Patents Examined by Carramah J. Quiett
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Patent number: 10033929Abstract: A image storing apparatus and method is provided for storing live view image in a camera device with the indication of the progress of storing the image. The method includes displaying a live view image in a preview mode; capturing the image in response to a capture request; processing a preconfigured image to generate an animation image, the animation image indicating progress of storing the captured image; and displaying, when the captured image is completely stored, a thumbnail image of the captured image instead of the animation image.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LtdInventors: Jaemyoung Lee, Sungsik Lee, Hoyoung Lee
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Patent number: 10033926Abstract: A processing device collects depth data for frames in a sequence of images of a video stream being provided by a source device to a target device as part of a communication session. The depth data is created by a depth aware camera of the source device. The processing device maps, using the depth data, feature locations of the features of an object in a frame to feature locations of the features of the object in other frames, determines overlapping frame sections between the frames using the mapped feature locations, modifies, in the sequence of images, a set of images corresponding to the frames based on the overlapping frame sections to create a stabilized stream of images for the video stream, and provides the stabilized stream of images in the video stream as part of the communication session.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Gregory M Burgess, Thor Carpenter
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Patent number: 10033947Abstract: An imaging system may include multi-port pixels. A multi-port pixel may include a photodiode that generates electrical charge in response to received light and a plurality of access ports that couple the electrical charge onto one of a corresponding plurality of pixel output lines. The photodiode may generate electrical charge for one or more different integration times while a frame is being captured. Charge generated during the different integration times may be coupled onto different respective pixel output lines through different respective access ports. Multiple pixels in a given column of the pixel array may simultaneously couple charge generated during different integration times onto different pixel output lines through different access ports.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Raminda Madurawe
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Patent number: 10033952Abstract: An imaging device whose dynamic range can be wide with a simple structure is provided. In a circuit configuration and an operation method of the imaging device, whether a charge detection portion provided in a pixel is saturated with electrons is determined and an operation mode is changed depending on the determination result. First imaging data is captured first, and is read out in the case where the charge detection portion is not saturated with electrons. In the case where the charge detection portion is saturated with electrons, the saturation of the charge detection portion is eliminated and second imaging data is captured and read out.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takuro Ohmaru
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Patent number: 10033959Abstract: A subject (10), such as a billboard, has a filtering film (15) to absorb electromagnetic radiation specifically in a first wavelength band. A detector (60) provides a first detector signal (61a) relating to the first wavelength band and a second detector signal (61b) relating to another, different, second wavelength band, respectively. Suitably, the subject (10) appears with high intensity in one band and with low intensity in the other. A content replacement unit (40) produces a mask signal (43) by identifying regions of contrast between the first and second detector signals (61a, 61b) as target areas (75). A content substitution unit (47) selectively replaces the target areas (75) with alternate image content (42) to generate modified video images (72). The system is useful, for example, to generate multiple live television broadcasts each having differing billboard advertisements.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Supponor OyInventor: Erkki Rantalainen
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Patent number: 10027918Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging device including a multi-lens including a central optical system (wide-angle lens) and an annular optical system (telescopic lens) which have a common optical axis, an image sensor, and an array lens provided on the incidence surface side of the image sensor and including microlenses (pupil imaging lens). In a preferred aspect of the present invention, two images having different characteristics are generated based on a pupil image of each unit block including 3×3 light reception cells assigned to each of the microlenses of the array lens. The unit block has eight surrounding light reception cells that correspond to one of the two images, and the eight surrounding light reception cells in the unit block are configured to output RGB pixel signals in all wavelength regions necessary for generating this one image.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Shuji Ono
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Patent number: 10027877Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a continuous shooting mode in which images are captured for recording in response to an image capture instruction, wherein respective development process for each image is performed before capturing a subsequent image for recording in the continuous shooting mode, includes a focus control unit and a control unit. The focus control unit detects a focal point of a focus lens. The control unit controls movement of the focus lens and controls the capturing of an image. After the control unit controls the movement of the focus lens using the focus control unit and captures an image for recording in the continuous shooting mode, the control unit moves the focus lens to a predetermined position and then moves the focus lens across a predetermined range from the predetermined position to perform the scanning using the focus control unit during the development process of the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Kimoto
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Patent number: 10025350Abstract: A wearable information device is configured to store device identifying information used for identifying the information device registered in advance, to confirm whether or not a taken image, in which an object in a direction of line of vision of a user is taken, shows the information, by image analysis based on the stored device identifying information, and to notify the information device of a result of the confirmation. The information device is configured to execute a predetermined function on the basis of the result of the confirmation of the information device notified from the wearable information device.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventors: Kimiyasu Mizuno, Tsuyoshi Minami, Hideo Suzuki, Takashi Suenaga, Keiichi Nomura, Shuhei Uchida, Munetaka Seo, Itsuki Yamashita
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Patent number: 10027899Abstract: An optical module that achieves an adjustable aperture with a multilayer liquid crystal diaphragm, and an electronic apparatus using the optical module are described. The optical module includes at least one diaphragm layer having a light-transmission area that is fully transmissive and a variable light-transmission area filled with material having variable transmittance; and an electrode unit for applying an adjustment voltage to the at least one diaphragm layer. Transmittance of the variable light-transmission area varies in accordance with the adjustment voltage applied by the electrode unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.Inventors: Ke He, Jiefeng Chen
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Patent number: 10021280Abstract: A camera module includes a lens carrier that houses a lens, electrical components of optical path modifiers positioned on the lens carrier, an image sensor, and a controller that is to generate commands for operating the optical path modifiers. A printed circuit assembly positioned on the lens carrier is electrically coupled to suspension wires. The printed circuit assembly includes a printed circuit that has installed thereon a serial bus communications interface circuit that is to receive the commands from the controller through one of the suspension wires, and a translation circuit that is to translate the commands into control signals that are to operate or drive the optical path modifiers via the electrical components and according to the commands, respectively. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Shashank Sharma, Douglas S. Brodie
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Patent number: 10020342Abstract: A manufacturing device holds a lens unit on a Z axis that is orthogonal to a chart surface of a measurement chart, holds an image pickup element unit on the Z axis, picks up an image of the measurement chart by an image pickup element while changing a Z-axis direction position of the image pickup element unit held on the Z axis in a state in which current is applied to a second lens drive unit and a third lens drive unit of the lens unit held on the Z axis, adjusts the position and a tilt of the image pickup element unit relative to the lens unit on the basis of image pickup signals that are obtained in the case where the image of the measurement chart is picked up, and fixes the image pickup element unit to the lens unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Tatsuya Fujinami, Takashi Mitsuyasu
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Patent number: 10015380Abstract: An imaging device comprises a number of light sources, a camera, a processor and a platen. As an object is moved over the platen each of the light sources illuminates the platen sequentially, with the principal axis of illumination of each light source intersecting the plane of the platen at a different place. The camera captures a series of images of the object, each captured image corresponding to the illumination of the platen by a different light source. The processor then generates a composite image from the series of images that compensates for the reflection of light from the platen associated with the principal axis of illumination.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: John P. Roquemore, III
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Patent number: 10003731Abstract: An imaging element which outputs a pair of image signals corresponding to a pair of luminous fluxes which pass through different pupil areas of a photographing optical system, the imaging element includes a first pixel cell group including a plurality of first pixel cells for obtaining the pair of image signals and a second pixel cell group including a plurality of second pixel cells for obtaining the pair of image signals. The first pixel cell includes a first photoelectric converting unit and a first micro lens which is provided above the first photoelectric converting unit. The second pixel cell includes a second photoelectric converting unit and a second micro lens which is provided above the second photoelectric converting unit. The first micro lens and the second micro lens are disposed with different regularities.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Makoto Kobayashi
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Patent number: 9955054Abstract: A method for assembling a camera includes providing a circuit board with a first surface defining a plane and an aperture extending entirely through the circuit board. An image sensor is fixed on the first surface. A lens holder is provided with a lens barrel defining a central axis and supporting a lens in a fixed position relative to the lens barrel. A post extends outward from the lens barrel in a first direction. The circuit board and the lens holder are oriented such that the plane defined by a first surface of the circuit board is perpendicular to the central axis. The circuit board and the lens holder are axially joined so that the post is received by the aperture. A final alignment of the image sensor relative to the central axis and the lens is non-adjustably fixed upon sliding the post through the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GmbHInventor: Rajesh Das
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Patent number: 9948875Abstract: An imaging system may include an image sensor having an array of dual gain pixels. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read method and an improved four read method such that all signals are read in a high gain configuration in order to prevent electrical offset in signal levels. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read, two analog to digital conversion (ADC) method in which a frame buffer is used to store calibration data. Each pixel may be operated using an improved three read, three ADC method in which no frame buffer is required. A high dynamic range image signal may be produced for each pixel based on signals read from the pixel and on light conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Bart Cremers, Tomas Geurts
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Patent number: 9934252Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of providing metadata-based photo and/or video animation. For instance, multiple images (e.g., still images) of a scene may be combined into an image sequence. An image may be selected from the multiple images to represent the scene. Such an image may be referred to as a primary image. Metadata may be associated with the primary image. The metadata may include a reference to the image sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Aaron Joseph Sauvé, Jeffery G. Arnold, Kathryn C. Lemson
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Patent number: 9924101Abstract: The apparatus displays a standard image capturing screen for capturing an image using a first image capturing unit in the case where an operation of a release member has been detected while a standard playback screen for performing playback using a first playback unit is being displayed, and, in the case where an operation of the release member has been detected while a predetermined image capturing screen for capturing an image using a second image capturing unit is not being displayed and a screen of the predetermined application is being displayed, displays the predetermined image capturing screen.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shigeki Hirooka
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Patent number: 9922410Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a saturation judgment section adapted to judge whether or not saturation of individual pixels making up image data of plural images falls within a high saturation area, the image data being acquired by picking up images of an object in time sequence; and an image combining section adapted to perform high-saturation comparative bright combination processing on the image data of plural images, where the high-saturation comparative bright combination processing involves replacing only pixels judged to fall within the high saturation area with a pixel value of a pixel which has a larger index including a luminance component.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Yoshinao Shimada
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Patent number: 9917972Abstract: An image processor executing a predetermined image process on an input image including a plurality of pixels to generate an output image includes an image-processing unit reading the input image required for generating the output image into an internal storing circuit as a reference image to execute an image process, a storing capacity determination unit determining whether or not a data size of the reference image is within a storing capacity range of the internal storing circuit, and a reference image division unit dividing the data size of the reference image when the data size of the reference image exceeds a storing capacity of the internal storing circuit by the storing capacity determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Shigeo Mizutani
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Patent number: 9900519Abstract: A method, a device and a computer readable for automatically identifying a Christmas tree scene and setting a camera's focus and/or exposure parameters in a way that yields images with high image quality. The Christmas tree scene identification can be performed by segmenting the image into bright and dark regions, identifying the light objects, collecting the statistics of the light objects, and classifying the scene based on the statistics of the light objects, or by collecting the pixel value statistics for the image, and classifying the scene based on the statistics of the pixel values, or by collecting the pixel value statistics for the image, filtering the image, collecting the pixel value statistics for the filtered image, and classifying the scene by comparing the statistics of the pixel values before and after filtering. The focus and exposure settings can be adjusted based on the Christmas tree scene identification results.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: SKR Labs, LLCInventor: Zhigang Fan