Patents Issued in January 9, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140009612
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system configured to process location information for objects in a site comprising an imaging device configured to take a picture of an object, the picture containing a unique identifier of the object; a global positioning system (GPS) component associated with the imaging device and configured to tag the image of the object with GPS location information of the object to generate a tagged image; a communications interface configured to transmit the tagged image to a server computer remote from the imaging device over an Internet Protocol (IP) network; and a processor of the server configured to perform Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on the picture and to create an indicator code corresponding to the identifier of the object, wherein the processor is further configured to create a processed result containing the indicator code and the location to locate the object within the site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Paceco Corp.
    Inventor: Henry S. King
  • Publication number: 20140009613
    Abstract: A subject can be tracking using a plurality of physical video monitoring or image acquisition devices deployed in a delimited area. A map represents the delimited area. Icons representing the physical monitoring devices can be placed and configured on the map representing the delimited area. Some or all of the placed and configured video monitoring devices can be logically linked together to form scenes. The video feed from the physical video monitoring devices may be recorded in stable storage. A layout for display of the video feeds may be selected. Upon playing the video feed, whether live or recorded, a subject can be tracked through the delimited area by selecting one of the video monitoring devices in one of the available scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: VERINT SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Itsik Horovitz, Shmuel Kiro, Or Sheffet
  • Publication number: 20140009614
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a three dimensional object using an image around a vehicle includes a plurality of imaging devices disposed on a front, a rear, a left side, and a right side of the vehicle; a processor configured to: collect an image of the front, the rear, the left side, and the right side of the vehicle through a virtual imaging device; generate a composite image by compounding a plurality of top view images of the image; extract a boundary pattern of the plurality of top view images in each boundary area; compare the boundary pattern of the plurality of top view images to analyze a correlation between a plurality of neighboring images in each boundary area; and detect a three dimensional object according to the correlation between the plurality of neighboring images in each boundary area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dae Joong Yoon, Jae Seob Choi, Eu Gene Chang
  • Publication number: 20140009615
    Abstract: An in-vehicle apparatus includes: a camera with a shielded area formed within a photographing area thereof by a light shielding member, which outputs a photographic image of an area surrounding a vehicle photographed through a photographic lens; and an adhering matter detection unit that detects adhering matter settled on the photographic lens based upon images in the shielded area included in a plurality of photographic images output from the camera at different time points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiro KIYOHARA, Kota IRIE, Masayuki TAKEMURA, Katsuyuki NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140009616
    Abstract: A diagnosis device of a dirt removal device for removing dirt of a vehicle mounted camera, including a characteristic quantity extraction part that extracts a characteristic quantity of the image of a particular area photographed by the vehicle mounted camera, a change determination part that determines a degree of changes through time series of the extracted characteristic quantity and a diagnosis part that diagnoses whether the dirt removal device of the vehicle mounted camera is operating normally or abnormally, when the dirt removal device implements a dirt removal operation of the lens surface, based on whether operating signals outputted are inputted and whether the degree of changes of the characteristic quantity inputted from the changes determination part is below or above a set threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Katsuyuki NAKAMURA, Kota IRIE, Masahiro KIYOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140009617
    Abstract: An environment recognition device includes: an image acquisition unit; a light spot feature amount extraction unit that extracts a feature amount of a light spot from the image; a lens dirtiness judgment unit that judges dirt adhering to a surface of a lens of the imaging unit; a headlight detection condition setting unit that sets, based on result of judgment by the lens dirtiness judgment unit, in a parameter that is preliminarily related, a detection condition under which a light spot extracted by the light spot feature amount extraction unit is judged to be a headlight; an approaching headlight judgment unit that judges a particular light spot out of the light spots that corresponds to the parameter as an approaching headlight based on the parameter; and a vehicle annunciation signal outputting unit that outputs a vehicle annunciation signal based on detection result of the approaching headlight judgment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Akira UTAGAWA, Masayuki TAKEMURA, Shoji MURAMATSU, Masahiro KIYOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140009618
    Abstract: A lane departure warning device includes: a compartment line detection unit that detects a compartment line in an image of a running lane on which a vehicle is traveling, the image being captured by an image capturing device which the vehicle has; a dirtiness detection unit that detects dirtiness on any one of a lens of the image capturing device or a partition between an outside of a vehicle interior of the vehicle and the image capturing device; a departure judgment unit that judges whether or not the vehicle departs from the compartment line; and a warning judgment unit that when it is judged that the vehicle departs from the compartment line, outputs a warning signal based on a degree of the dirtiness detected. A position of the vehicle with respect to the compartment line when the warning signal is output varies depending on the degree of the dirtiness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Masato IMAI, Masayuki TAKEMURA, Shoji MURAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20140009619
    Abstract: A camera having a housing, an optical system and an electrical image sensor, particularly for applications in the exterior region of motor vehicles, i limits or events undesirable influences from moisture penetrating the camera or the housing. This is achieved by virtue of there being channels provided for air circulation in an interior of the optical system on the basis of the heating of air in the housing by operation of the image sensor, with the channels channeling air around lenses of the optical system. The channels may be along an internal wall of a lens frame of the optical system, and the channels may extend from an end portion of the lens frame at or near the image sensor to an internal space within the lens frame and between two adjacent lens elements of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS EUROPE GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventor: Andreas Koppe
  • Publication number: 20140009620
    Abstract: Transaction units of video data and transaction data captured from different checkout lanes are prioritized as a function of lane priority values of respective ones of the different checkout lanes from which the transaction units are acquired. Each of the checkout lanes has a different lane priority value. The individual transaction units are processed in the prioritized processing order to automatically detect irregular activities indicated by the transaction unit video and the transaction data of the processed individual transaction units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell P. Bobbitt, Quanfu Fan, Sachiko Miyazawa, Sharathchandra U. Pankanti, Yun Zhai
  • Publication number: 20140009621
    Abstract: An optical fluid monitoring system for imaging debris and other particles in a flowing fluid. The system can have multiple sensors (camera and viewing port) connected to a single, remotely located, laser and computer. The system can also include multiple lasers, viewing ports and cameras to be located at different locations in a flow, with each sensor being configured to image a different particle size range. The system can simultaneously image fluid flows on different pieces of equipment. Optical sensors can be arranged on parallel flow conduits, with each sensor configured to image a different particle size range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John E. Tucker, John F. Reintjes
  • Publication number: 20140009622
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an imaging method may include receiving an intensity value of a first spectral channel associated with a pixel location. The intensity value of the first spectral channel may be based on electromagnetic radiation reflected from an object after being emitted from a narrow-band electromagnetic radiation source. The method may further include defining an intensity value of a second spectral channel based on the intensity value of the first spectral channel. The second spectral channel may be associated with a spectral region of electromagnetic radiation different from a spectral region of electromagnetic radiation associated with the first spectral channel. The method may also include associating the intensity value of the second spectral channel with the pixel location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc
    Inventors: Zhihua He, Nathaniel McCaffrey, Jason Sproul
  • Publication number: 20140009623
    Abstract: Glasses with gesture recognition function include a glasses frame and a gesture recognition system. The gesture recognition system is disposed on the glasses frame and configured to detect hand gestures in front of the glasses thereby generating a control command. The gesture recognition system transmits the control command to an electronic device to correspondingly control the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Horng-Goung LAI, En-Feng HSU, Meng-Huan HSIEH, Yu-Hao HUANG, Nien-Tse CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140009624
    Abstract: A movable-mechanical-section controlling device includes a pan/tilt driving controlling unit configured to perform driving control on a movable mechanical section having a structure that moves so that an image pickup direction of an image pickup section that obtains an image-pickup image by performing an image pickup operation changes in a pan direction and a tilt direction. In the controlling device, unit pan operations that are performed in an angular range in the pan direction are performed for the respective two or more different tilt positions with decreasing angle of elevation at the tilt positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Yoshizumi
  • Publication number: 20140009625
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: a signal reception unit including a connector that is configured to connect to a plug of an external device and includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the signal reception unit being configured to receive a signal from the external device through the plug connected to the connector; a signal processor that processes the signal received by the signal reception unit according to a preset process; a storage that stores a test signal; and a controller that transmits the test signal stored in the storage to the first terminal when the first terminal and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other, and determines a signal transmission state of the connector to the signal processor based on a change in signal characteristics of the test signal fed back through the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-eun LEE, Ju-hyun CHOE, Eun-young KIM, Hyun-ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20140009626
    Abstract: A computerized system for displaying and making measurements based upon captured oblique images. The system includes an image-capturing device capturing oblique aerial images at image-capturing events and issuing image-data signals corresponding to captured images; at least one geo-locating device issuing a corresponding at least one geo-locating signal indicative at least in part of a geo-location of said image-capturing device during each image capturing event; a computer system receiving and storing said image-data signals and said at least one geo-locating signal; and the computer system executing image and data acquiring software reading the image-data signals and the at least one geo-locating signal, and associating each of the image-data signal with a corresponding at least one geo-locating signal for each image-capturing event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Pictometry International Corp.
    Inventor: Pictometry International Corp.
  • Publication number: 20140009627
    Abstract: In a digital camera having a wireless communicator with a server, a storage controller treats full size image data and display size image data unequally if the full size image data has been already sent to the server. For example, the display size image data is not allowed to be replaced by new digital image data unless the digital camera is not in use over a prescribed time. Own image data and other's image data are treated equally. Image data received from outside and retrieved from inside memory are treated equally. Search key for own image data and related search keys existing in the outside are indicated in a comparable manner. The digital camera receives search key from neighboring advertiser to send it for Internet search of advertisement. Search key received from neighboring notable site is sent for Internet search of photographs of the notable site taken by others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NL GIKEN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahide Tanaka, Tohru Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140009628
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof include an image communication camera including an image sensor is installed to be movable up and down at an upper portion of the display apparatus, and protrudes from the display apparatus when in use; an image processor processing an image signal sensed by the image sensor; a display displaying the processed image signal; a sensor sensing the position of the image communication camera; a power supply supplying components of the display apparatus; and a controller controlling the power supply to supply electric power to the image communication camera if the image communication camera is moved up, and cut off the electric power to the image communication camera if the image communication camera is moved down. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the image communication camera and the microphone operate or not based on the position of the image communication camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-ick JANG, Se-jun Kim, Chang-yong Kim
  • Publication number: 20140009629
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for processing data. One claim recites a camera-equipped portable computer system, comprising: a camera; one or more processors programed for: i) controlling the camera to capture image data, the captured image data corresponding to the camera's field of view; ii) defining a sub-region comprising image data within the field of view, the sub-region comprising less image data than does the full field of view; and iii) searching image data within the field of view for hidden keys, but limiting a response to detected keys to those only found within the sub-region. Of course other claims and combinations are provided too.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20140009630
    Abstract: An automatic photographic device for a mobile device includes a sense module for generating a sense result according to a position change of the mobile device, a determination module for generating a control signal according to the sense result, and a photographic module for processing a photographic operation according to the control signal, wherein the automatic photographic device is located within a three-dimensional space including the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis perpendicular to each other and the position change comprises a rotational angle change, a rotational velocity change and a straight acceleration change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wei-Chen Chang
  • Publication number: 20140009631
    Abstract: A lens actuator module including an autofocus (AF) mechanism capable of moving a lens according to at least three degrees of freedom and an optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism capable of moving the lens according to at least two degrees of freedom. The AF mechanism may have a coil and a magnet assembly for driving movement of the lens according to the at least three degrees of freedom. The optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanism may include a coil and a magnet assembly for driving movement of the lens according to the at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Topliss
  • Publication number: 20140009632
    Abstract: A remotely controlled automatic camera tracking system for self-photography is disclosed. The systems hereof combine the functions of remote camera operation, including closed loop automatic zoom control, and camera tracking by employing a system architecture that eliminates the requirement to have microprocessors coupled to the tracking station for the calculation of range and bearing. The system enables range and bearing information to be viewed by the operator, if desired, and conserves radio power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Gordon Jason Glover
  • Publication number: 20140009633
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing multiple configurable lanes for clock and data transfer in source synchronous systems that may utilize a clock signal from another source for interpreting data received from the source. In an embodiment, a system may include a transmitter configured to transmit at least one clock signal and at least one data signal to a receiver device. The receiver device may have at least one clock lane and at least one data lane for receiving signals from the transmitter device. The clock lane(s) and data lane(s) can be arranged in any order as per requirement of system design. In the receiver, after manufacture, each data lane may be configured to be clocked by any clock lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS PVT. LTD
    Inventors: Sanjeev CHOPRA, Hiten ADVANI
  • Publication number: 20140009634
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing device includes a shift estimator, and a de-mosaic module. The shift estimator is configured to estimate a shift amount between a first pixel in a first image and a corresponding second pixel in a second image. The first image is taken by a first image pickup apparatus, and the second image is taken by a second image pickup apparatus. A focus position of the first image pickup apparatus is different from a focus position of the second image pickup apparatus. The de-mosaic module is configured to generate a first de-mosaic image by performing de-mosaic processing on each pixel in the first pixel using a pixel value of the corresponding second pixel, when the first pixel is determined to be in a state of in-focus based on the shift amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro HIWADA, Katsuyuki KIMURA, Tatsuya MORI
  • Publication number: 20140009635
    Abstract: An image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an A/D converter is provided on each column of the plurality of pixels. The A/D converter performs one of charge and discharge from an initial value which is a voltage corresponding to an output signal from a pixel, outputs, as a digital value of the output signal, a value corresponding to a time taken for the voltage to become higher or lower than a predetermined reference voltage, and changes one of an amount of charge and an amount of discharge per unit time according to a possible value of the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Norio Negishi
  • Publication number: 20140009636
    Abstract: A method for processing an image in a camera device according to the present disclosure includes autofocus photographing to continuously obtain an image by moving a focusing lens at a predetermined focusing interval, extracting a focus value for a focus area of the obtained image, and storing the focus value with the image. The method also includes focus resetting by displaying a representative image of the stored images, and storing an image having the maximum focus value for a focus area of a selected location if the location is selected from the representative image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Haesun Lee, Myoungwon Kim, Jonghyub Lee, Yongsu Chae
  • Publication number: 20140009637
    Abstract: Signals are provided which allow colors in a wider color range than predetermined standards, which can be handled by apparatus according to such predetermined standards. A primary color converter converts first color signals having primary color points in a wider color range than the primary color points according to BT.709 into second color signals based on the primary colors according to BT.709. A photoelectric transducer converts the second color signals into third color signals according to photoelectric transducer characteristics defined in a numerical range wider than a range from 0 to 1.0 of color signals corresponding to a luminance signal and color difference signals according to BT.709. A color signal converter converts the third color signals into a luminance signal and color difference signals. A corrector incorporated in the color signal converter corrects the color difference signals into color difference signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ko Ishimoto, Koichiro Kakinuma, Takehiro Nakatsue, Tatsuhiko Matsumoto, Shuichi Haga, Hiroshi Takizuka, Yoshiki Shirochi, Naoya Katoh, Hiroshi Yamashita, Koichi Oura, Yoshihiro Kosugi, Junichi Iwai, Kazuji Uemura, Shigeo Kubota, Hideo Morita
  • Publication number: 20140009638
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Baraniuk, Kevin F. Kelly, Robert F. Bridge, Sujoy Chatterjee, Lenore McMackin
  • Publication number: 20140009639
    Abstract: A mobile device having a camera control system and a method of controlling a camera are provided. The camera control system determines a specific brightness value from at least one of a brightness value of a subject and a surrounding brightness value, and performs a camera setting to adjust exposure time and gain according to the determined specific brightness value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Yonggu LEE
  • Publication number: 20140009640
    Abstract: An image sound annotation system including an image capture device having an input-output port which receives a secure digital memory card including an image audio annotation program which can be used with an audio capture device to store an image file in association with a audio file in a memory element for subsequent retrieval and display of an image associated with the image file with concurrent playback of the sound associated with the audio file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Robert J. Keesy, Gordon R. Nuttall
  • Publication number: 20140009641
    Abstract: When a key for directly transferring from the screen of a “video mode” of tape reproduction to the screen of memory stick reproduction is separately arranged, the ratio of an occupation area of the key on the screen is increased. Therefore, a setting operation is performed such that a stop key (11a) is displayed when the “video mode” is set and no memory stick is mounted as shown in FIG. 1A, and when the tape is being reproduced as shown in FIG. 1C. In contrast to this, the setting operation is also performed such that a switching key (11f) for transferring to the reproducing screen of the memory stick of FIG. 1D is displayed when the “video mode” is set and no tape is being reproduced and the memory stick is mounted as shown in FIG. 1B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Tanaka, Masako Muro, Ryo Nagahashi
  • Publication number: 20140009642
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of successively capturing high quality image data at high speed are provided. The image input apparatus includes an image sensor for capturing image data from a subject; an image signal processor encoding the image data transmitted from the image sensor to produce digital image data; and a memory for storing the digital image data. The image signal processor decodes the digital image data according to an operating signal from a user and provides the user with the decoded digital image data. Therefore, the high quality image data can be obtained at high speed, and the lifespan of an external memory can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONCS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-hoon JEONG
  • Publication number: 20140009643
    Abstract: A shooting device includes: a display unit which is provided with a plurality of display areas; an image pickup unit which acquires an image by capturing a subject; a display control unit which controls the display unit so that an image displayed in a display area in a plurality of display areas is changed from a live view image to an image acquired by the image pickup unit at the shoot instruction when a shoot instruction is received, and an image displayed on the display area specified by the cancel instruction is changed to a specified image when the cancel instruction that specifies the display area is received; and a combined image processing unit which combines image data of the plurality of images displayed on the plurality of display areas, and generates image data of a combined image which is laid out as being displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kensei ITO, Maki TOIDA, Shogo SHIMAMURA, Akira TANI, Manabu ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140009644
    Abstract: There is provided a server including a reception section which receives, from a client terminal, present position information showing a position of the client terminal, and direction information showing an orientation of the client terminal, a retrieval section which retrieves sensory data to which detection position information is added corresponding to a position in a vicinity of an axial line extending in a direction shown by the direction information from the position of the client terminal, and a transmission section which transmits the sensory data retrieved by the retrieval section to the client terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: YOICHIRO SAKO, TAKATOSHI NAKAMURA, MITSURU TAKEHARA, KOHEI ASADA, KAZUYUKI SAKODA, KATSUHISA ARATANI, KAZUHIRO WATANABE, AKIRA TANGE, HIROYUKI HANAYA, YUKI KOGA, TOMOYA ONUMA
  • Publication number: 20140009645
    Abstract: A method is provided for automatically adjusting a size of characters using a camera. The method includes receiving an image with characters; adjusting a focus of the image with characters and detecting a region and a size of characters in the image; determining whether the size of the characters in the image falls within a preset range; recognizing the characters in the image and displaying the recognition results, if the size of the characters falls within the preset range; and automatically adjusting a zoom ratio of the image and recognizing the characters in the resized image, if the size of the characters does not fall within the preset range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Soo KIM, Sang-Ho KIM, Seong-Taek HWANG, Sang-Wook OH, Sung-Cheol KIM
  • Publication number: 20140009646
    Abstract: Spatial resolution can be improved in multi-lens digital cameras. Each lens can have the same or similar field of view, but can be associated with different modulation transfer functions defining varying sharpness based on location within the field of view. The image information received from each lens can be combined to form an image based on the sharpness of the image information received from each lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: OPERA IMAGING B.V.
    Inventors: Ziv Attar, Chen Aharon-Attar
  • Publication number: 20140009647
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, the first filters, which correspond to the two or more first colors that contribute to obtaining a brightness signal more than the second colors, are disposed within each pixel line in first direction to the fourth direction of the color filter arrangement, and it is configured so that the ratio of the number of pixels of the first colors corresponding to the first filters is larger than the ratio of the number of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters of two or more colors other than the first colors. Accordingly, the degree of reproducibility of the synchronization processing in a high-frequency wave area can be increased and the aliasing can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenkichi HAYASHI, Seiji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20140009648
    Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor chip, which includes a color sensor pixel and a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) pixel sensing a motion of an object, is provided. The method includes enabling one of the color sensor pixel and the DVS pixel according to a mode selection signal and processing a pixel signal output from the enabled pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Tae Chan KIM, Moo Young KIM
  • Publication number: 20140009649
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and image capture program are provided that enable an image processing section compatible with a Bayer array to be employed without modification even in cases in which an image pickup device is employed that is provided with a color filter of an array other than a Bayer array. An imaging apparatus (10) is equipped with a color filter (30) having repeatedly disposed 6×6 pixel basic array patterns C containing a portion of a Bayer array pattern; and a drive section (22) that drives the image pickup device (14) so as to read pixel data only of pixels at a predetermined position so as to give the same pattern as the Bayer array pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenkichi HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20140009650
    Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor chip including a motion sensor pixel sensing a motion of an object and a depth sensor pixel, the method including the operations of activating either the depth sensor pixel or the motion sensor pixel according to a mode selection signal, and processing a pixel signal output by either the activated depth sensor pixel or the activated motion sensor pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Tae Chan KIM, Hae Kyoung KONG
  • Publication number: 20140009651
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor including a wiring portion which includes a first line, a second line and a control line, in first to third regions arranged sequentially, wherein the first line includes a first pattern in a first layer in the first and second regions and a second pattern in a second layer in the third region, and these patterns are connected each other between the second region and the third region, the second line includes a third pattern in the second layer in the first region and a fourth pattern in the first layer in the second and third regions, the these patterns are connected each other between the first region and the second region, and the control line includes a pattern in the second layer in the second region, intersecting with the first pattern and the fourth pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Hirofumi Totsuka, Shin Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20140009652
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a lens unit Ln having the highest negative refractive power of all the following lens units, a lens unit Lm2 having positive refractive power, a lens unit Lm having negative refractive power, and a rear lens group Lp including one or more lens units and having overall positive refractive power. During zooming, a distance between every adjacent lens units varies. During focusing from an infinite distance to a minimum object distance, the lens unit Ln and the lens unit Lm move toward the object side. The focal length FLm of the lens unit Lm and the focal length FLm2 of the lens unit Lm2 are appropriately set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Shigenobu Sugita
  • Publication number: 20140009653
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiyuki NISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20140009654
    Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit for an imaging sensor monitors the photo signal level output by a pixel to determine whether the photo signal corresponds to the pixel being operated at a saturated state. If so, there is a risk that the pixel may be susceptible to an eclipse distortion. When the pixel is detected as being operated in a saturated state, the anti-eclipse circuit pulls up the reset signal level previously stored in a sample and hold circuit to an appropriate voltage level in order to prevent an eclipse distortion from arising.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rysinski, Sanjayan Vinayagamoorthy
  • Publication number: 20140009655
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and image capture program are provided that enable an image processing section compatible with a Bayer array to be employed without modification even in cases in which an image pickup device is employed that is provided with a color filter of an array other than a Bayer array. An imaging apparatus (10) includes a color filter (30) having repeatedly disposed 6×6 pixel basic array patterns C, a drive section (22) that drives an image pickup device (14) so as to thin and read pixel data only of pixels on lines at predetermined positions in the vertical direction, and a pixel conversion processing section (18) that converts pixel data of each line thinned and read from the image pickup device (14) into Bayer array pixel data that is in a Bayer array pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenkichi HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20140009656
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels, a pixel drive line controlling driving the pixels in each row, a signal line reading an analog signal of the pixels in each column, a pixel drive unit driving the pixels to perform a readout through the pixel drive line, and a readout circuit capable of converting the analog signal into a digital signal. At least the number of pixel drive lines or the number of signal lines is more than one, and the pixels of each pixel group are connected to different lines of either the pixel drive lines or the signal lines. The pixel drive unit sequentially drives the pixels in the pixel group at shifted timings, and the readout circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter sequentially receiving analog signals from the pixel group and sequentially converting the analog signals into digital signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Masaki Sakakibara, Tadayuki Taura
  • Publication number: 20140009657
    Abstract: There is provided a solid state imaging apparatus, including a plurality of line sensors including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a line, each of the pixels including an amplifier which amplifies a signal corresponding to a charge accumulated in a photoelectric transducer, and signal lines each for reading a signal of each pixel of the line sensors. The plurality of line sensors are discretely arranged, and the signal lines are gathered and wired along a region in which a circuit block including the line sensors is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Kenya Kondou, Haruhisa Naganokawa, Daijiro Anai, Makoto Aoki, Syouhei Taguchi, Ken Koseki, Nobuo Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140009658
    Abstract: An image composition apparatus that is capable of obtaining a good movie with a smooth movement when composite images each of which is obtained by composing images taken with short exposure time is reproduced as a movie. An exposure control unit calculates a proper exposing condition of a subject based on continuously taken images. A reproducing image selection unit selects temporally discrete images of which the number corresponds to the proper exposing condition from the taken images. A reproducing image composition unit composes the images selected by the reproducing image selection unit to generate a composite image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Yuki YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20140009659
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates an image data in which a focus state of a captured image is specified by calculation processing. An operation inputting unit is used for operating focus information for specifying the focus state of an image, and an image generating unit generates an image data by acquiring focus information. When image focus information is changed by specification made by a user, the image generating unit outputs the image data generated by using focus information prior to specification to a confirmation screen generating unit upon deletion operation of the image data. The confirmation screen generation unit generates a display data of a deletion confirmation screen for prompting a user to confirm deletion upon deletion operation of an image file. The display data of a deletion confirmation screen includes the image data generated by using focus information differing from the changed focus state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Sosuke Kagaya
  • Publication number: 20140009660
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of a subject includes: a lock/unlock unit adapted to lock and unlock operation of the image capturing apparatus; a registration unit adapted to register a main item and a sub-item that have been selected by a user, wherein the main item is a main setting item among operation items of the image capturing apparatus and the sub-item is a setting item in a layer lower than that of the main item; and a control unit adapted to limit operation solely to a release operation of the image capturing apparatus and to the main item and sub-item, which have been registered by the registration unit, in a case where operation of the image capturing apparatus has been locked by the lock/unlock unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Ono
  • Publication number: 20140009661
    Abstract: A vibrating device includes a dust-screening member and a vibrating member. The dust-screening member is disposed in front of an image surface of an image forming element having the image surface in which an optical image is generated. The dust-screening member has a box shape with about the same small plate thickness as a whole, and includes, in a bottom surface portion of the box shape, a transparent part which spreads from the center of the bottom surface portion. The vibrating member is disposed outside the transparent part of the dust-screening member. The vibrating member is configured to generate, in the bottom surface portion of the dust-screening member, vibration having a vibrational amplitude which is vertical to the bottom surface portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: Sumio Kawai