Patents Examined by Chriss S. Yoder
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Patent number: 11758301Abstract: 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: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Wataru Funamizu, Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
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Patent number: 11742370Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to time-of-flight camera systems comprising vertical photogates. One example provides a time-of-flight camera comprising a plurality of addressable pixels configured for backside illumination, each addressable pixel comprising a first vertical photogate and a second vertical photogate. The time-of-flight camera further comprises a processor and a storage device storing instructions executable on the processor to, during an integration period, apply a first relative bias to the first vertical photogate and the second vertical photogate to collect charge at a first pixel tap, apply a second relative bias to the first vertical photogate and the second vertical photogate to collect charge at a second pixel tap, and determine a distance value for the addressable pixel based at least upon the charge collected at the first pixel tap and the charge collected at the second pixel tap.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventor: Minseok Oh
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Patent number: 11735614Abstract: Advanced processing is performed in a chip. A stacked light-receiving sensor according to an embodiment includes a first substrate (100, 200, 300) and a second substrate (120, 320) bonded to the first substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel array (101) in which a plurality of unit pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The second substrate includes a converter (17) configured to convert an analog pixel signal output from the pixel array to digital image data and a processing unit (15) configured to perform a process based on a neural network calculation model for data based on the image data. At least a part of the converter is arranged on a first side in the second substrate. The processing unit is arranged on a second side opposite to the first side in the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Ryoji Eki
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Patent number: 11736827Abstract: An image sensing device includes a first substrate structured to support a pixel array that includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction and configured to detect incident light to produce pixel signals carrying image information in the incident light; a second substrate structured to support one or more circuits for operation of the image sensing device including receiving a pixel signal from the plurality of unit pixels; and a shielding layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the shielding layer includes shielding driver circuitry and conductive lines coupled to the shielding driver circuitry to receive electrical currents which produce electromagnetic fields to offset electromagnetic fields induced by currents in the one or more circuits supported by the second substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Soon Yeol Park
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Patent number: 11729531Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion device configured to convert sensed light into charges and a floating diffusion node configured to store charges provided from the photoelectric conversion device, a timing generator configured to generate a reset signal including, prior to a light-sensing period, a first reset signal pulse for enabling an erasing of charges stored in at least one of the photoelectric conversion device and the floating diffusion node, and generate a transfer signal including, subsequent to the light-sensing period, at least two transfer signal pulses, each transfer signal pulse enabling a moving of charges stored in the photoelectric conversion device to the floating diffusion node, and a readout circuit configured to generate output data by summing results of performing at least two samplings for the floating diffusion node based on the at least two transfer signal pulses.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seoksan Kim, Minwoong Seo
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Patent number: 11722756Abstract: A camera module is provided. The camera module includes: a housing; a lens barrel disposed in the housing; a cover screen disposed over the lens barrel; a blade pivotably coupled to the cover screen and configured to have at least a portion in contact with a surface of the cover screen; and a rotation member disposed on the blade and configured to pivot the blade with respect to the cover screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chan Hoon Ko, Won Kyu Jang, Hee Sung Jun
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Patent number: 11722794Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. The array of image pixel may be coupled to control circuitry and readout circuitry. One or more image pixels in the array may each include a photodiode and a floating diffusion region. The floating diffusion region may be coupled to a charge storage structure for a low conversion gain configuration and can be coupled to a charge storage structure for a medium conversion gain configuration. The medium conversion gain charge storage structure may be activated when transferring photodiode charge to the floating diffusion region for a high conversion gain configuration. The control circuitry may control each pixel to perform a high conversion gain readout operation, a medium conversion gain readout operation, and a low conversion gain readout operation. If desired, the medium conversion gain readout operation may be omitted.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Manuel H. Innocent, Jeffery Beck
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Patent number: 11716551Abstract: An image capture apparatus that comprises an image sensor that includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of column signal lines provided for each column of the pixels, is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises a first correction circuit and a second correction circuit that share application of correction of offset caused by a difference in column signal lines where the pixel signals are read out to.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tomonaga Iwahara
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Patent number: 11710755Abstract: 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 24, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinichiro Shimizu, Kazutoshi Torashima, Masahiro Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11711614Abstract: 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: September 8, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Traer Bernstein, Lukas Robert Tom Girling, Linda L. Dong, Henrique Penha, Paulo Michaelo Lopez, Behkish J. Manzari
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Patent number: 11706523Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory apparatus is attachable includes a camera controller configured to communicate with the accessory apparatus. The camera controller receives first information on a data size receivable by the accessory apparatus, performs a setting for a data size to be transmitted to the accessory apparatus based on the first information, and communicate with the accessory apparatus based on the setting.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Atsushi Sugita, Kazumichi Sugiyama
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Patent number: 11706539Abstract: An image sensing device and an operating method thereof. The image sensing device includes a ramp signal generation circuit suitable for generating a ramp signal which corresponds to an analog gain, based on a main bias voltage, a cascode bias voltage and a plurality of ramp code signals, a bias voltage generation circuit suitable for generating the main bias voltage and the cascode bias voltage according to the analog gain, and a boost circuit suitable for boosting an output terminal of the cascode bias voltage according to the analog gain.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Eun Jun Kim, Jin Seon Kim
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Patent number: 11689803Abstract: 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: October 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.Inventors: Noy Cohen, Gal Shabtay, Oded Gigushinski, Nadav Geva, Anat Leshem Gat, Gil Bachar
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Apparatus and method for capturing still images and video using diffraction coded imaging techniques
Patent number: 11681061Abstract: 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: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: REARDEN, LLCInventor: Stephen G. Perlman -
Patent number: 11678084Abstract: An image sensor may include adaptive filtering circuitry that is used to correct for row noise. In one example, the image sensor may include a single reference pixel or a column of reference pixels that are shielded from incident light. The adaptive filtering circuitry may estimate row noise based on data from the reference pixel(s). Row noise correction circuitry may then subtract the estimated row noise from imaging pixel outputs to correct for row noise. If the row noise is dominated by supply noise, the reference pixels may be omitted entirely and the adaptive filtering circuitry may estimate row noise based only on the power supply voltage. The adaptive filtering circuitry may undergo a training phase to optimize coefficients for the adaptive filtering circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Peter Spiessens
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Patent number: 11678067Abstract: An image sensor processor implemented method for retaining pixel intensity, comprising: receiving, by the image processor, a numerical value indicative of a corresponding pixel intensity; determining, by the image processor, whether a least significant portion of the received numerical value is equal to a predetermined numerical value; and responsive to determining the least significant portion of the received numerical value is equal to the predetermined numerical value, rounding, by the image processor, the received numerical value of the corresponding pixel intensity to a higher or lower value depending on a bit sequence, and if the least significant portion of the received numerical value is not equal to the predetermined value, rounding the received numerical value to the higher or lower value based on the received numerical value; and binning the rounded value.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yiyi Ren, Wenshou Chen, Guansong Liu
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Patent number: 11678086Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel, an A/D conversion portion and an output circuit. The pixel includes first and second photoelectric conversion portions and an accumulation portion configured to accumulate a signal charge in a location other than the photoelectric conversion portions. The A/D conversion portion is configured to perform A/D conversions on signals based on signal charges generated in the photoelectric conversions. The output circuit reads out first and second signals based on first and second signal charges accumulated in the first and second photoelectric conversion portions during an electric charge accumulation period and a third signal based on a third signal charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion portion and accumulated in the accumulation portion during the electric charge accumulation period. Conversion periods for analog-to-digital conversion to be performed on at least two of the first, second, or third signals have different lengths.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kohichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 11664404Abstract: An image sensor includes a first semiconductor substrate provided with a pixel, including a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric charge, an accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, and a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit, and a second semiconductor substrate provided with a supply unit for the pixel, the supply unit supplying the transfer unit with a transfer signal to transfer the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the accumulation unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Osamu Saruwatari, Shutaro Kato, Ryoji Ando, Yojiro Tezuka, Atsushi Komai
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Patent number: 11658192Abstract: An image sensor includes: an accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light transmitted through a microlens; and a readout unit that reads out a signal based on a voltage of the accumulation unit, wherein the accumulation unit and the readout unit are included along an optical axis direction of the microlens.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Osamu Saruwatari
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Patent number: 11659289Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging apparatus and method, and an image processing apparatus and method that make it possible to control the resolution of a detection image. A resolution is set, and a restoration matrix is set including coefficients used when a restored image is restored from output pixel values of a plurality of pixel output units, of an imaging element including the plurality of pixel output units that receives incident light entering without passing through either an imaging lens or a pinhole, and each outputs one detection signal indicating an output pixel value modulated by an incident angle of the incident light, depending on the resolution set. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an electronic device, a computer, a program, a storage medium, a system, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Matsui, Yoshitaka Miyatani, Kouji Yamamoto