Patents Examined by Ahmed A Berhan
  • Patent number: 11184519
    Abstract: The image pickup apparatus comprises: a focus adjusting unit configured to drive a focus lens of an imaging optical system and perform focus adjustment; an exposure control unit configured to control exposure; a tilt angle acquiring unit configured to acquire a tilt angle that is a relative angle between an image pickup element and the image pickup optical system; a tilt angle control unit configured to control the tilt angle by tilting the image pickup element or the image pickup optical system; and an imaging condition acquiring unit configured to acquire a imaging condition of an image pickup apparatus. The tilt angle control unit determines a parameter related to a driving speed at which the image pickup element or the image pickup optical system is tilted based on the imaging condition acquired by the imaging condition acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11184520
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for generating audio signals according to visual content. Bokeh refers to a blurring of areas in a photograph or video that are in front of or behind a visual focal plane. Microphones in different positions in the environment of the captured visual content may be mixed according to their positions relative to a visual focal plane of the visual content to generate audio signals. Audio signals may be generated further dependent on a visual effect applied to captured content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Miikka Tapani Vilermo, Arto Juhani Lehtiniemi, Antti Johannes Eronen, Mikko Olavi Heikkinen
  • Patent number: 11178318
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided in a vehicular display device including a center display portion that displays, at a center of the vehicular display device, information toward a passenger of a vehicle and a pair of lateral portions located lateral to the center display portion. The imaging device includes a camera located in one of the lateral portions to photograph the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Hisatsugu, Yoshio Oofuka
  • Patent number: 11172138
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus capable of increasing the width by which the dynamic range is expanded by HDR combination, according to whether a moving object exists or not, while preventing occurrence of ghost artifacts or the like, caused by improper combination. An image capture section performs image capture operations with a plurality of different exposure amounts for each frame to thereby generate a plurality of captured images so as to perform HDR combination. An exposure controller sets the plurality of different exposure amounts for the image capture section. A moving object detection section detects a moving object existing in at least one of the plurality of captured images. The exposure controller adjusts the plurality of different exposure amounts according to whether or not a moving object is detected by the moving object detection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taisuke Nishio
  • Patent number: 11172104
    Abstract: A camera mount consists of at least two layers which are laminated in an optical axis direction of an image-capturing lens. The camera mount is engaged with the image-capturing lens and detachably locks the image-capturing lens to a camera body. The camera mount includes a first mount layer; and a second mount layer, laminated on the first mount layer, made of a metal material and having a plurality of lens attachment claw portions configured to attach the image-capturing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Honkai Tomimoto
  • Patent number: 11159775
    Abstract: A processing control unit 50 of an information processing apparatus 14 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires positional information representing an imaging position in which imaging is performed, time range information representing an imaging time range in which the imaging is performed, and color temperature information related to the imaging, from each of a plurality of imaging apparatuses 12. In addition, the processing control unit 50 functions as a derivation unit that derives recommended color temperature information recommended in a case of performing imaging in a specific position and a specific time range from information obtained by performing statistical processing on the acquired positional information, the time range information, and the color temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11159757
    Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of pixel blocks each formed of a plurality of pixels. A signal processing unit and a corresponding one of the pixel blocks are connected by a plurality of first signal lines. The signal processing unit and a corresponding one of transfer units are connected by a plurality of second signal lines. The signal processing unit includes a conversion circuit that sequentially performs analog-to-digital conversion on first signals input from the plurality of first signal lines during an identical period. The transfer units are disposed in a direction different from a first direction in which the first signal lines are provided, with respect to the circuit array in a second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mineo Uchida
  • Patent number: 11153488
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises an image sensor configured to detect images, an inertial measurement unit configured to measure movement of the image sensor, a display unit configured to display the images detected by the image sensor, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control display of the images by the display unit based on the movement measured by the inertial measurement unit. An exemplary variable latency and frame rate camera embodiment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Antesberger, William C. Cronk
  • Patent number: 11153505
    Abstract: A system includes a storage device storing a set of instructions and at least one processor in communication with the storage device. When executing the instructions, the at least one processor is configured to cause the system to obtain a first operation mode of the optical filter and determine a brightness value of visible light of ambient light. The at least one processor may also cause the system to obtain a brightness threshold related to the first operation mode, compare the brightness value of the visible light of the ambient light with the brightness threshold, and determine whether a switching condition is satisfied based on the comparison result. Upon the determination that the switching condition is satisfied, the at least one processor may further cause the system to switch the first operation mode of the optical filter to a second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tingniao Wang
  • Patent number: 11146725
    Abstract: A technique for reducing a work load during introduction of a system in the system processing an image generated by a camera. An information processing apparatus includes at least an accumulation unit, a recommended setting determination unit, and a camera control unit. The accumulation unit accumulates a score obtained through an authentication process using an image in which a person is captured and a camera setting at which a camera generates the image in a storage area. The recommended setting determination unit determines a recommended setting for the camera on the basis of a correspondence relationship between the score and the camera setting. The camera control unit controls the camera on the basis of the recommended setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Senzaki
  • Patent number: 11139330
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus that includes a pixel region having photoelectric conversion elements includes a semiconductor layer having first and second surfaces, and the photoelectric conversion elements are disposed between the first and second surfaces. With a virtual plane extending along the second surface between the first and second surfaces being a third plane, the pixel region includes an element isolating portion constituted by an insulator disposed closer to the first surface than the third plane, and first and second isolating portions constituted by grooves provided in the semiconductor layer to pass through the third plane. The first isolating portion overlaps the element isolating portion in a normal direction to the third plane. An end of the second isolating portion on a side on the first surface is closer to the second surface than an end of the first isolating portion on a side on the first surface is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobutaka Ukigaya, Hideshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 11140332
    Abstract: Imaging control method, imaging device and unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. An imaging control method for an imaging device with a lens includes: acquiring a brightness value of an environment in which an object-to-be-imaged is located; determining, according to the brightness value, an aperture value and a shutter speed for the lens of the imaging device corresponding to the brightness value; and implementing, according to the determined aperture value and the determined shutter speed, an imaging process on the object-to-be-imaged by the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lifu Yu
  • Patent number: 11134207
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a reset circuit and a first image sensing circuit. The reset circuit has a first node used to receive a reset signal, and a second node. The first image sensing circuit is coupled to the reset circuit and includes a photodiode, a first transistor and a second transistor. The photodiode has a first terminal coupled to the second node, and a second terminal. The first transistor has a control terminal coupled to the second terminal of the photodiode via a third node, a first terminal and a second terminal. The second transistor has a control terminal configured to receive a row selection signal and a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
    Inventors: Hui-Ching Yang, Tao-Sheng Chang, Te-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 11128842
    Abstract: An image processing method is provided, wherein the image processing method includes the steps of: receiving raw image data from an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is a four-cell Bayer sensor, the raw image data includes color information of each pixel, and the color information of each pixel only corresponds to a single color; for a specific pixel to be processed, selecting a region including the specific pixel; referring to a position of the specific pixel to determine whether to flip color information within the region to generate a flipped region; and using color information of at least one portion of pixels within the region or the flipped region to perform an interpolation operation, to generate color information that the specific pixel lacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Yan-Fong Chen, Wen-Tsung Huang
  • Patent number: 11128795
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments may include: a display; an image sensor; and a processor configured to be operatively connected to the display and the image sensor. The processor may be configured to: display a first indicator at a specified position within a preview screen of the image sensor displayed on the display; identify a target on the preview screen; identify a target region corresponding to the identified target among a plurality of candidate target regions including the identified target on the basis of aesthetic scores assigned to the plurality of candidate target regions; display a second indicator corresponding to the identified target region on the preview screen; and when the second indicator is moved to the specified position, generate a photographic image corresponding to the preview screen at a specified time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungwook Youn, Seoyoung Lee, Sehoon Kim, Daiwoong Choi, Byungjun Son, Sungjoo Ahn, Yanggeun Oh, Taehwa Hong, Jiyoon Park
  • Patent number: 11122199
    Abstract: Methods and program products for adjusting characteristics of photographs captured by electronic devices. The disclosed methods may include identifying a location of an electronic device at a detectable time. The electronic device may include a camera configured to capture a photograph at the location. The method may also include analyzing environmental data relating to the identified location, analyzing historical data for a collection of previously captured photographs at the identified location and providing at least one notification on the electronic device based on the analyzed environmental data and/or the analyzed historical data. Additionally, the method may include adjusting at least one camera setting for the camera of the electronic device based on the analyzed environmental data and the analyzed historical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Siddharth Kumar Saraya, Gopal Kumar Bhageria, Nakul Saligram
  • Patent number: 11115599
    Abstract: A computer system automatically corrects a view of an image capture device. A view of an image capture device is adjusted by applying one or more modifications selected from a group of: a zoom modification, a pan modification, and a tilt modification, wherein the view is displayed at a client device during a viewing session and the one or more modifications are indicated by the client device. One or more corrective operations are applied to the adjusted view based on user input, wherein the one or more corrective operations include a rotational operation to correct the adjusted view. Subsequent operations based on the one or more corrective operations are applied during a subsequent viewing session with corresponding view settings. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for automatically correcting a view of an image capture device in substantially the same manner described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Tkac, Keith G. Frost, Andrew C. Myers, Joshua M. Rice
  • Patent number: 11115596
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a camera, a primary display panel including a pixel array and an aperture adjacent the pixel array, an auxiliary display, and an optical assembly including a reflecting optical element and an actuator coupled to the reflecting optical element. The actuator is configured to switch the reflecting optical element between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The first arrangement defines an optical path from the aperture to the camera and the second arrangement defines an optical path from the aperture to the auxiliary display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ping Tong Chu, Chung Chun Wan
  • Patent number: 11108956
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can be mounted with a first battery and a second battery includes: a load circuit configured to operate the imaging apparatus; and a control circuit configured to control power supply to the load circuit based on a first battery voltage in the first battery and a second battery voltage in the second battery. In a high-load mode, the control circuit selects any one of the first battery, the second battery, and a combination of the first and second batteries in accordance with the first and second battery voltages, to supply power to the load circuit. In a low-load mode, the control circuit selects either one of the first battery and the second battery in accordance with the first and second battery voltages without selecting the combination of the first and second batteries, to supply power to the load circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gaku Suzuki, Kazuyuki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 11108943
    Abstract: An image sensor, a focusing control method, and an electronic device are disclosed. The image sensor includes: a photosensitive unit array, a filter unit array disposed above the photosensitive unit array, and a micro-lens array located above the filter unit array. The photosensitive cell array includes one or more focusing photosensitive cells and multiple non-focusing photosensitive cells. Each of the focusing photosensitive cells includes multiple photosensitive pixels. The micro-lens array includes one or more first micro-lenses and multiple second micro-lenses; wherein each of the focusing photosensitive cells is covered by a corresponding one of the first micro-lenses, and each of the non-focusing photosensitive cells is covered by N*N of the second micro-lenses; wherein N is a positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Qiqun Zhou