Patents Examined by Mark T Monk
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Patent number: 12243897Abstract: A decrease in image quality is suppressed. A solid-state imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a photoelectric conversion unit (PD) including a material having a smaller band gap energy than silicon; and a circuit board joined to the photoelectric conversion unit, the circuit board including: a pixel signal generation circuit that generates a pixel signal having a voltage value corresponding to a charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit; and a thermometer circuit that detects a temperature of the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Misao Suzuki, Kiyoshige Tsuji
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Patent number: 12244979Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to defective pixel detection and correction, and more specifically to using threshold functions based on color channels to compare pixel values to threshold values. A method is provided herein that comprises identifying a color channel of an image pixel in a frame and identifying a threshold function based at least on the color channel. The method further comprises applying the threshold function to one or more nearest-neighbor values to obtain a threshold value and determining whether a corresponding sensor pixel is defective based at least on a comparison of the image pixel to the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Jing-Fei Ren, Hrushikesh Garud, Rajasekhar Allu, Gang Hua, Niraj Nandan, Mayank Mangla, Mihir Narendra Mody
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Patent number: 12238404Abstract: A dolly zoom effect can be applied to one or more images captured via a resource-constrained device (e.g., a mobile smartphone) by manipulating the size of a target feature while the background in the one or more images changes due to physical movement of the resource-constrained device. The target feature can be detected using facial recognition or shape detection techniques. The target feature can be resized before the size is manipulated as the background changes (e.g., changes perspective).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Linjie Luo, Chongyang Ma, Zehao Xue
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Patent number: 12231749Abstract: Imaging systems, cameras, and image sensors of this disclosure include imaging pixels that include subpixels. Diffractive optical elements such as a metasurface lens layers or a liquid crystal polarization hologram (LCPH) are configured to focus image light to the subpixels of the imaging pixels.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Qing Chao, Lu Lu, Xinqiao Liu, Hao Yu, Junren Wang
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Patent number: 12212869Abstract: A high-speed CMOS pixel detector is provided, which includes a plurality of super pixel modules, where each super pixel module includes an array of N×M super pixel cells and a digital readout logic circuit connected to the N×M super pixel cells, and data is output between the super pixel modules via asynchronous control logic; and peripheral modules, including at least an EoC module, a peripheral readout module, and a peripheral data transmission module connected in sequence, where the EoC module is connected to the super pixel modules. This application adopts a structure in which a plurality of super pixel cells are integrated, allowing for upgrading of a serial sparse readout mode to a parallel sparse readout mode, thereby greatly improving a readout rate, enabling a plurality of pixels to share resources, and reducing pixel dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2024Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Central China Normal UniversityInventors: Le Xiao, Xiangming Sun, Bihui You
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Patent number: 12212860Abstract: Provided is an image sensor circuit, including a pixel array and a plurality of different control circuits. The pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel circuit groups arranged in an array. Each pixel circuit group comprises a plurality of pixel circuits that generate corresponding sensitivity values over exposure duration. The pixel circuits include a first quantity of first pixel circuits, and a second quantity of second pixel circuits. The plurality of different control circuits are respectively coupled to different pixel circuits to control the exposure duration thereof with different transmission signals. The different control circuits are also set to control different pixel circuits to output photo-sensed values at different frame rates. The image sensor circuit periodically generates the pixel value of each pixel circuit group according to first and second exposure durations, first and second frame rates, and first and second light sensitivity values of each pixel circuit group.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Guangzhou Tyrafos Semiconductor Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ping-Hung Yin, Jia-Shyang Wang, Dean Wang
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Patent number: 12212863Abstract: In global shutter image sensors, the light shields are often not completely lightproof and incoming light causes continued exposure even after the global shutter is shut. This ‘parasitic light’ degrades the recorded image. Disclosed is a method, performed by an imaging device with a global shutter image sensor, for recording an image with reduced degrading effects from parasitic light in the image sensor. The disclosed device and related method combine the global shutter functionality of the global shutter image sensor with a shutter such as a mechanical shutter. A precise synchronization of the closing of the shutter means that the shutter can block all incoming light—and thus stop parasitic light in the image sensor—shortly after the exposure is stopped by the global shutter image sensor. This allows the imaging device to record very short exposure images without the detrimental effects of parasitic light.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Inventors: Lau Nørgaard, Thomas Andersen
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Patent number: 12200390Abstract: Multiple read image sensors, and associated methods for the same, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises reading out a reset level from a pixel to a corresponding sample and hold circuit; storing the reset level to a first storage device and to a second storage device of the sample and hold circuit; reading out a signal level from the pixel to the sample and hold circuit; and storing the signal level to a third storage device and to a fourth storage device of the sample and hold circuit. The reset level and the signal level can correspond to a same correlated double sampling of an image data signal captured by the pixel. The method can further include reading out the reset level from the first storage device; reading out the signal level from the third storage device; and recovering a first copy of the image data signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Tomas Geurts, Amit Mittra, Kevin Johnson
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Patent number: 12200376Abstract: An integrated high-speed image sensor includes a pixel array; a processor configured to determine a region of interest (ROI) and a region of non-interest (RONI) of the pixel array; an analog signal processing circuit configured to read out ROI image data at a first frame rate and read out RONI image data at a second frame rate; and a memory storing the ROI image data and the RONI image data.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2023Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Woo-Shik Kim, Jonghwan Ko
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Patent number: 12189838Abstract: A high-resolution image sensor suitable for use in an augmented reality (AR) system to provide low latency image analysis with low power consumption. The AR system can be compact, and may be small enough to be packaged within a wearable device such as a set of goggles or mounted on a frame resembling ordinary eyeglasses. The image sensor may receive information about a region of an imaging array associated with a movable object, selectively output imaging information for that region, and synchronously output high-resolution image frames. The region may be updated dynamically as the image sensor and/or the object moves. The image sensor may output the high-resolution image frames less frequently than the region being updated when the image sensor and/or the object moves. Such an image sensor provides a small amount of data from which object information used in rendering an AR scene can be developed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.Inventors: Martin Georg Zahnert, Alexander Ilic
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Patent number: 12192660Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric converter, a first node configured to be supplied with charges from the photoelectric converter, an amplification transistor configured to output a signal corresponding to a voltage of the first node, a first transistor configured to open/close a path between the first node and a second node not included in a path from the photoelectric converter to the first node, and a second transistor configured to open/close a path between the second node and a third node. A second capacitance which is added to the second node when the second transistor is set in a conductive state is larger than a first capacitance which is added to the first node when the first transistor is set in a conductive state.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yusuke Onuki
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Patent number: 12192627Abstract: Provided are a signal processing device, a signal processing method, a signal processing program, an imaging apparatus, and a lens apparatus capable of accurately calculating an amount of blurring on the basis of a signal which is output from a blurring detection sensor. The signal processing device processes a signal which is output from a blurring detection sensor in progress of exposure of an imaging element. The signal processing device includes a processor. The processor is configured to perform processing of generating a second signal obtained by performing high-pass filter processing on a first signal which is output from the blurring detection sensor; and processing of calculating an amount of blurring on the basis of the first signal or the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Toshiki Kobayashi, Yota Akashi, Yuya Hirakawa, Yuta Watanabe
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Patent number: 12183762Abstract: An image sensing device may include a pixel array. The pixel array includes a sensing region including a plurality of unit pixels, each unit pixel configured to detect incident light to generate photocharge indicative of the detected incident light, a bias field region doped with impurities and disposed along an edge of the sensing region and a contact portion connected to the bias field region to apply a bias voltage to the bias field region to move the photocharge in the sensing region.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.Inventors: Jae Hyung Jang, Jong Chae Kim, Jae Won Lee
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Patent number: 12170833Abstract: A display device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire moving image data acquired by adding information of a cutout area of a moving image set on the basis of a face direction of a user capturing the moving image to the moving image; a display control unit configured to display a frame representing the cutout area when the moving image data is reproduced; an acceptance unit configured to accept an operation for the frame for correcting the cutout area; a correction unit configured to add correction information of the cutout area corrected by the operation to the moving image data; and a generation unit configured to generate a cutout moving image from the moving image on the basis of the information of the cutout area and the correction information.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2023Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ryusuke Okuhara
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Patent number: 12170834Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to displaying visual effects in image data. In some examples, visual effects include an avatar displayed on a user's face. In some examples, visual effects include stickers applied to image data. In some examples, visual effects include screen effects. In some examples, visual effects are modified based on depth data in the image data.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2023Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Marcel Van Os, Lee Broughton, Nicholas V. King, Grant Paul, William A. Sorrentino, III
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Patent number: 12167129Abstract: An apparatus includes a primary camera sensor configured to capture images having a first resolution, a primary processing circuit configured to process images captured by the primary camera sensor, a secondary camera sensor configured to capture images having a second resolution, and a secondary processing circuit configured to process images captured by the secondary camera sensor. In response to a determination that a particular object of interest is included in a particular image, the secondary processing circuit may be further configured to cause the primary processing circuit and the primary camera sensor to exit a reduced power mode. The primary camera sensor may be further configured, in response to the exiting, to capture a different image. The primary processing circuit may also be configured to process the different image to validate the particular object of interest.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paolo Di Febbo, Chaminda N. Vidanagamachchi, Yohan Rajan, Anselm Grundhoefer
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Patent number: 12160676Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a photodiode configured to perform avalanche multiplication, a recharging circuit configured to perform a recharging operation to bring the photodiode after the avalanche multiplication into a state in which the avalanche multiplication can be performed again based on a first control signal including pulses that periodically repeat transitions from a first level to a second level, and a counter configured to count the number of occurrences of the avalanche multiplication by being enabled based on a second control signal. Before the counter is enabled based on the second control signal, the first control signal transitions from the first level to the second level and transitions from the second level to the first level.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2022Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masayuki Tsuchiya, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yasuharu Ota
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Patent number: 12160675Abstract: Pixel sensitivity is improved in a solid-state imaging element that performs time delay integration. The solid-state imaging element includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a given number of transistors. In the solid-state imaging element, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is arranged along a given direction with a given spacing. A size, in the given direction, of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are arranged with the given spacing does not exceed the given spacing. Also, in the solid-state imaging element, the given number of transistors are arranged between the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and the transistors generate a signal commensurate with an amount of charge generated by any of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Tomohiro Yamazaki, Yoshinori Muramatsu
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Patent number: 12155954Abstract: A handheld communication device includes an imaging device having: pixel sensors arranged in a first direction and a second direction that respond to incident light, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction; drive-sense circuits, wherein each of the plurality of drive-sense circuits is coupled to a corresponding one of the pixel sensors and generates sensed signals, wherein each of the drive-sense circuits includes: a first conversion circuit configured to convert a receive signal component of a sensor signal corresponding to the corresponding one of the pixel sensors into a corresponding one of the sensed signals; and a second conversion circuit configured to generate, based on the corresponding one of the sensed signals, a drive signal component of the sensor signal corresponding to the one of the pixel sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: SigmaSense, LLC.Inventor: Michael Shawn Gray
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Patent number: 12149846Abstract: Disclosed are a time delay integration (TDI)-based image sensor and an imaging method thereof. The TDI-based image sensor includes: a multi-stage linear array including a plurality of single-stage linear arrays arranged along a scanning direction of the image sensor. Each single-stage linear array includes a plurality of pixels arranged along the linear array direction. Each single-stage linear array enters a count mode in response to a first control signal, and enters a transfer mode in response to a second control signal. In the count mode, each single-stage linear array counts optical signals incident on the pixels and obtains a count value, and in the transfer mode, each single-stage linear array stops counting, except for the last single-stage linear array, other single-stage linear arrays each output the obtained current count value to the next single-stage linear array, and the last single-stage linear array outputs the obtained current count value.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITYInventors: Cheng Mao, Xiangshun Kong, Feng Yan