Patents Examined by Tuan Ho
  • Image acquisition method and apparatus
    Patent number: 9635279
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for acquiring an image of a subject are provided. The method for acquiring the image of the subject includes acquiring a first preliminary image and a second preliminary image of the subject through an image sensor operatively coupled to an electronic device, determining a candidate emission time relating to an acquisition of an output image of the subject, based on a difference between state information of at least part of the first preliminary image and state information of at least part of the second preliminary image, comparing the candidate emission time with a time corresponding to a synchronization period where a plurality of lines of the image sensor simultaneously acquires the output image, and acquiring the output image of the subject based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hae-Sun Lee, Moon-Soo Kim, Jong-Keun Shin, Jong-Hyub Lee, Joo-Ho Lee
  • Focus detection apparatus, focus detection method and program, and imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 9625787
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus for performing a focus detection on the basis of pixel data of an object obtained from an imaging unit having pupil dividing means of a photographing optical system, Sets a focus detection area divided into division areas and a plurality of different first areas for deciding a focus state in the focus detection area, arithmetically operates first correlation data from the pixel data with respect to the object image of each division area to hold into a memory, adds the first correlation data of the division areas included in each first area read out from the memory, generates second correlation data of each first area, And discriminates focus states of a plurality of first areas in predetermined order on the basis of the second correlation data of each first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Sambonsugi
  • Apparatus, method, and storage medium for performing zoom control based on a size of an object
    Patent number: 9628717
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform zoom control based on a size of an object indicated by acquired information and a set reference size, and a first detection unit configured to detect a first operation for instructing to change the reference size. In a case where the first operation has been detected during the zoom control in a first mode, the control unit performs the zoom control in a second mode until a first time elapses after the first operation has been detected, and, when the first time has elapsed, the control unit switches the second mode to the first mode. In the first mode, the reference size is set to a predetermined size and, in the second mode, the reference size is changed according to the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akihiro Tsubusaki
  • Imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 9628710
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for performing efficient signal processing depending on the operational mode. In the finder mode, a CCD interface 21a decimates horizontal components of image data supplied from an image generating unit 10 to one-third and moreover processes the decimated image data with data conversion and resolution conversion to produce Y, Cb and Cr image data which are routed to and written in an image memory 32 over a memory controller 22. In the recording mode, the CCD interface 21a causes the image data from the image generating unit 10 to be written in the image memory 32 via memory controller 22 after decimation and gamma correction etc. The camera DSP 21c reads out the image data via memory controller 22 from the image memory 32 to effect data conversion for writing the resulting data via memory controller 22 in the image memory 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Mizutani, Masayuki Takezawa, Hideki Matsumoto, Ken Nakajima, Toshihisa Yamamoto
  • Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image pickup apparatus, method of controlling image pickup apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
    Patent number: 9628696
    Abstract: An image processing method is capable of performing a reconstruction for an input image so as to generate a plurality of output images having a plurality of focus positions different from each other, and the image processing method includes the steps of obtaining the input image that is an image containing information of an object space obtained from a plurality of points of view using an image pickup apparatus having an imaging optical system and an image pickup element including a plurality of pixels, and calculating a pixel shift amount of pixels that are to be combined by the reconstruction for a plurality of virtual imaging planes corresponding to the plurality of focus positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihito Hiasa, Koshi Hatakeyama
  • Camera module with function of auto-focus and image stabilize
    Patent number: 9618770
    Abstract: There is provided a camera module including a plurality of ball bearings to support the driving of a lens barrel at the time of compensating for unintended camera movement due to disturbance such as hand shake. The lens barrel may be driven in first and second directions, independently, by one driving force exerted in the first direction perpendicular to an optical axis and by another driving force exerted in the second direction perpendicular to both the optical axis and the first direction, thereby preventing driving displacement from being generated at the time of compensating for unwanted motion such as hand shake while securing reliability against external impact, and having reduced power consumption at the time of compensating for the disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Ryung Park, Oh Byoung Kwon, Soo Cheol Lim, Byung Woo Kang
  • Method for driving image capture device, image capture device, and image capture system
    Patent number: 9621831
    Abstract: An image capture device includes multiple pixels, each of which has multiple photoelectric conversion elements. Each of first pixels which are some of the pixels outputs a signal based on charges obtained by adding together the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion elements. Each of second pixels outputs a signal based on charges generated by a photoelectric conversion element disposed at a first position, without outputting charges generated by a photoelectric conversion element disposed at a second position among the photoelectric conversion elements. Each of third pixels outputs a signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the second position, without outputting a signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumihiro Inui, Yasuharu Ota
  • Time-lapse photography method, its computer program product, and electronic device with image-capturing function thereof
    Patent number: 9621859
    Abstract: A time-lapse photography method includes several steps as follows. A determination is immediately made as to whether an image retaining condition is satisfied whenever an electronic device with an image-capturing function collects at least one data set. The data set includes a captured image. When the image retaining condition is satisfied, the captured image of the data set is stored; otherwise, the captured image of the data set is refused to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Yuan Yuan, Hsiang-Ping Liu, Mei-Yi Tsai, Wei-Cheng Huang
  • Grid-based image resolution enhancement for video processing module
    Patent number: 9621798
    Abstract: A method for providing a high resolution display image that includes providing a camera image that can be processed into at least two different camera views. The method also includes identifying a warped grid in each of the at least two different camera views and identifying a minimum field of view for displaying each of the at least two different camera views. The method further includes cropping the camera image based on the identified minimum field of view and de-warping the at least two different camera views to provide the high resolution display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wende Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Brunno L. Moretti
  • Camera system and shake correction method thereof
    Patent number: 9613430
    Abstract: A camera system includes a lens having a first shake correction unit for correcting shaking on the basis of the amount of shaking which is detected by a first shake amount detector and from which a first reference value corresponding to an output value of the first shake amount detector kept in a stationary state is subtracted, and a body having a second shake correction unit for correcting shaking on the basis of the amount of shaking which is detected by a second shake amount detector and from which a second reference value corresponding to an output value of the second shake correction unit in a stationary state is subtracted. The camera system corrects a first reference value or a second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Tsuchiya
  • Digital read-out integrated circuit with modulated light source rejection
    Patent number: 9615047
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a digital pixel circuit comprising a detector configured to discharge a well capacitor when voltage across the well capacitor exceeds a threshold, a DROIC configured, in a first mode, to increment a reset counter when the well capacitor is discharged, and in a second mode, to ignore the discharging of the well capacitor, and a processing unit configured to monitor a count rate of the DROIC, transmit a signal at a first level when the count rate is less than a threshold, and transmit a signal at a second level when the count rate is greater than the threshold, wherein, the DROIC is further configured, in response to receiving the signal at the first level, to operate in the first mode, and in response to receiving the signal at the second level, to operate in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Stephen M. Palik
  • Image sensor, imaging apparatus and live body imaging apparatus
    Patent number: 9609252
    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor including a pixel unit, the pixel unit including a photodiode, a first color filter and a second color filter each disposed in a different position on a plane above the photodiode, and a first on-chip lens disposed over the first color filter and a second on-chip lens disposed over the second color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Nakata
  • Suspension system for a camera lens element
    Patent number: 9609219
    Abstract: A camera lens element is suspended on a support structure by balls that allow movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis and plural flexures connected between the support structure and the camera lens element to bias them against the balls while permitting said movement of the camera lens elementorthogonal to the optical axis. Lateral movement is driven by a lateral actuation arrangement comprising plural SMA actuator wires. The flexures provide a lateral biasing force that biases the camera lens element towards a central position. An electrical connection is made through the flexures from the support structure to the camera lens element. The flexures may be connected to laminated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: James Howarth, Andrew Benjamin David Brown
  • Image capturing device, control method for grouping image capturing devices, and control system thereof
    Patent number: 9609314
    Abstract: An image capturing device, control method for grouping image capturing devices, and control system thereof are provided. The control method is applied in the control system for controlling image capturing devices. Every image capturing device includes a direction detection unit for indicating a current direction, a command receiving unit, a computing unit, a driving unit and an image capturing unit. The control method comprises the following steps. A steering command for indicating a specified region is provided to at least two image capturing devices. The computing unit calculates a steering angle according to the current direction and specified region. The driving unit drives the image capturing device to capture the specific region according to the steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: VIVOTEK INC.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yung Su
  • Backside illumination image sensor, manufacturing method thereof and image-capturing device
    Patent number: 9609248
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a first opening to an electric charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a second opening which is smaller than the first opening to an electric charge, and a signal output wiring that outputs a first signal generated by the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated by the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit. The second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the second opening and the signal output wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironobu Murata
  • Camera system
    Patent number: 9602703
    Abstract: A camera system includes a body defining a cavity and a camera attached to the body within the cavity and including a lens and a ring surrounding the lens. The camera system includes a wiper assembly attached to the camera and configured for clearing debris from the lens. The wiper assembly includes a wiper configured for contacting and wiping the lens and having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end. The wiper is rotatable about a pivot axis between a stowed position in which the wiper contacts the ring and a deployed position in which the wiper contacts the lens. The wiper assembly also includes a counterweight attached to the second end and configured for disposing the wiper in the deployed position, and a resilient member disposed adjacent the ring and configured for disposing the wiper in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Eric L. Raphael
  • Rotatable operating member and electronic device having the same
    Patent number: 9602706
    Abstract: A rotatable operating member which reduces manufacturing costs and prevents false detection of a rotation angle has a member and a sheet. The member has a circumferential surface, and the sheet is fixed to the circumferential surface of the member. A reflectivity of a surface of the sheet is different from a reflectivity of the circumferential surface of the member. The sheet has a plurality of holes with width A formed side by side in a circumferential direction and the sheet is fixed such that a gap with width A is provided between both ends of the sheet in the circumferential direction. A part of the circumferential surface is regularly exposed from the holes and the gap in a circumferential direction of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Osada
  • Smart camera user interface
    Patent number: 9600724
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include actions of receiving image data, the image data being provided from a camera and corresponding to a scene viewed by the camera, receiving one or more annotations, the one or more annotations being provided based on one or more entities determined from the scene, each annotation being associated with at least one entity, determining one or more actions based on the one or more annotations, and providing instructions to display an action interface including one or more action elements, each action element being selectable to induce execution of a respective action, the action interface being displayed in a viewfinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa Ko, Hartwig Adam, Mikkel Crone Koser, Alexei Masterov, Andrews-Junior Kimbembe, Matthew J. Bridges, Paul Chang, David Petrou, Adam Berenzweig
  • Devices and methods for capturing and interacting with enhanced digital images
    Patent number: 9602729
    Abstract: An electronic device displays a representative image. The representative image is one image in a sequence of images that includes images acquired after the representative image. While displaying the representative image, the device detects a contact with a first intensity. In response to detecting the contact, the device advances through the images acquired after the representative image at a rate based on the first intensity. When the device detects a decrease in intensity of the contact to a second intensity that is less than the first intensity, the device either continues to advance through the one or more images at a slower rate or reverses direction, depending at least in part on the second intensity relative to a threshold intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas V. King, Sebastian J. Bauer, Bethany B. Conolly, Imran A. Chaudhri, Alan C. Dye, Craig M. Federighi, Jonathan Ive, Michael T. Jurewitz, Behkish J. Manzari, Natalia C. Maric, Henrique D. Penha, Pavel Pivonka, Daniel T. Preston
  • Image pickup apparatus and method for controlling image pickup apparatus
    Patent number: 9602741
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit configured to employ a first mode and a second mode; and a controller configured to read out, in the first mode, a first row, and read out, in the second mode and a mode different from the second mode, a second row, the first row being read out in the first mode during a first read-out period, the second row being read out in the second mode during a second read-out period, the second row read out in the mode different from the second mode during a third read-out period, and the first to third read-out periods having the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mineo Uchida