Patents by Inventor Hajime Numata

Hajime Numata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11659294
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor (10), an imaging apparatus, an electronic device, an image processing system, and a signal processing method. The image sensor (10) includes a filter array (11). The filter array (11) includes a plurality of sets of filters (113). Each of the plurality of sets of filters (113) includes a plurality of first color filters (A). Pixels (120) corresponding to each of the plurality of sets of filters (113) generate electrical signals that can be combined to generate a pixel signal having a value in a first color channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Publication number: 20230064826
    Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling exposure level for a digitally zoomed image included in a wide angle image First statistics concerning a luminance level in the digitally zoomed image and second statistics concerning a luminance level in the wide angle image are acquired, it is estimated whether an exposure level for the digitally zoomed image should be compensated, by using the first and second statistics, and a target exposure level for the digitally zoomed image is determined based on the estimation result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: Hajime NUMATA
  • Publication number: 20230007191
    Abstract: Provided are an image sensor, an imaging apparatus, and a signal processing method. The image sensor includes a filter array, a pixel array, and a processing circuit. The filter array includes a plurality of filter regions each including a plurality of filter units. The processing circuit is configured to: combine the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each filter unit for outputting as a combined luminance value and forming a first intermediate image; generate a first color signal, a second color signal, and a third color signal based on the electrical signals generated by the pixels corresponding to each filter region; and process the first color signal, the second color signal, and the third color signal to obtain a plurality of second intermediate images representing chrominance values of the filter region, and fuse the first intermediate image and the second intermediate images to obtain a first target image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Hajime Numata, Chiaki Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20220360749
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an image sensor. The image sensor includes a color filter array, a pixel array, and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The ADCs convert the analog pixel signal obtained by pixels corresponding to first color filters into a digital pixel signal based on a first bit precision and to convert the analog pixel signal obtained by pixels corresponding to second color filters and third color filters into a digital pixel signal based on a second bit precision. The second bit precision is lower than the first bit precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Hajime NUMATA, Chiaki AOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210392279
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor (10), an imaging apparatus, an electronic device, an image processing system, and a signal processing method. The image sensor (10) includes a filter array (11). The filter array (11) includes a plurality of sets of filters (113). Each of the plurality of sets of filters (113) includes a plurality of first color filters (A). Pixels (120) corresponding to each of the plurality of sets of filters (113) generate electrical signals that can be combined to generate a pixel signal having a value in a first color channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Patent number: 11099008
    Abstract: An image capture device assembly includes a light source that emits a reference light pattern, an image capture device, and a control device that controls the light source and the image capture device. The light source emits the reference light pattern to a subject with high brightness and low brightness, respectively, under the control of the control device. The image capture device captures an image of the reference light pattern and the subject in a high brightness irradiation state and outputs a first image signal to the control device. The image capture device captures an image of at least the subject in a low brightness irradiation state and outputs a second image signal to the control device. The control device generates a reference light pattern image signal from a difference between the first image signal and the second image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichi Hamaguchi, Shiro Omori, Hajime Numata, Masahide Hirama, Yasumasa Oda
  • Patent number: 10616493
    Abstract: A camera: a first camera including a first lens and a color image sensor covered with color filters located in front of square pixels; a second camera including a second lens and a mono color image sensor having square pixels, with a pixel arrangement of the mono color image sensor rotated by 45 degrees with respect to a pixel arrangement of the color image sensor; a first interpolation means for interpolating signals outputted from the color image sensor, converting the interpolated signals into color difference signals, and outputting the color difference signals; a second interpolation means for interpolating signals outputted from the mono color image sensor and outputting interpolated luminance signals; a first cropping means for cropping the color difference signals; a second cropping means for cropping the interpolated luminance signals; and a color image signal processing means for fusing the cropped color difference signals and the cropped luminance signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Numata, Wei Luo
  • Publication number: 20190253634
    Abstract: A camera: a first camera including a first lens and a color image sensor covered with color filters located in front of square pixels; a second camera including a second lens and a mono color image sensor having square pixels, with a pixel arrangement of the mono color image sensor rotated by 45 degrees with respect to a pixel arrangement of the color image sensor; a first interpolation means for interpolating signals outputted from the color image sensor, converting the interpolated signals into color difference signals, and outputting the color difference signals; a second interpolation means for interpolating signals outputted from the mono color image sensor and outputting interpolated luminance signals; a first cropping means for cropping the color difference signals; a second cropping means for cropping the interpolated luminance signals; and a color image signal processing means for fusing the cropped color difference signals and the cropped luminance signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Hajime NUMATA, Wei LUO
  • Publication number: 20170343338
    Abstract: An image capture device assembly includes: a light source 110 that emits a reference light pattern; an image capture device 120; and a control device 130 that controls the light source and the image capture device. The light source 110 emits the reference light pattern to a subject 140 with high brightness and low brightness, respectively, under the control of the control device 130, the image capture device 120 captures an image of the reference light pattern and the subject 140 in a high brightness irradiation state and outputs a first image signal to the control device 130, or captures an image of at least the subject 140 in a low brightness irradiation state and outputs a second image signal to the control device 130, and the control device 130 generates a reference light pattern image signal from a difference between the first image signal and the second image signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: YUICHI HAMAGUCHI, SHIRO OMORI, HAJIME NUMATA, MASAHIDE HIRAMA, YASUMASA ODA
  • Patent number: 8482655
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device provided with a plurality of arranged light-sensitive devices each having sensitivity to light in a range from a visible region to an infrared region; a first filter for transmitting light in the visible region to a first part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; a second filter for transmitting light in the infrared region to a second part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; and a signal processing section for changing a ratio between an electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device and an electrical signal converted by the second part light-sensitive device used as an electrical signal used for deciding exposure in accordance with intensity of the electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Publication number: 20120007989
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device provided with a plurality of arranged light-sensitive devices each having sensitivity to light in a range from a visible region to an infrared region; a first filter for transmitting light in the visible region to a first part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; a second filter for transmitting light in the infrared region to a second part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; and a signal processing section for changing a ratio between an electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device and an electrical signal converted by the second part light-sensitive device used as an electrical signal used for deciding exposure in accordance with intensity of the electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime NUMATA
  • Patent number: 8054346
    Abstract: A video input processor is disclosed. The processor includes: an imaging signal-generating portion configured to image a subject and producing first imaging signals containing visible light components and a second imaging signal containing near-infrared light components; a gain adjustment portion configured to adjustably set a maximum gain value according to a relative magnitude between the visible light components and the near-infrared light components and adjust a gain for the first imaging signals at the set maximum gain value; and a noise reduction portion configured to reduce noises in the first imaging signals after the gain has been adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Patent number: 8023034
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device provided with a plurality of arranged light-sensitive devices each having sensitivity to light in a range from a visible region to an infrared region; a first filter for transmitting light in the visible region to a first part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; a second filter for transmitting light in the infrared region to a second part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; and a signal processing section for changing a ratio between an electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device and an electrical signal converted by the second part light-sensitive device used as an electrical signal used for deciding exposure in accordance with intensity of the electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Patent number: 8018509
    Abstract: An image input processing apparatus includes: an optical band separating filter; a color filter of a four-color arrangement having an equivalence in which the sum of two colors is equivalent to one other color in the visible light region or the sum of three colors is equivalent to once or twice one other color in the visible light region; an optical sensor section that generates an imaging signal; a data separating section that separates the pixel data of the imaging signal into pieces of pixel data of four colors; an infrared separating section that performs infrared separation by a subtraction using the equivalence among the pieces of pixel data of the four colors after the separation; a first and second integration sections; a camera control processing section that determines which of the integration values from the first and second integrating sections is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Publication number: 20100283866
    Abstract: An image input processing apparatus includes: an optical band separating filter; a color filter of a four-color arrangement having an equivalence in which the sum of two colors is equivalent to one other color in the visible light region or the sum of three colors is equivalent to once or twice one other color in the visible light region; an optical sensor section that generates an imaging signal; a data separating section that separates the pixel data of the imaging signal into pieces of pixel data of four colors; an infrared separating section that performs infrared separation by a subtraction using the equivalence among the pieces of pixel data of the four colors after the separation; a first and second integration sections; a camera control processing section that determines which of the integration values from the first and second integrating sections is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Publication number: 20080284880
    Abstract: A video input processor is disclosed. The processor includes: an imaging signal-generating portion configured to image a subject and producing first imaging signals containing visible light components and a second imaging signal containing near-infrared light components; a gain adjustment portion configured to adjustably set a maximum gain value according to a relative magnitude between the visible light components and the near-infrared light components and adjust a gain for the first imaging signals at the set maximum gain value; and a noise reduction portion configured to reduce noises in the first imaging signals after the gain has been adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Publication number: 20070211155
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device provided with a plurality of arranged light-sensitive devices each having sensitivity to light in a range from a visible region to an infrared region; a first filter for transmitting light in the visible region to a first part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; a second filter for transmitting light in the infrared region to a second part light-sensitive device out of the plurality of light-sensitive devices; and a signal processing section for changing a ratio between an electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device and an electrical signal converted by the second part light-sensitive device used as an electrical signal used for deciding exposure in accordance with intensity of the electrical signal converted by the first part light-sensitive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Hajime Numata
  • Patent number: 6654062
    Abstract: An electronic camera comprises a flash unit. When the electric camera takes a picture using the flash unit, the electronic camera determines a first optimum flash exposure for a central area of the object to be taken and a second optimum flash exposure for a background area of the object to be taken. Further, the camera produces first image data corresponding to a picture taken under the first optimum flash exposure and second image data corresponding to a picture taken under the second optimum flash exposure. The central area of the first image data is cut out from the first image data and written over the second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Numata, Yoshiyuki Kato