Patents Examined by David L. Ometz
  • Patent number: 7884853
    Abstract: An imaging device, such as a digital camera, has a mechanism for compensating an image blur caused by hand jiggling and is capable of consecutively shooting, through one operation of a shutter operation section (36), frames of an image in a state where the mechanism (20) is operational and in a state where the mechanism is not operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Yumiki
  • Patent number: 7884854
    Abstract: A method for reducing blur from an image is described. The method includes accessing a blurred image, wherein the blurred image has a width and a length that can be different. The method further includes converting the blurred image into a frequency domain representation of the blurred image and determining an angle of blur from the frequency domain of the blurred image. The method further includes rotating the frequency domain representation of the blurred image by the angle of blur and determining a size of the blur from the rotated frequency domain representation of the blurred image. The method further includes determining a blur kernel associated with the blur, the blur kernel comprising the angle of blur and the size of said blur and de-convoluting the blurred image according to the blur kernel to reduce the blur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ron Banner, Carl Staelin
  • Patent number: 7884873
    Abstract: An image pickup device includes a display that displays one of image data including an operation menu or operation key image data representing operation keys; an external output section that outputs the image data including the operation menu to the outside; an output state detector that detects that the external output section is in a state capable of outputting the image data to the outside; a display data instruction section that instructs to display the operation key image data on the display and to display the image data including the operation menu on an external display device, which is an output destination of the image data in the external output section, when the external output section is detected to be in the capable state, and instructs to display the image data including the operation menu on the display when the external output section is not detected to be in the capable state; a display data supply that supplies one of the display or the external output section with one of the image data incl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shiota, Kazuhiko Nishiwaki, Tetsuya Oda, Makoto Omata, Kazunori Takagi, Kanako Tamamatsu, Motoki Kobayashi, Ryoko Amano, Kumiko Tsukuda, Tsutomu Kume, Hidefumi Fukasawa
  • Patent number: 7880795
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an optical system having an aperture unit and a plurality of extender lenses that are selectively locatable in an optical axis. The lens apparatus is mountable on a camera having an image pickup element. To maintain the brightness of the image when changing the extender lens, the lens apparatus has a memory in which correction data associated with aperture values for each extender lens, and the aperture unit is driven using the correction data according to information on the extender lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 7880778
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device structured by a plurality of pixels having different photoelectric conversion characteristics different from each other on each side of an inflection point, correcting an error of the photoelectric conversion characteristics, thereby contributing to realization of high image quality will be provided. In the image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device structured by a plurality of pixels having different photoelectric conversion characteristics different from each other on each side of the inflection point, on the basis of the inflection point of the standard photoelectric conversion characteristic and correction data, whether or not to execute a correction using the correction data to the imaged data of the pixels and whether or not to execute characteristic transformation using the characteristic transformation section to the imaged data of the pixels are decided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Koichi Kamon
  • Patent number: 7880790
    Abstract: An image-signal processing apparatus (1) designed to process the signals output from a CCD image sensor (10) that reads pixel data for one screen, line by line, divides the pixel data into a plurality of channels and outputs the pixel data thus divided. The image-signal processing apparatus (1) detects and corrects the black level of each pixel data item that the image sensor (10) has output for one channel. The image-signal processing apparatus (1) detects and corrects the gain difference between channels, which pertain to the pixel data items output from the image sensor (10). Hence, the apparatus (1) can correct the black level of each pixel data item and the gain difference between channels with high accuracy, when used in combination with an image sensor that divides pixel data into a plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tanaka, Akira Hamano, Manabu Koiso
  • Patent number: 7876384
    Abstract: A rear projection imaging system with an image warping distortion correction system using a camera and processing unit to generate a warping map that corrects for image distortion. The warping map is generated in an iterative process by displaying a known pattern on a viewing screen and, through the use of a camera, having a microprocessor determine the location and shape of the pattern on the screen. The microprocessor then compares the displayed image to the original reference image, calculates the distortion effects present in the projection optics, and generates a warping map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fakespace Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian E. McDowall, Mark T. Bolas
  • Patent number: 7876381
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telop display system includes an extracting module which extracts a telop region identified as an image of a telop from video image information of a television program, an image analyzing module which performs image analysis related to coordinates, a size, and a color scheme of the telop region extracted by the extracting module, a semantic analyzing module which performs text analysis related to a word class and a meaning of the obtained character string, and a classifying module which classifies the telop on the basis of an analysis result of at least one of the image analysis and the text analysis to accumulate character strings of the telops as items of text information classified in units of categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koji Kasano
  • Patent number: 7876380
    Abstract: Systems and methods of coding progressive content with isolated fields for conversion to interlaced display are provided. Some systems and methods may find use in, for example, digital video compression systems and methods. Film material may be encoded as video material with an intended field polarity and an explicit 3:2 pull-down operation for interlaced display (e.g., a 30-frames-per-second display).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sherman (Xuemin) Chen, Alexander G. MacInnis
  • Patent number: 7876370
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a high frequency signal extraction unit, a first filter unit, a second filter unit and a level setting unit. The high frequency signal extraction unit extracts a high frequency signal from an input signal. The first filter unit applies a horizontal band-pass filter to the input signal. The second filter unit applies a vertical band-pass filter to the input signal. The level setting unit sets a level, which is used to remove a noise component from the high frequency signal, to one of a first level and a second level lower than the first level. The level is set to the first level, if the input signal is obtained from a first area including low contrast. The level is set to the second level, if the input signal is obtained from a second area including small pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Hirai
  • Patent number: 7876355
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to detect presence of undesirable video abnormalities during, for example, video ingest or playback. These undesirable characteristics may include an average picture level that is less than a preset threshold value, or static input, in which the content does not change over a significant number of frames. Detection of abnormalities results in an alarm to a system operator. Analysis and alarm may occur automatically during processing of video data streams. The same abnormalities may be detected during playback of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7876357
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a number of devices or techniques that can be capable of obtaining an operational capacity for a shared image device; estimating at least one operational resource to perform a transformation of one or more images based at least in part on the obtaining the operational capacity; and sharing the one or more images with at least one other shared image device in a manner that performs the transformation of the one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7872670
    Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7872692
    Abstract: A design structure for systems for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals are disclosed. In one embodiment, the design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing an integrated circuit, and includes: a system for switching a displayed signal for a display between a plurality of signals, the system including: a microcontroller; a chooser for setting a primary signal from a plurality of program-variable signals; 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmed Y. Ginawi, Casey J. Grant, Christopher Ro, Sebastian T. Ventrone
  • Patent number: 7872676
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for offset compensation in an amplifier are disclosed, wherein the amplifier inputs may be exposed to large loads from an array of pixel columns coupled in parallel. During a sampling phase, an amplifier offset may be sampled by selectively coupling a first amplifier output to a first amplifier input and a second amplifier output to a second amplifier input. During a portion of the sampling phase, the first amplifier output may be buffered to a first storage element. During a different portion of the sampling phase, the second amplifier output may be buffered to a second storage element. To sense the pixel columns during an amplification phase, the first storage element and the second storage element are coupled to the first and second amplifier inputs, respectively, with the result that the amplifier offset is canceled from the amplifier output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Espen A. Olsen, Chiajen M. Lee, Christopher Zeleznik
  • Patent number: 7872688
    Abstract: A video layer effects processing system which receives normal video and special effects information on separate layers has been presented. The system selectively mixes various video layers to transmit a composite video signal for a video display such as a television, or a virtual reality system. Special effects include spotlights, zooming, etc. Additional special effects such as shaping of objects and ghost effects are created by masking and superimposing selected video layers. The selective mixing, for example, to enable or disable, strengthen or weaken, or otherwise arrange special effects, can be directed from a remote source or locally by a user through real-time control or prior setup. The video layer effects processing system can also be incorporated into a set-top-box or a local consumer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep Kumar Relan, Brajabandhu Mishra, Rajendra Kumar Khare
  • Patent number: 7872686
    Abstract: A integrated camera module (10, 10a) for capturing video images in very small digital cameras, cell phones, personal digital assistants, and the like. A lens assembly (24, 24a) is rigidly affixed in relation to a sensor array area (14) of a camera chip (12) by a molding (26). The molding (26) is formed on the camera chip (12), and optionally on a printed circuit board (16, 16a) on which the camera chip (12) is mounted. The lens assembly (24, 24a) is held in place in a recess (29) of the molding (26) by an adhesive (28). The molding (26) is formed such that a precise gap (30) exists between the lens assembly (24) and a sensor array area (14) of the camera chip (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Flextronics International USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Vidyadhar Sitaram Kale, Samuel Waising Tam, Dongkai Shangguan
  • Patent number: 7872671
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus to pick up images by using a solid-state image pickup device includes an image signal reading unit configured to read image signals of a rectangular effective area in an image picked up by the solid-state image pickup device; an effective area setting unit configured to set the effective area to the image signal reading unit so that pixel signals of all pixels of the solid-state image pickup device in one of vertical and horizontal directions of the effective area are read and that a redundant pixel area is provided in the other direction; a camera shake detecting unit configured to detect camera shake in the image pickup apparatus; and a camera shake correction control unit configured to shift the effective area to the other direction so as to correct the camera shake in the other direction detected by the camera shake detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Junji Shimada
  • Patent number: 7868937
    Abstract: An imaging device having five color filters. The five color filters include three color filters of a R (red) filter, a G (green) filter, and a B (blue) filter of a primary color system and two color filters of a Y (yellow) filter and a C (cyan) filter of a complementary system. The G filter has a checker shape G filter so that the space information of green is obtained four times larger than that of each of the other colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takami Mizukura, Naoya Katoh, Kenji Tanaka, Masaya Kinoshita, Yutaka Yoneda, Akira Matsui
  • Patent number: 7868945
    Abstract: A function key assembly and a portable device having the same. The function key assembly is exposed to an outside of the portable device having a screen to allow a user to select various functions, includes a direction key unit provided in the portable device, and having a plurality of buttons to select or move a menu on the screen, a mode key unit movably provided around the direction key unit to allow the user to select a predetermined mode provided from the portable device according to a position motion thereof, and a circuit board provided inside the portable device to prevent the direction key unit and the mode key unit from being detached therefrom, and having switches to generate signals in response to an operation of the direction key unit and the mode key unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-hyeok Hong, Hyeong-sam Son, Kyoung-jin Ahn