Image Correlation Type Patents (Class 396/128)
  • Patent number: 11943541
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of a method for setting camera parameters of a camera, the method comprising: obtaining a first set of image characteristic values of images captured by the camera at a first lighting condition, the image characteristics being dependent on the camera parameters, at least two image characteristic values of the first set respectively corresponding to at least two different values of a same camera parameter; determining at least one second set of image characteristic values by adapting values of the obtained first set of image characteristic values from images captured by the camera at at least one second lighting condition, at least two image characteristic values of the second set respectively corresponding to at least two different values of a same camera parameter; selecting camera parameter values, based on the determined at least one second set of image characteristics; and modifying settings of the camera as a function of the selected values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Johann Citerin, GĂ©rald Kergourlay, Pierre Visa, Falk Tannhauser, Romain Bellessort, Tristan Halna Du Fretay
  • Patent number: 11938479
    Abstract: A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Erik Williamson, Bryan Crane, Patrick Leung, Drew Verkade, Mark T. Reed
  • Patent number: 11822351
    Abstract: A mobile body is controlled even in a place in which a navigation signal is difficult to receive from a navigation satellite. A three-dimensional information processing unit operates a device or a functional part which measures three-dimensional coordinates of a controlled target and operates a laser scanner or a laser scanning part which obtains three-dimensional point cloud data of the target. The unit includes a positioning section that operates the device or the functional part which measures the three-dimensional coordinates, to calculate the three-dimensional coordinates, and includes a scan controlling section that obtains the three-dimensional point cloud data from the laser scanner or the laser scanning part. The unit also includes a range calculator that calculates a movable range of the target from the three-dimensional coordinates and the three-dimensional point cloud data, and includes a controlled target position calculator that calculates a position of the target in the movable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nishita, Koji Onishi
  • Patent number: 11822211
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device obtains a correction value for correcting a result of autofocus, from aberration information regarding at least one of an astigmatism, a chromatic aberration, and a spherical aberration of an imaging optical system, and focus detection information regarding the autofocus. The focus adjustment device then controls a position of a focusing lens that the imaging optical system has, based on a result of the autofocus corrected using the correction value. By correcting the result of the autofocus while considering at least a focus condition of a photographic image, a focus detection error caused by an aberration of the optical system can be accurately corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yumi Watanabe, Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 11765461
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes an angle control unit configured to change a tilt angle by tilting an imaging sensor, a first determination unit configured to determine a first area from among a plurality of areas in an image, an evaluation value acquisition unit configured to acquire a contrast evaluation value of each of second areas excluding the first area among the plurality of areas by changing the tilt angle through the angle control unit, and a second determination unit configured to determine the tilt angle for each area based on the contrast evaluation value acquired by the evaluation value acquisition unit, and determining the tilt angle of the image sensor based on the tilt angle determined for each area. The angle control unit tilts the image sensor so as to obtain the tilt angle determined by the second determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Natsuko Sato
  • Patent number: 11715234
    Abstract: An image acquisition method, an image acquisition device and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring a preview image collected by a camera; detecting a target area in the preview image based on a preset composition model; and in response to detecting the target area, acquiring an image including the target area as a target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zifei Dou, Chong Guo
  • Patent number: 11710230
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical data processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires medical data, and generates an imaging parameter by inputting the medical data to a trained model, the imaging parameter being a parameter of a medical image diagnostic apparatus with respect to the medical data, the trained model being trained to generate an imaging parameter of the medical image diagnostic apparatus based on medical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenori Takeshima, Masanori Ozaki, Hideaki Kutsuna, Kyoichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 11410313
    Abstract: Methods and systems in accordance with the present invention automatically subdivide an area having an arbitrary shape into multiple sub-regions that have approximately equal area under a threshold, with compact shapes having minimal perimeter length. These systems input an arbitrarily shaped zone and recursively bisect it until all of the new sub-zones are smaller than a particular threshold. A data processing system subdivides a two-dimensional region, such as a digital image of a landmass. The data processing system loads the region into memory, determines a minor axis of the region, and splits the region along the minor axis into a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The sub-regions are evaluated to determine if they are under the threshold area. The steps of the process are repeated until all resulting sub-regions are under the threshold area. Consistently compact sub-regions with minimal perimeter are achieved by splitting along the minor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Harris Geospatial Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Deskevich
  • Patent number: 11398045
    Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging device includes a distance image acquiring unit configured to acquire distance images by switching exposure conditions; an effective pixel count calculation unit that calculates an effective pixel count; an ineffective pixel identifying unit that identifies ineffective pixels; and an exposure condition adjusting unit that sets the exposure conditions. The exposure condition adjusting unit sets a reference exposure condition, determines whether a reference effective pixel count is equal to or less than a first threshold value, and, in response to the reference effective pixel count being equal to or less than the first threshold value, sets an additional exposure condition that maximizes a total effective pixel count of a total distance image, and repeats additional setting of the additional exposure condition using the total distance image as a new reference distance image until the total effective pixel count becomes larger than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichirou Yoshida, Shouta Takizawa
  • Patent number: 11106032
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for the automated correction of optical and digital aberrations in a digital imaging system. The system includes several main parts, including (a) digital filters, (b) hardware modifications, (c) digital system corrections, (d) digital system dynamics and (e) network aspects. The system solves numerous problems in still and video photography that are presented in the digital imaging environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Optimum Imaging Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Neal Solomon
  • Patent number: 10999490
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an imaging control device, an imaging control method, and an imaging apparatus. The imaging control device includes a focus detection control circuitry configured to determine whether a setting area includes a portion of a dedicated phase difference detection sensor, the setting area being in a photographing range of an imaging unit. The focus detection control circuitry is further configured to set one or more ranging areas of an image plane phase difference detection sensor to one or more first ranging areas in response to determining that the setting area does not include the portion of the dedicated phase difference detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 10855905
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahara, Hiroyuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 10771675
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an imaging control apparatus, an imaging control method, and an imaging apparatus. The imaging control apparatus includes a focal point detection control circuitry configured to receive first information from a range-finding area of a dedicated phase difference detection sensor and second information from a range-finding area of an image plane phase difference detection sensor, and detect a focal point based on at least one of the first information or the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 10412330
    Abstract: Regarding one or more pairs of image signals generated based on a signal obtained from an image sensor, a phase difference of the image signals is determined and a defocus amount is calculated based on the phase difference based on a correlation amount calculated while relatively shifting the positions of the one or more pairs of image signals. By using image signals whose detectable defocus amount range and defocus amount detection accuracies are different, the amount of correlation calculation for focus detection can be reduced in various defocused states of a subject for which focus detection is to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 10250796
    Abstract: A focus adjustment apparatus includes a signal generating unit configured to generate signals of two images respectively corresponding to a pair of light fluxes passing through different pupil regions of a focusing lens, a two-image displacement amount calculation unit configured to calculate a displacement amount of the two images with respect to each other based on a phase difference of the signals of the two images, a steepness calculating unit configured to calculate a steepness of change in a correlation change amount of the two images, a steepness normalization unit that normalizes the steepness, and an evaluating unit configured to evaluate reliability of the displacement amount of the two images based on the normalized steepness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kurisu
  • Patent number: 10175451
    Abstract: An imaging device comprises an image sensor on which phase difference detection pixels are formed, a rapid shooting controller that carries out rapid shooting of still pictures by causing operation of the image sensor, and generates and stores image data based on image signals output by the image sensor, and a controller for focusing control that carries out the rapid shooting and causes operation of the image sensor between one exposure of the rapid shooting and the next to carry out first focus detection based on focus detection signals generated by the phase difference detection pixels, carries out second focus detection based on focus detection signals generated by the phase difference detection pixels as a result of the rapid shooting, and carries out focus adjustment based on results of the first focus detection and results of the second focus detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Omata
  • Patent number: 10025162
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device obtains a correction value for correcting a result of autofocus, from aberration information regarding at least one of an astigmatism, a chromatic aberration, and a spherical aberration of an imaging optical system, and focus detection information regarding the autofocus. The focus adjustment device then controls a position of a focusing lens that the imaging optical system has, based on a result of the autofocus corrected using the correction value. By correcting the result of the autofocus while considering at least a focus condition of a photographic image, a focus detection error caused by an aberration of the optical system can be accurately corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yumi Watanabe, Hideyuki Hamano
  • Patent number: 9936125
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus enabling release time lag reduction. A first holder holds a first mirror and is movable between a first position in an optical path and a second position retracted from the optical path. A second holder holding a second mirror in a state rotatably attached to the first holder is movable between a third position in the optical path and a fourth position retracted from the optical path. An MPU causes an mirror drive unit to rotate the second holder in the third position toward the first holder in the first position, after termination of focus detection when the first and second holder are in the first and third positions, respectively, and before image pickup is instructed, to thereby move the second holder to a fifth position closer to the first holder than the third position is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Tamura, Jun Kamiya, Shogo Iwasaki, Haruhisa Ueda, Kazuaki Yamana, Keisuke Morita
  • Patent number: 9602713
    Abstract: In a configuration in which a non-saturated readout value of a division pixel is subtracted from an addition signal of division pixels, an imaging apparatus capable of performing focus detection with respect to a saturated signal is provided. The imaging apparatus includes a subtraction unit and a suppression unit. The subtraction unit obtains the second image signal by subtracting the first image signal output from the image sensor from an addition signal acquired as a sum of the first image signal and the second image signal output from the image sensor, and the suppression unit suppresses the first image signal to a value equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9602717
    Abstract: Provided are an image capture device and a focus control method capable of performing auto-focus (AF) at high speed by reducing time until a focus control is completed even when a focus control based on a phase difference AF method and a focus control based on a contrast AF method are used in combination. A digital camera performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P1, performs a correlation operation of two images captured by a pixel pair P2, and determines reliability of correlation operation results based on information generated from the two correlation operation results. When the reliability is low, the digital camera performs the contrast AF. Here, the digital camera variably controls a movement step (arbitrary distance) when moving a focus lens in a predetermined range to calculate a contrast value, according to the height of the reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Sakurabu
  • Patent number: 9385324
    Abstract: A method of operation of an electronic system includes: scanning an image for detecting a subject; detecting a potential adjustment for moving the subject within the image; and selecting an augmentation for recommending the potential adjustment and for displaying the augmentation on a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Z. Wu, Jeff Beene
  • Patent number: 9264685
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus has an image capture unit to capture an object image, an acquisition unit to acquire a developing parameter for image data captured by the image capture unit, an analysis unit to analyze RAW image data generated by the image capture unit, an image composition unit to compose a plurality of RAW image data generated by the image capture unit and generate composite RAW image data, a composition ratio determination unit to determine a composition ratio for a plurality of developing parameters respectively for development of the plurality of RAW image data acquired by the acquisition unit, a parameter composition unit to compose the plurality of developing parameters and generate one composite developing parameter, and a development unit to develop the composite RAW image data using the composite developing parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohei Furuya
  • Patent number: 9154681
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: a first image sensor configured to photo-electrically convert a subject image and output an image signal; a first image processing unit configured to develop a first image signal generated by the first image sensor; a second image processing unit configured to reduce a number of pixels in the first image signal and develop the image signal whose pixels have been reduced as a second image signal; a recording unit configured to record an image signal; and a display unit having a lower pixel count than the pixel count of the first image sensor, wherein in the case where an instruction to capture a still image has been made, the recording unit records the image signal developed by the first image processing unit and the display unit displays the image signal developed by the second image processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kan Takaiwa
  • Patent number: 9143675
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is an imaging device having an imaging optical system, the device including: an imaging element configured to include a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged along a predetermined direction; a first processor configured to execute focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of second pixels; and a second processor configured to execute specific processing based on charge signals obtained from the plurality of first pixels, the specific processing being different from the focal detection processing by a phase difference detection system and being necessary for a function of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Fujii
  • Patent number: 9143677
    Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image sensing device, a processor, and a memory. Using this, the device can determine a plurality of image-based characteristics for a proposed image, compute a composition measure for the proposed image and the given settings that depends from at least two of the plurality of image-based characteristics of the proposed image, output an indication of the composition measure to a user, in the form of simple indicators, more complex indicators/displays, and or provide suggestions for altering at least one characteristic of the proposed image or data about the context of a shot, receive an image capture signal from the user in response to the indication, receive a captured image from the image sensing device in response to the image capture signal, and store the captured image in memory. The feedback can also be provided at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Josh Anon
  • Patent number: 9137436
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus performs a focus detecting operation with an image sensor including a photoelectric conversion portion that has a pupil-dividing function. The imaging apparatus increases a line addition number according to a target exposure value corresponding to a pixel dynamic range that is variable depending on an exposure setting value. Thus, the imaging apparatus can reduce the amount of noise and can suppress the dispersion of focus detection result. Further, the imaging apparatus changes the line addition number according to a lens diaphragm aperture size, a defocus amount, or a pixel signal reading mode. Thus, the imaging apparatus can secure the resolution in the vertical direction and can prevent the detection accuracy from deteriorating even in a case where a photographic subject is obliquely positioned in a focus detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Ohara
  • Patent number: 9131200
    Abstract: A white balance adjusting method with scene detection comprises: receiving source image data corresponding to a plurality of sensing units; generating an initial white balance gain according to the source image data; generating an image parameter corresponding to a plurality of parameter elements according to the source image data; determining whether a preset condition is satisfied according to the image parameter to generate a decision result; determining whether the source image data are associated with any of built-in scenes according to the decision result in which the built-in scenes include a first scene in connection with a first-scene adjustment rule; and if the source image data are associated with the first scene, adjusting the initial white balance gain or processing the source image data according to the first-scene adjustment rule to thereby obtain a scenic white balance gain and adjust the source image data with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shih-Tse Chen, Ying-Liang Chou
  • Patent number: 8730374
    Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of image forming pixels that generate an image generation signal, and focus detection pixels that divide a pupil region of the imaging lens, photo-electrically convert an object image from the divided pupil region and generate a phase difference detection signal; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by using the phase difference detection signal; a second focus detection unit configured to detect an image contrast from the image generation signal from the image forming pixels and performing focus detection by a contrast detection method; and a correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a correction value for a result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit based on a difference between the result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit and a result of focus detection by the second focus detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8676271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and provides an application displaying method and a mobile communication terminal based on a user's habit. The method includes: when the mobile communication terminal runs an application, acquiring a statistical value of displaying in a landscape manner and a statistical value of displaying in a portrait manner when the mobile communication terminal previously ran the application, comparing the statistical value of the landscape-manner displaying and the statistical value of the portrait-manner displaying to acquire a displaying manner corresponding to a larger displaying statistical value; and displaying a display interface of the application of the mobile communication terminal in the displaying manner corresponding to the larger displaying statistical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenming Hu
  • Patent number: 8639105
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of a focus lens, a designation unit configured to receive a designation of an in-screen position of an object displayed on a display screen, and a control unit configured to control a movable range of the focus lens when the focusing state is detected by the focus detection unit such that if the designation unit does not designate the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to be a first range and, if the designation unit designates the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to a second range that is wider than the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ogino
  • Patent number: 8576315
    Abstract: An imaging device including: image generation pixels generating signals for image generation; and phase difference detection pixels generating signals for focus alignment determination by phase difference detection is disclosed. The first lines where the image generation pixels are arranged in a specific direction and second lines where the phase difference detection pixels are arranged in the specific direction are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction. The image generation pixels and the phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged so that the image generation pixels constituting the first line and the phase difference detection pixels constituting the second line adjacent to the first line overlap by portions thereof in the perpendicular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Kita, Manabu Kubo
  • Patent number: 8571402
    Abstract: An image tracking device comprises an image pickup device that takes an image formed by an imaging optical system and outputs image information, a focus detector that detects a focusing state of the imaging optical system, a recognizer that stores reference information related to a reference image and recognizes a position of an image corresponding to the reference information, within an image corresponding to the image information, and a controller that performs first focus detection in which the focusing state is detected by the focus detector, before the position is recognized by the recognizer, and second focus detection in which the focusing state is detected for the position that has been recognized by the recognizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takeuchi, Naoyuki Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8422878
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an auto focusing method are provided. A plurality of focus signal values are calculated for a plurality of frequency bands of a captured image signal. An amount of defocus of a focus lens is calculated based on focus signal values calculated for two positions. A position of the focus lens is controlled depending on the calculated amount of defocus. Thereby, the imaging apparatus can detect a focus at higher speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kyong-Tae Park, Jeong-Won Lee, Kyoung-Hwan Moon
  • Patent number: 8417106
    Abstract: A focus detection device, which detects a defocus amount based on a phase difference between a pair of object images that are obtained by pupil division and projected onto a pair of areas on a line sensor, includes a parallel line sensor having two line sensor arrays arranged adjacently in parallel, and a correction calculator which corrects the defocus amount according to a phase difference between output signals of the two line sensor arrays of the parallel line sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Moriyasu Kanai
  • Patent number: 8412035
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focus detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of a focus lens, a designation unit configured to receive a designation of an in-screen position of an object displayed on a display screen, and a control unit configured to control a movable range of the focus lens when the focusing state is detected by the focus detection unit such that if the designation unit does not designate the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to be a first range and, if the designation unit designates the in-screen position of the object, the movable range is set to a second range that is wider than the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ogino
  • Patent number: 8339505
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes an imaging device. The imaging device has an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of an object scene that undergoes a focus lens, and outputs an object scene image produced on the imaging surface. A CPU predicts a focus direction based on a focus position registered in a register when a shutter button is half-depressed. The CPU also changes a position of the focus lens by referencing a prediction result of the focus direction, and based on the object scene image outputted from the imaging device in parallel with this change process, adjusts the position of the focus lens to the focus position. The CPU further registers the adjusted position of the focus lens, as the focus position, into the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motohiro Yuba
  • Patent number: 8243190
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device wherein, in order to obtain an output of large amplitude from a low-contrast object without using a bottom detecting circuit to thereby increase a capturing rate, an accumulation end is determined when a maximum value signal in a photosensor array reaches a predetermined accumulation end level, and an amplifier circuit unit is provided for amplifying a signal, which is outputted from each of the pixels of the photosensor array, with reference to the maximum value signal of the photosensor array and for outputting the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kinugasa, Hidekazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8223256
    Abstract: A focus detection device includes: a light-receiving unit that receives a pair of images and outputs a first signal string and a second signal string; a decision-making unit that determines a condition assumed as the light-receiving unit receives the pair of images; a selection unit that selects a correlation operation expression among a plurality of correlation operation expressions in correspondence to the condition; a correlation calculation unit that calculates a correlation quantity between a plurality of first/second signals included in the first/second signal string by applying the correlation operation expression selected; a shift amount detection unit that detects a shift amount between the pair of images; and a focus detection unit that detects a focusing condition. The selection unit selects the correlation operation expression to reduce an extent to which signal intensity difference between the first and the second signal strings affects the correlation quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Kusaka
  • Patent number: 8218962
    Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing optical system; a sensor unit having line sensors that receive light fluxes of an object, which have been transmitted through a pair of partial areas in an exit pupil of the image-capturing optical system; image-capturing elements having a pixel arrangement capable of generating an image signal and a focus detection pixel sequence, in which two or more pairs of pixels that receive the light fluxes of an object, are arranged in a predetermined direction; a continuous image-capturing unit configured to perform continuous image capturing of actually exposing the image-capturing elements; a signal generation unit configured to perform another exposure for the sensor unit; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection of a phase-difference detection method; a second focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection; and a focus adjustment unit configured to perform focus adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Fujii, Norihiko Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 8194995
    Abstract: A camera auto-focuses using computed blur differences between images of a three-dimensional scene. The camera computes the blur difference between two images of the scene acquired at two different picture numbers. The camera uses the computed blur difference to predict a third picture number, where the camera uses the third picture number to auto-focus a camera lens on the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Quong Wong, Makibi Nakamura, Hidenori Kushida, Soroj Triteyaprasert, Yoshihiro Murakami, Pingshan Li, Mamoru Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8139262
    Abstract: A terminal 102 creates setting data 400 and inputs setting data 400 into an image output apparatus 101. The image output apparatus 101 sets the initial settings, operation settings, equipment settings, etc. based on the setting data, holds the setting data, and performs various processes based on the set settings and the held setting data. In addition, the image output apparatus 101 performs a media identification process, a media reader switching process, and the like using a media detection means 117, a media reader switching means 118, and the like, and allows only the use of the insertion opening of a predetermined media reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Hamashima, Jun Yoshida, Naoji Shibasaki, Yasuko Deushi, Nobuho Mori
  • Patent number: 8139143
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus has a plurality of read out circuits (128) reading out pixel output signals from pixels in a pixel region, a common signal output line (123) connected to the plurality of read out circuits via switch units, a first load unit (124) connected to the signal output line and a positive power source, a second load unit (125) connected to the signal output line and a ground power source, a maximum value output unit outputting a maximum value of a plurality of pixel signals input to the read out circuits, a minimum value output unit outputting a minimum value of a plurality of pixel signals input to the read out circuits, and a switching unit switching output of the maximum value output unit and output of the minimum value output unit during a pixel signal accumulation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohisa Kinugasa
  • Patent number: 8059954
    Abstract: An SLR camera having a focus detecting apparatus and a photographing method thereof are disclosed. The SLR camera may include an AF sensor, the pixels of which may be disposed in various arrangements, for example, in different sizes, in different gaps between the pixels and/or in different numbers, depending on the location of pixels and a control unit which controls the focusing operation based on the sampling levels output by the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung-Hwan Moon
  • Patent number: 8051214
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for accelerating data transfer between networked databases. First provided are a plurality of databases coupled by a network. At least one laser unit is coupled to each database. In operation, such laser units are capable of communicating data between the databases via free space by way of a laser beam. This allows data communication at a rate faster than that which the network is capable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: G&H Nevada-Tek
    Inventor: Michael Gough
  • Patent number: 8036523
    Abstract: A focus adjustment device includes an image sensor that includes imaging pixels for capturing an image formed via an imaging optical system and focus detection pixels for detecting a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system through a first pupil division-type image shift detection method, a focus detector that detects a focus adjustment state at the imaging optical system through a second pupil division-type image shift detection method different from the first pupil division-type image shift detection method, and a focus adjustment controller that executes focus adjustment for the imaging optical system based upon the focus adjustment states detected by the image sensor and the focus detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Kusaka
  • Publication number: 20110236007
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an auto focusing method are provided. A plurality of focus signal values are calculated for a plurality of frequency bands of a captured image signal. An amount of defocus of a focus lens is calculated based on focus signal values calculated for two positions. A position of the focus lens is controlled depending on the calculated amount of defocus. Thereby, the imaging apparatus can detect a focus at higher speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyong-Tae Park, Jeong-Won Lee, Kyoung-Hwan Moon
  • Patent number: 8009976
    Abstract: A camera has a face detecting section, a focusing section, and a controlling section. The face detecting section detects a face area in a shooting image plane. The focusing section calculates a defocus amount based on a relative distance of a pair of images of a light beam that has passed through a shooting lens in each of a plurality of optional areas in the shooting image plane. The controlling section designates a focusing area among the optional areas based on an output of the face detecting section and performs a focusing operation of the shooting lens based on the defocus amount in the focusing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotake Nozaki, Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 8005271
    Abstract: A face detection method is provided, including: classifying into levels time-wise continuously captured images by increasing/reducing the total number of pixels; selecting sequentially and reading out image data for all of the levels using read-out units of the same size of pixels, or a smaller size of pixels, as those of the image with the smallest size of pixels; carrying out face detection processing by extracting candidate levels in which face image data is present, based on the read-out image data for each of the levels; and, when repeating the face detection processing, setting the number of candidate levels for face detection processing from the second time onward as less than the total number of levels. A digital camera incorporating the face detection method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: FujiFilm Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiro Kawada
  • Patent number: 7995910
    Abstract: A focal point detector includes: a condenser lens for transmitting a light image from an optical system; and a distance measurement sensor group for receiving a luminous flux which has passed through the condenser lens. The sensor group includes a first distance measurement sensor pair for receiving divided beams of the luminous flux for a first focus detection region which is located off the center of a shooting region. The first distance measurement sensor pair includes first and second distance measurement sensors. The first focus detection region extends in a first direction in the shooting region from a position where the first focus detection region is spaced from the center in the first direction and also in a second direction. The first and second distance measurement sensors are spaced from each other and arranged at different angles in the direction associated with the first direction on the sensor arrangement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumi Kageyama
  • Patent number: 7965935
    Abstract: A camera unit which is capable of coping with both a case where it is largely displaced from a preset position and a case where it is slightly displaced from the same, and makes it possible to enhance accuracy and reliability in displacement correction. A zoom/focus control circuit and a pan/tilt control circuit drive the camera unit. A memory stores preset information indicative of a shooting position and a focal length of the camera unit. A correction image memory stores correction images shot at different focal lengths at the shooting position. An image comparison circuit compares between an image shot by the camera unit at the shooting position and the stored correction images, and calculates a displacement amount. A CPU corrects the driving amount of the pan/tilt control circuit based on the calculated displacement amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Takeuchi