Patents Examined by Chriss S. Yoder
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Patent number: 11558565Abstract: Time deviation between event detection and gradation acquisition is reduced. A solid-state imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a pixel array unit (300) including a plurality of pixel blocks (310) arrayed in a matrix; and a drive circuit (211) that generates a pixel signal in a first pixel block in which firing of an address event has been detected among the plurality of pixel blocks, each of the plurality of pixel blocks including a first photoelectric conversion element (331) that generates an electric charge according to an amount of incident light, a detection unit (400) that detects the firing of the address event based on the electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element, a second photoelectric conversion element (321) that generates an electric charge according to an amount of incident light, and a pixel circuit (322, 323, 324, 325, 326) that generates a pixel signal based on the electric charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion element.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Atsumi Niwa, Motonari Honda
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Patent number: 11546532Abstract: A method of reading a pixel value from an image sensor housed with a set of components includes determining a current state of the set of components; adjusting, at least partly responsive to the current state of the set of components, a correlated double sampling (CDS) time; and performing, in accordance with the adjusted CDS time, a CDS readout of at least one pixel in a pixel array of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ashirwad Bahukhandi, Timothy J. Bales
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Patent number: 11536936Abstract: A folded camera that includes two light folding elements such as prisms and an independent lens system, located between the two prisms, which includes an aperture stop and a lens stack. The lens system may be moved on one or more axes independently of the prisms to provide autofocus and/or optical image stabilization for the camera. The shapes, materials, and arrangements of the refractive lens elements in the lens stack may be selected to capture high resolution, high quality images while providing a sufficiently long back focal length to accommodate the second prism.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Yuhong Yao, Miodrag Scepanovic
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Patent number: 11539903Abstract: This invention provides an imaging apparatus comprising a storage storing correction values, a correction circuit which corrects captured image data based on the correction values, a first memory and a second memory, a transferring circuit which transfers the correction values in the storage to the correction circuit, a write circuit which writes the transferred correction values to either the first memory or the second memory, and a controller which controls, in a case where a transfer time of the correction values is longer than a time for image capture processing of one frame, so that, over an image capturing period of a plurality of frames, the write circuit writes new correction values to one of the first and second memory and the correction circuit corrects the captured image data using the current correction values in the other memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shigeyoshi Ito
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Patent number: 11528432Abstract: There is provided an imaging device including: an image processing unit; a face recognition processing unit; a storage unit; and a composition processing unit for generating composite data by a composition process so that persons photographed in each of a plurality of image data are included in one image data. The face recognition processing unit recognizes a first person by performing a face recognition process on first image data. When second image data obtained by photographing a second person at the different photographing timing of the first image data, with the same background as the first image data, is recorded in the storage unit, the composition processing unit generates composite data in which the first person and the second person are superimposed on the same background.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.Inventors: Masayuki Hirabayashi, Yasunobu Hashimoto, Hiroshi Shimizu
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Patent number: 11521998Abstract: Improvement of noise characteristics is achievable. A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements (333) arranged in a two-dimensional grid shape in a matrix direction and each generating a charge corresponding to a received light amount, and a detection unit (400) that detects a photocurrent produced by the charge generated in each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. A chip (201a) on which the photoelectric conversion elements are disposed and a chip (201b) on which at least a part of the detection unit is disposed are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Kazuki Nomoto
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Patent number: 11523071Abstract: Techniques are described for disparity-preserving pixel binning during consistently binned parallel readout of an imaging sensor array having both phase detection autofocus (PDAF) pixels and imaging pixels. Each group of PDAF pixels and each group of imaging pixels is coupled with pixel actuators according to an particular arrangement, so that consistently applied control of the pixel actuators results in desired binning of both the PDAF pixels and the imaging pixels. According to some implementations, though such control of the pixel actuators is consistently applied across the pixels of the array, parallel readout of the sensor array yields diagonally binned imaging pixels, but vertically binned PDAF pixels to preserve horizontal PDAF disparity information. Additionally or alternatively, disparity-inducing structures are configured to position same-disparity PDAF pixels so that consistently applied control of the pixel actuators preserves disparity information during binning.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Matthew Powell
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Patent number: 11515350Abstract: Provided are a multicolor photodetector and a method of fabricating the same through integration with a readout integrated circuit. The multicolor photodetector may be fabricated by providing an integrated circuit device in which a readout integrated circuit is wired; forming an assembly in which a first photodetection layer for detecting first wavelength light from incident light and a second photodetection layer for detecting second wavelength light from the incident light on the integrated circuit device; and electrically connecting the first photodetection layer and the second photodetection layer to the readout integrated circuit using connecting members.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Sanghyeon Kim, Dae-Myeong Geum
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Patent number: 11496705Abstract: A signal processing circuit includes a reference signal line, a processing circuit that processes a potential of the reference signal line and a potential of an input signal, a first reference voltage supplying circuit that outputs a predetermined potential to one end of the reference signal line, and a second reference voltage supplying circuit that outputs a predetermined potential to the other end of the reference signal line.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Satoshi Kato
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Patent number: 11495635Abstract: An image sensor may include a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer that is subwavelength, hydrophobic, and/or antireflective. The PDMS layer may be fabricated to include a surface having a plurality of nanostructures (e.g., an array of convex protuberances and/or an array of concave recesses). The nanostructures may be formed through the use of a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template that uses a plurality of nanopores to form the array of convex protuberances and/or the array of concave recesses. The nanostructures may each have a respective width that is less than the wavelength of incident light that is to be collected by the image sensor to increase light absorption by increasing the angle of incidence for which the image sensor is capable of collecting incident light. This may increase the quantum efficiency of the image sensor and may increase the sensitivity of the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yi-Ming Lin, Chen-Chi Wu, Chen-Kuei Chung
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Patent number: 11490017Abstract: 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: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: 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: 11490043Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array, a first converter, a second converter, a first ramp signal generation circuit that is disposed closer to the first converter than to the second converter and supplies a first ramp signal to the first converter and the second converter, a first connection line having one end connected to an output terminal of the first ramp signal generation circuit and including a portion extending away from an input terminal of the first converter in a path from the one end to the other end of the first connection line, and a second connection line having one end connected to the other end of the first connection line and the other end connected to the input terminal and including a portion extending closer to the input terminal in a path from the one end to the other end of the second connection line.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yusuke Tokunaga
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Patent number: 11482550Abstract: An imaging device that smoothly transfers electric charges from a photoelectric converter to a transfer destination is provided. This imaging device includes: a semiconductor layer; a photoelectric converter that generates electric charges corresponding to a received light amount; and a transfer section that includes a first trench gate and a second trench gate and transfers the electric charges from the photoelectric converter to a single transfer destination via the first trench gate and the second trench gate, the first trench gate and the second trench gate each extending from the front surface to the back surface of the semiconductor layer into the photoelectric converter. The first trench gate has a first length from the front surface to the photoelectric converter, and the second trench gate has a second length from the front surface to the photoelectric converter, the second length being shorter than the first length.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Machida
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Patent number: 11477408Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel of a first tap. a pixel of a second tap. an operational amplifier configured to perform an auto zeroing operation with a pixel signal of the pixel of the second tap applied, and perform an operation for comparison between a ramp voltage and a signal output from the pixel of the first tap, with a pixel signal of the pixel of the first tap applied, and a counter circuit configured to generate a digital code in response to an output of the operational amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Jeong Eun Song, Yu Jin Park, Sung Uk Seo, Min Seok Shin
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Patent number: 11477404Abstract: 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: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsuro Takada, Taiichiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 11470253Abstract: A display device includes an acquisition unit that acquires moving image data generated by an image-capturing device and velocity information on the image-capturing device while generating the moving image data, and a display control unit that controls a region to be processed for a moving image to be displayed on a display unit using the moving image data, based on the velocity information acquired by the acquisition unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Katsumata, Naoki Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 11470275Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion device including a pixel array in which pixels, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, are arranged in columns, a signal line that is arranged corresponding to one of the columns in the pixel array and to which a signal from the pixel is output, a current source configured to supply the signal line with a driving current; a current adjusting unit configured to control the driving current into a current amount including a first current amount and a second current amount greater than the first current amount, and an assisting element configured to assist a change in a current flowing through the signal line when the driving current changes from the first current amount to the second current amount. The first current amount is a current amount in a state where the driving current is disconnected.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideo Kobayashi, So Hasegawa, Yu Katase
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Patent number: 11463648Abstract: An imaging device includes a photodiode array with a first and second photodiodes. First and second floating diffusions are configured to receive charge from the first and second photodiodes, respectively. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is configured to receive simultaneously first and second bitline signals from the first and second floating diffusions, respectively. The ADC is configured to generate a reference readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after a reset operation. The ADC next generates a first half of a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the first PDAF photodiode to the first floating diffusion. The ADC then generates a full image readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the second photodiode to the second floating diffusion.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chengcheng Xu, Rui Wang, Wei Deng, Chun-Sheng Yang, Xueqing Wang
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Patent number: 11460617Abstract: Provided are an imaging apparatus capable of acquiring an image having a small transmission wavelength shift at a plurality of wavelengths and an image processing apparatus capable of measuring a subject on the basis of an image which has a small transmission wavelength shift and which is acquired at a plurality of wavelengths. High image height rays imaged at a position of which an image height is high is incident at a large angle with respect to the optical axis. Therefore, the transmission wavelength shift increases. However, in the imaging apparatus according to the first aspect, the first optical system causes the high image height rays to be incident into the first optical filter and the second optical filter in a state where the upper ray and the lower ray are parallel.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Shuji Ono
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Patent number: 11442287Abstract: An optical unit may include a movable body having an optical module, a fixed body, a support mechanism structured to swingably support the movable body, and a magnetic drive part which is provided on at least two faces of the movable body and the fixed body and is structured to swing the movable body. All faces of one of the movable body and the fixed body may be formed with a protruded part protruded to a direction where the movable body and the fixed body are faced each other, all faces of the other of the movable body and the fixed body may be formed with a contact part capable of contacting with the protruded part, and the face of the one of the movable body and the fixed body where the magnetic drive part is provided is formed with the protruded part on both sides of the magnetic drive part.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATIONInventor: Shinji Minamisawa