Patents Examined by Gary C. Vieaux
  • Patent number: 11743614
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device that includes a substrate having a pixel array unit sectioned into a matrix, a plurality of normal pixels, a plurality of phase difference detection pixels, and a plurality of adjacent pixels adjacent to the phase difference detection pixels, each provided in each of the plurality of sections, in which each of the normal pixel, the phase difference detection pixel, and the adjacent pixel has a photoelectric conversion film, and an upper electrode and a lower electrode that sandwich the photoelectric conversion film in a thickness direction of the photoelectric conversion film, and the lower electrode, in the adjacent pixel, extends from the section in which the adjacent pixel is provided to cover the section in which the phase difference detection pixel adjacent to the adjacent pixel is provided, when viewed from above the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinpei Fukuoka, Hideaki Togashi, Yoshihiro Ando, Masashi Nakata
  • Patent number: 11743563
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of improving heat dissipation while reducing a cost and securing reliability of flange back. The image pickup apparatus includes a lens mount to which a lens unit is attachable, and a housing that is formed by inserting a metal member into a resin member and that has a mount portion to which the lens mount is attached. The metal member has a first planar portion that is perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens unit and a second planar portion including at least one planar plate that is bent in an optical axis direction from the first planar portion. The at least one planar plate is inserted into the mount portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shimpei Ishikawa, Gen Kitamura, Dai Naito
  • Patent number: 11726389
    Abstract: Provided are a lens device, an imaging apparatus, an optical member, an imaging method, and an imaging program that are used to acquire multispectral images having a good image quality. According to one aspect, a lens device includes: an imaging optical system that includes a lens forming an optical image of a subject; and an optical member that is disposed near a pupil of the imaging optical system in a state where an optical axis of the optical member coincides with an optical axis of the imaging optical system, and includes a frame that includes a plurality of aperture regions, a plurality of optical filters that are disposed in at least one of the plurality of aperture regions and include two or more optical filters transmitting light having at least some wavelength ranges different from each other, and a plurality of polarizing filters that are disposed in at least one of the plurality of aperture regions and have different polarization directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawanago, Kazuyoshi Okada, Yasunobu Kishine, Yuya Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 11722786
    Abstract: A filter insertion/removal unit that is capable of removing and inserting a variable neutral density filter having a variable transmittance from and into the incident light path of object light to an imaging device unit is instructed to insert the variable neutral density filter, and a variable transmittance drive unit is instructed to lower the transmittance of the variable neutral density filter, both on the basis of detection of a transmittance lowering operation of an operating unit. Also, the variable transmittance drive unit is instructed to raise the transmittance of the variable neutral density filter, and the filter insertion/removal unit is instructed to remove the variable neutral density filter from the incident light path, both on the basis of detection of a transmittance raising operation of the operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Junki Yoshimuta, Tetsuo Morimoto, Koji Morioka
  • Patent number: 11711603
    Abstract: An image head including a housing, side rails, a port, and internal componentry. The housing includes a first side and a second side located opposite the second side. The side rails are located on or within the first side, the second side, or both and the side rails are configured to provide sliding directional control of the image head when connecting to a base. The port is configured to electrically connect the image head to the base. The internal componentry includes a printed circuit board; an integrated lens and sensor assembly (ISLA) configured to generate an image; and memory located on the printed circuit board configured to store the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Santos, Nicholas Vitale, Joseph Tucker
  • Patent number: 11706508
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present application relates to a camera, comprising a first housing, a stitching lens mechanism, and a driving assembly. The stitching lens mechanism is mounted in the first housing, and the stitching lens mechanism comprises at least two first assemblies, the first lens assembly comprises a first lens, a first included angle is formed between at least two first lenses. A driving assembly is connected to the first lens assembly through a rotating assembly. At least two first lenses are distributed in a first plane, the first housing is rotatably arranged in a second plane, and the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane. Each of the first lens assemblies takes pictures in different orientations for the same scene, so that the imaging field of view is larger. So that the first housing can rotate under the drive of the driving assembly, that is, the stitching lens mechanism can rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng Xu, Zhan Ye, Caisheng Yan, Hongjie Guan, Yang Li, Yufei Ma
  • Patent number: 11706514
    Abstract: A camera module and a molded photosensitive assembly and manufacturing methods thereof, and an electronic device are disclosed. The molded photosensitive assembly includes an imaging assembly, a molded base and a filter assembly. The imaging assembly includes a circuit board and at least one photosensitive element, and each photosensitive element is conductively connected to the circuit board. The molded base has at least one stepped peripheral groove to define a light window through each stepped peripheral groove, the molded base embeds a part of the imaging assembly, and a photosensitive region of each photosensitive element respectively corresponds to each light window of the molded base. The filter assembly includes at least one filter element, and each filter element is correspondingly arranged in each stepped peripheral groove of the molded base, so that each filter element respectively corresponds to each light window of the molded base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhen Huang, Qimin Mei, Bojie Zhao, Zhewen Mei, Li Liu, Jiawei Chen, Chenxiang Xu
  • Patent number: 11700443
    Abstract: Systems and processes for cameras with a reconfigurable lens assembly are described. For example, some methods include automatically detecting that an accessory lens structure has been mounted to an image capture device including a mother lens and an image sensor configured to detect light incident through the mother lens, such that an accessory lens of the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; responsive to detecting that the accessory lens structure has been mounted, automatically identifying the accessory lens from among a set of multiple supported accessory lenses; accessing an image captured using the image sensor when the accessory lens structure is positioned covering the mother lens; determining a warp mapping based on identification of the accessory lens; applying the warp mapping to the image to obtain a warped image; and transmitting, storing, or displaying an output image based on the warped image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingrid Anda Cotoros, Jonathan Stern
  • Patent number: 11695915
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning a lens module with respect to an image sensor includes a holographic film including a test chart pattern from which a virtual image of the test chart pattern may be generated, and a light source for illuminating the holographic film. An image sensor holder is provided for mounting the image sensor and a lens module holder is configured and positioned for mounting the lens module between the holographic film and the image sensor such that the virtual image of the test chart pattern is viewable by the image sensor through the lens module. The virtual image thus viewable by the image sensor through the lens module is located at a virtual distance from the image sensor that is different from a physical position of the holographic film for aligning the lens module with respect to the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: ASMPT SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Wui Fung Sze, Jiangwen Deng, Hei Lam Chang
  • Patent number: 11696008
    Abstract: A method of assembling an image capture device that includes: positioning a first sealing member between a front housing portion and a mounting structure; connecting the mounting structure to the front housing portion such that the first sealing member forms a watertight seal therebetween; positioning a second sealing member between the mounting structure and an integrated sensor-lens assembly (ISLA); orienting the second sealing member such that a locating feature extending rearwardly from the mounting structure is aligned with a notch defined by the second sealing member to facilitate proper relative orientation of the mounting structure and the second sealing member; connecting the ISLA to the mounting structure such that the locating feature is positioned within the notch and the second sealing member forms a watertight seal between the ISLA and the mounting structure; and connecting a rear housing portion to the front housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Vitale
  • Patent number: 11689793
    Abstract: A camera module according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include: a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a first image sensor and a second image sensor disposed on the PCB, a lens holder having an upper plate facing and spaced apart from the PCB and a sidewall extending from an edge of the upper plate toward the PCB, wherein the upper plate includes a first through-hole and a second through-hole aligned to the first image sensor and the second image sensor, respectively, a first lens assembly including a first lens system and a first barrel accommodating the first lens system, and assembled to the first through-hole to be aligned with the first image sensor, and a second lens assembly including a second lens system and a second barrel accommodating the second lens system, and assembled to the second through-hole to be aligned with the second image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeongeun Lee, Yongwook Jang, Wonchul Cho
  • Patent number: 11683571
    Abstract: An optical path change module includes: a first rotation holder; a reflection member disposed on the first rotation holder, and configured to change a path of light; a second rotation holder configured to support the first rotation holder; and a module case accommodating the second rotation holder. The first rotation holder is coupled to the second rotation holder, and configured to rotate around a first pivot axis. The second rotation holder is coupled to the module case, and configured to rotate around a second pivot axis intersecting the first pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Viatcheslav Smirnov
  • Patent number: 11665325
    Abstract: A device configured to capture a first image and to project a second image, the device comprising a support; a camera configured to capture, or a first mirror configured to capture and reflect towards a camera, a first image of a work area, the camera or the first mirror being mounted on the support; and a projector configured to project, or a second mirror configured to reflect and project, a second image on the work area, the projector or the second mirror being mounted on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SOCIÉTÉ BIC
    Inventors: Etienne Roudaut, Loïc Folgoas
  • Patent number: 11656538
    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: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Ephraim Goldenberg, Michael Scherer
  • Patent number: 11647299
    Abstract: An imaging device including pixels each including: a photoelectric converter including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second electrode of each of the pixels being electrically connected to each other; and a transistor having a gate electrically connected to the first electrode. The imaging device further including voltage supply circuitry electrically connected to the second electrode, in which the voltage supply circuitry supplies a first voltage to the second electrode in an exposure period, the voltage supply circuitry supplies a second voltage to the second electrode in a non-exposure period, an a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode in the non-exposure period is less than a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode in the exposure period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyake, Masashi Murakami, Tokuhiko Tamaki, Yoshiaki Satou
  • Patent number: 11637966
    Abstract: An object is to improve accuracy of autofocus control. Accordingly, an imaging device according to the present technology includes an autofocus control unit that performs operation of autofocus according to a predetermined manipulation, and a diaphragm mechanism control unit that performs opening and closing control of a diaphragm mechanism according to an amplification factor of a distance measurement signal during the operation of autofocus. Thus, during the operation of autofocus, control different from control of the diaphragm mechanism based on an imaging setting is performed, and accuracy of the autofocus control is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikara Ohishi, Yoshinori Yamatsuta
  • Patent number: 11630376
    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: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Thomas, Jordan Zook Todd, Jesse Patterson, Nicholas Vitale, Joseph Tucker, Ian Griggs
  • Patent number: 11632450
    Abstract: An electronic device, method and computer program product provide an image capturing device having a lens assembly including a lens and lens housing that supports the lens. The lens housing has an opening that exposes the lens. A planar exterior surface of the electronic device extends across the lens assembly and includes a slit aperture that is smaller than the opening in the lens housing of the image capturing device. The slit aperture directs only a corresponding portion of light from in front of the planar exterior surface through the opening to the lens. The slit aperture enables at least one of: (i) reducing noticeability of the image capturing device; and (ii) use of an adjacent portion of the planar exterior surface for an aesthetic or functional component. An image from the image capturing device is sharpened along a longer dimension of the slit aperture to remove asymmetric blur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Cole P Sheldon, Zetong Gu, John Pincenti, Emily Yang
  • Patent number: 11632514
    Abstract: First and second readout circuits, each having a respective floating diffusion node, are coupled to a photodetection element within a pixel of an integrated-circuit image sensor. Following an exposure interval in which photocharge is accumulated within the photodetection element, a first portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the first floating diffusion node to enable generation of a first output signal within the first readout circuit, and a second portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the second floating diffusion node to enable generation of a second output signal within the second readout circuit. A digital pixel value is generated based on the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Gigajot Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaju Ma, Saleh Masoodian
  • Patent number: 11627384
    Abstract: A multi-lens camera module and its multi-lens camera module conjoined stand, and the application thereof. The multi-lens camera module includes at least two lens assemblies, at least two photosensitive assemblies and an integrated multi-lens camera module conjoined stand. The multi-lens camera module conjoined stand has an upside and a downside. Each lens assembly is connected to the upside of the multi-lens camera module conjoined stand. Each photosensitive assembly is connected to the downside of the multi-lens camera module conjoined stand. Each of the camera assembly is located along a path of photoreception of the respective photosensitive assembly. By this means, technical defects in the conventional art, including positional deviations and angle deviations among stands when separate stands are connected, can be avoided. Therefore, the imaging quality of the multi-lens camera module is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NINGBO SUNNY OPOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouwen Zhang, Keqiang Xiong, Bojie Zhao, Mingzhu Wang