Patents Examined by Twyler L. Haskins
  • Patent number: 11743566
    Abstract: A sensor driving device includes a first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; and an image sensor. The second substrate includes a body having first and second lateral surfaces; a first protrusion part protruding from the first lateral surface; and a second protrusion part protruding from the second lateral surface. The first protrusion part includes a first extension part, and a second extension part extending in a direction different from the first extension part. The second protrusion part includes a first extension part, and a second extension part extending in a direction different from the first extension part. The first extension parts are disposed parallel to an optical axis of the image sensor. The second extension part of the first protrusion part is closer to the second extension part of the second protrusion part than to the first extension part of the second protrusion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Sang Song
  • Patent number: 11743416
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Adeel Abbas, Cesar Douady, Timothy MacMillan
  • Patent number: 11741700
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that has a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels is arranged and that reads and outputs a pixel signal from the pixels included in the pixel region; a unit-of-readout controller that controls a unit of readout set as a part of the pixel region: a recognition unit that has learned training data for each of units of readout; a first output unit that outputs a recognition result of recognition performed by the recognition unit for each of the units of readout; a second output unit that outputs the pixel signal to a subsequent stage; and a trigger generator that generates a trigger signal for controlling a first timing at which the first output unit outputs the recognition result and a second timing at which the second output unit outputs the pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuta Satoh, Suguru Aoki, Keitaro Yamamoto, Ryoji Eki
  • Patent number: 11736815
    Abstract: Video systems with video receivers for receiving video signals transmitted in analog format over a video link are described. An example video receiver includes an interferer identification circuit and an interferer removal circuit. The interferer identification circuit is configured to identify a periodic interference signal (e.g., from one or more of vertical blanking intervals (VBIs)) of a received video signal. The interferer removal circuit is configured to generate a filtered video signal, where generation of the filtered video signal includes, for each line of a given frame of the received video signal, generating an adjusted interference signal by adjusting a phase of the identified interference signal to match a phase of a periodic noise signal in at least a portion of a horizontal blanking interval (HBI) associated with the line, and subtracting the adjusted interference signal from a plurality of active pixel values of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Isaac Molina Hernandez, Sean M. Mullins
  • Patent number: 11735620
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion section and a pixel transistor is arranged; an on-chip color filter; an on-chip microlens; and a multilayer interconnection layer in which a plurality of layers of interconnections is formed through an interlayer insulating film. The solid-state imaging device further includes a light-shielding film formed through an insulating layer in a pixel boundary of a light receiving surface in which the photoelectric conversion section is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazufumi Watanabe, Yasushi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11726294
    Abstract: An embodiment comprises: a housing a bobbin disposed inside the housing, and having a lens disposed thereon; a first coil disposed at the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; a first magnet disposed at a size part of the housing in correspondence to the first coil; a first position sensor disposed in the bobbin, and including first and second input terminals and first and second output terminals; a circuit board including first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second output terminals of the first position sensor; and a capacitor connected in parallel to the first and second terminals of the circuit board so as to remove noise from the output of the first position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Mi Kim, Young Don O
  • Patent number: 11727613
    Abstract: A system may comprise a transport device for moving at least one object, wherein at least one substantially planar surface of the object is moved in a known plane locally around a viewing area, wherein the substantially planar surface of the object is occluded except when the at least one substantially planar surface passes by the viewing area, at least one 2D digital optical sensor configured to capture at least two sequential 2D digital images of the at least one substantially planar surface of the at least one object that is moved in the known plane around the viewing area, and a controller operatively coupled to the 2D digital optical sensor, the controller performing the steps of: a) receiving a first digital image, b) receiving a second digital image, and c) stitching the first digital image and the second digital image using a stitching algorithm to generate a stitched image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Negro, Xiangyun Ye, Ahmed El-Barkouky
  • Patent number: 11721002
    Abstract: An imaging device is presented for use in an imaging system capable of improving the image quality. The imaging device has one or more optical systems defining an effective aperture of the imaging device. The imaging device comprises a lens system having an algebraic representation matrix of a diagonalized form defining a first Condition Number, and a phase encoder utility adapted to effect a second Condition Number of an algebraic representation matrix of the imaging device, smaller than said first Condition Number of the lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Iftach Klapp, David Mendlovic
  • Patent number: 11720003
    Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in an anti-fogging apparatus for a camera assembly. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a camera affixed to a substrate, and a thermally conductive plate, the thermally conductive plate positioned in front of the substrate and defining a first aperture aligned with a lens of the camera. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a transparent plate positioned in front of the thermally conductive plate such that the transparent plate covers said first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes an insulating element positioned in front of the transparent plate and defining a second aperture aligned with the first aperture. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a heating element affixed to the thermally conductive plate. The anti-fogging apparatus includes a case enclosing the camera, the thermally conductive plate, the transparent plate, the insulating element, and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Lineage Logistics, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Frank Eckman
  • Patent number: 11715749
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensing device that includes an image sensor including a pixel array, the pixel array including arranged in a predetermined pattern a first group of pixels having a first color filter, a second group of pixels having a second color filter and a third group of pixels having a third color filter, and an image processor suitable for determining, based on pixel values outputted from the image sensor, whether a group having a minimum number of pixels among the first to third groups of pixels are supersaturated and correcting a pixel value of at least one supersaturated pixel according to a determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dae Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11716524
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor unit that includes a fixed unit and a movable unit movable relative to the fixed unit, and a duct unit configured to form an air channel. The movable unit includes an image sensor and a heat exchanger. At least part of the heat exchanger is inserted inside the duct unit through an opening of the duct unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi Iwasaki, Kentaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11716538
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting zoom operations using a plurality of optical chain modules, e.g., camera modules, are described. Switching between use of groups of optical chains with different focal lengths is used to support zoom operations. Digital zoom is used in some cases to support zoom levels corresponding to levels between the zoom levels of different optical chain groups or discrete focal lengths to which optical chains may be switched. In some embodiments optical chains have adjustable focal lengths and are switched between different focal lengths. In other embodiments optical chains have fixed focal lengths with different optical chain groups corresponding to different fixed focal lengths. Composite images are generated from images captured by multiple optical chains of the same group and/or different groups. Composite image is in accordance with a user zoom control setting. Individual composite images may be generated and/or a video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Rajiv Laroia
  • Patent number: 11716546
    Abstract: An imaging device includes groupings of photodiodes having four photodiodes. A transfer transistor is between each photodiode and a floating diffusion. Each floating diffusion is coupled to up to two photodiodes per grouping at a time through transfer transistors. A buffer transistor is coupled to each floating diffusion. The buffer transistors may be in a first or second grouping of buffer transistors. A first bit line is coupled to up to two buffer transistors of the first grouping and a second bit line is coupled to up to two buffer transistors of the second grouping of buffer transistors at a time. A color filter array including a plurality of groupings of color filters is disposed over respective photodiodes of the photodiode array, wherein each grouping of color filters includes four color filters having a same color, wherein each grouping of color filters overlaps two groupings of photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingfei Chen, Rui Wang, Wei Wei Wang, Zhiyong Zhan, Xin Wang, Qingwei Shan, Kenny Geng
  • Patent number: 11716525
    Abstract: A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes a lens unit and an imager to image the external environment by forming an optical image, which is from the external environment through the lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhisa Shimizu, Yasuki Furutake, Kensuke Chikata, Kazuma Yamaguchi, Yoichi Kajino
  • Patent number: 11711630
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an apparatus and method wherein the non-linearity of the response of a multi-bit QIS is controllable (e.g., selectively variable) by dynamically choosing the bit depth n during A/D conversion, and/or later (i.e., post-conversion) by firmware and/or software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Patent number: 11711627
    Abstract: The control module outputs a control signal to control the first image capture module and the second image capture module to be in a working state in a time-sharing manner. A first signal interface is electrically connected to the first node. The first optimization unit is electrically connected between the first node and the first image capture module, and the second optimization unit is electrically connected between the first node and the second image capture module. The first optimization unit is configured to ensure the smoothness of a curve of a first image signal corresponding to a first image captured when the first image capture module is in the working state, and the second optimization unit is configured to ensure the smoothness of a curve of a second image signal corresponding to a second image captured when the second image capture module is in the working state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Honor Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaikai Song, Ying Wang, Chen Zhu, Zhi Chang
  • Patent number: 11706527
    Abstract: Positions of an image capture device during capture of a video may be transferred to a computing device before the video is transferred to the computing device. The positions of the image capture device may be used to determine a viewing window for the video before the video is obtained. The viewing window may be used to present a stabilized view of the video when the video is obtained. For example, a stabilized view of the video may be presented as the video is streamed to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl Stimm, Kyler William Schwartz, Kevin Marcus Grant
  • Patent number: 11706543
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes an image sensing circuit, a voltage supply grid, bitlines, and a control circuit. The image sensing circuit includes pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each one of the bitlines is coupled to a corresponding one of the columns. The voltage supply grid is coupled to the pixels. The control circuit is coupled to output at least a row select signal and a transfer signal to the rows. Each one of the rows is selectively coupled to the bitlines to selectively output image data signals in response to the row select signal and the transfer signal. Each one of the rows is further selectively coupled to the bitlines to selectively clamp the bitlines in response to the row select signal and the transfer signal. Each one of the rows is selectively decoupled from the bitlines in response to the row select signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengcheng Xu, Rui Wang, Bi Yuan, Liang Zuo
  • Patent number: 11699768
    Abstract: An electrode structure including a top electrode and a bottom electrode located below the top electrode. The top electrode includes a plurality of inner electrodes and an outer electrode connected with the inner electrodes. The inner electrodes are configured to filter a light by wavelength range and filter the light into a polarized light. The inner electrodes extend along a first direction. Each of the inner electrodes includes a metal structure having a first portion and a second portion and a dielectric structure located between the first portion and the second portion of the metal structure. The first portion, the dielectric structure, and the second portion are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: VisEra Technologies Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Hao Chang, Ching-Hua Li, Yu-Chi Chang
  • Patent number: 11699218
    Abstract: A method of controlling parameters for image sensors includes; receiving a first image and a second image, calculating first feature values related to the first image and second feature values related to the second image; generating comparison results by comparing the first feature values of fixed regions and first variable regions of the first image with the second feature values of fixed regions and first variable regions of the second image, and controlling at least one parameter on the basis of the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ha Young Ko