Patents Issued in August 7, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140218525
    Abstract: A method for determining a pitch of a camera installed in a vehicle includes: production of first image gradient data from a first camera image, the first image gradient data representing a brightness change of adjacent pixels of the first camera image along a vertical axis of the first camera image; production of second image gradient data from a second camera image recorded subsequent to the first camera image, the second image gradient data representing a brightness change of adjacent pixels of the second camera image along a vertical axis of the second camera image; generation of an image displacement value, which represents a displacement of a pixel of the second camera image in relation to a corresponding pixel of the first camera image; and ascertainment of a pitch based on the image displacement value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Sellhusen, Thusitha Parakrama
  • Publication number: 20140218526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lane-tracking assistance system for a motor vehicle including a surroundings detection device for determining at least one roadway marking and with at least one vehicle headlight which, depending on the detected roadway marking and a position of the motor vehicle that is able to be detected from this relative to the roadway marking, is designed to generate light of a differing spectral composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas FEID, INGOLF SCHNEIDER, PHILIPP ROECKL, FRANK LANGKABEL
  • Publication number: 20140218527
    Abstract: A parking management system that facilitates motorist guidance, payment, violation detection, and enforcement using highly accurate space occupancy detection, unique vehicle identification, guidance displays, payment acceptance, violation detection, enforcement data generation, electronic booting, and towing management is described. The system enables reduced time to find parking, congestion mitigation, accurate violation detection, and easier enforcement, and increased payment and enforcement revenues to cities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Balu SUBRAMANYA
  • Publication number: 20140218528
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a vehicle occupant with a three-dimensional sound human machine interface, three-dimensional sound navigation, and three-dimensional sound warnings. One method includes retrieving a menu option, determining a virtual location of the menu option relative to the vehicle occupant, and emitting audio related to the menu option through a three-dimensional sound system to cause the vehicle occupant to hear the audio at the virtual location. The method also includes receiving feedback from the vehicle occupant related to the menu option and interpreting the feedback to adjust the virtual location of the menu option.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Arthur Alaniz, Fuminobu Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20140218529
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one camera having a field of view exterior the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. When the vehicle is parked, a control controls the camera to capture frames of image data at a first capture rate. The control compares a frame of captured imaged data to at least one previous frame of captured image data. Responsive to the comparison determining a change in the frames of captured image data beyond a threshold degree of change, (i) the control increases the capture rate to a second capture rate, (ii) the at least one camera captures frames of image data at the second capture rate and (iii) the control activates a recording device to record images captured by the camera at the second capture rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hossam Mahmoud, Christian Traub, Arno Krapf
  • Publication number: 20140218530
    Abstract: Platforms and techniques are described in which a traffic event detection system includes a camera connected to a central processor unit (CPU), and a video display with sound speaker also connected to the CPU. The camera is mounted outside the vehicle on an extendable and/or rotatable support, and captures images of traffic in front of the vehicle at a height generally above that of vehicles that may be ahead of the vehicle mounted with the detection system. The CPU can feed all of the images to the video display inside the vehicle visible to the driver. The CPU also analyses those images for sudden change in traffic pattern based on spectral content of the image stream, and can warn the driver with an audible sound if the cars in front of him or her break suddenly, or other traffic events occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20140218531
    Abstract: A driving assistance apparatus is provided in which the detection range of a left-front-corner sonar (12a) located at the vehicle's left front corner is included in the field of view of a second imaging means (14) located at the vehicle's left front corner. When the left-front-corner sonar (12a) detects a three-dimensional object at the vehicle's left front corner, an image processing means (3) synthesizes an image of the image created using a second imaging means (14) and the images created with four cameras (7a-7d) for imaging the complete periphery of the vehicle, and creates a bird's-eye-view image (40b). The detection range of the left-front-corner sonar (12a) is included within a region of the bird's-eye image (40b) on the basis of the image created with the second imaging means (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Michiguchi, Tatsuto Ryugo, Kenji Okano, Yukiko Kanno
  • Publication number: 20140218532
    Abstract: Defining a handoff zone for tracking a vehicle between cameras is disclosed. Initially, a first image stream is received from a first camera having a first field of view. A second image stream is also received from a second camera having a second field of view, where the second field of view is different from and at least partially overlapping with the first field of view. Next, an overlap area that defines the overlap between the first image stream and the second image stream is determined. A handoff zone within the overlap area is then determined, where tracking of the vehicle is passed from the first camera to the second camera after the vehicle enters the handoff zone. Finally, boundaries of the handoff zone are stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CLOUDPARC, INC.
    Inventors: Steven David Nerayoff, Thompson S. Wong
  • Publication number: 20140218533
    Abstract: Defining destination locations and restricted locations within an image stream is disclosed. Initially, a first image stream is received from a first camera having a first field of view, where the first field of view includes at least one destination location and at least one restricted location. Next, first boundaries of the at least one destination location and a first description of one or more rules associated with the at least one destination location are received. A first identifier is then assigned to the at least one destination location. Next, second boundaries of the at least one restricted location and a second description of one or more rules associated with the at least one restricted location are received. Finally, the first boundaries, the first description of one or more rules, the first identifier, the second boundaries, and the second description of one or more rules are saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CLOUDPARC, INC.
    Inventors: Steven David Nerayoff, Thompson S. Wong
  • Publication number: 20140218534
    Abstract: A vehicle vision system includes an extender element disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. The extender element includes an extender portion and an end portion, with the end portion viewable to a viewer who is viewing the rear of the vehicle. The end portion includes at least one of (i) a vehicle emblem and (ii) a vehicle logo. A rear backup camera assembly is at least partially disposed in the extender portion of the extender element. The rear backup camera assembly is disposed with its lens viewing exterior of the vehicle. The extender element is incapable of extending such that the rear backup camera is non-movable relative to the rear portion of the vehicle when disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: William G. Briggance
  • Publication number: 20140218535
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor disposed at the vehicle and having an exterior field of view. A control is disposed at the vehicle and a coaxial cable is in communication between the imaging sensor and the control. The vision system communicates image data captured by the imaging sensor to the control and supplies power to the imaging sensor via the coaxial cable. The coaxial cable may include an inner core comprising copper, a dielectric medium, a foil screen, an outer conductor comprising copper, a separating layer and an outer sheath. When initially powering up the vision system, a transceiver of the imaging sensor may be tuned to an initial communication mode, which is suitable for communication with at least one of the control, a communication interface of the vision system and a display device of the vision system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joern Ihlenburg, Jens Steigerwald, Michael Dominik Schöppner
  • Publication number: 20140218536
    Abstract: A video/audio system includes an interface device that receives a plurality of audio and video signals from a plurality of sources. The interface device combines these signals into various combinations and transmits the combinations to a receiver. The receiver is configured to interface one of the combinations of signals with a user. In this regard, the receiver allows the user to select one of the combinations, and in response, the receiver separates the video signal(s) of the selected combination from the audio signal(s) of the selected combination. Then, the receiver renders the video signal(s) via a display device and produces a sound defined by the audio signal(s) via a speaker. Accordingly, the user is able to control which set of audio and video signals are interfaced with the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IMMERSION ENTERTAINMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Tazwell L. Anderson, JR., Mark A. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140218537
    Abstract: A method for disseminating information regarding a problem and administering medical interventions comprises providing a mobile device wirelessly connectable to a network, receiving and storing contact information corresponding to a designated list of information recipients, receiving, via the mobile device, a signal from a user indicating the problem, receiving, via the mobile device, information regarding the problem, transmitting an indication of the problem to a rescue clearinghouse via the network, prompting a participant of the rescue clearinghouse, different from the user, to make a decision about a course of action regarding the problem, and at least one of transmitting the information regarding the problem to the information recipients from the designated list and transmitting the information regarding the problem to a government rescue organization, based at least in part on the decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Nepo
  • Publication number: 20140218538
    Abstract: Provided is an image fusion apparatus using a multi-spectral filter array sensor, the image fusion apparatus including a separation unit configured to separate an input image input through the multi-spectral filter array sensor into an RGB image and a near infrared (NIR) image, a color reconstruction unit configured to extract an RGB image in a visible band by removing an NIR value incident together with R, G and B values through the multi-spectral filter array sensor from the R, G and B values, and an image fusion unit configured to fuse the RGB image in the visible band with the NIR image, in which a fusion rate of the RGB image and the NIR image is based on a size of each of the R, G and B values of the RGB image in the visible band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG TECHWIN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eun-Cheol CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140218539
    Abstract: A chromaticity correction device corrects chromaticity of a video signal displayed on a display panel of a display device to correspond to a change in a luminance value of the display panel. The chromaticity correction device includes a luminance detection unit which detects the luminance value, a backlight driving level detection unit which detects a backlight driving level, a temperature detection unit which detects an internal device temperature or an ambient temperature, a reference luminance value calculation unit which estimates a reference luminance value in a characteristic of an initial state, a chromaticity calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity change amount of white point chromaticity and estimated white point chromaticity that is an estimated value of current white point chromaticity, a chromaticity correction value calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity correction value and a chromaticity correction circuit which corrects the chromaticity of the video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20140218540
    Abstract: A plurality of images of a scene may be obtained. These images may have been captured by an image sensor, and may include a first image and a second image. A particular gain may have been applied to the first image. An effective color temperature and a brightness of a first pixel in the first image may be determined, and a mapping between pixel characteristics and noise deviation of the image sensor may be selected. The pixel characteristics may include pixel brightness. The selected mapping may be used to map at least the brightness of the first pixel to a particular noise deviation. The brightness of the first pixel and the particular noise deviation may be compared to a brightness of a second pixel of the second image. The comparison may be used to determine whether to merge the first pixel and the second pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Geiss, Changyin Zhou, Samuel William Hasinoff
  • Publication number: 20140218541
    Abstract: A long-range VGA image transmission system includes an image output source for providing a first image signal; a test circuit for providing a test signal; an image encoding and transmitting circuit for encoding the first image signal and test signal to generate a transmission signal; an image decoding and receiving circuit for receiving and decoding the transmission signal to generate a second image signal and the test signal; an image detection and comparison circuit for receiving, detecting and comparing the second image signal with the test signal to generate an adjustment signal; an image-enhancement compensation circuit for receiving the adjustment signal to automatically adjust the second image signal and generate a third image signal; and an image display device for receiving the second image signal and then receiving the third image signal after the image adjustment. Therefore, manpower cost and possible failure of image adjustment with naked eye is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: C&C TECHNIC TAIWAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huei Chung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140218542
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Lynn Blair, Stephen Dale Hoskins
  • Publication number: 20140218543
    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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Victor Steinberg, Michael Shinsky
  • Publication number: 20140218544
    Abstract: A method is dedicated to the obtaining of video recordings related to a user who has a communication device (EC) capable of connecting to a wireless communications network (RC) and whose position is determinable. This method comprises the following steps: (i) determining the position of the spot where the communication device (EC) is located, (ii) determining whether there is at least one camera (C1) capable of providing video recordings, of a part of an observation area that may include that determined spot, accessible via the communications network (RC), and (iii) in the event that such a camera (C1) is determined, transmitting to the communication device (EC), via the communications network (RC), at least a portion of a video recording made by that camera (C1) while the communication device (EC) is in its observation zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: ALCATEL LUCENT
    Inventors: Christophe Senot, Jérôme Picault
  • Publication number: 20140218545
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus which searches for a plurality of image files shot in succession from among a plurality of files, comprises a search unit which searches for the image files based on file attributes; an obtaining unit which obtains associated information added to each of the found image files; a determination unit which determines whether continuity exists between a plurality of image files having the same attribute based on the associated information; and a setting unit which sets the plurality of image files determined to have continuity as belonging to the same group, wherein the associated information added to each image file includes identification information indicating a file of an image shot after that file, and identification information indicating a file of an image shot before that file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Matsushita, Yuki Wada
  • Publication number: 20140218546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving image data captured by an imager array including a plurality of focal planes are described. One embodiment of the invention includes capturing image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module, where an image is formed on each active focal plane by a separate lens stack, generating lines of image data by interleaving the image data captured by the plurality of active focal planes, and transmitting the lines of image data and the additional data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Pelican Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Kenneth John McMahon
  • Publication number: 20140218547
    Abstract: This wireless device has: a variable directivity antenna having variable directivity characteristics; a generating unit, which generates control information to be used in connection setting processing from radio waves transmitted from other wireless device before completion of the connection setting processing, and received by the variable directivity antenna, and which generates data for data processing from the radio waves transmitted from other wireless device after the completion of the connection setting processing and received by the variable directivity antenna; a connection setting unit, which performs the connection setting processing with respect to other wireless device identified by means of the control information; and an antenna control unit, which controls the directivity direction of the variable directivity antenna to a predetermined direction during a period from a time when the connection setting unit started the connection setting processing to a time when the connection setting unit compl
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaharu Yanagidate
  • Publication number: 20140218548
    Abstract: An image is shot by an electronic camera using a convenient operation. Shot images are recorded into a directory corresponding to a user by shooting date and/or event. When a print-out mode is selected, a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed on the camera display, and when a single click is made by an undepicted pen on a specified thumbnail image, the display color of the thumbnail image is changed. Furthermore, when another click is subsequently made, the display color of all the thumbnail images included in the same event as that of the first designated thumbnail image is changed. Subsequently, when another click is made, the display color of all the thumbnail images of the same shooting date is changed, and when another click is subsequently made, the display color of all the thumbnail images included in the same directory is changed. Furthermore, on a specified display screen, when an execution key is pressed, the thumbnail images of which the display color is changed are printed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira OHMURA
  • Publication number: 20140218549
    Abstract: The disclosed technology receives at a second computing device a message from a first computing device comprising at least an indication of a physical motion, a requested motion, or an indication of a camera control operation. The indicated motion can correspond to a physical motion made to the first computing device. The indicated camera control operation can correspond to a camera control operation made at the first computing device. The technology requests to physically move the second computing device if the received message indicates a motion; and controls a digital camera associated with the second computing device if the received message indicates a camera control operation made at the first computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Gad S. Sheaffer, Shmuel Ur, David Hirshberg, Yesha Sivan, Menahem Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20140218550
    Abstract: An image capturing device and an image processing method are provided. The present method includes following steps. A first image and a second image are captured with a first focal length and a second focal length correspondingly. The motion corrected second image is produced by performing geometric correction procedure on the second image. A gradient operation is performed on each of the pixels of the first image to obtain a plurality of first gradients, and the gradient operation is performed on each of the pixels of the motion corrected second image to obtain a plurality of second gradients. The first gradients and the second gradients are compared and a first parameter map is generated according to the comparison results. A blending image is produced in according with the first parameter map and the first image, and an output image is produced at least in according with the blending image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Altek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Che-Lun Chuang, Hong-Long Chou
  • Publication number: 20140218551
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a base; an image sensor; and a correction mechanism that prevents an image blur, the correction mechanism including: a movable frame that holds the image sensor; a device for moving in an X-direction; a device for moving in a Y-direction; and an attracting and holding device including: an iron plate provided on one of the movable frame and the base; a magnet plate provided on the other one; and an iron ball provided between the iron plate and the magnet plate, the attracting and holding device attracting and holding the movable frame to the base by attracting the iron plate to the magnet plate via the iron ball, and wherein a guide device moves the movable frame to a side of the base when the movable frame is moved by the devices for moving in the X- and Y-directions in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Koichi Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20140218552
    Abstract: An electronic device and an image composition method thereof are provided. The electronic device selects a plurality of key images from a plurality of images corresponding to a scene according to a first image characteristic, and selects at least two portions from the plurality of key images according to a second image characteristic. Each of the at least two portions corresponds to different regions of the scene. Then, the electronic device generates a composite image corresponding to the scene by combining the at least two portions and provide the composite image and at least two of the key images from which the at least two portions are selected to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiang Huang, Tzu-Hao Kuo, Liang-Kang Huang
  • Publication number: 20140218553
    Abstract: A method for producing an improved high resolution image is disclosed including capturing low resolution images and a high resolution image; combining the low resolution images to provide an aggregate low resolution image; reducing the resolution of the high resolution image to provide an image representative of a low resolution image that could have been captured by the image capture device; interpolating the representative low resolution image to provide an interpolated high resolution image; calculating a residual image from the high resolution image and the interpolated high resolution image; combining the representative low resolution image and the aggregate low resolution image to provide a final low resolution image; and using the final low resolution image and the residual image to provide the improved high resolution image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventor: Aaron T. Deever
  • Publication number: 20140218554
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method of controlling the same are provided. When the electronic device captures a predetermined number of images through a camera in a predetermined location, the captured images are grouped into a group and a title for the group is recommended. Accordingly, a group title is recommended depending on photographing situation when a user continuously captures images, and thus captured images can be managed more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Yoonseok YANG, Sungchae NA
  • Publication number: 20140218555
    Abstract: An electronic device and an image selection method thereof are provided. The electronic device is configured to obtain a series of images; determine camera states corresponding to the series of images; select first images from the series of images according to the camera states; determine object states corresponding to the first images; divide the first images into a number of groups according to the object states; and select a candidate image from each of the number of groups. The image selection method is applied to the electronic device to implement the aforesaid operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Tzu-Hao Kuo, Chun-Hsiang Huang, Liang-Kang Huang
  • Publication number: 20140218556
    Abstract: An optical processing apparatus, a light source luminance adjustment method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium thereof are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Chun-Wei CHEN, Ren-Hau GU, Ching-Lin CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20140218557
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing an image processing program configured to enable a computer to execute a shaping step of shaping an input image generated through capturing via an optical system by using a characteristic of the optical system and an image-pickup condition, a blurring step of blurring an image shaped in the shaping step, and a dividing step of dividing the input image into a plurality or layered images according to an object distance. The computer executes the shaping step based upon distance information of an object contained in each layered image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki EBE
  • Publication number: 20140218558
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a lens unit, a body unit detachably attached to the lens unit, and an interface unit configured to connect the lens unit and the body unit so as to be capable of communicating with each other, the interface unit having a bidirectional communication interface and a unidirectional interface. The lens unit includes an optical lens configured to transmit light from an object, an imaging device configured to form an image with the light, and an image processing section configured to generate image data based on an output of the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroyuki YAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20140218559
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of obtaining a natural image close to what is seen with eyes and broad in dynamic range. A plurality of object regions are determined based on image data, and representative brightness values of respective ones of the object regions are calculated. A first exposure condition is decided based on the representative brightness value of a first object region which is a main object region, and a second exposure condition is decided based on the representative brightness values of the first and second object regions. By using the first and second exposure conditions, a plurality of images for use in generating a synthesized image are acquired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Yamaguchi, Naoto Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140218560
    Abstract: A file managing method for a digital apparatus includes (a) establishing a folder corresponding to a file type generated in an operational mode of the digital apparatus, and (b) storing a file according to its file type to the folder corresponding to the file type established in step (a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: Chih-Wen Huang
  • Publication number: 20140218561
    Abstract: When a shutter release operation is performed at an electronic still camera, an MPU records image data output from an image capturing element into a CF card. The MPU also stores the image data in a transfer buffer memory of an interface circuit. The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory are transferred to a transfer buffer memory provided at an interface circuit of a personal computer connected via an IEEE-1394 cable. The MPU of the personal computer reads out the image data having been taken into the personal computer from the transfer buffer memory and records them in a specific recording area in a recording device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isao TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140218562
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a an electronic device such as a digital camera 300 that includes a deletion mode whereby a camera/electronic device user can delete captured images or data files that have already been transferred in order to make room in the electronic device or digital camera memory for capturing further images. In one embodiment a digital camera keep track of which images have already been transferred to an external storage device and presents those to the user as potential images to be deleted. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a “delete all transferred images” which when selected deletes all the captured images that have already been transferred. In still another embodiment, a deletion criteria is used to prioritize which images are deleted first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Keith Stoll Karn, Thomas A. Napoli, Frank W. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20140218563
    Abstract: If a setting device such as a focus switch happens to be changed during the time that a power supply is off, the user is notified of how the setting device has changed. When the power supply of a digital camera is turned off, the set state of the setting device at such time is stored. When the power supply is turned on, the set state of the setting device is detected and this set state is compared with the set state of the setting device that was in effect when the power supply was turned off. If the set state has been changed, a warning image is displayed and the set state that was in effect when the power supply was turned off and the set state currently in effect are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiko SUGIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140218564
    Abstract: A lens unit L100 is removably mounted on an image pickup apparatus generating control information used for a vibration control that vibrates a correction lens L105 and moves a vibration center of the correction lens L105, includes an image pickup optical system including a magnification varying lens L102 and the correction lens L105, a storage unit storing first information indicating a relation between positions of the magnification varying lens L102 and the correction lens L105, and a lens controller performing a predetermined control in which the correction lens L105 moves in accordance with the movement of the magnification varying lens L102, and the lens controller sends information relating to the magnification varying operation to the image pickup apparatus, and overlaps the vibration control of the correction lens L105 based on the control information in accordance with the information relating to the magnification varying operation with the predetermined control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Tomosada, Shun Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140218565
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is configured comprising a necessary/unnecessary determination data generating unit configured to generate necessary/unnecessary determination data; an image encoding unit assigning identification information respectively to, and recording, in a recording unit, each piece of data after division of each moving image of a moving image after encoding, a necessary/unnecessary determining unit configured to determine an unnecessary moving image frame based on necessary/unnecessary determination data; and a moving image file managing unit configured to rewrite information indicating a state of data at a recording unit in the recording unit corresponding to a moving image frame determined as unnecessary moving image frame by the necessary/unnecessary determining unit into information that there is no data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi MIYOSHI, Akio KOSAKA, Hidekazu IWAKI, Arata SHINOZAKI, Mitsunori KUBO, Takayuki NAKATOMI, Nobuyuki WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20140218566
    Abstract: When a continuous imaging mode is set, a screen is displayed for allowing input of a number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images, a determination is made as to whether the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been input by the user. When the number of images to shoot and the imaging parameters for each of the images have been input, the input number of images and the imaging parameters are stored, and a direct image display is started. Moreover, when there is an imaging instruction, a continuous imaging process is started in which still imaging is performed continuously based on the stored number of images and the imaging parameters. When the continuous imaging process has been completed, the plurality of still image data, obtained with differing imaging parameters, is recorded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji IWAMOTO, Osamu NOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20140218567
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel unit configured to output a bayer pattern by converting an optical signal of a subject into an electrical signal; and a vertical interpolation unit configured to generate a vertical binning image by adding or averaging values of vertical pixels of the bayer pattern based on weight information set for each row region of the bayer pattern. Further, the image sensor includes a horizontal interpolation unit configured to generate a horizontal binning image by adding or averaging values of horizontal pixels of the bayer pattern based on weight information set for each column region of the bayer pattern; and an image composition unit configured to generate a weight-based binning image by composing the vertical and horizontal binning images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Yong In HAN
  • Publication number: 20140218568
    Abstract: An image processing device includes a recording control unit that controls recording of an image of a predetermined frame among images of a plurality of consecutive frames, a trim box setting unit that sets a plurality of trim boxes containing a subject area which is an area of a subject of interest in the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, and a generation control unit that controls generation of the plurality of trim images from the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, based on the plurality of trim boxes set by the trim box setting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20140218569
    Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of reducing a margin region required for rolling shutter distortion correction processing. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit employing a rolling shutter method, and a correction unit configured to perform correction processing for reducing a rolling shutter distortion on image data captured by the imaging unit. The correction unit adjusts readout positions of other lines relative to a readout position of a reference line in the image data, and sets the reference line so as to reduce a deviation amount between the readout position of the reference line and the readout positions of the other lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Tsubaki
  • Publication number: 20140218570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of simulating an initial component of a signal to approximate a component of a reference signal, the method characterized by the steps of: i. generating a source signal which includes at least one harmonic component, and ii. determining the average amplitude and duration of the source signal, and iii. referencing the amplitude of the reference signal component to be simulated, and iv. integrating the source signal over a period of time sufficient to produce a value tier the signal component amplitude approximate to the reference signal component amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Andrew Dean Payne, Adrian Andrew Dorrington
  • Publication number: 20140218571
    Abstract: An image processing method includes searching a plurality of reference image blocks with pixel patterns identical to a pixel pattern of a main image block in image data; generating a plurality of weight values according to brightness values of pixels of the main image block and brightness values of pixels of the plurality of reference image blocks; summing values of multiplying the plurality of weight values with brightness values of center pixels of the corresponding main image block and the corresponding reference image blocks to generate a sum result; generating a first brightness value according to the sum result and a normalizing factor; and updating the brightness value of the center pixel of the main image block according to the first brightness value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Etron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shin-Shiuan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140218572
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes: a filter section including filters that are disposed corresponding to respective pixels, and each allowing light of a color that corresponds to corresponding one of the pixels to transmit therethrough, in which the pixels are each configured to receive the light of the predetermined color; and a microlens array section including a plurality of microlenses each configured to collect the light for corresponding one of the pixels, in which the microlenses are stacked with respect to the filter section, and are arranged in an array pattern corresponding to the respective pixels. The microlenses have two or more shapes that are different from one another corresponding to the respective colors of the light to be received by the pixels, and each having an end that is in contact with the end of adjacent one of the microlenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Ootsuka
  • Publication number: 20140218573
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensing device, signal processing circuit device, and a multi-layer wiring package. The solid-state image sensing device has a pixel in an image sensing area thereof. The pixel receives incident light and generate a signal electric charge. The signal processing circuit device is arranged to face the image sensing area and applies signal processing to a signal output from the solid-state image sensing device. The multi-layer wiring package has wiring layers, the solid-state image sensing device, and the signal processing circuit device. Each of the wiring layers is laminated via an insulator. The multi-layer wiring package is formed such that a first wiring layer provided between the solid-state image sensing device and the signal processing circuit device has a greater thickness than second wiring layers and has heat conductivity higher than or equal to heat conductivity of the second wiring layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki HAGIWARA, Keiji Sasano, Hiroaki Tanaka, Yuki Tuji, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Koji Tsuchiya, Kenzo Tanaka, Takaya Wada, Noboru Kawabata, Hirokazu Yoshida, Hironori Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140218574
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a semiconductor substrate having an effective region in which a photodiode performing a photoelectric conversion is formed and, an optical black region shielded by a light shielding film; a first film which is formed on the effective region and in which at least one layer or more of layers having a negative fixed charge are laminated; and a second film which is formed on the light shielding region and in which at least one layer or more of layers having a negative fixed charge are laminated, in which the number of layers formed in the first film is different from the number of layers formed in the second film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kai Yoshitsugu