Patents Examined by Amy Hsu
  • Patent number: 10091409
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, method, apparatus and computer program product for improving image and video captures using depth maps of viewfinder depth map, are provided. The method includes facilitating receipt of a viewfinder depth map of a scene, the viewfinder depth map comprising depth information of a plurality of objects in the scene. One or more objects are selected from the plurality of objects based on depth information of the one or more objects in the viewfinder depth map. Two or more images of the scene are facilitated to be captured by at least adjusting focus of a camera corresponding to the depth information of the one or more objects that are selected. In an example, a method also includes facilitating capture of an image of the scene by at least adjusting focus of a camera corresponding to the depth information of the two or more objects that are selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Krishna Annasagar Govindarao, Soumik Ukil, Ravi Shenoy
  • Patent number: 10091427
    Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including: a main body provided with an image pickup section; a viewfinder having a main body part and a movable part, the viewfinder being capable of performing state transition in which the movable part moves in a first direction with respect to the main body part, to reach a usage state; and a control section configured to perform processing based on the state transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mayuko Sato, Fumikazu Hatanaka, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Patent number: 10091447
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reading out pixel values from sensors in a synchronized manner are described. Readout of rows of pixel values from different sensors are controlled so that pixel values of different sensors corresponding to the same portion of a scene are read out in a way that the same portions of a scene are captured at the same or nearly the same time by different sensors. In one embodiment a first sensor which captures a large scene area alternates between reading out rows of pixel values from a top portion and a bottom portion of the first sensor while sensors corresponding to smaller areas of the scene read out rows of pixel values in a consecutive manner. Sensors may read out rows of pixel values at the same rate despite corresponding to optical chains with different focal lengths. The image captured by the first sensor facilitates image combining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Light Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Nitesh Shroff
  • Patent number: 10084953
    Abstract: Dual-aperture digital cameras with auto-focus (AF) and related methods for obtaining a focused and, optionally optically stabilized color image of an object or scene. A dual-aperture camera includes a first sub-camera having a first optics bloc and a color image sensor for providing a color image, a second sub-camera having a second optics bloc and a clear image sensor for providing a luminance image, the first and second sub-cameras having substantially the same field of view, an AF mechanism coupled mechanically at least to the first optics bloc, and a camera controller coupled to the AF mechanism and to the two image sensors and configured to control the AF mechanism, to calculate a scaling difference and a sharpness difference between the color and luminance images, the scaling and sharpness differences being due to the AF mechanism, and to process the color and luminance images into a fused color image using the calculated differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Nadav Geva, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 10084967
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting light sources and selectively adjusting exposure times of individual sensors in image sensors. In one aspect, a method includes capturing multiple images of a scene using a digital imager. The method includes generating a blended image by combining the multiple images, and executing an object detection algorithm on the blended image to locate and identify objects. The method includes determining a region of the identified object that contains a light source, and generating bounding box data around the light source region. The method includes communicating the bounding box data to the digital imager and updating the exposure time of the sensors in the bounding box region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kiran Somasundaram, Mainak Biswas
  • Patent number: 10070052
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus provided with an image capturing unit that captures a first image, a scene discrimination unit that discriminates a scene of an object a candidate generation unit that generates a shooting setting candidate, based on a result of the discrimination, an image generation unit that generates, based on the shooting setting candidate, an image reflecting an effect obtained by the shooting setting candidate, and a display device. The candidate generation unit performs at least one of a first operation for generating a plurality of shooting setting candidates in which a predetermined parameter is separated by greater than a threshold value and a second operation for generating at least one shooting setting candidate based on the result of the discrimination, and the display device preferentially displays the shooting setting candidates generated by the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takaaki Fukui
  • Patent number: 10070107
    Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: a main body including a lens and an image pickup device; and a grip mounted on the main body and including a projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10063797
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a unit cell circuit comprising a photodetector configured to generate a photo-current in response to receiving light, a first integration capacitor configured to accumulate charge corresponding to the photo-current, a second integration capacitor configured to accumulate charge corresponding to the photo-current, a charge diverting switch coupled to the photodetector and configured to selectively couple the first integration capacitor to the second integration capacitor and divert the photo-current to the second integration capacitor in response to a voltage across the first integration capacitor exceeding a threshold level, and read-out circuitry coupled to the first integration capacitor and the charge diverting switch and configured to read-out a first voltage sample from the first integration capacitor corresponding to charge accumulated on the first integration capacitor and to read-out a second voltage sample from the second integration capacitor corre
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: John L. Vampola, Micky R. Harris, Bryan W. Kean, Steven Botts, Richard J. Peralta
  • Patent number: 10020347
    Abstract: Image sensors, electronic apparatuses, and methods of manufacturing an image sensor are provided. More particularly, an image sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements included in a laminated body is provided. At least one of the photoelectric conversion elements includes organic photoelectric conversion elements. In addition, at least a first surface of the laminated body includes a curved light incident surface, which further includes a concave surface. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements receive light through the concave light incident surface. The laminated body can be connected to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Enoki, Toru Udaka, Masaki Murata, Rui Morimoto
  • Patent number: 10021282
    Abstract: A multi-aperture camera system includes a first aperture introducing an RGB optical signal, a second aperture distinguished from the first aperture and introducing an optical signal, which is different from the RGB optical signal in wavelength, an image sensor processing the RGB optical signal, which is introduced through the first aperture, and obtaining a first image to an object and configured to process an optical signal, which is introduced through the second aperture and is different from the RGB optical signal in wavelength, and obtaining a second image for the object, and a distance determining part using a disparity between the first image and the second image and determining a distance between the image sensor and the object. The first aperture and the second aperture are formed on a unitary optical system to have different centers each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: CENTER FOR INTEGRATED SMART SENSORS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Chong Min Kyung, Jun Ho Mun
  • Patent number: 10021319
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method for controlling photographic capture. A first image is acquired by a first camera having a first viewing angle. A second image is acquired by a second camera having a second viewing angle, the second viewing angle being different from the first viewing angle. The first image is overlaid with at least one object from the second image, or an icon corresponding to the object. The first camera and the second camera are mounted to a same surface, or to disparate surfaces relative to one another. Photographic capture or control is triggered in response to movement of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Soo Kim, Jin-Hong Jeong, Hwa-Yong Kang, Young-Kwon Yoon, Tae-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10009523
    Abstract: An electronic module includes a mounting surface, a cover disposed above the mounting surface, wherein the cover includes a protruding portion extending from a lower surface of the cover to a predetermined distance, and an adhesion part adhering the protruding portion to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heung Woo Park, Jung Gon Choi
  • Patent number: 10003727
    Abstract: A camera module includes a camera, a light emitting unit, a circuit board. The camera is mounted on the circuit board and having an optical axis. The light emitting unit is disposed on the circuit board which emits a light beam forming a batwing-shaped luminous intensity distribution. The batwing-shaped luminous intensity distribution has at least two peaks of maximum luminous intensity. The optical axis of the camera is arranged at a position between the at least two peaks of the batwing-shaped luminous intensity distribution. The camera module emits a uniform light for enhancing authenticity of the image and increasing the reliability of the recognition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Min Hsu, Chih Yuan Huang, I Hsiang Lo, Hou Ming Huang, Yung En Chu
  • Patent number: 10003725
    Abstract: An open-ended, incoherent bundle of optical fibers transmits light from a nearby scene. A camera captures images of the back end of the fiber bundle. Because the fiber bundle is incoherent, the captured image is shuffled, in the sense that the relative position of pixels in the image differs from the relative position of the scene regions that correspond to the pixels. Calibration is performed in order to map from the front end positions to the back-end positions of the fibers. In the calibration, pulses of light are delivered, in such a way that the time at which light reflecting from a given pulse enters a given fiber directly correlates to the position of the front end of the given fiber. A time-of-flight sensor takes measurements indicative of these time signatures. Based on the map obtained from calibration, a computer de-shuffles the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Barmak Heshmat Dehkordi, Ik Hyun Lee, Hisham Bedri, Ramesh Raskar
  • Patent number: 9998653
    Abstract: Dual-aperture digital cameras with auto-focus (AF) and related methods for obtaining a focused and, optionally optically stabilized color image of an object or scene. A dual-aperture camera includes a first sub-camera having a first optics bloc and a color image sensor for providing a color image, a second sub-camera having a second optics bloc and a clear image sensor for providing a luminance image, the first and second sub-cameras having substantially the same field of view, an AF mechanism coupled mechanically at least to the first optics bloc, and a camera controller coupled to the AF mechanism and to the two image sensors and configured to control the AF mechanism, to calculate a scaling difference and a sharpness difference between the color and luminance images, the scaling and sharpness differences being due to the AF mechanism, and to process the color and luminance images into a fused color image using the calculated differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Nadav Geva, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 9992418
    Abstract: A method for generating a photograph image by using any of the preview images captured by multiple image sensors on the electronic device and displayed in a multi-preview mode on the device is provided. The method includes displaying a first preview image obtained from a first image sensor in a first preview area; displaying a second preview image obtained from a second image sensor in a second preview area; and upon detection of a predetermined first user input in the second preview area, generating a photograph image by using the second preview image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kwang-Tai Kim, Young-Kyoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9983380
    Abstract: A camera module including a fixing unit including a hole formed therein; a moving unit including at least one lens, and configured to linearly move in the hole of the fixing unit; and a driving unit configured to drive the moving unit. Further, the driving unit includes a corresponding magnet arranged in the inner surface of the hole of the fixing unit; a moving coil surrounding the outer surface of the moving unit; and a fixed coil arranged in the fixing unit and configured to receive from the moving coil a current or voltage variable based on a distance with the moving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyungjoo Kang, Sungdu Kwon
  • Patent number: 9973702
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the application disclose a method of previewing an image on a terminal, including: starting at least one camera of a rear dual camera of the terminal, controlling the at least one camera to enter a low-power monitor state; obtaining brightness information and color temperature information of the current scene using the at least one camera in the low-power monitor state; updating in real time automatic exposure parameters of the current scene using the obtained brightness information, and updating in real time color temperature parameters of the current scene using the obtained color temperature information; obtaining an image of the current scene using a camera upon reception of an instruction for starting the camera; correcting color temperature and brightness of the obtained image using the color temperature and automatic exposure parameters of the current scene updated in real time; and outputting the corrected image as a preview image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: Hisense Mobile Communications Technology Co., Ltd., Hisense USA Corporation, Hisense International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongcheng Wang, Yaoyao Sui, Sanfeng Yan, Xing Yang, Chao Gao, Changsheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 9973686
    Abstract: An information processing system that detects that a first user input is received at a user interface corresponding to a display configured to display an image captured by an image capturing unit; determines a status of a timer corresponding to the user interface upon detecting the first user input; controls an image capture operation of the image capturing unit upon detecting the first input and determining that the status of the timer satisfies a first predetermined condition; and controls the display to display an image condition settings menu upon detecting the first input and determining that the status of the timer satisfies a second predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9973684
    Abstract: A lens control apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed. The lens control apparatus includes a microprocessor which obtains a correction defocus amount so that the correction defocus amount obtained by the microprocessor when a zoom speed is a first speed is greater than the correction defocus amount obtained by the microprocessor when a zoom speed is a second speed which is less than the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Ishikawa