Automatic Focus Control Patents (Class 250/201.2)
  • Patent number: 11546531
    Abstract: A camera assembly, an image acquisition method, and a mobile terminal are provided. The image acquisition method is applied to a mobile terminal including the camera assembly provided in this disclosure, and the image acquisition method includes: acquiring first image data derived from an exposure of a filtering and photosensitive module in the camera assembly and second image data derived from an exposure of a photosensitive module in the camera assembly; generating a target image from the first image data and the second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yongguo Liu
  • Patent number: 11506878
    Abstract: A confocal scanner mounted on a microscope includes a linear light source configured to emit linear light, a linear detector including a linear detection unit detecting incident light for each line, and a moving mechanism configured to translationally move the linear light source and the linear detector with respect to the microscope. The linear light source and the linear detector are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the linear light source and the linear detector correspond to each other within an imaging surface at conjugate positions with respect to a focal plane of the microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sangu
  • Patent number: 11381659
    Abstract: Data representative of a physical feature of a morphologic subject is received in connection with a procedure to be carried out with respect to the morphologic subject. A view of the morphologic subject overlaid by a virtual image of the physical feature is rendered for a practitioner of the procedure, including generating the virtual image of the physical feature based on the representative data, and rendering the virtual image of the physical feature within the view in accordance with one or more reference points on the morphologic subject such that the virtual image enables in-situ visualization of the physical feature with respect to the morphologic subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ARIS MD, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandra Devam, Zaki Adnan Taher, William Scott Edgar
  • Patent number: 11380724
    Abstract: A light reception element includes a semiconductor portion having a first surface including a light receiving portion and a light shielding portion, and a light shielding metal film provided on the light shielding portion. The metal film has a second surface facing a side opposite to the first surface and receiving incident light. A plurality of recess portions are formed on the second surface. An inner surface of the recess portion includes a curved portion curved such that the recess portion reduces in size in a direction along the second surface from the second surface toward a bottom part of the recess portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Ryo Sugimori, Yuma Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11327273
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include techniques for maintaining multiple cameras in focus on same objects and/or at same distances. In some examples, a subordinate camera may be configured to focus based on the focus of a primary camera. For instance, a focus relationship between the primary camera and the subordinate camera may be determined. The focus relationship may characterize the trajectory of the lens position of the subordinate camera with respect to the lens position of the primary camera. In various examples, the focus relationship may be updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Baer, Andrew David Fernandez, Santiago Alban
  • Patent number: 11272122
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a first pixel and a second pixel, each of which comprises a first photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light that has passed through a micro lens and generates a first charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light that has passed through the micro lens and generates a second charge, an accumulation unit that accumulates at least one of the first charge and the second charge, a first transfer unit that transfers the first charge to the accumulation unit, and a second transfer unit that transfers the second charge to the accumulation unit; and a control unit that outputs, to the first transfer unit of the first pixel and to the second transfer unit of the second pixel, a signal that causes the first charge of the first pixel and the second charge of the second pixel to be transferred to their accumulation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Seo
  • Patent number: 11256158
    Abstract: A control device includes a memory storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to obtain transmittance information related to transmittances of a plurality of neutral-density filters of an imaging device, receive a target transmittance, select at least one neutral-density filter of the plurality of neutral-density filters to achieve the target transmittance according to priority information related to a predetermined priority order of the plurality of neutral-density filters and the transmittance information of the at least one neutral-density filter, and control the at least one neutral-density filter to be in an effective state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Futoshi Iinuma, Tatsuya Nakatsuji, Toshiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 11243386
    Abstract: There are provided a microscope apparatus, an observation method, and a microscope apparatus-control program that can more efficiently perform auto-focus control and can shorten an imaging time in a case where a culture vessel is to be scanned by an image forming optical system and the auto-focus control is to be performed at each observation position. Focus information of a culture vessel is detected by a first displacement sensor and a second displacement sensor while a stage is moved to a scanning measurement position from an initial set position, and an auto-focus control unit performs auto-focus control at every observation position on the basis of the focus information in a case where the stage has been moved to the scanning measurement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenta Matsubara
  • Patent number: 11201985
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of executing adjustment of an image formation position at a timing determined based on the number of printed sheets according to a user's request. Adjustment modes for use in adjusting geometrical characteristics of an image which is printed on a sheet are displayed for causing an image forming apparatus to print an adjustment chart. A controller receives first information indicating whether or not to execute a first adjustment mode for causing the image forming apparatus to print the adjustment chart based on the number of sheets on which images have been printed by the image forming apparatus, and receives second information indicating whether or not to execute a second adjustment mode for causing the image forming apparatus to print the adjustment chart based on a result of detection by a temperature sensor provided in the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotaka Seki
  • Patent number: 11184521
    Abstract: A focus detection apparatus configured to perform a focus detection using a pixel signal obtained by photoelectrically converting light passing through different pupil areas in an imaging optical system includes an acquirer configured to acquire the pixel signal, a signal generator configured to generate a plurality of focus detection signals corresponding to the different pupil areas using the pixel signal, and a focus detector configured to calculate a detected defocus amount based on the plurality of focus detection signals, and to calculate a corrected defocus amount by correcting the detected defocus amount based on a phase transfer function corresponding to the different pupil areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11153514
    Abstract: One object is to provide a solid-state imaging device that can capture visible light images such as RGB images and infrared images such as NIR images and maintain a high light-receiving sensitivity for infrared light, a method of driving such a solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. The solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel part having unit pixel groups arranged therein, the unit pixel groups each including a plurality of pixels at least for visible light that perform photoelectric conversion; and a reading part for reading pixel signals from the pixel part, wherein the plurality of pixels for visible light have a light-receiving sensitivity for infrared light, and in an infrared reading mode, the reading part is capable of adding together signals for infrared light read from the plurality of pixels for visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BRILLNICS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tanaka, Toshinori Otaka, Takahiro Akutsu
  • Patent number: 11100622
    Abstract: The image processing device comprises: a filter coefficient storage means in which a filter coefficient is stored; a means for executing filtering processing to subject input image data to filtering and generate a first image data; a means for executing convolution processing to use the filter coefficient stored by the filter coefficient storage means, carry out convolution calculations on the first image data, and generate a second image data; a means for executing division processing to divide the first image data by the second image data to produce a third image data; and means for executing multiplication processing to multiply the first image data by the third image data to produce an output image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: KRIPTON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahisa Hamada, Eiji Sakae
  • Patent number: 11086187
    Abstract: An optical waveguide modulator with automatic bias control is disclosed. A dither signal is applied to the modulator bias and its signature detected in light tapped from an output of the modulator using a phase sensitive dither detector such as a lock-in amplifier. The detected signal is processed using pre-recorded information defining the direction of the detected signal change relative to a change in the modulator bias, and the bias is adjusted in the direction determined using the information. An IQ bias of a quadrature modulator is controlled by dithering bias settings of two inner modulators at different dither frequencies, and detecting an oscillation at a sum frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions & Networks Oy
    Inventors: Kishore Padmaraju, Thomas Wetteland Baehr-Jones, Bernd-Harald Horst Jurgen Rohde, Robert Palmer, Matthew Akio Streshinsky, Marc Bohn, Torsten Wuth
  • Patent number: 11067905
    Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods discussed herein autofocus an imaging apparatus by pre-processing image data received via channels of the imaging system that include laser beams and sensors configured to receive image data when laser beams are applied across a substrate in a pixel-wise application across a substrate. The substrate can include both a photoresist and metallic material, and the images as-received by the sensors include noise from the metallic material. During pre-processing of the image data, a percentage of noise to remove from the image data is determined, and the image data is filtered. A centroid of the substrate is calculated for each channel and a focus deviation for the exposure is determined. The centroids can be combined using one or more filtering mechanisms, and the imaging system can be autofocused in an exposure position by moving the stage and/or the exposure source in one or more directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Diana Valverde-Paniagua, Zhongchuan Zhang, Rendong Lin, Zheng Gu, Meenaradchagan Vishnu, Glen Alan Gomes
  • Patent number: 11067899
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for achieving sub-diffraction limit resolutions for fabrication of integrated circuits. In one embodiment, a photolithography system is disclosed. The system includes a light source, configured to emit laser beams; a reflector configured to receive the laser beams and focus the laser beams on a condensing lens; a scattering medium, configured to receive the laser beams and generate scattered laser beams; and a wave-front shaping module, configured to receive the scattered laser beams and generate a focused laser beam on a silicon wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Vathys, Inc.
    Inventor: Tapabrata Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11054356
    Abstract: A particle characterisation apparatus comprising: a light source for illuminating a sample with a light beam; a detector arranged to detect scattered light from the interaction of the light beam with the sample; a focus tuneable lens arranged to collect the scattered light for the detector from a scattering volume and/or to direct the light beam into the sample, a sample holder with an opposed pair of electrodes and configured to hold a sample in position in a measurement volume between the pair of electrodes such that a planar surface of the sample is aligned orthogonally to the electrode surfaces, the planar surface adjacent to the scattering volume, wherein adjustment of the focus tuneable lens results in adjustment of the relative position of the planar surface and the scattering volume by moving the scattering volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Malvern Panalytical Limited
    Inventors: Jason Cecil William Corbett, David Bryce
  • Patent number: 11037277
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus capable of making an optical characteristic correction corresponding to a shift in the position of an optical axis by a tilt operation. The image processing apparatus performs the optical characteristic correction, in accordance with correction data including a value corresponding to an image height with reference to a correction center position. The image processing apparatus changes the correction center position in image data according to a tilt operation of the tilt mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Akiharu Ito
  • Patent number: 11035670
    Abstract: A survey system includes a survey device and a target. The survey device includes a main body rotatable around a vertical axis, a telescope supported by the main body and rotatable around a horizontal axis, a wide angle imaging unit having a second angle of view wider than a first angle of view of the telescope, and a target identification unit configured to identify a target image. The target image is identified based on a differential image between a first image captured by the wide angle imaging unit during an on-period with laser light emitted from an emission unit and a second image captured during an off-period in which laser light is not emitted from the emission unit. The target image is quickly identified even when the target is significantly separated in the horizontal direction from a position directly in front of the survey device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Nishita
  • Patent number: 11025874
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that determines a correction parameter for correcting distortion or a position of an image projected on a screen by a projection unit, the apparatus comprises a holding unit which holds a reference pattern constituted by a background region and a plurality of significant pixels scattered in the background region and having a pixel value different from a pixel value of the background region, a generating unit which generates a pattern image to be projected by changing a value of a pixel near the significant pixel in the reference pattern, an acquisition unit which acquires a captured image obtained by an image capturing unit by capturing the pattern image generated by the generating unit so as to include a projection image projected by the projection unit, and a determining unit which determines the correction parameter from the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi Uemura, Sonoko Miyatani, Eisaku Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 11006032
    Abstract: A lens barrel of the invention includes: an imaging optical system including a focus adjustment lens; a driver that drives the focus adjustment lens in a direction of an optical axis; a transceiver that transmits and receives a signal to and from a camera body; and a controller that controls the transceiver to repeatedly transmit a first image plane transfer coefficient which is determined in correspondence with a position of the focus adjustment lens included in the imaging optical system and a second image plane transfer coefficient which does not depend on the position of the focus adjustment lens to the camera body at a predetermined interval, and, when the controller repeatedly transmits the second image plane transfer coefficient to the camera body, the controller varies the second image plane transfer coefficient over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 11002992
    Abstract: An optical IQ modulator with automatic bias control is disclosed. A dither signal is applied to the modulator bias and its signature detected in light tapped from an output of the modulator using a phase sensitive dither detector such as a lock-in amplifier. The detected signal is processed using pre-recorded information defining the direction of the detected signal change relative to a change in the modulator bias, and the bias is adjusted in the direction determined using the information. The IQ phase bias is controlled by dithering I and Q optical signals in quadrature to produce opposite-sign single subband modulation of output light at two different dither frequencies, and detecting an oscillation at a difference frequency using a lock-in detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions & Networks Oy
    Inventor: Bernd-Harald Horst Jurgen Rohde
  • Patent number: 10999088
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing proximity and context-based telepresence in electronic collaboration environments are described. For example, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: identify a position of a participant of a collaboration session; identify a context of the participant; prioritize collaboration session content captured by the IHS based upon the position and the context of the participant; and transmit the prioritized collaboration session content to a remote IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Vivek Viswanathan Iyer, Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, Mark R. Ligameri
  • Patent number: 10958838
    Abstract: In a method of electronic image stabilization, a processor buffers image data into a memory buffer, the image data being obtained by the processor from an image sensor disposed in an electronic device. The processor obtains motion data from a motion sensor disposed in the electronic device, wherein the motion data corresponds with a time of capture of the image data. The processor analyzes the motion data to determine a stabilization correction to apply to the image data. The processor applies the determined stabilization correction to the image data to achieve stabilized image data. The determined stabilization correction is applied, and the stabilized image data is achieved, by the processor without requiring a transfer of the image data from the memory buffer to a graphics processing unit. The stabilized image data is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventor: William Kerry Keal
  • Patent number: 10945591
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes a processor. The processor is configured to implement: a switching control process for switching between a manual focus (MF) mode and an auto focus (AF) mode of performing auto focus control; a process for controlling driving of a focus lens; scene status determination process for performing a detection process for detecting a scene change during the MF mode and an estimation process for estimating distance change information indicating distance change between the image capturing section and an object. The processor is configured to implement: controlling the driving of the focus lens based on lens drive information; switching control for switching from the MF mode to the AF mode when the scene change is detected; and controlling the driving of the focus lens to bring the object into focus based on the distance change information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichiro Yoshino, Kanako Saito
  • Patent number: 10917536
    Abstract: An image sensor unit includes: a linear light source that illuminates a document with a light; a first erecting equal-magnification lens array and a second erecting equal-magnification lens array arranged in the stated order away from the document so as to receive a light reflected from the document and form an erecting equal-magnification image; a slit provided on an intermediate imaging plane between the first erecting equal-magnification lens array and the second erecting equal-magnification lens array; a diffraction grating that disperses a light output from the second erecting equal-magnification lens array; and a linear image sensor that receives a light dispersed by the diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Keiji Tsunetomo, Satoru Kusaka
  • Patent number: 10900773
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technology capable of realizing miniaturizing of a measurement unit in a distance measuring device. The distance measuring device including a light emitting unit that outputs measurement light, a polarization state control unit that controls polarization of the measurement light output from the light emitting unit, and an optical path switching element that selectively emits the measurement light controlled by the polarization state control unit, in which the polarization state control unit controls the polarization so as to emit the measurement light in a plurality of directions from the optical path switching element, and the optical path switching element receives reflected light with respect to an object of the measurement light emitted from the optical path switching element, the reflected light being used to measure a distance to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Watanabe, Tatsuo Hariyama, Atsushi Taniguchi, Kenji Maruno
  • Patent number: 10895730
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a manually-taken object image group, the manually-taken object image group including a plurality of object images, the plurality of object images being generated by taking images of an object while moving a focal position of an image pickup device manually; a first calculator capable of calculating, based on pieces of contrast information on the plurality of object images in the obtained manually-taken object image group, a first in-focus position of the image pickup device relative to the object by performing fitting using a predetermined function; and a driver capable of moving, based on an autofocus instruction input by a user, the focal position of the image pickup device to the calculated first in-focus position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshida, Yukimasa Nishio
  • Patent number: 10863067
    Abstract: An image pickup unit that is capable of simplifying an optical adjustment work for an image pickup surface. A holding plate holds an image sensor. A lens barrel includes an optical system that forms an object image on the image sensor. A removable shim plate is inserted between the lens barrel and the holding plate and has a shape to avoid the image sensor. An energizing mechanism is inserted between the shim plate and the lens barrel to energizes the shim plate and the holding plate in a direction away from the lens barrel. Three adjusting screws fix the holding plate and shim plate to the lens barrel. Each of the adjusting screws displaces corresponding portions of the shim plate and holding plate toward the lens barrel when being fastened and displaces the corresponding portions away from the lens barrel in cooperation with the energizing mechanism when being loosened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ifuku
  • Patent number: 10834322
    Abstract: An actuator for a camera module includes two or more detectable elements, the detectable elements are respectively disposed on a first and second surface of a lens barrel, an oscillating element including a first oscillation circuit unit that includes two or more oscillation circuits facing the first surface of the lens barrel, and a second oscillation circuit unit that includes two or more oscillation circuits facing the second surface of the lens barrel, and a determining device that calculates a position of the lens barrel in response to oscillation signals output from the oscillating element. The determining device is configured to calculate the position of the lens barrel based on determined frequencies of oscillation signals of the first oscillation circuit unit and the second oscillation circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn Joong Lee, Sung Man Pang, Jin Kim, Sang Hyun Min, Ja Hwi Cho, Koon Shik Cho, Je Hyeon Yu, Ho Kwon Yoon
  • Patent number: 10819922
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element comprising a visible light detection area including a first visible light pixel for receiving first visible light, a second visible light pixel for receiving second visible light having a wavelength different from a wavelength of the first visible light, and a third visible light pixel for receiving third visible light having a wavelength different from the wavelengths of the first visible light and the second visible light; and a near infrared light detection area including a first near infrared pixel for receiving first near infrared light, a second near infrared light pixel for receiving second near infrared light having a wavelength different from a wavelength of the first near infrared light, and a third near infrared light pixel for receiving third near infrared light having a wavelength different from the wavelengths of the first near infrared light and the second near infrared light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: nanolux co. ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Sumi, Koichiro Ishigami, Motoshi Sobue
  • Patent number: 10804067
    Abstract: Provided is a charged particle beam apparatus including: an XY stage on which a sample is placed; a charged particle beam source which irradiates the sample with a charged particle beam; a detector which detects charged particles emitted from the sample upon the irradiation with the charged particle beam; an image generator which generates an SEM image of the sample based on a detection signal output by the detector; and a controller configured to set control parameters based on a movement starting point and a movement ending point of the XY stage and control a driving unit for moving the XY stage according to the control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Kato, Motohiro Takahashi, Naruo Watanabe, Akira Nishioka, Masaki Mizuochi, Shuichi Nakagawa, Hironori Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10789671
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for controlling display, each of which: obtains a first image and a second image, the second image being superimposed on the first image; controls a display to display an image of a predetermined area of the first image, such that the predetermined area of the first image matches a display area of the display; and in response to an instruction to start displaying the first image superimposed with the second image, controls the display to display the image of the predetermined area of the first image, such that the second image being superimposed on the first image is displayed within the predetermined area of the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Yoshida, Keiichi Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Suitoh, Takahiro Asai
  • Patent number: 10740901
    Abstract: A segmentation model is trained with an image reconstruction model that shares an encoding. During application of the segmentation model, the segmentation model may use the encoding and network layers trained for the segmentation without the image reconstruction model. The image reconstruction model may include a probabilistic representation of the image that represents the image based on a probability distribution. When training the model, the encoding layers of the model use a loss function including an error term from the segmentation model and from the autoencoder model. The image reconstruction model thus regularizes the encoding layers and improves modeling results and prevents overfitting, particularly for small training sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andriy Myronenko
  • Patent number: 10742889
    Abstract: A photographing method, a photographing apparatus, and a terminal, where the method includes receiving a camera turn-on instruction, previewing a preview image collected by the camera based on the received camera turn-on instruction, where in a preview state, an operation mode of an image sensor of the camera is an average pixel combination mode, and photographing the preview image when detecting that luminance of at least one pixel in the preview image is less than a preset condition, where when the preview image is being photographed, the operation mode of the image sensor of the camera is a sum pixel combination mode. In this way, luminance of a photographed image can be increased, and a problem that an image cannot be photographed in low light can be resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lin Li, Wei Luo, Lei Song, Lintao Jiao
  • Patent number: 10724947
    Abstract: This invention provides a vision system camera assembly that includes an optics and illumination module that is removably attached thereto, and that is arranged to project illumination along an optical axis of the imager. This arrangement allows for short exposure time and a short working distance from an imaged scene/surface under inspection. A semi-reflecting mirror turns a structured illumination beam from an illumination axis onto the optical axis while allowing light from the imaged scene to pass through the mirror and into the imager optics. The front end of the module contains a collimating optics that causes a collimated beam from the mirror to strike the surface at various off-axis angles. The collimating optics can include a telecentric lens assembly that can comprise a pair of stacked lenses having a perimeter that is equal to or greater than the area of interest on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Carl W. Gerst, III, Rene Delasauce, Laurens Nunnink, Esther Oteo Lozano
  • Patent number: 10728477
    Abstract: There are provided a solid-state image pickup device and a camera system that include no useless pixel arrangement and are capable of suppressing decrease in resolution caused by adopting stereo function. A pixel array section including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array is included. Each of the plurality of pixels has a photoelectric conversion function. Each of the plurality of pixels in the pixel array section includes a first pixel section and a second pixel section. The first pixel section includes at least a light receiving function. The second pixel section includes at least a function to detect electric charge that has been subjected to photoelectric conversion. The first and second pixel sections are formed in a laminated state. Further, the first pixel section is formed to have an arrangement in a state shifted in a direction different from first and second directions that are used as references. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 10725279
    Abstract: An extended depth-of field microscope includes (a) a microdisplay having an array of emitters capable of illuminating a sample with structured illumination, (b) an image sensor for capturing an image of the sample, and a microscope objective configured to direct the structured illumination toward the sample and direct light from the sample toward the image sensor, wherein the microscope objective has tunable focal length and is object-space telecentric such that tuning of the focal length does not substantially affect magnification of either one of the image formed on the image sensor and the structured illumination projected into object space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Hong Hua, Sheng-Huei Lu
  • Patent number: 10701252
    Abstract: An imaging optical system includes two optical systems. The two optical systems each include an object-side filter and an image-side filter having different spectral characteristics. A wavelength of light for which the object-side filter has a spectral transmittance and a spectral reflectance of 50% is longer than a wavelength of light for which the image-side filter has a spectral transmittance and a spectral reflectance of 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Satoh
  • Patent number: 10656206
    Abstract: A multi-function test machine includes a table assembly, a robotic arm, one or more stimulators, one or more sensors, and a computing device for testing electronic devices. The multi-function tester may also include a camera test assembly and a universal device holder. The multi-function tester is capable of testing multiple systems of an electronic device concurrently, thus obviating the need for multiple test stations and operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashanth Basavaraj Patil, San-Ching De La Cruz
  • Patent number: 10634607
    Abstract: A snapshot ellipsometer or polarimeter which does not require temporally modulated element(s) to measure a sample, but instead uses one or more spatially varying compensators, (eg. microretarder arrays and compound prisms), to vary the polarization state within a measurement beam of electromagnetic radiation. Analysis of the intensity profile of the beam after interaction with the spatially varying compensator(s) and the sample allows sample parameters to be characterized without any moving optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Griffin A. P. Hovorka, Jeremy A. Van Derslice
  • Patent number: 10605706
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baer, Michael G. Youngquist, Brian W. Donovan, Alan E. Wessel, Norbert H. Leclerc, Michael A. Smith, Craig S. Barker, George M. Dawson
  • Patent number: 10594970
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor and an electronic device that can reduce occurrence of a problem not only in a case of adding and using outputs of a plurality of PDs that share one of on-chip lenses but also in a case of using them individually. An image sensor according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a light receiving element that generates charges by photoelectric conversion; an on-chip lens that is shared by a plurality of light receiving elements and condenses incident light onto the plurality of light receiving elements; and an AD convertor that converts charges generated by the light receiving element to a digital signal. Exposure timings of the plurality of light receiving elements sharing one of the on-chip lenses are the same. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to image pickup devices having an image-plane phase-difference detection AF function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gota Sato, Masashi Nakata
  • Patent number: 10582113
    Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a pixel area where each of color image pixels arrayed in a matrix is divided into a plurality of focus detection pixels; a vertical scanning circuit and a device control circuit configured to read from the pixel area a first frame capable of constituting a color image and a second frame including phase difference information; a digital processing circuit configured to reduce color information of the second frame to reduce an amount of data; and an output circuit configured to output the first frame and the second frame via a transmission route with a number of lanes that is not the smaller of a first number-of-lanes and a second number-of-lanes required to output the first frame and the second frame, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Hatakeyama, Yoshinao Shimada, Tetsuo Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10568764
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for automatic depth (or Z) detection before, during, or after laser-assisted ophthalmic surgery. When performing ophthalmic laser surgery, the operator (or surgeon) needs to make accurate and precise incisions using the laser beam. With the automatic depth detection systems and methods, the same laser used for the surgical procedure may be used for depth measurement of the surgical incisions. The surgical laser system may include a laser delivery system for delivering a pulsed laser beam to photoalter an eye, a mirror to transmit at least a portion of reflected light of the pulsed laser beam, a lens positioned to focus the transmitted reflected lighted on to a detector, (such as a CCD), and a depth encoder configured to automatically detect depth according to one or more of color, intensity, or shape of the focused spot on the CCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventors: Zsolt Bor, Peter-Patrick De Guzman, Anthony Dennison, Michael Campos
  • Patent number: 10564431
    Abstract: A compact light projection system is described for use in artificial reality systems, and which outputs patterned interferometric illumination that may be dynamically adjustable. The light projection systems are Integrated Circuits (IC)s, which are compact and easily added to other electronic devices in an artificial reality device. The IC illumination sources described herein provide flexibility by incorporating dynamically adjustable components as well as static components, such as phase delay devices, coupling controllers, switch-able light sources, and output gratings, which may each be adjusted to control the resulting pattern of interferometric illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Zhaoming Zhu, Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 10564387
    Abstract: A controller within a lens drive device, the controller comprising an open loop control section that performs open loop control of the stepping motor using a given excitation position change and a given drive voltage, and a closed loop control section that, at the time of rotating the stepping motor, calculates tracking lag for change in rotational position for change in excitation position, and performs closed loop control of drive speed and drive voltage of the stepping motor in accordance with a control error, which is a difference between target tracking lag and tracking lag, wherein the closed loop control section performs at least open loop control of drive voltage during an acceleration operation of the stepping motor, as well as closed loop control of drive voltage and drive speed in accordance with control error by transitioning to closed loop control of drive voltage when an acceleration operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yuko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10559608
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10559609
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus that make it possible to improve the precision of phase difference detection while suppressing deterioration of resolution in a solid-state imaging device having a global shutter function and a phase difference AF function. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array unit including, as pixels including an on-chip lens, a photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge accumulation unit, imaging pixels for generating a captured image and phase difference detection pixels for performing phase difference detection arrayed therein; and a driving control unit configured to control driving of the pixels. The imaging pixel is formed with the charge accumulation unit shielded from light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Okuno, Kazuyoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10534164
    Abstract: A digital microscope and a focusing thereof are provided. The microscope integrates a focusing lens unit, a zooming lens unit and related control circuits into the interior of the microscope. The control unit executes a focus searching algorithm and focus tracking algorithm, controls movement of the focusing lens unit and the zooming lens unit and achieves auto-focus by adjusting the image distance and makes the microscope zoom by adjusting the focal length. This improves the focusing efficiency and shortens the focusing time greatly. The microscope can achieve continuous zooming and tracking by the zoom tracking algorithm and the image is kept clear in the zooming process. The microscope adjusts the brightness of the assist light source at the front end of the microscope according to the change of the amount of light transmission by the control unit executing the exposure algorithm to ensure uniform exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HANGZHOU SHUNLI OPTOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiajun Xu, Pinqi Lou, Ye Gong
  • Patent number: RE47845
    Abstract: A device, system and method for content-adaptive resolution-enhancement is provided. A plurality of subframe streams are generated from a video stream, each of the plurality of subframe streams comprising a lower resolution version of the video stream, pixel-shifted from one another. A plurality of output subframe streams are generated from the plurality of subframe streams in a one-to-one relationship by: applying a plurality of video enhancement filters to each of the plurality of subframe streams, each of the plurality of video enhancement filters for enhancing different features of the video stream; and, combining one or more resulting enhanced subframe streams into a respective output subframe stream based on data in one or more regions of the video stream. One or more projectors are controlled to project the plurality of output subframe streams to combine the plurality of output subframe streams into a higher resolution projected video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Wong, Yaguang Li, Mark Lamm, Hicham Sekkati