With Single Image Scanning Device Supplying Plural Color Signals Patents (Class 348/266)
  • Patent number: 11949995
    Abstract: A method of de-mosaicing pixel data from an image processor includes generating a pixel block that includes a plurality of image pixels. The method also includes determining a first image gradient between a first set of pixels of the pixel block and a second image gradient between a second set of pixels of the pixel block. The method also includes determining a first adaptive threshold value based on intensity of a third set of pixels of the pixel block. The pixels of the third set of pixels are adjacent to one another. The method also includes filtering the pixel block in a vertical, horizontal, or neutral direction based on the first and second image gradients and the first adaptive threshold value utilizing a plurality of FIR filters to generate a plurality of component images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Shashank Dabral, Mihir Narendra Mody, Denis Beaudoin, Niraj Nandan, Gang Hua
  • Patent number: 11849234
    Abstract: An imaging device with a novel structure is provided. The imaging device includes an imaging region provided with a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels included in the imaging region include a first pixel and a second pixel. The imaging device has a function of selecting a first region or a second region. The first region includes the same number of pixels as the second region. The first region includes at least the first and second pixels. The second region includes at least the second pixel. The pixels included in the first region or the second region have a function of outputting imaging signals obtained by the pixels. The imaging device generates first image data by concurrently reading the imaging signals output from the pixels included in the first region and performing arithmetic operation on the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Yoneda, Hiromichi Godo, Yusuke Negoro, Hiroki Inoue, Takahiro Fukutome
  • Patent number: 11616922
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of rows and columns of pixels, including RGB and bandpass I filters in a predetermined pattern shifted between adjacent columns so that none of the RGBI filters is adjacent the same type of filter. Each pixel includes a photodiode, a transfer gate and a floating diffusion. The transfer gate for all pixels in a pattern is controlled by the same signal, which can be a separate synchronous control signal controlled based on a predefined integration period or an asynchronous signal generated internally by the bandpass filter I and that is compared to a predefined voltage level indicative of a predetermined intensity at filter I. Upon activation of either signal, the integration period for the pixels ends and the charge on the floating diffusion for the R, G and B pixels is digitized in relation to the bandpass pixel I using a ratio-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ken Wojciechowski, Pedram Lajevardi, Behnam Behroozpour, Kristine Juliane Back
  • Patent number: 11237051
    Abstract: A multispectral sensor device may include a sensor array comprising a plurality of channels and one or more processors to determine that a time-sensitive measurement is to be performed, wherein the time-sensitive measurement is to be performed using data collected by one or more channels of the plurality of channels; cause the data to be collected by a proper subset of channels, of the plurality of channels, wherein the proper subset of channels includes the one or more channels; and determine the time-sensitive measurement based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Houck, Valton Smith
  • Patent number: 11076139
    Abstract: Disclosed are a color reconstruction device and method capable of accurately recovering the missing color of a target pixel. The device includes: a direction-characteristic estimation circuit calculating a horizontal-variation characteristic and a vertical-variation characteristic according to a first color of a target pixel and the values of pixels within a reference range, in which the target pixel is in the reference range and a current value of the target pixel is a first color value; an edge-texture decision circuit determining which of N predetermined relations matches the relation between the horizontal-variation characteristic and the vertical-variation characteristic and thereby determining the directional characteristic of the target pixel, in which the N is not less than four; and a color recovery circuit calculating a second and a third color values of the target pixel according to the directional characteristic and the values of the pixels within the reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang-Ting Chou, Tsung-Hsuan Li, Shang-Lun Chan, Shih-Tse Chen
  • Patent number: 10868983
    Abstract: An objective is recognition of the travel direction of an object captured in an image frame. An image generating apparatus includes: a receiver circuit that receives a single exposure frame created by a single exposure and a multiple exposure frame created by multiple exposures after the single exposure frame, the single exposure frame and the multiple exposure frame being output from an image sensor; and a control circuit that specifies a starting point of a motion track of an object in the multiple exposure frame in accordance with a position of the object in the single exposure frame and a position of the same object in the multiple exposure frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Shibata, Hiroshi Iwai, Kazuko Nishimura, Yasuo Miyake, Yoshiaki Satou
  • Patent number: 10768047
    Abstract: A multispectral sensor device may include a sensor array comprising a plurality of channels and one or more processors to determine that a time-sensitive measurement is to be performed, wherein the time-sensitive measurement is to be performed using data collected by one or more channels of the plurality of channels; cause the data to be collected by a proper subset of channels, of the plurality of channels, wherein the proper subset of channels includes the one or more channels; and determine the time-sensitive measurement based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Houck, Valton Smith
  • Patent number: 10740883
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for background compensation of a digital image containing at least one first object, the at least one first object having received at least one molecule comprising genetic information, and at least one second object, the at least one second object not having received a molecule comprising genetic information, the at least one molecule being configured to receive a fluorescent compound, the digital image being determined by an optical imaging system during emission of electromagnetic radiation by the fluorescent compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: QIAGEN GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Zerfass, Björn Labitzke, Maiko Lohel
  • Patent number: 10735672
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus (100, 200, 1200) includes a semiconductor substrate (312) and an array (202) of pixel circuits (1202, 1204), which are arranged in a matrix on the semiconductor substrate and define respective pixels (212) of the apparatus. Pixel electrodes (1208) are respectively coupled to the pixel circuits, and a photosensitive (1206) is formed over the pixel electrodes. A common electrode (1207), which is at least partially transparent, is formed over the photosensitive film. An opaque metallization layer (1214) is formed over the photosensitive film on one or more of the pixels and coupled in ohmic contact to the common electrode. Control circuitry (208, 1212) is coupled to apply a bias to the common electrode via the opaque metallization layer while correcting a black level of the output values from the pixels using the signals received from the one or more of the pixels over which the opaque metallization layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: INVISAGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jae Park, Carey Tanner, Emanuele Mandelli
  • Patent number: 10708600
    Abstract: A method of processing a video is provided. The method includes detecting a region of interest in a detection frame of the video. The method includes estimating a motion of the region of interest between the detection frame and an estimation frame of the video subsequent to the detection frame. The estimating is based on tracking of a characteristic of the detected region of interest into at least one portion of the estimation frame. The method includes, based on the estimated motion, estimating a location of the region of interest in the estimation frame. An apparatus for processing a video is also provided. A related non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of computer-readable instructions is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: Yuhao Zhu, Paul Nicholas Whatmough
  • Patent number: 10657668
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and tracking a marker in real time is disclosed. Shape based segmentation of at least one object detected in a first frame from a sequence of frames is performed to define a region of interest (ROI) surrounding an object of interest corresponding to the marker. A marker detection model is dynamically trained based on sampling points from a plurality of pixels in and around the ROI. The marker is then tracked in real-time based on projected ROI in subsequent frames and the trained marker detection model. To optimize computation time required in classifying the pixels as marker pixels or non-marker pixels, the ROI is reduced to half its size, classification is performed on the reduced ROI and to improve accuracy, blob detection and classifying pixels along the boundary of the reduced ROI is performed by processing the ROI in original resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services Limited
    Inventors: Ehtesham Hassan, Gaurav Gupta
  • Patent number: 10659703
    Abstract: An illumination radiates a visible light or a near-infrared light. A lens images a light from a subject. A beam splitter disperses the visible light and the near-infrared light. A color imaging device images a reflecting light from the subject illuminated with the visible light and includes an imaging device having a red filter. A black-and-white imaging device images the near-infrared light dispersed by the beam splitter. A pixel pitch of the black-and-white imaging device that images the near-infrared light dispersed is larger than a pixel pitch of the color imaging device. A sampling position for the near-infrared light is displaced in a pixel arrangement horizontally or vertically with respect to a sampling position for red in a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Ohishi, Hideki Tengeiji
  • Patent number: 10638072
    Abstract: A control apparatus (106) includes an acquirer (106a) which acquires a first imaging signal that is read in a first mode from a first pixel area of an image sensor and a second imaging signal that is read in a second mode from a second pixel area of the image sensor, the image sensor including a plurality of photoelectric converters corresponding to a single microlens, and an image processor (106b) which performs noise reduction processing on the first and second imaging signals, the first mode is a mode in which pixel signals of photoelectric converters are added to each other to be read from the image sensor, and the second mode is a mode in which a pixel signal of at least one of the photoelectric converters is read independently as a predetermined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mie Ishii, Hirokazu Kobayashi, Koji Oshima
  • Patent number: 10594959
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a two-dimensional pixel array divided into a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks comprising pixels arranged in at least two different rows and two different columns, and a shutter mechanism that exposes the plurality of blocks sequentially, with all pixels in each block being exposed synchronously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Kaehler
  • Patent number: 10565123
    Abstract: A host compiles code to perform a set of one or more database operations on target and embeds an indication of whether the target data is randomly accessed data or sequentially accessed data. The compiled code is transmitted to the compute engine inside a memory system that maintains a first portion of memory for storing sequentially accessed data and a second portion of memory for storing randomly accessed data. The memory system (e.g. SSD) maintains reduced size L2P tables in volatile working memory by maintaining coarse L2P tables in the working memory for use with sequentially accessed data and maintaining fine L2P tables in the working memory for use with randomly accessed data. The compute engine uses the compiled code to perform the set of one or more database operations on the target data using the working memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Hwan Song, Arup De, Pankaj Mehra, Brian W. O'Krafka
  • Patent number: 10521900
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera (1, 1?) for generating a biometrical signal of a living being comprising: a filter (11) for blocking incident visible light in a wavelength range up to at least 550 nm, a color sensor (12, 12?) for receiving said filtered incident light and generating at least two different color signals (5, 6, 9), a combination unit (15) for generating at least one combined color signal (7a, 7b) by combining said at least two color signals, and a processing unit (16) for processing said at least one combined color signal and extracting at least one biometrical signal (8) of said living being (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Marek Janusz Bartula, Willem Verkruijsse
  • Patent number: 10496281
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a host capable of pipelining execution of a command set including a plurality of commands by storing the commands in a buffer, and a data storage device including a NVMe controller that receives the commands and controls execution of data access operations corresponding to the respective commands, generates a completion response upon successfully executing each one of the commands, and stores the resulting completion responses in a buffer, wherein the NVMe controller extracts at least two of the completion responses stored in the buffer to generate a completion packet and transmits the completion packet to the host during a single transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha Neul Jeong, Ki Jo Jung
  • Patent number: 10218944
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and devices for improving the spectral response of an imaging device. The methods and devices may operate in conjunction with a pixel array and color filter array. The color filter array may comprise pattern of color filters arranged in groups. At least one group may comprise multiple same-color filters and at least one filter of a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 10200645
    Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, a switch circuit coupled to the pixels and configured to substantially simultaneously output signals output only from pixels having similar characteristics among the pixels in response to a control signal; and a comparison circuit configured to convert the signals output from the switch circuit into digital signals. The pixels having similar characteristics are located across among the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Min Koh, Ju Ha Kim, Jae Cheol Yun
  • Patent number: 9942467
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting camera exposure are disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic device The electronic device includes a camera, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a first user input for selecting a first area of a preview image from a first screen for displaying the preview image, to identify an exposure state of the selected first area responding to the first user input, to provide a second screen for displaying a portion of the preview image corresponding to the first area if the exposure state of the selected first area is an over-exposure state, to receive a second user input for selecting a second area of the preview image from the second screen, and to adjust an exposure of the preview image based on the exposure state responding to the second user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dongsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9934663
    Abstract: Systems and methods for annotating a display of a video data stream with customized information are provided. Methods include selecting a video data stream, creating a video graphic help file (VGH file) associated with the video data stream, a data capture device associated with the video data stream, a monitored area captured by the data capture device associated with the video data stream, or a salvo view, adding customized information to the VGH file, determining a need to access the VGH file, recalling the VGH file, and displaying customized information in the VGH file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Deepak Sundar M
  • Patent number: 9866764
    Abstract: A method and apparatus synchronize auto exposure between chromatic pixels and panchromatic pixels in a camera system. A first exposure can be determined for different chromatic pixels that detect different color light. An illumination type of a scene can be detected. An exposure ratio between the chromatic pixels and panchromatic pixels can be ascertained based on the illumination type of the scene. A second exposure can be determined for the panchromatic pixels that detect panchromatic light. The first exposure can be different from the second exposure based on the exposure ratio between the chromatic pixels and the panchromatic pixels with respect to an illumination type of a scene. Then, at least one image of the scene can be captured using the first exposure for the different chromatic pixels and the second exposure for the panchromatic pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventor: By-Her W Richards
  • Patent number: 9787954
    Abstract: Provided are a pixel interpolation apparatus, imaging apparatus, program, and integrated circuit that appropriately perform pixel interpolation on an image signal obtained by a single-chip image sensor with a four-color array filter whatever array pattern the four-color array filter has. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging circuitry, a signal processing circuitry, and a pixel interpolation processing circuitry. The apparatus calculates a degree of correlation for pairs in two orthogonal directions for an image signal obtained by the imaging circuitry including a single-chip image sensor having a four-color array filter using pixel data in an area around a target pixel, and performs pixel interpolation using the correlation degree as a determination criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MegaChips Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Moriguchi, Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9781369
    Abstract: An image sensor which operates in a global shutter mode is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, a timing generator configured to generate row driver control signals which controls an integration period of a pixel of the plurality of pixels to include at least two sub integration periods, and a row driver configured to generate a plurality of row control signals which controls each of the rows in the pixel array based on the row driver control signals, wherein the timing generator is further configured to control a single image frame to include the integration period and a readout period of the pixel, based on the row driver control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Se Jun Kim, Jin Ho Seo, Won Baek Lee
  • Patent number: 9516200
    Abstract: A method for light field acquisition, comprising: acquiring an image by an optical arrangement with chromatic aberrations; separating the image to a plurality of monochromatic images, each having a different color and a different point of focus according to the acquiring; transporting sharpness from each of the plurality of monochromatic images to others of the plurality of monochromatic images to construct a plurality of color images, each color image of the plurality of color images having a different point of focus; and reconstructing a light field by combining the plurality of color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eran Small
  • Patent number: 9448115
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting topographic information from inspected objects to identify defects in the inspected objects. A part to be inspected is illuminated with at least two different colors emitted from an illuminator providing a gradient of light consisting of the at least two different colors. A single color image of the illuminated part to be inspected is acquired, providing a color-coded topographic mapping of the part to be inspected due, at least in part, to the gradient of light. Topographic monochrome views of the part to be inspected may be generated from the single color image. Each view of the topographic monochrome views may enhance a different type of feature or defect present in the part to be inspected which can be analyzed and detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED VISION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Michael L. Kress, Brian M. Ensinger
  • Patent number: 9451152
    Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangli Li, Terry L. Gilton
  • Patent number: 9438815
    Abstract: There is provided a control device including a setting unit configured to set a first control value used for performing exposure control of a first pixel group and a second control value used for performing exposure control of a second pixel group, the first pixel group and the second pixel group being disposed in a single imaging surface. The setting unit sets the first control value and the second control value to different values before a predetermined photometric process is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunari Oda, Motoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9392198
    Abstract: An imaging system may be provided with a backside illuminated pixel array that includes imaging pixels and rows of auto-focus pixels. The imaging pixels may generate image data and the auto-focus pixels may generate application-specific data. The imaging pixels may be provided with an array of color filters. The auto-focus pixels may be provided with rows of color filters that are offset with respect to the imaging pixel color filters. The auto-focus pixel color filters may include clear color filters and opaque color filters for blocking image light received at selected incident angles. The system may include an adjustable lens that focuses light onto the pixel array. The pixel array may be coupled to processing circuitry that determines whether an image is focused based on the application-specific data and may adjust the lens in response to determining that the image is not focused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dongsoo Kim, Kwang-bo Cho
  • Patent number: 9363493
    Abstract: Calculation of GR and GB color ratios in a local area uses a weighted average filter having weighting coefficients where the ratio of total sums of weighting coefficients for G and R pixels is 1:1, and weighted average filter having weighting coefficients where the ratio of total sum of weighting coefficients for G and B pixels is 1:1, respectively, on pixel lines in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in a kernel. R and B pixel values are then calculated by interpolating the pixel value of a pixel to be processed with the G pixel value at the pixel position to be subjected to a demosaic process and the color ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150146052
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes color mixings with angle dependencies from adjacent R pixels, and in the case where a subject color is red, uses first and second B pixels as phase-difference pixels, allowing for an accurate phase-difference AF based on the output signals of the first and second B pixels. Here, it is unnecessary to provide phase-difference pixels dedicated to the case where the subject color is red, and the phase difference is detected using ordinary B pixels of an imaging element. Therefore, the resolution is not sacrificed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Arito SAWADAISHI, Shu TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 9019405
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital image correction in which a plurality of received color component arrays received from a digital camera are each corrected for distortion dependent upon the color associated with the array. Other corrections may also be applied, such as for sensitivity non-uniformity in the sensing array or illumination non-uniformity. The corrected color component arrays for each of the plurality of color components are combined to form a corrected digital image. The method and apparatus may be integrated with digital cameras in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, digital document imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis C. Stafford
  • Patent number: 8970769
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising a substrate having a first face and a second face opposing each other, and in which photoelectric conversion portions are formed, an optical system including microlenses provided on a side of the first face, and light absorbing portions provided on a side of the second face, wherein the apparatus has pixels of first type for detecting light of a first wavelength and second type for detecting light of a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength, and the apparatus further comprises a first portion between the substrate and the light absorbing portion for each first type pixel, and a second portion between the substrate and the light absorbing portion for each second type pixel, and the first portion has a reflectance higher than that of the second portion for the light of the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mahito Shinohara, Masatsugu Itahashi, Hideomi Kumano
  • Patent number: 8964071
    Abstract: According to embodiments, a solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixel cells. The plurality of pixel cells includes a first green pixel cell and a second green pixel cell. The first green pixel cell detects first green light of a first wavelength region. The second green pixel cell detects second green light of a second wavelength region. The second wavelength region includes the first wavelength region. A half-value width of a function representing a spectral sensitivity characteristic of the second green pixel cell is larger than a half-value width of a function representing a spectral sensitivity characteristic of the first green pixel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takayuki Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 8928785
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and image capture program are provided that enable an image processing section compatible with a Bayer array to be employed without modification even in cases in which an image pickup device is employed that is provided with a color filter of an array other than a Bayer array. An imaging apparatus (10) includes a color filter (30) having repeatedly disposed 6×6 pixel basic array patterns C, a drive section (22) that drives an image pickup device (14) so as to thin and read pixel data only of pixels on lines at predetermined positions in the vertical direction, and a pixel conversion processing section (18) that converts pixel data of each line thinned and read from the image pickup device (14) into Bayer array pixel data that is in a Bayer array pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenkichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8902153
    Abstract: A color display has continuous areas of a single color covering a plurality of sub-pixel electrodes. Each sub-pixel of a given color has sub-pixels of the same given color disposed along at least two of its adjacent edges. Each area of a single color may cover a 2×2 array of sub-pixel electrodes. The colors used may be red/green/blue/white (RGBW), red/green/blue/yellow (RGBY), or orange/lime/purple/white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Bouchard, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. Walls, Steven P. Dudek
  • Patent number: 8842203
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pairs of a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element which have different spectral sensitivity characteristics. A wavelength range where the first photoelectric conversion element of each pair mainly has a spectral sensitivity and a wavelength range where the second photoelectric conversion element of each pair mainly has a spectral sensitivity respectively fall within a wavelength ranges of specific colors of visible light. The plurality of pairs include a plurality of types of pairs having different specific colors of visible light. The half width in the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the first photoelectric conversion element of the each pair is wider than a half width in the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the second photoelectric conversion element of the each corresponding pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawai, Seiji Tanaka, Tetsuro Ashida, Takehiro Kouguchi, Hisashi Endo, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8817139
    Abstract: An image pickup device may include an image capturing unit that includes a solid-state image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix form and simultaneously outputting pixel signals of the plurality of pixels adjacent to each other in a row or column direction in sequence while sequentially shifting the pixels that output the pixel signals in the row direction, and that simultaneously outputs image capturing signals respectively corresponding to the simultaneously output pixel signals in sequence from corresponding output terminals, an image processing unit to which the image capturing signals respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels adjacent to each other in the row or column direction of the pixels arrayed in the solid-state image pickup device are simultaneously input in sequence from corresponding input terminals, and which performs image processing on the input image capturing signals, and a signal transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yanada, Yoshinobu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140176693
    Abstract: The invention describes several embodiments of an adapter which can make use of the devices in any commercially available digital cameras to transform the digital camera into a fundus camera for inspecting the back of the eye, or into a microscope. The camera adapter is adapted to be placed between the camera device and the object. The devices in the camera being used are at least its optical source, photodetector sensor, memory, shutter and autofocus. Means in the adapter are provided to employ these devices and allow camera to operate its autofocus capability and its different color sensors. Methods of investigation of an object are also presented of using the adapter to transform the camera into an imaging instrument, where the effect of adjustments of elements inside the adapter are guided by the displaying screen of the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF KENT
    Inventor: Adrian PODOLEANU
  • Patent number: 8749673
    Abstract: The image generation device generates a new moving picture of a subject based on first and second moving pictures shot with a single-chip color image sensor, which detects two light rays including first and second color components, respectively, to represent the first and second color components of the subject. As the first moving picture has been shot in a longer exposure time than the second moving picture, the first picture has a lower frame rate than the second picture. The image generation device includes: a getting section which gets video signals representing the first and second moving pictures, respectively; a processing section which generates a new moving picture with as high a frame rate as the second moving picture based on the respective video signals representing the first and second moving pictures gotten; and an output section which outputs the new moving picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Imagawa, Takeo Azuma, Sanzo Ugawa, Yusuke Okada
  • Patent number: 8749672
    Abstract: A multi-spectral imaging device includes pixels R, G, B, ?1, ?2, . . . , ?12 composing color sensors for four or more colors having mutually differing spectral sensitivity characteristics. In a first signal readout mode, an image signal including all of four or more types of signals read from the pixels composing the color sensors for the four or more colors is read from the multi-spectral imaging device. In a second signal readout mode, an image signal having a smaller number of colors than that of the first signal readout mode is read such that a narrower gamut than a gamut that can be reproduced by the image signal read in the first signal readout mode is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Komiya, Nobuyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8736724
    Abstract: Two kinds of color images, obtained by a solid-state imaging device, having different color tones are combined with each other. A first captured color image due to a first pixel group (pixels in which spectral sensitivities of color filters are wide) of the solid-state imaging device is processed. A second captured color image due to a second pixel group (pixels in which spectral sensitivities of color filters are narrow) is processed. The level difference between captured image signals of the pixels of the first pixel group and captured image signals of the pixels of the second pixel group, and due to the spectral sensitivity difference between the color filters in which the spectral sensitivities are wide and narrow is obtained (steps S1 and S2). The level difference is corrected. The first captured color image and the second captured color image are combined with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Tanaka, Tetsuro Ashida, Tomoyuki Kawai, Takehiro Kouguchi, Hisashi Endo
  • Patent number: 8723991
    Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a color filter having basic array patterns with first and second array patterns disposed symmetrically, wherein the first array pattern has a first filter at the 4 corner and center pixels of a 3×3 pixel square array, a second filter in a line at the horizontal direction center of the square array, and a third filter placed in a line at the vertical direction center of the square array, and the second array pattern has the same placement of the first filter as the first array pattern and has placement of the second filter and placement of the third filter swapped to that of the first array pattern; and phase difference detection pixels placed on pixels corresponding to positions of centers of at least 1 pair of patterns out of 2 pairs of the first array pattern and the second array pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Noriko Kawamura, Kazuki Inoue, Hiroshi Endo, Takashi Aoki, Seiji Tanaka, Kenkichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8711257
    Abstract: A color filter array of a color imaging device is formed by repeatedly arranging a basic array pattern in which RGB filters are arrayed in an array pattern of 8×12 pixels, in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The basic array pattern is arranged in a matrix manner in the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction and includes A array to D array having an array pattern of 4×4 pixels. In each of arrays, G filters are arranged in a checkered pattern and the arrangements of G filters have a mirror image relationship between arrays that are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawai, Kenkichi Hayashi, Seiji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8638358
    Abstract: Three-Dimensional Defocusing Particle Image Velocimetry (3DDPIV) allows for measurement of three-dimensional velocities within a volume. In the disclosed embodiment, a mask with a plurality of apertures is disposed with a lens between the test section and a color camera. The field-of-view is backlit and the test section is seeded with black particles. This configuration allows for a lower power light source as compared to conventional 3DDPIV. Color-coded particle images are formed on a white background, wherein each of the color images is generated from light that travels through the filters not blocked by the imaged particle, thereby producing a color image that is of a color different from the color of any of the filters. A color space linear transformation is used to allow for accurate identification of each pinhole exposure when the color filters' spectrum does not match those of the 3-CCD color camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Dana Dabiri, Wei-Hsin Tien, Patrick Kartes, Toru Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8638374
    Abstract: This invention provides an image pickup apparatus that performs an image pickup operation that alternately repeats a long exposure LE and a short exposure SE. The image pickup apparatus drives an image pickup device in a first driving mode that makes a first time interval between an exposure end time of a pixel in an SE and an exposure start time of the pixel in an LE immediately thereafter and a second time interval between the exposure end time of the pixel in the LE and the exposure start time of the pixel in the SE immediately thereafter equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Haneda, Makoto Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20140009647
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, the first filters, which correspond to the two or more first colors that contribute to obtaining a brightness signal more than the second colors, are disposed within each pixel line in first direction to the fourth direction of the color filter arrangement, and it is configured so that the ratio of the number of pixels of the first colors corresponding to the first filters is larger than the ratio of the number of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters of two or more colors other than the first colors. Accordingly, the degree of reproducibility of the synchronization processing in a high-frequency wave area can be increased and the aliasing can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenkichi HAYASHI, Seiji TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8625021
    Abstract: Image capture with an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a tunable spectral response. A default capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Preview image data of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly with the default capture setting. A user interface includes a preview image based on the captured preview image data of the scene. A user designation of a region of interest (ROI) in the preview image is accepted, and a user selection of a targeted imaging property for the ROI is accepted. A revised capture setting for the spectral responsivity of the tunable imaging assembly is computed, by revising the default capture setting based on the targeted imaging property for the ROI as selected by the user. The revised capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Image data from the imaging assembly is captured using the revised capture setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Francisco Imai
  • Publication number: 20140002699
    Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly and an illumination assembly. The imaging assembly can comprise an imaging lens and an image sensor array. The illumination assembly can include a light source bank having one or more light source. The imaging assembly can define a field of view on a substrate and the illumination assembly can project light within the field of view. The imaging apparatus can be configured so that the illumination assembly during an exposure period of the imaging assembly emits light that spans multiple visible color wavelength bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc. doing business as (d.b.a) Honeywell Scanning and Mobility
    Inventor: Yiyi Guan
  • Patent number: 8619167
    Abstract: A method for displaying or capturing an image comprises directing an illumination beam onto a mirror of a highly resonant, mirror-mount system and applying a drive signal to a transducer to deflect the mirror. In this method, the drive signal has a pulse frequency approaching a resonance frequency of the mirror-mount system. The method further comprises reflecting the illumination beam off the mirror so that the illumination beam scans through an area where the image is to be displayed or captured, and, addressing each pixel of the image in synchronicity with the drive signal to display or capture the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Westhues, Amar S. Vattakandy, Randall Crane, John R. Lewis, Steven Bathiche