Patents Examined by Amy Hsu
  • Patent number: 9596409
    Abstract: An imaging module (100) includes a lens unit (11) that includes a lens group, and an imaging element unit (13) that is fixed to the lens unit and includes an imaging element. The lens unit (11) includes: a focus drive unit; first and second image blur-correction drive units; a first connecting portion (37A) that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit; a first wiring portion that electrically connects the focus drive unit, the first image blur-correction drive unit, and the second image blur-correction drive unit to the first connecting portion; a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to only a part of a plurality of wires of the first wiring portion; and a plurality of second connecting portions (59) that are electrically connected to the second wiring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Yukihiro Kaneko, Yoshiyuki Takase, Tatsuya Fujinami, Manabu Tobise
  • Patent number: 9591229
    Abstract: A control method, control apparatus, and control device are disclosed. The control method includes: acquiring audio data including voice information of a target voice source; determining location range information of the target voice source according to the audio data; and controlling rotation of a camera device which currently cannot capture the target voice source according to the location range information, so that the camera device can capture the target voice source. The embodiments of the present invention support capture of a target voice source outside an original screen range by the camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Chen, Qiang Huang, Zhihong Huang
  • Patent number: 9591221
    Abstract: An actuator module for optical image stabilization of a lens assembly relative to an image sensor in a camera includes a coil mounting structure. A plurality of optical image stabilization (OIS) coils is mounted to the coil mounting structure. Some embodiments include a lens assembly structure configured to hold a lens assembly. A plurality of magnets is affixed to the lens assembly structure. Some embodiments include a spring assembly for coupling the coil mounting structure to the lens assembly structure, such that the lens assembly structure is movable relative to the coil mounting structure in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens assembly. The lens assembly comprises a light input side and an opposing light exit side for providing light for an image to an image sensor. The plurality of OIS coils is mounted closer to the light input side than the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Miller, David C. Beard, Douglas S. Brodie, Aurelien R. Hubert
  • Patent number: 9584731
    Abstract: A camera system is provided that provides a smooth and centered zoom, even at high levels of magnification. The camera system corrects for misalignment between the optical axis of a lens and center of an image sensor. As a result of the misalignment, the center of an image will move during a zoom movement. The current camera system corrects for the misalignment as the zoom movement occurs. The correction is matched to the speed of the zoom in order to provide a fluid zoom movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Avigilon Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Wai Neufeld, Sina Afrooze
  • Patent number: 9578224
    Abstract: A system and method for enhanced automatic monoimaging. Embodiments of the present invention are operable for configuring a first camera based on a configuration determination by a second camera. The method includes capturing a first image with the first camera and determining an optical configuration based on an optical measurement performed by a second camera. In one embodiment, the second camera comprises a lower resolution sensor than a sensor of the first camera. The method further includes sending the optical configuration from the second camera to the first camera and adjusting a configuration of the first camera based on the optical configuration. The method further includes capturing a second image with the first camera. The first image and the second image may be preview images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Guanghua Gary Zhang, Michael Lin, Patrick Shehane, Hugh Phu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9576460
    Abstract: A wearable smart device for providing hazard warning information to a user. The wearable smart device includes a microphone configured to detect audio data associated with a potential hazard. The wearable smart device also includes a camera configured to detect image data associated with the potential hazard. The wearable smart device also includes a processor coupled to the microphone and the camera and configured to determine whether the potential hazard presents a real hazard based on the detected audio data and the detected image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Rajiv Dayal
  • Patent number: 9578344
    Abstract: An image capturing system includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge holding unit, a multiple sampling information setting unit, a multiple sampling unit, a conversion unit, and an image reconstruction unit. The photoelectric conversion unit converts optical signals received by a plurality of pixels to electric signals. The charge holding unit stores the electric signals and holds the electric signals as charge signals. The multiple sampling information setting unit sets multiple sampling information used for a multiple sampling process. The multiple sampling information includes first multiple sampling information and second multiple sampling information. The multiple sampling unit performs the multiple sampling process using the multiple sampling information and the charge signals so as to output signals. The conversion unit converts the output signals to digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Takeo Azuma, Jun Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9578246
    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: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Soo Kim, Jin-Hong Jeong, Hwa-Yong Kang, Young-Kwon Yoon, Tae-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9571731
    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: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Nadav Geva, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 9571739
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for displaying useful countdown timers on a media capture device. A media capture device can increase contrast between countdown timer and the video of a scene to be captured by a media capture device and adjust the position and size of a counter displayed on the device based on whether the object is determined to be closer or further than a predetermined threshold distance. Countdown timers can be triggered by detection of objects and gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Elliott B. Harris, Jeffrey Brasket, Justin S. Titi
  • Patent number: 9571741
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the quality of photographs taken in low-light conditions by adjustment of shutter speed and digital gain based on a shutter prioritization value. Using a network of sensor, a digital camera processes various parameters, such as luminance of the scene and movement of the camera or of subjects within the scene, to compute a shutter prioritization value. The value is then used to select the most appropriate shutter speed and digital gain combination from a constant exposure curve. Higher prioritization values correspond to faster shutter speeds and higher digital gain. Lower prioritization values correspond to lower shutter speeds and lower digital gain. In further embodiments, the shutter prioritization value may be manually customized by a user in order to produce artistic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Camden David James Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9565361
    Abstract: An image capturing device and a hybrid image processing method thereof are provided. The method is adapted to an image capturing device having a first lens and a second lens and includes the following steps. First, a scene is captured by the first lens and the second lens to respectively generate a mono image and a color image of the scene. Next, one of a mono image-based mode, a color image-based mode, and a color image-only mode is dynamically selected, and an output image is generated accordingly, wherein the mono image-based mode is to produce the output image by adding color image data onto the mono image, the color image-based mode is to produce the output image by adding mono image data onto the color image, and the color image-only mode is to produce the output image by only using the color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Yi-Hong Tseng, Huei-Shan Lin
  • Patent number: 9563941
    Abstract: An image processor includes a correction signal generator configured to generate a correction signal by calculating a difference between an image and an image obtained by applying an unsharp mask generated based on a PSF corresponding to an image-pickup conditions of an image-pickup optical system to the image, and a correction signal applier configured to sharpen the image by multiplying the correction signal generated by the generator by a constant and by adding a multiplied correction signal to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Oniki, Koshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 9560249
    Abstract: A bending imaging apparatus provided with an imaging optical system, a bending optical element, an image sensor positioned on a post-bending optical axis of the bending optical element, and a housing, includes an inclination adjusting body having a mounting plate portion, onto which the image sensor is mounted, and an inclination-adjusting bent plate portion extending toward an underside of the bending optical element from the mounting plate portion; a swing pivot portion formed between the inclination-adjusting bent plate portion and the housing to pivotally support the inclination adjusting body; and an inclination adjusting portion positioned between the inclination-adjusting bent plate portion and the housing to overlap the bending optical element with respect to the post-bending optical axis direction and swings the inclination adjusting body about the swing pivot portion to adjust an inclination of the inclination adjusting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomonori Imai
  • Patent number: 9549161
    Abstract: A system includes: an image capture device configured to capture image data from a camera system, the image data being in a first mosaic layout; an image display device configured to display the image data in a second mosaic layout; and a processor configured to receive the image data in the first mosaic layout and to supply the image data in the second mosaic layout to the display without intermediate conversion to a fully collocated image layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ning Lu
  • Patent number: 9538112
    Abstract: An image sensor including a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter, a transfer transistor to transfer a charge from the photoelectric converter to the charge-voltage converter whereby potential of the charge-voltage converter changes to a first direction, an amplifier transistor to output a signal corresponding to potential of the charge-voltage converter to a column signal line, the amplifier transistor sequentially outputting, to the column signal line, noise level and light signal level, a capacitance between a control signal line and the charge-voltage converter, and a control unit to change a potential of the control signal line so that the potential of the charge-voltage converter changes to a second direction opposite to the first direction in a period in which the charge-voltage converter is in floating and which is prior to outputting the noise level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Wada, Masahiro Kobayashi, Fumihiro Inui
  • Patent number: 9538067
    Abstract: An imaging device including 2-dimensionally arranged pixels for receiving light is provided. The imaging device includes a first area configured to detect a horizontal phase difference based on horizontal phase difference information obtained from pixels configured to detect the horizontal phase difference, a second area configured to detect a vertical phase difference based on vertical phase difference information obtained from pixels configured to detect the vertical phase difference, and a third area configured to detect horizontal and vertical phase differences based on horizontal phase difference information and vertical phase difference information obtained from pixels configured to detect the horizontal and vertical phase differences, wherein the first area is adjacent to a horizontal border of the third area, wherein the second area is adjacent to a vertical border of the third area, and wherein the third area is located at a center of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Hamada
  • Patent number: 9529246
    Abstract: A camera module is disclosed including an image sensor having an associated optical filter configured to receive a first set of one or more wavelengths of light, and a housing around the image sensor. The housing has an associated optical filter configured to allow a second set of one or more wavelengths of light to pass through the housing and to block the first set of one or more wavelengths of light from passing through the housing. In examples, the second set of one or more wavelengths of light may be light in the visible range of wavelengths, and the housing may be transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Ackerman, Barry Corlett
  • Patent number: 9531944
    Abstract: A first phase difference between a first image signal output from a first pixel configured to detect a light flux having passed through a first partial area of the exit pupil, and a second image signal output from a third pixel configured to detect a light flux having passed through the entire exit pupil is computed. A second phase difference between a third image signal output from a second pixel configured to detect a light flux having passed through a second partial area of the exit pupil, and a fourth image signal output from a fourth pixel arranged at a position different from the third pixel and configured to detect a light flux having passed through the entire exit pupil is computed. The defocus amount of the imaging optical system is computed by using the sum of the first and second phase differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 9525006
    Abstract: A stacked type image sensor with improved optical characteristics, which may result from a color separation element, and an image pickup apparatus including this image sensor. The stacked type image sensor includes first and second light sensing layers arranged in a stacked manner, and color separation elements positioned between the first and second light sensing layers. Accordingly, the first light sensing layer absorbs and detects light of a first wavelength band, and the second light sensing layer detects light of second and third wavelength bands separated by the color separation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunghyun Nam, Sookyoung Roh, Seokho Yun