Patents Examined by Dillon Durnford-Geszvain
  • Patent number: 8120680
    Abstract: An image sensor capable of canceling crosstalk without reduction of a signal to noise ratio (SNR) to improve a sensitivity includes a plurality of light detection units and a filter array including a plurality of filters, with each of the plurality of filters being deposited on a corresponding one of the light detection units. The filter array includes a green filter used to transmit a green component of an incident light, a yellow filter used to transmit a yellow component of the incident light, and a cyan filter used to transmit a cyan component of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Hak Kim, Hiromichi Tanaka, Yong In Han, Eugene Fainstain
  • Patent number: 8115810
    Abstract: A vehicle-periphery viewing apparatus comprises an imaging device, an electronic control unit, and a display device. The imaging device captures an image of a surrounding area of the vehicle and comprises a field of view larger in a horizontal direction than in a vertical direction. An electronic control unit comprises: a mask image storage section: and a photomontage section merging a video captured by the imaging device and the mask image read from the mask image storage section, to generate a merged video. The mask image comprises: an upper mask displayed along an upper side of the display screen; and a lower mask displayed along a lower side of the display screen; and an interval between the upper mask and the lower mask in a first direction, becomes narrower toward a center area and wider toward both ends in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Yoneji
  • Patent number: 8111301
    Abstract: There is provided a method of performing auto white balance including: setting a plurality of sections of a whole range of a value of each of Y, Cb, and Cr in the YCbCr color space, according to a size of each value; calculating an accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; determining effective sections according to the number of the pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; calculating a mean Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in all of the effective sections by using the accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of each of the effective sections; calculating a mean RGB value by converting the mean Y, Cb, and Cr value into an RGB color space; and determining an RGB color gain of a Bayer image outputted from an image sensor by using the mean RGB value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Hyun Kim, Bong Soon Kang, Kyoung Soo Son, Won Tae Choi, Boo Dong Kwak
  • Patent number: 8085319
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, an amplifier arranged on the output side of the pixel unit, an output unit arranged on the output side of the amplifier, a first restriction circuit, and a second restriction circuit. The first restriction circuit restricts, between the amplifier and the output unit, a noise level read out from the pixel unit via the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit. The second restriction circuit restricts, between the photoelectric converter and the amplifier, a noise level to be provided to the amplifier in reading out the noise level from the pixel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ono, Toru Koizumi, Tetsuya Itano
  • Patent number: 8072517
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes an adjustment assembly and two camera modules. The adjustment assembly includes a base, a driving member fixed on the base, and two supporting boards. The driving member includes an elastic connecting board having two ends connected to the base, a rigid board fixed to the elastic connecting board facing the base, and a cam rotating unit positioned between the base and the rigid board. The cam rotating unit abuts the rigid board and is rotatable to cause the rigid board to move toward or away from the base. The two supporting boards are attached to the elastic connecting board opposite to the base and spaced apart from each other. The two camera modules are fixed to the two supporting boards respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 8063941
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for enhancing a “primary” large format, digital, macro-image with “secondary” image data are provided. The secondary image data is collected utilizing one or more secondary optical systems having at least one electro-optical detector array (e.g., a CCD array) and a specific set of optical mirrors or optical prisms, arranged in such a way that the secondary optical systems extend the angular field-of-view of the primary optical system and the resultant digital image in at least two opposing directions, for instance, in the left and right and/or fore and aft directions. The primary image data and the secondary image data may be distinct and/or may include portions that overlap with one another. Further, the primary image data and the secondary image data may be collected at the same or different resolutions. The collected primary image data and secondary image data are utilized to generate a single output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Franz Leberl, Michael Gruber, Martin Ponticelli
  • Patent number: 8063971
    Abstract: A first display region for displaying an optical image of an object and a second display region for displaying information are provided for a finder device. The first display region and the second display region can be observed at the same time through an eyepiece window. On the second display region, an electric image that is photoelectrically converted by an image pickup element is displayed. That reduces failures to take a shutter chance and enables a state of the captured image and auxiliary information to be checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Suda, Makoto Oikawa, Jun Terashima
  • Patent number: 8045020
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus, comprising: a first recording module, which has a first initialization time from initialization to coming into a recordable condition; a second recording module which has a second initialization time from initialization to coming into a recordable condition, being longer than the first initialization time; a mode switching module, which is configure to switch over a power OFF mode, a mode for recording into the first recording module, and a mode for recording into the second recording module, wherein the mode exchange switch, which is configured to exchange the mode in an order from the power OFF mode to the mode for recording into the first recording module, and to the mode for recording into the second recording module, whereby shortening an apparent initializations time of the recording module having a long initialization time, while using a high-speed initialization characteristic of the recording module having a short initialization time effectively, thereby obtaining an improvement
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Ota, Masahiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8040400
    Abstract: An image sensing system is disclosed. The image sensing system includes a signal determination unit which recognizes a saturated region of an image obtained by photoelectric conversion where the signal level is saturated, and a desaturated region where the signal level is not saturated, and determines whether an inner region serving as a desaturated region surrounded by the saturated region exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8040373
    Abstract: An endoscope spectral image system is provided and includes: an image recording apparatus for recording a color image provided by using a scope; and a processor apparatus, in which spectroscopic characteristic information including a spectroscopic characteristic of CCD is output from the processor apparatus to the image recording apparatus along with color image data. At the image recording apparatus, matrix data in correspondence with the spectroscopic characteristic information is selected to be read from a plurality of matrix data stored in a memory, matrix operation by the matrix data and color image data is carried out at a spectral image-forming circuit, and a spectral image formed by signals of arbitrarily selected wavelength regions is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ayame, Kazunori Abe, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8035711
    Abstract: Improving the dynamic range of captured images is disclosed by using sub-pixel arrays to capture light at different exposures and generate color pixel outputs for an image in a single frame. Each sub-pixel array can include multiple sub-pixels. The sub-pixels that make up a sub-pixel array can include red (R) sub-pixels, green (G) sub-pixels, blue (B) sub-pixels, and in some embodiments, clear sub-pixels. Those sub-pixel arrays having clear sub-pixels effectively have a higher exposure level and can capture low-light scenes (for dark areas) better than those sub-pixel arrays without clear sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel array can produce a color pixel output that is a combination of the outputs of the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel array. Each sub-pixel in a sub-pixel array can have the same exposure time, or in some embodiments, individual sub-pixels within a sub-pixel array can have different exposure times to improve the overall dynamic range even more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panavision Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Li Liu, Jeffrey Jon Zarnowski, Ketan Vrajlal Karia, Thomas Poonnen, Michael Eugene Joyner
  • Patent number: 8035683
    Abstract: When three-dimensional images are displayed on various display apparatuses, the images are displayed in a state that allows for stereoscopic vision even if the size of the display apparatus is large or even if the resolution of the display apparatus is low. The apparatus includes: a decision means for deciding based on the standard information contained in the control information whether the amount of parallax on the display screen when three-dimensional image data is displayed is greater than the amount of parallax on the optimal display apparatus for displaying the three-dimensional image data; and an image processing means for implementing an image process for changing the amount of parallax, and adjusts the amount of parallax of three-dimensional images in accordance with the ratio between the pitch between dots of the standard display apparatus for displaying three-dimensional images and the pitch between dots of an own terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuji Kitaura, Kazuto Ohhara, Toshio Nomura, Naoki Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8035757
    Abstract: The system of the invention involves an anti-slip alignment plate used with a mounting bracket for mounting a device, such as a flat video screen having video mounting holes. The anti-slip plate is aligned with protrusions, or other means, with a plurality engagement members on the bracket which receives the protrusions. Once the plate and bracket have mated in a particular position, a fastener can secure the plate, bracket and device together. The result is that the fastener need not be torqued so tightly because slippage is prevented by the engagement points on the anti-slip plate. Furthermore, the number of position available for the anti-slip plate to secure the device is often substantially greater than would be achieve if the bracket merely had series of adjacent mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Premier Mounts
    Inventor: Michael F. Bouissiere
  • Patent number: 8029411
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for remotely a monitoring an individual's ability to carry out a various exercise activities and to evaluate the individual's range of motion. The individual can stand or sit in the field of view of the camera and carry out a set of base line activities. The baseline activities can be stored for subsequent retrieval and analysis. Based on the results of that evaluation, other activities can be prescribed for the individual to systematically carry out. The results of the subsequent activities can be evaluated and compared to the result of the base line activities to determine how the activities should be revised or whether other treatments are required or appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8023030
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a display that displays photographing information. When the display is turned off in response to an operation performed by a user, the photographing information is prevented from being changed even if a button or a dial for changing a set value, such as a shutter speed or an aperture value, is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kosaka
  • Patent number: 7995118
    Abstract: A digital imaging device and methods thereof that will enable the embedding and retrieving of information in digital images are provided. The digital imaging device includes a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file; an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image; and a processing module for associating the inputted information to the digital image file. The device further includes a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with a printed digital image and wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file. The device may be embodied as a digital camera, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Rothschild Trust Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 7995116
    Abstract: In a method and digital camera, an initial set of evaluation images are captured. A plurality of characteristics of the initial set of evaluation images are assessed to provide a first assessment. The characteristics include subject motion between the initial set of evaluation images. When the subject motion is in excess of a predetermined threshold, a final capture state of the camera is set responsive to the first assessment. When the subject motion is less than the predetermined threshold, the evaluation images are analyzed to provide analysis results and the final capture state of the camera is set responsive to the first assessment and the analysis results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Bruce H. Pillman, Jiebo Luo
  • Patent number: 7995104
    Abstract: In a moving image recording process, a shooting operation using a short exposure time appropriate for shooting a still image, and a shooting operation using a long exposure time appropriate for shooting a moving image are performed repeatedly in turn. Plural pieces of frame image data “B” shot by the shooting operations using a long exposure time are successively recorded as moving image data. When a shutter button is pressed in the moving image recording process, frame image data which is shot using a short exposure time just before the shutter button is pressed is recorded as a still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Muraki, Koki Dobashi, Kimiyasu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7990453
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel section that outputs a signal charge subjected to photoelectric conversion by each of a plurality of photoelectric transducers, a conversion circuit that converts an output signal from the pixel section into a digital signal by using a triangular wave, and a saturation signal level calculation circuit that calculates a saturation signal level of each photoelectric transducer based on the digital signal from the conversion circuit. The solid-state image sensor further includes a setting circuit which sets a maximum signal level of the triangular wave in accordance with the saturation signal level from the saturation signal level calculation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Egawa
  • Patent number: 7978230
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a spectrum of light not following characteristics of a blackbody source of light with a camera module programmed for use with light sources following characteristics of blackbody sources of light, wherein a white-balance patch is transmitted to the camera module to cause the camera module to accept color coordinates representing a point on a chromaticity chart that partly defines a region of color coordinates on the chromaticity chart into which color coordinates of the light source fall and to which color coordinates of a reference white color derived by a white-balance routine of the camera module are constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Marc Drader, Ken Wu, Michael Purdy