Patents Examined by James M. Hannett
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Patent number: 10827105Abstract: A less conspicuous lens module able to approach closer to a corner of a display screen on an electronic device includes a circuit board, a carrier, and a lens assembly. The circuit board includes a first hard board portion. The carrier is disposed on the first hard board portion, and the lens assembly is disposed on the carrier. The first hard board portion, the carrier, and the lens assembly all have a cutaway structure at their edges. The cutaway structures of the first hard board portion, the carrier, and the lens assembly are consistent in shape and size and are aligned with each other. An electronic device using such a lens module is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.Inventors: Kun Li, Shin-Wen Chen, Xiao-Mei Ma, Long-Fei Zhang
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Patent number: 10827138Abstract: A photodetector arrangement having adjustable output, comprises a photodetector having an array of pixels wherein each pixel. The pixels are arranged to convert electromagnetic radiation into an analog detection data signal, respectively. A readout circuit is coupled to the photodetector and comprises a receiving component and a combining component. The receiving component is arranged to read out detection data signals, to select at least one detection data signal depending on a control signal and to adjust gain and polarity of the selected detection data signal. The combining component is arranged to combine the detection data signals into one or more output signals to be provided at one or more output terminals. A control unit is coupled to the readout circuit via a control terminal and is arranged to provide the control signal at the readout circuit depending on a set of instructions.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: ams International AGInventors: Todd Bishop, Glenn Lee, Dan Jacobs
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Patent number: 10819931Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a storing unit configured to store a photoelectric conversion signal from the photoelectric conversion unit; a first amplifier transistor configured to output a photoelectric conversion signal from the storing unit; a transistor configured to write an output signal of the first amplifier transistor to a first terminal of a holding capacitor; a second amplifier transistor, a gate of which is connected to the first terminal, and which is configured to output a voltage in accordance with a voltage of the first terminal; and a control unit configured to switch a voltage of a second terminal of the holding capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuhito Goden, Hidekazu Takahashi
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Patent number: 10812708Abstract: An imaging device may have an array of image sensor pixels. The array of image sensor pixels may have main pixels and reference pixels that are overlapped by optical stacks. The reference pixels may be more resistant to weathering, such as solar degradation, than the main pixels. For example, optical stacks overlapping the main pixels may include antireflection coatings, while optical stacks overlapping the reference pixels may not include antireflection coatings. Alternatively or additionally, the optical stacks overlapping the main pixels may include color filter resist formed from a first pigment, and the optical stacks overlapping the reference pixels may include color filter resist formed from a second pigment that is more resistant to weathering than the first pigment. Processing circuitry may compare outputs of the main pixels and the reference pixels to determine whether pixels in the array have been damaged.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Richard Scott Johnson
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Patent number: 10805596Abstract: A stereoscopic image sensor apparatus including a pair of image sensors adjacently fabricated on a common carrier is disclosed, the common carrier being a diced portion of a carrier on which an aligned plurality of image sensors have been fabricated within an alignment tolerance, the alignment tolerance including a target lateral offset between the adjacent image sensors, and a target orientation between corresponding rows of light sensitive elements on the adjacent image sensors. An alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes a common window having first and second image sensors bonded to the common window within the alignment tolerance. Another alternative stereoscopic image sensor apparatus includes rear faces of respective first and second image sensors being bonded to a common circuit substrate within the alignment tolerance. Methods for fabricating the stereoscopic image sensors are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: TITAN MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Randal B. Chinnock, Jason P. Julian, George Grubner, William L. Weber
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Patent number: 10791277Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media configured to determine parameters for image acquisition. One or more image sensors are each arranged to capture a set of images of a scene, and each image sensor comprises a set of adjustable imaging parameters. A projector is configured to project a moving pattern on the scene, wherein the projector comprises a set of adjustable projector parameters. The set of adjustable projector parameters and the set of adjustable imaging parameters are determined, based on a set of one or more constraints, to reduce noise in 3D data generated based on the set of images.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventors: Robert Wolff, Thomas Penny, Marcus Große
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Patent number: 10791265Abstract: A system for capturing images of damage to an object configured to (i) store an orientation model associated with an object; (ii) receive, from a user, a request to analyze damage to the object; (iii) instruct the user to position a camera at a first position relative to the object; (iv) receive an image of the object from the camera; (v) determine whether the received image is properly framed; (vi) if the received image is not properly framed, instruct the user to adjust the position of the camera; and (vii) if the received image is properly framed, instruct the user to position the camera at a second position relative to the object. As a result, obtaining images of sufficient quality for proper processor analysis may be facilitated.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Holly Lambert, Shane Tomlinson, Daniel J. Green, Bradley A. Sliz, Marigona Bokshi-Drotar, Holly Kay Sanderson, Derek Lawless, He Yang, Jennifer Malia Andrus
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Patent number: 10776620Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for imaging identification information. In one aspect, a video stream of a credential document is obtained via a camera. It is determined whether the video stream of the credential document meets one or more imaging criteria. In accordance with a determination that the imaging criteria are not satisfied, a first indication that the credential document is not ready to be imaged is presented. In accordance with a determination that the imaging criteria are satisfied a second indication that the credential document is ready to be imaged is presented.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: JUMIO CORPORATIONInventor: Daniel Herbert Mattes
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Patent number: 10778921Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes an A/D converter per column. The A/D converter performs a first A/D conversion that (i) refines, using a first comparator, a range including a potential of an analog signal to a range of a potential corresponding to a difference between a first potential and a second potential through a binary search, and further (ii) generates, based on a result of the binary search, a first digital signal being a high-order portion of a digital signal. The A/D converter also performs a second A/D conversion that generates, based on a ramp signal and the result of the binary search, a second digital signal being a low-order portion of a remainder of the digital signal, by measuring a time necessary for an output of a second comparator to be inverted.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Abe, Kazuko Nishimura, Hiroshi Fujinaka, Masahiro Higuchi, Dai Ichiryu
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Patent number: 10771723Abstract: An image sensor pixel may include a photodiode, a floating diffusion, and a transfer gate. Column readout circuitry coupled to the image sensor pixel via a column line. Voltage settling circuitry may be coupled to the column line. Voltage settling circuitry may include a pre-charging circuit, a reset voltage slew boosting circuit, and an image signal voltage slew boosting circuit. The pre-charging circuit may pull down the column line voltage to a grounding voltage. The reset voltage slew boosting circuit may pull up the column line voltage to a reference voltage near a reset level voltage. The image signal voltage slew boosting circuit may pull down the column line voltage to an additional reference voltage near an image signal voltage. With the use of the voltage settling circuitry, a faster pre-charge and clamping of the column line can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Ishwar Chandra Mudegowdar
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Patent number: 10769431Abstract: A device for capturing rendered text is described. The device incorporates one or more visual sensors that receive visual information as a part of capturing rendered text. The visual sensors are collectively capable of capturing both text that is permanently printed on a page, and text that is displayed transitorily on a dynamic device. The device further incorporates a visual information disposition subsystem for disposing of visual information received by the visual sensors. The device further incorporates a package that bears the visual sensors and the visual information disposition subsystem, and is suitable to be held in a human hand.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Martin T. King, Dale L. Grover, Clifford A. Kushler, James Q. Stafford-Fraser
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Patent number: 10771667Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a first cover defining one surface, a second cover defining an opposite surface, and a camera assembly of which at least a portion is arranged in a space between the first cover and the second cover. The camera assembly includes a metal plate arranged substantially parallel to the first cover, a printed circuit board arranged between the first cover and the metal plate, the printed circuit board having an opening arranged substantially at a center, and at least one through-hole arranged outside the opening, an image sensor arranged in the opening and attached to the metal plate, a lens assembly arranged adjacent to the image sensor, and a side surface that surrounds at least a portion of the image sensor and the lens assembly. At least a portion of the side surface passes through the through-hole to be connected to the metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hwa-Joong Jung, Sung-Goo Her, Hyung-Jin Rho
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Patent number: 10764508Abstract: An apparatus provides a unit capable of improving gradation characteristics of a plurality of images (crop images) even in a case where a plurality of users individually performs cropping (cutting out) on a distributed image, calculates a target gradation range based on histograms of the regions cropped by the plurality of users, and executes gradation conversion based on an overlapping ratio of the plurality of target gradation ranges.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirotaka Omori
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Patent number: 10764446Abstract: [Object] To propose an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program capable of efficiently transmitting captured images between devices connected via a network even when a moving image or a plurality of still images are captured as a series of images. [Solution] The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a series of images captured by an imaging unit in accordance with a predetermined operation mode on the basis of an instruction from an external device connected via a network; and a transmission control unit configured to transmit a series of thumbnail images corresponding to the series of images to the external device via the network. The transmission control unit transmits at least some of the series of images to the external device via the network in accordance with an instruction from the external device to which the series of thumbnail images has been transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masanori Kasa, Yoshihiro Otsuka
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Patent number: 10750104Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus and a driving method that can perform imaging at lower power consumption. By providing the solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel array section on which a plurality of SPAD pixels is two-dimensionally arranged, in which in a case where illuminance becomes first illuminance higher than reference illuminance, a part of the SPAD pixels of the plurality of pixels arranged on the pixel array section is thinned, it is possible to image at lower power consumption. The present technology can be applied to an image sensor, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Fumiaki Sano
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Patent number: 10742905Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array unit including a plurality of pixels each including a plurality of photoelectric converters, and a signal processing unit including an analog-digital conversion unit, wherein a part of the pixels outputs a first analog signal based on electric charge generated at N photoelectric converters, and a second analog signal based on electric charge generated at M (M is an integer larger than N) photoelectric converters including the N photoelectric converters, other part of the pixels outputs the second analog signal, the number of the second analog signals output to the signal processing unit is larger than the number of the first analog signals output to the signal processing unit, and the signal processing unit receives the first and the second analog signals from each of the part of the pixels before the analog-digital conversion unit ends analog-digital conversion of the first analog signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koichiro Iwata, Tomoya Kumagai
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Patent number: 10742854Abstract: The present application discloses an imaging camera, including in a sequence: a first lens, a shielding, and a second lens. The shielding includes a first part extending horizontally, and a second part obliquely extending from the first part toward an optical axis of the imaging camera, and a third part extending horizontally from the second part toward the optical axis. Each of the first and second lenses includes a plane abutting against the first part and another plane abutting against the third part.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: AAC Optics Solutions Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Chuandong Wei
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Patent number: 10733472Abstract: A hand-held or otherwise portable or spatial or temporal performance-based image capture device includes one or more lenses, an aperture and a main sensor for capturing an original main image. A secondary sensor and optical system are for capturing a reference image that has temporal and spatial overlap with the original image. The device performs an image processing method including capturing the main image with the main sensor and the reference image with the secondary sensor, and utilizing information from the reference image to enhance the main image. The main and secondary sensors are contained together within a housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: FotoNation LimitedInventors: Adrian Zamfir, Petronel Bigioi, Peter Corcoran, Alexandru Drimbarean, Eran Steinberg
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Patent number: 10728447Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method for capturing an image. The method includes generating a first control signal configured to cause a rolling shutter camera to capture an image of a subject over a first time period. The method also includes generating, at a first time point during the first time period, a second control signal configured to set a multi-spectral illumination source at a first intensity level. The multi-spectral illumination source is configured to illuminate the subject. The method further includes generating, at a second time point during the first time period, a third control signal configured to set the multi-spectral illumination source at a second intensity level that is less than the first intensity level. A portion of the image captured by the rolling shutter camera between the first and second time points includes a target feature associated with the subject.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITEDInventors: Zikomo Fields, Yash Joshi
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Patent number: 10728465Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a device for compositing a plurality of images. The method includes obtaining a first exposure time t required for current photographing. The first exposure time t is divided into N segments where N is M power of 4, and M is a positive integer. A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) controls an image sensor to move clockwise or anticlockwise according to a step length of a preset number of pixels. The image sensor is controlled to expose for a second exposure time t/N after each movement of the image sensor according to the preset number of pixels, to obtain N images. The N images are composited to obtain a composite picture.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUICATIONS CORP., LTD.Inventor: Lei Wu