Patents Examined by Padma Haliyur
  • Patent number: 11722773
    Abstract: A sensor actuator includes an image sensor configured to convert incident light into an electrical signal, and first and second driving parts, configured to move the image sensor in first and second directions, respectively, each of the first and second driving parts includes one or more drivers each includes a wire having a change in length configured to move the image sensor. The one or more drivers in the second driving part is configured to move the image sensor and the first driving part together, and the first and second directions are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Woo Jun, Yun Kyoung Choi
  • Patent number: 11722779
    Abstract: The technical problem of enhancing the quality of an image captured by a front facing camera in low light conditions is addressed by displaying the viewfinder of a front facing camera with an illuminating border, termed a viewfinder ring flash. A viewfinder ring flash acts as a ring flash in low light conditions. A viewfinder ring flash may be automatically generated and presented in the camera view user interface (UI) when the digital sensor of a front facing camera detects a low light indication based on intensity of incident light detected by the digital image sensor of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Newar Husam Al Majid, Christine Barron, Ryan Chan, Bertrand Saint-Preux, Shoshana Sternstein
  • Patent number: 11714334
    Abstract: An automatic focus apparatus for a camera module includes a voice coil motor and a driving unit. The voice coil motor includes a frame, a moving member with a lens, and a magnetic member. The magnetic member is positioned at a side wall of the moving member, the driving unit is positioned at a side plate of the frame. A magnetic field is generated by the driving unit and the magnetic member, the magnetic field drives the moving member with the lens to move, to achieve automatic focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-Feng Gao
  • Patent number: 11709347
    Abstract: A folded camera may include folded optics arrangement positioned optically in front of an image sensor. The folded optics arrangement may include one or more light-folding elements and a lens group having one or more lens elements. Light may pass through the folded optics arrangement, within which the light be folded or redirected by the light-folding element, to focus on an image plane on the image sensor. The folded camera may include a shape-memory actuator having one or more shape-memory elements, whose lengths and/or shapes may be controlled by regulating individual temperatures of the shape-memory elements. The shape-memory actuator may move the lens group relative to the image sensor to implement various autofocus (AF) functions. The folded camera may include a voice coil motor (VCM) which may be controlled to move the image sensor relative to the lens group to perform various optical image stabilization (OIS) functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brodie, Scott W. Miller, Nicholas D. Smyth
  • Patent number: 11711597
    Abstract: An optical mechanism is provided. The optical mechanism includes an immovable part, a movable part, a drive assembly, and a guidance assembly. The movable part is connected to an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the immovable part. The drive assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part. The guidance assembly guides the movable part to move along a first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsin Huang, Yi-Ho Chen, Ya-Hsiu Wu, Shou-Jen Liu
  • Patent number: 11706509
    Abstract: An electronic system including a camera module comprises a camera module on a metal plate, a metal flange surrounding the camera module, a metal frame connected to the metal flange, and a first adhesion member between the metal flange and the metal plate. The camera module includes a substrate including a cavity, an image sensor in the cavity, and a lens assembly on the image sensor. An area of the metal plate is greater than that of the substrate, from a plan view. The metal plate includes a first part overlapping the substrate from the plan view, and a second part not overlapping the substrate from the plan view. The second part corresponds to an edge portion of the metal plate. The image sensor contacts the metal plate through an adhesive material. A lower portion of the metal flange and the second part of the metal plate contact the first adhesion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hak Lee, Hyunjin Kang, In-Sang Song
  • Patent number: 11696045
    Abstract: An image capture device may capture visual content based on a time-lapse video frame rate. Audio content may be captured along with the visual content based on the time-lapse video frame rate being a target time-lapse video frame rate. Capture of the audio content may be stopped based on the time-lapse video frame rate being different from the target time-lapse video frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Naveen Chinya Krishnamurthy, Shiva Kumar Belavadi Mallegowda, Anandhakumar Chinnaiyan, Aditi Saha
  • Patent number: 11683585
    Abstract: A method for mitigating motion blur in a visual-inertial tracking system is described. In one aspect, the method includes accessing a first image generated by an optical sensor of the visual tracking system, accessing a second image generated by the optical sensor of the visual tracking system, the second image following the first image, determining a first motion blur level of the first image, determining a second motion blur level of the second image, identifying a scale change between the first image and the second image, determining a first optimal scale level for the first image based on the first motion blur level and the scale change, and determining a second optimal scale level for the second image based on the second motion blur level and the scale change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SNAP INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Kalkgruber, Daniel Wolf
  • Patent number: 11683596
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire image data of a subject; an identification unit configured to identify a color temperature of light from the subject on the basis of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit; an adjustment unit configured to adjust a white balance of the image data on the basis of the color temperature identified by the identification unit; and a suppression unit configured to suppress a chroma of the image data applied adjustment by the adjustment unit, if image data of a specific light-emitting body is included in the image data, on the basis of color information of the specific light-emitting body applied adjustment by the adjustment unit, by eliminating color of the specific light-emitting body applied adjustment by the adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takatoshi Morikawa, Norimitsu Anada
  • Patent number: 11678035
    Abstract: An imaging system that is translucent can be achieved by placing an image sensor (204) at one of more edges or periphery of a translucent window (202). A small fraction of light from the outside scene scatters off imperfections (218) in the translucent window (202) and reach the peripheral image sensor (204). Based on appropriate calibration of the response of point sources (206) from the outside scene, the full scene can be reconstructed computationally from the peripherally scattered light (210, 212). The technique can be extended to color, multi-spectral, light-field, 3D, and polarization selective imaging. Applications can include surveillance, imaging for autonomous agents, microscopy, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajesh Menon, Ganghun Kim
  • Patent number: 11678050
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method by which the electronic apparatus provides recommendation information related to photography are provided. The method includes identifying a subject included in a preview image recognized by a first camera, obtaining information of the identified subject, obtaining information related to light in surroundings of the identified subject, determining a recommended photographing composition based on the information of the identified subject and the information related to the light in the surroundings of the subject, and providing information about the determined recommended photographing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-ho Jung, Yeul-tak Sung
  • Patent number: 11678039
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera focus adjustment device, a lens, and an image sensor coupled to the camera focus adjustment device. The camera focus adjustment device includes a flexure structure. The flexure structure includes an outer framework of structural members continuously interconnected by flexure notch hinges. The flexure structure also includes two inner structural members oriented in parallel and extending from the outer framework of structural members. A gap is between the two inner structural members. The camera focus adjustment device also includes a piezoelectric material within the gap and a pair of wedges within the gap. The pair of wedges is affixed to the piezoelectric material and to one inner structural member of the two inner structural members. Based on temperature-based piezoelectric activity associated with the piezoelectric material, the camera focus adjustment device is operable to move the image sensor relative to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Shashank Sharma
  • Patent number: 11671687
    Abstract: An information handling system peripheral camera is built by inserting a subassembly into a cylindrical housing and enclosing the subassembly with a bezel at the front and cover at the rear. The cylindrical housing is extruded with aluminum to have seams formed along the length of the interior. The seams provide alignment of the subassembly and are machined at the front and rear to form threads that accept screws to couple the bezel and rear cover to the cylindrical housing. To hide the screws, a back plate couples over the rear cover and an opaque treatment is applied to a circumference of a cover glass placed over the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Peng Lip Goh, Celia Law, Deeder M. Aurongzeb
  • Patent number: 11650393
    Abstract: A camera module includes an imaging lens module, an axial driving device and an image sensor module. The imaging lens module includes at least one optical imaging lens element. The axial driving device is configured to drive the optical imaging lens element to move in a direction parallel to an optical axis. The image sensor module is disposed on an image side of the axial driving device and includes an image sensor and a substrate. The image sensor is configured to convert light passing through the imaging lens module into an image signal. The axial driving device includes a base, and the base has a first axial assembling structure. The substrate has a second axial assembling structure abutted against the first axial assembling structure, so that the imaging lens module is aligned with the image sensor module in a direction along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: LARGAN DIGITAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lin An Chang, Ming-Ta Chou
  • Patent number: 11653091
    Abstract: A focus detecting apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a defocus amount using a pair of image signals corresponding to each of a first focus detecting area and a second focus detecting area larger than the first focus detecting area set for each of the plurality of AF frames, a determination unit configured to determine a priority of the plurality of AF frames using the pair of image signals acquired from each of the first and second focus detecting areas, and a selection unit configured to select the AF frame to be focused using the priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ishii
  • Patent number: 11647304
    Abstract: Some image sensors include pixels with capacitors. The capacitor may be used to store charge in the imaging pixel before readout. The capacitor may be a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor that is susceptible to dielectric relaxation. Dielectric relaxation may cause lag in the signal on the capacitor that impacts the signal on the capacitor during sampling. The image sensor may include dielectric relaxation correction circuitry that leverages the linear relationship between voltage stress and lag signal to correct for dielectric relaxation. The image sensor may include shielded pixels that operate with a similar timing scheme as the imaging pixels in the active array. Measured lag signals from the shielded pixels may be used to correct imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Denver Lloyd, Manuel H. Innocent
  • Patent number: 11647268
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that can efficiently solve problems caused by heat generated by a heat generating element. The image pickup apparatus including a sensor substrate configured to implement an image sensor, and a main circuit board configured to implement a heat generating element. A length of the main circuit board is longer than a length of the sensor substrate in a width direction of the image pickup apparatus. The main circuit board is aslant arranged to an optical axis of the image pickup apparatus so that a first space part will be provided between the sensor substrate and the main circuit board. A cross section of the first space part in a plane that is parallel to both the optical axis and the width direction is approximately triangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuna Oyama, Norikazu Hirota, Yoji Oya, Kazuo Yamamoto, Yuta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11641517
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces. In some examples, the electronic device transitions between user interfaces for capturing photos based on data received from a first camera and a second camera. In some examples, the electronic device provides enhanced zooming capabilities that result in visual pleasing results for a displayed digital viewfinder and for captured videos. In some examples, the electronic device provides user interfaces for transitioning a digital viewfinder between a first camera with an applied digital zoom to a second camera with no digital zoom. In some examples, the electronic device prepares to capture media at various magnification levels. In some examples, the electronic device enhanced capabilities for navigating through a plurality of values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Behkish J. Manzari, Alan C. Dye, Stephen O. Lemay, Pavel PivoƱka
  • Patent number: 11632601
    Abstract: A device for image capture includes a memory configured to store a preview image, and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to receive a user selection to focus at a region of the preview image stored in the memory, determine whether there is image content at different depths in the region, based on the determination that there is image content at different depths in the region, output an alternative version of the image content in the region, receive a subsequent user selection within the alternative version, and control a focus level for a camera based on the subsequent user selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Micha Galor Gluskin, Ho Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 11622065
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for interfacing motorized and non-motorized optical assemblies with imaging systems. In one example, a method includes receiving an optical assembly at a lens mount assembly of an imaging system. The method also includes receiving a rotation of the optical assembly from a first position to a second position to secure the optical assembly to the lens mount assembly. The rotation causes one or more electrical connections of the lens mount assembly to translate toward and engage with one or more complementary electrical connections of the optical assembly to couple an electrical component of the optical assembly with the imaging system. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FLIR Systems AB
    Inventor: Jacob F. Bryan