Patents Examined by Selam Gebriel
  • Patent number: 8913150
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for dynamically capturing images according to prior capture settings and user behaviors. A first image is captured with a plurality of capture settings selected by a user. A user gesture to accept or delete the first image is detected. The parameters describing the preferred capture settings for the user are subsequently determined based on the first image she accepts or deletes. Upon receiving an indication from the user to capture a second image, the settings of the imaging device are adjusted according to the determined parameters and the second image is captured using the preferred parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ilia Vitsnudel
  • Patent number: 8902338
    Abstract: A color separating filter array has a configuration in which unit elements 1, each having a triangular pyramid shape, are arranged two-dimensionally. Each unit element 1 includes: first, second, and third filters 1R, 1G, 1B arranged to form the three lateral faces of the triangular pyramid; and a reflective region. The first, second and third filters 1R, 1G and 1B are designed to transmit visible radiations falling within first, second and third wavelength ranges, respectively, and reflect visible radiation falling within any other wavelength range. The reflective region is arranged to further reflect a light ray that has been incident on a region surrounded with the first, second and third filters and reflected from any of the first, second and third filters and to guide the reflected light ray to another one of the first, second and third filters that is different from the one that has already reflected the light ray once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Masao Hiramoto, Masayuki Misaki, Masaaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8890984
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging element includes a substrate, and a plurality of color filters. A plurality of photoelectric conversion units is provided in the substrate. The plurality of color filters is provided respectively for the plurality of photoelectric conversion units. The plurality of color filters is configured to selectively transmit light of a designated wavelength band. Each of the plurality of color filters includes a stacked structure unit and a periodic structure unit. A plurality of layers having different refractive indexes is stacked in the stacked structure unit. A plurality of components is provided in the periodic structure unit at different periods according to the designated wavelength band and an incident angle of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusaku Konno, Naotada Okada, Koichi Kokubun
  • Patent number: 8860855
    Abstract: This solid-state image sensor includes an array of photosensitive cells and an array of dispersing elements. The photosensitive cell array is comprised of multiple unit blocks, each of which includes four photosensitive cells arranged two dimensionally. The dispersing element array is arranged so as to face the photosensitive cell array and includes a plurality of dispersing elements. The dispersing element array directs light respectively onto the four photosensitive cells by selectively subtracting certain complementary color components from the incoming white light, and adding a light ray with a selected complementary color component to the remainder. The dispersing element array is configured such that the combination of color component that is subtracted from the incoming light and the color component in the added light ray is selected for the incident light on each of the four photosensitive cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Masao Hiramoto, Tatsuya Nakamura, Toshiya Fujii
  • Patent number: 8860866
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus including an incline detection device configured to detect an incline of the imaging apparatus, an image display device configured to display an image based on the image information, an incline computation device configured to compute an incline information that corresponds to a magnitude of the incline, an information storage device configured to store the incline information that is computed by the incline computation device, and a display processing device configured to display the image and an incline guide display corresponding to the incline information upon a screen of the image display device. The display processing device is configured to change a display format of the incline guide display in accordance with the magnitude of the incline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuroh Yasuda, Yohsuke Suzuki, Atsushi Matsutani, Takashi Maki
  • Patent number: 8854517
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a first chip including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a light sensing unit generating a signal charge responsive to an amount of received light, and a plurality of MOS transistors reading the signal charge generated by the light sensing unit and outputting the read signal charge as a pixel signal, a second chip including a plurality of pixel drive circuits supplying desired drive pulses to pixels, the second chip being laminated beneath the first chip in a manner such that the pixel drive circuits are arranged beneath the pixels formed in the first chip to drive the pixels, and a connection unit for electrically connecting the pixels to the pixel drive circuits arranged beneath the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Honda, Takafumi Takatsuka
  • Patent number: 8842196
    Abstract: A data recording apparatus includes: a data recording device that records acquired data in a recording medium; a target data specifying device that specifies target data to which data processing is to be performed out of data recorded in the recording medium based on an instruction by a user; a recordable data number calculation device that calculates a number of the acquired data that will be able to be recorded in the recording medium by performing the data processing to the target data based on a remaining capacity of the recording medium and a content of processing of the data processing; a display control device that displays on a display device a result of the calculation by the recordable data number calculation device before the data processing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8842213
    Abstract: The stability is improved with which focus control is performed by an image capture device that brings a face region image into focus according to the contrast method. A human detection circuit 3 performs a human image search by using a threshold value Thh1. A face detection circuit 2 performs a face image search by using a threshold value Thf1. When an entire body image region corresponding to an entire body of a person is detected and a face image region corresponding to a face of the same person is detected in the captured image through the human image search and the face image search, the face detection circuit 2 performs redetermination with respect to the face image region by using a threshold value Thf2. The redetermination by using the threshold value Thf21 has higher accuracy compared to the face image search by using the threshold value Thf1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Tomita, Ikuo Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 8830378
    Abstract: When a photographer presses a release button by a predetermined amount after focusing on a first object, a focus lens is moved in an optical axis direction so that a second object is brought into focus, whereupon image pickup is performed while focusing on the second object. Image processing is then performed on image data obtained in the image pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Asakura, Hisashi Goto
  • Patent number: 8830342
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, and an image capture control section. The image-capturing section is for capturing an image of a subject and starting generating of image-capture data corresponding to a single frame in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, The image-data-generation section is for carrying out processing for generating image data showing an image of the subject, on the basis of the image-capture data. The image capture control section is for varying, at a minimum, either a number of pulses of subsignals generated a plurality of times within a period of one cycle of the vertical synchronization signal, or the cycle for generating the vertical synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Shiohara
  • Patent number: 8817162
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging device which can carry out ranging with high precision even when the pixel size is small. The solid-state imaging device including a pixel includes: a photoelectric conversion unit for converting light into an electrical signal; an optical waveguide provided on an light incident side of the photoelectric conversion unit, the optical waveguide being configured so that light entering from a first direction is converted into a first waveguide mode and is guided and light entering from a second direction, which is different from the first direction, is converted into a second waveguide mode and is guided; and a light blocking member provided in the optical waveguide, for reducing more light in the second waveguide mode which is guided to the photoelectric conversion unit than light in the first waveguide mode which is guided to the photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinari Takagi
  • Patent number: 8817143
    Abstract: A plurality of pixel circuits arranged in rows and columns, and each of which outputs an electric signal according to an amount of received light; a first column signal line provided for each of the columns, and for sequentially transferring the electric signals from said pixel circuits in a corresponding column; and a holding circuit provided for each of the pixel circuits in each column, and which holds the electric signal transferred through the column signal line in the corresponding column are provided. A holding circuit includes a first capacitor which holds a first electric signal of the corresponding pixel circuit in a reset state; and a second capacitor which holds a second electric signal after the corresponding pixel circuit receives light. A difference circuit calculates a difference between two electric signals held by the first capacitor and the second capacitor in a same holding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Murata, Takayoshi Yamada, Yoshihisa Kato, Shigetaka Kasuga
  • Patent number: 8804030
    Abstract: A battery assembly for providing a stable, quick release between an image recording apparatus and a structural support apparatus includes a housing defining a closed interior area for accommodating an energy cell. A threaded bore and a depression are defined in said housing, with the depression extending into the closed interior area. A mounting mechanism having a threaded post is provided for releasably engagaing with the depression such that an expansive mounting surface is provided when at least a portion of the mounting mechanism is engaged within the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Anton/Bauer, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander P. Desorbo
  • Patent number: 8804024
    Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises four lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Though controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces, the refracting power and/or the ratio or difference among the parameters of the lens element(s), the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih Han Chen, Chung Chih Chang, Hung Chien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8786724
    Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, a progress-information-acquiring section, and an image-capture control section. The image-capturing section captures an image of a subject and repeatedly generates image-capture data of frames which represent single video frames. The image-data-generation section carries out processing for generating image data indicating an image of the subject, on the basis of image-capture data of the image-capturing section. The progress-information-acquiring section acquires progress information indicating progress of processing for generating the image data. The image-capture control section controls, on the basis of the progress information, a timing for starting the generating of the image-capture data for the next frame in the image-capturing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Shiohara
  • Patent number: 8786755
    Abstract: A polarization imaging apparatus includes a laser light source and an image pickup element. Object light and reference light each include a first polarized-light component polarized in a first direction and a second polarized-light component polarized in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The image pickup element simultaneously captures an image of an interference pattern including (i) a first interference figure, (ii) a second interference figure, (iii) a third interference figure, and (iv) a fourth interference figure. The polarization imaging apparatus includes a reconstructing section generating respective reconstructed images of the object in regard to the first and second polarized-light components, from the first to fourth interference figures, and a polarized-light-image-calculating section obtaining polarized-light images from the reconstructed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Awatsuji, Tatsuki Tahara
  • Patent number: 8760570
    Abstract: A camera module includes a lens module having a lens holder having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface and a through hole through the top surface and the bottom surface, a liquid crystal lens, wires, and a driving unit, a PCB, and solder balls. The liquid crystal lens is received in the through hole. The wires are arranged on the top surface and the side surface. One end of each wire is electrically connected to the liquid crystal lens, and the other end includes a solder terminal on the side surface. The driving unit drives the liquid crystal lens. The PCB includes a rigid print circuit board supporting the lens holder and a flexible print circuit board having a free end bent toward the side surface. The solder balls interconnect the solder terminals and the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Kai Yu
  • Patent number: 8760523
    Abstract: In case a video display apparatus is connected to a video output apparatus using communication means that disconnects an electrical connection in accordance with stop of power supply from the video output apparatus is operating in an operation mode where an output of video data is restarted after an output of video data is temporarily stopped, control is performed so that the electrical connection is not disconnected. In a state where in accordance with supply power from the video output apparatus, a control signal for establishing an electrical connection via the communication means is in an ON level, in case stop of the power supply is detected, if the video output apparatus is in an operation mode where an output of video data is restarted after an output of video data is temporarily stopped, control is performed so that the control signal is not changed to an OFF level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruki Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 8754958
    Abstract: A white balance adjusting apparatus and method generate a display image by performing display image signal processing to an input image, specify an area of the display image, output at least two sample images by applying at least two types of correction gains to the area of the display image, and apply the correction gain that is applied to one of the at least two sample images to the input image. Accordingly, a white subject does not have to be searched for to adjust white balance, and an image having a color sensitivity desired by the user can be obtained by performing white balance on colors other than white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-jae Kim, Yong-gi Kim
  • Patent number: 8754970
    Abstract: A solid-state image capture device including: a pixel having a photoelectric conversion element and first to fourth switch elements; a reference-signal generator that generates a reference signal; and an analog-to-digital converter that generates a digital signal corresponding to an analog signal output by the pixel, by using a comparator having first and second input terminals. The second switch element is turned on to reset a voltage of the predetermined connection point, the fourth switch element is turned on while a connection degree of the second switch element is in an intermediate state between an on state and an off state to cause the first and second input terminals to reach a same potential, and the second switch element is not turned on and at least one of the first and third switch elements is turned on to cause the analog-to-digital converter to perform conversion into a digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomonori Mori