Patents Examined by Antoinette T Spinks
  • Patent number: 10539804
    Abstract: An imaging lens assembly includes a plastic barrel and an imaging lens set. The plastic barrel includes an object-side aperture and a first annular surface. The imaging lens set includes a plurality of optical elements, wherein at least one of the optical elements is a plastic lens element, and the plastic lens element includes an effective optical portion, a peripheral portion, a second annular surface, and an object-side connecting surface. The peripheral portion is formed around the effective optical portion. The second annular surface is formed on an object-side surface of the plastic lens element and surrounds the effective optical portion. The object-side connecting surface is formed on the object-side surface of the plastic lens element and surrounds the effective optical portion, and the object-side connecting surface is connected with one of the optical elements disposed on an object side of the plastic lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: LARGAN PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiang-Chi Tang, Cheng-Chen Lin, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 10536642
    Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus which is capable of properly correcting for image blurring while at the same time obtaining correct focus evaluation values. Based on a detected shake, a vibration isolation lens is moved in a direction different from a direction of an optical axis of a shooting optical system. While a focus lens is being moved in the direction of the optical axis, focus evaluation values are obtained based on an image pickup signal obtained by taking an image of a subject. A method to control the focus lens is determined according to whether or not the focus lens is being moved, and with the determined method, movement of the focus lens in the direction of the optical axis is controlled based on an amount by which the vibration isolation lens has moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Kazami
  • Patent number: 10531020
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image pickup device, a manufacturing method therefor, and an electronic apparatus that enables further miniaturization of a solid-state image pickup device to be achieved. A lower electrode is provided in each of pixels so as to hold a photoelectric conversion film including an organic material between the lower electrode and an upper electrode, and an isolation region is disposed to isolate the lower electrodes of the pixels from each other and includes at least a fixed charge film. The isolation region is formed by the fixed charge film that is formed more deeply than the thickness of the lower electrode. The present technology is, for example, applicable to a solid-state image pickup device having an organic photoelectric conversion film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Murata
  • Patent number: 10531019
    Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image processing method is applied in the electronic device. The image sensor is controlled to output the merged image and the color-block image. The merged image is converted into the image having the first brightness using the scaling algorithm. The color-block image is converted into the image having the second brightness using the interpolation algorithm, in which the first brightness is greater than the second brightness. The image having the first brightness and the image having the second brightness are merged to obtain a HDR image. An image processing apparatus and an electronic device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP, LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng Tang
  • Patent number: 10516854
    Abstract: An underwater camera assembly is configured to be dragged behind a boat underwater. The camera assembly includes a housing having a hollow interior that is configured to hold a camera in waterproof manner. The camera assembly includes at least one rail disposed along an outer surface of the housing and being configured to slidingly receive and interlockingly engage a first accessory (camera positioning fin). The camera assembly can further include a second accessory (trolling fin) that is also interlockingly, yet releasably, engaged to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: OUTDOOR'S INSIGHT, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Maschhoff
  • Patent number: 10515988
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensing device and an electronic device capable of reducing noises. The solid-state image sensing device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge holding unit for holding charges transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, a first transfer transistor for transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion unit to the charge holding unit, and a light blocking part including a first light blocking part and a second light blocking part. The first light blocking part is arranged between a second surface opposite to a first surface as a light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge holding unit, and covers the second surface, and is formed with a first opening, and the second light blocking part surrounds the side surface of the photoelectric conversion unit. The present technology is applicable to solid-state image sensing devices of backside irradiation type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tayanaka, Kentaro Akiyama, Yorito Sakano, Takashi Oinoue, Yoshiya Hagimoto, Yusuke Matsumura, Naoyuki Sato, Yuki Miyanami, Yoichi Ueda, Ryosuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10515460
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media directed to generating training image data for a convolutional neural network, encoding parameters into a convolutional neural network, and employing a convolutional neural network that estimates camera calibration parameters of a camera responsible for capturing a given digital image. A plurality of different digital images can be extracted from a single panoramic image given a range of camera calibration parameters that correspond to a determined range of plausible camera calibration parameters. With each digital image in the plurality of extracted different digital images having a corresponding set of known camera calibration parameters, the digital images can be provided to the convolutional neural network to establish high-confidence correlations between detectable characteristics of a digital image and its corresponding set of camera calibration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: ADOBE INC.
    Inventors: Kalyan K. Sunkavalli, Yannick Hold-Geoffroy, Sunil Hadap, Matthew David Fisher, Jonathan Eisenmann, Emiliano Gambaretto
  • Patent number: 10495945
    Abstract: A dual lens driving apparatus includes a holder, a metal yoke, a carrier, a first coil, at least one magnet and at least one first sensing component. The carrier is movably disposed in the metal yoke, wherein the carrier includes a first receiving space and a second receiving space, the first receiving space and the second receiving space are for receiving a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly respectively, a central axis of the first receiving space and a central axis of the second receiving space are parallel, the carrier can be moved at least along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the two central axes. The magnet is movably disposed in the metal yoke, wherein the magnet can be moved at least along a second direction, and the second direction is vertical to the two central axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Tseng, Wen-Hung Hsu, Yung-Chun Kang
  • Patent number: 10495843
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and a method for operating the same, and more particularly, to a high-speed lens moving technique capable of effective multi-view angle and multi-focus images for a short period of time and an image photographing and sorting technique according the high-speed lens moving technique. Accordingly, the movement of lenses is performed using a new technique without applying the existing slow lens moving technique performed using a motor, etc., so that it is possible to acquire multi-view angle and multi-focus images using one imaging apparatus for a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ki-Uk Kyung, Sae Kwang Nam, Bong Je Park, Sun Tak Park, Sung Ryul Yun
  • Patent number: 10486061
    Abstract: Within a system for operating a virtual reality game or environment, a method is provided for identification of problematic or not well calibrated cameras that are incapable of optimum identification and tracking of game objects. The impact of these identified cameras on the game is reduced on the fly. Most of the time, a few cameras will see an object. The images are mixed to identify the object and its location according to vectors established between cameras and trackable objects. When such mixing of images happens, identification of non-optimum non-calibrated cameras is enabled and performed. The impact of such cameras is then reduced in the overall impact in the game play, providing higher emphasis to images from well calibrated cameras. As such, game stoppage and re-calibration of these few cameras is not required for continuous game play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZERO LATENCY PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Scott Vandonkelaar
  • Patent number: 10491825
    Abstract: An imaging unit of the disclosure includes an imaging lens including a first lens group and a second lens group that are disposed in order from object side toward image side, and an imaging device that converts an optical image formed by the imaging lens into an electric signal. The second lens group and the imaging device are rotationally moved integrally to allow the second lens group and the imaging device to be tilted with respect to an optical axis of the first lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Tamura, Daigo Katsuragi, Yasuhide Nihei, Fujio Kanai, Kazuki Sakae
  • Patent number: 10474006
    Abstract: A photography system provides a photography station which can be conveniently set up and provides consistent quality of photographs regardless of ambient conditions. The system includes a digital camera, a ring flash, and a tent providing a subject space for arranging the subject during photography. The tent is configured to surround the subject to at least partially isolate the subject from the surroundings. The system further includes a background unit arranged within the tent to allow for subsequent background replacement processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Lifetouch Inc.
    Inventors: Haim Ariav, Timothy Lindabury, Peter J. Origlio
  • Patent number: 10477090
    Abstract: A wearable device mountable on a head, the wearable device comprising: at least one imager configured to capture scenery in front of a user; and at least one controller configured to detect a shield in a captured image by the imager, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to execute acquisition of the captured image upon movement of the shield from an inside to an outside of an imaging range of the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sudou, Saya Miura
  • Patent number: 10467731
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically identifying defective pixels captured by a motion picture camera within a sequence of frames is disclosed. The method comprises applying a spatio-temporal metric for each pixel in each frame. The metrics are analyzed to determine which pixels have values exceeding a threshold. The operator is provided a graphical display allowing the operator to select either to repair and store the repaired frame with the sequence of motion picture frames of pixel data or just store the sequence of motion picture frames of pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: MTI Film, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Manbeck
  • Patent number: 10469728
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens; an imaging element which contains object imaging pixels and focal point detection pixels; and a lens array configured by micro lenses being arranged on a two-dimensional plane, and arranged on a front surface of an imaging surface of the imaging element to be distanced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 10469765
    Abstract: There is a demand for increasing the dynamic range of an imaging unit. Provided is an imaging unit comprising a pixel section that outputs a pixel signal corresponding to a reset potential after a reset and a signal potential after charge accumulation; an amplifying section that amplifies the pixel signal with a first amplification ratio or a second amplification ratio that is different from the first amplification ratio; and a control section that causes the amplifying section to amplify the pixel signal corresponding to a change from the reset potential to the signal potential with the first amplification ratio, and then causes the amplifying section to amplify the pixel signal corresponding to a change from the signal potential to the reset potential with the second amplification ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Funamizu
  • Patent number: 10469780
    Abstract: Imaging devices and electronic apparatuses incorporating imaging devices are provided. An imaging device as disclosed can include a first pixel (2PA, 2PB) and a second pixel (2X). The first and second pixels each have a first electrode (51A, 51B, 51C), a portion of a photoelectric conversion film (81), and a portion of a second electrode (82), where the photoelectric conversion film is between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode (51A, 51B) of the first pixel has a first area, while the first electrode (51C) of the second pixel has a second area that is smaller than the first area. The first pixel can include a light shielding film (52A, 52B). Alternatively or in addition, the first pixel can be divided into first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Ryosuke Nakamura, Yuji Uesugi, Fumihiko Koga, Tetsuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10462362
    Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention enable feature based high resolution motion estimation from low resolution images captured using an array camera. One embodiment includes performing feature detection with respect to a sequence of low resolution images to identify initial locations for a plurality of detected features in the sequence of low resolution images, where the at least one sequence of low resolution images is part of a set of sequences of low resolution images captured from different perspectives. The method also includes synthesizing high resolution image portions, where the synthesized high resolution image portions contain the identified plurality of detected features from the sequence of low resolution images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: FotoNation Limited
    Inventors: Dan Lelescu, Ankit K. Jain
  • Patent number: 10455136
    Abstract: There is provided an information processing system comprising: circuitry configured to acquire information indicating whether at least one of plurality of areas included in a captured image captured by a capturing device are focusable; and to issue a signal to control a display to display first information indicating whether each of the plurality of areas are focusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akifumi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 10447944
    Abstract: An object is to provide an imaging apparatus which can output image data whose aspect ratio or the like has not been changed, and can perform processing for setting parameters for imaging control, on the basis of image data whose aspect ratio or the like has been changed. This imaging apparatus is provided with a transformation unit that transforms image data based on an output signal of an imaging element, a processing unit that performs processing for obtaining a value to be used for a parameter for imaging control, on the basis of the image data transformed by the transformation unit, and an output unit that can output the image data based on the output signal of the imaging element to an output destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetaka Uemura