Patents Examined by Nelson D Hernández Hernández
  • Patent number: 10033931
    Abstract: An imaging processing apparatus includes a frame position determining unit configured to specify during a reproduction of developed first moving image data a frame position in the first moving image data of an image designated during the reproduction of the first moving image data by a user as an image to be extracted as a still image, a developing unit configured to read out undeveloped image data at a frame position adapted to the frame position specified by the frame position determining unit from undeveloped second moving image data corresponding to the first moving image data and develop the undeveloped image data, a still image encoding unit configured to compression encode the image data developed by the developing unit into a still image data, and a recording unit configured to record the still image data obtained by being compression encoded by the still image encoding unit onto a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eishi Takeda
  • Patent number: 10033919
    Abstract: A focus adjusting apparatus detects a first area of a subject and reliability of a tracking position from an image signal output from an image sensor on which a subject image is formed by an optical system, detects focus states of focus detection areas based on the image signal, determines an in-focus area for which focus adjustment of the optical system is to be performed, predicts a focus state in next focus detection based on a history of focus states of the in-focus area, and selects a second area from the focus detection areas. The first area is determined as the in-focus area in a case where a state in which the reliability is higher than a predetermined first threshold continues for a predetermined time period or longer, and the second area is determined as in-focus area otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Akaguma
  • Patent number: 10027914
    Abstract: Circuits for self-powered image sensors are provided. In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided, the image comprising: a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a photodiode having an anode and a cathode connected to a ground voltage; a first transistor having: a first input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a first output connected to a reset bus; and a first control configured to receive a discharge signal; and a second transistor having: a second input connected to the anode of the photodiode; a second output connected to a pixel output bus; and a second control configured to receive a select signal; and a third transistor having: a third input coupled to each first output via the reset bus; a third output configured to be coupled to an energy storage device; and a third control configured to receive an energy harvest signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Shree K. Nayar, Daniel Sims, Mikhail Fridberg
  • Patent number: 10015410
    Abstract: In the combination of a wide dynamic range by combining a first image and a second image of different light exposure conditions, pixel values at which cumulative frequency proportions (B) become first and second reference values are generated as first and second index values (Sa, Lb) with regard to the first and second images, and first and second light exposure amounts (ES, EL) are controlled under first and second target conditions that the first and second index values (Sa, Lb) have predetermined relations with first and second target values (Sat, Lbt), respectively. It is possible to shorten a time taken until convergence of the light exposure amount in relation to a change of brightness of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Fujita, Daisuke Suzuki, Koichi Yamashita, Narihiro Matoba
  • Patent number: 9979918
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image sensor comprising a pixel array module composed of pixel groups, multiple switch control modules, a PFA, a pipelined ADC and a decode module. Each pixel group comprises multiple unit pixels which form at least one unit pixel. Each switch control module corresponds to a row of the pixel array module and includes a first transmission circuit and a second transmission circuit. The PGA process the data outputted by the first and second transmission circuits and the pipelined ADC performs A/D conversion to the data outputted by the PGA. The decode module controls the first and second transmission circuits of each row to alternately read and transmit the unit pixel data, and controls all the first and second transmission circuits to successively output the data of the unit pixels readout thereby to the PGA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SHANGHAI IC R&D CENTER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chen Li, Jianxin Wen, Yuhang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9960783
    Abstract: A conditional correlated multiple sampling (CCMS) single slope (SS) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided. The CCMS SS ADC includes a comparator, arranged to compare an analog signal with a ramp signal and generate a comparison result; and a CCMS control circuit, arranged to determine a swing of the ramp signal according to a magnitude of the analog signal. An image sensor system using the CCMS SS ADC and a method of CCMS SS analog-to-digital conversion are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shang-Fu Yeh, Kuo-Yu Chou
  • Patent number: 9948848
    Abstract: First image information whose depth of field includes a subject in a focus position set by a control section before photo shooting and second image information captured in a position focus different from that of the first image information are included. The focus position of the second image information is determined on the basis of the focus position of the first image information. The first image information is stored together with an image with an extended depth of field. This makes it possible to provide an imaging device which, when obtaining an extended depth of field from a plurality of images of different focus positions, can reduce failures in photo shooting due to a movement of a subject or camera shake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Tokui
  • Patent number: 9948847
    Abstract: A photography device, a wearable device, a photography system and an associated photographing method are provided. The method includes the following steps: establishing a wireless connection between the photography device and the wearable device; transmitting, wirelessly, a preview image captured by the photography device to the wearable device; displaying by the wearable device the received preview image to the user; transmitting a user control command received by the wearable device to the photography device through the wireless connection; performing, by the photography device, an associated operation according to the user control command. By the above means, the present disclosure can photograph an image that can meet the user's requirements, and thus enhance the user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 9933689
    Abstract: A tilt module subassembly comprising a cage essentially made of elastic material and shape memory alloy wires. An optical positioning system for microstructures using the tilt module subassembly is also described. The optical positioning system for microstructures is an optical image stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Koepfer
  • Patent number: 9918016
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a recording medium having a program, the program causing the processor to execute operations. The operations include providing a normal mode and a visible light communication mode, wherein the normal mode and the visible light communication mode are switchable. In the normal mode, first image data is obtained by image capture with a first exposure time by sequentially starting exposure for a plurality of exposure lines in an image sensor each at a different time and each of the plurality of exposure lines partially overlaps in exposure time an adjacent exposure line. In the visible light communication mode, (i) a second exposure time of the image sensor is set, (ii) a bright line image is obtained, and (iii) information is obtained by demodulating data specified by a pattern of the plurality of bright lines included in the obtained bright line image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Oshima, Koji Nakanishi, Hideki Aoyama, Ikuo Fuchigami, Hidehiko Shin, Tsutomu Mukai, Yosuke Matsushita, Shigehiro Iida, Kazunori Yamada
  • Patent number: 9912873
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing degradation of image quality of the whole display screen of a display section while improving display delay with respect to an observed area. In an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup section picks up an image of an object, and a development processor generates image data by developing input data acquired by the image pickup section. A first image generation unit generates a first image by performing image processing on part of the image data. A second image generation unit performs predetermined image processing on the image data to thereby generate a second image which is different in the number of steps of image processing from the above image processing. An image synthesis section generates a third image by synthesizing the first image with the second image, and a display device displays the third image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Gunji, Eiichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9900485
    Abstract: An image generation device includes: a projector for projecting pattern light of a near-infrared wavelength at intervals; an imager for outputting an imaging signal of an imaged image; a unit for generating a pattern light image by obtaining a difference between the imaging signal when the pattern light is projected and the imaging signal when the pattern light is not projected, and generating an ambient light image from the imaging signal when the pattern light is not projected; a determiner for determining a type of the ambient light; and a generator for estimating, from the type, a component due to light of a near-infrared wavelength in the ambient light image, and generating a visible light image by subtracting the component from the ambient light image. The determiner determines the type from a proportion of R, G, and B components in the imaged image, ambient light image, or visible light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Fujita, Koichi Yamashita, Narihiro Matoba
  • Patent number: 9900500
    Abstract: An auto-focusing method of an electronic device is provided. The auto-focusing method includes collecting sensor information using a plurality of sensors of the electronic device when a camera of the electronic device is driven, determining at least one focusing sensor, from among the plurality of sensors, based on the collected sensor information, and focusing on a subject located in an image collected from the camera using the at least one determined focusing sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jangwon Lee
  • Patent number: 9846304
    Abstract: Display control that extends a user's visual ability is accomplished. By wearing an eyeglass-type or headgear-type mounting unit, he or she is allowed to see display means disposed in front of his or her eyes. By causing a part of a screen area of the display means to be in a through-state and a display with a display image signal to be executed, the user can see an image of a scene different from a scene that he or she ordinarily sees with a display of the display image signal while he or she can see the ordinary visual scene with the through-state area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Masaaki Tsuruta, Taiji Ito, Masamichi Asukai, Kan Ebisawa
  • Patent number: 9780130
    Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, which are formed in a semiconductor substrate; a red color filter formed on the first photoelectric conversion element; a cyan color filter formed on the second photoelectric conversion element; and an organic photoelectric conversion layer formed on the red color filter and the cyan color filter, the organic photoelectric conversion layer configured to absorb wavelengths in a green range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Dong Suh, Masaru Ishii, Sung Young Yun, Sang Chul Sul, Yong Wan Jin
  • Patent number: 9769362
    Abstract: A mounting adapter includes: a first body section having a connection section attached to one side of an accessory device and a first holding arm that holds one side face of a portable type electronic device, a second body section having a second holding arm that is provided to project/retract from inside to outside and holds a side face of the portable type electronic device, a second holding arm urging member that urges the second holding arm in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second holding arm extends, and a hinge member that connects the first body section and the second body section, and the mounting adapter sandwiches the portable type electronic device between the first holding arm and the second holding arm in an open state when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Amino, Kazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9712768
    Abstract: The teachings herein provide a method and apparatus for detecting erroneous pixel addressing in an imaging sensor. The method and apparatus advantageously leverage the characteristic “fixed pattern noise” of the sensor to detect addressing errors. Broadly, pixel addressing errors are detected based on comparing the pattern noise seen in data read outs from a targeted address of the sensor with characteristic fixed pattern noise known for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tani, John Drinkard
  • Patent number: 9681075
    Abstract: The teachings herein provide a method and apparatus for detecting erroneous pixel addressing in an imaging sensor. The method and apparatus advantageously leverage the characteristic “fixed pattern noise” of the sensor to detect addressing errors. Broadly, pixel addressing errors are detected based on comparing the pattern noise seen in data read outs from a targeted address of the sensor with characteristic fixed pattern noise known for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tani, John Drinkard
  • Patent number: 9667858
    Abstract: In an image acquisition device, an optical path length difference in a second light figure can be formed by arrangement of an optical path difference generating member, without need for splitting light in a second optical path for focus control. Therefore, it reduces the quantity of light into the second optical path necessary for acquisition of information of focal position while ensuring the quantity of light enough for execution of imaging by a first imaging device. Furthermore, in this image acquisition device, a light reduction portion is provided between a first face and a second face of the optical path difference generating member. This light reduction portion can narrow a light superimposed region on the imaging surface of the second imaging device, which allows control of the focal position to a sample to be accurately carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Hideshi Oishi, Masaharu Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 9667824
    Abstract: A method and system to facilitate identifying and recording capture location of recorded video. A computing system determines multiple locations where a video camera has been substantially stationary over time, such as by tracking location of the video camera itself or by evaluating where supplemental device carried with the video camera has been substantially stationary over time. The computing system then outputs, for presentation to the videographer or another user, a location-selection prompt that specifies the multiple determined locations as candidate capture-locations for a video that was captured by the video camera. Further, the computing system receives, in response to the location-selection prompt, data that represents a user selection of one of the specified locations. The computing system then records the selected location as capture-location metadata for the video, such as capture-location data integrated with the video or in a database relationship with the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hank Hundemer