Patents Examined by Nicholas G. Giles
  • Patent number: 12047702
    Abstract: A delta image sensor comprising an arrangement of pixels and acquisition circuits corresponding to at least one pixel. Each acquisition circuit includes a sensor circuit comprising a photosensor to generate a sensor signal, VSIG, depending on a light signal illuminating the photosensor; at least one analogue to digital conversion, A/D, circuit configured to convert a current VSIG to a digital signal; at least one digital storage circuit configured to store a representation of at least one digital signal corresponding to a previous VSIG; a digital comparison circuit configured to compare the level of the stored representation with the current VSIG to detect whether a changed level is present; and a digital output circuit configured to generate an event output when the level has changed. The repeat rate of the analogue to digital conversion is chosen from one or more repeat rates corresponding to modulation of the light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: BEIJING RUISIZHIXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Alpsen Tek GmbH
    Inventors: Yingyun Zha, Roger Mark Bostock, Jian Deng, Yu Zou
  • Patent number: 12041369
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element that compares a reference signal and a pixel signal with each other, a frame rate is improved. A differential amplifier circuit amplifies a difference in potential between a pair of input nodes and outputs the difference from an output node. A transfer transistor transfers charge from a photoelectric conversion element to a floating diffusion layer. A gate of a source follower transistor is connected to the floating diffusion layer, and a source thereof is connected to one of the pair of input nodes. A measurement unit measures a gate-source voltage of the source follower transistor and supplies a measured value. A correction arithmetic unit arithmetically calculates a correction value for correcting a potential of the other one of the pair of input nodes based on the measured value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Azuhata
  • Patent number: 12041361
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to generate training data include receiving a beam of light reflected from a subject and splitting the beam of light into at least a first beam and a second beam; directing the first beam toward a first sensor and the second beam toward a second sensor; sensing and processing the first beam to generate a first video having a first characteristic; sensing and processing the second beam to generate a second video having a second characteristic; and processing the first video and the second video to generate training data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Wise
  • Patent number: 12040598
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a camera and a light source module embedded in the mobile device. The light source module includes at least a laser-pumped phosphor light source that includes a photoluminescent phosphor and a laser diode to generate laser light within a first wavelength range to pump the photoluminescent phosphor. Exposure of the photoluminescent phosphor to the laser light results in emission of visible light within a second wavelength range according to a laser-pumped emission spectrum associated with the photoluminescent phosphor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo M. Alaimo, Richard L. Baer, Garam Young, Florian R. Fournier, Blake M. Coughenour, Bryan Dang
  • Patent number: 12041367
    Abstract: A signal processing system for an imaging device is provided. The signal processing system includes: a plurality of readout circuitries that are connected in parallel, where each readout circuitry includes: one or more interface circuits to receive an analog signal; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit to convert the analog signal to a digital signal; and a plurality of switches coupled between the ADC circuit and a plurality of storage circuits, where the plurality of switches includes a first switch and a second switch; a controller to: (i) control the first switch to decouple the ADC circuit from a first storage circuit, where the first storage circuit stores a previous digital signal of a previous iteration; and (ii) control the second switch to couple the ADC circuit to the second storage circuit, where the second storage circuit stores a current digital signal; and a transmitter to transmit the previous digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Alphacore, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenlan Wu, Esko Mikkola
  • Patent number: 12038609
    Abstract: An optical sensor comprises foreoptics configured to receive an image signal, an image optic operable to focus the image signal, at least one focal plane array (FPA) configured to detect the image signal, and a jitter stabilization system. The jitter stabilization system can comprise a transmitter configured to transmit a jitter source signal to the foreoptics and a position sensor configured to receive a jitter return signal. The position sensor can be positioned at a shared focus with the at least one FPA. The optical sensor further comprises a diffraction grating operable to reflect and diffract at least a portion of the jitter source signal. The jitter return signal received at the position sensor comprises at least a portion of the reflected and diffracted jitter source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Lacy G. Cook
  • Patent number: 12028627
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an active pixel array, at least one dummy reset array, a dummy read array, and an image processor. The image processor sequentially resets respective rows of pixels included in the at least one dummy reset array in a period in which pixels of the active pixel array do not perform a reset operation, and sequentially reads respective rows of pixels included in the dummy read array in a period in which the pixels of the active pixel array do not perform a read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaeha Eom, Mooyoung Kim, Kwanghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 12028633
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided which allows an increase in the degree of freedom of its layout. The imaging device includes a first semiconductor substrate including a sensor pixel for performing photoelectric conversion, and a second semiconductor substrate including a readout circuit for outputting a pixel signal according to an electric charge output from the sensor pixel. The second semiconductor substrate is laminated on the one surface side of the first semiconductor substrate so as to configure a laminated body. The second semiconductor substrate includes a first surface facing the first semiconductor substrate, and a second surface located opposite to the first surface. The first transistor included in the readout circuit is disposed in the first surface, and the second transistor included in the readout circuit is disposed in the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihiro Kurobe
  • Patent number: 12028632
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an analog-to-digital conversion circuit that receives pixel signals from column lines, respectively, and converts the pixel signals into first pixel values, respectively. Data buffer clusters correspond to enable signals transferred from a timing controller, respectively, and output second pixel values. Each of the data buffer clusters stores first pixel values, which correspond to some column lines consecutively arranged among the column lines, among the first pixel values and output stored pixel values as some second pixel values among the second pixel values in response to a corresponding enable signal. A digital processing circuit performs digital processing on the second pixel values output from the data buffer clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Inje Jeong, Jaeha Eom, Sujong Jang, Younghun Han
  • Patent number: 12022217
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging element that includes a pixel array unit, an individual on-chip lens, a common on-chip lens, and an adjacent on-chip lens. The individual on-chip lens is arranged for each of pixels and individually condenses incident light components on corresponding one of the pixels. The common on-chip lens is commonly arranged in the plurality of phase difference pixels and commonly condenses the incident light components. The adjacent on-chip lens is arranged for each of a phase difference pixel adjacent pixels, individually condenses the incident light components on corresponding one of the phase difference pixel adjacent pixels, and is formed to have a size different from the individual on-chip lens to adjust a shape of the common on-chip lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sachio Nishi, Hironobu Fukagawa, Hideaki Kato, Akimitsu Sato
  • Patent number: 12022179
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first housing including a first surface and a second surface; a second housing including a third surface and a fourth surface; a hinge structure; a camera module disposed within the first housing; and a first magnet disposed within the second housing and facing the camera module. The camera module includes: a case including one surface facing the first surface and the another surface facing the second surface and spaced apart from the first surface; a lens assembly movable within the case; and an actuator accommodating a second magnet and including a carrier configured to move the lens assembly in a direction toward the one surface of the case or a direction toward the other surface of the case; and the first magnet limits the movement of the lens assembly by interaction with the second magnet when the electronic device is in the folding state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiyoung Park, Youngsoo Jang, Manho Kim
  • Patent number: 12014558
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. A signal processing unit of the image sensor is configured with executable instructions that cause the signal processing unit to perform actions comprising: reading a captured scene from a pixel array; reading a value from a test initiation register; in response to determining that the value indicates a test mode: processing the captured scene to detect a region of interest associated with the value; and providing the region of interest to a first interface for transmission to a host device; and in response to determining that the value does not indicate the test mode: analyzing the captured scene using a computer vision technique to selectively generate a signal based on the analysis of the captured scene; and selectively providing the signal to a second interface for transmission to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Suess, Bo Mu
  • Patent number: 12010445
    Abstract: An imaging element includes a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit that generates electric charges by photoelectric conversion, a first comparison unit that outputs a first signal based on a result of comparing a signal based on electric charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a reference signal, a first storage unit that stores a signal based on the first signal that is output by the first comparison unit, a second comparison unit that outputs a second signal based on a result of comparing a signal based on electric charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit and a reference signal, a second storage unit that stores a signal based on the second signal that is output from the second comparison unit, and a connection unit that connects or disconnect the first comparison unit and the second storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 12010444
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image sensor using photon counting includes: a plurality of sub-pixels arranged in one pixel; pulse generators which are respectively connected to the plurality of sub-pixels, and are configured to generate pulse signals based on electric signals generated based on photons incident on the plurality of sub-pixels; a synchronizer and serializer configured to synchronize and serialize pulse signals respectively output from the pulse generators; and a counter configured to count and output a number of the pulse signals that are synchronized and serialized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jungwoo Kim
  • Patent number: 12003876
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises a row driver, a first row line which is connected to the row driver, first to fourth pixels connected to the first row line, first to fourth column lines connected to the first to fourth pixels and configured to receive respective first to fourth output signals from the first to fourth pixels, a boosting circuit connected to the first to fourth column lines, a second row line connected to the boosting circuit, first and second boosting drivers connected, respectively, to first and second terminals of the second row line. The boosting circuit may adjust voltage of the first and second output signals based on a first boosting enable signal received from the first boosting driver and may adjust a voltage of the third and fourth output signals based on a second boosting enable signal received from the second boosting driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 11997401
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor using photon counting, the image sensor including a pixel including a plurality of sub-pixels, a plurality of counters which are respectively connected to the plurality of sub-pixels and configured to count and output a plurality of pulse signals generated based on photons incident on each of the plurality of sub-pixels, and an operator configured to perform an operation on an output value output from each of the plurality of counters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jungwoo Kim, Byeongil Min
  • Patent number: 11991486
    Abstract: Disclosed is a color transform method performed by an electronic device that includes generating an initial color transformed image by performing color transform on a raw image, determine noise amplification degrees indicating degrees to which noise included in the raw image is amplified by the color transform, processing the determined noise amplification degrees, and generating a final color transformed image by filtering the generated initial color transformed image using the processed noise amplification degrees and at least one of the raw image or luminance information of the raw image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geonwoo Kim, Sung Kwang Cho, Yang Ho Cho, Dong Kyung Nam
  • Patent number: 11985424
    Abstract: A signal processing device according to the present technology includes a feature quantity extraction unit including a neural network and trained to extract a feature quantity for a specific event with respect to an input signal from a sensor, and a correction unit that performs correction of the input signal on the basis of the feature quantity extracted by the feature quantity extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Arai, Yuriko Ohtsuka, Kenichiro Nishi, Takeshi Masuura, Norimitsu Okiyama, Yuji Matsui, Satoshi Takashima
  • Patent number: 11985427
    Abstract: A display device includes a display module and a camera module. The camera module includes a first housing, a second housing and a camera unit. The first housing is movably disposed on the display module. The second housing is separably connected to the first housing. The camera unit is disposed on the second housing. The second housing is able to move with the first housing in relative to the display module, such that the camera unit is exposed from the display module or hidden in the display module. When the second housing is separated from the first housing, the second housing is able to rotate in relative to the first housing, so as to adjust an orientation of the camera unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corp., Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Chang Chen, Chin-Yi Lin, Chia-Chen Chen, Chi-Zen Peng
  • Patent number: 11974059
    Abstract: Disclosed are an image sensor, a method of sensing an image, and an electronic device including the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a readout circuit to read out a plurality of pixel signals received from the pixel array; and a controller to provide control signals to the pixel array, which includes three or more regions, each of the three or more regions having different sizes and control a processing of the plurality of pixel signals read out from the readout circuit based on the control signals provided to the pixel array to obtain an image, wherein the image has a first resolution in a first region, among the three or more regions, and a second resolution in a second region, among the three or more regions, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jungwoo Kim, Myunghwa Jung, Hyuck Choo