Patents Examined by James M. Hannett
  • Patent number: 11405552
    Abstract: In a camera-enabled electronic device, photo capture is triggered by a press-and-hold input only if the holding duration of the press-and-hold input is greater than a predefined threshold duration. A press-and-hold input shorter in duration than the threshold triggers video capture. Thus, a short press triggers video capture, while a long press triggers photo capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hanover, Justin Huang, David Meisenholder
  • Patent number: 11399144
    Abstract: Easy acquisition of an image expressing a transparent part and an opaque part, for example, is achievable by one-time imaging. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and an image forming unit. The imaging unit has a pixel group that includes a first pixel group including a pixel capable of receiving light having a first polarization direction, and a second pixel group. The image forming unit forms a first image corresponding to a second polarization direction that is a predetermined polarization direction on the basis of signals of a pixel group including at least the first pixel group, and forms a second image different from the first image on the basis of signals of a pixel group including at least the second pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mitani, Masafumi Wakazono
  • Patent number: 11399134
    Abstract: A configuration is realized that can execute image processing reflecting data unique to camera, such as positional relation information between a mask and an image sensor of a lensless camera, to generate a highly accurate restored image. A signal processing unit that receives a photographed image as an output of the image sensor of the lensless camera to generate a restored image is included, and the signal processing unit executes image processing using data unique to camera generated based on at least the positional relation information of the mask and the image sensor of the lensless camera to generate the restored image. The data unique to camera is data generated in a comparison process of a photographed image, which is obtained by photographing one point light source in a forward direction of an optical axis of the lensless camera, and a reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Ito, Ilya Reshetouski
  • Patent number: 11394912
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a comparator, an AD converter, a solid-state imaging device, an electronic apparatus, and a comparator control method that can reduce power consumption while increasing the determination speed of the comparator. The comparator includes a comparison unit, a positive feedback circuit, and a current limiting unit. The comparison unit compares the voltage of an input signal and the voltage of a reference signal, and outputs a comparison result signal. The positive feedback circuit increases the transition speed at the time when the comparison result signal is inverted. The current limiting unit limits the current flowing in the comparison unit after the inversion of the comparison result signal. The present disclosure can be applied to comparators, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Sakakibara, Kenichi Aoyagi, Seiji Yamada
  • Patent number: 11388361
    Abstract: An imaging device, image sensor and method are provided. A first scanning operation is performed on a pixel array in a first direction by a first selection circuit to generate first frame data by first readout circuit. A second scanning operation is performed on the pixel array in a second direction different from the first direction to generate second frame data by a second selection circuit. The first and second frame data are merged into single frame data by an image signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seol Namgung, Seungnam Choi, Jeongseok Kim, Junseok Kim, Jongwoo Bong, Yunjae Suh
  • Patent number: 11388360
    Abstract: An imaging device that facilitates pooling processing. A pixel region includes a plurality of pooling modules and an output circuit, the pooling module includes a pooling circuit and a comparison module, the pooling circuit includes a plurality of pixels and an arithmetic circuit, and the comparison module includes a plurality of comparison circuits and a determination circuit. The pixel can obtain a first signal through photoelectric conversion, and can multiply the first signal by a given scaling factor to generate a second signal. The pooling circuit adds a plurality of second signals in the arithmetic circuit to generate a third signal, the comparison module compares a plurality of third signals and outputs the largest third signal to the determination circuit, and the determination circuit determines the largest third signal and binarizes it to generate a fourth signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Roh Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11381803
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a camera device comprising a first camera device, a second camera device, and a third camera device disposed between the first camera device and the second camera device, wherein: the first camera device includes a first bobbin, a first coil disposed on the first bobbin, a first magnet facing the first coil, and a second coil disposed under the first magnet; the second camera device includes a second bobbin, a third coil disposed on the second bobbin, and a second magnet facing the third coil; the third camera device includes a third bobbin, a fourth coil disposed on the third bobbin, a third magnet facing the fourth coil, a fourth magnet disposed on the third bobbin, and a Hall sensor for sensing the fourth magnet; and the Hall sensor of the third camera device is disposed between the fourth magnet of the third camera device and the second camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Guk Lee, Kyoung Ho Yoo
  • Patent number: 11378695
    Abstract: In one example, a method may include receiving one or more laser scan of a scene, receiving two or more camera images of the scene, determining one or more decision regions where the camera images are different from one another, detecting edges of the decision regions where the camera images are different from one another, comparing the decision regions where the camera images are different from one another inside of the detected edges with a corresponding region in the laser scan to determine which of the camera images includes a desired region that more closely corresponds to the laser scan, and generating a corrected image including the desired region that more closely corresponds to the laser scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Gregory C. Walsh, Ashavini Pavaskar
  • Patent number: 11375110
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory configured to store instructions and a processor in communication with the memory and configured to execute the instructions to generate a composite map from a plurality of images having different in in-focus position in an optical axis direction, correct the composite map, and combine the plurality of images using the composite map corrected by the correction unit to generate a composite image, wherein a depth of field of the composite image is deeper than a depth of field of each of the plurality of images, and further detect a first region surrounded by values each representing a composition ratio in the composite map and each different from an outer periphery by a first threshold or more, determine a correction value from a second region in the outer periphery of the first region, and correct the first region using the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Shiota
  • Patent number: 11375128
    Abstract: A method and device for obtaining exposure compensation values of a high-dynamic-range image, wherein the method includes: a relationship between brightness values and pixel ratios in different color channels corresponding to a current scene is determined; an underexposure degree and an overexposure degree of the current scene are determining, according to a preset normal exposure brightness threshold, a preset pixel ratio threshold, and the relationship between brightness values and pixel ratios; and an underexposure compensation value and an overexposure compensation value of the current scene are determined, according to the underexposure degree and the overexposure degree of the current scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Kai Liu
  • Patent number: 11363174
    Abstract: A lens module includes a circuit board, a carrier, and a photosensitive chip. The carrier and the photosensitive chip are arranged on a surface of the circuit board. The carrier includes a first surface arranged facing the circuit board and a second surface facing away from the circuit board. A window is defined in the carrier penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The photosensitive chip is received in the window. The carrier, the photosensitive chip, and the circuit board cooperatively form an enclosed space. An adhesive filler is arranged in the enclosed space. At least one air hole is defined in the adhesive filler. The at least one air hole communicates an inside of the enclosed space to outside the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Hung-Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 11363213
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for minimizing ghosting in high dynamic range image processing are described. The method may include capturing from a sensor of the device a downscaled first frame of a first exposure length and a downscaled second frame of a second exposure length that is longer than the first exposure length, identifying a highlight region associated with the downscaled first frame and a motion region associated with the downscaled first frame and with the downscaled second frame, blending the motion region in accordance with determining whether at least a portion of the motion region overlaps the highlight region, and incorporating the blending of the motion region in a set of full resolution frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ki Sun Song, Yi-Chun Lu, Shang-Chih Chuang, Xiaoyun Jiang, Nyeongkyu Kwon
  • Patent number: 11363221
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor configured to generate a first raw output to represent a first intensity of incident light based on a first relationship, and to generate a second raw output to represent a second intensity of incident light based on a second relationship. The apparatus further comprises a post processor configured to: generate a first post-processed output based on the first raw output and based on the first relationship such that the first post-processed output is linearly related to the first intensity based on a third relationship, and to generate a second post-processed output based on the second raw output and based on the second relationship such that the second post-processed output is linearly related to the second intensity based on the third relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Samuel Berkovich, Wei Gao, Xinqiao Liu, Song Chen
  • Patent number: 11356624
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels having different spectral characteristics are arranged and one or more pixels of the plurality of pixels have a spectral characteristic that includes spectral characteristics of two or more pixels that are different from the one or more pixels. The solid-state imaging element further includes a signal processing unit that synthesizes signals of one or more pixels of the pixels that have the included spectral characteristics with a luminance signal, when a signal of a pixel that has two or more spectral characteristics in the pixel array is used to generate the luminance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taro Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 11356597
    Abstract: A support for image processing is provided, comprising: (a) detecting respective face regions from images consecutively photographed for a first person at predetermined time intervals by an image pickup unit to display images of the face regions detected in relation to the first person in a first region of a screen, and providing a user interface for indicating that a specific face image is selected from the face images of the first person displayed in the first region; (b) additionally displaying the specific face image through a second region adjacent to the first region; and (c) displaying a synthesized image using the specific face image as a representative face of the first person, when the specific face image displayed through the second region is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daesung Kim, Jaihyun Ahn
  • Patent number: 11350028
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus configured to change into a plurality of states includes an operation member configured to change the electronic apparatus to one of the plurality of states, an acquirer configured to acquire a state change of the electronic apparatus that occurs when the operation member is operated, based on a current state of the electronic apparatus before the operation member is operated, and a notice controller configured to control notice of information corresponding to the state change acquired by the acquirer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Toriumi
  • Patent number: 11350045
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensing apparatus including an image sensor including a pixel array configured to output a raw image having a Bayer pattern, and an analog end configured to perform an analog binning process on groups of pixels of same colors included in same columns of each of a plurality of sub-kernels corresponding to a first green pixel, a red pixel, a blue pixel, and a second green pixel, and output median values for different colors, and a digital signal processor configured to perform a digital binning process on the median values for the different colors included in different columns of each of the plurality of sub-kernels, and output a binned image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee Kang, Chan Young Jang, Woo Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 11350031
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus on which an accessory is mountable includes a control unit configured to control first communication with the accessory via a first communication unit and second communication with the accessory via a second communication unit, and, in a case where a communication error in the second communication is detected, perform communication retry processing that repeats transmission of data up to a predetermined number of times until the communication error is resolved. In the case where the communication error in the second communication is detected, the control unit issues a notification corresponding to the communication error to a user without performing the communication retry processing in a case where information corresponding to the fact that the accessory does not receive the data via the second communication is received via the first communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Izumi Kaburagi, Takayuki Hoshina
  • Patent number: 11350034
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide enhanced resolution imaging systems comprising: a mounting; an electro-optical image capture system; an angular jitter sensor system; an illumination source system; and an image capture control circuit is configured to: receive ling of sight displacement sensor data; obtain, during the capture frame, an angular displacement of the image capture system and monitor when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system, based on the sensor data, is beyond an angular displacement threshold envelope; and activate exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system is within the angular displacement threshold envelope, and control a level of exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement is not within the angular displacement threshold envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Mickel, Matthew C. Cristina, Jason A. Paxton
  • Patent number: 11350043
    Abstract: An image processing method includes displaying, by a terminal, a preview image, obtaining, by the terminal, at least one first image in the preview image, receiving, by the terminal, a photographing instruction, obtaining, by the terminal, at least one second image, detecting, by the terminal, a moving target based on the first image and the second image, and splitting, by the terminal, the moving target from the first image and the second image. The method further includes performing fusion processing on the first image and the second image after the splitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaojuan Li, Wenmei Gao