Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9723159
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device is described to provide high quality RAW image data to a smartphone, or similar handheld imaging device. The imaging device can have a larger dimension, particularly with regard to the thickness of the device, thus overcoming some of the physical limitations to providing high quality optics and image sensing within the thin form factor of a modern smartphone. As the device is only connected when capturing images the smartphone form factor is not altered. The device does not replicate the high-end image processing functionality of a smartphone, but instead transfers RAW images to the smartphone for high-end image processing & enhancement on the smartphone CPU/GPU. Thus it can be manufactured at lower cost than a dedicated camera with equivalent capabilities by taking advantage of the sophisticated image processing capabilities of today's smartphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: 2P & M Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Corcoran
  • Patent number: 9723160
    Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes: a sheet conveyor; a supporter including a movable guide and having a first and second end portions in a widthwise direction; and a first cover adjacent to the first end portion. The supporter has an upstream edge in the conveying direction. A first-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge is nearer to the sheet conveyor than a second-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge. The first cover has a first region and a second region. The first region has a height greater than or equal to that of the guide and extends to a position located upstream of an upstream, end portion of the guide. The second region is located upstream of the first region, and the second region is less in height than the first region. The first-end upstream end portion overlaps the first region when viewed in the widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tianjin Xie, Takashi Fujiwara, Yusaku Seki, Yukihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 9723161
    Abstract: An apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus through a first network includes a receiving unit that receives identification information of a program from the information processing apparatus through the first network; an acquiring unit that acquires the program related to the identification information received by the receiving unit through a second network; and a call unit that calls the program acquired by the acquiring unit, wherein the program causes the apparatus to perform a process for data stored in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Araki
  • Patent number: 9723162
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a schedule information generation unit that generates schedule information including an order of execution of received jobs; an acquisition unit that acquires resource information related to a resource used to execute a job; a prediction unit that predicts a timing of occurrence of an event that possibly occurs in the apparatus as the received jobs are executed in accordance with the order of execution on the basis of the schedule information and the resource information; a display information generation unit that generates display information for displaying a period of execution of the job to be executed and the timing of occurrence of the event along the same time axis, and for displaying a degree of influence of the event on execution of the job; and a display controller that controls display of the display information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahide Abe
  • Patent number: 9723163
    Abstract: There is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus including a displaying device, cause the processor to execute processes of receiving a designation of the group of images to be displayed on the displaying device, judging whether arrangement information representing an arranging direction of a group of images when displayed on the displaying device is associated with the designated group of images, displaying the designated group of images on the displaying device such that: (1) when the designated group of images is associated with the arrangement information, the designated group of images are displayed with the arranging direction represented by the arrangement information, and (2) when the designated group of images is not associated with the arrangement information, the designated group of images are displayed with a predetermined default arranging direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Peng Sha, Jun Yamada, Yoshito Hosoi, Machiko Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9723164
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a plate on which a document to be scanned is placed, a cover that is movable between an open position and a closed position at which the cover contacts the document, a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the cover, an imaging unit configured to emit light towards the plate and having an image sensor configured to detect light reflected by the document, and a control unit configured to determine a size of the document based on a detection result of the position detecting unit and a detection result of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Misaka
  • Patent number: 9723165
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of preventing misdetermination of a type of printing paper includes a transmitted light receiver, a specularly reflected light receiver, and a diffusively reflected light receiver, which constitute a sensor, and an output determiner that determines whether data output by the plurality of light receivers is normal. The image forming apparatus determines the type of printing paper and an abnormality of the printing paper from the determination by the output determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tomishima
  • Patent number: 9723166
    Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a housing, an apparatus controller, and an apparatus power supply. The apparatus power supply is configured to generate a control voltage that is supplied to the apparatus controller and an apparatus drive voltage that is supplied to the image forming unit, the apparatus power supply including an output terminal from which the control voltage is outputted. The image forming apparatus includes a first connection terminal, and a second connection terminal. The apparatus controller is configured to transmit a change command via the second connection terminal and change an operation status of the apparatus power supply after the apparatus controller receives information in response to the change command. The image forming system can also include an option device connected to the first and second connection terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masafumi Ito
  • Patent number: 9723167
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a start unit which, in a case where one of the applications is to be activated at a time of activating the information processing apparatus, performs a start process of the application based on a task for each of the applications, the task being different from a task giving an instruction to activate the application, a monitoring unit which monitors whether the start process of the application is completed in a predetermined time, and an interruption unit which, in a case where the start process of the application is not completed in the predetermined time, interrupts the start process of the application, and provides a mechanism capable of, even in a situation where the start processes of some applications cannot be completed, continuing the activation process of the apparatus itself and making the function of another application usable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Asahara
  • Patent number: 9723168
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, which connects to at least one client apparatus via a first network and is connectable to an external apparatus via a second network, includes first and second receiving units, a specifying unit, first and second switching units, and a transmitting unit. The first receiving unit receives client information from the client apparatus via the first network. The specifying unit specifies a device connected to the first network and controllable by the client apparatus. The first switching unit switches connection from the first network to the second network. The second receiving unit receives, based on the client information and the specified device, a control program for controlling the device from the external apparatus via the second network. The second switching unit switches connection from the second network to the first network. The transmitting unit transmits the received control program to the client apparatus via the first network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Iida
  • Patent number: 9723169
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is configured to capture an object image, generate a RAW image, perform simple development on the RAW image during the image capturing operation, and store not only the developed image but also the RAW image in a storage medium. If the imaging apparatus displays an image during the image capturing operation and immediately after the image capturing operation, the imaging apparatus displays the image processed by the simple development. When the imaging apparatus completes processing of high-quality image development, the imaging apparatus replaces the image processed by the simple development with the image processed by the high-quality image development and displays the image processed by the high-quality image development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Nozawa, Masamichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9723170
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image acquisition section, an image processing section, and an image forming section. The image processing section extracts an identifier given to an irreversibly compressed set of image data in print data, allows the image acquisition section to acquire a corresponding set of image data associated with the extracted identifier, and replaces an image represented by the irreversibly compressed set of image data with an image represented by the corresponding set of image data to generate a print target image. The image forming section forms the generated print target image on a recording paper sheet. The irreversibly compressed set of image data and the corresponding set of image data associated with the identifier given to the irreversibly compressed set of image data represent the same object image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9723171
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed towards generating a verified unique watermark. More specifically, the systems and methods are directed towards generating a watermark that is as long as possible without any repetition. Such watermarks are possible by selecting characteristics of the watermark and methods for producing the watermarks (e.g., dandy rollers). By producing longer unique watermarks, users would be capable of generating longer rolls of paper whereby more sheets can be produced that each possesses a unique watermark. With the unique watermark, users can identify what information is printed on each sheet as well as authenticate the contents of each individual sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SONICWALL INC.
    Inventor: Samuel James Liddicott
  • Patent number: 9723172
    Abstract: According to this invention, in a reception end facsimile apparatus having a first communication mode for performing communication at a high speed and a second communication mode for performing communication at a low speed, it is determined based on an instruction from a transmission end facsimile apparatus whether to perform error correction during facsimile communication. Control is done not to perform communication in the first communication mode based on a fact that it is determined not to perform error correction during facsimile communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosui Naito
  • Patent number: 9723173
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for controlling an output of an output data includes a selection receiving unit configured to receive an output instruction, in which the output data is selected, from a user; an acquisition unit configured to acquire calculation information, which associates a cost rate being a cost per an output unit of the output data with a currency unit used to display the cost calculated based on the cost rate, and which is associated with the user; a calculation unit configured to calculate the cost corresponding to an output of the output data, which corresponds to the output instruction received from the user, by using the cost rate included in the acquired calculation information; a cost display unit configured to display the calculated cost on a screen in the currency unit included in the acquired calculation information; and an output process unit configured to output the output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Mori
  • Patent number: 9723174
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a data receiver, an image specifier, a replacement specifier, and a data generator. The data receiver receives data. The image specifier specifies a first image contained in the data. The replacement specifier specifies replacement data for the first image on the basis of a characteristic of the data. The data generator generates data in which the first image has been replaced with an image represented by the replacement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohshiro Inomata
  • Patent number: 9723175
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs operations including: when a density value of a black component in uncorrected monochrome image data corresponding to each of pure colors including primary colors and secondary colors in color image data is lower than a reference density value, the uncorrected monochrome image data being obtained by a monochrome conversion from the color image data to monochrome image data, determining a correction content for correcting the density value of the black component in the uncorrected monochrome image data corresponding to at least each of the pure colors out of the pure colors and peripheral colors of the pure colors in a color space to a value equal to or higher than the reference density value; and obtaining corrected monochrome image data in which correction based on the determined correction content is reflected in the uncorrected monochrome image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuaki Ishitoya
  • Patent number: 9723176
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a providing unit, a transfer unit, a reception history record recording unit, a printing history record recording unit, and a deletion unit. The providing unit provides document data accumulated in the image processing apparatus in response to a request from another image processing apparatus within the same group. The transfer unit transfers a duplicate of a document to another image processing apparatus within the same group. Upon receiving a duplicate of a document from another image processing apparatus within the same group, the reception history record recording unit accumulates the duplicate, and records a reception history. In response to printing of a document, the printing history record recording unit records a printing history for the document. Upon obtaining a reception history and a printing history for a document accumulated in the image processing apparatus, the deletion unit deletes the document from the image processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Fujii
  • Patent number: 9723177
    Abstract: An image processing system for generating a processed image depending on an input image is provided. The system includes an image processing portion configured to add, to the processed image, an AR marker which is an image for identifying missing information missing from information of the input image; an AR content generating portion configured to generate an AR content corresponding to the missing information; an AR marker recognizing portion configured to recognize the AR marker contained in a photographed image obtained by photographing the processed image; and an AR display processing portion configured to display the AR content stored in association with the recognized AR marker in a manner to be superimposed on the processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kaitaku Ozawa, Katsuhiko Akita, Hiroaki Kubo, Kazusei Takahashi, Akihiro Torigoshi, Yuji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9723178
    Abstract: A printed color prediction method includes: a step of acquiring the spectral reflectance in a protective film non-coating region of a printed matter that the protective film does not coat; a step of estimating the optical physical property value of the protective film; a step of acquiring the spectral distribution of an observation light source; a step of estimating the color change property due to the interaction between the printed matter as a base matter and the protective film; and a step of predicting the colorimetric value of a protective film-attached printed matter, based on the acquired spectral reflectance of the printed matter, the optical physical property value of the protective film, the spectral distribution of the observation light source and the color change property due to the interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Horita
  • Patent number: 9723179
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a TDI image sensor comprising an array of light sensing elements, at least one clock, and an image processor, wherein the at least one clock is configured to operate a first plurality of the light sensing elements to transfer accumulated charge to an adjacent element at a first phase and to operate a second plurality of the light sensing elements to transfer accumulated charge to an adjacent element at a second phase, and wherein the image processor is configured to read out a first signal from the first plurality of light sensing elements corresponding to a total charge accumulated at the first phase, to read out a second signal from the second plurality of light sensing elements corresponding to a total charge accumulated at the second phase, and to combine the first signal and the second signal to generate an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen P. Shaffer, Stephen M. Palik, Hector A. Quevedo
  • Patent number: 9723180
    Abstract: A system which synchronizes audio and video, that uses a sensor sensing the display of video and audio from an external device. The sensor creates timestamps for each of the video and audio, and then calculates a difference between those timestamps. The differences sent to the external device which then compensates for the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Vizio Inc
    Inventor: Matthew Blake McRae
  • Patent number: 9723181
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gesture recognition apparatus including a substrate, a light emitting device, an image sensor and a processing unit. The light emitting device is for emitting a light beam according to a first clock signal. The image sensor is disposed on the substrate and is for receiving the light beam reflected by an object according to a second clock signal to generate an object image. The processing unit is disposed on the substrate and is for recognizing the object image detected by the image sensor to provide a command signal. There is a correlation between a period of the first clock signal and a period of the second clock signal. The present invention also provides a complex optical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporation
    Inventors: En-Feng Hsu, Ming-Tsan Kao, Yu-Hao Huang, Yi-Hsien Ko, Nien-Tse Chen
  • Patent number: 9723182
    Abstract: A received image displaying apparatus comprises: a wireless communication unit that wirelessly receives the frame images transmitted by the image transmitting apparatus with which the received image displaying apparatus has established a connection of wireless communication; and a displaying unit that displays the frame images, which were wirelessly received by the wireless communication unit, in an order in which the frame images were captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Toyoda, Shinya Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9723183
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an enclosure for recess mounting of a camera or camera head in a recess of a surface, the enclosure comprising an attachment portion, a cable sealing portion being adapted to seal against an outer surface of the cable extending through the cable sealing portion, and a circumferential wall portion adapted to extend along a closed path in a circumferential direction and in a first direction extending from the attachment portion towards the cable sealing portion, wherein at least a portion of the circumferential wall portion is formed of a flexible and/or elastic material such that the cable sealing portion is movable relative the attachment portion. The present invention also relates to an arrangement for recess mounting of a camera or camera head in a recess of a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Axis AB
    Inventors: Corrado Tasselli, Anna Papée, David Fagerkvist
  • Patent number: 9723184
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a camera module including a rear-opened front body, a rear body coupled to a rear side of the front body to form an inner space, a lens part coupled to the front body, an image sensor accommodated at the inner space to convert a light having passed the lens part to an electrical signal, a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) accommodated at the inner space and mounted with the image sensor, and a closed curve-shaped packing member interposed between the front body and the rear body, wherein the packing member includes a support part extensively formed from the packing member to an inner side, and the front body or the rear body includes a support part accommodation groove having a shape corresponding to that of the support part, whereby adhesionability during assembly of packing member can be maximized to thereby minimize an installation defect, a depressed or stamped phenomenon of a packing member that may occur during assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Wook Ahn, Je Kyung Park, Sun Min Hwang
  • Patent number: 9723185
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a camera module including a fixture; a moving part centrally coupled with a lens and arranged to move relative to the fixture; three or more magnets arranged at a periphery of the moving part; and three or more coils arranged from an inner surface of the fixture to areas opposite to the three or more magnets, where each of the coils independently receives a control signal so that the moving part moves to a height direction and tilted relative to a central axis of the moving part, whereby a lens can be axially moved and tilted at the same time using arrangement of a single set of coils and magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sangok Park
  • Patent number: 9723186
    Abstract: A low-cost resin lens is disclosed for use in miniature cameras. The resin lens features a low profile that is particularly well-suited to consumer products such as smart phones. The resin lens is mounted to an integrated circuit die that is attached to a standard four-layer substrate. The integrated circuit die includes electronic and/or optoelectronic circuits to support digital image capture, transfer, and processing. Image correction software adjusts the image to correct for distortion introduced by the resin lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Loic Pierre Louis Renard, Wee Chin Judy Lim
  • Patent number: 9723187
    Abstract: Provided is a light amount adjusting apparatus comprising a base that has a rotary drive unit, and a rotating unit that is arranged rotatably about a predetermined axis with respect to the base, and drives aperture blades by rotating with the rotary drive unit, wherein one of the base and the rotating unit is provided with two arc-shaped parts to be engaged around the axis, the other is provided with two engaging parts engaging with each of the arc-shaped parts to be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9723188
    Abstract: Provided are an image sensor, a method of manufacturing the image sensor, and an electronic device including the image sensor. An image sensor according to an embodiment may include a photoelectric conversion element, a pixel lens formed over the photoelectric conversion element and comprising a plurality of light condensing layers, wherein an upper layer of plurality of light condensing layers has a smaller area than a lower layer, and the pixel lens comprises a color filter substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Won-Jun Lee, Kyoung-In Lee, Cha-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9723189
    Abstract: A portable electronic-device adapted to photograph an object including a first camera module, a second camera module, a processing unit and a control unit. The first camera module obtains a first reference image according to a first predetermined focal length. The second camera module obtains a second reference image according to a second predetermined focal length. The processing unit determines the photographed focal length according to the first reference image and the second reference image. The control unit controls the first camera module or the second camera module to photograph the object according to the photographed focal length. The first camera module and the second camera module face toward a direction corresponding to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hsing-Lung Chung, Jian-Wei Lee, Wu-Chu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9723190
    Abstract: A video surveillance method, device, and system, which relate to the field of video surveillance and can reduce complexity of a locating operation and improve locating efficiency. The video surveillance method includes receiving, by a user equipment, a panorama sent by a camera; obtaining, by the user equipment, a view that is specified by a user and in the panorama; obtaining, by the user equipment according to a preset correspondence between a view and an angle, a surveillance angle corresponding to the view specified by the user; and sending, by the user equipment, the surveillance angle to the camera, so that the camera adjusts an angle of the camera to the surveillance angle. The present invention is applicable to viewing video surveillance view information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Zhou, Zhiquan Yang
  • Patent number: 9723191
    Abstract: A handheld imaging device is described to provide high quality RAW image data to a smartphone, or similar handheld imaging device. The imaging device can have a larger dimension, particularly with regard to the thickness of the device, thus overcoming some of the physical limitations to providing high quality optics and image sensing within the thin form factor of a modern smartphone. As the device is only connected when capturing images the smartphone form factor is not altered. The device does not replicate the high-end image processing functionality of a smartphone, but instead transfers RAW images to the smartphone for high-end image processing & enhancement on the smartphone CPU/GPU. Thus it can be manufactured at lower cost than a dedicated camera with equivalent capabilities by taking advantage of the sophisticated image processing capabilities of today's smartphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: 2P & M Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Corcoran
  • Patent number: 9723192
    Abstract: The video recording systems disclosed herein comprise recording devices built in a variety of system architectures depending on the type of intended use. The guiding principle of the system architectures is that an optimal recording device will have optics, sensor, control electronics, and communication capability designed for the purpose of use. User controls, as well as power sources may be separated from the optimal recording device. Different applications may demand a variety of accessories including camera mounts, automatic camera orientation capabilities, remote control devices, and remote power sources, all of which may be designed as use-specific devices and optimized for the purpose of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: H4 Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander G. Sammons, Christopher T. Boyle, Scott K. Taylor, Gordon Jason Glover
  • Patent number: 9723193
    Abstract: There is provided a transmitting device including a packet signal generation unit configured to generate a packet signal of a video, a transmitting unit configured to transmit the packet signal via an asynchronous transmission network used in common by another transmitting device, and a compression rate control unit configured to control a video compression rate. Switch timing information indicating a switch timing of the video compression rate is transmitted together with the packet signal of the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9723194
    Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a photographing unit that captures an image from incident light thereon; a communication status checking unit that checks a communication status of the photographing apparatus; a resolution determination unit that sets a resolution for a first image file for the captured image according to the communication status; a file generation unit that generates the first image file from the captured image, the first image file having the set resolution; and a communication unit that transmits the first image file to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyon-soo Kim, Sang-ryoon Son, Seung-tae Oh, Ki-deok Lee, Sang-hyun Jo
  • Patent number: 9723195
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that communicates with an external device includes a field-of-view changing unit configured to change a field of view for capturing an image of a subject, a receiving unit, a control unit, and an amount-of-change determination unit. The receiving unit receives, from the external device, a command for controlling the field-of-view changing unit. The control unit controls, when the receiving unit receives a command to start to change a field of view, the field-of-view changing unit to start to change the field of view. The amount-of-change determination unit determines an amount of change in the field of view. The control unit controls the field-of-view changing unit such that the determined amount of change in the field of view becomes a predetermined amount or more, irrespective of whether the receiving unit receives a command to stop changing the field of view using the field-of-view changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Ashitani
  • Patent number: 9723196
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a non-contact communication unit and a control unit. The non-contact communication unit performs non-contact communication with an external device. The control unit controls turning ON/OFF power and an imaging preparation operation of the imaging device. The control unit performs control of turning ON power of the imaging device when detecting a polling command which is transmitted from the external device by the non-contact communication, of transmitting connection information regarding wireless communication connection with the external device to the external device after the power is turned ON, and of performing the imaging preparation operation when transmission of the connection information is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiro Eshita
  • Patent number: 9723197
    Abstract: A blur estimation method and apparatus which utilizes Gaussian differences at multiple resolutions, upon which iterative convolution is performed to match sharpness measures between two images. Blur differences are combined with an iteration number selected from multiple resolution levels based on comparing a sharpness ratio as the blur difference estimate. Blur difference estimate is then applied through a depth model to arrive at a depth estimate. Blur difference depth estimation can be utilized for controlling operation of focus control hardware in an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pingshan Li, Xue Tu
  • Patent number: 9723198
    Abstract: A camera module and an auto focusing method of the camera module are provided, the camera module including a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) including a rotor including a lens distanced from a reference plane, in a case no driving signal is applied, a posture detection sensor determining a posture of the VCM; an ISP (Image Signal Processor) generating a driving signal for driving the VCM using an optimum focus value of the lens calculated by an auto focus algorithm in response to a posture of the VCM determined by the posture detection sensor, an image sensor changing lens-passed light to a digital signal, and a controller controlling the VCM, the posture detection sensor, the image signal processor and the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Seong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 9723199
    Abstract: An imaging device may be configured to monitor a field of view for various objects or events occurring therein. The imaging device may capture a plurality of images at various focal lengths, identify a region of interest including one or more semantic objects therein, and determine measures of the levels of blur or sharpness within the regions of interest of the images. Based on their respective focal lengths and measures of their respective levels of blur or sharpness, a focal length for capturing subsequent images with sufficient clarity may be predicted. The imaging device may be adjusted to capture images at the predicted focal length, and such images may be captured. Feedback for further adjustments to the imaging device may be identified by determining measures of the levels of blur or sharpness within the subsequently captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dushyant Goyal, Pragyana K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 9723200
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for camera capture recommendation. For example, an application may operate to capture an image using a capture device (e.g., a user may use a camera of a smart phone to capture a vacation photo for sharing through a social network app). Camera parameters of the capture device and/or a preview data stream (e.g., pixel data depicting a beach “seen” by the camera in real-time) may be used to generate a camera capture recommendation (e.g., a recommendation to use a haze removal module, a high dynamic range module, a focus bracketing module, etc.). The camera capture recommendation is provided to the application. In this way, the application may selectively use, override, supplement (e.g., use an application supplied module), or modify the camera capture recommendation for application to the capture device to obtain an output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Kanumuri, Naveen Thumpudi
  • Patent number: 9723201
    Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing unit captures a plurality of moving images. A control unit adds, to each of the plurality of moving images, a first special effect which is common to all of the plurality of moving images, and adds, to each of one or more of the plurality of moving images, a second special effect which is determined on a moving image-by-moving image basis. A generating unit generates a joined moving image constituted by the plurality of moving images to which the special effects have been added by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Fujita
  • Patent number: 9723202
    Abstract: A method of capturing images includes pre-storing a plurality of image templates in a storage device, wherein each of the plurality of image templates includes a predetermined subject. An area of the predetermined subject in each of the plurality of image templates is predetermined. One of the image templates is invoked from the storage device. The predetermined subject of the invoked image template is hollowed according to the area of the predetermined subject, and a hollowed area of the invoked image template is obtained. A captured image is obtained. Once a size of the captured image is adjusted to be equal to a size of the hollowed area of the invoked image template, the hollowed area of the invoked image template is filled with the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shang-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 9723203
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided for generating a panoramic image that includes, in at least some aspects, generating targets that are each associated with a portion of the panoramic image, displaying the targets, shifting the targets when the user device is repositioned, capturing images when the targets are within a threshold distance of the center of the display, and generating the panoramic image from the captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Ettinger
  • Patent number: 9723204
    Abstract: Dynamic motion path blur techniques are described. In one or more implementations, paths may be specified to constrain a motion blur effect to be applied to a single image. A variety of different techniques may be employed as part of the motion blur effects, including use of curved blur kernel shapes, use of a mesh representation of blur kernel parameter fields to support real time output of the motion blur effect to an image, use of flash effects, blur kernel positioning to support centered or directional blurring, tapered exposure modeling, and null paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregg D. Wilensky, Nathan A. Carr, Alan L. Erickson, Yuyan Song, Manish Kumar, Bradee Rae Evans, Sarah A. Kong, Michael J. Orts, Meredith L. Stotzner, Heather M. Dolan, Yukie Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9723205
    Abstract: An apparatus including a processor and a user interface unit including a displaying surface (220) and an image sensor array (240) integrated therewith. The image sensor array includes a group of image sensors (340a, 340b, 340c), each image sensor being configured for capturing an image. A first image is captured with each active image sensor of the group of image sensors, a number of images is chosen from the first images and a second image is formed from the chosen images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Juhola, Vicente Calvo Alonso
  • Patent number: 9723206
    Abstract: A stereographic panoramic media (SPM) can be received. The media can include a 360 degree field of view (FoV) within the horizontal plane and a usable FoV within the vertical plane. A first, second, and third field of view associated with the SPM can be identified. The first FoV can be 180 degree field of view and the second and third FoVs can encompass 90 degree FoV within the horizontal plane. The SPM can be translated to a cylindrical panoramic media (CPM). The CPM can conforms to a three dimensional hollow cylindrical projection (CP). The first FoV of the SPM can be mapped onto the inner surface of the CP, and the first and the second field of view can be mapped onto the outer surface. The CPM can provide a visible continuous field of view of at least 270 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Aloumanis, Moises De La Cruz, Tal Mor, Guillermo Padin, Amit Verma
  • Patent number: 9723207
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that prevents glare resulting from light that leaks out from a subject display area of a display section in an OVF mode. A finder device can be switched between the OVF mode and an EVF mode. A subject display area and an information display area are set in an EVFLCD. In the OVF mode, nothing is displayed in the subject display area of the EVFLCD, and an information image is displayed in the information display area. An EVF shutter is set such that the light transmittance of a first area, which corresponds to the subject display area, becomes a low transmittance and the light transmittance of a second area, which corresponds to the information display area, becomes a high transmittance. The first area, which is set at low transmittance, blocks light that leaks from the subject display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawai, Shigeru Kondo, Kenshi Imamura, Kousuke Irie, Hiroyuki Oshima
  • Patent number: 9723208
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a first calculation unit for calculating a shake correction amount for a moving image by using a shake signal output from shake detection unit, a second calculation unit for calculating a shake correction amount for a still image by using a shake signal output from the shake detection unit, a generation unit for generating, based on a comparison result between the shake correction amount for the moving image and the shake correction amount for the still image, evaluation values serving as indices used for extracting a still image from among frame images of the moving image, and a recording unit for recording the evaluation values in association with the frame images of the moving image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Miyasako