Patents Examined by Quan Pham
  • Patent number: 11258948
    Abstract: The image pickup apparatus of the present invention sets at least an imaging magnification of an optical system included in a second image pickup device or a sampling pitch of a signal in the second image pickup device; calculates, using image data of a plurality of frames captured by second image pickup device during exposure of first image pickup device for image data of a first frame, the amount of subject motion in the image data of the plurality of frames; and controls the exposure of the first image pickup device for the image data of the first frame, on the basis of the calculated amount of subject motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Satoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11258972
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the plurality of pixels configured to generate separate, respective pixel signals, a row driver configured to selectively read pixel signals generated by pixels of a plurality of rows of the pixel array, a binning circuitry configured to selectively sum or pass through the read pixel signals to generate binned pixel signals, a column array including a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to perform an analog-to-digital conversion on the binned pixel signals, and a mode selecting circuitry configured to control the row driver and the binning circuitry to change an operation mode of the image sensor based on a mode signal received at the image sensor to change an operation mode of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyounghwan Moon
  • Patent number: 11250574
    Abstract: A sensor system includes: a transmission device that includes a sensor which asynchronously outputs detection data including time series information; and a reception device connected to the transmission device via a transmission line. The detection data includes coordinate information, and the transmission device includes an expansion unit configured to expand a value of the coordinate information within a range of the number of bits assigned to the coordinate information, in a case where the detection data is acquired from the sensor, and a transmission unit configured to transmit expanded detection data in which the value of the coordinate information is expanded by the expansion unit to the reception device via the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISH
    Inventors: Kozo Kajiwara, Takeshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 11252339
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and methods for generating a hybrid image by high-dynamic-range counting. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a processing circuitry configured to acquire an image from a pixelated detector, obtain a sparsity map of the acquired image, the sparsity map indicating low-flux regions of the acquired image and high-flux regions of the acquired image, generate a low-flux image and a high-flux image based on the sparsity map, perform event analysis of the acquired image based on the low-flux image and the high-flux image, the event analysis including detecting, within the low-flux image, incident events by an event counting mode, multiply, by a normalization constant, resulting intensities of the high-flux image and the detected incident events of the low-flux image, and generate the hybrid image by merging the low-flux image and the high-flux image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Direct Electron, LP
    Inventors: Benjamin Bammes, Robert Bilhorn
  • Patent number: 11252365
    Abstract: A clock generator and an image sensor including the same are disclosed, which relate to technology for improving an operation speed of a voltage controlled oscillator. The clock generator includes a phase frequency detector (PFD) configured to detect a phase difference between a clock signal and a reference clock signal, a voltage converter configured to adjust a current corresponding to a voltage level in response to an output signal of the phase frequency detector (PFD), a filter circuit configured to generate a control voltage by filtering an output signal of the voltage converter, a voltage pumping circuit configured to pump an output voltage of the voltage converter, and provide the control voltage having a pumped voltage level, and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to generate a clock signal, an oscillation frequency of which is adjusted, in response to the control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 11245826
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a camera communicator connected to a signal communication channel and a data communication channel, and a camera controller configured to perform a signal communication with the plurality of accessory apparatuses using the signal communication channel, and a first communication that is a data communication with the plurality of accessory apparatuses and a second communication that is a data communication with a first accessory apparatus among the plurality of accessory apparatuses, using the data communication channel. The camera controller notifies a second accessory apparatus other than the first accessory apparatus of a communication prohibition by the second communication, and then notifies a change of a clock rate of at least one of the first communication and the second communication via the second communication to change the clock rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11233924
    Abstract: An electronic device including a housing including a first plate, a second plate, and a side member enclosing a space between the first plate and the second plate; and a camera structure disposed at a space at a periphery of the side member. The camera structure includes a camera housing structure disposed between the first plate and the second plate; at least one image sensor disposed in the camera housing structure; and at least one lens disposed inside the camera housing structure between the at least one image sensor and the first plate and facing the first plate. The camera housing structure includes a side surface facing the side member and having a first stepped structure when one surface of the side surface is viewed from the outside. The portion of the side member has a second stepped structure formed to correspond to the first stepped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daeyoung Noh, Sangmin Kim, Minchang Shim, Soonwoong Yang, Seunghoon Lee, Jongchul Choi
  • Patent number: 11223809
    Abstract: Techniques described herein include capturing a plurality of frames associated with a video file, capturing an image corresponding to one of the plurality of frames, generating a color map between the captured image and a corresponding frame of the plurality of frames, where the color map is based on a color and a tone of the captured image and a color and tone of the corresponding frame, tone correcting one or more selected frames associated with the video file based on the color map, and color correcting the one or more selected frames based on the color map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Li Wei, Wei Hong
  • Patent number: 11212447
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to optical devices and related methods that facilitate tilt in camera systems, such as tilt of a lens. In one example, an optical device includes a lens, an image sensor disposed below the lens, a plurality of magnets disposed about the lens, and a plurality of: (1) vertical coil structures coiled in one or more vertical planes and (2) horizontal coil structures coiled in one or more horizontal planes. When power is applied, the coil structures can generate magnetic fields that, in the presence of the magnets, cause relative movement of the coil structures and associated structures. The plurality of vertical coil structures are configured to horizontally move the lens. The plurality of horizontal coil structures are configured to tilt the lens when differing electrical power is applied to at least two of the plurality of horizontal coil structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Quang Le, Rajeev Nagabhirava, Kuok San Ho, Zhigang Bai, Zhanjie Li, Xiaoyong Liu, Daniele Mauri
  • Patent number: 11209643
    Abstract: A phase filter 101 is configured to comprise an annular structure rotationally symmetrical about an optical axis, each annular zone including a cross-sectional shape of substantially parabola for uniformly extending incident rays of light on a focal plane and letting the rays overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shimano, Kouichi Sakita, Mitsuhiko Oota
  • Patent number: 11212470
    Abstract: The invention relates to pixel circuit and an operating method thereof, comprising—a front-end circuit (1) comprising a single photodiode (PD) and having an output (4), said front-end circuit (1) being configured for delivering on said output a photoreceptor signal derived from a light exposure of said single photodiode (PD);—a transient detector circuit (2) configured for detecting a change in said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4);—an exposure measurement circuit (3) configured for measuring said photoreceptor signal delivered on said output (4) upon detection by the transient detector circuit (2) of a change in the photoreceptor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Prophesee
    Inventors: Daniel Matolin, Christoph Posch
  • Patent number: 11196914
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor, at least one memory, and at least one processor in communication with the at least one memory. The sensor is configured to pick up a plurality of images of an object, wherein the plurality of images is overlapped in at least a part of field angle and different in focal position. The at least one memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to acquire distance information on the object and acquire difference of distances based on the distance information, set an aperture value based on the difference of distances, and combine the plurality of images. The sensor picks up the plurality of images at the set aperture value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11190676
    Abstract: A focusing adjustment method includes calculating an in-focus level of an imaging optical system including a diaphragm and a focus lens based on an output signal of an image sensor, setting an optional focus lens position based on an instruction from a user, performing first control for determining a diaphragm driving direction and a diaphragm driving amount, based on the in-focus level; and performing second control for determining a moving direction of the focus lens, based on an output signal of the image sensor and determining a driving amount of the focus lens based on the diaphragm driving amount, wherein, in the first control and the second control, the diaphragm and the focus lens are controlled in such a range that a specific region of captured image can be included in depth of field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuto Sugaya
  • Patent number: 11184534
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a display, a gyroscope, a camera, a memory, and a hardware processor. The gyroscope can determine an angle between a plane defined by the display and a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity. The camera can capture an image of a user. The memory stores a set angle and a threshold. The processor determines a difference between the set angle and the angle. The processor further receives the image from the camera. The processor determines a location of the user's lips in the image. In response to determining that the difference remains greater than the threshold for a first time interval or that the user's lips remain open for a second time interval, the processor turns off the display. In response to turning off the display, the processor determines that a third time interval has passed and turns on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SUSASYM LLC
    Inventor: Darin Ward
  • Patent number: 11184510
    Abstract: A filter for a camera lens including an electronic display configured to couple to an object side of the camera lens and configured to filter an image on an object side of the electronic display for the camera lens. A controller is configured to electrically control the filtering of the electronic display. An input is for receiving a control for controlling the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Panavision International, L.P.
    Inventors: Haluki Sadahiro, Guy McVicker
  • Patent number: 11172173
    Abstract: A signal processing unit performs preprocessing, demosaic processing and color reproduction processing on an image signal. A control unit detects an image area having undergone a characteristic change exceeding a predetermined change amount, by using an image signal before the reproduction processing and an image signal after the color reproduction processing. The control unit associates area information indicating the detection result of the image area having undergone a characteristic change exceeding a predetermined change amount with the image signal after the color reproduction processing, and records the area information on a recording medium, or outputs the area information to an external device. Thus, it becomes possible to detect an image area where a control change caused by color reproduction processing is unnatural.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Ting Zhang, Yohei Myoga
  • Patent number: 11165939
    Abstract: A portable image capturing electronic device includes a main body, an image capturing lens assembly and a light source assembly. An accommodating chamber is disposed inside the main body. The accommodating chamber includes a top portion and a bottom portion disposed opposite to each other. The image capturing lens assembly is disposed on the top portion and faces toward the bottom portion to capture an image corresponding to an object disposed at the bottom portion. The light source assembly includes a plurality of first light sources. The light source assembly is disposed on the top portion, and the plurality of first light sources face toward the bottom portion to provide illumination for the object and are disposed nearby the image capturing lens assembly. The present application facilitates illumination control when capturing the image, which can effectively reduce errors in image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AVISION INC.
    Inventor: Shao-Lan Sheng
  • Patent number: 11128821
    Abstract: The application provides a cross-row time delay integral method, apparatus and camera. The method includes obtaining a first stage integral energy in an i-th target region from an i-th row of a first integral piece domain; transferring the first stage integral energy across rows to an i-th row of a second integral piece domain; obtaining the first stage integral energy and an second stage integral energy accumulated in the i-th target region from the i-th row of the second integral piece domain, after an integration period; outputting an image of the i-th target region containing the first stage integral energy and the second stage integral energy. The application performs cross-row integration through the energy obtained by imaging, the shooting of the target can be carried out in a higher-speed environment, the method can be implemented on the existing photoelectric device, and the method has excellent imaging quality and wide applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CHENGDU ZHONGXIN HUARUI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Qin
  • Patent number: 11120529
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire noise information about a noise characteristic of an input image generated by image capturing using an optical system, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a sharpening filter in a real space, the sharpening filter being based on an optical characteristic of the optical system, and a third acquisition unit configured to acquire gain information about gain of the sharpening filter using components of the sharpening filter. The image processing apparatus performs sharpening processing on the input image based on the noise information and the gain information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ida, Koshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 11115566
    Abstract: This invention provides a vision system with an exchangeable illumination assembly that allows for increased versatility in the type and configuration of illumination supplied to the system without altering the underlying optics, sensor, vision processor, or the associated housing. The vision system housing includes a front plate that optionally includes a plurality of mounting bases for accepting different types of lenses, and a connector that allows removable interconnection with the illustrative illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a cover that is light transmissive. The cover encloses an illumination component that can include a plurality of lighting elements that surround an aperture through which received light rays from the imaged scene pass through to the lens. The arrangement of lighting elements is highly variable and the user can be supplied with an illumination assembly that best suits its needs without need to change the vision system processor, sensor or housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Laurens Nunnink, Richard Reuter