With Ambient Light Sensor Patents (Class 348/227.1)
  • Patent number: 11936967
    Abstract: An image acquisition system is disclosed. The image acquisition system includes: an object area configured to form an image on an image side; a condenser lens configured to converge light from the object area, the condenser lens being located on a light path of the object area; a color filter configured to filter the light collected by the condenser lens to obtain single wavelength of light, according to a forward direction of the light, the color filter being placed in front of the condenser lens; and an image sensor configured to receive the image on an imaging plane position of an image space, the image sensor being placed in front of the imaging plane position according to the forward direction of the light. The matrix image acquisition system and the matrix image projection system including the image acquisition system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOPLITE INTERNATIONAL CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Yongjian Yin
  • Patent number: 11727654
    Abstract: Implementations of the subject matter described herein relate to mixed reality object rendering based on ambient light conditions. According to the embodiments of the subject matter described herein, while rendering an object a wearable computing device acquires light conditions of the real world, thereby increasing the reality of the rendered object. In particular, the wearable computing deice is configured to acquire an image of an environment where the wearable computing deice is located. The image is adjusted based on a cement parameter used when the image is captured. Subsequently, ambient light information is determined based on the adjusted image. In this way, the wearable computing deice can obtain more real and accurate emblem light information, so as to render to the user an object with enhanced reality. Accordingly, the user can have a better interaction experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Guojun Chen, Yue Dong, Xin Tong, Yingnan Ju, Pingchao Yu
  • Patent number: 11700346
    Abstract: Luminance data indicating luminance of the print product illuminated by the lighting is calculated and processing for causing a high luminance region to have gradation characteristics is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Wada, Yuji Konno, Takeshi Yazawa, Naomi Yamamoto, Kei Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 11435961
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for displaying on a display device an image corresponding to a printed product observed in a predetermined observation environment. The apparatus includes one or more memories storing instructions, and one or more processors executing the instructions to obtain image data, to obtain a lighting luminance in the predetermined observation environment, to set a maximum luminance to be displayed in the display device according to the obtained lighting luminance, to convert the obtained image data according to the obtained lighting luminance, and to output the converted image data to the display device whose maximum luminance to be displayed has been set according to the obtained lighting luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kawai, Tetsuya Suwa, Hidetsugu Kagawa
  • Patent number: 11115591
    Abstract: A photographing method and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes: receiving a first input by a user when a current screen displays a photographing preview screen; in response to the first input, updating the photographing preview screen and displaying it as a first sub-preview-screen and a second sub-preview-screen; receiving a second input by the user; in response to the second input, controlling a first photographing identifier displayed on the first sub-preview-screen and a second photographing identifier displayed on the second sub-preview-screen to move; and when the first photographing identifier and the second photographing identifier overlap, controlling a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera to capture a first image and a second image respectively, and displaying a composite image of the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Wei
  • Patent number: 10979650
    Abstract: An imaging control device includes: an imaging controller that obtains captured image data by controlling an imager imaging a subject through an optical element having variable transmittance of light; a flicker detector that detects a flicker occurring in the captured image data based on the captured image data; and a transmittance controller that controls, based on the flicker, the transmittance of the optical element to a state where a quantity of light incident on the imager is changed in a cycle shorter than a cycle of the flicker, and the imaging controller controls an exposure time of the imager to a natural multiple of a changing cycle of the quantity of light incident on the imager in a condition where the transmittance of the optical element is controlled to the state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kobayashi, Ryo Hasegawa, Hitoshi Sakurabu, Tomonori Masuda
  • Patent number: 10855931
    Abstract: A high dynamic range image sensing method for an image sensing device is provided. The high dynamic range image sensing method comprises: calculating a brightness sum value of a pixel block to obtain a long exposure value; calculating a brightness average value of the pixel block to obtain a short exposure value; calculating a block average value of a plurality of adjacent pixel blocks; obtaining a weight value according to the block average value; and outputting a high dynamic range pixel value of one pixel according to the long exposure value, the short exposure value and the weight value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chi-Fan Liou, Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 9871965
    Abstract: A signal processing chain implements wide dynamic range (WDR) multi-frame processing including receiving raw image signals from a WDR sensor including a plurality of frames including a first frame including first exposure time pixel data and a second frame including second exposure time pixel data. Statistics for camera control are generated including first statistics for the first pixel data and second statistics for the second pixel data. The first and second pixel data are merged using WDR merge algorithm in a WDR merge block which utilizes the first and second statistics to generate a raw higher bit width single frame image. The single frame image is post-processed in post-processing block using at least a defect pixel correction algorithm, and at least a portion of tone mapping is performed on the single frame image after the post-processing to provide an output toned mapped image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shashank Dabral, Mihir Narendra Mody, Gang Hua, Anthony Lell, Niraj Nandan, Rajashekhar Allu
  • Patent number: 9813680
    Abstract: A lens and color filter assembly contains lens units, and each lens unit is assigned to a single-color color filter unit. The lens and color filter assembly may be combined with pixel units such that a plurality of monochromatic, low-resolution images can be obtained, and the monochromatic images refer to shifted versions of the same image object. By a super-resolution technique comprising shift-compensation a mosaicked image is obtained which is then demosaiced. In the resultant image only few artifacts appear. Simple color filter arrays allow a simplified fabrication process and provide less chromatic aberrations at less computational effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Waqas Malik, Muhammad Siddiqui, Markus Kamm, Manfred Manz
  • Patent number: 9704037
    Abstract: A method for detecting face direction of a person includes receiving a face image of the person. The method further includes determining whether the person is wearing glasses, based on the face image. The method also includes determining whether the number of reflection points of light in a glasses region of the face image is four or more at the time of detecting the glasses region. The method also includes aligning the reflection points of light in order of size, upon determining that the number of reflection points of light is four or more. The method also includes detecting two virtual images of the light, based on the aligning. The method also includes detecting a face direction vector based on the two virtual images of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Il Yong Yoon
  • Patent number: 9609229
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus that can obtain accurate color information including change of color information during luminescence. An information obtaining unit obtains status information on a status change of a light source in a luminescence time period of the light source. A determination unit determines color information of a light emitted from the light source in the luminescence time period based on the status information obtained by the information obtaining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ginta Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 9210331
    Abstract: A camera device is provided. The camera device includes a flash unit, an image capture module, and a controller. The flash unit generates a preset flash with a predetermined Correlated Color Temperature value to illuminate an object, and the image capture module captures a test image from the object when the preset flash illuminates the object. The controller determines an adjusted CCT value according to a color difference between the test image and a predetermined color. When the controller has determined the adjusted CCT value, the flash unit generates an adjusted flash with the adjusted CCT value to illuminate the object. When the adjusted flash illuminates the object, the image capture module captures an adjusted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fu-Cheng Fan, Chih-Jen Hu, Ming-Tien Lin, Chun-Ta Lin
  • Patent number: 9154718
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes an image CDS processing unit that outputs a pixel signal based on a difference between a pixel voltage read from a pixel during a reset period and a pixel voltage read from the pixel during a signal read period, a temperature sensor that outputs a diode voltage when a diode current is changed, a temperature CDS processing unit that outputs a temperature measurement value based on a difference of the diode voltage at the time when the diode current is changed, and a timing generator that controls the reset period, the signal read period, and timing of changing the diode current of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Maki Sato, Kazuki Hizu, Tetsuya Amano, Katsuya Kudo, Toyoharu Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9055228
    Abstract: The present invention is to allow an XY-address scanning-type imaging device such as a CMOS imaging device to detect a fluorescent flicker correctly and accurately and reduce a fluorescent flicker component surely and sufficiently. The RGB primary color signals arising from A/D conversion of the RGB primary color signals obtained from an imaging element are clamped. Subsequently, for the clamped RGB primary color signals, the following processes are executed: correction of the gains of reading-out channels; reduction of fixed pattern noise; correction of the data of defective pixels; noise reduction; lens shading correction; and gain adjustment for exposure adjustment. Thereafter, for the resultant signals, a flicker detection and reduction unit detects and reduces a flicker component. Furthermore, white balance adjustment is implemented for the RGB primary color signals for which the flicker has been reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaya Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9041812
    Abstract: Real-time access by a requestor to surveillance video is conditionally pre-authorized dependent on the existence of at least one pre-specified automatically detectable condition, and recorded in a data processing system. A requestor subsequently requests real-time access to the surveillance video (e.g., as a result of an alarm), and if the pre-specified automatically detectable condition is met, access is automatically granted, i.e., without the need for manual intervention. An automatically detectable condition could, e.g., be an alarm condition detected by a sensor at the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a locational proximity of the requestor to the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a previously defined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Billau, Vincenzo V. Di Luoffo, Dan P. Dumarot, Matthew J. Paschal, Brandon W. Schulz, James E. Woodbury
  • Patent number: 9036078
    Abstract: A method of reducing light damage in a shutterless imaging device includes receiving a signal from a hardware device. The signal from the hardware devices is analyzed. In response to the analysis of the signal from the hardware device, a lens of the shutterless imaging device is adjusted. Adjusting the lens spreads out energy of far-field image light incident on an image sensor of the shutterless imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel R. D'Amico, Xiaoyu Miao
  • Patent number: 9022572
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a time-sharing light emitting device, a display device, a projection optical system, an illuminance sensor and a lighting determination unit. The time-sharing light emitting device successively emits color lights one by one. The display device modulates the color lights to form an image. The projection optical system projects the image. The illuminance sensor converts illuminance of the color lights into an electric signal which is an output of the illuminance sensor. The lighting determination unit compares the output with a first threshold value, and operates the time-sharing light emitting device in response to the output being more than the first threshold value, and stops the time-sharing light emitting device in response to the output being equal to or less than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Hara
  • Patent number: 8988597
    Abstract: An imaging control device for controlling a facial image taking apparatus which radiates light from a light source to a face and takes an image of the face is disclosed. The imaging control device determines an intensity of environmental light and a degree of reflection by a pair of eyeglasses. When it is determined that the intensity of the environmental light is greater than or equal to a predetermined determination value and the degree of the reflection by the eyeglasses is greater than or equal to a predetermined determination value, the imaging control device sets an intensity of the light radiated from the light source to a predetermined intensity that makes states of eyes in the facial image recognizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Taito Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8988551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting flicker in a camera module is provided. The method including generating a first image frame and a second image frame, setting up a first sampling area in the first image frame and a second sampling area in the second image frame, sampling a plurality of horizontal lines from among all of the horizontal lines contained in each of the first sampling area and the second sampling area, accumulating brightness values of pixels located on each of the sampled horizontal lines to generate first accumulated brightness values for the first image frame and second accumulated brightness values for the second image frame, and detecting flicker based on the first accumulated values and the second accumulated values, wherein the first sampling area and the second sampling area have the same sizes and the same horizontal starting points but have different vertical starting points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Hwan Moon, Yong-Gu Lee, Min-Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8970730
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided in which a flicker is prevented. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging part that includes an optical system to form an image of a subject and an imaging element to generate an image signal by photoelectrically converting an optical image of the subject formed by the optical system, an image processing part to perform an image processing on the image signal, a display part/operation part having at least display and setting functions, a luminance change detection part to detect change of luminance of the subject, a signal processing part to calculate flicker amounts at respective frequencies based on signal intensities with respect to luminance change information acquired by the luminance change detection part, and a control unit to cause the display part/operation part to display the flicker amounts at the respective frequencies calculated by the signal processing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Industry & Control Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Ebina, Takeshi Tahara, Haruhiko Miyao, Makoto Kikuchi, Akinori Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 8928775
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for processing an image of an image signal projected through a digital camera lens. The apparatus includes an image sensor module to transform an optical signal projected through the digital camera lens into an electric signal, to generate and output an image signal. The apparatus includes a light receiving module to receive a light source, wherein the light receiving module is disposed close to the image sensor module. The apparatus also includes a light source characteristic detector to detect a frequency of the light source received by the light receiving module. The apparatus further includes an auto color adjustment controller to identify a kind of light source based on the frequency of the light source, and control a white balance gain of the image signal based on the kind of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 8896705
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a response speed of a display panel is provided. The measuring device includes a microcontroller and at least one photo sensor. The microcontroller provides a control command, according to which a display controller of the display panel provides test pattern to the display panel. The photo sensor senses a test frame displayed corresponding to the test pattern by the display panel, and provides a corresponding sensing signal associated with brightness and a response signal. According to the response signal, the response speed of the display panel is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chiu, Tien-Hua Yu, Wen-Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 8890975
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method which enable effective removal of flicker are provided. Under an illumination environment such as a fluorescent lamp with luminance variation, flicker that occurs in images shot with an X-Y address scanning type imaging device such as a CMOS is effectively removed or reduced. The integral value of the row-by-row signal intensity of an image to be corrected from which to remove flicker is calculated, and this integral value is used to detect flicker components contained in individual rows of an image frame. The detected flicker components represent data according to the actual flicker waveform of the illumination, and a correction process is executed using flicker correction coefficients formed by an anti-phase pattern of the flicker components. Effective flicker removal becomes possible through this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Baba, Shinichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8872093
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an image sensor for capturing digital images. The image sensor may be used as part of image-sensor-based ambient light sensing circuitry for producing ambient light sensor readings. The image-sensor-based ambient light sensing circuitry may include a reference array. The reference array may be formed from an array of light sensor elements that are matched to elements in the image sensor but that are covered with a light blocking material. Control circuitry can measure current flow into the reference array and the image sensor array and can use current measurements from these arrays in producing a calibrated ambient light sensor reading. The control circuitry may make current measurements by measuring a decay time associated with the voltage of a discharging capacitor. A comparator, pulse generator, and switch may be used in periodically recharging the capacitor. The capacitor may be adjusted to ensure accurate readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chiajen Lee, Anup Sharma, Xiaofeng Fan
  • Patent number: 8854544
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ling Jun Wong
  • Patent number: 8854513
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an imaging device includes a first CCD which converts a first color component into a first electric signal, a second CCD which converts a second color component different from the first color component into a second electric signal, a third CCD which converts a third color component different from the first and second color components into a third electric signal, and a heat sink having first to third radiators which radiate heat from the first to third CODs. The first to third radiators are maintained at the same temperature by the function of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ookubo, Tetsuo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8810692
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing rolling shutter distortion corrections are described. A video clip captured by a user is received and each of a plurality of predefined affine transforms for rolling shutter distortion correction is applied to the received video clip. Further, a visual indication of results from each of the plurality of the predefined affine transforms is presented to the user and input is received from the user selecting one of the visual indications. Furthermore, the predefined affine transform corresponding to the selected visual indication is associated with a device that acquired the received video clip. Additionally, the association can be stored, and the stored association can be used later to automatically perform a rolling shutter distortion correction on another video clip upon detecting that the other video clip comes from same device that already went through a calibration sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Ubillos
  • Patent number: 8760542
    Abstract: An imaging system and method that captures compressive sensing (CS) measurements of a received light stream, and also obtains samples of background light level (BGLL). The BGLL samples may be used to compensate the CS measurements for variations in the BGLL. The system includes: a light modulator to spatially modulate the received light stream with spatial patterns, and a lens to concentrate the modulated light stream onto a light detector. The samples of BGLL may be obtained in various ways: (a) injecting calibration patterns among the spatial patterns; (b) measuring complementary light reflected by digital micromirrors onto a secondary output path; (c) separating and measuring a portion of light from the optical input path; (d) low-pass filtering the CS measurements; and (e) employing a light power meter with its own separate input path. Also, the CS measurements may be high-pass filtered to attenuate background light variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Bridge, Matthew A. Herman, Donna E. Hewitt, Tyler H. Weston, Justin A. Fritz
  • Patent number: 8736711
    Abstract: A camera and an image capturing method with anti-flicker capability. The camera has a camera sensor and an image signal processor. The camera sensor captures first and second image data separated by a time delay which depends on a flicker period of background illumination. The image signal processor differentiates the first and the second image data along rows to obtain first and second differentiated image data, respectively, normalizes the first and second image data to obtain for each column an oscillation amplitude, normalizes the first and second differentiated image data to obtain for each column an oscillation amplitude, and obtains flicker-eliminated image data based on the first and second image data, the first and second differentiated image data, and the oscillation amplitudes obtained from normalizing the first and second image data and the oscillation amplitudes obtained from normalizing the first and second differentiated image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Jau-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8725207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a posture of a mobile terminal are provided. The mobile terminal includes a first camera module located in a rear surface thereof and a second camera module located in a front surface thereof, and the method includes measuring illuminance in each of the first camera module and the second camera module, comparing an illuminance value measured in the first camera module and an illuminance value measured in the second camera module with a predetermined critical value, and determining a posture of the mobile terminal according to a result of the comparison. Therefore, a posture of the mobile terminal can be determined without an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8625006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active imaging device and a corresponding device for imaging a scene, in particular for effectively reducing speckle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Stirling-Gallacher
  • Patent number: 8593540
    Abstract: An active imaging device for imaging a scene includes a scene illuminator that illuminates the scene, a radiation detector that detects radiation received from the scene, a feature identifier that analyses the detection data and identifies different features in the scene, a frequency selector that separately selects for the identified features one or more selected illumination frequencies resulting in the minimum speckle noise in an image of the respective feature constructed from the detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Stirling-Gallacher
  • Patent number: 8587690
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing an image of an image signal projected through a digital camera lens are provided. The apparatus includes an image sensor module for transforming an optical signal into an electric signal, to generate and output an image signal, and a light receiving module for detecting a light source. The apparatus also includes a light source characteristic detector for detecting a frequency of the light source, a white balance controller for controlling a white balance, a color corrector for removing interferences of red, green, and blue channels, and a gamma corrector for performing a gamma correction. The apparatus further includes an auto color adjustment controller for identifying a kind of light source based on the frequency of the light source, and controlling a white balance gain of the image signal based on the kind of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yong-Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 8547450
    Abstract: A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system is provided that includes capturing an image of a test target under a natural lighting condition, generating a first color temperature reference from the captured image, and outputting AWB configuration data for the digital system, wherein the AWB configuration data comprises the first color temperature reference and a second color temperature reference generated using the test target under simulated lighting conditions. A method for calibrating automatic white balance (AWB) in a digital system comprising a first imaging sensor is provided that includes receiving a reference for AWB that was generated using an image captured using a second imaging sensor, and compensating a histogram reference into a histogram reference for AWB for the first imaging sensor in the digital system based on R, G, B adjustment values from the second imaging sensor to the first imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Buyue Zhang
  • Patent number: 8542292
    Abstract: An average value calculation section 100 calculates an average value of each line during the validity period of an input image signal. A three-field average value calculation section 104 calculates a 50 Hz flicker signal from which the light and shade of a subject is removed. A difference value calculation section 105 subtracts an n-field preceding field line average value from the line average value of the present frame. Then, a 60 Hz flicker signal, from which the light and shade of the subject is removed, is calculated by dividing the difference value by the line average value of the present frame. A flicker determination section 112 determines whether flicker exists or not, and whether the flicker frequency is 50 Hz or 60 Hz, on the basis of the extraction results of the 50 Hz flicker component extraction section 108, and of the 60 Hz flicker component extraction section 109.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8520094
    Abstract: A circuit includes a luminance average value output unit for extracting luminance values from pixel data of the first and the second frames to generate first luminance average values for pixel lines of the first frame and second luminance average values for pixel lines of the second frame, a flicker curve generating unit for subtracting the second luminance average values from the first luminance average values, thereby generating a flicker curve, and a flicker detecting unit for extracting a plurality of local minimum points from the flicker curve, calculating a distance between each two neighboring local minimum points of the extracted local minimum points, and determining whether the flicker is present based on the distances and the frequency numbers of the distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventors: Pyeong-Woo Lee, Chae-Sung Kim, Jeong-Guk Lee
  • Patent number: 8508666
    Abstract: A moving image processing apparatus includes a brightness information acquisition unit configured to acquire, from an input video signal, brightness information indicating brightness of the video signal, an illumination information acquisition unit configured to acquire illumination information about an environment of the moving image processing apparatus, an adaptation coefficient calculation unit configured to calculate an adaptation coefficient for an observer based on brightness when the brightness indicated by the brightness information is less than a first threshold and the brightness indicated by the illumination information is less than a second threshold, a correction coefficient calculation unit configured to calculate a correction coefficient to be used for image correction of the video signal based on the adaptation coefficient calculated by the adaptation coefficient calculation unit, and an image correction unit configured to perform image correction on the video signal using the correction coef
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shugo Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8379107
    Abstract: A flicker detection method of an image sensing device is disclosed. The image sensing device includes a sensor and a processor. The method comprises steps of: sequentially detecting multiple frames according to a frame rate, wherein each of the multiple frames includes a light signal; generating a light intensity information based on the light signals; determining a sampling window according to a predetermined detection frequency and the frame rate; dividing the light intensity information into multiple light intensity groups according to the sampling window; distinguishing a feature of each light intensity group, and recording an index position of each feature of the light intensity groups; calculating, individually, a difference between the index positions of the adjacent light intensity groups; and determining whether the differences are patterned, in order to determine whether the light intensity information corresponds to a flicker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lite-On Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Jau-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8363006
    Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting screen and keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and keypad, for optimum legibility under varying lighting conditions, with minimal eye strain and distraction. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and independently adjusting backlight intensity of the display screen and keypad responsive to the light level samples. Preferably, correct screen and keypad adjustments are made responsive to pulling the handheld device out of its holster notwithstanding non-optimal ambient light detection while the device is being removed from the holster. According to another aspect, the described method allows for ambient light detection in a handheld device where the light sensor and a message notification indicator share a common light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Conrad Aleksander Kreek, Jerry Mailloux, Ahmed Hashi, James Robinson, Ken Wu, Robert J. Lowles, Andrew Bocking, Dale Brubacher-Cressman, Bruce Winter
  • Patent number: 8334925
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing images are disclosed. The method includes: generating an image histogram of an image to be processed; judging whether the image to be processed requires backlight compensation according to the image histogram; if the image to be processed requires backlight compensation, determining a first luminance boundary value A used for deciding whether to perform backlight compensation and a second luminance boundary value C used for deciding whether to perform positive or negative backlight compensation; and performing backlight compensation for the image to be processed according to the first luminance boundary value A and the second luminance boundary value C. The method is simple and universally applicable. After backlight compensation, the contrast of the image is high, and the image is free from background overexposure and image layering. The image photographed in a backlight environment is processed properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoxia Wei, Yanbo Long
  • Patent number: 8330829
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment includes detecting flicker in a photographic setting. A plurality of samples are obtained from a light detector circuit of a camera, each of which has a value that is dependent upon intensity of light incident upon the camera. The method further includes processing the samples to identify whether the incident light is varying in intensity at one or more pre-selected frequencies. The processing may include multiplying the samples with one or more periodic signals to generate scalar product outputs, and analyzing the scalar product outputs to ascertain the presence of periodic flicker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Roy Goh, Andrew Juenger, Yi He, Stuart William Milton
  • Publication number: 20120307106
    Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed. The imaging system has an image sensor and an illumination device. The imaging system captures two images, one with only ambient light, and the other with ambient light and light from the illumination device. The two images are synchronized such that the time between the start of the two image exposures is an integer multiple of at least one flicker period. The final image is created by subtracting the ambient only image from the other image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kurt Eugene Spears, Kenneth K. Smith
  • Patent number: 8294777
    Abstract: A proposition is to perform a high accurate chromatic coordinate conversion of a chromaticity value generated by a color sensor into a chromaticity value of a predetermined chromaticity coordinate system, and to perform an accurate color-reproduction. A chromatic coordinate converting apparatus includes a recording unit recording information representing a chromaticity coordinate system unique to the color sensor in advance, and a converting unit performing a chromatic coordinate conversion of a first chromaticity value being a chromaticity value generated by the color sensor into a second chromaticity value of the predetermined chromatic coordinate system based on the information recorded by the recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hisashi Sano
  • Patent number: 8279302
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for integrating an image sensor capable of removing a flicker noise without causing any burdens on a hardware due to setting up additional logics. The method for integrating an exposure time of an image sensor employing a line scan method, including the steps of: performing an integration to a first line when an integer multiple of a light source frequency is different from an integration time; and performing an integration to a second line at a phase substantially equal to a phase in which the integration to the first line is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventors: Hyung-Jun Han, Moo-Sup Lim
  • Patent number: 8269853
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of charge storage-type photoelectric conversion elements disposed along a first and a second direction; a rolling shutter control unit that executes storage control to store electrical charges in a first element row and in a second element row with different timing for electrical charging, the first element row including a plurality of the charge storage-type photoelectric conversion elements along the first direction and the second element row including a plurality of the charge storage-type photoelectric conversion elements along the first direction at a different position along the second direction; a detection unit that detects light emission timing indicating a light emission cycle of each of a plurality of color components in light entering the image sensor; and a start instruction unit that engages the rolling shutter control unit to start the storage control based upon the light emission timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Masanari Indo
  • Patent number: 8218029
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image taking apparatus including an image taking device, a gain adjustment circuit, and a correction circuit. The image taking device operates with timings based on a frame rate determined in advance and the total number of horizontal lines, has an electronic shutter allowing a shutter speed to be adjusted, receives light in a period equal to the shutter speed of the electronic shutter and carries out an opto-electrical conversion process on the light for every horizontal line in order to generate a predetermined signal. The gain adjustment circuit adjusts the gain of the electrical signal received from the image taking device. The correction circuit compares an image taking video signal with a reference video signal to compute a flicker component as a component oriented in the vertical direction of an image represented by the image taking video signal in a flicker correction process of eliminating flickers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 8212931
    Abstract: An image processing and controlling system is provided in the present invention. In addition to adjusting the image displaying modes according to the ergonomic look-up table, the present invention is further capable of adjusting the weighting value with respect to each image characteristic value of an initial image according to lighting characteristics of an ambient light system such that a display unit can provide the most comfortable viewing conditions and the best image quality under different ambient lighting characteristics. In another embodiment, the present invention further functions to control the ambient light system according to the image characteristics of the weighted output image. By means of the foregoing dual controlling ways, the image processing and controlling system may provide appropriate output images corresponding to different viewing scenario and conforming to the requirement of output quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Chen, Zong-Ying Chung, Bao-Jen Pong, Shau-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 8208758
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for region-of-interest (ROI) video processing based on low-complexity automatic ROI detection within video frames of video sequences. The low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on characteristics of video sensors within video communication devices. In other cases, the low-complexity automatic ROI detection may be based on motion information for a video frame and a different video frame of the video sequence. The disclosed techniques include a video processing technique capable of tuning and enhancing video sensor calibration, camera processing, ROI detection, and ROI video processing within a video communication device based on characteristics of a specific video sensor. The disclosed techniques also include a sensor-based ROI detection technique that uses video sensor statistics and camera processing side-information to improve ROI detection accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Haohong Wang, Shuxue Quan, Khaled Helmi El-Maleh, Chinchuan Andrew Chiu, Xiaoyun Jiang
  • Patent number: 8199249
    Abstract: A digital image capture system and method uses a display device to illuminate a target with light for improved image capture under poor lighting conditions. Various characteristics of the flash (e.g., brightness, color, duration, etc.) can be adjusted to improve image capture. Users are provided with feedback (e.g., live video feed, audio and/or visual countdowns, etc.) to assist them in preparing for image capture. The captured images are seamlessly integrated with existing applications (e.g., video conferencing, instant text messaging, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Ciudad, Alexandre Aybes, Peter Westen, Gregory N. Christie, Scott Forstall
  • Patent number: 8184173
    Abstract: A method for reading a pixel, the method includes: (i) generating a first signal responsive to light sensed by the pixel during a first exposure period; (ii) comparing a first threshold to a first value of the first signal; (iii) writing a second value to the pixel; wherein the second value equals the first threshold if the first value exceeds the first threshold; wherein the second value equals the first value is the first signal is below the first threshold; (iv) generating a third signal responsive to the second value and to light sensed by the pixel during a second exposure period; (v) reading the third signal; and (vi) calculating a digital detection signal in response to a value of the third signal and in response to a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Pixim Israel Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Koifman, Dmitry Pudnik, Itai Mar-Or, Chen Bankirer