Patents Examined by Lin Ye
  • Patent number: 11598863
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a light source configured to operate by a light control signal having a first duty ratio; a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are disposed, each of the plurality of pixels including a photodiode for generating electrical charges in response to a light reception signal output by the light source and reflected from a subject, and a pixel circuit for outputting a pixel signal corresponding to electrical charges of the photodiode; and a logic circuit configured to generate raw data for generating a depth image using the pixel signal, wherein the logic circuit inputs a photo control signal having a second duty ratio to the pixel circuit connected to the photodiode in each of the plurality of pixels, and wherein the first duty ratio is not an integer multiple of the second duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myeonggyun Kye, Seungchul Shin, Minsun Keel
  • Patent number: 11595601
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that transfers data in a vertical direction, the number of times of transfer is reduced. The solid-state imaging element is provided with a plurality of storage units and a data transfer circuit. In the solid-state imaging element, each of the plurality of storage units is provided with a holding unit that holds predetermined reset data and signal data according to an amount of light, and an arithmetic circuit that obtains a difference between the reset data and the signal data to output as pixel data. Furthermore, the data transfer circuit in the solid-state imaging element transfers the output pixel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryohei Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 11595600
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Parker Altice
  • Patent number: 11595572
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes obtaining distance information and subject information with respect to a captured image, specifying, based on the obtained distance information, a first subject region in which images of subjects that exist in a predetermined distance range are distributed in the captured image, specifying, based on the subject information and independently of the obtained distance information, specifying a second subject region that includes a region from which the predetermined subject has been detected in the captured image, and determining a target region for which the image processing is executed with reference to at least one of the first subject region and the second subject region. A subject region varies depending on at least one of an image capture condition of the captured image and a state of the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoko Watazawa
  • Patent number: 11595575
    Abstract: An imaging device may code light, passing through an imaging optical lens arranged in a multi-lens array (MLA), and may transmit the light to a sensing element, and the sensing element may restore an image based on sensed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Ho Cho, Deokyoung Kang, Geonwoo Kim, Dong Kyung Nam
  • Patent number: 11592643
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of stably detecting rotating operations of a rotary ring provided on an outer periphery of a lens barrel or the like. A holding member is provided on an inner periphery of the rotary ring to hold the rotary ring. A rotation detecting member detects a rotation direction and a rotation amount of the rotary ring when the rotary ring has been rotated. An urging member urges the rotary ring against the holding member in an urging direction perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotary ring. A detecting direction of the rotation detecting member and the urging direction of the urging member are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinga Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11588991
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a second image sensor having an organic photoelectric conversion film transmitting a specific light, and a first image sensor which is stacked in layers on a same semiconductor substrate as that of the second image sensor and which receives the specific light having transmitted the second image sensor, in which a pixel for focus detection is provided in the second image sensor or the first image sensor. Therefore, an AF method can be realized independently of a pixel for imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironobu Murata
  • Patent number: 11588970
    Abstract: An optical camera system includes a first lens driving mechanism, a second lens driving mechanism, and a casing. The first lens driving mechanism includes a first outer frame and a first driving assembly. The first driving assembly is configured to drive a first optical component to move relative to the first outer frame. The second lens driving mechanism includes a second outer frame and a second driving assembly. The second driving assembly is configured to drive a second optical component to move relative to the second outer frame. The casing has at least three side walls perpendicular to each other, at least two side walls of the first outer frame face two side walls of the casing, and at least two side walls of the second outer frame face two side walls of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventor: Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 11588988
    Abstract: The binning method of an image sensor includes reading out a plurality of pixel signals from at least two rows of each of a plurality of areas of a pixel array at a time, each of the plurality of areas including a plurality of pixels arranged in a 2n×2n matrix, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2; generating first image data by performing analog-to-digital conversion on the plurality of pixel signals; generating, based on the first image data, a first summation value of each of a plurality of binning areas based on two pixel values corresponding to a same color in each of the plurality of binning areas, the plurality of binning areas corresponding to the plurality of areas of the pixel array; and generating a second summation value of each of two binning areas based on two first summation values corresponding to a same color in the two binning areas, the two binning areas being adjacent to each other in a column direction among the plurality of binning areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chanyoung Jang, Hee Kang, Wooseok Choi
  • Patent number: 11582409
    Abstract: Visual-inertial tracking of an eyewear device using a rolling shutter camera(s). The eyewear device includes a position determining system. Visual-inertial tracking is implemented by sensing motion of the eyewear device. An initial pose is obtained for a rolling shutter camera and an image of an environment is captured. The image includes feature points captured at a particular capture time. A number of poses for the rolling shutter camera is computed based on the initial pose and sensed movement of the device. The number of computed poses is responsive to the sensed movement of the mobile device. A computed pose is selected for each feature point in the image by matching the particular capture time for the feature point to the particular computed time for the computed pose. The position of the mobile device is determined within the environment using the feature points and the selected computed poses for the feature points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Kalkgruber, Erick Mendez Mendez, Daniel Wagner, Daniel Wolf, Kai Zhou
  • Patent number: 11582406
    Abstract: To reduce a circuit scale in a solid-state image sensor that detects an address event. The solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array unit and a drive circuit. In the solid-state image sensor, in the pixel array unit, a logarithmic response pixel that outputs an analog signal proportional to a logarithmic value of an incident light amount and a detection pixel that detects whether or not a change amount of the incident light amount has exceeded a predetermined threshold and outputs a detection signal indicating a detection result are arrayed. Furthermore, in the solid-state image sensor, the drive circuit drives the logarithmic response pixel and the detection pixel to output the analog signal and the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongbo Zhu, Masaki Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11582411
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Parker Altice
  • Patent number: 11582383
    Abstract: A method and processor system are provided which analyze a depth map, which may be obtained from a range sensor capturing depth information of a scene, to identify where an object is located in the scene. Accordingly, a region of interest may be identified in the scene which includes the object, and image data may be selectively obtained of the region of interest, rather than of the entire scene containing the object. This image data may be acquired by an image sensor configured for capturing visible light information of the scene. By only selectively obtaining the image data within the region of interest, rather than all of the image data, improvements may be realized in the computational complexity of a possible further processing of the image data, the storage of the image data and/or the transmission of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: KONINKLIJKE KPN N.V., NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Frank Ter Haar, Nanda van der Stap, Hans Maarten Stokking, Martin Prins, Simon Gunkel
  • Patent number: 11582371
    Abstract: A camera module miniaturized in both width and length includes a baseplate, a lens assembly, and a bracket. The bracket includes a support plate and a support member disposed on the support plate. The support plate includes a first surface facing away from the baseplate and a second surface facing the baseplate. The support plate defines a first opening penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The lens assembly is disposed on the first surface and completely covers the first opening. The support member is located between the support plate and the baseplate. The support member includes a first support portion and a plurality of second support portions arranged at intervals, the first support portion is disposed on the second surface and surrounds the peripheral edge of the first opening. Each second support portion extends outwards from an outer surface of the first support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jing-Wei Li, Sheng-Jie Ding, Jian-Chao Song, Yu-Shuai Li
  • Patent number: 11575849
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a vision sensor and a processor. The vision sensor generates a plurality of events in which an intensity of light changes and generates a plurality of timestamps depending on times when the events occur. In addition, the processor may regenerate a timestamp of a pixel where an abnormal event occurs, based on temporal correlation of the events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keun Joo Park, Junseok Kim, Yohan Roh, Hyunsurk Ryu, Jooyeon Woo, Hyunku Lee
  • Patent number: 11575814
    Abstract: An image capturing device is provided, which includes an image capture component and N light modules. The image capture component is configured to capture an appearance image of a component. The N light modules are disposed around the image capture component, to be turned on alternately, and N?4. When at least one of the N light modules is turned on, the image capture component captures the appearance image of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Kuan-Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 11575852
    Abstract: An imaging device according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit, a connector, and a converter. The imaging unit includes a first signal line, a first pixel, a second signal line, and a second pixel. The first pixel outputs a first pixel voltage to the first signal line. The first pixel voltage corresponds to an amount of received light. The second pixel outputs a second pixel voltage to the second signal line. The second pixel voltage corresponds to the amount of received light. The connector includes a connection line, a first connection switch, a first control circuit, a second connection switch, and a second control circuit. The converter is coupled to the first signal line and the second signal line. The converter performs AD conversion on the basis of each of the first pixel voltage and the second pixel voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Ito
  • Patent number: 11570383
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: pixels that are disposed in a row direction and a column direction and that include a first pixel and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel along the row direction; a shield electrode located between the first pixel and the second pixel; a first shield via that extends from the shield electrode. The first pixel includes: a first photoelectric conversion layer that converts incident light to generate charge; and a first pixel electrode that collects the charge generated thereby. The second pixel includes: a second photoelectric conversion layer that converts incident light to generate charge; and a second pixel electrode that collects the charge generated thereby. The shield electrode is electrically isolated from the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode, and the first shield via is located between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Isono, Tatsunori Momose, Ryota Sakaida
  • Patent number: 11570350
    Abstract: A device mounted in an apparatus including a mounting part capable of detaching/attaching is provided. The device is capable of executing at least one predetermined processing for image data and/or audio data obtained by an image capturing apparatus when the device is mounted in the image capturing apparatus including the mounting part. The device executes authentication based on identification information of the image capturing apparatus, if the authentication succeeds, controls the device such that processing selected by the image capturing apparatus from the at least one predetermined processing is executed for the image data and/or the audio data, and if the authentication fails, controls to disable a function of executing the selected processing in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuaki Ise
  • Patent number: 11563910
    Abstract: An image capture device is described. The image capture device includes an array of pixels. Each pixel includes a 2×2 array of photodetectors. The image capture device also includes an array of 1×2 on chip lenses (OCLs) disposed over the array of pixels. For each pixel in the array of pixels, a respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs is disposed over a pixel, with each respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs including a respective first 1×2 OCL disposed over a first photodetector and a respective second photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel, and a second 1×2 OCL disposed over a third photodetector and a fourth photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Xiangli Li