Patents Examined by Stephen Coleman
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Patent number: 9900512Abstract: An apparatus including an image sensor configured to capture an image and optics, wherein the image sensor and optics align along an optical axis; optical image stabilization circuitry configured to determine and apply a target optical adjustment to compensate during capture of an image, for movement of the optical axis as a consequence of detected movement of the apparatus; post-capture image stabilization circuitry configured to process the captured image using a residual optical adjustment to obtain a compensated captured image, wherein the residual optical adjustment depends upon a difference between a measured optical adjustment, achieved during capture of the image, and the determined target optical adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventors: Eero Tuulos, Juuso Gren, Mikko Muukki
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Patent number: 9899435Abstract: A solid-state imaging device in which a pixel circuit formed on the first surface side of a semiconductor substrate is shared by a plurality of light reception regions and second surface side of the semiconductor substrate is the light incident side of the light reception regions. The second surface side regions of the light reception regions are arranged at approximately even intervals and the first surface side regions of the light reception regions e are arranged at uneven intervals. Respective second surface side regions and first surface side regions are joined in the semiconductor substrate so that the light reception regions extend from the second surface side to the first surface side of the semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Keiji Mabuchi
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Patent number: 9888179Abstract: The disclosed technology includes techniques for providing improved video stabilization on a mobile device. Using gyroscope data of the mobile device, the physical camera orientation of the mobile device may be estimated over time. Using the physical camera orientation and historical data, corresponding virtual camera orientations representing a camera orientation with undesired rotational movement removed may be modeled using a non-linear filter to provide for mapping of a real image to a stabilized virtual image. The virtual camera orientation may be modified to prevent undefined pixels from appearing in the output image.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Chia-Kai Liang, Xue Tu, Lun-Cheng Chu, Jianing Wei
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Patent number: 9881951Abstract: An image sensor may include an image pixel array with both image pixels to gather image data and phase detection pixels to gather phase information. The phase detection pixels may be arranged in pairs, with two adjacent pixels covered by a single microlens. The phase detection pixel pairs may be arranged in dashed lines, with image pixels interposed between each phase detection pixel pair. There may be only one image pixel interposed between each phase detection pixel pair. The phase detection pixels may all include color filter elements of the same color. The phase detection pixels may all include green color filter elements. The image pixels in the interrupted lines may include color filter elements that match the surrounding color pattern. The image pixels in the interrupted lines may all include color filter elements of the same color.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Brian Keelan, Marko Mlinar, Douglas Fettig
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Patent number: 9858644Abstract: The present disclose provides a Bayer color filter array based high dynamic range video recording method and device. The method includes configuring different photosensitive times for exposure according to odd-numbered dual columns and even-numbered dual columns, and obtaining an image frame with different exposure values of the odd-numbered dual columns and even-numbered dual columns; decomposing the image frame into an underexposure image frame and an overexposure image frame, where underexposure dual columns and missing dual columns are alternatingly distributed in the underexposure image frame, and overexposure dual columns and missing dual columns are alternatingly distributed in the overexposure image frame. The method also includes acquiring recovered pixel values of pixel points of the missing dual columns in the underexposure image frame and the overexposure image frame; and merging the overexposure image frame and the underexposure image frame to obtain a high dynamic range frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zisheng Cao, Lifu Yu, Wenhui Zhong, Mingyu Wang
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Patent number: 9854184Abstract: An imaging pixel may have a fully depleted charge transfer path between a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion region. A pinned transfer diode may be coupled between the pinned photodiode and the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may be formed in upper and lower substrates with an interconnect layer coupling the upper substrate to the lower substrate. The imaging pixel may include one or more storage diodes coupled between the transfer diode and the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may be used to capture high dynamic range images with flicker mitigation, images synchronized with light sources, or for high frame rate operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Sergey Velichko, Vladimir Korobov
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Patent number: 9854175Abstract: In an implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a digital signal from an image acquisition sensor, the digital signal encoded with an initial resolution. A video image is constructed from the digital signal to display on a micro display of an optical system, an initial linear dimension of the video image smaller than a linear dimension of an active area of the micro display. A display of the video image is initiated on the micro display using monochrome sub-pixels configured to act as independent pixels for display of the video image. A magnification request is received for the video image on the micro display, and the video image is adjusted on the micro display by increasing a linear dimension of the video image on the micro display by combining groups of monochrome sub-pixels to collectively represent a single pixel of the video image at the initial resolution.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: JCS Yukon Advanced Optics WorldwideInventor: Aliaksandr Alsheuski
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Patent number: 9854149Abstract: An image capture apparatus derives a frequency distribution of subject distances from captured images, selects a plurality of subject distances based on peaks in the frequency of appearance, and acquires a plurality of captured images whose focus distances are the plurality of selected subject distances, enabling an image focused on a plurality of subjects at different distances to be efficiently obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ichiro Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9851556Abstract: A GmAPD imager with an increased field of view includes at least one array of movable mirrors. Each movable mirror in the array switches between at least two positions (states). The movable mirrors receive light coming from a first direction when the mirror is in the first state and a second direction when the mirror is in the second state, thus increasing the field of view of the imager.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Argo Al, LLCInventors: Evgenii Yuryevich Kotelnikov, Igor Kudryashov, Samuel Richard Wilton, Sabbir Sajjad Rangwala
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Patent number: 9848116Abstract: A solid-state image sensor of an electronic device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and having a plurality of phase difference pixel of the plurality of pixels. The plurality of phase difference pixels are arranged at locations of pixels that are commonly read out in a plurality of different skip readout modes.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shuichi Shimokawa, Dong-min Kim, Sang-min Lee, Kwi-sung Yoo, Seung-hyun Lim, Woo-seok Choi, Beoung-ouk Min, Takafumi Usui
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Patent number: 9848118Abstract: An example sensor for phase detection autofocus includes a number of photodiodes to capture light in a number of wavelengths. The example sensor also further includes a color filter array including a grid of alternating color pass filters corresponding to the number of photodiodes. The example sensor further includes a mask including a number of filters to separate a band of light by blocking the band of light on opposing portions of at least two of the alternating color pass filters.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Mikko Ollila, Jarno Nikkanen
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Patent number: 9843748Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a first optical signal accumulation unit configured to accumulate a first optical signal obtained by performing an optoelectronic conversion in a first period by an optoelectronic conversion unit, a first reference potential accumulation unit configured to accumulate a first reference potential corresponding to the first optical signal, a second optical signal accumulation unit configured to accumulate a second optical signal obtained by performing an optoelectronic conversion in a second period by the optoelectronic conversion unit, the second period being shorter than the first period, and a combining unit configured to perform a CDS process by using at least the first reference potential accumulated in the first reference potential accumulation unit and combine the first optical signal accumulated in the first optical signal accumulation unit and the second optical signal accumulated in the second optical signal accumulation unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATIONInventor: Masaki Funaki
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Patent number: 9838590Abstract: A phase-detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel array includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel, located at a first distance from a center of the PDAF pixel array, includes a first inner photodiode and a first outer photodiode with respect to the center. The first inner photodiode and the first outer photodiode occupy respectively a first inner area and a first outer area. The first inner area divided by the first outer area equals a first ratio. The second pixel, located at a second distance from the center that exceeds the first distance, includes a second inner photodiode and a second outer photodiode with respect to the center. The second inner photodiode and the second outer photodiode occupy respectively a second inner area and a second outer area. The second inner area divided by the second outer area equals a second ratio, which exceeds the first ratio.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Boyang Zhang, Chin Poh Pang
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Patent number: 9835933Abstract: A main body of a camera accommodates a light receiving part. The main body has a flat bottom surface. A support is aligned with the main body in a left-right direction, and supports the main body in such a manner that an orientation of the light receiving part can be controlled in a vertical direction. A bottom surface of the support is located on a common plane on which a bottom surface of the main body is also located. The bottom surface of the support can be attached to and detached from a stand member which is mounted to a display device. This camera promises enhanced stability of mounting of the camera to an edge of a display device.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Takamasa Araki, Manabu Ishioka, Taichi Nokuo
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Patent number: 9832357Abstract: A time of flight camera system is described. The time of flight camera system includes an illuminator. The illuminator has a movable optical component to scan light within the time-of-flight camera's field of view to illuminate a first region within the field of view that is larger than a second region within the time-of-flight camera's field of view that is illuminated at any instant by the light. The illuminator also includes an image sensor to determine depth profile information within the first region using time-of-flight measurement techniques.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Chung Chun Wan, Jamyuen Ko
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Patent number: 9832371Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit configured to image an object and output a captured image, a face recognition unit configured to recognize a face included in the captured image and detect a direction and a position of the recognized face, and a group detection unit configured to detect a group formed by the faces included in the captured image based on directions and positions of two faces being adjacent to each other among the faces included in the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CorporationInventor: Mizuki Ohara
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Patent number: 9826137Abstract: An imaging apparatus which communicates with an external apparatus via a network, includes an imaging unit; a first image processing unit configured to change, by image processing, a brightness of a captured image output from the imaging unit; a second image processing unit configured to change, by image processing that is different from the image processing by the first image processing unit, a brightness of a captured image output from the imaging unit; a receiving unit configured to receive, from the external apparatus, a single command in which first image processing information for controlling an operation of the first image processing unit and second image processing information for controlling an operation of the second image processing unit may be described; and a control unit configured to control the first image processing unit and the second image processing unit in accordance with the command received by the receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tsuyoshi Yokomizo
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Patent number: 9826158Abstract: A translation display device of the present invention carries out a translation process of translating text extracted from a certain image and displays translated text while a display frame rate is maintained. A translation processing section (5) carries out the translation process in a case where no image other than the certain image is being subjected to the translation process. An image movement analyzing section (7) identifies a displacement of a position of an object in a most recent image which has been most recently obtained, the displacement being measured with respect to a reference position of an object in a reference image for which the translation process most recently ended. A generated image in which translated text obtained by translating extracted text extracted from the reference image is displayed so as to be superimposed on the most recent image in accordance with (i) a position of the extracted text and (ii) information on the displacement.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takaaki Mitsunaga, Tatsuo Kishimoto, Kiyofumi Ohtsuka, Hirokazu Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9826167Abstract: An imaging apparatus performing live-view display by generating image data using an exposure parameter calculated from a brightness value in a photometric area for the live-view display which is different from a photometric area for focus adjustment when not performing the focus adjustment, the imaging apparatus comprising: a first calculating section for calculating a first brightness value in the photometric area for the live-view display; a second calculating section for calculating a second brightness value in the photometric area for focus adjustment; a comparison section for determining whether or not a brightness difference between the first brightness value and the second brightness value is within a predetermined range; and, an imaging section for obtaining image data by performing exposure using the first brightness value when the brightness difference between the first brightness value and the second brightness value is within the predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Satoru Ito
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Patent number: 9819860Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data processor includes an image acquisition module, a degradation evaluation module, a first output module and a display module. The first output module is configured to output a first trigger for performing a process for detecting the image area when the possibility is high as a result of evaluation by the degradation evaluation module, the first output module is configured to output a command for displaying the image as it is on a display when the possibility is low as a result of the evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kaoru Suzuki, Yojiro Tonouchi