Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Daiku

Hiroshi Daiku 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).

  • Publication number: 20120262611
    Abstract: A method for calculating a shift amount of a microlens from a position of a light receiving element arranged in a pixel of an image pickup element is provided. The microlens collects incident light from an image pickup lens. The method comprises: acquiring an incident angle characteristic value indicating a relation between an arranged position of the pixel and an incident angle of the incident light to the pixel; calculating a sampled shift amount of the microlens from the position of the light receiving element corresponding the incident angle characteristic value based on light collection efficiency of the incident light; approximating the sampled shift amount by a second or higher order function to calculate a shift amount characteristic function indicating a relation between the arranged position and the shift amount; and calculating the shift amount of the pixel using the shift amount characteristic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadao INOUE, Hiroshi DAIKU
  • Patent number: 8223247
    Abstract: A method for calculating a shift amount of a microlens from a position of a light receiving element arranged in a pixel of an image pickup element is provided. The microlens collects incident light from an image pickup lens. The method comprises: acquiring an incident angle characteristic value indicating a relation between an arranged position of the pixel and an incident angle of the incident light to the pixel; calculating a sampled shift amount of the microlens from the position of the light receiving element corresponding the incident angle characteristic value based on light collection efficiency of the incident light; approximating the sampled shift amount by a second or higher order function to calculate a shift amount characteristic function indicating a relation between the arranged position and the shift amount; and calculating the shift amount of the pixel using the shift amount characteristic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Tadao Inoue, Hiroshi Daiku
  • Patent number: 8030692
    Abstract: A solid state image sensing device in which many pixels are disposed in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane comprises a plurality of light receiving devices disposed in such a way that a center interval may periodically change in a column direction and/or a row direction, and a plurality of micro-lenses, for collecting an incident light of each light receiving device, wherein a center interval periodically changes in accordance with the periodic change of the center interval of the light receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Tadao Inoue, Hiroshi Daiku
  • Patent number: 7920181
    Abstract: The challenge of the present invention is to suppress a variation in brightness of an image and make a reference value of a black level converge at an appropriate value in a short time. A condition judgment circuit judges whether or not a frame of an amount of change in gains of a variable gain amplifier being equal to or greater than a threshold continues for a predefined frames or more. If a frame of an amount of change in the gains being equal to or greater than the threshold continues for the predefined frames, a black level value of the current frame is set for new black level reference. If not continues for the predetermined number, the previous black level reference value is retained in lieu of correcting the black level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Jun Funakoshi, Tsuyoshi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7715617
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a check unit which compares a value of a pixel of interest with values of neighboring pixels contained in an image signal supplied from an image sensor, and determines based on the comparison whether the pixel of interest is defective, and a defect correcting unit which corrects the value of the pixel of interest by using values of surrounding pixels in response to the determination by the check unit that the pixel of interest is defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Nishio, Hiroshi Daiku, Asao Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7626616
    Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit generates, based on comparison between an average brightness of brightness data output for each frame from an image sensor and a target brightness, an integration time adjustment signal for adjusting an integration time during which the image sensor is exposed, a gain adjustment signal for adjusting gain of an amplifier that amplifies an output signal of the image sensor, and a frame rate adjustment signal for changing a frame rate. The automatic gain control circuit includes an exposure control circuit for adjusting a blanking time of each frame and generating, as the frame rate adjustment signal, a maximum integration time adjustment signal for switching a maximum integration time of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Yutaka Takeda, Norihiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20090284616
    Abstract: A signal processing circuit for processing a luminance signal received from an image sensor, including: a correction circuit correcting characteristics of a luminance signal from the image sensor in reverse relation to luminance characteristics of a display device; and a gain control section performing gain control of the luminance signal from the image sensor based on the luminance signal from the image sensor, wherein the gain control section receives an input signal corresponding to the luminance signal before correction in the correction circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi DAIKU
  • Patent number: 7612810
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes an image sensor configured to output image data generated by image sensing elements together with a timing signal, and an image processing unit configured to output the image data supplied from the image sensor having undergone predetermined signal processing a predetermined delay time after a timing indicated by the timing signal, the image sensor further configured to make the timing signal indicate a first timing that is at least the processing delay time earlier than a second timing indicative of a start of a valid period of the image data, and to output dummy data from the first timing to the start of the valid period of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Jun Funakoshi, Yutaka Takeda, Norihiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20090207267
    Abstract: A method for calculating a shift amount of a microlens from a position of a light receiving element arranged in a pixel of an image pickup element is provided. The microlens collects incident light from an image pickup lens. The method comprises: acquiring an incident angle characteristic value indicating a relation between an arranged position of the pixel and an incident angle of the incident light to the pixel; calculating a sampled shift amount of the microlens from the position of the light receiving element corresponding the incident angle characteristic value based on light collection efficiency of the incident light; approximating the sampled shift amount by a second or higher order function to calculate a shift amount characteristic function indicating a relation between the arranged position and the shift amount; and calculating the shift amount of the pixel using the shift amount characteristic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadao INOUE, Hiroshi DAIKU
  • Patent number: 7489347
    Abstract: A flicker noise detecting method that shortens the time for detecting flicker noise. The method sets two of a plurality of horizontal lines forming a frame as average brightness calculation regions that are separated from each other by the predetermined number of the horizontal lines, calculates an average brightness of the two average brightness calculation regions for each of three frames, multiplies each average brightness by a product sum calculation coefficient, and adds the products to generate a sum and generate a detection signal of flicker noise based on the sum. The product sum calculation coefficient is obtained by plotting one cycle of a sine wave and one cycle of a cosine wave at intervals of ?/3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Daiku, Asao Kokubo
  • Publication number: 20080296643
    Abstract: A solid state image sensing device in which many pixels are disposed in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane comprises a plurality of light receiving devices disposed in such a way that a center interval may periodically change in a column direction and/or a row direction, and a plurality of micro-lenses, for collecting an incident light of each light receiving device, wherein a center interval periodically changes in accordance with the periodic change of the center interval of the light receiving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadao INOUE, Hiroshi DAIKU
  • Publication number: 20080297631
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging circuit is formed by including an imaging unit and an image processing unit. The imaging unit is formed by including a pixel array in which plural pixel circuits performing a photoelectric conversion of an optical image image-formed by a photographic optical system are arranged. The image processing unit performs a first shading correction using plural first correction factors having extreme-value positions at positions different from a position corresponding to an optical axis of the photographic optical system, for a two-dimensional image obtained by the imaging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi DAIKU
  • Publication number: 20080252756
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a check unit which compares a value of a pixel of interest with values of neighboring pixels contained in an image signal supplied from an image sensor, and determines based on the comparison whether the pixel of interest is defective, and a defect correcting unit which corrects the value of the pixel of interest by using values of surrounding pixels in response to the determination by the check unit that the pixel of interest is defective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Shigeru Nishio, Hiroshi Daiku, Asao Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7352397
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a differential calculating unit which obtains a differential between a value of a pixel of interest and values of surrounding pixels contained in an image signal supplied from an image sensor, a dead-zone generating unit which defines a predetermined range of pixel values, and a comparison unit which checks whether the differential falls outside the predetermined range, wherein contour enhancement is applied to the pixel of interest in response to a determination by the comparison unit that the differential falls outside the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Nishio, Hiroshi Daiku, Asao Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7263215
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a check unit which compares a value of a pixel of interest with values of neighboring pixels contained in an image signal supplied from an image sensor, and determines based on the comparison whether the pixel of interest is defective, and a defect correcting unit which corrects the value of the pixel of interest by using values of surrounding pixels in response to the determination by the check unit that the pixel of interest is defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Nishio, Hiroshi Daiku, Asao Kokubo
  • Publication number: 20070075772
    Abstract: The challenge of the present invention is to suppress a variation in brightness of an image and make a reference value of a black level converge at an appropriate value in a short time. Acondition judgment circuit judges whether or not a frame of an amount of change in gains of a variable gain amplifier being equal to or greater than a threshold continues for a predefined frames or more. If a frame of an amount of change in the gains being equal to or greater than the threshold continues for the predefined frames, a black level value of the current frame is set for new black level reference. If not continues for the predetermined number, the previous black level reference value is retained in lieu of correcting the black level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Jun Funakoshi, Tsuyoshi Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20060256207
    Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit generates, based on comparison between an average brightness of brightness data output for each frame from an image sensor and a target brightness, an integration time adjustment signal for adjusting an integration time during which the image sensor is exposed, a gain adjustment signal for adjusting gain of an amplifier that amplifies an output signal of the image sensor, and a frame rate adjustment signal for changing a frame rate. The automatic gain control circuit includes an exposure control circuit for adjusting a blanking time of each frame and generating, as the frame rate adjustment signal, a maximum integration time adjustment signal for switching a maximum integration time of the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Yutaka Takeda, Norihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7106368
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a method of reducing flicker noises in an X-Y address type solid-state image pickup device for reducing flicker noises generated by a fluorescent light for room illumination when taking a picture in door. A configuration is provided in which signal storage time ts resulting in no flicker noise under a fluorescent lamp having an emission frequency of 120 Hz is preset (step S1); average luminance of image data is calculated for each frame in a predetermined average luminance detection area allocated in the frame (step S2); a difference in average luminance is calculated between frames (step S3); and the signal storage time ts is changed based on the difference in luminance (steps S4, S5 and S6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Daiku, Iwao Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20060176382
    Abstract: In an image sensor provided with an AD conversion circuit in each column, the offset value of each AD conversion circuit disposed in each column is corrected, using a value based on the output in each column of a plurality of lines composed of shielded pixels in order to provide an effective method for reducing vertically-striped noise due to the variation of the offset element of the AD conversion circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Jun Funakoshi, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Wakako Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20050285961
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes an image sensor configured to output image data generated by image sensing elements together with a timing signal, and an image processing unit configured to output the image data supplied from the image sensor having undergone predetermined signal processing a predetermined delay time after a timing indicated by the timing signal, the image sensor further configured to make the timing signal indicate a first timing that is at least the processing delay time earlier than a second timing indicative of a start of a valid period of the image data, and to output dummy data from the first timing to the start of the valid period of the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Asao Kokubo, Hiroshi Daiku, Jun Funakoshi, Yutaka Takeda, Norihiro Yoshida