Patents by Inventor Chan Min Chou
Chan Min Chou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8120678Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus for eliminating image noise caused by variation between the imaging pixels on an image sensor. Preferably, a uniform light source is provided firstly, and the image sensor records exposure values taken from the source. Method is to sum the exposure values in each channel of each line, and calculate channel's average of sum for each channel and sum for adjacent lines' channels. A channel compensation value is then obtained by subtracting the average from the sum of one channel in one line, and divided by the pixel number in one channel. A compensation average constituted of a first part and a second part for each pixel is further calculated. A pixel compensation value for each pixel is obtained by suitably allotting the two parts. The pixel compensation value is finally recorded in memory and being a reference for future photographing.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Cong-Qi Peng
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Patent number: 8106966Abstract: A digital image capture device and a brightness correction method thereof are described. The digital image capture device is adapted to correct the brightness value of a shot object in a digital image through the compensation of a strobe during shooting. The method includes setting a shooting magnification of the digital image capture device to the shot object; capturing a pre-shot image at least including the image of the shot object; triggering a strobe to emit a main flash onto the shot object, so as to shoot a digital image; setting a plurality of light measuring areas in the digital image; calculating a corresponding object distance of the shot object from each of the light measuring areas; establishing a shading table according to each of the object distances; and loading the shading table to adjust the brightness value of each of the light measuring areas in the digital image.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20120002081Abstract: A method for adjusting photosensitiveness is able to determine a relative distance of an object in an image capture area through images captured before and after pre-flash of a flash lamp, so that the relative distance serves as a reference for adjusting current photosensitiveness of the digital camera, thereby capturing an image having better quality in a status that the flash lamp provides a fill light.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan Min Chou, Tsung Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20110285876Abstract: A digital image capture device and a brightness correction method thereof are described. The digital image capture device is adapted to correct the brightness value of a shot object in a digital image through the compensation of a strobe during shooting. The method includes setting a shooting magnification of the digital image capture device to the shot object; capturing a pre-shot image at least including the image of the shot object; triggering a strobe to emit a main flash onto the shot object, so as to shoot a digital image; setting a plurality of light measuring areas in the digital image; calculating a corresponding object distance of the shot object from each of the light measuring areas; establishing a shading table according to each of the object distances; and loading the shading table to adjust the brightness value of each of the light measuring areas in the digital image.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Patent number: 8054374Abstract: An image brightness correction method is described. First, a pre-flash is fired and a pre-flash image is shot. After a main flash duration is estimated according to the pre-flash image and an automatic exposure time of a camera device, a main flash is fired and a raw image is shot. Then, a brightness gain of the raw image is compensated according to a preset gain threshold, and a digital brightness gain of the image is adjusted to enable the image shot each time to achieve the same brightness gain.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Patent number: 7920727Abstract: An image evaluation system and method are provided. The system includes an image register, an evaluation window, an image feature generator, and an evaluation unit. In addition, the image evaluation method includes the steps of in case that the image is a human figure, the image is analyzed based on a basic rule of image composition, and an evaluation score is calculated according to the position of the face feature in the image as analyzed and obtained from the image; in case that the image is a landscape, first if a horizontal line exists in the image is determined, if the answer is affirmative, the evaluation score is calculated based on the inclination of a horizontal line in the image; and the evaluation score is reported to the user as a reference. As such, the user may determine the quality of the image based on the evaluation score.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Chi-Jung Weng, Chan-Min Chou, Fu-Kai Chuang
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Publication number: 20110069190Abstract: A fast focusing method for a digital camera is applied in the digital camera to judge whether a focusing focal length of the digital camera needs to be adjusted in an auto focusing stage. The fast focusing method includes capturing a target image at a reference focal length; performing a blur detection procedure on the target image to acquire a focus value; setting a focusing focal length range covering the reference focal length when the focus value is between a lower limit focusing threshold and an upper limit focusing threshold; capturing corresponding comparison images at different focusing focal lengths respectively in the focusing focal length range; calculating a contrast value of each comparison image; and calculating the contrast values and a target focal length through a quadratic curve approximation method, and adjusting lenses of the digital camera to the set target focal length to perform shooting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chia-Lun Tsai, Chih-Pin Yen
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Publication number: 20110063494Abstract: A continuous focusing method for a digital camera is described, which is applicable to determine whether the digital camera performs a focusing procedure or not when the digital camera switches from a first scene to a second scene in a live view stage. The continuous focusing method includes the following steps. A preview image of a second scene is obtained. A blur detection procedure is performed on the preview image, so as to acquire a corresponding focus value. It is determined whether the focus value exceeds a focusing threshold value or not; if not, a focusing procedure is performed; otherwise, if the focus value is greater than the focusing threshold value, the digital camera still maintains a current focusing focal length, which represents that a focusing focal length of the second scene is the same as that of the first scene.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan Min Chou, Chia Lun Tsai, Chih Pin Yen
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Publication number: 20110058095Abstract: A method for assisting in focal length detection is applicable to a digital camera having the flash. The method includes the following steps. First, the flash of the digital camera is actuated and a first image is captured. Afterwards, a characteristic exposure value of the first image is calculated. A focus range comparison table is looked up according to the characteristic exposure value to obtain an initial focus position. Then, a focus procedure is performed according to the initial focus position to obtain a target focal length.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan Min Chou, Chia Lun Tsai, Tsung Pin Lu, Tzu Huang Huang, Chih Pin Yen
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Publication number: 20110058096Abstract: A fast focusing method for a digital camera is applied in an auto focusing stage for judging whether the digital camera needs to be refocused. The fast focusing method includes recording a system time after a previous focusing (defined as a first time); capturing a system time before a current focusing (defined as a second time); performing a fuzziness detection procedure to acquire a focus value when a difference obtained by subtracting the first time from the second time is greater than a focusing time threshold; setting a focusing focal length range covering a reference focal length when the focus value is between a lower limit focusing threshold and an upper limit focusing threshold; capturing images at different focusing focal lengths respectively in the focusing focal length range; calculating a contrast value of each image; calculating a target focal length from the contrast values through a quadratic curve approximation method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan Min Chou, Chia Lun Tsai, Chih Pin Yen
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Publication number: 20110050661Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is capable of automatically adjusting a color display parameter according to external light. The LCD device includes an LCD panel, a backlight module, a photosensitive module, and a controller. The LCD panel has a display region and a light-incident region. The backlight module is disposed below the LCD panel and corresponding to the display region. The photosensitive module is disposed below the LCD panel and corresponding to the light-incident region, for receiving an optical signal passing through the LCD panel and converting the optical signal into an electrical signal. The controller is electrically connected to the LCD panel and the photosensitive module, for automatically adjusting a color display parameter of the LCD panel according to the electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan Min Chou, Jhao Huei Liou
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Publication number: 20110043682Abstract: A method for assist in focal length detection is adapted to a digital camera having a flash. The method includes the following steps. First, the flash of the digital camera is actuated and an image having a face portion is captured. Afterwards, an exposure feature value of the face portion in the image is calculated. A focus range comparison table is looked up according to the exposure feature value to obtain an initial focus position. Then, a focus procedure is performed according to the initial focus position to obtain a target focal length. After the target focal length is obtained, a flash feature value of the image is further calculated, and a guide number (GN) and a diaphragm value are set according to the flash feature value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Tsung-Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20110019034Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus for eliminating image noise caused by variation between the imaging pixels on an image sensor. Preferably, a uniform light source is provided firstly, and the image sensor records exposure values taken from the source. Method is to sum the exposure values in each channel of each line, and calculate channel's average of sum for each channel and sum for adjacent lines' channels. A channel compensation value is then obtained by subtracting the average from the sum of one channel in one line, and divided by the pixel number in one channel. A compensation average constituted of a first part and a second part for each pixel is further calculated. A pixel compensation value for each pixel is obtained by suitably allotting the two parts. The pixel compensation value is finally recorded in memory and being a reference for future photographing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Inventors: Chan-Min Chou, Cong-Qi Peng
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Publication number: 20100165178Abstract: An adjusting method of flash intensity is applied in an image capture apparatus with a flash lamp, where two pre-flash images corresponding the object are retrieved under two different pre-flash lights, respectively, and then a flash intensity of main-flash light is calculated according to one of the retrieved pre-flash images, so as to retrieve a main-flash image corresponding the object under the main-flash light with the calculated main-flash light.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan Min Chou, Chung Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20100149380Abstract: A digital image capture device and a brightness correction method thereof are described. The digital image capture device is adapted to correct the brightness value of a shot object in a digital image through the compensation of a strobe during shooting. The method includes setting a shooting magnification of the digital image capture device to the shot object; capturing a pre-shot image at least including the image of the shot object; triggering a strobe to emit a main flash onto the shot object, so as to shoot a digital image; setting a plurality of light measuring areas in the digital image; calculating a corresponding object distance of the shot object from each of the light measuring areas; establishing a shading table according to each of the object distances; and loading the shading table to adjust the brightness value of each of the light measuring areas in the digital image.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20100073552Abstract: An image brightness correction method is described. First, a pre-flash is fired and a pre-flash image is shot. After a main flash duration is estimated according to the pre-flash image and an automatic exposure time of a camera device, a main flash is fired and a raw image is shot. Then, a brightness gain of the raw image is compensated according to a preset gain threshold, and a digital brightness gain of the image is adjusted to enable the image shot each time to achieve the same brightness gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Publication number: 20100073520Abstract: An image brightness compensation method and a digital camera device with an image brightness compensation function are suitable for adjusting a brightness of a digital image shot by a digital camera device, especially when the shot object is located outside a maximum output range of a flash lamp. The method includes the steps of pre-capturing a target image, and recording target information; triggering a flash lamp, and meanwhile capturing a raw image; determining whether the raw image satisfies a brightness threshold or not according to a brightness difference between the target information and the raw image; if the raw image fails to satisfy the brightness threshold, executing a brightness compensation program on the raw image according to the target information; and finally, generating an output image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Altek CorporationInventors: Chan-Min Chou, Chung-Pin Lu
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Patent number: 7570830Abstract: The present invention discloses a test method for image sharpness, which can instantly determine the sharpness of a captured image, wherein a captured image is firstly divided into multiple blocks with each block composed of multiple pixels; in each block of the captured image, the pixels having higher sharpnesses are selected, and the sharpnesses of those pixels are summed up to be the sharpness of the related block; the estimated sharpness of the captured image is also obtained similarly; and the estimated sharpness is compared with a threshold value to determine whether the captured image is sharp enough. Thereby, the present invention can test the sharpness of an image fast and correctly and inform the user of the status of the captured image and provide the user with corresponding suggestions.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Peng Wei Lin, Chan Min Chou
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Publication number: 20080124049Abstract: The method is used to eliminate the sound of a motor when a digital image capturing device is recording. The method includes the steps of: inputting a simulated control signal; simulating a motor operational status and recording a simulated sound wave of the motor to establish a simulated sound wave database; and eliminating the noise of the motor in the dynamic film by the use of the simulated sound wave when the digital image capturing device is recording.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Chan-Min Chou, Peng-Wei Lin, Shih-Chang Han
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Publication number: 20070230823Abstract: An image evaluation system and method are provided. The system includes an image register, an evaluation window, an image feature generator, and an evaluation unit. In addition, the image evaluation method includes the steps of in case that the image is a human figure, the image is analyzed based on a basic rule of image composition, and an evaluation score is calculated according to the position of the face feature in the image as analyzed and obtained from the image; in case that the image is a landscape, first if a horizontal line exists in the image is determined, if the answer is affirmative, the evaluation score is calculated based on the inclination of a horizontal line in the image; and the evaluation score is reported to the user as a reference. As such, the user may determine the quality of the image based on the evaluation score.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Altek CorporationInventors: Chi-Jung WENG, Chan-Min Chou, Fu-Kai Chuang