Patents Examined by Gary C. Vieaux
  • Patent number: 11889169
    Abstract: A camera module includes a housing, a reflective member positioned in the housing and changing a direction of light to a direction of an optical axis, a carrier carrying the reflective member and rotatable about a first axis with respect to the housing, and a first ball group disposed between the housing and the carrier, wherein the first ball group includes a main ball member providing the first axis of the carrier, and an auxiliary ball member disposed away from the first axis, and one or both of the housing and the carrier partially accommodates the auxiliary ball member, and includes an auxiliary guide groove extended in a circumferential direction of the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Hwan Kwon, Nam Ki Park, Young Bok Yoon, Soon Seok Kang, Jae Won Jung
  • Patent number: 11880964
    Abstract: A method of processing light field images for separating a transmitted layer from a reflection layer. The method comprises capturing a plurality of views at a plurality of viewpoints with different polarization angles; obtaining an initial disparity estimation for a first view using SIFT-flow, and warping the first view to a reference view; optimizing an objective function comprising a transmitted layer and a secondary layer using an Augmented Lagrange Multiplier (ALM) with Alternating Direction Minimizing (ADM) strategy; updating the disparity estimation for the first view; repeating the steps of optimizing the objective function and updating the disparity estimation until the change in the objective function between two consecutive iterations is below a threshold; and separating the transmitted layer and the secondary layer using the disparity estimation for the first view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAITECH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Minye Wu, Zhiru Shi, Jingyi Yu
  • Patent number: 11882370
    Abstract: A camera module according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting part configured to output a light signal to an object, a filter configured to allow the light signal to pass therethrough, at least one lens disposed on the filter and configured to collect the light signal from the object, a sensor configured to generate an electric signal from the light signal collected by the lens, the sensor including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array form, and a tilting part configured to tilt the filter to repeatedly move an optical path of the light signal having passed through the filter according to a predetermined rule. The optical path of the light signal passing through the filter is moved in one direction among diagonal directions of the sensor with respect to an optical path corresponding to the filter being disposed parallel to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hyuck Lee, Young Kil Song
  • Patent number: 11882351
    Abstract: An image head with a housing, an integrated sensor and lens assembly (ISLA), a port, and internal componentry. The housing has a front side; a rear side; a top side; and a bottom side. The ISLA extends from the front side and is configured to detect images. The port is located on the rear side that is configured to electrically connect the image head to a base when the image head is inserted into the base. The internal componentry includes: a first microphone located within the front side below the ISLA; a second microphone located within the top side of the housing; a speaker located at the bottom side of the housing; a printed circuit board in communication with the integrated sensor of the ISLA; and a memory located on the printed circuit board and configured to store the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Santos, Nicholas Vitale, Joseph Tucker
  • Patent number: 11877045
    Abstract: To suppress a reduction in yield and to reduce production costs even when a failure has occurred with respect to the alignment and the like of a camera module in a multi-ocular configuration in which a plurality of camera modules is included. An image-capturing apparatus includes a plurality of camera modules; and a support member used to support the plurality of camera modules in a specified positional relationship, the image-capturing apparatus including a first camera module and at least one second camera module as the plurality of camera modules, the first camera module being fixed to the support member, the at least one second camera module being fixed to the support member using an adhesive portion formed of an adhesive that has a property of being released in a specific temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiya Tsuzaki, Yasuhiro Hosokawa, Yoichiro Fujinaga
  • Patent number: 11874593
    Abstract: A vehicular camera assembly includes a lens barrel accommodating at least an outer lens element and an inner lens element. An imager printed circuit board (imager PCB) includes an imager disposed at a side. The lens barrel is disposed at the housing such that the imager is aligned with the inner lens element and the outer lens element, with the inner lens element disposed closer to the imager than the outer lens element. A vacuum exists in a space between the outer lens element and the inner lens element to thermally insulate an outer surface of the outer lens element from an inner surface of the inner lens element. Light passing through the outer lens element, the vacuum, and the inner lens element is imaged by the imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyao Liu, Jonathan D. Conger, Steven V. Byrne, Jeffrey A. White, Kevin T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11871101
    Abstract: A system for detecting foreign materials comprising an alternative light source (ALS), one or more filters operationally associated with the ALS, one or more camera lenses operationally associated with the ALS and the filters, one or more processors, a computer readable memory, and a computer readable storage medium operatively associated with a computing device operatively associated with the ALS, one or more sensors operationally associated with the computing device and the ALS, wherein the sensors detect the presence of the filter and a camera operationally associated with the lens and the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas, Andrew Thompson
  • Patent number: 11860515
    Abstract: Systems comprising a folded camera that includes a lens module with a native aperture, the lens module having a height HM, an adaptive aperture located between the native aperture and an optical path folding element, and an adaptive aperture forming mechanism for forming the adaptive aperture, wherein the adaptive aperture forming mechanism has a height HAA not larger than HM, and methods of using same. In various embodiments, the adaptive aperture forming mechanism includes an actuator and at least one pair of blades operative to be moved by the actuator to a plurality of positions to form the adaptive aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Ephraim Goldenberg, Michael Scherer
  • Patent number: 11825191
    Abstract: A method for assisting the acquisition of a media content at a scene provided with at least one main acquisition unit connected to a server is disclosed. The method includes performing by a processing unit of the server: receiving, from an electronic device including a secondary acquisition unit, a request for acquiring a media content at the scene, the request including data representative of acquisition conditions at the secondary acquisition unit; and providing in response a first media content generated as a function of data representative of acquisition conditions at the secondary acquisition unit from generic media content outputted by the at least one main acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Orange
    Inventors: Xin Wang, Tao Zheng, Xiaoyu Wang
  • Patent number: 11818451
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a display device configured to display an image; a camera mounting component on the display device; a camera on the camera mounting component; and a multi-channel lens on the camera covering the camera and the camera mounting component, wherein the camera comprises an image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Won Lee, Sang Ho Kim, Soo Min Baek, Cheon Myeong Lee, Ju Hwa Ha
  • Patent number: 11818466
    Abstract: There is provided a notifying apparatus. A detecting unit detects a motion amount of an object from an image obtained through first shooting, the first shooting being carried out repeatedly at predetermined intervals of time. A converting unit converts the motion amount into a motion blur amount that will arise in second shooting, on the basis of the predetermined intervals of time and an exposure time used in the second shooting. A notifying unit makes a notification of motion blur on the basis of the motion blur amount. The notifying unit changes a form of the notification in accordance with a magnitude of the motion blur amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukiko Kubo, Hironori Kaida
  • Patent number: 11818473
    Abstract: An ultrathin camera device is provided. The ultrathin camera device comprises an optical module including a microlens array in which microlenses are arranged, an image sensor that outputs electrical image signals by sensing light coming through the microlens array, spacers that form a focal length by separating the optical module from the image sensor, and a processor that outputs a final image by reconstructing array images generated from the image signals with a designated imaging process depending on a distance at which the object is located. Here, each microlens convexly protrudes toward the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ki-Hun Jeong, Kisoo Kim, Kyung-Won Jang, Sang-In Bae
  • Patent number: 11812149
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of lens elements, each lens element of the plurality of lens elements including a plurality of scatterers arranged to concentrate light incident on the image sensor; and a sensing element configured to sense light passing through the plurality of lens elements, wherein one lens element of the plurality of lens elements has a first focal length that is different from a second focal length of another lens element of the plurality of lens elements and is separated from the sensing element by the first focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Ho Cho, Kyuhwan Choi, Seunghoon Han
  • Patent number: 11812128
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determination and correction of boresight shift caused by the installation of an optical layer over a camera assembly. Some methods described include performing a first calibration prior to installation of the window, performing a second calibration after installation of the window, and comparing the first and second calibrations to determine a transformation that corrects for the boresight shift. Systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MOTIONAL AD LLC
    Inventors: Nijumudheen Muhassin, Jayesh Dwivedi, Yew Kwang Low
  • Patent number: 11812163
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a modulator, a first grating pattern constituted by a plurality of lines, and a second grating pattern having a phase deviating from a phase of the first grating pattern, and modulates light intensity. The imaging device receives a first image signal output by the first grating pattern and a second image signal output by the second grating pattern, calculates difference data and a range of a difference between the first image signal and the second image signal, generates and sets a data conversion parameter at a regular interval from the difference data that is continuously input on the basis of the range of the difference and the difference data, generates compression image data by using the difference data and the data conversion parameter, compresses the generated compression image data, and includes information indicating the range of the difference into the compressed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Mayumi Nakade, Yusuke Nakamura, Keisuke Inata
  • Patent number: 11812138
    Abstract: An image capture system provides automated prompts for aiding a user in capturing images for use in 3D model creation. While a user is preparing to capture an image, the system provides visual indications that indicate whether a quality-based condition is satisfied. Based on the visual indications, a user can determine whether an image, if captured, would likely be suitable for use in creating a 3D model. Determining if the quality-based condition is satisfied may include monitoring output generated by one or more sensors and comparing the output against a threshold value. Additionally, the system may analyze the visual content or metadata associated with an image to determine if the quality-based condition is satisfied and request user input to further identify certain image features that were identified by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hover Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Upendran, William Castillo, Derek Halliday
  • Patent number: 11796895
    Abstract: An image capture device is described that includes a body; a mounting structure that is connected to the body; an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA) that defines an optical axis and extends through the body and the mounting structure; and an accessory that is releasably connectable to the mounting structure via rotation through a range of motion less than approximately 90 degrees. The mounting structure and the accessory include corresponding angled bearing surfaces that are configured for engagement such that rotation of the accessory relative to the mounting structure creates a bearing effect that displaces the accessory along the optical axis to thereby reduce any axial force required during connection and disconnection of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Thomas, Jordan Zook Todd, Jesse Patterson, Nicholas Vitale, Joseph Tucker, Ian Griggs
  • Patent number: 11796722
    Abstract: One embodiment according to the technology of the present disclosure provides an optical element, an optical device, and an imaging apparatus, which can acquire a multispectral image having a good image quality. An optical element according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a frame having a plurality of aperture regions; and a plurality of optical filters that are mounted in the plurality of aperture regions, the plurality of optical filters including at least two types of filters having different wavelength ranges of transmitted light, and centroids of at least two types of aperture regions coincide with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Kishine, Kazuyoshi Okada, Atsushi Kawanago
  • Patent number: 11792497
    Abstract: A sensor lens assembly having a non-reflow configuration is provided. The sensor lens assembly includes a circuit board, an optical module fixed to a surface of the circuit board, a sensor chip assembled to the circuit board, a plurality of wires electrically coupling the sensor chip and the circuit board, a supporting adhesive layer, and a light-permeable sheet. The circuit board has a chip-receiving slot recessed in the surface thereof. The sensor chip is arranged in the chip-receiving slot, and a top surface of the sensor chip and the surface of the circuit board have a step difference therebetween that is less than or equal to 10 ?m. The supporting adhesive layer is in a ringed shape and is disposed on the top surface of the sensor chip. The light-permeable sheet is disposed on the supporting adhesive layer and faces the sensor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TONG HSING ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Shuai Chang, Chien-Chen Lee, Jui-Hung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11758282
    Abstract: A control apparatus provided in a lens apparatus controls a plurality of optical systems each including an aperture diaphragm which is variable in aperture diameter. A lens control unit sets driving amount information regarding the respective driving amounts of the aperture diaphragms, and sets driving speed of each of the aperture diaphragms based on the driving amount information. The lens control unit determines the driving speeds of the respective aperture diaphragms such that driving times of the aperture diaphragms of the plurality of optical systems match each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Sato