Patents Examined by Paul M Berardesca
  • Patent number: 10582113
    Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a pixel area where each of color image pixels arrayed in a matrix is divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels; a vertical scanning circuit and a device control circuit configured to read from the pixel area a first frame capable of constituting a color image and a second frame including phase difference information; a digital processing circuit configured to reduce color information of the second frame to reduce an amount of data; and an output circuit configured to output the first frame and the second frame via a transmission route with a number of lanes that is not the smaller of a first number-of-lanes and a second number-of-lanes required to output the first frame and the second frame, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Hatakeyama, Yoshinao Shimada, Tetsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10574912
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an image sensor capable of simultaneous integration of electrons and holes. According to an exemplary embodiment, the image sensor comprises a backside-illuminated hybrid bonded stacked chip image sensor comprising a pixel circuit array, and each pixel circuit comprising a charge storage capacitor oriented in a vertical direction in a deep trench isolation region. Both the electrons and holes are generated and integrated (collected) in the pixel simultaneously, and the charge storage capacitor is used for storing the signal generated by holes in the high light level illuminated pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Patent number: 10567679
    Abstract: A dynamic vision sensor (DVS) or change detection sensor reacts to changes in light intensity and in this way monitors how a scene changes. This disclosure covers both single pixel and array architectures. The DVS may contain one pixel or 2-dimensional or 1-dimensional array of pixels. The change of intensities registered by pixels are compared, and pixel addresses where the change is positive or negative are recorded and processed. Analyzing frames based on just three values for pixels, increase, decrease or unchanged, the proposed DVS can process visual information much faster than traditional computer vision systems, which correlate multi-bit color or gray level pixel values between successive frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: INSIGHTNESS AG
    Inventors: Raphael Berner, Christian Brändli
  • Patent number: 10565734
    Abstract: An image capture system includes a plurality of image sensors arranged in a pattern such that gaps exist between adjacent image sensors of the plurality of image sensors. Each of the image sensors may be configured to capture sensor image data. The image capture system may also have a main lens configured to direct incoming light along an optical path, a microlens array positioned within the optical path, and a plurality of tapered fiber optic bundles. Each tapered fiber optic bundle may have a leading end positioned within the optical path, and a trailing end positioned proximate one of the image sensors. The leading end may have a larger cross-sectional area than the trailing end. Sensor data from the image sensors may be combined to generate a single light-field image that is substantially unaffected by the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Brendan Bevensee, Tingfang Du, Jon Karafin, Joel Merritt, Duane Petrovich, Gareth Spor
  • Patent number: 10560627
    Abstract: A dual sensor camera that uses two aligned sensors each having a separate lens of different focal length but the same f-number. The wider FOV image from one sensor is combined with the narrower FOV image from the other sensor to form a combined image. Up-sampling of the wide FOV image and down-sampling of the narrow FOV image is performed. The longer focal length lens may have certain aberrations introduced so that Extended Depth of Field (EDoF) processing can be used to give the narrow FOV image approximately the same depth of field as the wide FOV image so that a noticeable difference in depth of field is not see in the combined image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Griffith, Jisoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10554868
    Abstract: A camera module and a mobile terminal are disclosed. The camera module includes a first camera module, a second camera module and a bracket; the first camera module is arranged side by side with the second camera module, the second camera module is connected to the bracket so as to be grounded, a connector is provided between the first camera module and the second camera module, and the first camera module is electrically connected to the second camera module via the connector so as to be grounded through the bracket. By a connector provided between the first camera module and the second camera module, the first camera module is electrically connected to the second camera module, and achieves common grounding through the bracket at the side of the second camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Yimei Tang, Yi Sun, Jingming Wan, Xinquan Zhou, Haijin Hu, Guangwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10547773
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a monopod jib for cameras, including: a pole; a multi-axis gimbal disposed at one end of the pole; and a user interface comprising: a first user interface element having a first plurality of camera controls; and a second user interface element having a second plurality of camera controls. Other embodiments are shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunter D. Niemeyer, Sean Kallas, Avner Swerdlow, Meredith Bailey Antonia Scheff-King
  • Patent number: 10547769
    Abstract: A camera mount is configured to attach a camera to a mount base which, in turn, may be secured to sport equipment, musical instruments, vehicles, and the like. The camera mount includes a ball component that couples to a camera or camera housing and that allows a user to rotate a camera within a horizontal plane, and to pivot a camera in one or more vertical planes. The ball component is securely coupled within a sleeve component with a bucket or other coupling mechanism that allows the sleeve component (and thereby the ball component and coupled camera or camera housing) to couple to the mount base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Harrison
  • Patent number: 10542231
    Abstract: Periods in which first selection transistors of several pixel cells of a plurality of pixel cells are in an on state are overlapped, and periods in which second selection transistors of several other pixel cells of the plurality of pixel cells are in an on state are overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Shikina, Shintaro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10536624
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture a plurality of images while changing a focus position of an optical system, a setting unit configured to set a plurality of focus positions, a shake detection unit configured to detect a shake of the imaging unit, and a combination unit configured to combine a plurality of images. The setting unit of the image pickup apparatus changes distances between the plurality of focus positions based on a shake amount detected by the shake detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Risa Koizumi
  • Patent number: 10536685
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating lens-related metadata for a light field imaging device. An image renderer generates a display image from a light field capture using a lens model. A metadata assembler then outputs parameters of the lens model used for generating the display image as lens-related metadata for the light field imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS
    Inventors: Thomas Brune, Oliver Theis, Thierry Borel, Valter Drazic
  • Patent number: 10530983
    Abstract: A wearable camera images a subject in front of the user, executes a first communication setting process for communicating with an in-vehicle communication device, mounted in a vehicle on which the user rides, stores first communication setting information used for communication with the in-vehicle communication device, based on the first communication setting process, in a memory, and transmits a captured image of the subject to the in-vehicle communication device, using the first communication setting information. The wearable camera deletes the first communication setting information from the memory, after a lapse of a certain time from a last communication time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yokomitsu, Ryoko Tanabiki, Hiroaki Ohnishi, Shoji Hatta
  • Patent number: 10530996
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a processing unit and a memory that stores a plurality of program instructions. The processing unit executes the program instructions to perform the following steps: (a) storing pixel data of multiple pixels of a picture in the memory, the number of the pixels being greater than the number of pixels in one horizontal line of the picture; (b) performing an integral image operation on the pixel data to obtain integral image data; (c) storing the integral image data in the memory; (d) using the integral image data to calculate a low-frequency component of a target pixel of the picture; and (e) based on the low-frequency component, selectively performing a temporal noise reduction operation on the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kai Liu, Wen-Tsung Huang
  • Patent number: 10516842
    Abstract: A driving method of a semiconductor device that takes three-dimensional images with short duration is provided. In a first step, a light source starts to emit light, and first potential corresponding to the total amount of light received by a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element is written to a first charge accumulation region. In a second step, the light source stops emitting light and second potential corresponding to the total amount of light received by the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element is written to a second charge accumulation region. In a third step, first data corresponding to the potential written to the first charge accumulation region is read. In a fourth step, second data corresponding to the potential written to the second charge accumulation region is read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 10516816
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a system, including: an information handling device comprising a camera; and a cover for the information handling device, comprising: a movable area obscuring and exposing the camera; at least one button controlling activation of the camera; and a communication mechanism facilitating communication between the cover and the information handling device. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wesley Abram Luttrell, Christopher Miles Osborne, Daniel Jordan Schantz, Vincent Charles Conzola
  • Patent number: 10516829
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal which can be implemented by allowing a user to use the terminal more conveniently, and a method for controlling the same. The present invention may comprise a camera, a display, and a control unit which enlarges a partial region of an original image photographed by the camera at a predetermined magnification and displays the original image and the enlarged image simultaneously on the display, wherein the control unit, upon receiving a magnification photographing input from a user input unit, can activate the camera for photographing, enlarge a partial region of the original image photographed by the camera at a predetermined magnification and display the original image and the enlarged image simultaneously on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngho Shin, Kyungju Lee, Joonsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10498985
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is capable of reducing saturation of a photoelectric conversion part at a time of photometry. The image pickup apparatus includes a photographing lens and an image pickup device including the following units. A photoelectric conversion part generates an electric charge by converting incident light through the lens photoelectrically and can accumulate the generated electric charge. A transfer switch transfers the electric charge to a charge accumulation part from the photoelectric conversion part. A control unit selectively sets a driving mode from among a first driving mode in which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion part is intermittently transferred to the charge accumulation part by switching ON/OFF of the transfer switch and a second driving mode in which the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion part is continuously transferred to the charge accumulation part by keeping an ON state of the transfer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Shu
  • Patent number: 10469725
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for spatiotemporal registration between a first image stream and a second image stream. A first registration frame set derived from the first image stream and a second registration frame set derived from the second image stream are defined. A spatial correlation analysis is conducted based on the first registration frame set and the second registration frame set to determine a spatial registration offset. The first registration frame set and the second registration frame set are spatially registered based on the spatial registration offset. A temporal correlation analysis is conducted based on the first registration frame set and the second registration frame set after spatial registration to determine a temporal registration offset. The first image stream and the second image stream are spatially and temporally registered based on the spatial registration offset and the temporal registration offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Dilip K Prasad
  • Patent number: 10469755
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to user-selected metadata related to images captured by a camera of a client device. User-selected metadata may include contextual information and/or information provided by a user when the images are captured. In various implementations, a free form input may be received at a first client device of one or more client devices operated by a user. A task request may be recognized from the free form input, and it may be determined that the task request includes a request to store metadata related to one or more images captured by a camera of the first client device. The metadata may be selected based on content of the task request. The metadata may then be stored, e.g., in association with one or more images captured by the camera, in computer-readable media. The computer-readable media may be searchable by the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Ibrahim Badr, Gökhan Bakir, Daniel Kunkle, Kavin Karthik Ilangovan, Denis Burakov
  • Patent number: 10469782
    Abstract: A time delay and integration charge coupled device includes an array of pixels and a clock generator. The array of pixels is distributed in a scan direction and a line direction perpendicular to the scan direction in which at least some of the pixels of the array include three or more gates aligned in the scan direction. The clock generator provides clocking signals to transfer charge along the scan direction between two or more pixel groups including two or more pixels adjacent in the scan direction. The clocking signals include phase signals to transfer the charge to an adjacent pixel group along the scan direction at a rate corresponding to the velocity of the target by driving the gates of the two or more pixel groups and generating a common potential well per pixel group for containing charge generated in response to incident illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Brown