Patents Examined by Cynthia Segura
  • Patent number: 11962895
    Abstract: An intelligent imaging device determines an occlusion of a shutter mechanism. The shutter mechanism opens to expose light to an image sensor, and the shutter mechanism closes to block the light from entering the image sensor. However, as the shutter mechanism transitions between full open and full close, the shutter mechanism is partially open and exposing the light to the image sensor. The image sensor continues generating images during these transitions, thus possibly revealing personal/sensitive data. The intelligent imaging device determines the shutter mechanism is partially open by conducting a real time, frame-by-frame content analysis. The intelligent imaging device may then disable an interface to the image sensor to avoid sharing personal/sensitive data. Even if the shutter mechanism is manually operated, the intelligent imaging device implements a visual/audible warning to warn a user that the shutter mechanism is not completely open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Christian L. Critz, Bryan James Thornley, Karun Palicherla Reddy
  • Patent number: 11956524
    Abstract: A compact optical imaging device with short optical length and low sensitivity, for use in an imaging module and an electronic device, comprises first to fifth lenses and a filter. An image-side surface of the fourth lens is convex near an optical axis of the optical imaging device. An image-side surface of the fifth lens is concave near the optical axis. The optical imaging device satisfies formulas 0.03 mm/°<TL5/FOV<0.1 mm/° and 2.4 mm<TL4/FNO<2.9 mm, TL5 being a distance from an object-side surface of the fifth lens to an image plane of the optical imaging device along the optical axis, FOV being a maximum field of view, TL4 being a distance from an object-side surface of the fourth lens to the image plane along the optical axis, and FNO being a F-number of the optical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gwo-Yan Huang, Chia-Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 11948317
    Abstract: Multi-color flash with image post-processing that uses a camera device with a multi-color flash and implements post-processing to generate images is described. In one aspect, the multi-color flash with image post-processing may be implemented by a controller configured to control a camera and flashes of at least two different colors. The controller may be configured to cause the camera to acquire a first image of a scene while the scene is being illuminated with the first flash but not the second flash, then cause the camera to acquire a second image of the scene while the scene is being illuminated with the second flash but not the first flash, and generate a final image of the scene in post-processing based on a combination of the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Charles André Schrama, Nicola Bettina Pfeffer, Arjen Gerben Van der Sijde
  • Patent number: 11936976
    Abstract: A vibration apparatus includes a vibrating unit, and a control unit configured to control vibration of the vibrating unit. The control unit changes a vibration pattern of the vibrating unit by controlling the vibrating unit so as to change at least one of a vibration amplitude, a vibration frequency, and a vibration time according to at least one of a detection result of an offset amount from an in-focus position and a detection result of a predetermined object image in a mode that continuously performs autofocus processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11930271
    Abstract: An intermediate accessory apparatus configured to be detachably mounted between an interchangeable lens apparatus and an image pickup apparatus includes a storage configured to store characteristic information about a combined optical characteristic of the interchangeable lens apparatus and the intermediate accessory apparatus, the characteristic information being associated with state information indicating a state of the interchangeable lens apparatus, the state information being communicated via a first communication between the interchangeable lens apparatus and the image pickup apparatus, and a processor configured to receive identification information about the interchangeable lens apparatus from the image pickup apparatus, and transmit the characteristic information corresponding to the identification information to the image pickup apparatus, via a second communication between the intermediate accessory apparatus and the image pickup apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junji Shigeta
  • Patent number: 11924571
    Abstract: Solid-state imaging elements that prevent deterioration of image quality, and reduce power consumption and AD-conversion time are disclosed. In one example, a solid-state imaging element includes a first comparator that uses a first voltage corresponding to an input voltage received from a first pixel, in reference to a first voltage difference between the input voltage and a first reference voltage, and that outputs a comparison result between the input voltage and the first reference voltage in reference to a second voltage difference, and a second comparator that outputs a comparison result of comparison between the input voltage and the second reference voltage in reference to a fourth voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Matsuura, Yosuke Ueno
  • Patent number: 11924546
    Abstract: Provided is a reception apparatus that includes an information processing section configured to generate an image at least either in a first mode for reading out a whole captured region or in a second mode for reading out a partial region in the captured region. At the time of readout in the second mode, the image processing section varies a readout rate depending on the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Hirosuke Nagano
  • Patent number: 11914279
    Abstract: A camera actuator according to the embodiment includes a housing; a prism unit disposed in the housing; and a driving unit for tilting the prism unit; wherein the prism unit includes a prism mover including a receiving portion; and a prism disposed in the receiving portion; wherein the housing includes a sidewall and a guide portion including an inclined surface disposed on the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Yeon Kim, Sung Guk Lee
  • Patent number: 11917277
    Abstract: A compact optical imaging device with short optical length and low sensitivity, for use in an imaging module and an electronic device, comprises first to fifth lenses and a filter. An image-side surface of the fourth lens is convex near an optical axis of the optical imaging device. An image-side surface of the fifth lens is concave near the optical axis. The optical imaging device satisfies formulas 0.03 mm/°<TL5/FOV<0.1 mm/° and 2.4 mm<TL4/FNO<2.9 mm, TL5 being a distance from an object-side surface of the fifth lens to an image plane of the optical imaging device along the optical axis, FOV being a maximum field of view, TL4 being a distance from an object-side surface of the fourth lens to the image plane along the optical axis, and FNO being a F-number of the optical imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gwo-Yan Huang, Chia-Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 11902643
    Abstract: A camera module according to an embodiment includes base; a guide portion disposed on an inner side of the base; a lens assembly moving along the guide portion; and a substrate disposed on an outer side of the base, wherein the lens assembly includes a conductor disposed under a lower surface thereof, and wherein the substrate includes a resonance coil disposed in a region facing the lower surface of the lens assembly and overlapping at least a part of the conductor in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis direction in response to movement of the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Bae Jang, Dae Sik Jang, Chul Kim, Hyun Gyu Roh
  • Patent number: 11902657
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for implementing high dynamic range and automatic exposure functions in a video system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a video camera device and includes, while operating in a non-high dynamic range (HDR) mode: capturing first video data of a scene with the image sensor; determining whether a minimum number of pixels of the first video data meets one or more first color intensity criteria; and in accordance with the determination that the minimum number of pixels of the first video data meets the one or more first color intensity criteria, switching operation from the non-HDR mode to an HDR mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: William Duran, Adrian Proca
  • Patent number: 11902661
    Abstract: An apparatus for device motion aware temporal denoising includes a processor and a memory that stores code executable by the processor to receive video data comprising a sequence of video frames that includes a current frame and one or more preceding frames captured by a video capture device that functions as a camera of a portable electronic device. In various examples, the code causes the processor to determine one or more camera motion compensation adjustments to apply to the one or more preceding frames of the sequence based on one or more non-imaging device motion sensor measurements for the video capture device and to generate a sequence of camera-motion compensated preceding frames by applying the one or more camera motion compensation adjustments to the preceding frames of the sequence. A method and a computer program may perform the functions of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Barrett Bryson, John W. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 11877061
    Abstract: Provided are a signal processing device, a signal processing method, a signal processing program, an imaging apparatus, and a lens apparatus capable of accurately removing an offset from an output signal of a blurring detection sensor. The signal processing device comprises the blurring detection sensor and a processor. The processor is configured to execute processing of extracting a first feature amount relating to the offset from the output signal of the blurring detection sensor, processing of integrating the output signal, processing of extracting a second feature amount relating to the offset from a value obtained by integrating the output signal, processing of calculating the offset on the basis of the first feature amount and the second feature amount, and processing of subtracting the calculated offset from the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Kobayashi, Yota Akashi, Yuya Hirakawa, Yuta Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11877098
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire, among a plurality of images obtained by periodically capturing one or more lighting devices that repeat blinking according to a determined pattern, a first image and a second image in which a lighted lighting device is captured and in response to a distance from a position of the device indicated by the first image to a position of the device indicated by the second image being within a range corresponding to a period from a time of capturing the first image to a time of capturing the second image, regard the lighting device indicated by the first image and the lighting device indicated by the second image are the same, and specify the pattern of the lighting device that has been regarded the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Aikawa, Kei Shimotani, Daisuke Matsumoto, Shuhei Kobayakawa
  • Patent number: 11877067
    Abstract: A shutter apparatus includes a front blade unit and a rear blade unit configured to open and close an opening for exposure control, a front drive member and a rear drive member configured to drive the front blade unit and the rear blade unit between an open position and a closed position of the opening, respectively, a front cam gear and a rear cam gear configured to charge the front drive member and the rear drive member, respectively, a front driving source and a rear driving source connected to and configured to rotate the front cam gear and the rear cam gear, respectively, and a controller configured to control the front driving source and the rear driving source based on an imaging condition so as to change driving times of the front blade unit and the rear blade unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rentaro Imai, Jun Kawanami, Keisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 11849205
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of eliminating a manual change of an image pickup direction and of easily obtaining an image while focusing attention on experience. A detection unit is worn on a body part other than a head of a user and detects an observation direction of the user. An image pickup unit is worn on the body part and picks up an image. A determination unit determines a recording direction in accordance with the observation direction. An image recording unit records an image corresponding to the recording direction from among a picked-up image. The detection unit and the image pickup unit are located on a user's median plane and under a user's jaw in a worn state where the user wears the image pickup apparatus. The detection unit is located at a nearer position to the jaw than the image pickup unit in the worn state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Imaizumi, Yosuke Fukai
  • Patent number: 11849217
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of eliminating change of an image pickup direction by a user during an image pickup operation and of easily obtaining an image that records experience while focusing attention on the experience. An observation direction detection unit is worn on a body part other than a head of a user and detects an observation direction of the user. An image pickup unit is worn on a body and picks up an image. A recording direction determination unit determines a recording direction using a detection result of the observation direction detection unit. A deviation detection unit detects a deviation of the image pickup apparatus with respect to the body. An image recording unit records a part of the image picked up by the image pickup unit in a recording area that is determined in accordance with the recording direction and the deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Imaizumi, Takashi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 11843857
    Abstract: An accessory capable of promptly notifying an electronic apparatus of its state change. The accessory is detachably connected to an electronic apparatus. A first transmission unit transmits first information among information stored in the accessory to the electronic apparatus in response to periodic first communication from a first communication unit of the electronic apparatus. A second transmission unit responds to inquiry by second communication from a second communication unit of the electronic apparatus. A notification unit notifies the electronic apparatus of state change of the accessory when the electronic apparatus is in a first state or a second state and the state of the accessory is changed. In the first state, the first communication is stopped and the second communication unit is in a standby mode. In the second state, power supply to the first communication unit is stopped and the second communication unit is in the standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Gouji
  • Patent number: 11843860
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods employing a PDAF optical system are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels include a set of pixels configurable to be imaging pixels or focus pixels. The image sensor is configured to generate image data of a scene based on received light at the plurality of pixels. The example apparatus also includes a processor coupled to the image sensor. The processor may be configured to receive first image data of a first frame of the scene, determine at least one region of interest or region of non-interest of the first frame, select, based on the determined at least one region of interest or region of non-interest, a subset of the set of pixels to be focus pixels, and cause the selected subset of the set of pixels to operate as focus pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nan Cui, Zuguang Xiao, Wenbin Wang
  • Patent number: 11843861
    Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more processors and/or circuitry which function as: an object detection unit configured to detect a main object, a first motion detection unit configured to detect a motion vector of the main object, a second motion detection unit configured to detect a movement of an image capturing apparatus, a control unit configured to control a correction unit, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the main object is changed between a first timing when a first image is captured and a second timing when a second image is captured. In a case where the determination unit determines that the main object is changed, the control unit changes a control from image blur correction based on the motion vector of the main object to image blur correction based on the movement of the image capturing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki Konishi