James C Gates

US Patent:

7564019, Jul 21, 2009

Filed:

Apr 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/788122

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 27/00

US Classification:

2502081

Abstract:

Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide digital cameras with large effective single-frame dynamic exposure ranges. The digital camera systems include multiple channels. Each channel includes an optics component and sensor comprising an array of photo-detectors. The sensors of the camera channels are integrated on a semiconductor substrate. The camera systems include a processing component coupled to the channels. The processing component is configured to separately and simultaneously control an integration time of each channel. The integration time of at least one channel is controlled relative to the integration time of at least one other channel so that an image formed by combining data of a frame received simultaneously from the channels has a relatively large dynamic range.

US Patent:

7795577, Sep 14, 2010

Filed:

Jul 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/825382

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
Jeffrey A. Brady - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US
Han Tai - Irvine CA, US

International Classification:

H01J 40/14
H01J 5/02

US Classification:

250239, 250226, 250234, 348335, 348336, 348345, 348374

Abstract:

An imager apparatus and methods are described. An embodiment of an imager module includes a plurality of groups of optical lenses, a lens frame, and at least one associated lens barrel configured to position and hold the plurality of groups of optical lenses. At least one of the groups of optical lenses is movable with respect to at least one other group of optical lenses for achieving optical focus. The imager module includes an integrated circuit (IC) imager die in proximity to the plurality of lenses, the imager die containing at least one image capture microelectronic device. The imager module includes a modular frame assembly that contains a first portion that holds a plurality of lens barrels, each containing one or more focusing lenses, and a second portion that supports the first portion at a specific distance from the substrate being imaged. The lens barrels are each responsive to different wavelengths or bands of wavelengths. The first and second portions include minimal, partial, or full partition structures between the imaging areas defined by the lens barrels.

US Patent:

7916180, Mar 29, 2011

Filed:

Apr 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/788279

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

H04N 5/225

US Classification:

3482181

Abstract:

Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide digital cameras configured to simultaneously acquire image data via multiple channels having different fields of view. The digital cameras include multiple channels coupled to a processing component. Each channel includes an optics component and an array of sensors or photo-detectors integrated on a semiconductor substrate. The channels include a first channel having a first field of view (FOV) and a second channel having a second FOV, and the second FOV is different than the first FOV. The processing component is configured to independently control simultaneous data acquisition with each of the channels, and to combine data from at least one channel during a frame to provide a high resolution image.

US Patent:

7964835, Jun 21, 2011

Filed:

Jun 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/810623

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

H04N 9/77

US Classification:

2502081, 250226, 25055908, 3482231, 348262

Abstract:

Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors.

US Patent:

8124929, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Mar 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/729132

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

G03B 13/00

US Classification:

250239, 348345

Abstract:

An imager apparatus and methods are described. An embodiment of an imager module includes a plurality of groups of optical lenses, a lens frame, and at least one associated lens barrel configured to position and hold the plurality of groups of optical lenses. At least one of the groups of optical lenses is movable with respect to at least one other group of optical lenses for achieving optical focus. The imager module includes an integrated circuit (IC) imager die in proximity to the plurality of lenses, the imager die containing at least one image capture microelectronic device.

US Patent:

8198574, Jun 12, 2012

Filed:

Jul 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/496854

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

H01L 27/00

US Classification:

2502081

Abstract:

A digital camera includes a plurality of channels and a processing component operatively coupled to the plurality of channels. Each channel of the plurality of channels includes an optics component and a sensor that includes an array of photo-detectors. The processing component is configured to separately control an integration time of each channel, where a first integration time of a first channel is less than a second integration time of a second channel. The processing component is also configured to combine data from the plurality of channels to generate an image.

US Patent:

8304709, Nov 6, 2012

Filed:

May 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/100725

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irving CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

H04N 9/77

US Classification:

2502081, 3482231

Abstract:

Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors.

US Patent:

8334494, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

May 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/465229

Inventors:

Richard Ian Olsen - Irvine CA, US
Darryl L. Sato - Irvine CA, US
James Gates - Irvine CA, US

Assignee:

Protarius Filo AG, L.L.C. - Dover DE

International Classification:

H01L 27/00

US Classification:

2502081

Abstract:

A digital camera includes a plurality of channels and a processing component operatively coupled to the plurality of channels. Each channel of the plurality of channels includes an optics component and a sensor that includes an array of photo-detectors. The processing component is configured to separately control an integration time of each channel, where a first integration time of a first channel is less than a second integration time of a second channel. The processing component is also configured to combine data from the plurality of channels to generate an image.