Patents Examined by Twyler L. Haskins
  • Patent number: 11688152
    Abstract: A preprocessing method and a preprocessing system for improving image recognition are provided. The preprocessing method includes the following steps: disposing light-emitting diodes to surround an image sensor, in which the image sensor corresponds to an image capture region; turning on the light-emitting diodes for emitting a white light source having a color temperature of 3200K, in which the white light source has a fixed illumination area range, and the illumination area range covers the image capture region, such that a color temperature of the image capture region is approximately or equal to 3200K; and turning off the light-emitting diodes for a time interval, such that the image sensor captures images to generate preprocessing frames under a low illuminance condition that is between 0.0004 lux and 1 lux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 11686828
    Abstract: A method for compensating stray light caused by an object in a scene that is sensed by a time-of-flight camera is provided. The method includes receiving an image of the scene from the time-of-flight camera. Further, the method includes controlling the time-of-flight camera to capture a reference image of the scene using a code modulated signal for illumination such that a measurement range of the time-of-flight camera is limited to a distance range around the object. The method additionally includes modifying the image of the scene or an image derived therefrom using the reference image to obtain a compensated image of the scene. The method includes outputting the compensated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Armin Schoenlieb, David Lugitsch, Hannes Plank
  • Patent number: 11689802
    Abstract: An accessory apparatus is connectable to an imaging apparatus along with an interchangeable lens apparatus. The accessory apparatus includes an accessory communication unit configured to provide a communication channel to and from the imaging apparatus, an operation member allowing an operation by a user, and an accessory control unit configured to communicate with the imaging apparatus via the accessory communication unit. The accessory control unit notifies the imaging apparatus of a communication request according to detection of the operation of the operation member, and repeats transmitting operation state information indicating an operation state of the operation member to the imaging apparatus from when the communication request is notified to when an end of the operation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugita
  • Patent number: 11689790
    Abstract: An image capture device that includes a housing and a heatsink located partially or completely within the housing. The heatsink comprises a planar surface, a printed circuit board in communication with the heatsink, and a sheet conductor that is a graphite sheet connected to the planar surface of the heatsink and in direct contact with the printed circuit board or components of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Vitale, Raul Vargas Gonzalez, Herman Wong
  • Patent number: 11689791
    Abstract: A vehicular camera module includes (i) a lens holder formed of a first material, (ii) a lens barrel accommodating a lens and formed of a second material, (iii) an imager printed circuit board having an imager, and (iv) a processor circuit board having an image processor. The imager printed circuit board is attached at the lens holder with the imager aligned with the lens accommodated in the lens barrel. The processor printed circuit board has circuitry that is electrically connected to circuitry of the imager printed circuit board. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material forming the lens barrel is lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first material forming the lens holder. Circuitry of the vehicular camera module includes connecting elements that are configured to electrically connect to a wire harness of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steven V. Byrne, Yuesheng Lu, Jonathan D. Conger, Rene Dreiocker
  • Patent number: 11683603
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a pixel array including pixels and reference pixels; an analog sensing circuit configured to sense signals from the pixels and the reference pixels; and a digital logic circuit configured to receive the sensed signals from the analog sensing circuit and configured to compensate signals corresponding to the pixels from among the sensed signals by using signals corresponding to the reference pixels from among the sensed signals, wherein each of the reference pixels is at least partially surround by the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hwanwoong Kim, Jihun Kim, Jueun Park, Jungwook Lim, Youjin Jeong, Taesub Jung
  • Patent number: 11683605
    Abstract: An image sensor chip and a sensing method thereof are provided. The image sensor chip includes a pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units, and each of the pixel units includes a light sensing circuit, a reset switch and an output circuit. The reset switch is coupled to a first terminal of the light sensing circuit. The reset switch resets the light sensing circuit during reset period. The output circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the light sensing circuit. The output circuit of the pixel unit outputs difference information corresponding to the difference between the first sensing result of the light sensing circuit in a first frame period and the second sensing result of the light sensing circuit in a second frame period after the first frame period to a corresponding one of a plurality of readout lines of the pixel array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Cheng Hsieh, Yen-Kai Chen, Tzu-Hsiang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11678047
    Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments includes a camera, a memory, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to: based on an input for executing a camera application being received, identify first images shot within a region of a set range from a location of the electronic device from among a plurality of images, based on location information of the plurality of images stored in the memory or an external electronic device; select at least one second image from the first images, based on a priority of each of the first images; and, while displaying a preview image obtained through the camera on the display, display a visual object including a thumbnail image corresponding to the at least one second image on the display by overlaying the visual object on the preview image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seunghwan Jeong, Jaeyong Yang, Gyuhyun Kim, Ilsup Kim, Dasom Lee, Changsun Lee, Saemee Yim
  • Patent number: 11678052
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on an optical image stabilization performance, and a correction unit configure to provide an electronic image stabilization. The correction unit changes a gain of the correction unit based on information on a shutter speed and information on the image stabilization performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 11678062
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sensor configured to capture a subject; and a control unit configured to perform exposure control for when capturing a subject using the sensor by adjusting at least an accumulation period, a diameter of an aperture of a diaphragm, and an image capturing sensitivity, wherein the control unit, in a case of capturing a subject to obtain an image for detection, which is an image for detecting a flicker by using the sensor, performs exposure control by prioritizing increasing an image capturing sensitivity and opening the aperture of the diaphragm rather than increasing an accumulation period of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 11676250
    Abstract: Techniques for using motion data to generate a high resolution output color image from multiple images having sparse color information are disclosed. A camera generates multiple images. The camera's sensor is configured to have a sparse Bayer pattern. While the camera is generating the images, IMU data for each image is acquired. The IMU data indicates a corresponding pose the camera was in while the camera generated each image. The images and the IMU data are fed as input into a motion model. The motion model performs temporal filtering on the images and uses the IMU data to generate a red-only image, a green-only image, and a blue-only image. A high resolution output color image is generated by combining the red-only image, the green-only image, and the blue-only image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Michael Bleyer, Christopher Douglas Edmonds
  • Patent number: 11678082
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels arranged along a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each of the unit pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element generating and accumulating photocharges, a charge detection node receiving the photocharges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element, a readout circuit converting the photocharges accumulated in and output from the charge detection node into an electrical pixel signal, the readout circuit outputting the electrical pixel signal, a capacitive element, and a switching element controlling connection between the charge detection node and the capacitive element. Each of the rows of the pixel array includes first pixels connected to a first conversion gain control line and second pixels connected to a second conversion gain control line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sub Shim, Kyungho Lee
  • Patent number: 11671725
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes first and anterior comparators and first and second posterior comparators. The first anterior comparator generates a first anterior comparison signal based on a first pixel signal and a ramp signal. The first posterior comparator performs a first comparison that compares the first anterior comparison signal with a first reference signal under a first comparison precondition and generates a first posterior comparison signal corresponding to a result of the first comparison. The second anterior comparator generates a second anterior comparison signal based on a second pixel signal and the ramp signal. The second posterior comparator performs a second comparison that compares the second anterior comparison signal with a second reference signal under a second comparison precondition different from the first comparison precondition. The second posterior comparator generates a second posterior comparison signal corresponding to a result of the second comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Won Seok Hwang
  • Patent number: 11671685
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a camera unit, a pair of supporting members, a fixation member, a drive member, a heat generating member, a first cover member, and a second cover member. The second cover member has a first opening into which air from outside flows and a second opening from which air inside the second cover member flows to outside, The fixation member has a third opening into which air that has flowed out of the second opening flows, and a fourth opening from which air inside the fixation member flows to outside. The heat generating member is disposed in a flow channel of air flowing from the first opening to the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11662576
    Abstract: One aspect disclosed is a method including determining a location from a positioning system receiver, determining, using a hardware processor and the location, that the location is approaching a path of direction of visual direction information, displaying the visual direction information on a display of a wearable device in response to the determining, determining, using the positioning system receiver, whether the turn of the visual direction information has been made, determining, by the hardware processor, a first period of time for display of the content data based on whether the turn of the visual direction information has been made, powering on the display and displaying, using the display, content data for the first period of time, turning off the display and the hardware processor following display of the content data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Bamberger, Peter Brook, Nicolas Dahlquist, Matthew Hanover, Russell Douglas Patton, Jonathan M Rodriguez, II
  • Patent number: 11665423
    Abstract: A remote CCTV module for a wireless monitoring system includes a communications interface configured to transmit data to a server over a wireless telecommunications network; a sensor interface configured to receive sensor data from a sensor; a CCTV camera; and a controller. The controller controls the communications interface to transmit the sensor data over the wireless telecommunications network at a first frequency; processes the sensor data to detect an event in an environment proximate to the module, and in response to detecting the event, controls the communications interface to transmit the sensor data over the wireless telecommunications network at a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is higher than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Wireless CCTV Limited
    Inventors: Simon James Potkins, Ian Ramsdale, Timothy James Williams
  • Patent number: 11665412
    Abstract: A system can include a display assembly that includes a display, a display side, a back side and a frame, where the back side includes a serial bus socket; and a camera assembly that includes a camera head unit coupled to an end of an arm, where an opposing end of the arm includes a serial bus connector receivable by the serial bus socket of the back side of the display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Brian William Wallace, Cyan Godfrey
  • Patent number: 11659273
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus (10) including: an obtainment unit (12) which obtains a reference image; an extraction unit (13) which extracts, from a storage unit (11) which stores a provision image generated by a plurality of provision-image generation cameras installed in a facility, the provision image including a person included in the reference image; and a display control unit (14) which causes a display to display the provision image extracted by the extraction unit (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kawase
  • Patent number: 11659677
    Abstract: The present document describes an electronic device with a structural midframe and associated methods. The architectural design of the electronic device (e.g., a security camera) is such that its components are assembled onto the midframe to form a subassembly and the housing is assembled after the subassembly. The midframe includes various features that enable multiple printed circuit boards, a camera subassembly, a front housing member, a heatsink, and a heat spreader to be assembled onto the midframe outside of the housing. The midframe can also include a hinge-bearing surface forming a portion of a ball joint for supporting rotational movement of the electronic device. Accordingly, the electronic device uses the midframe, rather than the housing, as a structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Laurie Man Sum Kwan, Cindy Ngoc-Tran Au, Timothy Michael Vanderet, Cheng-jung Lee
  • Patent number: 11658201
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an image sensor pixel array having pixels. Each pixel includes a continuous active region having a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. A photodiode, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, and a select transistor are formed in and over the first portion. The photodiode and the reset transistor define a floating diffusion region therebetween. A switch transistor is formed in and over the second portion and includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The first source/drain region is included in the floating diffusion region. The second source/drain region interfaces a doped region formed in the second region. The pixel also includes a gate structure disposed directly over the doped region. By controlling the switch transistor, the pixel may operate in a high conversion gain mode or a low conversion gain mode to accommodate different illumination or exposure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SILEAD INC.
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Zhi Hao, Yi Zhang