Patents Examined by Ngoc-Yen Vu
  • Patent number: 8482666
    Abstract: A monitor device adapter includes first and second conversion circuits, a switch unit, and a monitor interface. The first conversion circuit includes a digital to analog (D/A) converter and a coupler. The second conversion circuit includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter and a decoupler. When the switch unit connects the first conversion circuit to the monitor interface, the D/A converter converts a digital signals representing data into a first analog form data for coupling with a first alternating current (AC) voltage. When the switch unit connects the second conversion circuit to the monitor interface, the decoupler decouples and separates a second analog form data into the second analog form data. The A/D converter converts the second analog form data into digital signals representing data, and outputs the digital signals representing data to the monitor interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Huang Wu, Szu-Lun Huang
  • Patent number: 8471926
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an information acquiring unit operable to acquire information representing a state of a recoding medium from the recording medium, a determining unit operable to determine the state of the recording medium based on the information acquired by the information acquiring unit, and an informing unit operable to inform result of the determination by the determining unit to an outside of the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Satou, Senichi Onoda
  • Patent number: 8466978
    Abstract: There is provided a digital image processor. An exemplary digital image processor comprises a pre-processor arranged to pre-process received digital images having a first resolution into a lower resolution to form pre-processed digital images. The pre-processor may be arranged to output the pre-processed digital images to a display independently from the received digital images being stored for subsequent post-processing. The exemplary digital image processor may also comprise a post-processor arranged to post-process received digital images that have been stored for post-processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Safai
  • Patent number: 8462237
    Abstract: The solid-state image pickup device includes a sensor unit and a focus adjustment circuit, the focus adjustment circuit including a contour extraction circuit which extracts contour signals from wavelength signals W, B, G, and R, a contour signal selection circuit which receives a control signal and the plurality of contour signals extracted by the contour extraction circuit, and selects and outputs a contour signal having a desired wavelength band in accordance with the control signal, and a plurality of addition circuits which add the wavelength signals before the contour signals are extracted by the contour extraction circuit to a contour signal output from a contour signal output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Egawa
  • Patent number: 8456522
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information prior to scanning digital microscope slide data with a line scan camera. The methods include a point-focus procedure that works by moving the slide to the desired measurement location, moving the objective lens through a predefined set of height values, acquiring imagery data at each height, and determining the height of maximum contrast. The methods also include a ribbon-focus procedure whereby imagery data are acquired continuously, while the slide and objective lens are in motion. Both methods may be applied with either a static or a dynamic implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Greg Crandall, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 8451368
    Abstract: An optical imaging system with extended depth of focus is provided. The optical imaging system includes an optical imaging module, an array type detector and an image restoration module. The optical imaging module has a specific longitudinal spherical aberration corresponding to the depth of focus. The array type detector is coupled to the optical imaging module to obtain a image via the specific longitudinal spherical aberration provided by the optical imaging module. The image restoration module is coupled to the array type detector, wherein the array type detector converts the obtained image to a digitalized image and the image restoration module receives the digitalized image and performs an image restoration operation to the digitalized image to form an image with extended depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hsin-Yueh Sung, Chir-Weei Chang
  • Patent number: 8446493
    Abstract: In order to effectively and efficiently perform noise reduction by smoothing, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an image inputting part inputting an image in which a first pixels and a second pixels indicating mutually different color components are included and at least the second pixels are arranged at discrete positions, a color estimating part estimating first color component data at the second pixels based on first color component data of the first pixels, a calculating part calculating color-difference data at the second pixels based on the first color component data at the second pixels and second color component data of the second pixels, a smoothing part performing smoothing processing on a discrete color-difference image formed of the color-difference data being calculated at the second pixels, and a color-difference estimating part estimating color-difference data at pixels other than the second pixels on the input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Utsugi
  • Patent number: 8446477
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a shift lens driven to be shifted; a uniform aberration correction data storing unit storing uniform aberration correction data for correcting uniform aberration; a shift amount calculating unit calculating an amount of aberration correction shift of the shift lens for correcting uniform aberration using the uniform aberration correction data; a shift lens driving unit driving the shift lens to be shifted according to an amount of driving shift based on the amount of aberration correction shift; a concentric aberration correction amount calculating unit calculating an amount of concentric aberration correction for correcting concentric aberration with respect to a process target pixel of an input image signal; and a pixel value correcting unit correcting a pixel value of the process target pixel on the basis of the calculated amount of concentric aberration correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Gentaro Irisawa, Atsuo Kikuchi, Takuya Kato, Atsuo Minato, Kenichi Nishio, Hiroyuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8441551
    Abstract: Circuitry, apparatus and methods provide flicker detection and improved image generation for digital cameras that employ image sensors. In one example, circuitry and methods are operative to compare a first captured frame with a second captured frame that may be, for example, sequential and consecutive or non-consecutive if desired, to determine misalignment of scene content between the frames. A realigned second frame is produced by realigning the second frame with the first frame if the frames are determined to be misaligned. Luminance data from the realigned second frame and luminance data from the pixels of the first frame are used to determine if an undesired flicker condition exists. If an undesired flicker condition is detected, exposure time control information is generated for output to the imaging sensor that captured the frame, to reduce flicker. This operation may be done, for example, during a preview mode for a digital camera, or may be performed at any other suitable time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Graham C. H. Greenland, Milivoje Aleksic, Sergio Goma
  • Patent number: 8436928
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing unit that performs image sensing by converting incoming light into electrical signals, a control unit that controls driving of the image sensing unit so as to read out the electrical signals by each area of a plurality of areas of the image sensing unit, and a signal processing unit that processes the electrical signals read out by each of the plurality of areas. The control unit varies a horizontal cycle that drives the image sensing unit for each of the plurality of areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Ise
  • Patent number: 8421877
    Abstract: A feature data compression device, a multi-directional face detection system and a detection method thereof. The feature data compression device comprises a mirror unit and a transposition unit. The mirror unit compares and computes a plurality of feature values each other to obtain a position of each mutual symmetric feature value and abandoning one of each two symmetric feature values to form first mirrored data, or to obtain a position of the feature value with the highest weight value to form second mirrored data. The transposition unit transposes at least one image template with an angle based on a transposition table for obtaining transposed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventors: Tai-Chang Yang, Hong-Long Chou, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Patent number: 8416310
    Abstract: Provided are: an imaging sensor that captures light from a subject; a first instruction unit that instructs to capture a still image by using the imaging sensor; a recording control unit that records a single movie image file containing a first movie image produced based upon an imaging signal output from the imaging sensor during a period from when the still image is captured by the capturing instruction by the first instruction unit until before a first predetermined time and a second movie image produced by using the still image during a period from when the still image is captured until after a second predetermined time, or recording a single movie image file containing the second movie image and a third movie image produced based upon the imaging signal output from the imaging sensor during a period from when the still image is captured until after a third predetermined time, in a recording unit; and a detection unit that detects movement information of the subject, and the recording control unit sets at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 8405760
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus including: an image sensor including a plurality of focus detection pixel pairs that perform photoelectric conversion on each pair of light beams that have passed through different regions of a photographing lens and output an image signal pair; a flash memory that stores shift information on relative shift between an optical axis of the photographing lens and a central axis of the focus detection pixel pairs; a correction unit that corrects a signal level of the image signal pair based on the shift information and exit pupil information of the photographing lens so as to compensate for an unbalanced amount of light that enters each of the focus detection pixel pairs; and a focus detection unit that detects a focus of the photographing lens using the image signal pair corrected by the correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 8405732
    Abstract: A system for automatically expanding the zoom capability of a wide-angle video camera using images from multiple camera locations. One preferred embodiment achieves this using images from the wide-angle video camera that are analyzed to identify regions of interest (RoI). Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) controls are then sent to aim slave cameras toward the RoI. Processing circuitry is then used to replace the RoI from the wide-angle images with the higher-resolution images from one of the slave cameras. In addition, motion-detecting software can be utilized to automatically detect, track, and/or zoom in on moving objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Grandeye, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bartu Ahiska, Mark Kenneth Davey, Ahmet Enis Cetin
  • Patent number: 8400552
    Abstract: Projection capabilities are provided in consumer electronic devices that are used for the capture or reproduction of images, such as digital still image cameras, digital video cameras, cellular telephones, DVD players and other digital video players. Such devices can display images to several people simultaneously in a manner that is more convenient than the use of miniature onboard displays. The incorporation of image projection capabilities also enables image generation to be provided by the device itself without the necessity of an independent display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Adachi, Norihiko Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8390733
    Abstract: A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body to which the interchangeable lens can be mounted, either directly or via an adapter. A lens microcomputer of the interchangeable lens is configured to hold lens information including information related to a focal point detection method. A body microcomputer of the camera body is configured to select a focal point detection method on the basis of lens information. The body microcomputer is configured to select a contrast detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is compatible with a contrast detection method. The body microcomputer is configured to select a phase difference detection method as the focal point detection method if the interchangeable lens is not compatible with a contrast detection method, and the adapter is compatible with a phase difference detection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Dai Shintani, Kenichi Honjo, Norikazu Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 8379140
    Abstract: A video image pickup apparatus (10) includes an image sensor (120), a knee processor (132) for performing a compression in a high-luminance characteristic interval of a picture signal based on an output signal of the image sensor, a block luminance calculator (151) for dividing a frame of image based on the output signal of the solid-state image pickup device into a set of blocks, calculating a set of luminance indices of respective blocks, an extreme extractor (152) for extracting a block having a highest luminance index, together with the luminance index, a display information generator (153) for generating a set of pieces of image information for exposure guide display including an image representing a region of the extracted block and an image representing the luminance index, an image superposer (160) for superposing the set of pieces of image information for exposure guide display on a frame of image based on the compressed picture signal to generate a frame of superposed image, and a view finder (170)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kido, Toshihide Kobayashi, Kazunori Shioda
  • Patent number: 8379132
    Abstract: An image capture device includes a viewfinder for viewing a subject. The viewfinder either forms an integral part of the device or is an external member that is attachable to, and removable from, the device. The device includes: an optical system; a generating section for capturing an image of the subject through the optical system and generating image data; a detecting section for detecting the degree of focusing of the subject's image represented by the image data; a display section on which the subject's image is presentable based on the image data; and a controller for accepting a decision to use either the display section or the viewfinder for viewing the subject to shoot. If the controller accepts the decision to use the viewfinder, the display section displays no subject's image, and displays information about the degree of focusing of the subject's image for at least a certain period of time. The information has been obtained based on a result of detection done by the detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Takamatsu, Satoko Horio, Akira Yamada
  • Patent number: 8379144
    Abstract: Provided are a battery cover structure and a photographing apparatus including the same. The battery cover structure includes a frame in which an antenna connection unit is disposed, and a battery cover installed on the frame, wherein the battery cover includes an installing unit installed on the frame, a first cover unit installed on the installing unit, and an antenna unit installed on the first cover unit, wherein electrical contact between the antenna unit and the antenna connection unit is maintained or released according to a location of the first cover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Uk Nam
  • Patent number: 8368795
    Abstract: A notebook computer with a multi-image capturing function is provided. The notebook computer includes an image pickup device and a mirror. The image pickup device is used for capturing a first image. The mirror is disposed beside the image pickup device and tilted by an angle with respect to the image pickup device. A second image reflected by the mirror is adjustable by changing the angle. The second image reflected by the mirror is also captured by the image pickup device, so that the first image and the second image are simultaneously captured by the image pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Hsiang Lo, Ying-Jieh Huang, Ming-Ta Hsu