Patents Examined by Nhan T. Tran
  • Patent number: 11632508
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array with first and second pixels respectively having first and second conversion gains connected to row and column lines; a row driver determining a selection row line among the row lines; a readout circuit obtaining first and second pixel signals from first and second pixels connected to the selection row line; a column driver generating first and second image data from the first and second pixel signals; and an image signal processor using the first and second image data to generate an object image. The second pixels include an expansion capacitor connected between a floating diffusion node and a ground node. Exposure time of the first pixels is equal to or longer than exposure time of the second pixels. An area of a light receiving region of the first pixels is equal to an area of a light receiving region of the second pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ingyu Baek, Seungsik Kim
  • Patent number: 11627270
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array; a logic circuit configured to convert an image signal generated from the pixel array during a first period into image data; and a memory. The image data may be written in the memory during a second period, of which at least a portion overlaps the first period. The logic circuit may write dummy data in the memory during a third period overlapping the first period and not overlapping the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiko Inada
  • Patent number: 11611813
    Abstract: A method of removing fixed pattern noise, comprising: S01: performing a single-frame segmented exposure on a pixel array; S02: reading a of the pixel array, comprising: S021: performing a soft reset, so as to set the reset signal of the pixel unit to an intermediate voltage, and reading a differential reset signal; S022: performing a hard reset so as to set the reset signal of the pixel unit to a high voltage; S023: turning on a transmission MOS transistor to enable an exposure signal of to photodiode to transmitted to the floating diffusion area, and reading a differential pixel transmission signal; S03: subtracting the differential reset signal from the differential pixel transmission signal to obtain an exposure signal with fixed pattern noise removed. Another method is removing fixed pattern noise and an image sensor are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI IC R&D CENTER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xi Zeng, Pu Zhou, Huijie Yan, Ying Luo, Xuehong He, Yuan Zhang, Hailing Yang, Xiameng Lian
  • Patent number: 11601624
    Abstract: A backside illumination image sensor that includes a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a read circuit formed on a front surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and captures an image by outputting, via the read circuit, electrical signals generated as incident light having reached a back surface side of the semiconductor substrate is received at the photoelectric conversion elements includes: a light shielding film formed on a side where incident light enters the photoelectric conversion elements, with an opening formed therein in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element; and an on-chip lens formed at a position set apart from the light shielding film by a predetermined distance in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element. The light shielding film and an exit pupil plane of the image forming optical system achieve a conjugate relation to each other with regard to the on-chip lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yosuke Kusaka
  • Patent number: 11595607
    Abstract: An imaging device may have an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns and column readout circuitry coupled to the array. The rows of pixels may receive drive signals from row driver circuitry, and the drive signals may be sent from timing circuitry based on the locations of rows within the array. In particular, rows closer to the readout circuitry may require less settling time and therefore be driven faster than the rows further from the readout circuitry. All of the rows may be driven in a single direction, or the array of pixels may have a cut, in which case rows above the cut may be driven up and rows below the cut may be driven down. A frame buffer may be used to store the signals generated by the rows of pixels and may account for the asynchronous read out of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Cowley, Andrew David Talbot, Mukesh Rao Engla Syam
  • Patent number: 11595611
    Abstract: There is provided a pixel circuit including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit is used to output a first voltage associated with exposure intensity. The second circuit is used to output a second voltage associated with exposure time interval. The processor multiples the first voltage to a ratio between a reference voltage and the second voltage to obtain an actual light intensity, wherein the reference voltage is a voltage value outputted by the second circuit of a dummy pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Wen-Han Yao
  • Patent number: 11588989
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array configured to include a first pixel belonging to a first row and a first column, and a second pixel belonging to a second row adjacent to the first row and a second column adjacent to the first column; and a dual conversion gain (DCG) capacitor coupled between the first pixel and the second pixel, and a first DCG transistor for selectively connecting the DCG capacitor to or disconnecting the DCG capacitor from a first floating diffusion region of the first pixel; and the second pixel includes a second floating diffusion region and a second DCG transistor for selectively connecting the DCG capacitor to or disconnecting the DCG capacitor from a second floating diffusion region of the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hye Won Mun
  • Patent number: 11589027
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for generating and rendering immersive video content are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving information indicating positions of cameras in a plurality of cameras; generating a mesh on which video content is to be projected based on the positions of the cameras in the plurality of cameras, wherein the mesh is comprised of a portion of a faceted cylinder, and wherein the faceted cylinder has a plurality of facets each corresponding to a projection from a camera in the plurality of cameras; receiving video content corresponding to the plurality of cameras; and transmitting the video content and the generated mesh to a user device in response to receiving a request for the video content from the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Samuel Kvaalen
  • Patent number: 11575846
    Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines, each of the plurality of pixels including a photodiode for generating an electric charge in response to light, and a pixel circuit having a floating diffusion for storing the electric charge; and a controller configured to adjust a capacitance of the floating diffusion to a first value and obtain a first pixel signal from the pixel circuit during a first time period, adjust the capacitance of the floating diffusion to a second value greater than the first value and obtain a second pixel signal from the pixel circuit during a second time period subsequent to the first time period, and generate a result image using the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eun Sub Shim
  • Patent number: 11570390
    Abstract: Provided are a solid-state imaging device capable of improving image quality of a captured image even if the pixel size is increased, and an electronic device equipped with the solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device is provided that includes: at least two column areas that perform Analog To Digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal generated by a pixel; a plurality of vertical signal lines that transfers the pixel signal to the column areas; and a free area in which the plurality of vertical signal lines is not wired, in which two of the vertical signal lines facing each other sandwiching the free area are arranged, and lengths of the two vertical signal lines are substantially equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shota Ueyama
  • Patent number: 11570359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for providing a camera service by an electronic device. The electronic device may include a camera, a memory, and at least one processor, the processor configured to control the electronic device to: receive a camera shooting request; display a preview image of an external object obtained through the camera using first area information based on a first shooting mode in response to the shooting request; receive an input corresponding to a second shooting mode in the first shooting mode; and display the preview using second area information corresponding to the second shooting mode in response to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wooyong Lee, Yunson Yoo, Donghoon Jang, Beomjoon Kwon, Kihuk Lee
  • Patent number: 11570358
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a camera and one or more sensors. The camera generally has a low power deactivated mode. The one or more sensors are generally remotely located with respect to the camera. The one or more sensors may be configured to communicate a signal to the camera in response to a trigger condition. The camera is generally configured to activate in response to receiving the signal from the one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ambarella International LP
    Inventor: Ruian Xu
  • Patent number: 11567245
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article that records a holographic image when photographed or videotaped but otherwise not visible to the naked eye. The article, such as a basketball, includes at least a layer of polyurethane leather that is reflective and is illuminated on photographic media when imaged. The illuminated or holographic image may be seen and displayed on a digital device, such as a social media platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jonah Belanger, Ryan Fitzpatrick Richards
  • Patent number: 11563923
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus that enable simultaneous acquisition of a signal for generating a high dynamic range image and a signal for detecting a phase difference. The solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixel sets each including color filters of the same color, for a plurality of colors, each pixel set including a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a plurality of photodiodes PD. The present technology can be applied, for example, to a solid-state imaging device that generates a high dynamic range image and detects a phase difference, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Hoshino
  • Patent number: 11553152
    Abstract: Provided is a signal processing device including a communication unit which receives packets transmitted from an event-driven vision sensor including a sensor array including sensors generating event signals when a change in intensity of incident light is detected, a buffer memory in which the packets are temporarily stored, and a readout control unit which forcibly reads out the packets from the buffer memory in a case in which predetermined conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Yosuke Kurihara
  • Patent number: 11550115
    Abstract: A lens barrel has at least one movable lens group that can move in one direction and the other direction along the optical axis, the lens barrel comprising: a movable lens frame; a voice coil motor for driving a movable lens group and the movable lens frame along the optical axis; and a stopper mechanism brought into contact with the movable lens frame. The stopper mechanism includes a stopper member that moves between a retracted position where the stopper member does not touch the movable lens frame when the voice coil motor is energized, and an abutting position where the stopper member is brought into contact with the movable lens frame when the voice coil motor is not energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Nittoh Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 11550960
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating certified images and incident reports are disclosed. An image capture device can be used to capture an image and integrate metadata from camera sensors as well as other ancillary device sensors into the image. The image and its metadata can then be certified upon a check that the image and its metadata are authentic and unaltered. The image and its metadata can then be included in or as a part of an incident or other report describing an incident or event such as an accident or a crime. The image and/or incident report may be maintained at a cloud-based server for viewing, authorized editing, and subsequent distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: IMAGEKEEPER LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Speasl, Marc Roberts, Mike Patterson
  • Patent number: 11553138
    Abstract: To enable HDR video signals of a plurality of signal interfaces to be satisfactorily handled. [Solution] A processing unit processes a linear high dynamic range video signal and obtains a high dynamic range video signal that has undergone a grayscale compression process. The processing unit is able to perform grayscale compression processes of a plurality of signal interfaces. For example, when a grayscale compression process of another signal interface other than a reference signal interface is performed, the processing unit further performs a process of adding characteristics of system gamma of the reference signal interface and a process of cancelling out characteristics of system gamma of the other signal interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kamiya, Hiroaki Kikuchi, Jun Onuki, Tomoyuki Endo, Masaki Hirose
  • Patent number: 11546518
    Abstract: A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to output, in a zoom-in operation between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value, a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data or only Tele image data, depending on whether a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Corephotonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Noy Cohen, Oded Gigushinski, Nadav Geva, Gal Shabtay, Ester Ashkenazi, Ruthy Katz, Ephraim Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 11546556
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of cameras each enabled to operate independently of the others as a component camera. The system includes logic operable to form the component cameras into a network operable as a single federated camera device. The lens types of the component cameras are non-heterogeneous, and the federated camera forms a virtual lens comprising characteristics combining the lens types of the component cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: XEVO INC.
    Inventors: John Ludwig, Richard Tong