Patents Examined by Hung H. Lam
  • Patent number: 11095804
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic image capture are described herein. A user device may determine a reference orientation of the user device. The user device may monitor orientations of the user device as the user device is moved and/or rotated. Based on the reference orientation and the monitored orientations, the user device may determine to automatically capture images. The user device may organize captured images into a file for storing and/or sharing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Citrix Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Cao
  • Patent number: 11095840
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a voltage control unit. The acquisition unit acquires imaging-related information relating to imaging to be executed by an imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixel units that converts incident light into charges and accumulate the charges. The voltage control unit controls, on the basis of the acquired imaging-related information, a drive voltage for driving each of the plurality of pixel units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetaka Kaji
  • Patent number: 11089211
    Abstract: There are achieved an apparatus and a method for switching a color image-based composite image and a black-and-white image-based composite image at an optimum timing such that it is difficult for an observer to notice the switching of the images. A color image and a black-and-white image captured from different viewpoints are input to generate either of the following two types of composite images of (a) a color image-based composite image in which a position of the black-and-white image is adjusted to coincide with a position of the color image and (b) a black-and-white image-based composite image in which the position of the color image is adjusted to coincide with the position of the black-and-white image, by switching between the two types of composite images on the basis of a predetermined reference image switching threshold. In this configuration, a hysteresis is set as the reference image switching threshold, and the hysteresis is changed according to a situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Goshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11089195
    Abstract: A technique enhances security measures in the IoT by reducing leakage of private images and degraded security due to unauthorized image capturing, eliminates the possibility that an unintended image is captured and stored, and also shows people around the user that the camera function of an electronic device is not working. A camera module shielding mechanism for shielding a camera module by retracting the camera module into a housing of an electronic device includes a support member supporting the camera module, a slide support supporting the support member in a slidable manner, an urging member that urges the support member in a direction in which the camera module protrudes from the housing, a locking member that locks the support member with the camera module retracted in the housing, and an actuator that unlocks the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NIDEC COPAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenzo Imai, Koji Sawanobori, Nobuaki Watanabe, Daisuke Yaginuma
  • Patent number: 11089207
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an imaging processing method and apparatus for a camera module in a night scene, an electronic device and a storage medium. The method includes: detecting a current shake level of the camera module in a night scene shooting mode; determining, according to the current shake level of the camera module, a number of images to be collected and a reference sensitivity corresponding to each of the images to be collected; determining an exposure duration corresponding to each of the images to be collected according to an illuminance of a current shooting scene and the reference sensitivity corresponding to each of the image to be collected; collecting images in sequence according to the reference sensitivity and the exposure duration corresponding to each of the images to be collected; and performing a synthesis processing on the collected images to generate a target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yulu Wang
  • Patent number: 11057553
    Abstract: A device and a method for capturing media by using a device including a plurality of flaps are provided. At least two flaps among the plurality of flaps each include at least one camera. The method includes analyzing preview images of the cameras based on a first media capture mode, adjusting a bend angle between the at least two flaps based on the analysis of the preview images to determine at least one baseline distance, and obtaining at least one media in the first capture mode at the at least one baseline distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sourabh Singh Yadav, Pankaj Kumar Bajpai, Sarvesh, Pranav Prakash Deshpande, Lokesh Rayasandra Boregowda, Rituparna Sarkar
  • Patent number: 11057572
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided that adapt image capture operations to provide refined image capture capabilities. For example, an image capture device captures image data from a sensor operating at a first binning level. The image capture device receives a desired level of zoom, and determines whether the sensor is to be transitioned from the first binning level to a second binning level based on a binning transition threshold. If the sensor is to be transitioned, the image capture device adjusts one or more image capture operations, such as auto focus, automatic exposure, automatic gain, or automatic white balance, based on the desired level of zoom. After an amount of time, the image capture device transitions the sensor from the first binning level to the second binning level. The image capture device then captures image data from the sensor operating at the second binning level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hailong Wang, Lee-Kang Liu, Shizhong Liu, Weiliang Liu
  • Patent number: 11050928
    Abstract: There is provided an image capturing control apparatus. A first control unit performs control to repeatedly obtain an evaluation image using an image sensor. The evaluation image is used to obtain an evaluation value for controlling at least one of image capturing and development. An obtaining unit obtains the evaluation value on the basis of the evaluation image. A second control unit performs control to temporarily stop the obtainment of the evaluation image and use the image sensor to obtain, during a stopped period, a still image for recording. A generating unit generates an estimated evaluation image corresponding to the stopped period on the basis of two or more evaluation images obtained outside the stopped period. For the stopped period, the obtaining unit obtains the evaluation value on the basis of the estimated evaluation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Sakaida, Yasushi Ohwa
  • Patent number: 11044407
    Abstract: An image sensor may include a pixel array having an N×M array of merged pixels arranged in a Bayer pattern, each merged pixel including an k*l matrix of unit pixels of a same color, where k and l are integers greater than two; and an image signal processor to process signals output by the pixel array in accordance with a normal mode or a zoom-in mode. In the zoom-in mode, signals from the pixel array may be remosaiced such that signals corresponding to the unit pixels are arranged in a p*q matrix of unit pixels of a same color, wherein p is a non-negative integer that is less than k and q is a non-negative integer less than 1, the p*q matrixes being arranged in a Bayer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Yun Jeong, Je Suk Lee
  • Patent number: 11039081
    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor for exposing a plurality of pixel rows within a frame period using a rolling shutter. The image sensor includes a processor for calculating bright-dark distribution patterns of image frames. The processor further adjusts the frame period to be substantially identical to a predetermined period by changing a total number of exposed line times within the frame period when a difference between the bright-dark distribution patterns of two image frames is larger than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Han Yao
  • Patent number: 11032464
    Abstract: A depth measuring apparatus includes a camera assembly, a position sensor, and a controller. The camera assembly is configured to capture a plurality of images of a target at a plurality of distances from the target. The position sensor is configured to capture, for each of the plurality of images, corresponding position data associated with a relative distance between the camera assembly and the target. The controller is configured to, for each of a plurality of regions within the plurality of images: determine corresponding gradient values within the plurality of images; determine a corresponding maximum gradient value from the corresponding gradient values; and determine a depth measurement for the region based on the corresponding maximum gradient and the corresponding position data captured for an image from the plurality of images that includes the corresponding maximum gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ozkan Celik, Patricia A. Schulze, Gregory J. Freeman, Paul Z. Wirth, Tommaso Vercesi
  • Patent number: 11019279
    Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for digital image filtering and post-capture processing using user specific data. A computing device may include a camera that records media of a scene, including images or videos. A user may utilize the computing device to add filters, graphical overlays, or other effects to the recorded media, which may alter pixel data for pixels of the media or blend graphics into the media. When adding image effects to images, the device or a service provider that offers and image hosting and/or sharing platform may determine recommendations for particular image effects to use when recording and processing the image. The recommended effects may be based on effects used in past media, as well as user information, and may change an appearance of the output media in a particular way specific to the user, media, and/or scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventor: Megan Marie O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11019249
    Abstract: A 3D distance sensor projects a plurality of points of light onto a target. A 2D camera having a fixed position relative to the 3D distance sensor acquires a first image of the points on the target. A light receiving system of the 3D distance sensor acquires a second image of the points on the target. A set of 2D coordinates of a first point is associated with a distance coordinate of the first point to form a single set of coordinates for the first point. The set of 2D coordinates is obtained from the first image, and the distance coordinate is obtained from the second image. A relational expression is derived from the single set of coordinates and describes a relationship between a distance of the light receiving system to the target and a position of the first point on an image sensor of the 2D camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Magik Eye Inc.
    Inventor: Akiteru Kimura
  • Patent number: 11012646
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a vision sensor comprising, an array of pixels comprising rows and columns of pixels, wherein each pixel in the array comprises, a photosensor which is configured to output a current proportional to the intensity of light which is incident on the photosensor; a current source which is configured such that it can output a current which has a constant current level which is equal to the current level of the current output by the photosensor at a selected first instant in time, and can maintain that constant current level even if the level of the current output from the photosensor changes after said selected first instant in time; an integrator which is configured to integrate the difference between the level of current output by the current source and the level of current output by the photosensor, after the selected first instant in time; wherein the vision sensor further comprises a counter which can measure time, wherein the counter is configured such tha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Advanced Visual Sensing AG
    Inventors: Raphaël Berner, Marc Osswald
  • Patent number: 11003042
    Abstract: A switchable image capturing system is provided. Through modulating light by an electro-optical switch, the light intake received by the lens assembly and the image sensor may be changed. Specifically, when the electro-optical switch receives a positive voltage, the electro-optical switch obstructs the light so that the lens assembly and the image sensor are not able to image by receiving the light; when the electro-optical switch receives a negative voltage, the electro-optical switch allows the light to pass through so that the lens assembly and the image sensor is able to image by receiving the light. Through the configuration in the aforementioned statements, the image time of the image sensor may be controlled to interrupt or continue filming according to the user's needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ability Opto-Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeong-Ming Chang, Chien-Hsun Lai, Yao-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 10999481
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a projected image input unit that inputs a projected image formed by light incident on a Fresnel zone plate from a subject, a complex image generation unit that generates a complex image including an image of a real part and an image of an imaginary part by multiplying the projected image with each of a first Fresnel zone pattern and a second Fresnel zone pattern having the same local spatial frequency in each region and a different phase of the local spatial frequency with respect to the first Fresnel zone pattern, and a Fourier transformation unit that reconstructs an image of a spatial domain by performing two-dimensional complex Fourier transformation on the complex image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Kishine, Yosuke Naruse
  • Patent number: 10986278
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an aperture stop, configured to form an image via the aperture stop and detachably mountable to a camera apparatus, a storage storing correction data for correcting image data obtained by image pickup by the camera apparatus, with respect to a light amount distribution in the image; and a communication device configured to transmit the correction data to an external apparatus. The correction data includes a coefficient of an n-th order polynomial (n is a non-negative integer) with respect to an image height, which corresponds to each of a plurality of states of the aperture stop. Minimum F-numbers at a wide angle end a telephoto end, focal lengths at the wide angle end and at the telephoto end, and F-numbers corresponding to the correction data are appropriately set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazufumi Goto, Tomoya Yamada
  • Patent number: 10979619
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor, a display, a processor; and a memory holding a program which makes the processor function as a focus detection unit for detecting a focus position of the imaging lens, an imaging control unit configured to carry out the focus bracketing, and a display control unit configured to cause the display device to display a guide indicating a first area and a second area before the focus bracketing is carried out, the first area being an area in which an object suitable for focus detection of the imaging lens by the focus detection unit is arranged, and the second area being an area in which an object suitable for a user to determine an image that is in focus is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Watanabe, Takuya Izumi, Hirohito Kai
  • Patent number: 10972710
    Abstract: A control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control apparatus that controls an imaging device including a variable optical lowpass filter and an imaging element that generates image data from light incident via the variable optical lowpass filter. This control apparatus includes a first deriving unit and a second deriving unit. The first deriving unit derives a resolution deterioration amount and a false color generation amount on the basis of a plurality of pieces of image data generated by the imaging element through driving the imaging element while changing an effect of the variable optical lowpass filter. The second deriving unit derives a set value of the variable optical lowpass filter on the basis of the resolution deterioration amount and the false color generation amount derived by the first deriving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shohei Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10965866
    Abstract: An image generation system according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a first processing unit, and a second processing unit. The acquisition unit acquires first image data. The first processing unit generates second image data by subjecting the first image data, acquired by the acquisition unit, to a predetermined type of image processing. The second processing unit performs recognition processing on the second image data. The first processing unit and the second processing unit perform their respective processing in synchronization with each other without depending on an instruction from a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yudai Ishibashi