Patents Examined by Mekonnen Dagnew
  • Systems and methods for combined staring and scanning focal plane arrays
    Patent number: 9438798
    Abstract: A combined scanning and staring (SCARING) focal plane array (FPA) imaging system having a plurality of modes of operation is provided. In one example, the SCARING FPA system includes a photodetector array with a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a plurality of photodetector rows, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) coupled to the photodetector array, and a processor coupled to the ROIC. The processor coupled to the ROIC is configured to dynamically configure the SCARING FPA between a scanning mode of operation and a staring mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: David Buell, John L. Vampola, Micky R. Harris, Steven Botts
  • Apparatus for detecting information overlaid on light and system including the apparatus
    Patent number: 9432573
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to an implementation of the present invention includes: an imaging device unit which converts light coming from an object into an image signal, the light being illuminating light reflected off an object; a light pattern detecting unit which detects a light-dark pattern from the image signal so as to detect information overlaid on the illuminating light, the image signal being converted from the light by the imaging device unit; a comparing unit which compares detection information with predetermined determination information, the detection information being the information detected by the light pattern detecting unit; and a display unit which displays a specific image, depending on a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Arakawa
  • Array cameras incorporating independently aligned lens stacks
    Patent number: 9426343
    Abstract: Array cameras, and array camera modules incorporating independently aligned lens stacks are disclosed. Processes for manufacturing array camera modules including independently aligned lens stacks can include: forming at least one hole in at least one carrier; mounting the at least one carrier relative to at least one sensor so that light passing through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier is incident on a plurality of focal planes formed by arrays of pixels on the at least one sensor; and independently mounting a plurality of lens barrels to the at least one carrier, so that a lens stack in each lens barrel directs light through the at least one hole in the at least one carrier and focuses the light onto one of the plurality of focal planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Errol Mark Rodda, Jacques Duparré
  • Zero delay photographic synchronization system and method
    Patent number: 9420157
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing a remote device to image acquisition by a camera body including detecting a predictor signal of the camera body that occurs a known time prior to shutter opening. The detected predictor signal is used to determine a time to synchronize the remote device to image acquisition via wireless communication. For example, the detected predictor signal may be used to predict when the shutter of the camera will be open. A wireless communication system for synchronizing a remote device to a camera body may include a memory having information used to synchronize the remote device to image acquisition based on the detection of the predictor signal occurring prior to a shutter opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: LAB PARTNERS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Control apparatus, image pickup system, and control method
    Patent number: 9405092
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a first focus detection unit that performs focus detection by a phase difference method based on an image signal obtained from an image pickup element, a second focus detection unit that performs focus detection by a contrast method, and a control unit that performs focusing, the control unit performs the focusing, in a first mode, by using a detection result of the first focus detection unit, and performs the focusing, in a second mode, by selectively using one of the detection result of the first focus detection unit and a detection result of the second focus detection unit according to lens information, and the first mode is a mode in which the focusing is repeated, and the second mode is a mode in which a lens is stopped after the focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Miyako Nakamoto, Satoshi Hirota, Takayuki Ishii
  • Depth sensor using modulated light projector and image sensor with color and IR sensing
    Patent number: 9407837
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a modulated light projector to project an infrared light pattern and an image sensor. The image sensor includes an array of photosensors and a filter array overlying the array of photosensors. The filter array comprises a mosaic of color filter elements and infrared filter elements, each color filter element overlying a corresponding photosensor of a first subset of photosensors and each infrared filter element overlying a corresponding photosensor of a second subset of photosensors. The electronic device further includes a controller to, in a first mode, control the image sensor to capture a color image using the first subset of photosensors and, in a second mode, control the image sensor to capture a depth image representing a reflection of the infrared light pattern using the second subset of photosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny C. Lee
  • Image pickup apparatus, control method therefore and storage medium employing phase difference pixels
    Patent number: 9407884
    Abstract: A digital signal processing unit 17 extracts a determination block which includes a predetermined number of pixels and has a pixel to be corrected as the center. When an edge of an object image is present in each determination block, the direction of the edge is a direction perpendicular to a direction in which a phase difference is detected by the phase difference detecting pixel, and the edge overlaps the pixel to be corrected, the digital signal processing unit 17 performs interpolation correction for an output signal from the pixel to be corrected in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazufumi Sugawara
  • Distributed automatic image and video processing
    Patent number: 9407807
    Abstract: A method and system for cooperative image acquisition and processing. A system comprising a group of network-connected cooperating cameras, where upon determining an imaging event a camera requests imaging from cooperating cameras. The best video describing the event is selected or generated from the acquired videos. The additional description of the video is created in the form of machine-readable metadata, and human-readable text description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FRIMORY TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventor: Ron Fridental
  • Image pickup apparatus, interchangeable lens, and camera system
    Patent number: 9398228
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus on which an interchangeable lens is removably mounted, includes an image pickup element configured to perform a photoelectric conversion of an optical image formed via the interchangeable lens, and a controller configured to control a power supply to the interchangeable lens mounted on the image pickup apparatus. When the mounted interchangeable lens is a first type interchangeable lens and a power is turned off, the controller performs an aperture control so as to change a first aperture state set in the interchangeable lens to a second aperture state and then stops the power supply to the interchangeable lens. When the mounted interchangeable lens is a second type interchangeable lens and the power is turned off, the controller maintains the power supply differently from a case where the mounted interchangeable lens is the first type interchangeable lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Morita, Hideya Takanashi
  • Image capturing apparatus
    Patent number: 9398236
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and a signal processing unit configured to process signals read out from the pixels. In a first mode, a charge accumulation is controlled by an electronic shutter. In a second mode, the charge accumulation is controlled by a mechanical shutter. The signal processing unit corrects image data obtained from the plurality of pixels based on a signal obtained by the charge accumulation in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michiko Johnson, Masahiro Kobayashi, Hideyuki Itoh, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Super-resolution in processing images such as from multi-layer sensors
    Patent number: 9392166
    Abstract: Pixels of an array capture values for an input image. The captured values correspond to pixel center points of the pixels that captured the values. Additional values about the input image may be further computed from the captured values. These additional values may correspond to additional center points, which can be different from any of the pixel center points. An output image may be constructed from the captured values plus the additional values. These values may be stored together and/or displayed together as the output image. Embodiments are applicable to images such as from multi-layer sensors. Since the output image can be created from a higher total number of values than those captured by the available number of pixels, such image processing can be called super-resolution, and can be applied to image processing within imaging devices, for still pictures, video and motion pictures, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ilia Ovsiannikov, Lilong Shi
  • Backside illuminated imaging systems having auto-focus pixels
    Patent number: 9392198
    Abstract: An imaging system may be provided with a backside illuminated pixel array that includes imaging pixels and rows of auto-focus pixels. The imaging pixels may generate image data and the auto-focus pixels may generate application-specific data. The imaging pixels may be provided with an array of color filters. The auto-focus pixels may be provided with rows of color filters that are offset with respect to the imaging pixel color filters. The auto-focus pixel color filters may include clear color filters and opaque color filters for blocking image light received at selected incident angles. The system may include an adjustable lens that focuses light onto the pixel array. The pixel array may be coupled to processing circuitry that determines whether an image is focused based on the application-specific data and may adjust the lens in response to determining that the image is not focused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dongsoo Kim, Kwang-bo Cho
  • Zoom dual-aperture camera with folded lens
    Patent number: 9392188
    Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: COREPHOTONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Gal Shabtay, Ephraim Goldenberg, Gal Avivi, Gil Bachar
  • Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same
    Patent number: 9380210
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing unit including an image sensor capable of photoelectrically converting a subject image and configured to generate moving image data based on an output signal of the image sensor, a storage unit configured to store foreign substance information including information relating to at least a position and a size of a foreign substance adhered to an optical element disposed on a front side of the image sensor, a detection unit configured to detect a shake amount of the image sensor, a control unit configured to control an image clipping position on an entire screen of the image sensor according to the shake amount of the image sensor detected by the detection unit, and a recording unit configured to record the foreign substance information and information indicating the image clipping position in association with the moving image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keisuke Kudo
  • Image signal processor with a block checking circuit
    Patent number: 9374542
    Abstract: An image signal processor is described. The image signal processor includes a block checking circuit. The block checking circuit comprises comparison circuitry to compare a block of luminous pixel values against respective blocks of luminous pixel values that are processed by the image signal processor after the block of luminous pixel values. The block checking circuitry further comprises circuitry to record an entry in a table if one of the blocks of respective luminous pixel values match the block of luminous pixel values. The image signal processor is to store an image signal processing resultant of the block of luminous pixel values and present the stored resultant as a respective resultant for the one of the blocks of respective luminous pixel values if the one of the blocks of respective luminous pixel values matches the block of pixel values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kyriakos Stavrou, Pedro Marcuello, Grigorios Magklis, Javier Carretero Casado, Juan Fernandez, Carlos Madriles, Daniel Ortega, Demos Pavlou
  • Image-pickup apparatus
    Patent number: 9354487
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element photoelectrically converting an object image, a light-receiving sensor outputting a signal in accordance with a phase difference between a pair of object images, and a controller performing first focus control of controlling drive of a focus adjusting member based on a focus evaluation signal representing a contrast state of a video signal produced with the image-pickup element and second focus control of controlling drive of the focus adjusting member based on the signal in accordance with the phase difference. The controller stops the second focus control or switches focus control from the second focus control to the first focus control in response to a predetermined change found in the focus evaluation signal during the second focus control. The apparatus is capable of achieving an in-focus state smoothly and accurately with a hybrid AF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Morimoto
  • Camera and sensor augmented reality techniques
    Patent number: 9355452
    Abstract: Camera and sensor augmented reality techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an optical basis is obtained that was generated from data obtained by a camera of a computing device and a sensor basis is obtained that was generated from data obtained from one or more sensors that are not a camera. The optical basis and the sensor basis describe a likely orientation or position of the camera and the one or more sensors, respectively, in a physical environment. The optical basis and the sensor basis are compared to verify the orientation or the position of the computing device in the physical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Sugden
  • Methods and systems for communicating sensor data on a mobile device
    Patent number: 9313343
    Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating sensor data on a mobile device are described. An example method involves receiving, by a processor and from an inertial measurement unit (IMU), sensor data corresponding to a first timeframe, and storing the sensor data using a data buffer. The processor may also receive image data and sensor data corresponding to a second timeframe. The processor may then generate a digital image that includes at least the image data corresponding to the second timeframe and the sensor data corresponding to the first timeframe and the second timeframe. The processor may embed the stored sensor data corresponding to the first timeframe and the second timeframe in pixels of the digital image. And the processor may provide the digital image to an application processor of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: James Fung, Joel Hesch, Johnny Lee
  • Controlling robotic motion of camera
    Patent number: 9300852
    Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a system includes a first camera generating a live image of a scene, the first camera configured for being placed in a plurality of locations by robotic motion. The system includes a handheld device that includes a display device for continuously presenting the live image, wherein movement of the handheld device causes the handheld device to generate an output that controls the robotic motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LUCASFILM ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Domenico Porcino
  • Imaging device display controller
    Patent number: 9300875
    Abstract: The imaging device includes an imaging component, a display component, a rotation detector, and a controller. The imaging component is configured to capture a subject and output image data. The display component is configured to change the orientation of a display screen and to display an image based on the image data. The rotation detector is configured to detect the orientation of the display screen of the display component. The controller includes a subject detector and a display controller. The subject detector is configured to detect information specifying a subject. The display controller is configured to control whether or not to rotate a content displayed on the display component according to the detection information of the subject detector and the detection result of the rotation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yamauchi