Patents Examined by David L. Ometz
  • Digital camera, gain-computing device and method
    Patent number: 7830419
    Abstract: To determine a more appropriate WB gain. A first image data, which is obtained by way of photographing essentially the same subject as that of a main image intended by a user without firing a strobe light for preliminary illumination, and a second image data, which is obtained by way of photographing the same while firing the strobe light for preliminary illumination, are captured. Subsequently, a typical value of each of blocks constituting the first and second image data and the type of a light source of the same are acquired as block information. The thus-acquired pieces of block information about the first and second image data are compared with each other, to thus acquire the tendency of a color change in subject before and after preliminary illumination. An environment light source is estimated on the basis of the obtained tendency of a color change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Junzou Sakurai
  • Haze reduction method and apparatus for use in retinal imaging
    Patent number: 7830424
    Abstract: Driver current in digital retinal image transfer is significantly reduced for retinal cameras for reducing heat-induced dark current and resultant haze. In one embodiment line drivers are used whose current draw does not depend on data rate or frequency to eliminate the problem of high data rates creating high driver current draw. In a second embodiment the 14-MHz clock driver is inhibited by interrupting its free-running clock pulse input until such time as one wishes to output a picture from the retinal camera, at which time the clock driver draws only a quick burst of current. The result is much lower overall clock driver current draw, less heat, less dark current and less haze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Carnevale
  • Image-pickup apparatus and focus control method for the same
    Patent number: 7830445
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which can prevent focus control from being performed on the basis of incorrect information on an object distance externally measured. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which produces first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which receives light from an object to detect second information corresponding to a distance to the object, and a controller which performs focus control by using the first information and the second information. The controller performs the focus control by using the first information without using the second information when a light-receiving luminance level in the second detector is lower than a first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Kawahara
  • Method, apparatus and system providing green-green imbalance compensation
    Patent number: 7830428
    Abstract: Method, apparatus and system for determining a value for green-green imbalance and applying the value to green pixels to correct the imbalance are described. Average pixel values of green pixels within a kernel are calculated and an imbalance value is determined based on the averages. The imbalance value is added to or subtracted from all green pixel response values in the kernel to correct the imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitri Jerdev, Ilia Ovsiannikov
  • Method of controlling semiconductor device, signal processing method, semiconductor device, and electronic apparatus
    Patent number: 7830436
    Abstract: A pre-amplifier (column region unit) of a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel-signal controller. The pixel-signal controller, for each vertical signal line, detects the level of each pixel signal independently by a pixel-signal detector on the output side of a pixel-signal amplifier, and sets a gain independently to the pixel-signal amplifier according to the level of the signal. At a subsequent stage of the solid-state imaging device, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and a signal extending unit are provided. The A/D converter digitizes a pixel signal, and the digitized pixel signal is corrected by a gain set to the pixel-signal amplifier with reference to a classification signal from the pixel-signal detector, so that the dynamic range of signals of one screen is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sumi, Nobuo Nakamura, Shoji Kawahito
  • Dual mode image engine
    Patent number: 7830443
    Abstract: An image reader capable of operating in two modes for imaging a target is described. It includes an image sensor, a free-space objective lens system and an optically encoded lens system each adapted to direct light reflected from the target onto the image sensor, and a processor for processing signals from the image sensor. In one mode, the processor processes signals produced by light from the free-space objective lens system and in the other mode, the processor processes signals produced by light from the optically encoded lens system. To achieve this, the two lens systems may direct light to two different areas on the image sensor, or the lens systems may be selectively controlled to direct light from one or other of the systems onto the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Psion Teklogix Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Harry Page
  • Optimizing characterization values of image capture apparatus components
    Patent number: 7830429
    Abstract: In a method for identifying substantially optimized characterization values of one or more components in an image capture apparatus a set of characterization values for the components is selected and responses and noise distributions of the sensor are modeled based upon the values contained in the set of the characterization values. The modeled responses and noise distributions are propagated through the image processing pipeline and a risk number associated with the selected set of characterization values from the propagated responses and noise distributions is obtained. In addition, substantially optimized characterization values of the one or more components are identified by substantially minimizing the risk number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. DiCarlo
  • Image processing apparatus and image processing method
    Patent number: 7830451
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are provided for enhancing the picture quality of images by extracting additional information from non-standard signals without an error. A signal determination unit receives an image signal including an image interval containing an image and an additional information interval containing additional information regarding the image. A determination is made as to whether the additional information exists in the additional information interval. An additional information extractor extracts and outputs the additional information from the additional information interval, if the signal determination unit determines that the additional information exists in the additional information interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-hwan Cha, Eun-kyung Park
  • Image sensor for mobile use and associated methods
    Patent number: 7830432
    Abstract: The image sensor includes an array of pixels. Each pixel has a pinned photodiode which transfers charge via a transfer gate to a floating diffusion, from which output is provided by a source follower. Each column has a voltage supply line and a signal line. Each row has a transfer gate control line, a read/reset control line, and a read/reset voltage line which receives alternately zero volts and a predetermined positive voltage from a decoder circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Robert Henderson
  • Vehicle-mounted displaying device employing TV program displaying method
    Patent number: 7825988
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device is configured to execute a predetermined function as a foreground process and a TV function as a background process. The vehicle-mounted device is provided with a displaying device. An image corresponding to the predetermined function is displayed on the displaying device when the predetermined function is executed. The device further includes a TV program switching system, a small image generating system that generates a small image when the program switching system is operated to switch the TV programs. The small image is superimposed on the image corresponding to the predetermined function. The device further includes a display control system that displays the small image on the displaying devices such that the small image is superimposed on the image corresponding to the predetermined function, the display control system extinguishing the small image at a predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manae Suwa, Takao Yahiro, Yusaku Yoshitani, Masashi Watanabe, Isao Katano
  • CMOS image sensor and image sensing method using the same
    Patent number: 7825970
    Abstract: Example embodiments may provide a CMOS image sensor. The CMOS image sensor may include a plurality of unit blocks each including two unit pixels. Each unit block may include two photodiodes having a hexagonal shape, a floating diffusion shared by the two unit pixels, a first transfer transistor and a second transfer transistor between the floating diffusion and the two photodiodes, respectively, a reset transistor connected with the floating diffusion, a drive transistor with a gate connected with the floating diffusion, and/or a selection transistor connected to the drive transistor in series. Example embodiment CMOS image sensors may be used in digital cameras, mobile devices, computer cameras, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Choi, Jung-Chak Ahn, Yi-Tae Kim, Young-Chan Kim, Hae-Kyung Kong
  • Method and apparatus for analog graphics sample clock frequency offset detection and verification
    Patent number: 7825990
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an analog-to-digital video signal converter. The converter is controlled by a clock with controllable frequency and phase for sampling an analog signal. A circuit corrects the clock frequency using a period of a columnar frame differences as a function of columnar location. The sampling clock frequency is changed by an amount dependent on the period of the columnar differences. A second measure of the difference between successive frames is computed for a sequence of clock phases. The frequency of the clock is verified using a characteristic of the second measure. The characteristic can be the ratio of the maximum to the minimum of the second measure over selected clock phases. Other characteristics can be used such as a difference of a maximum and a minimum measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bing Ouyang, John Michael Hayden, Troy Lane Ethridge, Anuradha Sundararajan, Larry D. Dickinson
  • Electronic device, display method thereof, and storage medium storing program for executing the method
    Patent number: 7825980
    Abstract: An electronic device for allowing a viewer to view still pictures according to the intention of a photographer or drafter of the still pictures when the still pictures are successively displayed, a display method thereof, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. The electronic device includes an estimation unit that estimates a level of adaptation of a viewer caused by a first picture displayed and a picture adjustment unit adjusting a second picture based on the estimated level of adaptation when the second picture is displayed subsequently to the first picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Takizawa
  • Video processing apparatus and video processing method
    Patent number: 7825992
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus and video processing method are provided, which can reduce an influence of noise and enhance fineness of the image. A signal division unit divides a video signal into a low frequency component and a high frequency component of the video signal. A signal eliminating unit eliminates a component within a magnitude range of noise from the high frequency component of the video signal output from the signal division unit. A signal combining unit combines the low frequency component of the video signal output from the signal division unit and the high frequency component of the video signal from which the component within the magnitude range of noise is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-jo Jun, Tae-hwan Cha
  • Method and apparatus for controlling a camera module to compensate for the light level of a white LED
    Patent number: 7825958
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a light of changing intensity and changing spectrum as a flash with a camera module having a white-balance routine and an exposure routine, wherein an initial value representative of a color spectrum emitted by the light source is transmitted to the camera module, the light source is turned on, and the camera module is signaled to scan a plurality of images of the scene while the light source is turned on, allowing the white-balance and exposure algorithms to be employed with each image scanned to refine the first initial value to refine the degree of compensation employed in correcting a color and a light level in the last one of the images of the plurality of images scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Ken Wu, Michael Purdy
  • Television channel change picture-in-picture circuit and method
    Patent number: 7825989
    Abstract: We describe and claim television channel change picture-in-picture circuit and method. The circuit includes means for displaying a first channel on a primary portion of a screen, means for changing from the first channel to a second channel, and means for displaying the second channel on a secondary portion of the screen responsive to the means for changing from the first to the second channel while continuing to display the first channel on the primary portion of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Y. Greenberg
  • Image stabilization using multi-exposure pattern
    Patent number: 7825969
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for image stabilization of an image taken with a fixed (i.e., pre-selected) multi-exposure pattern for at least one color channel by an image sensor of a camera, wherein a plurality of groups of pixels of the image sensor have different pre-selected exposure times for said at least one color channel. The camera can be a part of, e.g., an electronic device such as mobile phone or a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Marius Tico, Mejdi Trimeche
  • Image pickup apparatus having a frame
    Patent number: 7825983
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup unit for photographing an object and generating image data, and a frame forming an outline of the image pickup apparatus, wherein spaces are formed between the image pickup unit and the frame to allow an operator grasp inner planes of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Hirooka, Masahiro Kando, Hideki Kawai
  • Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and program
    Patent number: 7821546
    Abstract: The present invention includes a coordinate rotating circuit which executes a coordinate rotating conversion based on a predetermined rotation matrix, on each of two color difference signals to obtain two color difference rotated signals, a normalizing circuit which divides the color difference rotated signal by a luminance signal to obtain a color difference normalized signal, a subtractor and an absolute value calculating circuit which calculate a color saturation degree-of-deviation signal from a difference between the color difference normalized signal and a coefficient, and a tangent circuit and an absolute value calculating circuit which divide the color difference rotated signal by the color difference rotated signal to calculate a hue degree-of-deviation signal from a resulting quotient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shohei Sakamoto, Jun Muraki
  • Intelligent camera head
    Patent number: 7821530
    Abstract: A video imaging system that minimizes the effect of EMI on the image data, provides a small, lightweight easy to use camera head, permitting interchangeable use of a variety of intelligent camera heads with a single camera control unit, and allows the utilization of new camera heads with new functions as they become available without having to replace the existing CCU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc R. Amling, David Chatenever