Patents by Inventor Kimitaka Wada

Kimitaka Wada 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: 11778352
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an electronic device with reduced size are disclosed. In one example, an imaging apparatus includes pixel circuits, an AD converter, an encoding unit, a holding unit, and an output unit. The pixel circuits output an electric charge signal generated from incident light. The AD converter compares the electric charge signal with a reference signal for each of the pixel circuits, and outputs, as a conversion result, a code input signal at a time when a comparison result has been inverted. The encoding unit encodes the conversion result from the AD converter. The holding unit holds an encoding result. The output unit outputs the encoding result held by the holding unit. The pixel circuits are disposed in a first substrate. The AD converter is disposed in a second substrate that is stacked in a lower layer of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20210266489
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an electronic device with reduced size are disclosed. In one example, an imaging apparatus includes pixel circuits, an AD converter, an encoding unit, a holding unit, and an output unit. The pixel circuits output an electric charge signal generated from incident light. The AD converter compares the electric charge signal with a reference signal for each of the pixel circuits, and outputs, as a conversion result, a code input signal at a time when a comparison result has been inverted. The encoding unit encodes the conversion result from the AD converter. The holding unit holds an encoding result. The output unit outputs the encoding result held by the holding unit. The pixel circuits are disposed in a first substrate. The AD converter is disposed in a second substrate that is stacked in a lower layer of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 8350927
    Abstract: An image-data processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: an image memory for storing image data; a plurality of processing sections each configured to output image data to be stored in the image memory, receive image data read out from the image memory and carry out image processing determined in advance on the received image data; and a memory control section configured to receive a write or read request from each of the processing sections and control a write access to store image data in the image memory in accordance with the write request and a read access to read out image data from the image memory in accordance with the read request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaimi, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 8264551
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals are provided. The method and an apparatus adopting the method are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken image by correction of inter-frame and intra-frame hand movements in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. To be more specific, this method is capable of correcting distortion observed in a taken image as distortion caused by a positional change, which occurs in the horizontal and/or vertical directions of the taken image at a photographing time as a positional change of the image-taking device. In accordance with the method, in a frame period of a taken image, an inter-frame correction quantity for a positional change of the device is detected and, on the basis of the detected inter-frame correction quantity, the positional change is corrected to eliminate a displacement observed when the frame changes to the next one as a displacement of the taken image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kurata, Manabu Kubo, Kimitaka Wada, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Patent number: 8199805
    Abstract: Described herein is an image processing apparatus for calculating a motion vector between two screen images including a target screen image and a reference screen image, including: a base face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section; a reduction face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section; first and second base face search range determination sections; and a selection section configured to select a calculation section to be used from among the base face motion vector calculation section, high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section, reduction face motion vector calculation section and high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section and select whether the first or second base face search range determination section should be used and then select, where use of any of the determination sections is determined, a determination section to be used from between the determinat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Numata, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7783128
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals and an apparatus for correcting distortions are provided. The apparatus and method thereof are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken image caused by a hand movement and by a characteristic of an image-taking lens in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. The apparatus has a lens-distortion correction quantity generation section to generate a first correction quantity set in advance as a correction quantity to be used for correcting a distortion, caused by the image-taking lens characteristic, of a taken image at a pixel position on the device on the basis of information on the pixel position. The screen segment of the taken image is divided into many image sub-segments. For each of the image sub-segments, the positional change rate of the device is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kurata, Manabu Kubo, Kimitaka Wada, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Patent number: 7783129
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method can correct the distortion of an image at a low cost and can generate a high quality image in real time. An image processing apparatus is provided which is an image processing apparatus for correcting an original image having distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Atsushi Nose, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7738728
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting distortion of image-taking video signals are provided. The method and apparatus adopting the method are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken picture by a focal plane phenomenon caused by a hand movement or the like in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. To be more specific, this method is capable of correcting horizontal and/or vertical directions observed in a taken image that is caused by a positional change of the image-taking device. In accordance with the method, one screen segment of the taken image is divided into a plurality of image sub-segments. For each of the image sub-segments, the rate of the positional change of the image-taking device is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Kurata, Manabu Kubo, Kimitaka Wada, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Patent number: 7630584
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7596286
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7583280
    Abstract: An image display device that resolution-converts input image data to perform image display. The image display device includes an image memory storing the input image data, a control section specifying an effective range from the input image data, and a resolution converting section reading image data within the effective range from the image memory, and resolution-converts the image data within the effective range to obtain as a resolution of output image data. The resolution converting section starts reading of the image data of a single screen from said image memory before writing of the image data of the single screen is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kubo, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada, Toshiyuki Kaimi
  • Publication number: 20090103621
    Abstract: Described herein is an image processing apparatus for calculating a motion vector between two screen images including a target screen image and a reference screen image, including: a base face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section; a reduction face motion vector calculation section; a high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section; first and second base face search range determination sections; and a selection section configured to select a calculation section to be used from among the base face motion vector calculation section, high-accuracy base face motion vector calculation section, reduction face motion vector calculation section and high-accuracy reduction face motion vector calculation section and select whether the first or second base face search range determination section should be used and then select, where use of any of the determination sections is determined, a determination section to be used from between the determinat
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Numata, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20090046179
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method can correct the distortion of an image at a low cost and can generate a high quality image in real time. An image processing apparatus is provided which is an image processing apparatus for correcting an original image having distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Atsushi Nose, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7457478
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image processing system and an image processing method can correct the distortion of an image at a low cost and can generate a high quality image in real time. An image processing apparatus is provided which is an image processing apparatus for correcting an original image having distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Atsushi Nose, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7424172
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7418155
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080175514
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080174822
    Abstract: An image-data processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: an image memory for storing image data; a plurality of processing sections each configured to output image data to be stored in the image memory, receive image data read out from the image memory and carry out image processing determined in advance on the received image data; and a memory control section configured to receive a write or read request from each of the processing sections and control a write access to store image data in the image memory in accordance with the write request and a read access to read out image data from the image memory in accordance with the read request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaimi, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Patent number: 7352915
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory. A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit. In the derived division polynomial of degree n, internal points which result from dividing both ends of the division polynomial of degree n by n is supplied to the distortion correction memory as new distortion correction parameters (approximated distortion correction coordinates).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada
  • Publication number: 20080063292
    Abstract: A lattice dividing unit determines lattice lines to divide parameters of all points of a picture at every division and supplies distortion correction parameters (distortion correction coordinates) on the lattice points to a distortion correction memory (not shown). A polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit expresses all distortion correction coordinates on each lattice line in the form of a function relative to positions on lattice lines and approximates the distortion correction coordinates by desired division polynomial of degree n. Further, a sample point deriving unit compresses distortion correction parameters based upon the division polynomial of degree n obtained from the polynomial of degree n coefficient deriving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nose, Koji Aoyama, Tohru Kurata, Kimitaka Wada