Patents Examined by Tuan H. Le
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Patent number: 11714214Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a color separating lens array. The image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a first pixel configured to sense first wavelength light, and a second pixel configured to sense second wavelength light; and a color separating lens array including a first wavelength light condensing region in which the first wavelength light is condensed onto the first pixel, wherein an area of the first wavelength light condensing region is greater than an area of the first pixel, and a distance between the sensor substrate and the color separating lens array is less than a focal distance of the first wavelength light condensing region with respect to the first wavelength light.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seokho Yun, Sookyoung Roh, Sangyun Lee
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Patent number: 11716547Abstract: A switch driver circuit includes a plurality of pullup transistors. The plurality of pullup transistors includes a first pullup transistor coupled between a voltage supply and a first output node. A plurality of pulldown transistors includes a first pulldown transistor coupled between the first output node and a ground node. A slope control circuit is coupled to the ground node. A plurality of global connection switches includes a first global connection switch coupled between the first output node and the slope control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zhe Gao, Ling Fu, Yu-Shen Yang, Tiejun Dai
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Patent number: 11689805Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to be able to output an image capturing signal and a focus detection image signal, a focus detection unit configured to set, on a screen of the image sensor, a focus detection range, and to perform focus detection, in each of a plurality of focus detection frames in the focus detection range, and a focus adjustment unit configured to perform a focus adjustment, during a shooting preparation operation and a shooting operation, based on an output of the focus detection unit, for tracking a subject, wherein the focus detection unit makes the focus detection range during the shooting operation broader than the focus detection range during shooting preparation operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Junichi Imamiya
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Patent number: 11682685Abstract: Provided are a color separation element and an image sensor including the same. The color separation element includes a spacer layer; and a color separation lens array, which includes at least one nano-post arranged in the spacer layer and is configured to form a phase distribution for splitting and focusing incident light according to wavelengths, wherein periodic regions in which color separation lens arrays are repeatedly arranged are provided, and the color separation lens array is configured to interrupt phase distribution at the boundary of the periodic regions.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sookyoung Roh, Seokho Yun
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Patent number: 11675048Abstract: A time-of-flight camera has; an illumination source for illuminating a scene; an image sensor for detecting light; and a processor configured to: control the image sensor for scanning a scene for detecting illumination; determine a time slot for illumination of the scene, based on the scanning result of the scene; and control the illumination source to illuminate the scene in the determined time slot, based on a time-division multiple access scheme.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventor: Manuel Amaya-Benitez
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Patent number: 11671579Abstract: A method is described comprising: applying a random pattern to specified regions of an object; tracking the movement of the random pattern during a motion capture session; and generating motion data representing the movement of the object using the tracked movement of the random pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Rearden Mova, LLCInventors: Timothy Cotter, Stephen G. Perlman, John Speck, Roger van der Laan, Kenneth A. Pearce, Greg LaSalle
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Patent number: 11669935Abstract: An image processing device includes: an image sensor for acquiring a pixel value of each of a plurality pixels; and a controller for acquiring a pattern image including the pixel value of each of the plurality of pixels and an exposure value representing an exposure time, generating a plurality of super resolution images based on pixels having the same exposure value among the plurality of pixels included in the pattern image, generating a motion map, which represents a motion of an object based on a ratio of exposure values of pixels at a selected position among a plurality of pixels included in the plurality of super resolution images and a ratio of pixel values of the pixels at the selected position, and generating a target image according to a weighted sum of the plurality of super resolution images and the motion map.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Dong Ik Kim
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Patent number: 11658193Abstract: An image sensor including: a first photodiode; a first circuit including an overflow transistor and a first transfer transistor connected to the first photodiode, a switch element connected to the first transfer transistor and a capacitor disposed between the first transfer transistor and the switch element, wherein the capacitor is a physical capacitor; a second photodiode; and a second circuit including a second transfer transistor connected to the second photodiode, a reset transistor connected to an output of the first circuit and a driving transistor connected to the second transfer transistor and the output of the first circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kang Sun Lee, Seung Ho Shin, Hyung Jin Bae, Jin Ho Seo, Ji Hun Shin, Moo Sup Lim, Young Tae Jang, Young Kyun Jeong
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Patent number: 11653088Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image signal processing. For example, methods may include receiving a current image of a sequence of images from an image sensor; combining the current image with a recirculated image to obtain a noise reduced image, where the recirculated image is based on one or more previous images of the sequence of images from the image sensor; determining a noise map for the noise reduced image, where the noise map is determined based on estimates of noise levels for pixels in the current image, a noise map for the recirculated image, and a set of mixing weights; recirculating the noise map with the noise reduced image to combine the noise reduced image with a next image of the sequence of images from the image sensor; and storing, displaying, or transmitting an output image that is based on the noise reduced image.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Bruno César Douady, Michael Serge Andre Kraak, Guillaume Matthieu Guérin, Thomas Nicolas Emmanuel Veit
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Patent number: 11637978Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. In some embodiments, the controller uses previous image frames to determine confidence measurements, and selectively adjusts a number of pulses from the illuminator in a subsequent frame based on the determined confidence values. In some embodiments, the sensor uses autonomous gating, and the depth system includes a depth recovery pipeline which provide depth map estimates from the autonomous gated measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Charles Patrick Saunders, Michael Hall, Augusto Ronchini Ximenes
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Patent number: 11595572Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes obtaining distance information and subject information with respect to a captured image, specifying, based on the obtained distance information, a first subject region in which images of subjects that exist in a predetermined distance range are distributed in the captured image, specifying, based on the subject information and independently of the obtained distance information, specifying a second subject region that includes a region from which the predetermined subject has been detected in the captured image, and determining a target region for which the image processing is executed with reference to at least one of the first subject region and the second subject region. A subject region varies depending on at least one of an image capture condition of the captured image and a state of the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Naoko Watazawa
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Patent number: 11563890Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array formed by arranging pixels, which generate an electrical signal in response to light; a memory for storing a register value of the image sensor; and a sensor controller for configuring the register value, wherein the register value includes information for defining a region to be processed in the pixel array, and when a change request for changing at least one of a position and a size of the region to be processed is received, the sensor controller provides a register modification command for adjusting the register value so as to correspond to the change request to the image sensor or the memory.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: MIRAE AUTOS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Ju Kim, Sang Ryang Kim, Dong Hyuck Kyung, Sang Ho Park
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Patent number: 11550960Abstract: Systems and methods for generating certified images and incident reports are disclosed. An image capture device can be used to capture an image and integrate metadata from camera sensors as well as other ancillary device sensors into the image. The image and its metadata can then be certified upon a check that the image and its metadata are authentic and unaltered. The image and its metadata can then be included in or as a part of an incident or other report describing an incident or event such as an accident or a crime. The image and/or incident report may be maintained at a cloud-based server for viewing, authorized editing, and subsequent distribution.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: IMAGEKEEPER LLCInventors: Jerry Speasl, Marc Roberts, Mike Patterson
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Patent number: 11516417Abstract: There is provided an imaging device, comprising differential amplifier circuitry comprising a first amplification transistor and a second amplification transistor; and a plurality of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel, wherein the first pixel includes a first photoelectric converter, a first reset transistor, and the first amplification transistor, and wherein the second pixel includes a second photoelectric converter, a second reset transistor, and the second amplification transistor, wherein the first reset transistor is coupled to a first reset voltage, and wherein the second reset transistor is coupled to a second reset voltage different than the first reset voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Yusuke Oike, Mamoru Sato, Yukio Tagawa
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Patent number: 11514581Abstract: Provided is an image capturing device including a motion determination unit that determines the presence/absence of motion in a plurality of pixels on the basis of an addition signal of the plurality of pixels to obtain a motion determination result, and a transmission control unit that controls whether or not to transmit image data corresponding to at least the plurality of pixels on the basis of the motion determination result.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuhiro Hoshino, Takahiro Iinuma
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Patent number: 11516396Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a gimbal assembly is described for use with an image capturing device. The gimbal assembly includes a motor assembly, a first housing defining an internal compartment that is configured and dimensioned to receive the motor assembly, and a second housing that is mechanically connected to the motor assembly such that actuation of the motor assembly causes relative rotation between the first and second housings. The first housing includes a first guide that is configured and dimensioned to support transmission media adapted to communicate electrical and/or digital signals. The second housing defines a channel that is configured and dimensioned to receive the first guide such that the first guide extends into the second housing through the channel. The transmission media is supported on the first guide such that the first guide routes the transmission media from the first housing into the second housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Austin Appel, Himay Shukla, Kielan C. Crow, Hong Zuo
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Patent number: 11509850Abstract: An image sensor chip includes an internal voltage generator for generating internal voltages using an external voltage received at a first terminal of the image sensor chip, a temperature sensor for generating a temperature voltage, a selection circuit for outputting one of the external voltage, the internal voltages, and the temperature voltage, a digital code generation circuit for generating a digital code using an output voltage of the selection circuit, and a second terminal for outputting the digital code from the image sensor chip.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sang Hyun Cho, Ji Yong Park, Dae Hwa Paik, Kyoung Min Koh, Min Ho Kwon, Seung Hyun Lim
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Patent number: 11500466Abstract: A space-saving image pickup apparatus capable of appropriately vibrating the image pickup apparatus locally or as a whole using one vibration device is provided. The image pickup apparatus comprising an operation member, a vibration device configured to generate a vibration, a vibration transmission member fixed to the vibration device, and a controller configured to drive the vibration device in response to an operation of the operation member. Part of the vibration transmission member comes into contact with part of the operation member, and the operation member vibrates due to a vibration transmitted from the vibration device via the vibration transmission member.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinga Nakashima
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Patent number: 11490009Abstract: An optical image stabilization (OIS) circuit for object position correction includes a facial detection unit generating a face position signal including coordinate information of a face, based on an image signal input from an image sensor; a hand-shake detector generating a hand-shake position signal corresponding to hand-shake, based on a sensing signal input from a gyro sensor; a operation unit generating a composite position signal based on the face position signal and the hand-shake position signal; and a control unit controlling a position of a lens module, based on the composite position signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nam Hong Jang
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Patent number: 11490016Abstract: A zooming method and an electronic device using the same are provided. The zooming method includes: acquiring a first image by a first camera unit; acquiring a current frame image by scaling the first image according to a zoom instruction; acquiring a second image by a second camera unit; and switching the first camera unit to the second camera unit for outputting the second image.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: ArcSoft Corporation LimitedInventors: Qiaoling Bian, Yanqing Lu, Jin Wang