Patents Examined by Joel W Fosselman
  • Patent number: 12294776
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a base member, a reference member fixed to the base member, an image sensor, a holding member holding the image sensor and being held by the base member such that a distance from the reference member to the image sensor is changeable, a biasing member generating a first force that biases the holding member in a direction in which the distance increases, and a correction member providing, to the holding member, a second force acting against the first force. The second force changes due to deformation of the correction member depending on its temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Taro Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 12288793
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array of a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a row direction and a column direction and including a first unit pixel that includes floating diffusion region configured to store photocharge generated within the first unit pixel in corresponding to incident light; a first gain conversion transistor connected to the first floating diffusion region; a first row booster block connected to the first gain conversion transistor and a second gain conversion transistor that is included in a second unit pixel adjacent to the first unit pixel in the row direction; and a first column booster block connected to the first gain conversion transistor and a third gain conversion transistor that is included in a third unit pixel adjacent to the first unit pixel in the column direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Eun Khwang Lee
  • Patent number: 12279027
    Abstract: An image processor includes a memory, a signal processing circuit to process a visible light component including an invisible light component and an invisible light component from an image sensor, a signal setting circuit to set a first enable signal valid in a first period based on execution of signal processing, and set a second enable signal valid after the first period elapses, an offset component removal circuit to remove an offset component from the visible light component and the invisible light component in a period in which the first enable signal is valid while storing data in process in the memory, and an invisible component removal circuit to remove the invisible light component from the visible light component, to output image data of a visible light component in a period in which the second enable signal is valid while storing data in process in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Ichimura
  • Patent number: 12273640
    Abstract: An imaging element includes a first substrate that is provided with a photoelectric conversion unit which generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion, a signal line to which a signal based on the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit is output, and a supply unit which supplies a voltage to the signal line such that a voltage of the signal line does not fall below a predetermined voltage, and a second substrate that is provided with a processing unit which processes the signal output to the signal line and is stacked on the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoji Ando
  • Patent number: 12267616
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metadata-based cinematography, production effects, shot selection, and/or other content augmentation. Effective cinematography conveys storyline, emotion, excitement, etc. Unfortunately, most amateur filmmakers lack the knowledge and ability to create cinema quality media. Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, rendering media based on instantaneous metadata. Unlike traditional post-processing techniques that rely on human subjectivity, some of the various techniques described herein leverage the camera's actual experiential data to enable cinema-quality post-processing for the general consuming public. Instantaneous metadata-based cinematography and shot selection advisories and architectures are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Newman
  • Patent number: 12262119
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the pre-processing of image data so as to enhance quality of subsequent encoding and rendering. In one embodiment, a capture device is disclosed that includes a processing apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable apparatus comprising a storage medium have one or more instructions stored thereon. The one or more instructions, when executed by the processing apparatus, are configured to: receive captured image data (such as that sourced from two or more separate image sensors) and pre-process the data to enable stabilization of the corresponding images prior to encoding. In some implementations, the pre-processing includes combination (e.g., stitching) of the captured image data associated with the two or more sensors to facilitates the stabilization. Advantageously, undesirable artifacts such as object “jitter” can be reduced or eliminated. Methods and non-transitory computer readable apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: David Newman
  • Patent number: 12256139
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus provided in a moving object to capture an image of an area behind the moving object includes an imaging circuit and an optical system. The imaging circuit outputs an image based on an optical image input to a light-receiving surface. The optical system inputs the optical image to the imaging circuit. The optical system forms a first region at a first magnification and a second region at a second magnification lower than the first magnification. The second region is formed around the first region. The imaging apparatus is installed in the moving object so that, on the light-receiving surface of the imaging circuit, an axis passing through a center of the first region and extending in a direction from which the optical system receives light is inclined toward an upper side of the moving object with respect to a backward direction of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yano
  • Patent number: 12250441
    Abstract: Disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is a camera module including a first bracket, a lens module accommodated in the first bracket, a second bracket disposed outside the first bracket, and a shaft disposed between the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the second bracket includes a shaft seating groove in which the shaft is seated and which is open in an optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 12244926
    Abstract: There is provided an overlay measurement device controlling a focus movement, which includes: a lighting part being configured to orient lighting toward an overlay measurement target; a collection part comprising an objective lens and a detector for obtaining one or more of images of each focus in the overlay measurement target; a lens focus actuator moving the objective lens to adjust a distance between the objective lens and a wafer; and a processor controlling an operation of the lens focus actuator. The processor obtains a focus graph respectively in relation to two layers from one or more of the images of each focus, and the processor identifies a reference focus in relation to the obtained focus graphs to move the objective lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: AUROS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Seong-Yun Choi, Hyo-Sik Ham
  • Patent number: 12244952
    Abstract: A system and a method for single-shot compressed optical-streaking ultra-high-speed imaging, the system comprising a spatial encoding module spatially encoding the transient event with a binary pseudo-random pattern into spatially encoded frames; a galvanometer scanner temporally shearing the spatially encoded frames; and a CMOS camera receiving the temporally sheared spatially encoded frames, during one exposure time of the camera, for reconstructing the transient event. The method comprises spatial encoding a transient event; temporal shearing resulting spatially encoded frames of the event, spatio-temporal integration, and reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Jinyang Liang, Xianglei Liu, Fiorenzo Vetrone
  • Patent number: 12244933
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for capturing an image. In one aspect an electronic camera apparatus includes an image sensor with a plurality of pixel regions. The apparatus further includes an exposure controller. The exposure controller determines, for each of the plurality of pixel regions, a corresponding exposure duration and a corresponding exposure start time. Each pixel region begins to integrate incident light starting at the corresponding exposure start time and continues to integrate light for the corresponding exposure duration. In some example embodiments, at least two of the corresponding exposure durations or at least two of the corresponding exposure start times are different in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: TUSIMPLE, INC.
    Inventors: Ke Xu, Xue Mei, Zehua Huang
  • Patent number: 12231771
    Abstract: A camera module includes a housing, a carrier movable in a first direction and disposed in the housing, a first body movably disposed inside the carrier, an image sensor disposed on the first body and having an imaging surface facing in the first direction, and supporting balls disposed between the carrier and the first body. The first body moves perpendicular to the first direction in a state supported by the supporting balls with respect to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su Bong Jang, Sang Jong Lee, Hee Soo Yoon, Tae Ho Yun
  • Patent number: 12231799
    Abstract: A compensating timer system and method utilizable with video data featuring sections of different playback or recording speeds. The compensating timer system can be utilized with a user interface associated with and displayable thereon. The user interface can include a video display region configured or configurable to display video data, and an animated time indicator. The animated time indicator can be dependent on a modified playing speed of the video data that changes between different first and second speed rates. The first speed rate can be changed to the second speed rate upon receipt of an input associated with an affordance, by modifying at least one frame in the video data. This allows for continuous recording and/or displaying of video at different speed rates without altering operations or settings. The animated time indicator can be an animated affordance, an animated progress bar, an elapsed timer and/or a time remaining clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventors: Henry M. Pena, Thomas F. Bryant, III
  • Patent number: 12231793
    Abstract: An image capturing device may include a ramp generator circuit that may be used in performance of analog-to-digital conversion of image signals from pixels of an image sensor. The ramp generator circuit may generate a voltage having one or more rising and/or falling portions, using a reference voltage and an integration current. The ramp generator circuit may include a first sample-and-hold switch and/or a second sample-and-hold switch. The ramp generator circuit may selectively turn off the first and/or the second sample-and-hold switches to hold the reference voltage and/or a bias voltage that is used for generating the integration current during analog-to-digital conversion of the image signals. As a result, reference voltage, bias voltage, and/or integration current may be held and substantially stabilized during the analog-to-digital conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Gigajot Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dexue Zhang
  • Patent number: 12225300
    Abstract: A white balance compensation method and apparatus, and an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes: obtaining color information of each of M first regions included in a first image acquired by a spectral sensor; performing white balance compensation using a target numerical value for a second image acquired by a color sensor, and obtaining color information of each of M second regions included in the white-balance compensated second image, one second region corresponding to one first region; and for an i-th second region, in a case that first and second color information meet a preset condition, performing white balance compensation for the i-th second region according to the first and second color information, the first color information is color information of the i-th second region, and the second color information is color information of a first region corresponding to the i-th second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youpan Lai
  • Patent number: 12219258
    Abstract: An anti-shake assembly with reduced size is disclosed which includes a circuit board, a photosensitive chip, and a magnetic component. The circuit board includes a first rigid board, a second rigid board, a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of coils. The first rigid board has a housing space. The second rigid board is movably housed in the housing space. The connectors are flexibly connected between the first rigid board and the second rigid board. The photosensitive chip and the coils are provided on the second rigid board. The magnetic component includes a base and a plurality of magnets. The base includes a central plate and a side plate. The side plate is arranged around a periphery of the central plate to form a housing space. The magnets are provided on the central plate facing the housing space. The magnets are arranged opposite to the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignees: Avary Holding (Shenzhen) Co., Limited., QING DING PRECISION ELECTRONICS (HUAIAN) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Yang, Qiang Song, Yan-Qiong He, Yao-Cai Li, Biao Li, Zu-Ai Li, Mei-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 12219237
    Abstract: This recording mode changing device is provided with: a means for determining, according to the lighting status of the lamps of a prescribed traffic signal, whether or not it is necessary to change the data recording mode of a prescribed camera; and a means for changing the data recording mode of the prescribed camera in accordance with the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Ogata
  • Patent number: 12219236
    Abstract: A drive apparatus, a camera module, and an electric device are provided. A fixed assembly, a carrier, and an electrically drive assembly are included. A first end of the electrically drive assembly is connected to the fixed assembly, and a second end of the electrically drive assembly is connected to the carrier; and the carrier is used for carrying a function device; where in a case of applying a voltage to the electrically drive assembly, the electrically drive assembly deforms to drive the carrier to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bo Song
  • Patent number: 12219255
    Abstract: A ball bearing sensor shift arrangement for a camera may include one or more voice coil motor (VCM) actuators that include the fixed magnets, optical image stabilization (OIS) coils, and/or one or more autofocus (AF) coils. The ball bearing sensor shift arrangement may be coupled with an image sensor of the camera, and may include carrier frames configured to move on ball bearings so as to enable motion of the image sensor in multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOF). An OIS carrier frame(s) may be coupled with the OIS coils, which may be positioned proximate the fixed magnets and used for moving the image sensor in directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the camera. An AF carrier frame may be coupled with the AF coil(s), which may be positioned proximate the fixed magnets and used for moving the image sensor in at least one direction parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Xu Wang, Aurelien R Hubert
  • Patent number: 12212864
    Abstract: Provided are a method and a device, for processing spectrum data of an image sensor. The method includes obtaining spectrum response signals corresponding to channels of spectrum data of light, the spectrum data being obtained from an object by an image sensor; determining a set of bases corresponding to the obtained spectrum response signals; performing, based on the determined set of bases, a change of basis on at least one basis included in the determined set of bases; and generating, by using a pseudo inverse, reconstructed spectrum data from the spectrum response signals on which the change of basis has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Suyeon Lee, Q-Han Park, Unjeong Kim, Hyunjun Ma