Patents Issued in July 4, 2017
  • Patent number: 9699332
    Abstract: An information providing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives, from a terminal device connected to the information providing apparatus via a communication path, operation state information indicating an operation state of the terminal device. If it is determined, based on the operation state information, that the terminal device is in a specific operation state associated with an image processing operation, the transmitting unit transmits to the terminal device one or plural pieces of specific information associated with an image processing operation executable after the specific operation state has been completed. When transmitting the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device, the transmitting unit transmits the plural pieces of specific information to the terminal device in accordance with priorities. The priorities are assigned to the plural pieces of specific information in accordance with the specific operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daisuke Kono
  • Patent number: 9699333
    Abstract: An image forming system including an image forming device and a portable terminal device communicably connectable to the image forming device is disclosed. An image forming device includes a touch panel, a detector section, a voice information generator section, and a transmitter section. The touch panel displays a softkey. The detector section detects a pressed position in the touch panel. The voice information generator section generates voice information concerning the position detected by the detector section and the softkey. The transmitter section transmits the voice information to the portable terminal device. The portable terminal device includes a receiver section, a voice data creator section, and a voice outputting section. The receiver section receives the voice information transmitted from the transmitter section. The voice data creator section creates voice data to be output based on the voice information. The voice outputting section outputs a voice based on the voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9699334
    Abstract: A display control apparatus enables a user to easily recognize that a selectable item is present in addition to a displayed item and to recognize without being confused that a target item has been touched. The apparatus is capable of displaying an item group including a plurality of items which are a part of all items, when a touch is detected on any item in the item group displayed on the display unit, displaying the touched item in a selected state, and if release of the touch is detected, and if the selected item is an end item among the displayed group of items but is not an end item among all the items, moving the displayed item among all the items in a direction for displaying an item that is not being displayed in the direction of an end based on the release of the touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 9699335
    Abstract: A method of providing a screen image for manipulating an application execution of an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of user interfaces (UIs) through which independent screen image processing is performed according to a user manipulation, and an image forming apparatus performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-soo Ha, Se-young Kim, Se-rrah Lim
  • Patent number: 9699336
    Abstract: A function setting device includes a first operator and a second operator. The first operator is operated for selecting one function item from among plural function items forming a first menu and for setting the selected function item and for then selecting one function value from among plural function values of the set function item forming a second menu and for setting the selected function value, the second menu being provided for each function item. One function item is assigned to the second operator. The second operator sets the selection of the assigned function item when the second operator is operated for the first time and selects one function value from among plural function values of the set function item forming the second menu every time the second operator is operated for a subsequent time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahisa Koga, Guodong Wang, Takeshi Ichimura, Tomohito Takagi
  • Patent number: 9699337
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming system includes at least one image processing device in communication with a server. The server stores an awards account for each of a plurality of users. The server receives, from the at least one image processing device, a reused sheet count of a number of sheets provided by a user and subject to image formation by the image processing device. The server also receives, from the at least one image processing device, a user identification corresponding to the user. The server updates the awards account corresponding to the user based on the received reused sheet count and user identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenta Morizumi
  • Patent number: 9699338
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exit tray, an image forming section, a user identification section, a printed sheet receipt managing section, and a fetch sensor. The image forming section performs a printing operation based on a print instruction issued from a user. The fetch sensor is capable of detecting that a printed sheet has been fetched from the exit tray. The user identification section identifies a print requester corresponding to a user having issued a print instruction, and a fetcher corresponding to a user fetching the printed sheet from the exit tray. If the printed sheet is fetched from the exit tray and the fetcher is different from the print requester, the printed sheet receipt managing section sends, to a computer of the user, a notice of printed sheet taken away notifying that the printed sheet has been taken away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Hirota
  • Patent number: 9699339
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a reading device and a controller to control the reading device to execute a reading operation, is provided. The controller in the reading operation executes a leading edge detecting process, wherein a leading edge of an original sheet is detected from image data acquired through the reading device; a trailing edge detecting process, wherein a trailing edge of the original sheet is detected from the image data acquired through the reading device; a determining process, wherein one of the leading edge and the trailing edge to be used to correct the image data acquired through the reading device is determined based on conditions of the detected leading edge and the trailing edge; and a correcting process, wherein the image data is corrected by use of the determined one of the leading edge and the trailing edge determined in the determining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroko Mori
  • Patent number: 9699340
    Abstract: An image reading device includes contact glass, a frame, a light emitting section, a sensor, and a control section. An original document is placed on the contact glass. The flame surrounds the periphery of the contact glass. The light emitting section emits light toward the contact glass and the frame. The sensor detects a first received light amount resulting from first reflected light that has passed through the contact glass and a second received light amount resulting from second reflected light that has been reflected off the frame. The control section compares temporal variation of the first received light amount with temporal variation of the second received light amount. The control section determines whether or not the temporal variation of the first received light amount indicates presence of the original document on the contact glass using the temporal variation of the second received light amount as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shinya Matsui
  • Patent number: 9699341
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an original document that is located at plural locations different in a direction of a depth of field of a photodetector of a sensor module, and a fixing unit that fixes the sensor module in position such that a focal point of the photodetector is located within a difference between a minimum distance and a maximum distance from a light incident surface of the photodetector to the original document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Kosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9699342
    Abstract: An image reading device includes: a transport path; a reading member that reads an image of a document at a reading position on the transport path, and that includes a light source movable with respect to the reading position in a sub scanning direction which extends along a document transport direction and being capable of reading at positions in the vertical scanning direction; a reflecting member that has a reflecting surface that faces the reading member; a movement controller that controls the reading member so as to move the light source with respect to the reading position before the document is transported to the reading position when the reading member reads the image; a dust determination unit that determines presence of dust; and an announcement member that announces presence of dust to a user when dust is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9699343
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a sensor unit that senses a person within a first distance from the information processing apparatus and a second distance set to be closer to the information processing apparatus than the first distance, and a shifting unit that sets the information processing apparatus to a first mode when the person is sensed within the first distance by the sensor unit, and shifts the information processing apparatus from the first mode to a second mode that consumes power less than in the first mode after the predetermined time has elapsed, the predetermined time being a time starting once the person is no longer sensed within the second distance by the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ono, Manabu Hayashi, Naoya Nobutani, Shigeki Katayama, Yuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9699344
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that enables a user to check results of test printing quickly. An MFP as the image forming apparatus is connected to an external finisher as a post-processing apparatus that performs post processing on printed recording media. The MFP and the external finisher are controlled independently of each other. The MFP is comprised of a printer controller configured to execute test printing of a printing object, and a conveyance controller configured to perform control such that when executing the test printing, printed recording media are not conveyed to the external finisher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9699345
    Abstract: A processing apparatus capable of registering applications which periodically execute processes manages one of a plurality of applications registered with the processing apparatus, as a reference application. When registering a new application, the processing apparatus sets an execution cycle of the new application based on an execution cycle of the reference application if the execution cycle of the new application is modifiable, but changes the reference application to be managed to the new application if the execution cycle of the new application is not modifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9699346
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus can inhibit image disturbance and density unevenness. The image reading apparatus includes a first conveyance roller pair, a back side image reading unit, a second conveyance roller pair, a front side image reading unit, a third conveyance roller pair, and a control unit. The control unit compares the image data read by the back side image reading unit and the image data read by the front side image reading unit to calculate a relative magnification variation there between, corrects the reading time of the front side image reading unit for each line based on the calculated relative magnification variation, and performs, in accordance with correction of the reading time, image correction of the image data of the front side image reading unit which has been corrected with respect to the reading time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Jun Itou
  • Patent number: 9699347
    Abstract: A display apparatus and method. A display apparatus including a display control unit configured to display a moving image on a first region of a display screen; and a thumbnail generation unit configured to generate a plurality of thumbnail images based on a plurality of still images related to the moving image, wherein the display control unit is configured to display the plurality of thumbnail images on a second region of the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-gyun Sang, Hye-jin Kim, Wan-je Park
  • Patent number: 9699348
    Abstract: An image processing device includes storage unit, a communication portion and an image processing function control portion. The storage unit stores image data. The communication portion performs communication with a server and a portable terminal. The image processing function control portion causes the communication portion to transmit the image data stored in the storage unit to the server and causes the communication portion to transmit the image data to the portable terminal in response to failure of the transmission of the image data to the server by the communication portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Ando
  • Patent number: 9699349
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a first image forming apparatus to perform an image generation operation, a second image forming apparatus to perform an image generation operation, and a processing control apparatus to control the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus to output an output target image by using the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus based on an output command information of the output target image, the output command information including first information related to the image generation operation of the output target image, second information related to collation assigned to the output target image, and third information related to one or more graphic marks providable to the output target image based on the second information related to the collation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Sochi
  • Patent number: 9699350
    Abstract: A communication device includes: a communication control section; a variable resistor; a voltage detecting section; and a resistance value adjusting section. The communication control section performs control necessary for facsimile communication. The variable resistor is arranged between two line-connecting terminals, each of the line-connecting terminals is for connecting a telephone line. The voltage detecting section detects a line voltage of the telephone line to which the variable resistor is connected under closed state of the telephone line. The resistance value adjusting section changes a resistance value of the variable resistor. When the changed resistance value of the variable resistor becomes a standard resistance value to be a voltage value where the line voltage detected by the voltage detecting section is capable of the facsimile communication, the resistance value adjusting section sets the resistance value of the variable resistor to a resistance value for the facsimile communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 9699351
    Abstract: Methods, system and computer-readable media are disclosed to facilitate presenting a plurality of digital images in a user interface window that includes an image display region and at least one other region available for re-use, receiving input from a user indicating a selection of at least one of the digital images, and modifying the presentation of the user interface window to present the selected at least one digital image in the image display region and to present the non-selected digital images as thumbnail images displayed within the at least one other region available for re-use. The thumbnail images displayed in the re-use region may be selectively displayed in a more prominent manner to facilitate user interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua David Fagans
  • Patent number: 9699352
    Abstract: A laser scanning unit for an image forming device includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, a scanning member having at least one reflective surface for scanning the laser beam onto an imaging surface across a plurality of scan lines, and driver circuitry for driving the light source to emit the laser beam. The driver circuitry has a first input for receiving a first signal indicating image information and a second input for receiving a second signal indicating shading information. The driver circuitry modulates the laser beam based on the first signal to form an image on the imaging surface corresponding to the image information and adjusts an output power of the modulated laser beam based on the second signal to substantially reduce energy variation across each scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Christopher Dane Jones, John Lemaster
  • Patent number: 9699353
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image reading device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a white reference plate, a rotation unit, and a control unit. The photoelectric conversion unit includes an image reading sensor which converts light from an imaging position into image data. The white reference plate has a reading range which is a white reference value. The rotation unit rotates the photoelectric conversion unit so as to come to an angle at which a plurality of portions in the reading range of the white reference plate become imaging positions. The control unit sets a white reference value using a plurality of pixels on the white reference plate which are read using the photoelectric conversion unit which is rotated using the rotation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Koseki, Yusuke Hashizume
  • Patent number: 9699355
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to image forming apparatuses and methods that enable the sharing of one or more documents and one or more image forming apparatuses among user devices for the task of reproducing image data. The image forming apparatus comprises a processing unit, configured to execute a group management software stored on a computer-readable medium, a network interface, and one or more accessory units configured to reproduce documents. The first method for reproducing a document includes various actions performed by an image forming apparatus within a group such that the document is reproduced via an indirect request from one user device to the image forming apparatus through a secondary user device. An alternative method for reproducing a document includes various actions performed by an image forming apparatus within a group such that the document is reproduced via a direct request from one user device to the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Naohiko Kosaka
  • Patent number: 9699356
    Abstract: A management apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for managing usage of the image forming apparatus is disclosed. The management apparatus includes a user data storage part for storing user identification data and use restriction data corresponding to the user identification data, and a use restriction data acquiring part for acquiring the use restriction data corresponding to the user identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakagami, Naoto Sakurai, Daiya Miyasaka, Koji Sasaki, Tomoko Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9699357
    Abstract: Disclosed are printing devices and methods that accommodate the use of multiple different output color modes and, thereby multiple different output color profiles and that support user selection of any of the profiles for printing different logical pages on a single print surface. Consequently, they do not require a user to trade off between a desire to achieve a particular result in an image on one logical page, wherein the particular result is only achievable with an extended gamut profile, and a desire to avoid the higher cost associated with unnecessarily using the extended gamut profile to print a different image on a different logical page on the same print surface. Thus, the printing devices and methods provide for rendering of both standard and enhanced quality images on the same print surface in accordance with user selections and for minimizing costs associated with printing (e.g., due to excessive colorant usage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Arindam Das, Ranita Bej, Chiranjib Basu
  • Patent number: 9699358
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an image processing apparatus, an image capturing apparatus, an image processing method, and a method of controlling an image capturing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes: an input unit through which an image is input, a correction value decider configured to detect an edge of the image by applying at least one directional filter that is alignable in a direction with respect to the image, to calculate a mean value of a plurality of pixel values of a plurality of pixels that correspond to the edge, and to determine a correction value that corresponds to each pixel of the image according to the mean value of the plurality of pixel values, and an image corrector configured to apply the correction value to the image in order to correct the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 9699359
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a lens module having a lens at a front thereof, a dome cover including a lens module housing space, an apparatus main body attached with the dome cover, a first support member supported at the apparatus main body in a free pan rotation manner inside the dome cover, a second support member supported at the first support member in a free tilt rotation manner and supports the lens module, a ring-shaped light shielding cover that surrounds the front of the lens module and comes into contact with an inner surface of the dome cover, an illumination mount that includes an illumination member provided further outward than an inner circumference of the light shielding cover and the light shielding cover disposed thereon and supported at the second support member, and a first elastic member that biases the illumination mount toward the dome cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Urano, Hirokazu Tasaka, Akito Omata
  • Patent number: 9699360
    Abstract: A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas D. Woodman
  • Patent number: 9699361
    Abstract: A camera skid and thrust nozzle assembly for supporting a camera while being positioned in a tubular pipe or conduit spaced from any wall of the conduit and permitting movement of the assembly along the conduit. The assembly includes a cage rotatably fastened to a high pressure fluid tractor nozzle, wherein the cage can rotate about an axis through the tractor nozzle. A camera support structure is fastened within the cage for rotation of the support structure about the axis independent of rotation of the cage. The camera support structure has a weight attached thereto for urging rotational orientation of the camera support structure within the cage according to a sensed external gravitational force on the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Zink, Rawlin Brown
  • Patent number: 9699362
    Abstract: A filter device for a camera which has an optical path, comprises at least one filter unit which has an actuation device and at least one first filter element and one second filter element. The actuation device has a holding device which can be magnetically coupled to the first and to the second filter element and which can be displaced linearly to bring the filter elements selectively into the optical path of the camera or to move them out of the optical path of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO. BETRIEBS KG
    Inventor: Timo Sperber
  • Patent number: 9699363
    Abstract: In a camera system including a camera body (200) and an interchangeable lens (100), the camera body includes a body-side communication unit, and a body-side control unit that transmits a request signal to the interchangeable lens via the body-side communication unit, and receives a response signal corresponding to the transmitted request signal from the interchangeable lens via the body-side communication unit, the interchangeable lens includes a lens-side communication unit, and a lens-side control unit that transmits the response signal corresponding to the received request signal to the camera body via the lens-side communication unit when receiving the request signal via the lens-side communication unit, and the lens-side control unit transmits lens information in synchronization with a frame of a video without receiving a request signal for lens information from the camera body at least in a video recording mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Kenshi Imamura, Kenkichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9699364
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module that can reliably perform probing, and an electronic apparatus including the imaging module. An imaging module includes a lens unit, and an imaging element unit that is fixed to the lens unit. The lens unit includes a focus drive unit, first and second image blur-correction drive units, a housing, a first connecting portion that is electrically connected to the imaging element unit, a first wiring portion that electrically connects the respective drive units to the first connecting portion, second connecting portions that are disposed outside the housing, a second wiring portion that is electrically connected to the second connecting portions and is electrically connected to the respective drive units to which the first wiring portion is connected, and a wiring board that includes at least a part of the second wiring portion and the plurality of second connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Motokazu Shimizu, Yukihiro Kaneko, Yoshiyuki Takase, Tatsuya Fujinami, Manabu Tobise
  • Patent number: 9699365
    Abstract: In a video recording environment, a compact, rugged, intelligent tracking apparatus and method enables the automation of labor-intensive operating of cameras, lights, microphones and other devices. Auto-framing of a tracked object within the viewfinder of a supported camera is possible. The device can sense more than one object at once, and includes multiple ways to easy way to switch from one object to another. The methods show how the auto-framing device can be “predictive” of movements, intelligently smooth the tilt and swivel motions so that the end effect is a professional looking picture or video. It is designed to be uniquely small yet rugged and waterproof. And it can accept configuration input from users via a smartphone or extreme-sports camera over wi-fi or bluetooth, including user-programmable scripts that automate the device functionality in easy to use ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Jigabot, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard F. Stout, Kyle K. Johnson, Cameron Engh, Kevin J. Shelley
  • Patent number: 9699366
    Abstract: An image providing apparatus includes: a plurality of auxiliary imaging units that have shooting ranges partially overlapping one another, and each of which images a subject to generate auxiliary image data; a provider communication unit; a provider communication control unit that receives, from the portable device, via the provider communication unit, transmission request information requesting the image providing apparatus to transmit composite image data; and an image synthesizing unit that generates, based on the transmission request information, composite image data by combining the auxiliary image data respectively generated by two or more of the plurality of auxiliary imaging units. The provider communication control unit transmits, via the provider communication unit, the composite image data to the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Sato, Saori Matsumoto, Keito Fukushima, Hiroki Amino, Takashi Hamada, Osamu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 9699367
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, a generation device, a display device, a generation control device, and a display control device configured to control the display device to display the first display image generated by the generation device and display the second display image generated by the generation device in a display region of the first display image, and to display the second display image in a position corresponding to the main object image in the first display image when the main object image is detected by the detection device, wherein the detection device can detect an eye position in the main object image, and when the eye position is detected by the detection device, the generation control device controls the generation device to generate a division image that divides the main object image with the eye position as a boundary from the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Koguchi, Junji Hayashi, Yoichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9699368
    Abstract: A focus detection unit detects a defocus value, and a correction value for shifting an in-focus position based on the defocus value is obtained by a first method or by a second method. The correction value obtained by the second method is converted to a correction value of the first method by changing units, and the correction value obtained by the first method or the converted correction value is stored in a storage unit. A control unit controls driving of a focus lens to a lens position based on a value obtained by correcting the defocus value by the stored correction value. In the second method, a user selects one of a plurality of images obtained by driving the focus lens, and the correction value is calculated based on the defocus value of the selected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9699369
    Abstract: A detection unit detects a defocus value, a correction value for shifting an in-focus position that is based on the defocus value is obtained by first or second method and stored in a memory. A controller controls to move a focus position to a lens position obtained from the defocus value and the stored correction value. The first mode is to make a user select an amount for shifting the focus position, and the correction value is obtained according to the selection. In the second mode, imaging and detection of the defocus value are performed at each of different focus positions, and the correction value is obtained from a defocus value corresponding to selected one of obtained images. A minimum unit of the correction value in the second mode is larger than that in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Hashimoto, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 9699370
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a deformable lens element can be provided wherein a deformable lens element can be deformed to change an optical property thereof by the impartation of a force to the deformable lens element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ynjiun P. Wang, Chen Feng, William H. Havens, Jianhua Li
  • Patent number: 9699371
    Abstract: An image processing system, and a method of operation of an image processing system thereof, including: a capture device for capturing a first input image frame and a second input image frame; a motion saliency module, coupled to the capture device, for generating a motion saliency frame based on the first input image frame and the second input image frame; a spatial saliency module, coupled to the capture device, for generating a spatial saliency frame based on the second input image frame; and a saliency integration module, coupled to the motion saliency module and the spatial saliency module, for generating the integrated saliency frame based on the combination of the motion saliency frame and the spatial saliency frame, and for determining a region of interest within the integrated saliency frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ramin Eslami
  • Patent number: 9699372
    Abstract: A phase difference AF processing unit (19) calculates, through an operation using a detection signal group SA of phase difference detection pixels (52A) in an AF area (53), a detection signal group SB of phase difference detection pixels (52B), and a detection signal group SN of G pixels 51 in a row between a row including the phase difference detection pixels (52A) and a row including the phase difference detection pixels (52B), a third correlation value corresponding to a value obtained by adding up a first correlation value between the detection signal group SA and the detection signal group SN and a second correlation value between the detection signal group SB and the detection signal group SN, and generates a defocus amount Df1 from the third correlation value. A system control unit (11) drives a focus lens based on the defocus amount Df1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Yasuo Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 9699373
    Abstract: Method of and systems for providing point of interest (POI) information on a mobile device is described. The method of providing point of interest (POI) information on a mobile device including a non-transitory computer readable medium including a program, a processor, and a computer executable program code includes: initiating capture of a real-time image by a camera module of a mobile device; determining location information of the mobile device; sending the location information to a server; receiving POI information from the server, wherein the POI information relates to at least one object near the mobile device and currently appearing in the real-time image; and displaying the POI information, superimposed on the real-time image, on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TENCNT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Junbin Kuang
  • Patent number: 9699374
    Abstract: Provided are an image device and method for operating the device. The image device includes a memory, a first image processor configured to receive image data that includes first and second sub-data, perform first image processing, and write a result of the first image processing to the memory, a second image processor configured to read the first and second sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, from the memory, and perform second image processing that is different from the first image processing, and a controller configured to control the second image processor to read the first sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, from the memory, before the second sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, is written in the memory, after the first sub-data, on which the first image processing has been performed, is written in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yong-Bae Song
  • Patent number: 9699375
    Abstract: An approach is provided for processing and/or facilitating a processing of one or more images to determine camera location information, camera pose information, or a combination thereof associated with at least one camera capturing the one or more images, wherein the camera location information, the camera pose information, or a combination thereof is represented according to a global coordinate system. The approach involves causing, at least in part, an association of the camera location information, the camera pose information, or a combination thereof with the one or more images as meta-data information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technology Oy
    Inventors: Lixin Fan, Junsheng Fu, Kimmo Tapio Roimela, Yu You
  • Patent number: 9699377
    Abstract: A gesture detecting apparatus including a light emitter configure to emit light towards an object, a camera configured to capture light emitted from the light emitter and reflected by the object, and a signal controller configured to control the light emitter and the camera, in which the light emitter comprises a first light and second light, at least one of which is configured to emit light having non-monotonic intensity characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jangwoo You, Yonghwa Park, Heesun Yoon, Myungjae Jeon
  • Patent number: 9699378
    Abstract: A digital camera 1 includes an image composition unit 52 and a composite position determining unit 53. The image composition unit 52 acquires a plurality of images which have been captured continuously. The composite position determining unit 53 sets candidate areas for determining composite positions in adjacent images, from the plurality of images acquired by the composite position determining unit 52. Furthermore, the composite position determining unit 53 determines composite positions of the adjacent images based on a degree of similarity between the set candidate areas. The image composition unit 52 combines the adjacent images at the determined composite positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naotomo Miyamoto, Kosuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9699379
    Abstract: Approaches are described for constructing a single camera by combining an array (or other arrangement) of multiple smaller and lower resolution cameras. Each of the smaller cameras is aimed in a different direction in order to provide a wider angle and higher resolution field of view (FOV) for the resulting composite camera. Images captured by all of the cameras in the array can be stitched together using software to produce a single composite photograph. This construction method can enable the camera unit to be thinner and potentially cheaper in construction costs than an equivalent single-piece camera that has been conventionally implemented in portable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo B. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9699380
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for fusion of image frames to generate panoramic background images using color and depth data provided from a 3D camera. An example system may include a partitioning circuit configured to partition an image frame into segments and objects, the segments comprising a group of pixels sharing common features associated with the color and depth data, the objects comprising one or more related segments. The system may also include an object consistency circuit configured to assign either 2D or 3D transformation types to each of the segments and objects to transform them to a co-ordinate system of a reference image frame. The system may further include a segment recombination circuit to combine the transformed objects and segments into a transformed image frame and an integration circuit to integrate the transformed image frame with the reference image frame to generate the panoramic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gowri Somanath, Christos G. Bampis
  • Patent number: 9699381
    Abstract: A digital photographing system may include a lens unit detecting an image of a subject, and a first processor performing an image compensation data generation process and an optical compensation process in parallel. The optical compensation process may be a process of selectively controlling a movement of the lens unit based on motion data corresponding to a motion of a camera module. The image compensation data generation process may be a process of generating image compensation data corresponding to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Do Cho, Peter Jean Woo Lim
  • Patent number: 9699382
    Abstract: An optical image stabilizer includes a motion sensor configured to sense a movement of a camera, and a controller configured to move a lens module based on the movement of the camera. The optical image stabilizer enters a standby mode based on an OIS turn-off command being received from a host, in response to the camera being turned off or a camera function being executed in a background during a stage in which an optical image stabilization (OIS) operation is performed. A portion of the functional blocks of the optical image stabilizer is turned off when a lens control is not performed even when the optical image stabilizer is being operated, thereby decreasing power consumption. Functional blocks as small as possible may be operated when the optical image stabilizer is not operated to decrease power consumption in a smartphone or a camera in which the optical image stabilizer is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Kim, Sam Ki Jung, Dae Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9699383
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a photographing space and an image processing space, comprising a first display unit disposed in the photographing space that displays a course selection screen, a shooting unit that acquires shot images of a user as an object, a second display unit disposed in the image processing space, the second display displaying an adjustment screen for adjusting an identification photograph image which is any one shot image to a user having selected a first course and finished shooting and displaying an editing screen for editing the shot images without displaying the adjustment screen to a user having selected a second course and finished shooting, an adjusting unit that adjusts the identification photograph image according to a user operation to the adjusting screen, and an editing unit that edits the shot images to creates edited images according to a user operation to the editing screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FURYU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Natsumi Matsubara, Wakako Sakahara