Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8780202
    Abstract: An image display system is capable of generating a composite image that shows a surrounding area of a vehicle viewed from virtual viewpoints, by combining a plurality of shot images taken by a plurality of on-vehicle cameras that are disposed at different locations on the vehicle. The image display system changes data volumes of two shot images taken by two of the on-vehicle cameras based on a lighting mode of a lighting apparatus, the data volumes being used for an overlap area of the composite image that corresponds to the surrounding area of the vehicle where the two on-vehicle cameras can shoot in overlap. This reduces problems caused by lighting of the lighting apparatus in the overlap area of the composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamada, Azusa Matsuoka, Susumu Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8780203
    Abstract: The present invention enables an effective use of a ring buffer. A video recording apparatus includes a first thinning process unit which reduces a data size of camera videos transmitted from a camera to a frame rate number of the camera videos, and which stores the camera videos having undergone a thinning process in a ring buffer, and a second thinning process unit which further reduces the data size of the videos stored in the ring buffer at a frame rate number in accordance with a condition among a plurality of conditions. The first thinning process unit stores the camera videos in the ring buffer at a frame rate that is the lowest common multiple of the frame rate numbers of the plurality of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisayuki Suematsu, Isao Shinada, Syouta Tsutsui, Hiroaki Arima, Kimio Oura
  • Patent number: 8780204
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a target situation in an athletic event. Positional information including the relative positions of a group of selected participants is initially received from a tracking system, and the aggregate motion of the selected participants is detected in real-time using the positional information. The target situation may be determined to have occurred when a change in the aggregate motion occurs in accordance with a predetermined characteristic during an initial time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Isolynx, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas J. DeAngelis, Kirk M. Sigel, Edward G. Evansen
  • Patent number: 8780205
    Abstract: A body-mountable image capture device comprising a device body and a cover slidably mounted onto the device body, the device body comprising a camera, the cover sliding between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the camera is concealed and in the second position the camera is exposed. The body-mountable image capture device comprises activation means operable to initiate the camera when the cover is in the second position and the camera is exposed. The orientation of the camera is adjustable with respect to that of the device body such that the orientation of the camera can be maintained. The orientation of the camera may be automatically adjusted to keep the field of view generally horizontal. The camera may automatically rotate left and right in a horizontal plane responsive to movement of a head mounted sensor to thereby track a user's head movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Edesix Limited
    Inventors: Stuart James Boutell, Christopher Geoffrey Paulson-Ellis, Hamish Donald Stuart Martin, Alastair Hugh Chisholm, Robin Anthony Iddon, Richard McBride
  • Patent number: 8780206
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for imaging documents such as bank notes. The method comprises passing a document past an image sensor such as a line scan camera while sequentially illuminating the document using multi-mode illumination. Two or more light sources are used, each one producing a different mode of illumination. A lookup table divides documents into discrete successive sections (i.e. scan lines) and specifies a mode of illumination (e.g., color, azimuth, reflective, transmissive) for each section of a document during imaging. As the document passes the image sensor, the light sources are activated according to the sequence specified in the lookup table, producing an interleaved, multi-mode image of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: De La Rue North America Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Bruce Blair
  • Patent number: 8780207
    Abstract: A computerised method of automatically acquiring a series of images, the method comprising the steps of: i) processing a data file containing a series of identifiers, each identifier corresponding to a geographic location of a property; ii) receiving location data from a geographic position sensing unit; iii) defining a camera search area (830) defined by the location data and a location of a camera relative to the location data; and iv) acquiring an image of a property when a geographic location (810a) of a property corresponding to one of the series of identifiers is within the camera search area (830).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mark Group Limited
    Inventor: William John Rumble
  • Patent number: 8780208
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for processing an infrared image to receive infrared image data of a non-uniform scene, apply column noise filter correction to the infrared image data, and/or apply row noise filter correction to the infrared image data, and provide corrected infrared image data based on the column and/or row noise filter correction as infrared output image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Högasten, Malin Ingerhed
  • Patent number: 8780209
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for comparing media signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, media signals are compared by identifying characteristic features in the respective signals and then analyzing the characteristic features to determine if the signals contain corresponding content. In other embodiments, the characteristic features are analyzed to determine the extent to which the signals are synchronized in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Evertz Microsystems Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeff Wei
  • Patent number: 8780210
    Abstract: Methods, systems and software are disclosed for automated Measurement of Video Quality parameters. The system includes a static Test Pattern provided either in form of a Test Pattern File, converted via a standard playout device (test source) into analog or digital test signal and supplied to the input of a System Under Test, or in form of a Reflectance Chart installed before the front-end device of the System Under Test, such as TV camera. The system also includes a video capture device connected to the back-end device of the System Under Test, e.g. to the output of system decoder/player. A Video Quality Analyzer processes the captured video data and generates a detailed Analysis Report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: VideoQ, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Avigdor Steinberg, Michael Shinsky
  • Patent number: 8780211
    Abstract: A method of mutually aligning first and second imaging system fixturing components forms a first alignment structure on the first imaging system fixturing component, a second alignment structure on the second imaging system fixturing component, and engages the first and second alignment structures to align, with optical accuracy, the first and second imaging system fixturing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Barnes, IV, Goran M. Rauker, Mark Meloni
  • Patent number: 8780212
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a captured image display apparatus that allows a user to swiftly confirm an image concerning a captured image even before receiving of the captured image is completed. A captured image display apparatus includes a live view image receiving unit configured to receive a live view image concerning a captured image from an imaging apparatus, a live view image display unit configured to display the live view image on a display unit when a release notification has been received from the imaging apparatus, a captured image receiving unit configured to receive a captured image from the imaging apparatus, and a captured image display unit configured to display the captured image on the display unit when receiving of the captured image has been completed by the captured image receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8780213
    Abstract: In a learning process, first, images having different resolutions are obtained from a target region of the subject (S101). Further, the subject characteristic of the target region is obtained (S102). Then, the resolution conversion rules are learned from the images having different resolutions, and those are recorded to a storage device along with the subject characteristics (S103). When converting the resolutions, the resolution conversion rules learned for the corresponding subject characteristics are applied to each region of the original image so as to convert the resolutions of the original image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Kanamori, Hideto Motomura, Hiroyoshi Komobuchi
  • Patent number: 8780214
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a continuous shooting function includes an imaging unit configured to generate an image signal based on an optical signal of a subject, a storage unit configured to store an image file based on the image signal, a first detector configured to detect a motion of the imaging apparatus, and a controller configured to control a capturing interval of the imaging unit for capturing an image in a continuous shooting operation based on a detecting result of the first detector so that the capturing interval for a magnitude of the motion of the imaging apparatus which is larger than a predetermined value is shorter than the capturing interval for the magnitude of the motion of the imaging apparatus which is smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ishii, Masatoshi Nakamura, Ryo Hirota, Yasutoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8780215
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for processing an image which can correct image distortion caused by hand shake. The apparatus includes: a reference image acquiring unit for acquiring a first and a second reference images by using different shutter times and international standard organization (ISO) values; and a color information correcting unit for correcting color information of an input image, which is obtained by using a shutter time that is shorter of the shutter times used to acquire the first and the second reference images, based on a brightness ratio and a chrominance ratio of the first and second reference images. Accordingly, image distortion caused by hand shake can be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Core Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Shin Lee, Jin-Suk Yun, Bong-Su Kang
  • Patent number: 8780216
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing system includes a pickup apparatus, a motion vector generator, a motion vector converter, a motion vector interpolator, a correction amount generator, and a correcting module. The pickup apparatus is configured to capture an image per scanning line and to generate an input video signal from the captured image. The motion vector generator is configured to generate a first horizontal direction motion vector and a first vertical direction motion vector indicative of a horizontal direction moving distance and a vertical direction moving distance respectively between frames in the input video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keiri Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8780217
    Abstract: A shake correcting system includes an optical imaging system, an image sensor, a movable unit comprising a movable frame in which the image sensor is fixed and a rotation restricting element, a base movably supporting the movable unit in a predetermined plane substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical imaging system, a drive mechanism driving the movable unit relative to the base in directions vertical and orthogonal to the optical axis, a blur correcting function to correct blurs in a subject image due to shakes of the shake correcting system, a rotation restricting mechanism preventing rotation of the movable frame around the optical axis with the rotation restricting element, and a slide mechanism allowing the movable unit to be freely movable in the predetermined plane, and comprising a magnet, a magnetic plate attracted to the magnet, a spherical element supported between the magnetic plate and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Irisawa, Takehide Ohno, Koichi Muramatsu, Takashi Ando, Keiji Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 8780218
    Abstract: The invention reduces the possibility that a state contrary to user volition will arise in a system that permits multiple masters. To accomplish this, a communication device includes a setting unit configured to set the communication device to be a master or to be a slave, a decision unit configured to decide whether to permit a plurality of masters to exist within the image sensing network, and a notifying unit configured to transmit a notification to change another master within the image sensing network to a slave. The notifying unit transmits the notification, if a plurality of masters have not been permitted to exist within the image sensing network by the decision unit and the communication device has been changed from a slave to a master by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kohtaro Koike
  • Patent number: 8780219
    Abstract: An interface system for an imaging device is disclosed. A first data communications interface is connected to a web server and a second data communications interface is connectible to a corresponding input/output port of the imaging device. There is a bridge application server with a device control input, a device image output, a device control output, and a device image input. The device control input is connected to the first data communications interface, and the device image output is connected to the web server. The device control output and the device image input are both separately linked to the second data communications interface. Generic device control commands from the first data communications interface are passed to the bridge application server, bypassing the web server. Image data from the imaging device is passed to the web server for transmission to a remote viewer and control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Usman Rashid
  • Patent number: 8780220
    Abstract: A sensing range selectable image sensor module includes a lens defining a first light-sensing area, which allows a relatively larger amount of light to pass, and a second light-sensing area, which allows a relatively smaller amount of light to pass, two sensors respectively arranged at one side relative to the lens corresponding to the first light-sensing area and the second light-sensing area and electrically coupled to a controller for receiving light from the first or second light-sensing area and generating a respective trigger signal selectively receivable by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Chao Chen, Shih-Ming Lee, Hsih-Hsien Yang
  • Patent number: 8780221
    Abstract: A facial expression recognition apparatus (10) detects a face image of a person from an input image, calculates a facial expression evaluation value corresponding to each facial expression from the detected face image, updates, based on the face image, the relationship between the calculated facial expression evaluation value and a threshold for determining a facial expression set for the facial expression evaluation value, and determines the facial expression of the face image based on the updated relationship between the facial expression evaluation value and the threshold for determining a facial expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8780222
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes an image obtaining part configured to obtain a first image and a second image. The first image is an image generated by image capturing or generated by expanding part of the captured image and includes a first object image. The second image corresponds to an image captured at a higher image capturing magnification than that for the first image and includes a second object image corresponding to part of the first object image. The apparatus includes a processing part configured to produce a third image whose resolution is higher than that of the first image by performing image processing on the first image using the second image as a constraint condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chiaki Inoue, Koshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 8780223
    Abstract: A system for visually comparing a part to a drawing of said part in computer memory or on a screen is provided. The system includes a camera for capturing either a single image or an image stream of the part, a computing module for receiving the image or image stream, for obtaining, scaling, positioning and displaying the drawing of the part on a display unit and for overlaying the drawing on the image or image stream. The system determines if the part is manufactured within predefined tolerances at least one control section. In use, a user defines at least one control section and the system performs a CAD-space to image-space transformation of each control section. A deviation between the CAD drawing and the part at each control section is calculated, and this deviation is indicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Visionx Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Beauchemin
  • Patent number: 8780224
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit that acquires plural images including an image in which a main subject is in focus, by discretely moving a focus position and successively capturing the images; an image processing unit that executes image processing to at least one of a reference image and a non-reference image to bring degrees of blur thereof closer to one another, the reference image being an image in which the main subject is in focus; a detection unit that detects corresponding points of subjects in the image-processed reference image and non-reference image, a deformation unit that deforms the non-reference image before the image processing such that the positions of the corresponding points coincide, a generation unit that generates a blur-adjusted image on the basis of the reference image and the deformed non-reference image; and a recording unit that stores the blur-adjusted image at a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8780225
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer readable media for implementing a “selective gray world” approach for color balancing are described. The disclosed techniques involve the use of noise-optimized selection criteria and, more specifically, in some embodiments, the interpolation between corresponding values in noise-optimized weighting tables when calculating white balance gains. Estimated scene lux levels may provide a valuable indicator of expected scene noise levels. The image processing techniques described herein may be executed by an image capture device or a general purpose processor (e.g., personal computer) executing a user-level software application. The described color balancing techniques may be implemented by dedicated or general purpose hardware, general application software, or a combination of software and hardware in a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjun Bai, Xuemei Zhang, David Kuo
  • Patent number: 8780226
    Abstract: The presence/absence of a face in an image and the type of imaging mode during imaging (such as a landscape imaging mode and a close-up imaging mode) of the image acquired by imaging and the like are detected. Images are automatically classified by groups based on the detected information (classification information). A plurality of images classified by the groups are connected to create a multi-image file (MP file), and the MP file is recorded in a recording medium. As a result, the plurality of classified images can be managed altogether (without dissipation), and the plurality of classified images can be reproduced by providing the multi-image file even if a reproducer does not have a classification function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Takeshi Misawa, Mikio Watanabe, Fumio Nakamaru, Hisashi Endo
  • Patent number: 8780227
    Abstract: An image pick-up device having an image pick-up condition adjuster that instructs an image pick-up condition optimizer to optimizes an image pick-up condition relative to an object included in a pick-up candidate image corresponding to pick-up candidate image object feature information and an indicator that causes a display section to display at least one item of personal information associated with the object feature information when the pick-up candidate image includes the image of the object which represents feature matching with or a similarity to the feature represented by the object feature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokatsu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8780228
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor of a line-sequential scanning type, an optical database which stores optical characteristics of the optical system in advance, a calculation unit which calculates optical parameters including at least information of a focal length of the optical system for each area of the image sensor based on drive information of the image sensor and drive information of the optical system, a referring unit which refers to optical characteristics corresponding to the optical parameters calculated by the calculation unit of the optical characteristics stored in the optical database, a correction value generation unit which generates correction values used to correct the image signal based on the optical characteristics referred to by the referring unit, and a correction unit which corrects the image signal using the correction values generated by the correction value generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 8780229
    Abstract: An image photographing apparatus simultaneously photographs a moving image and a still image in a simultaneous photographing mode, recognizes a still image photographed at a time point closest to a photographing time point of the moving image output at a time point when the specific region is specified when a user specifies the specific region of the moving image screen while reproducing the moving image photographed in the simultaneous photographing mode, and magnifies and displays a region corresponding to the specific region on the recognized still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wan Je Park, Jung Ah Seung
  • Patent number: 8780230
    Abstract: A method to create a faux group by using at least one digital image combined with at least one other digital image is provided. Associated with each digital image is data that is linked, which identifies the image and biographical data elements associated with the subject appearing in the image. From the digital images and linked data, a faux group image is created. On the faux group image, biographical data elements such as names or other identifiers are optionally displayed. If displayed, each biographical data element is linked to the associated individual digital image in the order it appears. Any rearrangement, movement or adjustment to either the digital image or associated biographical data element in the faux group image causes the digital image and biographical data element to be updated relative to all of the other digital images and biographical data element in the order that the subject of each individual digital image appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Candid Color Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Counts, Bob Porter, Mike Melton, Bo Lewis
  • Patent number: 8780231
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus calculates a depth of field, and when the calculated result is shallower than a set depth of field, the zoom operation at the telescopic side is switched to the electronic zoom. In addition, when face recognition may not be possible, the zoom is switched to the electronic zoom. Furthermore, when face recognition has become impossible, the optical zoom is returned to the wide angle side until faces can be recognized. When the number of faces that can be recognized has decreased, the optical zoom is returned to the wide angle side until the number of faces that can be recognized is restored. In addition, when subsequently carrying out zooming at the telescopic side, the zooming switches to the electronic zoom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Katayama
  • Patent number: 8780232
    Abstract: A method of analyzing images captured using an imaging device is provided herein. The analysis provides suggestions for changing a parameter of the imaging device during subsequent image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Murray D. Craig, Gregory Hofer, Susan E. Manson, Amy E. Battles
  • Patent number: 8780233
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a frame containing an object of interest and determining a current pixel density of the object of interest. The current pixel density is compared to a minimum pixel density to generate a comparison result and an indication is received of available throughput of a wireless network used to transmit the video. Based on the comparison result and the available throughput, a pixel density compensation method is selected from multiple methods, which include adjusting a zoom feature of a camera used to capture the video and adjusting encoded frame resolution. Using the selected pixel density compensation method, a pixel density compensation parameter is determined to adjust the current pixel density with respect to the minimum pixel density for the object of interest. The pixel density compensation parameter is provided to one or both of the camera or an encoder that sends the video over the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyrone D. Bekiares, Kevin J. O'Connell, Steven D. Tine
  • Patent number: 8780234
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an imaging apparatus configured to display a through image in a visible manner when it is assumed that a status of a focus is confirmed even if a multiple live view display suitable for composition adjustment is performed in multiple exposure photography. The imaging apparatus includes a generation unit configured to multiple-synthesize a through image and at least a captured image, and to generate a multiple-composite image, a display control unit configured to perform control to display the multiple-composite image on a display unit while sequentially updating the multiple-composite image, a magnification instruction receiving unit configured to receive an image magnification instruction, and a control unit configured to perform control to display a through image magnified without multiple-synthesizing, on the display unit when receiving the magnification instruction while displaying the multiple-composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8780235
    Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which for noise reduction and sensitization for an ordinary video camera. The noise reduction processing locates a bright pixel and averages brightness by adding the pixel accumulated by ratio in accordance with the geometric series, and to a dark pixel, carrying out the processing of noise reduction which averages brightness by adding the pixel accumulated by ratio in accordance with the geometric series and the processing of sensitization in the condition that a magnification of intensification is greater than 1, determine that the pixel moves or not, if the pixel is moving, it is used to carry out processing of sensitization only, and if the pixel is still, choose it is used to carry out the processing of sensitization and noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Logic & Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8780236
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an image sensor. In the image sensor that includes a valid pixel area in which a plurality of valid pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, a first reference pixel area in which a plurality of first reference pixels each having a light-shielded photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, and a second reference pixel area in which a plurality of second reference pixels each having no photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, when outputs of the plurality of valid pixels are added to be read, outputs of the plurality of first reference pixels are added by the addition unit to be read, and outputs of the plurality of second reference pixels are read without being added by the addition unit. Thus, noises can be effectively corrected even in the small number of invalid pixels areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mie Ishii
  • Patent number: 8780237
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus 10 includes a solid-state imaging device 40, and a color filter 16 constituted of a first color filter 16a (first filter) and a second color filter 16b (second filter). The solid-state imaging device 40 photoelectrically converts light incident to a face S1 (first face) thereof to thereby capture an image of an object to be imaged. Arranged on the face S1 of the solid-state imaging device 40 is the first color filter 16a and second color filter 16b. The first color filter 16a is a filter that allows first wavelength band light to be selectively transmitted therethrough; the second color filter 16b is a filter that allows second wavelength band light in the longer wavelength side relative to the first wavelength band to be selectively transmitted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 8780238
    Abstract: An imager may be configured to perform pixel binning on captured images. Pixel binning may be performed by forming groups of pixels and combining sampled values from the pixels in each group. The sampled values from the pixels may be combined by assigning weights to each pixel, scaling the sampled values by the corresponding weights, and summing the scaled values. The groups of pixels and pixel weights may be selected to produce binned images with even spatial distribution. The pixel binning operation may be performed by processing circuitry that receives captured image data from the imager. The pixel binning operation may also be separated into a horizontal binning step and a vertical binning step that are performed by image readout circuitry during image readout. During the horizontal binning step, pixels of a particular row may be combined. During the vertical binning step, pixel rows may be combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Gabriel Bowers
  • Patent number: 8780239
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, only by storing the first correction coefficients corresponding to the colors of the color filters of the image pickup element and the second correction coefficients corresponding to the relative positions of the pixels to the position of the specific circuit element of the image pickup element, in the storage device, an adequate combination of the first correction coefficients and the second correction coefficients is selected for each pixel, and a calculation with it is performed with respect to the signal value of each of the pixels. Therefore, with an essential minimum number of correction coefficients, it is possible to quickly and accurately correct the variation in signal values caused by the color array for the color filters of the image pickup element and the variation in signal values caused by the structure in which multiple pixels share the specific circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hayato Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8780240
    Abstract: A method for continuously generating a (grayscale) map of a scene in electronic form, characterized by high time resolution and minimal data volume, is presented. The method involves repeated measurement of the instantaneous exposure of the image elements in an image sensor, the start of every exposure measurement being determined autonomously and asynchronously by every image element independently, and hence the redundancy which is typical of synchronous image sensors in the image data to be transmitted being largely suppressed. The stimulation for the purpose of exposure measurement is provided by the autonomous detection of a relative light intensity change in the scene detail which the image element views, by the transient detector in the respective image element. To increase the signal-to-noise ratio and the dynamic range, the exposure measurement is preferably performed on the basis of time, that is to say the exposure of an image element is represented by the period between two asynchronous events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Posch, Martin Litzenberger, Daniel Matolin, Rainer Wohlgenannt
  • Patent number: 8780241
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for performing neutral density filtering in a digital camera. The camera includes a pixel array having rows and columns of pixels. The pixels in the array may be reset and read with variable timing between the reset operation and the read operation. The timing between the reset and read operations is controlled to implement a neutral density filtering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 8780242
    Abstract: Designs of multi-band sensor array to generate multi-spectral images are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-band sensor array includes one linear sensor configured to sense a scene in panchromatic spectrum to produce a panchromatic (PAN) sensing signal, and four color-band linear sensors to sense the same scene in different color bands to produce respective sensing signals. These sensors are packaged in a single module that is disposed on a single optical plane when used to scan a scene. A multi-spectral image is produced by combining these sensing signals. Further a unique packaging of the sensor array and a combination of soft and hard PCB are disclosed to withstand extremes in a harsh environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CMOS Sensor Inc.
    Inventors: Weng Lyang Wang, Shengmin Lin
  • Patent number: 8780243
    Abstract: An image sensor module includes a rigid-flex board, an image sensor, a supporting plate, and a metal layer. The rigid-flex board defines a through hole penetrating its upper surface and its lower surface. An upper pad is positioned on an upper side surface of the rigid-flex board. The image sensor is positioned on the lower surface, and includes an image surface facing the through hole. A metal layer covers on a top surface and/or a bottom surface of the supporting plate, and a lower pad is positioned on a lower side surface of the supporting plate and connects to the metal layer. The supporting plate is positioned on the lower surface, and the image sensor is received between the rigid-flex board and the supporting plate. The metal sheet is electrically connected between the lower pad and the upper pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8780244
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a power line and first through fourth photodiodes. The first, second, and third photodiodes are arranged along a first direction so that the first photodiode is adjacent to the second photodiode, and the second photodiode is adjacent to the third photodiode. The power line includes a first conductor disposed along the first direction and a second conductor disposed along a second direction that intersects the first direction. The second conductor is disposed on a region between the second and third photodiodes. First and second transistors corresponding to the first and second photodiode, respectively, are connected to the power line. The fourth photodiode is disposed adjacent to the second photodiode in the second direction. A third transistor corresponding to the fourth photodiode is connected to the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Wada, Masahiro Kobayashi, Michiko Johnson, Hiromasa Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 8780245
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including a pixel portion in which plural pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal and accumulating therein the resulting electrical signal in accordance with an exposure period of time are disposed in a matrix; and a pixel driving portion adapted to control operations of the pixels in rows so as to carry out an electronic shutter operation and a reading operation of the pixel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuji Nakaseko
  • Patent number: 8780246
    Abstract: A method for correcting an image obtained by a matrix of photosensitive points finds particular utility when the matrix is subjected to an electromagnetic disturbance. The method of correction comprises a first step of row-by-row reading of the matrix. The signals read during a first reading of each row represent the charges accumulated subsequent to exposure of the matrix to luminous radiation and make it possible to form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. The signals read during a second reading represent the charges accumulated in the absence of exposure and form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. In a second step of the method, a signal corresponding substantially to the signal which would have been formed at the time of the first reading in the absence of exposure is determined. In a third step, the signal is subtracted column by column from the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Trixell S.A.S.
    Inventors: Thibaut Wirth, Benoit Candiard, Jean-Michel Vignolle
  • Patent number: 8780247
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including: a photoelectric conversion region; a transistor; an isolation region of a first conductivity type configured to isolate the photoelectric conversion region and the transistor from each other; a well region of the first conductivity type having the photoelectric conversion region, the transistor, and the isolation region of the first conductivity type formed therein; a contact portion configured to supply an electric potential used to fix the well region to a given electric potential; and an impurity region of the first conductivity type formed so as to extend in a depth direction from a surface of the isolation region of the first conductivity type in the isolation region of the first conductivity type between the contact portion and the photoelectric conversion region, and having a sufficiently higher impurity concentration than that of the isolation region of the first conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 8780248
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to an image pickup apparatus including multiple pixels. Each of the multiple pixels includes a photoelectric-conversion unit, and an amplifier which outputs a signal based on charge generated by the photoelectric-conversion unit. Within an electric path between the photoelectric-conversion unit and an input node of the amplifier, there are disposed a first holder, a second holder disposed following the first holder, a first transfer unit which transfers charge to the first holder, a second transfer unit which transfers charge of the first holder to the second holder, and a third transfer unit which transfers charge of the second holder. The first holder includes a first-conductive-type first semiconductor region holding charge. The second holder includes a first-conductive-type second semiconductor region holding charge. Impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region is lower than impurity concentration of the second semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamashita, Masahiro Kobayashi, Itsutaku Sano, Takeshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 8780249
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array in which pixels each including a photoelectric conversion part generating and storing a signal charge in accordance with incident light are disposed in a two-dimensional matrix state, and a vertical scanning circuit performing a reset of the photoelectric conversion part by each selected row, and performing a reading of a signal of the pixel by each selected row. During a read period performing the reading, the vertical scanning circuit performs the reset for the photoelectric conversion part at an arbitrary row of which reading ends in accordance with a change of the number of rows to which the resets for the photoelectric conversion parts before exposure are performed to make the number of rows to which the resets of the photoelectric conversion parts are performed constant within the read period of each row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8780250
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that makes it possible, when executing processing on image data groups classified according to classification information, to perform the processing on an image data item having a plurality of pieces of classification information added thereto, in a user-friendly manner adapted to a type of the processing. A system controller selects an image data group of image data items to which specific classification information is added. The controller designates processing to be executed on the image data group. When a plurality of image data groups are selected, the controller causes the processing designated by said designation unit to be executed on an image data item belonging to a plurality of selected image data groups such that the number of times of execution of the processing on the image data item is made different according to a type of the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kondo, Yuichi Nakase, Yousuke Takagi
  • Patent number: 8780251
    Abstract: An image capture device includes capture optics for capturing light-field information for a scene. A display screen displays a preview of the scene by using the captured light-field information at a default focal plane. The display displays a user interface for accepting a user selection of a region in the preview together with a user selection of focus for the selected region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Francisco Imai