Patents Examined by Jason Whipkey
  • Patent number: 8395671
    Abstract: A wearable camera that is an imaging device includes a sensing unit that senses motion of a camera, and a prediction unit that calculates a pixel shift distance (d) between frames based on the results of the sensing. The prediction unit obtains a position (p1?) by moving a feature point (p1) extracted from the previous frame image by the pixel shift distance (d), and the setting unit sets a window (w4) having a position (p1?) as the center in the current frame image (Ft+1). A search unit searches the window (w4) and detects a feature point (q1) corresponding to the feature point (p1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8384818
    Abstract: Light-splitting elements are arranged in at least two columns and two rows to form two pairs 1a, 1b and 1c, 1d. Each element splits incident light into light rays and makes them fall on a portion of a photosensing section right under itself and an adjacent photosensitive cell. The element 1a splits the incident light so that a primary color ray C1 and its complementary color ray C1? enter an adjacent cell 2b and an underlying cell 2a, respectively. The element 1b makes a primary color ray C2 and its complementary color ray C2? enter an underlying cell 2a and an adjacent cell 2a, respectively. The element 1c does the same as the element 1b. And the element 1d makes a primary color ray C3 and its complementary color ray C3? enter an adjacent cell 2c and an underlying cell 2d, respectively. These photosensitive cells 2 perform photoelectric conversion, thereby outputting an electrical signal representing the intensity of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Hiramoto, Kazuya Yonemoto, Seiji Nishiwaki, Masaaki Suzuki, Yoshiaki Sugitani, Shinichi Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8363134
    Abstract: Light 2 that is the subject to be imaged enters a lens system 3, and the light is transmitted and absorbed by a color filter 5. The transmitted components enter an image sensor 4 to be imaged. The color filter 5 is composed of, as shown in FIG. 7B, a transparent pixel (W) and micro filters including a filter (W-X) with a complementary color for the color matching function X, a filter (W-Y) with a complementary color for the color matching function Y, and a filter (W-Z) with a complementary color for the color matching function Z. Each of them is arranged to correspond in position to each pixel of the image sensor. As a result, light with components in the entire wavelength region, light with complementary color components of X, light with complementary color components of Y, and light with complementary color components of Z enter their respective pixels to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Iwauchi
  • Patent number: 8345137
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a pixel area in which pixels each having at least a photoelectric conversion unit and an amplification transistor for amplifying and outputting a signal of the photoelectric conversion unit are two-dimensionally arranged in horizontal and vertical directions, wherein a power supply wiring, which extends in a vertical direction along pixel boundaries of horizontal and vertical directions while meandering, is arranged on one of two pixel lines adjoining to each other in the horizontal direction in the pixel area, and the power supply wiring is connected to one of a source and a drain of the amplification transistor on each of the two pixel lines. Thus, it is possible to provide a high-sensitivity and high-image-quality amplified solid-state image pickup apparatus in which a difference of sensitivities at one-line intervals is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mahito Shinohara, Masaaki Iwane, Yukihiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8345126
    Abstract: A pixel driving portion 102 can carry out first read drive with which a transfer element is turned OFF in accordance with a drive signal TG to output a signal at an output node, and second read drive with which the transfer element is turned ON in accordance with the drive signal TG to transfer signal charges to the output node, thereby outputting a signal at the output node. A pixel signal reading portion 103, 104 outputs a signal corresponding to a difference between the signal read out in accordance with the second read drive and the signal read out in accordance with the first read drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Gen Kasai
  • Patent number: 8314865
    Abstract: A method including using an optical image stabilization function in an imaging apparatus comprising a lens and an image sensor; acquiring system change information, the system change information concerning changes that affect optical path through the lens to the image sensor during capturing of an image through the lens; adjusting a lens shading correction function on the basis of the acquired system change information; and applying the adjusted lens shading correction function to image data representing the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Muukki, Mikko Ollila
  • Patent number: 8305461
    Abstract: The present invention provides an information display device including an imaging unit that executes an imaging process to image a subject to output an imaging signal; a monitor capable of displaying an image of the subject based on the imaging signal; a switching part located near the monitor; a first display controller for displaying, in a menu on the monitor, each of a first group of items consisting of a plurality of items associated with the imaging process, whereby first setting data can be set; and a second display controller for displaying, in a menu on the monitor, each of a second group of items associated with a plurality of particular items in the first group and having fewer items than the first group, whereby second setting data can be set, wherein switching between the first and second display controllers is performed by operating the switching part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Ichii, Ryo Sakaji, Masahiro Shioji, Yurie Sakai, Yoshinori Hama, Kazuto Yoshii, Nobuaki Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 8305452
    Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Bruce H. Pillman, Andrew C. Gallagher, Andrew C. Blose, John N. Border, Kevin M. Gobeyn, Richard B. Wheeler, Michael J. Telek
  • Patent number: 8305458
    Abstract: There is a problem in that when magnification chromatic aberration correction is carried out, the difference in reproducibility of high-frequency components, depending on the spatial position, between a color for which position shift correction is not performed and a color for which position shift correction is performed may influence the image quality of an output image. In order to perform magnification chromatic aberration correction, high-frequency components, which are lost due to the position shift correction of a color for which position shift correction is carried out, are extracted from a color for which position shift correction is not carried out, and are added to the color for which position shift correction is carried out. Therefore, the high-frequency components are restored in a pseudo manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Hara
  • Patent number: 8294817
    Abstract: There is provided an image pickup module which can be formed by a simple process while securing the mechanical strength of an inner lead at the time of bending and when fixed, without increasing an outer dimension of the image pickup module. The image pickup module includes an image pickup element having an image pickup surface, and a flexible substrate is drawn to be directed rearward of the image pickup surface. A guide member which fixes the image pickup element and the flexible substrate is provided, and the guide member includes a portion which is extended along a rear surface of the image pickup element, and a portion which is extended along a gap between the image pickup element and the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Motohara, Yoshiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8294813
    Abstract: The imaging device of the present invention includes an image generator that generates an electric image from optical information inputted thereto; an operation portion that receives an instruction for a shooting preparation operation or a shooting operation from a user; a scene discriminator that discriminates a shooting scene on the basis of the image generated by the image generator and a picture quality adjuster that adjusts the picture quality of the image generated by the image generator on the basis of a result of discrimination performed by the scene discriminator. Due to this configuration, it is possible to discriminate an optimum shooting scene on the basis of an image to be captured, and consequently the operability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kawaguchi, Yasutoshi Yamamoto, Yuki Miura, Akihiro Okamoto, Shoichi Yokoi, Hidetsugu Ichino, Ikuhiro Sakurai, Masanori Kouyama
  • Patent number: 8289405
    Abstract: A plurality of images captured by an image capturing unit are input, and image blur of each of the plurality of images are corrected by coded exposure processing. Relative moving amounts between the plurality of deblurred images are calculated. Positions of the plurality of deblurred images are corrected based on the relative moving amounts. The plurality of images, on which the position correction is performed, are synthesized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shohei Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 8284289
    Abstract: At least one object of the present invention is to provide a lens barrel, including: a fixed frame (21) having a fixed cylinder (21); a telescopic cylinder (22, 23, 24, etc.) configured to be accommodated within the fixed cylinder (21); a plurality of lens groups (11, 12) configured to be retained in the telescopic cylinder; a lens driving device (51, 52, etc.) configured to drive the plurality of lens groups along a optical axis of the telescopic cylinder between a collapsed position and an extended position; and two retractable lens groups (13, 14) configured to be retracted into the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the extended position and configured to be retracted out of the telescopic cylinder when the telescopic cylinder is in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8279320
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to execute processing to capture an image; a GPS (Global Positioning System) device configured to execute position calculation processing based on data received from a satellite; a power-supply control unit configured to control power supply to the GPS device; an apparatus control unit configured to monitor a state of photographing by a user to calculate a frequency of use of the imaging unit per unit time, and to cause the power-supply control unit to intermittently supply power to the GPS device when the calculated use frequency is lower than a predetermined threshold; and a data-recording control unit configured to generate photographed data attribute information in which positional information acquired in the GPS device is set as attribute information of an acquired image in the imaging unit, and to execute processing to store the photographed data attribute information in a storing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Ueno, Baiping Liao
  • Patent number: 8279338
    Abstract: The information communication terminal includes a first housing having a display unit and a second housing having an operating unit. The first housing can be arranged as follows: the first state where the display unit is directed oppositely to the photographing direction of the imaging unit; the second state where the display unit is directed in the photographing direction of the imaging unit; the third state where the rotary shaft direction of the first housing is made to adjoin the direction perpendicular to the open/close shaft direction of the second housing and the display unit and the operating unit are directed to the same side; and fourth state where the direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft direction of the first housing is made to adjoin the open/close shaft direction of the second housing through the hinge and the display unit and the operating unit are directed to the same side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Isono
  • Patent number: 8269826
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring human movement of a test subject during a standard coordination and balance test. The test subject is placed in a selected test position, e.g. standing on one leg for a selected test period. A sensor device is attached to at least one body member of the test subject. The sensor generates and transmits a signal representative of movement of the body member during the test (hereinafter “the test”). The test subject is viewed through a viewfinder of a visual recorder. The recorder and sensor device are activated and generate image and sensor signals which are transmitted to an analyzer for determining the movement of the body members during the test. A coordination and balance score is calculated from the test based on the body movement, body member location and test time. The score is compared a standard associated with the test, and provides an indicator of the test subject's coordination and balance skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Heikki V. Nieminen, Jorma Kallio
  • Patent number: 8269852
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an imaging method which can obtain an image in which a dynamic range is expanded at one shooting are provided. In a case where a pixel output of a pixel where a specific color separation filter is placed is equal to or more than a predetermined saturation level, based on a pixel output of a pixel which is placed in the vicinity of the pixel where the specific color separation filter is placed, a pixel output for brightness, where the pixel output becomes equal to or more than the predetermined saturation level, of the pixel where the color separation filter of the specific color is placed and the pixel output is equal to or more than the predetermined saturation level is compensated, and thereby a dynamic range of an image sensor is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Shiraishi, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 8269851
    Abstract: To provide a camera determining a subject for which an image capturing condition is set at the time determined based on whether or not the subject is detected before an image capturing instruction is issued. The subject is detected, it is determined whether the subject detection result satisfies a predetermined condition, the subject for which the image capturing condition should be set is determined before the image capturing instruction is accepted when the subject detection result satisfies the predetermined condition, the image capturing instruction is accepted, the image capturing condition is set based on the determined subject when the subject detection result satisfies the predetermined condition and the image capturing condition is set based on the subject detection result obtained after the image capturing instruction is accepted when the subject detection result does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and actual image capturing is performed under the set image capturing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Hada
  • Patent number: RE43786
    Abstract: A digital observation system and method for processing and transmitting video data between a video camera, or video cameras, and a base unit. The video data is transmitted, for example, by a communication protocol that is compliant with Ethernet physical drivers for transmitting and receiving data at around 100 Mbps. Video is captured at a sensor in the video camera, digitally processed and transmitted, thus overcoming limitations associated with analog processing and allowing unique features to be added. Images and other data may be transmitted efficiently in their native format, with reduced overhead, and in a non-compressed format due to the data transmission rate at or below 100 Mbps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Immersive Media of Texas, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Neal Cooper, Christopher Michael Fritz, James Walter Exner
  • Patent number: RE44062
    Abstract: An image sensor has improved functions so as to automatically eliminate a flicker noise. For the purpose, the image sensor includes a pixel array for capturing information about an image provided from the outside and having N pixel rows and M pixel columns for maximizing a feature of reacting to light, wherein M and N are integers, respectively, a flicker noise detective pixel unit containing X pixel rows, which has a form extended from the N pixel rows of the pixel array, and M pixel columns, wherein each pair of X pixel rows has an identical exposure time and X is an even number, and a flicker noise for controlling an exposure point for the flicker noise detective pixel unit and detecting the flicker noise by using outputs of the flicker noise detective pixel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventors: Chan-Ki Kim, Ki-Yong Kim