In Charge Coupled Type Sensor Patents (Class 348/250)
  • Patent number: 12108172
    Abstract: An imaging device of the present disclosure includes a pixel array part in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are disposed, an image processing unit for imaging that acquires captured image information on the basis of a pixel signal output from each pixel of the pixel array part, and an object recognition processing unit that acquires object recognition information on the basis of the pixel signal output from each pixel of the pixel array part. Further, a vehicle control system of the present disclosure has the imaging device having the aforementioned configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kei Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 12052307
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image processing device. The image processing device includes a multimedia processor that processes raw data of an image frame to generate image data and a frame buffer compressor that decompresses a first compression data stream compressed on a first image data of the first pixel by a variable bit rate (VBR) mode to generate a first output data. The decoder includes a first predecoder that generates a first data stream and a second predecoder that generates a second data stream different from the first data stream. The decoder outputs the first data based on the first data stream and outputs a second data based on the second compression data stream. A merger receives the first and second data. A decompression operation is performed on the first compression data stream based on the first and second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 11948269
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and storage media for automatically sizing one or more digital assets in a display rendered on a computing device are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: select examples of digital assets to be displayed; create a set of training data structures; each train data structure including an aspect ratio of each digital asset and the predetermined height or width corresponding to the aspect ratio for that digital asset; perform polynomial regression analysis on the set of training data to determine a best fitted trend line and a corresponding polynomial equation; and apply the polynomial equation to at least one specific digital asset data structure to be displayed to thereby automatically calculate a size of the at least one specific digital asset as displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CBS Interactive Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Nagl, Marine Hamersma, Ogo Batzorig, Vida Escandar, Terry Song, Steven Kean, Kristine Blukis, Chaitra Urs
  • Patent number: 11681777
    Abstract: Disclosed herein includes a system, a method, and a device for improving computational efficiency of deconvolution by reducing a number of dot products. In one aspect, an input image having a set of pixels is received. A first dot product may be performed on a subset of the set of pixels of the input image and a portion of a kernel, to generate a first pixel of an output image. A number of multiplications performed for the first dot product performed may be less than a number of elements of the kernel. A second dot product on a remaining portion of the kernel to generate the first pixel of the output image may be bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ganesh Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 11467254
    Abstract: A method includes receiving from a transceiver, at a processor of an electronic device, a radar signal, the radar signal including a set of signal strength values across a range of Doppler frequency shift values and a range of time values. The method further includes extracting a time series of frequency features from the radar signal, wherein frequency features of the time series of frequency features include a determined Doppler frequency shift value for each time value of the range of time values, identifying segments within the time series of frequency features, analyzing the segments to determine a start time for a classification engine, at the start time, analyzing, by the classification engine, at least one of a subset of the time series of frequency features or a subset of the radar signal to identify a control gesture, and triggering a control input associated with the control gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guanbo Chen, Wenxun Qiu, Boon Loong Ng
  • Patent number: 10721373
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in one direction for each color of received light, and an analog-digital (AD) convertor that performs analog-digital conversion for each pixel group configured by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements selected from the photoelectric conversion elements. The AD converter is disposed in a position adjacent to each of the photoelectric conversion elements configuring the pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Konno, Masamoto Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 10356333
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus performs a global electronic shutter operation in which exposure periods of a plurality of pixels coincide with one another. In a first period in which a photoelectric conversion unit of at least one of the pixels stores charge, signals based on charges stored in holding units of the pixels are successively output to output lines. In a second period after the output of the signals from the pixels is terminated, the holding units of the pixels hold charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Ichikawa, Masahiro Kobayashi, Yusuke Onuki, Toru Koizumi
  • Patent number: 10325945
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a unit pixel cell including: a photoelectric converter that generates a signal charge through photoelectric conversion of incident light, and a signal detection circuit that detects an electric signal according to an amount of the signal charge, wherein the signal detection circuit includes: a first transistor that amplifies the electric signal, a gate of the first transistor being connected to the photoelectric converter, a second transistor having a source and a drain, one of the source and the drain being connected to the photoelectric converter, and a first capacitor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor, the second end being connected to a first voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Murakami, Kazuko Nishimura, Yutaka Abe, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Yoshihiro Sato, Junji Hirase
  • Patent number: 10027917
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved in-pixel correlated double sampling elements for photodetectors. The novel circuits and associated methods of the invention allow for accurate correlated double sampling while avoiding the inherent sampling errors that may occur in prior art in-pixel correlated double sampling techniques when bright or saturating signals are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Forza Silicon Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Bergey, Sam Bagwell
  • Patent number: 9961255
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor; a readout unit that reads out an added signal and that independently reads out the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion; a calculation unit that calculates a signal corresponding to a signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion by subtracting the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion from the added signal; a correlation calculation unit that performs correlation calculation for the signal of the first photoelectric conversion portion and the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion; and a subtraction unit that subtracts, from the result of the correlation calculation on an object image by the correlation calculation unit, a correction value for correcting noise caused by obtaining the signal corresponding to the signal of the second photoelectric conversion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Sambonsugi
  • Patent number: 9917119
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a unit pixel cell comprising: a photoelectric converter generating an electric signal and comprising a first and second electrodes and a photoelectric conversion film located therebetween, the first electrode being located on a light receiving side of the photoelectric conversion film, a signal detection circuit detecting the electric signal and comprising a first transistor and a second transistor that are connected to the second electrode, the first transistor amplifying the electric signal, and a capacitor circuit comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor having a capacitance value larger than that of the first capacitor that are serially connected to each other, the capacitor circuit being provided between the second electrode and a reference voltage; and a feedback circuit comprising the first transistor and an inverting amplifier and negatively feeding back the electric signal to the second transistor via the first transistor and the inverting amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Murakami, Kazuko Nishimura, Yutaka Abe, Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Yoshihiro Sato, Junji Hirase
  • Patent number: 9888200
    Abstract: There is provided an operating method of an image sensor including: storing a first charge from an optoelectronic circuit to a pixel buffer circuit within a first exposure period; storing a second charge from the optoelectronic circuit to the pixel buffer circuit within a second exposure period; transferring the first charge from the pixel buffer circuit to a first storage circuit outside of pixel circuits; transferring the second charge from the pixel buffer circuit to a second storage circuit outside of pixel circuits; and comparing the first charge with the second charge to output an analog image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: En-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9826179
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an image reading chip configured to read an image. The image reading chip includes a first pixel unit which generates a first pixel signal, a second pixel unit which generates a second pixel signal, a first amplification unit which amplifies the first pixel signal, and outputs a first amplification signal, a second amplification unit which amplifies the second pixel signal, and outputs a second amplification signal, and a third amplification unit that amplifies each of the first amplification signal and the second amplification signal, and outputs an amplified signal. The image reading chip has a shape which includes a first side and a second side shorter than the first side. The third amplification unit is disposed between the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit in a direction along the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunichi Shima
  • Patent number: 9805650
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode pixel driving circuit includes an external circuit and multiple intra-pixel circuits. Each of the intra-pixel circuits includes a signal loading module, a driving transistor and an organic light emitting diode. Each of the signal loading modules is configured to store an image data signal and the threshold voltage of the driving transistor as a drive signal and load the drive signal to the gate of the driving transistor in a signal loading phase, and to control the driving transistor by the drive signal stored in the signal loading phase and a signal at a source of the driving transistor to drive the organic light emitting diode to emit light in a light emitting phase. The external circuit is configured to load a first power supply signal to the source of the driving transistor in the light emitting phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: SHANGHAI TIANMA AM-OLED CO., LTD., TIANMA MICRO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hanyu Gu
  • Patent number: 9684416
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor comprising: an image sensing unit array, for sensing an object and comprising a plurality of image sensing units arranged in a sensing matrix with M rows and N columns; an image data reading circuit, for reading and outputting image data caught by at least part of the image sensing units; and a control unit for controlling the image data reading circuit to read image data for a reading region in the sensing matrix. The image sensor further comprises a buffer for storing the image data. A number for the buffer rows of the buffer can be smaller than a number for the buffer columns of the buffer to reduce the buffer size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chi Cheng
  • Patent number: 9547222
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the calibration of multiple projector systems in Spatial Augmented Reality systems where multiple projectors are used to project images directly onto objects of interest. The methods and system described herein improve the calibration of multiple projector systems in order to improve the alignment and clarity of projected images by reducing ghosting that can occur with poorly aligned projectors. The system uses a planar photodiode and the projector is used to project a plurality of projection regions, such as scan lines, across the planar photodetector and calculating the position based on weighting measurements by the measured light intensity and projected images in SAR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: University of South Australia
    Inventors: Ross Travers Smith, Guy Webber, Maki Sugimoto, Michael Robert Marner, Bruce Hunter Thomas
  • Patent number: 9395633
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a substrate positioning system of a lithographic apparatus, the method including: exposing a pattern with the lithographic apparatus on an exposed layer on the surface of a substrate having a reference layer, wherein the pattern corresponds to a movement of the substrate by the substrate positioning system; measuring overlay data between the exposed layer and the reference layer on a plurality of positions on the substrate; transforming the overlay data from a spatial domain to a frequency domain by a discrete cosine transformation; modifying the overlay data in the frequency domain by selecting a subset of the overlay data; transforming the modified overlay data from the frequency domain back to the spatial domain by an inverse discrete cosine transformation; calibrating the substrate positioning system by using the modified overlay data in the spatial domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Alexandrovich Danilin, Alejandro Xabier Arrizabalaga Uriarte, Boris Menchtchikov, Alexander Viktorovych Padiy
  • Patent number: 9332953
    Abstract: Substantial reduction of the radiation dose in computed tomography (CT) imaging is shown using a machine-learning dose-reduction technique. Techniques are provided that (1) enhance low-radiation dosage images, beyond just reducing noise, and (2) may be combined with other approaches, such as adaptive exposure techniques and iterative reconstruction, for radiation dose reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventor: Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9179081
    Abstract: Since the great number of elements constituting a unit pixel having an amplification function would hinder reduction of pixel size, unit pixel n,m arranged in a matrix form is comprised of a photodiode, a transfer switch for transferring charges stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion for storing charges transferred by the transfer switch, a reset switch for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for outputting a signal in accordance with the potential of the floating diffusion to a vertical signal line, and by affording vertical selection pulse ?Vn to the drain of the reset switch to control a reset potential thereof, pixels are selected in units of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahisa Ueno, Kazuya Yonemoto, Ryoji Suzuki, Koichi Shiono
  • Patent number: 9131177
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including: a plurality of pixels which are on a same semiconductor substrate and each of which generates a pixel signal; a comparison circuit that is connected to the pixels in each of columns; a D/A conversion circuit that generates a comparison potential and provide the generated comparison potential in common to the comparison circuit in each column; and a D/A conversion circuit output unit provided in a common line for providing the comparison potential to the comparison circuit in each column, wherein the D/A conversion circuit output unit includes: a source follower circuit that is provided to the line and includes a first current source having a transistor, and an amplification transistor having a gate oxide film that is thinner than a gate oxide film of the transistor; and a voltage control circuit that controls a drain-to-source voltage of the amplification transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sanshiro Shishido, Yutaka Abe, Masahiro Higuchi, Makoto Ikuma
  • Patent number: 8947567
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that makes it possible to achieve both high picture quality and a wide dynamic range is provided. Each pixel unit included in the image pickup apparatus includes: four photodiodes; four transfer transistors; a charge storage portion (four floating diffusions) for storing electric charges generated at the photodiodes; an amplification transistor; a select transistor; and a reset transistor. The image pickup apparatus further includes multiple coupling transistors. Each coupling transistor couples together the charge storage portions of two pixel units of the pixel units. A scanning circuit switches on or off the coupling transistors according to read mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Zenzo Suzuki, Katsumi Dosaka
  • Patent number: 8917324
    Abstract: In an image capturing and processing system, a device and method is provided. The lens is made of simple lens with high diffractive materials and known strong color aberrations. The method includes the steps of: calibrating or measuring a Point Spread Function (PSF) for each color components at a set of distances, capturing image data, and calculating the image obtained using a de-convolution method based on the PSF found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Jennifer Jinghan Yu
  • Patent number: 8866936
    Abstract: An Active Random Field is presented, in which a Markov Random Field (MRF) or a Conditional Random Field (CRF) is trained together with a fast inference algorithm using pairs of input and desired output and a benchmark error measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Florida State University of Research Foundation
    Inventor: Adrian Gheorghe Barbu
  • Publication number: 20140253765
    Abstract: A signal processing unit includes: an extraction section configured to extract variation between a plurality of sampling values obtained through a plurality of sampling operations of signal levels in one or both of a first state and a second state, the first state being a state where floating diffusion is reset, the floating diffusion temporarily accumulating charges transferred from a photodiode performing photoelectric conversion, and the second state being a state where charges generated in the photodiode are accumulated in the floating diffusion; and a comparison section configured to compare the variation extracted by the extraction section and a predetermined reference value, and to switch, based on a result of the comparison, a signal to be output to a processing section in a subsequent stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaneyoshi Takeshita, Kazuki Nomoto, Kenichi Nishio
  • Publication number: 20140232910
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Austin TOMANEY, Mark OLDHAM
  • Patent number: 8760543
    Abstract: In various embodiments, image sensors include an imaging array of optically active pixels, a dark-reference region of optically inactive pixels, and two light shields disposed over the dark-reference region and having openings therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. McCarten, Eric J. Meisenzahl
  • Publication number: 20140160324
    Abstract: A camera module according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure includes a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with an image sensor, a base arranged at an upper surface of the PCB, a lens holder arranged at an upper surface of the base to support plural sheets of lenses, a shield can configured to protect the lens holder by being coupled to the upper surface of the base to expose a lateral surface of the base, and a conductive layer formed at the exposed lateral surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun Joo KIM
  • Patent number: 8730372
    Abstract: An image sensing system for an electronic device. The image sensing system includes a lens and an image sensor. The image sensor includes a indirectly lit area of pixels and a directly lit area of pixels. The lens is in optical communication with the directly lit area of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Teodor Dabov
  • Publication number: 20140125848
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Austin TOMANEY, Mark OLDHAM
  • Publication number: 20140118583
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensing device that can prevent the occurrence of vertical line noise with simple circuit. A timing adjustment circuit generates a first clock supplied to a ramp generator and a second clock supplied to a counter so that a phase difference between the first clock and the second clock is within a predetermined range and differs according to lines in an image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Shida, Shunsuke Okura, Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140055648
    Abstract: Techniques described herein generally relate to digital imaging systems, methods and devices. In some example embodiments, a low light adaptive photoelectric imaging device may include a photoelectric transducer configured to receive and convert incident light into an electric charge that varies in response to an intensity of the received incident light. Some example imaging devices may also include circuitry coupled to the photoelectric transducer and configured to electrically float a potential at one or more terminals of the photoelectric transducer effective to cause the photoelectric transducer to amplify the electric charge according to a gain function that non-linearly varies relative to the intensity of the received incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamada, Sumio Terakawa
  • Publication number: 20140055647
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Austin TOMANEY, Mark Oldham
  • Patent number: 8619163
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, for correcting a cross talk between adjacent pixels, includes: a memory unit for storing a correction parameter for reducing a cross talk signal leaked to an object pixel from an adjacent pixel, the correction parameter corresponding to a position of the object pixel; and a correcting unit for subtracting, based on the correction parameter stored in the memory unit, the cross talk signal from a pixel signal of the solid-state imaging apparatus correspondingly to a position of the pixel, wherein a number of the object pixel is at least two, and the at least two object pixels have different addresses in a horizontal direction, and different addresses in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Ogura, Toru Koizumi, Satoshi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8497924
    Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating background noise from a security marker authenticating system including a first sensor for capturing an image of a background of the security marker; a light source for illuminating the security marker; the first sensor or a second sensor or both captures a plurality images of the optical response of the security marker; a computer which averages the plurality of optical response images; the computer smoothes the background image; and the computer subtracts the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Widzinski, Thomas D. Pawlik, Erwin L. Allmann, Gary M. Spinelli, Myra T. Olm
  • Patent number: 8493479
    Abstract: A method of eliminating background noise from a system for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a background of the security marker; illuminating the security marker; capturing a plurality of images of the optical response of the security marker; averaging the plurality of optical response images; smoothing the background image; and subtracting the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Widzinski, Thomas D. Pawlik, Erwin L. Allmann, Gary M. Spinelli, Myra T. Olm
  • Patent number: 8462244
    Abstract: A method, of selectively reading less than all information from an image sensor for which member-pixels of a subset of the entire set of pixels are individually addressable, may include: sampling information from a targeted member-pixel of the subset without having to read information from the entire set of pixels; and adaptively reading information from another one or more but fewer than all member pixels of the entire set based upon the sampling information without having to read all pixels on the image sensor. A related digital camera may include features similar to elements of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Heather N Bean, Mark N Robins
  • Patent number: 8462234
    Abstract: Disclosed are an image pickup apparatus and a dark current correction method that make it possible to correct the dark current at high precision without using a driving pattern of a peripheral circuit or a layout on an image pickup device chip. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device provided with an effective pixel area, an OB part and a drive circuit of the image pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Noriko Kawamura, Yoshinori Furuta
  • Patent number: 8441565
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that makes it possible to achieve both high picture quality and a wide dynamic range is provided. Each pixel unit included in the image pickup apparatus includes: four photodiodes; four transfer transistors; a charge storage portion (four floating diffusions) for storing electric charges generated at the photodiodes; an amplification transistor; a select transistor; and a reset transistor. The image pickup apparatus further includes multiple coupling transistors. Each coupling transistor couples together the charge storage portions of two pixel units of the pixel units. A scanning circuit switches on or off the coupling transistors according to read mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Zenzo Suzuki, Katsumi Dosaka
  • Patent number: 8385676
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various enhanced discrete-universal denoisers that have been developed to denoise images and other one-dimensional, two-dimensional or higher-dimensional data sets in which the frequency of occurrence of individual contexts may be too low to gather efficient statistical data or context-based symbol prediction. In these denoisers, image quality, signal-to-noise ratios, or other measures of the effectiveness of denoising that would be expected to increase monotonically over a series of iterations may decrease, due to assumptions underlying the discrete-universal-denoising method losing validity. Embodiments of the present invention apply context-class-based statistics and statistical analysis to determine, on a per-context-class basis, when to at least temporarily terminate denoising iterations on each conditioning class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Marcelo Weinberger, Gadiel Seroussi, Erik Ordentlich
  • Publication number: 20120274819
    Abstract: A method of eliminating background noise from a system for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a background of the security marker; illuminating the security marker; capturing a plurality of images of the optical response of the security marker; averaging the plurality of optical response images; smoothing the background image; and subtracting the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas J. Widzinski, Thomas D. Pawlik, Erwin L. Allmann, Gary M. Spinelli, Myra T. Olm
  • Patent number: 8269871
    Abstract: In a method for correcting a picked-up image signal of an image pickup apparatus including: a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of pixels which are arranged in a two-dimensional array form in a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate, and an amplifier which is provided at the semiconductor substrate, and which amplifies signals that are detected by the pixels in accordance with an amount of incident light; and an image signal processing section which processes a signal output from the amplifier, each of the pixels senses light emission produced when the amplifier operates, through the semiconductor substrate to obtain a signal amount as a correction amount, and the correction amount is subtracted from a detection signal amount of the pixel which is output from the amplifier, to correct the detection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawai, Yoshinori Furuta, Yoshiyasu Nishida
  • Patent number: 8218898
    Abstract: A method of reducing noise in an image including steps for obtaining a first value for a target pixel, obtaining a respective second value for each neighboring pixel surrounding the target pixel and having the same color as the target pixel, for each neighboring pixel, comparing a difference between said first value and said second value to a threshold value, and replacing the first value with an average value obtained from the first value and at all second values from the neighboring pixels which have an associated difference which is less than or equal to the threshold value based on a result of the comparing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Subbotin
  • Patent number: 8179455
    Abstract: A Optical Black Pixel (OBP) cancellation circuit corrects offsets in sensors in a CCD/CMOS image sensor when reading dark pixels such at the periphery. A pixel voltage is switched to a sampling capacitor during two phases of the same pixel pulse. Sampling capacitors and feedback capacitors connect to differential inputs of an amplifier. An accumulating capacitor accumulates voltage differences and generates a common-mode voltage that is fed back to another sampling capacitor that stores an amplifier offset. The sampling capacitor and accumulating capacitor and their associated switches form a discrete-time first-order low-pass filter that filters the pixel voltage during the first phase. In the second phase the amplifier acts as a unity-gain amplifier to output an average of the pixel voltage differences generated during an OBP time when blackened or covered pixels are read from the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lap Chi (David) Leung, Yat Tung Lai, Chun Fai Wong, Kam Hung Chan, Kwok Kuen (David) Kwong
  • Publication number: 20120057054
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes receiving values of a first pixel and a second pixel of an image at an input processor element of an image signal processor and distributing fractional parts of a number of values from surrounding pixels to the first pixel and the second pixel non-serially using first and second accelerator units, respectively, of the image signal processor. The method further includes assigning output values to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the values of the first pixel and the second pixel and the fractional parts of the number of values from the surrounding pixels using an output processor element of the image signal processor and outputting the output values to an output device that has a color range that is less than a color range of the image using the output processor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Eric J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20120033112
    Abstract: A method for correcting an image obtained by a matrix of photosensitive points finds particular utility when the matrix is subjected to an electromagnetic disturbance. The method of correction comprises a first step of row-by-row reading of the matrix. The signals read during a first reading of each row represent the charges accumulated subsequent to exposure of the matrix to luminous radiation and make it possible to form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. The signals read during a second reading represent the charges accumulated in the absence of exposure and form, for each column of the matrix, a discrete signal. In a second step of the method, a signal corresponding substantially to the signal which would have been formed at the time of the first reading in the absence of exposure is determined. In a third step, the signal is subtracted column by column from the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: TRIXELL
    Inventors: Thibaut Wirth, BenoƮt Candiard, Jean-Michel Vignolle
  • Patent number: 8106971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating signal-dependent noise in a camera module are provided, in which an image is decomposed into high frequency components and low frequency components, a variance of noise in the image is estimated using the low frequency components, noise is eliminated from the high frequency components using the estimated noise variance, and the image is recovered using the noise-eliminated high frequency components and the low frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pusan National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Min-Woo Lee, Sung-Dae Cho, Yun-Je Oh, Hyun-Hee Park, Min-Kyu Park, Ji-Hye Kim, Il-Kyu Eom, Hyun-Meen Kang
  • Patent number: 8089532
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses providing pixel-wise noise correction using pixels to provide reference values during pixel readout operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Yaowu Mo, Chen Xu
  • Publication number: 20110273555
    Abstract: A method for filtering radiation on a CCD based camera inspection video, the method including: capturing video signals via the camera; converting the video signals to a plurality of digital video frames; identifying radiation bright spots, defined as xnoids, in a pixel of at least one of the frames, replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame. A system for the inspection of a nuclear power plant comprising: a camera; and a computer, the computer configured to execute identifying xnoids in a pixel of at least one digitized video frame and replacing the xnoids and surrounding pixels with corresponding pixels of another of the frames to create a filtered frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AREVA INC.
    Inventor: Gary Pitcher
  • Patent number: 8040405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to solid-state imaging apparatus such as digital camera for outputting video signals, and more particularly relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus in which vertical stripe-like noise and horizontal shading can be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Aoki, Mitsuhiro Tsukimura
  • Patent number: 8038304
    Abstract: A projector system is provided with at least one projector mobile in a specified space and adapted to project a video to a projection area included in the specified space in accordance with inputted video information, a plurality of position sensors each including a position detecting section for detecting a positional relationship of the projector with the projection area and arranged in a specified positional relationship with the specified space, and a controller for controlling a video to be projected from the projector to the projection area based on detection results by the position detecting sections of the plurality of position sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kiminori Mizuuchi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto