Patents Examined by Chriss S. Yoder, III
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Patent number: 12200359Abstract: A dual-aperture camera comprising a first camera having a first sensor and a first image signal processor (ISP), the first camera operative to output a first stream of frames, a second camera having a second sensor and a second ISP, the second camera operative to output a second stream of frames, and a synchronization and operation control module configurable to control operation of one camera in a fully operational mode and operation of the other camera in a partially operational mode and to output an output of the fully operational camera as a dual-aperture camera output, whereby the partially operational mode of the other camera reduces a dual-aperture camera the power consumption in comparison with a full operational mode of the other camera.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.Inventors: Noy Cohen, Gal Shabtay, Oded Gigushinski, Nadav Geva, Anat Leshem Gat, Gil Bachar
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Patent number: 12192644Abstract: A pulse-width modulation (PWM) image sensor is described herein. The PWM image sensor may have a stacked configuration. A top wafer of the PWM image sensor may have a charge-to-time converter and a logic wafer, stacked with the top wafer, may include a time-to-digital converter. The PWM image sensor may utilize variable transfer functions to avoid highlight compression and may utilize non-linear time quantization. A threshold voltage, as input to a charge-to-time converter, may additionally be controlled to affect light detection, dynamic range, and other features associated with the PWM image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolai E. Bock, Andrew Kenneth John McMahon, Dario Clocchiatti, Emanuele Mandelli, Gennady A. Manokhin, Robert H. Mullis
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Patent number: 12189271Abstract: Device (1) particularly for detecting and potentially identifying at least one target inside a determined volume (V), the device (1) comprising an image acquisition system (2). The image acquisition system (2) comprises, —at least one infrared camera (3) that is sensitive to waves with a wavelength between 780 and 1400 nm, —a thermal camera (4) that is sensitive to waves between 3000 and 14000 nanometers and —a camera (5), referred to as visible, that is sensitive to waves between 350 and 780 nm. The cameras (3, 4, 5) are mounted on a common support (6) in the form of an elongate, beam-type body. The cameras (3, 4, 5) are arranged on the common support (6), with the fields of view of the cameras (3, 4, 5) having an intersection area (8) that corresponds to the volume (V) to be observed. The optical axes of the cameras (3, 4, 5) arranged on the common support (6) are not aligned and the distance (D) between the optical centers of at least two of the cameras (3, 4, 5) is between 10 cm and 2 m.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignees: Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Au, NAOSTAGEInventors: Paul Cales, Nathan Van De Hel, Olivier Le Doeuff, Dominique Vaufreydaz, Samuel Heidmann, Stanislaw Borkowski
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Patent number: 12185002Abstract: An imaging device includes: an effective pixel region that includes a plurality of imaging elements-A, amplifies signal charges generated by photoelectric conversion, and reads the signal charges into a drive circuit; and an optical black region that includes a plurality of imaging elements-B, surrounds the effective pixel region, and outputs optical black that serves as the reference for black level. In the imaging device, the photoelectric conversion layer forming the plurality of imaging elements-A and the plurality of imaging elements-B is a common photoelectric conversion layer, the common photoelectric conversion layer is located on an outer side of the optical black region, and extends toward an outer edge region surrounding the optical black region, and an outer edge electrode is disposed in the outer edge region.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Tetsuro Takada, Taiichiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 12185003Abstract: An image sensor includes: a readout circuit that reads out a signal to a signal line, the signal being generated by an electric charge resulting from a photoelectric conversion; a holding circuit that holds a voltage based on an electric current from a power supply circuit; and an electric current source including a transistor having a drain part connected to the signal line and a gate part connected to the holding circuit and the drain part, the electric current source supplying the signal line with an electric current generated by the voltage held in the holding circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Wataru Funamizu, Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
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Patent number: 12177589Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode configured to photogenerate image charge in response to incident light. A floating diffusion is coupled to receive the image charge from the photodiode. A transfer transistor is coupled between the photodiode and the floating diffusion. The transfer transistor is configured to transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A reset transistor is coupled between a reset voltage and the floating diffusion. A plurality of capacitor-switch pairs is coupled between the reset transistor and a bias voltage source. Each of the plurality of capacitor-switch pairs includes a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) and a switch transistor coupled to the LOFIC.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bill Phan, Duli Mao, Yuanliang Liu, Heesoo Kang, Yifei Du, Woon Il Choi
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Patent number: 12176369Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes pixels having adjacent first and second pixels. The pixels each include, in a semiconductor layer of a substrate, a photoelectric conversion portion that generates charges, a charge holding portion that holds the charges, and a floating diffusion layer that converts the charges into a voltage. At least parts of the charge holding portion in the first pixel and the floating diffusion layer in the second pixel, parts of the charge holding portion in the first pixel and the charge holding portion in the second pixel, and/or parts of the floating diffusion layer in the first pixel and the floating diffusion layer in the second pixel overlap each other without physically touching each other in a depth direction of the substrate in a state where a region for separating the at least parts of the charge holding portions and the floating diffusion layers is provided therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichiro Shimizu, Kazutoshi Torashima, Masahiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 12155946Abstract: Techniques for facilitating readout addressing verification systems and methods are provided. In one example, an imaging device includes a focal plane array (FPA). The FPA includes a detector array. The detector array includes detectors. Each detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation. The FPA further includes a readout circuit configured to perform a readout to obtain image data from each of the detectors. The imaging device further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to apply, to the FPA, a plurality of control signals associated with a readout of a subset of the detectors. The processing circuit is further configured to generate a verification value based on the plurality of control signals. The processing circuit is further configured to perform a verification of the plurality of control signals based at least on the verification value. Related methods and systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Teledyne FLIR Commercial Systems, Inc.Inventors: Randy J Hansen, Longxiang Jing
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Patent number: 12149831Abstract: An electronic device has multiple cameras and displays a digital viewfinder user interface for previewing visual information provided by the cameras. The multiple cameras may have different properties such as focal lengths. When a single digital viewfinder is provided, the user interface allows zooming over a zoom range that includes the respective zoom ranges of both cameras. The zoom setting to determine which camera provides visual information to the viewfinder and which camera is used to capture visual information. The user interface also allows the simultaneous display of content provided by different cameras at the same time. When two digital viewfinders are provided, the user interface allows zooming, freezing, and panning of one digital viewfinder independently of the other. The device allows storing of a composite images and/or videos using both digital viewfinders and corresponding cameras.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Lukas Robert Tom Girling, Linda L. Dong, Henrique Penha, Paulo Michaelo Lopez, Johnnie B. Manzari
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Apparatus and method for capturing still images and video using diffraction coded imaging techniques
Patent number: 12147001Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for capturing images in visible light as well as other radiation wavelengths. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a diffraction coded imaging system including a plurality of apertures arranged in a diffraction coded array pattern with opaque material blocking array elements not containing apertures; and a light- or radiation-sensitive sensor coupled to the diffraction coded imaging system array and positioned at a specified distance behind the diffraction coded imaging system array, the radiation-sensitive sensor configured to sense light or radiation transmitted and diffracted through the apertures in the diffraction coded imaging system array.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: Rearden, LLCInventor: Stephen G. Perlman -
Patent number: 12143737Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a structure in which a first substrate and a second substrate are stacked, wherein a pixel array including a plurality of pixels is arranged on the first substrate, and at least part of a sample-and-hold circuit configured to sample and hold a signal output from the pixel array is arranged on the first substrate, and wherein at least part of a delta-sigma AD converter configured to convert an analog signal output from the sample-and-hold circuit into a digital signal is arranged on the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kohichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 12143739Abstract: An image sensor may include a pixel array a pixel array including an active pixel and an optical black pixel, the active pixel configured to generate a first pixel signal, and the optical black pixel configured to generate a second pixel signal, a first biasing circuit configured to bias the first pixel signal based on a first bias voltage, a first analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the biased first pixel signal into a first digital signal, a second biasing circuit configured to bias the second pixel signal based on a second bias voltage, and a second analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the biased second pixel signal into a second digital signal, the second digital signal configured to generate smaller random noise than the first analog-to-digital converter.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yunhong Kim, Yunhwan Jung, Heesung Chae, Mooyoung Kim, Haesick Sul
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Patent number: 12143742Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements are disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging element includes a plurality of pixels. A pixel signal line transmits a pixel signal of a pixel, a reference signal line transmits a reference signal to be compared with the pixel signal, a first comparator outputs a first output signal according to the pixel signal on the basis of a voltage difference between the pixel signal and the reference signal, a second comparator outputs a second output signal according to the pixel signal on the basis of the voltage difference between the pixel signal and the reference signal, a first capacitor unit between the pixel signal line or the reference signal line and the first comparator and set to a first gain, and a second capacitor unit between the pixel signal line or the reference signal line and the second comparator and set to a second gain.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Tomonori Yamashita
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Patent number: 12143736Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2022Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Inventor: Parker Altice
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Patent number: 12132067Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor. The image sensor includes at least one photosensitive unit including at least two photosensitive layers stacked and not completely overlapped, a region where each photosensitive layer is not overlapped with other photosensitive layers being configured to arrange an electrode wire, and photosensitive component contents of the at least two photosensitive layers being different. According to the present disclosure, a wavelength range of sensible light of each photosensitive unit may be enlarged, so that more image details may be recorded, images with a high dynamic range may be generated, and people may experience a visual effect close to a real environment. In addition, as there is no need to reduce a photosensitive area of the photosensitive layer for arranging the electrode wires, the photosensitive area of the photosensitive layer is increased and thereby a dynamic range of the image sensor is improved.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: ENKRIS SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventors: Yuchao Chen, Kai Cheng
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Patent number: 12126922Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a virtual image display system, including: a photoelectric conversion part for receiving an optical image signal and converting the optical image signal into a current signal; a voltage conversion part electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion part, for receiving the current signal and converting the current signal into a voltage signal; and a display part electrically connected to the voltage conversion part, for receiving the voltage signal and displaying an image according to the voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhaohui Meng, Xue Dong, Wei Sun, Yongzhong Zhang
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Patent number: 12126885Abstract: A sensor shifting module includes a fixed body; a movable body movably, disposed in the fixed body, comprising an image sensor having an imaging plane oriented in a first direction; a substrate configured to deform based on a movement of the movable body with respect to the fixed body; and a driver, configured to move the movable body in a direction orthogonal to the first direction, comprising a driving coil coupled to one of the fixed body and the movable body, and a driving yoke coupled to another of the fixed body and the movable body. The driving yoke is disposed to oppose the driving coil in the direction orthogonal to the first direction. When current is applied to the driving coil, the movable body is configured to move in the direction orthogonal to the first direction by electromagnetic interaction between the driving coil and the driving yoke.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Su Bong Jang, Sang Jong Lee, Hee Soo Yoon, Tae Ho Yun, Ju Ho Kim
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Patent number: 12120439Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixel circuits arranged in a grid structure, and a plurality of switch circuits suitable for selectively coupling floating diffusion nodes included in the respective unit pixel circuits arranged in a vertical direction among the plurality of unit pixel circuits, wherein an arrangement pattern of pixels included in each of the plurality of unit pixel circuits is different from an arrangement pattern of color filters of the pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2022Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Kwang June Sohn
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Patent number: 12108180Abstract: A source follower element is adjacent to a first lateral part of a floating diffusion in a first direction orthogonal to the first lateral part, a reset element is adjacent to a second lateral part of the floating diffusion in the first direction, and the floating diffusion and the source follower element are connected through a wiring. Some of the photoelectric conversion elements are adjacent to each other in a second direction and spaced away from each other with a first spacing therebetween that allows at least the source follower element and the reset element to be formed therein. Some of the photoelectric conversion elements are adjacent to each other in the first direction and spaced away from each other with a second spacing therebetween that is less than the first spacing.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: BRILLNICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.Inventors: Ken Miyauchi, Kazuya Mori
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Patent number: 12108155Abstract: A zoom lens assembly for periscope use which is effectively soundless in operation includes a lens barrel defined with a through hole, a plurality of optical lenses disposed within the through hole, and a focusing member disposed between any two of the plurality of optical lenses. The focusing member in a camera module includes a bottom plate, a cover plate, a piezoelectric element, and a variable transparent body. The variable transparent body is between the bottom plate and the cover plate, the piezoelectric element is disposed on a surface of the cover plate that faces away from the variable transparent body. Electricity fed to the piezoelectric element causes movement of the element which deforms the variable transparent body and changes the focal length of the camera module.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO.LTD.Inventors: Jian-Chao Song, Ding-Nan Huang, Shin-Wen Chen, Kun Li