Patents Examined by Shahbaz Nazrul
  • Image capturing
    Patent number: 11165951
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and a machine-readable medium, for capturing an image of a subject includes moving at least one of an image capture device and the subject relative to one another; monitoring, using a processor, an orientation of the subject relative to the image capture device; and upon determining, using a processor, that the subject is oriented in a defined orientation relative to the image capture device, capturing an image of the subject in the defined orientation using the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Everhardus Johannes Hoexum, Luc Berntsen
  • Low-cost, long-term aerial imagery
    Patent number: 11153535
    Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mounted 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: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    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
  • Electronic device, and method and apparatus for controlling the same
    Patent number: 11145086
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control method, a control apparatus, and an electronic device. The method is for controlling an electronic device based on scene data collected by an imaging apparatus of the electronic device. The scene data includes a cached main image. The control method includes: processing the scene data to acquire depth information of the cached main image; acquiring a foreground portion of the cached main image based on the depth information; and controlling the electronic device based on the foreground portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Jianbo Sun
  • Control apparatus, lens apparatus, image pickup apparatus, and image pickup system
    Patent number: 11146732
    Abstract: A control apparatus configured to control at least one of a first driver that drives an image sensor for a first image stabilization and a second driver that drives a lens for a second image stabilization includes at least one processor or circuit configured to execute a plurality of tasks including a determination task configured to determine a ratio between the first image stabilization by the first driver and the second image stabilization by the second driver, using information on a changing amount of an imageable area of an optical system including the lens relative to a unit correcting angle of the second image stabilization, and information on a correcting angle of the first image stabilization relative to a unit driving amount of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ino
  • Cargo management system and methods
    Patent number: 11146733
    Abstract: A method of matching a found item record with an existing item record, wherein the found item record includes a plurality of record fields. In an example embodiment, the found item is a piece of cargo that is associated with a travel route. In an example embodiment, the method includes: receiving, by one or more processors and from a remote user device, a photo file that comprises an image of the found item; generating, based on the image and using an image to image-description application, text describing an appearance of the found item; storing the generated text describing the appearance of the found item in a first record field from the plurality of record fields; and comparing the text within the first record field with text within a first record field in the existing item record to match the found item record with the existing item record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: American Airlines, Inc.
    Inventors: Korina Trinh, Venkata Chandra Sekhar Mandala, Spencer Kaiser, Vijay Punnam, Kyle Lloyd, Charles Albright, Ashok Punnam, Jack Stephen Daniel, Vikram Kurri, Rajesh Subramaniam
  • Image sensor, image capturing apparatus and image processing apparatus
    Patent number: 11133339
    Abstract: An image sensor comprises: a pixel region including a plurality of microlenses arranged in a matrix, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions provided for each of the microlenses; a plurality of amplifiers that apply a plurality of different gains to signals output from the pixel region; and a scanning circuit that scans the pixel region so that a partial signal and an added signal are read out, the partial signal being a signal from some of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and the added signal being a signal obtained by adding the signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamashita, Koki Nakamura
  • System and method for compositing high dynamic range images
    Patent number: 11128809
    Abstract: An electronic device, method, and computer readable medium for compositing high dynamic range frames are provided. The electronic device includes a camera, and a processor coupled to the camera. The processor registers the plurality of multi-exposure frames with a hybrid of matched features to align non-reference frames with a reference frame; generates blending maps of the plurality of multi-exposure frames to reduce moving ghost artifacts and identify local areas that are well-exposed in the plurality of multi-exposure frames; and blends the plurality of multi-exposure frames weighted by the blending maps using a two-step weight-constrained exposure fusion technique into a high dynamic range (HDR) frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruiwen Zhen, John Glotzbach, Ibrahim Pekkucuksen, Hamid R. Sheikh
  • High dynamic range image sensor with a neutral density filter
    Patent number: 11128796
    Abstract: A high dynamic range image sensor may include a plurality of pixel groups. One or more pixel groups may include attenuated pixels in addition to unattenuated pixels. The unattenuated pixels may include a photosensitive area, a color filter element and a microlens of a first size. Each attenuated pixel may include a photosensitive area, a color filter element, a neutral density filter, and a microlens of a second size that is smaller than the first size. The color filter elements for each pixel in a given pixel group may be the same color. The neutral density filter may attenuate light for the attenuated pixels, increasing dynamic range of the image sensor. The microlenses of varying sizes may redirect light from attenuated pixels towards unattenuated pixels, further increasing the dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Amanda Thuy Trang Vu, Swarnal Borthakur, Ulrich Boettiger, Stanley Micinski
  • Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
    Patent number: 11108999
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, comprises: a detection unit configured to detect a predetermined region of an image from image data; and a correction unit configured to correct a value of luminance in the predetermined region detected by the detection unit. The correction unit corrects a high-frequency value out of a low-frequency value and the high-frequency value obtained from a luminance value of a pixel having a value of luminance higher than a predetermined threshold in the predetermined region so that a high-frequency contrast weakens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouta Murasawa, Hidetsugu Kagawa, Shuhei Ogawa, Maya Yazawa
  • Electronic device and method for obtaining images
    Patent number: 11102409
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an electronic device and an image capturing method thereof. The electronic device may include a plurality of cameras including a first camera and a second camera, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform high-speed shooting for image capture by changing a shooting speed of the first camera to a second frame rate greater than a first frame rate, in accordance with a change in information of at least one object in images captured using the second camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Sungwook An
  • Imaging control device, imaging apparatus, imaging control method, and imaging control program
    Patent number: 11102419
    Abstract: An imaging control device includes: a brightness measurer that acquires a first captured image signal obtained from an imager imaging a subject through a focus lens, and obtains brightness of each of divided areas of a focusing target area set in the first captured image signal; an imaging condition controller that controls an imaging condition of the imager to a state where brightness of a lowest divided area which is one of the divided areas having lowest brightness is set to the set value; a transmittance controller that decreases brightness of other divided areas than the lowest divided area by controlling light transmittance of the areas corresponding to the other divided areas; and a focusing controller that performs focusing control for the focus lens based on the focusing target area of a second captured image signal in a specific state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sakurabu, Makoto Kobayashi, Ryo Hasegawa, Tomonori Masuda
  • Systems and methods for processing recorded data for storage using computer-aided dispatch information
    Patent number: 11094025
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for processing recorded data for storage is provided. An auditable device, such as a digital video camera, stores a set of recorded data. The auditable device also stores auditable event entries that represent auditable events detected by the auditable device. One type of auditable event is the receipt of information from a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that indicates an event. The auditable device marks at least one subset of the set of recorded data based on the auditable event entries, and uploads the marked at least one subset of the set of recorded data to an evidence management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Smith, Mark A. Hanchett, Aaron J. Kloc, Tyler J. Conant
  • Image capturing apparatus, method of controlling the same, camera system, and storage medium
    Patent number: 11082604
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor for capturing a subject image, a focus detection unit configured to, based on an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the subject image while performing a scan operation that causes a focus lens to move along an optical axis, calculate a focus evaluation value and detect a position of the focus lens at which the focus evaluation value is a maximum, and a calculation unit configured to, in a case where the imaging optical system includes a reflective optical system, calculate, based on information on the reflective optical system and information on an image forming position for each of a plurality of different spatial frequencies, a correction value for correcting a focus detection result of the focus detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yumi Takao
  • Image processing device, imaging device, and image processing method
    Patent number: 11082626
    Abstract: The present technology improves the image quality of a synthesized image in a device that synthesizes a plurality of images. Disclosed is an image processing device that includes a detection section, a synthesis ratio generation section, and a synthesis section. The detection section detects whether a light source has blinked during an exposure period of a detection target image among a plurality of images captured in chronological order, and outputs a detection result. In a case where the detection result indicates that the light source has blinked, the synthesis ratio generation section generates a synthesis ratio for making the percentage of the detection target image lower than the percentage of an image other than the detection target images. The synthesis section synthesizes the plurality of images at the synthesis ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masakatsu Fujimoto
  • Temperature management in wearable devices
    Patent number: 11068034
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing temperatures of wearable device components are disclosed. In one aspects, a method includes determining a temperature of an electronic component of the wearable device, determining a rate of temperature change of the electronic component, and determining whether to increase or decrease a transmission rate limit of the electronic component based on the temperature and the rate, adjusting the transmission rate limit based on the determination, and limiting a rate of transmission of the electronic component based on the adjusted transmission rate limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Ashwood, Michael Wollman, Nicholas Larson, Patrick Timothy McSweeney Simons
  • Camera mounting structure, camera apparatus, and jacket
    Patent number: 11052833
    Abstract: Provided is a camera mounting structure for attaching an in-vehicle camera to a vehicle. An optical protection window cover 503 is inserted into an opening 500 on the vehicle body side together with a camera 500 main body. It is possible to reduce the proportion of the water droplet 502 adhering to the surface of the optical protection window cover 503 with respect to the viewing angle of the camera 500, enabling the observer to visually recognize the presence of the water droplet 502 in visual examination of an image. In addition, the optical protection window cover 503 uses its body 602 to cover the side surface of a camera apparatus main body to implement positional alignment of a camera apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Oba
  • Imaging device
    Patent number: 11044433
    Abstract: An imaging device including an imaging cell including a photoelectric converter including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first transistor one of a source and a drain of which is coupled to the first electrode; and voltage supply circuitry coupled to the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor, the voltage supply circuitry being configured to supply a first voltage in a first period and a second voltage different from the first voltage in a second period different from the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanshiro Shishido, Takeyoshi Tokuhara, Masaaki Yanagida
  • Camera housing with expansion module
    Patent number: 11025802
    Abstract: A camera housing includes a first housing portion having a cavity to receive a camera and a second housing portion comprising a removable door to secure the camera in the cavity. The first housing portion includes a first fastening structure and a first hinge structure. The second housing portion includes a second fastening structure and a second hinge structure. The second hinge structure couples to the first hinge structure to form a hinge about which the removable door rotates. The second housing portion and the first housing portion enclose the cavity to secure the camera when the removable door is rotated into a closed position and the first fastening structure is coupled to the second fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman
  • Blunting optical suspension springs for particle reduction
    Patent number: 11019266
    Abstract: A suspension spring may suspend an optical component for a camera or other device that implements the optical component to focus light being captured by an image sensor. The suspension spring may move along with the optical component that it suspends as a result of manual or automated focus changes that change the position of the optical component along an optical axis. The suspension spring may make contact with surfaces of other components or materials in the cameras or other systems. Those surfaces of the suspension spring that can make contact may be blunted to prevent the generation of loose particles that can interfere with the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary W. Birnbaum, Scott Wallace Miller
  • Focus adjustment device and focus adjustment method
    Patent number: 11009774
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device, comprising a focus detection section that, if, at the time of correction of an evaluation value by a correction section, it is determined that the corrected evaluation value is smaller than a specified threshold value, makes a determination threshold value for detection of a focus position at which the evaluation value exhibits an extreme value, stricter than for a case when it is determined that the corrected evaluation value is greater than the specified threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Ito