Patents Examined by Abdelaaziz Tissire
  • Patent number: 12047700
    Abstract: A pixel is included, the pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion configured to convert incident light to a charge by photoelectric conversion and accumulate the charge, a charge transfer unit configured to transfer the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion portion, a diffusion layer to which the charge is transferred through the charge transfer unit, the diffusion layer having a predetermined storage capacitance, a conversion unit configured to convert the charge transferred to the diffusion layer to a pixel signal, and connection wiring configured to connect the diffusion layer and the conversion unit. The connection wiring is connected to the diffusion layer and the conversion unit through contact wiring extending in a vertical direction with respect to a semiconductor substrate on which the diffusion layer is formed and is formed closer to the semiconductor substrate than other wiring provided in the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yanagita, Masaaki Takizawa, Yuuji Nishimura, Shinichi Arakawa, Yuugo Nakamura, Yohei Chiba
  • Patent number: 12047680
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor including a pair of focus detection pixels configured to receive light beams that have passed through different areas in an exit pupil of an imaging optical system, and at least one processor caused to function as a focus detection unit configured to detect focus of the imaging optical system by using a pair of focus detection signals which is generated by using output signals from the pair of focus detection pixels. The focus detection unit can detect the focus in a plurality of spatial frequency bands. The focus detection unit acquires a focus detection result to be used in a spatial frequency band corresponding to an aberration amount of the imaging optical system, the spatial frequency band being included in the plurality of spatial frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobutaka Mizuno, Hirotaro Kikuchi, Yumi Takao
  • Patent number: 12040335
    Abstract: A sensor includes pixels supported by a substrate doped with a first conductivity type. Each pixel includes a portion of the substrate delimited by a vertical insulation structure with an image sensing assembly and a depth sensing assembly. The image sensing assembly includes a first region of the substrate more heavily doped with the first conductivity type and a first vertical transfer gate completely laterally surrounding the first region. Each of the depth sensing assemblies includes a second region of the substrate more heavily doped with the first conductivity type a second vertical transfer gate opposite a corresponding portion of the first vertical transfer gate. The second region is arranged between the second vertical transfer gate and the corresponding portion of the first vertical transfer gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 12025423
    Abstract: A camera information calculation device includes a hardware processor. The hardware processor functions as a first calculation unit and a second calculation unit. The first calculation unit calculates, based on a first image and a first video, first camera positional information indicating a position of a first camera. The first image includes a first object taken by the first camera. The first video includes the first object taken by a third camera. The second calculation unit calculates, based on a second image and a second video, second camera positional information indicating a position of a second camera disposed away from the first camera. The second image includes a second object taken by the second camera. The second video includes the second object taken by the third camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventor: Yuya Tagami
  • Patent number: 12022215
    Abstract: An imaging device including: a first imaging cell including a first photoelectric converter that generates a first signal; and a second imaging cell including: a second photoelectric converter that generates a second signal; and a capacitor having a first and second terminal, the first terminal electrically coupled to second photoelectric converter. An area of the first photoelectric converter is greater than an area of the second photoelectric converter in a plan view, the first imaging cell has a first number of saturation charges, and the second imaging cell has a second number of saturation charges, the first number of saturation charges is greater than the second number of saturation charges, and the capacitor has capacitance that causes the second number of saturation charges of the second imaging cell to become greater than the first number of saturation charges of the first imaging cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuko Nishimura, Tokuhiko Tamaki, Masashi Murakami
  • Patent number: 12022190
    Abstract: A photographing method applied to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of cameras. The method includes: receiving a first touch-control input; acquiring a movement speed of a first target object in response to the first touch-control input, the first target object being a moving object in a photography preview interface; acquiring a target photographic magnification factor set based on the movement speed, the target photographic magnification factor set including a plurality of photographic magnification factors; and taking a plurality of photos based on the target photographic magnification factor set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Vivo Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Zhou, Xuan Hu
  • Patent number: 12015845
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for operating a multiple camera system. In some embodiments, a primary camera may be selected from a plurality of cameras using object distance estimates, distance error information, and minimum object distances for some or all of the plurality of cameras. In other embodiments, a camera may be configured to use defocus information to obtain an object distance estimate to a target object closer than a minimum object distance of the camera. This object distance estimate may be used to assist in focusing another camera of the multi-camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Dhanda, Gregory Guyomarc'h, Mark N. Gamadia
  • Patent number: 12003853
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating a focus sweep to produce a focus stack. In use, an image is sampled as image data. Next, a first focus region is identified and a second focus region is identified. Next, first focus target information corresponding to the first focus region is determined and second focus target information corresponding to the second focus region is determined. Further, a focus is adjusted, based on the first focus target information and at least one first image is captured based on the first focus target information. Additionally, the focus is adjusted, based on the second focus target information and at least one second image is captured based on the second focus target information. Lastly, the at least one first image and the at least one second image are saved to an image stack. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: DUELIGHT LLC
    Inventors: William Guie Rivard, Brian J. Kindle, Adam Barry Feder
  • Patent number: 12003850
    Abstract: A method for selecting an image based on burst shooting is provided, which relates to the field of terminal technologies. The method includes: an electronic device displays a preview interface; detects a first operation used to start burst shooting; obtains N images; then performs scene recognition based on K images that meet an image quality screening condition, to determine a shooting scene; and finally determines M images based on the shooting scene, where N is greater than or equal to K, N is greater than or equal to M, N and K are positive integers greater than 1, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. This technical solution helps improve quality of an image obtained by the electronic device through screening, thereby improving user satisfaction with an image that is automatically obtained through screening during burst shooting by the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuailin Lv, Yunchao Zhang, Hongyu Li, Zhiping Jia
  • Patent number: 11997400
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a first pixel group including first photoelectric conversion regions, and at least one first color filter on the first photoelectric conversion regions. The imaging device includes a second pixel group including second photoelectric conversion regions, and at least one second color filter on the second photoelectric conversion regions. The imaging device includes a dummy region between the first pixel group and the second pixel group in a first direction so that a first side of the dummy region is adjacent to the first pixel group and a second side of the dummy region is adjacent to the second pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Hasumi
  • Patent number: 11997375
    Abstract: An image correction method for correcting multiple original images captured under illumination by multiple different light source colors in generating a composite image by superposing the original images, includes obtaining a correction amount for correcting a position of a fiducial mark recognized from a reference image of a specific light source color in reference images of the multiple different light source colors; obtaining correction amounts for correcting positions of the fiducial mark recognized from the reference images of other light source colors than a specific light source color to the reference position in the reference image of the specific light source color; and when the original images are captured, correcting collectively distortion aberration and chromatic aberration of the original images of the multiple different light source colors using the correction amounts associated with the multiple different light source colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Inaura, Shuichiro Kito, Yuta Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11985406
    Abstract: An image capture device including a bayonet, an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA), and fasteners. The bayonet includes a mounting flange that connects the bayonet to a first surface the image capture device, a central portion, and connection recesses located within the central portion. The ISLA includes: a forward end that aligns with the connection recesses; a rearward end; internal lenses located within the ISLA and being aligned along an optical axis; and an integrated sensor connected to the rearward end and located along the optical axis. The fasteners extending through the central portion into the forward end of the lens assembly to connect the ISLA to the bayonet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Vitale
  • Patent number: 11985420
    Abstract: An object is to cause a distribution of defocus amounts in a certain arbitrary region of a captured image to be displayed. A map data generation unit configured to generate defocus map data representing defocus amounts at a plurality of positions in a captured image obtained by an imaging element unit, calculated from phase difference information detected by a phase difference detection unit, and a display control unit configured to generate a defocus map image representing a distribution of defocus amounts of the captured image using the defocus map data generated by the map data generation unit and to perform display control are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Asukabe, Takahiro Kosugi
  • Patent number: 11979659
    Abstract: A system for using actuators to control an image sensor and/or lens based on sensor data received from position sensors and position information for the image sensor and/or lens received from a host processor includes a primary camera controller device, at least one secondary camera controller device, and at least one communication link connecting the primary camera controller device and the secondary camera controller device. The primary camera controller device processes the received sensor data and the received position information to generate control data, sends a secondary portion of the control data to the secondary camera controller device via the communication link, and drives a primary portion of the control data to the actuators. The secondary camera controller device drives the received secondary portion of the control data to the actuators concurrently with the primary camera controller device driving the primary portion of the control data to the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Younes Djadi, Nariankadu D. Hemkumar, Sachin Deo, Daniel T. Bogard, Nathan Daniel Pozniak Buchanan, Eric B. Smith
  • Patent number: 11969152
    Abstract: Provided is a medical image processing system capable of maintaining or improving the resolution of an image obtained by using narrow-band light of a short wavelength while maintaining image quality of an image obtained by using broadband light such as white light. A light source unit emits specific narrow-band light of a short wavelength. An image sensor includes a first pixel group including a B pixel and a second pixel group including a G pixel and a W pixel. The B pixel has a higher sensitivity to the specific narrow-band light than the G pixel. The G pixel has a sensitivity to light in a green band and the specific narrow-band light. The W pixel has a sensitivity to broadband illumination light including the light in the green band and the specific narrow-band light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Aoyama
  • Patent number: 11966237
    Abstract: A gimbal configured to stabilize a supported unit in a predetermined attitude includes an acceleration sensor configured to detect an acceleration of the supported unit, a first calculator configured to calculate attitude information of the supported unit using the acceleration, a rotator including a rotor member rotatable relative to a stator member, an angle detecting sensor configured to detect a rotation angle of the rotator, and a second calculator configured to calculate a correction value for the angle information using the attitude information and the angle information of the rotator based on the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: CANON PRECISION INC.
    Inventors: Youhei Yamamoto, Hiroki Kobayashi, Seiyo Aizu
  • Patent number: 11962885
    Abstract: A fixing structure includes a first supporting disc, a second supporting disc, and an electronic connector. The first supporting disc defines a first through hole. The second supporting disc is movably connected to the first supporting disc. The second supporting disc defines a first receiving groove for receiving a voice coil motor having a lens. The second supporting disc further defines a second through hole passing through a bottom of the first receiving groove. The first through hole and the second through hole are coaxial. The electronic connector is disposed on the second supporting disc, and can be electrically connected to the voice coil motor and an external power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN) CO.LTD.
    Inventors: Mei Cai, Yen-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11956537
    Abstract: A location positioning device for a moving body acquires, via a communication device, a captured image from a camera in which an imaging direction has changed from a first direction to a second direction, the captured image including at least one marker disposed in space and at least one moving body that moves in the space, detects, based on the captured image and initial data, a change of the imaging direction from the first direction to the second direction, and acquires, based on the captured image, location data of the at least one moving body without returning the imaging direction of the camera in a real world to the first direction from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 11943546
    Abstract: Introduced here are computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for achieving high-fidelity color reproduction in the absence of any known reflectance spectrums. That is, high-fidelity color reproduction can be achieved without portable references, such as gray cards and color checkers. To accomplish this, a new reference spectrum—the “reference illuminant spectrum”—is introduced into scenes to be imaged by image sensors. The reference illuminant spectrum is created by a multi-channel light source whose spectral properties are known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: RINGO AI, INC.
    Inventors: Jay Hurley, Matthew D. Weaver, Jeffrey Saake
  • Patent number: 11941708
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and an apparatus a device, and a medium for posting a video or image. In one exemplary method, present a capturing interface comprising a capturing user interface element. In response to detecting activation of the capturing user interface element in the capturing interface, generate a captured video or image and displaying an editing interface for editing the captured video or image, the editing interface comprising a posting user interface element for posting the captured video or image. In response to detecting activation of the posting user interface element, post the captured video or image. The user may quickly post a captured video by means of a story or a quick post function, being beneficial to increasing the positivity of the user to participate in the creation of short video and increasing user stickiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING ZITIAO NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Sun, Daoyu Wang, Chenqi Liang, Xiaoshuang Bai