Simultaneous Recording Of Single Subject Patents (Class 396/333)
  • Patent number: 10771706
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a camera, a memory storing first unit information and second unit information to be used to move a lens driving part, and a processor. The first unit information is configured such that the camera causes a first focus sharpness variation and the second unit information is configured such that the camera causes a second focus sharpness variation. The processor is configured to receive a signal for adjusting a focus associated with an external object by using the camera, to verify a state of the electronic device associated with the reception of the signal, to select corresponding unit information among the first unit information and the second unit information, based at least partly on the state, and to move the lens driving part depending on the corresponding unit information to adjust the focus associated with the external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Han Lee, Jong Hoon Won, Pyo Jae Kim, Young Kwon Yoon, Jong Hyeok Chun
  • Patent number: 10547828
    Abstract: Dense field imagers are disclosed which are configured to provide fused and/or stitched light field data for a scene. A dense field imager can include a plurality of imaging elements configured to be joined into image blocks or facets that each provides light field data about a scene. The dense field imager can include a plurality of facets in a fixed or modular fashion such that the dense field imager is configured to fuse and/or stitch light field data from the plurality of facets. The facets can be mounted such that one or more facets are non-coplanar with other facets. The facets can be configured to provide light field data with overlapping fields of view. Accordingly, the dense field imager can provide dense field data over a field of view covered by the plurality of facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: RED.COM, LLC
    Inventor: James H. Jannard
  • Patent number: 10095085
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes: a terminal body; and a camera module provided at one side of the terminal body, wherein the camera module includes: a first lens assembly; a second lens assembly provided below the first lens assembly; a diaphragm disposed between the first and second lens assemblies, and having its aperture changed; and an actuator disposed close to the first lens assembly, and configured to reciprocate the first lens assembly, wherein the diaphragm includes: a first blade having a through hole therein; a second blade having a through hole therein, and configured to change an aperture of the diaphragm by a relative motion with respect to the first blade; a link member coupled to end parts of the first and second blades, and configured to move the first and second blades by being rotated; and a motor coupled to one side of the link member, and configured to rotate the link member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jongpil Kim, Yongho Lee, Gunseek Oh
  • Patent number: 9769365
    Abstract: Dense field imagers are disclosed which are configured to provide fused and/or stitched light field data for a scene. A dense field imager can include a plurality of imaging elements configured to be joined into image blocks or facets that each provides light field data about a scene. The dense field imager can include a plurality of facets in a fixed or modular fashion such that the dense field imager is configured to fuse and/or stitch light field data from the plurality of facets. The facets can be mounted such that one or more facets are non-coplanar with other facets. The facets can be configured to provide light field data with overlapping fields of view. Accordingly, the dense field imager can provide dense field data over a field of view covered by the plurality of facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: RED.COM, INC.
    Inventor: James H. Jannard
  • Patent number: 9635275
    Abstract: A method and a system for forming an image of a scene are provided. The method includes capturing an image of the scene by exposing an image sensor to radiation from one part of the EM spectrum using one aperture and to radiation from another part of the EM spectrum using another aperture having a different size than the first aperture. Simultaneously with capturing the image, the scene is illuminated with radiation from the second part of the EM spectrum. The image is then formed on the basis of image data generated by the radiation from the first part of the EM spectrum and image data generated by radiation from the second part of the EM spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: DUAL APERTURE INTERNATIONAL CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Andrew Augustine Wajs
  • Patent number: 9373023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for standoff facial and ocular acquisition. Embodiments of the invention address the problems of atmospheric turbulence, defocus, and field of view in a way that minimizes the need for additional hardware. One embodiment of a system for acquiring an image of a facial feature of a subject includes a single wide field of view sensor configured to acquire a plurality of images over a large depth of field containing the subject and a post processor coupled to the single sensor and configured to synthesize the image of the facial feature from the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SRI INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: David Stoker
  • Patent number: 9020336
    Abstract: A rotating mirror digital streak camera including means to convert an image presented to a roughly cylindrical image plane into a plurality of discrete zones, a sensor being adapted to capture the image data associated with each such zone, and a means to assemble the collected data to reconstruct the original image that is swept across the image plane as an essentially uninterrupted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cordin Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Leahy, Joseph W. Ovellette, Steve H. Holtman, William L. Larkin
  • Patent number: 9001261
    Abstract: A method for characterizing an optical focusing defect of an image capture instrument is based on contrast values. Said contrast values are calculated for two images of a same scene portion, captured in respective overlapping length segments of two image sensors. To this end, the sensors are mounted in an image capture instrument so that the overlapping length segments between the sensors are situated at different heights along a focusing direction perpendicular to said sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space SAS, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales C N E S
    Inventor: Pierre-Luc Georgy
  • Patent number: 8718463
    Abstract: An adapter for controlling a first camera and a second camera, which exhibit differing operating characteristics, in a three-dimension (3D) camera imaging system. The adapter provides a camera control signal to the first camera to control operation of the first camera. The adapter converts the camera control signal to a second camera control signal utilizing information from the first and the second cameras indicative of imaging states of the cameras, and provides the second camera control signal to the second camera to control operation of the second camera. The conversion compensates for the differing operating characteristics of the first and second cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kamiya, Seiji Sato, Tomoyasu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 8666241
    Abstract: A stereographic camera system and method of operating a stereographic camera system are disclosed. The stereographic camera system may include a left camera and a right camera including respective lenses having a focal length and a focus distance, an interocular distance mechanism to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras, and a controller. The controller may receive inputs indicating the focal length and the focus distance of the lenses. The controller may control the intraocular distance mechanism, based on the focal length and focus distance of the lenses and one or both of a distance to a nearest foreground object and a distance to a furthest background object, to automatically set the interocular distance such that a maximum disparity of a stereographic image captured by the left and right cameras does not exceed a predetermined maximum disparity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: James Cameron, Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell, Ronnie Allum
  • Patent number: 8526802
    Abstract: An image capture system that is capable of capturing images of both small and large target objects includes a collapsible frame and at least one image capture device. The frame is free-standing and adapted to support the image capture device over a generally flat surface, on which a target object can also be supported. The image capture device can be activated to capture an image of the target object for subsequent viewing, storage, retrieval, processing, etc. The collapsible frame is constructed of a plurality of structural components adjustably connected together in a unique configuration that enables the entire frame to be transformed between a stored configuration when not in use, and a deployed configuration during use. The stored configuration is substantially more compact than the deployed configuration, which allows the frame to be easily transported between different locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Starns
  • Patent number: 8478123
    Abstract: An array camera may be formed from an array of lenses, an array of corresponding apertures, and an array of corresponding image sensors. The array of apertures may be configured so that some image sensors receive light through apertures of different size than other image sensors. Providing apertures of smaller size increases the F/# of an array camera and increases the depth-of-field in a captured image. The array of image sensors may include a near-infrared image sensor. Providing an image sensor array with a near-infrared image sensor may enhance depth information in captured images or increase night vision capabilities of an array camera. Combining an array of image sensors that includes a near-infrared sensor with an array of apertures having different aperture diameters may allow increased depth-of-field imaging, enhanced extraction of depth information from an image, improved night vision, enhanced image clarity or other improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dongqing Cao, Qun Sun, Juanqing Chen
  • Patent number: 8406619
    Abstract: There is disclosed stereographic camera system including a left and a right camera including respective lenses, plural mechanisms to synchronously set a focal length of the lenses, to synchronously set a focal distance of the lenses, to set a convergence angle between the left and right cameras, and to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras. A distance measuring device may be used to measure the distance to an extreme object. A controller may cause an interocular distance and a convergence angle between the left and right cameras to be set based on a maximum allowable disparity, the focal length of the lenses, and a convergence distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vincent Pace & James Cameron
    Inventors: James Cameron, Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell, Ronnie Allum
  • Patent number: 8401381
    Abstract: A platform for a stereographic camera system, a stereographic camera, and a method for operating a stereographic camera. The platform may include a base and a fixed camera mounting plate attached to the base, the fixed camera mounting plate defining a line of sight. A first linear motion mechanism mounted to the base may be configured to adjust a first distance, normal to the line of sight, between the line of sight and a first rotation axis. A second linear motion mechanism mounted to the base may be configured to adjust a second distance, normal to the line of sight, between the line of sight and a second rotation axis. A movable camera mounting plate may be rotatably coupled to the first linear motion mechanism at a first rotation axis and rotatably coupled to the second linear motion mechanism at a second rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vincent Pace & James Cameron
    Inventors: Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 8351780
    Abstract: An imaging system to collect image data relating to a conical liquid film and its hollow conical spray emanating from an injector with a central spray axis includes a light source for emitting light into the film and spray generated by the injector; and a detector array located downstream from the injector along the central spray axis for panoramically detecting instantaneously for the entire film and spray the emitted light which has interacted with the spray to produce the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Carsten Ralf Mehring
  • Patent number: 8326142
    Abstract: The present invention is an optical image system having at least a first camera including a first lens and at least a second sensor including a second lens. The system also includes at least one beam splitter for transmitting an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation of at least a first band of wavelength to a focal plane array of the first camera and reflecting an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation of at least a second band of wavelength to a focal plane array of the second camera. The first lens is positioned behind the beam splitter for focusing the beam of the first band of wavelength onto an image at the focal plane array of the first camera and the second lens is positioned behind the beam splitter for focusing the beam of the second band of wavelength onto the image at the focal plane array of the second camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Arnold Kravitz, Jongjin George Kim, Sergey Gershtein
  • Patent number: 8238741
    Abstract: There is disclosed a platform for a stereographic camera system, a stereographic camera, and a method for operating a stereographic camera. The platform may include a first linear motion mechanism and a second linear motion mechanism. A camera mounting plate may be rotatably coupled to the first linear motion mechanism at a first rotation axis and rotatably coupled to the second linear motion mechanism at a second rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: James Cameron & Vincent Pace
    Inventors: Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell
  • Patent number: 8238738
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a plenoptic camera which captures information about the direction distribution of light rays entering the camera. Like a conventional camera, this plenoptic camera includes a main lens which receives light from objects in an object field and directs the received light onto an image plane of the camera. It also includes a photodetector array located at the image plane of the camera, which captures the received light to produce an image. However, unlike a conventional camera, the plenoptic camera additionally includes an array of optical elements located between the object field and the main lens. Each optical element in this array receives light from the object field from a different angle than the other optical elements in the array, and consequently directs a different view of the object field into the main lens. In this way, the photodetector array receives a different view of the object field from each optical element in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Todor G. Georgiev
  • Publication number: 20120189293
    Abstract: An array camera may be formed from an array of lenses, an array of corresponding apertures, and an array of corresponding image sensors. The array of apertures may be configured so that some image sensors receive light through apertures of different size than other image sensors. Providing apertures of smaller size increases the F/# of an array camera and increases the depth-of-field in a captured image. The array of image sensors may include a near-infrared image sensor. Providing an image sensor array with a near-infrared image sensor may enhance depth information in captured images or increase night vision capabilities of an array camera. Combining an array of image sensors that includes a near-infrared sensor with an array of apertures having different aperture diameters may allow increased depth-of-field imaging, enhanced extraction of depth information from an image, improved night vision, enhanced image clarity or other improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Dongqing Cao, Qun Sun, Juanqing Chen
  • Patent number: 8073322
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology are designed for creation of a photographic image comprising an upper and lower portion from two rolls of film whereby the picture is created by simultaneous exposure within a single camera housing, or emulation thereof. This is accomplished in one embodiment by wrapping two rolls of film around a spool, one above the other, such that the rolls pull off the reel in parallel and onto a single take-up spool. Thus, when the shutter opens, both rolls of film are simultaneously exposed, and an image forms half on one and half on the other. In another embodiment, a camera comprises two film chambers (which may be a single chamber with divider adapting the chamber to hold two rolls of film), one above the other, and a roll is loaded into each film chamber. Embodiments may be used to breathe new life into discontinued film formats, such as 70 mm film cameras by using two 35 mm rolls of film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Evan Morris Cohen
  • Patent number: 8023817
    Abstract: To enable satisfactory simultaneous and widely varied pictures to be obtained, for example, by allowing a common user to obtain an overall picture while the common user performing desired image capturing, or the like. A first image capturing device image-captures a subject to record this image, and also transmits a trigger signal to a second image capturing device. The second image capturing device image-captures an image to record this image in accordance with the trigger signal. Thus, the first and second image capturing devices enable both of an overall image and a zoomed image to be obtained with simultaneous timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Kashiwa, Kazuyuki Marukawa, Yukihiro Ohzeki
  • Publication number: 20110200319
    Abstract: The present invention is an optical image system having at least a first camera including a first lens and at least a second sensor including a second lens. The system also includes at least one beam splitter for transmitting an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation of at least a first band of wavelength to a focal plane array of the first camera and reflecting an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation of at least a second band of wavelength to a focal plane array of the second camera. The first lens is positioned behind the beam splitter for focusing the beam of the first band of wavelength onto an image at the focal plane array of the first camera and the second lens is positioned behind the beam splitter for focusing the beam of the second band of wavelength onto the image at the focal plane array of the second camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Arnold Kravitz, Jongjin George Kim, Sergey Gershtein
  • Patent number: 7933512
    Abstract: There is disclosed stereographic camera system including first and second cameras including respective first and second lenses. A convergence mechanism may set a convergence angle by rotating at least the first camera about a first pivot axis. A first pivot shift mechanism may adjust the position of the first camera such that the first pivot axis passes through a nodal point of the first lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick Campbell, Vincent Pace
  • Publication number: 20110076004
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an offset focal array including a plurality of photosensitive elements disposed at different focal lengths from at least one lens to output an image simulating an orthogonal view of an oblique coverage area. In further embodiments, the photosensitive elements are arranged in layers positioned substantially equal to the focal lengths of one or more focusing lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Frederick V. Petitti
  • Patent number: 7899321
    Abstract: There is disclosed stereographic camera system including a left and a right camera including respective lenses, plural mechanisms to synchronously set a focal length of the lenses, to synchronously set a focal distance of the lenses, to set a convergence angle between the left and right cameras, and to set an intraocular distance between the left and right cameras. A controller may determine a convergence based on the focal length. The controller may cause an interocular distance and a convergence angle between the left and right cameras to be set based on a maximum allowable disparity, the focal length of the lenses, the convergence distance, and a distance to an object in the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: James Cameron, Vincent Pace, Patrick Campbell, Ronnie Charles Allum
  • Patent number: 7877007
    Abstract: An omni-directional stereo camera and a control method thereof. The omni-directional stereo camera includes two or more omni-directional cameras, and a supporting member installed within a shooting range between the omni-directional cameras to interconnect the omni-directional cameras and including compensation patterns formed at the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sukjune Yoon, Kyung Shik Roh, Woosup Han, Seung Ki Min
  • Patent number: 7856180
    Abstract: Stereo photographs and panoramic photographs can be taken separately without enabling cameras to rotate relative to a casing in which the cameras are placed. A camera device capable of selectively photographing panoramic images and stereo images includes a casing (1D) fixed with a photographic lens (11D), and a casing (1U) that is fixed with a photographic lens (11U) and that moves relative to the casing (1D) while facing the casing (1D); wherein in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in open, mutually spaced apart positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing stereo images; and in cases in which the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are disposed in closed, mutually proximal positions by relative movement of the case (1U), the optical axes of the photographic lenses (11D) and (11U) are placed in positions capable of photographing panoramic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Chishima
  • Patent number: 7826736
    Abstract: A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, said second imaging part comprising visible light optics, a laser pointer for providing a laser dot in the second field of view, and means for adjusting the first and second field of view relative to each other in dependence of the focusing distance of the first or second imaging part. The camera is arranged to determine the distance z between the camera and an object being imaged by means of the distance d, using the stored relationship. The distance z may be used to align the IR image and the visible light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventors: Katrin Strandemar, Malin Ingerhed
  • Patent number: 7746568
    Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system uses a single primary optical lens along with three non-collinear apertures to obtain three offset optical channels each of which can be separately captured with an optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Janos Rohaly, Douglas P. Hart, Thomas J. Brukilacchio
  • Patent number: 7693413
    Abstract: A camera system has: cameras; and an information-processing device connected through a communication network with the cameras, which acquires a shot image from the cameras. Each camera includes: an image-pickup part taking an image of a subject; and an image-pickup synchronizing part mutually synchronizing an image-pickup timing of the camera with an image-pickup timing of another camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Sueyoshi, Michimune Kohno, Yuji Ayatsuka, Junichi Rekimoto
  • Patent number: 7689117
    Abstract: A photography system includes: camera modules, which output, for individual pixels, picture data in synchronization with pixel clocks and which are arranged so that the light receiving directions of light receiving devices match; a camera control apparatus, which supplies an operating clock to the camera modules with a phase difference of half a cycle, and which generates a phase difference of half a cycle in picture data output by the camera modules; an output synthesizing apparatus, which synthesizes, in a time division manner, picture data output by the camera modules; and an image processing apparatus, which employs information about a distance between the camera modules for the reconstruction of a single picture, using the picture data synthesized by the output synthesizing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tai Yanazume
  • Patent number: 7689116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile camera optical lens system which assures a wide view angle by dividing a view angle into two or more view angles, and simultaneously achieves the thinness of the mobile camera optical lens system by providing separate off-axis lens systems respectively corresponding to the split view angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho Sik You, Seok Ho Song, Ho Seop Jeong, Sang Hyuck Lee, Hye Ran Oh
  • Patent number: 7686454
    Abstract: A data processing unit calculates image conversions parameters corresponding to each partial image, geometrically converts photographed partial images on the basis of a current partial image based on the calculated image conversion parameters, and combines them to generate a mosaic image. Also, a display device displays each current partial image, and at least part of the generated mosaic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Iketani, Noboru Nakajima, Tomokazu Sato, Sei Ikeda, Masayuki Kanbara, Naokazu Yokoya
  • Patent number: 7676146
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes: (a) a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor; a first lens for forming a first image on the first image sensor; and a first lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the first lens responsive to a first focus detection signal; and (b) a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor; a second lens for forming a second image on the second image sensor; and a second lens focus adjuster for adjusting focus of the second lens responsive to a second focus detection signal. A processing stage (a) selects the sensor output from the first imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the second imaging stage to generate the first focus detection signal, (b) selects the sensor output from the second imaging stage and uses the sensor output from the first imaging stage to generate the second focus detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John N. Border, Russell J. Palum, Wilbert F. Janson, Jr., Kenneth A. Parulski, Keith A. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 7657173
    Abstract: An optical lens system of a mobile camera is provided. The lens optical system includes: an optical lens in which bilaterally symmetrical off-axis lens systems corresponding to the divided view angles are integrally formed and arranged in parallel on the same plane, the optical beams incident at the divided view angles being transmitted through the respective off-axis lens systems; and an image sensor for receiving the optical beams transmitted through the off-axis lens systems, the image sensor being bisected into a green light receiving region and a mixed light receiving region of red and blue colors. Accordingly, the mega resolution can be achieved using the optical lens having the height of VGA grade. Moreover, as the whole length of the optical lens system in the mega optical system is greatly reduced, the camera optical system can have the slim profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hyuck Lee, Ho Seop Jeong, Ho-Sik You
  • Publication number: 20100020187
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a plenoptic camera which captures information about the direction distribution of light rays entering the camera. Like a conventional camera, this plenoptic camera includes a main lens which receives light from objects in an object field and directs the received light onto an image plane of the camera. It also includes a photodetector array located at the image plane of the camera, which captures the received light to produce an image. However, unlike a conventional camera, the plenoptic camera additionally includes an array of optical elements located between the object field and the main lens. Each optical element in this array receives light from the object field from a different angle than the other optical elements in the array, and consequently directs a different view of the object field into the main lens. In this way, the photodetector array receives a different view of the object field from each optical element in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Todor G. Georgiev
  • Publication number: 20090297137
    Abstract: Apparatus operable to change direction of an optic axis of a camera, the apparatus comprising: a sphere configured so that at least one camera is mountable therein and having a region through which light may enter the sphere and be collected by the at least one camera; and at least one motor operable to rotate the sphere about the center of the sphere to orient the optic axis in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Allan C. Entis
  • Patent number: 7623778
    Abstract: A photographic system of plural photographic devices includes a master device, which is a device that is instructed to prepare for the photographing, is provided. The master device includes a request section that requests photographic condition information from another device; a receiving section that receives the photographic condition information; a first setting section that computes photographic condition information for use in the entire photographic system using the received photographic condition information and photographic condition information acquired by itself, and sets the computed photographic condition information as its own photographic condition information; a provision section which provides the computed photographic condition information to the other device; a first photograph execution section which executes the photographing based on the set photographic condition information; and an instruction section which instructs execution of the photographing to the other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7620309
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a plenoptic camera which captures information about the direction distribution of light rays entering the camera. Like a conventional camera, this plenoptic camera includes a main lens which receives light from objects in an object field and directs the received light onto an image plane of the camera. It also includes a photodetector array located at the image plane of the camera, which captures the received light to produce an image. However, unlike a conventional camera, the plenoptic camera additionally includes an array of optical elements located between the object field and the main lens. Each optical element in this array receives light from the object field from a different angle than the other optical elements in the array, and consequently directs a different view of the object field into the main lens. In this way, the photodetector array receives a different view of the object field from each optical element in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Adobe Systems, Incorporated
    Inventor: Todor G. Georgiev
  • Publication number: 20090136222
    Abstract: A method and system for photographing moving pictures using a plurality of photographing apparatuses are provided. As part of the method and system, a master photographing apparatus is synchronized to at least one slave photographing apparatus and the master photographing apparatus captures moving pictures and transmits a moving picture capturing start signal to the slave photographing apparatus, upon receipt of a moving picture capturing request from a user. The slave photographing apparatus captures moving pictures according to the moving picture capturing start signal and transmits the captured moving pictures to the master photographing apparatus, and the master photographing apparatus displays the moving pictures transmitted by the slave photographing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Hoon LEE
  • Patent number: 7496293
    Abstract: A versatile camera that operates in various visibility conditions, such as daylight and poor visibility conditions, the camera including at least two sensors that capture images in a scene and provide a digital representation of the captured images, each sensor having a particular operational wavelength, and an optical and routing module that receives incoming rays from the scene and routes the incoming rays toward the two sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Elbit Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Hanan Shamir, Yossi Yaeli
  • Patent number: 7493037
    Abstract: A matching adjustment between left and right screens is easily and accurately performed in a digital stereo camera and/or a digital stereo video camera at or after the time of photographing. A stereo viewfinder 3 of a digital stereo camera 1 comprises a pair of left and right liquid crystal displays and eyepiece lenses 10. Aspect ratios of left and right image display regions of the liquid crystal displays is made narrower than aspect ratios of image capture regions of image capture devices and horizontal scrolling is performed symmetrically. Images on the image capture devices are horizontally scrolled, while finder images are viewed in a stereoscopic manner with both eyes, so that perspective of a stereoscopic image changes and an optimally scrolled image data can be photographed. Scroll adjustment can be performed on image data after being photographed, and stereo photographs giving an optimal stereoscopic feeling can be printed from edited image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Minoru Inaba
  • Patent number: 7440691
    Abstract: A computer includes a photographing unit for photographing every time a turn table is rotated and acquiring images of the photographing target from a plurality of photographing devices; a coordinate-system setting unit for setting a coordinate system; position of an extracted feature point of the photographing target being defined as reference of the coordinate system; a viewpoint-parameter calculation unit for calculating viewpoint parameters on the basis of the coordinate system set by the coordinate-system setting unit and camera parameters such as focal lengths of the photographing devices, the viewpoint parameters including position data of the photographing devices and direction data of the photographing devices are oriented; and a correspondence-data storage unit for storing the images and the viewpoint parameters being made correlated with each other, the images being acquired by the photographing unit, the viewpoint parameters being calculated by the viewpoint-parameter calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiko Beniyama, Toshio Moriya
  • Patent number: 7403710
    Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus that corrects an image blur by using a plurality of images acquired by image capturing means. The apparatus comprises: blur detection means that detects a blur amount between the plurality of images; image composition means that performs the composition of the plurality of images using the detected blur amount; acquisition means that acquires, based on a difference value between the plurality of images and a threshold value thereof, region data for separating the image into regions by changing the threshold value; and display means that selectably displays the region data for each threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Itokawa
  • Patent number: 7333725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for accurately synchronizing a plurality of sensors, as well as for providing accurate timing information (e.g. timing metadata) associated with the synchronized data capture. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a synchronization circuit that stores a counter having a value corresponding to the delay characteristics of an associated sensor. The counter is used to provide a synchronization pulse to the associated sensor which is offset from a desired synchronization time by an amount that will compensate for the delay characteristics. In one example, one counter is provided for each associated sensor, allowing a high degree of accuracy in synchronization among a plurality of sensors. According to another aspect of the invention, the synchronization pulses are locked onto and derived from a pulse received from a GPS receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Sonoma EO, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian E Frazier
  • Publication number: 20070160361
    Abstract: A photography system includes: camera modules, which output, for individual pixels, picture data in synchronization with pixel clocks and which are arranged so that the light receiving directions of light receiving devices match; a camera control apparatus, which supplies an operating clock to the camera modules with a phase difference of half a cycle, and which generates a phase difference of half a cycle in picture data output by the camera modules; an output synthesizing apparatus, which synthesizes, in a time division manner, picture data output by the camera modules; and an image processing apparatus, which employs information about a distance between the camera modules for the reconstruction of a single picture, using the picture data synthesized by the output synthesizing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Tai Yanazume
  • Publication number: 20070147825
    Abstract: An optical lens system of a mobile camera is provided. The lens optical system includes: an optical lens in which bilaterally symmetrical off-axis lens systems corresponding to the divided view angles are integrally formed and arranged in parallel on the same plane, the optical beams incident at the divided view angles being transmitted through the respective off-axis lens systems; and an image sensor for receiving the optical beams transmitted through the off-axis lens systems, the image sensor being bisected into a green light receiving region and a mixed light receiving region of red and blue colors. Accordingly, the mega resolution can be achieved using the optical lens having the height of VGA grade. Moreover, as the whole length of the optical lens system in the mega optical system is greatly reduced, the camera optical system can have the slim profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Hyuck Lee, Ho Seop Jeong, Ho-Sik You
  • Patent number: 7106511
    Abstract: An optical imaging system and method for achieving a large depth of field without decreasing the relative aperture of an imaging lens. The imaging system has a light source for sequentially illuminating an object to be imaged with light of different ones of a plurality of wavelengths, and an imaging lens that has a focal length that varies with the wavelength of the light that illuminates the object. For each wavelength of light by which the object is illuminated, the imaging lens will image a different object plane onto an image receiving unit, and the image receiving unit will capture one well-focused, high resolution image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette C. Grot, Shalini Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 7092627
    Abstract: A shooting system of the present invention comprises a silver-salt camera unit shooting on a silver-salt photosensitized material, an electronic image pickup unit which is detachably combined with the silver-salt camera unit and in which a solid image pickup element is embedded, and a control unit which is combined with the electronic image pickup unit instead of the silver-salt camera unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seimei Ushiro
  • Patent number: 6915073
    Abstract: A stereo camera with an automatic convergence adjusting device is provided. A stereo-image is captured by a CCD through a stereo adapter. A fiducial light beam in a plane of symmetry which includes a perpendicular bisector line of a segment between the viewpoints of the right and left parallax images, is projected onto a subject from light-emitting equipment. A fiducial spot produced by the fiducial light beam is imaged on both the right and left parallax images and the image loci of the fiducial spot are detected. The convergence of the stereo adapter is adjusted with reference to the image loci of the fiducial mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Shuzo Seo