Plural Photosensitive Image Detecting Element Arrays Patents (Class 250/208.1)
  • Patent number: 11729529
    Abstract: A global shutter readout circuit includes a reset transistor coupled between a reset voltage and a bitline. A pixel enable transistor is coupled between the reset transistor and a source follower transistor. First and second terminals of the pixel enable transistor are coupled together in response to a pixel enable signal coupled to a third terminal of the pixel enable transistor. A first storage transistor coupled to the second terminal of the pixel enable transistor and the gate of the source follower transistor. A first storage capacitor is coupled to the first storage transistor. A second storage transistor coupled to the second terminal of the pixel enable transistor and the gate of the source follower transistor. A second storage capacitor is coupled to the second storage transistor. A row select transistor is coupled to the source follower transistor to generate an output signal from the global shutter readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhe Gao, Hiroaki Ebihara, Ling Fu, Tiejun Dai
  • Patent number: 11729533
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes: an input transistor configured to output, from a drain, a drain voltage according to an input voltage input to a source in a case where the input voltage substantially coincides with a predetermined reference voltage input to a gate; and an output transistor configured to output a signal indicating whether or not a difference between the input voltage input to a source and the drain voltage input to a gate exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage as a comparison result between the input voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Moue, Yosuke Ueno
  • Patent number: 11716553
    Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of current sources including first group current sources and second group current sources; and a control unit that controls driving of the first group current sources to generate a first-phase ramp voltage and controls driving of the first group current sources and at least one current source of the second group current sources to generate a second-phase ramp voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solution Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Watanabe, Kyoichi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11714273
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for microscope auto-focusing. In one example, a a method for microscope auto-focusing comprises: acquiring a plurality of contrast samples of an imaged subject; modeling a contrast distribution based on the plurality of contrast samples; acquiring an additional contrast sample based on the contrast distribution; modeling a corrected contrast distribution based on the additional contrast sample and the plurality of contrast samples; and focusing the imaged subject based on the corrected contrast distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Araceli Biosciences Inc.
    Inventor: Shiou-jyh Ja
  • Patent number: 11711601
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a double barrels lens, a lens module, and an assembling method therefor. The double barrels lens includes a first barrel and a second barrel. The first barrel comprises a first end, a second end and a lens group. External screw threads are provided on an outer surface of the second end. The second barrel includes a first end surface, a second end surface and an inner surface with internal screw threads. The internal screw threads of the second barrel are engaged with the external screw threads of the first barrel. A distance H between an optical center of the lens group and the second end surface of the second barrel, a focal length f of the lens group, and a correction coefficient ? meet the expression: H=f+?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: JIANGXI LIANYI OPTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Binquan Deng, Xinyu Xiong
  • Patent number: 11711631
    Abstract: A dynamic vision sensor (DVS) or change detection sensor reacts to changes in light intensity and in this way monitors how a scene changes. This disclosure covers both single pixel and array architectures. The DVS may contain one pixel or 2-dimensional or 1-dimensional array of pixels. The change of intensities registered by pixels are compared, and pixel addresses where the change is positive or negative are recorded and processed. Analyzing frames based on just three values for pixels, increase, decrease or unchanged, the proposed DVS can process visual information much faster than traditional computer vision systems, which correlate multi-bit color or gray level pixel values between successive frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Advanced Visual Sensing AG
    Inventors: Raphael Berner, Christian Brändli
  • Patent number: 11711634
    Abstract: To suppress voltage variations due to transistor switching noise in a solid-state image sensor including a transistor that initializes a differentiating circuit. A capacitance supplies a charge corresponding to an amount of variation in a predetermined pixel voltage to a predetermined input terminal. A voltage output unit outputs, as an output voltage, a voltage corresponding to an input voltage at the input terminal from a predetermined output terminal. A reset transistor supplies one of a positive charge or a negative charge during a predetermined period to control the output voltage to an initial value in a case where initialization is instructed. A charge supply unit supplies the other of the positive charge or the negative charge when the predetermined period elapses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hongbo Zhu
  • Patent number: 11699412
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method includes: displaying a UI element as an overlay in a UI associated with a first FOV, wherein the first FOV is characterized by a first viewing vector of a physical environment; detecting a change from the first FOV to a second FOV, wherein the second FOV is characterized by a second viewing vector of the physical environment; and in response to detecting the change from the first FOV to the second FOV, determining a prominence-display value for the UI element; if the prominence-display value for the UI element exceeds a prominence threshold, displaying the UI element as the overlay in the UI associated with the second FOV; and if the prominence-display value for the UI element does not exceed the prominence threshold, ceasing display of the UI element in the UI associated with the second FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Anselm Grundhoefer, Geoffrey Grant Stahl
  • Patent number: 11700465
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging element equipped with per-column ADCs, noise is reduced. A test signal source generates a test signal of a predetermined level. An analog-to-digital converter increases/decreases an analog signal according to an analog gain selected from among a plurality of analog gains, and converts the increased/decreased analog signal to a digital signal. An input switching section inputs, as the analog signal, either a test signal or a pixel signal to the analog-to-digital converter. A correction value calculation section obtains, on the basis of the test signal and the digital signal, a correction value for correcting an error in the selected analog gain, and outputs the correction value. A correction section corrects the digital signal according to the outputted correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoto Nagaki, Takao Konishi
  • Patent number: 11700468
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal line connected to the plurality of pixels, and a limiter circuit configured to limit an amplitude of the signal at the signal line. A first pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal, a focus detection signal, and an image capturing signal to the signal line. A second pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal and an image capturing signal to the signal line, and wherein a potential of the signal at the signal line is set to a potential by the limiter circuit during a period after the second pixel outputs the noise signal and before the second pixel outputs the image capturing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichiro Iwata, Yu Arishima, Masaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11696047
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a first readout circuit that reads out a first signal, being generated by an electric charge resulting from a photoelectric conversion, to a first signal line; a first holding circuit that holds a voltage based on an electric current from a power supply circuit; and a first electric current source that supplies the first signal line with an electric current generated by the voltage held in the first holding circuit, wherein: the first holding circuit holds the voltage based on the electric current from the power supply circuit when the first signal is not read out to the first signal line by the first readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Funamizu, Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11694304
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining a set of events, of a set of pixels of a dynamic vision sensor, associated with an object; determining a set of voltages of the set of pixels, based on the set of events; generating a set of images, based on the set of voltages of the set of pixels; inputting the set of images into a first neural network configured to output a visual motion estimation of the object; inputting the set of images into a second neural network configured to output a confidence score of the visual motion estimation output by the first neural network; obtaining the visual motion estimation of the object and the confidence score of the visual motion estimation of the object, based on inputting the set of images into the first neural network and the second neural network; and providing the visual motion estimation of the object and the confidence score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Kepple, Dae Won Lee, Ibrahim Volkan Isler, Kanaka Rajan, Il Memming Park, Daniel Dongyuel Lee
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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