Camera Located Remotely From Image Processor (i.e., Camera Head) Patents (Class 348/211.14)
  • Patent number: 11425301
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus obtains image data and transmits the image data to an external apparatus. The image processing apparatus applies first image processing to the image data and receives a result of second image processing applied in the external apparatus to a part of the image data corresponding to a partial area of an entire image represented by the image data, prior to receiving a result of the second image processing applied in the external apparatus to the entirety of the image data corresponding to the entire image. The image processing apparatus, when causing a display apparatus to display the image data that has been transmitted to the external apparatus, causes the display apparatus to display the image data along with an indicator indicating a status of the second image processing being applied to the image data in the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Shoda
  • Patent number: 11330165
    Abstract: An electronics-enabled eyewear device includes a mode indicator comprising a series of light emitters arranged on a forward-facing surface of the eyewear device, for example being provided by a ring of LEDs arranged peripherally about a camera lens opening in a front surface of an eyewear frame. The mode indicator automatically displays different visual indications corresponding to different modes of operation or states of the eyewear device. One visual indication provides an animated pattern of circulating LEDs during video capture by the eyewear device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Hanover
  • Patent number: 10782592
    Abstract: To improve usability. An annular mounting portion to which an accessory is attachable, an imaging element that receives object light taken through an opening, a barrier moved between a closing position for closing the opening and an opening position for opening the opening, a portion to be acted that moves the barrier with an attaching action of the accessory to the mounting portion, and an operation portion that moves the barrier regardless of the attaching action of the accessory to the mounting portion are provided, and the operation portion is located inside the mounting portion or at a front portion of the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taiki Uno
  • Patent number: 10565694
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and method capable of displaying HDR image on SDR display apparatus without large deterioration in image quality. The apparatus has a display control unit for converting an HDR image signal and generating an output signal into a display unit. The display control unit converts an input HDR image signal in case the HDR image signal is input, and generates and outputs a converted HDR signal according to a ? correction curve with an I/O characteristic reverse to a ? curve corresponding to an I/O characteristic of an SDR display unit to the display unit. In case the ? curve corresponding to the I/O characteristic of the SDR display unit is a 2.2-th power curve, the display control unit converts the input HDR image signal, and generates and outputs a converted HDR signal with I/O characteristic according to a (1/2.2)-th power curve to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Eto, Hidetaka Honji
  • Patent number: 10511770
    Abstract: An accessory apparatus attached to an interchangeable lens attached to a camera body can switch between a first accessory power mode and a second accessory power mode consuming less power than the first accessory power mode. The power state of the accessory apparatus is set based on information regarding the power mode of the camera body and the power mode of the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10044914
    Abstract: An imaging system 10 includes a control unit 15. An imaging device 20 and an information processing device 60 include a fixed state in which the devices are fixed to each other, and a separated state in which the devices are separated from each other. The control unit 15 correlates disturbance information, which indicates disturbance affecting image data or audio data generated by the imaging device 20, with image data generated by the imaging device 20 at the time of disturbance on the basis of fixation/separation information indicating the fixed state or the separated state of the imaging device 20 and the information processing device 60. Accordingly, a low-quality portion in a captured image is easily detectable on the basis of disturbance information correlated with image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryogo Ito, Keiji Okamoto, Yoko Fukata, Kazuma Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 9667871
    Abstract: A system and method of remote imaging allows a camera module in a modular portable electronic device environment to be removed from a base module without halting an image capture session being displayed on a display of the base module. In an embodiment, image data may be captured by both the camera module and the base module. A hardwired connection connects the devices when the camera module is docked on the base module, while a wireless connection maintains the connection between the devices when the camera module is undocked from the base module during an image capture session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Michael J Lombardi, Joseph L Allore, Nathan M Connell, Paul Fordham
  • Patent number: 9454820
    Abstract: A process creates a depth map of a scene. The process is performed at a computing device having one or more processors, and memory storing one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. For each of a plurality of distinct subsets of illuminators of a camera system, the process receives a captured image of a first scene taken by a 2-dimensional array of image sensors of the camera system while the respective subset of illuminators are emitting light and the illuminators not in the respective subset are not emitting light. The image sensors are partitioned into a plurality of pixels. For each pixel, the process uses the captured images to form a respective vector of light intensity at the pixel and estimates a depth in the first scene at the respective pixel by looking up the respective vector in a respective lookup table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Ghulam Ahmed Kirmani, Andrea Colaco, Dongeek Shin
  • Patent number: 9413983
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to let a user arbitrarily and easily see any other scene than himself or herself in his or her view (the scene seen from any other moving body than him or her). In a display device (an image pickup and display device 1 or a display device 40), specification information is generated to specify a specific image pickup device of outer image pickup devices (the image pickup and display device 1 or and image pickup device 30), and image data are received from the image pickup device specified by the specification information and are displayed. As an outer image pickup device, for example, and image pickup device wore by some other person, image pickup devices set at a car, an electric train, and the like, or further mage pickup devices set at an animal, a bird, and the like are supposed. Image data picked up by these image pickup devices are transmitted to the display side and the image display is carried out in the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Keiji Kimura, Masaaki Tsuruta, Masamichi Asukai, Taiji Ito, Kan Ebisawa, Nozomu Ozaki, Akinobu Sugino, Hidehiko Sekizawa, Yonetaro Totsuka
  • Patent number: 9083869
    Abstract: A case for an electronic communications device having a lens for capturing images comprises an external casing assembly comprising: (a) an external sleeve defining an interior space, the sleeve comprising an opening at one longitudinal end; (b) a door movably mounted at the opposite end; (c) a releasable latch for securing the door in a closed position; and (d) an interchangeable lens assembly comprising a lens and a lens holder removably attached to a front side of the casing assembly. The case further comprises a sled component for receiving the electronic communication device thereon, the sled component being configured for removable receipt in an inserted position in the external sleeve by longitudinal insertion. The sled component reduces vibrations experienced by the electronic communications device. The sled component has a lens exposing area positioned for alignment with the lens of the electronics communications device to permit image capture therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: FELLOWES, INC.
    Inventor: John Willenborg
  • Patent number: 9041812
    Abstract: Real-time access by a requestor to surveillance video is conditionally pre-authorized dependent on the existence of at least one pre-specified automatically detectable condition, and recorded in a data processing system. A requestor subsequently requests real-time access to the surveillance video (e.g., as a result of an alarm), and if the pre-specified automatically detectable condition is met, access is automatically granted, i.e., without the need for manual intervention. An automatically detectable condition could, e.g., be an alarm condition detected by a sensor at the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a locational proximity of the requestor to the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a previously defined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Billau, Vincenzo V. Di Luoffo, Dan P. Dumarot, Matthew J. Paschal, Brandon W. Schulz, James E. Woodbury
  • Patent number: 9007474
    Abstract: A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: AXIS AB
    Inventors: Carl-Axel Alm, Stefan Lundberg, Willy Sagefalk
  • Patent number: 8988600
    Abstract: A support according to an embodiment is a support that supports a wiring board including a mounting area for an image sensor, a first lead area extending from the mounting area and having a first connection terminal formed therein, and a second lead area extending from the mounting area and having a second connection terminal formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takatoshi Kamei
  • Patent number: 8982224
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes image pickup means; holding means for holding a coordinate system used to represent an image capturing direction or a region in an image capturing range of the image pickup means; reception means for receiving a first command for rotating a captured image obtained by the image pickup means or a captured image cut out from the region in the image capturing range by a certain angle, a second command for rotating the coordinate system held in the holding means about the origin by the certain angle, and specification information for specifying the image capturing direction in the coordinate system; and change control means for executing control to change the image capturing direction of the image pickup means to the image capturing direction specified by the specification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8970764
    Abstract: A digital image signal processing apparatus having an angle of view preview function, a method of controlling the digital image signal processing apparatus, and a recording medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing the method. Accordingly, a display image displaying at least one piece of angle of view information that is different from angle of view information of a currently mounted interchangeable lens is generated by performing image signal processing, and the display image is displayed. Accordingly, a photographer is informed about angle of view information needed to capture a desired image, and the photographer may easily select an interchangeable lens having desired angle of view information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hun-young Ryu
  • Patent number: 8953041
    Abstract: An Engineer's View (EV) wireless video system for powered and unpowered model railroad engines is disclosed. The invention uses commercially available wireless spy cameras, powered by a custom power supply circuit which is compatible with either DC or DCC track systems. The present invention is compatible with all commercial model railroad gauge diesel engines including HO and N Gauge or may be factory installed. The EV system demonstrates a remarkably stable and realistic image of a model railroad layout. Moreover, the present invention may also provide a stable source of power to the engine where stalling could occur at points of track defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Johnson Bartlett, Sr., William Travis Bartlett
  • Patent number: 8947548
    Abstract: A camera body at which an interchangeable lens, holding a plurality of sets of optical characteristics data, each expressing specific optical characteristics in one of a plurality of representation formats, can be detachably mounted, includes: an identification information reception unit that receives lens-side identification information from the interchangeable lens, which indicates the plurality of representation formats; an identification information storage unit in which body-side identification information indicating each representation format that the camera body is capable of recognizing among the plurality of representation formats, is stored; a selection unit that selects a single representation format included in both the lens-side and the body-side identification information, among the plurality of representation formats; a request unit that issues a request to the interchangeable lens for the optical characteristics data corresponding to the selected representation format; and an optical character
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Taro Makigaki
  • Patent number: 8941746
    Abstract: Adapter (3, 5) for processing electrical signals in an installation comprising a video camera equipment (1) and a remote equipment (7). A first aim of the present invention is to provide an adapter system which allows automatically providing an output video signal that is co-timed to the master timing reference of the remote equipment. A second aim of the invention is to provide an adapter system which improves the security of the installation when power for the camera is transmitted by the remote equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Interlemo Holding S.A.
    Inventors: Keith Jenkins, Gary Wordsworth, David Pether, Philip Longhurst, Christopher Hamblin, Gareth Foster
  • Patent number: 8928737
    Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Lauren Ann Christopher, Mangilal Agarwal, Weixu Li
  • Patent number: 8922721
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a camera configured to capture an image of a remote controller; a storage configured to store information regarding a plurality of appearance states of the remote controller corresponding to user commands; and a controller configured to determine an appearance state from among the plurality of appearance states of the remote controller based on the image of remote controller captured by the camera, and control the display section to display the image of the content according to a user command corresponding to the determined appearance state of the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-sung Jung, Nam-hyun Park, Hae-sung Park, Ri-na Shin, Hyung-ho Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 8890945
    Abstract: An example image sensor system includes an image sensor having a first terminal and a host controller coupled to the first terminal. Logic is included in the image sensor system, that when executed transfers analog image data from the image sensor to the host controller through the first terminal of the image sensor and also transfers one or more digital control signals between the image sensor and the host controller through the same first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun Dai, Junzhao Lei
  • Patent number: 8866913
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a 360 degree camera system include imaging reference strips, analyzing the imaged data to correct for pitch, roll, and yaw of cameras of the 360 degree camera system, and analyzing the image data to correct for zoom and shifting of the cameras. Each of the reference strips may include a bullseye component and a dots component to aid in the analyzing and correcting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Hsieh, Hasan Gadjali, Tawei Ho
  • Patent number: 8854544
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 8848065
    Abstract: A pan-tilt camera is arranged to include a camera head, a stationary unit, an intermediate member arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit, a first rotary joint rotatably connecting the camera head to the intermediate member, and a second rotary joint, rotatably connecting the intermediate member to the stationary unit. A communication path is provided between the camera head and the stationary unit, including an optical waveguide arranged between the camera head and the stationary unit. The optical waveguide has a first end positioned at the first rotary joint to receive light from the camera head through the first rotary joint. The other end of the waveguide is positioned at the second rotary joint and is arranged to send light to the stationary unit through the second rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventors: Carl-Axel Alm, Stefan Lundberg, Willy Sagefalk
  • Patent number: 8836818
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an independently exchangeable first circuit board that has an electric component and a non-volatile first storage unit; a second circuit board that has an electric component, a non-volatile second storage unit, and a third storage unit; and a controller that accumulates and stores information corresponding to an imaging count in the third storage unit at a first timing that corresponds to imaging performed by the image capture apparatus, and causes information corresponding to the information stored in the third storage unit to be stored in the first or second storage unit at a second timing that occurs at a longer interval than the first timing. The controller stores the information corresponding to the imaging count in the third storage unit after comparing information regarding the imaging count stored in the first and second storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhito Takaki
  • Patent number: 8836802
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method of displaying items on a touch-sensitive display. The method includes showing a camera on the touch-sensitive display and detecting contact with the camera on the touch-sensitive display. The method further includes manipulating the camera based on a gesture conducted on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the gesture includes making contact with the touch sensitive display at a plurality of locations. The plurality of locations are arranged in a pattern that defines operation of the camera. Other embodiments relate to a method that includes showing a menu on the touch-sensitive display that includes a plurality of camera movement operations and detecting contact with the camera on the touch-sensitive display. The method further includes detecting contact with the menu on the touch-sensitive display to select a particular camera movement operation and manipulating the camera based on a gesture conducted on the touch-sensitive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Laberge, Pallavi Dharwada
  • Patent number: 8817117
    Abstract: A camera system having a plurality of camera pairs is provided. Each pair may have a camera control unit and a camera head unit respectively connected together by way of an asynchronous transmission network. The camera system may also have a central processing unit configured to obtain a video signal delay amount, representative of a time delay between a respective camera control unit and its respective camera head unit, for each of the plurality of camera pairs, and to adjust the video signal delay amount between at least one said camera control unit and its respective camera head unit to be equal to a selected video signal delay amount of another said camera control unit and its respective camera head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Satoshi Tsubaki, Tamotsu Munakata, Eisaburo Itakura, Hideaki Murayama
  • Patent number: 8721198
    Abstract: A remote control and/or gyrostabilized camera head has circular roll track segments on roll arms. A roll frame has first and second motor supports or housings. A roll motor on or in the first motor support moves the roll frame about a roll axis. A tilt motor on or in the second motor support rotates a tilt frame about a tilt axis. The weight of the roll motor support and the roll motor may be substantially the same as the tilt motor support and the tilt motor, so that the roll frame is balanced, allowing for better performance. As the camera head is a pan/roll/tilt head, the head can continue to provide movement in three axes, regardless of the camera position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8711253
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Endo
  • Patent number: 8705852
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an image are provided. The apparatus may determine a distortion region based on warped pixels in a synthesized image of an intermediate view; and define a surface area of the distortion region as a distortion function of the synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Tae Oh, Du Sik Park, Jae Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20140104449
    Abstract: Some embodiments of an imaging adapter head are provided. The imaging adapter head can include a sensor module configured to detect levels of electromagnetic radiation within a field of view and output a corresponding digital or analog video signal. The imaging adapter head can include a micro-display module configured to receive the video signal and to generate an optical representation of the video signal. The imaging adapter head can include an optical coupling module having one or more lenses configured to create a focused virtual image of the optical representation and to position and size the focused virtual image such that, when the imaging adapter head is coupled to a personal imaging device having an optical image sensor, the optical representation of the field of view is completely imaged on the optical image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: N2 Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Masarik, Charles Francisco Wolcott
  • Patent number: 8659646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote-head imaging system with a camera control unit capable of supporting multiple input devices. The camera control unit detects an input device to which it is connected and changes the camera control unit's internal functionality accordingly. Such changes include altering clock timing, changing video output parameters, and changing image processing software. In addition, a user is able to select different sets of software program instructions and hardware configuration information based on the head that is attached. The remote-head imaging system utilizes field-programmable circuitry, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), in order to facilitate the change in configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
    Inventors: Doron Adler, Shai Finkman, Arie Blumzvig
  • Patent number: 8605174
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a camera, a support body, and an arm section including an arm that is rotatably attached to the support body and to a camera housing incorporating therein the camera. The image processing apparatus calculates a height of the camera measured from a set surface, using dimensional information of the image processing apparatus and inclination information indicating an inclination of the camera and an inclination of the arm. The image processing apparatus specifies a type of an object subjected for capturing by the camera using at least the height of the camera, and applies image processing specific to the specified type of the object to a captured image captured by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Namie, Haruo Shida, Takahiro Asai
  • Patent number: 8593556
    Abstract: A digital image signal processing apparatus having an angle of view preview function, a method of controlling the digital image signal processing apparatus, and a recording medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing the method. Accordingly, a display image displaying at least one piece of angle of view information that is different from angle of view information of a currently mounted interchangeable lens is generated by performing image signal processing, and the display image is displayed. Accordingly, a photographer is informed about angle of view information needed to capture a desired image, and the photographer may easily select an interchangeable lens having desired angle of view information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hun-young Ryu
  • Patent number: 8587678
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head-separated camera device includes an imaging unit, a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and a connection unit configured to connect the imaging unit and the control unit. The imaging unit includes a sensor configured to capture an image to provide a video signal, a superimposition module configured to superimpose, on serial data, the video signal, the synchronization signal, and the clock signal, the serial data serving to reproduce the image captured by the sensor, and a transmitter configured to transmit the serial data to the control unit. The control unit includes a receiver configured to receive the serial data and a separation module configured to separate the serial data received by the receiver, into the video signal, the synchronization signal, and the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinozaki, Masatoshi Ookubo, Hiroyuki Irikura, Takashi Tsuda, Koichi Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 8587719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of video camera and provides an ear-hanging miniature video camera. The ear-hanging miniature video camera comprises a video camera head, a control unit for controlling the operation of the video camera head, a storage unit for storing the information obtained by the video camera head and a shell for accommodating the video camera head, the control unit and the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen AEE Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xianzhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8570330
    Abstract: To control screen display using moving pictures for a plurality of users. Respective moving pictures for a plurality of users are acquired, and each of the acquired moving pictures are displayed on a screen. Display content for the screen is controlled in response to content of each moving picture. At this time, it is also possible to move a specified movement image on the screen according to display position of each moving picture on the screen and content of each moving picture, or to change a display region of the moving picture on the screen according to content of each moving picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Kake, Yasushi Okumura
  • Patent number: 8570382
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a reading unit reading image data; a transmitting unit transmitting the image data to another electronic device via a telecommunications line upon receiving a user operation; a first image processing unit processing the image data; and a control unit (i) causing, in the case where a second image processing unit has a connection to the control unit, the second image processing unit to process the image data, and the transmitting unit to transmit the processed image data, and (ii) causing, in the case where id the second image processing unit does not have a connection to the control unit, the first image processing unit to process the image data, and the transmitting unit to transmit the processed image data, the second image processing unit being included in the movie camera and processing, as well as the image data, image data which is obtained by the movie camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Kashihara
  • Patent number: 8564677
    Abstract: A network camera includes a mainboard system and an audio/video capture system. The mainboard system includes a system-on-chip. The system-on-chip is configured for encoding video files captured by the network camera. The audio/video capture system includes an image sensor, a bus switch, and a voltage level switch. The bus switch is interconnected between the system-on-chip and the image sensor. The bus switch has an on state where the system-on-chip is electrically connected to the image sensor and an off state where the system-on-chip is not electrically connected to the image sensor. The voltage level switch is electrically connected to the system-on-chip, and has a high voltage level state and a low voltage level state. The system-on-chip is capable of sending instructions to turn the bus switch on or off according to the state of the voltage level switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8558905
    Abstract: A transmission device includes: a transceiving unit transceiving a serial signal generated by serially converting data based on a clock signal of a frequency selected from frequencies used as clock components of the serial signal and including the clock signal of the selected frequency; a clock recovering unit receiving the serial signal received by the transceiving unit and recovers a recovered clock signal from the serial signal; a match determination unit receiving the recovered clock signal and determines whether a frequency of the recovered clock signal matches each of the frequencies; and a frequency controller performing, if the match determination unit determines that the frequency of the recovered clock signal matches each of the frequencies, a control to determine the frequency of the recovered clock signal as the matching frequency, wherein the frequency of the recovered clock signal is switched between the frequencies until the frequency is determined by the frequency controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kinichi Ootsu, Yasunobu Kojima
  • Patent number: 8485740
    Abstract: A remote control and/or gyrostabilized camera head has first and second roll forks attached to a pan frame. Each roll fork has a front roll arm and a back roll arm. A circular roll track segment may be provided on each roll arm. A roll frame has first and second motor supports or housings. A roll motor on or in the first motor support moves the roll frame about a roll axis. A tilt frame is rotatably supported between the first and second motor supports. A tilt motor on or in the second motor support rotates the tilt frame about a tilt axis. The weight of the roll motor support and the roll motor may be substantially the same as the tilt motor support and the tilt motor, so that the roll frame is balanced, allowing for better performance. As the camera head is a pan/roll/tilt head, the head can continue to provide movement in three axes, regardless of the camera position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8466974
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling an image sensor includes loading an image file having data sets associated with multiple image sensors respectively, identifying the image sensor if identification data included in one of the data sets matches to the image sensor, and configuring the image sensor according to configuration data included in the data set matching to the image sensor. The identification data indicates an identity of the image sensor. The configuration data indicates operation parameters of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Yu, Xinsheng Peng, Hongxiao Zhao, Rui Chen
  • Patent number: 8441540
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling an image sensor includes loading an image file having data sets associated with multiple image sensors respectively, identifying the image sensor if identification data included in one of the data sets matches to the image sensor, and configuring the image sensor according to configuration data included in the data set matching to the image sensor. The identification data indicates an identity of the image sensor. The configuration data indicates operation parameters of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Yu, Xinsheng Peng, Hongxiao Zhao, Rui Chen
  • Patent number: 8429703
    Abstract: A video distribution system which is enhanced in flexibility in distribution mode switching. In a camera server connected to a viewer via a network, a video capture board captures a video image. A CPU processes the captured video image according to an electronic PTZ mode for cutting out a part of the captured video image and a mechanical PTZ emulation mode for cutting out parts of the captured video image and interpolating the cut-out images. The CPU distributes the processed video image to the viewer via the network. The CPU performs mode switching between the electronic PTZ mode and the mechanical PTZ emulation mode based on control information transmitted from the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushi Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 8411156
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imaging apparatus including an imaging module that outputs imaging data for each color component including a synchronization code, a synchronization detecting module that detects a synchronization code from imaging data output from the imaging module, a data holding module that temporarily holds video data for each color component output from the imaging module, and a synchronization module that aligns the phases of video data for each color component held by the data holding module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kei Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8355951
    Abstract: A system comprising at least one processor, at least one sensor electronically connected to the at least one processor, at least one means for electronically connecting at least one broadcasting device to the system, wherein the at least one means for electronically connecting at least one broadcasting device is electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to use the at least one sensor to determine how many persons or the identity of a person that is capable of perceiving a content broadcasted through at least one broadcasting device electronically connected to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lead Technology Capital Management, LLC
    Inventor: Isaac S. Daniel
  • Patent number: 8325244
    Abstract: A mobile terminal device configured to have a built in battery and connect to a network, includes a wireless communication interface configured to connect to the network through wireless communication, and a wired communication interface configured to connect to the network directly or indirectly through wired communication. The device further includes a wired connection detection unit configured to detect whether or not a wired line, which is connected directly or indirectly to the network, is connected to the wired communication interface, and a control unit configured to make the wireless communication interface available when the wired connection detection unit has detected the connection of the wired line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Endo, Kiyoshi Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20120293676
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head-separated camera device includes an imaging unit, a control unit configured to control the imaging unit and a connection unit configured to connect the imaging unit and the control unit. The imaging unit includes a sensor configured to capture an image to provide a video signal, a superimposition module configured to superimpose, on serial data, the video signal, the synchronization signal, and the clock signal, the serial data serving to reproduce the image captured by the sensor, and a transmitter configured to transmit the serial data to the control unit. The control unit includes a receiver configured to receive the serial data and a separation module configured to separate the serial data received by the receiver, into the video signal, the synchronization signal, and the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinozaki, Masatoshi Ookubo, Hiroyuki Irikura, Takashi Tsuda, Koichi Mitsuo
  • Patent number: 8314843
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a camera apparatus includes, an imaging unit which acquires videos, a cable which connects the imaging unit to a control unit, and the control unit which comprises an asynchronous FIFO memory and a signal processing module and controls the imaging unit, the control unit performing transmitting to the imaging unit a drive signal configured to control an image sensor included in the imaging unit, and receiving a video signal including a clock signal or a synchronous signal output from the image sensor and converting this signal into a video signal standardized via the signal processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinozaki, Masatoshi Ookubo, Koichi Mitsuo, Hiroyuki Irikura
  • Patent number: 8310554
    Abstract: A system for tracking at least one object is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of communicatively connected visual sensing units configured to capture visual data related to the at least one object The system also includes a manager component communicatively connected to the plurality of visual sensing units. The manager component is configured to assign one visual sensing unit to act as a visual sensing unit in a master mode and at least one visual sensing unit to act as a visual sensing unit in a slave mode. The manager component is further configured to transmit at least one control signal to the plurality of visual sensing units, and receive the visual data from the plurality of visual sensing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Manoj Aggarwal, Deepak Sethi, Supun Samarasekera, Vince Paragano