Patents Examined by Dillon Durnford-Geszvain
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Patent number: 7796161Abstract: A control apparatus controlling a state of an imaging apparatus and a method for controlling an imaging device. According to the present invention, when a moving area in shot images are detected and parameter control of an imaging device is performed, if the moving area relates to a predetermined shooting prohibited area, the parameter control of the imaging device is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Oya
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Patent number: 7791645Abstract: An imaging system includes plural portable terminals managed by a server; and the portable terminal to be imaged is notified that an imaging operation has been performed on a portable terminal which can communicate with a facility camera through a camera-terminal network. The notification is also provided to portable terminals belonging to the same group as the portable terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Mihoko Yamamoto, Kumiko Sera, Hiroyuki Tominaga, Tetsuhisa Araki
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Patent number: 7782379Abstract: When storage time has changed during a continuous shooting operation, the storage times are stored. When the continuous shooting operation has been completed or an available capacity of a storage medium has become lower than image data, the data is imaged with the respective storage times without exposure. The exposed image data is processed on the basis of the data acquired by the charge storage of an image pickup device without exposure.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoichi Sato
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Patent number: 7768556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Keiji Mabuchi
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Patent number: 7755669Abstract: An image capture system is provided that increases processing speed after an image is captured and also increases the rate at which data is read from an image capture device during a shooting sequence. The image capture system includes an image capture device for capturing an object image and converting the captured object image into an electrical signal, a plurality of image processing devices, and a distribution device for distributing the electrical signal from the image capture device to the plurality of image processing devices. The plurality of image processing devices generate image signals by processing the electrical signal output from the distribution device and are provided in parallel with each other. Each of the plurality of image processing devices concurrently processes the electrical signal for one frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiko Shiomi
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Patent number: 7742086Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a first storage unit for storing a first correction data for correcting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of an image sensor, a detecting unit for detecting a defective pixel signal outputted from a defective pixel of the image sensor in accordance with a designation set by a user, a creating unit for creating a second correction data based on the defective pixel signal detected by the detecting unit, a determination unit for determining whether the second correction data is used with the first correction data, in accordance with a designation set by a user; and a correction unit for correcting a pixel signal output from the image sensor in accordance with a determination result of the determination unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Terutake Kadohara
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Patent number: 7742093Abstract: A digital camera comprising an imaging device, a memory, a monitor, and a monitor controller is provided. The digital camera is used for photographing an optical image of an object as an image of a first rectangle. An aspect ratio of the first rectangle is a first aspect ratio. The imaging device generates an image signal. The monitor is a second rectangle. An aspect ratio of the second rectangle is a second aspect ratio. The second aspect ratio is decided to be lower than the first aspect ratio if the first aspect ratio is higher than one. The second aspect ratio is decided to be higher than the first aspect ratio if the first aspect ratio is lower than one. The monitor controller makes a displayed-image be displayed on the monitor according to a first or a second replay mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Teppei Okamoto
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Patent number: 7733393Abstract: A horizontal evaluation data generation section calculates an average value of pixel signals in a vertical optical black region based on given pixel data in the horizontal optical black region and outputs the calculated average value to an evaluation section. A vertical evaluation data generation section calculates an average value of pixel signals in a vertical optical black region based on given pixel data in the vertical optical black region and outputs the calculated average value to the evaluation section. The evaluation section outputs a gain value according to the difference between the two sent average values to a computing section. A smear information memory stores pixel signals in a line in the vertical optical black region. The computing section multiplies the pixel data stored in the smear information memory by the sent gain value, and subtracts the multiplied pixel data from the pixel data imaged by the CCD 5.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Yoshida, Kazuyuki Kurosawa
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Patent number: 7733412Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can reduce the time required for automatic focus scanning. The size of the face is determined based on information on a subject's face, which is detected from image data acquired by shooting by an image pickup device. The subject distance is estimated based on the determined size of the face. The depth of field is calculated. A range over which the focus lens is driven varies according to the estimated subject distance and the calculated depth of field.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Takayama
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Patent number: 7733385Abstract: First and second data areas are defined in an image file, and each area is defined to have an image data recording area and a header data recording area. When the image file is reproduced, header data in a first header data recording area at the leading end is read and first image data that has been recorded in the first image data recording area is reproduced. If an image file reproducing apparatus is one that can reproduce second image data that has been recorded in the second data area, then the second image data is read from the second area and reproduced. The first image data is data that has undergone JPEG compression, and the second image data is data that has not been compressed. Since the compressed first image data and uncompressed second image data can be stored in one file, an increase in number of files can be reduced even if there is an increase in types of image format.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Mikio Watanabe, Hisayoshi Tsubaki
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Patent number: 7714912Abstract: An intelligent imaging system, includes an image generator that projects multiple angle views of a user, a plurality of cameras for capturing a plurality of images of the user, an image processing unit, a style advisor, and a control mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Alexander Faisman, Genady Grabarnik, David Nahamoo, Apostol Ivanov Natsev, Ganesh N. Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 7710466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Marc Drader, Ken Wu, Michael Purdy
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Patent number: 7697062Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in a camera for determining a camera setting when using pulsed flash is provided. The camera comprises a source of light. The source of light is adapted to emit light to illuminate an object. The object is further illuminated by ambient light. The method comprises the steps of: Capturing a first image data of the object when the object is illuminated by light emitted by the source of light and by the ambient light, capturing a second image data of the same object when the object is illuminated by the ambient light but not by light from the source of light, creating a difference image data by subtracting the second image data from the first image data. The method comprises the further step of determine a camera setting based on the created difference image data. The determined camera setting is to be used when capturing a third image of the object, using emitted pulsed flash by the source of light to illuminate the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventor: Mats Wernersson
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Patent number: 7697040Abstract: Digital images are captured on a digital camera, automatically formatted, and uploaded to a server for review and collaborative modifications. An on-line web gallery is automatically generated by the server whereby low resolution versions of the images are transferred to the server and appear in the gallery within seconds from capturing the images. Among other things, a viewer located remotely from a photographer can observe new images in the gallery in real time as they are captured, place a request for post-production modifications to selected images and download a high resolution version of selected images.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: LightBox Network, Inc.Inventors: James T. Sorensen, David R. Alexander
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Patent number: 7683953Abstract: A pixel sensor comprises a first reset transistor having a drain coupled to a first potential, a gate coupled to a first reset line, and a source. A second reset transistor has a drain coupled to the first reset transistor source, a gate coupled to a second reset line, and a source coupled to a photodiode cathode. A source-follower transistor has a drain coupled to the first reset transistor source, a gate coupled to the photodiode cathode, and a source. A row-select transistor has a drain coupled to the source-follower transistor source, a gate coupled to a row-select signal line, and a source coupled to a column output line. An array of these pixel sensors further comprises timing and readout circuits that control the transistors in the pixel sensor to effect a reset operation that cancels the fixed pattern of threshold variations of the source-follower transistors.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Foveon, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. Merrill
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Patent number: 7683957Abstract: An object of this invention is to realize both stable clamping operation of a CDS circuit and an operation of draining unnecessary charges from a CCD. To achieve this object, during the storage period of an image sensing element, (A) vertical CCDs perform high-speed transfer or all the vertical CCDs are fixed to a LOW voltage, (B) a horizontal CCD is stopped, (C) the reset pulse of a floating diffusion amplifier is not stopped, and (D) a clamping pulse supplied to the CDS circuit is kept output. During this operation, the reference level of the floating diffusion amplifier is clamped. Stable clamping operation can, therefore, be executed during the storage period.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobuhiro Takeda
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Patent number: 7679673Abstract: A socket in which a light-emitting diode can be attached and detached as needed close to the structure for holding a camera module. Socket comprises a spring contact part for contacting the leads or electrodes of the light-emitting diode, and an anchor for anchoring such that the direction of a dome section has a predetermined relationship with the camera module.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Akira Takekuma, Yoshifumi Yamaoka
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Patent number: 7675567Abstract: A camera is provided which includes an image capturing element; a memory for recording images obtained from the image capturing element; and a controller for changing the number of recorded pixels of the images stored in the memory based on information about a lens apparatus that can be operatively connected to the camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiichi Kashiwaba, Tohru Kawai, Masanori Ishikawa, Mitsuru Shinohara, Shigeki Sato, Yuki Nagao
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Patent number: 7649560Abstract: A pinned-photodiode image sensor using shared output amplifiers, for example output amplifiers in the 2.5T arrangement has transfer gate control lines alternating or cross-coupled between successive columns or adjacent rows. This assists in removing row-row mismatches. In preferred embodiments, the approach is applied to Bayer pattern RGB sensors, and allows the gain and/or the exposure of green pixels to be controlled separately from those of red and blue pixels.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: STMicroelectronics LimitedInventor: Robert Henderson
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Patent number: 7649553Abstract: If an image quality 1 “RAW” at which image data are recorded without undergoing image processing is selected at an electronic camera which is already set for WB bracketing, the electronic camera clears the WB bracketing. In addition, the electronic camera prohibits an operation for setting and clearing the WB bracketing if the current image quality setting is the image quality 1 “RAW”.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Tsutomu Wakabayashi