Patents Examined by Tuan Ho
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Patent number: 9497363Abstract: A photographic apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion element, an electrochromic element, and an image processor. The electrochromic element is disposed on a main path by which light travels to the photoelectric conversion element. The image processor is electrically connected to the electrochromic element for adjusting a transmittance of the electrochromic element.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Ching-Shiang Yu
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Patent number: 9494766Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of micro-lenses disposed in a two-dimensional pattern near a focal plane of an image forming optical system; an image sensor that includes a two-dimensional array of element groups each corresponding to one of the micro-lenses and made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which receive, via the micro-lenses light fluxes from a subject having passed through the photographic optical system and output image signals; and a synthesizing unit that combines the image signals output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements based upon information so as to generate synthetic image data in correspondence to a plurality of image forming areas present on a given image forming plane of the image forming optical system, the information specifying positions of the photoelectric conversion elements output image signals that are to be used for generating synthetic image data for each image forming area.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Toru Iwane
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Patent number: 9491442Abstract: In an example embodiment, an image processing device includes a pixel array including pixels two-dimensionally arranged and configured to capture an image, each of the pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and an image data processing circuit configured to generate image data from pixel signals output from the pixels. The image processing device further includes a color data processing circuit configured to extract color data from the image data and output extracted color data. The image processing device further includes a depth data extraction circuit configured to extract depth data from the image data and output extracted depth data. The image processing device further includes an output control circuit configured to control the output of the color data and the depth data.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tae Chan Kim
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Patent number: 9491385Abstract: A switched capacitor circuit includes: a capacitor including a first terminal to which the input voltage is applied and a second terminal; an inverting amplifier including a second input terminal connected to the second terminal; a capacitor including a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which is connected to an output terminal; a capacitor including a seventh terminal, a sixth terminal connected to the second output terminal, and an eighth terminal connected to the third terminal; a capacitor connected in series between the second terminal and the output terminal; and an offset compensation unit which outputs an offset voltage having a value of a short-circuit voltage of the inverting amplifier to the fourth terminal and the seventh terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventor: Yusuke Tokunaga
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Patent number: 9479692Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided that is capable of performing both object detection using image recognition and object detection using movement detection on successively captured images. In the image capturing apparatus, the reliability of the result of the object detection using image recognition is evaluated based on the previous detection results. If it is determined that the reliability is high, execution of the object detection using movement detection is determined. If it is determined that the reliability is low, non-execution of the object detection using movement detection is determined. With this configuration, the object region can be tracked appropriately.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasunobu Kodama
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Patent number: 9479687Abstract: An image composing method searches other electronic devices nearby via a communication unit, selects a number of electronic devices from the searched other electronic devices to determine slave members of a sharing community, and selects a number of slave members from the slave members of the sharing community to be capturing devices. The method identifies an object, determines a capturing position of each capturing device according to the object, the number of the capturing devices, and a predetermined manner, and controls each capturing device to move to a corresponding capturing position. The method further instructs each capturing device to take image according to the predetermined manner and receives the image from each capturing device, and integrates the images taken by the capturing devices to generate a single composed image. A related electronic device and a related non-transitory storage medium are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.Inventors: How-Wen Chien, Yi-Yun Hung
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Patent number: 9479708Abstract: An imaging device is provided with the following: a trial shading-correction unit that performs trial shading correction on image data for each of a plurality of types of light source on the basis of correction information stored in a correction-information storage unit for each light-source type; a correction-information selection unit (whereby the results of the shading correction performed by the trial shading-correction unit for each light-source type are compared to each other and correction information corresponding to an appropriate shading-correction result is selected from among the correction information stored by the correction-information storage unit per light-source type; and a shading correction unit that performs color-shading correction on the image data on the basis of the correction information selected by the correction-information selection unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: ACUTELOGIC CORPORATIONInventors: Isao Yamada, Shunichi Kobayashi, Tsutomu Okuno
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Patent number: 9473698Abstract: An imaging device, comprising an imaging section for forming a subject image and obtaining image data, a lens control section for changing focus lens position, and a position correction section for carrying out alignment of a plurality of image data that have been acquired by the imaging section, wherein the position correction section selectively executes local alignment processing for carrying out alignment locally, and global alignment processing for carrying out alignment globally, based on relative focus position between two images that will be combined.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Mika Muto, Takuya Matsunaga
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Patent number: 9465275Abstract: An imaging device includes: a focal plane shutter including: a board including an opening; a leading shutter and a trailing shutter opening and closing the opening; a leading shutter actuator and a trailing shutter actuator respectively driving the leading shutter and the trailing shutter; and a restrict portion that restricts reciprocating movement ranges of the leading shutter and the trailing shutter, an image pickup element which light enters through the opening; and a drive control portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: SEIKO PRECISION INC.Inventors: Hiroshi Takahashi, Minori Murata, Seiichi Oishi, Shoichi Tokura
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Patent number: 9467621Abstract: A photographing device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section that captures a subject image and outputs image data; a motion picture recording section that records a motion picture based on the image data; a parameter setting section that sets a photographing parameter to change a photographing state; and a parameter control section that automatically changes the photographing parameter during the recording of the motion picture regardless of the set photographing parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Keiji Kunishige, Satoshi Miyazaki, Masaomi Tomizawa, Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 9467620Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for simulating different types of camera lens on a device by guiding a user through a set of images to be captured in connection with one or more desired lens effects. In one aspect, a wide-angle lens may be simulated by taking a plurality of images that have been taken at a particular location over a set of camera orientations that are determined based on the selection of the wide-angle lens. The mobile device may provide prompts to the user indicating the camera orientations for which images should be captured in order to generate the simulated camera lens effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Scott Ettinger, David Lee, Evan Rapoport, Jake Mintz, Bryan Feldman, Mikkel Crone Köser, Daniel Joseph Filip
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Patent number: 9467632Abstract: A dual-exposure control circuit of an imaging system includes an RGB pixel array and a white pixel array. The dual-exposure control circuit is arranged to determine EGPs for the RGB pixel array and the white pixel array, and compensate RGB data sensed by the RGB pixel array based on the determined EGP.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Himax Imaging LimitedInventors: Po-Chang Chen, Yuan-Chih Peng, Po-Fang Chen
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Patent number: 9461087Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a semiconductor substrate; plural photoelectric conversion units formed side by side on the semiconductor substrate to form a light receiving unit; a peripheral circuit formed in a portion on an outside of the light receiving unit on the semiconductor substrate; a wiring section formed on the light receiving unit and formed for connecting the plural photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit; and a dummy wiring section formed on an opposite side of the wiring section for at least one photoelectric conversion unit among the plural photoelectric conversion units on the light receiving unit and formed for functioning as a non-connected wiring section not connected to the photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit, wherein the dummy wiring section has a predetermined potential.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kimihiko Sato
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Patent number: 9462205Abstract: An image processing device includes a gain correction processing unit, an interpolation correction processing unit, an image processing unit. Within a range including a correction target phase difference detecting pixel and a plurality of capturing pixels adjacent to the correction target phase difference detecting pixel and detecting the same color as a color of the correction target phase difference detecting pixel, when a signal value obtained by correcting an output signal of the correction target phase difference detecting pixel using gain correction processing is Sc, in a case in which Sc<TH1 or Sc>TH2, the image processing unit records, in a recording medium, a signal obtained by correcting the output signal of the correction target phase difference detecting pixel by the interpolation correction processing unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Kazufumi Sugawara
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Patent number: 9462171Abstract: A camera assembly for an electronic device. The camera assembly comprises an image sensor, a housing barrel, at least one lens and a seal member. The housing barrel is positioned above the image sensor and includes a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface which defines a barrel cavity. The image sensor is configured to receive light that extends through the barrel cavity. The at least one lens is positioned within the housing barrel. The upper lens cover is positioned over the distal end of the housing barrel. The upper lens cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The seal member is integrally formed with one of the housing barrel, at a distal end thereof, and the inner surface of the upper lens cover, wherein the seal member effectively provides a seal between the housing barrel and the upper lens cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: David Kyungtag Lim, William R. Groves, Roger W. Harmon, Jason P. Wojack
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Patent number: 9456147Abstract: A video generating system includes: a plurality of image sensors, arranged to generate a plurality of images and a plurality of synchronization signals corresponding to the images; a combining circuit, coupled to the image sensors, arranged to generate a plurality of output images according to the images, and generate a plurality of output synchronization signals corresponding to the output images according to the synchronization signals; and a bus, coupled between the image sensors and the combining circuit, arranged to perform signal transmission. The image sensors comprise a first image sensor and a second image sensor; and when the combining circuit receives image data of at least a first image generated by the first image sensor, the combining circuit does not receive image data of at least a second image generated by the second image sensor at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventors: Chih-Kang Han, En-Feng Hsu
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Patent number: 9454063Abstract: A camera system includes a camera and a camera housing structured to at least partially enclose the camera. The camera comprises an internal heat sink thermally coupled to electronics of the camera and a lens ring positioned around a lens of the camera. The camera housing comprises a thermal conductor. An interior portion of the thermal conductor makes contact with the lens ring when the camera is enclosed within the housing, and an exterior portion extends outside the housing. The thermal conductor is configured to transfer heat from the interior of the housing to the exterior to dissipate heat from the camera's electronics.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Rudy Samuels, David Christophe Northway
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Patent number: 9456138Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus including a shooting scene setting unit, a component image acquiring unit, and a time-lapse moving image generating unit. The shooting scene setting unit sets a shooting interval according to shooting situations or shooting setting and selects one of different methods for generating a time-lapse moving image from a plurality of images obtained at the set shooting interval according to shooting situations or shooting setting. The component image acquiring unit obtains a plurality of component images forming a time-lapse moving image based on the time-lapse moving image generating method set by the shooting scene setting unit. The time-lapse moving image generating unit generates a time-lapse moving image by using the plurality of component images obtained by the component image acquiring unit based on the set time-lapse moving image generating method.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Nobuyoshi Nishizaka
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Patent number: 9456133Abstract: The image shooting unit is configured to collect image information, and a formed image is a pixel block including one or several pixels, and the image shooting unit includes a tubular directional hood, a lens group, and a light sensitive module that are arranged sequentially along a light incidence direction and a same optical axis, where the tubular directional hood eliminates non-parallel light signals entering the tubular directional hood and enables parallel light signals parallel to an axis of the tubular directional hood to pass; the lens group converges, onto the light sensitive module, the parallel light signals passing through the tubular directional hood; and the light sensitive module converts the parallel light signals into electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventor: Haiyao Yang
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Patent number: 9451133Abstract: A mounting housing for a camera includes a surface contacting member and a sliding member that is slidable within an interior conduit within the surface contacting member. The surface contacting member has a back end that is located behind a mounting surface when the mounting housing is mounted and a front end, connected to the back end, that is located in front of the mounting surface when the mounting housing is mounted. A spring is pivotably coupled to and extends outwardly from the back end, and the spring is pivotable to apply force on to a back side of the mounting surface when the mounting housing is mounted. The sliding member is slidable along the interior conduit between mounted and un-mounted positions. The sliding member is lockable in the mounted position to bias the spring against the mounting surface when the mounting housing is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: AVIGILON CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew J Stark, Sudeep Mohan, Yat Shun Damien Yu