Patents Examined by Yih-Sien Kao
  • Patent number: 10200597
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for photographing using a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes an interface for intuitively identifying different photographing compositions in a preview mode and supports photographing a subject according to each composition selected by a user in the interface. The method includes driving a camera module and displaying a plurality of images in a multi-preview window corresponding to a plurality of compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongsuk Choi, Moonsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 10089327
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media for taking and sharing pictures of objects of interest at an event or an occasion. A device implementing embodiments of the invention may enable a user to select objects of interest from a view displayed by a display unit coupled to the device. The device may also have pre-programmed objects including objects that the device detects. In addition, the device may detect people using the users' social networks by retrieving images from social networks like Facebook® and LinkedIn®.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Wheeler Sweet, III, Joel Simbulan Bernarte, Virginia Walker Keating, Serafin Diaz Spindola, Charles A. Bergan
  • Patent number: 10079972
    Abstract: A method for controlling a graphical user interface (GUI) of a camera application on a portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a camera, a touch screen, and a sensor. The method includes the steps of: executing the camera application on the portable electronic device, wherein the GUI includes one or more shutter buttons that control the camera to take a photo; detecting whether the portable electronic device is in a portrait mode or a landscape mode according to sensor data from the sensor; determining positions of the shutter buttons of the GUI in response to the detection result; and rendering the shutter buttons at the determined positions on the GUI displayed on the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yu Liao
  • Patent number: 9998668
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus which corrects uneven exposure caused when a sensor-shift image stabilization and an electronic front curtain reset are used concurrently. The imaging apparatus includes: a camera shake detector configured to detect a camera shake; an imaging device configured to capture e a subject image; an image stabilizer configured to move the imaging device in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis; an electronic front curtain configured to reset electric charges accumulated in the imaging device; a mechanical shutter configured to switch between blocking and passing of a subject image to be collected onto the imaging device; and an image stabilization controller configured to produce an image stabilization signal from the camera shake detected by the camera shake detector and configured to control the image stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mikio Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9996174
    Abstract: A camera according to the present invention includes a touch display section in addition to an imaging section. During review display where a captured image is displayed on a display panel (a monitor screen) of the touch display section for a predetermined amount of time after imaging every time the imaging section performs imaging, when a touch operation is performed on a touch panel of the touch display section, a control section controls a method of performing the review display (for example, a review display time) according to the state of the touch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuko Tokairin
  • Patent number: 9981387
    Abstract: Provided is a robot control system and a method thereof. The robot control system includes: a mobile robot comprising at least one camera; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to transmit, to the mobile robot, a signal for adjusting a resolution of a next image to be transmitted from the at least one camera to the controller, based on a data transmission rate of a current image captured by the at least one camera and output to the controller, and wherein the mobile robot is configured to adjust the resolution of the next image, based on the signal for adjusting the resolution of the next image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehyuk Ju, Jihyuk Song
  • Patent number: 9986193
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image pickup circuit including: amplifying means for amplifying a charge corresponding to an amount of light received by a photodetector, and outputting a pixel signal; ramp signal generating means for generating a ramp signal whose voltage drops with a fixed slope from a predetermined initial voltage; and comparing means for comparing the pixel signal output by the amplifying means with the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means. A reference potential of the pixel signal output by the amplifying means and a reference potential of the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means are at a same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Wakabayashi, Yoshiaki Inada, Ken Koseki
  • Patent number: 9973706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for detecting an imaging condition. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for detecting an imaging condition. The method comprises: determining, based on luminance distribution in a first image of a scene, imaging lightness of the first image, the first image being captured by a first camera; determining, based on detection of a highlighted region in a second image of the scene, imaging exposureness of the second image, the second image being captured by a second camera, the first image and the second image being captured under a same or similar imaging condition, an exposure amount of the first camera being lower than an exposure amount of the second camera. There is also disclosed a relevant apparatus, electronic device, and a computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Kongqiao Wang, Jiangwei Li, He Yan
  • Patent number: 9973715
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system, a data storage unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. The optical system is variable in focal distance and varies a size of an image circle by the focal distance. A data storage unit stores data indicating a correspondence between a value of the focal distance and a value of the size of the image circle. The imaging unit obtains image data from the optical image. The image processing unit performs composition processing of image data in multiple frames after dividing each of the image data in multiple frames corresponding to an outside of the image circle into quadrant-by-quadrant regions and aligning the divided image data in multiple frames quadrant by quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeyuki Ajito
  • Patent number: 9967450
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device comprising an imaging unit that outputs image signals corresponding to images by an optical system; a focus detection unit that performs focus detection processes to detect focal states of the optical system; an aperture that restricts light beams to the imaging unit; an aperture drive unit; an initiation unit that initiates the focus detection process by the focus detection unit; a focused state determination unit that determines repeatedly whether the focal state of the optical system is a focused state or not based on a focus detection result when the initiation of the focus detection process is being performed; a mode set unit that sets motion picture imaging modes; and a control unit that controls the focused state determination when aperture is being driven, wherein the control unit allows the focused determination process when the aperture is driven if motion picture imaging mode is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takahara
  • Patent number: 9955052
    Abstract: A device having a camera unit for recording images of the exterior of a motor vehicle, includes a support assembly accommodating the camera unit which is movable between a standby position and an active position, a cover element and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism includes a first pivot element, which is pivotably supported on the support assembly such that it can pivot about a first rotational axle, and which is connected to a first articulation axle of the camera unit in an articulated manner, a second pivot element, which is pivotably supported on the support assembly, such that it can pivot about a second rotational axle, and which is connected to a second articulation axle of the camera unit, and a third pivot element, which is pivotably supported on the support assembly such that it can pivot about the first rotational axle, and which is connected to the cover element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Buss
  • Patent number: 9936114
    Abstract: A mobile device for requesting a capture of an image includes a beacon and a processing circuit. The beacon is configured to communicate with an unmanned camera. The processing circuit is configured to generate a request for the unmanned camera to capture an image of a user of the mobile device, where the request includes a condition that must be met by the image of the user, and send the request, via the beacon, to the unmanned camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Baym, William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9918027
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taichi Natori
  • Patent number: 9906741
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system, a data storage unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. The optical system is variable in focal distance and varies a size of an image circle by the focal distance. A data storage unit stores data indicating a correspondence between a value of the focal distance and a value of the size of the image circle. The imaging unit obtains image data from the optical image. The image processing unit performs composition processing of image data in multiple frames after dividing each of the image data in multiple frames corresponding to an outside of the image circle into quadrant-by-quadrant regions and aligning the divided image data in multiple frames quadrant by quadrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeyuki Ajito
  • Patent number: 9906700
    Abstract: An array imaging module includes a molded photosensitive assembly which includes a supporting member, at least a circuit board, at least two photosensitive units, at least two lead wires, and a mold sealer. The photosensitive units are coupled at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The lead wires are electrically connected the photosensitive units at the chip coupling area of the circuit board. The mold sealer includes a main mold body and has two optical windows. When the main mold body is formed, the lead wires, the circuit board and the photosensitive units are sealed and molded by the main mold body of the mold sealer, such that after the main mold body is formed, the main mold body and at least a portion of the circuit board are integrally formed together at a position that the photosensitive units are aligned with the optical windows respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ningbo Sunny Opotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingzhu Wang, Bojie Zhao, Takehiko Tanaka, Nan Guo, Zhenyu Chen, Heng Jiang, Zhongyu Luan, Fengsheng Xi, Feifan Chen, Liang Ding
  • Patent number: 9883094
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for varying a focal length of a camera device, and a camera device capable of varying a focal length thereof. The method includes: obtaining a position where one finger of a user touches a touch screen of the camera device; obtaining an image zooming multiple according to a distance and a direction that the finger of the user slides on the touch screen of the camera device; and zooming, according to the image zooming multiple and by using the position on the touch screen of the camera device where the finger of the user touches the touch screen of the camera device as a center, an image currently taken by the camera device, so as to vary a focal length of the camera device. The apparatus includes: a first obtaining module, a second obtaining module, and a zooming module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Chen Zhu, Cheng Wang, Cheng Li
  • Patent number: 9874801
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a camera lens, which includes at least one lens ring rotatable about the optical axis of the camera lens for zoom, focus or aperture adjustment, which is connectable with a driving device actuatable by an electronic control unit, includes a retaining device connected with the camera lens, which is adapted to the contour of the camera lens, for accommodating a fastening mechanism of a drive system containing the driving device and the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Helmut Lenhof, Benedikt Hartmann, Hannes Buchegger, Wolfgang Parizek, Michael Haubmann
  • Patent number: 9794476
    Abstract: Imager arrays, array camera modules, and array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention utilize pixel apertures to control the amount of aliasing present in captured images of a scene. One embodiment includes a plurality of focal planes, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, and sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data. In addition, the pixels in the plurality of focal planes include a pixel stack including a microlens and an active area, where light incident on the surface of the microlens is focused onto the active area by the microlens and the active area samples the incident light to capture image information, and the pixel stack defines a pixel area and includes a pixel aperture, where the size of the pixel apertures is smaller than the pixel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: FotoNation Cayman Limited
    Inventors: Shree Nayar, Kartik Venkataraman, Bedabrata Pain, Dan Lelescu
  • Patent number: 9794475
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may allow for dynamic image capture based on biometric data. An example device may include an image-capture device and a control system configured to: cause the image-capture device to capture video data; receive biometric data, which may be generated synchronously with the video data, from one or more sensors; while the image-capture device is capturing video data, control at least one image-capture setting of the image capture device based, at least in part, on the biometric data. The at least one image-capture setting affects the captured video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Basheer Tome, Hayes Solos Raffle
  • Patent number: 9787889
    Abstract: An image sensor may include an image pixel array with both image pixels to gather image data and phase detection pixels to gather phase information. The image sensor may dynamically group the phase detection pixels into focus zones. Based on the characteristics of the scene being imaged and the use settings of the image sensor, the image sensor may determine the size, shape, and number of focus zones to be grouped. One or more focus zones may then be used to gather phase information data. The focus zones may vary in size and shape across the pixel array. A scene with low illumination level may result in larger focus zones with more phase detection pixels to ensure reliable phase information data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Scott Johnson