Patents Examined by Chan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12368972
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of correctly determining an exposure permission period from a pulse wave signal. The image pickup apparatus comprising an image pickup portion, and a pulse wave detector configured to detect a pulse wave of a photographer who is holding a main body portion including the image pickup portion. The image pickup apparatus determines, based on a change amount of a pulse wave signal output from the pulse wave detector, a permission period in which exposure by the image pickup portion is permitted and a non-permission period in which the exposure by the image pickup portion is not permitted, and controls the exposure by the image pickup portion, based on the determined permission period and the determined non-permission period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidemasa Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 12356069
    Abstract: Techniques for managing logical camera devices are provided. A system for managing logical camera devices may instantiate logical camera devices having different responsibilities. A first logical camera device may receive and pass image data and metadata to a first application that may perform operations using both the image data and the metadata. A second logical camera device may receive and pass the metadata without the image data to a second application that may perform operations using the metadata but not the image data, thereby preserving power, memory, and/or processor resources that may have unnecessarily been used to provide the image data (e.g., via a buffer stream) to the second application, which may have deleted the image data upon receiving it. Another logical camera device may be instantiated to control other logical camera devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lay, Lorne Joseph LaMeer, Tarun Reddy Karra, Alice Zhang, Hengzhi Chen, Choudhary Omer Rafique
  • Patent number: 12348882
    Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes: a plurality of pixels provided in a pixel array; a controller configured to control a first pixel group of the plurality of pixels to have a first exposure integration time and a second pixel group of the plurality of pixels to have a second exposure integration time; and a signal processor configured to generate image data based on digital signals corresponding to pixel signals generated by the pixel array, by performing operations on a first value of the digital signals corresponding to the first pixel group and a second value of the digital signals corresponding to the second pixel group. The first exposure integration time of the first pixel group is independent of illuminance of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyungmin Kim, Minsun Keel, Mira Lee
  • Patent number: 12348885
    Abstract: A method for correcting image data includes receiving image data associated with an image captured by a photosensor array and determining a location of a target pixel in the photosensor array associated with a defect of the imager. First operating pixels are identified in a first region of the photosensor array that overlaps the location of the target pixel and second operating pixels are identified in a second region of the photosensor array that overlaps the location of the target pixel and a portion of the first region. A simulated pixel value is determined for the target pixel in response to a weighted average of the first operating pixels and the second operating pixels. The simulated pixel value is assigned to the target pixel in the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Oosterhouse, Dale M. Radcliff
  • Patent number: 12316958
    Abstract: One embodiment according to the technology of the present disclosure provides an imaging device, an imaging method, and a program that allow a user to easily visually discriminate a difference between setting conditions by displaying video image data indicating the difference. An imaging device (1) is an imaging device 1 including a connection unit (109) that is connectable to an external device (3), and a processor (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Fujiwara, Taro Saito, Tomoharu Shimada, Takehiro Koguchi, Yukinori Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 12302014
    Abstract: A method for increasing a dynamic range of a dual-pixel image sensor is described. The method includes detecting an intensity level of a full pixel from a plurality of pixels of an optical sensor, one or more full pixels of the plurality of pixels includes at least two sub-pixels, detecting an intensity level of one or more sub-pixels, detecting that the intensity level of the full pixel of the optical sensor has reached a saturation level of the full pixel, and in response to detecting that the intensity level of the full pixel of the optical sensor has reached the saturation level of the full pixel, computing an extrapolated intensity level of the full pixel based on the intensity level of the one or more sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Netanel Kligler, Gilad Refael
  • Patent number: 12301963
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a camera module comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate spaced from the first substrate in the optical axis direction on the first substrate; an image sensor electrically connected to the second substrate; a housing arranged on the second substrate; and a passive element arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the passive element is arranged at a position lower than that of the lower end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Keun Park
  • Patent number: 12289541
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image processor and an image processing system including the same, and the image processor includes: a first processing module for generating an actual output image obtained by correcting first values of first phase detection pixels based on an actual input image corresponding to first normal pixels and the first phase detection pixels arranged in a first pattern; a second processing module for calculating inverse gain values between the actual input image and the actual output image; and a third processing module for generating a virtual input image based on the actual output image and the inverse gain values, the virtual input image corresponding to second normal pixels and second phase detection pixels arranged in a second pattern, wherein the first processing module further generates a virtual output image obtained by correcting second values of the second phase detection pixels on the basis of the virtual input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Ji Hee Han
  • Patent number: 12279050
    Abstract: An imaging system comprising a phase-detection image sensor comprising a plurality of phase-detection pixel units and a processor configured to: interpolate a green image to obtain a full resolution interpolated green image including defocused portions having artifacts and in-focus portions having sharp image, low-pass filter the full resolution interpolated green image to obtain a blurred image of the interpolated green image, combine the full resolution interpolated green image and the blurred image of the full resolution interpolated green image to obtain a corrected full resolution interpolated green image, where the artifacts of the defocused portions of the full resolution interpolated green image are removed, and the sharp image of the in-focus portions of the full resolution interpolated green image is unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiyi Ren, Wenshou Chen, Lei Fan, Nian Xiong
  • Patent number: 12279054
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a time delay integration (TDI) sensor using a rolling shutter. The TDI sensor includes two pixel arrays each having multiple pixel columns. Each pixel column includes multiple pixels arranged in an along-track direction, wherein two adjacent pixels or two adjacent pixel groups in every pixel column have a separation space therebetween. The separation space is equal to a pixel height multiplied by a time ratio of a line time difference of the rolling shutter and a frame period, or equal to a summation of at least one pixel height and a multiplication of the pixel height by a time ratio of the line time difference and the frame period. The TDI sensor doubles a number of times of integrating pixel data corresponding to the same position of a scene by arranging two separately operated pixel arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Ren-Chieh Liu, Chao-Chi Lee
  • Patent number: 12273637
    Abstract: Pixel values are read out of an OB pixel region under a predetermined exposure condition, and predetermined processing is performed on the pixel values to derive a dark current component value. The dark current component value of a segmented pixel region is estimated from the OB dark current component value by taking into account the difference between the exposure conditions of the OB pixel region and the segmented pixel region. Specifically, a conversion ratio for calculating the dark current component value from the OB dark current component value is derived based on the ratios between exposure time and gain in the exposure conditions of the two pixel regions. This conversion ratio is applied to the pixel values of the OB pixel region or the OB dark current component value calculated from them to thereby calculate an estimated dark current component value for the exposure condition of the segmented pixel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Fukuda
  • Patent number: 12259645
    Abstract: Implementations of red dot brackets may include a platform configured to have a red dot sight adjustably couple thereon and an attachment portion coupled to the platform. The attachment portion may be configured to couple to a camera. The red dot bracket may be configured to hold a red dot sight laterally spaced from a viewfinder of a camera when the red dot bracket is attached to a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Inventor: Michael Kelley
  • Patent number: 12253414
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of metasurface structures and an array of optical-to-electrical conversion units. The array of metasurface structures is located above the array of optical-to-electrical conversion units. A first optical-to-electrical conversion unit in the array of optical-to-electrical conversion units includes a plurality of optical-to-electrical conversion elements, each optical-to-electrical conversion element in the first optical-to-electrical conversion unit corresponds to one frequency band in a spectrum. A first metasurface structure in the array of metasurface structures includes a first substrate and a microstructure located above the first substrate. The first substrate and the microstructure are configured to transmit an optical signal at each frequency band to an optical-to-electrical conversion element corresponding to each frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youming Zhang, Lifeng Sun
  • Patent number: 12250471
    Abstract: An imaging element, an imaging method, and an imaging device capable of acquiring a pixel signal of a high dynamic range without losing an information amount are provided. An imaging element according to an embodiment includes an imaging unit (100 or 101) and a generation unit (102). The imaging unit includes a unit pixel that outputs a pixel signal corresponding to received light. The generation unit generates, on the basis of the pixel signal, a processing pixel signal corresponding to each of a plurality of luminance regions having continuous luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Nishikawa, Hiroshi Sumihiro, Takeo Ohishi
  • Patent number: 12250476
    Abstract: Examples described may related to an imaging sensor used by a vehicle, including a light sensor. The light sensor comprises a plurality of cells aligned in a plurality of horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns. The apparatus further includes an optical system configured to provide the light sensor with a field of view of an external environment of the apparatus. Additionally, the system includes a processing unit configured to: divide the plurality of horizontal rows of the light sensor into one or more enabled rows and one or more disabled rows; obtain image data from the light sensor by sampling one or more cells in the one or more enabled rows; and store the received image data in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Wendel, Jeremy Dittmer
  • Patent number: 12244978
    Abstract: A purple-fringe correction method includes determining: (1) a first distance between a first pixel in a purple-fringe area in an image and an overexposed area in the image and (2) a second distance between the first pixel and a non-overexposed, non-purple-fringe area in the image. The first pixel in the purple-fringe area is corrected based on the first distance and the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wenjuan Liu
  • Patent number: 12231798
    Abstract: A sub-ranging programmable gain amplifier resolves an incoming signal into one of multiple amplitude sub-ranges and dynamically steps down the PGA output according to the identified sub-range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Gigajot Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Yue, Dexue Zhang, Jiaju Ma
  • Patent number: 12219281
    Abstract: An image sensor includes; a pixel array disposed in a Bayer pattern and including pixels which respectively generate electrical charge according to received light incident, and an analog logic configured to convert an analog signal output from at least one pixel among the pixels into a first digital code using analog-to-digital conversion, and convert the first digital code into a second digital code by adjusting low-order bits of the first digital code in response to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan Young Jang, Hee Kang, Jong Min You
  • Patent number: 12212839
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and a program that enable operation in which a display unit is brought into a turn-off state when a predetermined time elapses after start of capturing a moving image, a command from a remote commander is accepted and executed, and the captured moving image is output to an external apparatus. In a case where a manipulation unit that outputs a command depending on content of a user manipulation is manipulated and a command causing a moving image to be recorded on a recording medium is output, recording of the moving image is started and the display unit is controlled to a turn-off state in which an image is not displayed. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shutaro Yorozu
  • Patent number: 12212865
    Abstract: A system for obtaining color imagery using SPADs includes a SPAD array that has a plurality of SPAD pixels. Each of the plurality of SPAD pixels includes a respective color filter positioned thereover. The system is configurable to capture an image frame using the SPAD array and generate a filtered image by performing a temporal filtering operation using the image frame and at least one preceding image frame. The at least one preceding image frame is captured by the SPAD array at a timepoint that temporally precedes a timepoint associated with the image frame. The system is also configurable to, after performing the temporal filtering operation, generate a color image by demosaicing the filtered image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Michael Bleyer, Christopher Douglas Edmonds