Patents Examined by Lin Ye
  • Patent number: 11689805
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to be able to output an image capturing signal and a focus detection image signal, a focus detection unit configured to set, on a screen of the image sensor, a focus detection range, and to perform focus detection, in each of a plurality of focus detection frames in the focus detection range, and a focus adjustment unit configured to perform a focus adjustment, during a shooting preparation operation and a shooting operation, based on an output of the focus detection unit, for tracking a subject, wherein the focus detection unit makes the focus detection range during the shooting operation broader than the focus detection range during shooting preparation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junichi Imamiya
  • Patent number: 11689803
    Abstract: A dual-aperture camera comprising a first camera having a first sensor and a first image signal processor (ISP), the first camera operative to output a first stream of frames, a second camera having a second sensor and a second ISP, the second camera operative to output a second stream of frames, and a synchronization and operation control module configurable to control operation of one camera in a fully operational mode and operation of the other camera in a partially operational mode and to output an output of the fully operational camera as a dual-aperture camera output, whereby the partially operational mode of the other camera reduces a dual-aperture camera the power consumption in comparison with a full operational mode of the other camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Gal Shabtay, Oded Gigushinski, Nadav Geva, Anat Leshem Gat, Gil Bachar
  • Patent number: 11689808
    Abstract: Image synthesis system are disclosed for synthesizing a global shutter image based on a rolling shutter image. The rolling shutter image is captured by an aerial camera system having at least one rolling shutter camera and the rolling shutter image has a plurality of scanlines, the scanlines having associated different position and pose information. The image synthesis system is arranged to project a rolling shutter image captured by a rolling shutter camera to object space, such as by projecting each scanline of the rolling shutter image using position and pose information associated with the scanline, and subsequently from object space to a synthetic global shutter image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Spookfish Innovations PTY LTD
    Inventors: Simon Cope, Peter Kovesi, Jianzhong Xiao
  • Patent number: 11683602
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array of 1×3 pixel circuits that include 3 photodiodes in a column. Bitlines are coupled to the 1×3 pixel circuits. The bitlines are divided into groupings of 3 bitlines per column of the 1×3 pixel circuits. Each column of the 1×3 pixel circuits includes a plurality of first banks coupled to a first bitline, a plurality of second banks coupled to a second bitline, and a plurality of third banks coupled to a third bitline of a respective grouping of the 3 bitlines. The 1×3 pixel circuits are arranged into groupings of 3 1×3 pixel circuits per nine cell pixel structures that form a plurality of 3×3 pixel structures of the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sangjoo Lee, Rui Wang, Xuelian Liu, Min Qu, Liang Zuo, Selcuk Sen, Hiroaki Ebihara, Lihang Fan
  • Patent number: 11681061
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for capturing images in visible light as well as other radiation wavelengths. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a diffraction coded imaging system including a plurality of apertures arranged in a diffraction coded array pattern with opaque material blocking array elements not containing apertures; and a light- or radiation-sensitive sensor coupled to the diffraction coded imaging system array and positioned at a specified distance behind the diffraction coded imaging system array, the radiation-sensitive sensor configured to sense light or radiation transmitted and diffracted through the apertures in the diffraction coded imaging system array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: REARDEN, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen G. Perlman
  • Patent number: 11682685
    Abstract: Provided are a color separation element and an image sensor including the same. The color separation element includes a spacer layer; and a color separation lens array, which includes at least one nano-post arranged in the spacer layer and is configured to form a phase distribution for splitting and focusing incident light according to wavelengths, wherein periodic regions in which color separation lens arrays are repeatedly arranged are provided, and the color separation lens array is configured to interrupt phase distribution at the boundary of the periodic regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sookyoung Roh, Seokho Yun
  • Patent number: 11683580
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus including a display control unit that causes an image captured by any of one or a plurality of imaging devices to be displayed in a captured image display region that is a part of a display unit, causes second information related to the one or plurality of imaging devices to be displayed in a captured image hiding region that is a part of the display unit and different from the captured image display region, and causes first information related to the one or plurality of corresponding imaging devices to be displayed in the captured image display region in accordance with the second information being displayed and the one or plurality of imaging devices being in a predetermined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsutaka Ito
  • Patent number: 11675048
    Abstract: A time-of-flight camera has; an illumination source for illuminating a scene; an image sensor for detecting light; and a processor configured to: control the image sensor for scanning a scene for detecting illumination; determine a time slot for illumination of the scene, based on the scanning result of the scene; and control the illumination source to illuminate the scene in the determined time slot, based on a time-division multiple access scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Manuel Amaya-Benitez
  • Patent number: 11676405
    Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to identification of objects for three-dimensional depth imaging. An embodiment of an apparatus includes one or more processors to process image data and control operation of the apparatus; an image sensor to collect image data; and a receiver and transmitter for communication of data, wherein the apparatus is to receive a notification of a first device entering a physical space, transmit a request to the device for a light signal to identify the device, detect the light signal from the device, determine a location of the device, and store an identification for the first device and the determined location of the first device in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Edward R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 11678084
    Abstract: An image sensor may include adaptive filtering circuitry that is used to correct for row noise. In one example, the image sensor may include a single reference pixel or a column of reference pixels that are shielded from incident light. The adaptive filtering circuitry may estimate row noise based on data from the reference pixel(s). Row noise correction circuitry may then subtract the estimated row noise from imaging pixel outputs to correct for row noise. If the row noise is dominated by supply noise, the reference pixels may be omitted entirely and the adaptive filtering circuitry may estimate row noise based only on the power supply voltage. The adaptive filtering circuitry may undergo a training phase to optimize coefficients for the adaptive filtering circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Spiessens
  • Patent number: 11678088
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state image sensor, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of switching FD conversion efficiency in all pixels of a solid-state image sensor. A photodiode performs photoelectric conversion on incident light. A floating diffusion (FD) stores charge obtained by the photodiode. FD2, which is a second FD to which the capacity of an additional capacitor MIM is added, adds the capacity to the FD. The additional capacitor MIM is constituted by a first electrode formed by a wiring layer and a second electrode formed by a metallic light blocking film provided on a surface of a substrate on which the photodiode is formed. Switching between the FD and FD+FD2 allows switching of the FD conversion efficiency. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Machida, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11678067
    Abstract: An image sensor processor implemented method for retaining pixel intensity, comprising: receiving, by the image processor, a numerical value indicative of a corresponding pixel intensity; determining, by the image processor, whether a least significant portion of the received numerical value is equal to a predetermined numerical value; and responsive to determining the least significant portion of the received numerical value is equal to the predetermined numerical value, rounding, by the image processor, the received numerical value of the corresponding pixel intensity to a higher or lower value depending on a bit sequence, and if the least significant portion of the received numerical value is not equal to the predetermined value, rounding the received numerical value to the higher or lower value based on the received numerical value; and binning the rounded value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiyi Ren, Wenshou Chen, Guansong Liu
  • Patent number: 11678086
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel, an A/D conversion portion and an output circuit. The pixel includes first and second photoelectric conversion portions and an accumulation portion configured to accumulate a signal charge in a location other than the photoelectric conversion portions. The A/D conversion portion is configured to perform A/D conversions on signals based on signal charges generated in the photoelectric conversions. The output circuit reads out first and second signals based on first and second signal charges accumulated in the first and second photoelectric conversion portions during an electric charge accumulation period and a third signal based on a third signal charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion portion and accumulated in the accumulation portion during the electric charge accumulation period. Conversion periods for analog-to-digital conversion to be performed on at least two of the first, second, or third signals have different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11671727
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a first test block, a second test block, and a readout block. The first test block includes a plurality of first image sensing pixels structured to convert incident light carrying an image into a first pixel signal indicative of the image, and a first heating element structured to transmit heat to the first image sensing pixels. The second test block includes a plurality of second image sensing pixels that each include a light blocking structure to be shielded from receiving incident light to generate a second pixel signal without being directly exposed to the incident light, and a second heating element structured to transmit heat to the second image sensing pixels. The readout block processes the first pixel signal output from the first test block and the second pixel signal output from the second test block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Hui Yang
  • Patent number: 11671718
    Abstract: A method for increasing a dynamic range of a dual-pixel image sensor is described. The method includes detecting an intensity level of a full pixel from a plurality of pixels of an optical sensor, one or more full pixels of the plurality of pixels includes at least two sub-pixels, detecting an intensity level of one or more sub-pixels, detecting that the intensity level of the full pixel of the optical sensor has reached a saturation level of the full pixel, and in response to detecting that the intensity level of the full pixel of the optical sensor has reached the saturation level of the full pixel, computing an extrapolated intensity level of the full pixel based on the intensity level of the one or more sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Sagi Katz, Netanel Kligler, Gilad Refael
  • Patent number: 11671579
    Abstract: A method is described comprising: applying a random pattern to specified regions of an object; tracking the movement of the random pattern during a motion capture session; and generating motion data representing the movement of the object using the tracked movement of the random pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rearden Mova, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Cotter, Stephen G. Perlman, John Speck, Roger van der Laan, Kenneth A. Pearce, Greg LaSalle
  • Patent number: 11669935
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an image sensor for acquiring a pixel value of each of a plurality pixels; and a controller for acquiring a pattern image including the pixel value of each of the plurality of pixels and an exposure value representing an exposure time, generating a plurality of super resolution images based on pixels having the same exposure value among the plurality of pixels included in the pattern image, generating a motion map, which represents a motion of an object based on a ratio of exposure values of pixels at a selected position among a plurality of pixels included in the plurality of super resolution images and a ratio of pixel values of the pixels at the selected position, and generating a target image according to a weighted sum of the plurality of super resolution images and the motion map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Ik Kim
  • Patent number: 11669994
    Abstract: Provided is a method including emitting, with a laser light emitter disposed on a robot, a collimated laser beam projecting a light point on a surface opposite the laser light emitter; capturing, with each of at least two image sensors disposed on the robot, images of the projected light point; overlaying, with a processor of the robot, the images captured by the at least two image sensors to produce a superimposed image showing both captured images in a single image; determining, with the processor of the robot, a first distance between the projected light points in the superimposed image; and determining, with the processor, a second distance based on the first distance using a relationship that relates distance between light points with distance between the robot or a sensor thereof and the surface on which the collimated laser beam is projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventors: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Soroush Mehrnia, Lukas Fath
  • Patent number: 11665446
    Abstract: An image sensing system includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter circuit, and an average calculator. The analog-to-digital converter circuit converts a first pixel signal to first pixel data and converts a second pixel signal to second pixel data. The average calculator generates a first average bit based on a first bit of the first pixel data and a first bit of the second pixel data during a first time and generates a second average bit based on a second bit of the first pixel data and a second bit of the second pixel data during a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heesung Chae, Yunhwan Jung, Kyung-Min Kim, Kyungtae Kim
  • Patent number: 11665432
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to illumination synchronization in a multi-imager environment. Embodiments include systems, methods, computer program products, and apparatuses configured for operating a near-field illumination source associated with a near-field image sensor, based on a first illumination pulse train. An exposure period of a far-field image sensor is determined and one or more characteristics of the first illumination pulse train are modified to accommodate the exposure period of the far-field image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gennady Germaine, Paul Poloniewicz, Michael Miraglia, Benjamin Hejl, Gregory Rueblinger, Erik Van Horn, Tao Xian, David Wilz, Sr., Chen Feng, Shankar Ban