Patents by Inventor Dwight Poplin
Dwight Poplin 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: 11109016Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for error detection in an imaging system. The method and apparatus may comprise pixels arranged in rows and columns and an error detection circuit receiving pixel data generated by the pixels. The error detection circuit may detect errors and generate an error condition and/or signal, for example if one or more image frames are the same and/or a readout error has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Airell Richard Clark, II, Dwight Poplin
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Patent number: 10757324Abstract: An imaging system may include transform circuitry to transform a captured input image into desired output images. In some applications, it may be desired to transition between a first output image and a second output image that have been respectively produced using first and second transforms. To perform this transition gradually, the transform circuitry may include a transform processor and an interpolation processor that produce discrete intermediate output images between the first output image and the second output image. The transform processor may generate a set of individual transforms between the first transform and the second transform or may interpolate between the first transform and the second transform to produce interpolated transforms. In either case, the transform circuitry may produce the intermediate output images using the produced transforms, and the output images may be output in a continuous stream to gradually transition between the first and second output images.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Dwight Poplin, Paul Anthony Chenard, Giridhar Venkat, John Walter Neave
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Publication number: 20200045228Abstract: An imaging system may include transform circuitry to transform a captured input image into desired output images. In some applications, it may be desired to transition between a first output image and a second output image that have been respectively produced using first and second transforms. To perform this transition gradually, the transform circuitry may include a transform processor and an interpolation processor that produce discrete intermediate output images between the first output image and the second output image. The transform processor may generate a set of individual transforms between the first transform and the second transform or may interpolate between the first transform and the second transform to produce interpolated transforms. In either case, the transform circuitry may produce the intermediate output images using the produced transforms, and the output images may be output in a continuous stream to gradually transition between the first and second output images.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Dwight POPLIN, Paul Anthony CHENARD, Giridhar VENKAT, John Walter NEAVE
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Publication number: 20170272740Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for error detection in an imaging system. The method and apparatus may comprise pixels arranged in rows and columns and an error detection circuit receiving pixel data generated by the pixels. The error detection circuit may detect errors and generate an error condition and/or signal, for example if one or more image frames are the same and/or a readout error has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Airell Richard CLARK, II, Dwight POPLIN
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Patent number: 7750949Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Dwight Poplin, Michael J. Zelman, Airell R. Clark, II, Todd S. Sachs
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Apparatus and method for detecting and compensating for illuminant intensity changes within an image
Patent number: 7471315Abstract: An apparatus such as a digital camera includes an image sensor array adapted to capture a scene into electrical values and a reference detector proximal to the sensor array for detecting illuminant intensities. The reference detector at least partially surrounds the image sensor array. The reference detector is read multiple times during the frame period in which the image sensor array captures a scene to detect illuminant intensities during the same frame period. Using the illuminant intensities, the phase and the amplitude of the flicker of the illuminant are extracted. Using the phase and the amplitude parameters, a flicker correction signal is synthesized. The flicker correction signal is used to correct the captured image data to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of flicker on the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Christopher Silsby, Dwight Poplin, Richard L. Baer -
Patent number: 7430002Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for manually adjusting the image-capturing parameters of a digital imaging device of the system utilizes a comparative image scheme that allows users to adjust the image-capturing parameters by selecting the most preferable image from a number of comparison images, which are produced using different settings of the image-capturing parameters. The comparative image scheme provides an intuitive technique for users to manually set the image-capturing parameters of the digital imaging device without having to learn about the image-capturing parameters and their effects on captured images.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Dwight Poplin
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Patent number: 7421121Abstract: After image capture, scene parameters are analyzed, e.g. lux, flicker, or world estimation. A best guess illuminant for the scene parameters is determined. At this point, the white balancing coefficients corresponding to that illuminant may be applied.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Todd Stephen Sachs, Richard L. Baer, Xuemel Zhang, Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20070109425Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2007Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Dwight Poplin, Michael Zelman, Airell Clark, Todd Sachs
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Patent number: 7187405Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Dwight Poplin, Michael J. Zelman, Airell R. Clark, II, Todd S. Sachs
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Publication number: 20060177127Abstract: After image capture, scene parameters are analyzed, e.g. lux, flicker, or world estimation. A best guess illuminant for the scene parameters is determined. At this point, the white balancing coefficients corresponding to that illuminant may be applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2005Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Todd Sachs, Richard Baer, Xuemel Zhang, Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20060177128Abstract: An image processing system includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The sensor is configured to capture data representative of a scene illuminated by an actual illuminant and the processor is configured to receive and process the captured data. The memory is configured to store chromaticity data associated with a plurality of plausible illuminants. The processor divides the captured data into a plurality of zones. The processor also calculates an average chromaticity for each zone and compares the calculated chromaticity for each zone with the chromaticity data of the plausible illuminants. The processor selects one of the plausible illuminants based upon the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2005Publication date: August 10, 2006Inventors: Karthik Raghupathy, Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20050218303Abstract: A camera module forms digital images and measures an ambient light level. A device such as a digital camera, a telephone, or a PDA containing the camera module can set lighting levels of I/O systems such as keypads or displays according to the ambient light level to thereby save power or optimize functionality of the I/O systems. A dedicated sensor in the camera module or one or more selected sensors in the imaging array of the camera module can measure the ambient light level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2004Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventor: Dwight Poplin
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Patent number: 6943832Abstract: A method and system that utilizes hysteresis in image processing algorithms to minimize interframe noise in video frames is provided. The method includes receiving a video frame and determining a measurement in the video frame, wherein the measurement is associated with an image control feature. The method also includes providing a target value and a tolerance, and calculating an error value using the measurement and the target value. The method further includes comparing the error value to the tolerance, and in response to the error value being greater than the tolerance, adjusting the image control feature. The system includes a video frame stored in a storage medium and a module coupled to the storage medium. The module is operable to determine a measurement in the video frame, wherein the measurement is associated with an image control feature. The module is also operable to calculate an error value using the measurement and a target value, and compare the error value to a tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20050195319Abstract: A camera module comprising an image sensor array, a gain amplifier, an indicator set to indicate whether a first flash device or a second flash device is present, and a plurality of storage locations. The plurality of storage locations is configured to store an exposure time and a gain. The exposure time and the gain are associated with the first flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the first flash device, and the exposure time and the gain are associated with the second flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the second flash device. The image sensor array is configured to capture an image using the exposure time, and the gain amplifier is configured to perform processing on the image using the gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventor: Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20040201729Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2001Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Dwight Poplin, Michael J. Zelman, Airell R. Clark, Todd S. Sachs
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Publication number: 20040201718Abstract: A method and system that utilizes hysteresis in image processing algorithms to minimize interframe noise in video frames is provided. The method includes receiving a video frame and determining a measurement in the video frame, wherein the measurement is associated with an image control feature. The method also includes providing a target value and a tolerance, and calculating an error value using the measurement and the target value. The method further includes comparing the error value to the tolerance, and in response to the error value being greater than the tolerance, adjusting the image control feature. The system includes a video frame stored in a storage medium and a module coupled to the storage medium. The module is operable to determine a measurement in the video frame, wherein the measurement is associated with an image control feature. The module is also operable to calculate an error value using the measurement and a target value, and compare the error value to a tolerance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventor: Dwight Poplin
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Apparatus and method for detecting and compensating for illuminant intensity changes within an image
Publication number: 20040179114Abstract: An apparatus such as a digital camera includes an image sensor array adapted to capture a scene into electrical values and a reference detector proximal to the sensor array for detecting illuminant intensities. The reference detector at least partially surrounds the image sensor array. The reference detector is read multiple times during the frame period in which the image sensor array captures a scene to detect illuminant intensities during the same frame period. Using the illuminant intensities, the phase and the amplitude of the flicker of the illuminant are extracted. Using the phase and the amplitude parameters, a flicker correction signal is synthesized. The flicker correction signal is used to correct the captured image data to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of flicker on the captured image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Christopher Silsby, Dwight Poplin, Richard L. Baer -
Publication number: 20040155977Abstract: A digital camera includes a shutter button, and an image sensor configured to enter a sub-sampling mode of operation for at least one auto function when the shutter button is pressed. The image sensor automatically enters a normal mode of operation after completion of the at least one auto function, and generates a digital image in the normal mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Inventors: Airell R. Clark, Dwight Poplin
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Publication number: 20030063213Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for manually adjusting the image-capturing parameters of a digital imaging device of the system utilizes a comparative image scheme that allows users to adjust the image-capturing parameters by selecting the most preferable image from a number of comparison images, which are produced using different settings of the image-capturing parameters. The comparative image scheme provides an intuitive technique for users to manually set the image-capturing parameters of the digital imaging device without having to learn about the image-capturing parameters and their effects on captured images.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: April 3, 2003Inventor: Dwight Poplin