Patents Assigned to FotoNation
  • Publication number: 20180097993
    Abstract: Imager arrays, array camera modules, and array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention utilize pixel apertures to control the amount of aliasing present in captured images of a scene. One embodiment includes a plurality of focal planes, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, and sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data. In addition, the pixels in the plurality of focal planes include a pixel stack including a microlens and an active area, where light incident on the surface of the microlens is focused onto the active area by the microlens and the active area samples the incident light to capture image information, and the pixel stack defines a pixel area and includes a pixel aperture, where the size of the pixel apertures is smaller than the pixel area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Shree Nayar, Kartik Venkataraman, Bedabrata Pain, Dan Lelescu
  • Patent number: 9936148
    Abstract: Architectures for imager arrays configured for use in array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data, and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
  • Patent number: 9934559
    Abstract: A method of correcting an image obtained by an image acquisition device includes obtaining successive measurements, Gn, of device movement during exposure of each row of an image. An integration range, idx, is selected in proportion to an exposure time, te, for each row of the image. Accumulated measurements, Cn, of device movement for each row of an image are averaged across the integration range to provide successive filtered measurements, G, of device movement during exposure of each row of an image. The image is corrected for device movement using the filtered measurements G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventor: Piotr Stec
  • Publication number: 20180081090
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention actively align a lens stack array with an array of focal planes to construct an array camera module. In one embodiment, a method for actively aligning a lens stack array with a sensor that has a focal plane array includes: aligning the lens stack array relative to the sensor in an initial position; varying the spatial relationship between the lens stack array and the sensor; capturing images of a known target that has a region of interest using a plurality of active focal planes at different spatial relationships; scoring the images based on the extent to which the region of interest is focused in the images; selecting a spatial relationship between the lens stack array and the sensor based on a comparison of the scores; and forming an array camera subassembly based on the selected spatial relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Jacques Duparre, Andrew Kenneth John McMahon, Dan Lelescu
  • Patent number: 9924092
    Abstract: Array cameras, and array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks are disclosed. Processes for manufacturing array camera modules including independently aligned lens stacks can include: forming at least one hole in at least one carrier; mounting the at least one carrier relative to at least one sensor so that light passing through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier is incident on a plurality of focal planes formed by arrays of pixels on the at least one sensor; and independently mounting a plurality of lens barrels to the at least one carrier, so that a lens stack in each lens barrel directs light through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier and focuses the light onto one of the plurality of focal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Errol Mark Rodda, Jacques Duparré
  • Patent number: 9917998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring scene information while capturing images using array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of measuring scene information while capturing an image using an array camera includes defining at least two subsets of active cameras, configuring the active cameras using image capture settings, capturing image data using the active cameras, synthesizing at least one image using image data captured by a first subset of active cameras, measuring scene information using image data captured by a second subset of active cameras, and determining whether the image capture settings satisfy at least one predetermined criterion for at least one image capture parameter using the measured scene information, where new image capture settings are determined and utilized to configure the active cameras upon a determination that the image capture settings do not satisfy the at least one predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Florian Ciurea
  • Patent number: 9898856
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically correcting apparent distortions in close range photographs that are captured using an imaging system capable of capturing images and depth maps are disclosed. In many embodiments, faces are automatically detected and segmented from images using a depth-assisted alpha matting. The detected faces can then be re-rendered from a more distant viewpoint and composited with the background to create a new image in which apparent perspective distortion is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Samuel Yang, Manohar Srikanth, Dan Lelescu, Kartik Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20180048830
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis, Jacques Duparre, Shane Ching-Feng Hu
  • Publication number: 20180045890
    Abstract: An optical signal routing device may include a first lens, second lens and a wavelength division multiplexer (“WDM”) filter positioned between the first and second lenses. The WDM filter may reflect a signal of a first wavelength with a first attenuation and pass the first wavelength signal attenuated by at most a second attenuation to the second lens, the first attenuation exceeding the second attenuation by a first predetermined amount. The WDM filter may reflect a signal of a second wavelength different than the first wavelength with at most a third attenuation, the first attenuation exceeding the third attenuation by at least a second predetermined amount. The device may further include a reflector positioned to reflect the first wavelength signal reflected by the WDM filter toward the WDM filter with at least a fourth attenuation, the fourth attenuation exceeding the second attenuation by at least a third predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Haiguang Lu, Kenichiro Takeuchi, Rhaniel Peralta, Glenn Lachica, Marlene Gizelle M. Balinos, Anita L. Lumantes, Erika Mae A. Entico
  • Publication number: 20180048879
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stereo imaging with camera arrays in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of generating depth information for an object using two or more array cameras that each include a plurality of imagers includes obtaining a first set of image data captured from a first set of viewpoints, identifying an object in the first set of image data, determining a first depth measurement, determining whether the first depth measurement is above a threshold, and when the depth is above the threshold: obtaining a second set of image data of the same scene from a second set of viewpoints located known distances from one viewpoint in the first set of viewpoints, identifying the object in the second set of image data, and determining a second depth measurement using the first set of image data and the second set of image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Paul Gallagher, Ankit Jain, Semyon Nisenzon
  • Publication number: 20180040135
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera are disclosed. Systems and methods for calibrating an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention include the detecting of defects in the imaging components of the array camera and determining whether the detected defects may be tolerated by image processing algorithms. The calibration process also determines translation information between imaging components in the array camera for use in merging the image data from the various imaging components during image processing. Furthermore, the calibration process may include a process to improve photometric uniformity in the imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventor: Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 9888194
    Abstract: Array cameras incorporating quantum film imagers are disclosed. One embodiment includes: a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a plurality of rows of pixels that also form a plurality of columns of pixels and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane; at least one quantum film located on the surface of the imager array, where each quantum film comprises a plurality of quantum dots; control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable; and sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventor: Jacques Duparre
  • Publication number: 20180035057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing photometric normalization in an array camera in accordance with embodiments of this invention are disclosed. The image data of scene from a reference imaging component and alternate imaging components is received. The image data from each of the alternate imaging components is then translated to so that pixel information in the image data of each alternate imaging component corresponds to pixel information in the image data of the reference component. The shifted image data of each alternate imaging component is compared to the image data of the reference imaging component to determine gain and offset parameters for each alternate imaging component. The gain and offset parameters of each alternate imaging component is then applied to the image data of the associate imaging to generate corrected image data for each of the alternate imaging components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon, Dan Lelescu, Florian Ciurea
  • Patent number: 9873447
    Abstract: A detachable steering mechanism, comprising a steering wheel (1), an upper steering column (2), a worm (10), and a drive system and control system (20); said steering wheel (1) being fixedly connected to said upper steering column (2); said upper steering column (2) being provided with a thread (11), and a first drive gear (3) being provided on said worm (10); the thread (11) of the upper steering column (2) meshing and rotating with said first drive gear (3); upon said control system (20) detecting the ejection of the steering wheel airbag, controlling said drive system to drive said worm (10), said first drive gear (3) is driven to move away from the thread (11) of the upper steering column (2), allowing said upper steering column (2) to move along its own axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignees: BEIQI FOTON MOTOR CO., LTD., BEIJING ZHI KE INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jiafei Ning
  • Patent number: 9873332
    Abstract: A method for controlling a high-voltage system circuit of an electric vehicle comprises: judging whether the circuit is in a closed-circuit state after receiving an instruction of opening the circuit; judging whether the positive contactor is in an on-state and whether an instruction of turning on the positive contactor is valid if the circuit is in a closed-circuit state; sending an instruction of turning off the positive contactor if the positive contactor is in an on-state and the instruction of turning on the positive contactor is valid; sending an instruction of turning off the negative contactor; judging whether the pre-charging contactor is in an on-state and whether an instruction of turning on the pre-charging contactor is valid; sending an instruction of turning off the pre-charging contactor if the pre-charging contactor is in an on-state and the instruction of turning on the pre-charging contactor is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: BEIQI FOTON MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weibin Yang
  • Publication number: 20180013945
    Abstract: Systems and methods for high dynamic range imaging using array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of generating a high dynamic range image using an array camera includes defining at least two subsets of active cameras, determining image capture settings for each subset of active cameras, where the image capture settings include at least two exposure settings, configuring the active cameras using the determined image capture settings for each subset, capturing image data using the active cameras, synthesizing an image for each of the at least two subset of active cameras using the captured image data, and generating a high dynamic range image using the synthesized images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Florian Ciurea, Kartik Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 9864921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing images synthesized from light field image data and metadata describing the images in electronic files in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes a processor and memory containing an encoding application and light field image data, where the light field image data comprises a plurality of low resolution images of a scene captured from different viewpoints. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to synthesize a higher resolution image of the scene from a reference viewpoint using the low resolution images, where synthesizing the higher resolution image involves creating a depth map that specifies depths from the reference viewpoint for pixels in the higher resolution image; encode the higher resolution image; and create a light field image file including the encoded image, the low resolution images, and metadata including the depth map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Semyon Nisenzon, Dan Lelescu
  • Patent number: 9866739
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving image data captured by an imager array including a plurality of focal planes are described. One embodiment of the invention includes capturing image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module, where an image is formed on each active focal plane by a separate lens stack, generating lines of image data by interleaving the image data captured by the plurality of active focal planes, and transmitting the lines of image data and the additional data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
  • Publication number: 20180007284
    Abstract: A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Kartik Venkataraman, Amandeep S. Jabbi, Robert H. Mullis
  • Publication number: 20180003913
    Abstract: A communication system includes an outer housing, an inner housing, and a hanger plate assembly. The outer housing has first and second side walls. The inner housing is at least partially positioned within the outer housing. The inner housing has first and second side walls and is configured to receive a plurality of patch panel devices therein in a stacked arrangement. The hanger plate assembly includes a first hanger plate hingedly coupled to the first side wall of the inner housing and a plurality of hangers connected to the first hanger plate in a stacked arrangement. Each hanger is adapted to support a cable thereon. The hanger plate assembly has a stored condition in which the hanger plate assembly is fully positioned within the outer housing, and a pulled out condition in which the hanger plate assembly is at least partially positioned outside the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Go!Foton Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takeuchi, Haiguang Lu, Alla Shtabnaya