Patents Examined by Shahbaz Nazrul
  • Patent number: 10659714
    Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel circuit and an active reset circuit. The pixel circuit includes a light sensing element, a storage node selectively connected to the light sensing element, an output transistor configured to, during a readout operation, output a signal that is based on a potential of the charge storage node to an output line, and a selection transistor that controls the readout operation. The active reset circuit includes a first current path and a second current path, the first current path extending from a power supply node to the output line via the selection transistor and the output transistor, and the second current path extending from the power supply node to the output line via a first transistor and a second transistor. The active reset circuit is configured to, when the selection transistor and the first transistor are both ON, set a potential of the charge storage node based on a potential of a gate of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Ayers, Jinsuk Kang, Brian Carey, Noam Eshel, Frederick Brady
  • Patent number: 10659711
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging apparatus including a driving device that reads image data from an imaging unit. When reading the image data from the imaging unit, the driving device renders the image data composed of image data having V rows and H columns and blanking data having V? rows and H? columns, and renders the amount of the image data changeable for at least every one frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuki Iwao, Takuji Urata, Yoshinao Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10657374
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are set forth for generating and/or utilizing image shortcuts that cause one or more corresponding computer actions to be performed in response to determining that one or more features are present in image(s) from a camera of a computing device of a user (e.g., present in a real-time image feed from the camera). An image shortcut can be generated in response to user interface input, such as a spoken command. For example, the user interface input can direct the automated assistant to perform one or more actions in response to object(s) having certain feature(s) being present in a field of view of the camera. Subsequently, when the user directs their camera at object(s) having such feature(s), the assistant application can cause the action(s) to be automatically performed. For example, the assistant application can cause data to be presented and/or can control a remote device in accordance with the image shortcut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Marcin Nowak-Przygodzki, Gökhan Bakir
  • Patent number: 10630896
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes determining a location of a device in relation to a geographical feature. The method includes determining a cognitively generated subject location for a subject of a photograph relative to the geographical feature. The cognitively generated subject location is determined based at least in part on sample photographs of the geographical feature. The method includes outputting guidance for instructing the subject to move to the cognitively generated subject location and determining a recommended pose for the subject based at least in part on a cognitively generated user profile. The method also includes outputting guidance for instructing the subject to strike the recommended pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Su Liu, Qin Qiong Zhang, Kai Liu, Cheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10630918
    Abstract: An image sensing circuit includes floating node, switch circuit, capacitor(s), and counting circuit. The floating node receives image electric charge from a photosensitive pixel. The switch circuit is coupled between floating node and capacitor(s) to dynamically connect and disconnect floating node and capacitor(s). The capacitor(s) include(s) first terminal(s) connected to switch circuit and second terminal(s) connected to ground. The counting circuit counts the number of charging and discharging behavior of capacitor(s) according to dynamic switches of switch circuit wherein the switch circuit dynamically switches to make capacitor(s) be charged and discharged dynamically in response to one exposure time period to receive energy of image electric charge which is determined by the number of charging and discharging behavior of the capacitor(s) and the capacitor(s)' potential value measured finally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Yen-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 10623695
    Abstract: A video messaging device includes a levitating unit and a base unit that each have one or more electromagnets and one or more magnets that are positioned such that when the device is in use and the electromagnet(s) are activated, the electromagnet(s) repel each other or the magnet(s), causing the levitating unit, which includes a camera, to levitate above the base unit. The levitating unit may include a top member and a bottom member, in which the top member, which includes the camera, is configured to rotate relative to the bottom member of the levitating unit to counteract rotation of the bottom member of the levitating unit about a vertical axis relative to the base unit. Alternatively, the levitating unit may include a camera configured to capture a 360-degree field of view and software may be used to eliminate the effect of rotation of the camera about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Prasannavenkatesan
  • Patent number: 10623641
    Abstract: An imaging system includes an angular velocity sensor configured to detect shake, and controls driving of a shift lens group on the basis of a shake detection signal and corrects image blur. A motion vector detection unit detects a motion vector from a plurality of captured images. A distance acquisition unit acquires distance information regarding the captured image. A camera control unit acquires the shake detection signal and the motion vector, determines a subject using a detection value of the motion vector in the direction of the closest distance based on the distance information, and calculates an angular velocity of the subject. A panning control unit of a lens control unit performs drive control of the shift lens group using an angular velocity detection signal from which an offset is removed and an angular velocity of the subject acquired from the camera control unit and thus performs control for supporting panning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hitoshi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 10616471
    Abstract: Techniques are described for automated analysis and filtering of image data. Image data is analyzed to identify regions of interest (ROIs) within the image content. The image data also may have depth estimates applied to content therein. One or more of the ROIs may be designated to possess a base depth, representing a depth of image content against which depths of other content may be compared. Moreover, the depth of the image content within a spatial area of an ROI may be set to be a consistent value, regardless of depth estimates that may have been assigned from other sources. Thereafter, other elements of image content may be assigned content adjustment values in gradients based on their relative depth in image content as compared to the base depth and, optionally, based on their spatial distance from the designated ROI. Image content may be adjusted based on the content adjustment values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Claus Molgaard, Paul M. Hubel, Ziv Attar, Ilana Volfin
  • Patent number: 10609300
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises an image sensing array on a semiconductor substrate for image sensing. The image sensor comprises a plurality of first light sensing units arranged in an array. A light sensor, disposed on the semiconductor substrates for sensing ambient light and converting the ambient light into a first electrical signal comprises a plurality of second light sensing units arranged in an array. A processing module may be connected to one or more light sensing units and may be configured to determine the intensity of the ambient light based on the first electrical signal and control the operation of the image sensor based on the determined intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HUAIAN IMAGING DEVICE MANUFACTURER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xinhe Feng, Shaw-Tzeng Hsia, Jianguang Chang, Yonggang Wang
  • Patent number: 10608025
    Abstract: An image sensor device includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive incident light and generate photocharges in response to the received incident light; a floating diffusion coupled to the photoelectric conversion element to store the photocharges generated by the photoelectric conversion element, the floating diffusion having a first capacitance value; a conductive pattern electrically coupled to the floating diffusion; and a variable electrode located apart from the conductive pattern by a gap, wherein the conductive pattern and the variable electrode form a variable capacitor coupled to the floating diffusion and having a second capacitance value and operable to change an effective capacitance of the floating diffusion in response to a control signal applied to the variable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Kun Park, Kyoung-In Lee, Kwang Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 10609302
    Abstract: An imaging device further includes a correction gain calculating unit configured to calculate a first correction gain of a first partial image captured by the first imaging element and calculate a second correction gain of a second partial image captured by the second imaging element based on the first exposure amount and the second exposure amount; a photographing processing unit configured to make an imaging element having a smaller one of the first exposure amount and the second exposure amount image with an exposure amount of the imaging element and makes an imaging element having a larger one of the first exposure amount and the second exposure amount image with the third exposure amount; and an image correction unit configured to correct the first partial image with the first correction gain and correct the second partial image with the second correction gain calculated by the correction gain calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kazama
  • Patent number: 10609299
    Abstract: A method of measuring lighting condition using dual cameras, having capturing a reference image, estimating a first minimum exposure target value, capturing a first plurality of minimum exposure value images, determining a first overall minimum exposure value, estimating a first maximum exposure target value, capturing a first plurality of maximum exposure value images, determining a first overall maximum exposure value of the first plurality of associated maximum exposure values and estimating a first dynamic exposure range as encompassing a first range having the first overall minimum exposure value as a first lower bound and the first overall maximum exposure value as a first upper bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Black Sesame International Holding Limited
    Inventors: Chao Wang, Fangwei Cai, Donghui Wu
  • Patent number: 10602045
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented and can include for instance: determining a location of interest; and obtaining image data from one or more camera device about the location of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lee Carbonell, Tsz Shing Cheng, Jeffrey Lynn Edgington, Pandian Mariadoss
  • Patent number: 10586316
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for obtaining a first image of a document, the first image including first glare shown on a first portion of the document. Detecting, in the first image, the first glare shown on the first portion of the document. In response to detecting the first glare in the first image, obtaining a second image of the document, the second image including second glare shown on a second portion of the document. Generating, from the first image and the second image, a third image of the document that includes less glare than the first glare in the first image and less glare than the second glare in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: MorphoTrust USA, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Mayer, James R. Queenan, Brian K. Martin
  • Patent number: 10578840
    Abstract: A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes a lens unit and an imager to image the external environment by forming an optical image, which is from the external environment through the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuki Furutake, Ken Nishioka
  • Patent number: 10582097
    Abstract: A camera module and its photosensitive assembly and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The photosensitive assembly includes a photosensitive element, a window circuit board and a packaging body integrally packaged the photosensitive element and the window circuit board to form an integrated body, wherein the window circuit board has at least one window for receiving the photosensitive element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ningbo Sunny Opotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Zhenyu Chen, Takehiko Tanaka, Zhongyu Luan, Bojie Zhao, Zhen Huang, Nan Guo, Fengsheng Xi, Heng Jiang, Zilong Deng
  • Patent number: 10574906
    Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus that can generate a moving image having a movement shooting effect with a simple configuration and an image processing method. The image processing apparatus combines a plurality of parallax images in units of frames in accordance with a combining ratio, and generates moving image data in which an image obtained by the combining is included in frames. The image processing apparatus controls the combining ratio so as to temporally change in the moving image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Horikawa, Takeshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10574904
    Abstract: An imaging method and an electronic device are provided. The imaging method includes obtaining a current imaging mode including a sports mode and obtaining an imaging instruction. The imaging method also includes generating a sports image by processing at least one image based on the current imaging mode and in response to the imaging instruction. The sports image includes a target object and a background image, and at least a portion of the background image has a visual effect in one direction. Further, the imaging method includes displaying the sports image. A moving direction of the target object is signified by the one direction presented by the visual effect of the background image in the sports image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10567645
    Abstract: A method for generating video data using an imaging device is provided. The method includes capturing, by a first sensor of the imaging device, a first set of sub-sampled monochrome frames, capturing, by a second sensor of the imaging device, a second set of sub-sampled color frames, reconstructing one or more high resolution monochrome frames using the first set of sub-sampled monochrome frames, and generating one or more high speed high resolution color frames based on the second set of sub-sampled color frames and the reconstructed one or more high resolution monochrome frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alok Shankarlal Shukla, Sathish Chalasani
  • Patent number: 10560666
    Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mourned on an aerial platform, for example a balloon, allows a user to increase the longevity of the camera's battery by remote control. A user may capture imagery at a time scale of interest and desired power consumption by adjusting parameters for image capture by the camera. A user may adjust a time to capture an image, a time to capture a video, or a number of cycles per time period to capture one or more images as the aerial platform moves in a region of interest to change power consumption for imaging. The system also provides imaging alignment to account for unwanted movement of the aerial platform when moved in the region of interest. Additionally, a mounting device is provided that is simple and inexpensive, and that allows a camera to remain positioned in a desired position relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ranveer Chandra, Manohar Swaminathan, Vasuki Narasimha Swamy, Zerina Kapetanovic, Deepak Vasisht, Akshit Kumar, Anirudh Badam, Gireeja Ranade, Sudipta Sinha, Rohit Patil