Patents Examined by Ahmed A Berhan
  • Patent number: 11743599
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically adjusting an aperture of a camera. The methods may include obtaining at least two parameters out of three parameters of the camera, the three parameters including a luminance parameter, an exposure parameter, and a focal length parameter; determining a step length of the aperture based on the at least two parameters; and automatically adjusting the aperture of the camera based on the step length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yiyi Shao, Erli Lu, Mingzhu Chen
  • Patent number: 11729516
    Abstract: A method of digitally processing an image comprises: generating an intensity distribution model (170) in respect of at least a portion of the array of sensing pixels (102) of a detector device (100). The array of sensing pixels comprises clusters of pixels. A pixel (140) from the array of sensing pixels is then selected (202) and a first distance and a second distance from the selected pixel to a first neighbouring pixel (142) and a second neighbouring pixel (144), respectively, are determined (402) and the intensity distribution model (170) referenced (406) by the first distance is used to calculate a first weight and a second weight to apply to the first and second neighbouring pixels, respectively. The first distance comprises an intra-cluster distance and the second distance comprises an inter-cluster distance, the intra-cluster distance being different from the inter-cluster distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Wouter Reusen, Adrian Hill, Luc Buydens
  • Patent number: 11729488
    Abstract: The present invention eliminates meaningless searching for an object, and increases the probability that an image the user likes can be obtained. An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing device configured to capture an object image, an object detection unit configured to detect an object from image data captured by the image capturing device, a state detection unit configured to detect information pertaining to a state in which the image capturing apparatus is being held, and a control unit configured to control a range in which the object detection unit searches for an object, on the basis of state information of the image capturing apparatus detected by the state detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Ouchi
  • Patent number: 11722784
    Abstract: An imaging device including pixels and processing circuitry, where the pixels capture a first image in a first exposure period within a frame period and capture a second image in a second exposure period within the frame period to generate multiple-exposure image data that include the first image and the second image in a multiplexed state, the second exposure period being different from the first exposure period, the second image being different from the first image in brightness or color, and the processing circuitry detects an image of a moving subject from the multiple-exposure image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Satou, Yasuo Miyake, Yasunori Inoue, Tokuhiko Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11716534
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a camera voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that includes an additive coil structure for shifting a lens along one or multiple axes. The additive coil structure may include a base portion configured to couple with a lens carrier and at least partially surround a perimeter of the lens carrier. In various examples, the additive coil structure may include folded portions that individually include a respective coil that is located proximate a respective magnet. According to various embodiments, the additive coil structure may be formed using an additive process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert, Scott W. Miller, Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11716526
    Abstract: An integrated image sensor and lens assembly including an image sensor, a lens barrel, and a lens element. The lens barrel configured to direct light to the image sensor. The lens barrel is a multiple segment lens barrel or a multiple subsection lens barrel. The multiple segment lens barrel or the multiple section lens barrel includes: a first segment or a first subsection, and a second segment or a second subsection. The lens element located within the lens barrel. The first segment or the first subsection is movable relative to the second segment or the second subsection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Emilio Graff
  • Patent number: 11706536
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel configured to generate a pixel signal, using an analog signal processing voltage, a ramp signal generator configured to generate a ramp signal, using the analog signal processing voltage, a bias voltage generator configured to generate a bias voltage, using the analog signal processing voltage, and a noise compensator configured to generate a noise component, using a digital signal processing voltage and the analog signal processing voltage, and add the generated noise component to the generated bias voltage. The image sensor further includes a conversion circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, based on the generated ramp signal and the bias voltage to which the noise component is added, and generate an image signal by performing analog-to-digital conversion on the generated pixel signal, based on the generated reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Hong Kim, Kyung-Min Kim, Hee Sung Chae
  • Patent number: 11706507
    Abstract: Described examples relate to an apparatus comprising a first sensor configured to scan an area of interest during a first time period and a second sensor configured to capture a plurality of images of a field of view. The apparatus may include at least one controller configured to receive the plurality of images captured by the second sensor, compare the timestamp information associated with at least one image of the plurality of images to at least one time period of the first time period, and select a base image from the plurality of images based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Jia Feng, Damien Kelly, Ignacio Garcia Dorado, Xiaoying He, Benjamin Frevert, Nirav Dharia
  • Patent number: 11699068
    Abstract: An imaging device connected to a neural network is provided. An imaging device having a neuron in a neural network includes a plurality of first pixels, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element. The plurality of first pixels is electrically connected to the first circuit. The first circuit is electrically connected to the second circuit. The second circuit is electrically connected to the third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels generates an input signal of the neuron. The first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit function as the neuron. The third circuit includes an interface connected to the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ikeda, Takahiro Fukutome
  • Patent number: 11700448
    Abstract: A hybrid computer/human method for generating, validating and using a ground truth map (GTM) provides for enforcement of data capture and transmission compliance of real and near real time video. Computer-implemented processes are used to identify and classify as allowed or disallowed objects in a local scene based on attributes of a video session. A human interface is available to validate either the object identification or classification. The GTM is then used, preferably in conjunction with motion sense, to enforce data capture and transmission compliance of real and near real time video within the local scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John A. Cogliandro, Matthew J. Tacy, Allan Mayorga, Richard M. Pinti
  • Patent number: 11687158
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus having a plurality of switchable imaging modes and including a vibration control unit which changes vibration parameters of a vibration device based on the imaging mode and a user operation on an imaging start operation unit during an imaging recording period. The vibration device vibrates the imaging apparatus to transfer a touch sense to the user corresponding to the user operation on the imaging start operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takazumi Seo
  • Patent number: 11689827
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel circuit, a readout circuit, and a row driver. The pixel circuit is configured to output a pixel signal in response to a selection signal. The readout circuit is configured to output a digital signal corresponding to the pixel signal, generate a gain control signal based on a first pixel signal received from the pixel circuit, provide the gain control signal to the pixel circuit, receive a second pixel signal output by the pixel circuit using the gain control signal, and output a digital signal corresponding to the second pixel signal. The row driver is configured to provide the selection signal to the pixel circuit while maintaining the selection signal at a first level while the readout circuit provides the gain control signal to the pixel circuit and the pixel circuit outputs the second pixel signal to the readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Yong Jung, Min Woong Seo
  • Patent number: 11683591
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a controller that performs first synchronization control of outputting a first synchronization signal at a first timing after receiving an instruction of continuous imaging, outputting a second synchronization signal at a second timing after elapse of a first time period from the first timing, and outputting the second synchronization signal every time a second time period longer than the first time period elapses after the second timing; and an imaging unit that starts reading of a signal from an imaging element by a rolling shutter method at a third timing at which an input of the second synchronization signal is received after the second timing, and starts exposure of the imaging element by the rolling shutter method at a fourth timing before the third timing so that an interval between the fourth and third timings is equal to a length of an exposure time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Furuta
  • Patent number: 11683582
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging element and a controller configured to detect presence/absence of a flicker. The controller performs control such that light receiving units of predetermined rows of different groups in a plurality of groups acquired by dividing a pixel area into predetermined numbers of rows accumulate the electric charges for a unit time shorter than a flicker period in accumulation periods of the same timing, the light receiving units of a plurality of different rows of the same group in the plurality of groups accumulate the electric charges for the unit time in accumulation periods of mutually-different timings, and a total time of the accumulation periods in which the light receiving units of the plurality of different rows of the same group accumulate the electric charges is a predetermined time longer than the flicker period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11683592
    Abstract: The technical problem of enhancing the quality of an image captured in low light conditions by a front facing camera is addressed by providing an adaptive front flash system. An adaptive front flash system automatically adjusts configuration parameters of an overlaid view that operates in lieu of a front flash, termed a front flash view. The configuration parameters are adjusted based on characteristics of the output of the digital image sensor of the front facing camera. Examples of configuration parameters of the front flash view include one or more of brightness of the display, color temperature of the front flash view, and transparency of the front flash view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Newar Husam Al Majid, Christine Barron, Ryan Chan, Bertrand Saint-Preux, Shoshana Sternstein
  • Patent number: 11671696
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for managing visual content at a computer system. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for managing visual content in media are described. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for managing visual indicators for visual content in media are described. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for inserting visual content in media are described. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for identifying visual content in media are described. In some embodiments, methods and user interfaces for translating visual content in media are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Paul, Francisco Alvaro Munoz, Jeffrey A. Brasket, Brandon J. Corey, Thomas Deselaers, Nathan De Vries, Ryan S. Dixon, Craig M. Federighi, Vignesh Jagadeesh, James N. Jones, Nicholas Lupinetti, Behkish J. Manzari, Vinay Sharma, Xin Wang, Marco Zuliani
  • Patent number: 11668995
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical compensation method for a display screen, a storage medium and an electronic device, and the method includes: determining a refresh time of a to-be-compensated screen; determining an exposure time as N times the refresh time, wherein N is a positive integer; controlling a camera to shoot the to-be-compensated screen based on the exposure time; acquiring an original image of the to-be-compensated screen captured by the camera; and performing optical compensation on the display effect of the to-be-compensated screen based on the original image. The present disclosure can avoid a split-screen phenomenon of the display effect of the screen after performing optical compensation on the display screen based on the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: Chengdu BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yifei Wang, Tan Jing, Tianliang Liu
  • Patent number: 11671701
    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: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    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: 11665442
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes an imager configured to acquire image data, a processing unit configured to perform a process based on a neural network calculation model for data based on the image data acquired from the imager, and a control unit configured to switch between a first process mode of performing a first process at a first frame rate and, based on a result of the first process, a second process mode of performing a second process at a second frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoji Eki
  • Patent number: 11664400
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a light sensor array including a plurality of light sensors configured to detect an incident light and convert the incident light into an electrical signal, the plurality of light sensors being are provided in a plurality of pixels, a transparent layer provided on the light sensor array, a color separation element provided on the transparent layer and configured to separate the incident light into light of a plurality of colors based on a wavelength band, and a focusing element including a nanostructure in a region corresponding to at least one pixel among the plurality of pixels and configured to perform auto focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sookyoung Roh, Seokho Yun