Patents Examined by Antoinette Spinks
  • Patent number: 10033913
    Abstract: An array imaging module includes a molded photosensitive assembly which includes a supporting member, at least a circuit board, at least two photosensitive units, at least two lead wires, and a mold sealer. The photosensitive units are coupled at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The lead wires are electrically connected the photosensitive units at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The mold sealer includes a main mold body and has two optical windows. When the main mold body is formed, the lead wires, the circuit board and the photosensitive units are sealed and molded by the main mold body of the mold sealer, such that after the main mold body is formed, the main mold body and at least a portion of the circuit board are integrally formed together at a position that the photosensitive units are aligned with the optical windows respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ningbo Sunny Opotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Bojie Zhao, Takehiko Tanaka, Nan Guo, Zhenyu Chen, Heng Jiang, Zhongyu Luan, Fengsheng Xi, Feifan Chen, Liang Ding
  • Patent number: 10033951
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a pixel region in which unit pixels corresponding to colors of color filters having a predetermined color arrangement are arranged in a matrix, each unit pixel having a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; a first readout unit that performs a first readout operation of reading out a signal of at least one of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions in each unit pixel, and that includes a merging unit for merging signals of a plurality of pixels corresponding to different colors in the predetermined color arrangement in the first readout operation; and a second readout unit that performs a second readout operation of reading out signals of all of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions in each unit pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Ikedo, Hisataka Hirose
  • Patent number: 10027917
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved in-pixel correlated double sampling elements for photodetectors. The novel circuits and associated methods of the invention allow for accurate correlated double sampling while avoiding the inherent sampling errors that may occur in prior art in-pixel correlated double sampling techniques when bright or saturating signals are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Forza Silicon Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Bergey, Sam Bagwell
  • Patent number: 10021342
    Abstract: An electronic device and an image displaying method are disclosed. The electronic device mainly comprises a sensing module, a signal processor and a display. The sensing module catches a plurality of first images with a first frequency or a first period or catches a plurality of second images with a second frequency or a second period. The signal processor receives the second images and outputs a plurality of third images correspondingly. The display presents the first images or the third images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ABILITY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Yuan Hsieh, Hong-Tze Chen
  • Patent number: 10005611
    Abstract: A protective case for an electronic device includes a top member, a bottom member, and two gaskets. The bottom member has a back wall and side walls that define a cavity and include a tapered channel. The top member has clasping members that extend from the top member to engage the tapered channel to removably attach the top member to the bottom member. The top member has an opening that frames the display of the installed electronic device. A first gasket is proximate the perimeter of the top member to form a first seal between the top member and the bottom member when the top member is attached to the bottom member. A second gasket is proximate the opening of the top member to form a second seal between the top member and the front surface of the electronic device when the top member is attached to the bottom member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TreeFrog Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary A. Rayner
  • Patent number: 10003762
    Abstract: A device comprising a first shared image device that captures at least one image representation. The first shared image device receives a request to share the at least one image representation to an at least one other shared image device. The first shared image device and the at least one other shared image device are each capable of capturing image representations. The first shared image device transmits the at least one image representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9998642
    Abstract: The technology disclosed here maximizes the size of the display area associated with the mobile device by various camera placement. In one embodiment, the camera is placed inside the mobile device, and can pop outside the mobile device when the camera is activated. When the camera is inactive the camera retracts inside the mobile device, and becomes unnoticeable to the user. In another embodiment, the camera is integrated into the mobile device display as a camera icon. The integrated camera serves two purposes: to record pictures, and to act as a camera icon, that when selected activates the camera. By removing the camera from the front side of the mobile device, or by integrating the camera into the display screen of the mobile device, the size of the mobile device display screen can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David John Evans, V, Xinrui Jiang, Andrew E. Rubin, Matthew Hershenson, Xiaoyu Miao
  • Patent number: 9986146
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9971078
    Abstract: Image-sensing devices include odd-symmetry gratings that cast interference patterns over a photodetector array. Grating features offer considerable insensitivity to the wavelength of incident light, and also to the manufactured distance between the grating and the photodetector array. Photographs and other image information can be extracted from interference patterns captured by the photodetector array. Images can be captured without a lens, and cameras can be made smaller than those that are reliant on lenses and ray-optical focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Gill, David G. Stork
  • Patent number: 9967461
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for identifying, by a computing system and using first and second frames of a video, a transformation that indicates movement of a camera with respect to the frames. The computing system generates a modified transformation so that the transformation is less representative of recent movement. The computing system uses the transformation and the modified transformation to generate a second transformation. The computing system identifies an anticipated distortion that would be present in a stabilized version of the second frame. The computing system determines an amount by which to reduce a stabilizing effect. The computing system applies the second transformation to the second frame to stabilize the second frame, where the stabilizing effect has been reduced based on the determined amount by which to reduce the stabilizing effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Hong, Rodrigo Carceroni
  • Patent number: 9936144
    Abstract: An imaging device, comprising a shooting control section for acquiring divided image data for each of a plurality of exposures, a determination section for determining, for every pixel data of the divided image data, whether or not a pixel value is within a specified determination threshold value, an image combination section for carrying out first image combination or second image combination for every pixel data of the divided image data, an image combination control section for selecting either the first image combination or the second image combination based on a determination result by the determination section, carrying out image combination for every pixel data in the image combination section in accordance with this selection, and generating combined image data, and a first storage section for storing the combined image data that has been generated as a result of controlled by the image combination control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 9936172
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a signal processing program which can more accurately perform color reproduction to an image captured by using visible light and infrared light. A plurality of pixel signals, output by a color-difference sequential system from an image sensor on which light having passed through a color filter array including a plurality of complementary color filters is incident, are acquired. With respect to the plurality of pixel signals, a parameter to eliminate a term corresponding to a predetermined infrared wavelength in an equation to calculate a color-difference signal from the plurality of pixel signals, is set using the plurality of pixel signals. Thereafter, a luminance signal obtained by performing an addition process of the plurality of pixel signals and a color-difference signal obtained by performing a subtraction process between the plurality of pixel signals are calculated using the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshinobu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9930240
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a camera by using Bluetooth communication in a wireless communication system, a method performed by a first device comprises transmitting to the camera a command message including camera control information for controlling a specific function of the camera; transmitting to the camera a configuration message for setting a trigger point of the camera, where the trigger point is a condition by which specific information is received from the camera; and receiving a notification message including the specific information from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jonghun Song
  • Patent number: 9930228
    Abstract: Examples of electronic devices are disclosed. An example electronic device includes a first housing including a first inner face, a second housing including a second inner face, and a hinge pivotably connecting the first housing to the second housing for rotation between at least a folded configuration and an open configuration, wherein the first inner face is adjacent the second inner face in the folded configuration. The example electronic device further includes a camera extending from the first inner face, and a cap on the second inner face and in alignment with the camera in the folded configuration, the cap configured to retract from the second inner face in the folded configuration to accommodate extension of the camera from the first inner face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Esa Maatta
  • Patent number: 9930241
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method capable of obtaining three-dimensional information of an observation target object. [Solving Means] An image processing apparatus includes a difference calculation unit and a difference distribution generation unit. The difference calculation unit calculates, for each of pixels that constitute a pickup image in each of a plurality of pickup images taken at different focal depths, a difference of a luminance value from an adjacent pixel. A difference image generation unit generates, on the basis of the difference and the focal depth at which the pickup image including the pixel whose difference is calculated is taken, a distribution of the difference with respect to the focal depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shiori Oshima, Eriko Matsui, Suguru Dowaki, Tomohiro Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 9923020
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a camera module and a method of manufacturing the same, the camera module comprising a sensor assembly, at least one semiconductor substrate, and a molding compound; wherein the sensor assembly comprises a semiconductor die, a sensor circuit disposed on the top surface of the semiconductor die, and a transparent cover coupled to the semiconductor die over the top surface of the semiconductor die; wherein each semiconductor substrate is disposed around the sensor assembly in a horizontal direction; and wherein the molding compound is filled between each semiconductor substrate and the sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jing-En Luan
  • Patent number: 9912865
    Abstract: In various embodiments a camera with multiple optical chains, e.g., camera modules, is controlled to operate in one of a variety of supported modes of operation. The modes include a non-motion mode, a motion mode, a normal burst mode and/or a reduced data burst mode. Motion mode is well suited for capturing an image including motion, e.g., moving object(s) with some modules being used to capture scene areas using a shorter exposure time than other modules and the captured images then being combined taking into consideration locations of motion. A reduced data burst mode is supported in some embodiments in which camera modules with different focal lengths capture images at different rates. While the camera modules of different focal length operate at different image capture rates in the reduced data burst mode, images are combined to support a desired composite image output rate, e.g., a desired frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Light Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Nitesh Shroff, Sapna A Shroff
  • Patent number: 9912890
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: an effective pixel region of a substrate, effective pixels being arranged in the effective pixel region; an interconnection region around the effective pixel region, electrodes or interconnects being provided in the interconnection region; a peripheral region outside the interconnection region; and a film formed on the substrate. A cross-sectional height of the film in the effective pixel region is smaller than a cross-sectional height of the film in the interconnection region, and a cross-sectional height of the film in the peripheral region and a cross-sectional height of the film in at least a portion of a middle region between the effective pixel region and the interconnection region, the portion being closer to the interconnection region, are between the cross-sectional height of the film in the effective pixel region and the cross-sectional height of the film in the interconnection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Masuda, Kazufumi Watanabe, Kyohei Mizuta, Keishi Inoue, Hirohisa Uchida
  • Patent number: 9897802
    Abstract: An image pickup unit integrally includes an optical lowpass filter, a piezoelectric element, and an image pickup element. The optical lowpass filter is separated into a plurality of grouped optical members in an imaging light axis direction. The optical lowpass filter includes first to third grouped optical members. To remove a foreign substance, such as dust or dirt, deposited on the surface of the first grouped optical member, the piezoelectric element vibrates the first grouped optical member. The first grouped optical member has a monocrystalline structure having a Q value indicating the sharpness of resonance higher than that of glass, which is an amorphous material, and a low attenuation characteristic so as to efficiently vibrate the first grouped optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Inukai
  • Patent number: 9891503
    Abstract: A light emitting device including first and second power sources, which is capable of emitting light without being affected by a charging recycle period. The light emitting device includes an LED as a light emitting section for emitting light, and illuminates an object by light emission from the LED. The light emitting device further includes a first power source and a second power source that is charged by the first power source. Light emission from the LED is controlled using one of the first power source and the second power source as an input power supply according to light emitting current for causing the LED to emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Genta Otsuka