Patents by Inventor Hideyuki Ichihashi

Hideyuki Ichihashi 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: 11792544
    Abstract: A pixel addition processing unit 35 adds pupil division pixel signals with a plurality of different addition patterns in pupil units to generate a pixel addition image for each addition pattern. Further, the pixel addition processing unit 35 may use a pupil division pixel signal in which a sensitivity difference between pupil division pixels has been corrected, and the addition pattern may be set on the basis of image characteristic information calculated by using the pupil division pixel signal. A super-resolution processing unit 36 performs super-resolution processing using a pixel addition image signal generated for each addition pattern by the pixel addition processing unit 35 to generate an image signal with a higher resolution than that of the pixel addition image signal. A high-resolution image can be generated using pupil division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yokokawa, Hideyuki Ichihashi, Tomohiro Nishi, Yiwen Zhu
  • Patent number: 11770614
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device and method, and a program for enabling improvement in image quality in sensor shift imaging. When performing imaging while shifting the pixel phase of an image sensor having a two-dimensional pixel array, an image processing device adds up, for each pixel phase, a plurality of frames imaged in each pixel phase, and generates an addition frame for each pixel phase. The image processing device then combines the addition frames of the respective pixel phases. The present technology can be applied to a sensor shift imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ichihashi, Kazunori Kamio
  • Patent number: 11716552
    Abstract: An imaging element of an imaging unit 24 divides the exit pupil of an imaging optical system 21 into a plurality of regions and generates a pixel signal for each region. An optical axis position adjustment unit 23 adjusts the optical axis position of the imaging optical system with respect to the imaging element. A control unit 26 calculates a parallax on the basis of the pixel signal for each region after the pupil division and performs focus control of the imaging optical system 21. The control unit 26 also moves the optical axis position using the optical axis position adjustment unit 23, and generates, using the imaging element, pixel signals indicating the same subject region in the plurality of regions after the pupil division. An image processing unit 25 performs binning of a plurality of pixel signals indicating the same subject region generated by moving the optical axis position to generate a high-resolution captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishi, Hideyuki Ichihashi, Masatoshi Yokokawa, Yiwen Zhu
  • Publication number: 20230088836
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing device and method, and a program for enabling improvement in image quality in sensor shift imaging. When performing imaging while shifting the pixel phase of an image sensor having a two-dimensional pixel array, an image processing device adds up, for each pixel phase, a plurality of frames imaged in each pixel phase, and generates an addition frame for each pixel phase. The image processing device then combines the addition frames of the respective pixel phases. The present technology can be applied to a sensor shift imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki ICHIHASHI, Kazunori KAMIO
  • Publication number: 20220301193
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging device (10) including: an imaging module (100) including an image sensor (130) in which a plurality of pixels for converting light into an electric signal is arranged; a drive unit (140) that moves a part of the imaging module in a manner that the image sensor can sequentially acquire a reference image under a predetermined pixel phase, a plurality of generation images, and a detection image under the predetermined pixel phase in this order; and a detection unit (220) that detects a moving subject based on a difference between the reference image and the detection image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: HIDEYUKI ICHIHASHI, MASATOSHI YOKOKAWA, TOMOHIRO NISHI, YIWEN ZHU
  • Publication number: 20220256105
    Abstract: An imaging element of an imaging unit 24 divides the exit pupil of an imaging optical system 21 into a plurality of regions and generates a pixel signal for each region. An optical axis position adjustment unit 23 adjusts the optical axis position of the imaging optical system with respect to the imaging element. A control unit 26 calculates a parallax on the basis of the pixel signal for each region after the pupil division and performs focus control of the imaging optical system 21. The control unit 26 also moves the optical axis position using the optical axis position adjustment unit 23, and generates, using the imaging element, pixel signals indicating the same subject region in the plurality of regions after the pupil division. An image processing unit 25 performs binning of a plurality of pixel signals indicating the same subject region generated by moving the optical axis position to generate a high-resolution captured image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: TOMOHIRO NISHI, HIDEYUKI ICHIHASHI, MASATOSHI YOKOKAWA, YIWEN ZHU
  • Publication number: 20220159205
    Abstract: A pixel addition processing unit 35 adds pupil division pixel signals with a plurality of different addition patterns in pupil units to generate a pixel addition image for each addition pattern. Further, the pixel addition processing unit 35 may use a pupil division pixel signal in which a sensitivity difference between pupil division pixels has been corrected, and the addition pattern may be set on the basis of image characteristic information calculated by using the pupil division pixel signal. A super-resolution processing unit 36 performs super-resolution processing using a pixel addition image signal generated for each addition pattern by the pixel addition processing unit 35 to generate an image signal with a higher resolution than that of the pixel addition image signal. A high-resolution image can be generated using pupil division.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: MASATOSHI YOKOKAWA, HIDEYUKI ICHIHASHI, TOMOHIRO NISHI, YIWEN ZHU
  • Patent number: 11330191
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing device that includes a wide image capturing unit which captures an image of a wide viewing angle, a tele image capturing unit which captures an image of a narrow viewing angle, and an image processing unit which receives an input of the captured images of the respective imaging units and executes signal processing. In a case where a wide conversion lens is attached to the tele image capturing unit, the image processing unit executes any one of a high-sensitivity image generation processing, a HDR image generation processing, or a high-resolution image generation processing based on the captured images of the wide image capturing unit and the tele image capturing unit according to a situation at the time of imaging with a wide conversion lens attachment detection unit which detects whether the wide conversion lens is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yokokawa, Hideyuki Ichihashi, Yiwen Zhu, Tomohiro Nishi
  • Patent number: 11282223
    Abstract: Provided are a signal processing apparatus, a signal processing method, and an imaging apparatus for estimating depth with a high degree of accuracy from video signals of a plurality of cameras. The signal processing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects depth from video captured by a plurality of cameras, an estimation unit that estimates camera motion by detecting a camera position, a prediction unit that predicts present depth from camera motion and depth obtained previously, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes depth detected by the detection unit and depth predicted by the prediction unit on the basis of a result of estimating the amount of blur that occurs in each image captured by cameras. The amount of blur can be estimated using camera motion, previous depth information, and shutter time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nishi, Hideyuki Ichihashi, Yiwen Zhu, Masatoshi Yokokawa
  • Publication number: 20210243351
    Abstract: To realize a device and a method capable of generating a high-quality image similar to that of a same viewing angle compound eye camera by using captured images of a tele/wide compound eye camera. A wide image capturing unit which captures an image of a wide viewing angle, a tele image capturing unit which captures an image of a narrow viewing angle, and an image processing unit which receives an input of the captured images of the respective imaging units and executes signal processing are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: MASATOSHI YOKOKAWA, HIDEYUKI ICHIHASHI, YIWEN ZHU, TOMOHIRO NISHI
  • Publication number: 20210174527
    Abstract: Provided are a signal processing apparatus, a signal processing method, and an imaging apparatus for estimating depth with a high degree of accuracy from video signals of a plurality of cameras. The signal processing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects depth from video captured by a plurality of cameras, an estimation unit that estimates camera motion by detecting a camera position, a prediction unit that predicts present depth from camera motion and depth obtained previously, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes depth detected by the detection unit and depth predicted by the prediction unit on the basis of a result of estimating the amount of blur that occurs in each image captured by cameras. The amount of blur can be estimated using camera motion, previous depth information, and shutter time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro NISHI, Hideyuki ICHIHASHI, Yiwen ZHU, Masatoshi YOKOKAWA
  • Patent number: 10999500
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, and an image processing apparatus and an image processing method each capable of capturing a high resolution image by effectively using respective pixel signals of a plurality of pixels defined by pupil division immediately below a microlens. A disparity is detected in units of pupil on the basis of respective pixel values of a plurality of divided pixels defined by pupil division. The pixel values of the plurality of divided pixels are added in units of pupil to obtain an added pixel value. The pixel value of the divided pixel and the added pixel value are blended in units of divided pixel in accordance with the disparity. The present disclosure is applicable to an imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yokokawa, Takahiro Nagano, Masashi Uchida, Hideyuki Ichihashi
  • Patent number: 10957029
    Abstract: A fusion processing unit performs warping with a high quality image as a reference by using a wide angle image that is generated by an imaging unit and has a wider angle of view than the high quality image generated by the imaging unit in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, and generates a fusion image by matching positions of image overlapping regions with each other of the high quality image having a higher image quality than the wide angle image and the wide angle image after the warping. A captured image can be generated having a wide angle of view and high image quality without degrading image quality using a plurality of captured images respectively having different angles of view and resolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ichihashi, Masashi Uchida
  • Patent number: 10885389
    Abstract: A first imaging simulation section in a learning device generates image data that indicates a learning image captured by the imaging section from image data on the learning image, and a second imaging simulation section generates image data that indicates the learning image captured by an imaging section from the image data on the learning image. A plurality of parameter generation sections each generate a characteristic difference correction parameter for making characteristics of student data identical to characteristics of teacher data by learning, assuming one of the generated image data as the teacher data and the other image data as the student data, and the parameter generation sections store the generated characteristic difference correction parameters in a plurality of database sections. A characteristic difference correction section corrects one image data having a lower performance to image data having a high performance, using the stored characteristic difference parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20200402206
    Abstract: With a wide angle-of-view image acquired by an image pickup unit 21-1 as a reference, a signal processing unit 30 performs super-resolution processing by using a plurality of narrow angle-of-view images acquired by an image pickup unit 21-2 that uses a lens having a higher MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) than the image pickup unit 21-1. A control unit 60 controls the signal processing unit 30 so as to select an image having a range of angle of view according to a zoom magnification indicated by user's operation from the image subjected to the super-resolution processing. In the super-resolution processing, according to a detection result of parallax from a narrow angle-of-view image and the wide angle-of-view image acquired at the same time and a motion detection result for each of the plurality of narrow angle-of-view images, parallax compensation and motion compensation are performed on the plurality of narrow angle-of-view images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: HIDEYUKI ICHIHASHI, TOMOHIRO NISHI, YIWEN ZHU, MASATOSHI YOKOKAWA
  • Patent number: 10593289
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a selection section which, by selecting an electricity consumption minimum value where electricity consumption of a display section, which performs a display based on a value out of a plurality of values which are present within a predetermined distance from a pixel value of an image in a uniform color space, is a minimum as a pixel value of the image after color conversion, generates an image after the color conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Ichihashi
  • Publication number: 20200007760
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, and an image processing apparatus and an image processing method each capable of capturing a high resolution image by effectively using respective pixel signals of a plurality of pixels defined by pupil division immediately below a microlens. A disparity is detected in units of pupil on the basis of respective pixel values of a plurality of divided pixels defined by pupil division. The pixel values of the plurality of divided pixels are added in units of pupil to obtain an added pixel value. The pixel value of the divided pixel and the added pixel value are blended in units of divided pixel in accordance with the disparity. The present disclosure is applicable to an imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi YOKOKAWA, Takahiro NAGANO, Masashi UCHIDA, Hideyuki ICHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190259139
    Abstract: A fusion processing unit performs warping with a high quality image as a reference by using a wide angle image that is generated by an imaging unit and has a wider angle of view than the high quality image generated by the imaging unit in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, and generates a fusion image by matching positions of image overlapping regions with each other of the high quality image having a higher image quality than the wide angle image and the wide angle image after the warping. A captured image can be generated having a wide angle of view and high image quality without degrading image quality using a plurality of captured images respectively having different angles of view and resolutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki ICHIHASHI, Masashi UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20190122080
    Abstract: A first imaging simulation section in a learning device generates image data that indicates a learning image captured by the imaging section from image data on the learning image, and a second imaging simulation section generates image data that indicates the learning image captured by an imaging section from the image data on the learning image. A plurality of parameter generation sections each generate a characteristic difference correction parameter for making characteristics of student data identical to characteristics of teacher data by learning, assuming one of the generated image data as the teacher data and the other image data as the student data, and the parameter generation sections store the generated characteristic difference correction parameters in a plurality of database sections. A characteristic difference correction section corrects one image data having a lower performance to image data having a high performance, using the stored characteristic difference parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki ICHIHASHI
  • Patent number: 10163402
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program which can suppress degradation of image quality when power consumption of a display unit is reduced by reducing luminance of an image. A determining unit determines a reduction amount of luminance of a pixel based on characteristics of each pixel of an input image. A reducing unit reduces the luminance of the pixel of the input image by the reduction amount determined by the determining unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an image processing apparatus, or the like, which reduces luminance of a pixel based on characteristics of each pixel of an input image and displays the input image whose luminance is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Kamio, Takahiro Nagano, Yiwen Zhu, Hideyuki Ichihashi