Patents Examined by Dwight Alex C Tejano
  • Patent number: 10141356
    Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels. Each pixel may have a photodiode, a floating diffusion node, and a charge transferring transistor. The charge transferring transistor may be a dual gate transistor having first and second gate terminals. A suitable bias may be applied to the second gate terminal to alter the capacitance of the floating diffusion node. The amount of electrons that may be accommodated by the floating diffusion node may be altered with application of a varying voltage level bias at the second gate terminal. By implementing a dual gate transistor, dynamic range compression and anti-blooming charge overflow may be implemented directly in the pixel to reduce image sensor pixel size and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Patent number: 10136090
    Abstract: An image sensor architecture with multi-bit sampling is implemented within an image sensor system. A pixel signal produced in response to light incident upon a photosensitive element is converted to a multiple-bit digital value representative of the pixel signal. If the pixel signal exceeds a sampling threshold, the photosensitive element is reset. During an image capture period, digital values associated with pixel signals that exceed a sampling threshold are accumulated into image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Michael Guidash, Song Xue, Maxim Smirnov, Craig M. Smith, Jay Endsley, James E. Harris
  • Patent number: 10136082
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including at least one unit pixel configured to generate accumulated charges, a correlated double sampler configured to perform a correlated double sampling operation to extract an effective signal component based on a signal component and a reset component from the unit pixel for at least first and second read-out periods, the correlated double sampler configured to read out an image signal during the first read-out period and to read out a light noise signal during the second read-out period, an analog-digital converter configured to convert the image signal into a first digital signal and to convert the light noise signal into a second digital signal and an image compensator configured to generate a compensated image signal based on the second digital signal and the first digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Seok Oh, Young-Chan Kim, Eun-Sub Shim, Moo-Sup Lim
  • Patent number: 10136070
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit, a memory configured to store image data that is output at a predetermined framerate from the image capturing unit, a write unit configured to write the image data to the memory, a readout unit configured to read out the image data stored in the memory, a display unit configured to display an image based on the image data read out by the readout unit, and a control unit configured to control reading out of the image data by the readout unit, wherein the control unit performs control such that a frame of image data read out by the readout unit differs between when electronic zoom is operating and when electronic zoom is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Wakamiya
  • Patent number: 10129446
    Abstract: A telecommunication unit which ensures high reliability of electric connection with a simple structure and enables satisfactory communication between an apparatus main body of an image pickup apparatus and an interchangeable lens. A first electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the interchangeable lens when the interchangeable lens is mounted on the lens adapter. A second electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the apparatus main body when the lens adapter is fixed to the apparatus main body. The contact portions of the first electric connecting unit are arranged in the form of an arc with an optical axis of the interchangeable lens at its center. The contact portions of the second electric connecting unit are arranged in a linear fashion in a width direction of the apparatus main body perpendicular to the optical axis of the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Futoshi Iinuma
  • Patent number: 10110828
    Abstract: Photographing apparatus and method for controlling the photographing apparatus are disclosed. The present invention comprises: a lens; a beam splitter; a first image sensor for outputting first image data; a second image sensor for outputting second image data; a display unit for displaying the first image data; and a control unit for correcting the pixel value of at least a part of the first image data displayed on the display unit on the basis of brightness information obtained from the second image data, and when a malfunction of the first image sensor is detected, adjusting the exposure value of the second image sensor to the exposure value of the first image sensor and displaying the second image data on the display unit. According to the present invention, a photographed image can be improved, and an image can be stably output even when an image sensor in a photographing apparatus malfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwanhyung Kim, Youngman Kwon
  • Patent number: 10110806
    Abstract: A method for processing image captured by an image sensor is provided. The operation method of an electronic device according to the present disclosure includes receiving a sensing image having a sensor pattern of an image sensor and meta-information including sensing image information related to the sensing image and storing the sensing image and the sensing image information including the meta-information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongman Lee, Kwangyoung Kim, Sungdae Cho
  • Patent number: 10091430
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit in which there are arrayed in a matrix form a plurality of pixels including a plurality of normal pixels which are pixels for video output, and a plurality of phase difference pixels which are pixels for focal-point detection; an A/D conversion unit configured to compare pixel signals output from the pixels of the pixel array unit with a ramp signal serving as a reference signal, thereby performing A/D conversion on the pixel signals; and a control unit configured to perform control so that the ramp signal to be compared with the phase difference pixels has a different slope from that of the ramp signal to be compared with at least a part of the normal pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seijiro Sakane
  • Patent number: 10075664
    Abstract: A light receiving element includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type to which a first potential is to be applied, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the first semiconductor layer, first and second regions of the first conductivity type formed in an upper portion of the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode that is located on the first region and is to be subjected to application of a second potential, a second electrode located on the second region, an insulation layer formed on the second semiconductor layer between the first and the second regions, and a gate electrode that is formed on the insulation layer and is to be subjected to application of a gate voltage. A current readout unit detects, as a pixel signal reflecting an amount of light received, a current flowing from the first region to the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Technology Hub Inc., MegaChips Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ukai, Takashi Sawada
  • Patent number: 10075654
    Abstract: An image processing device, including an image receiver operable to receive a first image; an image converter operable to convert the first image to a second image, the second image being a smaller-sized representation of the first image; an image pre-processor operable to perform an imaging effect on the second image to form a third image, the imaging effect being defined by an imaging effect parameter; a first output device operable to output the third image for display; and a second output device operable to output the first image and the imaging effect parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Morgan William Amos David, Jonathan James Stone
  • Patent number: 10070025
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing such as a metal housing. Openings may be formed in the housing to accommodate a button, to form a camera window, to form a microphone port, and to form a camera flash window. An input-output component mounting member may be used to mount input-output components to the housing of the electronic device. The input-output component mounting member may have a recess that mates with a corresponding protrusion on the housing. Screws may attach the input-output component mounting member to the housing. The protrusion and recess in the input-output component mounting member may ensure that the input-output component mounting member is accurately aligned with respect to the housing. Input-output components such as a microphone, button switch, camera, and camera flash may be mounted to the electronic device with the input-output component mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emery A. Sanford, David G. Havskjold, Teodor Dabov, Stephen Brian Lynch, Erik G. P. de Jong, Tyson B. Manullang, Anthony S. Montevirgen
  • Patent number: 10044948
    Abstract: A pixel cell includes a photodiode to accumulate image charge. A global shutter transistor is coupled to the photodiode to reset the image charge in the photodiode in response to a global shutter control signal. A global shutter control signal generator circuit generates the global shutter control signal to have a first value signal or a second value signal. The first value signal is coupled to turn on the global shutter transistor to reset the photodiode. The second value signal controls the global shutter transistor to be in a low leakage off mode. A supply circuit is coupled to provide the second value signal to the global shutter control signal generator circuit. The supply circuit includes a variable filter circuit coupled to an output of the supply circuit to selectively vary a bandwidth of the second value signal in response to a bandwidth select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Liping Deng, Zhiqiang Song, Pengting Zhang, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 10038839
    Abstract: Various approaches provide for detecting and recognizing text to enable a user to perform various functions or tasks. For example, a user could point a camera at an object with text, in order to capture an image of that object. The camera can be integrated with a portable computing device that is capable of taking the image and processing the image (or providing the image for processing) to recognize, identify, and/or isolate the text in order to send the image of the object as well as recognized text to an application, function, or system, such as an electronic marketplace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: A.9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Wiggen Kraft, Kathy Wing Lam Ma, Xiaofan Lin, Arnab Sanat Kumar Dhua, Yu Lou
  • Patent number: 10026762
    Abstract: A first signal line, a second signal line, a first line, and a second line are disposed in an identical direction on an identical layer. A distance between the first signal line and the second signal line is larger than a distance between the first signal line and the first line or larger than a distance between the second signal line and the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takehiko Soda
  • Patent number: 10027873
    Abstract: A method substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein. A device substantially as shown and described the detailed description and/or drawings and/or elsewhere herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund II, LLC
    Inventors: Ehren Brav, Russell Hannigan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, 3ric Johanson, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S Pan, Phillip Rutschman, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10027859
    Abstract: Modular digital camera systems are disclosed. The modular digital camera system can include a brain module configured to be releasably coupled to one or more of a port extender module, power module, display module, and handle module. The brain module and other accessory modules can be structured according to some embodiments to increase an ease of coupling and decoupling the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: RED.COM, LLC
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Sean Lever, Craig Smith, Todd Berk, Brian McEvilly, John Hamming
  • Patent number: 10021308
    Abstract: There is provided a digital imaging apparatus including a motion sensor configured to output motion data corresponding to a movement of a camera module from at least one sensing axis, a single signal conversion processor configured to transmit or receive the motion data at a switching timing interval, and to compensate for a phase delay due to the switching timing interval of the motion data, and a single signal conversion controller configured to control the switching timing interval of the single signal conversion processor and phase delay compensation regarding the motion data of the at least one sensing axis according to the switching timing interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin Jae Kang
  • Patent number: 10018893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a sighting system comprising a viewfinder and an optic for detecting the position of an object in space, characterized in that it comprises the determination of a control law to apply to the viewfinder to aim at the object as a function of its position, said position being determined in a frame of reference of the detection optic and the control law comprising two angular controls and a focusing control of the viewfinder, expressed as a function of the relative positions between the object to aim at and an intersection point of all the lines of sight of the viewfinder, the method comprising the steps consisting in: aiming (100), with the viewfinder, at objects found at at least six different known positions in the frame of reference of the sighting system and noting the corresponding controls, from the positions of the object and the corresponding controls, determining (200, 200?) the position of the intersection point of the lines of sight and the control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: MORPHO
    Inventors: Benoit Malrat, Jean Beaudet
  • Patent number: 10021320
    Abstract: In a digital camera having an imaging array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, the digital camera having a mechanical shutter, a method for performing neutral density filtering of images captured by the imaging array, the method comprising opening the mechanical shutter, operating each row in the array by resetting all of the pixel sensors in the row, starting exposure for all of the pixel sensors in the row, closing the mechanical shutter, reading pixel values from the pixels in the array after the mechanical shutter has closed at a time unrelated to a time at which any pixel-select signal was de-asserted, and wherein the interval of time between starting exposure for all of the pixel sensors in the row and closing the mechanical shutter for each row a function of a neutral density filter function applied to an image to be captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Foveon, Inc.
    Inventors: Shrinath Ramaswami, Glenn J. Keller
  • Patent number: 9998645
    Abstract: A telecommunication unit which ensures high reliability of electric connection with a simple structure and enables satisfactory communication between an apparatus main body of an image pickup apparatus and an interchangeable lens. A first electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the interchangeable lens when the interchangeable lens is mounted on the lens adapter. A second electric connecting unit has contact portions that are electrically connected to the apparatus main body when the lens adapter is fixed to the apparatus main body. The contact portions of the first electric connecting unit are arranged in the form of an arc with an optical axis of the interchangeable lens at its center. The contact portions of the second electric connecting unit are arranged in a linear fashion in a width direction of the apparatus main body perpendicular to the optical axis of the interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Futoshi Iinuma