Patents Examined by Aung S. Moe
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Patent number: 9560278Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging-lens, an image-sensor, a lens-moving-mechanism, a ROM, and an intersection-point-position-control-section. The lens-moving-mechanism moves an intersection point on the image-sensor by moving a second lens in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis. The ROM stores, in advance, a LUT that stores the intersection point and an image quality evaluation value of an image, which is obtained through image capturing performed at the intersection point, in association with each other. The intersection-point-position-control-section acquires the current intersection point, calculates distances between the current intersection point and the plurality of intersection points stored in the LUT, and selects an intersection point for imaging, at which a ratio of the image quality evaluation value to the distance from the current intersection point is at the maximum, among the positions of the plurality of intersection points stored in the LUT.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Makoto Yamada
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Patent number: 9554048Abstract: In-stream rolling shutter compensation may be utilized to modify image data to compensate for detected camera motion. An image processor may perform motion matching on image data received from a camera sensor to determine whether and how the camera is moving. Strips of image data are analyzed to find matching locations between the current image and a previous image by generating graphical profiles for each image strip. The graphical profiles for the current strip are compared to corresponding profiles from the previous image to determine matching locations between the two frames. A motion vector for the strip may be computed based on spatial distances between the match locations of the current image and corresponding match locations of the previous frame. Image data for the current strip may be modified based on the motion vector to compensate for perceived camera motion as it is written out to memory.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: D. Amnon Silverstein
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Patent number: 9549124Abstract: A method for controlling a camera mode is executed at a camera including a controller, a sensor array, an IR filter, and a lens assembly. The camera is operated in a night mode. While in the night mode the IR filter is not interposed between the lens assembly and the sensor array, the camera receives at the sensor array ambient light that is not filtered by the IR filter, determines whether the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source, and detects a light level of the received ambient light. The camera switches the operation of the camera from the night mode to a day mode when it is determined the received ambient light is due to a light source other than an IR light source and that the light level of the received ambient light exceeds a first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Bill Duran, Adrian Mircea Proca
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Patent number: 9549160Abstract: A portable terminal device having a first color temperature sensor that is provided on a first side of the portable terminal device, and having a second color temperature sensor that is provided on a second side of the portable terminal device, the portable terminal device includes, at least one camera module configured to capture an image; and an image processor configured to perform image correction to the image that is captured by the camera module based on at least one of first information from the first color temperature sensor and second information from the second color temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Takako Takanashi
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Patent number: 9549126Abstract: A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided. The control method includes detecting a gesture of a user for the digital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video images sequentially generated according to live view photographing, changing an operation of the digital photographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controlling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to a moving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture has ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustment mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seung-yun Lee, Seog-geun Lee, Sang-hyun Han, Yi-lee Seo, Isaac Lee
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Patent number: 9549139Abstract: The imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels each of which has a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; generates a plurality of first combined signals obtained by combining signals based on electric charges of photoelectric conversion units in one side with each other, and a plurality of second signals obtained by combining signals based on electric charges of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units with each other; and outputs a part of the first combined signals out of the plurality of first combined signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuji Ikeda, Hiroki Hiyama, Yu Arishima, Seiji Hashimoto
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Patent number: 9544478Abstract: The rotary dial apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a housing; a dial being rotatably held relative to the housing; a magnet rotating in accordance with rotation of the dial; and a magnetic sensor disposed in the housing and detecting rotation of the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic sensor are disposed in different regions from each other with a wall being interposed between the magnet and the magnetic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaura, Koji Yasuda, Gaku Suzuki
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Patent number: 9544495Abstract: Several methods for operating a built-in digital camera of a portable, handheld electronic device are described. In one embodiment, the device receives a user selection (e.g., tap, tap and hold, gesture) of a region displayed on the display screen (e.g., touch sensitive screen). A touch to focus mode may then be initiated in response to the user selection and exposure and focus parameters determined and adjusted. Then, an automatic scene detection mechanism can determine whether a scene has changed. If the scene has changed, then the touch to focus mode ends and a default automatic focus mode initiates. This mode sets a new exposure metering area and focus area prior to determining and adjusting exposure and focus parameters, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Jones, Nikhil Bhogal, Ralph T. Brunner
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Patent number: 9544462Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit, an image processing unit, a database, a display unit, a coordinate acquisition unit, a shooting parameter decision unit and a control unit. The image capturing unit acquires image data. The image processing unit performs image processing. The database includes a relationship between a sensitivity word pair and a change in a control parameter. The display unit displays an operation position together with the sensitivity word pair. The coordinate acquisition unit decides a value corresponding to the sensitivity word pair as a selected value. The shooting parameter decision unit decides a value of a shooting parameter based on the selected value. The control unit controls the image capturing unit or the image processing unit based on the value of the shooting parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Atsushi Maruyama, Tomomi Nakajima, Kensei Ito, Naoki Fujii, Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 9538059Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a main body having first and second cameras facing in different directions; a display unit configured to display an image captured by the first camera; and a controller configured to activate the second camera when an image compensation mode is set on the mobile terminal, compensate the image using an amount of light entering the first and second cameras, and display the compensated image on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Dachan Lim
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Patent number: 9536163Abstract: An object position and orientation detection system and in particular one which is capable of describing observed movement in 3 dimensions. In one example, a spherical patterned marker with concentric rings is imaged using one or more digital cameras, and the resulting images are processed to determine the position and orientation of an object to which the patterned marker is attached. The method of optical tracking employed by the system allows motion to be determined in six degrees of freedom. In conjunction with a suitable display, such as a projector, an interactive white board or similar application can be realized.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: OXFORD AI LIMITEDInventors: Stefan Veeser, David Cumming
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Patent number: 9538071Abstract: In an electronic apparatus having a photographing function and a method of controlling the same, a qualitative description and a quantitative setting link with each other flexibly so as to provide a mixed linkage guide so that the qualitative description and the quantitative setting may be reused, and a qualitative description and a quantitative setting which will be added later may link with each other freely.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su-kyung Kim, Jin-pyo Gwak, Hyun-ock Yim, Won-hyung Cho, Dae-hong Ki, Sung-ho Kim, Jin-ha Kim
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Patent number: 9538152Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging system comprising a first camera with a first sensor that captures a first image and a second camera with a second sensor that captures a second image, the two cameras having either identical or different FOVs. The first sensor may have a standard color filter array (CFA) covering one sensor section and a non-standard color CFA covering another. The second sensor may have either Clear or standard CFA covered sections. Either image may be chosen to be a primary or an auxiliary image, based on a zoom factor. An output image with a point of view determined by the primary image is obtained by registering the auxiliary image to the primary image.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Noy Cohen, Oded Gigushinski, Ephraim Goldenberg
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Patent number: 9538104Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus that includes a photoelectric conversion section, a retention section, and first and second gates. The photoelectric conversion section is configured to convert a received light into charge. The retention section is configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section. The first and second gates are provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section, the first and second gates being turned ON for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, and the second gate being turned OFF after the first gate is turned OFF.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Yoshimichi Kumagai, Takashi Abe, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
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Patent number: 9538068Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor photoelectrically converting paired object images formed by light fluxes from mutually different pupil areas of an image capturing optical system, a signal producing part producing, by using output from each of plural pixel lines in a focus detection area in the image sensor, paired image signals corresponding to the paired object images for each pixel line, a calculating part calculating a defocus amount by using the paired image signals produced for each pixel line. The calculating part shifts the paired image signals relatively, produce first correlation data showing change of a correlation value of the paired image signals according to their relative shift amount, adds the first correlation data produced for the respective plural pixel lines to produce second correlation data, and calculates the defocus amount from the second correlation data.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takafumi Kishi
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Patent number: 9538111Abstract: An image sensor includes a sampling circuit, which is responsive to ramp and input signals provided by a pixel array. The sampling circuit is configured to perform a correlated double sampling (CDS) operation on a reset component of the input signal and an image component of the input signal. A reset circuit is also provided, which is configured to reset an output signal generated by the sampling circuit to a first level in response to a reset control signal. This reset control signal can be active during at least one of a first reset interval and a second reset interval. The first reset interval precedes a first comparison interval during which a first comparison operation is performed on the ramp signal and the reset component. The second reset interval precedes a second comparison interval during which a second comparison operation is performed on the ramp signal and the image component.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Han Yang, Kwang-Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 9531938Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes a focus lens that forms an object image of the object, an image sensor that produces image data by capturing the object image, and a controller that controls the focus lens. The focus lens has a focal position. The controller is operable to detect a change of a distance from the image-capturing apparatus to the object during a first exposure period based on image data produced by capturing the object image with the image sensor during the first exposure period. The controller is operable to determine, based on the detected change in the distance, a control amount which controls a moving velocity at which the focal position moves during a second exposure period after the first exposure period. The controller is operable to move the focal position at a moving velocity corresponding to the determined control amount, and cause the image sensor to capture the object image during the second exposure period.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Motonori Ogura
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Patent number: 9529201Abstract: An example of a waterproof hinge and button configuration for a head mounted device is provided. A magnet may be attached to the button, and a sensor may be positioned adjacent to the button to detect movement of the button. For example, the sensor may detect when the button is fully pressed, partially pressed, or not pressed at all by the level of magnetic flux density detected by the sensor. In addition, the sensor may detect an opened or closed position of the hinge based on the magnetic field polarity of the magnet. Due to the implementation of the sensor, the electrical components of the button are able to be removed so as to make the button-hinge configuration waterproof.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Evan Blum, Peter Michael Cazalet
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Patent number: 9532021Abstract: An object is to accurately provide the user with color fidelity information irrespective of difference in the time of day when or in the location where a commercial product is photographed and prevent mismatching of the user's selection of the commercial product. A color fidelity environment correction system 1 includes a camera 2 and a computer 5 that is connectable with the camera 2, a tablet terminal 3 and a display device 4 and is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive and a bus line. A red vehicle 6 is photographed with the camera 2 (RC-500) in a plant or the like, and XYZ color fidelity images are recorded in a storage unit 51 of the computer 5. Another blue vehicle 7 is photographed with the tablet terminal 3 in the open air, and an RGB color image is stored in a storage unit 52.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: PAPALAB CO., LTD.Inventor: Makoto Kato
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Patent number: 9525812Abstract: A master flash apparatus which emits light when an image capturing device outputs a synchronous light emission command after the image capturing device outputs a first light emission start command. The apparatus can perform wireless communication with a slave flash apparatus which emits light in response to a second light emission start command received from the master flash apparatus. A transmission unit transmits the second light emission start command to the slave flash apparatus when a predetermined time has elapsed after the image capturing device outputs the first light emission start command. A measurement unit measures a time from the output of the first light emission start command from the image capturing device to the output of the synchronous light emission command from the image capturing device. An adjustment unit adjusts the predetermined time based on the time measured by the measurement unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hajime Watanabe