Patents Examined by Jason Flohre
  • Patent number: 11678061
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of suppressing occurrence of a delay in an exposure control when the exposure control is performed by selectively changing an exposure condition among a plurality of exposure conditions. In a transition period from when the exposure control for changing a first exposure condition according to a target exposure at a time of image pickup of the subject is started until the exposure reaches the target exposure, another exposure condition other than the first exposure condition is changed so that an exposure changing speed of the first exposure condition is compensated for. When the exposure is changeable based on a program diagram and when the first exposure condition is changed, control is provided so that a second exposure condition to be changed immediately after changing the first exposure condition is used to compensate for the exposure changing speed of the first exposure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takumi Tosaki, Keisuke Matsuno
  • Patent number: 11678060
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to divide a captured image into a plurality of regions and carry out imaging under a different exposure condition for each of the regions, includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an exposure value for each of the regions in the captured image, a detection unit configured to detect a motion region based on the captured image, and a determination unit configured to determine an exposure time and a gain based on the exposure value for each of the regions and a result of detection of the motion region, wherein the determination unit sets a limitation on an adjustment range of at least any of the exposure time and the gain based on the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Saku Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 11671717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: John Knoll, Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Per Karefelt, Pablo Helman, John M. Levin
  • Patent number: 11671714
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described herein for capturing images. For instance, a process can include obtaining a first image associated with a first exposure setting and obtaining a second image associated with a second exposure setting that is different from the first exposure setting. The process can include obtaining motion information associated with at least one of the first image and the second image and determining, based on the motion information, that motion associated with a first pixel of the first image exceeds a threshold. The process can include generating, based on the motion information, a fused image including a first set of pixels from the first image and a second set of pixels from the second image. The first set of pixels from the first image includes the first pixel based on the determination that the motion associated with the first pixel exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Zuguang Xiao, Ho Sang Lee, Wenbin Wang, Nan Cui
  • Patent number: 11659286
    Abstract: Provided are a sensor module including an event-driven vision sensor that includes a sensor array having a sensor that generates an event signal when the sensor detects a change in intensity of incident light, and a shutter that can shield or open an angle of view of the sensor array, and an electronic device including such a sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromasa Naganuma
  • Patent number: 11659265
    Abstract: A dual camera module system includes a housing and a pair of camera modules (e.g., digital cameras) that are aligned with fields of view that overlap below the housing. The camera modules are mounted to a bench within the housing. The dual camera module system is configured for mounting above areas such as retail establishments or other materials handling facilities. The housing is formed from one or more sections of plastic or like materials, and includes inlets and outlets that enable air to flow past the camera modules and other components within the housing, and to maintain such components at a desired temperature. Images captured by the imaging devices of the camera module may be utilized for any purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuai Yue, Matthew Christopher Smith
  • Patent number: 11653100
    Abstract: An exposure time controller for controlling an exposure time (ET) variable of a video camera, which is associated with an auto-exposure algorithm configured to reduce an exposure mismatch (?E) by incrementing and decrementing the ET variable, which comprises: a memory for recording ET values applied while the video camera is imaging a scene and the algorithm is active; and processing circuitry configured to: determine that the exposure mismatch exceeds a threshold while the video camera is imaging the scene; estimate a distribution of the recorded ET values; based on the estimated distribution, identify multiple relatively most frequent ET values; and, in reaction to determining that the exposure mismatch exceeds the threshold, assign one of the identified ET values to the ET variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventors: Viktor Edpalm, Andreas Irestål
  • Patent number: 11647290
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring images of objects using an imaging device and a controllable mirror. The controllable mirror can be controlled to change a field of view for the imaging device, including so as to acquire images of different locations, of different parts of an object, or with different degrees of zoom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Torsten Kempf, Saul Sanz Rodriguez, Pepe Fernandez-Dorado, Laurens Nunnink
  • Patent number: 11632501
    Abstract: There is provided a method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for controlling the exposure settings of an rolling shutter image sensor device with global reset. This is achieved by obtaining a first image captured by the image sensor device at a current exposure setting that comprises a partial readout parameter representing a number image parts for partial readout by the image sensor device; determining an intensity value of the first image, comparing the intensity value of the first image to a desired intensity value. If the intensity values differ more than an allowed deviation, an updated number of image parts for partial readout is determined based on the current number of image parts and the intensity value of the first image. Thereafter, the current exposure setting is updated by setting the value of the partial readout parameter to the updated number of image parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Tobil AB
    Inventors: Viktor Åberg, Niklas Ollesson, Anna Redz, Magnus Ivarsson
  • Patent number: 11627261
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a driving control unit configured to control driving of an image sensor, and a flicker detection unit configured to detect flicker, which is a periodic change in a light amount of an object, based on a signal output from the image sensor, wherein the driving control unit is configured to, if the image sensor outputs a flicker detection signal to be used in detecting the flicker, control the driving of the image sensor at n different frame rates, n being a natural number greater than or equal to 3, wherein a least common multiple of the n frame rates used in detecting the flicker is not same as any of the n frame rates, and wherein the flicker detection unit is configured to detect the flicker based on the flicker detection signal obtained at each of the n frame rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Takuya Shintani
  • Patent number: 11611824
    Abstract: An image capture device may include a sensor, a microphone array, and a processor. The microphone array may include a first microphone, a second microphone, a third microphone, or any combination thereof. The first microphone may be configured to face a first direction. The second microphone may be configured to face a second direction. The second direction may be diametrically opposed to the first direction. The third microphone may be configured to face a third direction. The third direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the second direction, or both. The processor may be configured to determine a microphone capture pattern. The microphone capture pattern may be determined based on data obtained from the sensor. The sensor data may include image data, audio data, image capture device orientation data, location data, accelerometer data, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Hardin, Erich Tisch, Eric Penrod
  • Patent number: 11611690
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an intent command from a control device. The processor is configured to identify, based on the intent command, a first portion of an image captured by a first image capture device and to identify, using video analytics, a second portion of the image captured by the first image capture device. The second portion is included in an image captured by a second image capture device at a first time. The processor is configured to calculate an offset between the first portion and the second portion using the image captured by the first image capture device. The processor is configured to send a signal to adjust using the offset the second image capture device to capture an image including the first portion at a second time after the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: American Well Corporation
    Inventor: Ghafran Abbas
  • Patent number: 11601574
    Abstract: Provided herein is an image focusing adjustment method, system, and module. A first image of a reference object is received in response to an input signal when the image focusing adjustment module is operating in a first state. The first image of the reference object is analyzed, based on which a plurality of adjustments to the image focusing adjustment module is controlled. The plurality of adjustments, performed by a plurality of actuators controlled by control module, include rotating a lens barrel assembly relative to a neck member along a first axis that causes a translational adjustment of the lens barrel assembly, rotating the neck member relative to a top member around the first axis that causes a rotational adjustment of the lens barrel assembly, and positioning a tilt adjustment member that causes tilt adjustment of the top member relative to a frame member along a second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Feng
  • Patent number: 11601600
    Abstract: A control method in an imaging device is provided. The imaging device includes a pixel-cell array including a plurality of photosensitive pixel-units, each photosensitive pixel-unit of the photosensitive pixel-units includes at least two exposure pixels including at least one medium-exposure pixel. The method includes determining an ambient brightness level of a photographing environment; adjusting a first ratio to be a first value, in response to a brightness level of the photographing environment belonging to a high-level or a low-level, wherein the first ratio indicates a ratio of the at least one medium-exposure pixel in the each photosensitive pixel-unit; and adjusting the first ratio to be a second value, in response to the brightness level of the photographing environment belonging to a medium-level, wherein the low-level, the medium-level, and the high-level are in an ascending order, and the first value is greater than the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Gong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11595557
    Abstract: An electronic module has a flexible wiring member, a wiring circuit board, and a conductive connection member. The flexible wiring member has a flexible base, a first wiring layer formed on at least one face of the flexible base, and a first electrode formed of the first wiring layer at the end part that is not covered by a first insulating layer. The wiring circuit board has a base provided with a wiring, a second insulating layer having opening formed on at least one face of the base, and a second electrode formed in the opening. The conductive connection member connects the first electrode and the second electrode to each other. The end of the flexible wiring member is arranged above the opening in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Okada, Koji Noguchi, Mitsutoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 11595590
    Abstract: A method for processing images by an information handling system includes receiving image data including first frames captured using a first exposure at a first frame rate and second frames captured using a second exposure at a second frame rate. The first frame rate is greater than the second frame rate. The method includes merging each second frame of the second frames with each first frame of a corresponding plurality of the first frames to generate a corresponding plurality of merged frames. Each merged frame of the corresponding plurality of merged frames may have a dynamic range of tonal values greater than each dynamic range of tonal values of each frame merged to form the merged frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Shohrab Sheikh, Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Dengzhai Xiong
  • Patent number: 11586030
    Abstract: An electronic device, including a first circuit board, a sensing element, a second circuit board, an electronic element, a light emitting element, and a lens, is provided. The first circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other and a first side surface located therebetween. The sensing element is disposed on the first surface and electrically connected to the first circuit board. The second circuit board is located on the second surface and electrically connected to the first circuit board. The second circuit board has a third surface facing the first circuit board and a groove recessed in the third surface. The electronic element is disposed on the second surface and located in the groove. The light emitting element is disposed on the first side surface. The lens is disposed on the sensing element. An electronic system, including the electronic device, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ALTEK BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chao-Yu Chou, Ting Cheng Ke
  • Patent number: 11588992
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a surround-view imaging system for time-of-flight (TOF) depth sensing applications and a time-of-flight sensing based collision avoidance system comprising such an imaging system. The imaging system for time-of-flight depth sensing applications comprises a lens system, adapted for imaging angles of view (AOV) larger than 120° in an image on an image plane; a sensor system, adapted to convert at least a part the image in the image plane into an electronic image signal; and an evaluation electronics, adapted to analyze the electronic image signal and to output resulting environmental information; wherein the lens system and/or the sensor system are designed for specifically imaging fields of view (FOV) starting at zenithal angles larger than 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Jabil Optics Germany GmbH
    Inventors: David Musick, Norbert Leclerc, Hendrik Zachmann
  • Patent number: 11582430
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an image sensor including a pixel, the pixel including a micro lens, a plurality of photodiodes, and a color filter disposed between the plurality of photodiodes and the micro lens; a processor operatively connected to the image sensor; and a memory operatively connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores one or more instructions that, when executed by the image sensor, cause the image sensor to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations comprising: determining whether the image sensor is in a high-resolution mode; when the image sensor is in the high-resolution mode, calculating a disparity based on signals detected from the plurality of photodiodes; when the disparity is not greater than a threshold value, applying a first remosaic algorithm to the signals; and when the disparity is greater than the threshold value, applying a second remosaic algorithm to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongsoo Kim, Jaehyoung Park, Hwayong Kang, Shuichi Shimokawa, Takafumi Usui, Youngkwon Yoon
  • Patent number: 11570373
    Abstract: There is provided with an information processing apparatus. An obtaining unit obtains an image. A first detecting unit detects a subject from the image. An exposure control unit controls an exposure based on a luminance of the detected subject. A second detecting unit detects a portion of the subject from the exposure-controlled image. A storing unit stores a difference between a first luminance of the detected subject and a second luminance of the portion of the detected subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kentaro Kogure