Li Liu

US Patent:

7554067, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Oct 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/589357

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Zarnowski - McGraw NY, US
Ketan V. Karia - Cortland NY, US
Michael Joyner - Cortland NY, US
Thomas Poonnen - Cortland NY, US
Li Liu - Cortland NY, US

Assignee:

Panavision Imaging LLC - Homer NY

International Classification:

H01L 27/00
H04N 3/14

US Classification:

2502081, 348275, 348302, 257292

Abstract:

A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager with first and second series of pixels in which the pixels of one series are offset, i. e. , staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangement minimizes color cross talk. An array of microlenses is situated with each microlens covering a plurality of the pixels. The different pixels under each microlens can be aligned along a diagonal. The different pixels under the same microlens can have different integration times, to increase the dynamic range of the imager(s).

US Patent:

8035711, Oct 11, 2011

Filed:

May 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/125466

Inventors:

Li Liu - Cortland NY, US
Jeffrey Jon Zarnowski - McGraw NY, US
Ketan Vrajlal Karia - Cortland NY, US
Thomas Poonnen - Cortland NY, US
Michael Eugene Joyner - McGraw NY, US

Assignee:

Panavision Imaging, LLC - Homer NY

International Classification:

H04N 9/083

US Classification:

348277

Abstract:

Improving the dynamic range of captured images is disclosed by using sub-pixel arrays to capture light at different exposures and generate color pixel outputs for an image in a single frame. Each sub-pixel array can include multiple sub-pixels. The sub-pixels that make up a sub-pixel array can include red (R) sub-pixels, green (G) sub-pixels, blue (B) sub-pixels, and in some embodiments, clear sub-pixels. Those sub-pixel arrays having clear sub-pixels effectively have a higher exposure level and can capture low-light scenes (for dark areas) better than those sub-pixel arrays without clear sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel array can produce a color pixel output that is a combination of the outputs of the sub-pixels in the sub-pixel array. Each sub-pixel in a sub-pixel array can have the same exposure time, or in some embodiments, individual sub-pixels within a sub-pixel array can have different exposure times to improve the overall dynamic range even more.

US Patent:

8169517, May 1, 2012

Filed:

Oct 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/974813

Inventors:

Thomas Poonnen - Cortland NY, US
Jeffrey J. Zarnowski - McGraw NY, US
Li Liu - Cortland NY, US
Michael Joyner - McGraw NY, US
Ketan V. Karia - Cortland NY, US

Assignee:

Panavision Imaging LLC - Homer NY

International Classification:

H04N 5/335
H04N 3/14

US Classification:

348294, 348302

Abstract:

A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. An N-bit counter supplies an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp output with a level that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A latch/counter or equivalent is associated with each respective column. A clock supplies clock signal(s) to the counter elements. When the analog ramp equals the pixel value for that column, the latch/counter latches the value. The black level can be pre-set in the latch/counter or can be subtracted separately to reduce fixed pattern noise. The pixels can be oversampled for some number of times, e. g. , n=16, to reduce the thermal noise of the sensors. Also, two or more pixels sharing a common sense node may be binned together, and two (or more) pixels having different integration times may be combined to obtain an output signal with enhanced dynamic range.

US Patent:

20090290052, Nov 26, 2009

Filed:

May 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/126347

Inventors:

Li Liu - Cortland NY, US
Jeffrey Jon Zarnowski - McGraw NY, US
Ketan Vrajlal Karia - Cortland NY, US
Thomas Poonnen - Cortland NY, US
Michael Eugene Joyner - McGraw NY, US

International Classification:

H04N 9/04

US Classification:

348277, 348E09002

Abstract:

The use of a Bayer pattern array in digital image sensors to enhance the dynamic range of the sensors is disclosed. Each Bayer pattern in the array can include three different pixels having a first exposure, and a fourth pixel (which is the same color as one of the other pixels in the array) having a second exposure. The dynamic range of the Bayer pattern array can be enhanced by using different exposure times for the pixels. Each pixel can capture only one channel (i.e. either red (R), green (G) or blue (B) light). Interpolation of neighboring pixels, including those having different exposure times, can enable the pixels in the Bayer pattern array to generate missing color information and effectively become a color pixel, and can allow the Bayer pattern array to have a higher dynamic range.

US Patent:

20130276262, Oct 24, 2013

Filed:

Apr 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/454251

Inventors:

Melvin E. Wolfe - Johnson City NY, US
Randy L. Buss - Muncy PA, US
Li H. Liu - South Williamsport PA, US

Assignee:

SHOP VAC CORPORATION - Williamsport PA

International Classification:

A47L 9/12

US Classification:

15347

Abstract:

A vacuum cleaner has a screen cage that is permanently attached to a lid that fits on a receptacle. The screen cage has multiple layers of screens with different screen sizes, including an inner support that has greater rigidity and larger apertures that the primary screen, and an outer screen that also has greater rigidity and larger apertures than the primary screen, and is made of a different material than the support. A replaceable filter mounts to a power head that can be removed from the lid while the lid remains attached to the receptacle, and nests in the screen cage. A thermal cutoff shuts the vacuum cleaner off when the temperature of air in a part of the flowpath exceeds a limit.