting a focal position, a distance sensor for measuring a distance value from the object, and a control and evaluation unit connected to the distance sensor and the focus adjustment unit to set a focal position in dependence on the distance value, and to trigger a recording of image data at a focal position at which there is a focus deviation from a focal position that is ideal in accordance with the measured distance value, with the focus deviation remaining small enough for a required image definition of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Romain Müller, Tobias Pontiggia