Patents Examined by Yogesh K. Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 10535688
    Abstract: An imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric converter that generates charges by photoelectric conversion, a first transfer transistor that transfers charges of the photoelectric converter to a first holding portion, a second transfer transistor that transfers charges of the first holding portion to a second holding portion, and an amplifier unit that outputs a signal based on charges held by the second holding portion. The first transfer transistor is configured to form a potential well for the charges between the photoelectric converter and the first holding portion when the first transistor is in an on-state. The maximum charge amount QPD generated by the photoelectric converter during one exposure period, a saturation charge amount QMEM_SAT of the first holding portion, and the maximum charge amount QGS that can be held in the potential well are in a relationship of: QPD<QGS?QMEM_SAT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Onuki, Mahito Shinohara, Hajime Ikeda, Takafumi Miki, Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 10536630
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems and methods for a stabilization mechanism. The stabilization mechanism may be used in conjunction with an imaging device. The method may be performed by a control system of the stabilization mechanism and includes obtaining a device setting from an imaging device. The method may also include obtaining a configuration of the stabilization mechanism. The method includes determining a soft stop based on the device setting, the configuration, or both. The soft stop may be a virtual hard stop that indicates to the stabilization mechanism to reduce speed as a field of view of the imaging device approaches the soft stop. The method may also include setting an image stabilization mechanism parameter based on the determined soft stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Enke, Kielan C. Crow, Pascal Gohl
  • Patent number: 10516819
    Abstract: An electronic device able to automatically select one of a plurality of lenses includes a lens module, an image sensor, a focusing module, and a processor. The lens module includes a standard lens, a macro lens, and a telephoto lens. The image sensor captures images and the focusing module controls the lenses to automatically focus on the object. The processor selects the standard lens as a current lens, obtains a first focusing distance at a first moment and a second focusing distance at a second moment, and determines to switch the current lens or not to switch according to a comparison of the first and second focusing distances. The second moment is later than the first moment. A lens switching method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: How-Wen Chien, Sung-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 10506164
    Abstract: An image acquisition device includes a first camera and a second camera. When detecting that shaking occurs, the depth information obtaining apparatus may obtain images captured by the first camera and the second camera, detect an initial distance between a target shooting object in the two images, correct the initial distance by using an offset difference between a first image and a second image, and determine a depth of the target shooting object by using the corrected initial distance. In the embodiments of the present invention, the two cameras may both have an OIS function, or either of the cameras has an OIS function. When performing OIS, the depth information obtaining apparatus corrects the distance between the same shooting object in the images obtained by the two cameras, so that finally obtained depth information is relatively accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Wang, Rongyue Xu
  • Patent number: 10477112
    Abstract: A display control apparatus that is capable of improving a feeling of an operation that moves a partial area cropped from an output image. A cropping unit crops an image in a partial cropping area from an output image. A scaling unit generates an unevenly scaled image by scaling the output image or the cropped image in one direction. A switching unit switches between display of an unscaled image and display of the unevenly scaled image when the cropped image is displayed on a display unit. A control unit moves the cropping area to the output image in the direction by a moving amount per a single operation for moving the cropping area in the direction when the unscaled image is displayed, and moves the cropping area in the direction by a different moving amount per the single operation when the unevenly scaled image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Akimoto
  • Patent number: 10477128
    Abstract: Dehazed images are produced based on an atmospheric light image obtained form an input image as brightest pixels of a predetermined window and white map. The white map is median filtered, morphologically filtered and, in some examples, filtered with a guided filter, and the filtered image combined with the atmospheric light image to produce a dehazed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Ripul Bhutani, Ping-Wei Chang, Bausan Yuan
  • Patent number: 10473903
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multiple view optical systems. An example optical system includes at least one primary optical element configured to receive incident light from a scene and a plurality of relay mirrors optically coupled to the at least one primary optical element. The optical system also includes a lens optically coupled to the plurality of relay mirrors, and an image sensor configured to receive focused light from the lens. The image sensor includes a first light-sensitive area and a second light-sensitive area. The primary optical element, the plurality of relay mirrors, and the lens interact with the incident light to form a first focused light portion and a second focused light portion. The first focused light portion forms a first image portion of the scene on the first light-sensitive area and the second focused light portion forms a second image portion of the scene on the second light-sensitive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Brendan Hermalyn
  • Patent number: 10469781
    Abstract: A power distribution network is disclosed. The power distribution can be applied to imaging arrays and other circuits that include a large number of conductors that must be driven such that the conductors are biased such that substantially the same current flows in each conductor. The power distribution network includes a plurality of bit lines and a first power connection network. Each bit line is connected to a different location on a first power bus, which is divided into a plurality of first conducting segments. Each first conducting segment is connected to a plurality of the bit lines. Each bit line includes a constant current source that causes a bias current to flow in the bit line and through the first power bus. The first power connection network includes a plurality of conducting paths that connect a corresponding one of the first conducting segments to a first power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Khai Nguyen, Peter Bartkovjak
  • Patent number: 10469739
    Abstract: Consumption information associated with a user consuming a first video segment may be obtained. The consumption information may define user engagement during a video segment and/or user response to the video segment. Consumption information associated with the user consuming a second video segment may be obtained. A first set of capture settings associated with capture of the first video segment may be obtained. A second set of capture settings associated with capture of the second video segment may be obtained. The preferences for the capture settings of the image capturing device may be determined based upon the first and second set of capture settings. Instructions may be transmitted to the image capturing device. The instructions may include the determined preferences for the capture settings and may be configured to cause the image capturing device to adjust the capture settings to the determined preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Joven Matias, Suejin Kim
  • Patent number: 10462411
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed for video analytics of captured video content. In some examples, information may be received from a host processing system for a camera to capture video content. The camera may be a surveillance camera or a camera located with a display device. Video analytics may be performed on the captured video and the captured video content may be encoded. Data associated with the video analytics may then be sent to the host processing system. In some examples, the data as well as encoded captured video content or streaming video may be sent via communication channels included in an interconnect. Other examples are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yen Hsiang Chew, Boon Hee Thomas Kam, Esther Chee Hsiang Cheng, Ivan Yu Kit Ho
  • Patent number: 10455208
    Abstract: A color temperature of each of a first sensed image that is sensed by a first image sensing device and a second sensed image that is sensed by a second image sensing device different from the first image sensing device is acquired, a color temperature that is common between the first image sensing device and the second image sensing device is decided based on the acquired color temperatures, and color information in an image sensed by the first image sensing device and an image sensed by the second image sensing device is adjusted based on the decided color temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10447922
    Abstract: One embodiment, in the form of a method, includes capturing at least one image with an imaging device of a machine vision device. The at least one image is captured within an environment within which the machine vision device is deployed. This method then queries a color scheme model based on the captured at least one image to identify a color scheme to utilize within the machine vision device and may subsequently implement the identified color scheme on the machine vision device for processing images captured by the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Vance Zucker, Christopher John Costello, Yehoshua Zvi Licht
  • Patent number: 10440253
    Abstract: A method and a terminal for focusing includes: a determining step, determining a first camera focus of two camera focuses of two cameras corresponding to a first touch point of two touch points and a second camera focus of the two camera focuses of the two cameras corresponding to a second touch point of the two touch points, respectively, when a shooting preview interface corresponding to the two cameras is displayed and the two touch points are detected on the shooting preview interface; and a focus adjustment step, adjusting position of the first camera focus and the second camera focus, respectively, according to a sliding trace of the first touch point and a sliding trace of the second touch point on the shooting preview interface, in which the first camera focus and the second camera focus are on a same straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Yulong Computer Telecommunications Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Zhiyuan Ye
  • Patent number: 10432839
    Abstract: An electronic utility strap is provided. The strap includes one or more bands, which can be formed of a flexible material, and can include one or more embedded conductive elements. The strap also can include a power source, which can be temporarily attached to the strap or embedded therein. One or more electronic components can be attached to the strap and electrically connected to one or more of the conductive elements. The electronic components can include single use components, which receive power from the power source and operate in conjunction with other electronic components separately attached to the strap. The strap can include an inline imaging device and/or one or more components which can be operated in conjunction with the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventors: Jordan Frank, Alexander Dobrinsky
  • Patent number: 10425588
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject application disclose various imaging control methods and apparatuses for a digital zoom image and various imaging devices. One of imaging control methods for a digital zoom image comprises: acquiring a digital zoom parameter; determining an actual imaging area of an image sensor according to the acquired digital zoom parameter; adjusting a pixel density distribution of the image sensor, to cause an average pixel density of the actual imaging area after adjustment to become greater than those of other areas of the image sensor; and acquiring, by using the actual imaging area with the adjusted average pixel density, an image of a scene to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BEIJING ZHIGU TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lin Du
  • Patent number: 10425610
    Abstract: A camera system capable of capturing images of an event in a dynamic environment includes two microphones configured to capture stereo audio of the event. The microphones are on orthogonal surfaces of the camera system. Because the microphones are on orthogonal surfaces of the camera system, the camera body can impact the spatial response of the two recorded audio channels differently, leading to degraded stereo recreation if standard beam forming techniques are used. The camera system includes tuned beam forming techniques to generate multi-channel audio that more accurately recreates the stereo audio by compensating for the shape of the camera system and the orientation of microphones on the camera system. The tuned beam forming techniques include optimizing a set of beam forming parameters, as a function of frequency, based on the true spatial response of the recorded audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhinian Jing, Joyce Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 10424110
    Abstract: Described herein are a system and methods for generating 3D models using imaging data obtained from an array of camera devices. In embodiments, a stochastic shape distribution may be applied upon an object to be modeled in invisible ink. The system activates a first lighting mode which causes the stochastic shape distribution to be visible and captures a first set of images that depict the stochastic shape distribution on the object. The system then activates a second lighting mode that causes the stochastic shape distribution to be hidden and captures images of the object as it would normally appear (without the stochastic shape distribution). The images having the stochastic shape distribution may be used to determine alignment information for the images within the set of images. That alignment information may then be attributed to the second set of images and used to generate the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mason E. Sheffield, Oleg Alexander, Jonothon Frederick Douglas, Guillermo Enrique Baeza
  • Patent number: 10412285
    Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is provided, including a lens holder, a circuit unit, a driving element, and an integrated circuit element. The lens holder is used for holding a lens. The circuit unit is disposed on a side of the lens holder. The driving element is used for driving the lens holder to move relative to the circuit unit. The integrated circuit element is electrically connected to the driving element and disposed on the circuit unit. The driving element is disposed between the lens holder and the integrated circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Che-Ju Lan, Hung-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 10412349
    Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array which provides a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The plurality of pixels include: a plurality of image sensing pixels each including a plurality of image sensing sub pixels that include the same color filter; and a plurality of phase detection pixels each including at least one phase detection sub pixel which generates a phase signal for calculating a phase difference between images, wherein the plurality of image sensing sub pixels included in the same image sensing pixel are connected to one selection signal line and receive the same selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-ji Hwang, Seung-jin Lee, Young-woo Lee, Seok-yong Hong
  • Patent number: 10401276
    Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional luminescence image includes setting a focal interval between two-dimensional images in accordance with localization of luminescence in a three-dimensional sample. The three-dimensional sample contains a plurality of cells prepared to be luminescent and has a three-dimensional shape. The two-dimensional images have mutually different focal planes and are acquired at the focal interval. The method further includes acquiring a two-dimensional image set including two-dimensional images at the focal interval that is set by imaging the three-dimensional sample under an unirradiated condition; and generating a three-dimensional luminescence image by combining the two-dimensional images included in the two-dimensional image set together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taro Hayashi, Yoko Ohashi