Patents by Inventor Hong-Long Chou

Hong-Long Chou 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: 11615536
    Abstract: An image detection device and an image detection method are provided. The image detection method includes: obtaining an image, where the image includes an object; adjusting a first size of the image to generate an adjusted image; generating a first divided image and a second divided image according to the image; and detecting the object in the image based on a plurality of input images, where the plurality of input images includes the first divided image, the second divided image, and the adjusted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Publication number: 20210374964
    Abstract: An image detection device and an image detection method are provided. The image detection method includes: obtaining an image, where the image includes an object; adjusting a first size of the image to generate an adjusted image; generating a first divided image and a second divided image according to the image; and detecting the object in the image based on a plurality of input images, where the plurality of input images includes the first divided image, the second divided image, and the adjusted image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Patent number: 10965877
    Abstract: An image generating method and an electronic apparatus are provided. The method includes: determining whether at least one object in a plurality of first images to be captured will generate a blur to generate a determination result; determining a first amount of at least one second image in the plurality of first images and a second amount of at least one third image in the plurality of first images according to the determination result, wherein a first setting for capturing the second image is different from a second setting for capturing the third image; capturing the second image according to the first setting; capturing the third image according to the second setting; using the first amount of the second image and the second amount of the third image to perform an image superposition operation to generate an output image; and outputting the output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shih-Yuan Peng
  • Patent number: 10798288
    Abstract: A multi-camera electronic device and a control method thereof are proposed. The method includes the following steps. At least one camera of the electronic device is used for scene detection to generate photographing analysis information. All the photographing analysis information is collected, and joint photographing information including a joint target is generated through a communication process among all the cameras. An individual photographing parameter of each camera is generated according to the joint photographing information. Each camera is controlled to capture an image of the scene by using its individual photographing parameter to respectively generate a corresponding output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shih-Yuan Peng, Hsin-Te Wang, Kai-Yu Tseng, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Publication number: 20200092452
    Abstract: An image generating method and an electronic apparatus are provided. The method includes: determining whether at least one object in a plurality of first images to be captured will generate a blur to generate a determination result; determining a first amount of at least one second image in the plurality of first images and a second amount of at least one third image in the plurality of first images according to the determination result, wherein a first setting for capturing the second image is different from a second setting for capturing the third image; capturing the second image according to the first setting; capturing the third image according to the second setting; using the first amount of the second image and the second amount of the third image to perform an image superposition operation to generate an output image; and outputting the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shih-Yuan Peng
  • Publication number: 20200059637
    Abstract: A three-dimensional sensing apparatus including a light-projecting device, at least two image-capture devices, and a processor is provided. The processor is electrically connected to the light-projecting device and the at least two image-capture devices and adapted to provide a control signal to the light-projecting device to adjust the intensity of the illumination beam. The processor adjusts the contrast of the captured image to form a contrast-enhanced image according to a first processing signal and extracts a feature region of the contrast-enhanced image to form a feature-extraction image according to a second processing signal. The processor normalizes the intensity of the feature-extraction image to form an optimized image according to a third processing signal and forms the optimized image into a depth image according to a sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Jye-Sheng Lin, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Publication number: 20190347776
    Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing device are provided. The image processing method includes: obtaining images and calculating depth information corresponding to the images via a processor; segmenting each of the images into a foreground area and a background area according to color information, brightness information, and the depth information of the images via the processor; obtaining the foreground area of a first image of the images via the processor, wherein a brightness of the foreground area of the first image is greater than a first threshold; obtaining the background area of a second image of the images via the processor, wherein a brightness of the background area of the second image is less than a second threshold; and fusing the foreground area of the first image and the background area of the second image via the processor to generate a high dynamic range image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: ALTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Ru-Wen Hsia, Yuan-Lin Liao, Chia-Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 10469821
    Abstract: A stereo image generating method and an electronic apparatus utilizing the method are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a first camera and a second camera capable of capturing stereo images, and a resolution of the first camera is larger than that of the second camera. In the method, a first image is captured by the first camera, and a second image is captured by the second camera. The second image is upscaled to the resolution of the first camera, and a depth map is generated with use of the first image and the upscaled second image. With reference to the depth map, the first image is re-projected to reconstruct a reference image of the second image. An occlusion region in the reference image is detected and compensated by using the upscaled second image. A stereo image including the first image and the compensated reference image is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Su Ian Alias Eugene Lei
  • Patent number: 10455217
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of generating a depth map are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a projection device, a first camera, a second camera, and a processing device. The projection device projects patterned invisible light on a scene. The first camera captures visible light information to generate a first image. The second camera captures visible light information and invisible light information to generate a second image. The processing device receives the first image and the second image. A first depth information unit in the processing device compares visible light images of the first image and the second image to obtain first depth information, and a second depth information unit in the processing device identifies an invisible light image in the second image to obtain second depth information. The processing device generates a depth map of the scene from the first depth information and the second depth information selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shou-Te Wei, Yuan-Lin Liao, Yu-Chih Wang, Kai-Yu Tseng
  • Patent number: 10051173
    Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus and a progressive auto-focus method thereof are provided. The image pick-up apparatus includes an optical system, an image sensor, a focus circuit and a lens control circuit. In the method, an image is captured by using the image sensor and whether the optical system is in focus when the image sensor captures the image is determined by the focus circuit. If the optical system is out of focus, an in-focus location of the optical system and an in-focus distance for moving the optical system to the in-focus location are calculated by the focus circuit. The in-focus distance is transformed into a shorter progressive distance and the optical system is controlled by the lens control circuit to move by the progressive distance. Aforesaid steps are repeated until the optical system is in focus and the image captured by the image sensor is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Chung-Ta Wu, Yen-Chi Wang
  • Publication number: 20170366795
    Abstract: A stereo image generating method and an electronic apparatus utilizing the method are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a first camera and a second camera capable of capturing stereo images, and a resolution of the first camera is larger than that of the second camera. In the method, a first image is captured by the first camera, and a second image is captured by the second camera. The second image is upscaled to the resolution of the first camera, and a depth map is generated with use of the first image and the upscaled second image. With reference to the depth map, the first image is re-projected to reconstruct a reference image of the second image. An occlusion region in the reference image is detected and compensated by using the upscaled second image. A stereo image including the first image and the compensated reference image is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Su Ian Alias Eugene Lei
  • Publication number: 20170347013
    Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus and a progressive auto-focus method thereof are provided. The image pick-up apparatus includes an optical system, an image sensor, a focus circuit and a lens control circuit. In the method, an image is captured by using the image sensor and whether the optical system is in focus when the image sensor captures the image is determined by the focus circuit. If the optical system is out of focus, an in-focus location of the optical system and an in-focus distance for moving the optical system to the in-focus location are calculated by the focus circuit. The in-focus distance is transformed into a shorter progressive distance and the optical system is controlled by the lens control circuit to move by the progressive distance. Aforesaid steps are repeated until the optical system is in focus and the image captured by the image sensor is output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Chung-Ta Wu, Yen-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 9792685
    Abstract: An image capturing device and a method for calibrating image deformation thereof are provided. The image capturing device has a first image sensor and a second image sensor and the method includes following steps. A plurality of image groups are captured through the first image sensor and the second image sensor. Each of the image groups includes a first image and a second image, and the image groups include a reference image group. Whether an image deformation occurs on a first reference image and a second reference image in the reference image group is detected. If it is detected that the image deformation occurs on the reference image group, a current calibration parameter is updated according to a plurality of feature point comparison values corresponding to the image groups. The current calibration parameter is used for performing an image rectification on each of the first images and the second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Ming-Jiun Liaw, Yi-Yi Yu, I-Te Yu, Yu-Chih Wang, Che-Lun Chuang
  • Publication number: 20170272644
    Abstract: A multi-camera electronic device and a control method thereof are proposed. The method includes the following steps. At least one camera of the electronic device is used for scene detection to generate photographing analysis information. All the photographing analysis information is collected, and joint photographing information including a joint target is generated through a communication process among all the cameras. An individual photographing parameter of each camera is generated according to the joint photographing information. Each camera is controlled to capture an image of the scene by using its individual photographing parameter to respectively generate a corresponding output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shih-Yuan Peng, Hsin-Te Wang, Kai-Yu Tseng, Wen-Yan Chang
  • Publication number: 20170264884
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of generating a depth map are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a projection device, a first camera, a second camera, and a processing device. The projection device projects patterned invisible light on a scene. The first camera captures visible light information to generate a first image. The second camera captures visible light information and invisible light information to generate a second image. The processing device receives the first image and the second image. A first depth information unit in the processing device compares visible light images of the first image and the second image to obtain first depth information, and a second depth information unit in the processing device identifies an invisible light image in the second image to obtain second depth information. The processing device generates a depth map of the scene from the first depth information and the second depth information selectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Shou-Te Wei, Yuan-Lin Liao, Yu-Chih Wang, Kai-Yu Tseng
  • Patent number: 9743007
    Abstract: A lens module array for being assembled to a portable device is provided. The lens module array includes a wide-angle mono lens module, a narrow-angle mono lens module, and two color lens modules. While the wide-angle mono lens module, the narrow-angle mono lens module, and the two color lens modules are assembled onto the portable device, the wide-angle mono lens module, the narrow-angle mono lens module, and the two color lens modules are located at four vertices of a quadrangle, respectively. Besides, the two color lens modules are located at two opposite vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Yi-Hong Tseng
  • Patent number: 9706189
    Abstract: A method for calibrating image defection of an image capturing device having a first and second lens, a focusing actuator, and a prestored first focusing step-to-focusing distance relation includes the following steps. A plurality of image sets are captured by the first and second lens, where each of the image sets includes a first and second image, and the images sets include a reference image set. It is detected whether the reference image set is defective. When the reference image set is detected to be defective, the first focusing step-to-focusing distance relation is calibrated according to a focusing step and a focusing distance corresponding to each of the image sets, where the focusing step corresponding to each of the image sets is the number of steps that the focusing actuator is required to move the first and second lens to a focusing position to generate each of the image sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Ming-Jiun Liaw, Simon Mong-Lun Law, Ching-Lung Tsai, Yu-Chih Wang
  • Patent number: 9697604
    Abstract: An image capturing device and a method for detecting image deformation thereof are provided. The method is for the image capturing device having a first sensor and a second image sensor, and the method includes the following steps. A first image is captured through the first image sensor, and a second image is captured through the second image sensor. A deform detection is performed according to the first and second images so as to obtain a comparison information between the first and second images. Whether a coordinate parameter relationship between the first and second images being varied is determined according to the comparison information, in which the coordinate parameter relationship is associated with a spatial configuration relationship between the first and second image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Chih Wang, Hong-Long Chou, Che-Lun Chuang, Yao-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9693041
    Abstract: A method for calibrating image deformation of an image capturing device having a first and second lens, a focusing actuator, and a prestored first focusing step-to-focusing distance relation includes the following steps. A plurality of image sets are captured by the first and second lens, where each of the image sets includes a first and second image, and the images sets include a reference image set. It is detected whether the reference image set is deformed. When the reference image set is detected to be deformed, the first focusing step-to-focusing distance relation is calibrated according to a focusing step and a focusing distance corresponding to each of the image sets, where the focusing step corresponding to each of the image sets is the number of steps that the focusing actuator is required to move the first and second lens to a focusing position to generate each of the image sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hong-Long Chou, Ming-Jiun Liaw, Simon Mong-Lun Law, Chan-Min Chou, Ching-Lung Tsai, Yu-Chih Wang
  • Publication number: 20170155889
    Abstract: An image capturing device, a depth information generation method and an auto-calibration method thereof are provided. The methods are adapted to an image capturing device having dual lens without pre-alignment and include the following steps. A scene is captured by using the dual lens to generate a first image and a second image. First feature points and second feature points are respectively detected from the two images to calculate pixel offset information between the two images, and a rotation angle between the two images are obtained accordingly. An image warping process is performed on the two images according to the pixel offset information and the rotation angle to generate a first reference image and a second reference image aligned with the first reference image. Depth information of the scene is calculated or a stereoscopic image is generated according to the first reference image and the second reference image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Young-Fei Chien, Yu-Chih Wang, Hong-Long Chou, Che-Lun Chuang, Yao-Sheng Wang