Camera Release Control Circuit Patents (Class 396/263)
  • Patent number: 11533424
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set an imaging condition under which an imaging apparatus captures a video, a region determination unit configured to determine a detectable region in which a detection target is detectable in the video, based on the imaging condition, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a desired detection condition under which a user desires detection for the detection target to be executed, and a condition determination unit configured to determine a detection condition under which the detection target is detected from the video, based on the desired detection condition and the detectable region determined based on at least one imaging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Sato
  • Patent number: 11032468
    Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of performing processing of selecting a learning model from a plurality of learning models that have learned a reference used to record an image generated by an image sensor; performing, using the selected learning model, determination processing of determining whether the image generated by the image sensor satisfies the reference; and recording the image in a case in which it is determined that the image generated by the image sensor satisfies the reference, wherein the processing of selecting the learning model is performed based on at least one of an image capturing instruction by a user, an evaluation result of the image by the user, an environment when the image is generated, and a score of each of the learning models for the image generated by the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Kadoi
  • Patent number: 11003133
    Abstract: A special holographic security system utilizing and centered on holographic images of homeowners or security guards to provide safety for a person's home, businesses and properties by incorporating the hologram image with the sensors, lights, cameras and other security hardware. The hologram image can be incorporated with sound, pre-recorded messages, and real time surveillance, and smart phone applications to interact with potential break-ins and security breaches. Also taught are significant ways and methods that use of holographic systems can improve homeland security as well as defense tactics to increase security and save lives. This holographic security concept can be implemented in various creative ways to preserve security in the United States and abroad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony Dewayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 10979639
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an imaging control apparatus, an imaging control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The imaging control apparatus including a controller having a state detection unit and a mode processing instruction unit. The state detection unit configured to receive a sensing signal from a sensor, detect an imaging environment of an imaging apparatus becoming a first state, and detect a transition of the imaging environment from the first state to a second state based at least in part on the sensing signal. The mode processing instruction unit configured to instruct a first imaging operation in a first mode on a basis of detection of the imaging environment of the imaging apparatus becoming the first state, and instruct a second imaging operation in a second mode on a basis of detection of the transition of the imaging environment from the first state to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Kinoshita, Kentaro Matsukura, Akira Tokuse
  • Patent number: 10962808
    Abstract: Provided is a contact lens including: a lens unit configured to be worn on an eyeball; an image pickup unit configured to capture an image of a subject, the image pickup unit being provided in the lens unit; and an image pickup control unit configured to control the image pickup unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Masanori Iwasaki, Kazunori Hayashi, Takayasu Kon, Takatoshi Nakamura, Tomoya Onuma, Akira Tange
  • Patent number: 10955689
    Abstract: Provided is a contact lens including: a lens unit configured to be worn on an eyeball; an adjustment unit configured to adjust light to be transmitted through at least one of a first region that is a central portion of the lens unit and covers a pupil of the eyeball and a second region that is an outer side of the first region and covers an iris of the eyeball; and a control unit configured to control the adjustment unit in response to input of a trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Hayashi, Yoichiro Sako, Takayasu Kon, Takatoshi Nakamura, Akira Tange, Tomoya Onuma, Hiroyuki Hanaya, Masakazu Yajima, Yuki Koga
  • Patent number: 10943341
    Abstract: An image processing method, an electronic device and a storage medium. The method includes: under a preset condition, when detecting that an image currently captured by a camera module contains a human face, determining a reference photosensitivity corresponding to each frame of images to be captured according to a current jitter degree of the camera module; determining an exposure duration corresponding to each frame of images to be captured according to luminance of a current shooting scene, the reference photosensitivity corresponding to each frame of the images to be captured, and a preset mode of exposure compensation; capturing a plurality of frames of images in sequence according to the reference photosensitivity and the exposure duration corresponding to each frame of the images to be captured; and performing synthesis processing on the captured plurality of frames of images to generate a target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yulu Wang
  • Patent number: 10911671
    Abstract: In one example, a plurality of image frames captured by a digital camera unit is received. It is determined that a condition is met that requires a switch between image capture states. In response, automatic adjustment of at least one image capture parameter without user input is enabled or disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Juuso Gren, Mikko Muukki, Tomi Sokeila
  • Patent number: 10893191
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire data concerning a captured image captured by an image capturing unit, a learning unit configured to learn a condition of an image that a user likes, based on supervised data, a control circuit configured to decide automatic image capturing by the image capturing unit based on the condition learned by the learning unit and to register, as the supervised data, data acquired by the acquisition unit for a captured image obtained by image capturing performed based on an instruction of the user, and data acquired by the acquisition unit for captured images for learning which are captured before and/or after the image capturing performed based on an instruction of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Kadoi
  • Patent number: 10893199
    Abstract: An imaging element includes a plurality of pixel portions in an imaging layer, and a circuit layer includes a frame memory that stores a plurality of pieces of data output from the pixel portion. The imaging element and an imaging signal processing circuit are connected by a plurality of lanes, and it is possible to acquire data of still images and moving images by using multi streams and simultaneously store the data. Upon receipt of a capturing instruction in a storage mode of the still images and the moving images, an overall control calculation unit acquires the still image data and the moving image data from the imaging element, and determines a frame to be used for the moving image. The overall control calculation unit performs control in which an image signal of the frame to be used for the moving image before capturing, capturing-in-progress, or after capturing of still image capturing is output to a storage destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kaibara
  • Patent number: 10742873
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: receiving, by a computing device, criteria for timing a capture of a photograph by an associated camera device; receiving, by the computing device, an instruction to capture the photograph at a time determined based on the criteria; obtaining, by the computing device, information regarding a status of one or more photograph participants from one or more wearable computing devices worn by the one or more photograph participants; determining, by the computing device, the time to capture the photograph based on the criteria and the status of the one or more photograph participants; and capturing, by the computing device, the photograph at the determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James E. Bostick, John M. Ganci, Jr., Martin G. Keen, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 10587804
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an imaging control apparatus, an imaging control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The imaging control apparatus including a controller having a state detection unit and a mode processing instruction unit. The state detection unit configured to receive a sensing signal from a sensor, detect an imaging environment of an imaging apparatus becoming a first state, and detect a transition of the imaging environment from the first state to a second state based at least in part on the sensing signal. The mode processing instruction unit configured to instruct a first imaging operation in a first mode on a basis of detection of the imaging environment of the imaging apparatus becoming the first state, and instruct a second imaging operation in a second mode on a basis of detection of the transition of the imaging environment from the first state to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Kinoshita, Kentaro Matsukura, Akira Tokuse
  • Patent number: 10542205
    Abstract: An electronic device having a camera and a touch-sensitive display supports methods for capturing an image using a movable shutter button thereon. The electronic device executes a camera application that may have a single movable displayed on the touch sensitive display, or two shutter buttons, one of which is fixed and one of which is movable. Where two shutter buttons are used, the second button may be present when the camera application is executed, or may be created in response to the user inputting a gesture to move the first shutter button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: RollCall, LLC
    Inventor: Kathleen Stricker
  • Patent number: 10522026
    Abstract: Systems and methods comprising a device including a processor coupled to a plurality of premises devices located at a premises. The device is configured to generate layout data comprising a layout of the premises including representations of premises devices on a floor plan configured to represent the premises. The layout data includes configuration data for each of the premises devices. The premises devices include at least one of a security device and a network device. The system includes a sensor user interface (SUI) application coupled to the device. The SUI application is remote to the device and configured to use the layout data to generate display elements comprising a three-dimensional (3D) representation of the floor plan and the premises devices. The floor plan layout visually and separately indicates a location and a state of the premises devices. The state includes current state and historical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Sundermeyer, Paul Dawes, Jim Fulker
  • Patent number: 10314530
    Abstract: An eyelid position sensor system and/or an eye movement sensor system for an ophthalmic lens having an electronic system is described herein for recording data associated with sleep of the wearer. The eyelid position sensor system is part of an electronic system incorporated into the ophthalmic lens. The electronic system in at least one embodiment includes a system controller and a data manager. In at least one embodiment, the eyelid position sensor system is utilized to determine eyelid position and the eye movement sensor system is utilized to determine eye position for the system controller to determine if the wearer is awake, asleep, or in REM sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Frederick A. Flitsch, Adam Toner
  • Patent number: 10278835
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for electronically capturing a subject's anatomy comprising an electronic device with a camera, display screen, and end-user software program to interface with the user. The software program tracks a target placed in view area, and gives visual feedback to the user based on target tracking. The software program includes criteria represented visually, via audio feedback, or haptic feedback, to the user indicating how to position the camera relative to the anatomy. The end-user software program may have means to automatically capture anatomy on the electronic device based on the criteria being met. The end-user software program may have means to electronically transmit the anatomical information to a remote location where said information can be used to build a custom orthotic device. The system may also have the means to detect and distinguish anatomic contours from other objects in the view area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: VISION QUEST INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED DBA VQ ORTHOCARE
    Inventors: Kevin R. Lunau, Wallace R. Fischer, Michael S. Skahan
  • Patent number: 10257401
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: CUTTING EDGE VISION LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 10190358
    Abstract: A vehicle safe authentication system may include a vehicle safe, a vehicle camera, and a control unit programmed to receive an indication of unauthorized access at the vehicle safe and further programmed to activate the vehicle camera in response to the indication, wherein activation of the camera may include capturing at least one image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Omar Makke, Andrea Bowes Chowanic, Manpreet Singh Bajwa
  • Patent number: 10074253
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which is operable to supply fire suppressant material (6) and marker (7) to at least one spray head unit (2) for producing spray having a droplet size less than 1000 ?m. The system may be operable in two modes. The system may be operable in fire suppressing mode to supply fire suppressant material to the one or more spray heads and in marker deployment mode to supply fire suppressant material and marker to the one or more spray heads. In fire suppressing mode, the system supplies the fire suppressant material for a long period of time, for example, a few tens of minutes. In marker deployment mode the system supplies the fire suppressant material and marker to the spray heads for a short period of time, for example, a few tens of seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Plumis, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuf Muhammad, Paul Thomas, William Makant
  • Patent number: 10053175
    Abstract: A bicycle lighting device includes a reflection cup in which a light collection unit and a light source and are respectively located therein. A speed detector is connected to the bicycle lighting device and a controller so as to detecting the speed of a vehicle moving toward the bicycle. The light collection unit collects brightness of the headlight of the vehicle. A pulse width modulation unit is electrically connected to the light collection unit and the light source. The pulse width modulation unit adjusts the flashing frequency of the light source according to the speed of the vehicle moving toward the bicycle lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GUAN HUNG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9948861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image. The method includes: recognizing a movement of an object that approaches an image capture button; capturing a plurality of frames in response to the recognized movement of the object; and displaying a predetermined frame from among the plurality of captured frames on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ritesh Sahoo
  • Patent number: 9936116
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: CUTTING EDGE VISION LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Konicek
  • Patent number: 9871962
    Abstract: An electronic device having a camera and a touch-sensitive display supports methods for capturing an image using a movable shutter button thereon. The electronic device executes a camera application that may have a single movable displayed on the touch sensitive display, or two shutter buttons, one of which is fixed and one of which is movable. Where two shutter buttons are used, the second button may be present when the camera application is executed, or may be created in response to the user inputting a gesture to move the first shutter button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: RollCall, LLC
    Inventor: Kathleen Stricker
  • Patent number: 9865967
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed. The connector comprises a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads arranged in a two-dimensional fashion on a first face facing a mating connector side, the plurality of contact pads configured to make contact with a plurality of contacts of a mating connector, and a housing having a locating portion in contact with the first face of the circuit board, the locating portion locating the first face with respect to a direction of mating with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Yoichi Sasaki, Makiya Kimura
  • Patent number: 9641744
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus controls in such a manner that if a touch applied to a touch operation member is detected by a detection unit arranged to detect a touch operation applied to the touch operation member, a photographic preparation unit makes an adjustment of a photographic setting, and after the touch, if the detection unit detects a predetermined touch operation and thereafter detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto, a photographic processing unit does not execute a photographic processing, while after the touch, if the detection unit detects that the touch operation member loses the touch applied thereto without detecting the predetermined touch operation, the photographic processing unit executes the photographic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kyota Saito
  • Patent number: 9622832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and a tip, wherein a tip sensor is provided on the handle portion. The tip sensor enables detection of when a tip is inserted into and/or removed from the handle. In addition, the tip sensor enables a navigation system to be notified when landmarks are probed with the surgical instrument, thereby ensuring accurate capture of the location of the landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 9444998
    Abstract: A control method of an electronic device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input signal including a physiological signal of a subject to be examined through a sensor module of the electronic device, detecting an input operation based on at least the input signal, and acquiring an image through a camera module according to the input operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Namjin Kim, Sora Hyun, Hyunho Seo, Changhyun Chun, Yunemo Koo, Gaeyoun Kim, Geonsoo Kim, Heedeog Kim, Sunghyuk Shin, Kihuk Lee, Chulhwan Lee, Cheolho Cheong, Seungmin Choi
  • Patent number: 9315852
    Abstract: A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, an odorant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing an odorant are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using odorant-detection systems, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the odorant, thereby revealing the presence of the seeded nucleic acids and eliminating the expense and time associated with unnecessary screening. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SRC, INC.
    Inventor: Mary F. Swartz
  • Patent number: 9309555
    Abstract: A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, a fire retardant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing a fire- or heat-protective element are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using sequence analysis techniques, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the seeded nucleic acids. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SRC, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary F. Swartz, Laura T. Bortolin
  • Patent number: 9263873
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharge processes in the vicinity of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9152015
    Abstract: An electronic device, which accepts inputs in a plurality of levels according to pressing loads, includes: a control unit, which performs an autofocus process of automatically adjusting a focus with respect to the photographic subject when a load detecting unit detects a pressing load that satisfies a load standard for accepting a first-level input, and controls so that a still image is acquired, when the load detecting unit detects a pressing load that satisfies a load standard for accepting a second-level input higher than the load standard for accepting the first-level input, wherein, from when the autofocus process starts to when adjustment of the focus with respect to the photographic subject is completed, when the load detecting unit detects the pressing load that satisfies the load standard for accepting the second-level input, the control unit controls so that the still image is not acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Shusuke Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9154696
    Abstract: An imaging device is equipped with an imaging section and is provided with a reception section and an imaging control section. The reception section receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, which includes reference time information that is used as a reference of time. The imaging control section synchronizes a timing of imaging by the imaging section with a reference time on the basis of the reference time information included in the GPS signal received by the reception section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Muraki, Shimpei Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9134844
    Abstract: Optical touchpad includes a light source for emitting light of a specific wavelength, a specific-light sensing array for sensing the specific light after being reflected by an instruction object for accordingly generating a specific-light sensing image, a proximity detector for determining an instruction distance between the instruction object and the optical touchpad according to the specific-light sensing image, and a motion detector for determining path of the instruction object and then outputting a motion signal according to the specific-light sensing image. When the instruction distance is greater than a predetermined value, the motion detector is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsan Kao, Chih-Yen Wu, Ren-Hau Gu
  • Patent number: 8957981
    Abstract: A digital camera for capturing an image containing the photographer, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system for forming an image of a scene on the image sensor; a processor for processing the output of the image sensor in order to detect the presence of one or more faces in a field of view of the digital camera; a feedback mechanism for providing feedback to the photographer while the photographer is included within the field of view, responsive to detecting at least one face in the field of view, and a means for initiating capture of a digital image of the scene containing the photographer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: John R. Fredlund, Kenneth A. Parulski, Robert M. Guidash, Kevin E. Spaulding, Frank Razavi
  • Patent number: 8928770
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device and terminal device that recommend a preferred image to a user. A terminal device having a photography function captures a plurality of images, identifies a plurality of subjects in each of the captured images, acquires a photographic degree of suitability for each of the identified subjects, calculates an evaluation value for each captured image based on the number of subjects in the captured image having a photographic degree of suitability of at least a predetermined threshold, and displays the captured images, displaying one of the captured images so as to be distinguishable from other captured images based on the evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Yuusuke Koura
  • Patent number: 8642961
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Robin Terry Snider, Jeffrey Dykes McGee, Michael Dale Perry
  • Publication number: 20140029930
    Abstract: A device for extending and controlling signals of a camera shutter release cable through an isolated switch is provided. A single short signal is generated to a camera shutter release cable by a manual button, another control device or a computer command, and extended into a multiple short signal with well isolation, good stability and enough voltage level through multiple isolated switches, so as to simultaneously activate several cameras connected in parallel to focus and snap. Therefore, it is able to prevent that the voltage levels provided by a single short signal are too low to simultaneously activate all of those cameras connected from the interference between them. Moreover, the foregoing multiple short signal can further be individually, partially or together controlled by a computer, a USB and a CPU, so as to simultaneously activate the cameras connected in parallel to focus and snap rapidly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Peng-Cheng Lai, Chih-Chuan Kao
  • Patent number: 8624988
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit configured to pick up a subject image and a control unit configured to perform control in a manner such that, in a case in which a predetermined mode is set, smile detection of a subject is started when an operation input is performed, the subject image is picked up if a smile is detected, and smile detection and image pickup are repeatedly performed until a completion condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasufumi Suzuki, Hiroshi Abe
  • Patent number: 8610791
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup section to pick up a subject image; and a central processing section to perform processing of arbitrarily setting at least one automatic photographing condition among a plurality of kinds of automatic photographing conditions, judging whether the set automatic photographing condition is satisfied or not, and instructing the image pickup section to pick up a recording subject image when the set automatic photographing condition is judged to be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Miyata
  • Patent number: 8587687
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup section to pick up a subject image; and a central processing section to perform processing of arbitrarily setting at least one automatic photographing condition among a plurality of kinds of automatic photographing conditions, judging whether “the set automatic photographing condition” is satisfied or not, and instructing the image pickup section to pick up a recording subject image when “the set automatic photographing condition” is judged to be satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Miyata
  • Patent number: 8549437
    Abstract: For a first device, some embodiments provide an application for displaying several media content stored on a second device communicably connected to the first device. The application includes a graphical user interface (“GUI”). The GUI includes a media content display area for displaying the media content stored on the second device. The GUI includes a selectable item for activating a synchronization feature that automatically modifies a clock of the second device to match a clock of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Neubrand, Baskaran Subramaniam
  • Patent number: 8478121
    Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, a storing module, an infrared shutter module, and a controlling module. The image sensor converts light rays projected thereon to digital image signals. The storing module is for storing the digital image signals. The infrared shutter module includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver adjacent to the infrared emitter, and when infrared rays emitted from the infrared emitter are transmitted into the infrared receiver, the infrared shutter module outputs a triggering signal. The controlling module electrically connects to the image sensor, the storing module, the infrared shutter module and stores the digital image signals in the storing module when receiving the triggering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Premier Image Technology (China) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 8417109
    Abstract: A photographing device, which includes a photographing section; a display section that displays a photography image taken by the photographing section; a person indicator setting section that sets a person indicator prepared beforehand on the display screen; an operation section that operates a target position and/or a target size of the person indicator; a person detection section that detects a position and/or a size of a person in the photography image; a comparison section that compares the detected position and/or size of the person in the photography image with the target position and/or size; a guiding instruction section that generates an instruction for the person to be photographed to guide toward a direction coinciding with the compared result; and a control section that controls the photographing section such that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the compared result falls within a predetermined allowable error, a shutter is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Susumu Takatsuka, Noribumi Shibayama, Hisatoshi Suto
  • Publication number: 20120288265
    Abstract: Methods and devices for implementing a camera restriction on a wireless handheld communication device. As more handheld devices incorporate camera functionalities, organizations and individuals with privacy concerns are more vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure. The camera restriction prevents a user from taking a picture of a subject if the device has not been steadily focused on the subject in question for a predetermined period of time. In short, this process extends the normal camera-taking procedure and thus requires the camera user to take pictures in a conspicuous manner—the rationale being that a camera user would be less likely to take unauthorized pictures if such actions could be easily recognized. The camera restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Archer Chi Kwong WUN
  • Patent number: 8304729
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Robin Terry Snider, Jeffrey Dykes McGee, Michael Dale Perry
  • Patent number: 8284250
    Abstract: A system that facilitates determining a trigger rate for a digital camera to provide a threshold forward overlap for consecutively captured images is described herein. The system includes a receiver component that receives first data pertaining to a distance between the digital camera and a surface. The system additionally includes a rate determiner component that is in communication with the receiver component, wherein the rate determiner component determines the trigger rate for the digital camera based at least in part upon the first data, wherein the trigger rate is indicative of an amount of time between consecutive images captured by the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kroepfl, Joachim Bauer, Gerhard Neuhold, Stefan Bernögger, Gur Kimchi, John Charles Curlander
  • Patent number: 8270825
    Abstract: A photographic apparatus infers a user's photographic intent and accordingly switches between a manual shoot mode and an automatic shoot mode. In the manual shoot mode, processing to save photographic image data is timed in accordance with the user operating a user-operable shutter element, while in the automatic shoot mode, such processing is conducted independently of shutter element operations. A photographic unit photographs a scene, acquires photographic image data of a subject, and then executes processing for saving the photographic image data. An intention judgment information detector detects intention judgment information used to judge the photographic intent of the user. A controller makes an intention judgment using the intention judgment information from the intention judgment information detector, and according to the intention judgment result, causes the photographic unit to selectively execute the operations for one of the modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Kamada, Takayasu Kon, Yoichiro Sako, Kazunori Hayashi, Itaru Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8254776
    Abstract: A motion detector camera includes a camera mechanism mounted inside a housing, a motion detector exposed on a surface of the housing, and a controller for controlling the camera mechanism in response to signals received from the motion detector. The camera can include an activity counter mounted to the housing. The controller activates the camera mechanism when the controller receives a triggering signal from the motion detector, or the controller activates the activity counter and does not activate the camera mechanism when a triggering activity occurs. The camera can include digital camera electronics. A camera support can be used to removably mount the camera to an object such as a tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: IP Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Schnell
  • Patent number: 8254639
    Abstract: An image storage device includes a facial-expression-correlation estimator configured to estimate a facial expression correlation representing a degree of correlation between a facial expression in a face image and a predetermined reference facial expression, the face image being included in time-varying image data; a facial-expression estimator configured to detect, through estimation based on transition of the facial expression correlation, a situation where the facial expression in the face image and the predetermined reference facial expression are expected to come to have a predetermined correlative relationship within a predetermined period; and an image-storage controller configured to exercise control so that the image data in the predetermined period from the detection is maintained in an image-data storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 8199208
    Abstract: An operation input apparatus includes a body portion detection unit for receiving image data and detecting a certain body portion of a subject in an image of the image data, a state determination unit for determining a certain state corresponding to a priority-level setting condition for each body portion, a priority-level setting unit for setting priority levels to the individual body portions in accordance with results of the determination, an operation determination unit for determining whether the body portions performed a predetermined motion corresponding to a certain operation in accordance with determination allowance degrees of the body portions serving as determination subjects which are set in accordance with the priority levels, and a control unit for controlling the operation input apparatus so that the operation input apparatus performs a predetermined operation in accordance with the determination that the certain motion corresponding to the certain operation has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Katsumata, Yosuke Hiratsuka, Shingo Yoshizumi