Patents Examined by Aung S. Moe
  • Imaging lens
    Patent number: 8941772
    Abstract: An imaging lens includes four lenses arranged in order from the object side to the image side: an aperture stop, positive (refractive power) first lens having a convex object-side surface near the optical axis, second lens having a positive meniscus shape near the axis, positive third lens having a convex image-side surface near the axis, and negative fourth lens having a concave image-side surface near the axis. All lens surfaces are aspheric. The image-side aspheric surface of the fourth lens has a pole-change point off the optical axis and conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.75<TLA/(2IH)<0.90??(1) 0.90<TLA/f<1.30??(2) where TLA: distance on the optical axis from the first lens's object-side surface to the image sensor's image plane without a filter between the fourth lens and image sensor IH: maximum image height f: overall optical system focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kantatsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Sekine, Hisanori Suzuki
  • Video processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, video processing method, and storage medium
    Patent number: 8937676
    Abstract: A video processing method includes calculating mean values with respect to x coordinate value and y coordinate value of vertices that define a corresponding area, which is obtained when a designated area in spherical coordinates is projected on an xy coordinate plane that represents a captured image, and superimposing a mask image R on the captured image in such a way as to bring a point G having an x coordinate value and a y coordinate value identical to the calculated mean values with respect to the x coordinate value and the y coordinate value into coincidence with a point defined by a midpoint in the height direction and a midpoint in the width direction of the mask image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentaro Kogure
  • User interface for providing feedback for handheld image capture
    Patent number: 8937666
    Abstract: A method may include capturing, by a computing device and during a time interval, a plurality of images. The computing device may determine a sharpness of a first image from the plurality of images based on detection of a difference between sharpness of a first plurality of high-contrast areas within the first image and sharpness of a corresponding, second plurality of high-contrast areas within a second image from the plurality of images. The first image may be sent to a search service. Image recognition data based on the first image or indication of unavailability of the image recognition data may be received from the search service. The determining may further include detecting a movement from at least a portion of the first plurality of high-contrast areas within the first image to a corresponding portion of the second plurality of high-contrast areas within the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Padala, Andrews-Junior Kimbembe
  • Revised recapture camera and method
    Patent number: 8934043
    Abstract: In a camera and method, a scene is captured as an archival image, with the camera set in an initial capture configuration. Then, a plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of suggested capture configurations to define a suggestion set. User input designating one of the suggested capture configurations of the suggestion set is accepted and the camera is set to the corresponding capture configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Parulski, Stephen G. Malloy Desormeaux
  • Method and apparatus for producing high dynamic range (HDR) pictures, and exposure apparatuses for use therein
    Patent number: 8928802
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing dynamic range increase (DRI) or a high dynamic range (HDR) pictures, in which differently exposed individual images are combined by image processing to form an HDR or DRI picture. In order to also allow moving objects to be recorded more easily, and to overcome the restrictions relating to lack of mobility of a recording device, the exposure can be carried out by laser radiation containing wavelengths at different intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Peuser, Klaus Schertler
  • Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus equipped with the same
    Patent number: 8928794
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power, a second lens unit having positive refractive power, a third lens unit having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power, in which each lens unit moves during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, and a focal length of the first lens unit, a focal length of the second lens unit, and a focal length of the entire zoom lens at the wide-angle end are appropriately set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Yamasaki
  • CMOS image sensor with global shutter, rolling shutter, and a variable conversion gain, having pixels employing several BCMD transistors coupled to a single photodiode and dual gate BCMD transistors for charge storage and sensing
    Patent number: 8928792
    Abstract: The invention describes a solid-state CMOS image sensor array and discloses image sensor array pixels with global and rolling shutter capabilities that utilize multiple BCMD transistors for a single photodiode, for charge storage and sensing. Thus, the valuable pixel area saved by employing the BCMD transistor for charge storage and sensing is used by placing several BCMD transistors coupled to one photodiode. This increases the Dynamic Range (DR) of the sensor, since the same photodiode can integrate charge for different integration times, both long and short. This allows sensing of two 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. The signal processing circuits located at the periphery of the array can then process these signals into a single Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hynecek, Gennadiy Agranov, Xiangli Li, Hirofumi Komori, Xia Zhao, Chung Chun Wan
  • Method of compression of images using a natural mode and a graphics mode
    Patent number: 8922671
    Abstract: A method of and system for compression of images and video, with random access capability are described herein. Before encoding, the image is partitioned into blocks. The pixels in each block are grouped into several groups using thresholds such that a single value is stored in each group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Gharavi-Alkhansari, Ali Tabatabai
  • Solid-state imaging element having image signal overflow path
    Patent number: 8922689
    Abstract: Since the great number of elements constituting a unit pixel having an amplification function would hinder reduction of pixel size, unit pixel n,m arranged in a matrix form is comprised of a photodiode, a transfer switch for transferring charges stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion for storing charges transferred by the transfer switch, a reset switch for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for outputting a signal in accordance with the potential of the floating diffusion to a vertical signal line, and by affording vertical selection pulse ?Vn to the drain of the reset switch to control a reset potential thereof, pixels are selected in units of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Ueno, Kazuya Yonemoto, Ryoji Suzuki, Koichi Shiono
  • Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 8922679
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an effective pixel region formed by a plurality of pixels which are disposed in the form of a matrix, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion device and a transistor reading out an electric charge obtained by photoelectric conversion at the photoelectric conversion device, and which are illuminated by light and a light-shielded pixel region formed by a plurality of pixels which are shielded from light; a row scan section selecting and controlling each row of pixels of the pixel array section to output a signal from each of the pixels of the selected row of pixels to a column signal line provided in association with the row of pixels; and an A-D conversion section converting the signal output from the signal line into a digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiro Nikai
  • Image pickup apparatus capable of applying color conversion to captured image and control method thereof
    Patent number: 8922667
    Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus adapted to apply user-settable image processing to a sensed image, display in an electronic viewfinder of an image to which a user-set image processing is applied and an image to which such image processing is not applied is switched with each passage of a predetermined period of time or in response to a user operation. Implementing a preview function with the electronic viewfinder image enables the user to check the results of the image processing in real time prior to actual image sensing by comparing the processed image and the original image to provide an easy-to-use preview function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasufumi Oyama
  • Image forming optical system, image pickup apparatus using the same, and information processing apparatus
    Patent number: 8913155
    Abstract: An optical system includes, in order from the object side, an aperture, a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface facing the image side, and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power. The optical system satisfies a certain condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Otsu
  • Image processing method, image processing apparatus and image capturing apparatus
    Patent number: 8913162
    Abstract: An image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image capturing apparatus are provided, which are capable of obtaining an output image exhibiting high visual recognizability while reducing the processing time with a circuit on a comparatively small scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Kawabe, Shigeyuki Ueda
  • Method and apparatus for a time-of-flight sensor with charge storage
    Patent number: 8908063
    Abstract: A time-of-flight sensor device includes analog memory to store one or more sets of charges associated with a time-of-flight image frame captured by a time-of-flight pixel array. So configured, the time-of-flight sensor device greatly reduces or eliminates the need for digital memory otherwise required to store image data prior to processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Werner Adam Metz
  • Dynamic, local edge preserving defect pixel correction for image sensors with spatially arranged exposures
    Patent number: 8902336
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor with spatially arranged exposures. The pixel array includes a first subset of pixels having a first exposure time and a second subset of pixels having a second exposure time. An exposure ratio (ratio of first exposure time to second exposure time) is received. A value of at least a particular neighbor pixel of a given pixel from the image data is adjusted based upon the exposure ratio. Neighborhood statistics for the given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data as adjusted. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AltaSens, Inc.
    Inventor: Naveen Kolli
  • Imaging apparatus including hot shoe
    Patent number: 8891003
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a hot shoe to which one of a plurality of peripheral devices including an external strobe is selectively attachable. The imaging apparatus further includes a USB controller, a flash controller configured to output a flash control signal for controlling the external strobe, and a video signal controller configured to output a video signal. An apparatus-side connector to be electrically connected to a peripheral-side connector provided in a corresponding one of the peripheral devices upon attachment of the corresponding one of the peripheral devices to the hot shoe is provided in an inner region of the hot shoe or an adjacent region outside the hot shoe. The apparatus-side connector includes a USB terminal, a flash terminal, and a video terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Koichiro Murata, Takahiro Ikeda
  • Tone mapping for low-light video frame enhancement
    Patent number: 8890983
    Abstract: A technique is provided for generating sharp, well-exposed, color images from low-light images. A series of under-exposed images is acquired. A mean image is computed and a sum image is generated each based on the series of under-exposed images. Chrominance variables of pixels of the mean image are mapped to chrominance variables of pixels of the sum image. Chrominance values of pixels within the series of under-exposed images are replaced with chrominance values of the sum image. A set of sharp, well-exposed, color images is generated based on the series of under-exposed images with replaced chrominance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventor: Ruxandra Vranceanu
  • Imaging apparatus and zoom lens with adjustable stop positions
    Patent number: 8890980
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a zoom lens, an operation unit that receives an operation for changing a magnification of the zoom lens, an imaging unit that generates image data based on a subject image formed via the zoom lens, a driver that moves the zoom lens stepwise to one of predetermined stop positions corresponding to each of a plurality steps according to the operation received by the operation unit, and a controller that controls the driver. The controller changes the stop position of the zoom lens at each step according to a size of a region of the imaging unit on which the image data is generated so that a converted focal length at the stop position of the zoom lens at each step is the same regardless of the size of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikeda
  • Methods for processing a composite video image with feature indication
    Patent number: 8890979
    Abstract: There is provided a first and second method for processing a composite video image. The methods generally include obtaining a first image of a scene through a first image capturing device with the composite image including a visual representation for directing a receiver's attention to at least one portion of the first image. Preferably, the visual representation may be an arm, a hand, a finger, or an object used for pointing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Wong Hoo Sim, Toh Onn Desmond Hill
  • Variable voltage row driver for CMOS image sensor
    Patent number: 8885085
    Abstract: An example image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in an array of columns and rows, a row driver, and a control logic circuit. The row driver is coupled to pixels in a row of the array to provide a variable driving voltage to drive transistors included in the pixels of the row. The control logic circuit is coupled to provide one or more control logic signals to the row driver. The row driver adjusts a magnitude of the driving voltage in response to the one or more control logic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhihao Xu, Guangbin Zhang