Patents Examined by Stephen Coleman
  • Patent number: 9781322
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a camera module including a bobbin, a housing positioned at an outside of the bobbin, an elastic member coupled to the bobbin and the housing, a foreign object exhaust passage concavely formed at an upper surface of the housing, and an opening formed at the housing to open at least a part of the foreign object exhaust passage to an inside of the housing, wherein the foreign object exhaust passage is overlapped on at least a part of the housing-coupled elastic member to a vertical direction, whereby it is easy to wash foreign objects positioned between an elastic member and a housing to reduce an auto focus tilt defects generated after assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hong Cho, Hee Se Lee, Jin Suk Han, In Jae Yeo
  • Patent number: 9779290
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a detecting unit 4d for detecting a state in a detection area T within an image displayed in a display panel 8a, an identifying unit 4b for identifying a subject from the image, an acquiring unit 4c for acquiring information relating to a predetermined subject in the case that the identifying unit 4b identifies the predetermined subject outside the detection area T, and a control unit (the detecting unit 4d) for controlling detection of the state in the detection area T based on the information relating to the predetermined subject acquired by the acquiring unit 4c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Endo, Tsutomu Shimono
  • Patent number: 9769376
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging device that includes an APD filter, and can accurately perform the determination of an imaging exposure and the detection of a focus position together. An imaging exposure is determined using a corrected diaphragm value (T number) obtained by correcting a diaphragm value on the basis of optical characteristics of the APD filter and an imaging diaphragm, which is determined during the determination of the imaging exposure, is set. After that, a search interval SD, by which a focus lens is moved for the time of auto-focusing, is determined using a diaphragm value (F number), which is not yet corrected, without using the corrected diaphragm value (T number). The search interval SD is set to a value that is calculated by dividing the product of the depth D of focus and a predetermined value C by an image plane movement coefficient k.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 9769374
    Abstract: A motion sensor device for detecting a detection object in a detection region, with detector means (12) which are arranged in a sensor housing (10) and designed for detecting motions of the detection object, as well as for generating an electronic distance signal (a) and angle signal (phi) corresponding to the detection object, wherein the distance signal (a) corresponds to an instantaneous distance of the detection object from the sensor housing (13) and the angle signal corresponds to an instantaneous position angle (phi) of the detection object in the form of an azimuth angle in a plane of motion of the detection object extending parallel to the ground surface in the installed state of the motion sensor device on a wall and signal processing and control means (14) connected downstream of the detector means are designed for activating a device (11) to be connected downstream of the motion sensor device in dependence on the distance signal and the angle signal, and wherein the signal processing and control m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Steinel GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Moeller, Richard Capalini
  • Patent number: 9768742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure of an active pixel of the CMOS type (1) that comprises: at least one photodiode (10), characterized in that it comprises means for reading any bias voltage in the evolution phase of the photodiode (10) upon exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NEW IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Yang Ni
  • Patent number: 9759984
    Abstract: A portable electronic device has a device housing, and an electronic camera module in the device housing. The module has a focusing lens to focus light from a scene, an imaging sensor to receive the focused light, and an electro-optic variable aperture to allow different amounts of the light from the scene to reach the imaging sensor. The electro-optic variable aperture may include a first aperture stack placed on a transparent substrate and a second aperture stack placed on the first aperture stack. The first aperture stack defines a first aperture and the second aperture stack defines a second aperture that is larger than the first aperture. Each aperture stack includes a transparent conductive oxide layer that is common with the adjacent aperture stack. Alternatively the electro-optic variable aperture may include an aperture stack that has two transparent conductive oxide layer layers, where one layer is in the form of concentric annuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tingjun Xu, Jeffrey Nathan Gleason, Zhenbin Ge, Linsen Bie, Ligang Wang, Wookyung Bae, Sunggu Kang
  • Patent number: 9756261
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing images and an electronic device thereof is provided. The method of synthesizing images includes determining an object region for synthesizing a second image in a first image, determining a warping value of the object region, and synthesizing the second image deformed according to the warping value with the object region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Hee Na, Ki-Huk Lee, Woo-Yong Lee, Min-Chul Kim, Young-Kwon Yoon, Hye-Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 9756269
    Abstract: Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel array includes a floating diffusion region, a source a source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion region, a plurality of first pixels associated with a first color, and a plurality of second pixels associated with a second color different than the first color and arranged in a single column with the first pixels. The first and second pixels are configured to transfer charge to the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiping Yin, Xiaofeng Fan, Xiangli Li
  • Patent number: 9749518
    Abstract: A focusing device comprises: an image capturing unit that captures a subject image formed via an optical system including a lens for executing focus adjustment and outputs an output signal; an edge detection unit that detects an edge signal among the output signal in correspondence to each color component among a plurality of color components contained in an image based upon the output signal; a calculation unit that calculates edge differential values each of which is a differential value of the edge signal in correspondence to the each color component; and a control unit that controls a moving direction along which the lens is to move based upon a comparison of the edge differential values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Souichi Ueta, Yoshiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9749563
    Abstract: A focal point detection device comprising: an image sensor having a focal point detection pixel, a pixel data generation section to generate pixel data of a basis part and a reference part corresponding to a predetermined AF area using an output of the focal point detection pixel, a plurality of filter sections having different frequency characteristics to perform filter processing on the pixel data, a detection section to detect contrast of subject image data configured with a plurality of pieces of pixel data of the basis part and the reference part, and a calculation section to select a filter section from among the plurality of filter sections depending on the contrast output by the detection section, to perform correlation calculation using pixel data on which the filter processing is performed by the selected filter section to calculate a defocus amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yukie Yamazaki, Kazumasa Kunugi, Yoshinobu Omata, Tetsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9747504
    Abstract: Techniques for capturing long document images and generating composite images therefrom include: detecting a document depicted in image data; tracking a position of the detected document within the image data; selecting a plurality of images, wherein the selection is based at least in part on the tracked position of the detected document; and generating a composite image based on at least one of the selected plurality of images. The tracking and selection are optionally but preferably based in whole or in part on motion vectors estimated at least partially based on analyzing image data such as test and reference frames within the captured video data/images. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KOFAX, INC.
    Inventors: Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Patent number: 9742985
    Abstract: In an automatic focus adjustment apparatus, a setting unit sets, on an image sensor, a first range in which defocus information is detected using a phase difference detection and a second range in which a focus state is detected using a contrast detection. The second range is set so as to include the first range. In a case where the second range is detected by the contrast detection as being in an in-focus state, a control unit changes a control mode into a predetermined control mode in which the driving of the focus lens is limited according to the defocus information in the first range detected by the phase difference detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Yokozeki
  • Patent number: 9741954
    Abstract: An optical detector (110) is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ingmar Bruder, Robert Send, Stephan Irle, Erwin Thiel
  • Patent number: 9735115
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an optical device, a transparent conductive film, an electrode pad, and a penetrating electrode. In the optical device, an optical element area for receiving light is formed on a first surface side of a substrate, and an external connection terminal is formed on a side of a second surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive film is formed to face the first surface of the substrate. The electrode pad is formed on the first surface of the substrate and configured to perform connection with a fixed potential. The penetrating electrode is connected to the electrode pad and formed to penetrate the substrate between the first surface and second surface. The transparent conductive film is connected to the electrode pad, and the penetrating electrode is connected to the external connection terminal on the side of the second surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Suzuki, Yoshihito Higashitsutsumi
  • Patent number: 9733472
    Abstract: A monitoring camera device is disclosed. The device includes a housing body in which at least a monitoring camera is built in, a transparent plastic-made semispherical dome-shaped cover portion provided on one surface of the housing body, a wiper mechanism rotatably provided on the housing body and which cleans the dome-shaped cover portion, and a wiper driving portion that reciprocatively rotates and drives the wiper mechanism. The wiper mechanism includes a silicon rubber-made wiper blade having an arc surface along a curved surface of the dome-shaped cover portion, and a wiper arm having both end portions rotatably provided around a central axis of the housing body, the central axis being parallel to a bottom surface of the dome-shaped cover portion, and to which the wiper blade is attached protruding to the dome-shaped cover portion side by a predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ASC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuaki Tago
  • Patent number: 9736353
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixel arrays. Each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include a plurality of unit pixel blocks arranged in a 4×4 matrix, each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may include a phase difference detecting unit so that each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include phase difference detecting units, the phase difference detecting unit may include a first phase difference detecting pixel and a second phase difference detecting pixel, the first and the second phase difference detecting pixels may have first and second openings, respectively, the first and the second openings may be arranged in an eccentrically manner with respect to each other, and the phase difference detecting units arranged at each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may be asymmetrical to each other on the basis of a boundary line between adjacent unit pixel blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Wan-Hee Jo
  • Patent number: 9729773
    Abstract: Provided is an interchangeable lens digital camera that is capable of correcting a rolling shutter distortion in a live view image without delay in displaying the image. At the start of live view imaging, a lens controller in an interchangeable lens controls a shake detection sensor to detect the direction and amount of a shake, and produces deviation information on the basis of shake detection signals from the shake detection sensor, the deviation information indicating fluctuation in direction and amount of the shake for one frame of the live view image in the form of a parameter. The deviation information is transmitted to a body controller of a camera body through a serial communication unit, to correct the rolling shutter distortion on the basis of the deviation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 9723210
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising: a first obtaining unit configured to obtain a focal length of an imaging optical system; a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a distance to a subject; a setting unit configured to set a movable range for a correction unit configured to correct camera shake, based on the focal length and the distance to a subject; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a correction amount for correcting the camera shake within the movable range that was set by the setting unit, based on a camera shake signal from a camera shake detection unit configured to detect camera shake and output the camera shake signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9723201
    Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing unit captures a plurality of moving images. A control unit adds, to each of the plurality of moving images, a first special effect which is common to all of the plurality of moving images, and adds, to each of one or more of the plurality of moving images, a second special effect which is determined on a moving image-by-moving image basis. A generating unit generates a joined moving image constituted by the plurality of moving images to which the special effects have been added by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9715751
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are described for zooming into a portion of an image that is associated with a specified feature, for example, a portion of an image that depicts a human or an animal face. In one aspect, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of receiving user input requesting to zoom to faces depicted in one or more digital images, where the faces include either human faces or animal faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nikhil Bhatt