Patents Examined by Amy Hsu
  • Patent number: 9402013
    Abstract: An information processing system comprises a terminal device and an image search system that are connected to each other via a network, the image search system comprises: a storage unit storing an object and linkage information; a first receiver receiving a captured image; and a first transmitter transmitting the linkage information associated with the object to a source from which the captured image is transmitted, and the terminal device comprises: an identification information acquisition unit acquiring identification information that identifies each terminal device; an image capturing unit capturing an image of a subject and output the captured image; a second transmitter transmitting the captured image to the image search system; a second receiver receiving the linkage information; and a third transmitter transmitting, when an access is made via the network on the basis of the linkage information, the identification information to an access destination to which the access is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Kishi, Nobuyuki Kishi
  • Patent number: 9390617
    Abstract: Variable autonomy level control systems are provided. A control system illustratively include an analog communications support component, a digital communications support component, a processing component, and a motor controller. The processing component synthesizes inputs received from the analog and the digital communications support components to generate an output. The motor controller utilizes the output from the processing component to generate a control signal for a motor. In certain embodiments, the input from the digital communications support component includes an indication of an autonomy level, and the processing component synthesizes the inputs by applying the autonomy level to the input received from the analog communications support component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: RobotZone, LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Pettey, Christopher L. Holt
  • Patent number: 9378429
    Abstract: A device includes a processor configured to execute a process including extracting a pixel value of each of a plurality of areas of a same color that are arranged at different positions on a color chart that is captured in an image, and specifying by using the extracted pixel values of the areas and arrangement positions of the areas of the same color an area that has a pixel value that corresponds to a function that expresses fluctuation of pixel values according to a position due to non-uniformity of an illumination environment that fluctuates the pixel values at a constant rate in one direction, and correcting a pixel value of a correction target area between the areas of the same color according to the pixel value of the specified area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasumasa Iwamura, Akihiro Minagawa, Yusuke Uehara
  • Patent number: 9377157
    Abstract: This application discloses a stand assembly that includes a receiving element for physically receiving a module, and a base assembly for supporting the receiving element. The receiving element further includes a module holding structure, an extended portion, and a first fastener structure coupled to an end of the extended portion. The base assembly includes a base, and a second fastener structure coupled to the base at a joint and configured to mate with the first fastener structure. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base. The movement of the receiving element at the first degree of freedom is unlimited in a first direction of travel associated with the first degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Adam Scott Kilgore, Adam Duckworth Mittleman
  • Patent number: 9380247
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises a plurality of sensor groups, each comprising a plurality of sensors, each including a photoelectric converter and a storage portion, and controls part of the sensor groups according to a first accumulation method, in which charge generated by a photoelectric converter is accumulated in itself, and to a second accumulation method, in which charge generated by a photoelectric converter is accumulated in a storage portion. A sensor group corresponding to a selected focus detection area is controlled according to the first accumulation method, and a sensor group adjacent to the sensor group controlled according to the first accumulation method is controlled according to the second accumulation method. A monitor unit monitors a signal level of the charge stored in the storage portion corresponding to the photoelectric converter controlled according to the second accumulation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Ichimiya
  • Patent number: 9374505
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Nobuo Nakamura, Tomoyuki Umeda, Keiji Mabuchi, Hiroaki Fujita, Eiichi Funatsu, Hiroki Sato
  • Patent number: 9344645
    Abstract: A camera system includes: a camera device which outputs a picked-up image signal in synchronization with an input synchronization signal; a camera controller which is input with the image signal of the camera device; and a relay device which is connected between the camera device and the camera controller and relays the image signal to be transmitted from the camera device to the camera controller, wherein the relay device transmits at least an externally input synchronization signal to the camera device and outputs the image signal to the camera device in synchronization with the externally input synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Murayama, Satoshi Tsubaki, Tamotsu Munakata, Eisaburo Itakura
  • Patent number: 9344588
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus connectable to a contents providing apparatus obtains a list of the identifiers of contents saved in the contents providing apparatus, and obtains accessibility information of the contents saved in the contents providing apparatus. Based on the obtained accessibility information, the information processing apparatus specifies at least one identifier of contents set to be accessible, among the identifiers of the obtained list. The information processing apparatus sets the specified identifier as parameters of a first program for accepting a user operation of designating the content. The information processing apparatus specifies the at least one identifier using a second program different from the first program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kimura
  • Patent number: 9344653
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including pixels each including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge accumulation unit; a transistor including a control electrode; a waveguide; and a light-shielding portion. The waveguide includes an incident portion and an output portion, the light-shielding portion includes a first portion that covers the control electrode of the transistor and a second portion that covers a part of the photoelectric conversion unit, the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit are arranged with an interval therebetween, the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is larger than an interval between a lower end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit, and the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is smaller than an interval between an upper end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mineo Shimotsusa, Masatsugu Itahashi, Masahiro Kobayashi, Kazunari Kawabata, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9338372
    Abstract: Electronic devices may have camera modules that include an image sensor and processing circuitry. An image sensor may include a pixel array having pixel rows and pixel columns. The image pixels in a pixel row may include long-integration pixels and short-integration pixels. Row control signal lines for each pixel row may include a row-select control line, a reset control line, and two transfer control lines or may include a row-select control line, two reset control lines, and a transfer control line. Row control circuitry may be used to operate the pixel array to capture a column-interleaved image with short-exposure pixel values and long-exposure pixel values interleaved in a column-based pattern. The column-interleaved image may be used to form an interpolated short-exposure image and an interpolated long-exposure image from which a column-based interleaved high-dynamic-range image is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kwangbo Cho, Dongsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9332161
    Abstract: A rectangular moving region is properly determined. A retainer retains an outputted moving region of time t and, at time t+1, provides it to a specified region feature detector. At time t+1, the specified region feature detector applies the moving coordinates of time t provided by the judgment unit to respective images of times t and t+1 to calculate feature data d(t) around the moving coordinates of time t and feature data d(t+1) around the moving coordinates of time t+1 and then provides the calculated data to a judgment unit. The judgment unit judges whether there is a box, based on the feature data d(t+1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: EIZO Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Higashi, Masashi Nakao, Hiroki Matsuzaki, Haifeng Chen
  • Patent number: 9322505
    Abstract: This application discloses a stand assembly that includes a receiving element for physically receiving a module, and a base assembly for supporting the receiving element. The receiving element further includes a module holding structure, an extended portion, and a first fastener structure coupled to an end of the extended portion. The base assembly includes a base, and a second fastener structure coupled to the base at a joint and configured to mate with the first fastener structure. The first fastener structure and the joint are configured to respectively provide a first degree of freedom of motion and a second degree of freedom of motion of the receiving element with respect to the base. The movement of the receiving element at the first degree of freedom is unlimited in a first direction of travel associated with the first degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Adam Scott Kilgore, Adam Duckworth Mittleman
  • Patent number: 9307145
    Abstract: A video camera includes a first temperature sensor, a control logic circuit, a main system, a heating module, a fan and a power supply. After the power supply supplies power to the video camera, the first temperature sensor comes to be active, when the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is less than T1, the first temperature sensor outputs a control signal to the control logic circuit, which activates the heating module and the fan and prevents the power supply from supplying to the main system; and when the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is greater than T1, the first temperature sensor outputs a control signal to the control logic circuit which enables the power supply to supply to the main system and inactivates the heating module and the fan, and therefore, a normal activation and stable operation of the video camera at low temperatures are ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hua Sheng, YiFei Sun
  • Patent number: 9292962
    Abstract: Modifying perspective of stereoscopic images provided by one or more displays based on changes in user viewpoint. The one or more displays may include a first display that is provided substantially horizontal for displaying 3D horizontal perspective images and/or a second display that is provided substantially vertical for displaying text or conventional images such as 2D images, or 3D vertical perspective images. The horizontal display surface may be typically positioned directly in front of the user, and at a height of about a desktop surface so that the user can have about a 45° looking angle. The vertical display surface may be positioned in front of the user and preferably behind and above the horizontal display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: zSpace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Vesely, Nancy L. Clemens, Alan S. Gray
  • Patent number: 9294667
    Abstract: A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation
    Inventors: Ariel Lipson, Uri Kinrot, Dalit Bahar, Moshe Kriman, Moshe Levy, Ocie Ward, Mark Harland
  • Patent number: 9288387
    Abstract: Approaches are described for controlling and filtering the display of content by computing devices. In particular, a mobile computing device can adjust the playing of media content (e.g., audio, video, images, games, ringtones) according to situational appropriateness and other environmental factors occurring around the device. For example, a mobile computing device such as a smart phone could use image and audio information captured by its sensors to determine that minors are present within the vicinity of the mobile phone, and filter certain portions of media content that would be deemed inappropriate for those minors. The environmental information can be determined based on data gathered by various sensors of the mobile device, including but not limited to cameras, microphones, global positioning system (GPS) devices, light sensors and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9288390
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device which is in a first mode is provided. The method includes detecting a grip state of the electronic device, detecting a change in tilt when the detected grip state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and switching a mode from the first mode to a second mode when the detected change in tilt is within a set tilt range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Ju Hong, Hyung-Jin Park
  • Patent number: 9287305
    Abstract: The invention describes image sensor array pixels with global and rolling shutter capabilities that utilize multiple BCMD transistors for storing and sensing charge for a single photodiode. This configuration improves the Dynamic Range (DR) of the sensor, by allowing sensing different image signals from a single pixel without saturation, a low level signal with long integration time followed by a high level signal with short integration time. Signal processing circuits can process these signals into a single Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) output. Further disclosed are pixels that use multiple-gate BCMD transistors for charge storage and sensing having multiple concentric gates, which allows changing the conversion gain of the BCMD transistors. Variable conversion gain is a useful feature when building WDR sensors since low conversion gain and high well capacity allows detection of high level signals and, at the same time, low level signals with high conversion gain and low noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hynecek, Gennadiy Agranov, Xiangli Li, Hirofumi Komori, Xia Zhao, Chung Chun Wan
  • Patent number: 9288375
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a camera determines whether to acquire an image (e.g., automatically), determines whether to store the acquired image, and determines how to store the acquired image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Inventor Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
  • Patent number: 9285654
    Abstract: A miniature MEMS autofocus camera module includes a MEMS actuated movable lens group and at least one fixed lens group defining an optical axis within a camera module housing. Objects disposed an arbitrary distance from the camera module are automatically focused at a determined zoom to an image sensor. MEMS actuation of the movable lens group is performed to accomplish autofocus functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation
    Inventors: Ariel Lipson, Uri Kinrot, Dalit Bahar, Moshe Kriman, Moshe Levy, Ocie Ward, Mark Harland