Patents by Inventor Takafumi Usui
Takafumi Usui 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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Publication number: 20230283920Abstract: An electronic device including an image sensor and a processor may be provided. The image sensor may provide, in a first mode, to the at least one processor, first image data may be obtained by outputting data input to a unit pixel of the image sensor with a first conversion gain, the first image data may have a first number of bits. The image sensor may provide, in a second mode, to the at least one processor, second image data may be obtained by outputting data input to the unit pixel of the image sensor with the first conversion gain and a second conversion gain. The second conversion gain may be lower than the first conversion gain. The second image data may have a second number of bits which may be larger than the first number of bits.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Dongsoo KIM, Hwayong KANG, Kawang KANG, Jaehyoung PARK, Byeongjoo SONG, Takafumi USUI, Jaeoh JEONG, Hyeoncheol JO
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Publication number: 20230135693Abstract: An electronic device includes: a color filter array including a plurality of color filters having a first grid pattern; an image sensor including the color filter array; and at least one processor electrically connected to the image sensor. The at least one processor is configured to acquire image data via unit pixels of a pixel array having a second grid pattern forming an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the first grid pattern. At least two of the plurality of color filters have different colors and the at least two of the plurality of color filters correspond to the unit pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jaehyoung PARK, Hwayong KANG, Dongsoo KIM, Takafumi USUI
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Patent number: 11582430Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an image sensor including a pixel, the pixel including a micro lens, a plurality of photodiodes, and a color filter disposed between the plurality of photodiodes and the micro lens; a processor operatively connected to the image sensor; and a memory operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores one or more instructions that, when executed by the image sensor, cause the image sensor to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations comprising: determining whether the image sensor is in a high-resolution mode; when the image sensor is in the high-resolution mode, calculating a disparity based on signals detected from the plurality of photodiodes; when the disparity is not greater than a threshold value, applying a first remosaic algorithm to the signals; and when the disparity is greater than the threshold value, applying a second remosaic algorithm to the signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dongsoo Kim, Jaehyoung Park, Hwayong Kang, Shuichi Shimokawa, Takafumi Usui, Youngkwon Yoon
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Publication number: 20210211615Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an image sensor including a pixel, the pixel including a micro lens, a plurality of photodiodes, and a color filter disposed between the plurality of photodiodes and the micro lens; a processor operatively connected to the image sensor; and a memory operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores one or more instructions that, when executed by the image sensor, cause the image sensor to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations comprising: determining whether the image sensor is in a high-resolution mode; when the image sensor is in the high-resolution mode, calculating a disparity based on signals detected from the plurality of photodiodes; when the disparity is not greater than a threshold value, applying a first remosaic algorithm to the signals; and when the disparity is greater than the threshold value, applying a second remosaic algorithm to the signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Dongsoo KIM, Jaehyoung PARK, Hwayong KANG, Shuichi SHIMOKAWA, Takafumi USUI, Youngkwon YOON
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Patent number: 10979612Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first camera configured to include a first image sensor, a second camera configured to include a second image sensor, and a processor. The processor allows a pixel array of the first image sensor to have a difference of a first exposure start timing in units of at least one row and obtains a first image based on a first exposure period and a first read-out speed using the first camera, allows a pixel array of the second image sensor to have a difference of a second exposure start timing in units of at least one row and obtains a plurality of second images based on a second exposure period and a second read-out speed using the second camera, and generates a third image by synthesizing at least some of the plurality of second images.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takafumi Usui
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Patent number: 10764521Abstract: An image sensor is provided which includes a first group of pixels including a first color filter passing light having a first wavelength range, a second group of pixels including a second color filter passing light having a second wavelength range, and a third group of pixels including a third color filter passing light having a third wavelength range. The first wavelength range is longer than the second wavelength range, and the second wavelength range is longer than the third wavelength range. A second pixel in the second group of pixels or a third pixel in the third group of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices, and a first pixel of the first group of pixels includes a single photoelectric conversion device.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Takafumi Usui, Makoto Takamiya, Shuichi Shimokawa
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Publication number: 20200267296Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first camera configured to include a first image sensor, a second camera configured to include a second image sensor, and a processor. The processor allows a pixel array of the first image sensor to have a difference of a first exposure start timing in units of at least one row and obtains a first image based on a first exposure period and a first read-out speed using the first camera, allows a pixel array of the second image sensor to have a difference of a second exposure start timing in units of at least one row and obtains a plurality of second images based on a second exposure period and a second read-out speed using the second camera, and generates a third image by synthesizing at least some of the plurality of second images.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventor: Takafumi USUI
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Patent number: 10389951Abstract: An electronic device includes a lens part that receives light from a subject, an image sensor that receives the light of the lens part from a group of pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and an processor that processes an image signal of the image sensor. The image sensor performs a read-out operation at a speed to prevent blurring of an image. The processor temporarily stores image data by the read-out operation in a memory, loads a plurality of images stored in the memory to generate an image, of which the number of bits is expanded compared with the image signal of the image sensor, and performs gamma processing on the image, of which the number of bits is expanded, to generate an image compressed to the same number of bits as the image signal of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae Hyoung Park, Byung Ho Kim, Jae Joon Moon, Jeong Won Lee, Han Sung Kim, Woo Seok Choi, Shuichi Shimokawa, Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20180213142Abstract: An image sensor is provided which includes a first group of pixels including a first color filter passing light having a first wavelength range, a second group of pixels including a second color filter passing light having a second wavelength range, and a third group of pixels including a third color filter passing light having a third wavelength range. The first wavelength range is longer than the second wavelength range, and the second wavelength range is longer than the third wavelength range. A second pixel in the second group of pixels or a third pixel in the third group of pixels includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices, and a first pixel of the first group of pixels includes a single photoelectric conversion device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Takafumi Usui, Makoto Takamiya, Shuichi Shimokawa
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Patent number: 9994155Abstract: A sleeve 15 is formed on a mirror base 10. An opening 28a is formed in a mirror head 20. The sleeve 15 has an outer peripheral surface including a first outer peripheral surface 15a and a second outer peripheral surface 15b. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is located further in an inward radial direction of the sleeve 15 than the first outer peripheral surface 15a. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is formed so as to extend smoothly in a circumferential direction of the sleeve. A passage 40, which guides wind entering the mirror head 20, is formed between the second outer peripheral surface 15b and an inner peripheral surface of the opening 28a.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignees: ISHIZAKI HONTEN CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Teiji Nishimoto, Hiroaki Ohtagaki, Tomoya Morimura, Kazuaki Hiwatashi, Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20180097983Abstract: An electronic device includes a lens part that receives light from a subject, an image sensor that receives the light of the lens part from a group of pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and an processor that processes an image signal of the image sensor. The image sensor performs a read-out operation at a speed to prevent blurring of an image. The processor temporarily stores image data by the read-out operation in a memory, loads a plurality of images stored in the memory to generate an image, of which the number of bits is expanded compared with the image signal of the image sensor, and performs gamma processing on the image, of which the number of bits is expanded, to generate an image compressed to the same number of bits as the image signal of the image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Jae Hyoung PARK, Byung Ho KIM, Jae Joon MOON, Jeong Won LEE, Han Sung KIM, Woo Seok CHOI, Shuichi SHIMOKAWA, Takafumi USUI
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Patent number: 9848116Abstract: A solid-state image sensor of an electronic device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and having a plurality of phase difference pixel of the plurality of pixels. The plurality of phase difference pixels are arranged at locations of pixels that are commonly read out in a plurality of different skip readout modes.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuichi Shimokawa, Dong-min Kim, Sang-min Lee, Kwi-sung Yoo, Seung-hyun Lim, Woo-seok Choi, Beoung-ouk Min, Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20170253184Abstract: A sleeve 15 is formed on a mirror base 10. An opening 28a is formed in a mirror head 20. The sleeve 15 has an outer peripheral surface including a first outer peripheral surface 15a and a second outer peripheral surface 15b. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is located further in an inward radial direction of the sleeve 15 than the first outer peripheral surface 15a. The second outer peripheral surface 15b is formed so as to extend smoothly in a circumferential direction of the sleeve. A passage 40, which guides wind entering the mirror head 20, is formed between the second outer peripheral surface 15b and an inner peripheral surface of the opening 28a.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Teiji NISHIMOTO, Hiroaki OHTAGAKI, Tomoya MORIMURA, Kazuaki HIWATASHI, Takafumi USUI
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Patent number: 9357133Abstract: An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method for auto-focusing, the method including reading out a live-view signal from first group pixels; reading out an auto-focusing detection signal from second group pixels; and auto-focusing using the live-view signal and the auto-focusing detection signal, wherein the first group pixels and the second group pixels do not substantially overlap.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takafumi Usui
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Patent number: 9288400Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a photographing function includes: a flash that emits light including a visible light wavelength range and an infrared wavelength range and radiates the light onto a subject; an infrared detector that absorbs light in the infrared wavelength range and generates a detection signal corresponding to the light; an image sensor that photoelectrically transforms incident light and generates an image signal; and a controller that controls an exposure time of the image sensor based on the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yeo-tak Youn, Atsushi Mikoshiba, Hiroshi Dohi, Ji-woong Park, Takafumi Usui
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Patent number: 9215389Abstract: An image pickup device is provided including a plurality of pixels arranged over an entire region of the image pickup device, each pixel including: a plurality of light-receiving sub-pixels that generate an image pickup signal from incident light; and a phase-difference detection sub-pixel having a confined light-receiving region. The plurality of pixels includes first group pixels and second group pixels that are each classified according to an arrangement of the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel thereof, and the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel of the first group pixels and the confined light-receiving region of the phase-difference detection sub-pixel in the second group pixels are arranged biased to opposite directions.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20150237253Abstract: A solid-state image sensor of an electronic device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and having a plurality of phase difference pixel of the plurality of pixels. The plurality of phase difference pixels are arranged at locations of pixels that are commonly read out in a plurality of different skip readout modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Shuichi Shimokawa, Dong-min Kim, Sang-min Lee, Kwi-sung Yoo, Seung-hyun Lim, Woo-seok Choi, Beoung-ouk Min, Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20150097964Abstract: An electronic apparatus having a photographing function includes: a flash that emits light including a visible light wavelength range and an infrared wavelength range and radiates the light onto a subject; an infrared detector that absorbs light in the infrared wavelength range and generates a detection signal corresponding to the light; an image sensor that photoelectrically transforms incident light and generates an image signal; and a controller that controls an exposure time of the image sensor based on the detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Yeo-tak Youn, Atsushi Mikoshiba, Hiroshi Dohi, Ji-woong Park, Takafumi Usui
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Patent number: 8994849Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing a dynamic range of an image by using a first electronic shutter and a second electronic shutter of a camera is provided. The method includes initiating exposure of an image sensor by moving a first electronic front curtain according to a first control pulse signal of the first electronic shutter; moving a second electronic front curtain with respect to at least one pixel of the image sensor according to a second control pulse signal of the second electronic shutter; blocking the exposure of the image sensor by moving a mechanical rear curtain included in the camera; and acquiring, after blocking the exposure, a long exposure image using the first electronic front curtain and a short exposure image using the second electronic front curtain.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Tae-ho Lee, Takafumi Usui
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Publication number: 20140049664Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing a dynamic range of an image by using a first electronic shutter and a second electronic shutter of a camera is provided. The method includes initiating exposure of an image sensor by moving a first electronic front curtain according to a first control pulse signal of the first electronic shutter; moving a second electronic front curtain with respect to at least one pixel of the image sensor according to a second control pulse signal of the second electronic shutter; blocking the exposure of the image sensor by moving a mechanical rear curtain included in the camera; and acquiring, after blocking the exposure, a long exposure image using the first electronic front curtain and a short exposure image using the second electronic front curtain.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co .. Ltd.Inventors: Tae-ho LEE, Takafumi USUI