Patents Examined by Jason Chan
  • Patent number: 8045047
    Abstract: A method, module, device, and computer program product for digital imaging. Providing an image within an image sensor, selecting at least one first region within image for scaling with a first scaling rate, selecting at least one second region within the image for scaling with a second scaling rate, and providing the first and the second regions for further processing allows improved autofocusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarno Nikkanen, Ossi Kalevo
  • Patent number: 8045007
    Abstract: An image capturing system can provide an image having the desirable composition captured by an image capturing apparatus to the user is provided. The image capturing system includes: an image capturing unit; a composition storage section for storing a plurality of compositions of the image captured by the image capturing unit; plurality of position indication units for indicating a position at which a main subject should be located in order to capture an image having the composition stored in the composition storage section; and a composition presentation section for presenting the composition of the image captured by the image capturing unit for the plurality of position indication units when the main subject is located at the position indicated by the position indication unit. The image capturing unit is fixedly installed in a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yukita Gotohda
  • Patent number: 8040370
    Abstract: It is possible to prevent an image processing amount from increasing and obtain excellent display characteristics. A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: a flat display device having approximately square pixels arranged on a flat display plane in a square manner: and an optical plate which is disposed in front of the display device and has optical apertures which extend linearly in the same direction as a diagonal line of a rectangle obtained by connecting n pieces of the pixels vertically, for controlling directions of light rays from the pixels. The flat display plane of the flat display device are divided to elemental images, each corresponding to each of the optical apertures in the optical plate, and an average value of pitches of the elemental images is larger than m (m=1,2,3 . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuo Saishu
  • Patent number: 8040383
    Abstract: A communication system includes a first and a second communication devices, and the first and the second communication devices includes a first and a second transmission units that are disposed respectively on bodies of the communication devices and wirelessly transmits predetermined information to each other. The first communication device further includes a first reception unit that is disposed in a position where the first reception unit is capable of communicating with the second transmission unit and receives second information that has been transmitted from the second transmission unit, and a first control unit that controls the first communication device such that, when communication becomes possible between the first reception unit and the second transmission unit, the first reception unit receives the second information, and such that, when communication becomes possible between the first transmission unit and the second reception unit, the first transmission unit transmits first information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Wakabayashi, Kenji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8040404
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup section of the plural channel output type configured to output signals individually corresponding to divisional regions of an image pickup device; a plurality of signal processing sections configured to individually receive the output signals of the plural channels of the image pickup device as inputs thereto to produce digital data corresponding to pixel values, and a digital signal processing section configured to receive the pixel value data produced by the signal processing sections as inputs thereto to execute an image correction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 8040399
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Georgis, Fredrik Carpio, Paul Hwang
  • Patent number: 8040397
    Abstract: The image processing device performs image processing using image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information associated with the image data where the image generation record information includes at least operating information about the image generating device at the time of generation of the image data. A picture quality adjuster is able, when the image generation record information includes subject brightness information relating to the brightness of a subject at the time of generation of the image data, to adjust the picture quality of the image data using the subject brightness level derived from the subject brightness information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Fujino
  • Patent number: 8040388
    Abstract: An indicator system includes: a controller that transmits an image captured by an image capturing unit and a zoomed image captured by a zoom image capturing unit to a terminal, the image capturing unit capturing an image of an object, the zoom image capturing unit zooming in the object and capturing an image of the zoomed-in object, the controller causing a projecting unit to project an annotation image onto the object, the annotation image indicating an annotation in accordance with an instruction based on the image and given in the terminal; and a storing unit that stores conditions for capturing the zoomed image and the instruction which is associated with the conditions, when the instruction with respect to the annotation image is issued for the zoomed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiwame Tokai, Meng Shi
  • Patent number: 8035688
    Abstract: A computer program product and method for calibrating and characterizing a color display perform calibrating and characterizing steps. A light source is operated in order to emit light from one or more light emitters on the light source. A color capture device, e.g., a digital camera, is calibrated and characterized based on the emitted light. Then, color images are displayed on the color display and captured on the color capture device. The color display is calibrated and characterized based on the captured color images. Computer program instructions are recorded on the computer readable medium, and are executable by a processor, for performing the calibrating and characterizing steps. A method for generating a controlled light source includes displaying light source selections to a user and receiving a user light source selection. Selected light emitters produce a light output matching the user light source selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Snyderman, Geoffrey John Woolfe, Raja Bala
  • Patent number: 8035717
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device and a camera system in which: (1) counters are organized into a counter group and a memory group on a column-by-column basis; (2) in each column, the individual counters are cascade-connected between individual bits; (3) switches are provided at bit output portions of the individual counters; (4) connecting sides of the individual switches are commonly connected to a column-signal transfer line, and output sides of the switches are shared with the other individual bits; (5) inputs of memories (latch circuits), which store digital data for horizontal transfer, share the column-signal transfer line; and (6) outputs of the memories corresponding to the individual bits are connected via switches to data transfer signal lines wired so as to be orthogonal to the column-signal transfer line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuaki Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 8035701
    Abstract: An image tuning system and method using a stored image signal, in which the image tuning system includes an image processing device and an external device. The image processing device outputs a third image signal by processing a first or second image signal according to a tuning parameter. The external device calculates the tuning parameter based on the third image signal. The image processing device receives the second image from the external device in a tuning mode and processes the second image. The image tuning system and the image tuning method using the stored raw image signal can prevent wasting time and extra efforts are not required for setting the tuning parameter adaptive to various weather conditions by repeatedly setting the tuning parameter with respect to a picture image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-In Han
  • Patent number: 8035704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing which performs pixel defect correction and color demosaicing on pixel image data while held in a line buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Shane C. Hu, Robert Mullis
  • Patent number: 8031231
    Abstract: In a video system of the invention, control means is provided for a terminal input apparatus which is connected by a communication network of a camera on the partner side and which comprises an image display apparatus having a multiwindow display function for selecting and displaying the camera. An image pickup operation which is required to the camera on the partner side, for example, the image pickup direction, focal distance, panning, exposure amount, white balance, automatic focusing, and the like of the designated camera are inputted by using an image display and a window display of the image display apparatus. The operation of the camera on the partner side and the operations of a tripod, a movable arm, and the like to hold the camera are controlled through communicating means. A photographed image is displayed by the display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Suga, Tomotaka Muramoto, Katsumi Iijima, Hideaki Mitsutake, Masayoshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 8031250
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section which includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and a vertical scanning circuit which successively performs selection and scanning for a plurality of rows of the pixel array section. Each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element, a transfer transistor which transfers a signal charge of the photoelectric conversion element to a detecting section, a reset transistor which sets a voltage of the detecting section to a voltage of a power supply terminal, and an amplifying transistor which amplifies and reads a signal charge of the detecting section. A first voltage which is lower than a power supply voltage is applied to the detecting section, in a charge-storage period of the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8026951
    Abstract: An image processing device, method, recording medium, and program where the device includes a simple-type angle detecting unit simply detects the angle as continuity using correlation from an input image. The device includes an input configured to input image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by real world light signals being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements, and a real world estimating unit configured to estimate light signals being cast in an optical low-pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Takahiro Nagano, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Naoki Fujiwara, Seiji Wada, Toru Miyake
  • Patent number: 8023026
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel section having two-dimensionally arranged pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means, a transfer means, a first reset means for resetting the memory means, a second reset means for resetting the photoelectric conversion means, and a read means for reading the photoelectric conversion signal of the memory means; and a controller for effecting a control so that, after passage of a predetermined time subsequently to the rendering of a concurrent reset by the second reset means on the photoelectric conversion means of all pixels, a transfer of the photoelectric conversion signal is concurrently effected by the transfer means to the memory means of all pixels, and the reading by the read means is temporarily halted at least at one or the other of timings of a start and a release of the concurrent reset by the second reset means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8023743
    Abstract: When a user instructs photographing by operating an operating unit, an image captured by an image sensor is stored as a photographed image in a memory. When a mode for performing color fading correction is set, the CPU instructs an image processing device to extract, from the photographed image, areas in which there are photographic print images which are supposed to bring about color fading. The image processing device generates a binary image by detecting edges of the photographed image, erases edges contacting an outermost edge of the photographed image, and extracts the areas based on the binary image from which some of the edges are erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Makino, Yoshihiro Teshima
  • Patent number: 8023020
    Abstract: A photodetecting circuit is disclosed. The photodetecting circuit includes a photodetector, a storage node with first and second node terminals, a transfer transistor disposed intermediate the first node terminal of the storage node and the photodetector for electrically connecting the first node terminal and the photodetector upon receiving a transfer signal to a gate of the transfer transistor, a reset transistor disposed intermediate a reset voltage node and the first node terminal of the storage node for electrically connecting the first node terminal to the reset voltage node upon receiving a reset signal to a gate of the reset transistor, and an output circuit for generating an output signal based on a voltage at the first terminal. First the reset signal is applied, followed by the transfer signal. Next, a compensation signal is applied at the second terminal of the storage node. The compensation signal increases the voltage at the first terminal whilst the output circuit generates the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Alireza Moini, Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Peter Charles Boyd Henderson, Zhenya Alexander Yourlo, Matthew John Underwood, Nicholas Damon Ridley
  • Patent number: 8023039
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a housing body, an image capture optical system, an image capture device, a connector, a cover, and an operation member. The display panel is provided to the housing body to be pivotable between a usage position where a display surface of the display panel is visible and a storage position where the display surface of the display panel is in contact with a surface of the housing body. The cover opens or closes the insertion/removal opening by extending or retracting on the insertion/removal opening from an interior of the housing body. The operation member is provided to the housing body, and is operated to move the cover along a direction of opening or closing the insertion/removal opening, the operation member being provided to the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Mito, Nobutatsu Takahashi, Hidetoshi Isawa
  • Patent number: 8023038
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens, an image sensor, a carrier carrying the image sensor, two spring supporting members, a frame, a base and a printed circuit board. The carrier has a comb-shaped first electrode having a number of first teeth. The carrier is suspended in the frame by the two spring supporting members, and is movable in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the image sensor. The base has a comb-shaped second electrode having a number of second teeth. The first teeth and second teeth are arranged in a staggered fashion. The printed circuit board provides a potential difference between the first and second electrodes, whereby an electrostatic force is generated between the first and second teeth to drive the first teeth to move towards the second teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang