Patents Examined by Ahmed A Berhan
  • Patent number: 11490007
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image pickup device configured to output image data, and at least one processor programmed to perform the operations of following units: a calculation unit configured to calculate an evaluation value used to determine whether to perform an image capturing operation for recording the image data; a setting unit configured to set a threshold value used to determine whether to perform an image capturing operation for recording the image data; a determination unit configured to make a determination as to whether to control execution of an image capturing operation using the evaluation value and the threshold value; and a storing unit configured to store image capturing history information obtained from execution of an image capturing operation based on the determination made by the determination unit, wherein the setting unit sets the threshold value based on the image capturing history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11477377
    Abstract: A function relating to communication of imaging data is assigned to an operational switch of an operating unit. A control unit switches a working mode of the assigned assignment function among a stop mode in which power supply to a communication unit that communicates the imaging data is stopped, a standby mode in which standby is performed to enable the communication of the imaging data by supplying power to the communication unit, and an executing mode in which the imaging data is communicated, depending on operational duration of the operational switch. In a case where the imaging data is not communicated, the assignment function is set to the stop mode, thereby realizing power saving. Further, the working mode of the assignment function can be switched depending on the operational duration of the operational switch, which improves the operability of an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Sudo, Hiroshi Sasahara, Ken Nakagawa, Takuji Moriya
  • Patent number: 11477398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image sensor and to an imaging system comprising the same. The present invention particularly relates to X-ray image sensors and imaging systems. The image sensor according to the invention comprises a pixel array that includes a plurality of active pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and a plurality of column lines to which outputs of pixels in the same column are coupled for the purpose of outputting pixel signals. The image sensor further comprises readout circuitry that includes a plurality of readout units, each readout unit being configured for reading out a respective column line through an input node of the readout unit. The image sensor is characterized in that the image sensor further comprises capacitive units, such as capacitors, for capacitively coupling each input node to its corresponding column line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TELEDYNE DALSA B.V.
    Inventors: Willem J. Kindt, Alouisius W. M. Korthout
  • Patent number: 11477383
    Abstract: A method for providing a preview and an electronic device for displaying a preview are provided. The electronic device includes a camera module, a display, a processor operatively connected to the camera module and the display, and a memory operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to acquire original image frames through the camera module, display, on the display, first preview image frames corresponding to the acquired original image frames, receive an input for requesting dynamic-tone-mapping-based recording, perform the dynamic-tone-mapping-based recording in response to the reception of the input, and while performing the dynamic-tone-mapping-based recording, generate second preview image frames by performing dynamic-tone-mapping processing to first preview image frames acquired after a time point at which the input is received, and display the generated second preview image frames on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chansik Park, Hyuntaek Lee
  • Patent number: 11474193
    Abstract: An apparatus and/or method includes localization of a mobile device. The localization technique is calibrated by prompting the mobile device for a collection of static position images for an image-based localization service, sending static position images to the image-based localization service, receiving, for the static position images, a plurality of localization values from the image-based localization service, calculating a correction for the plurality of localization values, and providing a location for the mobile device based on the correction for the plurality of localization values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Landis Huffman, Joshua Michael Finken, Amey Aroskar, Sumedh Rasal
  • Patent number: 11470271
    Abstract: A pulse generator of an image sensor includes a delay cell including a plurality of transistors arranged in series between a power voltage and a ground, a stabilization capacitor, and a stabilization switch. The power voltage is supplied to a first terminal of a first transistor disposed first among the plurality of transistors, and a gate terminal of the first transistor is connected to a first node. An input voltage is supplied to a gate terminal of an n-th transistor disposed last among the plurality of transistors, and a ground voltage is supplied to a first terminal of the n-th transistor. The stabilization switch is disposed between a reference voltage input terminal providing a reference voltage and the first node. The stabilization switch is turned on by an input bias control signal to supply the reference voltage to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung Tae Kim, Kyung Min Kim, Yun Hwan Jung, Hee Sung Chae
  • Patent number: 11462014
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to, when extracting character information for search information corresponding to a type of a target from an image obtained by photographing the target, receive type information indicating the type of the target, and output first guidance information for providing a guidance to acquire a first image including at least search information associated with the type information and a vicinity of the search information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11451693
    Abstract: The present invention provides a camera module and a molding circuit board assembly, circuit board and application thereof, the circuit board comprising a digital circuit unit, an analog circuit unit and a substrate. The digital circuit nit and the analog circuit unit are respectively formed on the substrate, and the digital circuit unit and the analog circuit unit are conductively connected to each other, wherein at least one part of the analog circuit unit has a safe distance from the digital circuit unit, so as to prevent an electromagnetic wave generated by a circuit of the digital circuit unit from interfering with an electrical signal transmitted and processed by the analog circuit unit, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the transmission and the processing of the electrical signal by the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Duanliang Cheng, Fengsheng Xi, Bojie Zhao, Takehiko Tanaka, Zhen Huang, Zhenyu Chen, Nan Guo
  • Patent number: 11451703
    Abstract: An apparatus for customizing camera parameters is provided. The apparatus includes: an image signal processor; and a processor configured to execute instructions to: generate a first edited image based on a first original image, the first original image including first original image data and first metadata indicating a first pattern of processed RGB colors; identify a first mapping function by analyzing the first pattern with respect to a fixed pattern of unprocessed-RGB color space samples; generate first unprocessed image data based on the first mapping function and the first original image; identify image signal processor adjustment parameters based on the first unprocessed image data and the first edited image; and image signal processor parameters of the image signal processor based on the image signal processor adjustment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Brown, Abhijith Punnappurath
  • Patent number: 11451700
    Abstract: A camera including first and second modules combinable to form the camera. The first module can be a camera module, and the second module can be a camera control module. In one embodiment, the camera module includes an image sensor, light source, and motion sensor, and the camera control module includes a power source receiver, camera control system, and image storage device port. The camera control module can be used separated from the camera module for functions such as viewing and editing images or camera settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: AOB Products Company
    Inventors: Ryan Varnum, Timothy S. Kinney, Kyle Martin, Curtis Smith, Matthew Kinamore, James Tayon
  • Patent number: 11451704
    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: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Ouchi
  • Patent number: 11438504
    Abstract: An imaging element incorporates a memory and a processor. The memory stores image data obtained by imaging a subject at a first frame rate. The processor is configured to derive a degree of difference between first image data obtained as the image data by performing imaging and second image data that is obtained as the image data earlier than the first image data and stored in the storage portion, and perform processing of deciding at least one of the first image data or the second image data as the output image data in a case where the derived degree of difference is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The processor is configured to output the decided output image data at a second frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Hasegawa, Tomoyuki Kawai, Hitoshi Sakurabu, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11438519
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting an optimal exposure of a camera are provided. The method may include: receiving a camera start command to activate a camera of an electronic device; capturing an image frame of a scene by the camera; obtaining an Exposure Brightness Response (EBR) of the camera; providing the EBR and the image frame as an input to a pre-trained neural network specific to the camera; and determining a plurality of exposure parameters of the camera and a mean pixel brightness (MPB) by using the pre-trained neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soumyadarshi Adhikari, Prashant Kumar, Srinivasa Mysore Ravindra, Mahammadrafi Maniyar, Prasanth Kammampati
  • Patent number: 11431915
    Abstract: An image acquisition, an electronic device, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are provided. The image acquisition method includes: acquiring, by a first camera, at least two first images by using at least two different first exposure parameters; performing a content analysis on each of the first images, and determining at least two second exposure parameters according to an content analysis result and the at least two different first exposure parameters; performing an image acquisition, by a second camera, with the at least two second exposure parameters to acquire at least two second images; and performing a fusion process on the at least two second images to obtain a target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Huichao Wang, Gong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11417701
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor has an array of photodiode cells, the photodiode cells each include four buried photodiodes coupled by vertical transfer gate transistors to a single floating node diffusion. Each cell also has a reset transistor coupled to the floating node diffusion, a source follower transistor having gate coupled to the floating node diffusion, and a read select transistor coupled to the source follower transistor. The reset transistor, source follower transistor, and read select transistor have predominately gate and shape edges oriented at an angle greater than 30-degrees and less than 60-degrees from a line extending along an entire horizontal row of photodiodes of a photodiode array of the image sensor and are formed vertically above, and in the same integrated circuit as, the photodiodes of the photodiode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 11418720
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an image with an exposure time determined for each pixel or for each area including a plurality of pixels, a detection unit configured to detect a moving object area from the captured image, a calculation unit configured to calculate a luminance of each of a plurality of the pixels or the areas that is included in the detected moving object area, and a determination unit configured to determine, for each of the plurality of pixels or areas included in the moving object area, a different exposure time in a predetermined range based on the calculated luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takao Saito
  • Patent number: 11418724
    Abstract: The processor obtains a first pixel value and a second pixel value of the display. The processor determines a desired pixel value range that exceeds the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a threshold between the first pixel value of the display and the second pixel value of the display. The processor obtains a function mapping the desired pixel value range to a range between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor applies the first function to an input image prior to displaying the input image on the display. The display presents the image. Upon recording the presented image, the processor determines a region within the recorded image having a pixel value between the threshold and the second pixel value. The processor increases dynamic range of the recorded image by applying an inverse of the function to the pixel value of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Unity Technologies SF
    Inventors: Joseph W. Marks, Luca Fascione, Kimball D. Thurston, III, Millie Maier, Kenneth Gimpelson, Dejan Momcilovic, Keith F. Miller, Peter M. Hillman, Jonathan S. Swartz
  • Patent number: 11412131
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image-taking apparatus wherein a first actuation of a control element locks image-taking parameters and a subsequent actuation of this control element causes a picture to be taken. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a cellular telephone equipped with a camera wherein a first press on the volume up button locks focus and exposure. The photographer can then recompose the picture according to the ‘half-press’ technique and take a picture with a subsequent press on the volume up button. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Oliver Markus Haynold
  • Patent number: 11403509
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that provide feedback to a user of an image capture device that includes an artificial intelligence system that analyzes incoming image frames to, for example, determine whether to automatically capture and store the incoming frames. An example system can also, in the viewfinder portion of a user interface presented on a display, a graphical intelligence feedback indicator in association with a live video stream. The graphical intelligence feedback indicator can graphically indicate, for each of a plurality of image frames as such image frame is presented within the viewfinder portion of the user interface, a respective measure of one or more attributes of the respective scene depicted by the image frame output by the artificial intelligence system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Donsbach, Christopher Breithaupt, Li Zhang, Arushan Rajasekaram, Navid Shiee
  • Patent number: 11399136
    Abstract: A camera mode to use for capturing an image or video is selected by estimating high dynamic range (HDR), motion, and light intensity with respect to a scene of the image or video to capture. An image capture device includes a HDR estimation unit to detect whether HDR is present in a scene of an image to capture, a motion estimation unit to determine whether motion is detected within the scene, and a light intensity estimation unit to determine whether a scene luminance for the scene meets a threshold. A mode selection unit selects a camera mode to use for capturing the image based on output of the HDR estimation unit, the motion estimation unit, and the light intensity estimation unit. An image sensor captures the image according to the selected camera mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Nicolas Emmanuel Veit, Sylvain Leroy, Heng Zhang, Ingrid Cotoros