Patents Examined by Hung H. Lam
  • Patent number: 11722791
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a ranging device includes storage and a processor. The storage is configured to store a statistical model generated by learning a bokeh that occurs in a first image affected by aberration of an optical system of a capture unit. The processor is configured to acquire a second image captured by the capture unit, acquire focus position information when the second image was captured, acquire a bokeh value indicating a bokeh of a subject in the second image, which is output from the statistical model by inputting the acquired second image to the statistical model, and convert the acquired bokeh value into a distance to the subject based on the acquired focus position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masako Kashiwagi, Nao Mishima, Akihito Seki
  • Patent number: 11722804
    Abstract: The need for miniaturizing camera modules is to be effectively satisfied. There are provided a pixel unit, an image processing unit that processes an image signal generated by the pixel unit, an encoding unit that encodes the image signal processed by the image processing unit, and an address assignment unit that assigns an address to a compressed signal encoded by the encoding unit. The pixel unit is provided on a first substrate. The image processing unit, the encoding unit, and the address assignment unit are provided on a second substrate to be stacked on the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noritaka Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11711607
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an information processing apparatus comprising a communication circuit and a control circuit is provided. The control circuit transmits reduced image data of captured image data, to a first external apparatus through the communication circuit; receives, from the first external apparatus, a result of evaluation processing applied to the reduced image data; on the basis of the result of the evaluation processing, determines whether to apply image processing to the captured image data corresponding to the reduced image data, by a second external apparatus; transmits the captured image data that is determined to be applied the image processing, to the second external apparatus through the communication circuit; and receives, from the second external apparatus, a result of the image processing applied to the captured image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Honda, Hiroshi Ogino
  • Patent number: 11711611
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus capable of performing highly-accurate focus detection at a high frame rate with minimal time lag is provided with a focus position detection unit configured to calculate a focus position by using an image via an image capturing optical system, an aberration information acquisition unit configured to acquire aberration information of the image capturing optical system, a color information acquisition unit configured to acquire color information of a subject in a focus detection region, a first correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a first correction value for correcting the focus position based on the aberration information, a second correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a second correction value for correcting the focus position based on the first correction value and the color information, and a correction unit configured to correct the focus position by using the second correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11706506
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus that captures a multispectral image having a good image quality. An imaging apparatus (1) includes an imaging optical system (10) that includes a pupil region which is split into a plurality of regions including a first pupil region and a second pupil region different from the first pupil region, and a polarization filter which polarizes light beams passing through the first pupil region and the second pupil region in directions different from each other, an imaging element (100) that includes a first pixel which receives the light beam passing through the first pupil region and a second pixel which receives the light beam passing through the second pupil region, and a signal processing unit (200) that processes signals output from the imaging element (100), and outputs at least first image data consisting of an output signal of the first pixel and second image data consisting of an output signal of the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Okada, Yasunobu Kishine, Atsushi Kawanago
  • Patent number: 11706525
    Abstract: An image sensor including a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of color filters, a plurality of first lenses and a second lens is provided. The semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of sensing pixels arranged in array, and each of the plurality of sensing pixels respectively includes a plurality of image sensing units and a plurality of phase detection units. The color filters at least cover the plurality of image sensing units. The first lenses are disposed on the plurality of color filters. Each of the plurality of first lenses respectively covers one of the plurality of image sensing units. The second lens is disposed on the plurality of color filters and the second lens covers the plurality of phase detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Chun-Hao Chou, Hsin-Chi Chen, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsun-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 11693207
    Abstract: An imaging device and a focusing control method are provided. The imaging device includes: an imaging element, having pixels including phase-difference detecting pixels and imaging a subject through an imaging optical system including a focus lens; and a focusing controller, selectively performing focusing control using a phase difference AF method or focusing control using a contrast AF method in a mode in which focusing control for focusing on a main subject by driving the focus lens is continuously performed multiple times. The focusing controller performs the focusing control using the contrast AF method in a case where a state in which a degree of reliability of the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is equal to or less than a threshold value persists N times (N=2 or more), while the focusing control using the phase difference AF method is continuously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 11693209
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11695889
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for selection of a preferred image from multiple captured images. An image corresponding to a photograph time t=0 may be retrieved from a circular buffer and stored as a preferred image. Alterative images captures before and after the t=0 image may be retrieves and stored in an alternative image location. The t=0 image and preferred images may be presented to a user in a user interface. The user may select a preferred image for the photograph from among the t=0 image and the alternative images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John James Terrill, Vivek Shah, Christopher Frederick Vitas, Samir Raj Hegde, Kadirvelu Rathnavelu, Jason Garrett Volpe, Jonathan Edward Suchland
  • Patent number: 11696038
    Abstract: Color and exposure matching for systems, such as a videoconferencing endpoint, that have overlapping camera fields of view. The geometric relationships between the overlapping cameras are used to determine correction processing. For each camera, histograms are developed for the overlapping cameras. A dynamic threshold is determined for each histogram. Using the dynamic threshold, peak detection is performed on each histogram. Using the geometric relationships, expected histogram relationships are determined. The actual histogram relationships are compared to the expected relationships, with further processing based on the correctness of the comparison. In some of the cases of further processing, peaks of the histograms are compared to find matching and non-matching peaks. Various ratios of pixels in the various peaks are used to determine needed changes to respective cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Plantronics Inc.
    Inventors: James Miles Bousquet, Joseph Daniel Friel, George D. Wilson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11689819
    Abstract: Video or image capture device and method of operation of the capture device are described. One example method includes determining, for a video capture by a capture device, a capture orientation mode setting of the capture device, capturing a video using one of a first camera or a second camera based on the capture orientation mode and a current orientation of the capture device, wherein the video is in the capture orientation mode, and storing, after capturing, the video in a video file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Donald Siu
  • Patent number: 11678043
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor module. In some aspects, a sensor module may include a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device. The collar may include a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening. The sensor module may include a sensor embedded in the collar. The sensor may be aligned with the second opening of the collar. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell Gruhlke, Jon Lasiter, Ravindra Vaman Shenoy, Ravishankar Sivalingam, Kebin Li, Khurshid Syed Alam
  • Patent number: 11675157
    Abstract: The present embodiments relates to a lens driving device including: a housing; a bobbin disposed in the housing; a coil disposed on the bobbin; a first magnet which is disposed on the housing and faces the coil; a second magnet disposed on the bobbin; and a sensor which is disposed on the housing and faces the second sensor, wherein the sensor includes an upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface, an inner surface facing the second magnet, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, and both lateral surfaces connecting the inner surface with the outer surface, the upper surface and the lower surface of the sensor are fixed to the housing, and one of the side surfaces of the sensor is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Cheol Kim, Jin Suk Han, Sang Ok Park, Tae Bong Park, Seung Taek Shin
  • Patent number: 11670112
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first detection circuits that detect a predetermined partial area from image data separately using a first method and a second method; and second detection circuits that detect a predetermined feature area from data of the detected partial areas. The apparatus selects, as a final detection result of the feature area, one of a detection result of the feature area for the partial area detected using the first method and a detection result of the feature area for the partial area detected using the second method, wherein the partial areas are related to an identical subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11665438
    Abstract: An electronic device according to the present invention, includes at least one memory and at least one processor which function as: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first line-of-sight information and a second line-of-sight information generated by mutually different statistical methods as line-of-sight information relating to a line of sight of a user looking at a display surface; and a processing unit configured to perform first processing on a basis of the first line-of-sight information and second processing different from the first processing on a basis of the second line-of-sight information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihito Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11665322
    Abstract: The monitoring camera is capable of performing artificial intelligence, and includes a capturing unit configured to capture an image of the imaging area, a detection unit configured to detect a person in the captured image of the imaging area based on the artificial intelligence, and a controller configured to determine a position of a face of the person in the captured image and determines a camera parameter of the monitoring camera based on a brightness or a moving speed of the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: I-PRO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Koga, Jun Ikeda, Satoshi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 11663691
    Abstract: An image restoration apparatus generates a plurality of warped images by warping each of a plurality of input images based on respective depths corresponding to a plurality of disparities, and generates an output image with a high resolution based on the plurality of input images and the plurality of warped images using an image restoration model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seho Lee, Yang Ho Cho, Deokyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 11659271
    Abstract: An electronic device and method are provided. The electronic device includes a camera, a touchscreen display, and a processor configured to display, on the touchscreen display, a screen including at least one target object image corresponding to at least one subject obtained by the camera and at least one graphical object configured to capture the at least one subject in response to receiving an input, identify that the at least one target object image is resized according to a movement of at least one of the electronic device or the at least one subject, and in response to identifying the resizing of the at least one target object image, change a property of the screen by resizing the at least one graphical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hwajun Lee, Saebyuk Sheen, Jaehan Lee, Taehee Hwang
  • Patent number: 11659299
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a unit pixel including a pixel electrode, a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the pixel electrode, and a signal detection circuit electrically connected to the charge accumulation region; a counter electrode facing the pixel electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer disposed between the electrodes; and a voltage supply circuit configured to selectively apply any one of first, second, and third voltages between the electrodes. The photoelectric conversion layer exhibits first and second wavelength sensitivity characteristics in a wavelength range when the voltage supply circuit applies the first and second voltages between the electrodes, respectively, and becomes insensitive to light in the wavelength range when the voltage supply circuit applies the third voltage between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Machida, Takeyoshi Tokuhara, Manabu Nakata, Sanshiro Shishido, Masaaki Yanagida, Masumi Izuchi
  • Patent number: 11644606
    Abstract: An image sensor configured to resolve intensity and polarization has multiple pixels each having a single microlens adapted to focus light on a central photodiode surrounded by at least a first, a second, a third, and a fourth peripheral photodiodes, where a first polarizer at a first angle is disposed upon the first peripheral photodiode, a third polarizer at a third angle is disposed upon the third peripheral photodiode, a second polarizer at a second angle is disposed upon the second peripheral photodiode, and a fourth polarizer at a fourth angle is disposed upon the fourth peripheral photodiode, the first, second, third, and fourth angles being different. In embodiments, 4 or 8 peripheral photodiodes are provided, and in an embodiment the polarizers are parts of an octagonal polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Lenchenkov