Patents by Inventor Wayne E. Prentice
Wayne E. Prentice 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).
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Patent number: 10789684Abstract: A method, an image processing apparatus, and computer program product for multilevel bilateral noise filtering of digital images are provided. The method includes receiving from an image sensor an image frame including a color mosaic having a color filter array (CFA) pattern, decomposing the image frame into at least one color plane image for each of a plurality of color planes, sequentially and separately reducing noise in the at least one color plane image by performing multilevel bilateral noise filtering of the at least one color plane image, and reconstructing the at least one color plane image to generate a noise filtered image frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Carl Zeiss AGInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Tanja Teuber, David Abreu
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Publication number: 20190378246Abstract: A method, an image processing apparatus, and computer program product for multilevel bilateral noise filtering of digital images are provided. The method includes receiving from an image sensor an image frame including a color mosaic having a color filter array (CFA) pattern, decomposing the image frame into at least one color plane image for each of a plurality of color planes, sequentially and separately reducing noise in the at least one color plane image by performing multilevel bilateral noise filtering of the at least one color plane image, and reconstructing the at least one color plane image to generate a noise filtered image frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Tanja Teuber, David Abreu
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Patent number: 10412296Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Publication number: 20190052796Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Patent number: 10142536Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Publication number: 20180041691Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Patent number: 9819852Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: MONUMENT PEAK VENTURES, LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Patent number: 8760527Abstract: A method for controlling a digital camera system having an optical system with an F/# that can be varied between a minimum F/# and a maximum F/#, comprising: setting the optical system F/# to a first F/#; capturing an evaluation image of the scene; analyzing the evaluation image to determine whether a subject is acceptably focused; if the subject is acceptably focused setting a capture F/# to be equal to the first F/#, otherwise the optical system F/# is iteratively increased until the subject is determined to be acceptably focused, or until a maximum F/# is reached; determining a capture F/# responsive to the F/# where the subject is acceptably focused; setting the optical system to use the capture F/#; capturing an archival image of the scene using the image sensor; and storing the captured archival image in a storage memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Thomas Anthony Napoli
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Patent number: 8754953Abstract: A digital camera system providing an extended focus range, comprising: a program memory storing instructions to implement a method for capturing a focused digital image. The method includes: setting an optical system F/# to a first F/#; capturing an evaluation image of the scene; analyzing the evaluation image to determine whether a subject is acceptably focused; if the subject is acceptably focused setting a capture F/# to be equal to the first F/#, otherwise the optical system F/# is iteratively increased until the subject is determined to be acceptably focused, or until a maximum F/# is reached; determining a capture F/# responsive to the F/# where the subject is acceptably focused; setting the optical system to use the capture F/#; capturing an archival image of the scene using the image sensor; and storing the captured archival image in a storage memory.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Thomas Anthony Napoli
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Patent number: 8737755Abstract: A method for improving the dynamic range of a captured digital image, the method includes the steps of acquiring at a first and second image each at different effective exposures; computing from the first and second images a linear exposure shift; applying the exposure shift to the first image to match relative effective exposure of the second image; and computing a single high dynamic range image from the first and second images.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Wayne E. Prentice
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Patent number: 8736716Abstract: A digital camera for having a variable time duration burst capture mode, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system; a data processing system; a frame buffer memory; and a program memory. The program memory stores instructions including: specifying a first frame rate; initiating an image capture sequence; storing a sequence of digital images captured at the first frame rate in the frame buffer memory; determining whether the frame buffer memory has been filled to a predetermined capacity. If the frame buffer memory has been filled to the predetermined capacity, the program memory further includes instructions for specifying a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is lower than the first frame rate; designating a set of stored digital images that can be overwritten; and storing a sequence of digital images captured at the second frame rate in the frame buffer memory, overwriting the designated set of stored digital images.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Wayne E. Prentice
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Publication number: 20140132796Abstract: A digital camera system, comprising: a digital image sensor; an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the digital image sensor; a global positioning system sensor; a processor-accessible memory system; and a processor. The processor performs the steps of: analyzing a signal from the global positioning system sensor to determine whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; capturing an input digital image of the scene using the digital image sensor; processing the input digital image responsive to whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; and storing the processed digital image in the processor-accessible memory system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert M. Guidash, Frank Razavi
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Patent number: 8665340Abstract: A digital camera system, comprising: a digital image sensor; an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the digital image sensor; a global positioning system sensor; a processor-accessible memory system; and a processor. The processor performs the steps of analyzing a signal from the global positioning system sensor to determine whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; capturing an input digital image of the scene using the digital image sensor; processing the input digital image responsive to whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; and storing the processed digital image in the processor-accessible memory system.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert M. Guidash, Frank Razavi
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Patent number: 8488015Abstract: A digital camera comprises an image sensor for providing initial sensor image data and final sensor image data; a lens for exposing the image of a scene onto the image sensor; an exposure control system for adjusting an exposure level of a final image on the image sensor in response to a scene type; and a processor for processing the initial sensor image data to select one of a plurality of scene types, and to process the final sensor image data in response to the scene type.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLCInventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert J. Parada, Jr., Tetsuji Uezono, Kenichi Nakajima, William V. Fintel
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Publication number: 20120329516Abstract: A digital camera system providing an extended focus range, comprising: a program memory storing instructions to implement a method for capturing a focused digital image. The method includes: setting an optical system F/# to a first F/#; capturing an evaluation image of the scene; analyzing the evaluation image to determine whether a subject is acceptably focused; if the subject is acceptably focused setting a capture F/# to be equal to the first F/#, otherwise the optical system F/# is iteratively increased until the subject is determined to be acceptably focused, or until a maximum F/# is reached; determining a capture F/# responsive to the F/# where the subject is acceptably focused; setting the optical system to use the capture F/#; capturing an archival image of the scene using the image sensor; and storing the captured archival image in a storage memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Thomas Anthony Napoli
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Publication number: 20120327266Abstract: A method for controlling a digital camera system having an optical system with an F/# that can be varied between a minimum F/# and a maximum F/#, comprising: setting the optical system F/# to a first F/#; capturing an evaluation image of the scene; analyzing the evaluation image to determine whether a subject is acceptably focused; if the subject is acceptably focused setting a capture F/# to be equal to the first F/#, otherwise the optical system F/# is iteratively increased until the subject is determined to be acceptably focused, or until a maximum F/# is reached; determining a capture F/# responsive to the F/# where the subject is acceptably focused; setting the optical system to use the capture F/#; capturing an archival image of the scene using the image sensor; and storing the captured archival image in a storage memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Thomas Anthony Napoli
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Publication number: 20120257071Abstract: A digital camera for having a variable time duration burst capture mode, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system; a data processing system; a frame buffer memory; and a program memory. The program memory stores instructions including: specifying a first frame rate; initiating an image capture sequence; storing a sequence of digital images captured at the first frame rate in the frame buffer memory; determining whether the frame buffer memory has been filled to a predetermined capacity. If the frame buffer memory has been filled to the predetermined capacity, the program memory further includes instructions for specifying a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is lower than the first frame rate; designating a set of stored digital images that can be overwritten; and storing a sequence of digital images captured at the second frame rate in the frame buffer memory, overwriting the designated set of stored digital images.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Inventor: Wayne E. Prentice
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Publication number: 20120050570Abstract: A digital camera system providing processed audio signals, comprising: an image sensor for capturing a digital image; an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the image sensor; a microphone for capturing an audio signal; a data processing system; a storage memory for storing captured images and audio signals; and a program memory communicatively connected to the data processing system and storing instructions configured to cause the data processing system to implement a method for providing processed audio signals, wherein the instructions include: capturing one or more digital images of a scene using the image sensor and capturing a corresponding audio signal using the microphone; determining a scene type corresponding to the captured digital images; processing the captured audio signal responsive to the determined scene type; and recording the captured digital images together with the processed audio signal in the storage memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: David W. Jasinski, Wayne E. Prentice, Keith A. Jacoby, John P. Spence
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Publication number: 20110267492Abstract: A digital camera system, comprising: a digital image sensor; an optical system for forming an image of a scene onto the digital image sensor; a global positioning system sensor; a processor-accessible memory system; and a processor. The processor performs the steps of analyzing a signal from the global positioning system sensor to determine whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; capturing an input digital image of the scene using the digital image sensor; processing the input digital image responsive to whether the digital camera system is indoors or outdoors; and storing the processed digital image in the processor-accessible memory system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Wayne E. Prentice, Robert M. Guidash, Frank Razavi
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Publication number: 20110205397Abstract: A digital image capture device having a soft-copy display with improved image visibility under adverse viewing conditions, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system; a soft-copy display; a data storage system storing a plurality of color transforms; an environmental sensing means; and a processor for performing the steps of capturing an input digital image; selecting a preview color transform responsive to a signal from the environmental sensing means, wherein a preview color transform that provides improved image visibility is selected for signals from the environmental sensing means corresponding to adverse viewing conditions; transforming the input digital image using the preview color transform to form a preview image; displaying the preview image on the soft-copy display; and recording the input digital image in a processor-accessible memory without using the preview color transformType: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: John Christopher Hahn, Kelley S. Parsons, Alison Boncha, Wayne E. Prentice, Peter C. Ozug, Thomas E. Madden