Plural Photosensitive Image Detecting Element Arrays Patents (Class 250/208.1)
  • Patent number: 11689848
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly includes a capacitive transduction element and an electrical circuit disposed in the housing and electrically coupled to contacts on an external-device interface of the housing. The electrical circuit includes a sampling circuit having an operational sampling phase during which a voltage produced by the capacitive sensor is sampled by a sampling capacitor coupled to a comparator and an operational charging phase during which a second capacitor is charged by a charge and discharge circuit until the output of the comparator changes state, wherein the output of the sampling circuit is a pulse width modulated signal representative of the voltage on the input of the sampling circuit during each sample period. The output of the sampling circuit can be coupled to a delta-sigma analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Pedersen, Peter V. Loeppert
  • Patent number: 11670652
    Abstract: An imaging device including: a photoelectric converter that converts incident light into a signal charge; a node to which the signal charge is input; a transistor having a source and a drain, one of the source and the drain being connected to the node; and a capacitive element. The capacitive element including a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric film sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode being connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor, the second electrode being connected to a voltage source or a ground. The transistor is configured to switch a first mode and a second mode, a sensitivity in the first mode being different from a sensitivity in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Murakami, Kazuko Nishimura, Yutaka Abe, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Yoshihiro Sato, Junji Hirase
  • Patent number: 11671724
    Abstract: An image sensor may include a pixel array, row control circuitry, and column readout circuitry. The row control circuitry may operate the pixel array in a global shutter mode of operation. In particular, timing control circuitry may provide global timing clock signals associated with a global photodiode reset event and a global photodiode charge transfer event to row driver circuitry providing control signals to each row in the array. Each driver circuitry may include a time delay circuit that delays the global timing clock signal by different amounts across the rows. Therefore, these global events may be offset on a per-row or per-row group basis, thereby mitigating power surges associated with global events. Further, by offsetting the global photodiode reset and charge transfer events using the same delay for a given row, the same global integration time may be preserved across different rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Cowley, Andrew David Talbot
  • Patent number: 11666184
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ESSITY HYGIENE AND HEALTH AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Boris Allan Elfstrom
  • Patent number: 11670655
    Abstract: Implementations of semiconductor packages may include: a digital signal processor having a first side and a second side and an image sensor array, having a first side and a second side. The first side of the image sensor array may be coupled to the second side of the digital signal processor through a plurality of hybrid bond interconnect (HBI) bond pads and an edge seal. One or more openings may extend from the second side of the image sensor array into the second side of the digital signal processor to an etch stop layer in the second side of the digital signal processor. The one or more openings may form a second edge seal between the plurality of HBI bond pads and the edge of the digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Peter Gambino, Kyle Thomas, David T. Price, Rusty Winzenread, Bruce Greenwood
  • Patent number: 11650125
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a structured light measuring device, having a preferable VCSEL array in its previous illuminated cross plane, using the laser array to be projected through said device's objective and collect the reflected beams through the same objective lens. A motorized stage is attached to the objective focusing, enabling back and forth focusing on different external planes. A software algorithm running on a computer device will analyze the reflected laser beam and find its central point and further translate it to angular deviations, similar to Autocollimation principles. Furthermore, this could be displayed as a cross on the user GUI for better user interface. The focusing function has the capability to focus the laser array at various planes, and analyze if the reflected beam is at its best focal point or deviates. By moving the focal point back and forth, a 3-D reconstruction can be achieved, preferable for lenses and calculating the center location relative to the device's line of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Oren Aharon
  • Patent number: 11653110
    Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each of the pixels including: a photodiode; a floating diffusion node configured to accumulate photocharges generated from the photodiode; a first capacitor configured to store charges according to a voltage of the floating diffusion node which is reset; a second capacitor configured to store charges according to a voltage of the floating diffusion node in which the photocharges are accumulated; a first sampling transistor connected to a first output node and configured to sample charges to the first capacitor; a second sampling transistor connected to the first output node and configured to sample charges to the second capacitor; and at least one precharge select transistor connected to the first output node and configured to reset the first output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaekyu Lee, Heesung Shim
  • Patent number: 11652128
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric charge; and an AD conversion unit having a comparison unit that compares a signal caused by an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit with a reference signal, a first storage unit in a first circuit layer, the first storage unit storing a first signal based on a signal output from the comparison unit, and a second storage unit in a second circuit layer that is stacked on the first circuit layer, the second storage unit storing a second signal based on the signal output from the comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11653124
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel suitable for supplying a pixel signal corresponding to sensed light to an output node; a current source suitable for sinking a current from the output node and increasing the amount of sinking current in a first boosting section within a section in which the pixel signal is output from the pixel; and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit suitable for digitally converting a voltage of the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyuen Hee Bae
  • Patent number: 11653114
    Abstract: An embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate including a pixel well region and a peripheral well region; a pixel ground line arranged above the pixel well region; a pixel well contact between the pixel ground line and the pixel well region; pixels arranged to form columns in the pixel well region; a reference signal generation circuit arranged in the peripheral well region; and comparator units arranged in the peripheral well region, provided to respective columns, and each configured to receive the pixel signal from the pixels on a corresponding column and the reference signal. Each comparator unit includes a comparator having a first input node that receives the pixel signal and a second input node that receives the reference signal, a first capacitor unit between the reference signal generation circuit and the second input node, and a second capacitor unit between the second input node and the pixel ground line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keigo Nakazawa, Kazuhiro Saito, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Hideo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11644359
    Abstract: A combination imaging system includes a housing having a base and a lid, the lid having a closed position against the base and having an open position. The imaging device further includes a contact area image sensor. The lid shields the contact area image sensor from ambient light when the lid is in the closed position. The imaging device also includes a camera. The camera includes a lens, and the field of view of the camera encompasses at least a portion of an imaging area of the contact area image sensor when the lid is in the open position. The device may be especially useful for capturing a chemiluminescent image of an electrophoretic assay result, and capturing a colorimetric image of the same result, so that non-chemiluminescent protein standards may be located with respect to chemiluminescent analytes of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Itay Barak
  • Patent number: 11637980
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels; a row driver providing the pixel array with a boosting signal; and a read-out circuit configured to read out pixel signals output from pixels of a row line selected by the row driver. Each of the plurality of pixels includes: a first photodiode; a transmission transistor connected to the first photodiode; a first floating diffusion node, a second floating diffusion node, and a third floating diffusion node, which are connected to the transmission transistor to accumulate charges generated by the first photodiode; an LCG capacitor connected to the third floating diffusion node to accumulate the charges generated by the first photodiode; an MCG transistor connected between the first floating diffusion node and the second floating diffusion node; and an LCG transistor connected to the third floating diffusion node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eunsub Shim, Jungchak Ahn, Kyungho Lee
  • Patent number: 11635497
    Abstract: A method for determining photodetector elements used for measurement, from photodetector elements of a photodetector device, includes directing measurement light to an object, such that the measurement light reflected by the object is incident on the photodetector device, selecting a group of candidate photodetector elements that are consecutively arranged to each other from the plurality of photodetector elements, and obtaining an output signal from each of the candidate photodetector elements of the group when the reflected measurement light is incident on the photodetector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Nobu Matsumoto, Tomonori Fukushima
  • Patent number: 11624899
    Abstract: Provided are a device for analyzing a large-area sample based on an image, a device for analyzing a sample based on an image by using a difference in medium characteristic, and a method for measuring and analyzing a sample by using the same. The device for analyzing a large-area sample includes a first sensor array including a plurality of sensors which are disposed while being spaced apart from each other in a first direction, a second sensor array including a plurality of sensors, which are disposed while being spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and spaced apart from the first sensor array in a second direction, and a control unit to obtain image data for a cell included in the sample by using sensing data of the sensor on the sample, in which the sample is interposed between the first sensor array and the second sensor array. An active area of one of the sensor in the first sensor array overlaps an active area of one of the sensors in the second sensor array, in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SOL INC.
    Inventors: Jong Muk Lee, Hee Chan Shin, Seong Won Kwon, Ki Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 11619488
    Abstract: An optical volume measurement device includes a main body, a pair of photographic lenses, an optical distance measuring unit and an optical projecting unit. The photographic lenses are disposed on the main body. Each of the photographic lenses has an image acquiring area extended forwardly therefrom and captures images within the image acquiring area separately, and a resolution distance range is formed in front of each photographic lens. Each photographic lens identifies the image within the resolution distance range, and image acquiring areas are overlapped to form a measurement area within the resolution distance range. The optical projecting unit is disposed on the main body and forwardly project an optical alignment indicator in a projection area. The projection area is located in the measurement area within the resolution distance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CHAMPTEK INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kuo-Chun Wang, Shu-Ying Huang, Tai-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11606473
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading sensor, a transparent plate, a guiding member, a first roller pair, and a second roller pair provided upstream of the first roller pair with respect to a sheet feeding direction. The first roller pair and the second roller pair are disposed so as to nip a sheet in each of nips of the first roller pair and the second roller pair when a leading end of the sheet enters between the guiding member and the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akito Sekigawa, Naoto Tokuma, Eikou Mori
  • Patent number: 11595602
    Abstract: Methods and systems for quantizing a physical quantity, such as light, are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to generate raw digital outputs based on performing at least one of: (1) a first quantization operation to quantize a physical stimulus within a first intensity range based on a first A/D conversion relationship, or (2) a second quantization operation to quantize the physical stimulus within a second intensity range based on a second A/D conversion relationship; and a raw output conversion circuit configured generate a refined digital output based on a raw digital output obtained from the A/D converter and at least one predetermined conversion parameter. The at least one conversion parameter compensates for a discontinuity between the first A/D conversion relationship and the second A/D conversion relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wei Gao, Andrew Samuel Berkovich, Song Chen, Tsung-Hsun Tsai, Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11595002
    Abstract: This method for detecting a poor module-mounting-state in a concentrator photovoltaic apparatus includes: photographing a surface of an array by an imaging device; obtaining an image in which a virtual image, magnified through a condenser lens, of a light receiving portion including a cell and a vicinity thereof is formed, and a collection of pixels of the virtual image forms a composite virtual image of an entirety of the light receiving portion, the composite virtual image being projected over a plurality of modules; and detecting a poor module-mounting-state based on a form of the composite virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Iwasaki, Koji Mori, Kenji Saito, Kazushi Iyatani, Yoshikazu Kogetsu
  • Patent number: 11592435
    Abstract: A method for observing a sample (10), the sample lying in a plane of the sample defining radial coordinates, the method comprising the following steps: a) illuminating the sample using a light source (11), able to emit an incident light wave (12) that propagates toward the sample along a propagation axis (Z); b) acquiring, using an image sensor (16), an image (I0) of the sample (10), said image being formed in a detection plane (P0), the sample being placed between the light source (11) and the image sensor (16), such that the incident light wave sees an optical path difference, parallel to the propagation axis (Z), by passing through the sample; c) processing the image acquired by the image sensor; wherein the processing of the acquired image comprises taking into account vectors of parameters, respectively defined at a plurality of radial coordinates, in the plane of the sample, each vector of parameters being associated with one radial coordinate, and comprising a term representative of an optical para
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Lionel Herve, Cedric Allier
  • Patent number: 11583174
    Abstract: The disclosures provides an endoscope device which includes a handle portion including a main circuit board, a clamping portion connected to the handle portion, and an insertion portion connected to the clamping portion and including a lens, an image sensor corresponding to the lens, and a flexible circuit board electrically connected to the image sensor, wherein the lens and the image sensor are located at a distal end of the insertion portion away from the clamping portion, and the flexible circuit board extends from the distal end through the clamping portion to the handle portion and is electrically connected to the main circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ALTEK BIOTECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chin-Jui Fu
  • Patent number: 11579291
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor system that has an illuminator operable to emit pulses of light toward an object outside the apparatus. The illuminator is operable in a first mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a first width and a second mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a second width longer than the first width. The TOF sensor system further includes a photodetector operable to detect light produced by the illuminator and reflected by the object back toward the apparatus. An electronic control device is operable to control emission of light by the illuminator and is operable to estimate a distance to the object based on a time elapsed between an emission of one or more of the pulses by the illuminator and detection of the reflected light by the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: AMS SENSORS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: David Stoppa, Stephan Beer, Miguel Bruno Vaello Paños
  • Patent number: 11577650
    Abstract: A side mirror system for a vehicle is provided. The side mirror system includes a camera disposed outside a vehicle and capturing a peripheral area of the vehicle, an electronic side mirror including a mirror panel and a display panel, a moving device moving the electronic side mirror to an inside or an outside of the vehicle, and at least one control circuit electrically connected to the camera, the electronic side mirror, and the moving device, wherein the at least one control circuit controls the electronic side mirror such that the electronic side mirror outputs an image obtained by the camera through the display panel or the peripheral area of the vehicle is reflected by the mirror panel and controls the moving device such that the electronic side mirror moves from the outside of the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle, when a specified condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Chan Ko, Sung Kwon Kim, Seung Bin Im, Jae Mo Choi, Deok Yeol Lee, Chang Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 11571111
    Abstract: An endoscope scope includes: an imaging device that acquires image information; a color filter disposed on pixels of the imaging device and in which primary-color pixels and complementary-color pixels coexist; a detector that detects whether or not an image processor that generates an observation image based on the acquired image information via the color filter is compatible with the image information consisting of an array in which the primary-color pixels and the complementary-color pixels coexist; and a converter that performs Bayer-conversion processing for converting the image information to a Bayer array in a case in which the detector detects that the image processor is not compatible with the image information consisting of the array, and that does not perform the Bayer-conversion processing on the image information in a case in which the detector detects that the image processor is compatible with the image information consisting of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sunao Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11573396
    Abstract: A multi-axis gimbal actuator includes a first tilt frame tiltably coupled to a second tilt frame. The second frame is tiltably coupled to a reference frame. The first tilt frame is offset from the second tilt frame and approximately parallel to the second tilt frame while in a neutral position. An optical element is mounted on the first tilt frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Steven Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 11575846
    Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines, each of the plurality of pixels including a photodiode for generating an electric charge in response to light, and a pixel circuit having a floating diffusion for storing the electric charge; and a controller configured to adjust a capacitance of the floating diffusion to a first value and obtain a first pixel signal from the pixel circuit during a first time period, adjust the capacitance of the floating diffusion to a second value greater than the first value and obtain a second pixel signal from the pixel circuit during a second time period subsequent to the first time period, and generate a result image using the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eun Sub Shim
  • Patent number: 11568553
    Abstract: A camera module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an illumination unit for outputting a signal of incident light irradiated to an object; a lens unit for collecting a signal of reflection light reflected from the object, an image sensor unit for generating an electric signal from a reflection light signal collected by the lens unit, a tilting unit for shifting an optical path of the reflection light signal, and an image control unit for extracting a depth map of the object by using a phase difference between the incident light signal with respect to a frame having shifted by the tilting unit and the reflection light signal received by the image sensor unit, wherein the lens unit is disposed on the image sensor unit and includes an infrared (IR) filter disposed on the image sensor unit and at least one lens disposed on the infrared filter, and the tilting unit controls tilt of the infrared filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Song Kim, Woong Lee, Chang Hyuck Lee
  • Patent number: 11563050
    Abstract: Provided are a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit having a smaller electric charge amount to be converted per unit time than the first photoelectric conversion unit, a charge accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit, a charge voltage conversion unit, a first transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the charge voltage conversion unit, a second transfer gate unit that couples potentials of the charge voltage conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit, a third transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, an overflow path formed under a gate electrode of the third transfer gate unit and transfers an electric charge overflowing from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, and a light reducing unit that reduces light to enter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Asatsuma, Minoru Ishida
  • Patent number: 11560621
    Abstract: A deposition mask set includes a first mask, a second mask, and a third mask. Each of the first mask, second, and third masks includes a first edge substantially parallel to a first direction, a second edge substantially parallel to a second direction, and a plurality of first openings. Each of the openings includes a first opening side that is substantially parallel to a third direction and a second opening side that is substantially parallel to a fourth direction, and each of the openings corresponds to one of a first, second, or third color area at one of pixel areas. The third and fourth directions are not parallel to the first and second directions, and the first, second, and third color areas are adjacent to each other in the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaemin Hong
  • Patent number: 11561286
    Abstract: Provided is a non-mechanical-scanning-type optical radar apparatus that is capable of long distance measurement and its cost is reduced. The optical radar apparatus includes: a light emitting section; and a light receiving system, the light receiving system at least including a focusing optical element and a distance sensor that includes a light receiver, the target field of view being projected on the light receiver through the focusing optical element, the distance sensor being configured to set an activation region in a part of the light receiver depending on the scanning with the light and measure a distance to the object with use of a signal from the activation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsuji Iguchi
  • Patent number: 11563900
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus amplifies signal voltage resulting from voltage conversion of signal charge obtained by photoelectric conversion of an optical image of an object and then performs digital conversion to the signal voltage. The imaging apparatus includes an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal voltage using two or more amplification factors that are set, a weight determining unit configured to determine weights for the respective signals subjected to the digital conversion after the amplification based on the two or more amplification factors, and a combining unit configured to combine the two or more signals subjected to the digital conversion after the amplification using the weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Irie, Hisato Sekine
  • Patent number: 11552116
    Abstract: A pixel includes a photodiode and first and second transistors, the first and second transistors being coupled in series. One of the first and second transistors is a P channel transistor and the other is an N channel transistor. An electronic device may include one or more of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Thomas Dalleau
  • Patent number: 11549891
    Abstract: An automatic optical inspection (AOI) device and method are disclosed. The device is adapted to inspect an object under inspection (OUI) (102) carried on a workpiece stage (101) and includes: a plurality of detectors (111, 112) for capturing images of the OUI (102); a plurality of light sources (121, 122) for illuminating the OUI (102) in different illumination modes; and a synchronization controller (140) signal-coupled to both the plurality of detectors (111, 112) and the plurality of light sources (121, 122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hailiang Lu, Junwei Jia, Pengli Zhang, Hongji Zhou, Wen Xu, Fan Wang
  • Patent number: 11544958
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light detection apparatus and application thereof. The apparatus includes: a nonopaque cover plate, a display, and a photosensor, and further including a processor configured to transmit a display driving signal to the display when the apparatus detects a touch signal on the apparatus; wherein the display includes a plurality of display pixels configured to emit an optical signal when receiving the display driving signal transmitted by the processor, and the optical signal is reflected on an upper surface of the nonopaque cover plate to form a reflected optical signal; and wherein the reflected optical signal is received by the photosensor. By some embodiments of the present disclosure, obtained physiological feature information can be more accurate and identification precision can be effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI HARVEST INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng Feng, Tianyang Wang, Fengjun Gu, Jiandong Huang
  • Patent number: 11536557
    Abstract: A volume measuring apparatus is disclosed and includes a body having a working part and a holding part extended downward from the bottom of the working part, a processor arranged in the body, a first camera, a second camera, and a barcode capturing unit arranged on a front end of the working part, a first button arranged on one side of the holding part, and a second button arranged on a top of the working part. The first button and the second button are different types of button. By respectively operating the first button and the second button, the processor is controlled to perform a measuring action of the volume of a target box or to perform a decoding action of a target barcode based on the image captured by at least one of the first camera, the second camera, and the barcode capturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: CHAMPTEK INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kuo-Chun Wang, Shu-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 11535031
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of liquid ejection head units that are configured to eject liquid onto a conveyed object being conveyed; a detection unit that is provided with respect to each liquid ejection head unit of the plurality of liquid ejection head units and is configured to output a detection result indicating at least one of a position, a moving speed, and an amount of movement of the conveyed object with respect to a conveying direction of the conveyed object; and a control unit configured to control each liquid ejection head unit among the plurality of liquid ejection head units to eject liquid at a timing based on a plurality of the detection results of a plurality of the detection units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunobu Gohda, Tsuyoshi Nagasu, Koichi Kudo, Tomoaki Hayashi, Masayuki Sunaoshi, Masahiro Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11533448
    Abstract: A pixel readout circuit and a technique for imaging are disclosed. The circuit includes: an array of pixel integration circuits, each adapted for receiving an electric signal indicative of photocurrent of light sensitive pixel of a pixel matrix, integrate the electric signal over a frame period, and output the integrated signal at an imaging frame rate being one over the period; and an array of pixel derivation circuits, each includes a signal preprocessing channel for receiving a total electric signal indicative of at least a component of the photocurrent(s) of a cluster of respective light sensitive pixel(s); and a comparison unit adapted to analyze the total electric signal to determine digital data indicative of a change in the total electric signal relative to one or more thresholds; and a digital output utility adapted to readout of the digital data at a second rate different than the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Claudio Gabriel Jakobson, Nimrod Ben-Ari, Itzhak Nevo, Niv Shiloah
  • Patent number: 11528438
    Abstract: The photoelectric conversion device includes pixels arranged in a plurality of columns, a plurality of output lines from which signals are output from the pixels, and a plurality of column circuits provided corresponding to the plurality of output lines. The column circuit includes first and second sample-and-hold circuits for holding first and second signals. The sample-and-hold circuits include first switches provided between the output line and each unit capacitor, and second switches provided between first electrodes of adjacent unit capacitors. The second electrodes of the unit capacitor of the first sample-and-hold circuit are connected to each other by a first interconnection, and the second electrodes of the unit capacitor of the second sample-and-hold circuit are connected to each other by a second interconnection. The second switches are arranged along a first direction parallel to the plurality of columns, and the first and second interconnections extend along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11527568
    Abstract: Provided are a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit having a smaller electric charge amount to be converted per unit time than the first photoelectric conversion unit, a charge accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit, a charge voltage conversion unit, a first transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the charge voltage conversion unit, a second transfer gate unit that couples potentials of the charge voltage conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit, a third transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, an overflow path formed under a gate electrode of the third transfer gate unit and transfers an electric charge overflowing from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, and a light reducing unit that reduces light to enter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Asatsuma, Minoru Ishida
  • Patent number: 11525949
    Abstract: An example article may include an optical filter and a multilayer stack adjacent the optical filter. The multilayer stack may include a plurality of layers. Each respective layer of the plurality layers may define a respective window edge of a plurality of window edges. The plurality of window edges may define an optical window configured to transmit light through the optical filter. At least a first respective window edge of the plurality of window edges may be stepped relative to at least a second respective window edge of the plurality of window edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Guanglei Du, John A. Wheatley, Yihang Lv, Zhiyong Xu, Jingfei Chen
  • Patent number: 11520050
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image element and an optical radar device that have low cost and are capable of detecting a distance to a measurement object at a close distance before a final result of counting the number of pulses is acquired are realized. A pixel storage element has a plurality of binary counters that integrate the number of electrical pulses at mutually different timings and the reading of data by a signal processing circuit and the integration are able to be performed in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuji Iguchi, Koji Takahashi, Hidenori Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 11520021
    Abstract: A light receiving device includes a light receiver including pixels and a light receiving area. The pixels are arranged in an array in a first direction and in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and each of the pixels has one light receiving element or more. The light receiving area has continuous pixels out of the pixels, outputs signals based on intensities of light received in the continuous pixels, and is changed in position in the light receiver according to a signal indicating a position in the first direction and a position in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Nobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11510550
    Abstract: An imaging module includes: an electrical cable; an imaging device; and a flexible wiring board with wirings electrically connecting the imaging device with the electrical cable. The flexible wiring board includes: a device mounting portion on which the imaging device is mounted, and one end of the device mounting portion in a longitudinal direction has a bent portion; and a rear portion that bends and extends from the bent portion to a side opposite the imaging device. The device mounting portion has a mounting surface intersecting an axial direction of a distal end of the electrical cable, and the imaging device is mounted on the mounting surface, and the wirings extend from the mounting surface, pass through the bent portion, and connect with the electrical cable at the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Sato, Hideo Shiratani
  • Patent number: 11513622
    Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic module, a sensing unit divided into a hole area overlapping the electronic module, an active area surrounding the hole area, and a peripheral area adjacent to the active area. A first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode are disposed in the active area and insulated from each other. The first sensing electrode includes first main patterns, first neighboring patterns having a smaller area than the first main patterns, and a hole pattern connected to the adjacent first neighboring patterns. The second sensing electrode includes second main patterns, second neighboring patterns adjacent the hole area and having a smaller area than the second main patterns, second connection patterns connected to the second main patterns, and a routing pattern connected to the adjacent second neighboring patterns. The hole pattern is disposed in the hole area, and the routing pattern is disposed in the peripheral area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wonjun Choi, Il-Joo Kim, Deokjung Kim
  • Patent number: 11513221
    Abstract: A distance measurement processing device according to an embodiment includes an information acquisition circuit and a reliability-degree generation circuit. The information acquisition circuit acquires a two-dimensional distance image having a measured distance as a pixel value and signal information concerning a signal value corresponding to the measured distance image. The reliability-degree generation circuit sets, for each of the pixels of the two-dimensional distance image, each of the pixels as a center pixel and generates a reliability degree based on information concerning the pixels having distance values equal to or smaller than a predetermined value from a distance value of the center pixel among the pixels contiguous within a predetermined range from the center pixel and a signal value corresponding to the center pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Nobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11509841
    Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel that includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, each of which generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion of light; an output unit that outputs a first signal generated based upon the electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated based upon an electric charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a capacitance at the output unit upon outputting of the first signal and the second signal from the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11509851
    Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode; a floating diffusion node configured to integrate photocharges generated in the photodiode; a first sampling transistor electrically connected to a first node; a first capacitor electrically connected to a first node and configured to store a charge corresponding to a voltage of the floating diffusion node which is reset; a second sampling transistor electrically connected to a second node; a second capacitor electrically connected to the second node and configured to store a charge corresponding to a voltage of the floating diffusion node in which the photocharges are integrated; and at least one mode transistor configured to adjust an equivalent capacitance of each of the first node and the second node according to a mode control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heesung Shim, Sangyoon Kim, Joosung Moon
  • Patent number: 11508043
    Abstract: A method for reducing abasing artefacts in an output image may include obtaining a plurality of input images captured by a plurality of cameras, each camera having a different field of view of an environment surrounding a vehicle, wherein the plurality of input images are mapped to the output image to represent the environment, from a predefined virtual point of view. The method may further include for each pixel position in the output image, obtaining a first pixel density value corresponding to a first output pixel position in the output image; and upon determining that the first pixel density value is higher than a threshold, calculating a first output brightness value corresponding to the first output pixel position based at least on a plurality of brightness values corresponding to a plurality of neighboring pixels of a corresponding position in a first input image of the plurality of input images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Connaught Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Griffin
  • Patent number: 11509322
    Abstract: A light sensor circuit, which comprising a photodiode and a voltage follower. By setting the voltage follower to reduce the influence from the junction capacitance of the photodiode, a required time of a repeat integration module will not be influenced by the photodiode to efficiently keep the performance and the accuracy of the analog to digital converting device when the light sensor circuit is used to the analog to digital converting device in repeat operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sensortek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jer-Hau Hsu, Ming-Huang Liu, Kian-Fu Wong
  • Patent number: 11509869
    Abstract: A pixel array including; color filter array (CFA) cells, each respectively including CFA blocks, each CFA block including color pixels, and the color pixels include a sub-block. The sub-block includes at least one first color pixel sensing a first color, at least one second color pixel sensing a second color different from the first color, and at least one third color pixel sensing a third color different from the first color and the second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soyoun Park, Changsoo Park
  • Patent number: 11495656
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprising a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate to form a plurality of columns parallel to a first direction and a plurality of rows parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is provided. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a light emitting element, and a driving circuit configured to drive the light emitting element, the substrate includes a transistor region in which a plurality of transistors that form the driving circuit are arranged, the plurality of pixels include a first pixel and a second pixel, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and a virtual line parallel to the second direction, which passes through the transistor region of the first pixel, passes through the transistor region of the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Akiyama, Hiromasa Tsuboi