Motorola Corporation

Motorola Mobility LLC

Ul LLC

Google Inc.

Octadem Technologies, Inc.

Fan He

Carl Lynn Shurboff

Michael W Frenzer

Kevin W Johnson

Chris J Grivas

Dongxue Wang

Joy Xiong

Rachid M Alameh

Zili Li

Yue Yao

Paul W Brazis, Jr

Vahid Goudarzi

Mahmood Tabaddor

Shumin Cheng

Hai Jiang

Phillip L Roccapriore

Bin Jiang

Zhihao Lin

Bin Wu

A method and apparatus are provided for operating a camera. The method includes the steps of providing an array of image sensing pixels, disposing an electronic shutter in an optical path between the array of pixels and an image where the electronic shutter has a reflective state and a transmissive state and applying a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to the electronic shutter to expose the image sensing pixels to the image.

Imager module with electronic shutter

A test apparatus for testing of a stop mechanism on a saw includes a support arm movable relative to a blade of the saw from a first position to a second position. The test apparatus also includes a simulation member coupled to the support arm. In the first position, the first end of the simulation member is offset from a portion of the blade of the saw, and in the second position, the first end of the simulation member is adapted to be in contact with the portion of the blade of the saw. The test apparatus further includes circuitry operatively connected to the simulation member to replicate an electrical property of a human finger such that contact between the blade and the first end of the simulation member triggers the stop mechanism of the saw.

Method and apparatus to test an automatic stop safety feature of a rotary saw

A camera testing apparatus includes a frame assembly, a control unit, and a plurality of first light sources and second light sources coupled to the frame assembly and in communication with the control unit. Each of the first and second light sources is in one of an illuminated first state or a non-illuminated second state, and each of the plurality of first and second light sources is adapted to be within a field of vision of a camera disposed remote from the first and second light sources. The control unit sends a first command to each of the first light sources to change a first operational parameter. The control unit sends a second command to a first one of the second light sources to illuminate at a first brightness and a third command to a second one of the second light sources to illuminate at a second brightness.

Camera test apparatus

A method is provided for taking a digital picture of an image. The method can include: recording a first plurality of pixel values representing the image; generating a first compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values; recording a second plurality of pixel values representing the image; generating a second compressed image data file based on the first plurality of pixel values; and processing the first and second plurality of pixel values in a compressed domain to generate a third plurality of pixel values, wherein processing includes combining the first and second compressed image data files by replacing portions of the second compressed image data file with corresponding portions of the first compressed image data file.

Method and apparatus for robust image processing

An electronic optical zoom system () includes a first lens assembly () and a second lens assembly (). The first lens assembly () and the second lens assembly () may be adjacently disposed or concentrically disposed. The first lens assembly () and second lens assembly (), in one embodiment, have different magnification configurations. An image sensor () captures electronic images of a subject (). Optical zoom capability is achieved by an alterable electronic optical device (), such as a switchable mirror (). The alterable electronic optical device () selectively redirects received light between a first optical path () from a reflective surface () to a second optical path () from the alterable electronic optical device () depending upon the state of the alterable electronic optical device (). The electronic optical zoom system () thereby provides optical zoom capabilities in a compact package without the need for physically moving lens assemblies.

Compact stationary lens optical zoom image capture system

An image capture system is configured to automatically focus upon an object () electronically, without moving mechanical parts. In one embodiment, a focal length alteration device (), examples of which include an electronically switchable mirror () or an interference layer (), is disposed between a lens assembly () and a reflective surface (). The focal length alteration device () is configured to alter the distance light travels from the lens assembly () to the image sensor (). In another embodiment, a light redirection device (), such as a phase shifting mirror (), is configured to alter phases of various polarizations of light. An image processing circuit () then resolves images into a single, focused, composite image ().

Image capture device with electronic focus

A method and digital camera module is provided for taking a digital picture of an image. The digital camera module includes a plurality of light sensitive pixel elements, a first memory buffer, a second memory buffer and a controller. The controller is coupled to the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements and the first and second memory buffers and records a first plurality of pixel values representing an image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a first predetermined manner and stores the first plurality of pixel values in the first buffer. The controller then records a second plurality of pixel values representing the image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a second predetermined manner and stores the second plurality of pixel values in the second buffer. The controller further processes the first and second plurality of pixel values in a compressed domain to generate a third plurality of pixel values representative of the image.

Disclosed are methods and devices for solid state electronically switched optical shutters of cameras and other devices. The disclosed non-mechanical camera shutter includes an electronically controlled material that provides optical density variation, to transition the shutter from being open to being closed. The layer of electronically controlled material is configured to change from substantially to transparent to substantially opaque, without scattering, by changing the state of the material. The transmittance period is the period of time that the layer changes transmittance from approximately 100% to approximately 0%. Electronic circuitry is in communication with a timing control module that is configured to provide a signal output to a transparent conductive layer proximal to the layer of electronically controlled material to initiate a change in its transmissivity. The described electronically switched optical component would add little or no additional bulk to a small camera.

Solid state shutter devices and methods

A method and system for automatically focusing an image received by an image capturing unit () relative to a target is disclosed. The target is present in a sequence of one or more scanned frames. The method includes dividing () each frame from the sequence of one or more scanned frames in a plurality of sections. The method further includes iteratively determining () a relative focus of the target within each section of the plurality of sections. The method further includes adjustment () of a position of at least a first light path adjustment element in response to the determined relative focus.

Method and system for automatically focusing a camera

A method and digital imaging device, such as a digital camera module, is provided for digital imaging. The method includes the step of determining a signal-to-noise ratio associated with a first pixel location of a plurality of pixel locations and a signal-to-noise ratio associated with a second pixel location of the plurality of pixel locations, and the steps of assigning a first exposure time to the first pixel location in response to the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the first pixel location and assigning a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to the second pixel in response to the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the second pixel location. The method further includes the step of exposing the first pixel location for the first exposure time while exposing the second pixel location for the second exposure time to create a digital image.

Assignment of pixel element exposure times in digital camera modules and mobile communication devices

A system () and method () for determining whether a sample object () has a color that is within a predetermined range is provided. The system () includes a light source () capable of projecting lights having different light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (). A controller () causes the light source () to project a first light wavelength spectrum upon the sample object (), then another, then another, and so forth. While each light is projecting upon the object, a monochromatic image capture device () captures an image having luminous intensity information. The luminous intensity information, or a subset thereof selected by an image selection tool () is then compared to the statistical range, which is derived from a plurality of images taken of a reference object ().

Spectrum verification imaging system and method

A testing apparatus () for an image capture device () includes a liquid crystal device (). The liquid crystal device () includes an array of pixels (), which may actively or passively be changed from a transparent state to an opaque or semi-opaque state. The array of pixels are capable of segmentation into a plurality of predefined regions (), which may be columns () or rows (). A liquid crystal device driver () is configured to actuate the predefined regions (), individually and sequentially, in a sweep pattern across the liquid crystal device. The testing apparatus () may be used to measure a variety of parameters associated with image capture devices, including exposure duration, continuous shutter frequency, and flash-shutter lag. The testing apparatus () is capable of operation in a variety of ambient lighting conditions.

Liquid crystal testing apparatus and method for image capture devices

A circuit for use in an image sensor as well as an image sensing system using the circuit are set forth. The circuit comprises a memory device having a non-volatile memory cell, a control gate, a drain and a source. The circuit also employs a photosensitive semiconductor device that is positioned for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from an image. A pixel control circuit is connected to these components to direct the memory device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to a plurality of controlled modes. The controlled modes may include an erase mode and an exposure mode. In the erase mode, at least a portion of an electric charge is removed from the non-volatile memory cell to place the memory device in an initialized state. In the exposure mode, the non-volatile memory cell is charged at least partially in response to a voltage at a terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device. The voltage at the terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device corresponds to exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The pixel control circuit may also direct the memory device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to further modes including a read mode and a data retention mode. In the read mode, current flow between the source and drain of the memory device is detected as an indicator of the charge on the non-volatile memory cell. In the data retention mode, the charge on the non-volatile memory cell of the memory device that was acquired during the exposure mode is maintained notwithstanding further exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The circuit, and one or more peripheral support circuits, may be implemented in a monolithic substrate using, for example, conventional CMOS manufacturing processes.

Image sensor architecture employing one or more non-volatile memory cells

An apparatus () for recording a color image, comprises an image sensor () having a plurality of pixels () formed in a monolithic substrate. Each of the plurality of pixels () includes three floating gate semiconductor devices (). A color tunable filter () is positioned between a photosensitive semiconductor device () and an electromagnetic radiation source. A FET transistor () has a drain () connected to the cathode () of the photodiode (), and a source () connected to the anode () of the photodiode () and to control gates () of each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices (). The color tunable filter () allows all desired combinations of colors to pass while each of the three floating gate semiconductor devices () are respectively selected to store the color image.

Color image sensor with tunable color filter

A circuit for use in an image sensor as well as an image sensing system using the circuit are set forth. The circuit comprises a floating gate semiconductor device having a floating gate, a control gate, a drain and a source. The circuit also employs a photosensitive semiconductor device that is positioned for exposure to electromagnetic radiation from an image. A pixel control circuit is connected to these components to direct the floating gate semiconductor device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to a plurality of controlled modes. The controlled modes may include an erase mode and an exposure mode. In the erase mode, at least a portion of an electric charge is removed from the floating gate to place the floating gate semiconductor device in an initialized state. In the exposure mode, the floating gate is charged at least partially in response to a voltage at a terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device. The voltage at the terminal of the photosensitive semiconductor device corresponds to exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The pixel control circuit may also direct the floating gate semiconductor device and the photosensitive semiconductor device to further modes including a read mode and a data retention mode. In the read mode, current flow between the source and drain of the floating gate semiconductor device is detected as an indicator of the charge on the floating gate. In the data retention mode, the charge on the floating gate of the floating gate semiconductor device that was acquired during the exposure mode is maintained notwithstanding further exposure of the photosensitive semiconductor device to the electromagnetic radiation from the image. The circuit, and one or more peripheral support circuits, may be implemented in a monolithic substrate using, for example, conventional CMOS manufacturing processes.

Growing community of inventors

Gurnee, IL, United States of America

Fan He