Patents Examined by Yih-Sien Kao
  • Patent number: 9781325
    Abstract: An array imaging module includes a molded photosensitive assembly which includes a supporting member, at least a circuit board, at least two photosensitive units, at least two lead wires, and a mold sealer. The photosensitive units are coupled at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The lead wires are electrically connected the photosensitive units at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The mold sealer includes a main mold body and has two optical windows. When the main mold body is formed, the lead wires, the circuit board and the photosensitive units are sealed and molded by the main mold body of the mold sealer, such that after the main mold body is formed, the main mold body and at least a portion of the circuit board are integrally formed together at a position that the photosensitive units are aligned with the optical windows respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ningbo Sunny Opotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Bojie Zhao, Takehiko Tanaka, Nan Guo, Zhenyu Chen, Heng Jiang, Zhongyu Luan, Fengsheng Xi, Feifan Chen, Liang Ding
  • Patent number: 9767583
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for packing a plurality of images. A number of cells of a canvas on which the plurality of images having different aspect ratios are to be packed is determined. The cells on the canvas are merged such that a number of the plurality of images is equal to the number of the cells. Each of the plurality of images are placed in a corresponding one of the plurality of cells of the canvas, according to respective aspect ratios of the plurality of images, when the number of the plurality of images is equal to the number of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pavan Sudheendra, Rajagopalan Venkata Raghavan, Yogesh Manav, Rajaram Hanumantacharya Naganur
  • Patent number: 9756239
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a shooting scene determining section that determines a shooting scene, a correlation evaluation value calculating section that calculates correlation evaluation values between a target pixel and surrounding pixels, a weight setting section that sets, when the shooting scene is a low correlation scene, heavy weights to the correlation evaluation value calculated from the surrounding pixels having high correlativities, an isolated-point degree calculating section that subjects the correlation evaluation values to weight addition to calculate an isolated-point degree, and an FPN correcting section that corrects a pixel value of the target pixel according to a magnitude of the isolated-point degree correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuro Okazawa, Toshimasa Miura, Ryusuke Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 9686523
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for image processing in an electronic device are provided. The method for image processing in the electronic device includes obtaining a first image and a second image respectively from a first image sensor and a second image sensor, determining at least one of a first image processing parameter for the first image and a second image processing parameter for the second image as an image processing parameter for the first image and the second image, and displaying at least one of the first image and the second image by considering the image processing parameter for the first image and a second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Soo Kim, Hong-Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 9674463
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing image signals that are obtained from an image pickup element. A correlation operation unit operates a correlation of the image signals of two images that are obtained from the image pickup element, and operates an image shift amount between images that are picked up by photoelectric conversion units, on the basis of the correlation. A detection unit detects whether or not an image signal reaches a predetermined level, and produces count information in a case that the image signal reaches the predetermined level. A controller controls the correlation operation unit, in which the controller normalizes the correlation that is used for the operation of the image shift amount, on the basis of the count information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9674421
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus detects a focus state of a subject using first and second pixel signals obtained by performing photoelectric conversion on subject light beams which have passed through different pupil regions of an imaging optical system. The focus state of a subject is detected from the first and second pixel signals. Further, each of the first pixel signals and second pixel signals are added by a predetermined addition number, and then the added first pixel signals and second pixel signals are relatively shifted. Thereafter, an evaluation value is calculated based on a signal obtained by adding the shifted first pixel signals and the second pixel signals and a defocus amount is detected from the evaluation value. The predetermined addition number is set in accordance with the focus state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9661241
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taichi Natori
  • Patent number: 9654717
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image pickup circuit including: amplifying means for amplifying a charge corresponding to an amount of light received by a photodetector, and outputting a pixel signal; ramp signal generating means for generating a ramp signal whose voltage drops with a fixed slope from a predetermined initial voltage; and comparing means for comparing the pixel signal output by the amplifying means with the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means. A reference potential of the pixel signal output by the amplifying means and a reference potential of the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means are at a same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Wakabayashi, Yoshiaki Inada, Ken Koseki
  • Patent number: 9654697
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel unit (1) configured to perform imaging of a plurality of frames by a photoelectric conversion; an exposure amount calculating unit (9) configured to calculate exposure amounts of the plurality of frames imaged in a flicker cycle of a light source; and a control unit (12) configured to control the exposure amount of each of the frames imaged by the pixel unit based on the exposure amounts of the plurality of frames calculated by the exposure amount calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Takenaka, Kazuhiro Sonoda
  • Patent number: 9654681
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is described. The electronic apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of image pixels and a plurality of focal point detection pixels; an auto-focus (AF) detection unit that detects an AF value based on a first focal point detection signal output from a first focal point detection pixel from the plurality of focal point detection pixels and a second focal point detection signal output from a virtual second focal point detection pixel corresponding to the first focal point detection pixel; and a control unit that generates image data based on an image signal output from the plurality of image pixels and the AF value detected by the AF detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong-chan Seo
  • Patent number: 9654715
    Abstract: A stacked-type solid-state image sensor including a first semiconductor layer in which an imaging pixel portion is implemented, and a second semiconductor layer in which a digital signal processing unit is implemented, comprises a first timing control unit configured to generate a drive timing signal of the imaging pixel portion, an A/D converter configured to convert an analog signal output from each pixel of the imaging pixel portion into a digital signal, a second timing control unit configured to generate a drive timing signal of the A/D converter; and a status generation unit configured to receive an event signal generated by at least one of the first timing control unit and the second timing control unit and generate a status signal to restrict an operation of the digital signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Hirai
  • Patent number: 9648243
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a display unit connected to an apparatus through a movable portion so that a direction of a display surface is changeable; a detection unit configured to detect a rotation position of the display unit; and a display control unit configured to perform a change in a direction of information displayed on the display surface based on comparison between the detected rotation position and a threshold, wherein the display control unit sets such that a first threshold serving as a threshold of the rotation position in a mode in which a handwritten input to the display surface is allowed is made different from a second threshold serving as a threshold of the rotation position in another mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Keita Ogara
  • Patent number: 9621826
    Abstract: An image sensor having a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and a scanning unit that selects row or rows and causes signals to be output from pixels in the selected row or rows, each of the pixels comprising: a photoelectric converter; a storage portion; a transfer portion configured to transfer a signal charge generated by the photoelectric converter to the storage portion, if each of the pixels is included in the selected row or rows; and an output portion configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to the signal charge transferred to the storage portion. In a merged readout mode, a capacitance of the storage portion of a pixel in a row or rows except a predetermined row among the plurality of selected rows is different from that in the predetermined row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9621832
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor comprises a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and a plurality of column signal processing circuits which read out signals from the pixel array via a plurality of column signal lines arranged in correspondence with respective columns of the pixel array, wherein signals of the pixels of different colors in the pixel array are read out by the plurality of column signal processing circuits during a single period, and wherein at least the column signal processing circuits which process signals of the pixels of different colors, of the plurality of column signal processing circuits, are driven via conductive lines which are separated from each other in a region where at least the column signal processing circuits which process signals of the pixels of different colors are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Ogino, Yuichiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9621790
    Abstract: In the present invention, a control section determines the type of a touch operation performed on a touch panel during review display that is performed in a display section (monitor screen) for a predetermined amount of time after an image is captured by an imaging section, and performs type-specific processing according to the determined type on the image being review displayed. For example, when a slide operation is performed as a touch operation on the touch panel, the control section determines the slide direction as the type of the operation and performs type-specific processing based on the slide direction (direction-specific processing).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Otani
  • Patent number: 9621218
    Abstract: A phone case configured for use in capturing a digital video during the course of a proposal. The phone case comprises a first housing for receiving a mobile phone, a second housing connected to the first housing by a first hinge, a pedestal disposed within the second housing and connected to a second hinge, the pedestal adapted to support an engagement ring. The second housing is capable of moving to an open position, away from the first housing, and the pedestal moves to an open position while or after the second housing moves to an open position. Methods for using the case to capture digital video during the course of a proposal are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ACROSS THE POND DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Keith Glickman, James Ambler
  • Patent number: 9609224
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a creation device configured to create a first display image, a second display image, and a third display image to be used for assisting the focusing confirmation from first and second images based on first and second image signals outputted from the first and second pixel groups, a display device, and a display control device, where the creation device creates the second display image including first and second display ranges in which the first image is used in the first display range and the second image is used in the second display range, and the creation device creates the third display image in which an image used in at least one of the first and second display ranges is different from the second display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Hayashi, Katsutoshi Izawa, Tomoyuki Kawai
  • Patent number: 9602726
    Abstract: In an apparatus, two or more actuators perform optical image stabilization by tilting a lens module of a camera unit when installed in the camera unit between the lens module and an image sensor. A variable prism is sandwiched between the lens module and the image sensor when the apparatus is installed in the camera unit for maintaining focal plane of the lens module on the image sensor independently of optical image stabilization operations caused by the tilting of the lens module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Marko Eromaki
  • Patent number: 9596397
    Abstract: An electronic device having a lens and a lens retaining member is disclosed. The lens and the lens retaining member may both be molded in a single mold cavity. However, the lens includes a first material that is clear and translucent, while the lens retaining member includes a second material that is opaque. The lens retaining member may include an alignment such that the lens and lens retaining member, when secured to a flexible circuit, may self-align with a window. The window allows a light source to emit light while the lens retaining member blocks or reflects light. In another embodiment, a container having a first member and a second member may be positioned around a camera module. The container may act as an EMI shield for the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marwan Rammah, Ashutosh Y. Shukla, David A. Pakula, Jared M. Kole, Eric N. Nyland
  • Patent number: 9578228
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus performs focus detection of a phase difference method by using signals from an image pickup element including a first pixel and a second pixel sharing one micro lens, and the focus detection apparatus includes a first saturation detector configured to detect saturation of a first signal obtained from the first pixel, a second saturation detector configured to detect saturation of a second signal obtained from the second pixel, a luminance generating portion configured to generate luminance signals of the first signal and the second signal after detecting the saturations of the first signal and the second signal are detected, and a processor configured to perform a correlation calculation based on the luminance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Shoda, Takeshi Ogawa