Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
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Patent number: 9554020Abstract: Video data with enhanced dynamic range (EDR) are color graded for a first and a second reference display with different dynamic range characteristics to generate a first color-graded output, a second color graded output, and associated first and second sets of metadata. The first color-graded output and the two sets of metadata are transmitted from an encoder to a decoder to be displayed on a target display which may be different than the second reference display. At the receiver, a decoder interpolates between the first and second set of metadata to generate a third set of metadata which drives the display management process for displaying the received video data onto the target display. The second set of metadata of metadata may be represented as delta metadata values from the first set of metadata values.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Kimball D. Thurston, III, James E. Crenshaw, Robin Atkins, Tao Chen, Timo Kunkel
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Patent number: 9554021Abstract: An analog video signal received through a cable may be distorted due to the cable and noise during its transmission. Provided is a method and apparatus for determining a level of transmission distortion and compensating for an analog video signal. A video signal reception method and apparatus may determine a distortion level of an analog video signal using an equalizing pattern signal included in a video signal, and may compensate for the analog video signal based on the distortion level.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: NEXTCHIP CO., LTD.Inventors: Do Kyun Kim, Il Gwon Kim, Jin Gun Song
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Patent number: 9554022Abstract: Embodiments provide a camera module including a lens unit, a first board formed with an electromagnetic circuit, a second board spaced apart from the first board, the second board including a terminal for external electrical connection and being formed with an electromagnetic circuit, a first support member having one side coupled to the first board and the other side coming into contact with one surface of the second board, so as to maintain a constant distance between the first board and the second board, and an electromagnetic-field shield configured to receive the first board and the second board therein, the electromagnetic-field shield serving to inhibit outward leakage of an electromagnetic-field formed in each board.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Jun Suk Yang
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Patent number: 9554023Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a camera module includes: a movable element having first magnets which are formed at uniform intervals on the outer circumferential surface of a bobbin fixing a lens and second magnets which are arranged between the first magnets on the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin; a stator having first coil blocks which respectively face the first magnets, second magnets which respectively face the second magnets, and a housing which fixes the first coil blocks and the second magnets; an elastic member elastically supporting the movable element with respect to the stator; a base supporting the stator; and a case covering the housing and coupled to the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTDInventor: Sang Ok Park
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Patent number: 9554024Abstract: An image sensor module and an imaging device. An image sensor package includes a plurality of image sensor chips for generating image signals and a lower transparent board over the image sensor chips. An upper transparent board is positioned over the lower transparent board and includes a lens for focusing an external light to the image sensor chips. An adhesion member is interposed between the upper transparent board and the lower transparent board, and thus the upper and lower transparent boards are adhered to each other by the adhesion member such that the lens and the image sensor chips are aligned with each other. A dehumidifying agent is arranged in the adhesion member to absorb moistures from an interior of the image sensor module. Accordingly, the moistures are prevented from being condensed onto the surface of the image sensor module.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Dong-Hun Yi, Jong-Keun Jeon, Yong-Jin Lee, Kee-Seok Kim
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Patent number: 9554025Abstract: There is provided a solid state image capturing apparatus including an image capturing element for photoelectric converting an incident light; a light shielding filter for shielding a part of the incident light; and a metal plate partly having an opening for fixing the light shielding filter at a position for blocking the opening, an end of the opening of the metal plate being etched and antireflection treated. Also, a camera module and an electronic device are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Eiichiro Dobashi
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Patent number: 9554026Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus is disclosed, including a lens driver module and a sensor module; wherein the lens driver module includes a lens housing chamber and a female engagement base, the lens housing chamber being for housing a lens, and the female engagement base being located inside the lens driver module; the sensor module includes a sensor and a male engagement base; the female engagement base being disposed on the male engagement base; and an optical calibration facility being used to adjust the lens driver module; when an optical axis of the lens driver module is parallel to a sensor optical axis of the sensor module, a glue is applied to fasten the lens driver module and the sensor module so that the female engagement base and the male engagement base do not move with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: TOPRAY MEMS INC.Inventors: Chin-Sung Liu, Yi-Jung Chen
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Patent number: 9554027Abstract: An electronic system includes a first electronic apparatus and a second electronic apparatus. The first electronic apparatus includes a first low-energy communication unit, a camera unit and a first control unit. The camera unit is configured for capturing multimedia files. The first control unit is configured for generating a plurality of metadata related to the multimedia files respectively. The second electronic apparatus includes a second low-energy communication unit and a second control unit. The second low-energy communication unit is configured for establishing a first wireless connection with the first low-energy communication unit, and receiving the metadata related to each of the multimedia files without receiving original contents of the multimedia files. The second control unit is coupled with the second low-energy communication unit. The second control unit is configured for classifying the metadata into at least one group.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: HTC CorporationInventors: Jenn-Wein Wu, Chien-Chuan Chang, Yung-Chao Tseng, Hsin-Ti Chueh
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Patent number: 9554028Abstract: An imaging device includes a first communication unit, an imaging control unit, and a recording determination unit that determines whether or not an image data is to be recorded according to an operation instruction. The first communication unit transmits recording permission information to an external communication device when a user operation is a recording permission operation, and transmits recording prohibition information to the communication device when the user operation is a recording prohibition operation. The imaging control unit associates image data with determination result determined by the recording determination unit and either one of the recording permission information and the recording prohibition information and controls a recording unit to record the image data.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Manabu Ichikawa, Katsuhisa Kawaguchi, Masaomi Tomizawa, Osamu Nonaka
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Patent number: 9554029Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus including a first focus detection unit that has a plurality of first focus detection areas in a photographed screen, and detects a first defocusing amount in the first focus detection areas, a second focus detection unit that has a plurality of second focus detection areas in a photographed screen, and detects a second defocusing amount in the second focus detection areas, a defocusing amount selection unit that selects which of the first defocusing amount detected by the first focus detection unit and the second defocusing amount detected by the second focus detection unit is used, and a focus control unit that performs focus control by moving a focus lens on the basis of the defocusing amount selected by the defocusing amount selection unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Komori, Norihiko Akamatsu, Akifumi Mizukami
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Patent number: 9554030Abstract: An approach is provided for acquiring images with camera-enabled mobile devices using objects of interest recognition. A mobile device is configured to acquire an image represented by image data and process the image data to identify a plurality of candidate objects of interest in the image. The plurality of candidate objects of interest may be identified based upon a plurality of low level features or “cues” in the image data. Example cues include, without limitation, color contrast, edge density and superpixel straddling. A particular candidate object of interest is selected from the plurality of candidate objects of interest and a graphical symbol is displayed on a screen of the mobile device to identify the particular candidate object of interest. The particular candidate object of interest may be located anywhere on the image. Passive auto focusing is performed at the location of the particular candidate object of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Jia Li, Haojian Jin
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Patent number: 9554031Abstract: Methods and apparatus that facilitate or implement focus control in a camera and/or can be used to set the camera focus distance, e.g., the distance between the camera and an object which will appear in focus when the objects picture is taken by the camera. A depth map is generated for an image area, e.g., an area corresponding to an image which is captured by the camera. Based on said depth map, in various exemplary embodiments, a visual indication of which portions of an image captured by the camera device are in focus is generated. A user may indicate a change in the desired focus distance by touching a portion of the screen corresponding to an object at the desired focus distance or by varying a slider or other focus distance control.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Light Labs Inc.Inventors: Rajiv Laroia, Sapna A Shroff
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Patent number: 9554032Abstract: An image pickup apparatus uses an image pickup device. A manual focus adjusting unit is configured to control a focus lens in response to a user's input operation. An edge detecting unit is configured to detect edge components from an image signal obtained by the image pickup device and to output detection levels of the detected edge components. A color signal replacement unit is configured to replace a signal of a pixel corresponding to the detection level with a predetermined color signal when the detection level satisfies a predetermined condition. A display unit is configured to display an image based on an output image signal from the color signal replacement unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tokuichiro Yamada, Tsutomu Kume
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Patent number: 9554033Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises a line sensor including a photoelectric conversion element and an integrating capacitor, a storage unit configured to store information concerning a defective pixel, a first comparison unit configured to compare a signal from the defective pixel with a predetermined threshold, a switching unit configured to switch between a first accumulation mode and a second accumulation mode, and a control unit configured to control the switching unit so as to set the line sensor in the first accumulation mode if the first comparison unit determines that a signal from the defective pixel is not more than the predetermined threshold and set the line sensor in the second accumulation mode if the first comparison unit determines that a signal from the defective pixel is larger than the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takayuki Shu, Takashi Ichimiya
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Patent number: 9554034Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the size of an image pick-up lens unit. A part of a bundle of rays representing subject optical images is deflected vertically downward by a polarization prism, and is further deflected forwards by a total reflection mirror. A bundle of rays totally reflected by the total reflection mirror is split in three directions by a tri-directional splitting prism. The bundle of rays, which is split in three directions, is incident on a first optical-path-length-difference image pick-up element, a second optical-path-length-difference image pick-up element, and a phase-difference image pick-up element included in a phase-difference AF optical system. Auto focus (AF) is performed on the basis of the optical path length difference from signals obtained from the optical-path-length-difference image pick-up elements, and AF is performed on the basis of the phase difference from a signal obtained from the phase-difference image pick-up element.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Yoshitaka Mori
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Patent number: 9554035Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device including: a composition detection unit configured to calculate a time at which an object that is specified by a user and is included in a captured image achieves a composition specified by the user; a time calculation unit configured to calculate a time after start instruction of image pickup operation is issued but before an image is captured; and an image pickup control unit configured to start image pickup processing of the image in response to the start instruction of the image pickup operation. The composition detection unit issues the start instruction of the image pickup operation to the image pickup control unit the time calculated by the time calculation unit before the time at which the composition specified by the user is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Yusuke Sugita
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Patent number: 9554036Abstract: A portable electronic device equipped with a camera module and a shutter buffer and a control method using the same. The shutter button is switchable between multiple stages and includes a display screen. A control circuit of the portable electronic device operates the camera module and provides display content to the display screen based on the switch between the multiple stages of the shutter button.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: HTC CorporationInventor: Yi-Hsin Lin
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Patent number: 9554037Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method for making a bokeh image are provided. The electronic apparatus includes an image photographing unit configured to photograph an image, a display configured to display a user interface (UI) to set a bokeh option on the image, and a controller configured to, when the image is divided into a plurality of areas on the UI, and a bokeh pattern is determined for each of the plurality of areas, generate a bokeh image by mapping the bokeh pattern determined for each of the plurality of areas to a light source point included in the respective each of the plurality of areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seung-ho Lee
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Patent number: 9554038Abstract: An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: GoPro, Inc.Inventors: Scott Patrick Campbell, Paul Mobbs, Balineedu Chowdary Adsumilli, Sumit Chawla
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Patent number: 9554039Abstract: Various systems and methods for an all-in-focus implementation are described herein. A system to for operating a camera, comprising an image sensor in the camera to capture a sequence of images in different focal planes, at least a portion of the sequence of images occurring before receiving a signal to store an all-in-focus image, a user interface module to receive, from a user, the signal to store an all-in-focus image, and an image processor to fuse at least two images to result in the all-in-focus image, wherein the at least two images have different focal planes.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Soumyendu Sarkar, Geoffrey Francis Burns
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Patent number: 9554040Abstract: The present technique provides a method of capturing a multi-viewpoint image of an object with a rotation axis of the object optionally changed by a user and an image display method. The present technique is a multi-viewpoint image capturing method including shooting an object from a plurality of different viewpoints, and capturing a plurality of still images, wherein the object is placed at a center of a virtually set ICO sphere, and during the shooting of the object, the images of the object are captured from a vertex of the virtually set ICO sphere toward the center of the ICO sphere such that the plurality of still images are generated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Kazuhiro Mihara
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Patent number: 9554041Abstract: A portable camera including a housing including a pair of apertures formed on a front surface and a rear surface, an imaging unit including a pair of lens units exposed through the pair of apertures and mounted inside the housing, and a main board controlling the imaging unit. The imaging unit includes a pair of camera modules respectively facing directions of the front surface and the rear surface of the housing, a camera bracket between the pair of camera modules, and a pair of adhesive tapes between the camera modules and the camera bracket. The portable camera may provide a 360-degree panorama image without having to move the camera, and the portable camera may also may minimize any distortion occurring in the panorama image in accordance with the rotation speed of the portable camera, when capturing (or taking) the panorama image by moving and turning the camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jiyong Shin, Sanghyuk Im, Sunglyong Cha, Mattew Kim
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Patent number: 9554042Abstract: Digital video stabilization is selectively turned off in circumstances where it could actually decrease the quality of a captured video. A video camera includes a device for directly detecting physical motion of the camera. Motion data from the motion detector are analyzed to see if video stabilization is appropriate. If the motion data indicate that the video camera is stable, for example, then video stabilization is not applied to the video, thus preventing the possibility of introducing “motion artifacts” into the captured video. In another example, motion as detected by the motion detector can be compared with motion as detected by the video-stabilization engine. If the two motions disagree significantly, then the video-stabilization engine is probably responding more to motion in the captured video rather than to motion of the camera itself, and video stabilization should probably not be applied to the video.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Doina I. Petrescu, Bill Ryan
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Patent number: 9554043Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a video for stabilization are described. A recorded video may be stabilized by removing at least a portion of shake introduced in the video. An original camera path for a camera used to record the video may be determined. A crop window size may be selected, a crop window transform may accordingly be determined, and the crop window transform may be applied to the original video to provide a modified video from a viewpoint of the modified motion camera path.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Matthias Grundmann, Vivek Kwatra, Irfan Essa
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Patent number: 9554044Abstract: An image quality adjustment apparatus obtains correction data for correcting display unevenness of a display panel by capturing an image of the display panel using a camera, and includes a moire frequency control unit that performs a control to position the display panel and the camera at a predetermined relative angle with respect to each other, an unevenness measurement unit that measures the display unevenness of the display panel based on the image captured by the camera, and a correction data generation unit that generates the correction data based on the unevenness measured by the unevenness measurement unit. Arranging the panel and the camera at the predetermined relative angle shifts a spatial frequency component of a moire pattern occurring in the image captured by the camera out of a region where a spatial frequency component of the display unevenness is present, and removes an influence of the moire pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: IIX INC.Inventors: Masayoshi Imoto, Hiroshi Murase, Shinya Tabata
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Patent number: 9554045Abstract: Systems and methods for digital video stabilization via constraint-based rotation smoothing are provided. Digital video data including a set of image frames having associated time stamps and a set of camera orientation data having associated time stamps may be provided. A smoothed set of camera orientation data may be generated by minimizing a rate of rotation between successive image frames while minimizing an amount of empty regions in a resulting set of smoothed image frames reoriented based on the smoothed set of camera orientation data.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventor: Alexandre Karpenko
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Patent number: 9554046Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device arranged for image stabilization of a video stream comprising image frames captured by a video camera, the image processing device comprising: an electronic image stabilization module arranged to perform electronic image stabilization to sub-sets of image frames of the image frames of the video stream to compensate for a oscillating movement of the video camera; and a masking module arranged to apply an edge mask to each sub-set of image frames, wherein each edge mask is having a fixed width, wherein the fixed width is based on a camera oscillation amplitude being specific for the sub-set of image frames to which the edge mask is applied. The present invention also relates to a method for image stabilization of a video stream.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Axis ABInventors: Björn Ardö, Niklas Lindman, Timo Sachse
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Patent number: 9554048Abstract: In-stream rolling shutter compensation may be utilized to modify image data to compensate for detected camera motion. An image processor may perform motion matching on image data received from a camera sensor to determine whether and how the camera is moving. Strips of image data are analyzed to find matching locations between the current image and a previous image by generating graphical profiles for each image strip. The graphical profiles for the current strip are compared to corresponding profiles from the previous image to determine matching locations between the two frames. A motion vector for the strip may be computed based on spatial distances between the match locations of the current image and corresponding match locations of the previous frame. Image data for the current strip may be modified based on the motion vector to compensate for perceived camera motion as it is written out to memory.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: D. Amnon Silverstein
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Patent number: 9554049Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method of guided video capture, the method including identifying a video capture template, the video capture template including a plurality of target video parameters, each of the target video parameters corresponding to one of a plurality of video capture directions; while capturing video, selecting a video capture direction from the plurality of video capture directions based on video parameters of captured video and the plurality of target video parameters using a processor and presenting the selected video capture direction to a user on a display device.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: eBay Inc.Inventor: John Patrick Edgar Tobin
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Patent number: 9554050Abstract: Images can be used to improve setting reminders and the usefulness of reminders. For example, a mobile device can enable the user to request a reminder that uses one or more images obtained from a camera of the mobile device. The user can set a time period for when the image-based reminder is provided to the user. The image can provide information about the reminder as well as a visual depiction of the location the reminder is intended. A location can be detected in conjunction with capturing an image, and the location can be used to form a reminder message. The image can also be analyzed to provide the content of a message (e.g., text can be identified in the image and inserted into the message or used to access a database of corresponding messages). The derived message and/or the image can be provided for the reminder.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Swapnil R. Dave, Kaustubh M. Rao
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Patent number: 9554051Abstract: A display assembly includes an external electronic device in electrical communication with an external communications network. A housing is provided that has a back side, a front side and peripheral edge extending therebetween. The back side is coupled to a support surface such a user may stand proximate the front side. A viewing unit is coupled to the housing and the viewing unit records an image of a user wearing clothes. The image is viewable by the user thereby facilitating the user to critique the appearance of the clothes is worn. A remote unit is in electrical communication with the viewing unit and the remote unit actuates the viewing unit to record the image.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Inventor: Linda Pauls
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Patent number: 9554052Abstract: A computer-implemented method for single-action photo and video messaging includes simultaneously displaying both a live feed representing visual data captured by a video recording device and a plurality of contact icons, each contact icon associated with one or more destinations to which media data can be sent. A single action is received from a user selecting one of the plurality of the displayed contact icons. In response to the user's single action and not based on any subsequent input from the user, the following steps are carried out automatically: capturing visual data from the video recording device, and sending, to the one or more destinations associated with the selected contact icon, the captured visual data.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Wit Dot Media, Inc.Inventors: Onno Gerke Tuus Faber, Leendert Marinus van Driel, Jorn van Dijk
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Patent number: 9554053Abstract: A photographing apparatus including a sensor, a touchscreen, and a controller is disclosed. The sensor is configured to detect that a user approaches or comes within a predetermined proximity the photographing apparatus. The touchscreen is configured to display an image representing a state of the photographing apparatus and receive a gesture of the user. The controller is configured to enable a function of the touchscreen to detect the gesture based on a signal received from the sensor, and execute a function corresponding to the gesture.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-sik Kim, Gun-woo Nam
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Patent number: 9554054Abstract: The imaging apparatus has: a first exposure mode in which an exposure condition is determined based on pixel data generated by photoelectrically converting, by a plurality of pixels, light rays entering through a pupil division unit, a state of vignetting of the photographing optical system is determined based on information about a construction of a photographing optical system, and an exposure condition is determined based on the pixel data selected from the pixel data generated in accordance with the vignetting state; and a second exposure mode in which an exposure condition is determined based on data obtained by adding the generated pixel data with respect to the exit pupil area of the photographing lens.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masafumi Kimura
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Patent number: 9554055Abstract: The present application provides a data processing method and an electronic device. The data processing method comprises: detecting a movement status of the electronic device by a sensor unit; generating a movement parameter of the electronic device based on the movement status; and generating an exposure parameter threshold for an image capture unit of the electronic device based on the movement parameter of the electronic device, such that the image capture unit captures an image with an exposure parameter higher than the exposure parameter threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) LimitedInventors: Qizhong Zheng, Lihua Li, Rui Li, Yigan Zhang
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Patent number: 9554056Abstract: The invention is made in the field of coding of images of high dynamic range. The invention is based on the concept of Frame Compatible format. The idea is to transport, in a frame, down-sampled LDR content together with additional information allowing reconstructing HDR content from the LDR content. Thus, it is proposed a method of encoding an HDR image of high dynamic range according to claim 1. Said method comprises down-sampling (DWN) an LDR image and additional data, the LDR image providing a lower dynamic range depiction of the HDR image content and the additional data allowing for reconstructing the HDR image from the LDR image.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: THOMSON LICENSINGInventors: David Touze, Yannick Olivier, Philippe Bordes, Dominique Thoreau, Joan Llach
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Patent number: 9554057Abstract: Wide dynamic range depth imaging in a structured light device is provided that improves depth maps for scenes with a wide range of albedo values under varying light conditions. A structured light pattern, e.g., a time-multiplexed structured light pattern, is projected into a scene at various projection times and a camera captures images of the scene for at least the same exposure times as the projection times. A depth image is computed for each of the projection/exposure times and the resulting depth images are combined to generate a composite depth image.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Vikram VijayanBabu Appia, Aziz Umit Batur
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Patent number: 9554058Abstract: There is provided a method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image, including obtaining an image sequence with similar exposure times, obtaining a plurality of still images with different exposure times, which temporally correspond to at least one image among the image sequence, and generating a matched image having an HDR from the plurality of still images by using the image sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INHA Industry Partnership InstituteInventors: Nak-hoon Kim, Byung-cheol Song, Jum-han Bae
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Patent number: 9554059Abstract: An exposure-control system and an associated exposure control method are provided. The exposure-control system includes: an image capturing unit configured to capture a long-exposure image and a short-exposure image with a first exposure value and a second exposure value, respectively; and a processor, configured to calculate histograms of the long-exposure image and the short-exposure image, and calculate an exposure ratio according to the calculated histograms, the first and second exposure values, wherein when the exposure ratio is smaller than a first threshold, the processor switches a current exposure mode to a low dynamic range mode. When the exposure ratio is larger than a second threshold, the processor switches the current exposure mode to a high dynamic range mode. When the exposure ratio is between the first threshold and the second threshold, the processor does not switch the current exposure mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.Inventors: Chin-An Lin, Chung-Te Li, Keng-Sheng Lin, Hao-Jen Wang, Hsin-Yu Chen
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Patent number: 9554060Abstract: In one aspect, one or more computing devices may capture a panoramic image. Panoramic images may refer to images having a field of view which is greater than that of the human eye, e.g., 180 degrees or greater. Some panoramic images may provide a 360-degree view of a location. In response to capturing the panoramic image, the one or more computing devices may provide for display a request for a non-panoramic, for example, a zoomed-in image. A zoomed-in image may be captured. An area of the panoramic image that corresponds to the zoomed-in image is determined by the one or more computing devices. The zoomed-in image is associated with the area by the one or more computing devices. In this regard, the panoramic image and the zoomed-in image may be taken close in time such that the images have the same or similar lighting conditions, scenes, etc.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Daniel Joseph Filip
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Patent number: 9554061Abstract: An intelligent hub for interfacing with other devices and performing smart audio or video source selection.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Proctor Consulting LLPInventors: James A. Proctor, Jr., James Arthur Proctor, III
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Patent number: 9554062Abstract: A video switcher includes: a reception unit which receives video data within a range of a prescribed bandwidth via a network from video output apparatuses; a transmission unit which selects one or more pieces from among received video data, and transmits the selected one or more pieces to a video processing apparatus; a selection unit which dynamically sets a priority degree of each piece of video data, and selects video data to be received; and a control unit which controls a transmission and reception of video data. When a bandwidth necessary for a reception of new video data is insufficient, the selection unit selects video data for which reception is to be stopped from among video data being received based on the priority degree, and the control unit performs a control so as to stop a reception of selected video data and start a reception of the new video data.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Yasuto Masuda
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Patent number: 9554063Abstract: A process classifies objects in a scene. The process receives a captured IR image of a scene taken by a 2-dimensional image sensor array of a camera system while one or more IR illuminators of the camera system are emitting IR light, thereby forming an IR intensity map of the scene with a respective intensity value determined for each pixel of the IR image. The process uses the IR intensity map to identify a plurality of pixels whose corresponding intensity values are within a predefined intensity range, and clusters the identified plurality of pixels into one or more regions that are substantially contiguous. The process determines that a first region of the one or more regions corresponds to a specific material based, at least in part, on the intensity values of the pixels in the first region. The process then stores information in the memory that identifies the first region.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Dongeek Shin, Michael Dixon
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Patent number: 9554064Abstract: A camera system includes memory, a lens assembly to direct light from a scene onto an image sensing element, an image sensing element configured to receive light from the scene via the lens assembly, at least one infrared illuminator configured to transmit infrared light, and a processor, coupled to the image sensing element and the at least one infrared illuminator. The processor is configured to operate the illuminators and the image sensing element in a first mode whereby infrared light transmitted by the illuminators and reflected from the scene is used to generate a two-dimensional image of the scene. The processor is also configured to operate the illuminators and the image sensing element in a second mode whereby infrared light transmitted by the illuminators and reflected from the scene is used to identify a planar surface in the scene.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Michael Dixon, Dongeek Shin
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Patent number: 9554065Abstract: An image capture instrument implements an addition of accumulation signals for photodetectors which are adjacent within a row of photodetectors. Segments are defined in the row with one and the same common length of segment, while being progressively offset by an offset length which is constant. The accumulation signals are added together for photodetectors which belong to one and the same segment. The offset length is less than the segment length, and greater than half said segment length. Artifacts in the image captured, which are due to spectrum aliasing, are thus decreased. The signal-to-noise ratio of the image is increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SASInventor: Philippe Luquet
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Patent number: 9554066Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arrayed two-dimensionally; pixel common circuits arrayed in a matrix, each shared by adjacent pixels of a certain number among the pixels; column common circuits, each provided for one of columns of the pixel common circuits, and shared by pixel common circuits belonging to a same column; column signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits; and reset signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits, in which an electric signal from each of the pixels is detected by a corresponding one of the pixel common circuits and read by a corresponding one of the column common circuits, and the electric signal detected by the corresponding one of the pixel common circuits is reset by a feedback path including one column signal line, one column common circuit, and one reset signal lines.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Motonori Ishii, Shigetaka Kasuga, Mitsuyoshi Mori
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Patent number: 9554067Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state imaging apparatus that can significantly reduce kTC noise by using a negative feedback amplifying circuit. A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix, the pixel unit including, for each column, a source line and a column signal line, each of the plurality of pixels including: a photoelectric conversion unit that generates a signal charge corresponding to incident light; a storage unit storing the signal charge; a reset transistor; an amplifying transistor; and a cutoff transistor, wherein the amplifying transistor and the cutoff transistor form a negative feedback amplifying circuit. With this configuration, kTC noise can significantly be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Keisuke Yazawa, Motonori Ishii, Yutaka Hirose, Yoshihisa Kato, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga
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Patent number: 9554068Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of pixels each including a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, a processing circuit configured to perform a first process for generating a first signal corresponding to a charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion element, and a second process for generating a second signal corresponding to a sum of the charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion element and a charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion element, and a current source configured to supply a first driving current to the processing circuit when the processing circuit performs the first process, and supply a second driving current higher than the first driving current to the processing circuit when the processing circuit performs the second.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuki Ohshitanai
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Patent number: 9554069Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into an electric charge; a floating diffusion region configured to convert the electric charge into a voltage; a transfer transistor configured to transfer the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the floating diffusion region; and a transfer transistor driving circuit configured to control a gate potential of the transfer transistor, wherein the transfer transistor driving circuit controls the gate potential so as to be changed in at least two changing rates during a period of transition from the ON state to the OFF state of the transfer transistor, and the second changing rate out of the two changing rates is higher than the first changing rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinichiro Shimizu, Akira Ohtani, Masaru Fujimura
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Patent number: 9554070Abstract: An imaging device includes a solid-state imaging device, a storage unit, an imaging-processing unit configured to process input image data output from the solid-state imaging device or image data stored in the storage unit, and a timing-generating unit configured to generate timings at which the solid-state imaging device and the imaging-processing unit operate. The timing-generating unit generates a first synchronization signal for driving the solid-state imaging device to output the first synchronization signal to the solid-state imaging device and output the first synchronization signal and a first clock signal input from the solid-state imaging device to the imaging-processing unit in a first operation based on the timing of the solid-state imaging device. The timing-generating unit outputs a generated second synchronization signal and second clock signal to the imaging-processing unit in a second operation based on an internal timing of the imaging-processing unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventors: Takashi Yanada, Yoshinobu Tanaka, Ayahiko Takahashi, Akira Ueno