Patents Examined by Joel W Fosselman
  • Patent number: 11258973
    Abstract: An AD conversion circuit includes a comparator configured to compare an analog signal with a ramp signal and output a comparison result signal indicating a result of the comparison, and performs an AD conversion using the comparison result signal. In the comparison, a potential of the ramp signal changes with a lapse of time from a first potential to a second potential. Before the comparison, the potential of the ramp signal changes at a first change rate and then changes at a second change rate smaller than the first change rate, the potential of the ramp signal changes from the first potential to a third potential between the first potential and the second potential, and the comparator is reset in a state where the third potential is input to the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Yoshiaki Takada, Kohichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11252389
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic apparatus comprising: a camera module; a communication module; and a processor electrically connected to the camera module and the communication module, wherein the processor is capable of: obtaining an image of one or more external objects by using the camera module; recognizing at least one specified external object among the one or more external objects; transmitting image color information, corresponding to said at least one recognized specified external object, to an external electronic apparatus via the communication module; receiving attribute information on a light source for the image, determined using reference color information, corresponding to said at least one specified external object, and the image color information, from the external electronic apparatus; and correcting the color temperature of the image by using the attribute information received from the external electronic apparatus. Other various embodiments identified in the description are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su Hee Kim, Jong Hyon Park
  • Patent number: 11252309
    Abstract: A monitoring device is disclosed, including: a base; a first rotary mechanism which is connected to the base and rotatable relative to the base; a supporting bracket fixed to the first rotary mechanism; a second rotary mechanism which is connected to the supporting bracket and rotatable relative to the supporting bracket; a lens assembly fixed to the second rotary mechanism; and a housing fixed to the supporting bracket and having an opening to expose the lens assembly; the first rotary mechanism, the supporting bracket, and the second rotary mechanism are located in the housing, a rotation axis of the first rotary mechanism is perpendicular to the base and a rotation axis of the second rotary mechanism. The monitoring device can implement omnidirectional imaging while maintaining an overall appearance of the entire device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI IMILAB TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11246038
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. Upon receiving a request for encrypted communication from an external apparatus that received an advertising signal in a state where the image capturing apparatus is not paired with the external apparatus and accepting a predetermined operation made on a release switch, the request is allowed. Upon receiving a request for encrypted communication from the external apparatus that received the advertising signal in a state where the image capturing apparatus is paired with the external apparatus, the request is allowed without accepting the predetermined operation made on the release switch. In response to an operation different from the predetermined operation being received in a state where the dial is in a state corresponding to the communication mode and the image capturing apparatus is paired with the external apparatus, the pairing is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiko Hirose, Kenta Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11240455
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an AD conversion device, an AD conversion method, an image sensor, and an electronic apparatus that are able to achieve high-speed, low-power-consumption AD conversion. In a case where an electrical signal and a variable-level reference signal are compared by a comparator and the result of comparison is used to perform AD (Analog to Digital) conversion of the electrical signal, control is exercised in such a manner that a bias current flowing in the comparator to operate the comparator during a certain section of the reference signal including a section where the reference signal changes is increased from a first current, which is larger than 0 (zero), to a second current, which is larger than the first current. The present technology is applicable, for example, to AD conversion of an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Yamashita, Yosuke Ueno, Atsumi Niwa
  • Patent number: 11233934
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with image capturing capabilities automatically or semi-automatically adjusts one or more image capturing parameters based on an input attribute of user engagement with a single-action haptic input mechanism. For example, the duration for which a single-action control button carried on a frame of the device is pressed automatically determines an image stabilization mode for on-board processing of captured image data. In one example, an above-threshold press duration automatically activates a less rigorous image stabilization mode, while button release before expiry of the threshold automatically activates a more rigorous photo stabilization mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Rong Yan, Liu Liu
  • Patent number: 11228746
    Abstract: Image analysis and processing may include a multiple-tone-control (MTC) unit configured to obtain a tone-control gain lookup table, a plurality of MTC gain lookup tables, wherein the input image is divided into a plurality of blocks and wherein the plurality of MTC gain lookup tables includes a respective MTC gain lookup table corresponding to each respective block from the plurality of blocks, MTC grid parameters, MTC weighting parameters, a tone-control gain based on the tone-control gain lookup table, a MTC gain based on at least one MTC gain lookup table from the plurality of MTC gain lookup tables, the MTC grid parameters, and the MTC weighting parameters, and an output value based on the tone-control gain and the MTC gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Guillaume Matthieu Guérin, Violaine Marie Mong-Ian Sudret
  • Patent number: 11226470
    Abstract: Provided are an imaging apparatus and a mobile imaging apparatus capable of reducing the size and weight of a structure relating to focus adjustment. The imaging apparatus 1 includes: a central optical system 12 that captures an image with pan focus; an annular optical system 14 that is disposed concentrically with the central optical system 12; and an image sensor 20 that simultaneously captures an image to be formed through the central optical system and an image to be formed through the annular optical system 14. In the imaging apparatus 1, the central optical system 12 and the image sensor 20 are moved integrally along the optical axis L so as to adjust a focal point of the annular optical system 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shuji Ono
  • Patent number: 11228696
    Abstract: To reduce power consumption in an image pickup apparatus that captures a plurality of pieces of image data. An image pickup apparatus includes a signal processing unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit executes, in accordance with a predetermined control signal, either compound-eye processing for synthesizing a plurality of pieces of image data by carrying out signal processing on each of the plurality of pieces of image data or monocular processing for carrying out the signal processing on any one of the plurality of pieces of image data. The control unit supplies the predetermined control signal to the signal processing unit and causes one of the compound-eye processing and the monocular processing to be switched to the other one of the compound-eye processing and the monocular processing, on a basis of a result of a comparison between a measured predetermined physical amount and a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11218636
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor configured to receive light that is incident on the electronic device through a lens and generate image data, a gyroscope configured to generate rotation motion data of the electronic device, and an image stabilizer configured to generate translation motion data of the electronic device based on the image data received from the image sensor and to generate a stabilized image by compensating for a motion of the electronic device while capturing the image, such as vibration of a handheld device. The stabilized image is generated based on filtered translation motion data obtained by performing a first filtering operation on the translation motion data and filtered rotation motion data obtained by performing a second filtering operation on the rotation motion data received from the gyroscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai Guo, Seung-won Choi
  • Patent number: 11215905
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure discloses an automatic temperature-sensing and heating camera module at least comprising a lens barrel, a first lens arranged at a front end of the lens barrel, a gland that cooperates with the front end of the lens barrel for locking the first lens on the lens barrel, and a heating sheet capable of heating the first lens, wherein a gland flange is arranged at a rear end of the gland, and the heating sheet is arranged in close contact with the gland flange. In the automatic temperature-sensing and heating camera module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating sheet is arranged in close contact with the gland flange, so heat is transferred to the first lens through the gland flange, which has the advantages of simple structure and good heating effect, and is conducive to miniaturize the whole module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG HONGJING OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Jiajun Liu, Xicai Zheng, Zhenting Liu, Yi Liu, Zegang Long
  • Patent number: 11218656
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device that is one aspect of the present disclosure has a first photoelectric conversion portion, an upper electrode, and a lower electrode formed outside a substrate, the first photoelectric conversion portion performing photoelectric conversion in accordance with incident light, the upper electrode and the lower electrode being formed to sandwich the first photoelectric conversion portion. The solid-state imaging device includes an aperture pixel that is disposed on a pixel array, and generates a normal pixel signal; an OPB pixel that is disposed at an end portion on the pixel array, and generates a pixel signal indicating a dark current component; and a charge releasing portion that is disposed between the aperture pixel and the OPB pixel, and releases electric charge flowing out from the aperture pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taiichiro Watanabe, Fumihiko Koga
  • Patent number: 11212499
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic apparatus comprising: a camera module; a communication module; and a processor electrically connected to the camera module and the communication module, wherein the processor is capable of: obtaining an image of one or more external objects by using the camera module; recognizing at least one specified external object among the one or more external objects; transmitting image color information, corresponding to said at least one recognized specified external object, to an external electronic apparatus via the communication module; receiving attribute information on a light source for the image, determined using reference color information, corresponding to said at least one specified external object, and the image color information, from the external electronic apparatus; and correcting the color temperature of the image by using the attribute information received from the external electronic apparatus. Other various embodiments identified in the description are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su Hee Kim, Jong Hyon Park
  • Patent number: 11200642
    Abstract: An image signal processor includes a first sharpening filter configured to perform a first filtering operation on a raw data output from an external image device to output first sharpness data. A second sharpening filter is configured to perform a second filtering operation on the raw data in parallel with the first filtering operation to output second sharpness data. An edge determiner is configured to determine an edge strength of an image corresponding to the raw data based on the raw data and to adjust a first weight and a second weight based on the determined edge strength. A combiner configured to combine first weight data in which the adjusted first weight is reflected in the first sharpness data and second weight data in which the adjusted second weight is reflected in the second sharpness data to generate output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mincheol Hwang, Bangyong Song, Ildo Kim
  • Patent number: 11196959
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus that captures moving image data including a plurality of frame images and records the moving image data onto a recording medium, includes an operation unit configured to receive a predetermined operation, a detection unit configured to detect, in response to receiving the predetermined operation during image capturing and recording of the moving image data, a frame image generated in the vicinity of receiving the predetermined operation and is in a predetermined state, and a recording unit configured to record a specific information in association with the detected frame image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11196956
    Abstract: To reduce the number of ADCs in a solid-state image sensor that converts an analog pixel signal into a digital signal. An effective pixel generates an analog signal according to an amount of received light as an effective pixel signal using a power supply from a power supply line. A correction signal generation unit generates an analog signal including a noise component generated in the power supply line as a correction signal. A selection unit sequentially selects and outputs the effective pixel signal and the correction signal. An analog-digital converter performs processing of converting the output effective pixel signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal as effective pixel data and processing of converting the output correction signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal into correction data. A signal processing unit corrects the effective pixel data on the basis of the correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Akahane
  • Patent number: 11190745
    Abstract: A controlling value is calculated using a first white balance gain and a second white balance gain. Using the calculated controlling value, an image processing parameter is then modulated. Using this modulated image processing parameter, image data processing is performed, and storage, transmission, and the like of the image processing parameter are performed. This can realize advanced image processing reflective of the white balance gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Izuta, Manli Yuan, Ayumi Tadano
  • Patent number: 11190751
    Abstract: A scanning camera for capturing images along two or more curved scan paths, the scanning camera comprising a camera assembly associated with each scan path, each camera assembly comprising an image sensor and a lens; a scanning mirror; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror; wherein the drive is operative to rotate the scanning mirror about a spin axis according to a spin angle; the spin axis is tilted relative to each camera optical axis; the scanning mirror is tilted relative to the spin axis and each camera optical axis; the scanning mirror is positioned to reflect an imaging beam into each lens in turn; and each image sensor is operative to capture each image along a respective one of the scan paths by sampling the imaging beam at a corresponding spin angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: nearmap australia pty ltd
    Inventor: Paul Lapstun
  • Patent number: 11181806
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a lens driving device comprising: a housing; a bobbin disposed inside the housing; a magnet disposed in the housing; a first coil which is disposed in the bobbin, and is opposite to the magnet; a base disposed on the lower side of the housing; a substrate portion comprising a body portion, which is disposed on the upper surface of the base, and a terminal portion extending toward the lower side of the body portion; a terminal portion accommodating portion which is formed on a side surface of the base and accommodates at least a part of the terminal portion; and an adhesive accommodating groove which is formed in the terminal portion accommodating portion and accommodates at least a part of an adhesive contacting the terminal portion and the terminal portion accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Cheol Kim, Jin Suk Han, Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min, Byung Wook Son, Kyoung Ho Yoo, Tae Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 11184593
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an image capturing device and an image capturing method. The image capturing device includes a tone mapping circuit, a color correction circuit, and a color gamut mapping circuit. The tone mapping circuit obtains a first image including a first pixel and performs a tone mapping operation to obtain a brightness adjustment parameter, where the first pixel includes a plurality of first color channels. The color correction circuit converts the first color channels into a plurality of second color channels based on the brightness adjustment parameter and the brightness of the first pixel. The color gamut mapping circuit performs a color gamut mapping operation on the second color channels to convert the second color channels into a plurality of third color channels, and outputs a second image, where the second image includes the second pixel characterized by the third color channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ITE Tech. Inc.
    Inventors: Yumin Lee, Min-Chen Ho, Sheng-Chung Lai