Automatic Focus Control Patents (Class 250/201.2)
  • Patent number: 9781331
    Abstract: Automatic focusing where variance in the focus due to a relative shift in mounted positions of sensors is suppressed is performed. An imaging apparatus including a photometric sensor and a ranging sensor includes an image data generating unit configured to generate image data by using the photometric sensor, a detection unit configured to detect a region including an object from the image data generated by the image data generating unit, a determination unit configured to divide the image data into blocks corresponding to discretely arranged ranging points of the ranging sensor, and to determine a proportion of an area occupied by the region including the object for each block, and a focusing unit configured to focus on a ranging point of the ranging sensor corresponding to a block where the area occupied by the region including the object is at a predetermined proportion or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yosuke Mine
  • Patent number: 9736442
    Abstract: A device, system and method for content-adaptive resolution-enhancement is provided. A plurality of subframe streams are generated from a video stream, each of the plurality of subframe streams comprising a lower resolution version of the video stream, pixel-shifted from one another. A plurality of output subframe streams are generated from the plurality of subframe streams in a one-to-one relationship by: applying a plurality of video enhancement filters to each of the plurality of subframe streams, each of the plurality of video enhancement filters for enhancing different features of the video stream; and, combining one or more resulting enhanced subframe streams into a respective output subframe stream based on data in one or more regions of the video stream. One or more projectors are controlled to project the plurality of output subframe streams to combine the plurality of output subframe streams into a higher resolution projected video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Wong, Yaguang Li, Mark Lamm, Hicham Sekkati
  • Patent number: 9726849
    Abstract: A lead screw device includes a lead screw including a thread portion, and a driven body which engages with the thread portion, and moves in an axis direction of the lead screw along with rotation of the lead screw about an axis, the driven body including a pair of driven members disposed to sandwich the lead screw in a radial direction, wherein the pair of driven members is biased in a direction which sandwiches the lead screw in the radial direction, and a tooth portion provided in each of the driven members engages with the thread portion of the lead screw by a biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Terahara, Takehide Ohno, Terunori Koyama
  • Patent number: 9696264
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for inspecting a vertical semiconductor stack of a plurality of layers is disclosed. The method includes (a) on a confocal tool, repeatedly focusing an illumination beam at a plurality of focus planes at a plurality of different depths of a first vertical stack, wherein a defect is located at an unknown one of the different depths and the illumination beam has a wavelength range between about 700 nm and about 950 nm, (b) generating a plurality of in-focus images for the different depths based on in-focus output light detected from the first vertical stack at the different depths, wherein out-of-focus output light is inhibited from reaching the detector of the confocal system and inhibited from contributing to generation of the in-focus images, and (c) determining which one of the different depths at which the defect is located in the first vertical stack based on the in-focus images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Steven R. Lange, Robert M. Danen, Stefano Palomba
  • Patent number: 9661244
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Terutake Kadohara
  • Patent number: 9646188
    Abstract: An imaging reader has near and far imagers for imaging targets to be read over a range of working distances. A default imager captures a minor portion of an image of the target, and rapidly determines its light intensity level. The exposure and/or gain values of the default imager are set to predetermined values based on the determined light intensity level. If the target is not decoded by the default imager, then the exposure and/or gain values of another imager are set to predetermined values based on the exposure and/or gain values that were previously set for the default imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harry E. Kuchenbrod, Chinh Tan, David P. Goren
  • Patent number: 9615017
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises: an image sensing unit including photoelectric conversion elements for each microlens, with the microlenses being two-dimensionally arranged; a generation unit configured to generate a first signal pair having a first resolution from signals of a first area of the image sensing unit which corresponds to a predetermined focus detection area and generate a second signal pair having a second resolution lower than the first resolution from signals of a second area which corresponds to the predetermined focus detection area and is wider than the first area; a focus detection unit configured to perform phase difference focus detection processing based on at least one of the first and second signal pairs; and a recording image generation unit configured to generate a recording image from a signal output from the image sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kengo Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9568705
    Abstract: A camera module (40) of the present invention includes: an optical section (1) having an image pickup lens (2) and a lens barrel (3); and a lens driving device (10) including a lens holder (11). The optical section (1) and the lens driving device (10) are provided on an upper side of a sensor cover (23) covering an image pickup element (22) of an image pickup section (20). The lens barrel (3) is positioned at such a location that the lens barrel (3) does not make contact with the sensor cover (23), so that the lens barrel (3) is fixed to the lens holder (11) at the location. Before being fixed to the lens holder (11), the lens barrel (3) is slidable in the optical axis direction with respect to the lens holder (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sekimoto, Kazuya Fujita
  • Patent number: 9564733
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a substrate; a monolithic gain region disposed on the substrate and operable to produce optical gain in response to current injection, including a first electrode over a first portion of the gain region having a first length L1, with a first current I1 being applied; and a second electrode over a second portion of the gain region having a second length L2, with a second current I2 being applied; wherein I1/L1 is greater than I2/L2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: EMCORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry A. Blauvelt, Xiaoguang He, Kerry Vahala
  • Patent number: 9554035
    Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device including: a composition detection unit configured to calculate a time at which an object that is specified by a user and is included in a captured image achieves a composition specified by the user; a time calculation unit configured to calculate a time after start instruction of image pickup operation is issued but before an image is captured; and an image pickup control unit configured to start image pickup processing of the image in response to the start instruction of the image pickup operation. The composition detection unit issues the start instruction of the image pickup operation to the image pickup control unit the time calculated by the time calculation unit before the time at which the composition specified by the user is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Sugita
  • Patent number: 9538068
    Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor photoelectrically converting paired object images formed by light fluxes from mutually different pupil areas of an image capturing optical system, a signal producing part producing, by using output from each of plural pixel lines in a focus detection area in the image sensor, paired image signals corresponding to the paired object images for each pixel line, a calculating part calculating a defocus amount by using the paired image signals produced for each pixel line. The calculating part shifts the paired image signals relatively, produce first correlation data showing change of a correlation value of the paired image signals according to their relative shift amount, adds the first correlation data produced for the respective plural pixel lines to produce second correlation data, and calculates the defocus amount from the second correlation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takafumi Kishi
  • Patent number: 9530816
    Abstract: Forming a back-illuminated type CMOS image sensor, includes process for formation of a registration mark on the wiring side of a silicon substrate during formation of an active region or a gate electrode. A silicide film using an active region may also be used for the registration mark. Thereafter, the registration mark is read from the back-side by use of red light or near infrared rays, and registration of the stepper is accomplished. It is also possible to form a registration mark in a silicon oxide film on the back-side (illuminated side) in registry with the registration mark on the wiring side, and to achieve the desired registration by use of the registration mark thus formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Nobuo Nakamura, Keiji Mabuchi, Tomoyuki Umeda, Hiroaki Fujita, Eiichi Funatsu, Hiroki Sato
  • Patent number: 9506903
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical verification (PV) camera system that captures an image of the contents of a vial on an automated dispensing line is closed. Faster image processing time is achieved by utilizing a learning algorithm that stores camera parameters for a successful image associated with data for a prescription processed on the automated dispensing line. During processing of a prescription order, when the vial contents and availability of stored parameters is confirmed, the stored parameters are transmitted to the camera and an image of the vial contents is captured and stored. When a previously un-encountered or un-trained vial is detected, the camera engages the autofocus feature to capture an image. The learning algorithm evaluates the image based on feedback from one or more metric. Upon agreement with the metric standards, an image is accepted and archived and the camera parameters associated with that vial prescription are stored for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Humana Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Guthrie, Sean Guthrie, Michael Mahar, Atin Kapadia
  • Patent number: 9488819
    Abstract: A microscope system and method empirically determines the boundaries of the depth of field of an objective lens. The system and method are largely automated, with the manipulation of a specimen to be imaged being carried out by processors and associated equipment. Calculations of the empirical depth of field are also likewise automated. Upon empirically determining the boundaries of the depth of field, the specimen, particularly when transparent or translucent, can be accurately imaged at user-defined depths smaller than the depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nanotronics Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew C. Putman, John B. Putman, Jeffrey S. Archer, Julie A. Orlando
  • Patent number: 9485400
    Abstract: A camera module including an objective lens housing with an optical system, an image sensor chip with wire bonding connections, and a printed circuit board for contacting the image sensor chip. The printed circuit board is designed with wire bonding areas to which the wire bonding connections of the image sensor chip are connected, and the assembly made up of the image sensor chip and the printed circuit board is designed in such a manner that the image sensor chip is focus-adjusted to the optical system by changing its position relative to the printed circuit board taking advantage of the flexibility of the wire bonding connections of the image sensor chip. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Müller, Dieter Krökel
  • Patent number: 9477139
    Abstract: A MEMS actuator for a compact auto-focus camera module is configured to measure physical values and to estimated values each indicative of position or motion or both of a MEMS component. A smart logic component determines a set of MEMS driver control values based on analyzing the measured physical values and substituting estimated values to more accurately position the MEMS component. A MEMS driver component receives the set of MEMS driver control values and controls the position or motion, or both, of the MEMS component based on the MEMS driver control values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DIGITALOPTICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: David McKinley
  • Patent number: 9470618
    Abstract: Aspects and embodiments of the instant disclosure provide a particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent for a particle analyzer used to analyze particles contained in a sample. An exemplary particle and/or intracellular organelle alignment agent includes an aqueous solution, a viscosity modifier, and/or a buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: IRIS International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Farrell, Bart J. Wanders, Thomas H. Adams, Warren Groner, Xiaodong Zhao
  • Patent number: 9463611
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejecting head where first and second members with different sizes which are formed of silicon are laminated with an adhesive agent. The method includes measuring a distance between a reference point which is positionally aligned in the laminating direction with respect to an imaging unit and a surface which extends from the bonding surface of the second member, and imaging the bonding surface by calculating a focal point distance of the imaging unit based on the distance which is measured and a distance between the imaging unit and the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Inaoka, Jun Kakizaki, Yuma Fukuzawa, Shunsuke Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9444995
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a Tracking AutoFocus (TAF) portion of a machine vision inspection system including an imaging portion, a movable workpiece stage, a control portion, and graphical user interface (GUI). The TAF portion automatically adjusts a focus position of the imaging portion to focus at a Z height corresponding to a current surface height of the workpiece. The method includes providing the TAF portion, and providing TAF enable and disable operations, wherein: the TAF disable operations comprise a first set of TAF automatic interrupt operations that are automatically triggered by user-initiated operations that include changing the Z height, and the TAF disable operations may further comprise automatic interrupt operations that are automatically triggered based on at least one respective TAF Z height surface tracking characteristic exceeding a previously set TAF disable limit for that respective TAF Z height surface tracking characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Northrup, Dahai Yu, Hirato Sonobe
  • Patent number: 9398199
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises an imaging optical system, an image sensor, a pupil division unit which limits a light beam entering each pixel on the image sensor to a specific pupil area of the imaging optical system, an incident angle determination unit which determines an incident angle to each pixel on the image sensor, an image shift unit which shifts an electric signal obtained from the image sensor, based on the incident angle determined by the incident angle determination unit and a position of a plane on which image generation is performed, and an image generation unit which synthesizes electric signals obtained from the image shift unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Kimura, Koichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9372961
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical verification (PV) camera system that captures an image of the contents of a vial on an automated dispensing line is closed. Faster image processing time is achieved by utilizing a learning algorithm that stores camera parameters for a successful image associated with data for a prescription processed on the automated dispensing line. During processing of a prescription order, when the vial contents and availability of stored parameters is confirmed, the stored parameters are transmitted to the camera and an image of the vial contents is captured and stored. When a previously un-encountered or un-trained vial is detected, the camera engages the autofocus feature to capture an image. The learning algorithm evaluates the image based on feedback from one or more metric. Upon agreement with the metric standards, an image is accepted and archived and the camera parameters associated with that vial prescription are stored for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Humana Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Guthrie, Sean Guthrie, Michael Mahar, Atin Kapadia
  • Patent number: 9357122
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus is a photoelectric conversion apparatus formed in a semiconductor substrate, and includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit (31) formed as a first conductivity type; a second photoelectric conversion unit (32) formed as a second conductivity type at a position deeper, in a depth direction of the semiconductor substrate, rather than the first photoelectric conversion unit; and a monitor unit configured to monitor a signal of the second photoelectric conversion unit, during a charge accumulation period of the first photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki Kususaki, Yukihiro Kuroda, Hideo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9357121
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having first pixels used except for generating image signals and second pixels used for generating the image signals, the first pixels included in a first area, and a signal processing unit configured to perform interpolation processing on signals output from the first pixels in the first area. The signal processing unit performs the interpolation processing on the image signals output from the second pixels in an area other than the first area using a pattern based on an arrangement of the first pixels in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Hirose
  • Patent number: 9357124
    Abstract: A focusing control device that can keep a moving subject in focus and can prevent significant defocusing of a low contrast subject or under a low-light intensity condition during continuous shooting. The focusing control device determines whether an in-focus position of a focusing lens can be obtained, predicts an in-focus position for the current exposure operation based on an in-focus position for the previous exposure operation when continuous main exposure operation is performed for shooting, and determines whether prediction of an in-focus position is possible. When prediction of an in-focus position for the current exposure operation is determined to be not possible, the focusing control device performs a scan operation to obtain an in-focus position based on an in-focus position of the previous exposure operation where obtaining of an in-focus position of the focusing lens was determined to be possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuki Konishi
  • Patent number: 9330114
    Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable recording medium having stored therein a program for causing a computer to execute a process, the process comprising: detecting whether second data, stored in a second storage device, updated from first data stored in a first storage device has been updated, upon detecting that the second data has been updated, obtaining the second data before update from the second storage device, and storing the second data into the first storage device, and when the second data is contained in the first storage device, obtaining the second data from the first storage device, and generating third data using the second data, and the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshiki Okochi, Yuji Wada, Kuniaki Shimada
  • Patent number: 9329376
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises: an imaging unit having an imaging optical system and an imaging device; a measuring unit that measures, for each of a plurality of regions on a specimen, an optical aberration or a physical quantity causing the aberration before the imaging of the specimen is performed; a plurality of optical elements that are inserted in an optical path of the imaging optical system for correcting the aberration and that differ in correction amount; and a control unit that selects an optical element from among the optical elements on the basis of a measurement result of the measuring unit, and inserts the selected optical element into the optical path of the imaging optical system before the imaging of the specimen. The imaging optical system is configured to be capable of forming simultaneously images of the plurality of regions on the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinari Higaki, Miyoko Kawashima, Toshihiko Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9204030
    Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor having plural pixels each being constituted by a microlens causing light fluxes from mutually different areas in an exit pupil of an image capturing optical system to form two object images and two photoelectric conversion portions photoelectrically converting the two object images, a signal reader performing a first reading operation that adds signals from the two photoelectric conversion portions to read the added signal as a pixel signal and a second reading operation that independently reads the signal from each of the two photoelectric conversion portions as the pixel signal, and a phase difference detector detecting a phase difference between the two object images by using the pixel signal read by the second reading operation. The signal reader performs, when the phase difference is detected, the second reading operation on pixel lines located discretely among plural pixel lines in the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Okita
  • Patent number: 9194815
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting crystallization includes a substrate including a semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer includes a plurality of crystallized regions separated from each other; a stage configured to change a position of the substrate, the substrate being seated thereon; a photographing unit configured to acquire image data regarding the semiconductor layer; an inspection unit configured to obtain inspection data regarding the semiconductor layer; and a control unit configured to output change data regarding a change in the position of the substrate according to the image data acquired by the photographing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-Kwon Choo, Cheol-Ho Park, Hee-Geun Son, Do-Yeob Kim
  • Patent number: 9184677
    Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel includes a vibration actuator that drives a focusing lens which brings a subject image into focus; an amplifying section that applies a pair of driving signals amplified to the vibration actuator; a phase shifting section that changes a phase difference between the pair of the driving signals; and a control section that, when a signal for giving an instruction to drive the vibration actuator is input, executes a first processing of causing the phase shifting section to perform an operation which periodically changes the phase difference of the pair of the driving signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi Ashizawa, Kunihiro Kuwano, Masamitsu Kimura
  • Patent number: 9176311
    Abstract: A microscope control device includes an offset processing unit that corrects phase contrast information regarding a phase contrast between corresponding phase contrast images, which is generated based on a set of the phase contrast images of a sample which are captured by a microscope, based on offset information of phase contrasts caused by optical distortions unique to the microscope, and a defocus amount calculation unit that calculates a defocus amount of the sample on the basis of the phase contrast information after offset correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9124737
    Abstract: A multi-core processor is used in a portable device that has first and second image sensors spaced from each other for capturing images of a scene from slightly different perspectives. The multi-core processor has a first image sensor interface for receiving data from the image sensor, a second image sensor interface for receiving data from the second image sensor, multiple processing units and, the four processing units and the first and second sensor interfaces being integrated onto a single chip. The processing units are configured to simultaneously process the data from the first and second image interfaces to generate stereoscopic image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9083830
    Abstract: A multi-core processor is used in a portable device that has first and second image sensors spaced from each other for capturing images of a scene from slightly different perspectives. The multi-core processor has a first image sensor interface for receiving data from the image sensor, a second image sensor interface for receiving data from the second image sensor, multiple processing units and, the four processing units and the first and second sensor interfaces being integrated onto a single chip. The processing units are configured to simultaneously process the data from the first and second image interfaces to generate stereoscopic image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 9025130
    Abstract: A method includes directing a beam of radiation along an optical axis toward a workpiece support, measuring a spectrum of the beam at a first time to obtain a first profile, measuring the spectrum of the beam at a second time to obtain a second profile, determining a spectral difference between the two profiles, and adjusting a position of the workpiece support along the optical axis based on the difference. A different aspect involves an apparatus having a workpiece support, beam directing structure that directs a beam of radiation along an optical axis toward the workpiece support, spectrum measuring structure that measures a spectrum of the beam at first and second times to obtain respective first and second profiles, processing structure that determines a difference between the two profiles, and support adjusting structure that adjusts a position of the workpiece support along the optical axis based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Tsun Hsieh, Fu-Jye Liang, Tzung-Chi Fu, Li-Jui Chen, Chih-Ming Ke
  • Patent number: 8952305
    Abstract: An embodiment of an autofocus system is provided, including a height detection module, an image detection module, a movement unit and a processing unit. The height detection module is arranged to output a plurality of detection lights along a Z axis direction, wherein each of the detection lights has different focal lengths and different wavelengths such that the height detection module generates a dispersion region along the Z axis direction. The image detection module is arranged to capture an image of the focus position. The movement unit is arranged to move an object along the Z axis direction, wherein the object has an internal surface and an external surface. The processing unit determines whether the external surface and the internal surface are within the dispersion region according to the quantity of the energy peaks of a reflectance spectrum received by the height detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huang-Wen Lai, Shih-Hsuan Kuo, Leh-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 8953899
    Abstract: A method for rendering an image from a light-field camera, which generates a raw light-field image, includes: generating feature data, which includes feature elements associated with position information and obtained based on the raw light-field image and a preset threshold condition; generating a raw focused image from the raw light-field image; obtaining a virtual focus position that is designated on the raw focused image; and refocusing the raw focused image according to the virtual focus position by updating pixel values of pixels of the raw focused image that correspond respectively in position to the feature elements of the feature data, so as to generate a refocused image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: National Taiwan University, Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jiun-Huei Wu, Hung-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 8922637
    Abstract: A sample-image acquisition apparatus includes: an image taking device; a movement control section; and a sample-image acquisition section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Kishima
  • Publication number: 20140368635
    Abstract: A focus height sensor in an optical system for inspection of semiconductor devices includes a sensor beam source that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation. A reflector receives the beam of electromagnetic radiation from the sensor beam source and directs the beam toward a surface of a semiconductor device positioned within a field of view of the optical system. The reflector is positioned to receive at least a portion of the beam back from the surface of the semiconductor device to direct the returned beam to a sensor. The sensor receives the returned beam and outputs a signal correlating to a position of the surface within the field of view along an optical axis of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Dennis L. Ohren, Christopher J. Voges, Andrew E. Rotering
  • Patent number: 8907263
    Abstract: There is provided a position detecting device using reflection type photosensors in which a position sensing of lens located not less than 1 mm apart from a sensor can be conducted. A pair of reflection type photosensors PR1 and PR2 are oppositely arranged, a double sided reflector 5 attached on a movable body is movably arranged between the pair of reflection type photosensors and a position of the double sided reflector 5 is detected from the outputs of these reflection type photosensors. In the position detecting device of the present invention, an operating formula in which linear values are obtained depending on a moving distance of the double sided reflector can be used. For example, when an output of one of the pair of reflection type photosensors is Vo1, and an output of the other is Vo2, the position detecting is conducted using the operating formula of (Vo1?Vo2)/(Vo1+Vo2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: New Japan Radio Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumiaki Ohno
  • Publication number: 20140332661
    Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus has: an imaging unit that is capable of outputting a pair of focus detection signals by photoelectrically converting rays of light which pass through different pupil areas of a focusing optical system; a focus detection unit for detecting a first defocus amount by executing a first filter processing to the pair of focus detection signals; a determination unit for determining a focus state on the basis of the first defocus amount; an evaluation value generation unit for generating an evaluation value of the first defocus amount by executing a second filter processing to the pair of focus detection signals in accordance with a result of the determination; and a control unit for evaluating the result of the determination about the focus state on the basis of the evaluation value and controlling a focus adjustment in accordance with a result of the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20140284449
    Abstract: An imaging element includes pixel portions each having a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel and outputs a phase difference detection-type focus detecting signal. An image signal A includes information for the first sub-pixel and an image signal AB includes information for the second sub-pixel. A level determining unit compares the image signal A with a threshold value SHA and compares the image signal AB with a threshold value SHAB. A correlation calculation processing unit performs correlation calculation for a signal excluding the image signal A having a level exceeding the threshold value SHA and the image signal AB having a level exceeding the threshold value SHAB so as to output the result of calculation to a CPU. The CPU calculates a focal shift amount in accordance with the result of calculation and performs a focus adjusting operation by drive-controlling a focus lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mineo Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140267879
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the focus of a camera. A rotatable focus member, when rotated, effects movement of an indicator element. The position of the indicator element is sensed by a sensing element and is passed to a controller within the camera. The controller prompts a motor to drive a focusing element of the camera in response to changes in the sensed position of the indicator element. The focus member effects movement of the indicator element by way of rolling resistance as opposed to sliding friction, allowing for more consistent and controlled manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Fluke Corporation
  • Patent number: 8809756
    Abstract: A vision measuring device includes: a camera which images a workpiece and transfers image information of the workpiece; a position control unit which controls an in-focus position of the camera and outputs the in-focus position as position information representing a position in a Z-axis direction; and a vision measuring machine which performs vision measurement on the workpiece based on image information and position information. The position control unit acquires and retains position information in response to a trigger signal output from the camera or the position control unit to the other at a certain timing of an imaging period during which the camera images the workpiece. The vision measuring machine calculates position information representing a position of image information in the Z-axis direction based on image information transferred from the camera and position information output from the position control unit, and performs auto-focusing control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8803054
    Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion apparatus, an error can occur due to a voltage drop through a MOS transistor. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, to reduce the error, a circuit block disposed between a unit pixel and an output line includes a differential amplifier circuit and a switch that is disposed in a feedback path of the differential amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Tomohisa Kinugasa
  • Patent number: 8772688
    Abstract: An autofocus device including: an optical source; an optical unit that allows emitted light from the optical source and object light from a measurement target to pass through the same optical path, the optical unit being arranged between the optical source and the measurement target; and a detection unit that performs focus detection by using the object light passed through the optical unit. The optical unit includes: a tube lens that forms the emitted light into parallel light; an image forming unit that forms a continuous line image on a surface of the measurement target; and a rotation unit that rotates the continuous line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Okabe, Seiji Shimokawa, Kazuki Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8767200
    Abstract: A luminous flux branching element includes a transparent base member arranged diagonally to an optical axis and having an incidence plane and an emission plane parallel to each other. Incident light from the incidence plane is split into a main luminous flux emitted from an emission position on the emission plane and a branched luminous flux emitted from a branch position apart from the emission position and having a smaller light quantity than of the main luminous flux. A reflecting member is arranged on the incidence plane to cause the incidence plane to reflect reflected light from the emission plane. A non-coat region in which antireflection-treatment is not performed is formed in a region of the emission plane where the incident light from the incidence plane is reached, and antireflection-treatment is performed in the emission plane excluding the non-coat region and the incidence plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Riki Ogawa, Hiroyuki Nagahama, Tomohiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8769437
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for displaying first media content item with a second media content item inserted within the display of the first media content item. In particular, the second media content item can be displayed with the first media content item when location information associated with the second media content item describes a location with a capture zone of the first media content item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Tomi Myllylä
  • Patent number: 8766153
    Abstract: A vision measuring device includes: a camera which images a workpiece and transfers image information of the workpiece; a position control unit which controls an in-focus position of the camera and outputs the in-focus position as position information representing a position in a Z-axis direction; and a vision measuring machine which performs vision measurement on the workpiece based on image information and position information. The position control unit acquires and retains position information in response to a trigger signal output from the camera or the position control unit to the other at a certain timing of an imaging period during which the camera images the workpiece. The vision measuring machine calculates position information representing a position of image information in the Z-axis direction based on image information transferred from the camera and position information output from the position control unit, and performs auto-focusing control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8754978
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pair of sensor units each of which includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a signal holding unit and a transfer unit, and outputs a signal held by the signal holding unit, comprising a control unit including a detector unit, wherein when one of the pair of sensor units operates in a first mode, the other operates in a second mode, the detector unit detects that the output has reached a predetermined value after the one starting a signal transfer, the one ends the signal transfer in response to the detection and determines the held signal, the control unit generates a control signal after that, and the other in the second mode accumulates generated charges and starts a signal transfer in accordance with the control signal, then ends the signal transfer and determines the held signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Hayashi, Takuro Yamamoto, Tatsuhiko Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8748789
    Abstract: An optical system configured to detect optical signals during imaging sessions. The optical system includes an objective lens that has a collecting end that is positioned proximate to a sample and configured to receive optical signals therefrom. The optical system also includes a removable path compensator that is configured to be located at an imaging position between the collecting end of the objective lens and the sample. The path compensator adjusts an optical path of the light emissions when in the imaging position. Also, the optical system includes a transfer device that is configured to move the path compensator. The transfer device locates the path compensator at the imaging position for a first imaging session and removes the path compensator from the imaging position for a second imaging session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Triener, Erik Allegoren, Wenyi Feng, Dale Buermann, Erik Olson, James Osmus
  • Patent number: 8743245
    Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of obtaining an input image that is an image in which information of an object space is obtained from a plurality of points of view using an image pickup apparatus that includes an image pickup element having a plurality of pixels and an imaging optical system, calculating a first position of a virtual imaging plane that corresponds to a specified focus position, setting the virtual imaging plane to a second position that is in a range of a depth of focus of the imaging optical system with reference to the first position so that a maximum value of an apparent pixel pitch that is formed by reconstructing the input image is decreased, and generating an output image in a state where the virtual imaging plane is set to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihito Hiasa, Koshi Hatakeyama