Patents Examined by David L. Ometz
  • Image signal processing unit for amplifying signal level of effective pixel region and method
    Patent number: 7782368
    Abstract: The first amplifier sets a first amplification factor for the pixel signals for each color pixel to adjust the sensitivities of the color pixels. The second amplifier amplifies the pixel signals, whose sensitivities have been adjusted, with a second amplification factor. The second amplification factor allows the color level signal having the maximum signal intensity in the pixel signals which have been adjusted in sensitivity and output from the first amplifier to have a signal intensity equivalent to the dynamic range of image processing performed in a latter stage. The computing unit subtracts a black level signal component from each of the pixel signals amplified by the second amplifier. After adjusting the sensitivities which differ between colors, the color level signals can be amplified up to the dynamic range of the image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Koji Okada
  • Method and apparatus for maximizing the sustainable flash of a handheld portable electronic device
    Patent number: 7777809
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a maximum sustained flash current over the whole length of a flash using a programmable current drive in a handheld portable device powered by a battery. The method involves measuring the battery voltage before and after a flash is initiated and calculating the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the battery. The calculated ESR is then used to adjust the flash current. The process may be repeated to correct for errors in the flash current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Geris, Lyall Winger, Christopher Book
  • Method and system for determining the motion of an imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 7777781
    Abstract: Multiple motion sensor devices are included in an imaging apparatus. One or more of the motion sensor devices captures images and at least a portion of the sensor images are then processed to determine one or more motion vectors for the processed sensor images. At least one motion vector representing an amount of motion of the imager during image capture is generated when a predetermined portion of the motion vectors match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Rene P. Helbing, William R. Trutna, Jr.
  • Color burst automatic detection device
    Patent number: 7777813
    Abstract: A synchronization separation circuit extracts a synchronization timing signal from a video signal, and a burst gate pulse generator generates a timing pulse signal for gating a color burst signal period. In the color burst signal period restricted by the timing pulse signal, a first counter counts up cycles of a color burst signal at a first timing as a rising edge of the color burst signal and a second counter counts up cycles of the color burst signal at a second timing as a falling edge of the color burst signal. A color burst determination circuit receives count values to determine presence/absence of a color burst signal superimposed on the video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uno, Tooru Kusumi, Yuusuke Okumoto, Youichirou Mori
  • Camera, method, and program which captures a field of an object to generate an image, and image processing program and imaging device for applying image processing to an image
    Patent number: 7777806
    Abstract: A digital still camera according to the present invention can obtain an image with appropriate brightness easily without an increase in memory capacity. The digital still camera of the present invention includes: an image-capturing unit which captures a field of object to generate an image; a photometry unit which measures a luminance of a predetermined area of the field of object; a calculating unit which calculates a ratio between a luminance value of a portion of the image captured according to the luminance measured by the photometry unit, and a target luminance value of the predetermined area, the portion corresponding to the predetermined area; and a correcting unit which corrects the image generated by the image-capturing unit according to the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Aoyagi, Masaru Muramatsu, Yuko Hattori
  • Signal processor having A/D conversion unit and operation part
    Patent number: 7777793
    Abstract: A signal processor formed on a single semiconductor chip having an A/D conversion unit for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, includes an operation unit for performing a calculation based on a plurality of digital signals converted by the A/D conversion unit, and a selection unit for selecting one of the digital signals converted by the A/D conversion unit and a result calculated by the operation unit and externally outputting the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunari Kitani
  • Visual processing device, display device, and integrated circuit
    Patent number: 7773158
    Abstract: The invention achieves a visual processing device that can execute precise contrast adjustment on image signals that have been input and that does not cause discrepancies in the output timing of the image signals that are output. The visual processing device is provided with a gain-type visual processing portion that outputs a first gain signal having predetermined gain characteristics with respect to the input image signal, and a correction portion that corrects the input image signal based on the first gain signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Yamashita, Takeshi Ito, Yusuke Monobe, Tatsumi Watanabe, Yasuhiro Kuwahara
  • Card based image manipulation method for camera
    Patent number: 7773113
    Abstract: A method of operating a handheld camera comprises causing a sensor to sense an image, supplying predetermined data to an input of the camera via a card on which the predetermined data is disposed, and causing a processing system to obtain the image from the sensor, determine a card image in accordance with signals received from the input, rotate the card image in accordance with a skew of the card with respect to the input, and manipulate the image in accordance with the predetermined data to thereby generate a manipulated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Electronic camera with print specifying information
    Patent number: 7773142
    Abstract: A digital camera capable of readily recognizing the printing-specifying information that has been set. Printing-specifying information is set for digital image data acquired by photographing. When an image for which printing-specifying information has been set is displayed on a monitor provided in the digital camera, the image is displayed along with the set printing-specifying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Sugio Makishima, Hiroshi Tanaka, Hisayoshi Tsubaki, Mikio Watanabe
  • Switching system for signal monitoring and switch-back control
    Patent number: 7773159
    Abstract: Systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a microcontroller; a chooser for choosing a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals at the microcontroller; a monitor tuner coupled to the microcontroller for tuning the primary signal during switching of the displayed signal from the primary signal to a secondary signal; a detector coupled to the monitor tuner and the microcontroller for detecting a predetermined condition in the primary signal; and a selector coupled to the microcontroller for switching the displayed signal from the secondary signal to the primary signal upon occurrence of the predetermined condition. A user can switch between signals such as television channels or other dedicated functions without the risk of missing a portion of the program material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed Y. Ginawi, Casey J. Grant, Christopher Ro, Sebastian T. Ventrone
  • Focus control apparatus and optical apparatus
    Patent number: 7773146
    Abstract: A focus control apparatus includes a signal generator for generating a first signal in accordance with a predetermined frequency component of an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting an image of a subject formed by an image-taking optical system, a detector for detecting a second signal different from the first signal, and a controller for detecting a movement of the subject based on the second signal and for switching driving of the image-taking optical system based on the detection, wherein the controller controls driving of the image-taking optical system based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Suda
  • Method, system, and program product for eliminating error contribution from production switchers with internal DVEs
    Patent number: 7773152
    Abstract: Measurement of the relative timing between images and associated information, for example video and audio. Image mutual event characteristics are recognized in the images and associated mutual event characteristics are recognized in the associated information. The image mutual events and associated mutual events are compared to determine their occurrences, one relative to the other as a measure of relative timing. Particular operation with audio and video signals is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Pixel Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper
  • Auto focus unit and camera
    Patent number: 7773145
    Abstract: An auto focus unit, comprising a pursuit block, a scanning area setting block, a change area setting block, a permission block, and a lens driver, is provided. The pursuit block pursues the movements of a target object. The scanning area setting block designates a part of an object-area as a scanning area at first timing. After first timing, the scanning area setting block is able to reset the scanning area to the now location where the targeted object has moved. The change area setting block defines an area of a predetermined range as a change area at the first timing. The permission block orders the scanning area setting block to reset the scanning area when the location where the targeted object moved is outside of the change area. The lens driver orders a focus lens to move so that an optical image of the scanning area is focused on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Yamaguchi
  • Deinterlacing of a sequence of moving images
    Patent number: 7773151
    Abstract: A device and a method of deinterlacing a sequence of images from an interlaced format to a progressive format. The sequence of images being composed of successive frames. A plurality of pixels of missing lines of a current frame to be completed, an evaluation of the values of these pixels according to a spatially consistent order. The evaluation comprises, for each pixel of the plurality of pixels, estimating a direction of interpolation, spatial interpolation according to the estimated direction of interpolation. According to the invention, the estimation step comprises, for at least one current pixel of the plurality of pixels, calculating a score for at least two directions, and selecting the direction of interpolation on the basis of the calculated scores and of the estimated direction of interpolation for a distinct pixel situated in the neighborhood of the current pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Christophe Barnichon
  • Positional gain adjustment and surface generation for image processing
    Patent number: 7768559
    Abstract: Surface generation and positional gain adjustment techniques for an imager are described. Embodiments of the techniques use zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The correction factors comprise coefficients that are different for each color channel and in some instances different for each corner of each color channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Hunter, Robert H. Mullis, William R. Dirks, Dmitri Jerdev, Alexander Mokhnatyuk, Ilia Ovsiannikov
  • Physical quantity detection system, method for driving physical quantity detection system, solid-state image pickup device, method for driving solid-state image pickup device, and image pickup apparatus
    Patent number: 7768556
    Abstract: A physical quantity detection system includes a pixel array unit including pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, where each of the pixel converts an externally supplied physical quantity into an electrical signal, a readout unit configured to read out a signal from each of the pixels n times by changing the sensitivity each time, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, a storage unit configured to store m signals out of the n signals read out from the pixel, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and is less than n, and a write control unit configured to compare the signal read out from the pixel by the readout unit with a predetermined threshold value and configured to control a write operation of the signal into the storage unit on the basis of the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Mabuchi
  • CMOS imaging facility and a modular array for use in such a facility
    Patent number: 7764315
    Abstract: A CMOS imaging facility is implemented on a substrate through a set of pixel circuits that are array-wise organized in lines and columns and each comprise a radiation-to-charge accumulator (20), a transfer transistor (22) for transferring a representation of the charge, a reset transistor (24) fed by a reference voltage and a source follower transistor (26) for feeding a select transistor (28) that feeds the representation to an output array conductor. In particular, for respective pairs of adjacent column conductors the associated pixel transfer transistors will controllably pair wise share the accumulators in an interlace organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: DALSA Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Theuwissen
  • Image processing apparatus, image-taking system, image processing method and image processing program
    Patent number: 7764319
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which can provide a high-quality image by specifying an image corresponding to an image resulting from non-image forming light in image information obtained by taking an image of an object having a high brightness and conducting image processing to make the image difficult to recognize visually. The image processing apparatus processes image information which includes a first image component which was responsive to an image-forming light and a second image component which was responsive to a non-image forming light. The image processing apparatus has an image acquiring section which acquires the image information and an edge processing section which conducts edge processing with respect to the image information to distinguish the second image component with respect to the first image component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiro Fukumoto
  • Anti-shake apparatus
    Patent number: 7764306
    Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus for image stabilizing comprises a movable unit and a controller. The movable unit is movable for an anti-shake operation. The controller stops the anti-shake operation after an exposure time and moves the movable unit to a first position after the anti-shake operation. The first position is a position of the movable unit before the exposure time and before the anti-shake operation. The controller moves the movable unit at a decelerated, low rate of speed before finishing its movement to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Distance measuring apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7764321
    Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus and method in which a target subject is detected from image data obtained through imaging, the distance to the object is calculated based on the size of the target subject, and the distance to the target subject is further measured using a distance measuring sensor. Then, a subject distance is determined according to the size of the detected target subject, and based on the distance to the target subject calculated based on the size of the target subject and/or the distance to the target subject obtained by the distance measuring sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sugimoto