Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080198237 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE PIXEL SEGMENTATION FROM IMAGE SEQUENCES - The image processing system includes an image processor performing adaptive pixel segmentation for a sequence of image frames collected during movement relative to a scene, with each image frame having a plurality of pixels. An image sensor collects the sequence of image frames while moving relative to the scene. The image processor may perform the adaptive pixel segmentation by generating a probability density function (PDF) for pixels based upon a plurality of past image frames from the sequence thereof, determining whether pixels in a new image frame from the sequence thereof are independently moving pixels or background pixels based upon comparing the new image frame to the at least one PDF, and updating the at least one PDF based upon the new image frame. | 08-21-2008 |
20080198238 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image forming apparatus including a video controller that increases or reduces a pulse width of video data when video data is generated in synchronization with a video clock so as to vary a frequency of the video data. It is possible to effectively cope with emission of electromagnetic waves (electromagnetic interference) whose frequency increases when the same type of pulses is repeated, so that the electromagnetic waves are out of the recognition range of a user and image quality is prevented from deteriorating. | 08-21-2008 |
20080198239 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of a subject includes: a lock/unlock unit adapted to lock and unlock operation of the image capturing apparatus; a registration unit adapted to register a main item and a sub-item that have been selected by a user, wherein the main item is a main setting item among operation items of the image capturing apparatus and the sub-item is a setting item in a layer lower than that of the main item; and a control unit adapted to limit operation solely to a release operation of the image capturing apparatus and to the main item and sub-item, which have been registered by the registration unit, in a case where operation of the image capturing apparatus has been locked by the lock/unlock unit. | 08-21-2008 |
20080204567 | SAMPLE AND HOLD CIRCUITS WITH BUFFER OFFSET REMOVED - An active pixel image sensor comprising: (a) a pixel array having a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising: (i) a photosensitive region connected to a charge-to-voltage conversion region; and (ii) an amplifier connected to the charge-to-voltage conversion region; and (b) a sample and hold circuit connected to one or more pixels comprising: (i) two capacitors for receiving and storing a reset signal and an image signal; (ii) two buffer amplifiers for respectively receiving the reset signal and the image signal respectively from the two capacitors; and (iii) a reference generator circuit connected to an input of the buffer amplifiers for removing offset of the buffer amplifier. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204568 | Camera, encoder, and modulator in same enclosure - An RF signal source having a camera that provides a camera output, an encoder that encodes the camera output in a compressed digital format, and a modulator that digitally encodes and modulates the compressed camera output and that provides the digitally encoded, modulated, and compressed camera output as an RF output of the RF signal source. The camera, the encoder, and the modulator may be contained in an enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the encoder, the modulator, and at least part of the camera may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204569 | Method and System for Indexing and Searching Objects of Interest across a Plurality of Video Streams - A seed search of a subset of analytical data corresponding to video objects displayable in a plurality of video frames is carried out to identify video objects that most closely match a selected video object and then complete searches of the analytical data may be carried out so as to identify video objects that most closely match each video object identified during the seed search. The video objects having the greatest number of occurrences of being identified during the complete searches may be displayed by a graphical user interface (GUI). In this way, the GUI may display the video objects in an order based on how closely each video object matches the selected video object and/or a video object identified during the seed search, which may an order different than an order based on a time when each video object was captured. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204570 | Event Multiplexer For Managing The Capture of Images - An image capture system for capturing images of an object, such as the Earth. The image capture system includes a moving platform, at least two image capture devices, a position system, an event multiplexer and a computer system. The image capture devices are mounted to the moving platform. Each image capture device has a sensor for capturing an image and an event channel providing an event signal indicating the capturing of an image by the sensor. The position system records data indicative of a position as a function of time related to the moving platform. The event multiplexer has at least two image capture inputs and at least one output port. Each image capture input receives event signals from the event channel of one of the image capture devices. The event multiplexer outputs information indicative of an order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals. The computer system receives and stores the information indicative of the order of events indicated by the event signals, and identification of image capture devices providing the event signals. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204571 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus including an infrared video camera. The infrared video camera includes a sensor array operable to produce successive video images in the form of pixelated two-dimensional images. The imaging apparatus further comprises a processing arrangement operable to reduce or increase the overall brightness of an image in dependence upon the overall brightness of the pre-enhanced image and the overall brightness of the preceding enhanced image, so that the change in the overall brightness (DC-level) between the enhanced image and the preceding enhanced image is decreased. | 08-28-2008 |
20080211923 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus include an imaging unit configured to capture an object image, a smoothing unit configured to smooth a dynamic range of luminance of an image signal generated based on the object image captured by the imaging unit, and a color conversion unit configured to perform a color conversion with respect to a color of the image signal whose dynamic range is smoothed by the smoothing unit and is specified by a user. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211924 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHODS THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus having a three-dimensional grid data table holds a matrix coefficient which is a basis of the three-dimensional grid data table, and editing data for editing grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table. To set the three-dimensional grid data table, the grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table is calculated by performing a matrix operation using the matrix coefficient, and the calculated grid point data of the three-dimensional grid data table that is calculated based on the editing data is edited based on the editing data. Image data acquired by image capture is thus processed using the edited three-dimensional grid data table. | 09-04-2008 |
20080218595 | Digital camera - A digital camera includes an object detecting unit which analyzes an analysis target image including a through image data taken in from an image pickup device to compose a shot of an object, a shot image, or a reduced image, based on a feature appearing in an image representing a subject of shooting, and detects at least one main object captured in the analysis target image, a subject information extracting unit which extracts, for each image of object detected by the object detecting unit, subject information including a position in a screen corresponding to the analysis target image and its expansion, and a tag data writing unit which writes the subject information, as a part of tag data corresponding to the shot image, to a storage medium, thereby enabling use of the information acquired by object detection at the time of shooting, also after the acquisition of the image. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218596 | CAMERA APPARATUS, RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH CAMERA APPARATUS CONTROL PROGRAM IS RECORDED AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CAMERA APPARATUS - A through image with a trace frame is displayed. A subject on which a trace frame is superposed when a shutter key is half-depressed is determined as a target image. A trimming frame is additionally displayed. Whether the target image has moved within the through image or not is determined. When the target image has moved within the through image, the trace frame and the trimming frame are displayed so as to follow the target image. Then, whether the center vector of the trimming frame z four surrounding vectors is established or not is determined. When this determination results in YES, it is assumed that the target image is larger than the trimming frame and the trimming frame is enlarged by a predetermined amount. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218597 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a first detecting portion that detects each component by dividing a first wavelength region of image information into a plurality of wavelength regions; a second detecting portion that detects components in the first wavelength region with higher sensitivity than the components in the first wavelength region detected by the first detecting portion; and a signal processing unit including a high sensitization signal processing portion that acquires a signal indicating a measured amount on the basis of a unit signal corresponding to each wavelength detected in the first detecting portion and that executes a sensitivity correction operation on the unit signal corresponding to each wavelength detected in the first detecting portion by using the signal indicating the measured amount and a signal of the component in the first wavelength region, which has high sensitivity and is detected in the second detecting portion. | 09-11-2008 |
20080218598 | Imaging method, imaging apparatus, and driving device - A driving device includes a driving control unit that reads out the signal charge generated by at least the charge generating section for a low-sensitivity pixel signal to the charge transfer section, after the predetermined timing, continues incidence of the electromagnetic wave and, after continuing the incidence of the electromagnetic wave, reads out the signal charge generated by at least the charge generating section for a high-sensitivity pixel signal to the charge transfer section, transfers the signal charge read out to the charge transfer section through the charge transfer section, and, concerning at least one of the signal charges for the high-sensitivity pixel signal and the low-sensitivity pixel signal, every time the signal charge is read out to the charge transfer section, transfers the signal charge read out to the charge transfer section through the charge transfer section without retaining the signal charge in the charge transfer section. | 09-11-2008 |
20080225130 | Method for Extracting of Multiple Sub-Windows of a Scanning Area by Means of a Digital Video Camera - The present invention relates to the field of extracting a plurality of sub-windows of a scanning area of an external object to be scanned by means of a digital video camera providing a digital video stream of said scanning area. In a first step a defining of a size and a position for each of one or more sub-windows from said plurality of sub-windows representing one or more regions of interest within said scanning area is provided. Next a extracting of said defined one or more sub-windows from said digital video stream of said scanning area is provided, wherein said extracting is substantially simultaneously done if more than one sub-window from said plurality of sub-windows is defined follows. Further, a digital camera adapted for extracting of sub-windows of a scanning area is provided. | 09-18-2008 |
20080225131 | Image Analysis System and Image Analysis Method - An image analysis system includes a camera which captures an image of a monitor object, a mirror mounted at a predetermined angle within a visual field of the camera so as to form an image of the monitor object viewed from a direction different from a capturing direction of the camera, and a data processing apparatus which monitors a change in the monitor object by segmenting an image captured by the camera into an image on the mirror and an image except the image on the mirror and separately analyzing the image on the mirror and the image except the image on the mirror. An image analysis method is also disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080225132 | Image display system, image transmission apparatus, image transmission method, image display apparatus, image display method, and program - Camera sections pick up divided images obtained by dividing a panorama image to generate image data at a high resolution. Image data processing sections perform compression encoding on the image data at the high resolution through encoder to obtain first compressed image data. The image data processing sections perform size change to obtain image data at a low resolution and perform compression encoding on the image data through another encoder to obtain second compressed image data. A data transfer section transmits the first and second compressed image data through a network to an image display apparatus. | 09-18-2008 |
20080225133 | CMOS APS with stacked avalanche multiplication layer and low voltage readout electronics - An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components. | 09-18-2008 |
20080225134 | Updateable Endoscopic Video Imaging System With Unified Electro-Optic Cable - A control unit is detachably coupled to a camera and receptive of the imaging data with a plurality of data processing instructions being stored on the camera and/or the control unit such that when the camera is coupled to the control unit, the plurality of data processing instructions transfer the imaging data from the camera to the control unit. The data processing instructions being field upgradeable with a portable upgrading module which may couple directly to either the camera and/or the control unit. | 09-18-2008 |
20080231718 | Compensating for Undesirable Camera Shakes During Video Capture - An image processor in an image capture device compensates for the effects of undesirable camera shakes occurring during video capture The image processor receives a pair of source frames representing images of a scene, generates a pair of subsampled frames from the source frames, and computes a coarse displacement of the captured image due to camera shakes by comparing the two subsampled frames. The image processor may then refine the determined coarse displacement by comparing the two source frames and a bound determined by an extent of subsampling, and compensate for the displacement accordingly. Display aberrations such as blank spaces caused due to shifting are also avoided by displaying only a portion of the captured image and shifting the displayed portion to compensate for camera shake. The image processor also recognizes displacements due to intentional camera movement, and does not correct for such displacements. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231719 | Thermography camera configured for leak detection - A portable camera system ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080231720 | RANGE FINDER SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM HAVING SAME - A range finder system ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080231721 | Image capture systems and methods - Image capture systems and methods for use in a picture-taking device. The system comprises an image sensor and a processing unit. The image sensor captures at least one picture. The processing unit determines whether a specific behavior exists in the picture. If so, the processing unit drives the device to perform a photography process to take an image via the image sensor. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231722 | System And Method For Image Capture And Distribution - A system and method for capture, storage and display of a video image are disclosed. The system and method involve camera-based capture of images on an independent data storage medium for a first period of time. Thereafter, images are simultaneously captured on the independent data storage medium and a digital storage card associated with the camera for a second period of time. Images are then captured only on the independent data storage medium. The captured images are combined onto a single data storage medium and a program is provided to access and display such images in a desired sequence. High quality images of extended duration, e.g., twenty four hours, may thus be captured and displayed in a continuous, uninterrupted manner. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231723 | IMAGING BLOCK AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging block includes a prism, first and second imaging devices, an analog/digital convertor, a timing generator, and first, second, third circuit boards. The prism separates light incident through a lens into at least two colors and outputs the light. The first and second imaging devices are each generates a video signal by photoelectrically converting the light. The analog/digital converter converts the video signal output from each of the devices into a digital signal. The timing generator generates a video-signal processing clock for driving the first imaging device, the second imaging device, and the analog/digital converter. The first imaging device is mounted on the first circuit board. The analog/digital converter and the timing generator are mounted on the second circuit board. The second imaging device is mounted on third circuit board and connected to both the first circuit board and the second circuit board through a cable. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231724 | Quick image capture system - A quick image capture system for a notebook computer able to capture the images while the notebook computer does not launch an operation system is described. The quick image capture system includes a hot key, a read-only memory, a central processing unit, a chip set, a random-access memory, a video module and a camera module. The read-only memory stores a driving software. When the hot key is triggered, the central processing unit reads the driving software from the read-only memory and executes the driving software so as to enable the video module, display and the camera module by the chip set. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231725 | Image capturing apparatus and dark current component cancel processing method - An image capturing apparatus having a shutter for making an image capturing element enter a light-shielded state or a light-unshielded state comprises an image capturing condition storing unit for storing a plurality of image capturing conditions, a dark-time image data storing unit for storing a plurality of pieces of dark-time image data captured with the image capturing element under the image capturing conditions in the light-shielded state, a bright-time image data storing unit for storing bright-time image data captured with the image capturing element in the light-unshielded state, a dark-time image data extracting unit for extracting a dark-time image captured under an image capturing condition corresponding to an image capturing condition under which the bright-time image is captured, and a correcting unit for correcting the bright-time image data based on the dark-time image data extracted by the dark-time image data extracting unit. | 09-25-2008 |
20080239085 | Apparatus that Supports Electronic Viewfinding - An apparatus with camera function supports electronic viewfinding. An image sensor ( | 10-02-2008 |
20080239086 | DIGITAL CAMERA, DIGITAL CAMERA CONTROL PROCESS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM - A digital camera that includes an imaging component, a display component, a characteristic information extraction component, an assistance image determination component and a control component. The imaging component images a subject and outputs image information representing the subject. The display component implements display on the basis of the image information outputted from the imaging component. The characteristic information extraction component extracts characteristic information representing a pre-specified characteristic from the image information. The assistance image determination component determines an assistance image, for assisting a determination of composition when the subject is to be photographed, on the basis of a result of extraction by the characteristic information extraction component. The control component controls the display component such that the assistance image determined by the assistance image determination component is displayed superimposed with the subject that is being displayed by the display component. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239087 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - An image processing system includes an illumination unit and an illumination control unit configured to adjust light emitted from the illumination unit so as to illuminate a limited area in a space, the system generates a timing signal for controlling emission/non-emission of light from the illumination unit, captures a first image of an imaging area including the limited area or part of the limited area based on the timing signal, the first image being taken from a position different from the illumination unit when the illumination unit emits light, captures a second image of the imaging area based on the timing signal, the second image being taken from the position when the illumination unit emits no light, and acquires a third image which is a difference image between the first image and the second image. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239088 | EXTENDED DEPTH OF FIELD FORMING DEVICE - An extended depth of field forming device having: an image pickup element which has a plurality of pixels and performs photoelectric conversion of an optical image and generates image signals based on the optical image; an image pickup optical system which creates an optical image of a subject; and an image calculation section which calculates image signals generated by said image pickup element for generating an extended depth of field, wherein each pixel of the image pickup element performs photoelectric conversion of light including a plurality of wavelength regions, independently at each layer of the image pickup element located in different depth and the image pickup optical system forms a plurality of images at different positions on the optical axis and the image calculation section creates color information of the optical image of the subject for each pixel. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239089 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - An image pickup method of picking up images at a frame rate changeably set out of a plurality of frame rates is provided. The method includes the steps of: setting a vertical synchronization cycle in accordance with a set frame rate and adding an image pickup signal that does not include a valid image pickup region in accordance with the set vertical synchronization cycle while keeping a horizontal synchronization cycle of each image pickup signal constant, when obtaining an image pickup signal from an image sensor; and correcting a time axis of an obtained image pickup signal that includes a valid image pickup region, correspondingly to the set frame rate and deleting an obtained image pickup signal that does not include the valid image pickup region. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239090 | PICTURE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A first filter generates a first smooth picture by smoothing an input picture. A second filter generates a second smooth picture by smoothing the input picture. The second filter has a characteristic different from the first filter. A contrast component picture calculation unit generates a contrast component picture by dividing each pixel value of the input picture with the pixel value of the first smooth picture. A picture composition unit generates a composed picture by composing the second smooth picture with the contrast component picture. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239091 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD - A digital still camera includes a lens system. A cold mirror separates object light incident on the lens system into a visible light component and an infrared component. A visible light image sensor outputs a first image signal of a visible light image by receiving the visible light component. An infrared light image sensor outputs a second image signal of an infrared image by receiving the infrared component. A contour signal generator extracts a high frequency component from a luminance signal determined according to the second image signal, to produce an edge enhancement signal. An adder adds the edge enhancement signal to a luminance signal determined according to the first image signal. Addition of the edge enhancement signal is adapted to the object light from an object at a far distance. Specifically, the cold mirror reflects the visible light component and transmits the infrared component. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239092 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program - The present invention provides an image processing apparatus that includes a sightline detection unit that detects the line of sight of a subject directed toward an imaging device in a captured image captured by the imaging device and containing at least one subject and a sightline indicating unit that clearly indicates, in correspondence to each subject, whether or not the line of sight of the subject directed toward the imaging device has been detected based upon sightline detection results provided by the sightline detection unit. | 10-02-2008 |
20080239093 | Digital Camera Device Providing Improved Methodology for Rapidly Taking Successive Pictures - An in-camera two-stage compression implementation is described that reduces the latency between snapshots to a fraction of that otherwise required by other systems that either process complete compression following each snapshot or that incorporate heavy, bulky, and expensive RAM hardware capable of maintaining several raw luminosity records (unprocessed file containing a digital image). In the 1st stage compression the raw luminosity record is quickly, yet partially, compressed to available RAM buffer space to allow a user to expeditiously capture a succeeding image. When the higher-priority processes, the user shooting pictures, and stage one compression subside, a 2nd stage compression, which is slower but more effective, decompresses the earlier partially-compressed images, and re-compresses them for saving in flash memory until they are distributed to a remote platform to be finally converted to the JPEG2000 format. | 10-02-2008 |
20080246850 | Multimedia Device Integration System - A multimedia device integration system is provided. One or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media device, satellite receiver, DAB receiver, video device, digital camera, cellular telephone, portable navigation device, or any other device or combinations thereof, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system and data from the after-market device can be displayed on the car stereo or video system. Instructions generated at the car stereo or video system are received, processed, converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execution. Information from the after-market device is converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system, and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display thereon. The integration subsystem could be provided as an integrated circuit that can be installed in a car audiovisual system or a portable audiovisual device. A wireless or inductive battery charging circuit could be provided for wirelessly or inductively charging a battery of a portable after-market device. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246851 | Video data display system and method for mobile terminal - A video data display system and method for a mobile terminal that enable capturing video data of a predetermined length and displaying the captured video data in multiple windows on a single display screen. The video data may be presented as a slide show. The video data display method includes capturing an object video data of an audiovisual data stream displayed on a screen; dividing the object video data into a predetermined number of pictures; and displaying the pictures in different windows of the screen. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246852 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - An easy-to-carry image pickup device is provided to obtain images with multiple view angles in which a target subject is positioned in an appropriate size. When capturing an image of a person as a target subject, the size and position of the person's face in the image are detected as a specified part, and a zoom magnification ratio for a lens unit and a shift amount of the incident light position for a light-axis shifting unit are automatically controlled based on the detected size and position of the person's face, so that the person's face has a predetermined size and is positioned in a predetermined position in the image. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246853 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of pixels that are provided on a semiconductor substrate, and that include a plurality of photoelectric-conversion units and metal oxide semiconductor transistors that selectively read signals from the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units, an organic-photoelectric-conversion film disposed on the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units, and an organic-color-filter layer disposed on the plurality of photoelectric-conversion units. Only a signal corresponding to a first color is extracted through the organic-photoelectric-conversion film. Signals corresponding to a plurality of colors not including the first color are extracted by absorption spectroscopy using the organic-color-filter layer. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246854 | DIGITAL CAMERA RECORDING A COMPOSITE IMAGE - A digital camera capable of recording a subject image so that the subject image can be drawn as it is combined with a selected default image and so that the subject image can be drawn separately from the selected default image. The digital camera includes an image processor which creates subject image data based on output of an image sensor and a default image setting unit which stores subject image data in a removable memory together with information for associating background data with the subject image data, whereby the subject image data, rather than the data provided by combining the subject image data and the background data, is stored in the removable memory and the subject image data and the background data are associated with each other. | 10-09-2008 |
20080246855 | Image processing device, electronic camera, and image processing program - An image processing device of the present invention includes a color-gamut determining part, a color-space determining part, and a color-space conversion part. The color-gamut determining part determines a color gamut as a range of color distribution from input image data. The color-space determining part determines a color space substantially covering the color gamut determined by the color-gamut determining part. The color-space conversion part converts the input image data into such image data that is rendered in the determined color space. The colors of the subject can thus be reproduced accurately from the converted image data. | 10-09-2008 |
20080252737 | Method and Apparatus for Providing an Interactive Control System - An apparatus includes an imaging device that captures a plurality of positional signals emitted from an interactive control device, which is moveable in a three-dimensional control space in the field of view of the imaging device, to form a two-dimensional image having one or more control points. Further, the apparatus includes a display that has a display control area in which a positional signal object and one or more control objects are displayed for interaction with the interactive control device. In addition, the apparatus includes a processor that that generates a positional signal object based on the one or more control points and maps the one or more control objects and the positional signal object to a data structure so that an interaction between the one or more control objects and the positional signal object is spatially-synchronized. The positional signal object and the one or more control objects are rendered in the display control area. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252738 | Imaging Device - An imaging device has an image sensor, and a color filter. The color filter is located on the image sensor and has at least four color elements that respectively have different spectral transmission properties. Further, the imaging device has a matrix-selection processor and a color conversion processor. The matrix-selection processor detects the spectral distribution properties of an object that are present in the series of color signals. Then, the matrix-selection processor selects one color matrix appropriate for the detected spectral distribution property from a plurality of color matrices according to the particular spectral distribution properties of a given object. The color-conversion processor generates R, G, and B primary color signals from the series of color signals by a color-conversion process using the selected color matrix. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252739 | Digital camera - The invention relates to a digital camera and the methods for using a digital camera. The digital camera includes a programmable processor that provides for flexible operation of the digital camera. The programmable processor also provides the digital camera manufacturer the capability of economically configuring the digital camera as desired. The programmable processor also provides the digital camera user with on demand specialized imaging modes such as the capture mode and the cineview mode. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252740 | Image Pickup Device and Encoded Data Transferring Method - A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The image signal processor according to an embodiment of the present invention has an encoding unit and a data output unit, which temporarily stores image data encoded by the encoding unit and delivers the stored encoded image data to a receiving part. Here, the data output unit uses valid data only among the encoded image data to output an accumulated valid data column in units of a predetermine line size. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252741 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging method is provided. The method includes the steps of: amplifying an imaging signal obtained from an image sensor for converting imaging light into an imaging signal; carrying out nonlinear processing on the amplified signal; adding a predetermined plurality of frames of the imaging signal subjected to the nonlinear processing per frame; and carrying out the variable setting of amplification gain of each frame on the basis of a signal accumulation period of each frame in the plurality of frames subjected to the addition. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252742 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including, a pixel array unit, first driving means, second driving means, and third driving means. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252743 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus has a pixel array including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in column and row directions, a first output unit configured to be driven by a first driving signal and to output first signals fed from at least some of the photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel array, and a second output unit configured to be driven by a second driving signal and to output second signals fed from at least some of the photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel array. The first driving signal and the second driving signal are asynchronous. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252744 | AUTO-FOCUS APPARATUS, IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS, AND AUTO-FOCUS METHOD - Disclosed is an auto-focus apparatus utilized for an image pickup apparatus having a focus ring. The auto-focus apparatus includes an evaluation value calculator periodically calculating a plurality of evaluation values for a plurality of areas of a subject image based on high frequency components of image signals of the plurality of areas of the subject image; and a control unit, after detecting that the focus ring has been stopped, performing image processing on an area of the subject image where fluctuations of the evaluation values obtained just before the focus ring has been stopped exhibit a predetermined history, based on an evaluation value obtained in the area of the subject image exhibiting the predetermined history, and outputting instruction signals for moving a focus lens base on a peak of the evaluation values obtained by the image processing. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252745 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING BLINKING STATE OF EYE - A state-of-eye distinguishing means calculates a feature value that represents a state of an eye, for an eye-area based on pixel data of pixels that constitute the eye-area. A threshold value setting means calculates a first threshold value representing a feature value at a first transition point from an open state to a closed state and a second threshold value representing a feature value at a second transition point from the closed state to the open state, based on a feature value calculated for a targeted eye when the targeted eye is open. A blinking state detection means detects the blinking state of the eye corresponding to the eye-area, by sequentially comparing feature values which are sequentially calculated for a series of frame images by the state-of-eye distinguishing means with one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252746 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A HYBRID WIDE AREA TRACKING SYSTEM - An image producing system including at least one scene camera viewing a first image within a defined space, a processor connected to the at least one scene camera, a wide area tracking sensor positioned proximate the defined space, but positioned outside a view of the scene camera, said wide area tracking sensor, coupled to the scene camera, oriented to view at least a portion of the identifying indicia, and a high precision local angular sensor, coupled to the scene camera. | 10-16-2008 |
20080252747 | VLIW IMAGE PROCESSOR - A microcontroller for an image sensing and processing apparatus is provided. The microcontroller has VLIW processor circuitry, image sensor interface circuitry connected between the VLIW processor circuitry and the image sensor, bus interface circuitry connected between the VLIW processor circuitry and a bus connectable with devices other than the image sensor, and buffer memory and queuing circuitry intermediate the image sensor and bus interface circuitry and the VLIW processor to control delivery of information to the VLIW processor. | 10-16-2008 |
20080259175 | Imaging Device - It is possible to correct camera shaking even in an imaging device such as a camera-equipped mobile telephone having no sufficient ability for rapidly acquiring a plurality of images and a limited memory capacity. There is suggested an imaging device capable of correcting camera shaking by utilizing a small image such as a preview image and a target image to be obtained when a user of the imaging device clicks a shutter. The preview image has an appropriate exposure but has a high possibility that camera shaking has occurred. The target image is captured by insufficient exposure because of rapid shutter speed but the camera shaking is reduced. The image information on the target image is corrected by the image information on the preview image so as to obtain an image of reduced camera shaking and appropriate exposure. | 10-23-2008 |
20080259176 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - The present invention, which transforms multiple images so that positions of corresponding points will coincide between the images and composites the images with the corresponding points matched, provides an image pickup apparatus, image processing apparatus, image pickup method, and image processing method which make it possible to obtain an intended all-in-focus image or blur-emphasized image even if there is camera shake or subject movement. | 10-23-2008 |
20080259177 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including, a pixel array unit, driving means, signal processing means, level determining means and control means. | 10-23-2008 |
20080259178 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including, a pixel array unit, driving means, and analog-to-digital conversion means. | 10-23-2008 |
20080259179 | Automatic Multiscale Image Acquisition from a Steerable Camera - A system for automatically acquiring high-resolution images by steering a pan-tilt-zoom camera at targets detected in a fixed camera view is provided. The system uses automatic or manual calibration between multiple cameras. Using automatic calibration, the homography between the cameras in a home position is estimated together with the effects of pan and tilt controls and the expected height of a person in the image. These calibrations are chained together to steer a slave camera. The manual calibration scheme steers a camera to the desired region of interest and calculates the pan, tile and zoom parameters accordingly. | 10-23-2008 |
20080266409 | Device for Contactlessly Controlling the Surface Profile of Objects - The invention relates to devices for contactlessly measuring surface profiles and can be used for person identification in security systems. The inventive device for contactlessly controlling surface profile comprises a pulse illumination unit which is provided with a transparency and forms the transparency image on an object surface, an image recording unit and a computer. Said device also comprises a control unit which is connected to the image recording unit in the form of a TV camera with field interlacing, the pulse illumination unit and to the computer for synchronising the illumination of the object surface by said pulse illumination unit with the TV camera field and for synchronising the image processing by the computer with the TV interlacing. The transparency is embodied in the form of a line screen provided with an aperiodical different width band structure and an uniform transmission along each band, thereby making it possible to identify the sequence of the line screen images on the object surface. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266410 | Imaging Apparatus, Integrated Circuit for Image Pickup Device and Image Data Processing Method - The present invention is applied to imaging apparatuses including video cameras for recording moving pictures, electronic still cameras, monitoring devices and such. An image pickup means | 10-30-2008 |
20080266411 | MULTIPLE RESOLUTION CAPTURE IN REAL TIME COMMUNICATIONS - During remote communication session, there can be situations where information needs to be sent at a high resolution. Sending information at a high resolution allows for the capture of detail that can be lost without the use of a high resolution. A web camera can obtain information in both a higher resolution and standard resolution. A sending component can send this information encoded with markers that allow a receiving component to process and display the information. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266412 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS THAT EASILY CHANGES SETUP INFORMATION AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A photographing apparatus to easily change setup information and a method of controlling the same. The photographing apparatus displays setup information applied to the photographed image as well as a photographed image on an LCD. As a result, a user can change setup information easily, and confirm quickly an image according to the changed set values. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266413 | TECHNIQUES FOR ADJUSTING THE EFFECT OF APPLYING KERNALS TO SIGNALS TO ACHIEVE DESIRED EFFECT ON SIGNAL - A method and apparatus for adjusting the effect of applying a kernel to a signal is provided. The adjustment may be based on the magnitude of an effect that a kernel matrix is intended to have on the signal matrix. The adjustments can be based on factors including, but not limited to, a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal data, properties of a device (e.g., lens) used to capture the signal data, or a metric that is derived based on an analysis of the signal data. Processing image data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is aimed at regaining lost contrast that may be due to properties of optics that are used to capture the image data. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266414 | COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND MOBILE TERMINAL USING THE SAME - A composite photographing method and mobile terminal using the same are disclosed. The composite photographing method includes receiving a composite shooting request, demarcating a target scene into individual shooting areas on the basis of a touch event signal from a touch screen;, and photographing the individual shooting areas to produce a single composite photograph. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266415 | Image Pickup Device and Encoded Data Outputting Method - A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The method of processing an image signal in accordance with the present invention extracts valid data only from image data encoded and sequentially inputted by an encoding unit, and sequentially outputs the valid data to a receiving part, and, in case the valid data finish outputting before coming to an end of a predetermined duration, outputs dummy data to the receiving part for a remaining time of the predetermined duration. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266416 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A measurement line segment projection unit ( | 10-30-2008 |
20080278592 | Imaging Device - An imaging device has color signal generating means ( | 11-13-2008 |
20080278593 | Camera Apparatus - It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera apparatus that can keep the aperture within an appropriate range, and keep, within a designated range, the luminance of images to be taken over a long period of time. The camera apparatus comprises image providing means | 11-13-2008 |
20080278594 | Photographing Apparatus - A photographing apparatus comprises an operation unit and a controller. The operation unit has a direct key and an operation key. The operation key is used for setting a function regarding at least one of an image processing operation of an image data obtained by a photographing operation and a storing operation of the image data and is operated more than once for setting the function. The direct key is used for setting the function and is operated only once for setting the function. The controller sets the function corresponding to an operation of the operation key and that sets the function corresponding to one operation of the direct key. When the direct key is operated once, the function is set regardless of a prior function state set by operating the operation key. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278595 | Video Data Capture and Streaming - Embodiments of the video data capture and stream method comprise intercepting a flip function call comprising a call by the video application to flip frames between a display and a buffer, grabbing a copy of the current frame that would normally be processed by a central processing unit (CPU), placing the copy in a queue for processing by a graphics processing unit (GPU), wherein processing by the GPU is significantly faster than processing by the CPU. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278596 | IMAGE SENSOR AND COLOR IMAGING APPARATUS - An image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element group, and color filters of at least two colors arranged on respective photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion element group. The color filters are arranged on the respective photoelectric conversion elements such that a spatial frequency component of array of color filters of each color includes a reduced amount of component in a low-frequency region and a band component in a high-frequency region. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278597 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes the following units. An image pickup unit captures an image and outputs an analog image signal. A conversion unit converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal. A synchronization signal generation unit generates a synchronization signal to be supplied to the image pickup unit and the conversion unit, and supplies the synchronization signal to the image pickup unit. An adjustment unit adjusts the timing at which the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generation unit is supplied to the conversion unit, and supplies the synchronization signal to the conversion unit. The adjustment unit is disposed in a position such that the adjustment unit is affected by the self-heating of the image pickup unit. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278598 | Devices, Systems, and Methods Regarding Camera Imaging - Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method that can comprise automatically rendering an image. The image can be transferred to a memory from a digital camera via a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. The FPGA device can be adapted to transfer image information from the digital camera to a memory. | 11-13-2008 |
20080278599 | Undeveloped Image Data Developing Apparatus, Method for Developing Undeveloped Image Data, and Computer Program for Developing Undeveloped Image Data - The invention provides a development processing apparatus that performs development processing on the basis of an image file that contains undeveloped image data created by a digital camera and accompanying image data that accompanies the undeveloped image data. The accompanying image data is image data that has been subjected to development. The development processing apparatus includes an actual development processing section that creates actually developed image data conforming to a predetermined format from the undeveloped image data. A first analysis-purpose image generating section is provided that creates a first analysis-purpose image data having a predetermined resolution by performing development processing on the undeveloped image data. A second analysis-purpose image generating section is provided that creates a second analysis-purpose image data having a predetermined resolution from the accompanying image data. | 11-13-2008 |
20080284864 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - In position and orientation measurement based on natural features, erroneous detection of the natural features is prevented when an observation target object is occluded by another object, and registration stability is improved. To this end, an occluding object that can occlude the observation target object is defined, and an occluding region where the occluding object occludes the observation target object is detected in an input captured image. Image features of the observation target object are detected in a region of the captured image other than the detected occluding region. Therefore, the position or orientation of an image pickup apparatus that captured the captured image, or the position or orientation of the observation target object in the captured image are calculated. | 11-20-2008 |
20080284865 | Image Signal Processor and Method for Outputting Deferred Vertical Synchronous Signal - A method of transferring a deferred vertical synchronous signal and an image signal processor executing the method thereof are disclosed. Once the vertical synchronous signal for an m | 11-20-2008 |
20080284866 | Imaging device, method of processing captured image signal and computer program - A constant amount of new portion of image data as still images is always stored on a memory in an image taking operation. In response to a shutter release operation, the image data stored on the memory is recorded onto a recording medium. A next new portion of the image data generated subsequent to the shutter release operation is then recorded on the recording medium. A predetermined pixel count, smaller than a standard pixel count set in the image data subsequent to the shutter release operation, is set in the image data prior to the shutter release operation. Process time for multi-shot operation is shortened in order to prevent photo opportunity missing. The pixel count in the image data subsequent to the shutter release operation remains unchanged so that the image data of high image quality is acquired. | 11-20-2008 |
20080284867 | Image pickup apparatus with a human face detecting function, method and program product for detecting a human face - A digital camera has a human face dictionary set | 11-20-2008 |
20080284868 | IMAGING ELEMENT - Imaging elements are provided. An imaging element has a wireless communication circuit adapted to detect a wireless communication signal and to generate a control signal; an illumination circuit having an illumination element, the illumination circuit being adapted so that the illumination element generates light at an intensity that is based upon the control signal and a body containing the wireless communication circuit and the light source, wherein the body occupies a space that is less than about five cubic millimeters. The imaging element can also incorporate radiation sensors and can provide wireless signals indicative of sampled radiation. | 11-20-2008 |
20080284869 | Image processing apparatus, image processing program, electronic camera, and image processing method for image analysis of magnification chromatic aberration - An image processing apparatus includes an image obtaining unit, a color shift detecting unit, a controlling unit, and a correction amount calculating unit. The image obtaining unit obtains image data. The color shift detecting unit detects color shifts of this image data. The controlling unit determines fitting reliability of the color shift detection result and selects a magnification chromatic aberration model suitable for color shift fitting according to the reliability. The correction amount calculating unit fits the magnification chromatic aberration model selected by the controlling unit to the color shift detection result and obtains correction amounts of the magnification chromatic aberration for the image data. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291286 | Picture Taking Device and Picture Restoration Method - In a digital still camera, the amount of blur when a picture is taken is calculated from a first picture captured with a high-speed electronic shutter and a second picture captured with a normal shutter speed ( | 11-27-2008 |
20080291287 | Dynamic Range Compensation by Filter Cascade - A local method uses a cascade of multiple nonlinear edge preserving filters, and nonlinear pixel point operations, to calculate the pixel gain. Multiple low-pass filters are used, being applied to surrounding neighborhoods of the current pixel of narrow and of wide extent. The number of filter stages may be determined based on the image content. The coefficients used to combine a gray level image extracted from the input image with the ascending scale regions can be automatically extracted from high-pass filtered images of the ascending scale regions. Multiplying each color component of the input image by one or more pixel dependent gain or attenuation factors, using a nonlinear mapping function that can lighten shadow regions as well as darken bright regions, generates the output image. | 11-27-2008 |
20080291288 | Technique of Motion Estimation When Acquiring An Image of A Scene That May Be Illuminated With A Time Varying Luminance - In a digital camera or other image acquisition device, motion vectors between successive image frames of an object scene are calculated from normalized values of pixel luminance in order to reduce or eliminate any effects on the motion calculation that might occur when the object scene is illuminated from a time varying source such as a fluorescent lamp. Calculated motion vectors are checked for accuracy by a robustness matrix. | 11-27-2008 |
20080291289 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image pickup device includes: an image pickup unit which picks up a subject at first and second exposure times; a high dynamic range (HDR) image data generating unit which generates first HDR image data configured by pixel data of which pixel values are expressed by a floating-point form in which a mantissa part has N bits (N is a natural number of 2 or more), a cardinal number is X (X is a natural number of 2 or more) and an exponential part of the cardinal number has M bits (M is a natural number of 2 or more), on the basis of first image data obtained by picking up the subject at the first exposure time and second image data obtained by picking up the subject at the second exposure time; an image processing unit which performs a predetermined image process including a floating-point arithmetic operation process, with respect to the first HDR image data generated by the HDR image data generating unit; and a HDR image data converting unit which converts the first HDR image data after the image process into second HDR image data configured by pixel data of which the pixel values are expressed by a floating-point form in which the mantissa part has n bits (n is a natural number of N>n) and the exponential part of the cardinal number has m bits (m is a natural number of M>m). | 11-27-2008 |
20080291290 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An imaging apparatus is provided having: a pixel unit including an effective pixel region of multiple pixels accumulating charges generated according to incident light to output signals and an ineffective pixel region of multiple pixels outputting signals not dependent on incident light; a plurality of vertical signal lines provided for each column of pixels of pixel unit; a vertical scanning circuit that scans and selects pixels of pixel unit in row units to output signals of selected pixels of same row to plurality of vertical signal lines; and a horizontal scanning circuit that scans and selects signals of plurality of vertical signal lines to output signals of selected vertical signal lines; wherein the vertical scanning circuit selects pixels of same row of effective pixel region in row units once during one frame and selects pixels of same row of ineffective pixel region in row units multiple times during one frame. | 11-27-2008 |
20080297614 | Optical Apparatus for Virtual Interface Projection and Sensing - Optical and mechanical apparatus and methods for improved virtual interface projection and detection, by combining this function with still or video imaging functions. The apparatus comprises optics for imaging multiple imaged fields onto a single electronic imaging sensor. One of these imaged fields can be an infra red data entry sensing functionality, and the other can be any one or more of still picture imaging, video imaging or close-up photography. The apparatus is sufficiently compact to be installable within a cellular telephone or personal digital assistant. Opto-mechanical arrangements are provided for capturing these different fields of view from different directions. Methods and apparatus are provided for efficient projection of image templates using diffractive optical elements. Methods and apparatus are provided for using diffractive optical elements to provide efficient scanning methods, in one or two dimensions. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297615 | Imaging Device and Method for Reading Signals From Such Device - Each pixel cell ( | 12-04-2008 |
20080297616 | IMAGE READING DEVICE AND IMAGE READING METHOD - In an image reading device, a sampling-and-holding circuit generates a plurality of analog image signals by sampling an image signal at each sampling-and-holding timing and holding sampled image signals for a predetermined amount of time, an analog-to-digital converting unit converts the analog image signals into a plurality of digital image signals at each sampling-and-holding timing, a phase regulating unit performs phase regulation of each sampling-and-holding timing based on corresponding digital image signals to obtain phase-regulated sampling-and-holding timing. The sampling-and-holding circuit generates the analog image signal at each phase-regulated sampling-and-holding timing. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297617 | TERMINAL AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD THEREOF - A terminal with an image capture function and an image capturing method thereof are provided that can display a capture guide on a preview screen and optimize the arrangement of persons in a photographic image. The image capturing method of a terminal includes recognizing a face in an image displayed on a preview screen in a capture mode, overlaying a capture guide on the preview screen according to the recognized face, and capturing the image when the image is arranged to substantially correspond to the capture guide. The terminal and the image capturing method can capture an image to overlay a capture guide according to a recognized face on a preview screen. Also, the terminal and the image capturing method can capture an image to select a capture guide and overlay the particular capture guide on the preview screen during the capture mode. Furthermore, the terminal and the image capturing method can edit saved images according to a capture guide. Therefore, an image can be optimized where persons are properly arranged and convenience of the terminal is improved. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297618 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - The digital camera according to an embodiment executes image sensing processing first, if interruption processing occurs during transfer parameter setting processing. Thus, the user does not miss a photo opportunity. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297619 | MODULAR DIGITAL CAMERA - Provided is a pen-shaped modular camera assembly having a plurality of modules each with at least one connector to link the modules together. The assembly includes a camera module having an image sensor for capturing an image in an RGB (red, green, blue) color space. Also included is a central processing module arranged in communication with the camera module, the central processing module having a central processing unit with program memory for storing program steps for execution by the central processing unit to operate the camera module, along with image storage memory for storing the captured image. The assembly also includes an image processing module arranged in communication with the image storage memory, the image processing module configured to dynamically convert the stored image from a L*a*b* color space to a CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) color space. Also included is a battery module configured so that electrical energy is supplied to the respective modules via the at least one connector. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303912 | Method, Apparatus, Software and Arrangement for Modifying Image Data - This invention relates to programmable modification of image data of a small compact digital camera. In the method according to the embodiments of the invention sensor data is processed before transferring it to an image processing component. The sensor data is read out from a camera sensor several times during one total exposure time and a data entity representing the final picture is integrated from the sensor data read out during an individual exposure time. The sensor data and/or the data entity are analyzed before the data entity is transferrable to the image processing component. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303913 | Imaging Camera Processing Unit and Method - To allow much better user control of how a camera output image captures an original scene, the imaging camera unit ( | 12-11-2008 |
20080303914 | IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY ARCHITECTURE FOR IMPROVED RESOLUTION SWITCHING - An image sensor array is provided with: a first CCD image sensor configured to output a plurality of first signal voltages from a first output terminal; a second CCD image sensor configured to output a plurality of second signal voltages from a second output terminal; a switch circuit selectively connecting one of the first and second output terminals to a signal voltage output terminal; and a timing generator circuit responsive to a basic clock for generating first and second control signals and switch control signals. The first and second control signals are used for controlling generation of the plurality of first and second signal voltages, respectively. The switch control signals are used for controlling the switch circuit. The timing generator circuit controls the first and second CCD image sensors so that the first and second CCD image sensors output the plurality of first signal voltages and the plurality of second signal voltages, alternately. The timing generator circuit controls the switch circuit so that switch circuit outputs from the signal voltage output terminal one of the plurality of first signal voltages and one of the plurality of second signal voltages, alternately. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303915 | Face image capture apparatus - A face image capture apparatus for a vehicle repeatedly performs an output of a difference image to an image ECU. When the number of times of outputs reaches a predetermined number of times, a bright face image from which an influence of disturbance light is not removed is outputted to the image ECU. Thereby, the image ECU can determine an environment (daytime, nighttime, etc.) outside the vehicle based on the bright face image outputted in addition to the difference image. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303916 | Image-capturing device - An image-capturing device including an image-capturing element, a data extraction device, a recording device, a reproduction device, and a display control device is provided. The image-capturing element captures an image of a photographic subject and outputs image data. The data extraction device extracts data corresponding to a region designated in advance within the image data outputted from the image-capturing element. The recording device records the extracted data and the image data into a recording medium individually. The reproduction device reads out the extracted data from the recording medium. The display control device outputs an image signal to a display device, so as to display an image according to the extracted data read out by the reproduction device. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303917 | Digital processing cell - A method and apparatus of digital image processing that provides pixel based image correction. The method and apparatus provide a digital processing cell that includes first and second processing modules. Each processing module includes a gate array. The gate array includes a digital video processing module and a switch portion configured to couple the digital video processing module to at least one of primary and secondary video buses and to couple the digital video processing module to at least one of primary and secondary neighborhood buses. An image processing system includes a plurality of such digital processing cells and an image sensor that outputs image data. The digital processing cells process the output image data. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309777 | Method, apparatus and program for image processing - An analyzing means first calculates the blur direction and blur level of a digital photograph image based on edge widths and histograms of the edge widths obtained in each direction, and discriminates whether the image is a blurred image or a normal image. Then, it further calculates the camera shake level and blur width for the image discriminated to be a blurred image. A parameter setting means sets a one-dimensional correction mask and a two-dimensional correction mask based on the blur width. It also sets a correction level based on the blur level. It further makes an adjustment to the ratio between the one-dimensional and two-dimensional correction masks based on the camera shake level. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309778 | Shutter time compensation - A hybrid imaging device is configured to capture low resolution video and high resolution still images. The imaging device is configured to apply motion information obtained from the low resolution video to a reference high resolution still image to generate a missing moment of interest high resolution still image. The low-resolution video is captured at a high frame rate in conjunction with a few high-resolution still pictures taken at periodic intervals. A user locates a desired scene of interest, e.g. a moment of interest, from the captured video, and a post-processing technique is used to generate the high resolution still picture corresponding to the selected moment of interest. The high resolution still image is generated using texture information from one or more nearby captured high resolution still images and motion information from the low-resolution video frame corresponding to the selected moment of interest. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309779 | FOCUSING METHOD, SUITABLE FOR AN IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS USING IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF LOW BRIGHTNESS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A focusing method, suitable for an image capturing apparatus using in an environment of low brightness, is provided herein. The focusing method includes that an image sensing unit in the image capturing apparatus is wholly or partially divided into a plurality of regions, and digital image data sensed by the image sensing unit is divided into a plurality of sets corresponding to the regions of the image sensing unit. The regional image data corresponding to each of the regions are summed up during the focusing step, so as to obtain a sum of data for each region. Each sum of data is used to calculate a corresponding contrast value, and the contrast value is used to perform calculations for the focusing step, so as to obtain a focus. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309780 | Imaging Device - For a first region being a portion of a storage section ( | 12-18-2008 |
20080309781 | Method and Device for Outputting Pixel Data With Appended Data - A method and an apparatus for outputting pixel data with appended data are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor, which outputs raw data corresponding to an external image, a memory, which stores the raw data inputted from the image sensor; an output control unit, which adds appended data to the raw data stored in the memory and outputs the added raw data, and an image signal processor, which performs image processing corresponding to at least one of filtering and interpolation of the raw data or the raw data to which the appended data are added. With the present invention, a loss of image data to be displayed can be prevented. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309782 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECORDING METHOD - An aspect of the present invention provides an image recording apparatus comprising: an image recording device which records an extended image file storing a plurality of pieces of image data and a basic file storing at least one piece of image data selected from the pieces of image data stored in the extended image file, the extended image file and the basic file being associated with each other; a determination device which determines whether or not the basic file has been deleted or modified; and a basic file recovery device which recovers the basic file from the extended image file if it is determined that the basic file has been deleted or modified. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309783 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing device includes an image receiving section that receives two medical images, which are imaged at different imaging times, of a same examination object; a time difference acquiring section that acquires a difference between the imaging times of the two images; a global matching section and a local matching section that execute a matching process for the two medical images upon setting of a parameter value. The matching process causes the two images to match each other by moving and deforming one of the two images. The amount of the movement or the deformation necessary for matching is in an application range that is dependant on the parameter value. Also provided is a parameter setting section that sets a value corresponding to the difference between the imaging times acquired in the time difference acquiring section to the processing section as the parameter value. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309784 | Camera System And Mechanical Apparatus - A camera system includes a camera unit for obtaining an image of a periphery of a rotating body that is capable of performing a rotating motion, and an image processing device for generating a display image based on a camera image obtained by the camera unit, so that the display image is delivered to a display device. The image processing device generates the display image in such a manner that a specific image area corresponding to an outer periphery position in a movable range of the rotating body when the rotating body rotates can be recognized visually on a display screen of the display device. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309785 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS - A photographing apparatus is disclosed. The photographing apparatus includes: an imaging unit to photograph a subject to acquire image data; an object detection unit to detect a predetermined object from the image data; and a detection condition setting unit to allow a user to arbitrarily set a detection condition for the object detection unit. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309786 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - Digital camera audio/visual capture includes bandpass and notch filtering for the audio input during camera lens motor operation; the filtering may be active during capture or the audio segments may be marked for later noise suppression processing. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309787 | PHASE ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND DIGITAL CAMERA - In a phase adjustment device according to the present invention, a first luminance level detector detects a luminance level of a digital imaging signal in a first pixel region, a second luminance level detector detects a luminance level of the digital imaging signal in a second pixel region, a data comparator compares detection results by the first and second luminance level detectors, an adjustment judger judges if it is necessary to adjust a phase of a pulse based on a result of the comparison by the data comparator, a timing adjuster shifts the phase of the pulse in the second pixel region when the luminance levels are detected, and further, the timing adjuster adjusts the phase of the pulse when the judgment by the adjustment judger indicates that the phase adjustment is necessary. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309788 | Image taking apparatus execute shooting control depending on face location - An image taking apparatus includes an image taking system, and a display system, and has a CPU implementing a process to detect subject faces from image frames produced by the image taking system, a process to acquire coordinates of detected subject faces, a process to determine a face detected state or a face undetected state, whichever is concluded in accordance with results of face detection, a process to have, for a determination for the face detected state, a detected-face indicator displayed on the display system in accordance with the coordinates of the acquired subject faces, a process to have, for a determination for the face undetected state, a detected-face indicator having been displayed in a last face detected state till the last displayed on, and a process to execute a shooting control in accordance with a detected-face indicator displayed on the display system. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309789 | Output image adjustment of image data - Using image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information that is associated with the image data and that includes at least subject area information indicating a subject area in the image, hue of each pixel in the subject area is calculated, and in the event that the proportion of pixels having hue of a predetermined color range is greater than a first predetermined threshold value, an image quality adjustment process appropriate for an image containing a subject identified by the predetermined color range is executed. In preferred practice, the predetermined color range is the skin color range, and the image quality adjustment process is a process appropriate for a portrait image. When the image quality adjustment process appropriate for a portrait image is not executed, and in the event that the proportion of pixels having hue in the green range is greater than a second predetermined threshold value or in the event that the proportion of pixels having hue in the sky blue range is greater than a third predetermined threshold value, an image quality adjustment process appropriate for a landscape image is executed. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316323 | Image Input Apparatus, Image Input Method, Personal Authentication Apparatus, and Electronic Apparatus - An image input apparatus that inputs an image of an object residing within a living body is disclosed. The image input apparatus includes a light source that irradiates near infrared light on the living body, a lens array arranged at a position facing the living body and including plural lenses each having a face with zero or negative power arranged at a side facing the living body and a face with positive power arranged at a side facing an image surface, an imaging unit arranged at the image surface side of the lens array that forms a compound-eye image corresponding to a collection of ommatidium images formed by the lenses of the lens array, and a reconstruction unit that reconstructs a single image from the compound-eye image using a parallax between the ommatidium images. The reconstructed single image is input as the image of the object. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316324 | POSITION DETECTION AND/OR MOVEMENT TRACKING VIA IMAGE CAPTURE AND PROCESSING - Position detection and/or movement tracking via image capture and processing. Digital cameras perform image capture of one or more objects within a particular region (e.g., a physical gaming environment). A game module or processing module processes the images captured by the digital cameras to identify a position of and/or track movement of objects (e.g., a player, a gaming object, a game controller, etc.). Various digital image processing techniques may be employed including pattern recognition of objects, color recognition/distinction, intensity recognition/distinction, relative size comparison, etc. to identify objects and/or track their movement. The coupling between the digital cameras and the game module or processing module may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. If wireless, any number of different signaling means may be employed including Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signaling, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signaling, or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) signaling. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316325 | CAMERA HAVING AN AUTOFOCUSING SYSTEM - An autofocus camera having a face recognition function, includes a photographing optical system including a focusing lens group; an image pickup device; an autofocusing system which performs a focus search process, and further performs a focusing operation in which the focusing lens group is moved to an in-focus position that is detected by the focus search process; a switch which activates the autofocusing system; a face recognition device for recognizing a face image based on object images; and a controller which makes the autofocusing system set the focus detection area on a face recognition area at which the face image is recognized and makes the autofocusing system perform the focus search process and the focusing operation on the focus detection area regardless of whether the switch is turned ON when the face recognition device recognizes the face image. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316326 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus is provided and includes: an imaging device including a first color pixel, a second color pixel, a third color pixel, and the luminance-detecting pixels; a controlling section that generates first complementary color information by adding data of the first color pixel and data of the second color pixel adjacent to the first color pixel, generates second complementary color information by adding data of the second color pixel and data of the third color pixel adjacent to the second color pixel, and generates luminance information by adding respective data of luminance-detecting pixels adjacent to each other, when data of a reduced image having a reduced resolution as compared with a resolution for the whole pixels of the imaging device is generated, and a signal processing section that signal-processes the first complementary color information, the second complementary color information, and the luminance information to reproduce a taken image. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316327 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE WITH CONTEMPORANEOUS REFERENCE IMAGE CAPTURE MECHANISM - A hand-held or otherwise portable or spatial or temporal performance-based image capture device includes one or more lenses, an aperture and a main sensor for capturing an original main image. A secondary sensor and optical system are for capturing a reference image that has temporal and spatial overlap with the original image. The device performs an image processing method including capturing the main image with the main sensor and the reference image with the secondary sensor, and utilizing information from the reference image to enhance the main image. The main and secondary sensors are contained together within a housing. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316328 | FOREGROUND/BACKGROUND SEPARATION USING REFERENCE IMAGES - A technique involves distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene. First and second images are captured of nominally a same scene. The first image is a relatively high resolution image taken with the foreground more in focus than the background, while the second image is a relatively low resolution reference image taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the captured images are assigned as foreground or background. In accordance with the assigning, one or more processed images are rendered based on the first image or the second image, or both. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316329 | CAMERA MODULE - There is provided a camera module including: first and second image sensors having different optical characteristics and sensing images; first and second auxiliary image processors electrically connected to the first and second image sensors, respectively, and correcting optical defects of the images sensed by the first and second sensors, respectively; and an image signal processing section selecting at least one image between the images corrected by the first and second auxiliary image processors, and processing the selected image into an image signal that can be displayed, wherein at least one of the first and second image sensors may include: a center pixel array having a square shape; and first to fourth pixel arrays having one set of sides connected to sides of the center pixel array and having the same length as the sides of the center pixel array. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316330 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SAME, AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, a control unit that, during an exposure operation that generates an image in the image sensor, reads out signals of a first portion of pixels among an entire frame of pixels from the image sensor, outputs an image based on the signals of the first portion of pixels to a display unit, and, when the exposure operation is completed, reads out signals of the entire frame of pixels from the image sensor, and an image processing unit that generates an image by adding the signals of the first portion of pixels to signals of the entire frame of pixels for corresponding pixels. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316331 | Image processing apparatus and method for displaying captured image without time delay and computer readable medium stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the method - The present invention provides image processing apparatus and method for displaying a captured image without a time delay. According to the present invention, an image signal processing module outputs sequentially an image data for display and an image data for storage of a captured image to a multimedia application processing module, and the multimedia application processing module stores the image data for storage into a memory and displays the image data for display on a display means. The image data for display is already processed in conformity with format of the display means by the image signal processing module, and in particular, a separate encoding is not performed on the image data for display, and thus the multimedia application processing module can directly display the captured image on the display means without a time delay. | 12-25-2008 |
20090002507 | Image Pickup Device, Integrated Circuit if Image Pickup Element, and Image Pickup Result Processing Method - The present invention is applied to for example video cameras recording an image pickup result by moving picture, electronic still cameras, monitoring devices and the like. Image pickup means | 01-01-2009 |
20090002508 | Method and apparatus for dark current reduction in image sensors - Methods and apparatuses for dark current reduction by adjustment of electrical characteristics of transfer gates in pixels within an imaging sensor based on image comparisons. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002509 | Digital camera and method of controlling same - Whether a portrait photography mode has been set is determined. A first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has been set and a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value is set when the portrait photography mode has not been set. A cross-correlation coefficient between the image of the subject and a template image is calculated. The calculated coefficient and the set threshold value are compared and the position of the image of a face is detected in the image of the subject. When the portrait photography mode has been set, it can be construed that the subject contains a person and therefore the position of the face image can be detected comparatively accurately by increasing the threshold value. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002510 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device includes: a connecting unit that connects a projecting device and an image capture device, at least one of the projecting device and the image capture device having an adjustable position; an acquiring unit that acquires an image captured by the image capture device capturing an image of a reference pattern that is projected by the projecting device and indicates an effective projecting range of the projecting device; a color converting unit that extracts the reference pattern from the captured image, and performs a color conversion on the extracted reference pattern; an enlarging/reducing unit that enlarges or reduces the color-converted reference pattern in accordance with the ratio between the maximum effective imaging range of the image capture device and the effective projecting range of the projecting device; a superimposing unit that superimposes the enlarged or reduced reference pattern on a reference pattern yet to be projected; and an output unit that outputs the reference pattern superimposed by the superimposing unit to the projecting device. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002511 | Method For Automatically Correcting Frame Faults in Video Assist Frames of a Video Assist System - A method for automatically correcting frame faults in video assist frames of a video assist system in a video beam path branched off from a capture beam path of a motion-picture camera, a ground glass screen being arranged in said video beam path, is provided. The video assist system is calibrated by capturing at least one video assist frame of a single-colored, unstructured and uniformly illuminated, flat capture object for a predefined diaphragm aperture of the camera lens and storing it as a video assist calibration frame in a frame store, wherein the stored and inverted video assist calibration frame is superimposed on the video assist frames captured after the calibration. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002512 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - 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. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002513 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An imaging apparatus requiring a large dynamic range captures an image including a moving image with an increased dynamic range without degrading resolution. In an imaging apparatus | 01-01-2009 |
20090002514 | Digital Image Processing Using Face Detection Information - A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002515 | Self-Contained Wireless Camera Device, Wireless Camera System and Method - A self-contained wireless camera ( | 01-01-2009 |
20090009615 | Medical camera platform - The invention is a medical platform system that overcomes many of the shortcomings of current systems. The novel platform provides simultaneous image display and capture, network based wireless control, preferably by way of a web browser, and the capacity to acquire surgeon specific setting by way of removable storage devices. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009616 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An imaging apparatus which enables correction of signal deterioration responsible for transfer deterioration occurred in a horizontal charge transfer path is provided. Provided that positions of “n” transfer packet formed in a horizontal charge transfer path in correspondence to “n” vertical charge transfer paths are expressed as a coordinate “i” (i=1, 2, 3, . . . n), a solid-state imaging device is exposed under exposure conditions, and reference charges generated in photoelectric conversion elements upon the exposure are accumulated in transfer packets located at odd coordinates. The charge accumulation packets accumulating the reference charges and other empty packets are transferred horizontally, whereby a reference signal responsive to the reference charge and an untransferred signal responsive to a charge in the empty packet are output. The thus-output signals are stored in memory. Deterioration of an imaging signal S(i) responsive to the charge accumulated in the transfer packet located at the coordinate “i” in a photographing mode during exposure is compensated for in accordance with the data stored in the memory and the imaging signal S(i). | 01-08-2009 |
20090009617 | Imaging apparatus - The object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing the degradation of image quality associated with a temperature rise in an image pickup device despite that an electronic viewfinder is usable. An imaging apparatus including an image pickup device for capturing a subject image to acquire it as image data and capable of viewing a subject by selecting either of a first finder mode for optical viewing of the subject image and a second finder mode for displaying the image data on a display unit to allow viewing of the image data, the imaging apparatus comprises: a temperature detection circuit for measuring the temperature of the image pickup device; a finder mode switching instruction part for switching between the first finder mode and the second finder mode; and a controller for inhibiting switching from the first finder mode to the second finder mode performed by the finder mode switching instruction part when the temperature exceeds a first threshold. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009618 | Analog front-end circuit, semiconductor device, and electronic instrument - An analog front-end circuit includes an analog processing circuit, an A/D converter, and a timing generator that generates a plurality of control signals that are supplied to an image sensor. The timing generator includes an event information memory, and a control signal output circuit that generates the control signals based on information read from the event information memory and outputs the generated control signals. The event information memory stores a pixel number and change event occurrence information at each address. The change event occurrence information specifies a control signal that undergoes a signal level change event at the pixel number. The control signal output circuit generates the control signals based on the pixel number and the change event occurrence information read from the event information memory and outputs the generated control signals. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009619 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units disposed in line and column directions, transfer capacitances that store a signal read out from the (n−1)th line (n being an integer of 2 or more) of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, transfer capacitances that store a signal read out from the nth line of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, and a system control CPU that controls the image sensor. While a level of a predetermined driving pulse generated within the image sensor changes during the period where the signal of the (n−1)th line stored in the transfer capacitance is read out from the transfer capacitances, the system control CPU control not to output the signal of the (n−1)th line from the transfer capacitances. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009620 | VIDEO CAMERA AND EVENT RECORDING METHOD - According to one embodiment, the video camera includes an operation unit which performs a variety of input operations, a video shooting unit which performs video shooting, a recording unit which records video data obtained from the video shooting unit in a hard disk, and a GPS processing unit which determines a date and time. The video camera further includes an event information processing unit which creates typical event data including a variety of events by using a birthday input from the operation unit as a starting point and registers the typical event data in a database, selects events for at least the date and time of video shooting, as event candidates, from the typical event data registered in the database, forecast the most appropriate candidate by narrowing down the event candidates, and records the most appropriate candidate in the hard disk as an event associated with the video data. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009621 | Solid-State Imaging Device, Signal Processing Method, and Camera - A solid-state imaging apparatus that performs color imaging using visible light and imaging using infrared light, the solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixel cells, in each of which a filter mainly transmits one of visible light and infrared light, wherein filters are arranged such that a first unit of arrangement where a plurality of filters that mainly transmit visible light are arranged and a second unit of arrangement where a filter that mainly transmits visible light and a filter that mainly transmits infrared light are arranged are alternately arranged in both a row direction and a column direction. Also, in the first unit of arrangement are arranged filters including three kinds of filters each transmitting one of red light, green light and blue light and in the second unit of arrangement are arranged four kinds of filters each transmitting one of red light, green light, blue light and infrared light. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009622 | IMAGE DATA MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image data management apparatus includes a unit adapted to display different types of plural frames (such as an in-focus frame and a face frame) at the same time in a manner capable of selectively changing both of those frames by a user operation such that an in-focus frame portion and a face frame portion can be easily confirmed. | 01-08-2009 |
20090009623 | Imaging Device, Video Signal Processing Method, And Video Signal Processing Program - An imaging device ( | 01-08-2009 |
20090015682 | Anti-glare device, method and accessory, and imaging system with increased brightness dynamics - The invention relates to an anti-glare device comprising a camera, a visualisation means for reproducing a processed image, and an adaptable filter comprising a filtering image controlled by the camera, said image containing masking regions which obscure the dazzling regions. The inventive device is characterised in that it comprises a single camera provided with an output connected to an electronic circuit which controls the filter for the alternate display of an acquisition image and a filtration image calculated according to the image transmitted by the camera during the previous acquisition phase. The invention also relates to the method implemented by one such device, and to an accessory for a photographing device. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015683 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, method and program, and a recording medium configured to be able to clearly display an image captured by a high dynamic range imaging device. A reference region extractor extracts data corresponding to an image of a reference region in the image captured by image pickup unit, and calculates an average value of the luminance of the pixels of the reference region. A clip processing unit allocates the average value of the luminance of the pixels of the reference region to a specified tone in a range of tones capable of being displayed on a display unit, and clips the luminance range corresponding to the range of tones capable of being displayed on the display unit. A tone conversion unit converts image data supplied from the image pickup unit to image data corresponding to the range of tones capable of being displayed on the display unit based on the clipped luminance range, and outputs this image data. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015684 | Information Recording System, Information Recording Device, Information Recording Method, and Information Collecting Program - An accident judgment device ( | 01-15-2009 |
20090015685 | Navigation and Inspection System - A method of detecting a changed condition within a geographical space from a moving vehicle. Images of that geographic space are memorialized in conjunction with GPS coordinates together with its GPS coordinates. The same geographic space is traversed from the moving vehicle while accessing the route's GPS coordinates. The memorialized images are played back by coordinating the GPS data on a memorialized images with that of the traversed geographic space such that the memorialized images are viewed simultaneously with the geographic space being traversed. An observer traveling within the moving vehicle can compare the memorialized images with those being traversed in order to identify changed conditions. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015686 | Hyperspectral Chemical and Property Imaging - An apparatus for displaying chemical projects a chemical image of an object back onto that object. At region ( | 01-15-2009 |
20090015687 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING PROGRAM - Disclosed herein is an imaging apparatus for performing predetermined image signal processing on an image signal picked up by an image pickup device in order to convert the image signal for recording and display purposes, the imaging apparatus including, a parameter storage section, a parameter setting section, a gamma correction processing section, and a display-ready signal conversion section. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015688 | MULTIFUNCTION LENS - An image capture apparatus and a method of image processing. The apparatus includes an image sensor array which receives light that has been reflected by a scene, a luminance photodetector which receives light from a luminance channel, a multifunction lens, and a processor. The multifunction lens includes an imaging lens portion and the luminance channel. The imaging lens portion directs the light that has been reflected in a first direction onto the image sensor array. The luminance channel includes an optical element which directs the light from the luminance channel in a second direction different from the first direction onto the luminance photodetector. The image sensor array and the luminance photodetector each convert the light they receive to image data electrical signals and luminance data electrical signals, respectively. The processor processes the image data electrical signals to form an image of the scene using the luminance data electrical signals. | 01-15-2009 |
20090021594 | Digital Camera and Image Combination Device - The digital camera includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of images captured by an image sensor when a multiple exposure photographic mode is set; a gain impartation unit that imparts, to the plurality of captured images, gains based upon the number of shots of multiple exposure photography and determined so that their sum equals unity; and a combination unit that creates a multiple exposure photographic image by combining the plurality of images, after the gains have been imparted by the gain impartation unit. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021595 | Low Memory Auto-Focus and Exposure System for Large Multi-Frame Image Acquisition - Embodiments of the invention are described that provide automated and efficient optimization of camera settings. In certain embodiments of the invention, both focus and exposure settings are determined based on an analysis of compressed images taken of a frame. Based on this analysis, the camera focus and exposure settings are set to provide a preferred image quality of the particular frame. This optimization of the focus and exposure settings is performed at each frame within the multi-frame image source. As a result, each frame image is independently optimized and addresses variations, such as light and surface inconsistencies, across the multi-frame image source. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021596 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: determination means for determining whether a capture image is a frontlit image or a backlit image; detecting means for detecting a flesh-color area in the capture image; calculation means for setting weights, in a luminance histogram on the flesh-color area, on luminance of pixels included in a high-luminance area having a relatively high luminance value and luminance of pixels included in a low-luminance area having a relatively low luminance value in accordance with the determination result, and calculating modified luminance produced by modifying luminance on the flesh-color area on the basis of the weights; and correcting means for correcting brightness of the capture image on the basis of the modified luminance. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021597 | IMAGING CIRCUIT AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An imaging circuit includes a photoelectric conversion section and a transferring section. The photoelectric conversion section in which pixels each having a color filter attached thereto are arranged in an oblique direction in a lattice manner. The color filter is formed of: a GR line on which G and R pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; a GB line on which the G and B pixels are alternately arranged in a horizontal direction; and a G line on which only the G pixel is arranged in a horizontal direction, and having a combination of: the GR and G lines; and the GB and G lines being placed alternately in a vertical direction to arrange the G pixel at a position adjacent to the R and B pixels. The transferring section for transferring only an electrical signal associated with pixels included on the GR line and the GB line. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021598 | Miniature integrated multispectral/multipolarization digital camera - Several aspects of the invention respectively record one or more multispectral (MS) images using at least one sensor array, each array getting one respective image and simultaneously polarization state at the array points; and get and displays a MS, multipolarization (MP) movie, at MS/MP frame rates that suit a scene or the acquisition; and get an MS image, and a polarization-state image, so that the two are inherently in register; and provide a digital camera for plural-waveband imaging, including polarization data, using a chip with an optically sensitive layer continuously spanning a field of view—for each of at least two substantially distinct bands, and with stacked layers, some radiation penetrating plural layers to a corresponding sensitive layer, and with a polarization mosaic over the stack to define a superpixel array that differentiates polarization states, and with an electronic shutter actuating the layers. Another aspect makes a time sequence of registered MS/MP images; and yet another gets data for one or more MS images, including polarization state at most image points, via a single, common aperture. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021599 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device determines whether, in an image captured by an imaging unit, straight lines exist which meet a condition of automatic vertical line determination (S | 01-22-2009 |
20090021600 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup device includes a system control section which determines an area with closest proximity as an AF area among AF evaluation areas in a central part of an image. In addition, a block with the same distance as the AF area is determined as a main subject block. Then the system control section calculates and memorizes an average brightness of an image data of a position corresponding to a main subject block. Then, the system control section determines a main subject area based on obtained information on the main subject block and a photographed image. Furthermore, based on information on a main subject area, an extraction processing of the main subject image, a blur processing of a background image and a composite processing are sequentially performed. | 01-22-2009 |
20090021601 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - There are provided an image processing apparatus and method capable of providing a good image whose overexposure and underexposure are suppressed by holding information about saturation and contrast at the time of performing a dynamic range compression. In the image processing apparatus, a level information calculating circuit calculates the level information of each pixel from R, G and B image signals for each pixel, a gain calculating circuit refers to a gain table based on the level information of each pixel calculated by the level information calculating circuit and calculates a gain by which the R, G and B signals of each pixel are multiplied, and a multiplying circuits multiply the R, G and B signals by the gain. | 01-22-2009 |
20090027510 | Imaging Device - Whether a digital camera body ( | 01-29-2009 |
20090027511 | Illumination Device, Imaging Device, and Imaging System - An illumination device performs illumination light communication, and signals indicative of the luminance of an object illuminated with illumination light and the color temperature of the illumination light are superposed on the illumination light. An electronic camera demodulates the illumination light received by a light-receiving circuit and determines the aperture value and the shutter value depending on luminance information included in the demodulation signal and an imaging sensitivity set in the electronic camera. The electronic camera demodulates the illumination light received by the light-receiving circuit and changes the color temperature adjustment reference used for color adjustment processing in accordance with color temperature information. | 01-29-2009 |
20090027512 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. An obtaining unit obtains a first still image, a first difficulty level indicating a complexity of the first still image, a second still image, and a second difficulty level indicating a complexity of the second still image. A combining unit combines the first and second still images at a combination ratio which is changed along a time axis to generate a moving image. An encoding unit encodes the moving image. A moving-image difficulty-level calculating unit calculates a moving-image difficulty level indicating a complexity of the moving image according to the first and second difficulty levels and the combination ratio changed along the time axis. A control unit controls a characteristic of a process of encoding the moving image according to the combination ratio changed along the time axis and the moving-image difficulty level. | 01-29-2009 |
20090027513 | Image-capturing apparatus and image-capturing control method - An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject in order to obtain captured image data; a storage processor configured to perform a process for storing the captured image data obtained by the image-capturing unit; an operation unit configured to perform a self-timer image-capturing operation; a motion detector; and a controller configured to, when the self-timer image-capturing operation is performed using the operation unit, controlling, on the basis of detection information obtained by the motion detector, a shutter operation in which the captured image data obtained by the image-capturing unit is stored by the storage processor after a self-timer set time period passes. | 01-29-2009 |
20090033755 | Image acquisition and processing engine for computer vision - In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an image processor is provided. According to a feature of the present invention, the image processor comprises a CPU arranged and configured to receive an image input, the image input depicting a scene, the CPU being further arranged and configured to execute a routine to receive the image input and perform preselected spatio-spectral analysis of the image to create a version of the image input optimized for analysis of the scene. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033756 | Imaging preventing apparatus and imaging preventing method - An imaging preventing apparatus includes imaging means for obtaining an imaged image signal by performing imaging processing, image analyzing means for performing image analyzing processing on the imaged image signal obtained by the imaging means, imaging preventing operation performing means for performing a preventing operation against imaging by a different camera system, and control means for determining the possibility of being imaged by a different camera system based on the analysis result information by the image analyzing means and, if it is determined that there is a possibility of being imaged, causing the imaging preventing operation performing means to perform the preventing operation. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033757 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF A MOVING OBJECT, BY USING VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION - An apparatus for determining the present position of a vehicle, by utilizing a visible-light communication system. The apparatus uses a visible-light communication beacon and video data representing an image photographed by one camera. The beacon emits a visible optical signal, thus transmitting position data. The visible-light communication beacon comprises a road-illuminating lamp and a visible-light communication apparatus, both secured to a lamp post. The vehicle has the camera and a vehicle position determination apparatus. The vehicle position determination apparatus demodulates the visible optical signal, there restoring the position data, and calculates the present position of the vehicle from the position data. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033758 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes unit reading, from first objects, information items for determining program procedures used to detect the first objects by image processing, unit selecting, from the program procedures, program procedures corresponding to the information items, and to determine an order of execution of the selected program procedures, unit acquiring an initial image including images corresponding to the first objects, the initial image being used for executing a first program procedure of a first order of execution, which is included in the selected program procedures, unit detecting, using the initial image, at least one of the first objects by executing the first program procedure corresponding to at least one of the first objects, and unit generating a post-removal image obtained by removing, from the initial image, image data corresponding to one of the images, which is on a first area corresponding to at least one detected object. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033759 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE CIRCUIT AND IMAGE-CAPTURE CIRCUIT - A reference voltage circuit for generating a reference voltage to be referred when a pixel signal is digitally converted, includes ramp voltage generating means for generating a ramp voltage which drops from a predetermined initial voltage at a certain gradient, a transistor for forming, together with the ramp voltage generating means, a current mirror circuit, and gain change means for changing a current value of a current flowing from a predetermined power supply via the transistor to change the gradient of the ramp voltage generated by the ramp voltage generating means. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033760 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA - An apparatus and method for processing image data are provided. Using the method of the present invention, image data output from an image sensor can be rapidly processes and the necessary amount of buffer memory can be reduced. To this end, first image data of one frame is processed and converted into second image data in an image sensor part. The converted second image data is stored in a plural buffer memory having a plurality of storage areas. The second image data is sequentially read from the plural buffer memory, and then encoded. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033761 | Smart Camera with an Integrated Lighting Controller - A smart camera includes an integrated lighting current controller and can couple to one or more external light sources. The integrated lighting current controller can control and power the one or more external light sources using a current pulse. The one or more external light sources can provide illumination for the smart camera to acquire the image of an object under test. | 02-05-2009 |
20090040326 | Methods and apparatuses for supplying current using a digital sequence - Methods and apparatuses for supplying current to an electronic device include incrementally changing an output current supplied to the device according to a digital sequence. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040327 | Image-Taking Device - An object of the present invention is to provide an image-taking device capable of preventing “howling.” | 02-12-2009 |
20090040328 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - An image-pickup apparatus configured to perform vertical-dark-shading correction with increased precision independently of photographing conditions and/or a photographing environment is provided. The image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element having an effective-pixel part including plural pixel parts which are not shielded from light and a light-shielding-pixel part including plural pixel parts shielded from light, a signal-processing unit configured to set the reference level of output signals transmitted from the effective-pixel part, and a control unit configured to switch between plural areas used to set the reference level, the areas being provided in the light-shielding-pixel part, based on the photographing conditions and/or environmental conditions. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040329 | PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS - A photographic apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, an image-processing unit, and a display unit. The imaging sensor obtains image data. The image-processing unit performs an image-processing operation on the image data. The display unit displays an image-processing setting picture having a setting-status indication area and a color status indication area. The setting-status indication area shows a setting status of the image-processing operation. The color status indication area displays a diagrammatic representation of a color status in the image-processing operation corresponding to the setting status. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040330 | End-to-End Design of Electro-Optic Imaging Systems - A unified design strategy takes into account different subsystems within an overall electro-optic imaging system. In one implementation, the design methodology predicts end-to-end imaging performance using a spatial model for the source and models for the optical subsystem, the detector subsystem and the digital image processing subsystem. The optical subsystem and digital image processing subsystems are jointly designed taking into account the entire system. The intermediate image produced by the optical subsystem is not required to be high quality since, for example, the quality may be corrected by the digital image processing subsystem. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040331 | COMMUNICATION CONTROL APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An adapter connected to a device and also connected to a client terminal via a network displays an operation window corresponding to the process mode of the device on the client terminal and remote-controls the operation of the device based on an operation signal for the operation window. When the process mode is a remote control mode that allows the client terminal to read out data accumulated in the device, the client terminal displays an image for which open setting is done by the device. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040332 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An image pickup apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a setting item screen for displaying setting items regarding a photographic condition, and a setting value screen configured to display setting values regarding the setting item selected on the setting item screen; an operation unit configured to select one of the setting items on the setting item screen and to select one of the setting values on the setting value screen; and a control unit configured to set a setting item regarding the photographic condition according to the setting value selected on the setting value screen, wherein if a state of the image pickup apparatus is changed from a state in which the selected setting item is active to non-active, the display unit continuously displays information indicating that the selected setting item is currently selected even when the selected setting item is non-active. | 02-12-2009 |
20090046164 | STRUCTURED ILLUMINATION FOR IMAGING OF STATIONARY AND NON-STATIONARY, FLUORESCENT AND NON-FLUORESCENT, OBJECTS - An object to be imaged is illuminated with a structured (e.g., sinusoidal) illumination at a plurality of phase shifts to allow lateral superresolution and axial sectioning in images. When an object is to be imaged in vitro or in another situation in which the phase shifts cannot be accurately determined a priori, the images are taken, and the phase shifts are estimated a posteriori from peaks in the Fourier transforms. The technique is extended to the imaging of fluorescent and non-fluorescent objects as well as stationary and non-stationary objects. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046165 | PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE - A face region, that is a region of a face of a person, is detected by a face detecting circuit from a subject of photographing that is expressed by image information acquired by a CCD area sensor. Then, an operation portion is operated at a time of switching a photographing mode between a face detection photographing mode and an ordinary photographing mode. Interlockingly with operation with respect to the operation portion, a CPU switches between shifting to a color tone correcting mode that carries out correction of color tone defects in a case in which the color tone defects arise in pupil regions that are regions of pupils of a person in the subject of photographing expressed by the photographed image information, and reverting from the color tone correcting mode. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046166 | Image processing apparatus, image processing program, image processing method, and electronic camera for correcting texture of image - An image processing apparatus includes a brightness fluctuation extraction section, a color difference fluctuation extraction section, a conversion section, and an addition section. The brightness extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from brightness information (hereinafter, a brightness fluctuation) in the image data. The color difference fluctuation extraction section extracts a local fluctuation component from color difference information (hereinafter, a color difference fluctuation) in the image data. The conversion section weightedly adds the color difference fluctuation and the brightness fluctuation to generate a pseudo texture component. The addition section adds the generated texture component to the brightness information. In the above-described structure, the conversion section adjusts and changes a weighting ratio of the weighted addition so as to make ratios of noises of color components included in the texture component substantially equal. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046167 | CAMERA SYSTEM INCLUDING A CAMERA HEAD AND A CAMERA CONTROL UNIT - Disclosed herein is a camera system and camera controller having a modularized design. Camera control functions within the controller are distributed among a number of modules, each module performing a component task of controlling a camera. Individual modules can perform tasks such as generating clock signals, digitizing an analog video signal, and providing multiplexed digital video output. Modules communicate with each other over a common bus sufficient to carry the signals necessary to control the camera. The system implements a RAM-based digital sequencer that provides the capability of loading bit patterns into memory and using these patterns to generate waveforms for clocking a CCD. Clock and readout sequences can be composed in a high level language, compiled and uploaded into the controller. Adjustable clamp and sample signal delays used in digitizing an analog video signal provide the capability to optimize the performance of the system in a given application. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046168 | APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CORRELATED DOUBLE SAMPLING OF ANALOG VIDEO DATA FROM AN IMAGE PIXEL ARRAY - Disclosed herein is a camera system and camera controller having a modularized design. Camera control functions within the controller are distributed among a number of modules, each module performing a component task of controlling a camera. Individual modules can perform tasks such as generating clock signals, digitizing an analog video signal, and providing multiplexed digital video output. Modules communicate with each other over a common bus sufficient to carry the signals necessary to control the camera. The system implements a RAM-based digital sequencer that provides the capability of loading bit patterns into memory and using these patterns to generate waveforms for clocking a CCD. Clock and readout sequences can be composed in a high level language, compiled and uploaded into the controller. Adjustable clamp and sample signal delays used in digitizing an analog video signal provide the capability to optimize the performance of the system in a given application. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046169 | Image Selecting Apparatus, Camera, and Method of Selecting Image - An image selecting apparatus comprises an input unit | 02-19-2009 |
20090046170 | DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA NON-INTEGER-RATIO BAYER DOMAIN SCALER - An apparatus having a buffer and a circuit is disclosed. The buffer may be configured to receive a digital image. The digital image generally has (i) a Bayer color representation and (ii) two initial dimensions in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction respectively. The circuit may be configured to generate a resample image in a signal by down-sampling the digital image in the Bayer color representation such that (i) the resample image has two resample dimensions, (ii) at least one of the resample dimensions is smaller than a respective at least one of the initial dimensions and (iii) the respective at least one initial dimension is a non-integer multiple of the at least one resample dimension. | 02-19-2009 |
20090051779 | MODIFYING VISUAL PERCEPTION - Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception. | 02-26-2009 |
20090051780 | Digital camera with a mode selectable structure - A digital camera has a shutter release button. A mode selector sets a selected one of a regular photographing mode and a macro photographing mode adapted to image pickup at a nearer distance of close-up than the regular photographing mode. An LCD display panel as a user interface has an alarm generating region which outputs an alarm signal visually as an enlarged alarm icon, and/or a sound source as a user interface audibly outputs sound of alarm message voice. A controller is responsive to depression of the shutter release button, for mode discernment by checking a state of the mode selector. The LCD and/or sound source is driven if the macro photographing mode is set selectively. | 02-26-2009 |
20090051781 | Image processing apparatus, method, and program - A CCD including primary photosensitive pixels that have a narrower dynamic range and secondary photosensitive pixels that have a wider dynamic range is used to obtain first image information from the primary photosensitive pixels and second image information from the secondary photosensitive pixels at one exposure, then the first image information and the second image information are stored as two separate files having names associated with each other. A user can select through a predetermined user interface whether or not the second image information should be stored and a dynamic range for the second image information. The dynamic range information for the second image information is stored in the file of the first image information and/or the header of the file of the second image information. | 02-26-2009 |
20090059021 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for use in photography are disclosed. A first electronic image analysis is performed on a potential image to determine whether any suitable subjects are within a frame of the potential image. If any suitable subjects are found in the frame, a second electronic image analysis is performed to determine whether the suitable subjects are in a predetermined position. The potential image is recorded if the second image analysis determines that the suitable subjects are in the predetermined position. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059022 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup unit adapted to shoot an object; an image processing unit adapted to execute image processing to an image data obtained from the image pickup unit to obtain an processed image data; a recording unit adapted to record both the image data obtained from the image pickup unit and the processed image data as related image data; and a display control unit adapted to control to display the processed image data recorded by the recording unit on a display unit, and to control not to display on the display unit the image data related to the processed image data. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059023 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, LENS UNIT AND FACE DETECTION METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes a face detection unit configured to detect a face portion of an object in image data obtained by moving the focus lens to a plurality of movement positions, and a changing unit configured to change a movement position where the focus lens is located when image data to be subjected to face detection processing using the face detection unit is obtained in accordance with a change of a depth of field. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059024 | IMAGE PICKUP CIRCUIT - An image pickup circuit includes a plurality of circuit blocks. Each of the plurality of circuit blocks includes a plurality of comparing elements, a single counter, and a plurality of storage units. Each of the comparing elements compares a pixel signal supplied through a vertical signal line connected to vertically aligned pixels in a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a slope signal whose voltage is changed from an initial voltage at a constant slope. The counter counts an elapsed time since a voltage of the slope signal starts to change from the initial voltage. Each of the storage units stores a count value obtained by the counter in accordance with a comparison result of the comparator, the count value corresponding to an elapsed time until the voltage of the slope signal is changed from the initial voltage to a voltage coinciding with the pixel signal. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059025 | Electronic Camera - An electronic camera includes an image sensor. The image sensor has an imaging surface irradiated with an optical image of an object scene through a focus lens and repeatedly generates an object scene image. A CPU executes an AF process for adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface to a distance corresponding to a focal point, based on the object scene image generated by the image sensor. However, the CPU has a high-luminance excluding function for excluding from a target to be noticed of the AF process a partial image having a luminance exceeding “TH | 03-05-2009 |
20090059026 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - In an image processing device, an image processing method, and an image pickup apparatus according to an aspect of the invention, a compression characteristic is generated based on one of multiple smoothed images to be generated based on an input image, and a compressed base component image having a smaller dynamic range than the dynamic range of a base component image is generated by using the compression characteristic. The image processing device, the image processing method, and the image pickup apparatus enable to more advantageously define a proper compression characteristic, and compress the dynamic range of the input image in a simplified manner and with high quality, as compared with the background art. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059027 | APPARATUS INCLUDING FUNCTION TO SPECIFY IMAGE REGION OF MAIN SUBJECT FROM OBTAINED IMAGE, METHOD TO SPECIFY IMAGE REGION OF MAIN SUBJECT FROM OBTAINED IMAGE AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM TO SPECIFY IMAGE REGION OF MAIN SUBJECT FROM OBTAINED IMAGE - Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus 100 including a sound obtaining section | 03-05-2009 |
20090059028 | Imaging Standard Apparatus and Method - A standard used to test imaging systems is imaged by a digital camera which expresses the image of the standard as a plurality of pixels having associated intensities. A computer automatically finds the image of the standard in the image and quantitatively compares intensities of pixels of a subsequent image of the standard to the first image to discern changes indicative of malfunction. A set of images of the standard may be collected and compiled to develop standard data, such as average of median values, that can be used to test imaging apparatus. The standard may be provided with a plurality of types of imaging standards occupying sub-areas that produce a different photoresponse to a plurality of different light sources. A fluorescent standard may be included that has a plurality of different fluorescence levels. Multiple sub-areas of the same type may be distributed over the surface area of the standard to measure the photoresponse in several areas and also to facilitate locating all sub-areas of the standard, e.g., multiple white squares may be distributed over the standard that may be identified by thresholding. The results of testing via the standard may be graphically displayed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059029 | Image Processing Device, Image Processing Program, Image Processing System, and Image Processing Method - There is provided a configuration including a subject detection section adapted to detect an image of a specific subject in a target image, a ratio information acquisition section adapted to acquire ratio information representing a ratio between a size of the subject captured via a monocular lens used for taking an image of the target image and a size of the subject sensed by both eyes, and a transformation processing section adapted to execute image transformation on an area including the image of the subject on the target image based on the ratio information obtained by the ratio information acquisition section. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059030 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Image Processing System - An image processing apparatus includes a face detecting unit that detects a face included in image data generated by a photographing operation, a face transforming and correcting unit that performs a face correcting process for shrinking a width of a detected face in a case where the face is detected by the face detecting unit, and a shading processing unit that performs a process for increasing sharpness of an in-focus area of the image data and performs a shading process for an out-of-focus area of the image data, in a case where a face has not been detected by the face detecting unit. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059031 | Image-Capturing Apparatus and Method, Recording Apparatus and Method, and Reproducing Apparatus and Method - The present invention is applied to, for example, an image-capturing apparatus to generate an image signal by all-angle-of-view thinning-out read processing for every set field or frame and an image signal by all-pixel partially read processing on remaining fields or frames. | 03-05-2009 |
20090059032 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD IN A CAMERA MODULE FOR CONVERTING NON-LINEAR RGB IMAGE DATA TO L*A*B* IMAGE DATA - A method of image processing an image in a camera module, said method comprising the steps of capturing an image as a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data from an image sensor of said camera module; linearizing said image from said image sensor to generate a linearized image by using at least three lookup tables, one lookup table for each of three RGB colors, said linearizing step performed by using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the at least three lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating at least three histograms of said linearized image data, one histogram for each of at least three RGB image color planes, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing said linearized image by using at least the high and the low threshold to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming said image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming said image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form includes a step of referring to each of the histograms and applying a thresholding algorithm thereto. | 03-05-2009 |
20090066801 | Photographing Device - An image with a bright image plane can be photographed without deteriorating the yield. An object is photographed by a CCD ( | 03-12-2009 |
20090066802 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD - An image processing device according to the present invention comprises an image input unit, a statistical information updater and a background image generator, and generates a background image from an input image. The image input unit sequentially inputs continuous input images. The statistical information updater generates statistical information, which indicates the frequency of occurrence of a statistical quantity in each pixel of the input image, based on the input image from the image input unit. The background image generator generates a background image by selecting in the statistical information a statistical quantity whose frequency of occurrence is the highest for each pixel. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066803 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS PERFORMING AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING PROCESSING, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDED WITH PROGRAM THEREOF - 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. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066804 | DATA-PROCESSING CIRCUIT AND VIDEO CAMERA - A data-processing circuit includes a distributor. Raw image data of horizontal 3840 pixels×vertical 2160 pixels that is periodically outputted from a CMOS-type imaging device is divided by the distributor into four blocks of partial image data. The divided four blocks of partial image data are subjected to a pre-process in parallel by first to fourth pre-processing blocks. On the other hand, raw image data of horizontal 1280 pixels×vertical 960 pixels that is periodically outputted from a CCD-type imaging device is serially subjected to a pre-process by a fifth pre-processing block. The number of pixels of the raw image data outputted from the CCD-type imaging device is equal to or less than ¼ the number of pixels of the raw image data outputted from the CMOS-type imaging device. A numerical value “4” is equivalent to the number of parallel pre-processes on the raw image data outputted from the CMOS imaging device. | 03-12-2009 |
20090073273 | DATA COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CAPSULATED CAMERA AND ITS EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTS - A method for transmitting data to a camera without requiring in the camera a conventional wireless transmission capability includes (a) in the camera's field of view, providing an object which forms an image on which the data is encoded; (b) capturing an image of the object using optics of the camera; and (c) recovering the data from the image of the object. The data is encoded by an optically detectable quantity (e.g., light intensity or color) or a pattern in one or more portions of the object. The data can be carried by the distribution of the optically detectable quantity within the image or its derivative. The field of view of the camera may be divided into multiple sub-areas to allow providing multiple data-bearing images. A sequence of such images may be used to increase the amount of data that can be transmitted in this manner. In addition, the time domain can be used to create one further dimension of data encoding. In addition, communication in the opposite direction may be provided using one or more lighting devices in the camera. One use is to provide a response (e.g., acknowledgement or non-acknowledgement to the data transmission based on the data recovered). The camera's response may be detected by one or more light detectors outside of the camera. Communication can be carried out using an interactive communication protocol. By providing multiple lighting devices in the camera and multiple light detectors in the outside, the system provides a parallel data bus, which may include a clock signal to govern timing on the bus. The data may be represented as quantized values. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073274 | IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED DYNAMIC RANGE WITH MULTIPLE READOUT CIRCUIT PATHS - An image sensor apparatus comprises an image sensor for generating digital images having a high dynamic range. The image sensor apparatus includes an image sensor for generating a first and a second set of digital image samples at a first bit depth, with each set of digital image samples generated by a different column readout circuit path. A processor combines the first and second set of digital image samples to generate a digital image at a second bit depth, the second bit depth higher than the first bit depth. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073275 | Image capturing apparatus with flash device - A digital camera ( | 03-19-2009 |
20090073276 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, METHOD THEREOF AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE WITH IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, and an image processing system. The image capturing unit is configured for capturing images, including a first image of an object plus a background and a second image of the background only. The image processing system includes a color value measuring module, and a foreground image generating module. The color value measuring module is configured for measuring color value of each pixel of the second image and obtaining pixels of the first image corresponding to the object. The foreground image generating module is configured for extracting a foreground image consisting of the pixels of the first image corresponding to the object. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073277 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus is provided wherein a plurality of reference blocks of a size equal to that of a target block which has a predetermined size and includes a plurality of pixels set to a predetermined position in a target screen are set in a search range set on a reference screen and a motion vector is detected based on a positional displacement amount, on the screen, of that one of the reference blocks which has the highest correlation to the target block from the target block, comprising, a compression section, a first storage section, a decompression decoding section, a second storage section, and a mathematical operation section. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073278 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND DIGITAL CAMERA - A visual processing section | 03-19-2009 |
20090073279 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix; and a pixel drive unit configured to drive the pixel array to perform a reset of the pixel array, a signal storage, and an output operation. The pixel drive unit includes a pixel reset control portion to supply a signal for resetting a pixel to the pixel circuits of a plurality of rows. The pixel reset control portion performs a reset control so that a row in which the reset signal is cancelled and a row in which the reset signal is continued always exist in one reset row change operation, and a row in which the reset signal continues to be supplied exists during two or more reset row change operations. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073280 | Digital Line Scan Camera - Disclosed is a digital line scan camera, having at least at least one focal plane, on which at least one linear photosensitive sensor is arranged, an objective lens, and a location measurement system. The location measurement system is used to determine six external location parameters, where the location system measurement comprises a satellite-supported position determination device and an inertial navigation measurement unit. The line scan camera includes at least on two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, which is synchronously driven with the linear sensor. At least one displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is calculated from the data of the minimum of one two-dimensional photosensitive sensor, and where the displacement vector ({right arrow over (x)}) is used to correct the date of the inertial measurement unit. | 03-19-2009 |
20090079840 | METHOD FOR INTELLIGENTLY CREATING, CONSUMING, AND SHARING VIDEO CONTENT ON MOBILE DEVICES - A method, apparatus, and electronic device for processing video data are disclosed. A video capture mechanism | 03-26-2009 |
20090079841 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USE OF INFRA-RED LIGHT IN CAMERA APPLICATIONS - Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079842 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - An image processing system and method for recording the adjustment of the image during image stabilization. The system comprises an image capturing device for capturing an image and generating image data of the image, an image adjusting device for adjusting the image by processing the image data, and an image adjustment-recording device for recording the adjustment of the image implemented by the image adjusting device and generating at least one image attachment associated with the image and corresponding to the adjustment. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079843 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND ENCODED DATA TRANSFERRING METHOD - A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The image signal processor according to an embodiment of the present invention has an encoding unit, which generates encoded image data by encoding, in accordance with a predetermined encoding method, image data corresponding to an electrical signal inputted from an image sensor, and a data output unit, which temporarily stores the image data encoded by the encoding unit and transfers the stored encoded image data to a receiving part. The data output unit can input a skip command, which makes the process of a following frame skip, to the image sensor or the encoding unit in case input start information of the following frame is inputted from the image sensor or the encoding unit while a preceding frame is processed by the encoding unit, the skip command. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079844 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING A DESIREBLE SELF-TIMER SHOOTING AND AN AUTOMATIC SHOOTING METHOD USING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus includes a system controller and a face detector, and can register face data of a photographer for a self-timer shooting mode in advance. In the self-timer shooting mode, the face detector extracts face data of people in a subject field from an image signal. When the system controller determines, on the basis of the extracted face data and the registered face data, that the photographer can be detected, the apparatus starts countdown for automatic shooting. Consequently, the apparatus can pick up an image of the photographer without fail, and the photographer can securely strike a pose within the countdown period of time. Furthermore, the apparatus can determine the countdown period of time optionally, thereby enabling the self-timer shooting to be executed depending on the personality of the photographer. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079845 | DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM - A digital camera system includes a digital camera unit, and an authenticating unit in which unique setup control data of the digital camera unit is stored. The digital camera unit includes an imaging module that picks up an object image to generate image data, a first human body communication module that conducts communication via a human body, and a first controller that performs a setup operation related to at least one of a plurality of functions of the digital camera unit according to the setup control data received from the authenticating unit by the first human body communication module. In addition, the authenticating unit includes a second human body communication module that conducts communication via the human body, a setup control data storing unit in which the setup control data is stored, and a second controller that causes the setup control data to be transmitted to the digital camera unit via the second human body communication module. | 03-26-2009 |
20090086045 | Method and System for a Configurable Communications Interface - An electronic device includes an imaging sensor collecting an image and creating an imaging signal corresponding to the image, an integrated circuit receiving the imaging signal from the imaging sensor and modifying a transfer characteristic of the imaging signal and a connector receiving the imaging signal from the integrated circuit having the modified transfer characteristic. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086046 | AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE TIME SELECTION FOR IMAGING TISSUE - The invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting an exposure time to improve or otherwise optimize a dynamic range of a digital image. The system includes a camera configured to capture an image of a subject within the field of view at a first exposure time. The captured image is composed of multiple pixels, with each pixel having a respective intensity value. The system further includes a shutter or suitable control configured to control an exposure time of the camera. A controller configured to carryout the following steps including: (a) querying a frequency distribution of pixel intensity values; (b) determining an effective “center of mass” of such a distribution, or histogram, to determine an adjusted exposure time; and (c) capturing a second image of the subject at the adjusted exposure time thereby obtaining an image with an improved or optimal dynamic range. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086047 | Image display device, portable device with photography function, image display method and computer readable medium - An image display device includes a display, an attitude angle detection unit and a controller. The display displays an image based on image data with photography information. The photography information includes position information and attitude angle information of a camera at a time of photography. If the attitude angle of the display is altered, the controller controls the display, based on the position information and the attitude angle information of the image displayed at the display and based on the attitude angle detected by the attitude angle detection unit, so as to display an image that was photographed within a predetermined region with respect to the position information of the image displayed at the display and that includes attitude angle information corresponding to the detected attitude angle. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086048 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING MULTIPLE FACE IMAGES FOR GENERATING CORRESPONDING MOVING ALTERED IMAGES - An image processing system and related method for simultaneously generating a plurality of partially- or fully-animated images on a display that substantially track the movements, changes in orientations, and changes in facial expressions of a corresponding plurality of face images captured by an image capturing device, such as a camera or video recorder. The image processing system includes graphic tools to allow a user to create the partially- or fully animated pictures on the display. Additionally, the image processing system has the capability of generating a video clip or file of the plurality of partially- or fully-animated images for storing locally or remotely, or uploading to a website. Further, the image processing system has the capability of transmitting and receiving information related to the partially- or fully-animated images in a video instant messaging or conferencing session. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086049 | PIXEL DRIVE CIRCUIT, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A pixel drive circuit includes a plurality of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric converting unit for converting an incident light into an electric charge and accumulating the converted electric charge, the plurality of pixel circuits being arranged in a matrix shape, an address decoder for selecting the pixel circuits to be controlled which are arranged on an identical line, a storage circuit for storing operation information to be executed by the pixel circuits selected by the address decoder, and a control circuit for controlling an operation of the pixel circuits selected by the address decoder in accordance with a storage state of the storage circuit. The control circuit controls a charge discharging operation of discharging an electric charge remaining in the photoelectric converting unit of each of the pixel circuits. The storage circuit holds the storage state until the charge discharging operation is completed. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086050 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD - An image capture device including an image capture unit, an auxiliary light source, a face region extraction unit, a determination unit, a relative position information acquiring unit, and a notification unit. The face region extraction unit extracts a region corresponding to a face from the captured image data. The determination unit determines the orientation of the face in the extracted face region, and the relative position information acquiring acquires relative position information of the optical system component with respect to the auxiliary light source based on the determination result of the determination unit. The notification unit gives a notification when the acquired relative position information matches with predetermined reference information. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086051 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AS WELL AS COMPUTER PROGRAM - The present invention provides an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup section of the plural channel output type configured to output signals individually corresponding to divisional regions of an image pickup device; a plurality of signal processing sections configured to individually receive the output signals of the plural channels of the image pickup device as inputs thereto to produce digital data corresponding to pixel values, and a digital signal processing section configured to receive the pixel value data produced by the signal processing sections as inputs thereto to execute an image correction process. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086052 | IMAGE DETECTING DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM - An image detecting device includes an image detector for recording an image therein and outputting the recorded image as image information, a temperature regulation controller for performing a temperature regulation control process in order to adjust the image detector to a predetermined temperature, an image information output detector for detecting the output of the image information from the image detector, and outputting the detected output as an image information output detection signal to the temperature regulation controller, and a timer, wherein the temperature regulation controller stops the temperature regulation control process on the image detector based on the image information output detection signal input thereto, and resumes the temperature regulation control process on the image detector when the timer has measured a preset period of time after the temperature regulation control process has been stopped. | 04-02-2009 |
20090086053 | Digital photographing apparatus, and method and program for controlling the same - A digital photographing apparatus capable of obtaining an image in which a distant subject is clearly represented and a near subject is naturally represented, and a method and program for controlling the same. The digital photographing apparatus includes a range determiner for determining a distance between the digital photographing apparatus and a main subject, an image pickup element for generating image data from incident light, an edge data acquisition unit for obtaining edge data in different degrees of extraction of the edge data based on the distance between the digital photographing apparatus and the main subject which is determined by the range determiner, when obtaining the edge data on edges of a subject from the image data, and an image data modifier for modifying the image data based on the edge data obtained by the edge data acquisition unit. | 04-02-2009 |
20090091636 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, CAMERA APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND IMAGE SIGNAL OUTPUT APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus and method for obtaining an image signal to be processed. A classification information obtaining section obtains classification information indicating the image signal as one of a plurality of image signal types. The plurality of image signal types include a first type comprising a plurality of frames extracted from a large still image, the frames being extracted by moving an extracting area in units of an integer pixel per frame over the large still image, extracting the frames corresponding to the extraction area, and outputting an image signal corresponding to the frames. An image signal processing section then performs processing on the image signal based on the classification information. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091637 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus for achieving the exchange of pieces of image data between a plurality of image processing apparatuses includes: a feature value extraction unit for extracting a feature value included in image data; a feature value transfer unit for transferring to another image processing apparatus a feature value extracted from image data to be exchanged; a feature value reception unit for receiving a feature value transferred from the other image processing apparatus; a first determination unit for determining whether the received feature value matches a feature value included in image data of a captured image; an image data transfer unit for transferring the image data of the captured image to the other image processing apparatus when there is a match between the feature values; and an image data reception unit for receiving image data of a captured image transferred from the other image processing apparatus. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091638 | Erroneous erasure determination apparatus, method and computer program product, and image file generation apparatus - An erroneous erasure determination apparatus is provided, which determines whether or not image data in an image file are likely to have been erroneously erased based on auxiliary information attached thereto which indicates whether or not the image file is recorded in a multi-page format, and information which indicates the number of image data recorded in the image file. | 04-09-2009 |
20090091639 | PEN-SHAPED MODULAR CAMERA ASSEMBLY HAVING AN EFFECTS MODULE - Provided is a pen-shaped modular camera assembly. The assembly includes a camera module having an image sensor for capturing an image in an RGB (red, green, blue) color space. The assembly also includes a central processing module arranged in communication with the camera module. The central processing module includes a central processor that includes a RISC processor core and a memory for storing operating instructions to operate the camera module and image data for manipulation by the processor core. The assembly also includes an effects module having a choose actuator which enables a user to choose between a number of different types of effects to be applied to a stored image; a select actuator which enables the user to select one of the effects, and an apply actuator which enables the user to apply the effect to the stored image. | 04-09-2009 |
20090096882 | Optical Imaging Systems And Methods Utilizing Nonlinear And/Or Spatially Varying Image Processing - Systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to introduce image attributes into an optical image. A detector converts the optical image to electronic data while maintaining the image attributes. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets, and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. The processing may optionally be nonlinear. Other imaging systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to form an optical image. A detector generates electronic data having one or more image attributes that are dependent on characteristics of the phase modifying elements and/or the detector. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096883 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - An object of this invention is to effectively reduce a luminance flicker caused by noise while suppressing an adverse effect such as an afterimage and a decrease in the resolution upon smoothing as much as possible even when the S/N ratio of an image photographed at an increased gain is low. An image signal processing apparatus includes a smoothing circuit ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090096884 | Method and Apparatus for Capturing, Geolocating and Measuring Oblique Images - A computerized system for displaying, geolocating, and taking measurements from captured oblique images includes a data file accessible by the computer system. The data file includes a plurality of image files corresponding to a plurality of captured oblique images, and positional data corresponding to the images. Image display and analysis software is executed by the system for reading the data file and displaying at least a portion of the captured oblique images. The software retrieves the positional data for one or more user-selected points on the displayed image, and calculates a separation distance between any two or more selected points. The separation distance calculation is user-selectable to determine various parameters including linear distance between, area encompassed within, relative elevation of, and height difference between selected points. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096885 | Electronic Camera - An electronic camera ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090096886 | Image-capturing device, camera, method for constructing image-capturing device and image-capturing method - An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of first pixels disposed along a first direction; a plurality of second pixels different from the first pixels disposed along the first direction in admixture with the plurality of first pixels; and an adder that adds a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of first selected pixels selected from the plurality of first pixels to each other and a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of second selected pixels selected from the plurality of second pixels to each other in such a manner that outputs provided by the first pixels and outputs provided by the second pixels are not added one to another. Disposition of the plurality of second pixels conforms to positional relationship of the plurality of first selected pixels in the plurality of first pixels. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096887 | Signal processing device for solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus having the signal processing device, signal processing method, and program - A signal processing device for a solid-state imaging device correcting inter-pixel color mixing in the solid-state imaging device in which color filters having a color component constituting a primary component among luminance components and other color components are disposed on a surface of a two-dimensional array of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element is disclosed. The signal processing device includes a parameter distribution unit two-dimensionally distributing correction parameters in a pixel array surface on which a plurality of pixels are arranged and a signal correcting unit correcting a signal for a pixel of interest using each of signals for a plurality of surrounding pixels adjacent to the pixel of interest in the pixel array surface and using two-dimensionally distributed correction parameters for each of the signals. | 04-16-2009 |
20090096888 | Digital Camera Having Input Devices and a Display Capable of Displaying a Plurality of Set Information Items | 04-16-2009 |
20090096889 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM AND IMAGE PICKUP PROGRAM - An image pickup system configured to perform an estimation for an unknown spectral characteristic related to a subject or an illumination light on the basis of an image signal from a color image sensor system, includes: a control unit for performing a control to change a predetermined spectral characteristic in the color image sensor system in a time series manner and cause a plurality of image pickup operations; a verification unit for verifying a reliability related to the plurality of image signals; a correction unit for performing a correction processing on the plurality of image signals on the basis of the reliability; and an estimation unit for performing the estimation for an unknown spectral characteristic related to the subject or the illumination light on the basis of the plurality of image signals on which the correction processing is performed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090102935 | MOTION ASSISTED IMAGE SENSOR CONFIGURATION - In general this disclosure describes techniques for configuring an image sensor of an image capture device based on motion within the scene of interest. In particular, the image capture device analyzes motion between two or more images of the same scene of interest and adjusts the configuration parameters, e.g., gain and/or exposure time, of the image sensor based on the amount of motion within the scene of interest. For example, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a large gain and a short exposure time when the scene includes a relatively large amount of motion, thus reducing the blur caused by the large amount of motion. Conversely, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a small gain and a long exposure time when the scene includes relatively little or no motion, thus reducing the noise caused by large gains. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102936 | Camera - A camera includes: a first image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs a first imaging signal; a second image sensor that is separately arranged from the first image sensor, captures an image of the subject and outputs a second imaging signal; a driving unit that drives the first image sensor and the second image sensor; an image processing unit that processes the first imaging signal and the second imaging signal by time sharing; and a control unit that controls the driving unit and the image processing unit. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102937 | LONG-DISTANCE IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A device for taking long-distance images includes, successively:
| 04-23-2009 |
20090102938 | High Speed Photographic Device, Method For Controlling High Speed Photographic Device, and Computer Program - To provide a high speed photographic device which can display in real time a synchronous image photographed in synchronization with motion of a photographic subject. The high speed photographic device ( | 04-23-2009 |
20090102939 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ACQUIRING MULTIPLE IMAGES WITH A GIVEN CAMERA - An apparatus and method for acquiring multiple images of a given scene. The apparatus allows a standard video imaging camera to simultaneously detect multiple images through the use of reflective surfaces. In at least one embodiment, the multiple images allow for a single image to be created having a high dynamic range. In another embodiment, method for efficiently determining an infrared image is provided. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102940 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING CONTROL METHOD - An imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: an image pickup device which converts an optical image of a photographic subject received through an imaging lens into an image signal; a displaying device which displays a through-the-lens image based on the image signal; a person detecting device which detects one or more persons from the image signal; a distance calculating device which calculates a distance between a plurality of the detected persons; and a composition assisting device which displays on the displaying device information as to whether the distance between the detected persons is proper or not based on the calculated distance between the detected persons. Thereby, it is possible to obtain an image with a proper composition in a case when there are a plurality of persons being the photographic subjects. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102941 | Digital image processing apparatus capable of displaying color distribution chart and method of operating the same - A digital image processing apparatus capable of displaying a color distribution chart and a method of operating the same is provided. The digital image processing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit which detects digital color signals from an image input via an image photographing unit and calculates a color distribution chart that indicates a proportion of the detected color signals in the image. The apparatus and method can calculate and display a color distribution chart of a displayed image and change colors of the image into optimized colors. | 04-23-2009 |
20090102942 | Composition determining apparatus, composition determining method, and program - A composition determining apparatus includes a subject detecting unit configured to detect existence of one or more specific subjects in an image based on image data; and a composition determining unit configured to determine a composition in accordance with the number of subjects detected by the subject detecting unit. | 04-23-2009 |
20090109296 | Pxiel signal processing apparatus and pixel signal processing method - The difference between the output of a k-signal nonlinear low-pass filter ( | 04-30-2009 |
20090109297 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An image capturing apparatus of this invention includes an audio acquisition unit which acquires audio data, an speech processing unit which analyzes the acquired audio data and detects predetermined audio data, an image capturing unit which captures image data by activating a shutter when the speech processing unit detects the predetermined audio data, and a storage unit which stores the audio data acquired by the audio acquisition unit before the shutter is activated in association with image data captured upon activating the shutter. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109298 | METHOD OF SEGMENTING VIDEOS INTO A HIERARCHY OF SEGMENTS - Disclosed is a method of segmenting a compressed video containing a plurality of frames into a multi-level hierarchy of video segments. The method comprising the steps of determining ( | 04-30-2009 |
20090115862 | GEO-TAGGING OF MOVING PICTURES - Image acquisition equipment for moving images comprising a sensing unit for registering moving images; a positioning receiver for receiving data indicative of the geographical position of the image acquisition equipment; a processing unit for calculating the current geographical position of the image acquisition equipment from the data received by the positioning receiver and for recording of moving images registered by the sensing unit; where processing unit is adapted for calculating the geographical position of the image acquisition equipment during the recording of moving images and for associating the current calculated geographical position with the current time of recording of the moving images. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115863 | PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING TOUCH SCREEN AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE THEREIN - A portable terminal having a touch screen and a method for processing an image therein are provided. The portable terminal includes a camera unit for photographing an image, a touch screen for displaying the photographed image, a controller for generating, if a substantially continuous drawing motion is detected on the touch screen, a partial area in the displayed image according to the drawing motion, and a memory unit for storing the partial area of the displayed image. Accordingly, the portable terminal may more easily perform image photographing and editing, thereby increasing user convenience. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115864 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes the following elements. An operation acceptance unit accepts an operation input to specify an attribute associated with a predetermined object. An imaging unit converts incoming light from a subject into a captured image. An object detection unit detects one or more objects included in the captured image. An attribute determination unit determines an attribute of each detected object. A priority object determination unit determines at least one of the detected objects as a priority object on the basis of the specified attribute and the determined attribute. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115865 | AUTOMATIC IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS, AUTOMATIC IMAGE-CAPTURING CONTROL METHOD, IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - An automatic image-capturing apparatus including an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject so as to obtain captured image data; an automatic captured-image obtaining unit configured to automatically obtain the captured image data obtained by the image-capturing unit without being based on an operation of a user; an inclination detection unit configured to detect an inclination in at least one of a pan direction and a tilt direction; and a control unit configured to control the obtaining operation performed by the automatic captured-image obtaining unit on the basis of information on the inclination in the pan direction or in the tilt direction, the inclination being detected by the inclination detection unit. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115866 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a moving image generating unit configured to generate moving image data, an instructions providing unit configured to set a frame rate of the moving image data and provide instructions to change a frame rate to the set frame rate, a control unit configured to control the moving image generating unit to generate moving image data of the frame rate set by the instructions providing unit, an additional information generating unit configured to generate additional information indicating a change of the frame rate of the moving image data in response to the instructions to change the frame rate, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the moving image data generated by the moving image generating unit and the additional information. The transmitting unit transmits the additional information before a frame rate change point in the moving image data. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115867 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND PROGRAM RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus generating a thin line binary image and extracting vectors includes: a vector extracting unit configured to raster-scan the thin line binary image by using a pixel matrix including a plurality of pixels to extract a vector to which contour point information is added in accordance with a predetermined pattern of black and white pixels in the pixel matrix; and a coordinate correcting unit configured to detect that the vector has been extracted from a set of black pixels in 2 pixels×2 pixels in the pixel matrix by referring to the contour point information added to the vector and correct a coordinate of a core-line vector in accordance with coordinate correction information included in the contour point information, the core-line vector being produced by reducing the vector to a core line. | 05-07-2009 |
20090115868 | Photographing device and method of controlling the same - A photographing device for photographing a subject is provided. The photographing device includes a face recognition unit recognizing a face included in an image of the subject; a distance calculation unit calculating a distance between each of a plurality of faces when the plurality of faces are recognized by the face recognition unit; and a distance comparison unit comparing the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit with a pre-set reference distance. A of controlling the photographing device is also provided. | 05-07-2009 |
20090122149 | DIGITAL CAMERA SECURITY - An image capture device, includes a body; an image sensor in the body; a lens configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor; a communications interface in the body; an image processor coupled to receive device information from an external device; a controller coupled to the communications interface and configured to control operations of the digital camera; and executable code embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to cause the controller to configure operational parameters of the digital camera based on information received from the external device. Examples of operational parameters that can be configured include locking and unlocking of the image capture device, encryption or other encoding of captured images, and device settings and configuration. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122150 | Imaging system with improved image quality and associated methods - An imaging system includes an optical system for projecting an object onto a detector, and a phase element between an entrance pupil of the optical system and the detector, the phase element adapted to provide a more uniform modulation transfer function over a range of focus than the optical system alone, wherein an effective focal length of light output from the phase element is a function of an angular component on which the light is incident on the phase element. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122151 | Program Creation Apparatus For Image Processing Controller - There is provided a program creation apparatus capable of displaying a camera image showing a measurement result in accordance with a position of an object to be tested, the apparatus including: a flow chart generating section for arranging processing units on an execution flow, to generate a flowchart; a program generating section for generating a control program for an image processing controller based upon the flowchart; and a display pattern generating section for associating screen components with processing units inside the flowchart and also arranging the screen components on an editor screen, to generate a display pattern in order to display a result of image processing. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122152 | IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - Provided is an image capturing system including an image capturing section that includes a plurality of first light receiving elements for receiving light of a first wavelength region and a plurality of second light receiving elements for receiving light of a second wavelength region, a control section that causes to be generated, from a subject, light of a different spectrum at a different timing for each of the first wavelength region and the second wavelength region, and an image generating section that generates an image from light of a first spectrum from the subject received by the first light receiving elements at a predetermined timing, and light of a second spectrum from the subject received by the second light receiving elements at a timing other than the predetermined timing. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122153 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus comprises image processing units adapted to process image data obtained from an image input unit, a first memory that stores image data that has been processed by the image processing units, a first bus that transfers the image data between the image processing units and the first memory, a second memory that stores image data transferred from the first memory, a second bus connected to the first memory and the second memory; and a control unit adapted to control the transfer of the image data stored in the first memory to the second memory via the second bus based on a signal from the image processing units indicating that image processing is not currently performed. | 05-14-2009 |
20090122154 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF IN MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL - An image signal processing apparatus and a method thereof which can simplify design of a circuit for controlling each of camera modules when a terminal has two camera modules therein, the image signal processing apparatus includes: first and second camera modules for capturing a subject; a digital signal processor for controlling each operation of the first and second camera modules and processing image signals captured by the first and the second camera modules; and a switch module for supplying control signals inputted through the digital signal processor to the first and second camera modules, and selectively outputting the image signals captured by the first and second camera modules to the digital signal processor. | 05-14-2009 |
20090128648 | Image processing device and image processing method for performing three dimensional measurements - An image processing device for the user to easily perform the setting for specifying the location to be performed with three dimensional measurement on the image where the photographed is shown, the device including an imaging section ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090128649 | Reflectance Spectra Estimation and Colour Space Conversion Using Reference Reflectance Spectra - A Personal Computer (PC) adjusts a colour of an image received from a digital camera to produce an estimated reflectance spectrum and/or to convert the colour to a new colour space. First, an input compensation transform is generated, e.g. based on a Macbeth colour chart in the image, to compensate for the sensitivity of the camera used to generate the image to different wavelengths of light and the illumination spectrum incident on an object of interest to which the image relates. In order to estimate the reflectance spectrum, a reflectance spectrum estimation transform is then generated by the PC. In order to convert the colour of the image to the new colour space, a colour space conversion transform is generated by the PC. Both the reflectance spectrum estimation transform and the colour space conversion transform are based on the input compensation transform and reference reflectance spectra stored in a reference reflectance spectra database. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128650 | Imaging Device - An imaging device includes: an imaging element which comprises a plurality of pixels capable of switching between a linear conversion operation for linearly converting incident light into an electric signal and a logarithmic conversion operation for logarithmically converting the incident light into an electric signal, according to an incident light quantity; an operation section which is operated for changing an inflection point, the inflection point is a boundary between a linear region and a logarithmic region of output signals of the imaging element; and an inflection point changing section which changes the inflection point of the imaging element according to an operation of the operation unit. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128651 | Program Creation Apparatus For Image Processing Controller - There is provided a program creation apparatus with improved operability in checking an operation of a created control program, including: a program generating section for acquiring a camera image from a camera based upon an image pick-up trigger signal, to extract a measurement result from the acquired camera image as a control program for the image processing controller; a simulation part for executing the control program; and a communication section for transferring the control program to the image processing controller, wherein the simulation part includes an offline simulation section for extracting a measurement result from a camera image previously held as a registration image, and an online simulation section for acquiring a camera image from the camera through the image processing controller when executing the control program, to extract the measurement result from the acquired camera image. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128652 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - In an image processing apparatus, minimum width and height and maximum width and height of an object to be detected are calculated on the basis of photographing conditions, an object detection range and a size of the object to be detected and an image reduction coefficient is set on the basis of the calculated minimum width and height and maximum width and heights whereby detection can be achieved while keeping the detection accuracy of image processing intact and an intruding person can be detected at a high speed at a necessarily lowest processing speed. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128653 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are provided. The solid-state imaging device capable of performing an intermittent operation includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit in units of a plurality of pixels for each column. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators and a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by outputs of the comparators. Each of the comparators includes an initializing switch for determining an operating point for each column at a start of row operation, and is configured so that an initialization signal to be applied to the initializing switch is controlled independently in parallel only a basic unit of the initialization signal used for a horizontal intermittent operation, and the initializing switch is held in an off-state at a start of non-operating row. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128654 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, PORTABLE TERMINAL APPARATUS, ONBOARD APPARATUS AND MEDICAL APPARATUS - An imaging system is provided and includes an imaging lens and an imaging device such that the maximum diameter of an effective region of a point image becomes a size covering three or more pixels of light receiving pixels, the point image being projected onto a light receiving surface through the imaging lens from any position of X, Y, and Z directions. A signal processing unit in the imaging system executes restoration processing on first image data output from the imaging device that images an optical image of a subject projected onto the light receiving surface through the imaging lens, the restoration processing being executed to generate second image data equivalent to the first image data output from the imaging device when the resolving power of the imaging lens is higher. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128655 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, PORTABLE TERMINAL APPARATUS, ONBOARD APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system is provided and includes: an imaging lens; an imaging device; a coefficient storage section; and a signal processing section. When a maximum diameter of an effective region of a point image projected onto a light receiving surface of the imaging device through the imaging lens is a size covering three or more pixels, a restoration coefficient corresponding to a state of the point image expressed by first image data output from the imaging device is stored in the coefficient storage unit. The signal processing section executes restoration processing on the first image data output from the imaging device by utilizing the restoration coefficient stored in the coefficient storage unit, the restoration processing being executed to generate second image data equivalent to the first image data output from the imaging device when the resolving power of the imaging lens is higher. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128656 | NO-DRIVE PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention provides a no-drive photographing device and method, wherein the no-drive photographing device comprises a lens for obtaining the optical image of the object. Further, the device comprises: an image sensor for converting the optical image of the object obtained by the lens into a digital image signal, and sending the digital image signal to a digital signal processing unit; and the digital signal processing unit for performing real-time processing to the digital image signal, thereby obtaining a restored image signal, and then sending the restored image signal to the external computer device, wherein the digital signal processing unit has a parameter recording region for recording configuration parameters of the image sensor. As a result, solidifying programs in the digital signal processing chip is realized and the allocation of the sensor in the no-drive PC CAM is realized, thereby decreasing the area of the encapsulated chip and reducing the number of elements which results in lowering the cost. Meanwhile, each module can be configured as desired. As a result the design of the PCB becomes easier, so that it is more convenient to offering and purchasing of products by factories. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128657 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CORRECT DIGITAL IMAGE BLUR DUE TO MOTION OF SUBJECT OR IMAGING DEVICE - Signal processing techniques are applied to digital image data to remove the distortion caused by motion of the camera, or the movement of the subject being photographed, or defective optics, or optical distortion from other sources. When the image is captured, the effect of relative motion between the camera and the subject is that it transforms the true image into a blurred image according to a 2-dimensional transfer function. The 2-dimensional transfer function representing the motion is derived using blind estimation techniques or by using information from sensors that detect the motion. The transfer function is inverted and used to define a corrective filter. The filter is applied to the image and the blur due to the motion is removed, restoring the correct image. Another embodiment uses the transfer function to avoid blur by combining multiple consecutive images taken at a fast shutter speed. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128658 | Image pickup apparatus - An image pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup lens having an aperture diaphragm, an image-pickup element that has a color filter which is periodically allocated colors in units of a predetermined unit array and that generates picked-up image data including pixel data of colors using received light, the color filter being adjacent to a light receiving surface, a microlens array unit that is arranged on an image forming surface of the image-pickup lens and whose microlenses are each allocated a plurality of pixels of the image-pickup element, and an image processing unit that performs image processing on the picked-up image data generated by the image-pickup element. The image processing unit includes a parallax component image generation unit that generates a plurality of parallax component images and an interpolation processing unit that performs color interpolation processing for each of the parallax component images. | 05-21-2009 |
20090128659 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - This invention provides an image pickup device comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a semiconductor area to which a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, a transfer switch for transferring the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit to the semiconductor area, and a read unit for reading out the signal from the semiconductor area, and a drive circuit for outputting a first level at which the transfer switch is set in an OFF state, a second level at which the transfer switch is set in an ON state, and a third level between the first level and the second level, wherein the drive circuit controls to hold the third level for a predetermined time while the transfer switch is changing from the ON state to the OFF state. | 05-21-2009 |
20090135266 | SYSTEM FOR SCRIBING A VISIBLE LABEL - An image processing apparatus ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090135267 | Image Processing Apparatus and Image Processing Method - An image processing apparatus includes a discriminating unit that discriminates a color component originating in an image structure in an image captured through an optical system from a color component attributable to a chromatic aberration of the optical system, and a correction unit that corrects the color component attributable to the chromatic aberration of the optical system based upon discrimination results provided by the discriminating unit. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135268 | FORMAT AUTO-SET SYSTEM USED IN IMAGING DEVICE - A format auto-set system for setting an output format of the imaging device includes a connecting module for connecting the imaging device to a display device having a screen, a processing module for outputting an image from the imaging device to the display device via the connecting module in a first output format and a second output format, an image capturing module for capturing images displayed on the screen of the display device, a judging module for determining which image displayed on the screen most resembles the image output from the imaging device and generating a setting signal, and a setting module for receiving the setting signal, and setting an output format of the imaging device as the first output format or the second output format to comply with a predetermined format of the display device according to the setting signal. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135269 | Electronic Camera and Image Processing Device - An image sensor of an electronic camera photoelectrically converts a subject image obtained by a shooting optical system to generate an image signal. A image processing section generates face registration image data and moving image data. A face detecting section detects a face area inside a shooting screen based on the moving image data. A controlling section adjusts shooting parameters of the shooting optical system, depending on a position detected at the face area. A face image generating section cuts out an image of the face area to generate face image data. A face recognizing data generating section extracts feature points of the face of a captured person from a part of the face area of the face registration image data and generates face recognizing data. A recording section records the face recognizing data or face image data. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135270 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - As shown in FIG. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135271 | IMAGE TAKING APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECORDER - An image taking apparatus includes: a photoelectric conversion unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, the photoelectric conversion elements disposed in a two-dimensional matrix, the photoelectric conversion elements converting received light into electric charge and accumulating the electric charge; an image sensor having a function of controlling an exposure time of each of the photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion unit on a line-by-line basis; an area division unit for logically dividing the photoelectric conversion unit into an N number of uniform areas on the basis of information related to a taken image of a subject, each of the uniform areas including a line having some of the photoelectric conversion elements, N being a natural number of two or more; an interlaced scanning unit for scanning the photoelectric conversion elements in the first to N-th areas by M lines starting with a predetermined line in a predetermined area of the first to N-th areas while changing an area to be scanned to another area in a predetermined order each time the M lines are scanned, M being a natural number of one or more; and a pixel signal reading unit for reading, from each of the photoelectric conversion elements scanned by the interlaced scanning unit, a pixel signal including an electric signal corresponding to an amount of electric charge accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135272 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CORRECT DIGITAL IMAGE BLUR DUE TO MOTION OF SUBJECT OR IMAGING DEVICE - Signal processing techniques are applied to digital image data to remove the distortion caused by motion of the camera, or the movement of the subject being photographed, or defective optics, or optical distortion from other sources. When the image is captured, the effect of relative motion between the camera and the subject is that it transforms the true image into a blurred image according to a 2-dimensional transfer function. The 2-dimensional transfer function representing the motion is derived using blind estimation techniques or by using information from sensors that detect the motion. The transfer function is inverted and used to define a corrective filter. The filter is applied to the image and the blur due to the motion is removed, restoring the correct image. Another embodiment uses the transfer function to avoid blur by combining multiple consecutive images taken at a fast shutter speed. | 05-28-2009 |
20090135273 | Image sensor and image-capturing device - An image sensor includes: a plurality of first pixels that receive a light flux having passed through an optical system and output pixel signals to be used as image signals; a plurality of second pixels that receive a light flux having passed through the optical system and output pixel signals to be used as signals other than the image signals; a plurality of first pixel rows, each of which includes an array made up with a plurality of first pixels; at least one second pixel row that includes an array made up with first pixels and second pixels; an output circuit that outputs a read signal in response to which pixel signals output at the first pixels are read out from the first pixel rows over first pixel intervals and pixel signals output at the second pixels are read out from the second pixel row over second pixel intervals, different from the first pixel intervals, the output circuit outputting externally the pixel signals having been read out; and a switching device that selects a specific pixel row, either one of the first pixel rows or the second pixel row, from which pixel signals are to be read out by the output circuit. | 05-28-2009 |
20090141139 | Imaging Device - An imaging device including: an imaging element which comprises a plurality of pixels capable of switching between a linear conversion operation for linearly converting incident light into an electric signal and a logarithmic conversion operation for logarithmically converting the incident light into an electric signal, according to an incident light quantity; a monitor to display an image obtained by the imaging element; an operation section which is operated for specifying an arbitrary area of the image displayed on the monitor; and an inflection point changing section which evaluates an output signal of the imaging element in the specified area, and changes the inflection point which is a boundary between a linear region and a logarithmic region in the output signal of the imaging element, based on an evaluation result of the output signal. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141140 | End-to-end design of electro-optic imaging systems for color-correlated objects - An electro-optic color imaging system includes an optical subsystem, a detector subsystem and a digital image processing subsystem. The system is used to image a color-correlated object. In the optical subsystem, the image surfaces for different color channels of the object are substantially separated. Thus, one color channel may be in focus while others are out of focus. The detector subsystem is located at a fixed image distance from the optical subsystem and captures the different color channel images of the object. The image processing subsystem estimates the image of the object by combining the captured color channel images based at least in part on an a priori estimate of the correlation between the color channels. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141141 | Imaging apparatus having focus control function - A digital camera | 06-04-2009 |
20090141142 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND TIME CORRECTION METHOD - An image pickup apparatus that records a picked-up image and time information indicating when the picked-up image was picked up includes a unit that obtains location information and UTC and generates positioning information indicating the obtained result, a unit that determines the time difference between the time corresponding to the location information and UTC using the location information, a unit that calculates the local time of a location indicated by the location information using UTC and the time difference, and a unit that performs correction of a system time of the image pickup apparatus when the time difference between the system time and the local time exceeds a predetermined time period and that causes the correction of the system time to be delayed until after the completion of a recording operation of the picked-up image when the recording operation is being performed. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141143 | NETWORK CAMERA - The invention relates to a network camera comprising an image acquisition part, an image processing part, a flat cable connecting the image acquisition part with a first end of the image processing part, and an inlet for an external data cable arranged at a second end of the image processing part. The image acquisition part is tiltable around a first axis in relation to the image processing part, the image processing part and the image acquisition part in combination are rotatable around a second axis, and the first and second axes are essentially perpendicular to each other. | 06-04-2009 |
20090141144 | Digital Image Adjustable Compression and Resolution Using Face Detection Information - A method of adjustable spatial and/or temporal compression of an image including a face includes identifying a group of pixels that correspond to a face within a digitally-acquired image. A first compression portion of the image including the group of pixels is determined. A second compression portion of the image other than the group of pixels is also determined. The first compression portion may be automatically compressed with higher-grade compression than the second compression portion to generate a compressed image including the face, or an option to provided the compressed image including the different grade compressions may be provided. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147093 | COLOR PROCESSING CIRCUIT - An image processing apparatus includes an image sensor and a color processing circuit. The image sensor outputs single color image signals to the color processing circuit. The color processing circuit includes a delay unit and a process unit. The delay unit delays the single color image signals belonging to multiple pixels to be stored in the delay unit. The process unit retrieves the single color image signals belonging to multiple pixels simultaneously, and determines a set of complete red, green, and blue values for at least part of pixels of the image sensor using an interpolation algorithm. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147094 | DIGITAL IMAGING DEVICE CAPABLE OF AUTO-REGULATING BRIGHTNESS OF DISPLAY PANEL AND BRIGHTNESS AUTO-REGULATING METHOD THEREOF - A digital imaging device includes a display panel, a capturing unit for capturing a number of images including a current image and a subsequent image, a brightness measuring unit configured for measuring a brightness value of the current image, a judging unit configured for determining whether the measured brightness value is acceptable, a controller, a memory and a regulating unit. The controller is used for adjusting exposure parameters of the capturing unit for the subsequent image if the measured brightness value is not acceptable. The memory stores a table including a collection of brightness values and a collection of driving voltage values, wherein each brightness value is associated with a driving voltage value. The regulating unit is used for indexing a driving voltage value in the table associated with the measured brightness value, and adjusting the display panel according to the indexed driving voltage value if the measured brightness value is acceptable. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147095 | Digital photographing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and recording medium storing a program for implementing the method - A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program for implementing the method are provided in a manner by which a user can enjoy maximized convenience in manipulating the digital photographing apparatus. The method includes (a) determining a motion direction of the digital photographing apparatus by analyzing image data obtained from light that is incident on an imaging device; and (b) switching from a current mode of the digital photographing apparatus to another mode corresponding to the motion direction determined in (a). | 06-11-2009 |
20090147096 | POSITION SPECIFYING SYSTEM, POSITION SPECIFYING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - Provided is a position specifying system including: a light irradiation section that irradiates light to different positions of a physical body respectively; an image capturing section that captures images of an object existing inside the physical body, by means of the light irradiated to the different positions; and a position specifying section that specifies a depth of the object from a surface of the physical body onto which the light from the light irradiation section is irradiated, based on a difference in the images captured by the image capturing section. | 06-11-2009 |
20090147097 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, PORTABLE TERMINAL APPARATUS, ONBOARD APPARATUS, MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system is provided and includes an imaging lens and an imaging device such that the maximum diameter of an effective region of a point image covers three or more pixels of light receiving pixels, the point image being projected onto a light receiving surface through the imaging lens from an intended position. A signal processing unit executes restoration processing on first image data output from the imaging device, and the restoration processing is executed to generate second image data equivalent to the first image data output from the imaging device when the resolving power of the imaging lens is higher. The imaging lens has a first lens group having a positive power, a second lens group having a negative power, and a third lens group in which a lens positioned closest to an image side has a positive power, in order from the object side. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153688 | Digital Video Cable Driver - In accordance with the teachings described herein, a digital video cable driver is provided that includes an input stage, an output stage and an amplification stage. The input stage converts a pair of differential input voltages into a control current. The output stage generates a digital output voltage for transmission over a cable. The amplification stage responds to the control current to control a voltage swing of the digital output voltage as a function of the control current. The amplification stage may include a transistor circuit that varies the digital output voltage in proportion to variations in the control current to cause the voltage swing, wherein the control current causes one or more transistors in the transistor circuit to remain in a saturated state during operation of the digital video cable driver. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153689 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING AN IMAGE OF A HUMAN FACE - An image capturing device includes an image sensing unit for sensing an image of a human face, an image processing unit, and a memory device. The image processing unit includes a face detection module, a brightness obtaining module, a comparing module, and an adjustment module. The face detection module is configured for detecting human faces in images sensed by the image sensing unit. The brightness obtaining module is configured for obtaining the brightness of a set of areas in the image corresponding to a set of preset portions of each human face. The comparing module is configured for comparing brightness of each of the areas to a threshold value. The adjustment module is configured for adjusting the image by decreasing the brightness of the areas whose brightness is greater than the threshold value. The memory device is able to store the images adjusted by the image processing unit. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153690 | Method for determining imaging quality of a camera via a motion sensor and ISO settings - A method for determining imaging quality of a camera via a motion sensor and ISO settings uses a CCD sensor module, an ISO setting module, a shutter module, a zoom module and a color temperature module to provide all kinds of information of an object image and transmit the information to an image processing unit to be processed, uses a motion sensor module to provide camera motion information, and then uses the image processing unit to estimate the level of motion of the camera and adjust and correct the information provided by the modules according to the camera motion information provided by the motion sensor module to select optimum settings and compression quality. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153691 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a first image data obtaining unit, a second image data obtaining unit, and a composite image data obtaining unit. The imaging unit obtains image data of a predetermined imaging area. The first image data obtaining unit obtains, as first image data, image data of part of the imaging area to be cut out as a first imaging area from the image data. The second image data obtaining unit obtains, as second image data, image data of part of the imaging area to be cut out as a second imaging area from the image data. The composite image data obtaining unit obtains composite image data representing a composite screen image of a screen image of the first imaging area and a screen image of the second imaging area based on the first image data and the second image data. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153692 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM - An image capturing apparatus having a plurality of communication modes comprises an image capturing unit adapted to capture an object image and obtain image data, and a control unit adapted to control the image capturing apparatus, wherein the plurality of communication modes include a host mode in which the image capturing apparatus is able to communicate with a plurality of external devices and a client mode in which the image capturing apparatus is disable to simultaneously communicate with the plurality of external devices, and wherein the control unit is able to automatically switch the image capturing apparatus to the host mode after an image capturing instruction is applied to the image capturing unit. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153693 | IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - The image-pickup apparatus includes an image acquiring part respectively photoelectrically converting first and second object images respectively formed by first and second light fluxes into first image data and second image data, the first and second light fluxes being formed by dividing a light flux from an image-pickup optical system by a pupil divider, and photoelectrically converting a third object image formed by a third light flux of the light flux from the image-pickup optical system into third image data, the third light flux being not divided by the pupil divider, and a split image generating part which generates split image data to be displayed in the third image data. The split image generating part generates the split image data based on the first image data and the second image data, and adds color information extracted from the third image data to the split image data. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153694 | MOVING IMAGE GENERATING APPARATUS, MOVING IMAGE SHOOTING APPARATUS, MOVING IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A moving image generating apparatus comprises: an obtaining device which obtains a series of image data in which high-resolution first image data obtained at a predetermined frame rate and low-resolution second image data obtained at times that are different from the times of the obtainment of the first image data are arranged in a given order; a characteristic point extracting device which extracts characteristic points in the first image data; a corresponding point detecting device which detects corresponding points in the second image data, the corresponding points corresponding to characteristic points in first image data obtained immediately before the second image data; and a generating device which generates high-resolution image data having a content that is the same as that of the second image data by modifying the first image data based on the relationship between the characteristic points extracted by the characteristic point extracting device and the corresponding points detected by the corresponding point detecting device. | 06-18-2009 |
20090153695 | Camera performing photographing in accordance with photographing mode depending on object scene - A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160965 | Image sensor having a diffractive optics element - An apparatus for generating a color image that comprises an image sensor having a plurality of light-sensitive elements having a light sensing area, each light-sensitive element is configured for measuring a value corresponding to an intensity of light at the related light sensing area. The apparatus further comprises a diffractive optics element that diffracts impinging light waves. Each one of the impinging light waves is diffracted according to its wavelength toward at least one of the light-sensitive elements. The apparatus further comprises an image processor that generates a color image by arranging the values. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160966 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - A digital image capture device includes an image capture unit, a display unit, a selection unit, and a processing unit. The image capture unit is configured to capture an image. The display unit is configured to display the captured image and allow determination of a portion thereof to be selected. The selection unit is configured to allow selection of a portion of the image in response to user input based on the determination. The processing unit is configured to process the unselected portion of the image. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160967 | Determination of shooting scene and image processing for the determined scene | 06-25-2009 |
20090167881 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CAMERA SYSTEM - A system and method for controlling a camera assembly may include monitoring an image field for blinks by one or more subjects in the image field. The monitoring may be carried out by generating a video signal of the image field, the video signal having a sequence of frames; subtracting a previous frame of the video signal from a current frame of the video signal to generate a difference frame; and identifying image data in the difference frame that is representative of a blink. Each blink may be tracked and associated with a subject from the one or more subjects. Statistical data regarding blink duration and blink rate for each subject from the one or more subjects may be generated. In response to user input to command the taking of a photograph, a determination if a blink is in progress may be made and a flash of the camera assembly may be fired and image data for the photograph may be captured if no blink is detected at the time of the command. Otherwise, firing of the flash and the capturing of the image data may be delayed by an amount of time that is based on the statistical data to minimize firing the flash and capturing the image data during a blink of the one or more subjects. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167882 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - An operation method for operating an electronic device having an image capture unit is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. An input image of an object having first and second sub images is first acquired from the image capture unit. Next, the acquired first and second sub images are recognized to obtain information regarding outlines or positions of the first and second sub images. A corresponding control instruction is generated according to the relative relationship between the outlines or positions of the first and second sub images. Then, at least one operation corresponding to the generated control instruction is performed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167883 | Electronic Camera - An electronic camera including an imaging device photoelectrically converting a formed image of a subject to generate an image signal, a manipulation section accepting an input instructing a release, a face detecting section detecting a face area in a shooting image plane based on the image signal during a standby period for the release, a controlling section photographing the subject in response to the release to generate shooting image data from the image signal, a face recognizing data generating section which extracts a feature point of a person's face corresponding to the face area based on the image signal and generates face recognizing data of the photographed person based on the feature point when the release takes place while the face area is detected, and a recording section recording the face recognizing data | 07-02-2009 |
20090167884 | Self-Similar Capture Systems - An image capture system providing self-similar image elements. The self-similar nature of the image elements makes the information taken from an image of an object be invariant with both the magnification and rotation of the object. This can significantly reduce the processing required for object alignment and magnification adjustment during object recognition, identification, verification, or classification processes. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167885 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, IMAGE ACQUISITION APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM OF IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processor includes a frequency transformation unit configured to perform frequency transformation processing with respect to a multiple image, and an inter-superimposed-image displacement acquisition unit that calculates a displacement amount between images forming superimposed images included in the multiple image by using a frequency-transformed image subjected to the frequency transformation processing by the frequency transformation unit. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167886 | IMAGE CONVERTER AND IMAGE CONVERTING METHOD - On conversion of a distorted circular image photographed by use of a fisheye lens to a planar regular image, parameter setting is performed by a user's intuitive manipulation to relieve the operation load. A dome-shaped virtual sphere H is defined on a distorted circular image S on the XY plane, and a user is allowed to designate a cut-out center point P (x | 07-02-2009 |
20090167887 | IMAGING DEVICE - This attempts to improve the user's visibility on the device settings and variety of other conditions of the imaging device and thereby enhancing the usability of the imaging device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167888 | METHODS OF PROCESSING IMAGING SIGNAL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICES PERFORMING THE SAME - Methods of processing an image signal and signal processing devices can lessen a work load of a processor for processing a photographed image signal, can process photographed image signal, and can display the image signal in real time. The method includes performing first image processing on a first image frame to generate first image data, performing second image processing on the first image frame to generate second image data, outputting the first image data based on a first vertical synchronization signal, causing image processing not to be performed on a second image frame subsequent to the first image frame, and outputting the second image data. Accordingly, the JPEG image and the thumbnail image for the photographed image are generated by the image signal processor, thereby lessening a work load of the processor and improving image processing speed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167889 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - A control unit monitors a state of captured image sequentially outputted by an image capturing unit. The control unit carries out a first determination that determines whether or not the state of a captured image satisfies a prescribed condition. When the result is that the prescribed condition is satisfied, the captured image is recorded in a recording unit. The control unit also carries out a second determination that determines whether or not the state of the captured image is appropriate for being subjected to the first determination. When the result is that the state is not appropriate for being subjected to the first determination, a warning is issued to the user to this effect. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167890 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE THAT RECORDS IMAGE ACCORDANT WITH PREDETERMINED CONDITION AND STORAGE MEDIUM THAT STORES PROGRAM - An image capture device sets a central vicinity of a frame of a predetermined area as a focus region upon detecting a half-press operation of a shutter button in a through-the-lens image displaying, designates a central vicinity pixel region of the region as a pixel region to be tracked, and determines whether or not the designated pixel region is adequate as an object of tracking. If the pixel region is adequate, the pixel region is tracked until the shutter button is detected as pressed down fully. When a fully-press operation of the shutter button is detected, the frame of a predetermined area is displayed in a fixed manner on a display unit. Upon a detection that a change of the pixel region has occurred, or the pixel region has contacted or exceeded the frame of a predetermined area, a recording processing is started immediately by a high speed consecutive capture. | 07-02-2009 |
20090174784 | CAMERA HAVING DIGITAL GRAY FILTERING AND METHOD OF PROVIDING SAME - A camera includes an image sensor made up of an array of image sensing elements arranged in rows and columns. In addition, the camera includes a lens for imaging a field of view onto the image sensor, and timing circuitry that controls an integration period of each of the image sensing elements, the integration period representing a time during which the image sensing element acquires charge as a function of light incident on the image sensing element. Further, the camera includes gray filter circuitry, operatively coupled to the timing circuitry, for adjusting the integration period of image sensing elements above a horizon defined within the field of view relative to the integration period of image sensing elements below the horizon. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174785 | IMAGING DEVICE DRIVER AND PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUMENT EMPLOYING IT - An image pickup device driving apparatus including an image pickup device holding portion for holding an image pickup device with an image pickup surface directed to a predetermined direction and capable of moving in an optical axis direction; a movable portion provided facing the image pickup device holding portion and capable of moving with respect to the image pickup device holding portion; three inclined portions provided on a surface of any one of the movable portion and the image pickup device holding portion, which faces the other; three spheres provided on a surface of the other of the movable portion and the image pickup device holding portion, which faces the three inclined portions, in a way in which they are respectively brought into contact with the three inclined portions; and a driving portion for moving the movable portion so as to change positions in which the three inclined portions and the three spheres are brought into contact with each other and to move the image pickup device held in the image pickup device holding portion in the optical axis direction with the surface direction of the image pickup surface maintained. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174786 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CAMERA SETTINGS - A method for managing camera settings in an electronic device is provided. One or more parameters associated with an electronic device are determined. A camera of the electronic device is configured, based on the one or more parameters. An image based on the profile is captured. Quality of the image is checked against a predefined threshold. The image is then processed in accordance with the configuration and a result of the quality check. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174787 | Digital Life Recorder Implementing Enhanced Facial Recognition Subsystem for Acquiring Face Glossary Data - Identifying individual facial images that are broadcast to enable optimized indexing and storage of facial information. Frames of data including faces are continually captured from a stream of incoming data. The facial frame data is extracted and processed into individual facial images. The individual facial images may be compared to existing facial image data in a database or cache to determine the identity of a facial image. The individual facial images may also be compared to facial images and metadata describing the facial images that are broadcast from external recording subsystems. The individual facial images stored to the glossary may be indexed based on the metadata received in the broadcast from an external recording subsystem or by metadata received from the continuous face frame capture. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174788 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus that enables to make a periodic noise in a captured image less noticeable without making the whole construction thereof complicated. An image pick up unit accumulates electric charges corresponding to an optical image of a target object and transfers the accumulated electric charges, and also reads them out as image signals. A control unit drives the image pick up unit to read out the image signals consecutively from the image pick up unit in a field-by-field base in such a manner so as to make the horizontal cycle of each field different from one another. | 07-09-2009 |
20090174789 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING - In an imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, three images are picked up by a CCD having a color filter, and thirteen images are picked up by a CMOS having no color filter. Three of thirteen images are picked up at the same timing as by the CCD. A motion vector data between the images is calculated from the thirteen image data of the CCD. Further, the motion vector data is integrated to calculate motion vector data between a previous pickup image and a present pickup image, and motion vector data between the present pickup image and a following pickup image. A predicted image of the present pickup image is generated from the motion vector data, the previous pickup image, and the following pickup image. A weighted average is calculated between the predicted image and the present pickup image, which are synthesized into an image having decreased hand jiggling. | 07-09-2009 |
20090179996 | DEVICE FOR CONTACTLESSLY CONTROLLING THE SURFACE PROFILE OF OBJECTS - The invention relates to the devices for contactlessly measuring surface profiles and can be used for person identification in security systems. The inventive device for contactlessly controlling surface profile comprises a pulse illumination unit which is provided with a transparency and forms a transparency image on an object surface, and image recording unit and a computer. Said device also comprises a control unit which is connected to the image recording unit in the form of a TV camera with field interlacing, the pulse illumination unit and to the computer for synchronizing the illumination of the object surface by said pulse illumination unit with the TV camera field and for synchronizing the image processing by the computer with the TV interlacing. The transparency is embodied in the form of a line screen provided with an aperiodical different width band structure and a uniform transmission along each band, thereby making it possible to identify the sequence of the line screen images on the object surface. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179997 | APPARATUSES FOR CAPTURING AND STORING REAL-TIME IMAGES - An apparatus for capturing and storing real-time images is provided. A camera module records frames corresponding to sensed light, outputs pixel data of the frames on a data bus, and generates synchronization control signals to control the synchronized transmission of the frames. An interrupt controller receives the synchronization control signals and correspondingly generates interrupt signals. A processing unit receives the interrupt signals, fetches the pixel data of the frames on the data bus according to at least one of the interrupt signals, and stores the fetched pixel data in a memory device. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179998 | Modification of Post-Viewing Parameters for Digital Images Using Image Region or Feature Information - A method of modifying the viewing parameters of digital images using image feature detection for achieving desired parameters based on one or more sub-groups of pixels that correspond to one or more selected image features such as a face, body, pets, or a background region or a foreground region. Such methods may be used for animating still images, automating and streamlining application such as the creation of slide shows and screen savers of images containing selected image features. Two or more features such as a foreground region and a background region may be separated and independently processed. | 07-16-2009 |
20090179999 | Image Processing Method and Apparatus - An image processing apparatus is arranged to process a first relatively underexposed and sharp image of a scene, and a second relatively well exposed and blurred image, nominally of the same scene, the first and second images being derived from respective image sources. The apparatus provides a portion of the relatively first underexposed image as an input signal to an adaptive filter; and a corresponding portion of the second relatively well exposed image as a desired signal to the adaptive filter. The adaptive filter produces an output signal from the input signal and the desired signal; and an image generator constructs a first filtered image from the output signal, relatively less blurred than the second image. | 07-16-2009 |
20090185045 | DUAL-PURPOSE HARDWARE APERTURE - Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system which supports a dual-purpose aperture for an electronic device. This system includes a first component configured to perform an acoustic function through the aperture and a second component configured to perform a non-acoustic function through the aperture. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185046 | Camera and Image Processing Program - To insert an inserting-image at an appropriate position of image data by providing an imaging unit imaging an image of an object and generating the image data, a recognizing unit performing face recognition processing on the image data and generating distribution information which represents a distribution of a main object in an image of the image data, and a decision unit determining an inserting position to insert the inserting-image into the image data based on at least one of the distribution information and contrast information of the object. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185047 | IMAGING APPARATUS, FUNCTION CONTROL METHOD, AND FUNCTION CONTROL PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: receiving means for receiving selection input for an imaging mode; discriminating means for discriminating, when the selection input is received through the receiving means, a selected imaging mode on the basis of the received selection input; and scanning controlling means for causing, when it is discriminated by the discriminating means that a simple imaging mode for limiting operation input and allowing a user to appropriately take an image of a subject is selected, the imaging apparatus to execute scanning processing for specifying a position of the subject, which is performed to set focus on the subject, in a maximum range from a near scene to a distant scene. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185048 | REMOTE HEAD CAMERA - According to one embodiment, a remote head camera includes a camera control unit, and a camera head configured to be connected to the camera control unit and including an imaging device, a drive signal generator, and a format identifying unit. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal for driving the imaging device. The format identifying unit identifies a format of the imaging device based on a clock count in a synchronization period from a first synchronization pulse to a second synchronization pulse output after the first synchronization pulse. The first synchronization pulse and the second synchronization pulse constitutes a synchronization signal. | 07-23-2009 |
20090185049 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An evaluation value for a pixel in an eye region in an image is computed, which is increased with increase in the redness of the pixel and with decrease in the luminance of the pixel. Furthermore, a color saturation value for the pixel included in the eye region is corrected with the use of a luminance value for a surrounding region around an eye and the evaluation value. In this case, the color saturation value is corrected such that the amount of correction is smaller in a case in which the luminance value is smaller even with the same evaluation value, thereby achieving improvement in the correction factor of and prevention of false corrections of a redeye region with a low color saturation and a low luminance. | 07-23-2009 |
20090189991 | METHOD AND APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN CAMERA FOR INDIVIDUATION ADJUSTMENT - An individuation adjustment device of a camera includes an initialization module, an image capturing module, a common-difference setting module, a reproducing module, a selection module, and a storage module. The initialization module is configured for initializing a primary parameter value of the camera. The common-difference setting module is configured for determining a common-difference value. The reproducing module is configured for reproducing a plurality of images having different parameter values relative to each other. The parameter values are calculated according to the primary parameter value and the common-difference value. The selection module is configured for selecting one of the images according to the agreement of the user. The storage module is configured for storing the image selected by the selection module. User can select an image having all kinds of individual parameter according to the requirement of the user utilizing the individuation adjustment apparatus. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189992 | Apparatus and method for learning photographing profiles of digital imaging device for recording personal life history - Provided are a photographing profile learning apparatus and method of a digital imaging device for recording a personal life history. The photographing profile learning method learns a user's photographing patterns by recommending at least one previous picture consistent with a user's photographing tendencies, using a recommendation function and a user profile based on a user feedback value and a compensation value, receiving user feedback regarding the recommended previous picture, and updating the user profile and the recommendation function according to the user feedback. Therefore, since photographing settings are performed according to a user's tendency and conditions, it is possible to maintain consistency between a currently photographed picture and previously photographed pictures and systematically produce a visual diary. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189993 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus that can output images with a plurality of resolutions is provided. The imaging apparatus comprises an imaging section ( | 07-30-2009 |
20090189994 | Image Processing Apparatus - It is an object to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of changing over the operation mode between a magnification observation mode and a high-speed photographing mode without increasing the fabrication cost. An image processing apparatus includes a mode selection part which selects one of a magnification observation mode and a high-speed photographing mode, a frame-rate conversion part which performs processing for decreasing the frame rate of images created by image pickup, a volatile memory into which image data having a high frame rate from an image pickup part are written during recording operations in the high-speed photographing mode, a moving-image readout part which reads out image data from the volatile memory in reading out image data in the high-speed photographing mode, an image processing part which performs processing for adjusting luminance levels on image data subjected to the frame-rate conversion to create display data and, also, performs processing for adjusting luminance levels on image data read out from the volatile memory by the moving-image readout part, and a changeover part which connects the frame-rate conversion part or the moving-image readout part to the image processing part. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189995 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE, IMAGE REPRODUCING DEVICE, RECORDING MEDIUM, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - An image recording/reproducing device of this invention includes the following units. An image signal processing unit generates second captured image signals according to a second method. A first compression unit generates first compressed image data by compressing first image information which is in the second captured image signals and equivalent to the first captured image. A second compression unit generates second compressed image data by compressing second image information which is in the second captured image signals except at least a part of the first image information. A recording unit creates first and second folders, and records the first compressed image data and a first playlist in association with the first folder and the second compressed image data in association with the second folder, so that parts of the first and second compressed image data captured during a same first time unit are recorded in association with each other. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189996 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE, IMAGE REPRODUCING DEVICE, RECORDING MEDIUM, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREOF - An image recording device includes: a reference clock generation generating a reference clock; a first compression unit generating first compressed image data by compressing a first picture that is included in pictures in the captured image and that is equivalent to image captured at the first frame rate; a second compression unit generating second compressed image data by compressing a second picture that is included in the pictures in the captured image except the first picture; a first timestamp generation unit generating a first timestamp indicating a time for presentation of the first picture with reference to the reference clock; a second timestamp generation unit generating a second timestamp indicating a time for presentation of the second picture with reference to the reference clock; a first assignment unit assigning the first timestamp to the first compressed image data; a second assignment unit assigning the second timestamp to the second compressed image data; and a recording unit recording, to the recording medium, (i) the first compressed image data assigned with the first timestamp and (ii) the second compressed image data assigned with the second timestamp. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189997 | Methods and Apparatuses for Addressing Chromatic Abberations and Purple Fringing - Methods and systems for detecting and correcting chromatic aberration and purple fringing are disclosed. Chromatic aberration can be addressed by separating an image into color planes and then adjusting these to reduce chromatic aberration by using a specific calibration image (calibration chart) as an empirical method to calibrate the image acquisition device. Purple fringing can be corrected by initially addressing color aberration resulting from the lateral chromatic aberration (LCA). The LCA is first removed and then the correction is extended to purple fringing. A discovery is relied upon that the purple fringing is created in the direction of the chromatic aberration and is more pronounced in the direction of the chromatic aberration. | 07-30-2009 |
20090189998 | Methods And Apparatuses For Using Image Acquisition Data To Detect And Correct Image Defects - A method and device for detecting a potential defect in an image comprises acquiring a digital image at a time; storing image acquisition data, wherein the image acquisition data includes at least one of a position of a source of light relative to a lens, a distance from the source of light to the lens, a focal length of the lens, a distance from a point on a digital image acquisition device to a subject, an amount of ambient light, or flash intensity; determining dynamic anthropometric data, wherein the dynamic anthropometric data includes one or more dynamically changing human body measurements, of one or more humans represented in the image, captured at the time; and determining a course of corrective action based, at least in part, on the image acquisition data and the dynamic anthropometric data. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195668 | Digital image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same - A digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. When the composition of a subject displayed on a display of the apparatus is changed during application of a first shutter-release signal, a current auto-focus (AF) region moves along with the subject and displayed on the display at the same time as the subject. The apparatus can further display an initial AF region on the display in a manner distinguishable from the current AF region. After the composition of the subject is changed, while the current AF region moving along with the subject is being displayed on the display, when the application of the first shutter-release signal is interrupted, an AF region is reset as the initial AF region. Also, an image file can be generated and stored after application of a second-shutter release signal which occurs after application of the first shutter-release signal. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195669 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Camera Sensor Intensity Saturation - A method for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes monitoring an electrical signal from a light sensor for detecting an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of the light sensor, converting the electrical signal to a digital signal, imposing a reserved bit combination on the digital signal indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. Alternatively stated, the method includes monitoring pixel data from an output of a light sensor to determine a number of pixels at saturation and a number of pixels near saturation, comparing the number of pixels at saturation to a predetermined first threshold number, comparing the number of pixels near saturation to a predetermined second threshold number, reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to more brightness if the number of pixels at saturation is above the first threshold number, and reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to less brightness if the number of pixels near saturation is below the second threshold number. An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201383 | Efficient method for reducing noise and blur in a composite still image from a rolling shutter camera - A rolling shutter digital camera. Each photographic image of a given exposure duration is captured as a multi-frame burst of frames each having a shorter exposure duration to minimize motion blur and to reduce sensor noise by averaging. Each frame is quantized into swaths, captured sequentially by the rolling shutter. Swaths of the first frames are analyzed to select a set of best motion detection reference regions. Swaths of subsequent frames are analyzed versus only those regions, to reduce required computation, and are re-registered accordingly. Corresponding swaths of each frame are accumulated. The accumulator is normalized to the desired bit depth and written as the final image. Averaging of the multiple frames is improved by re-registering swaths rather than entire frames, because of the time delta caused by the rolling shutter. Computation is further reduced by selecting candidate points only along a key line of each swath of the first frame, and still further by pre-limiting the search by using a thumbnail version of the first frame to cull most candidate points. Thresholds are used to ensure adequate motion detection regions are used for each swath. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201384 | Method and apparatus for matching color image and depth image - A method and apparatus for matching images are provided. The image matching method includes: obtaining a depth image and an intensity image of an object using a depth camera installed at a first position and a color image of the object using a color camera installed at a second position other than the first poison; | 08-13-2009 |
20090201385 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - There is described an image capturing apparatus, which makes it possible to conduct a high-accurate range finding operation irrespective of the position of the subject. The apparatus, comprises: a plurality of imaging elements; a plurality of luminance signal generating sections, each of which generates a luminance signal by mixing the plural wavelength signals with each other at a predetermined mixture ratio; a plurality of mixture ratio controlling sections, which respectively correspond to the plurality of imaging elements, and each of which changes a mixture ratio, at which the plural wavelength signals are mixed with each other, based on a positional relationship between a corresponding one of the plurality of imaging elements and a subject; and a range detecting section to detect a distance to the subject, based on a correlation between luminance signals, each of which is the luminance signal generated by each of the luminance signal generating sections. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201386 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM STORING A PROGRAM - Provided is an image processing apparatus, comprising an image generating section that generates a converted image by performing a coordinate conversion on a captured image captured through an optical system, such that a spread of light from the optical system has a shape that is spatially substantially uniform; a correcting section that corrects the converted image based on the spread of the light modified by the image generating section to have the shape that is substantially uniform; and an inverse converting section that performs an inverse conversion of the coordinate conversion on the converted image corrected by the correcting section. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201387 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM STORING MEDIUM - An image capturing apparatus includes an optical system that forms an image of light and a gradation processing section that converts gradation of a captured image captured through the optical system in accordance with a spatial frequency transfer characteristic of the optical system. The image capturing apparatus may further include a light receiving section that receives light from a subject through the optical system, and the gradation processing section may convert gradation of a captured image obtained by light received by the light receiving section in accordance with a spatial frequency transfer characteristic at the position at which the light receiving section is provided. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201388 | IMAGING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING COMPUTER READABLE PROGRAM AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus, including: an imaging section for sequentially taking an image of an object and sequentially generating image data of the object; a dividing section for dividing the image data of the object into image data corresponding to each of a plurality of image areas; a first calculating section for calculating an evaluated value of each of the divided plurality of image areas by evaluating a pixel value of each of the pixels included in each of the divided plurality of image areas; a second calculating section for calculating a correlation degree of the image areas respectively corresponding to the images based on the evaluated value of each of the image areas calculated by the first calculating section; and a first controlling section for controlling execution of storing the image data of the object based on the correlation degree of the image areas calculated by the second calculating section. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201389 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided are a digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The digital image processing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit that recognizes a facial expression of a face from a photographed image, determines whether the eyes of the subject's face are closed, and re-photographs the image when the eyes are closed. The method of controlling the digital image processing apparatus includes: (a) receiving an image; (b) generating a photographed image by photographing the image; (c) checking whether the eyes on a face photographed on the photographed image are closed; and (d) generating a re-photographed image by re-photographing the image when the eyes are closed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201390 | Image capturing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program - An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject and generate a captured image of the subject, a feature value extracting unit configured to extract a feature value of the captured image, a scene candidate determining unit configured to determine a scene candidate of a subject scene included in the captured image on the basis of the extracted feature value, and a scene determining unit configured to determine that the scene candidate is the subject scene included in the captured image when the scene candidate determining unit continuously determines scene candidates of an identical kind for a scene determining period taken for determining the subject scene included in the captured image. | 08-13-2009 |
20090207264 | Image processing device, imaging device, and medium storing image processing program - An image processing device including a storing unit storing the position of a focus detecting pixel of an image-capturing sensor containing plural pixels having spectroscopic characterizations corresponding to respective plural color components with the focus detecting pixel, a pixel interpolating unit generating an interpolation pixel value of the focus detecting pixel by using pixel values of pixels neighboring to the focus detecting pixel, neighborhood-pixel estimating unit calculating an estimation pixel value corresponding to a pixel value when the pixels neighboring to the focus detecting pixel have the same spectroscopic characterization as the focus detecting pixel, a high-frequency component calculating unit calculating a high frequency component of the image by using a pixel value of the focus detecting pixel and the estimation pixel value, and a high frequency component adding unit adding the interpolation pixel value with the high frequency component to calculate a pixel value of the focus detecting pixel. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207265 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Camera Sensor Intensity Saturation - A method for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes monitoring an electrical signal from a light sensor for detecting an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of the light sensor, converting the electrical signal to a digital signal, imposing a reserved bit combination on the digital signal indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. Alternatively stated, the method includes monitoring pixel data from an output of a light sensor to determine a number of pixels at saturation and a number of pixels near saturation, comparing the number of pixels at saturation to a predetermined first threshold number, comparing the number of pixels near saturation to a predetermined second threshold number, reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to more brightness if the number of pixels at saturation is above the first threshold number, and reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to less brightness if the number of pixels near saturation is below the second threshold number. An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207266 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, CAMERA DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Disclosed herein is an image processing device including: a face detector configured to detect a face from an image given on a basis of detection information; and a processing unit configured to set the detection information of the face detector, receive at least an input image before distortion correction of the image before the distortion correction and an image after the distortion correction, divide an entire image region of the input image, and supply each of the divided images to the face detector on a time-division basis, wherein the face detector detects faces from a face of a maximum size to a face of a minimum size in the entire image in a detectable range. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207267 | METHOD FOR CALCULATING SHIFT AMOUNT OF IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT AND IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT - A method for calculating a shift amount of a microlens from a position of a light receiving element arranged in a pixel of an image pickup element is provided. The microlens collects incident light from an image pickup lens. The method comprises: acquiring an incident angle characteristic value indicating a relation between an arranged position of the pixel and an incident angle of the incident light to the pixel; calculating a sampled shift amount of the microlens from the position of the light receiving element corresponding the incident angle characteristic value based on light collection efficiency of the incident light; approximating the sampled shift amount by a second or higher order function to calculate a shift amount characteristic function indicating a relation between the arranged position and the shift amount; and calculating the shift amount of the pixel using the shift amount characteristic function. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207268 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGING DEVICE - An image signal processing device for correcting color difference signals includes a first correcting unit configured to set a correction amount for input color difference signals to “0” and generating output color difference signals when a colorless area containing the original point of a color difference space in which the two color difference signals are set as two intersecting axes, a first boundary line through which the inside and outside of the colorless area are partitioned, a suppression area which is nearer to the original point than the first boundary line and defined by a color difference suppression width, and a second boundary line through which the interior of suppression area and the inside area of the suppression area are partitioned are set in the color difference space and the values of the color difference signals are at the outside of the colorless area. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207269 | Image processing device, camera device, communication system, image processing method, and program - An image processing device includes a face detector configured to detect a face based on a taken image, and an output processor configured to have a function to execute privacy-mask processing for privacy protection for an image of a face detected by the face detector or an image of a background of the face. The output processor includes a function to separately output an image of a face detected by the face detector and an image of a background of the face which are each subjected to or not subjected to the privacy-mask processing. | 08-20-2009 |
20090207270 | IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTHENTICATING IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE IN THE IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM - An image acquisition system includes an image acquisition device and a commanding device configured as a separate member from the image acquisition device to transmit an image acquisition execution command to the image acquisition device and thereby to cause the image acquisition device to perform an image acquisition operation. The commanding device includes an authentication information transmission unit configured to transmit authentication information to the image acquisition device to cause the image acquisition device to authenticate the commanding device. The image acquisition device includes an authentication information receiving unit configured to receive the authentication information transmitted from the commanding device, an authentication information recognition unit configured to recognize the authentication information received by the authentication information receiving unit, and a function limiting unit configured to limit a predetermined function of the image acquisition device based on the authentication information recognized by the authentication information recognition unit. | 08-20-2009 |
20090213238 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus comprising an image capturing element configured to convert an optical image into an image signal, a signal processing unit configured to apply signal processing to the image signal and to output the processed image signal, a super-resolution processing unit configured to apply, when a still image of the object is to be captured during capturing of a moving image of the object, super-resolution processing for enhancing a resolution by compositing a plurality of image signals output from the signal processing unit, and outputting an image signal required to generate the still image of the object, and an APC correction unit configured to apply APC correction processing for emphasizing an edge of each of the image signal output from the signal processing unit and the image signal output from the super-resolution processing unit, and to output the processed image signal. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213239 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ITS IMAGE PROCESSING - An imaging device, such as a camera, may be provided with a focus-shift structure configured to shift a focal position; a solid-state image sensing element configured to convert an optical image of a photographing subject to image data; and an image processing unit including a face region detecting unit and a photographing subject frequency information capturing unit. The detecting unit may be configured to detect a face region from the image data and obtain face region information indicating the detected face region, and wherein the information capturing unit is configured to capture focus degree information indicating a degree of focus for each detected face region. Plural image data, the face region information, and the focus degree information may be stored in the imaging device as a single file. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213240 | Method and apparatus for processing three-dimensional (3D) images - Provided is point-based efficient three-dimensional (3D) information representation from a color image that is obtained from a general Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)/Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) camera, and a depth image that is obtained from a depth camera. A 3D image processing method includes storing a depth image associated with an object as first data of a 3D data format, and storing a color image associated with the object as color image data of a 2D image format, independent of the first data. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213241 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of images, an object recognition unit configured to recognize an object of interest existing in any one of the images acquired by the image acquisition unit, a background evaluation unit configured to evaluate an image existing in an image area other than an image area showing the object of interest recognized by the object recognition unit, an object evaluation unit configured to evaluate any image existing in the image area showing the object of interest recognized by the object recognition unit, an image selection unit configured to select a plurality of images from the images in accordance with results of the evaluations performed by the background evaluation unit and object evaluation unit, and an image composition unit configured to compose a new image by using the images selected by the image selection unit. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213242 | IMAGE CAPTURE MODULE AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - An image capture module includes a user interface module, an optical system module, and a coupling module. The user interface module is operably coupled to detect a request to capture an image and generate a capture command signal in response to detecting the request. The optical system module is operably coupled to receive light representing the image from a lens in accordance with the capture command signal. The optical system module then accumulates a plurality of electric charges, wherein an electric charge of the plurality of electric charges is proportional to intensity of a corresponding portion of the light. The optical system module then generates a sequence of voltages from the plurality of electric charges. The coupling module is operably coupled to convert a representation of the sequence of voltages into a transmission signal and to transmit the transmission signal. | 08-27-2009 |
20090219404 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Program - An image processing apparatus includes a time subband splitting unit configured to generate a lower-frequency subband split signal formed of low frequency components at a frame rate lower than a frame rate of an image signal and a higher-frequency subband split signal formed of high frequency components by performing a subband splitting process in a time direction on the image signal; a first encoding unit configured to compress the lower-frequency subband split signal; and a second encoding unit configured to compress the higher-frequency subband split signal, wherein the first encoding unit and the second encoding unit perform different encoding processes. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219405 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, EYE OPEN/CLOSED DEGREE DETERMINATION METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An information processing apparatus inputs an image, detects the face of a person from the input image, and calculates a feature amount associated with the open/closed state of eyes of the detected face. In addition, the information processing apparatus calculates, as a feature-change amount, the difference between the calculated feature amount and a predetermined feature amount, and calculates the eye open/closed degree of eyes of the detected face on the basis of the feature amount and the feature-change amount. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219406 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus in which auto-selecting of an object to be prioritized from among a plurality of detected objects is capable more appropriately. A characteristic detecting unit detects a previously set characteristic portion of an object from an image signal constituting a moving image. A control unit sets a priority to each characteristic portion when a plurality of the characteristic portions are detected by the characteristic detecting unit and also sets a high priority to a characteristic portion being detected for a long period of time. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219407 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING A DIGITAL IMAGE - A system and method processes original digital numbers (DNs) provided by a satellite imaging system to produce a set of spectral balanced and contrast enhanced multispectral images. Spectral balancing is achieved based on physical characteristics of sensors of the imaging system as well as compensation for atmospheric effects. The DNs in the multispectral bands may be processed using a relatively small amount of processing resources otherwise required to produce such images. Such images may be processed completely automatically and provide relatively easy visual interpretation. Each image pixel may be, for example, in an 8-bit or 16-bit format, and the image may be displayed and/or printed without applying any additional color correction and/or contrast stretches. | 09-03-2009 |
20090231455 | IMAGE SENSOR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING RECOVERABLE DATA ON IMAGE SENSOR PIXEL ARRAYS - An image sensor apparatus is disclosed. The image sensor apparatus includes an image sensor for generating image data in a pixel array corresponding to an optical image. A processor alters the image data to embed a feature-dependent code associated with a feature of the image data in a feature-dependent location in the pixel array and generate a digital image from the altered image data. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231456 | DETERMINING THE MULTIPLICATION OF EMCCD SENSOR - A method and device having a CCD in which charge multiplication is obtained by applying drive voltages to clocking elements and is arranged to derive the gain provided by the multiplication elements from at least first and second output signals. The CCD is operated at a first voltage or temperature setting, and then a second voltage or temperature setting and the output signals derived with the CCD imaging a substantially constant scene. The gain at a given voltage or temperature setting can then be derived as a function of the different operational voltage of temperature setting. The method and device can also derive the gain as a function of the rate of change of output signal with an operational parameter such as voltage or temperature. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231457 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MEDIA SIGNAL BY USING STATE INFORMATION - Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a media signal by using state information. The method using the apparatus includes acquiring at least one type of state information selected from state information about a subject and state information about the apparatus, and generating a media signal by using the at least one type of state information. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231458 | TARGET IMAGE DETECTION DEVICE, CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME, CONTROL PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDED WITH PROGRAM, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH TARGET IMAGE DETECTION DEVICE - A target image detection device for detecting a target image from an original image has an acquiring section for acquiring the original image, a determining section for determining a detection condition different from a detection condition of a previous time of a plurality of detection conditions for detecting the target image, a detecting section for detecting the target image with the detection condition determined by the determining section with respect to the original image acquired by the acquiring section, and an output section for outputting a detection result detected by the detecting section. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231459 | CAMERA DIRECT DAILIES - Obtaining camera direct dailies using a parallel recording scheme on a set, including; simultaneously recording camera-original video in a master recording session and a lower-resolution proxy recording session; transferring lower-resolution video from the lower-resolution proxy recording session to a stage ingest station; integrating data including sound, logging, color correction, metadata, and high-resolution video from the master recording session at the stage ingest station; and generating camera direct dailies using the integrated data and the video from the lower-resolution proxy recording session. | 09-17-2009 |
20090231460 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An image signal processing apparatus including a first corrected tone processing section for performing such a corrected tone process which extends a tone width of a high luminance region or a low luminance region in an image signal, a tone processing section for performing a space-variant tone process for all luminance regions in the image signal, and a second corrected tone processing section for performing a corrected tone process depending on a displaying apparatus. | 09-17-2009 |
20090237520 | IMAGE PICK-UP APPARARUS AND SYNCHRONIZATION-SIGNAL-GENERATING APPARATUS - An image signal generation portion | 09-24-2009 |
20090237521 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE CAPTURING - An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing device which receives an optical image of an object subjected to light via an image capturing lens and converts the optical image into an image signal; a face detecting device which detects a plurality of human faces from the image signal; a face distance calculating device which calculates a distance between the detected human faces; a notice device which gives a notice corresponding to the calculated distance between the human faces; a timer shot device which performs a real shooting after an elapse of a first predetermined time since a shooting instruction; and a control device which gives the shooting instruction to the timer shot device when the calculated distance between the human faces is less than a predetermined value. Accordingly, even when the shooting object includes persons, a well composed shooting can be easily realized. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237522 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DIGITAL PICTURE FRAME AND DIGITAL PICTURE FRAME THEREOF - A method for controlling a digital picture frame includes the following steps of: establishing an image data corresponding to a folder stored in the digital picture frame, connecting a storage device to the digital picture frame, capturing an image by the digital picture frame, comparing the image with the image data to generate a comparison result by the digital picture frame, and determining whether to provide an option of transmitting data between the storage device and the folder according to the comparison result by the digital picture frame. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237523 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - An image signal processing apparatus is disclosed. A peaking signal generation section extracts and amplifies high frequency components contained in an input image signal to generate a peaking signal. An operation section allows a target area for which contour correction is to be performed using the peaking signal to be accepted. A control section generates an area gate signal describing position information corresponding to the designated target area. A mask processing section performs a mask process of outputting an image signal to which the peaking signal has been added to the target area designated through the operation section based on the area gate signal supplied from the control section. A scaling processing section converts pixels of the image signal for which the mask process has been performed is converted at a predetermined scaling ratio. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237524 | IMAGING ELEMENT - An imaging element that performs a processing, which is related to readout of accumulated charges, with respect to a predetermined line of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in plural times in a time dividing manner in each horizontal scanning period, includes: a photoelectric conversion unit having a structure in which the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, which convert received light into a charge, are arranged in matrix and form a plurality of lines including the predetermined line; an address generating unit that generates an address indicating a position of the line of a processing object for each of a plurality of divided periods formed by time-dividing the each horizontal scanning period, and outputs the address that is generated in each of the divided periods in sequence; an address decoding unit activating the photoelectric conversion elements on a line position corresponding to the address, which is sequentially outputted from the address generating unit, in each of the divided periods; a period determination signal generating unit that generates a period determination signal indicating one of validity and invalidity of the processing with respect to each of the divided periods and sequentially outputs the period determination signal that is generated in each of the divided periods; a control signal generating unit that generates a control signal for performing the processing in each of the plurality of divided periods and sequentially outputs the control signal that is generated in each of the divided periods; a processing performing unit performing the processing with respect to the line of the photoelectric conversion elements, which are activated by the address decoding unit, based on the control signal; and a supply control unit allowing the control signal, which is sequentially outputted from the control signal generating unit, to be supplied to the processing performing unit when a corresponding divided period is valid, and preventing the control signal from being supplied to the processing performing unit when the divided period is invalid, based on the period determination signal. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244307 | IMAGE ENCODING METHOD AND DEVICE, IMAGE DECODING METHOD AND DEVICE, AND IMAGING DEVICE - An image encoding method is for obtaining, from a pixel data string containing pixel values of a plurality of pixels in a pixel array where the pixels are arrayed, a pixel data string containing a quantized representative value into which at least one of the pixel values is encoded. Encoding is performed by allocating a specific quantized representative value when a pixel value of a pixel is a specific pixel value, and by allocating a quantized representative value other than the specific quantized representative value when the pixel value is other than the specific pixel value. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244308 | Image Inclination Correction Device and Image Inclination Correction Method - An original image obtained by imaging and a rotated image obtained by rotating the original image are made to be evaluation images. For each of the evaluation images, an inclination of the evaluation image with respect to an axis parallel to a plumb line in the image is evaluated. According to the evaluation result, the original image is rotated/corrected so as to reduce the inclination. More specifically, the horizontal edge components of the evaluation image are calculated in a matrix state and the magnitudes of the horizontal edge components are projected in a vertical direction so as to calculate a vertically projected value Q | 10-01-2009 |
20090244309 | Method and Device for Identifying and Extracting Images of multiple Users, and for Recognizing User Gestures - The invention relates to a method for identifying and extracting images of one or more users in an interactive environment comprising the steps of: —obtaining a depth map ( | 10-01-2009 |
20090244310 | Imaging device, signal processing method, and computer program - An imaging device includes a main image sensor configured to obtain an image used for recording, a sub-image sensor configured to obtain a live view image, an input switching unit, and a signal processor. The input switching unit receives a plurality of sensor outputs including an output of the main image sensor and an output of the sub-image sensor, switches the plurality of received sensor outputs in a time-division manner, and outputs time-division switched signals of the plurality of sensor outputs to the signal processor. The signal processor receives the time-division switched signals from the input switching unit, and executes signal processing on the received time-division switched signals. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244311 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MOBILE TERMINAL - A mobile terminal and a method of controlling a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes displaying a camera preview image; detecting a face area from the camera preview image; if a button for capturing an image is manipulated, correcting an image captured by a camera using the detected face area and displaying the corrected captured image; and storing the corrected captured image. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244312 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a face detector configured to provide a face detection process based on image data obtained from an image pickup optical system that includes a focus lens configured to provide a focus control, a focus lens position extractor configured to extract a focus lens position at which the face detector has actually provided a successful face detection process from among focus lens positions set as a candidate position for the focus lens to be arranged when the face detector provides the face detection process, a focus control range setting part configured to set a focus control range in a focus range that contains the focus lens position extracted by the focus lens position extractor, and an autofocus controller configured to provide autofocus control in the focus control range set by the focus control range setting part. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244313 | COMPOUND EYE PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM - A compound eye photographing apparatus including a plurality of photographing units for photographing a subject at a plurality of photographing positions to obtain a plurality of images of the subject, a subject detection unit for detecting a predetermined subject from the plurality of images, and a determination unit for determining whether or not the predetermined subject detected from the plurality of images corresponds to each other by matching areas including the detected predetermined subject between the plurality of images and outputting the determination result. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244314 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus is provided including an acquiring unit configured to acquire information regarding a set of frames that is associated with a condition indicating a relative relationship between a set of images to be arranged in the set of frames, an extracting unit configured to extract the set of images from a plurality of images, wherein the set of images extracted satisfies the condition that is associated with the information regarding the set of frames acquired by the acquiring unit, and an arranging unit configured to arrange the set of images extracted by the extracting unit in the set of frames corresponding to the information acquired by the acquiring unit. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244315 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an image capturing section for capturing a subject's image and generating image data, thereby outputting a moving picture; a first area shifting section for shifting a first area, which is associated with a first kind of feature information that represents a first feature in the image data, based on a result of search for the first kind of feature information through the image data; and a second area shifting section for shifting, independently of the first area, a second area, which is associated with a second kind of feature information that represents a second feature in the image data, based on a result of search for the second kind of feature information through the image data. If unable to detect the second kind of feature information, the second area shifting section shifts the second area with respect to the location of the first area. | 10-01-2009 |
20090251554 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A plurality of exchange lenses designed for object exposure regions of different sizes can be selectively mounted on the present imaging device. The imaging device determines whether a mismatch state is present, in which the size of the object exposure region of an exchange lens mounted is smaller than the size of the imaging region of an imaging element. If it is determined that a mismatch state is present, an image of a partial region of the imaging region is generated and the image of the partial region is displayed as a live view image in a relatively large area (an area larger than an area for displaying the partial region in a live view display when no mismatch state is present). Accordingly, techniques for performing a live view display with favorable visibility are provided. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251555 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAMERA SENSOR FINGERPRINTING - Some embodiments of the application provides methods and systems for providing camera fingerprinting by receiving a video frame from a camera, generating a confidence map based on an image characteristic associated with the video frame, generating a signature based on a sensor imperfection in the camera, weighting the signature based on the confidence map for each frame and generating a key based on the weighted signature over the plurality of video frames received. Other methods and systems are disclosed. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251556 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section and a signal processing section. The pixel array section is configured to include a plurality of arranged unit pixels, each of which is a rectangular pixel having different sizes in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of adjacent ones of which are combined to form a square pixel having the same size in the vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing section is configured to process a plurality of signals read out from the combined plurality of unit pixels and to output the processed signals as a single signal. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251557 | IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAMERA - An image pickup control apparatus and method for controlling an image pickup device to capture an image of a scene in a condition set by a user are provided. The image pickup control method activates an image pickup unit, sets reference parameters to be compared with current parameters obtained from a preview image input through the image pickup unit for determining whether the preview image satisfies conditions defined by the reference parameters, determines whether a similarity between the current parameters and the reference parameters is within a tolerance range and controls the image pickup unit to capture the image when the similarity is within the tolerance range. Accordingly, a user is able to set the conditions under which an image is to be captured. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251558 | FAST AND LOW-POWER DIGITAL CAMERA WITH GPS - Provided are a digital camera having a global positioning system (GPS) and a method of controlling the same. The digital camera comprises a camera body, a digital signal processor, and a GPS receiving module. In the digital camera and method, GPS information regarding a photographing location is stored so as to be attached to a captured image, and particularly, power supplied to the GPS is adaptively controlled for lower power consumption. | 10-08-2009 |
20090251559 | USER INTERFACE SYSTEM BASED ON POINTING DEVICE - The user interaction system comprises a portable pointing device ( | 10-08-2009 |
20090251560 | VIDEO LIGHT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING FACIAL RECOGNITION USING A VIDEO CAMERA - A video lighting system ( | 10-08-2009 |
20090256922 | DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM OF WIRELESS VIDEO COMMUNICATION - Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless video communication. Some embodiments include a wireless video transmitter to transmit a wireless video transmission representing a video image, the transmitter including a digital-input interface including a plurality of video-data inputs to receive a respective plurality of digital-video bits representing a pixel of the video image, and one or more synchronization inputs to receive one or more respective synchronization signals corresponding to the video image; and a transmitter module to transmit the wireless video transmission based on the plurality of digital-video bits and the synchronization signals. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256923 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND BRIGHTNESS CORRECTING METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing device includes a capturing module, a numerical transform module, a brightness measuring module, and a processing module. The capturing module includes a lens unit and an image sensor. The lens unit forms an optical image onto the image sensor. The image sensor includes an effective pixel region and an optical black pixel region. The effective pixel region is configured for generating electrical image signals roughly corresponding to the optical image. The optical black pixel region is configured for generating dark currents corresponding to the electrical image signals. The numerical transform module is configured for transforming the dark currents into a first brightness value matrix. The brightness measuring module is configured for measuring a brightness component of the electrical image signals as a second brightness value matrix. The processing module is configured for subtracting the first brightness value matrix from the second brightness value matrix to obtain a corrected brightness component corresponding to the optical image. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256924 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE CAPABLE OF COMBINING IMAGES AND PRINT METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing device includes a storage unit storing a plurality of images and a library of electronic print frames, and a selection unit providing selection of one of the electronic print frames and corresponding images. The selected images are transformed from their original format into a transition format which enables them to be scaled. The scaled images are arranged on the selected electronic print frame to provide a combination image. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256925 | Composition determination device, composition determination method, and program - A composition determination device includes: a subject detection unit configured to detect a subject in an image based on acquired image data; a still detection unit configured to detect a still state, with an image based on the image data, or a subject detected by the subject detection unit, as the object thereof; and a composition determination unit configured to determine a composition, with only real subjects or only unreal subjects, of subjects detected by the subject detection unit, as the object thereof, based on detection results of the still detection unit. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256926 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE ANALYSIS METHOD FOR THE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND THE IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - An image capturing device includes: an image capturing unit that captures a subject and generates a captured image; a resolution converting unit that converts the captured image into a plurality of images with different resolutions; an image storing unit that stores the converted plurality of images with different resolutions as a set of images; a first image analysis processing unit that performs a first image analysis process of analyzing the captured image by using a combination of a plurality of images among the images included in the set of images; and a second image analysis processing unit that performs a second image analysis process that is different from the first image analysis process and is a process of analyzing the captured image by using, among the images included in the set of images, a combination of a plurality of images different from the combination of a plurality of images. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256927 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus includes a first image sensor unit, a second image sensor unit, and a spatial frequency reduction unit. The first image sensor unit is capable of subjecting an object image formed by an imaging lens to a photoelectric conversion to output a first image signal having a first resolution and constituted by a first number of colors. The second image sensor unit is capable of subjecting the object image formed by the imaging lens to a photoelectric conversion to output a second image signal having a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution and constituted by a second number of colors that is larger than the first number of colors. The spatial frequency reduction unit reduces a spatial frequency of the object image formed on a light receiving surface of the second image sensor unit by the imaging lens. | 10-15-2009 |
20090262207 | CAMERA SYSTEM - To improve user-friendliness when checking the depth of field, in a camera system having an aperture value alteration function. A camera system ( | 10-22-2009 |
20090262208 | Method and Apparatus for Optimizing Memory Usage in Image Processing - A method and digital camera avoiding the use of delay lines for block processing within the camera, such as compressing images, demosaicing, or the like. Processing is done for a block comprising a single newly received line, together with previously acquired information. In one preferred embodiment, the block processing is performed for the single line using previous lines as retrieved from the results of previous processing. In another embodiment, the processing results for the current block are determined by the processing results of the previous block together with the newly received line. Saving delay lines provides for lower memory requirements, and enables the production of smaller and lower cost cameras. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262209 | NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND METHOD OF CAPTURING DOCUMENT IMAGE USING IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE OF SUCH NOTEBOOK COMPUTER - The present invention relates to a notebook computer. The notebook computer includes a base and an upper cover. The base has a keyboard. The upper cover includes a screen, an image pickup device and a close-up lens. The upper cover is rotatable with respect to the base such that the image pickup device is able to capture an image of a document on a working plane. After the document image is obtained by the image pickup device, a built-in image processing program performs correction on the document image so as to obtain a corrected document image. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262210 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - If a horizontal skipping operation is performed and operations are performed on the basis of the signals severally held in a plurality of register circuits in a solid-state imaging apparatus including an AD converting circuit in each column to perform the arithmetic processing of a digitized signal, then the AD converters and the register circuits in the columns to be skipped, that is, not to be read out become the state of not participating in the operations, and there is room for an examination in the aspect of the utilization efficiency of the circuits. A unit for connecting a register circuit in a certain column to a register circuit in another column is provided to the solid-state imaging apparatus. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262211 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The image pickup apparatus includes an optical viewfinder, a rear touch panel display, a registering part which registers whether an eye of a user viewing an object image through the optical viewfinder is a right eye or a left eye, a setting part which sets a non-enterable area where touch entry is not permitted in the touch panel to a first area when the right eye is registered, and to set the non-enterable area to a second area different from the first area when the left eye is registered. A controller controls the apparatus such that the apparatus does not perform an operation in response to a touch to the non-enterable area in the touch panel and the apparatus performs an operation in response to a touch to an area other than the non-enterable area in the touch panel. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262212 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a reader, a plurality of matrix modules, a selector, and a controller. The reader is configured for reading data of each pixel of a binarized image. The plurality of matrix modules is configured for performing filtering operations to the data based on a control signal, the plurality of matrix modules serially connected, and a first one of the series being connected to the reader. The selector is configured for selecting one of the plurality of matrix modules based on the control signal and outputting filtered results from the selected one of the plurality of matrix modules. The controller is configured for generating the control signal. An image processing method is also provided. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262213 | IMAGING DEVICE AND SUBJECT DETECTION METHOD - An imaging device includes a first detection part which detects one or more subjects in an image captured by the image capturing part capturing an image continuously; a second detection part which follows the one or more subjects detected; and a system control part which includes a setting part setting a part of the image as a limited region, and causes, after the first detection part detects the one or more subjects in the captured image, the second detection part to follow and detect a subject in an image captured subsequently to the captured image, and causes the first detection part to detect a subject in the limited region. | 10-22-2009 |
20090268044 | Color correction on an image - A method and apparatus for adjusting the pixel colors of a digital image. After the raw image data from the digital image is white-balanced, the white-balanced image data is conveyed to a color correction module as color vectors in a color space for color adjustment using a color correction matrix. The color adjustment is based on a plurality of base matrices, wherein at least two of the base matrices are different from each other, and a plurality of weighting values, one weighting value for each base matrix. With the base matrices and the weighting values, a correction matrix can be derived from the sum of the base matrices weighted with said weighting values and applied to at least some of the color vectors. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268045 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF IMAGE SENSORS FOR GAZE TRACKING APPLICATIONS - Apparatus and methods for enhancing the performance of an imager in applications such as gaze tracking are described. An enhanced image sensor includes a sensor pixel array, a filter array optically coupled to the pixel array and a filter map including data associated with one or more characteristics of the filter array. The filter array characteristics can be preconfigured and/or dynamically reconfigured to allow for wavelength specific pixel capture, with the filter map correspondingly adjusted in response to changes in the filter array characteristics. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268046 | METHOD FOR COMPRESSING IMAGING DATA BY WIDE-ANGLE LENS, COMPRESSION DEVICE, WIDE-ANGLE CAMERA DEVICE, AND MONITOR SYSTEM - The advantage of the invention is to efficiently reduce the amount of image data shot by using a wide-angle lens such as a fish-eye lens. A method of compressing image data shot with a wide-angle lens | 10-29-2009 |
20090268047 | Electronic device - An electronic device includes: a communication unit that is engaged in communication with an external device; a control unit that adds image information into transmission data to be transmitted to the communication unit; and a decision-making unit that makes a decision in correspondence to information indicating a recipient of the transmission data as to whether or not to allow photographing location information included in the image information to be included in the transmission data. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268048 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device configured to capture an image regarding an object image; an object detector detecting a specific object in the captured image; an image-capturing-information obtaining unit obtaining image capturing information from a predetermined area set in an image capturing area; a determiner determining whether or not the image capturing information regarding the specific object is obtainable from the predetermined area; and a display controller controlling a position display shown on a display unit, the position display indicating a position of the specific object. The display controller changes a display mode of the position display in accordance with the result of the determination performed by the determiner. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268049 | IMAGE RECORDING/REPRODUCING DEVICE AND METHOD TO PROCESS FADE EFFECT IN IMAGE RECORDING/REPRODUCING DEVICE - An image recording/reproducing device to change a start point of a fade effect to represent a boundary between image files in a device to record/reproduce an image file so as to easily distinguish an image file displayed on a screen. A method to process a fade effect in the image recording/reproducing device includes filming a moving image, encoding the filmed moving image, and applying the fade effect when the moving image is encoded and recording a moving image file. In the moving image file, a second section to which the fade effect is applied is located after a first section to which the fade effect is not applied. Accordingly, distinguishing the moving image file with the fade effect in a reproduction mode, a preview mode of a window explorer and an image editing application without changing an algorithm is possible. | 10-29-2009 |
20090268050 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE SENSOR CONTROL METHOD - An image sensor comprises a pixel array, and a control unit which performs, in a first period, a control operation of an electric potential of a signal line to turn off a MOS transistor while the electric potential of a charge-voltage converter in a selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of a selected state, and, in a second period subsequent to the first period, performs a control operation of the electric potential of the signal line to turn on the MOS transistor while the electric potential of the charge-voltage converter in the selected pixel is maintained at an electric potential of the selected state. | 10-29-2009 |
20090273685 | Foreground/Background Segmentation in Digital Images - An implementation efficient method of distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene includes capturing two images of nominally the same scene and storing the captured images in DCT-coded format. The first image is taken with the foreground more in focus than the background and the second image is taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the first image are assigned as foreground or background according to whether the sum of selected higher order DCT coefficients decreases or increases for the equivalent regions of the second image. | 11-05-2009 |
20090273686 | Methods, computer program products and apparatus providing improved image capturing - The exemplary embodiments of the invention allow for parallel operations within a digital image capturing system. For example, raw image data can be processed while a subsequent image is being captured. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method includes: executing at least one foreground operation within a digital image capturing device; and executing at least one background operation within the digital image capturing device, wherein the at least one foreground operation includes: capturing raw image data via at least one sensor, storing the captured raw image data as an intermediate file, and activating a digital viewfinder, wherein the at least one background operation includes: accessing the intermediate file, performing image processing on the raw image data of the intermediate file to obtain processed image data, and storing the processed image data, wherein the at least one background operation is executed independently of the at least one foreground operation. | 11-05-2009 |
20090273687 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - There is provided an image processing apparatus for performing a stable attention condition determination, regardless of the shape and surrounding environment of an object of interest and regardless that the object is unknown or known. The image processing apparatus comprises a direction detector, a displacement detector, and an attention condition determiner. The direction detector detects, from a certain image including a person image, the direction information in two body regions of a person represented by the person image. The displacement detector calculates, from the two direction information, a displacement ratio that is the ratio between the two direction displacements. The attention condition determiner determines, according to a first and a second displacement ratio, how much the person pays attention to a certain object. The first displacement ratio is calculated in the displacement detector by using first direction information detected by the direction detector from a first certain image including a first person image, and the second displacement ratio is calculated in the displacement detector by using second direction information detected by the direction detector from a second certain image including the first person image. | 11-05-2009 |
20090273688 | IMAGE RECORDING AND PLAYBACK DEVICE, AND IMAGE RECORDING AND PLAYBACK METHOD - An image processing device of the present invention comprises a storage section for storing first image data obtained by imaging in front of the imaging device body or using a telephoto lens, and second image data obtained by imaging behind the imaging device body or using a wide-angle lens; a movement pattern detection section for processing the first image data to detect a movement pattern of the first image represented by the first image data; a movement pattern determination section determining whether or not the movement pattern of the first image is unstable movement; and an image processing section for rewriting a part of the first image data, for which it has been determined by the movement pattern determination section that the movement pattern of the first image is unstable, using the second image data. | 11-05-2009 |
20090273689 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - It is determined whether or not there is inconsistency between image sensing mode data, which is set by an operator with respect to a scene including an object of shooting, and attribute data, e.g., focal length data or the like, that accompanies an obtained image. When it is determined that there is inconsistency between the image sensing mode data and attribute data, a caution is given to the operator that it is necessary to maintain consistency. | 11-05-2009 |
20090278949 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ON SUBJECTS DISPLAYED IN A CAMERA VIEWFINDER - An improved camera system for manipulating multiple images of similar subject matter is described. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for the analysis of subject matter depicted in the viewfinder of the camera. Subjects previously photographed may be recognized automatically. Before or after a picture is taken, for each recognized subject, a user may be presented with existing images of the subject already stored in a memory or database. The user may then invoke one or more manipulation operations as to the various images of the common subject. For example, a user may retain the new image in addition to previously stored images, discard the new and/or previously stored images, transfer the new and/or previously stored images to third parties, and the like. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278950 | LENS CLEANING WARNING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Lens cleaning warning systems and methods. A system includes an image processing unit configured to analyze image data to determine whether the image data indicates lens flare and, if so, provide an indication to the user that the lens is contaminated. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278951 | Apparatus and methods for multi-sensor synchronization - Apparatus and methods for synchronizing a plurality of image sensors in a video camera system. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a video sync signal, and resetting at least one internal clock divider in each image sensor in synchronization with the video sync signal at the beginning of each video frame. Another embodiment of a method of synchronizing a plurality of image sensors in a video camera system includes detecting a phase state of a signal of at least one internal clock divider in each sensor, wherein the phase state is relative to a system sync signal, and selecting a video output signal for each sensor based on the detected phase state of the at least one internal divider. In a third embodiment, the method includes asserting an asynchronous reset signal, stopping the system clocks in the system, de-asserting the asynchronous reset signal, while the system clocks are stopped, and restarting the system clocks. Each method may be used individually, or the methods can be combined in any combination. A video camera apparatus is also described. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278952 | VIDEO PROCESSING METHOD AND VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM - A video processing method includes: storing a video data corresponding to a specific view angle range; selecting a plurality of target objects in the video data corresponding to the specific view angle range; generating a synthesized video data by combining each partial video data in the video data that corresponds to each of the target objects; wherein a view angle range of each partial video data is smaller than the specific view angle range. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278953 | PICTURE ENHANCING INCREASING PRECISION SMOOTH PROFILES - The apparatus ( | 11-12-2009 |
20090278954 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a color and polarization obtaining section | 11-12-2009 |
20090278955 | Camera - A camera includes: an information creation device that creates association information for associating a plurality of image files created by the first image file creation device based on a plurality of image data acquired by the image device as a set of image data and recorded in the recording medium, with each other as a set of individual image files when the camera is set to a first photography mode in which data of a plurality of image files are combined to create one integrated image file; a second image file creation device that combines a plurality of the individual image files based on the association information in response to an instruction by a user to create one integrated image file; and a second recording control device that records the integrated image file created by the second image file creation device in a recording medium. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278956 | METHOD OF DETERMINING PRIORITY ATTRIBUTES ASSOCIATED WITH DATA CONTAINERS, FOR EXAMPLE IN A VIDEO STREAM, A CODING METHOD, A COMPUTER PROGRAM AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES - A method of determining priority attributes respectively associated with a plurality of containers defining at least one image at a plurality of spatial resolution levels comprises the following steps:
| 11-12-2009 |
20090284613 | Apparatus and method of blurring background of image in digital image processing device - A digital image processor and a method, specifically, an apparatus for blurring a background of an image in a digital image processor is provided wherein an image is photographed with a flash being on and off when a shutter input signal is received once, the background of the image is blurred through comparison between an image prior to the shutter input signal being received and an image during which a flash is activated, and then a subject of the image with a flash being off is combined with the blurred background. A processor blurs an image generated by a brightness difference between a first image generated before a shutter input signal is received and a second image generated with the flash being on after the shutter input signal is received and combining a third image generated by turning off the flash after the shutter input signal, to the blurred image. | 11-19-2009 |
20090284614 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING SENSOR, AND IMAGE CAPTURING PROCESSING METHOD - This invention is directed to reduce a deterioration in image quality after thinning operation when pixels are read out upon thinning. An image sensor is designed such that different gains are applied on a pixel basis. After periodical gains are applied to the respective pixels, the pixels of the same colors are added and averaged to obtain a low-pass filter effect before thinning processing for the pixels in the sensor, thereby preventing the occurrence of aliasing (moiré) due to thinning. | 11-19-2009 |
20090290036 | IMAGE SAMPLING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An image sampling method for an image sensor is provided herein. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel elements in the intersections of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. During either one of the odd field period or the even field period, the pixel elements in the intersections of the odd rows and the odd columns and the pixel elements in the intersection of the even rows and the even columns are sampled. During the other field period, the pixel elements in the intersections of the even rows and the odd columns and the pixel elements in the intersection of the odd rows and the even columns are sampled. The image processing method utilizes the pixel data in a specific block sampled from the pixel elements during one of the odd and the even field periods to interpolate a specific pixel in the specific block. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290037 | Selection of an optimum image in burst mode in a digital camera - An aspect of the present invention selects one of the images captured in burst mode as an optimum image based on processing only the captured images, without requiring any external images. According to another aspect of the present invention, the camera settings are set to different combination of values and a frame is formed for each combination of values from the corresponding captured image. Image metrics representing inherent image qualities may be extracted from each of the frames and one of the frames is selected based on the extracted metrics. In an embodiment, each combination of the camera settings includes corresponding values for exposure duration and white balance. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290038 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera comprises an image processing unit that performs image quality adjustment using a plurality of adjustment parameters, an information acquisition unit that acquires from an external device first image quality adjustment information including a parameter group for use with the image quality adjustment and an image quality adjustment algorithm that applies the parameter group, and a control unit that controls the image processing unit so that it performs image quality adjustment while applying the parameter group included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired to the image quality adjustment algorithm included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290039 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a color and polarization obtaining section | 11-26-2009 |
20090290040 | Image dynamic range compression method, apparatus, and digital camera - A method of compressing an original dynamic range of an original image, includes a first step of obtaining a reduced image corresponding to the original image by performing quantization and downsampling on the original image that has been input; a second step of calculating a look-up table based on the reduced image, wherein the look-up table indicates a mapping relationship between the original dynamic range of the original image and a dynamic range of a medium; and a third step of mapping each of the pixels in the original image from the original dynamic range of the original image onto the dynamic range of the medium based on the look-up table. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290041 | Image processing device and method, and computer readable recording medium containing program - An image processing device includes: an image obtaining unit for obtaining an image; a depth of field specification unit for receiving specification of a depth of field specified by an imager size; and a blur enhancement processing unit for generating a processed image with enhanced blur of a subject contained in the image, the blur being enhanced according to the specified depth of field. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290042 | DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING DEVICE, DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM OF COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS - There is provided a development processing device that develops undeveloped image data. The development processing device includes a change screen displaying unit displays a first number line corresponding to a first initial parameter, a second number line corresponding to a second initial parameter, a reference line that intersects the first number line in a position corresponding to the first initial parameter and intersects the second number line in a position corresponding to the second initial parameter, a first marker that represents a position corresponding to the first user parameter on the first number line, and a second marker that represents a position corresponding to the second user parameter on the second number line on the parameter changing screen, and the development processing unit performs the development process based on at least the first user parameter and the second user parameter. | 11-26-2009 |
20090295933 | Imaging Systems and Methods for Recovering Object Visibility - A system and method are provided for imaging in scattering media such as fog, water and biological tissues. Normally, such images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and signal attenuation. At least two images are taken of the scene using active widefield polarized illumination, with different states of a camera-mounted polarizer. The degree of polarization of backscatter is estimated in every point of the scene, leading to an estimation of the backscatter in every point of the scene. A portion or all of the value of backscatter can be deducted in each point of the scene resulting in an enhanced image with improved contrast and brightness range across the field of view. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295934 | COLOR DEMOSAICKING USING DIRECTION SIMILARITY IN COLOR DIFFERENCE SPACES - Demosaicking optimizations are provided for still and/or moving image (e.g., video) processes that efficiently generate viewable images. A demosaicking process selects a direction before performing interpolation in order to avoid interpolation across edges and also to minimize color artifacts. The direction to be selected is based on a direction similarity measurement. A digital capture device can includes a system that processes the image data by performing interpolation based on the direction similarity measurement(s) for color difference spaces. The images created based on the directional similarities demonstrate performance gains in peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). | 12-03-2009 |
20090295935 | Electronic camera and control program of same - The invention relates to an electronic camera having self-detection function of foreign materials and a control program thereof. The electronic camera includes: an image sensor having an image pickup plane on an image plane of an optical system; a formation changing section changing a state of image formation of the optical system on the image pickup plane; and a control section driving and controlling the image sensor and formation changing section. The control section drives the formation changing section to set a plurality of states of image formation different from each other, and it drives the image sensor to obtain a plurality of images in each of the states and compares the plurality of images to find a part of the image which has not varied with a change in the state of image formation, and determines the found part as image of a foreign material. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295936 | LIGHT QUANTITY ADJUSTING DEVICE, LENS BARREL AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a light quantity adjusting device including a base formed with a window; first and second diaphragm blades provided on the base and adapted to adjust a size of a diaphragm aperture; first and second cam-pins adapted to shift the first and second diaphragm blades; and a plurality of guide pins provided on the base so as to project therefrom. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295937 | DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION APPARATUS, DYNAMIC RANGE COMPRESSION METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A dynamic range (D-range) compression apparatus that uses a look-up table (LUT) is capable of dynamic compression that compresses the peak input value to the full output range, even when image signals with variable D-ranges are inputted. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303335 | Method of Spatial Frequency Filtering and Image Capture Device - The present invention relates to a method of spatial frequency filtering in an image capture device ( | 12-10-2009 |
20090303336 | Image Processing Method, Image Processing Program and Image Processing Apparatus - Chrominance image information is generated based upon input image information. A determination target area to undergo determination of a target object within a determination target image constituted with the chrominance image information is set. An average chrominance value for each of the determination target area and a plurality of peripheral areas set around the determination target area is calculated based upon the chrominance image information corresponding to each area. Color information expressed by the average chrominance value calculated for the determination target area is evaluated to determine whether or not the color information matches a characteristic color defined in advance in correspondence to the target object. A difference between the average chrominance value in the determination target area and the average chrominance values in the peripheral areas is evaluated to determine whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas. A decision is made as to whether or not the determination target area contains the target object based upon results of an evaluation indicating whether or not the average chrominance value in the determination target area matches the characteristic color and the result of an evaluation indicating whether or not the determination target area is an image area separate from the peripheral areas. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303337 | IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE AND SYNCHRONIZATION-SIGNAL-GENERATING DEVICE - An image signal generation portion | 12-10-2009 |
20090303338 | DETAILED DISPLAY OF PORTION OF INTEREST OF AREAS REPRESENTED BY IMAGE FRAMES OF A VIDEO SIGNAL - According to an aspect of the present invention, a sequence of combined frames are formed by including each of a sequence of source image frames and a portion of the same source image frame in the corresponding combined frame. The combined image frames may be displayed on a display screen. The display screen can also be used to display the sequence of source image frames alone (instead of the combined image frames), at user's option. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303339 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND PROGRAM - An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing unit having an image sensor, an optical member which is arranged in front of the image sensor, a foreign substance detection unit which detects, from a foreign substance detection image including the image of a foreign substance adhered to the surface of the optical member, a recording unit which, when shooting a moving image, records moving image data generated based on image signals successively output from the image sensing unit, and records foreign substance information and lens information in addition to the moving image data, and a lens information obtaining unit which, when the lens information is updated by operating the imaging lens by a user during moving image shooting, obtains the updated lens information. When the lens information obtaining unit obtains the updated lens information, the recording unit records the updated lens information in addition to the moving image data. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303340 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing device comprises: a pixel array that is arrayed such that pixels that output signals to column signal lines constitute a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and in which the plurality of pixels are connected to each of the plurality of column signal lines; a plurality of readout units that read out signals from the pixel array via the plurality of column signal lines, each of the plurality of readout units including an input transistor that receives a signal that has been read out via the column signal line; and a first load transistor that supplies an electric current to the input transistor, and a plurality of first bias supply units that supply mutually different bias voltages to gates of the first load transistors at least in readout units of the plurality of readout units and arranged adjacent to each other. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303341 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus for applying image processing to image data by adjusting values of a plurality of adjustment items, comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a characteristic of the image data by analyzing the image data, a decision unit configured to decide an order of settings of the values of the plurality of adjustment items based on the acquired characteristic of the image data, and a display unit configured to display value setting fields used to set the values of the adjustment items on a screen in accordance with the decided order. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303342 | FACE TRACKING FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING PARAMETERS - A method of tracking faces in an image stream with a digital image acquisition device includes receiving images from an image stream including faces, calculating corresponding integral images, and applying different subsets of face detection rectangles to the integral images to provide sets of candidate regions. The different subsets include candidate face regions of different sizes and/or locations within the images. The different candidate face regions from different images of the image stream are each tracked. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303343 | LOW-LIGHT VIDEO FRAME ENHANCEMENT - A method of combining image data from multiple frames to enhance one or more parameters of video image quality includes acquiring a first image at a first exposure duration, as well as acquiring a second image at a second exposure duration shorter than the first exposure duration and at a time just before, just after or overlapping in time with acquiring the first image, such that the first and second images include approximately a same first scene. In this way, the second image is relatively sharp and under-exposed, while the first image is relatively well-exposed and less sharp than the second image. Brightness and/or color information are extracted from the first image and applied to the second image to generate an enhanced version of the second image. | 12-10-2009 |
20090309990 | Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Presenting Burst Images - An apparatus for presenting burst images is provided. The apparatus may include a processor that may be configured to receive a plurality of burst images. Each burst image may differ from the other burst images based on a variable parameter, such as, but not limited to, exposure, focus, and/or time, or to the state of a target, such as the varying facial expression of a person. The processor may also be configured to provide for a presentation of a sample burst image. In this regard, the sample burst image may be one of the plurality of burst images. The processor may be further configured to receive a selected location within the presentation of the sample burst image and provide for a presentation of a plurality of burst image fragments associated with each of the plurality of burst images. In this regard, the burst image fragments may be portions of each of the burst images, where the areas of each burst image may be determined based on the selected location. Associated methods and computer program products may also be provided. | 12-17-2009 |
20090309991 | Pseudo-digital average sub sampling method and apparatus - A method of k*k subsampling, where k is an integer greater than one, a full frame readout on a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each pixel belonging to one of at least two sets, a first set configured to sense a first value of an image parameter and a second set configured to sense a second value of the image parameter, the method including sampling signals of k pixels of at least one set in a first row to output subsampled signals, converting the subsampled signals into digital signals having a lower resolution than the full frame readout, repeating sampling and converting for k rows, and adding digital signals for the first to kth rows within the at least one set. | 12-17-2009 |
20090309992 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND CONTROL PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CONTROL METHOD - An image pickup apparatus which is capable of interrupting a data searching process quickly without detecting a user pressing a search interruption button. A system controller circuit carries out a searching process for searching least one desired data from a plurality of data stored in a nonvolatile memory or a memory card. When a change-of-status of the image pickup apparatus is detected, for example, when a shutter button has been pressed halfway, the system controller circuit interrupts the searching process and executes an interruption process. | 12-17-2009 |
20090309993 | IMAGE SURFACE ILLUMINANCE VARYING APPARATUS, EXPOSURE CORRECTING APPARATUS, AND EXPOSURE CORRECTING METHOD - An image surface illuminance varying apparatus includes a variable power optical system in which the optical power thereof can be varied by changing a relative position of a plurality of optical elements thereof; and a light-quantity ratio varying optical element whose transmittance varies in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the variable power optical system, the light-quantity ratio varying optical element being located in a light path of the variable power optical system to reduce an illuminance difference of an imaging surface. A distance from the light-quantity ratio varying optical element, which is moved along the optical axis, to a diaphragm or a shutter is varied in accordance with the power varying operation. | 12-17-2009 |
20090316013 | System and method for processing medical graphics data - A medical imaging device system is provided which obviates the need for certain costly components conventionally found in such systems. In a disclosed embodiment, a direct video output from one or more imaging devices is provided to a video capture unit, rather than having the output processed by a conventional DICOM methodology. In this way, the necessity of PACS server functionality and corresponding implementation and maintenance of such a server is obviated. The capture video is annotated and supplemented by a user and the resulting records are stored in a shareable central repository. | 12-24-2009 |
20090316014 | Apparatus and method for capturing digital images - An apparatus and method for capturing digital images are provided. The digital capturing apparatus includes an image pickup unit obtaining light field data to change a view of a captured image and refocus the captured image, and a data processor generating a refocusing image using the light field data, wherein the image pickup unit performs optical modulation on light beams to obtain light field data of the modulated light beams so that the light beams are identified when two or more of the light beams overlap, and the data processor demodulates the light field data to obtain light field data of the light beams not subjected to the optical modulation. | 12-24-2009 |
20090316015 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A solid-state image pickup device includes: comparators; counters; and a control portion for carrying out control in such a way that in a phase of an addition mode, the two comparators and the two counters corresponding to the two pixel columns, respectively, are set as a unit, 1 is added to a second digit of one counter of the two counters when both the comparison results from the two comparators has a first logic, 1 is added to a first digit of the one counter when one of the comparison results from the two comparators has the first logic, and 1 is added to none of the first digit and the second digit of the one counter when both the comparison results from the two comparators has a second logic. | 12-24-2009 |
20090316016 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING FUNCTION TO DETECT SPECIFIC SUBJECT - Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus | 12-24-2009 |
20090316017 | IMAGING APPARATUS, DATA COMMUNICATING SYSTEM, AND DATA COMMUNICATING METHOD - An imaging apparatus is so configured that the imaging apparatus and an external electronic device are connected, and when the imaging apparatus is in a power-save mode state, if a predetermined button on an external electronic device-use remote controller is depressed, the imaging apparatus is shifted from the power-save mode to a normal activation mode, and respective thumbnail images of a still image file and/or a moving image file stored in the imaging apparatus are multi-displayed on the external electronic device. Therefore, a user is able to immediately confirm what images are stored in the imaging apparatus with a simple manipulation, and thus, convenience is provided. | 12-24-2009 |
20090322892 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING AND CORRECTING SHADING NON-UNIFORMITY OF CAMERA SYSTEMS - The invention includes methods and apparatus for correcting shading non-uniformity in camera systems. A method includes capturing at least two sets of flatfield images from at least two sets of camera modules under first and second illuminant, respectively. Pixels for each image in the sets of flatfield images are then averaged to form first and second averaged flatfield images, respectively. The first averaged flatfield image is transformed using the second averaged flatfield image to create a transform image. The transform image is then saved in memory for calibrating the shading non-uniformity of the camera module. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322893 | CAMERA DATA MANAGEMENT AND USER INTERFACE APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In certain embodiments, a graphical user interface (“GUI”) including a live camera sensor view is displayed and, in response to the capture of a camera image, an image manager pane is displayed together with the live camera sensor view in the graphical user interface. The image manager pane includes a visual indicator representative of the captured camera image. In certain embodiments, a camera image is captured and automatically assigned to a session based on a predefined session grouping heuristic. In certain embodiments, data representative of a captured camera image is provided to a content distribution subsystem over a network, and the content distribution subsystem is configured to distribute data representative of the camera image to a plurality of predefined destinations. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322894 | Computer program product for photographic subject tracking, photographic subject tracking device, and camera - By a program stored in a computer program product for tracking a photographic subject, a computer executes a template matching step of performing template matching upon each frame of an input image with each of a plurality of template images and extracting a plurality of regions whose similarities with each of the template images are the highest from within the input image, a classification step of classifying the extracted regions into regions that are to be used for specifying a photographic subject position within the input image and another region, on the basis of the mutual distances between the extracted regions within the input image, a specification step of specifying the photographic subject position, on the basis of the positions of the regions that have been classified by the classification step as the regions that are to be used for specifying the photographic subject position within the input image, and a photographic subject tracking step of tracking the movement of the photographic subject over the image consisting of a plurality of frames, by tracking the photographic subject position between frames. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322895 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing unit which sequentially generates still image data, a holding unit which holds a plurality of still image data, a display unit which displays the still image data, a setting unit which sets a predetermined state as the start timing of shooting by the image sensing unit, a determination unit which determines whether the predetermined state has been obtained, a shooting control unit which causes the image sensing unit to start shooting when the determination unit determines that the predetermined state has been obtained, a display control unit which causes the display unit to sequentially display, at a display speed lower than an actual time, the still image data, a selection unit which selects one of a plurality of image data displayed on the display unit, and a recording unit which records the selected image data. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322896 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image recording apparatus includes an imaging unit to obtain captured image data; an image configuration determining unit to determine an appropriate image configuration; an image configuration acquisition control unit to execute image configuration acquisition control to obtain captured image data of image content having the appropriate image configuration; a capturing/recording unit to record the captured image data when the captured image data of the image content having the appropriate image configuration is obtained; a capturing history information holding unit to hold capturing history information; an image configuration exhaustion determining unit to determine whether the captured image data of the image content having the appropriate image configuration has been recorded a predetermined number of times; and a recording setting unit to prevent recording of captured image data of image content having the appropriate image configuration determined to have been recorded the predetermined number of times. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322897 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS HAVING SELF-NAVIGATOR FUNCTION, AND OPERATION METHOD OF THE DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A digital image processing apparatus and method are provided, particularly, a digital image processing apparatus having a self-navigator function for allowing capture of a self-image with a user-desired composition, and an operation method of the digital image processing apparatus. The digital image processing apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit for setting a desired position at which a subject is to be positioned on a live-view image and directing the subject to move until an actual position of the subject corresponds to the desired position. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322898 | Image Pickup Apparatus and Electronic Device - An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322899 | FAIL SAFE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Methods of capturing image pixel data representing a scene may be practiced using a camera and may be implemented as software, such as an application program executing within the camera. The methods are particularly advantageous where user modification to the camera control parameters leads to a difference between the values of the pre-capture control parameters for the camera when compared to the pre-capture control parameters that the camera would determine in fully automatic mode. The measured difference may be compared to one or more predetermined threshold values. | 12-31-2009 |
20100002090 | COLOR ENHANCEMENT FOR DIGITAL IMAGES - Techniques for identifying and enhancing colors in a digital image associated with one or more target color shades. In an embodiment, the target color shades may include a shade of blue associated with the sky, a shade of green associated with outdoor foliage, or the color red. In an embodiment, the blue chroma (Cb) and red chroma (Cr) coordinates of a pixel are evaluated to determine whether to apply an enhancement factor. The enhancement factor may incorporate an exposure index (EI) auxiliary enhancement factor, a color temperature (D) auxiliary enhancement factor, and a luminance (Y) of each pixel. Further aspects for implementing the techniques in software and hardware are disclosed. | 01-07-2010 |
20100002091 | Camera module - A camera module chip-set comprising: a decompressor configured to decompress image data received from a host device connected to the camera module chip-set; and a processor, different to the decompressor, configured to control transmission of the decompressed image data to the connected host device, in order for the decompressed image data to be displayed on a display of the host device. | 01-07-2010 |
20100002092 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING CONTINUOUS IMAGE DATA CAPTURED BY DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSOR - Provided are a method and apparatus for processing continuous image data captured by a digital image processor which encodes/decodes a plurality of continuous images in a Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) format. The apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit which compresses the continuous image data into video data in consideration of correlations between neighboring images, or converts the compressed video data into displayable data. | 01-07-2010 |
20100007751 | IMAGE CORRECTION DEVICE, METHOD, PROGRAM, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, AND SYSTEM - An image correction device trims an image, which has been captured by a camera provided in a moving object, in accordance with a predetermined image frame to generate a corrected image that is enclosed by the predetermined image frame, and then outputs the corrected image as an output image. Even when there is an error between an actual camera position in which the camera is actually positioned and a scheduled camera position in which the camera is scheduled to be positioned, the image correction device (i) decomposes the error into a first component that extends along an imaging direction of the camera and a second component that extends along a plane orthogonal to the imaging direction, (ii) shifts the image frame in accordance with the first component, and (iii) enlarges or shrinks a size of the image frame in accordance with the second component. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007752 | Spectral improvement of digital camera color images - Systems and methods for modifying a color image of a scene are provided. The systems and methods involve illuminating at least a portion of the scene with a light having a known spectral power distribution, and detecting a finite number of spectral components of light received from the scene under such illumination. The detected values of spectral components of light received from the scene are used to modify the color image or rendition of the scene. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007753 | IMAGE COMPRESSION METHOD, DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND PROGRAM - An image compression device includes a motion vector detecting section, a determination section, an intra-frame compression section, and an inter-frame compression section. The motion vector detecting section obtains a motion vector between sets of image data at a plurality of positions on an image. The determination section determines whether a spatial variation of the motion vector on the image is large or small. The intra-frame compression section selects an image area A, which is determined to have the large spatial variation of the motion vector, from the image data to be compressed, and subjects the selected image area A to intra-frame compression. The inter-frame compression section selects an image area B, which is determined to have the small spatial variation of the motion vector, from the image data to be compressed, and subjects the selected image area B to inter-frame prediction differential compression. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007754 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - The image processing device of the present invention is provided with an image input section, a position discrepancy detecting section, and an image composition section. The image input section reads a plurality of low resolution images imaging a same object, and at least one high resolution image imaging a same object. The position discrepancy detecting section detects position discrepancy of patterns between respective low resolution images and the high resolution image. The image composition section positions and composes patterns of the plurality of low resolution images based on the position discrepancy. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007755 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING FUNCTIONS ACCORDING TO CAPTURED IMAGES - A system and method for executing functions according to a captured image on an electronic device are provided. The method includes defining at least one function images; capturing the captured image after the capture signal is received; recognizing if the captured image is equivalent to the at least one function images; and executing a corresponding function of the at least one function images if the captured image is equivalent to the at least one function image. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007756 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An apparatus received input of a base image and a reference image that are images picked up by two cameras provided on left and right. A window setting portion determines a size of a window based on an edge value of an image around a gaze point in the base image. A position deviation operation portion operates deviation between the image in the window of the base image and the image in the window of the reference image. A three-dimensional coordinate operation unit portion operates a three-dimensional coordinate of a surface of an object based on deviation between the images. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007757 | CAMERA MODULE AND IMAGING DEVICE - Provided are a camera module and electronic equipment that are advantageous in alleviating a stress to be imposed on connectors and a flexible substrate at the time of attaching a printed wiring substrate. A first flank | 01-14-2010 |
20100007758 | Image matching device and camera - An image matching device includes: a dividing unit that divides a target image, contained in a search window set within an input image constituted with pixels each having a luminance component and a chrominance component, and a template image constituted with pixels each having the luminance component and the chrominance component, each into a plurality of divided areas; a representative value calculation unit that calculates a luminance component representative value and a chrominance component representative value in correspondence to each of the divided areas; a normalizing unit that normalizes the luminance component representative value having been calculated in correspondence to each divided area; and a template matching processing unit that executes template matching processing based upon the normalized luminance component representative value and the chrominance component representative value corresponding to each of the divided areas in the template image, and upon the normalized luminance component representative value and the chrominance component representative value corresponding to each of the divided areas in the target image. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007759 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processor performs blurring processing on an image acquired via a lens system and including a main subject image and a background image, and includes an image processing section having a reduction rate determiner part which determines a reduction rate of the background image based on at least one of a focal length of the lens system, a distance between the main subject image and the background image, level of the blurring processing, and an image size of the background image; an image reduction part which reduces the background image at the reduction rate determined by the reduction rate determiner part; a spatial filter processing part which performs spatial filter processing on the background image reduced by the image reduction part; and an image enlargement part which enlarges the background image processed by the spatial filter processing part at an enlargement rate as an inverse of the reduction rate. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007760 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprises: a plurality of pixels; a signal line; a holding block; an output unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit selectively operates the holding block in a first mode or a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which a first signal is held in a first holding unit and then transferred from the first holding unit to a second holding unit via a first impedance conversion unit, and in which a second signal is held in a third holding unit and then transferred from the third holding unit to a fourth holding unit via a second impedance conversion unit, and the second mode being a mode in which the first signal is transferred to the second holding unit via the first impedance conversion unit and the second signal is transferred to the fourth holding unit via the first impedance conversion unit. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007761 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND PROGRAM - A chronological sequence of a plurality of images is obtained, and one of the plurality of images obtained is set as a reference image while remainders thereof are set as object images. A plurality of parameters for converting each of main subject portions of respective plurality of object images to be aligned so as to be superimposed on a main subject portion of the reference image are calculated. Images are combined such that the main subject portions are superimposed with alignment degrees of the parameters degrading as distance from a predetermined location increases. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007762 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A cut point detection unit segments a frame sequence including successive frames into one or more subframe sequences. A face discrimination unit identifies an image group in which an object registered in advance appears, of images of respective frames that form one subframe sequence, and a representative frame candidate extraction unit selects one image from the identified image group as a selection image. A representative frame display control unit controls a display unit to display selection images for respective subframe sequences as representative images of the frame sequence. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007763 | Image Shooting Device - An image shooting device has: an image sensing portion that, through repeated shooting, acquires a series of input images having a plurality of input images formed in chronological order; a face detection portion that, based on the image data of the series of input images, detects a human face from each input image and outputs position information representing the position of a detected face on the image; a priority face choice portion that chooses a priority face from one or more faces detected by the face detection portion; an identification portion that, based on the position information of the faces detected by the face detection portion, searches for the priority face in each input image to detect the priority face as distinguished from any other face; and a re-choice portion that, when the priority face is detected by the identification portion from a first input image acquired after choice of the priority face but the priority face is not detected by the identification portion from a second input image acquired after the first input image, retains retained information including position information of the priority face on the first input image, and then executes, using the retained information, re-choice processing to re-choose the priority face. In the re-choice processing, based on the retained information and position information of a face on a third input image acquired after the second input image, the re-choice portion searches, within the third input image, for a face to be re-chosen as a priority face anew under a condition different from the condition under which the identification portion searched for the priority face. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007764 | DETERMINING IMAGE QUALITY FOR IMPROVING OBJECT TRACKABILITY - A method and system are provided. In one embodiment, a video image is preprocessed from a video camera to separate objects to be tracked from the rest of the video image. Statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are computed. Further, a quality measure based on the statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are generated. The quality measure indicates the suitability of the video image for use by an object tracking system. The generating of the quality measure maximizes saturation of each of the tracked objects. Further, the video camera is tuned to increase the quality measure beyond a threshold. | 01-14-2010 |
20100013942 | DIGITAL CAMERAS INDICATING SELECTED MODE - An imaging device having first and second operable modes of operation, the imaging device includes a user interface for selecting the first operable mode of operation or a second operable mode of operation; a processor that, upon startup, detects whether the first operable mode of operation or the second operable mode of operation is selected; and one or more sensory mechanisms that output a first signal when the processor detects the first operable mode and outputs a second signal when the processor detects the second operable mode of operation. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013943 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD RELATING TO AN IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE - An input system for a digital camera may include a portion for taking at least one image to be used as a control image; and a controller to control at least one operation of the digital camera based on a control command recognized from the control image, the control command controlling a function of the camera | 01-21-2010 |
20100013944 | Gesture Recognition Apparatus and Method - A method of identifying a human gesture using a machine includes providing a time sequence of data related to the human gesture; transforming the time sequence of data into waveforms; extracting features from the waveforms; and identifying the human gesture based on the extracted features. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013945 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP METHOD - To provide a camera determining a subject for which an image capturing condition is set at the time determined based on whether or not the subject is detected before an image capturing instruction is issued. The subject is detected, it is determined whether the subject detection result satisfies a predetermined condition, the subject for which the image capturing condition should be set is determined before the image capturing instruction is accepted when the subject detection result satisfies the predetermined condition, the image capturing instruction is accepted, the image capturing condition is set based on the determined subject when the subject detection result satisfies the predetermined condition and the image capturing condition is set based on the subject detection result obtained after the image capturing instruction is accepted when the subject detection result does not satisfy the predetermined condition, and actual image capturing is performed under the set image capturing condition. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013946 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: an imaging element configured to carry out photoelectric conversion of subject image light incident through a lens and produce a video signal; an imaging element controller configured to control timing of readout of the video signal from the imaging element; a circular disk shutter configured to have a light-blocking part and a passage part, the shutter being driven to rotate by a motor; a shutter position detector configured to detect a rotational position of the shutter; and a shutter controller configured to control a rotational speed of the shutter and cause the imaging element controller to start readout of a video signal from the imaging element when the light-blocking part of the shutter is located in front of the imaging element based on information on the rotational position of the shutter, detected by the shutter position detector. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013947 | PHASE DIFFERENCE DETECTION DEVICE, IMAGING APPARATUS, PHASE DIFFERENCE DETECTION METHOD - The ratio between an image A and an image B is calculated as the comparison result of the images A and B obtained from a pair of optical images. The variance is then calculated in order to evaluate the statistical fluctuation of the ratio obtained for each pixel. The fluctuation due to the variance is evaluated for each phase difference while the phase between the image A and the image B is shifted. The phase difference detection is performed on the basis of the evaluation result of the fluctuation. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013948 | MULTI-COLOR IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - A multi-color image processor according to the present invention includes an image capturing section | 01-21-2010 |
20100013949 | EYEBALL PARAMETER ESTIMATING DEVICE AND METHOD - A head posture estimating unit estimates, from a face image of a person photographed by a camera, a head posture of the person in a camera coordinate system. A head coordinate system eyeball central position candidate setting unit sets candidates of an eyeball central position in a head coordinate system based on two-point eyeball feature coordinates expressed in the head coordinate system. A camera coordinate system eyeball central position calculating unit calculates an eyeball central position ({right arrow over (a)}) in the camera coordinate system based on the head posture resulting from the estimating of the head posture estimating unit, the candidates of the eyeball central position set by the head coordinate system eyeball central position candidate setting unit, and a pupil central position detected from the face image. An eyeball parameter estimating unit estimates an eyeball central position (O) and an eyeball radius (r) in the head coordinate system based on the eyeball central position ({right arrow over (a)}) in the camera coordinate system. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013950 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD OF THE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE CONTROL PROGRAM - An image sensing apparatus sets a trimming area for an image file obtained by image sensing. An image processing apparatus acquires the image file to which the trimming area has been added, and displays the acquired image file on a display unit. The image processing apparatus then sets a new trimming area for the displayed image file, and distinguishably displays the trimming area set by the image sensing apparatus and the trimming area set by the image processing apparatus on the display unit. | 01-21-2010 |
20100013951 | Digital Watermarking Methods, Programs and Apparatus - The present claims recite various steganographic and digital watermarking methods and apparatus. One claim recites a method of watermarking a representation of a physical object. The method includes: projecting a watermark orientation component onto a physical object; and using a camera or image sensor, capturing an image or video of the physical object including the watermark orientation component as projected thereon. Another claim recites an apparatus including: a light source for projecting a registration component onto a physical object; a camera or sensor for capturing an image or video of the physical object including the registration component as projected thereon; and an electronic processor programmed for encoding a message in the image or video captured by said camera or sensor. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020190 | PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE AND PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - A photographing device includes a motion amount calculation unit that calculates a motion amount of an image in the successive images, an image selection unit that selects an image to be processed based on the motion amount, and an image combination unit that combines overlapped parts by using a plurality of partially overlapped images selected by the image selection unit. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020191 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - To output stable results as necessary when recognizing scenes with a camera. Unless the result of scene recognition can be stabilized, an output result will confuse the user. In consideration thereof, by combiningly performing processing for determining what type of scene a particular scene is and processing for monitoring whether or not a change has occurred from a recognized scene, it is now possible to perform scene recognition in an accurate and stable manner. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026823 | Imaging Device and Image Processing Method of Same - An imaging device and its image processing for creating an image with less blur from a small number of images under different exposure conditions in a shortened processing time. The imaging device | 02-04-2010 |
20100026824 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH REDUCED RED LIGHT CROSSTALK - An image sensor having a pixel array includes a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array, a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array, and a crosstalk reduction layer arranged between the sensor layer and the circuit layer and configured to reduce crosstalk between adjacent ones of the photosensitive elements. The crosstalk reduction layer may comprise, for example, an amorphous silicon germanium (a-SiGe) layer specifically configured to reduce red light crosstalk in the image sensor. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026825 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - To provide a technique to obtain a synthesized image with an expanded dynamic range with ease and a technique to reduce workload of a user while maintaining the degree of freedom relating to image processing. There provides an image inputting part taking in at least one of a plurality of low-resolution images and a high-resolution image obtained by shooting the same subject while changing exposure condition, a shift detecting part detecting a positional shift of pictorial pattern between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image, and a gradation expanding part generating a synthesized image in which a range of reproduced gradation is expanded by performing position alignment between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image based on the positional shift, extracting a gradation information of the plurality of low-resolution images, and synthesizing it with the high-resolution image. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026826 | APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING IMAGE - An image protection apparatus includes an information collecting unit for collecting personally identifiable information to be embedded in images captured by an image capturing instrument; and an information processing unit for extracting personal information from the collected personally identifiable information. Further, the image protection apparatus includes an information embedding unit for embedding the extracted personal information into a captured image; and an image signaturing unit for writing a signature on the captured image by using the extracted personal information. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026827 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Recording Medium - An image processing apparatus includes a still/motion determining unit and a motion blur adder. The still/motion determining unit makes a still/motion determination for each region of respective unit images constituting motion image data. The motion blur adder then adds motion blur to the motion image data on the basis of the still/motion determination and imaging information expressing parameters whereby the motion image data was generated as a result of imaging by an imaging apparatus. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026828 | OPTICAL IMAGING DEVICE, AND LENS CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS - The invention provides an optical imaging device, which includes: an input unit, adapted to receive lens category information that is inputted; a storage unit, adapted to store at least one lens control model; and a control unit, adapted to select, according to the lens category information that is inputted from the input unit, a corresponding lens control model from the storage unit, and to apply to a lens a control signal which control signal corresponds to a current status of the lens. The invention also provides a lens control method and apparatus. The optical imaging device of the invention can control and adjust various categories of lenses, thus effectively avoiding the problem of iris hunting. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026829 | IMAGE CODING APPARATUS, IMAGE CODING METHOD, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, AND CAMERA - An image coding apparatus which compression-codes moving picture data including a current image to be coded, the image coding apparatus including an accumulating unit which accumulates a reference image, a predicted image generating unit which generates a predicted image of the current image to be coded, based on the reference image accumulated in the accumulating unit, by performing motion compensation with weighted prediction or motion compensation without the weighted prediction, the weighted prediction being a process of adding a predetermined offset value to a pixel value of the reference image, a coding unit which codes a difference between the predicted image generated by the predicted image generating unit and the current image to be coded, and a determining unit which determines whether or not the current image to be coded is included in, among the moving picture data, a picture group which is a group of successive pictures and indicates motion equal to or larger than a predetermined amount of motion, in which the predicted image generating unit generates the predicted image by performing the motion compensation without the weighted prediction when the determining unit determines that the current image to be coded is included in the picture group, and to generate the predicted image by performing the motion compensation with the weighted prediction when it is determined that the current image to be coded is not included in the picture group. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026830 | SELF-TIMER PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD INVOLVING CHECKING THE NUMBER OF PERSONS - Provided is a digital photographing apparatus and method, and more particularly, provided is a self-timer photographing apparatus and method involving checking the number of persons using an image capturing device having a self-timer function. The self-timer photographing apparatus involving checking the number of persons as a digital image processing device, the apparatus includes a digital signal processing unit detecting a change in the number of faces of a live view image, detecting positions of faces of the live view image, and, when there is no change in the positions of faces during a predetermined period of time, controlling to perform self-timer photographing. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026831 | AUTOMATIC FACE AND SKIN BEAUTIFICATION USING FACE DETECTION - Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026832 | AUTOMATIC FACE AND SKIN BEAUTIFICATION USING FACE DETECTION - Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026833 | AUTOMATIC FACE AND SKIN BEAUTIFICATION USING FACE DETECTION - Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026834 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON A PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE METHOD - A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided. Also provided is a digital photographing apparatus using the method and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for executing the method. The method includes displaying a residual image of a background image; setting a partial area of an area on which the residual image is displayed; capturing an image including a subject; extracting a subject image corresponding to the partial area from the image; and generating a composite image by combining the background image and the subject image. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033588 | SHADOW AND REFLECTION IDENTIFICATION IN IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES - A device may include an image capturing assembly to frame an image of a subject for capturing; and a processor to automatically identify a shadow or a reflection corresponding to a user of the device in the framed image. The image capturing assembly is configured to capture the image following the automatic identification of the shadow or the reflection. The processor is configured to perform one of: adjusting the image capturing assembly based on the automatic identification of the shadow or the reflection prior to the capturing of the image, or modifying the captured image based on the automatic identification of the shadow or the reflection. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033589 | INFORMATION RECORDING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An information recording apparatus includes: a moving image input unit configured to input a moving image; a position information obtaining unit configured to obtain position information at the time of the moving image being input; a position information converting unit configured to convert the obtained position information into at least either bitmap data or text data, relating to a place determined with the position information thereof; a data stream generating unit configured to generate a data stream including at least either the converted bitmap data or text data, and video data corresponding to the input moving image; and a recording control unit configured to record the generated data stream as a moving image file. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033590 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing unit configured to sense an object and generate image data, a face detection unit configured to detect a face region of a person contained in the image data generated by the image sensing unit, and a facial expression determination unit configured to determine a plurality of facial expressions in the face region determined by the face detection unit. When both a first facial expression and a second facial expression are determined, the facial expression determination unit corrects a condition to determine the second facial expression so as to become difficult as compared to the determination condition when the first facial expression is not determined and the second facial expression is determined. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033591 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - In an image capturing apparatus with an operation mode for carrying out expression detection, it is determined whether or not the image capturing apparatus is operated in the operation mode for carrying out expression detection. In a case in which the image capturing apparatus is operated in the operation mode for carrying out expression detection, setting in such a way that images with a resolution higher than in a case in which the image capturing apparatus is not operated in the operation mode are read out from an mage sensor allows the expression of a face of a person to be detected efficiently. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033592 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - If a subject change button of a device is pressed after a face image is detected from moving image data and the number of identified face images is counted, the value of the operation count becomes +1 so that a single face image can be selected. Then, a face image for selection is changed in sequence at the press of the subject change button. If the operation count number exceeds the identified face number of the time, it is determined that a round of the face selection is completed, so that the counted operation number is cleared, the face selection is cancelled, and the device is put on standby. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033593 | IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An image pick-up apparatus capable of displaying a detected subject region in a field of view of an optical finder intelligibly, and shortening a time until achieving a focus on a subject so as to decrease a release time lag. A focus detection unit detects data concerning a focus adjustment of a subject. An indication unit indicates a focusing point selected as a target of the focus adjustment among focusing points arranged at positions in a field of view of an optical finder according to the data detected by the focus detection unit. A subject detection unit detects a region of the subject using a signal that is different from the signal used for the detection in the focus detection unit. A control unit controls the indication unit based on the detection result of the subject detection unit so as to indicate the focusing points surrounding the region of the subject. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033594 | IMAGE CODING APPARATUS, IMAGE CODING METHOD, IMAGE CODING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, AND CAMERA - An image coding apparatus including: a reference index assignment unit configured to assign reference indices to plural reference pictures which can be referred to by a current picture to be coded, each of the reference indices having a different value and being assigned to a corresponding one of the plural reference pictures; and an image coding unit configured to perform field-coding on the current picture to be coded, by referring to the reference pictures indicated by the reference indices assigned by the reference index assignment unit, and to code the reference indices, wherein the reference index assignment unit is configured to assign, to one of two reference pictures included in the plural reference pictures, a reference index having a value smaller than a value of a reference index to be assigned to the other reference picture, the one of the two reference pictures being temporally closer to the current picture to be coded than the other reference picture. | 02-11-2010 |
20100039520 | In-Camera Based Method of Detecting Defect Eye with High Accuracy - A portable digital image acquisition device includes multiple lenses and/or multiple flashes. A main digital image and first and second reference images are acquired. The first and second reference images are acquired with different flash-lens combinations that have different flash-lens distances. One or more flash eye defects are detected and corrected in the main image based on analysis of the first and second reference images. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039521 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH IMAGE ADJUSTMENT FUNCTION AND METHOD THEREOF - An image adjustment method includes providing an input unit configured for receiving inputs, obtaining a desired image and sending the desired image to the display unit, adjusting the desired image on the display unit according to the inputs, obtaining an adjusted desired part of the desired image, reducing a resolution of the adjusted desired part of the desired image according to a resolution of the display unit, and copying the reduced desired part of the desired image to a desired location. An electronic device with an image adjustment function is also provided. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039522 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE CAPABLE OF DETERMINING DESIRED EXPOSURE SETTINGS AND EXPOSURE METHOD THEREOF - An exposure method is disclosed. An image is captured using current exposure settings. The image is displayed on a screen which is subdivided into several areas to provide judgement of whether the current exposure settings are desired or not and allow determination of adjustment of metering weights for the areas if the current exposure settings are not desired. The adjustment of the metering weights for the areas is carried out based upon the determination. Light in the scene is measured based upon using the adjusted metering weights. New exposure settings are calculated based upon the measurement of light. The above steps are circled through until a desired exposure has been obtained. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039523 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capture device includes an image detection unit, a display unit, and a control system. The image detection unit captures images of an object of which orientations can be detected. The display displays the captured images. The control system acquires the captured images, extracts features of the object, recognizes the orientations of the object, identifies an angle between the orientations and physical direction of the display unit, implements a corresponding command stored therein associated with the angle, and executes the corresponding command to adjust display direction of the display unit. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039524 | Passing Embedded Data Through A Digital Image Processor - A method and apparatus for processing an image includes a buffer memory, which is configured to receive and store an input data stream including multiple image lines and one or more embedded data lines, which are interleaved with the image lines and include metadata that are not a part of the image. An image processor receives the input pixel values in succession from the buffer memory and processes the input pixel values so as to generate an output data stream including output pixel values, which are different from the input pixel values. A processing controller detects the one or more embedded data lines and controls the image processor, responsively to detecting the one or more embedded data lines, so that the embedded data lines pass through the image processor without modification of the metadata and are interleaved with the image lines of the output pixel values in the output data stream. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039525 | Perfecting of Digital Image Capture Parameters Within Acquisition Devices Using Face Detection - Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within said captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039526 | Signal processing apparatus and method, and program - Signals are provided which allow colors in a wider color range than predetermined standards, which can be handled by apparatus according to such predetermined standards. A primary color converter converts first color signals having primary color points in a wider color range than the primary color points according to BT.709 into second color signals based on the primary colors according to BT.709. A photoelectric transducer converts the second color signals into third color signals according to photoelectric transducer characteristics defined in a numerical range wider than a range from 0 to 1.0 of color signals corresponding to a luminance signal and color difference signals according to BT.709. A color signal converter converts the third color signals into a luminance signal and color difference signals. A corrector incorporated in the color signal converter corrects the color difference signals into color difference signals. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039527 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPHY USING DESIRABLE FEATURE RECOGNITION - To improve the quality of photographs of people, the disclosure describes a system and method of photography using desirable feature recognition. The system and method recognize when the subject persons in a photograph possess one or more desirable features for a desirable photograph, such as when they are all smiling and/or not blinking. The system and method may be applied either to individual or group photographs. The system and method of the present invention may operate in a “Full Mode”, in which a picture is taken when all subject persons possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a “Proportional Mode”, in which a picture is taken when a set proportion of the subject persons possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a “Best Picture Mode”, in which multiple photographs are imaged, and the best photograph is selected for keeping, as measured by the photograph containing the highest proportion of subject persons who possess the desirable feature(s). The system and method also may operate in a timer mode, which permits the camera user to appear in the photograph. | 02-18-2010 |
20100045809 | INFRARED AND VISIBLE-LIGHT IMAGE REGISTRATION - Methods and thermal imaging cameras are provided for registering visible-light and infrared images within a thermal imaging camera to reduce a parallax error in the images. Registration generally includes detecting a first feature set in the visible-light image data, detecting a second feature set in the infrared image data and generating a plurality of overlapping alignments of the infrared image data and the visible-light image data. A similarity figure is calculated as a function of the relative alignment of the first feature set and the second feature set for each alignment and the alignment with the desired similarity figure is selected. The images are aligned and the camera displays at least a portion of the visible-light image data and/or at least a portion of the infrared image data. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045810 | Video Signal Processing System and Method Thereof - An video signal processing method and system thereof are disclosed. The system comprises four cameras for capturing four video signals (1373×986 pixels, frame rate is 22.5 fps). Each video signal may be adjusted and encoded in the camera to form an output video signal (960×540 pixels, frame rate is 19.98 fps). Each frame (960×540 pixels) of the output video signal may be segmented into three fields (720×240 pixels) to be the output video of the camera. Each camera transmits the processed output video (three fields, each field is 720×240 pixels, frame rate is 19.98 fps) to a digital video recorder via a coaxial cable. The digital video recorder may decode and restore the processed output video signal to the output video signal (960×540 pixels). Then the digital video recorder may transmit the several output video signal to a display device, and the several output video signal may be displayed into the display device in quad screen format to form a high definition video corresponding to the output video standard (1080p). | 02-25-2010 |
20100045811 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, DISPLAY-AND-IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus capable of easily improving the detection accuracy of a touching or proximity object is provided. An offset noise (a reset image R) is obtained by an image pickup process in a state (a reset state) in which an image pickup device is initialized. Moreover, a fingertip extraction process is performed in consideration of the offset noise on the basis of a picked-up image (a shadow image A or a display light-using image B) which is obtained by picking up an image of a proximity object to obtain object information about the proximity object. While an offset noise in the apparatus is easily reduced, object information about the proximity object can be obtained. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045812 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING APPARATUS, PROGRAM FOR THE METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM - Application is found to, for example, a video camera with recording means united therewith. On the basis of image recognition results, in accordance with the timing of detection of images of specified pattern in specified sequence, high-speed writing of imaging results in memory is completed and the imaging results stored in the memory is saved in a recording medium. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045813 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND VIDEO CAPTURING METHOD THEREOF - A method for capturing video comprising: capturing video of a moving object, the video comprising a current image and a subsequent image; selecting a portion of each image of the captured video which contains the moving object; copying the selected portions as new images; and encoding the new images into new video. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045814 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus, includes: an image sensor having a light receiving surface with a plurality of pixels and a plurality-of-color separation filter, which receives light from a photographic subject which is incident via an optical system on the surface via the filter, outputs a pixel output of each pixel, and images an image of the subject; a pixel output judging section which judges if each pixel output reaches each predetermined saturation level or not; a pixel output compensation processor which compensates a pixel output of a specific color filter based on a pixel output of another color separation filter in the vicinity which is less than its predetermined saturation level; and a bit compression convertor. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045815 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - In this image pickup device, a system controller uses pattern matching to detect regions where patterns match between images based on multiple sets of image data. Subsequently, the system controller conducts alignment based on the regions that are matched by pattern matching with respect to the multiple sets of image data that are generated by multiple imagings in a exposure time shorter than a normal exposure time while the imaging view field changes. Furthermore, the system controller adds the respective sets of image data after alignment, and generates image data corresponding to a view field that is wider than the imaging view field of a CCD. According to this image pickup device, motion blur can be reduced. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045816 | User Feedback in Connection with Object Recognition - A user controls, by hand, relative positioning between a camera-equipped apparatus and an object, to vary image data captured by the apparatus. At least certain of the image data is processed in connection with automated recognition of the object. An action based on recognition of the object can be taken. The arrangement further includes presenting feedback data to help guide the user in connection with said positioning, so as to aid in capturing image data from which the object can be recognized. In another aspect, the apparatus can provide a sequence of state data to the user on a display device, to indicate progress through several states in connection with the object recognition. A great variety of other arrangements and technologies are also detailed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045817 | CAMERA CONTROL APPARATUS AND CAMERA CONTROL METHOD - A camera control apparatus includes: a first operation section outputting a first operation signal in accordance with the displacement amount, the first operation signal instructing a camera to perform pan or tilt control; a second operation section outputting a second operation signal in accordance with the displacement amount, the second operation signal limiting the speed at which the camera is moved; a maximum value variable producer producing a maximum value variable that limits the speed within a predetermined range based on the second operation signal; a speed determination section determining the speed in accordance with the first operation signal so that the speed is smaller than or equal to the maximum value variable; and a control signal producer producing a control command for controlling the direction in which the camera is moved and the speed based on the determined speed at which the camera is moved. | 02-25-2010 |
20100045818 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - Relationship information is previously generated and stored by learning based on camera motion estimation information expressing motion of a video camera, which is detected by a desired image signal picked up by the video camera, and camera motion information expressing physical motion of the video camera, which was obtained by a sensor for detecting physical motion at the same time when the desired image signal was picked up by the video camera. Camera motion estimation information with respect to an inputted image signal is detected from the inputted image signal. Camera motion prediction information with respect to the inputted image signal is generated, based on the camera motion estimation information detected and the relationship information. Based on the camera motion prediction information, a vibration signal for vibrating an object is generated. As a result, vibration data can be easily generated at low costs, based on existing video assets. | 02-25-2010 |
20100053349 | Imaging Apparatus and Imaging Method - An imaging apparatus and an imaging method able to obtain images having no blurring with a small number of images under different exposure conditions and capable of shortening a processing time, wherein an imaging apparatus | 03-04-2010 |
20100053350 | Image Device and Method of Same - An imaging device able to simplify an optical system while maintaining a high frame rate, but without needing expensive blurring restoration processing hardware, able to reduce costs, and in addition capable of obtaining a restored image little influenced by noise, and a method of same, which bypasses blurring restoration processing of an image processing device | 03-04-2010 |
20100053351 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for attaining image processing - An image processing procedure receives mosaic image data and calculates vertical and horizontal-direction color difference components for each pixel. The image processing procedure subsequently selects an R pixel or a B pixel from the mosaic image data, and compares a variation of the vertical-direction color difference component with a variation of the horizontal-direction color difference component with regard to each of at least the selected pixels to detect edge directions of the at least selected pixels. The edge directions thus obtained are collected in an edge direction map, and then the edge directions are compared with the surrounding edge directions to remove edge noise in advance. The image processing procedure refers to the detected edge directions, and interpolates a missing color component in each pixel of the mosaic image data with the settings of one color component in each pixel in the mosaic image data. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053352 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CAPTURE COMPRESSED IMAGES - Example methods and apparatus to capture compressed images are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first output of a first photodetector representative of a first weighted sum of the a plurality of portions of an image, capturing a second output of a second photodetector representative of a second weighted sum of a second plurality of portions of the image, and computing a first wavelet coefficient for the image using the first and second captured outputs. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053353 | Method and system for aiding user alignment for capturing partially overlapping digital images - A method and system for aiding user alignment of two or more partially overlapping digital images. A first image is captured. A portion of a first image is displayed with a preview of a portion of a second image. The second image is adjusted by movement of an used to capture the first image and generate the preview of the second image). Once satisfactory alignment is achieved, the second image is captured. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053354 | Image pickup apparatus and image processing apparatus - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup lens having an aperture stop; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data based on light detected; one or more microlenses arranged between the image pickup lens and the image pickup device so as to correspond to a plurality of pixels in a partial region of the image pickup device; and an image processing section performing image processing based on the image pickup data obtained from the image pickup device, in which the image processing section includes: a distance measurement section measuring a distance from the image pickup lens to a measurement object based on pixel data in the partial region of the image pickup device, and an interpolation section interpolating pixel data for the partial region of the image pickup device. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053355 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes: display means; operation input receiving means; and display control means for making a display control of allowing an image to correspond to an image card as an object imitating a real card, displaying a check image, which indicates a shape in which a plurality of the image cards overlap, on the display means, displaying one of an image corresponding to a specific image card and information indicating the image in a partial or overall area of the specific image card when a check operation indicating an instruction to check the specific image card is received, and changing a display state of the display means from a first state where the checking image is displayed to a second state where the image corresponding to the specific image card is displayed when a selection operation indicating that the specific image card is selected is received. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053356 | Imaging Device And Video Signal Generating Method Employed In Imaging Device - Provided is an imaging device comprising means for binning by adding up and reading out pixel signals from a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction of a pixel arrangement of an imaging element. The imaging device is provided with first means for changing a combination pattern of added pixel signals on a per-frame basis, and second means for generating image signals for one frame based on added signals from plural frames having different combination patterns. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053357 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus which corrects, based on information of a foreign substance adhered to an optical element arranged in front of an image sensor in an image capturing apparatus, a shadow of the foreign substance in the moving image data generated by performing predictive encoding by referring to image data of a different input frame, the image processing apparatus comprises: a moving image decompression unit which decompresses an image of each frame by obtaining information representing a difference between frames from the moving image data; and a correction unit which corrects the information representing the difference between frames when the information representing the difference between frames that is obtained by the moving image decompression unit in correspondence with a region containing the shadow of the foreign substance represented by the foreign substance information is determined to be larger than a predetermined threshold. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053358 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus is provided that is capable of performing both object detection using image recognition and object detection using movement detection on successively captured images. In the image capturing apparatus, the reliability of the result of the object detection using image recognition is evaluated based on the previous detection results. If it is determined that the reliability is high, execution of the object detection using movement detection is determined. If it is determined that the reliability is low, non-execution of the object detection using movement detection is determined. With this configuration, the object region can be tracked appropriately. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053359 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A CAMERA - A system and method for detecting a camera. In one embodiment, although not limited thereto, an illuminator illuminates an area of interest. A camera then takes multiple pictures of the illuminated area and an algorithm is then used to compare the pictures and locate and pirate cameras based on the reflection characteristics. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053360 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing method includes acquiring shooting data indicating a condition used for capturing image data, calculating an adaptation field size using data indicating an adaptation field angle and the acquired shooting data, executing filter processing on the image data according to the adaptation field size to calculate data indicating an adaptation state of a scene that is a shooting object of the image data, and calculating data indicating appearance of the scene using the data indicating the adaptation state. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053361 | Image Pickup Apparatus Electronic Device and Image Aberration Control Method - An optical system comprising an aberration control optical system is disclosed. An aberration control optical system is operable to produce an image aberration, and an aperture stop is operable to limit a light beam passing through the aberration control optical system. An image pickup device is operable to capture an object image passing through the aberration control optical system, and the aberration control optical system provides inflection points within a diameter of the aperture stop to obtain a depth extending effect. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053362 | PARTIAL FACE DETECTOR RED-EYE FILTER METHOD AND APPARATUS - A digital camera has an integral flash and stores and displays a digital image. Under certain conditions, a flash photograph taken with the camera may result in a red-eye phenomenon due to a reflection within an eye of a subject of the photograph. A digital apparatus has a red-eye filter which analyzes at least one partial face region identified within the digital image for the red-eye phenomenon and modifies the image to eliminate the red-eye phenomenon by changing the red area to black. The modification of the image is enabled when a photograph is taken under conditions indicative of the red-eye phenomenon. The modification is subject to anti-falsing analysis which further examines the area around the red-eye area for indicia of the eye of the subject. The detection and correction can be optimized for performance and quality by operating on subsample versions of the image when appropriate. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053363 | PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Provided are a photographing method and apparatus for implementing the method. The photographing method includes setting coordinates where a face to be photographed is to be positioned and setting a size of the face, detecting a face from a preview image of a predetermined subject according to the coordinates and the size, and photographing the subject when a face corresponding to the coordinates and the size is detected from the preview image. Thus, coordinates where a face is positioned and a facial size can be adjusted when a user wants to perform a self-photographing operation. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053364 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - This invention enables an intention of a photographer to be reflected with greater accuracy in image processing based on actions performed by the photographer when taking an image. Based on user information acquired by a user information acquisition section, supplementary information such as whether a composition flag is on or off and assignment of an image classification is recorded with an image. Based on the supplementary information, various types of image processing such as setting an image trimming range, imparting an effect, and arranging an image on a mount are performed. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053365 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE WITH ZOOM FUNCTION - When continuous-zoom-photographing mode is selected, the through image of a subject and first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced on an image-display section. When a user operates a cross key, recorded information about the trimming position of each of the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames is updated according to the cross-key operation and the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames are produced at the updated trimming position recorded after the update. After a shutter button is pressed down, still-image photographing is started and image data obtained thereby is stored in a buffer memory. On the basis of the obtained image data, image data is generated for each of the first and second continuous-zoom-photographing frames through trimming processing and stored in the buffer memory. The obtained image data and the generated image data are stored in a flash memory. | 03-04-2010 |
20100060746 | Simultaneous multiple field of view digital cameras - 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. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060747 | Camera Housing With Integrated Expansion Module - A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060748 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL METHOD - When an image of a subject formed by an optical system is picked up using an image pickup device, charges obtained upon receiving light for the subject image are accumulated with a time difference for each scan line in the image pickup device. Concurrently, a characteristic of the optical system is modified to change a distance to the subject at which the image pickup device is in focus, for each horizontal scan line. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060749 | REDUCING DIGITAL IMAGE NOISE - Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with reducing digital image noise are described. In one embodiment, a method includes determining, on a per pixel basis, mosquito noise values associated with pixels of a digital image. The method determines, on a per pixel basis, block noise values associated with the digital image. The method filters the digital image with a plurality of adaptive filters. A compression artifact in the digital image is reduced. The compression artifact is reduced by combining filter outputs from the plurality of adaptive filters. The filter outputs are combined based, at least in part, on the mosquito noise values and the block noise values. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060750 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE SAME - An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining device for obtaining a series of images taken by serially picking up images of an object; and a mosaicking process device for generating a synthesized image by combining the series of images obtained by the obtaining device; wherein the mosaicking process device includes: a coordinate obtaining device for obtaining representative coordinates for each one of the series of images obtained by the obtaining device; an extracting device for extracting an image to be excluded from objects of a mosaicking process from the series of images obtained by the obtaining device, based on a locus of the representative coordinates of each image obtained by the coordinate obtaining device; and a synthesized image generating device for generating an image that is the series of images excluding the image extracted by the extracting device combined as the synthesized image. | 03-11-2010 |
20100066847 | Imaging apparatus and program - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section, a memory, and a control section. The imaging section captures an image of an object and generates data of the image. The memory records pieces of feature information respectively corresponding to each of a plurality of registered objects to be recognized as recognition targets. The control section recognizes the registered objects included in the image based on the feature information. Further, the control section executes predetermined processing when two or more of specified objects which are specified among the registered objects are included in the image. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066848 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD - An image processing device including a camera, a discrete signal processor (DSP) and an output device is disclosed. The camera provides image data for the DSP to process. The DSP samples sub-image data to generate a first image processing signal, discrete cosine transforms the first image processing signal to generate a second image processing signal, uses a quantization table to quantize the second image processing signal to generate a third image processing signal, zig-zag scans the third image processing signal to generate a fourth image processing signal, and Huffman codes the fourth image processing signal to generate an output image signal. The DSP adjusts a cut point of a next fourth image processing signal according to the size of the fourth image processing signal so as to control the size of a next output image signal. The output device outputs the output image signal. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066849 | ADAPTIVE BINNING METHOD AND APPARATUS - An image processing method and device are described. The method includes the steps of capturing the contents a scene in a first pass ( | 03-18-2010 |
20100066850 | MOTION ARTIFACT MEASUREMENT FOR DISPLAY DEVICES - A video signal generator provides a test pattern to a display device for measuring a motion artifact (e.g., moving-edge blur) of the display device. The test pattern includes a moving image and a shift velocity of a time-delay integration (TDI) camera is matched to the velocity of the moving image to track a moving edge of the image. The captured image is analyzed to determine a characteristic indicative of the motion artifact of the display device (e.g., the blur edge time). | 03-18-2010 |
20100066851 | Imaging Apparatus - Imaging apparatus comprises a projectile imaging device ( | 03-18-2010 |
20100066852 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, INTEGRATED OPTICAL PROCESSOR, AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE USING THE SAME - The present invention provides an image capture device including an integrated optical processor which includes a substrate, an image sensing circuit, an analogue-to-digital conversion circuit, a digital image signal processing circuit, and a signal output circuit. The signal output circuit has a high-speed serial transmission interface. The light beam received by the image sensing circuit will be converted into digital signals which are further processed by the digital image signal processing circuit. The digital image signal processing circuit also compensates for the signal variation caused by heat generated by high-speed serial transmission interface. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066853 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit; a display unit capable of displaying a moving image based on the image data generated by the imaging unit; a setting unit that receives setting of a user; a shutter operable to adjust an exposure time of the imaging unit according to a shutter speed; a determination unit operable to determine the shutter speed according to setting related to exposure set by user through the setting unit; and a controller operable to control the imaging unit and the display unit. The controller controls the imaging unit to be exposed for an exposure time corresponding to the shutter speed determined by the determination unit, and changes a frame rate of displaying the moving image on the display unit according to the determined shutter speed. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066854 | Camera and imaging system - A camera comprises an imaging system having a first depth of field for one or more first colours and a second depth of field, smaller than the first depth of field, for one or more second colours. The imaging system may comprise an iris with a first aperture for the first colour or colours and a second aperture, which is larger than the first, for the second colour or colours. The first aperture may be defined by an outer opaque ring ( | 03-18-2010 |
20100066855 | Image display apparatus and detection method - An image display apparatus is provided which includes an image display unit for displaying a still image or a moving image, an imaging unit for capturing an image in a direction in which the image display unit is displaying the still image or the moving image, a detecting unit for detecting a light emitting unit of a remote controlling device included in the image captured by the imaging unit, and detecting a movement amount of the light emitting unit within the captured image, the remote controlling device controlled by a user, and a control unit for controlling a movement amount of a pointer displayed on the image display unit, depending on the movement amount of the light emitting unit detected by the detecting unit. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066856 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus that can decrease the probability of an image in which a main subject is not in focus being captured is provided. An image pickup apparatus | 03-18-2010 |
20100073498 | ENHANCEMENT OF IMAGES - A method of obtaining a spatial low pass filtered images from the video output of a video camera operable to produce successive video frames in the form of pixelated 2D sensed images. Each of the sensed images has a first predetermined number of rows of pixels and a second predetermined number of columns of pixels. The method may include scanning the sensor array row by row, and deriving the value of each pixel of said low spatial frequency image in such a way that said low spatial frequency value of a pixel is dependent on at least all earlier scanned pixels of the current row and all earlier scanned rows, but is not dependent on the pixels of rows located below a pixel row which is a third predetermined number of rows below the current row, said third predetermined number being significantly less than said first predetermined number. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073499 | IMAGE CAPTURE USING SEPARATE LUMINANCE AND CHROMINANCE SENSORS - Systems and methods are provided for capturing images using an image sensing device. In one embodiment, an image sensing device may include a first lens train for sensing a first image and a second lens train for sensing a second image. The image sensing device may also include a first image sensor for capturing the luminance portion of the first image and a second image sensor for capturing the chrominance portion of the second image. The image sensing device may also include an image processing module for combining the luminance portion captured by the first image sensor and the chrominance portion captured by the second image sensor to form a composite image. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073500 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING DIMENSIONS OF OBJECT DURING IMAGE CAPTURE OF OBJECT FOR USE IN IMAGING DEVICE - A system for calculating the dimensions of an object during an image capture of the object in an imaging device includes an imaging module, a dimension calculating module, and an indication module. The imaging module is configured for capturing an image of an object. The dimension calculating module is configured for calculating the dimensions of the object. The indication module is configured for indicating the dimensions of the object in the captured image. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073501 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND HEAD PORTRAIT GENERATING METHOD THEREOF - A digital image capture device includes a camera module, a face recognition module, a portrait capture module, a regulation module and a storage module. The camera module captures an image. The face recognition module recognizes any human face from the captured image. The portrait capture module copies the recognized face portion as a head portrait with a predetermined length-to-width ratio. The regulation module stores a plurality of groups of settings and regulates the copied head portrait according to a group of settings selected from the groups of settings. Each group of settings is compliant with requirements of a forum or an instant messaging program. The storage module stores the regulated head portrait. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073502 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, TRACKING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON A PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE TRACKING METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus, a tracking method, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the tracking method are provided which effectively determine a target image as a partial image corresponding to a reference image in a frame image. The digital photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup device; a mask preparer which prepares a mask having the same size as a reference image that is smaller than a current frame image; a matching data obtainer which obtains a plurality of pieces of matching data by applying the mask to a plurality of matching images having the same size as the reference image; and a target image determiner which determines one of the matching images as a target image by using the matching data. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073503 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus is configured so that a combination of the processes that are performed is set for each of unit cycles (according to the value of a counter) in accordance with priorities individually set for the processes, and image processing is performed in a fundamental cycle that is constituted of six unit cycles. A face direction determination process, a line-of-sight direction determination process, a blink detection process, a dozing determination process, and a consciousness deterioration level determination process are selectively performed depending on the value of the counter, which varies from 1 to 6. According to the image processing apparatus, it is possible to more efficiently perform image processing that involves a plurality of processes. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073504 | METHOD OF MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING AND AN APPARATUS THEREOF - A multispectral imaging method and system is provided. A multispectral imaging method of the present invention includes determining an on-off combination of a plurality of light sources illuminating a scene; illuminating the scene with the light sources according to the on-off combination selected on the basis of a first control signal generated by a microcontroller; capturing an image of the scene by operating a camera on the basis of a second control signal synchronized with the first control signal; determining a plurality of spectral basis functions and weights of the spectral basis functions; and acquiring a continuous spectral reflectance by summing values obtained by multiplying the spectral basis functions and respective weights. The multispectral imaging method of the present invention is practical and efficient in that a continuous spectral reflectance image can be acquired with a minimized number of measurements required for obtaining spectral reflectance. Accordingly, the multispectral imaging method of the present invention can be applied to various fields, such as image reproduction and medical imaging, while overcoming performance limits of the conventional RGB imaging techniques. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073505 | COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention makes it possible to process at high speed the foreground component image and the background component image of picked up images on a network platform. A client computer | 03-25-2010 |
20100073506 | IMAGE PROCESSOR AND CAMERA - An image processor is provided that includes an image priority order determining processor, an image arranging processor, and a composite image creating processor. The image priority order determining processor determines priority order among a plurality of images based on predetermined priority information. The image arranging processor arranges the plurality of images with a layout that distinguishes images having higher priority in the priority order. The composite image creating processor synthesizes the plurality of images arranged by the image arranging processor into a composite image and stores the composite image in memory. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073507 | CAMERA BODY - A camera body includes an imaging element, a hot shoe, and a camera controller. The imaging element is configured to convert an optical image of the subject into an electrical signal, and is configured to produce image data about the subject. The hot shoe allows the flash device to be mounted. The camera controller is configured to calculate an evaluation value on the basis of the image data produced by the imaging element, and is configured to perform video autofocusing on the basis of this evaluation value. The camera controller is configured to control the imaging element and the flash device so that when the camera controller decides that auxiliary light is needed, and the camera controller decides that the external auxiliary light source of the flash device mounted to the hot shoe is not compatible with video autofocusing, the image data is acquired while an external main light source of the flash device intermittently emits light during the video autofocusing. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073508 | IMAGE-TAKING APPARATUS - An image-taking apparatus includes: a face-detecting section that detects a face in a subject image; and a face-metering section that meters individual faces when the faces are detected by the face-detecting section, thereby obtaining metered values for the respective faces. The apparatus further includes a calculation section that calculates correct exposure values for the respective faces based on the metered values obtained by the face-metering section. The apparatus further includes a shooting section that performs, in response to a single shooting instruction, shootings with correct exposures for the respective faces based on the correct exposure values for the respective faces calculated by the calculation section. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073509 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE SYSTEM - An image capture device is provided that can playback and output a desirable file of multiple files accumulated in an external storage device. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079608 | Method And Apparatus For Super-Resolution Imaging Using Digital Imaging Devices - A super-resolution image is generated from a sequence of low resolution images. In one embodiment, the image shift information is measured for each of the low resolution images using an image stabilization component of an imaging device. The shift information is used to generate the super-resolution image. In another embodiment, the blurs are calculated for each of the low resolution images and are used to generate the super-resolution image. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079609 | Apparatus and method of obtaining high resolution image - Disclosed is a high resolution image obtaining apparatus and method. The high resolution image obtaining apparatus may divide an input image frame into a background region and foreground region and apply an optimized resolution enhancement algorithm to each region, thereby effectively obtaining a high resolution image frame with respect to the input image frame. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079610 | PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTROL METHOD, IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND PHOTOGRAPHIC SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A photographic apparatus comprising:
| 04-01-2010 |
20100079611 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND AD CONVERSION GAIN ADJUSTING METHOD - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which unit pixels outputting processing target signals are arranged in a horizontal direction and scanning lines are wired such that the processing target signals can be read out in order in a vertical direction within a repetition unit of an array of the unit pixels in the horizontal direction; an AD conversion unit including comparing units that compare a reference signal supplied from a reference-signal generating unit and the processing target signals, and counter units that perform count operation, the AD conversion unit performing AD conversion processing based on output data of the counter units; and a driving control unit that performs control to read out the processing target signals in order in the vertical direction and controls the reference-signal generating unit and the AD conversion unit such that AD conversion gains are individually adjusted in order to correct an output amplitude characteristic difference within the repetition unit during AD conversion processing. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079612 | Method and apparatus for processing images acquired by camera mounted in vehicle - An apparatus processes an image acquired by a single camera mounted in a vehicle, the image imaging a field of view on and along a road on which the vehicle runs. In the apparatus, from the acquired image, a region indicative of a target vehicle is extracted. Based on an illuminance of the image around the target vehicle in the image, a correction region is calculated whose illuminance should be corrected. The correction region includes both the region indicative of the target vehicle and a vicinity of the region. A region of halation being predicted in the calculated correction region is calculated. The illuminance of the region of halation being predicted is corrected so that no or less halation is caused in the region of the halation being predicted. An image in which the corrected region of halation is overlapped on the acquired image is outputted. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079613 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image capturing apparatus including an image input unit configured to input an image to be captured; a face detecting unit configured to detect a face of at least one photographic subject included in the input image; a face-attribute detecting unit configured to detect attribute information of the detected face; a degree-of-friendliness computing unit configured to evaluate a degree of friendliness between a plurality of photographic subjects based on a correlation between items of attribute information of detected faces of the plurality of photographic subjects, the items of attribute information being detected by the face-attribute detecting unit, and outputting an evaluation value H | 04-01-2010 |
20100085438 | DIGITAL COLUMN GAIN MISMATCH CORRECTION FOR 4T CMOS IMAGING SYSTEMS-ON-CHIP - Systems and methods are provided that facilitate mitigating column gain mismatch in a CMOS imaging System-on-Chip (iSoC) sensor. Tunable voltages that mimic presence of photo-charge can be provided to test pixels in one or more rows of a pixel array. Moreover, column-specific digital gain corrections can be calibrated based upon input data received from the test pixels. During calibration, actual data can be compared to a target expected to be obtained via an analog readout architecture. The calibrated, column-specific digital gain corrections can be utilized to correct for column gain mismatch to yield output data. Further, correction values corresponding to the column-specific digital gain corrections can be retained in and retrieved from memory. The correction values, for example, can be a function of a scaling parameter that is tuned to match an available memory dynamic to a range of uncorrected gain mismatch. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085439 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - An exemplary image capture device includes a camera module, a buffer including a first unit and a second unit, a processor, and a memory. The camera module is configured for capturing images by forming corresponding electric signals. The first unit of the buffer is configured for buffering electric signals formed in a period that the image capture device is used to preview before capturing. The second unit of the buffer is configured for buffering electric signals formed after the image capture device is fired to photograph. The processor is configured for processing the electric signals in the first unit into preview digital images when preview, and processing the electric signals in the second unit and those still buffered in the first unit into final digital images after the image capture device is fired. The memory is configured for storing the final digital images outputted from the processor. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085440 | SCENERY IMAGING APPARATUS, SCENERY IMAGING METHOD, SCENERY IMAGING PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - In a scenery imaging apparatus ( | 04-08-2010 |
20100085441 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes: an allocating unit that divides image information into components corresponding to the number of a plurality of apparatuses and allocates the components to the plurality of apparatuses; a information acquiring unit that acquires information of the allocated components from image information being reproduced by the plurality of apparatuses; and an image generating unit that combines the information of the components acquired from the plurality of apparatuses by the information acquiring unit and generates an image. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085442 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device capturing a subject image through an optical system; an image signal processor having a function of combining multiple captured images into a single image, the images being captured during the period when the imaging apparatus is moved; and a control unit, wherein the image signal processor detects any effect of parallax or a moving subject based on the similarity among motion vectors between adjacent images, and the control unit issues a warning when the image signal processor detects any effect of the moving object or parallax to prompt image recapturing. | 04-08-2010 |
20100091125 | Template matching device, camera with template matching device, and program for allowing computer to carry out template matching - A template-matching apparatus includes a first calculating unit calculating a first characteristic amount from the image information of a template image, and extracting unit extracting a partial image, a second calculating unit calculating for image information of the partial image a second characteristic amount, a third calculating unit calculating a residual amount from the image information of the template image and the partial image, a first computing unit finding a first degree of similarity, a second computing unit that finds a second degree of similarity based on the residual amount, a third computing unit finding a third degree of similarity based on the first and second degree of similarity, and a specifying unit specifying a matching position, thereby specifying the matching position with good accuracy even if the input image is observed with some geometrical change. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091126 | METHOD AND UNIT FOR MOTION DETECTION BASED ON A DIFFERENCE HISTOGRAM - Method for motion detection in a current picture (CP) with respect to a reference picture (RP), wherein for a plurality of locations in the current picture (CP) respective difference values (|D|) are determined (B | 04-15-2010 |
20100091127 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR A GRADIENT CAMERA - A method for reconstructing a digital image including: obtaining gradient data of the digital image, estimating the wavelet decomposition of the digital image based on the gradient data, performing a synthesis and smoothing operation on decomposed gradient data to provide an estimate of pixel intensities from the wavelet decomposition and outputting a reconstructed digital image. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091128 | SOLID-STATE IMAGER AND SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - A solid-state imager includes a pixel unit for converting incident light into an electrical signal, a substrate bearing the pixel unit formed thereon, an analog-to-digital converter, formed on the substrate, for converting a signal read from the pixel unit into a digital signal, an optical communication unit, arranged on the bottom surface of the substrate opposite the surface of the substrate bearing opposite the top surface of the substrate bearing the pixel unit receiving the incident light, for converting the digital signal converted by the analog-to-digital converter into a light signal and outputting the light signal, and a signal line for transferring the digital signal, converted by the analog-to-digital converter, to the optical communication unit arranged on the bottom surface of the substrate. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091129 | MOVING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND VIDEO CAMERA APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A moving image processing apparatus, includes a low-speed clock generation source to generate a low-speed clock signal of a first frequency, a high-speed clock generation source to generate a high-speed clock signal of a second frequency which is higher than the first frequency, an image data source to output progressive-type image data, a PI converter to convert the progressive-type image data output from the image data source into interlaced-type image data forming a field and to output the interlaced-type image data, and an arithmetic part to process the interlaced-type image output from the PI converter by use of only one of a pair of fields each formed by the interlaced-type image output from the PI converter. The high-speed clock generation source supplies the high-speed clock signal to the image data source and the PI converter, and the low-speed clock generation source supplies the low-speed clock signal to the arithmetic part. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091130 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. The imager, having an imaging surface capturing an object scene, outputs an object scene image. A CPU searches a face portion of a person from the object scene based on the object scene image outputted from the imager. Moreover, the CPU sets to the imaging surface a cross area having a shape different depending on each attitude of the discovered face portion, in a manner to correspond to the discovered face portion. The CPU refers to an image of the cross area thus set so as to adjust imaging parameters such as a focus and an exposure amount. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091131 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING AN IMAGING PROGRAM - An imaging system which captures an image and generates image data of the image, includes: a capture instruction input unit through which a first stage capture instruction and a following second stage capture instruction are input; a capture unit which performs earlier capture processing for capturing a plurality of images during a period from when the first stage capture instruction is input and until the second stage capture instruction is input, and performs later capture processing for capturing a plurality of images after the second stage capture instruction is input; and an image displacement amount estimation unit which estimates an image displacement amount between a reference image and each of the plurality of images captured in the earlier capture processing and the later capture processing, using one of the images captured during a prescribed period which is a predetermined period including before and after the second stage capture instruction is input, as the reference image. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097482 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD,IMAGE PROCESSING COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND CAMERA - An image processing apparatus includes: a gradation conversion unit that executes gradation conversion processing based upon gradation conversion features assuming a slope that changes at a predetermined brightness level, on a component representing a brightness of an image in a color space expressed with the component representing the brightness and a component representing a color depth; and a modulation unit that executes modulation processing on the component representing the color depth by multiplying the component representing the color depth by modulation features, wherein: the modulation features are set so as to assume values equal to or less than 1 over at least part of a brightness range above the predetermined brightness level. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097483 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A data processing apparatus acquires images captured by cameras. A data processing apparatus | 04-22-2010 |
20100097484 | AUTO FOCUS SYSTEM HAVING AF FRAME AUTO-TRACKING FUNCTION - When the user sets an AF frame such that an object tracked as an AF target is in the AF frame, an auto-tracking process starts to detect a face image from the image captured by a television camera. Then, it is determined whether the face image is detected from the peripheral range of the AF frame. If it is determined that the face image is detected from the peripheral range of the AF frame, the position of the AF frame is changed on the basis of the position of the face image. On the other hand, if it is determined that the face image is not detected from the peripheral range of the AF frame, a pattern matching process is performed. The position of the AF frame is changed to the position of the object, which is a tracking target, detected by the pattern matching process. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097485 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING FACE IMAGE IN DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSOR - Provided are a method and apparatus for measuring the skin condition of a face detected from an image and improving the face image. The apparatus for improving a face image in a digital image processor comprises a digital signal processor measuring the skin condition of a face detected from an image, correcting a rough portion of the skin of the detected face according to the measured skin condition and displaying the corrected image. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097486 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing device includes a multilayer wiring structure comprising a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer, wherein the second wiring layer comprises a plurality of vertical signal lines extending in the vertical direction among a plurality of photoelectric conversion units of a pixel unit to transfer the signal output by an amplification transistor and a plurality of vertical power supply lines extending in the vertical direction between two pixel units adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction to supply a power supply voltage to the amplification transistor or the reset transistor, and the vertical power supply lines supply the power supply voltage to the reset transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a first side in the horizontal direction and supply the power supply voltage to the amplification transistor of the adjacent pixel unit on a second side in the horizontal direction. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097487 | OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEM WITH AN EXTENDED DEPTH-OF-FIELD AND METHOD FOR DESIGNING AN OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEM - A method for designing a mask, the method includes: choosing or receiving a desired contrast value; and determining sizes, locations and shapes of multiple rotationally symmetric regions of a mask such as to define a modulation transfer function that is characterized by a substantially uniform response over a spatial frequency range; wherein the uniform response is substantially indifferent to an orientation of features of the object and to a location of the object within a deep depth-of-field region. An optical imaging system that includes: a mask that includes multiple rotationally regions; wherein the multiple rotationally symmetric regions are shaped and positioned such as to define a modulation transfer function that is characterized by a substantially uniform response over a spatial frequency range, wherein the uniform response is substantially indifferent to an orientation of features of the object and to a location of the object within a deep depth-of-field region. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097488 | Image-taking apparatus, image-taking region displaying method, and image-taking region displaying program - An image-taking apparatus is provided which includes a first extracting unit that extracts an image corresponding to a first region having a first aspect ratio and an image corresponding to a second region having a second aspect ratio from a video image to record the images, a second extracting unit that extracts an image having an aspect ratio of a display region of a display device from the video image in a range where the first region is maximally displayed, a producing unit that produces a notification image indicating that the second region exists outside the display region when the second region exists outside the region of the image extracted by the second extracting unit, a combining unit that produces a display image by combining the notification image with the image extracted by the second extracting unit, and a control unit that displays the display image on the display device. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097489 | Digital camera - A digital camera includes a communicator that communicates with other digital camera, a receiver that receives a camera information of another digital camera and an imaging device that forms a digital image of an object. The digital camera further includes a processor that creates a digital image data from the digital image based upon the camera information. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097490 | PIXEL HAVING TWO SEMICONDUCTOR LAYERS, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE PIXEL, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor having pixels that include two patterned semiconductor layers. The top patterned semiconductor layer contains the photoelectric elements of pixels having substantially 100% fill-factor. The bottom patterned semiconductor layer contains transistors for detecting, resetting, amplifying and transmitting signals charges received from the photoelectric elements. The top and bottom patterned semiconductor layers may be separated from each other by an interlayer insulating layer that may include metal interconnections for conducting signals between devices formed in the patterned semiconductor layers and from external devices. | 04-22-2010 |
20100103276 | SPLIT APERTURE CAPTURE OF RANGEMAP FOR 3D IMAGING - An image capture system that can capture images as well as rangemaps, includes a split aperture device having a first and a second states and used to capture one or more image pairs that includes a first image captured during the first state and a second image captured during the second state. The image capture system also includes a rangemap generator coupled to the split aperture device, the rangemap generator generates a rangemap by comparing local image shifts between the first image and the second image. A method is also described for capturing of rangemap information for 3D imaging. | 04-29-2010 |
20100103277 | TAGGING CAMERA - A tagging camera device may include an image capturing logic configured to receive an image signal containing data representing at least one of a photographic image and a digital video. The tagging camera device may further include database communication logic configured to receive from at least one database data representing information from an online social network. The tagging camera device may further include identification logic configured to receive an identifying signal containing data identifying one or more objects appearing in the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video. The tagging camera device may further include tagging logic configured to tag a portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video by associating the portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video with the data representing information from the online social network based on the data identifying the one or more objects appearing in the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video, where the tagging logic is configured to automatically tag the portion of the at least one of the photographic image and the digital video. | 04-29-2010 |
20100103278 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM FOR RECORDING SIGNAL PROCESSING PROGRAM - A signal processing apparatus for determining color conversion for converting a second color signal obtained through image pickup by a second image pickup device to be processed to a color signal approximate to a first color signal obtained through image pickup by a target first image pickup device, including a spectral difference calculating section that calculates a difference between spectral characteristics of the first image pickup device and spectral characteristics of the second image pickup device for each of spectral characteristics corresponding to a plurality of color signals making up a color signal and a processing determining section that determines linear conversion as color conversion when the spectral difference value is equal to or less than a determination reference value and determines non-linear conversion as the color conversion when the spectral difference value is greater than the determination reference value. | 04-29-2010 |
20100103279 | FACE DETECTION DEVICE, DIGITAL CAMERA, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM WHICH STORES A FACE DETECTION PROGRAM - A control unit detects a face area from a first image and a second image which differ in shooting conditions by a face detector. If an area of the first image which is in a position corresponding to a face area detected from the second image is not detected as a face area, the control unit extracts the area of the first image as a non-detected area, and based on the non-detected area, executes learning of the face detector so that the non-detected area is detected as a face area. | 04-29-2010 |
20100110208 | Method And Apparatus For Superresolution Imaging - An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing superresolution imaging of a target, including remote targets. An apparatus for superresolution imaging may include a receiver having a predefined receiving aperture for capturing an image of the target. The apparatus may also include a plurality of transmitters spaced apart from one another and configured to concurrently emit signals with a phase difference therebetween. The plurality of transmitters may be further configured to emit overlapping beams onto the target to produce a fringe pattern modulated at spatial frequencies beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. The apparatus may further include a processor configured to process the image including at least a portion of the fringe pattern in order to produce a superresolved image including spatial frequency content beyond the resolution limit of the receiving aperture. A corresponding method may also be provided. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110209 | FAST MOTION MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR GAMING - The invention provides a motion measurement system that is capable of rapid motion measurement of motion that can measure all types of motion including rotational motion, linear motion and motion occurs in the directions of x, y and z. In the motion measurement system of the invention, motion is measured with a high speed image capture and analysis system that captures images of the scene and identifies motion in the scene with a reduced bit rate approach to enable fast data processing. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110210 | METHOD AND MEANS OF RECORDING FORMAT INDEPENDENT CROPPING INFORMATION - A digital camera includes a display for viewing a scene; a processor for directing one or more indicators to be displayed on the display each indicator representative of an aspect ratio; and memory for storing a captured image and for storing metadata of the indicator selected by a user that is associated with the captured image. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110211 | IMAGE PRESENTATION ANGLE ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND CAMERA DEVICE USING THE SAME - An image presentation angle adjustment method is provided for a camera device to process images through the method. An image presentation angle assigning device module is integrated in the camera device. When the camera device captures a target image, the image presentation angle assigning device will automatically or through the operation of a user generate an image orientation parameter associated with the target image. Furthermore, the captured target image is stored in an image file within the image storage memory of the camera device associated with the image orientation parameter. Accordingly, when the target image is opened by the user for display, the target image will be displayed in the orientation indicated the image orientation parameter for viewing convenience. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110212 | CAMERA DEVICE - Setting information is converted into a plurality of image patterns ( | 05-06-2010 |
20100110213 | IMAGE PROCESSING PROCESSOR, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An input unit that sequentially writes a digital image signal to be input in a first buffer while counting number of pixels of the digital image signal, and that writes the written digital image signal in a second buffer; and a command fetching/issuing unit that calculates a position of a pixel based on process delay information that is added to an image processing command and that indicates a delay amount required until image processing by the command is started since the input of the digital image signal, and a counter value indicating the number of pixels, and that issues the image processing command when the position of the pixel is in a valid area are included. Image processing is performed on pixels written in the second buffer based on the issued image processing command. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110214 | Exposure apparatuses and methods to compress exposure data - A method to compress exposure data may include converting image data into a plurality of exposure data, generating new exposure data by combining part of the plurality of exposure data or by excluding part of the plurality of exposure data, and compressing the new exposure data. An exposure apparatus may include a conversion unit that converts image data into a plurality of exposure data, a control unit that generates new exposure data by combining part of the plurality of exposure data or by excluding part of the plurality of exposure data, and a compression unit that compresses the new exposure data. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110215 | Imaging apparatus and display control method in imaging apparatus - An imaging apparatus includes: a first display panel mounted on an apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a user; a second display panel mounted on the apparatus casing so as to display images or data in a direction towards a subject; an imaging processor that performs a photoelectric conversion on incident light from the subject direction to obtain image signals; a person detector that detects whether or not a person is present in the subject direction; and a controller that allows images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor to be displayed on the first display panel and controls an operation of displaying the images or data based on the image signals obtained by the imaging processor on the second display panel in accordance with at least the detection results of the person detector. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110216 | IMAGING ELEMENT, DRIVE METHOD FOR IMAGING ELEMENT, AND CAMERA - An imaging element includes: a pixel section in which a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a matrix; a signal line to which a signal read from the pixels is transmitted; a holding section for holding the read signal during a holding period; a processing section for performing signal processing on the read signal after being held by the holding section; and a control section for controlling supply of the read signal to the holding section. The control section supplies the read signal to the holding section to cause it to hold the read signal during the holding period, and stops supplying the read signal to the holding section to cause the processing section to perform the signal processing on the read signal and to cause a signal to be read from the pixels and output to the signal line after the holding. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110217 | CAMERA BODY AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera body to which an interchangeable lens is mountable, includes an imaging unit operable to generate image data by capturing an object image, an acquisition unit operable to acquire optical data of the interchangeable lens from the interchangeable lens, a correction unit operable to correct the image data generated by the imaging unit based on the optical data acquired by the acquisition unit, and a display unit operable to display an image based on the image data. After the camera body is turned on, the display unit does not display the image based on the image data generated by the imaging unit, until the correction unit completes correction of the image data generated by the imaging unit. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110218 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An imaging device, which includes: an imaging section which photoelectrically converts an optical image of an object and generates an image signal; an outputting section which outputs the image signal generated by the imaging section to a transmission path; a driving section which drives the imaging section to generate the image signal; and a controlling section which drives the driving section to cause the imaging section to generate the image signal in a predetermined exposure time and reduces an image rate for the image signal generated by the imaging section so as to narrow a bandwidth necessary for transmission of the image signal. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110219 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. The imager produces an image representing an object scene. An LED device is arranged on a front surface of a camera casing. A CPU searches a face image of a person from the image produced by the imager, and causes a light-emitting operation of the LED device to differ depending on a search result. The LED device is set to non-light emission when the number of detected face images is “0”, emits light in red when the number of detected face images is “1”, and emits light in green when the number of detected face images is equal to or more than “2”. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110220 | Systems and Methods for High-Throughput Turbidity Measurements - A turbidity measurement system includes a sample assembly that contains a plurality of samples, a light source that illuminates the sample assembly, and a light detection system that includes a two-dimensional light-sensitive array. The light-sensitive array is simultaneously exposed to light transmitted through each of the samples in the sample assembly. The exposure is analyzed to determine a mean transmitted light intensity for each sample and to calculate a turbidity value for each sample based on its mean transmitted light intensity. Multiple exposures may be taken during a measurement period so as to obtain time-resolved turbidity measurements of the samples. The temperature of the samples may be varied during the measurement period so as to measure turbidity as a function of temperature. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110221 | Scan conversion device and electronic camera - A scan conversion device includes a first buffer unit, a pixel packing unit, a second buffer unit, and a scan output unit. The first buffer unit stores therein pixel signals of the input image on every line in a main scanning direction thereof. The pixel packing unit groups N (N≧2) pixel signals on each line into pixel signal packs according to a predetermined pixel combination rule, and outputs them sequentially. The second buffer unit stores therein the pixel signal packs and aligns them in a second main scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. The scan output unit sequentially outputs the pixel signal packs aligned in the second main scanning direction. According to this configuration, a scan pattern of the input image is changed into a scan pattern of outputting every N output lines in the second main scanning direction. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110222 | DIGITAL CAMERA FRONT-END ARCHITECTURE - A video processing front-end for digital cameras, camcorders, video cell phones, et cetera has multiple interconnected processing modules for functions such as CCD controller, preview engine, auto exposure, auto focus, auto white balance, et cetera with complicated data flow can be realized and managed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100123789 | METHOD OF AUTO-RETRACTING LENS OF IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND CONTROL SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A method of auto-retracting a lens of an image capture apparatus and a control system using the same are applied to an image capture apparatus with a retractable lens. The method includes the following steps. A hardware circuit of the image capture apparatus detects whether an abnormal power failure event occurs or not. The hardware circuit performs a re-boot procedure when detects that the abnormal power failure event occurs. After the hardware circuit performs the re-boot procedure, software in the image capture apparatus utilizes residual power only to perform a control procedure of retracting the lens. After the retractable lens is detected to have been retracted into the image capture apparatus, the software controls the image capture apparatus to be powered off. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123790 | AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM - An imaging device, an autofocus unit, a focusing-target registration unit, focusing-target specification unit and an authentication unit are provided. The autofocus unit performs focus adjustment of an optical system so that a subject within a certain AF area is in focus. The focusing-target registration unit registers, as information for specifying subjects to be set to a focusing target, character information and image information of the subjects. The focusing-target specification unit specifies a subject, which is a focusing target during taking, from among the registered subjects to be set to the focusing target. The authentication unit determines as to whether or not the subject being taken matches with the specified subject, which is the focusing target. If the authentication unit determines that the subject being taken matches with the specified subject, which is the focusing target, the autofocus unit performs the focus adjustment for the subject being taken. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123791 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. In the digital image processing apparatus, power is supplied to a vertical grip only when the digital image processing apparatus is held in a vertical position, thus allowing the vertical grip to operate. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123792 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing device, which includes: super-resolution processing executing section which inputs a low-resolution image and a super-resolution image and generates a difference image which represents a difference between the input images; and an adding section which adds the difference image and the super-resolution image, wherein super-resolution processing executing section includes a motion vector detecting section which detects a object-based motion vector which represents a motion between images of an object commonly included in the low-resolution image and the super-resolution image on an object basis, and generates the difference image using a motion-compensated image generated by applying the detected object-based motion vector to each object area. | 05-20-2010 |
20100128136 | Passive crosswind profiler - A passive optical crosswind profiling system. The system includes at least one telescope defining two apertures separated at a distance and adapted to collect light along at least two separate paths from a field of view containing a target and at least one high-speed digital camera defining at least one many pixel sensor wherein pixels of said at least one many pixel sensor are identified as separate blocks of pixels. The system further includes an optical system for focusing light collected along said at least two separate paths by said at least one telescope onto said at least one many pixel sensor to produce at least two images of the target scene and a high-speed computer processor programmed to with a special block matching correlation algorithm to correlate image data collected the separate blocks of pixels in order to calculate a crosswind profile along a path between said system and said target. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128137 | EXTENDED DEPTH OF FIELD FOR IMAGE SENSOR - A method for forming an image, implemented at least in part by a data processing apparatus, by obtaining a first image of a scene from a first subset of pixels in an image sensor array at a first f/# setting, adjusting the imaging optics that obtain light from the scene at a second f/# setting, obtaining a second image of the scene from a second subset of pixels in the image sensor array, and forming a composite image by combining image data from at least the first and second images. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128138 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - An imaging device includes a main photography means for photographing a photographic subject and acquires a photographic image, a preparatory image acquisition means for performing preparatory photography before or after the main photography means acquires the photographic image and acquiring preparatory images, a photographic information acquisition means for acquiring photographic information related to a circumstance of photography when the preparatory images are acquired by the preparatory image acquisition means, and a recording means for recording the photographic information and the photographic image upon a recording medium in mutual correlation. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128139 | IMAGE EDITING METHOD AND AN IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An image editing method and an image editing apparatus include dividing an entire image, generating representative images, and generating edited images. Accordingly, a user may edit photographed images, recorded images or reproduced images more easily and conveniently. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128140 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGING METHOD - The number of thermal sensors in an imaging device that requires temperature measurement is reduced. The imaging device includes: a lens array ( | 05-27-2010 |
20100128141 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING SIMILARITY BETWEEN IMAGES - A method and apparatus for determining a similarity between an input image and a template image may determine the similarity by using a difference in histogram degree between the input image and the template image, in a reduced period of time, which increases efficiency. | 05-27-2010 |
20100134641 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGES AND EXTENDED FIELD-OF-VIEW IMAGES - An image capturing device, such as a digital camera, is able to take photos having a resolution higher than the native resolution capabilities of the device determined by the imager. The device can also take photos having a field-of-view (FOV) that is greater than the normal capabilities of the device. The photos taken have a higher vertical and horizontal FOV (or only an increased horizontal FOV creating a panoramic photo) than the lens of the imager allows natively. The imager of the device may be positioned to point in different directions using an actuator, that is, the actuator can pan and tilt the imager. The imager can also zoom in or out at various levels and has a maximum zoom level. To create either type of photo, an array of cells is used as a tool to capture a series of subimages where the imager is pointed in different directions for each subimage. To create the high-resolution photo, the imager is zoomed into its maximum level and captures each of the subimages based on the array of cells. To create the extended FOV photo, the imager is panned and tilted as much as possible using the actuator and captures each of the subimages based on the array of cells. In both cases the subimages are then stitched together to form a final image. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134642 | FOCUSED AREAS IN AN IMAGE - The invention discloses a method and a portable device for focusing an image in the device ( | 06-03-2010 |
20100134643 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus includes: a projection unit that projects a projection-target original image onto a projection surface; an imaging unit that captures an image of the projection surface onto which an image is projected by the projection unit; and a control unit that analyzes the photographic image of the projection surface captured by the imaging unit and adjusts a correction quantity representing an extent to which the projection-target original image is to be corrected based upon analysis results. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134644 | IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS, METHOD OF PRODUCING FILE OF OBTAINED IMAGE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Digital camera is provided with an image pick-up unit | 06-03-2010 |
20100134645 | VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING VIDEO, SYSTEM FOR GENERATING VIDEO, METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - A video processing system may include a video input and a video output for outputting manipulated video images. The system may have a video processing chain connecting the video input to the video output. The chain may include a series connection of two or more video processing components. The components may each include a component input for receiving video images and a component output for outputting processed video images. A control input may be present for controlling the video processing component to be in an enabled or a disabled state. The video processing component may be arranged to obtain in the enabled state the processed video images by performing a respective processing operation on the received video images; and to obtain in the disabled state the processed vide images by forwarding the received video images to the component output without performing the processing operation. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134646 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - The image sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate; a light shielding layer that is arranged above the semiconductor substrate and shields an optical black region and a peripheral region from light; a first capacitance element that is arranged between the light shielding layer in the peripheral region and the semiconductor substrate and is used to temporarily hold signals output from effective pixels or optical black pixels; and a second capacitance element that is arranged between the light shielding layer in the optical black region and the semiconductor substrate so as to shield the photoelectric conversion units of the optical black pixels from light. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134647 | Methods and systems for embedding camera information in images - The present invention is related to providing, in association with an image, information related to the image capture device used to capture the image. In one embodiment, information related to a first static camera characteristic and camera setting information related to a first captured digitized image is embedded in the first captured digitized image using a watermark. The watermarked information may be used to identify the source or owner of the picture, and/or to aid in the more accurate reproduction of the image. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134648 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having different sensitivities are arranged; and a pixel reading unit configured to read and add output signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel unit, and to obtain an output signal seemingly from one pixel. The pixel unit includes an absorbing unit configured to absorb overflowing electric charge from a photoelectric conversion element with a high sensitivity. | 06-03-2010 |
20100141780 | View Projection Matrix Based High Performance Low Latency Display Pipeline - A projection system uses a transformation matrix to transform a projection image p in such a manner so as to compensate for surface irregularities on a projection surface. The transformation matrix makes use of properties of light transport relating a projector to a camera. A display pipeline of user-supplied image modification processing modules are reduced by first representing the processing modules as multiple, individual matrix operations. All the matrix operations are then combined with, i.e., multiplied to, the transformation matrix to create a modified transformation matrix. The created transformation matrix is then used in place of the original transformation matrix to simultaneously achieve both image transformation and any pre and post image processing defined by the image modification processing modules. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141781 | Image capturing device with automatic object position indication and method thereof - An image capturing device with automatic object position indication and the method thereof is provided. The subject invention includes a position indicating module selecting an image-taken position on a display interface of the device. An image recognizing module is included to recognize a displayed position of the image of an object shown on the display interface. Further a processing unit is used to determine a positional difference between the image-taken position and the displayed position, and send a control signal according to the difference to indicate a movement direction that compensates the positional difference. Further an instructing unit is included to output a notice to the object according to the control signal. So that the person can follow the indication and movement toward the predetermined image-taken position and take a perfect photo. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141782 | Noise reduction filter processing circuit, image processing circuit, imaging device, and storage medium storing noise reduction program - A noise reduction filter processing circuit includes a first operating part calculating first saturation information indicative of a saturation of an input image, a nonlinear processing part performing nonlinear processing on the input image, a second operating part calculating second saturation information indicative of a saturation of the input image subjected to the nonlinear processing, and a correction operating part performing a correction operation on the input image subjected to the nonlinear processing using the first saturation information and the second saturation information. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141783 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device ( | 06-10-2010 |
20100141784 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A terminal for detecting the user's face and performing a special image capturing according to the movement of the user's face, and its control method are provided. The terminal includes a camera configured to receive an image of a subject, a display unit configured to output the received image of the subject and to overlay a pre-determined background image on the received image, and a controller configured to detect a face from the received image of the subject and display the background image based on the size and position of the detected face. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141785 | CONTACT DEVICE, PLASMA DISPLAY INCLUDING THE SAME, AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - A method of driving a plasma display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes dividing one screen into a plurality of areas, wherein each area corresponds to at least one of the plurality of discharge cells, and wherein the plurality of areas form a detection pattern. The method also includes displaying the detection pattern in the plasma display and receiving a detection image which has been previously detected or captured, wherein detection image corresponds to at least one of the plurality of areas. The method further includes comparing the received detection image with the detection pattern and determining a position of the detected or captured area based on the comparison. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141786 | FACE RECOGNITION USING FACE TRACKER CLASSIFIER DATA - A face recognition technique includes using a multi-classifier face detector to determine above a threshold probability that region of an image includes a face. Further probability values are determined for a set of classifiers for the region to provide a recognition profile. Face detection and recognition probabilities are determined for at least one classifier of the set. The recognition profile is compared against a predetermined recognition profile to determine a degree of match. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141787 | FACE RECOGNITION USING FACE TRACKER CLASSIFIER DATA - A method of determining face recognition profiles for a group persons includes determining with a multi-classifier face detector that a face region within a digital image has above a threshold probability of corresponding to a first person of the group, and recording probability scores which are analyzed for each classifier, including determining a mean and variance for each classifier for the first person. The process is repeated for one or more other persons of the group. A sub-set of classifiers is determined which best differentiates between the first person and the one or more other persons. The sub-set of classifiers is stored in association with the first person as a recognition profile. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141788 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING CHARACTERS USING A CAMERA - An apparatus and method for recognizing characters of an image captured using a camera in a mobile terminal are provided, wherein an image of a signboard is captured, a text area is extracted from the captured image of the signboard, characters are recognized from the extracted text area, similar characters up to a predetermined priority level are generated for each recognized character of the extracted text area, location information of an area within a predetermined range from a current position of a user is acquired, store names are extracted from the location information, text is generated by combining the similar characters according to weights, the text are compared with the extracted store names, and a comparison result is output. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141789 | DIGITAL EXPOSURE CIRCUIT FOR AN IMAGE SENSOR - Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141790 | IMAGING APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING NOISE SIGNAL AND PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION SIGNAL - An imaging apparatus includes a pixel unit having a photoelectric conversion section and an amplifying device for amplifying a signal from the photoelectric conversion section and outputting the signal, a reading unit having a first mode in which a signal obtained by resetting an input section of the amplifying device is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device and a second mode in which a photoelectric conversion signal generated in the photoelectric conversion section is sampled a plurality of times via the amplifying device; a mixing unit for generating a first mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the first mode, outputting the first mixing signal, generating a second mixing signal by mixing the signals that are sampled in the second mode, and outputting the second mixing signal; and a difference processing unit for performing difference processing between the first mixing signal and the second mixing signal. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149359 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE IMAGING METHOD - Provided is an imaging apparatus, method, and a program on a media, which accurately determine a subject while photographing the subject by rotating an imaging surface. The apparatus displays a photographed image of the subject formed on an image pickup device surface on a display unit screen. It includes an angle detector, which detects angle information for the imaging surface of the image pickup device tilted with respect to a gravitational horizontal standard, based on a reference point on a plane having a photographing direction of the subject as a normal, within in a body of the imaging apparatus during photographing; and a display controller, which generates an index mark by rotating the photographed image by the angle based on the reference point according to the detected angle information, and displays the index mark by overlapping the index mark on the photographed image of the display screen. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149360 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ISOLATED NMOS-BASED ESD CLAMP CELLDITHERING TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE MISMATCH IN MULTI-CHANNEL IMAGING SYSTEMS - An embodiment of the present invention may be directed to a multi channel imaging system. The multi channel imaging system may include an input for a light signal and a plurality of channel circuits. Each of the channel circuits may have an analog signal processing chain converting some portion of the light signal into to a digital representation, the plurality of channel circuits may operate in parallel. The multi channel imaging system may further comprise at least one dither circuit coupled to a point in at least one of the analog signal processing chains to add dither. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149361 | Image evaluation apparatus and camera - To provide an image evaluation apparatus and camera which are capable of evaluating an image which is comprehensively good. An image evaluation apparatus comprising: a storage portion which stores a plurality of images when an imaging portion of a camera has continuously imaged in a predetermined time interval a plurality of frames of a subject in a photographing area of the camera, and an image evaluation portion which evaluates a plurality of the images stored in the storage portion, based on a characteristic amount showing a state in which the subject in the photographing area changing in chronological sequence, when the plurality of the images is imaged. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149362 | Imaging Device - This invention provides an imaging device includes: a mosaic image generation unit which assembles a plurality of still images, and generates a mosaic image; a feature quantity extraction unit which extracts feature quantity from the frame image and the mosaic image; a relative position determination unit which determines a relative position between the frame image and the mosaic image, and a live image display unit which updates a display position of the frame image with respect to the mosaic image, and displays the moving picture image on the mosaic image. The live image display unit changes the display position in response to the relative position when succeeded in positioning of the frame image; and when failed in positioning, the live image display unit does not change the display position and fixes the display position near a position of a final frame image succeeded in positioning. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149363 | Imaging Device - This invention provide an imaging device includes: a still image obtaining unit which obtains a plurality of still images; an omnifocal image generation unit which combines the still images, and generates the omnifocal image; a focal position control unit which obtains a focusing position of at lest a part of the omnifocal image from height shape data, and controls the focal position so that the focal position of the frame image substantially coincides with the focusing position; a feature quantity extraction unit which extracts feature quantity from the frame image and the omnifocal image or a reference image; a relative position determination unit which determines a relative position between the frame image and the reference image; and a live image display unit which updates a display position of the frame image, and displays a moving picture image on the omnifocal image. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149364 | Imaging Device - The present invention provides an imaging device capable of displaying the whole of a display mosaic image in a screen even when the image size of the mosaic image is largely changed, the imaging device including: a mosaic image generation unit which assembles a plurality of still images, and generates the mosaic image; a relative position determination unit which determines a relative position between a frame image and the mosaic image; a display reduction unit which reduces the frame image and the mosaic image respectively based on the image size of the mosaic image, and generates a display frame image and a display mosaic image; and a live image display unit which updates a display position of the frame image with respect to the mosaic image based on a determination result of the relative position. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149365 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, FACE AREA DETECTING METHOD AND PROGRAM RECORDING MEDIUM - In an image capture mode of a camera, a face area is detected from each of live-view images of a subject captured periodically (step S | 06-17-2010 |
20100149366 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE DRIVING METHOD - A photoelectric conversion device comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving supplemental element, a signal line to which the plurality of pixels and the driving supplemental element are connected, a driving unit which drives the plurality of pixels and the driving supplemental element, and an output circuit which processes a signal output to the signal line from a readout pixel selected by the driving unit and outputs the processed signal, each of the plurality of pixels including a first charge-voltage converter, a first reset unit which resets the first charge-voltage converter, and a first output unit which outputs a signal corresponding to a voltage of the first charge-voltage converter, the driving supplemental element including a second charge-voltage converter, a second reset unit which resets the second charge-voltage converter, and a second output unit which outputs a signal corresponding to a voltage of the second charge-voltage converter. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149367 | DIGITAL IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING SCENE RECOGNITION - A method of displaying scene recognition of a digital image signal processing apparatus includes generating an input image, recognizing a scene of the input image, producing a frame image corresponding to the recognized scene, synthesizing the frame image and the input image to generate an output image, and displaying the output image on a display unit. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149368 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device that images an object image through an optical system; an image signal processing section having a function of combining a plurality of imaged images into a combined image piece using a given initial value, the imaged images being obtained while the imaging apparatus is moved; a position sensor capable of obtaining the position information of the imaging apparatus; a controller that processes the information of the position sensor to perform collaborative control based on the processing results and processing the results of the image signal processing section, wherein the image signal processing section obtains the relative positional relationship of the images via image recognition; and the controller obtains the positional relationship of the images, specifies the absolute positional relationship of the respective images, and supplies the absolute positional relationship to the image signal processing section as the initial value. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149369 | MAIN FACE CHOOSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus chooses a main face from among faces detected in successively captured images based on a degree of priority calculated for each detected face. Moreover, the image capturing apparatus compares the degree of priority assigned to the face corresponding to a last chosen main face and the degrees of priority assigned to the faces corresponding to faces other than the main face, and then counts the number of times the degrees of priority assigned to the faces corresponding to faces other than the main face exceed the degree of priority assigned to the face corresponding to the main face. When one of the number of times counted for the faces other than the main face exceeds a preset threshold value, the image capturing apparatus performs a main face changeover to the one of the faces. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149370 | PHOTOGRAPHING CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING IMAGE DATA AT A MOMENT IN TIME WHEN BOOTING - Provided are a photographing control method and apparatus for capturing image data at a moment in time when booting. According to the photographing control method, booting and photographing are simultaneously performed by combining use of a power supply button and a certain key button or by pressing a certain key button for a predetermined time without pressing a power supply button. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149371 | Foreground/Background Segmentation in Digital Images - An analysis and classification tool compares at least a portion of a captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene. One of the captured and reference images is taken with flash and the other is taken without flash. The tool provides a measure of the difference in illumination between the captured image and the reference image. The tool compares the measure with a threshold and segments a foreground region from a background region based on the measure. | 06-17-2010 |
20100157077 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING CONTROL METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM READABLE BY COMPUTER | 06-24-2010 |
20100157078 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE COMBINING - Systems and methods of high dynamic range image combining are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a device includes a global mapping module configured to generate first globally mapped luminance values within a region of an image, a local mapping module configured to generate second locally mapped luminance values within the region of the image, and a combination module configured to determine luminance values within a corresponding region of an output image using a weighted sum of the first globally mapped luminance values and the second locally mapped luminance values. A weight of the weighted sum is at least partially based on a luminance variation within the region of the image. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157079 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO SELECTIVELY COMBINE IMAGES - Systems and methods to selectively combine images are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a registration circuit configured to generate a set of motion vector data based on first image data corresponding to a first image and second image data corresponding to a second image. The apparatus includes a combination circuit to selectively combine the first image data and adjusted second image data that corresponds to the second image data adjusted according to the motion vector data. The apparatus further includes a control circuit to control the combination circuit to generate third image data. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157080 | DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, DATA PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The present invention relates to a data processing device, a data processing method, and a recording medium that enable a user to have a bodily sensation of collection of a material such as image data or the like, and editing. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157081 | RENDERING SYSTEM AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD USING SAME - A rendering system includes a data input unit for reading depth information of a deep render buffer obtained by rendering; a camera lens sampling unit for sampling surface data of a lens provided in a camera; a deep render buffer reconstruction unit referring to pixel location information of the deep render buffer to reconstruct a deep render buffer at a new camera position, wherein the camera position corresponds to a sampling result from the camera lens sampling unit. The rendering system further includes a render image generation unit for generating a render image at the camera position from the reconstructed deep render buffer; and an image accumulation unit for accumulating the render image at the camera position. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157082 | CAMERA WITH INTERNAL POLARIZING FILTER - The present invention relates to cameras and other image capture devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image capture device having a polarizing filter that reduces reflected light during operation of the image capture device. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157083 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system comprises: a pixel array; a vertical shift register; a readout unit; and a horizontal shift register, wherein the vertical shift register, when signals of some rows of all rows in the pixel array are read out to the readout unit, starts shift operation for skip scanning of the signals of non-readout rows before an operation to scan the readout unit by the horizontal shift register in a direction along a row is completed, and executes selection scanning of readout rows such that the signals are read out to the readout unit from the readout row selectively scanned by the vertical shift register after the operation to scan the readout unit by the horizontal shift register in the direction along the row is completed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157084 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD USED IN IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts an object image to generate image data; a face detecting unit that detects a face in the generated image data; and a number-of-people detecting unit that detects the number of faces detected in the image data based on a face detection result by the face detecting unit. The imaging apparatus also includes a feature determining unit that determines a feature of the detected face based on a face detection result by the face detecting unit; a face selecting unit that selects a face that satisfies a predetermined correction condition set in advance among the detected faces based on at least one of a detection result of the number of people and a determination result of the feature; and a face-image processing unit that performs a predetermined correction process on at least the selected face. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157085 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, FLASH IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEMORY MEDIUM - When a displacement between a reference flame of a plurality of images acquired by continuous image pickup and a target flame is less than a first threshold indicating that such a flame is not likely to be affected by occlusion, smoothing is performed on an object area through a morphological operation with a normal process amount. Conversely, when a displacement between the reference flame of the plurality of images acquired by continuous image pickup and a target flame is larger than or equal to the first threshold, smoothing is performed with the process amount of morphological operation being increased than a normal process amount. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157086 | DYNAMIC AUTOFOCUS METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSAY IMAGER - A method and system are provided for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager. The method comprises scanning a sample with an optical assembly that apportions the sample into regions based on a scan pattern. The optical assembly has a focal setting with respect to the sample. The method further comprises shifting the focal setting of the optical assembly during scanning of the sample, and detecting one or more images representative of one of the regions from the sample. The one or more images have associated degrees of focus corresponding to the focal setting of the optical assembly. The method analyzes the image(s) to obtain a focus score or scores corresponding thereto, where the focus scores represent a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the images. The method adjusts the focus setting based on the focus score(s). | 06-24-2010 |
20100157087 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DISPLAYING PORTRAIT ON DISPLAY - A method of displaying a portrait on a display is provided. The method includes determining whether a photographed image is a character-photographed image according to photographing information of the photographed image; executing face detection from the photographed image if it is determined that the photographed image is a character-photographed image; setting a character area in the photographed image according to a result of the face detection; and magnifying and displaying the character area on the display. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157088 | AUTHENTICATION APPARATUS AND AUTHENTICATION METHOD - According to one embodiment, an authentication method includes performing a verification process includes extracting a face region from an image input from a camera photographing a person, reading first facial characteristic data from the extracted face region, and reading second facial characteristic data associated with personal identification data representing the specific person corresponding to the detected first facial characteristic data, acquiring hand-shape transition pattern data showing transition of a hand shape and associated with the personal identification data associated with the second facial characteristic data, extracting a hand region from the image input from the camera, detecting a transition of a hand shape from the extracted hand region, and determining whether the hand-shape transition pattern data represents the detected transition of the hand shape. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157089 | VIDEO OBJECT FRAGMENTATION DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT - Disclosed herein are a computer-implemented method and a camera system for determining a current spatial representation for a detection in a current frame of an image sequence. The method derives an expected spatial representation ( | 06-24-2010 |
20100157090 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM - An imaging method, a recording medium, and a program which are capable of processing imaging data of a high rate in a manner similar to that of a normal frame rate. Image data captured by a solid-state imaging element capable of performing imaging at a high resolution and a high frame rate is supplied to a memory control unit. The memory control unit, at the same time as writing the imaging data input from the imaging element in a frame memory, reads preceding frames of imaging data that are recorded on the frame memory, and sequentially respectively outputs them in parallel, as video image data items for each frame, to respective camera signal processing units. Then, in the camera signal processing units, a video output unit, a viewfinder output unit, codec units, and recording units, processing similar to that in the case of a frame rate that is ¼ the imaging frame rate is executed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165136 | Optical Imaging Systems And Methods Utilizing Nonlinear And/Or Spatially Varying Image Processing - Systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to introduce image attributes into an optical image. A detector converts the optical image to electronic data while maintaining the image attributes. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets, and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. The processing may optionally be nonlinear. Other imaging systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to form an optical image. A detector generates electronic data having one or more image attributes that are dependent on characteristics of the phase modifying elements and/or the detector. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165137 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND CAMERA - An image processing method for executing color conversion processing on input image data by taking into consideration chromatic adaptation, includes: executing color conversion processing by taking into consideration an adaptation factor indicating an extent of adaptation to an illumination condition under which a scene where an input image is obtained is illuminated or an adaptation factor indicating an extent of adaptation to a viewing condition where the input image is observed; and altering the adaptation factor in correspondence to a color of a conversion target pixel. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165138 | MODULAR MOTION CAMERA - Modular digital motion camera systems are disclosed. Individual modules may be removed from the system and replaced, such as to benefit from upgraded technology, while preserving the remaining modules in the system. The modules may be disassembled and reconstructed to convert the physical form of the camera, such as between ENG configurations, DSLR configurations and studio configurations. Universal lens mount modules are provided, to enable use of lens systems from a variety of commercial manufacturers. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165139 | IMAGE GAMUT MAPPING - A method of gamut mapping maps an input image composed of pixels and having an input gamut (IG) defined by input RGB primaries (Ri, Gi, Bi) to a reproduction gamut (RG) defined by reproduction RGB primaries (Ro, Go, Bo). The reproduction gamut (RG) is narrower than the input gamut (IG). An input signal (RGBin) defined with respect to the input RGB primaries (Ri, Gi, Bi) is color transformed ( | 07-01-2010 |
20100165140 | DIGITAL IMAGE ADJUSTABLE COMPRESSION AND RESOLUTION USING FACE DETECTION INFORMATION - A method of adjustable spatial and/or temporal compression of an image including a face includes identifying a group of pixels that correspond to a face within a digitally-acquired image. A first compression portion of the image including the group of pixels is determined. A second compression portion of the image other than the group of pixels is also determined. The first compression portion may be automatically compressed with higher-grade compression than the second compression portion to generate a compressed image including the face, or an option to provided the compressed image including the different grade compressions may be provided. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165141 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR CONVERTING NON-LINEAR RGB IMAGE DATA TO L*A*B* IMAGE DATA - An image processing method includes the steps of linearizing a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data to generate a linearized image, the step of linearizing using at least one lookup table for each of the three RGB colors, the step of linearizing further performed using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating a histogram for each of three RGB image color planes of the linearized image data, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing the linearized image using the high and the low thresholds to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form performs additional steps of white balancing, range expansion, resampling, color conversion, and sharpening. The additional steps read and write to a plurality of buffers such that the additional steps are performed in parallel. | 07-01-2010 |
20100171841 | MULTICAST CONTROL OF MOTION CAPTURE SEQUENCES - Capturing motion including: a clock configured to generate a time reference; a plurality of motion capture cameras substantially synchronized to the time reference; at least one device used in motion capture; a multicast module configured to receive the time reference, and to transmit a multicast signal, wherein the multicast signal includes information derived from the time reference to configure the at least one device to operate synchronously with the plurality of motion capture cameras; and an integration module configured to integrate device data generated by the at least one device with camera data generated by the plurality of motion capture cameras. | 07-08-2010 |
20100177203 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCAL CONTRAST ENHANCED TONE MAPPING - Methods and systems for enhancing an image. Respective local contrast values are determined for selected pixels of the image by, for each selected pixel, adjusting a respective luminance value of the pixel by an average luminance value of neighboring pixels to obtain the local contrast value. Respective tone-mapped values are determined for further selected pixels in the image based on a global luminance value representing the image. The local contrast values and the tone-mapped values are combined, respectively, for the corresponding pixels in the image to produce the enhanced image. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177204 | MOBILE TERMINAL, CONTROL METHOD OF SAME, CONTROL PROGRAM OF SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING THE CONTROL PROGRAM - A mobile terminal ( | 07-15-2010 |
20100177205 | Image pickup element and image pickup device - An image pickup element includes a light receiver having a matrix arrangement formed by disposing first-direction arrays, each having photoelectric converters arranged in a first direction with a gap therebetween, in a second direction orthogonal thereto, and micro-lenses above the light receiver. In the matrix arrangement, a certain first-direction array has two first photoelectric converters receiving, via two micro-lenses, photographic-subject light passing through two segmental regions in an exit pupil of a photographic optical system, and a certain second-direction array has two second photoelectric converters receiving photographic-subject light passing through two segmental regions in the exit pupil. Light axes of the two micro-lenses extend through vicinities of edges, farthest from each other in the first direction, of the first photoelectric converters. The first photoelectric converters include two photoelectric converters that flank one photoelectric converter, disposed at an intersection between the certain first-direction and second-direction arrays, in the certain first-direction array. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177206 | Object detecting apparatus, image pickup apparatus, object detecting method, and program - An object detecting apparatus includes an evaluation information storage unit that stores evaluation information used for computing an evaluation value for each of a plurality of objects, where the evaluation value is used for evaluating which one of the objects is contained in an image, a determination information storage unit that stores determination information used for determining whether the object is contained in an image in association with each of the objects, a computing unit that computes the evaluation value for each of the objects by extracting features from a plurality of areas of the image using the evaluation information and comparing two of the extracted features, and a determination unit that determines whether the object is contained in the image using the determination information associated with the object relating to the evaluation value that satisfies a predetermined condition among the evaluation values computed for the objects. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177207 | Image-capture device, image-capture method, and image-capture program - An image-capture device includes: an image-capture section that captures an image of a subject; a detector that detects a portion of the subject, the portion having a specific feature, from the image captured by the image-capture section; an evaluator that determines a numerically expressed evaluation value of the specific feature of the portion detected by the detector; a buffer section that temporarily stores delayed images corresponding to a predetermined amount of time; and a recording-operation controller that controls the image-capture device to record image data including a predetermined delayed image in the buffer section, upon determining that the evaluation value satisfies a predetermined condition. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177208 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus is equipped with: imaging means, for obtaining images of a subject; imaging control means, for controlling the imaging means to sequentially obtain a plurality of images; reference image selecting means, for selecting a single reference image from among the plurality of images; moving object region specifying means, for specifying moving object regions within corresponding images, which are the plurality of images other than the selected reference image; positioning means, for positioning the plurality of corresponding images with respect to the reference image in the case that the plurality of images have been imaged by flow shooting, the positioning being performed such that the amount of positioning is greater at the specified moving object regions than at non moving object regions; and combining means, for combining the plurality of corresponding images, which have been positioned by the positioning means, with the reference image. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177209 | Interactive device capable of improving image processing - An interactive device for improving image processing. The interactive device includes a processing module and a controller. The processing module includes a substrate, an image sensor formed on the substrate for generating a plurality of pixel signals, a calculation unit formed on the substrate for calculating at least one motion vector based on the plurality of pixel signals, and a transmission interface formed on the substrate for serially outputting the motion vector. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive device based on the motion vector output by the transmission interface | 07-15-2010 |
20100182444 | DETERMINING EXPOSURE TIME IN A DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera described herein includes an analyzer component that analyzes a histogram of a first image, wherein the first image has a first resolution. The digital camera also includes a setter component that sets an exposure time for capturing a second image based at least in part upon the analysis of the histogram of the first image, wherein the second image has a second resolution, and wherein the first resolution of the first image is less than the second resolution of the second image. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182445 | Processing Device, Method, And Electronic System Utilizing The Same - A processing device including a first camera and a control unit is disclosed. The first camera captures a first image. The control unit activates an appliance to execute a specific action according to the first image. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182446 | IMAGE COMPENSATION APPARATUS - An image compensation apparatus for use with a video display and a video camera, the video camera being arranged to capture images of a scene in front of the video display. The image compensation apparatus includes an analyser configured to analyse successive frames of data provided to the video display, the successive frames of data being for displaying respective successive display images, a processor configured to calculate the illumination effect of the successive display images on the scene in front of the video displays and a compensator configured to apply image compensation to the successive images captured by the video camera so as to compensate for the effect of illumination by the video display of the scene in front of the video display. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182447 | CAMERA DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - Camera device includes an imaging unit, a communications unit, an identified area detection unit, and an image data processing unit. The imaging unit images an area in a shooting field to obtain image data. The communications unit communicates with a memory device that stores subject information, and obtains the subject information. The identified area detection unit dynamically detects an identified area corresponding to the subject. The image data processing unit specifies a protected area in the identified area based on the subject information, and applies protection only to the protected area when the subject is a protection target. This structure provides the camera device that generates image data in which a subject to be protected is obscured in an imaged subject. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182448 | DATA TRANSFER CIRCUIT, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A data transfer circuit includes: plural transfer lines transferring data; plural data output units connected to end portions of the respective transfer lines, detecting and outputting data transferred through the transfer lines with drive performance in accordance with a control signal; plural data transmission units arranged in parallel, transferring data to the corresponding transfer lines in response to selection signals; a selection control unit generating selection signals and outputting the selection signals to the corresponding data transmission units; and a control unit generating the control signal for controlling drive performance of the data output units to adjust data transfer delay and outputting the control signal to the respective output units. The transfer lines are arranged in the arrangement direction of the data transmission units and connected to the corresponding data output units. The control unit generates the control signal in accordance with the length of the data transfer distance. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182449 | Image Processing circuit and Image Processing Method - An image processing method and its associated image processing circuit for processing an image based on a sequential couleur avec memoire (SECAM) system are provided. The image includes a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel, which are successively arranged in a same vertical line and are respectively corresponding to a first image signal and a second image signal and a third image signal. The image processing method includes steps of calculating a chroma signal via a vertical filtering process according to the first image signal, the second image signal and the third image signal; calculating a chroma angular frequency via a frequency modulation process according to the chroma signal; and generating a chromaticity according to the chroma angular frequency. | 07-22-2010 |
20100188519 | Information Processing Device and Method, Program, and Recording Medium - An information processing device includes: an outline extraction unit extracting an outline of a subject from a picked-up image of the subject; a characteristic amount extraction unit extracting a characteristic amount, by extracting sample points from points making up the outline, for each of the sample points; an estimation unit estimating a posture of a high degree of matching as a posture of the subject by calculating a degree of the characteristic amount extracted in the characteristic amount extraction unit being matched with each of a plurality of characteristic amounts that are prepared in advance and represent predetermined postures different from each other; and a determination unit determining accuracy of estimation by the estimation unit using a matching cost when the estimation unit carries out the estimation. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188520 | IMAGING DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - An imaging device includes an imaging section imaging a subject by either of all-pixel readout of an imaging sensor and thinning-out readout and generating an image, a face detection section detecting a face of the subject by using the image imaged by the thinning-out readout, a facial recognition section recognizing respective forms of a corner of mouth, teeth, and a tail of eyes along with the face of the subject being detected, an expression determination section determining that the subject is smiling when the respective forms of the corner of mouth, the teeth, and the tail of eyes being recognized match at least one of smile conditions, and a control section giving an imaging instruction of the subject by the all-pixel readout to the imaging section when the subject is determined to be smiling by the expression determination section. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188521 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An electronic camera is characterized by including an imaging part shooting a figure image; an area detection part detecting a flesh-colored area including a face portion and a portion other than a face; a color judgment part judging color information of the flesh-colored area; a color difference calculation part determining a color difference between first color information of the face portion and second color information of the flesh-colored area of the portion other than the face; a correction coefficient calculation part determining color correction coefficients based on the color difference; an area appointment part appointing an area on which a color conversion is performed; and a color conversion part performing, when the color difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the color conversion on the area appointed by the area appointment part by using the color correction coefficients. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188522 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE CREATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image-capturing device includes: a micro-lens array in which a plurality of micro lenses are arrayed; a light reception element array having a plurality of groups of light reception elements respectively corresponding to the plurality of micro lenses, and that receives a ray bundle from an optical system via the micro lenses and outputs a plurality of received light signals; a detection unit that detects a deviation amount of an image surface by the optical system when the received light signals were obtained; and an image creation unit that selects a portion of the plurality of received light signals on the basis of the deviation amount detected by the detection unit, and creates an image on the basis of that selected portion of the received light signals. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188523 | VISUAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, VISUAL PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - It is possible to inhibit side effects even when an image that has sharp edge regions has been input. The invention is provided with a spatial processing portion ( | 07-29-2010 |
20100194902 | Method for high dynamic range imaging - A method for high dynamic range imaging includes the steps of arranging at least two cameras parallel and meanwhile capturing a plurality of images of one scene with different exposures by the at least two cameras; adjusting the captured images for the same exposure thereof subject to the response functions of the cameras respectively and then defining a plurality of characteristic spots in each of the images; combining the characteristic spots corresponding to the images respectively to get a displacement of the corresponding characteristic spot in each image and to further get a disparity map; and applying the displacement between the two corresponding characteristic spots in the corresponding images and synthesizing the images to form a synthetic image. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194903 | MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING CAMERA - A mobile electronic device including: a camera unit configured to capture a subject image and generate an image signal; a display unit configured to receive the image signal and display a captured image based on the image signal; an acquisition unit configured to acquire detection area information as information about a focusable area that is an area excluding, from the captured image, areas regarded as unfocusable for the camera unit to focus on; a face detection unit configured to detect face-including regions, each of which including face image of the subject and existing in the focusable area from the image signal, based on the detection area information; and a display control unit configured to control the display unit to display face regions on the captured image based on the face-including regions detected by the face detection unit. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194904 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING IN IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device having a plurality of photodiodes regularly disposed, a reference voltage signal generation section which generates a reference voltage signal in a nonlinear pattern, and an AD conversion section which converts an analog signal output from each of the photodiodes into a digital signal on the basis of the reference voltage signal from the reference voltage signal generation section. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194905 | System and method for non-invasive conversion of film cameras into digital cameras - A system and method for converting a film camera into a digital camera uses an electronic device placed in a space of the camera that normally contains film. The device includes an image sensing array arranged in optical communication with a lens of the camera when a shutter is open. An audio sensor is used to detect sounds within the camera, and an acoustic pattern recognizer with a built-in training mode is used to determine if the detected sounds correspond with the shutter operation. The image sensing array is switched into an image capture mode when the acoustic pattern recognizer determines that the shutter is being opened. When the shutter is opened, a read-out circuit captures multiple image frames from the image sensing array. An image processor associated with the image sensing array processes the captured images using advanced image processing algorithms. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194906 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A display apparatus includes an input section inputting an image of subject obtained by imaging a person who is a subject, a display section displaying the image of subject being input, a viewer imaging section imaging a viewer viewing the image of subject and generating an image of viewer, a viewer face-detection section detecting a face of the viewer by using the image of viewer, a viewer face-recognition section performing facial recognition based on individual parts of the face of the viewer being detected, an image processing section performing image correction on the image of subject based on a result of the facial recognition performed on the viewer, and a control section switching a display from the image of subject to the image of subject on which the image correction is performed. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194907 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing device that rotates an image according to the inclination of a line segment included in the image, includes an evaluation unit | 08-05-2010 |
20100194908 | IMAGE INPUT DEVICE, IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, AND IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM - An image input device includes: an image capture unit which captures an image of a predetermined image capture range to produce image information; an image analysis unit which, when a range specifier for specifying a partial range within the image capture range enters the image capture range of the image capture unit, detects the range specifier based on the image information, and determines the range specified by the range specifier; an expansion processing unit which performs expansion process for expanding the determined range of the image information produced by the image capture unit when the range is determined by the image analysis unit; and an image information output unit which outputs the image information subjected to the expansion process to the outside. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194909 | COMPUTER-READABLE COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT CONTAINING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM AND DIGITAL CAMERA - A computer-readable computer program product contains an image processing program which includes: an instruction for displaying a sample image and a correction object image on a display device; an instruction for setting a sample area in an area of the sample image; an instruction for receiving an operation signal which is output by an input device in response to an operation in which the sample area is dragged and dropped into an area of the correction object image; an instruction for setting correction coordinates in the area of the correction object image based upon the operation signal and for associating the sample area with the correction coordinates; an instruction for setting a correction area in the area of the correction object image based upon the correction coordinates; and an instruction for performing a color correction to an image of the correction area based upon the sample area. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194910 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING INTRA-FRAME PREDICTIVE CODING ON PICTURES TO BE CODED AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A motion vector detector detect a motion vector of each macroblock in an I frame. A control unit controls a quantization unit in such manner that the quantization scale in a quantization table referenced in the quantization processing is adaptively varied for a first macroblock whose motion vector detected is smaller than a prescribed threshold value. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194911 | IMAGE DATA GENERATING APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM - The shooting, recording and playback system | 08-05-2010 |
20100194912 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, WITH EYE BLINK DETECTION FEATURES - An imaging apparatus includes a focus control unit that sets an image area including eyes, which is included in an input image inputted in the imaging apparatus, as a range finding area for calculation of a subject distance and acquires an evaluation value based on contrast of the range finding area to detect a focus position and a blink detecting unit that detects presence or absence of a blink on the basis of image analysis in the range finding area. The focus control unit inputs blink detection information in the blink detection unit, identifies evaluation value data in a blink period and a non-blink period, and executes processing for detecting a focus position on the basis of only an evaluation value in a period judged as the non-blink period. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194913 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - An image forming apparatus and method capable of decompressing and compressing image data. More specifically, the apparatus and method include decompressing first compressed image data, processing the decompressed image data, selecting from among a plurality of quantization tables a quantization table providing a compression ratio lower than a compression ratio of the first compressed image data, and compressing the processed image data. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194914 | Self-Balancing Remote Sensing Device And Remote Sensing System Comprising Same - A self-balancing remote sensing device, and a system comprised of the remote sensing devices and one or more base stations, is provided for remotely monitoring both terrestrial and maritime environments. Specifically, a spherically-shaped self-balancing remote sensing device having one or more cameras and various sensors is provided, which may ascend and descend within the water column as desired, by altering its buoyancy, while maintaining proper orientation of the camera and sensors. Further, the remote sensing system comprised of the devices and base stations is provided, wherein the devices and base stations may form an ad hoc network, thereby greatly extending the range and coverage of the system. The devices, due to their small size, may be quickly and easily deployed using various vehicles, including flight vehicles, land-based vehicles, water craft, and subsurface water vehicles. | 08-05-2010 |
20100201832 | IMAGE EVALUATION METHOD, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD AND DIGITAL CAMERA THEREOF - An image evaluation method for a digital camera includes analyzing the composition of an image for obtaining a characteristic of the composition of the image, computing an ideal characteristic value, a real characteristic value, and a difference value between the ideal characteristic value and the real characteristic value, and generating a grade according to the difference value to show quality related to the composition of the image. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201833 | Image Processing Apparatus and Camera System - An image processing apparatus or camera system includes an image sensor | 08-12-2010 |
20100201834 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion section and a pixel transistor is arranged; an on-chip color filter; an on-chip microlens; and a multilayer interconnection layer in which a plurality of layers of interconnections is formed through an interlayer insulating film. The solid-state imaging device further includes a light-shielding film formed through an insulating layer in a pixel boundary of a light receiving surface in which the photoelectric conversion section is arranged. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201835 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An imaging apparatus comprises a focusing unit configured to focus an object to be shot by an imaging unit, a first shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shooting at first time intervals upon detecting a shooting instruction, a determining unit configured to determine whether the object moves in a distance direction during a control operation of the first shooting control unit, and a second shooting control unit configured to control the imaging unit in order to continuously shoot at second time intervals and to control the focusing unit in order to focus the object when the determining unit determines that the object moves in the distance direction. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201836 | MOBILE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING VISUAL PRESENTER FUNCTION AND HOLDER FOR THE MOBILE DEVICE - A mobile device having a projector module and a camera provides a visual presenter function. A method for executing such a visual presenter function in the mobile device includes selecting a visual presenter mode in a menu of the mobile device, and activating the camera of the mobile device when the visual presenter mode is selected. The method further includes acquiring an image of a target object through the camera, activating the projector module of the mobile device, and projecting the acquired image onto an external display screen through the activated projector module. A holder may be used to securely support the mobile device and selectively adjust the position of the mobile device. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201837 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A photographing apparatus includes a photographing device for photographing an image of an object and converting the photographed image to an electric signal, an image conversion unit for converting the electric signal of the photographing device to image data, a detection area setting unit for setting a part of an image produced by the image data as a detection area, a detection unit for detecting a change of the object and generating a detection signal, and a photographing control unit for operating the photographing device and performing photography based on the detection signal. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201838 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus that can prevent occurrence of crosstalk between different differential signals on a printed circuit board on which a wiring pattern of a differentially operated signal line is formed, and reduce unnecessary radiation noises. First and second wiring patterns are disposed on the printed circuit board and through which differentially operated signals are transmitted, and the first and second wiring patterns are electrically connected to first and second connection terminals, respectively. An electronic component is disposed on the printed circuit board, and includes first and second terminals electrically connected to the first and second wiring patterns, respectively. The first and second terminals of the electronic component are disposed on the printed circuit board, respectively, so that the first and second wiring patterns do not intersect each other. | 08-12-2010 |
20100201839 | SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTIC CORRECTION APPARATUS, SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTIC CORRECTION METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM ON WHICH SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTIC CORRECTION PROGRAM IS RECORDED - A spectral characteristic correction apparatus correcting a spectral characteristic characterizing a color signal including a plurality of chrominance signals includes: a correction coefficient calculating unit calculating, on the basis of a basic color signal corresponding to each of a plurality of basic colors calculated from a color signal obtained by photographing a plurality of color patches, for example, and on a predetermined reference color signal corresponding to the basic color signal, a correction coefficient for performing correction for approximating the basic color signal to the reference color signal; and a spectral characteristic correcting unit correcting a spectral characteristic characterizing the basic color signal by using the correction coefficient calculated by the correction coefficient calculating unit. | 08-12-2010 |
20100208091 | AUTO FOCUS SPEED ENHANCEMENT USING OBJECT RECOGNITION AND RESOLUTION - Autofocus operations in a digital camera are described. In one embodiment, a processor detects a face in an image captured by the camera, and calculates the size of the face. It selects from amongst a number of previously stored face sizes, one that is closest to the calculated face size. It retrieves a previously stored lens focus position that is associated with the selected, previously stored face size. It signals a moveable lens system of the digital camera to move to a final focus position given by the retrieved, previously stored lens focus position. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208093 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA IN PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING CAMERA THEREOF - The present disclosure is related to a method for processing image data in the portable electronic device, the method including obtaining an image through an image obtaining unit of the electronic device having a plurality of shot modes; determining each good-to-fit score of the plurality of shot modes for the obtained image; and displaying the each good-to-fit score of the plurality of shot modes for the obtained image along with the obtained image. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208094 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR SETTING CONTINUOUS SHOOTING SPEED, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An imaging apparatus, including: an imaging section for generating image data by performing continuous shooting, a first setting section for setting the number of images to be photographed, in each of the images a subject image is to be included; a dividing section for dividing a photographing region of the imaging section into divided regions of the number of images set by the first setting section; a second setting section for setting a continuous shooting speed based on a photographed position of the subject image in each of the divided regions divided by the dividing section; and a controller for controlling the imaging section to perform the continuous shooting at the continuous shooting speed set by the second setting section. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208095 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING IMAGES - An information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a first image generated based on light passing through a lens unit, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire information corresponding to a pupil distance of the lens unit when the first image is acquired, and a correction unit configured to generate a second image, which is generated by correcting optical characteristics of the lens unit based on a position of the lens unit at the time of acquisition of the first image, wherein the correction unit corrects the first image affected by the optical characteristics based on the lens position of the lens unit based on the information corresponding to the pupil distance acquired by the second acquisition unit. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208096 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An object of the present invention is to eliminate the influences of the leakage etc. of charges from a photodiode to a storage part during the electronic shutter operation. To achieve this object, the present invention includes: a photodiode which generates and accumulates a signal charge according to the amount of light from an object; an amplification part which amplifies a signal charge outputted from the photodiode and outputs the amplified signal to the outside; a storage part which temporarily stores the signal charge; and a transfer device which transfers the signal outputted from the photo-electric conversion device to the storage part via the amplification part. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214428 | METHOD AND MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE FOR SETTING A PICTORIAL REMINDER - A method, mobile computing device and system for setting pictorial reminders are provided. A digital image is acquired, via a picture application at a mobile computing device. Within the picture application at the mobile computing device, an indication to create a pictorial reminder is received, based on the digital image. An indication of scheduling data is received, the scheduling data for scheduling displaying of the digital image on a display of the mobile computing device. In a database on the mobile computing device, a pictorial-reminder record is stored, including the scheduling data and an indication of the digital image. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214429 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that receives image data in response to a photographic subject, a face detection unit that detects a human face from the received image data, a photometry unit that performs a photometry of the detected human face, an exposure control unit that calculates a target exposure amount in accordance with a photometry result to calculate an exposure control value, and an exposure correction control unit that determines an exposure in response to the target exposure amount, wherein an exposure correction unit performs an exposure correction by using an exposure target determined by the exposure correction control unit, as an area smaller than a domain of the human face detected by the face detection unit is set to the photometry area. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214430 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING SAMPLES - The invention provides a method for imaging samples, at least comprising:—staining of a sample with a first marker material and with a second marker material;—utilizing the first marker material in a focusing step for focusing an imaging device with respect to the sample; and—utilizing the second marker material and the imaging device, which has been focused in the focusing step, in an imaging step to acquire an image of the sample. The invention also relates to a system for imaging samples. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214431 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor on which image sensing pixels (R, G, B) and focus detecting pixels (S | 08-26-2010 |
20100214432 | DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A device comprises a photoelectric conversion portion including a light receiving surface, and a condensing structure which condenses light to the photoelectric conversion portion, wherein in the condensing structure, a first insulating film and a second insulating film having a refractive index higher than that of the first insulating film are laid out in a plane perpendicular to a normal passing through a center of the light receiving surface such that a density of the second insulating film is higher in a central portion of the plane than in a peripheral portion of the plane, and a layout pattern of the first insulating film and the second insulating film in the plane includes a portion having a dimension not more than a maximum wavelength of a visible light range. | 08-26-2010 |
20100220203 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device that produces a restored image that gives people natural feeling when a shot image with longer exposure time on the way to image blurring due to hand jiggling or an end portion is restored. The image processing device comprises an image processing unit that produces a restored image approximated to an original image from an object image to be processed, which is fluctuated against the original image due to movement of an image shooting device during exposure. The image processing unit produces the restored image while making the restored image correspond to a position having the longest exposure time for an object image to be processed. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220204 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A VIDEO SIGNAL OF A VIRTUAL IMAGE - A device for providing a video signal of a virtual image based on a real image of a camera, the real image having an object, includes a processing device. One piece of positional information each is associated with the camera and the object. The processing device generates the video signal of the virtual image based on the real image, the positional information of the camera and the positional information of the object. The virtual image includes an illustration of the object or object information with regard to the object. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220205 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING PHOTOGRAPHING ANGLE THEREOF - A image capturing device includes an image capture unit, a digital signal processor (DSP), a selection unit, an adjustment unit, a microprocessor, a storage unit, and a accelerometer. The image capture unit photographs a subject to output image data representing the subject to the DSP. The accelerometer detects an angle between a vertical axis of the image capture unit and the direction of the gravitational field to output an adjustment signal. The microprocessor outputs an adjustment value after comparing the adjustment signal with a reference adjustment value preset in the storage unit. When a first photograph angle adjustment manner is selected by the selection unit, the DSP adjusts the image data according to the adjustment value. When a second photograph angle adjustment manner is selected by the selection unit, the adjustment unit adjusts photographing angle of the image capture unit according to the adjustment value. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220206 | Drive device and image pickup apparatus - Disclosed herein is a drive device including an imaging element creating a image signal relating to an object image, a securing body, a displacement body capable of displacement in a predetermined direction in a predetermined plane having a light-receiving surface of the imaging element with respect to the securing body with the imaging element mounted to the displacement body, and a first guide mechanism and a second guide mechanism adapted each to guide displacement of the displacement body in the predetermined direction. The second guide mechanism includes a guide device, and a guided device. The guide device is configured to be positionally changeable in a plane parallel to the predetermined plane. The displacement body is turnably displaced with the first guide mechanism serving as a fulcrum when the guided device is displaced in response to the positional change of the guide device. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220207 | IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND MEDIUM STORING IMAGE EDITING PROGRAM - An image editing apparatus includes a selecting unit, an accepting unit, an extracting unit, and a calculating unit. The selecting unit selects any frame from a plurality of frames forming a moving image to be edited according to an instruction from a user. The accepting unit accepts designation of the user regarding an area to be edited and editing content for the any frame. The extracting unit extracts the area to be edited for each of the frames forming the moving image. For each of the frames forming the moving image, the calculating unit calculates a control value to be used for editing the area in each frame based on a difference between previously or subsequently continuing frames and the editing content or based on a result of editing provided to the any frame according to the editing content. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220208 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing on one or more faces in an image according to the distances of faces from the digital photographing apparatus or whether auto-focusing has been performed on the faces. Also provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing which assist in preventing faces at farther distances from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces at closer distances and which assist in preventing faces that have not been auto-focused from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces that have been auto-focused. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220209 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECTIFIED MOSAICING OF IMAGES RECORDED BY A MOVING CAMERA - A system and method for generating a mosaic image from respective regions in a plurality of individual images, at least one of the regions being distorted and having a left and/or right edge that is tilted relative to a direction of view of the respective image. The distorted regions are rectified so as to form a respective rectified rectangular region and at least some of the rectified rectangular regions are mosaiced to form the mosaic image. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220210 | INTERACTIVE SYSTEM CAPABLE OF IMPROVING IMAGE PROCESSING - An interactive system capable of improving image processing includes a reference device, a processing module and a controller. The reference device is used for transmitting and/or reflecting light signals within a predetermined spectrum. The processing module includes an image sensor, an estimation unit and a transmission interface. The image sensor is used for sensing an image so as to generate pixel signals; the estimation unit is used for determining static parameters of at least one image object according to the pixel signals; and the transmission interface is used for serially outputting the static parameters of the at least one image object. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive system according to the static parameters of the at least one image object outputted from the transmission interface. The image sensor, the estimation unit, and the transmission interface can all be formed on the same substrate. | 09-02-2010 |
20100225773 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CENTERING A PHOTOGRAPH WITHOUT VIEWING A PREVIEW OF THE PHOTOGRAPH - Systems and methods are providing for capturing images of objects or faces without previewing the image to be captured. In particular, systems and methods are provided for using a detection algorithm to determine when a camera lens of an electronic device is properly oriented to capture an item (e.g., a face in a self-portrait). The detection algorithm can be configured to identify specific faces or objects, and can direct the electronic device to automatically store a captured image in response to detecting objects or faces of interest. In some embodiments, a motion-sensing component can be used to help align the lens. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225774 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion for converting a quantity of incident light into an electric signal, and a plurality of pixel transistors; wiring layers formed on one surface side of a semiconductor substrate having the plurality of pixels formed therein, a light made incident from a side opposite to the one surface having the wiring layers formed thereon being received by corresponding one of the photoelectric conversion portions; a scribe line formed in a periphery of a pixel portion composed of the plurality of pixels; and square-shaped termination detecting portions each having higher hardness than that of the semiconductor substrate and formed in the scribe line; wherein each of the square-shaped termination detecting portions has a side parallel with a direction of the scribe line of the semiconductor substrate. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225775 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A solid-state image capturing device includes, in a semiconductor substrate, a photoelectric conversion section which performs photoelectric conversion on incident light to obtain signal charges; a pixel transistor section which outputs the signal charges generated in the photoelectric conversion section; a peripheral circuit section which is formed in the periphery of a pixel section including the photoelectric conversion section and the pixel transistor section; and isolation areas which electrically separate the photoelectric conversion section, the pixel transistor section, and the peripheral circuit section from each other. The isolation areas in the periphery of the pixel transistor section each have an insulating section formed higher than a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A first gate electrode of a transistor of the pixel transistor section is formed between the insulating sections and on the semiconductor substrate with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225776 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, FABRICATION METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a photodetector which is formed on a substrate and is configured to generate signal charge by photoelectric conversion, a floating diffusion configured to receive the signal charge generated by the photodetector, a plurality of MOS transistors including a transfer transistor that transfers the signal charge to the floating diffusion and an amplification transistor that outputs an pixel signal corresponding to a potential of the floating diffusion, a multi-wiring layer which is formed in a layer higher than the substrate and is composed of a plurality of wiring layers electrically connected to the MOS transistors via contact portions, and a light-shielding film that is constituted by a bottom wiring layer disposed in a layer higher than the substrate and lower than the multi-wiring layer. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225777 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The image processing apparatus is provided with a subject movement data creation unit that detects the movement of subjects in a plurality of partitioned blocks that partition a screen area of moving images, and creates subject movement data that specifies a partitioned block where there is movement in the subject and the movement of the subject in that partitioned block; a still image acquisition unit that acquires still images; and a still image processor that causes the image of the still image blocks corresponding to the partitioned blocks specified by the subject movement data to move in accordance with the movement of the subject specified by the subject movement data, on the still image acquired by the still image acquisition unit using the subject movement data created by the subject movement data creation unit. | 09-09-2010 |
20100225778 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, ENCODING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image capturing device, encoding method, and program in which even if the capturing of a large sized image is required, the capacity of a memory required for processing can be reduced. | 09-09-2010 |
20100231736 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGING CONTROL PROGRAM - There is provided an imaging device capable of suppressing fluctuations in frame rate due to brightness of a subject's environment. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231737 | Method of Performing Interlaced Preview for a CMOS Sensor - Combo lines having one odd line and one even line are utilized for generating an interlaced preview from an image sensor. Odd combo lines are read out to generate an odd field. Even combo lines are read out to generate an even field. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of odd field lines generated from the plurality of odd combo lines to generate a plurality of odd interpolated lines. Interpolation is performed on a plurality of even field lines generated from the plurality of even combo lines to generate a plurality of even interpolated lines. The interlace preview is generated from the plurality of odd interpolated lines and the plurality of even interpolated lines. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231738 | CAPTURE OF VIDEO WITH MOTION - A method of capturing a video of a scene depending on the speed of motion in the scene, includes capturing a video of the scene; determining the relative speed of motion within a first region of the video of the scene with respect to the speed of motion within a second region of the video of the scene; and causing a capture rate of the first region of the video of the scene to be greater than a capture rate of the second region of the video of the scene, or causing an exposure time of the first region to be less than exposure time of the second region. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231739 | Method for shutting down a timing generating unit, a method for shutting down a digital image-capturing device, and a digital image-capturing device - A method for shutting down a digital image capturing device is provided, The steps of the method are as follows: first, outputting a reset signal from a control unit of the capturing device to a timing generating unit; then setting a vertical pulse signal of the timing generating unit to a ground level within a time frame of the timing generating unit outputting a horizontal blanking signal; lastly, automatically shutting down the timing generating unit. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231740 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program - An image processing apparatus includes: a conversion unit converting a first color image signal including a predetermined color space into a second color image signal including a color space having a luminance signal and a color difference signal; a color determination section determining a color of each pixel of the first color image signal or the second color image signal; and a noise removal unit performing a noise removal process by changing a noise removal strength with respect to the color difference signal in accordance with the color determined by the color determination section. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231741 | Image pickup apparatus, control method for the same, and program thereof - An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device configured to obtain a captured image corresponding to an object image, an object detecting unit configured to detect a specific object in the captured image, an position obtaining unit configured to obtain a position at which the specific object exists in the captured image, a composition specifying unit configured to specify a recommended composition on the basis of the existence position of the specific object when the specific object is viewed as a main object, and an instruction control unit configured to instruct the execution of a predetermined operation which notifies a user of the recommended composition. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231742 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, an image signal transmitter, an image signal receiver, a signal processor and a control unit. The imaging element includes pixels arranged in two-dimensional array. The pixels output an imaging signal in synchronization with a first synchronizing signal. The image signal transmitter superimposes a second synchronizing signal on the imaging signal and transmits an image signal. The second synchronizing signal indicates a start position in vertical and horizontal directions in the two-dimensional array and is different from the first synchronizing signal. The image signal receiver receives the image signal from the image signal transmitter, and separates the received image signal into the imaging signal and second synchronizing signal. The signal processor processes the separated imaging signal based on the separated second synchronizing signal. The control unit receives the first synchronizing signal, and controls peripheral circuits in synchronization with the first synchronizing signal. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231743 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - An image processing apparatus is provided, which includes a camera part for imaging an object and outputting image data; a display part for receiving an image signal corresponding to the image data of the camera part and displaying a corresponding image; and an image controller for outputting an image signal processed from the image data output from the camera part, to the display part, generating and storing a corresponding image file. When generating a first image file by processing the image data provided from the camera part, the image controller selectively generates and stores a second image file of a lower capacity and a lower resolution than the first image file at the same time. By distinguishing and using the high definition video and the general definition video made from the corresponding object at the same time, in the corresponding operation such as preview, transfer to other terminal, and connection to high definition player, the image processing apparatus can enhance the management efficiency of the terminal and the user's satisfaction. | 09-16-2010 |
20100231744 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC PARAMETER DETERMINATION IN MACHINE VISION - The present invention provides a system and methods for automatic parameter determination in machine vision in general, and in object recognition in particular. Many machine vision systems use algorithms that demand the user to specify one or more parameters in order to adapt the behavior of the algorithm in dependence of the current application. This is not desirable because the complexity of the algorithm should be hidden from the user and a manual parameter determination is contrary to a desirable high degree of automation. The present invention provides a method to automatically determine the most frequently used parameters in machine vision solely based on the input image itself. The method is explained in detail using an object recognition system as an example. In particular, the model generation process based on a model image of the object is explained. However, also other systems that use edge extraction algorithms, for example, can benefit from the present invention. | 09-16-2010 |
20100238311 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device for forming an image of a sample object includes an optical device and a processing unit. The optical device captures a Fourier spectrum of an object. The processing unit is arranged for processing the Fourier spectrum from the optical device and is adapted for determining the image of the sample object from the intensity of the Fourier spectrum of the sample object and the intensity of the Fourier spectrum of a combination of the sample object and a reference object. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238312 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING OUTPUT OF INTEGRAL IMAGE - An image sensor having an output of an integral image is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel circuit, a line accumulator, and a volume accumulator. The pixel circuit includes a plurality of pixels for capturing pixel values of the pixels. The line accumulator is used for accumulating the pixel values of the pixels from a first pixel to a target pixel in a target pixel line of the image so as to obtain an accumulated line pixel value. The volume accumulator is used for adding the accumulated line pixel value output by the line accumulator to an integral pixel value of the pixel corresponding to the target pixel in a previous pixel line of the target pixel line, and using an adding result as the integral pixel value of the target pixel, so as to output the integral pixel value of the target pixel to form an integral image. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238313 | Imaging Apparatus and Method, and Program - The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and method and program whereby composition can more readily be confirmed. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238314 | IMAGE CAPTURE AND DISPLAY DEVICE - A display device for capturing and displaying images along a single optical axis, having an image capture device for capturing the objective image through the display panel when the display device is in a second transmissive state; an image supply source for providing an image to a display panel when the display panel is in a first display state; a mechanism for alternating placing the display panel between the first display state and second transmissive state such that an image can be viewed on the display screen and the object can be captured such that the alternating between the first display state and the second transmissive state is substantially imperceptible to a user of the display panel; and a mechanism for providing digitally image processing for captured images prior to display. | 09-23-2010 |
20100238315 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD IN WHICH AN IMAGE IS PROCESSED BY A PLURALITY OF IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES - An image capture system is provided that increases processing speed after an image is captured and also increases the rate at which data is read from an image capture device during a shooting sequence. The image capture system includes an image capture device for capturing an object image and converting the captured object image into an electrical signal, a plurality of image processing devices, and a distribution device for distributing the electrical signal from the image capture device to the plurality of image processing devices. The plurality of image processing devices generate image signals by processing the electrical signal output from the distribution device and are provided in parallel with each other. Each of the plurality of image processing devices concurrently processes the electrical signal for one frame. | 09-23-2010 |
20100245608 | ADAPTIVE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING A BRIGHT IMAGE FROM A THERMAL IMAGE - An image processor computes a raw histogram for an unprocessed raw digital image. The image processor positions a clip point at an intensity level within the raw image histogram. The pixels having an intensity level less than the intensity level of the clip point are blacked-out (reduced in intensity). The remaining illuminated pixels are displayed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245609 | Digital Image Segmentation Using Flash - A digital camera function, such as can be implemented in a cellular telephone handset, and that includes automated segmentation of foreground subjects in acquired digital photos and images. Successive images are captured by the digital camera function at different flash exposure levels, for example using existing light only and using flash exposure. After alignment and registration of the images, luminance difference values in the two images are determined for each pixel, and the luminance difference values compared against a threshold value on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Those pixels with luminance difference values exceeding the threshold are segmented from the image as foreground subjects. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245610 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING DIGITAL IMAGE - A digital image photographing method includes: recognizing a subject by analyzing an image photographed by a digital image photographing apparatus; separating the recognized subject from a background in the image; and displaying a recommending lead line of a rule of thirds on a display of the digital image photographing apparatus to help position the recognized subject on an intersection point of transversal and vertical trisectional lines. Further, the digital image photographing method includes recommending a composition, a pose and a motion which are matched to the recognized subject and the background with reference to pre-recorded information about the composition, the pose and the motion. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245611 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND IMAGE ADJUSTING METHOD FOR THE SAME - A camera system is capable of adjusting a location of a target in an image including the target. The camera system captures the image including the target, obtains the target from the image, and calculates a coordinate difference between the target and a determined location of the image. The camera system also transmits a drive command for a driving module according to the coordinate difference, and the driving module adjusts the image according to the drive command to adjust the location of the target relative to the determined location in the image. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245612 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: a determination unit determining whether each character included as a subject in a captured image is an unnoted non-main character; and a controller controlling an image-related process which is a process related to an image on the basis of a status of the character determined as a non-main character. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245613 | METHOD AND UNIT FOR GENERATING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE AND VIDEO FRAME - An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for High Dynamic Range (HDR) image creation by generating a mean difference curve for use in aligning the images of a sequence of images taken with different exposures, wherein the difference in exposure might derive from a difference in exposure time or a difference in aperture size. A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for HDR image creation by generating images with different exposures from a single image. A further embodiment of the invention relates to a method for HDR video creation by generating frames with different exposures from a single frame. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245614 | IMAGE SELECTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SELECTING IMAGE - An image selection device including: a reception unit that receives a plurality of captured images obtained by rapid shooting one or more people as subjects; a face detection unit that detects human faces included in the captured images received by the reception unit; an eye detection unit that detects eyes in the human faces detected by the face detection unit; a blink detection unit that detects blink degrees of each of the eyes detected by the eye detection unit; an estimation unit that estimates statuses of the human faces based on the blink degrees detected by the blink detection unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one of the captured images to be recorded on a recording medium from among the captured images received by the reception unit, based on the statuses of the human faces estimated by the estimation unit. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245615 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a low-frequency-component storage unit that stores therein a low-frequency component generated from a frame in an input moving image composed of a plurality of frames, a low-frequency-component generating unit that generates a low-frequency component from an N-th frame of the input moving image, and stores the low-frequency component in the low-frequency-component storage unit, and a dynamic-range correcting unit that corrects a dynamic range by using an (N+1)-th or later frame of the input moving image and the low-frequency component of the N-th frame stored in the low-frequency-component storage unit. | 09-30-2010 |
20100253796 | Imaging Device And High-Resolution Processing Method Of Image - The invention provides imaging device and high-resolution processing method of image which precisely generate high-resolution image by using image data with a little number of the pixels. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253797 | SMART FLASH VIEWER - A method for generating a preview image of an item to be photographed using flashlights, wherein said preview image is generated without any added light, comprises the steps of: (a) calculating the distance between a portion of the item to be photographed and the camera; (b) calculating the flash light dissemination on the area of said portion, using the distance to said portion and the known flash power to be applied; (c) recalculating captured exposure parameter according to the information gathered from the surface of said portion; and (d) changing the brightness of the preview image by using the calculated lighting parameters at each location. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253798 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DIGITAL CAMERA, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A proposition is to perform a detection of a position shift amount between images which are anteroposterior in a chronological order with high accuracy. Therefore, in an image processing apparatus, a unit A performs a geometric transformation on a pixel group α in an image | 10-07-2010 |
20100253799 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section and a signal processing section. The pixel array section is configured to include a plurality of arranged rectangular pixels, each of which has different sizes in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of adjacent ones of which are combined to form a square pixel having the same size in the vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing section is configured to perform a process of outputting, as a single signal, a plurality of signals read out from the combined plurality of rectangular pixels. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253800 | FOCUSING APPARATUS USING A PLASTIC LEAD SCREW - A focusing apparatus having a lead screw made of resin, both ends of which are supported by at least one stationary member to be freely rotatable, and a focusing lens group that is movable in an optical axis direction by rotation of the lead screw, the focusing apparatus includes a position detection sensor for detecting whether the focusing lens group is positioned at a reference position in the optical axis direction, and a focus detector which performs a focus-state detecting operation to detect a focus state of an object. The focusing apparatus moves the focusing lens group to a predetermined lens position in which the focus-state detecting operation is not performed, and the reference position is positioned in a close vicinity of the predetermined lens position. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253801 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS AND DIGITAL CAMERA - The image recording apparatus includes: an information acquisition unit; a metadata generation unit that generates metadata based upon acquired information, the metadata being different from an image to be recorded and the acquired information being obtained by the information acquisition unit at least after the image is obtained; and an information recording unit that records the metadata having been generated and the image in correlation to each other. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253802 | ENHANCED MICROSCAN APPARATUS AND METHODS - Improved microscan apparatus and methods use a high-resolution optical sensor to measure the displacement of a scene relative to a focal-plane-array (FPA) sensor used to collect images of the scene, eliminating components within the FPA sensor itself to vary the image's location on the FPA. The projection of the scene image varies on the FPA due to the relative movement of the sensor or other external factors. The focal-plane-array (FLA) sensor and high-resolution optical sensor are mounted on a common platform so that both sensors track a scene along the same line of sight. The displacement of a scene on the FPA sensor is computed using the displacement of the scene gathered by the high-resolution optical sensor; and the resolution of the scene on the FPA sensor is enhanced using the computed displacement to generate an output image. The image may be a three-dimensional image, including a 3-D Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) image. | 10-07-2010 |
20100253803 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus that can reduce power consumption of the image pickup apparatus, and take high-definition moving images at high speed without bringing about decreases in recordable time and the number of still images taken. An image pickup processing unit is operated in a plurality of operation modes, and has an image pickup device and a plurality of processing units that process image pickup signals outputted from the image pickup device. An interval control circuit causes the image pickup processing unit to switch between a standby ON state and a standby OFF state in predetermined timing. A control signal is outputted to the interval control unit according to an operation mode of the image pickup processing unit. When the image pickup processing unit lies in a predetermined operation mode, a control signal for causing the interval control circuit to perform the switching is outputted to the interval control circuit. | 10-07-2010 |
20100259628 | CAMERA - An image sensor having light-sensitive elements situated in rows and columns, a camera, and a camera system are provided. The image sensor has a repeating pattern including two adjacent rows, the first row having alternating light-sensitive elements having a blue filter and light-sensitive elements having a red filter, and the second row having light-sensitive elements having no blue filters and no red filters, i.e., no color filter. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259629 | CAMERA DEVICE FOR CAPTURING HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGE BY USING LOW-PIXEL-NUMBER PHOTO SENSING ELEMENT - A camera device includes a lens module, a photo sensing element and a micro-electro-mechanical system mirror. The lens module is used for receiving an external light beam. The photo sensing element includes at least one pixel sensor with a first pixel number. The micro-electro-mechanical system mirror is used for reflecting the external light beam to the photo sensing element, thereby obtaining a digital image with a second pixel number. The micro-electro-mechanical system mirror is swung at different angles to receive the external light beam with different incidence angles, so that the second pixel number is higher than the first pixel number. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259630 | DEVICE FOR HELPING THE CAPTURE OF IMAGES - A device for helping the capture of images is disclosed that comprises:
| 10-14-2010 |
20100259631 | DATA COMPRESSION APPARATUS, DATA COMPRESSION PROGRAM AND IMAGE-TAKING APPARATUS - In order to provide a data compression apparatus, a data compression program and an image-taking apparatus estimating the compression ratio and being adequate for reducing an operation time, a differential generation section that determines, for a series of numerical values of to-be-compressed data of a series of numerical values, a difference between numerical values adjacent to each other directly or with a given space therebetween, to generate new compressed data of a series of numerical values each representing the difference, a compression section that subjects the compressed data generated to compression processing, and an estimation section that determines a concentration degree indicating concentration of respective numerical values of the to-be-compressed data generated on a numerical value representing a difference “0”, and estimates a compression degree used when the compressed data is compressed by the compression section, such that the higher the concentration degree is, the higher the compression degree is. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259632 | WIDE ANGLE OPTICAL SYSTEM, IMAGING LENS DEVICE, MONITOR CAMERA, AND DIGITAL APPARATUS - Provided are a wide angle optical system having better optical performance, low in cost, and compact in size, an imaging lens device having the wide angle optical system, a monitor camera, and a digital apparatus. The wide angle optical system ( | 10-14-2010 |
20100259633 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes a projector, a camera, a first storage, and a controller. The projector projects a projection image containing a first operation image onto a predetermined area. The camera shoots an image of a subject within the predetermined area. The controller detects an operation to the first operation image based on the shot image shot by the camera and controls the first storage to store at least the image of the subject out of the shot image when the operation is detected. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259634 | DIGITAL IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON THE METHOD - Provided are a digital image signal processing method including determining a saturation condition by comparing a delta between a plurality of pieces of image data of an input image exhibiting different color components with a standard for white scene recognition, determining a bright condition by using a distribution of grey levels of the input image, and determining that the input image is a white scene when the input image satisfies the saturation condition and the bright condition, and a digital image signal apparatus for executing the method, and a medium having recorded thereon the method. Thus, a white scene is quickly and accurately determined. And settings of the digital image signal processing apparatus can be properly set for capturing the white scene. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259635 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire an input image, a conversion unit configured to convert the acquired input image to an output image, a detection unit configured to detect in the input image a pixel having a predetermined luminance, a calculation unit configured to calculate a position of an output image corresponding to a position of the detected pixel, and a display unit configured to display the output image on a screen. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259636 | EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE CAPTURE - A device and methods are provided for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image of a scene are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, method includes setting an exposure period of an image sensor of the digital camera and capturing image data based on the exposure period. The method may further include checking the image data to determine whether the number of saturated pixels exceeds a saturation threshold and checking the image data to determine whether the number of cutoff pixels exceeds a cutoff threshold. The method may further include generating a high dynamic range image based on image data captured by the digital camera, wherein the high dynamic range image is generated based on a minimum number of images to capture a full dynamic range of the scene. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259637 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - A drive mode is switched after readout for one frame is completed, and the reset operation for the following frame is started. In this manner, the reset operation for the following frame will not be performed during the readout period for the preceding frame. Therefore, the accumulation period for the following frame can be made consistent in that frame. | 10-14-2010 |
20100265347 | METHODS, ELECTRONIC DEVICES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR ENCODING IMAGE FILES TO FACILITATE BROWSING THEREOF - An electronic device is operated by receiving a first image file, generating a second image file by encoding the first image file using an encoding technique such that it is less complex to decode the second image file than it is to decode the first image file, and associating the first image file with the second image file. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265348 | Systems and Methods for Image Data Transfer - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for efficient image data transfer and/or storage. As an example, some embodiments of the present invention provide data storage systems that include an image capture device, a storage medium and a processor. The image capture device generates a first still image and a second still image. The processor is communicably coupled to the storage medium, and generates a first compressed image and a second compressed image. The first compressed image and the second compressed image are generated by: receiving the first still image and the second still image; selecting an image portion of the first still image; identifying a similarity between the image portion of the first still image and an image portion of the second still image; indicating the similarity; and eliminating the image portion of the second still image. The processor stores the first compressed image and a second compressed image to the storage medium. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265349 | DIGITAL CAMERA MODULE - Provided is a digital camera module. The digital camera module includes an image sensor generating an electrical signal including a video signal and a clock signal and an optical interconnection unit converting the at least one of the video and clock signals into an optical signal to transmit the converted optical signal. The digital camera module further includes an image signal processor receiving the video signal restored from the optical signal to the electrical signal to convert the received video signal into a signal that is visually displayable. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265350 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, OPTICAL APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup element capable of transmitting pixel signals read from a pixel unit as optical signals at high speed, an optical apparatus, a signal processing apparatus, and a signal processing system. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265351 | COMMUNICATION-CONTROLLING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - When storing an image file in an external recording medium with a communication function that is configured to automatically transfer a JPEG file stored in a predetermined directory, the apparatus stores a thumbnail image obtained by reducing an image size of a primary image in a predetermined directory. The primary image file is stored in a different directory to the predetermined directory. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265352 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus that enables a demosaicing process to be accurately carried out on a color image signal. With respect to a color mosaic image signal related to each pixel generated by photoelectrical conversion of an optical image reflecting a subject image, an interpolation process is carried out in which signals of missing colors in the each pixel are interpolated using image signals related to pixels in predetermined directions around the each pixel. The interpolation process is carried out in each of a plurality of predetermined directions. Color image signals in the predetermined directions subjected to the interpolation process are evaluated, and based on an evaluation result, a color image signal to be outputted as an interpolation process result is generated. The color image signals in the respective predetermined directions subjected to the interpolation process are evaluated with respect to homogeneity and signal intensity. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265353 | Image Processing Device, Image Sensing Device And Image Reproduction Device - There is provided an image processing device which uses a main image and a sub-image shot at different times to generate an output image. The image processing device includes a subject detection portion which detects a specific subject from each of the main image and the sub-image and detects the position and the size of the specific subject on the main image and the position and the size of the specific subject on the sub-image, and generates the output image by causing the main image to be blurred based on a variation in the position of and a variation in the size of the specific subject between the main image and the sub-image. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265354 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing apparatus including a parameter storage that stores, in association with a plurality of attributes, a plurality of image processing parameters for respectively rendering subject images of different attributes from each other, into high image quality; and an image generating section that generates a high quality image of a subject image included in an input image, using the plurality of image processing parameters stored in the parameter storage. The image generating section may select at least one image from high quality images of the subject image included in the input image using respectively different combinations of the plurality of image processing parameters, based on comparison with the input image, and generate the selected image as the high quality image. | 10-21-2010 |
20100265355 | PHASE CORRECTION PLATE, IMAGING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS, MOBILE PHONE, IN-VEHICLE DEVICE, MONITOR CAMERA, ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS, DIGITAL CAMERA, DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA, AND LENS UNIT - A phase correction plate is mounted on an imaging lens. The phase correction plate is structured in such a manner that the phase difference of light that has passed a middle region of the phase correction plate is lower than the phase difference of light that has passed a peripheral region of the phase correction plate, and that in the peripheral region, the phase difference of light that has passed through the phase correction plate increases from the middle-region side of the peripheral region toward the periphery side of the peripheral region. | 10-21-2010 |
20100271498 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO SELECTIVELY COMBINE VIDEO FRAME IMAGE DATA - Systems and methods to selectively combine video frame image data are disclosed. First image data corresponding to a first video frame and second image data corresponding to a second video frame are received from an image sensor. The second image data is adjusted by at least partially compensating for offsets between portions of the first image data with respect to corresponding portions of the second image data to produce adjusted second image data. Combined image data corresponding to a combined video frame is generated by performing a hierarchical combining operation on the first image data and the adjusted second image data. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271499 | Perfecting of Digital Image Capture Parameters Within Acquisition Devices Using Face Detection - Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within said captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271500 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE AND PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING CAMERA THEREOF - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for processing image data in a portable terminal including obtaining a first image having a first resolution for display from an image obtaining unit of the portable terminal, receiving a semi-shutter signal during display of the first image on a display unit of the portable terminal, obtaining a second image having a second resolution from the image obtaining unit in response to the semi-shutter signal prior to receiving a full-shutter signal, and capturing a still image from the second image when the full-shutter signal is received. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271501 | IMAGE TRANSFORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OPERATION OF SAME - First and second images are obtained by continuous shooting. Overall-image shake between the first and second images is detected and shake is corrected. If the image of an automobile, for example, contained in the first and second images is moving from capture of the first image to capture of the second image, the image of the automobile is moved in the second image so as to coincide with the image of the automobile in the first image. The image of the automobile in the first image and the image obtained by moving the image of the automobile are superimposed. Two image frames can be superimposed in accordance with portions in which there is movement of a subject and portions in which there is no movement of the subject but in which blur has occurred owing to camera shake. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271502 | IMAGE FILTERING - Pixels of an image ( | 10-28-2010 |
20100277606 | PREDICTIVE PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDER OPERATION - A predictive personal video recorder (PVR) can include a tuner, a buffer, a predictive tuner, and a predictive buffer. The tuner can be configured to allow viewing of a currently-selected digital video channel chosen from a plurality of digital video channels received by a predictive PVR. The buffer can be configured to store video data of the currently-selected digital video channel, allowing time-shifted viewing of the currently-selected digital video channel. The predictive tuner can be configured to capture video data for a predicted digital video channel. The predicted digital video channel can be selected based upon a predictive factor. The predictive buffer can be configured to store the captured video data for the predicted digital video channel received by the predictive tuner to allow time-shifted viewing of said predicted digital video channel. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277607 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING AND INTEGRATED MOTION DETECTION - This disclosure describes: (1) two different schemes to enhance dynamic range, (2) a new motion detection scheme using in-pixel digital storage, and (3) the motion detection in high illumination for CMOS image sensors. The schemes may be implemented in a small pixel size and easily incorporated in simple column-level circuits for existing CMOS image sensor systems. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277608 | IMAGE SHOOTING APPARATUS, VIDEO DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM THEREWITH - An image shooting apparatus records video information obtained by shooting a subject, and transfers the video information to an external appliance by communication conforming to the HDMI standards. The image shooting apparatus also records rotation information representing how, when a video based on the video information is displayed on the external appliance, the video is to be rotated, and, when transferring the video information, transmits the rotation information to the external appliance by use of CEC conforming to the HDMI standards. Thus, an image shooting apparatus that transmits a shot video to an external appliance also transmits rotation information by use of CEC so as to be capable of making the external appliance display the shot image in a rotated state. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277609 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera, includes an image sensor, a rangefinding means, an arithmetic operation means for calculating a characteristic quantities based upon at least either pixel density in an image obtained via the image sensor or rangefinding information obtained via the rangefinding means, a judgment means for judging a photographic scene based upon characteristic quantities calculated by the arithmetic operation means, and a control means for selecting camera settings in correspondence to the photographic scene having been judged. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283860 | Portable Electronic Apparatus Having More Than One Display Area, And A Method of Controlling a User Interface Thereof - A portable electronic apparatus has first and second display areas. The apparatus has an orientation sensor that provides an orientation sensor output signal indicative of a spatial orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus also has a display controller coupled to the first and second display areas and to the orientation sensor. The display controller controls the first display area and the second display area in either a first display state of a second display state, with less display activity than the first display state. When a movement of the portable electronic apparatus has been determined from the orientation sensor output signal, one of the first and second display areas is switched from the first display state to the second display state, whereas the other display area is switched from the second display state to the first display state. Specifically, the other display area is first switched from the second display state to the first display state, and then, during a transition time period, both display areas are maintained in the first display state. The transition time period is a function of a speed of the determined movement of the portable electronic apparatus. Finally, after the transition period has lapsed, the one display area is switched from the first display state to the second display state. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283861 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - It is difficult to reproduce an original tone when reconstructing an HDR image from an image tone-converted into an LDR image. A tone conversion unit generates an adaptation point image XYZ | 11-11-2010 |
20100283862 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, DATA GENERATING APPARATUS, AND DATA STRUCTURE - An image capturing apparatus is provided with an image capturing unit and a generating unit. The image capturing unit includes an imaging sensor and captures a subject image to generate RAW data. The generating unit generates a moving image file including moving image data made up of a plurality of sets of RAW data which is generated by the image capturing unit, and incidental information data corresponding to each of the sets of RAW data and including at least one of image capturing information regarding the RAW data and property information of the RAW data. Accordingly, it is possible to generate the moving image data which is easy to be handled in image processing or image quality adjustment. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283863 | IMAGING DEVICE - Disclosed herein is an imaging device, including: an imaging lens configured to have an aperture stop; an imaging element configured to include a plurality of pixels that each have a rectangular shape as a planar shape and are arranged in a matrix as a whole, and acquire imaging data based on received light; and a lens array unit configured to be disposed on an image forming plane of the imaging lens and include a plurality of lenses, a respective one of the lenses being assigned to n, n is an integer equal to or larger than 2, pixels arranged along a shorter-side direction of the pixels having the rectangular shape in the imaging element. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283864 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image processing system including a plurality of image capture units and an image processing apparatus, each of image capture units including a camera taking image data, a storage unit storing use part information indicative of a use part of the image data and importance degree calculated per use part, an image clipping unit clipping segment image data serving as the use part from the image data, a transmit image data generating unit performing image processing according to the importance degree of the use part to generate transmit image data, and a transmitting unit transmitting the transmit image data, and the image processing apparatus including a network interface unit inputting a plurality of pieces of the transmit image data, an image generating unit generating the combined image data based on the plurality of pieces of transmit image data, and an display unit outputting the combined image data. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283865 | VIDEO SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - By setting an area for displaying OSD data, a high-intensity part of this area is highlighted and an area which is not to be highlighted is set. Also, by performing translucent display of the OSD data and natural-image data, an area which is not to be highlighted can be set. | 11-11-2010 |
20100289912 | CAMERA ARRANGEMENT WITH IMAGE MODIFICATION - A camera arrangement and corresponding methods are provided. The camera arrangement in an embodiment comprises circuitry to analyze a recorded image in order to determine a gesture and to decide on a modification of the image based on the identified gesture. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289913 | VIDEO PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image processing apparatus for cropping and outputting a plurality of partial images from an image, includes: an acquisition unit adapted to acquire object areas for a plurality of objects included in an image to be processed; an analysis unit adapted to analyze a distribution of the acquired object areas; a determination unit adapted to determine a cropping scheme for cropping partial images from the image to be processed, based on the distribution of the object areas; and a cropping unit adapted to crop the partial images from the image to be processed, using the determined cropping scheme. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289914 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus communicates with a second imaging apparatus connected to the imaging apparatus via a network, and analyzes a photographing frequency of the second imaging apparatus by receiving information indicating that the second imaging apparatus has performed photographing. When the analyzed photographing frequency exceeds a predetermined value, the imaging apparatus changes setting regarding image data to be recorded. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289915 | INDICIA READING APPARATUS HAVING IMAGE SENSING AND PROCESSING CIRCUIT - A TTR time of a reading apparatus can also be reduced by designing an apparatus to exhibit a certain timing relationship between a receipt of a trigger signal and/or more of image capture and decoding. An apparatus in one embodiment can be configured to continuously capture frames of image data prior to receipt of a trigger signal and can further be configured so that an output decoded message is decoded from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to the time of receipt of a trigger signal. An apparatus configured to output a decoded message from a frame of image data having a capture initiation time of prior to a time of receipt of a trigger signal can have a TTR time of less than a frame capture period of the apparatus. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289916 | IMAGE-CAPTURE PARAMETER VARIATION - A camera includes a bracketing logic module that varies, based on a previously-received user input and for each shot of a plurality of bracketed shots for a scene to be imaged, one or more of a plurality of different image-capture parameters, wherein, the bracketing logic module varies the one or more of the plurality of different image-capture parameters based on previously-input user selections of scene-bracketing for the scene to be imaged. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289917 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - In order to solve a problem in which a stable and continuous photographing operation cannot be realized, for example, the continuous photographing operation stops irregularly or the like in an imaging device, the imaging device includes imaging means for generating image data, a first buffer for storing the image data, and control means for controlling an interval of photographing by the imaging means to maintain a constant or according to a continuous function which decreases monotonically with respect to a remaining capacity of the first buffer. | 11-18-2010 |
20100295957 | METHOD OF CAPTURING DIGITAL IMAGES AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A method of capturing digital images is disclosed. The method comprises registering an image projected on an image sensor; determining motions present in the image; determining a metric representing an amount of the motions; and storing the registered image with associated meta data comprising the metric. Further, image capturing apparatus is disclosed, comprising an image sensor; optics arranged to project an image on the image sensor; a signal processor arranged to receive signals provided by the image sensor, to determine motions present in the image, and to determine a metric representing an amount of the motions; and a memory arranged to store a registered image with associated meta data comprising the metric. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295958 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING A DISPLAY AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUCH AN APPARATUS - A portable electronic apparatus includes a display, a user position estimating unit and a display movement estimating unit. The user position estimating unit is for estimating the user position with respect to the display. The display movement estimating unit is for estimating the display movement. The apparatus is configured for estimating the user position, here referred to as initial user position, at least at a first moment; and, during at least an interval of time after the first moment, estimating the display movement, and controlling the display content based on the initial user position and the display movement. The invention also relates a method for controlling such an apparatus and to a computer program therefor. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295959 | RED-EYE FILTER METHOD AND APPARATUS - A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and/or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295960 | VIDEO CAMERA WITH MULTIFUNCTION CONNECTION PORTS - A digital device including a processor that includes a first unit configured to receive signals in accordance with a first communications protocol and a second unit configured to receive signals in accordance with a second communications protocol. The digital device further includes a data connector coupled to the processor and operable in accordance with the first communications protocol, a switch coupled to the data connector and configured to further couple the data connector to either the first unit or the second unit, and a sensor coupled to the switch, where upon activation of the sensor, a switching signal is transmitted from the sensor to the switch that causes the switch to uncouple the data connector from the first unit and couple the data connector to the second unit to make the data connector operable in accordance with the second communications protocol. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295961 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE COMPOSITION METHOD - An imaging apparatus is provided that includes an image sensor, a composite image processor, a position detector, and a determiner. The image sensor captures an object image through a lens system. The composite image processor merges together a plurality of images captured by the image sensor to produce a composite image. The position detector obtains information related to the position of the apparatus. The determiner evaluates the availability of the composite image. The availability of the composite image is determined with reference to the variation between the position of the apparatus at the beginning of a first exposure and at the beginning of subsequent exposures that are carried out to capture the plurality of images. The positional variation is obtained from this information. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295962 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND HDRI METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor and a processor that merges together a plurality of images captured by said image sensor to produce a composite image. The positions or the plurality of images being adjusted to reduce displacement of a reference area that is determined within each one of said plurality of images before the plurality of images is merged together. The reference area includes at least one of an in-focus area determined by a focusing operation, a face area determined by face-sensing processes, a predetermined-color area determined by white-balance information and predetermined color information, and a predetermined-brightness area determined by photometry. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295963 | CAMERA SYSTEM, CAMERA BODY, AND INTERCHANGEABLE LENS UNIT - A camera body includes a body mount, a first imaging sensor, an information acquisition section, and an imaging sensor selector. The information acquisition section is configured to acquire imaging sensor information from the interchangeable lens unit. The imaging sensor selector selects a first imaging sensor as the selected imaging sensor on the basis of the imaging sensor information when an interchangeable lens unit that guides an optical image to the first imaging sensor is mounted to the body mount, and selects a second imaging sensor as the selected imaging sensor on the basis of the imaging sensor information when an interchangeable lens unit having this second imaging sensor is mounted to the body mount. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295964 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSOR FOR A DIGITAL CAMERA - There is provided a digital image processor. An exemplary digital image processor comprises a pre-processor arranged to pre-process received digital images having a first resolution into a lower resolution to form pre-processed digital images. The pre-processor may be arranged to output the pre-processed digital images to a display independently from the received digital images being stored for subsequent post-processing. The exemplary digital image processor may also comprise a post-processor arranged to post-process received digital images that have been stored for post-processing. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295965 | System and Method for a High Dynamic Range Sensitive Sensor Element or Array - A high dynamic range sensitive sensor element or array is provided which uses phase domain integration techniques to accurately capture high and low intensity images. The sensor element of the present invention is not limited by dynamic range characteristics exhibited by prior art solid-state pixel structures and is thus capable of capturing a full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to provide a high quality output image. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302393 | SELF-PORTRAIT ASSISTANCE IN IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES - A method may include determining whether an image area of an image capture device includes an image associated with a user/owner of the image capture device. Self-portrait optimization processing is performed when the image area includes an image associated with a user/owner. An image is captured based on the self-portrait optimization processing. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302394 | BLINKED EYE ARTIFACT REMOVAL FOR A DIGITAL IMAGING DEVICE - A method for removing a blinked eye artifact from an image captured by a digital imaging device includes storing multiple images of a subject captured during a burst shot mode of a digital imaging device. The method also includes identifying a presence of a blinked eye artifact on a selected image of the subject upon a receipt of the selected image. The method further includes modifying the blinked eye artifact on the selected image with an open eye image from the multiple images of the subject captured during the burst shot mode. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302395 | Environment And/Or Target Segmentation - A depth image of a scene may be observed or captured by a capture device. The depth image may include a human target and an environment. One or more pixels of the depth image may be analyzed to determine whether the pixels in the depth image are associated with the environment of the depth image. The one or more pixels associated with the environment may then be discarded to isolate the human target and the depth image with the isolated human target may be processed. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302396 | Axicon Lens Array - An optical lens array for imaging and illumination applications is provided. The lens array comprises a first axicon at a first end of the array, a second axicon positioned distally from the first axicon along an optical axis and a third axicon positioned distally from the second axicon along the optical axis. The third axicon provides an objective lens to a focal region or focus region. The third axicon is positioned at a fixed location in the array wherein the distance between the first and second axicons can be altered to control the position of the focal region defined by the depth of field for imaging applications and depth of focus for illumination applications of the third axicon. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302397 | Motion image data generator, system using motion image data, and methods thereof - The present invention discloses a motion image data generator, a system using motion image data, and methods relating to the generator and the system. The motion image data generator comprises: a photo sensor for capturing an image and converting it to digital image data; and a motion detection and processing circuit coupled to the photo sensor for comparing two digital image data outputted from the photo sensor to determine whether there is an object moving, and generating a corresponding output. In determining whether there is a movement, an object which keeps moving by a fixed frequency is filtered out. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302398 | Digital camera dust error photographed image correction - Provided are an apparatus of and method for correcting dust spot position in which a position of a dust spot is detected from an image and corrected in a digital image processing apparatus. The dust spot position correcting apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus includes: a dust sensor sensing dust attached on an imaging device that captures an image; and a digital signal processing unit correcting the sensed dust spot with a color value of the surroundings of a position of the dust spot. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302399 | HIGH LINEAR DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING - A method for digital processing comprises receiving a first set of image data corresponding to a first time and a second set of image data corresponding to a different time. Intensity values for each of a first pixel and second pixel are extracted from each of the first and second set of image data. Substantially linear values in a plurality of intensity values are identified for each of the first and second pixels. For each of the first and second pixels, regression is performed on each of the substantially linear values in the plurality of intensity values. The regression may calculate an intensity level as a function of exposure time. The regression may generate slopes corresponding to the linear values for each of the first and second pixels. These slopes more accurately represent the actual ratio of intensity values. The ratios are useful in applications, such as, for example, polarization. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302400 | Specific Color Detection Applicator - A specific color detection circuit shows an RGB input pixel and an RGB color signal to be detected in a three-dimensional coordinate, calculates a first distance from an origin to a foot of a perpendicular drawn from the coordinate of the RGB input pixel to a straight line connecting the origin and the coordinate of the RGB color signal or a coordinate with the same RGB ratio as the signal and a second distance from the coordinate of the input pixel to the foot, and detects a hue of a signal of the input pixel. The circuit generates a detection region in a color-difference direction according to the first distance and the hue, calculates a third distance based on the first distance for the detection region and judges the input pixel as being in a predetermined color detection region when the third distance is longer than the second distance. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302401 | Image Audio Processing Apparatus And Image Sensing Apparatus - An image audio processing portion includes an image analysis portion for analyzing an input image, a directivity control portion for controlling a directivity of an input audio signal based on a result of analysis by the image analysis portion so as to generate an output audio signal, and a display image generating portion for generating a display image by superimposing an image indicating a state of the output audio signal on the input image. A user can recognize a state of the output audio signal by checking the display image. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302402 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: a straight edge detection section that detects a straight edge of an object in at least one of first and second original images obtained by capturing the identical object from two different viewpoints; a first morphing processing section that performs a first morphing process, which does not include parallelization of the original images, on the original images to generate a first intermediate image seen from a virtual viewpoint between the two viewpoints; a distortion determination section that determines whether or not an edge of the object in the first intermediate image that corresponds to the straight edge detected by the straight edge detection section is distorted; and a second morphing processing section that, if the edge is distorted, performs a second morphing process, which includes parallelization of the original images, on the original images to generate a second intermediate image seen from the virtual viewpoint. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302403 | Generating Images With Different Fields Of View - According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a camera and an image processor. The camera receives light reflected from a scene and generates image data from the light, where the image data represents the scene. The image processor receives the image data and generates a first image signal according to the image data. The first image signal is operable to yield a first image representing a first field of view of the scene, The image processor generates a second image signal according to the image data. The second image signal is operable to yield a second field of view of the scene that is different from the first field of view. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302404 | Information processing apparatus, method, and program - An information processing apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a color gamut conversion method that converts a color gamut of content data into a desired color gamut in accordance with the use of the content data; and a color gamut conversion unit for performing the color gamut conversion with respect to the content data by a method based on the control of the control unit. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302405 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensing device for sensing light representing a subject image; a first component extractor for extracting a first component having a predetermined frequency out of a photographic image obtained by the image sensing device; a second component extractor for extracting a second component having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first component out of the photographic image; a compressor for compressing a dynamic range of the first component extracted by the first component extractor with a predetermined compression ratio; an image generator for generating an image based on a compressed first component obtained by compressing the dynamic range of the first component by the compressor, and the second component extracted by the second component extractor; and a compression correction coefficient calculator for calculating a compression correction coefficient used in compressing the first component, using the second component extracted by the second component extractor, wherein the compressor determines the compression ratio in such a manner that the larger compression correction coefficient increases the compression ratio based on the compression correction coefficient calculated by the compression correction coefficient calculator, and compresses the dynamic range of the first component based on the determined compression ratio. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309327 | CAMERA - A camera includes an image capture unit, a storage unit, a selection unit, and a processing unit. The image capture unit captures images. The storage unit stores a number of detection modules. The selection unit selects one or more detection modules. The processing unit executes one or more detection modules according to the selection unit, to detect specified features within the images captured by the image capture unit. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309328 | METHOD OF DETERMINATION OF GLASS SURFACE SHAPES AND OPTICAL DISTORTION BY REFLECTED OPTICAL IMAGING - A non-contact, opto-electronic method to determine glass surface shape involves pattern projection in reflection from a screen. The pattern is formed of black and white or coloured squares with a central reference pattern taken as origin of the x-y axes in the subsequent quantitative analysis of the optical distortion in formed glass sheets or panels. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309329 | PIXEL SHIFT TYPE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes, on an imaging surface, a plurality of unit pixel regions being arrayed at a first pixel pitch along a Y direction and at a second pixel pitch along an X direction. One of two adjoining unit pixel regions | 12-09-2010 |
20100309330 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORECASTING SHADOWING FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - In a method for forecasting shadowing of a photovoltaic (PV) system due to cloud formation or movement, part of the firmament is imaged with fisheye optics onto the input optics of a digital camera. Pixel groups associated with luminous intensity ranges are formed. The spatial arrangement of the groups is analyzed to forecast shadowing of a photovoltaic system. A line extending from the PV system to the sun is formed and is continuously tracked. A reference line located inside a region around the line is formed. Passage of clouds across a reference line is analyzed. The result of the analysis is used to increase the electric power from the PV system to a minimum value through supply of additional backup energy or to reduce the electric power consumption by disconnecting users to ensure that key users do not experience a drop in supplied power below a minimum value. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309331 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - An electronic device and a photographing method thereof are provided. The photographing method of the electronic device includes the following steps. Whether an intelligent photographing function is active is determined, and a current air pressure is detected while the intelligent photographing function is active. Whether the current air pressure is greater than a predetermined air pressure is determined, and a frame is captured while the current air pressure is greater than the predetermined air pressure. | 12-09-2010 |
20100315522 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DYNAMIC PICTURE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - An object image transformation information calculation section ( | 12-16-2010 |
20100315523 | OBJECT DETECTION USING AN IN-SENSOR DETECTOR - Systems and methods are provided for detecting an object of object class, such as faces, in an image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor can provide a scan sequence that scans a scene over multiple time intervals. The image sensor can scan, in succession, portions of a scene, where each of the portions covers a different amount or location of the scene. This way, the scanned portions can be saved in an image buffer that is sized significantly smaller than an entire frame. In some embodiments, when the image sensor detects the presence of an object of the object class, the image sensor can store positional information (e.g., location and size of the object) in a region of interest buffer. The image sensor can output the positional information to aid an electronic device, such as a camera, perform various functions, such as automatic exposure and color balancing. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315524 | INTEGRATED MOTION CAPTURE - A method including: applying a marking material having a known pattern to a body and a face of an actor; configuring at least one first video motion capture camera to capture the marking material on the body of the actor; configuring at least one second video motion capture camera to capture the marking material on the face of the actor; substantially simultaneously capturing body motion data using the at least one first video motion capture camera and facial motion data using the at least one second video motion capture camera; and integrating the body motion data and the facial motion data. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315525 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a control unit which switches between a first display mode and a second display mode based on whether a zoom state is equal to or greater than a predetermined zoom magnification. The imaging apparatus, in a zoom state where a part of an imaging area is clipped and recorded, switches between the first display mode, which displays on a display unit a clipped recording area, and the second display mode, which displays on the display unit an area which is wider than the clipped recording area. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315526 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE WITH AUTOMATIC FOCUS FUNCTION - An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a detection unit, an area setting unit, and a focusing unit. The image capturing unit captures an image. The detection unit detects a shape of an image area of an observed subject to be focused in the captured image. The area setting unit sets one or more contrast evaluation areas according to the shape of the detected image area. The focusing unit causes the image capturing unit to focus based on image data in the set contrast evaluation areas. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315527 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An apparatus that can display an area wider than a recording area as a display area in a zoom mode, in which a portion of an imaging area is clipped and recorded, includes an image processing unit that keeps constant or increases a ratio of a display area to a clipped recording area when the size of clipped recording areas is made gradually smaller relative to the imaging area, and keeps constant or decreases the ratio of the display area to the clipped recording area when the size of clipped recording area is gradually made larger relative to the imaging area. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315528 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED THEREON PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer readable program product having recorded thereon a program for executing the method. The method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes: calculating a distance from the digital photographing apparatus to at least one of a plurality of subject regions; calculating a diaphragm distance by using a focal length calculated based on a diaphragm setting value that indicates a degree of opening of a diaphragm; comparing the distance from the digital photographing apparatus to at least one of a plurality of subject regions with the diaphragm distance; determining whether or not the at least one subject region is in focus, according to the result of comparison; and providing focus information that indicates whether or not the at least one subject region is in focus. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315529 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus includes an input unit configured to input image data, a reduced image generation unit configured to reduce the input image data to a predetermined resolution to generate reduced image data, and a control unit configured to record, on a recording medium, the reduced image data as one file with the input image data if a resolution of the input image data is larger than the predetermined resolution and to record, on the recording medium, the image data as a file if the resolution of the input image data is not larger than the predetermined resolution. | 12-16-2010 |
20100321512 | METHOD FOR CREATING AND REPRODUCTION OF PANORAIMC SOUND IMAGE, AND DEVICE FOR REPRODUCTION OF SUCH AN IMAGE - The present invention relates to a method to create and reproduce a panoramic sound image. Initially, there is a plurality of images associated with sound sequences, these images are for example taken using a camera, this camera having recorded the ambient sound at the time of taking the photograph. The ambient sound is then filtered to keep only the stationary component. Then, the images are concatenated to form a unique image called “panoramic”, each sound sequence being associated with a part of the panoramic image containing the image associated with this sequence. Finally, the commands are introduced to display the parts of the panoramic image. The command also enables to reproduce continually the stationary component of at least a sound content associated with at least a displayed part of the panoramic image. According to an improvement, the sound sequence is reproduced continually until the introduction of a new command. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321513 | CONTENT ADAPTIVE DETECTION OF IMAGES WITH STAND-OUT OBJECT - Content adaptive detection of images having stand-out objects involves block variance-based detection and determining if an object includes a stand-out object. The images with a stand-out object are further processed to isolate an object of interest. The images without a detected stand-out object are further processed with a transition map-based detection method which includes generating a transition map. If an object portrait is determined from the transition map, then the image is further processed to isolate the object of interest. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321514 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMAGE CAPTURE AND PROCESSING - Image capture and processing methods and systems are provided. First, an image is captured via an image capture unit. Then, a plurality of smaller images is created according to the image, and the image and the smaller images are stored into an image file. The resolutions of the respective smaller images are the same. Then, the smaller images are obtained from the image file. The smaller images are combined to obtain a specific image, and the specific image is displayed in a display unit. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321515 | IMAGING APPARATUS, FOCUSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus, comprises: an imaging section; a detecting section to detect an image area of a subject from an image imaged by the imaging section; an area setting section to set one or a plurality of evaluation areas to calculate focusing evaluation values in the image area of the subject detected by the detecting section; a calculating section to calculate the focusing evaluation values with regard to the one or the plurality of evaluation areas set by the area setting section; and a focusing section to be in focus based on a calculated result by the calculating section. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321516 | DIGITAL CAMERA APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM FOR RECORDING COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR SUCH APPARATUS - In a digital camera apparatus, drive mode of CCD is set to AF mode in AF controlling operation (at step S | 12-23-2010 |
20100321517 | IMAGER THAT PHOTOGRAPHS AN IMAGE USING A ROLLING SHUTTER - An imager is provided having an imaging sensor and a focusing detector. The imaging sensor reads stored charges in a positive or negative direction and outputs image data created from the read charges. The comparator calculates a differential between first image data output by said imaging sensor and second image data output by the imaging sensor immediately after the first image data is output, and determines whether the differential is larger than a first threshold value. The composer creates composite image data from the data of two images output by the imaging sensor. In the case that the comparator determines that the differential is larger than the first threshold value the composer creates composite image data from the second image data and negatively scanned image data that is obtained by scanning the second image in the negative direction, which is opposite to the scanning direction of the second image data. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321518 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A solid-state image pickup device including a photoelectric conversion element, a floating diffusion, and an element isolation region that are disposed above a first semiconductor region has a second semiconductor region of a first conductivity type disposed on the first semiconductor region. An interface between the first semiconductor region and a portion of the second semiconductor region corresponding to the photoelectric conversion element is located at a first depth, whereas the interface between the first semiconductor region and a portion of the second semiconductor region disposed under the element isolation region and the floating diffusion is located at a second depth smaller than the first depth. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321519 | PERSONALIZING CONTENT BASED ON MOOD - In order to increase the efficacy of a mood-based playlisting system, a mood sensor such as a camera may be used to provide mood information to the mood model. When the mood sensor includes a camera, a camera may be used to capture an image of the user. The image is analyzed to determine a mood for the user so that content may be selected responsive to the mood of the user. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321520 | DIGITAL CAMERA AND METHOD - Digital camera contrast enhancement with piecewise-linear transform with lower and upper cutoffs for the transform determined from histogram analysis with a green color conversion approximation for images and IIR parameter filtering for videos. | 12-23-2010 |
20100328475 | Infrared-Aided Depth Estimation - Systems and methods are disclosed for creating image maps. Some embodiments include a method comprising the steps of: capturing a first image illuminated by natural light and capturing a second image illuminated by infrared light. The second image may be captured at the same time as the first image. The R, G, and B values for each pixel in the first image may be determined. The intensity for each pixel in the first image may be calculated. An IR intensity for each pixel in the second image may be calculated. A depth value may then be estimated for each pixel using the ratio of the IR intensity and the intensity of corresponding pixels in the first and second images. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328476 | OPTICAL PROCESSING OF SURFACES TO DETERMINE CLEANLINESS - Techniques are described for determining cleanliness of various surfaces by processing images of the surfaces. The surfaces may comprise, for example, drinking glasses, dishes, fabric swatch arrays, Tosi plates, ceramic tiles, or stainless steel coupons. In one example, a system includes a camera to capture a digital image of a surface, a light source to illuminate the surface, a housing to enclose the surface, the camera, and the light source in a light-tight environment, and an analysis computer to receive the digital image, calculate a luminosity value for the surface from the digital image, and determine a cleanliness value for the surface from the calculated luminosity value. The analysis computer may automatically configure an environment in which to capture the digital image such that the environment is suited for the particular surface to be analyzed. The analysis computer may also cause the camera to automatically capture the digital image. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328477 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, DIGITAL CAMERA, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processor ( | 12-30-2010 |
20100328478 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, RADIATION IMAGING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING RADIATION IMAGING DEVICE - Disclosed herein is a photoelectric conversion device having unit pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the unit pixels including: a photoelectric conversion element; a source follower readout transistor configured to receive a signal charge arising from photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element by a gate, and read out an electrical signal dependent on the signal charge; and a correction circuit configured to reset gate potential of the readout transistor to Vref+Vth prior to signal readout by the readout transistor, if a reference potential given to the gate of the readout transistor is defined as Vref and threshold voltage of the readout transistor is defined as Vth. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328479 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an image sensor having a plurality of pixels and a control section that sets an imaging sensitivity at a time of imaging. Each of the pixels includes a first light receiving element that generates a first image signal, a second light receiving element that generates a second image signal higher in the sensitivity than the first image signal under a same condition, and an output circuit capable of adding the first image signal and the second image signal. The control section specifies an output signal of each of the pixels from the first image signal, the second image signal, and an additional image signal of the first image signal and the second image signal in accordance with an SN ratio at the imaging sensitivity. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328480 | LENS-INTERCHANGEABLE CAMERA AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Image processing parameters including the sensor pitch, optical low-pass filter, and spectral transmittances of color component filters of an image sensor are transmitted to a photographing lens. After the start of image capturing, it is determined whether to send a transmission request of recovery filters to the photographing lens. To send the transmission request, capturing parameters set for image capturing are sent to the photographing lens. Recovery filters corresponding to the capturing parameters, which is created by the photographing lens based on the image processing parameters, are received from the photographing lens, and stored in a memory. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328481 | Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and image capturing program - An image capturing apparatus previously captures a calibration image that serves as a reference when a distance to an object is calculated, and calculates, when an image of the object is captured using a monocular camera, the distance from the lens of the camera to the object using the calibration image and the distance from the lens of the camera to the calibration image. In this case, the image capturing apparatus measures the distance from the lens of the camera to one or more arbitrary points on the object, calculates the diffuse reflection coefficient of the object using the measured distance, the luminance on each of one or more arbitrary points, the distance to the calibration image, and the luminance, and calculates the distance to the object from the lens of the camera to the object using the calculated diffuse reflection coefficient. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328482 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT THE METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus capable of acquiring data about an image having a wide dynamic range and a high grayscale resolution, a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program to implement the method are provided. An embodiment includes an imaging device that acquires a reference image and additional images at different exposures and a multi-level threshold map generation unit that classifies the pixels of the images into levels according to brightness. The embodiment further includes a motion data acquiring unit that acquires motion data for each pixel based on its respective brightness level and a first weight data acquiring unit that acquires first weight data based on the motion data of each pixel. In addition, the embodiment includes a final image data acquiring unit that synthesizes the pixels of the reference image and the additional images based on first weight data. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328483 | Circularly Symmetric Aspheric Optics Providing Non-Monotonic Wavefront Phase Profile and Extended Depth of Field - Systems and methods include imaging optics having one or more optical elements for modifying a wavefront of electromagnetic energy incident thereon. The wavefront, modified by the optical elements, exhibits a non-monotonic wavefront phase profile. The imaging optics are characterized by a modulation transfer function that is substantially invariant over a range of misfocus. The system optionally includes a detector for receiving the electromagnetic energy from the imaging optics. A method of maintaining modulation transfer invariance over a range of misfocus in an optical imaging system includes modifying a wavefront of electromagnetic energy incident to the optical imaging system such that the wavefront exhibits a non-monotonic wavefront phase profile and a substantially invariant modulation transfer function over the range of misfocus. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328484 | SHAPE MEASURING DEVICE - The present invention relates to a shape measuring device that can improve measurement accuracy. A liquid crystal element | 12-30-2010 |
20100328485 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING MODULE, ELECTRONIC STILL CAMERA, AND ELECTRONIC MOVIE CAMERA - An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels each configured to convert incident light to an electric charge signal and output the electric charge signal as a pixel signal, and a pixel binning unit configured to bin pixel signals from pixels adjacent to each other and output the binned pixel signal. The pixel binning unit performs first pixel binning operation of binning pixel signals from pixels on the same column and second pixel binning operation of binning pixels on the same row. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328486 | Foreground/Background Segmentation in Digital Images with Differential Exposure Calculations - A digital segmentation method and apparatus determines foreground and/or background within at least one portion of a captured image. The determining includes comparing a captured image to a pre-captured or post captured reference image of nominally the same scene. One of the images is taken with flash and the other without. The system can be implemented as part of a digital camera acquisition chain having effective computation complexity. | 12-30-2010 |
20110001839 | PICTURE CODING APPARATUS, PICTURE CODING METHOD AND VIDEO CAMERA - A picture coding apparatus includes a static area information calculating unit that calculates static area information indicating a size of a static area of which motion is smaller than a predetermined value for each of fields included in an interlaced picture, a reference field selecting unit that selects, as a reference field to be used to predict a field to be coded, one of a field having of the same parity as a field to be coded and a field having the opposite parity of the field to be coded, among fields previously coded, based on the static area information of the fields previously coded, and a coding unit that codes the field to be coded by using the reference field selected by the reference field selecting unit. | 01-06-2011 |
20110001840 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A tracking processing unit ( | 01-06-2011 |
20110007172 | Method and Apparatus for Determining the Best Blending of Overlapped Portions of Projected Images - A best blending function from among a plurality of blending functions is determined. Each of the plurality of blending functions smoothes an overlap region of at least two projected images. The overlap image is captured and a processing unit analyzes the stored overlap image for color value linearity to calculate a first smoothness result. The processing unit analyzes the projection of the first or second image for color value uniformity to calculate a second smoothness result. These smoothness results for one blending function are paired and compared to smoothness result pairs corresponding to other blending functions to determine a best blending function from among those being analyzed. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007173 | DRIVING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - In an amplifying type MOS sensor having a 3-transistor construction, when a frame rate is raised, an accumulation time of a frame just after the switching of a drive mode becomes short. When a gain correction is made to compensate a lack of accumulation time, a deterioration in picture quality is caused. A read out scan and a reset scan are executed in parallel in the frame before the switching of the drive mode, thereby preventing that a time period for resetting a pixel is overlapped with a time period for holding a pixel signal into a holding unit. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007174 | Identifying Facial Expressions in Acquired Digital Images - A face is detected and identified within an acquired digital image. One or more features of the face is/are extracted from the digital image, including two independent eyes or subsets of features of each of the two eyes, or lips or partial lips or one or more other mouth features and one or both eyes, or both. A model including multiple shape parameters is applied to the two independent eyes or subsets of features of each of the two eyes, and/or to the lips or partial lips or one or more other mouth features and one or both eyes. One or more similarities between the one or more features of the face and a library of reference feature sets is/are determined. A probable facial expression is identified based on the determining of the one or more similarities. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007175 | Imaging Device and Image Reproduction Device - An imaging device ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110007176 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing method includes a restore step of performing blur restoration for image data, an acquisition step of acquiring image-related information stored together with the image data, and an extraction step of extracting the range of object distances at which the blur restoration is performed, based on the image-related information. In the restore step, blur restoration is performed for the image data in the range of object distances extracted in the extraction step. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007177 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A photographing apparatus includes an imaging device that converts light of an image into an electrical signal, an image conversion unit that converts the electrical signal into image data, a scene recognition unit that recognizes the type of a scene to be photographed by analyzing the image data, a display unit that displays scene information regarding the recognized scene, a user input unit that receives user input, and a condition setting unit that locks a shooting condition as a shooting mode corresponding to the recognized type of the scene for photographing, according to the user input received via the user input unit. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007178 | CORRECTION OF SPOT AREA IN MEASURING BRIGHTNESS OF SAMPLE IN BIOSENSING DEVICE - A biosensing device for sensing brightness of a bio sample from frames of a video signal, has circuitry ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110007179 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - The solid state image sensor of this invention includes multiple units, each of which includes first and second photosensitive cells | 01-13-2011 |
20110007180 | Portable information terminal and image management program - A portable information terminal and an image management program are provided. A portable information terminal includes: a display part which has a screen capable of displaying at least an image; an in-focus value computing part which computes an in-focus value from an original image; an image cutting part which cuts a thumbnail image from the original image based on the in-focus value computed at the in-focus value computing part; a data storage part which stores data of the thumbnail image cut at the image cutting part; and a control part which reads the data of the thumbnail image stored in the data storage part as necessary and displays it on a screen of the display part. | 01-13-2011 |
20110013034 | METHOD FOR OPERATING DIGITAL CAMERA AND DIGITAL CAMERA USING THE SAME - The invention discloses an electronic device, including an image sensor and a central processing unit (CPU). The image sensor detects a plurality of image frames generated during the manipulation of the electronic device caused by external force. The CPU determines an electronic motion pattern of the plurality of image frames, determines whether the electronic motion pattern matches a predetermined motion pattern defining a functional operation of the electronic device, and performs the functional operation when the electronic motion pattern matches the predetermined motion pattern. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013035 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE - A method of processing an image, the method including converting a size of an image generated by photographing an individual subject by using a size of the individual subject in the image, and storing the image having the converted size. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013036 | Image pickup device and reproduction control method - An image pickup device includes an image pickup including an image pickup lens system and an image pickup element operable to obtain a pickup image; a recording device operable to record image data based on the pickup image to a predetermined recording medium; a reproducing section operable to reproduce the image data recorded in the recording medium; and a reproduction controller operable to control switching between an image pickup mode in which the image pickup operation by the image pickup and recording of the image data by the recording device are possible, and a reproduction mode in which the reproduction of the image data by the reproducing section is possible, to control the reproduction of the image data based on a last recorded image when the mode is changed to the reproduction mode for the first time after recording of the image data in the image pickup mode, and to control the reproduction of the image data based on a point at which the reproduction has been terminated in the previous reproduction mode when the mode is changed to the reproduction mode other than the first time after recording of the image data in the image pickup mode. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013037 | Head-Separated Camera Device - According to one embodiment, a head-separated camera device has an imaging unit, control unit configured to control the imaging unit and a connection unit configured to connect the imaging unit with the control unit, wherein the imaging unit comprises a sensor configured to capture an image, and a transmitter configured to transmit a video signal, a synchronization signal, and a clock signal, for recovering or reproducing the image captured by the sensor, and the control unit comprises detector configured to detect that the imaging unit is connected to the control unit if a preset value preset in the imaging unit is read via a control line, and a setting module configured to set a register setting in the sensor if the detector detects connection of the imaging unit. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013038 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGE INCLUDING MULTIPLE PEOPLE - Provided is an apparatus and a method for generating an image including multiple people, in which images are photographed, face images are detected from each of the photographed images, a face score for each of the face images detected from the photographed images is calculated, it is determined whether each of the face scores calculated for each of the face images is at least equal to a predetermined threshold, and each of face images having a highest face score for each of the face images is synthesized, to output the synthesized image as a final image, in order to generate a most satisfactory photographed image for a user. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013039 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An apparatus for improving the quality of a captured image may include a first computing unit, a second computing unit, and an advice generating unit. The first computing unit may be configured to compute a first value representing a first aspect of the quality of a first image. The second computing unit may be configured to compute a second value representing a second aspect of the quality of the first image. The advice generating unit may be configured to generate advice for capturing a second image based on at least one of the first and second computed values. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013040 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Disclosed are an image sensor and a local binning method in which binning is applied selectively. For example, binning is applied to pixels having low illumination and binning is not applied to non-low illumination pixels. Information on pixels having low illumination for a first image frame may be stored and used to perform binning with respect to areas of a second image frame corresponding to low illumination pixel areas determined with respect to the first image frame. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013041 | SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE AND PROJECTION-TYPE IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE - A signal processing device ( | 01-20-2011 |
20110013042 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Each pixel includes a photo-electric converter, transfer switch, charge-voltage conversion node, amplifier, and control switch. A solid-state image sensor includes a voltage controller which controls the voltage of the charge-voltage conversion node of each pixel via the control switch of the pixel. A voltage set at the charge-voltage conversion node by the voltage controller via the control switch includes a first voltage (VD | 01-20-2011 |
20110013043 | Digital Image Processing Using Face Detection and Skin Tone Information - A technique for processing a digital image uses face detection to achieve one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that corresponds to a face image within the digital image. A skin tone is detected for the face image by determining one or more default color or tonal values, or combinations thereof, for the group of pixels. Values of one or more parameters are adjusted for the group of pixels that correspond to the face image based on the detected skin tone. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013044 | PERFECTING THE EFFECT OF FLASH WITHIN AN IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICES USING FACE DETECTION - Within a digital acquisition device with a built in flash unit, the exposure of an acquired digital image is perfected using face detection in the acquired image is provided. Groups of pixels that correspond to plural images of faces are identified within a digitally acquired image, and corresponding image attributes to the group of pixels are determined. An analysis is performed of the corresponding attributes of the groups of pixels. It is then determined to activate the built-in flash unit based on the analysis. An intensity of the built-in flash unit is determined based on the analysis. Alternatively based on similar analysis, a digital simulation of the fill flash is performed on the image. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013045 | CMOS IMAGE SENSOR WITH PROCESSOR CONTROLLED INTEGRATION TIME - An image sensor that has one or more pixels within a pixel array. The pixels are arranged within a plurality of rows within the array. Each row of the pixel array can be selected by a row decoder in response to an edge of a control signal. The control signal may be one of a plurality of signals generated by a processor coupled to the image sensor. The processor can control the exposure time of the pixels by varying the control signals. The control signals may also have an embedded narrow pulse that is used to determine the location of a “window” in the pixel array. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013046 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a reference signal generating circuit for supplying, commonly to the plurality of A/D conversion circuits, at least two reference signals of which signal levels change toward different directions of electric potential, and the A/D conversion circuit includes an amplifier; an input capacitor having one terminal receiving the analog signal and the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generating circuit, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback capacitor connected between the one input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier; a comparator for comparing, with a comparing level, an output from the output terminal of the amplifier; and a connection capacitor having one terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the comparator. | 01-20-2011 |
20110019018 | Image comprssion system in coordination with camera motion - An image compression system in coordination with camera motion includes a camera for capturing motion pictures; a motion detection device structurally connected with the camera for detecting motions of the camera; an image compression electrically connected with the camera for compressing the motion pictures; and a motion vector receiver electrically connected with the motion diction device and the image compression device for receiving motion signals generated by the motions and then transmitting the motion signals to the image compression device, whereby the image compression device can refer to the motion signals for calculation while compressing the motion pictures. Accordingly, the image compression system can compress the images in coordination with the camera motion and meanwhile eliminate the minor vibrations in the images. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019019 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPH IN CAMERA DEVICE - A method for processing photograph in a camera device, the method includes the following steps. A scene in view of the camera device is divided into at least two regions according to optimum exposure values for the two regions. A basic exposure value is set in the camera device, and an original photograph of the scene is taken at the basic exposure value. The original photograph is divided into at least two parts according to the at least two regions of the scene. Two optimum exposure values are set for the at least two parts of the original photograph respectively. The at least two parts of the original photograph are processed at the two corresponding optimum exposure values respectively. The at least two separately processed parts of the original photograph are combined together to produce a new photograph. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019020 | ADDING INFORMATION OR FUNCTIONALITY TO A RENDERED DOCUMENT VIA ASSOCIATION WITH AN ELECTRONIC COUNTERPART - An action plan data structure for one or more selected rendered documents is described. The data structure contains information specifying an action to perform automatically in response to a text capture from any of the selected rendered documents. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019021 | COMPOSITION DETERMINATION DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, COMPOSITION DETERMINATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A composition determination device includes: subject detection means configured to detect a specific subject in an image based on image data; rotation angle detection means configured to detect a rotation angle of a specific target portion in an image section in the image, corresponding to a detected subject which is the subject detected by the subject detecting means; and composition determination means configured to determine a composition on the basis of the rotation angle. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019022 | ACTIVE PIXEL SENSOR APPARATUS FOR USE IN A STAR TRACKER DEVICE - The invention relates to an active-pixel-sensor (APS) apparatus for use in a star tracker device including an imager chip, said imager chip comprising an array of photo-diodes operating as optical pixels, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit is configured for reading out a pixel signal depending on an amount of light irradiated during a predetermined integration time and resetting the optical pixel upon termination of the predetermined integration time processing the pixel signals and to output the modified signals and for performing a non-destructive readout of the pixel signal during the integration time In order to distinguish Single-Event-Upset (SEU) contributions to the signal from star signal contributions, it is proposed to further configure the logic circuit to detect whether or not a discontinuity has occurred in the pixel signal during the integration time, and to modify the signal depending on the result of this detection. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019023 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An obtaining unit obtains image data. An image processing unit performs, on the image data, image processing including gradation conversion processing according to an input/output characteristic defined by a gradation curve formed only of an exponential component represented by y=k·x | 01-27-2011 |
20110019024 | APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND REPRODUCING VIDEO IMAGES - When captured video image data are encoded and recorded in a recording medium as video image encoded data, a predefined action of an image pickup device is detected. Then, a cue position is determined on the basis of the predefined action thus detected, and a GOP structure is changed. Thus, the cue position can be determined without any instruction directly inputted by a user, and the GOP structure of the cue position can also be changed. As a result, any unnecessary data transfer can be omitted, and an image quality can be prevented from deteriorating in editing and reproducing the video image data. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019025 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR DEVICE HAVING SIGNAL NOISE REDUCTION CIRCUITRY - A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of an array, column signal lines adapted to transmit pixel signals output from pixels in respective columns, a noise adding unit adapted to add temporally constant and two-dimensional spatially random noise to the pixel signals transmitted via the column signal lines, and an analog-to-digital converter adapted to convert a signal level and a reference level of each pixel signal including the noise added thereto by the noise adding unit. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019026 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image processing system providing a monitor image in which an image of a characteristic region is easily viewed. The image processing system includes an image obtaining section that obtains a moving image; a characteristic region information obtaining section that obtains information indicating positions of characteristic regions in a plurality of moving image constituting images included in the moving image; and an image generating section that generates display images having substantially the same size as each other, by reducing or enlarging each of images of the characteristic regions included in the plurality of moving image constituting images, based on the positions indicated by the information obtained by the characteristic region information obtaining section. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019027 | Imaging Device - An imaging device includes: a tracking processing portion which tracks a tracking target on a series of frame images based on an output signal of an image sensor; a tracking reliability evaluation portion which, based on the output signal of the image sensor, evaluates a degree of reliability of tracking by the tracking processing portion, and classifies the degree into one of a plurality of levels; and a display portion which displays the series of frame images. A tracking target icon corresponding to a tracking target and a level icon indicating an evaluated degree of reliability are displayed on a display screen. A degree of reliability is classified into one of a plurality of levels and indicated by the level icon. The tracking target icon is expressed by using the same color as that of (the clothes of) the tracking target. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019028 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising an imaging pixel for receiving light through an opening with a center position coincident with the optical axis of a microlens, first and second focus detection pixels for receiving pupil-divided light through a first and second opening offset in first and second directions from the optical axis of a microlens, respectively; ROM for storing shading correction data; correction coefficient generation unit for generating shading correction coefficients respectively for the imaging pixel, and the first and second focus detection pixels from the shading correction data; and correction unit for subjecting a signal for the imaging pixel to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficient for the imaging pixel, and subjecting signals for the first and second focus detection pixels to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficients for the first and second focus detection pixels. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025867 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELONGATING PIXEL DATA - A device, methods and system for improving the contrast ratio of an image of an optical code captured by an image capture device. A command implemented by the image capture device of the form “shift and add” causes the image capture device to generate a modified row of pixel data having improved contrast from a plurality of pixel rows in the image capture device. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025868 | Visual Occultation to Measure Refractivity Profile - Presented is a system and method for measuring the refractivity profile of a parcel of atmosphere comprising an image capturing device for capturing an image of a visual feature, such as a topographic feature like the horizon, combined with a lens having focal length adapted to focus an image onto image capturing device such that the combination of the lens and the image capturing device are adapted to resolve at least 100 microradians of angle, and an image processor adapted to compare a detected position of the visual feature in the image to the expected position of the visual feature. The system uses the difference between the detected position and the expected position to detect the change in arrival angle caused by atmospheric refraction of light from the visual feature as it passes through the atmosphere. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025869 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING COMPRESSED FILE, CAMERA MODULE ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, AND TERMINAL INCLUDING THE SAME - Provided are an apparatus for generating a compressed file, which includes a storage unit storing frame data including compressed image data; a header generator generating a header based on the frame data; and a file generator generating a compressed image file including the header and the compressed image data, a method for generating a compressed file, a camera module associated with the apparatus, and a terminal including the apparatus and the camera module. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025870 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSIVE IMAGING DEVICE - A new digital image/video camera that directly acquires random projections of the incident light field without first collecting the pixels/voxels. In one preferred embodiment, the camera employs a digital micromirror array to perform optical calculations of linear projections of an image onto pseudorandom binary patterns. Its hallmarks include the ability to obtain an image with only a single detection element while measuring the image/video fewer times than the number of pixels or voxels—this can significantly reduce the computation required for image/video acquisition/encoding. Since the system features a single photon detector, it can also be adapted to image at wavelengths that are currently impossible with conventional CCD and CMOS imagers. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025871 | Solid-state imaging device and camera system - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels that perform photoelectric conversion are arranged in an optical black region and a valid pixel region; a readout processing unit that applies, to a readout signal of the pixel unit, readout processing corresponding to a reference signal subjected to clamp processing; and a clamp processing unit that clamps, referring to a readout signal level in the optical black region, a reference signal in the valid pixel region with an acquired clamp value, which is a value with which the signal level is reduced to zero. The clamp processing unit acquires, when information concerning readout is changed, a clamp value predicted from the clamp value before the change and a ratio of charge accumulation times before and after the change, and the readout processing unit performs first signal readout processing after the change with a reference signal clamped by the predicted clamp value. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025872 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including: a semiconductor layer in which a photodiode for carrying out photoelectric conversion is formed; a first film containing negative fixed charges and formed on the semiconductor layer in a region in which at least the photodiode is formed by utilizing either an atomic layer deposition method or a metal organic chemical vapor deposition method; a second film containing the negative fixed charges and formed on the first film containing therein the negative fixed charges by utilizing a physical vapor deposition method; and a third film containing the negative fixed charges and formed on the second film containing therein the negative fixed charges by utilizing either the atomic layer deposition method or the metal organic chemical vapor deposition method. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025873 | IMAGE SEARCH DEVICE, IMAGE SEARCH METHOD, AND IMAGE SEARCH PROGRAM - An image search device includes: a shooting unit configured to photographically shoot a subject; a display unit; a control unit configured to display a search key for image search on the display unit according to a shooting situation at the time of a shooting mode whereby the subject can photographically be shot by the shooting unit; a specifying unit which is used for specifying the search key displayed on the display unit; and a searching unit configured to search, in the event of the search key being specified via the specifying unit, an image based on the search key thus specified; with the control unit displaying, in the event of the image being searched by the searching unit, this search result on the display unit. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025874 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image capture device includes: a digital processing unit that performs predetermined processing on pixel data containing first, second, and third digital signals obtained from pixel units having a valid pixel area for generating the first digital signals through photoelectrical conversion of incident image light, an optical black pixel area for generating the second digital signals, and a dummy pixel area for generating the third digital signals; an adding unit that adds the second-and-third-digital-signal-containing pixel data or the third-digital-signal-containing pixel data a predetermined number of times; a dividing unit that divides the added pixel data by the predetermined number of times, to determine an average value of levels of the digital signals; a delay unit that delays output of the first-to-third-digital-signal-containing pixel data by a predetermined amount of time; and a multiplexer that selects and outputs the first-to-third-digital-signal-containing pixel data or pixel data having the average value. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025875 | IMAGING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system that forms an image of an object in an image-pickup element, and a pixel shift control section that causes the image of the object formed in the image-pickup element to be shifted by a shift amount s, and then sampled. A storage section stores a plurality of field images that are obtained when the image-pickup element performs an imaging operation each time the image of the object is shifted by the shift amount s. An image generation section generates a frame image based on the plurality of field images, and sequentially outputs the generated frame image every field. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025876 | Identification Method - A method for identifying an object involves transmitted at least one electronic image of the object to be identified to an evaluation unit. The electronic image is compared in the evaluation unit for matches with at least one electronic image of the object to be identified stored in a database, or at least one object having an identical or similar shape, and the evaluation unit then outputs the data stored in the database for the at least one image detected as a sufficient match. | 02-03-2011 |
20110025877 | Imaging System Including Distributed Phase Modification And Associated Methods - An imaging system for imaging a range of field points over on- and off-axis fields includes an image sensor for capturing image data, and first and second optical elements that are spaced apart and cooperate to image light at the image sensor. The first and second optical elements are configured to jointly modify phase of the light transmitted therethrough such that point-spread functions (“PSFs”) corresponding to the range field points are substantially uniform over on- and off-axis fields. | 02-03-2011 |
20110032373 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGES - An apparatus and method of processing images is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a selection of a first image from a plurality of images stored at a memory device and displaying the first image. The method also includes receiving image modification data to modify processing of the first image displayed and providing an adjusted value of an image processing parameter to an image processor. The adjusted value of the image processing parameter is determined based at least in part on the image modification data. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032374 | Image correction apparatus and method and method of making transformation map for the same - An image correction apparatus, an image correction method and a transformation map making method are disclosed. The apparatus includes an imaging device, a memory section, a corrected image creation section and a display device. The imaging device has an optical axis inclined upward or downward with respect to a ground surface, and captures an image. The corrected image creation section transforms the captured image into a corrected image in accordance with a transformation map stored in the memory section, thereby making a correction on inclination of a display object with respect to a vertical direction. The display device displays the corrected image. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032375 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an imaging unit, a buffer unit, an image processing unit, a processing determining unit and a power control unit. The imaging unit has an imaging sensor converting a subject image into an electrical signal and generates an image data of a photographed image. The buffer unit has a terminating resistor and temporarily stores the image data. The image processing unit performs image processing on the image data. The processing determining unit determines whether or not high-speed processing requiring a high-speed data transfer is performed. The power control unit disables the terminating resistor of the buffer unit and sets a clock supplied to the buffer unit at low speed compared to a case in which the terminating resistor is enabled when the high-speed processing is not performed. As a result, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the imaging device supporting the high-speed processing. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032376 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A solid-state image pickup device is provided which includes a plurality of pixels provided in a semiconductor substrate, the pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions and MOS transistors which selectively read out signals therefrom, at least one organic photoelectric conversion film on the photoelectric conversion portions, and an isolation region provided in the organic photoelectric conversion film at a position corresponding to between the pixels to perform optical and electrical isolation. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032377 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM TO EXECUTE THE METHOD - Provided are a digital photographing apparatus capable of taking a self-shot, a method of controlling the same, and a recording medium storing a program to execute the method. A digital photographing apparatus includes a shooting unit, configured to generate a live image of a subject; a main display unit, configured to display the generated image; an auxiliary display unit mounted on a front of the digital photographing apparatus and configured to display the generated image; a determination unit configured to determine whether the auxiliary display unit is switched on or off; and a self-shot setting unit configured to set a self-shot mode when the auxiliary display unit is switched from an ‘off’ state to an ‘on’ state. | 02-10-2011 |
20110032378 | FACIAL EXPRESSION RECOGNITION APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, FACIAL EXPRESSION RECOGNITION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A facial expression recognition apparatus ( | 02-10-2011 |
20110032379 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including charge storing portions in its imaging region, isolation regions for the charge storing portions include first isolation portion each having a PN junction, and second isolation portions each having an insulator. A second isolation portion is arranged between a charge storing portion and at least a part of a plurality of transistors. | 02-10-2011 |
20110037866 | MOBILE APPARATUS - A mobile apparatus is provided with: a display module configured to display an image; a camera disposed on a same side as a side on which the display module is provided and configured to capture a camera image including a user's face; a motion detecting module configured to detect a motion state and a stop state of the mobile apparatus; an image controller configured to determine a face orientation of the user's face from the camera image and control a display orientation of the image to be displayed in the display module; and a camera activating module configured to activate the camera when the motion detecting module detects a change from the motion state to the stop state, and to turn off the camera when the image controller completes a determination on the face orientation. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037867 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing system includes: an image sensor for sensing a scene to generate image data, an image receiver, and an image interface coupled between the image sensor and the image receiver for receiving the image data generated by the image sensor and detecting a data format of the image data to selectively output the image data to the image receiver. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037868 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING ELEMENT AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - In a solid-state image sensing element which includes a pixel array portion in which a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converter are arranged two-dimensionally, and readout circuits which read out analog pixel signals from the pixel array portion by column, and in which each of the readout circuits includes an A/D conversion circuit which converts the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion into a digital pixel signal, and the A/D conversion circuit performs A/D conversion by comparing, by a comparison unit, a signal level of the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion with a temporally changing reference level, a frequency band characteristic of the comparison unit is switched in accordance with the signal level of the analog pixel signal from the pixel array portion. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037869 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A color representation technique to be effectively applicable to a pixel shifted arrangement to realize high sensitivity and high resolution is provided by using a dipersive prism or diffraction. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037870 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensing section for sensing an image of a subject; a detector for detecting a luminance of the subject; a compressor for compressing a dynamic range of the subject image; and a controller for controlling a compression characteristic to be used in compressing the dynamic range based on a detection result of the detector. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037871 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DATA TRANSFER CIRCUIT, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - To make it possible to appropriately set a capturing timing for a pixel value. | 02-17-2011 |
20110043652 | AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDING CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH CAPTURED INFORMATION, SUCH AS INFORMATION CAPTURED IN REAL-TIME - A system and method for automatically providing content associated with captured information is described. In some examples, the system receives input by a user, and automatically provides content or links to content associated with the input. In some examples, the system receives input via text entry or by capturing text from a rendered document, such as a printed document, an object, an audio stream, and so on. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043653 | ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD HIGH SPEED IMAGING APPARATUS - An electromagnetic field high speed imaging apparatus, using an image sensing element having a filter function for each pixel, converts a local polarization state in detection light containing a difference frequency component Δf (|fLO−fRF|) between the modulation frequency fLO of irradiated light and the frequency fRF of the electromagnetic field emitted from a subject into local intensity of light, and captures it by an image sensor of an imaging unit to generate a two-dimensional image of distribution of the near electromagnetic field emitted from the subject. Each pixel of the image sensor comprises a photoelectric conversion element for converting the detection light from the optical unit into an electric charge, a plurality of charge storages, and a charge splitting part for dividing the electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element between the plurality of charge storages. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043654 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a capturer. A capturer captures an original image representing a scene. A first creator creates a first recorded image corresponding to a first cut-out area allocated to the scene, based on the original image captured by the capturer. A second creator creates a second recorded image corresponding to a second cut-out area having a size that falls below a size of the first cut-out area and being allocated to the scene, based on the original image captured by the capturer. A first outputter outputs a first display image corresponding to the first recorded image created by the first creator. A second outputter outputs depiction-range information indicating a depiction range of the second recorded image created by the second creator, in parallel with the output process of the first outputter. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043655 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT HAVING RECORDED THEREON A PROGRAM FOR EXECUTING THE METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method for obtaining a plurality of clear sections in a plurality of images and combining such clear section into a final image. The digital photographing apparatus including: a lens unit including a focusing lens that adjusts a focal length; an image capturing device that obtains image data from incident light; a border image data obtaining unit that obtains border image data from image data obtained by the image capturing device; and a clear image determining unit that determines an image including an area that is the clearest from among images that respectively correspond to a plurality of image data. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043656 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: an input unit that inputs an image obtained by imaging; a resize processing unit that performs one of enlargement and reduction processing for the image input by the input unit as a category decision target image, so as to obtain a first image equivalent of a predetermined camera-to-subject distance; a feature amount calculation unit that calculates a first feature amount that indicates a feature of the first image resized by the resize processing unit; and a decision unit that makes a category decision on the category decision target image based upon the first feature amount, the category decision being to make a decision as to which of a plurality of categories the category target image corresponds to. | 02-24-2011 |
20110050934 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - This invention relates to an image processing apparatus for performing edge preserving smoothing with fewer operations, and a method and a program for the same. A block histogram calculating part | 03-03-2011 |
20110050935 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MIXED-RESOLUTION LOW-COMPLEXITY INFORMATION CODING AND A CORRESPONDING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DECODING CODED INFORMATION - Method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to information compression by information-coding subsystems within computationally-constrained information sources, efficient information transmission through electronic communications media to information sinks with relatively large computational bandwidths. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and system for low-complexity, mixed-resolution information coding by low-powered, computationally constrained distributed sensors which provide continuous video images through wireless communications to a computer-system information sink where the coded information is decoded. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050936 | IMAGE RECORD APPARATUS AND IMAGE RECORD METHOD - An object of the invention is to provide an image record apparatus and an image record method that can improve the use efficiency of a record medium for recording a video image from a camera. A NW control section ( | 03-03-2011 |
20110050937 | BACKLIGHT PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - A backlight photographing method is applicable in a digital camera. In the backlight photographing method, a backlight detection program is first executed to obtain a backlight flag. Next, when the backlight flag is in a backlight status, a flash is emitted and a photo is photographed. In addition, photographing parameters of the digital camera may be adjusted according to a low brightness characteristic value acquired by the backlight detection program, so as to obtain a photo having a foreground with a preferred exposure effect. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050938 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR FOREGROUND, TOP-OF-THE-HEAD SEPARATION FROM BACKGROUND - Foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene are distinguished from each other automatically. Foreground objects are identified in a binary image map that distinguishes between foreground pixels and background pixels. From the foreground objects, a primary foreground object is identified. Within the identified primary foreground object, a head region of the primary foreground object is located. Within the head region, patterns of foreground pixels and background pixels that are indicative of a head crown region are identified. Within the head crown region, pixels identified as background pixels that actually show portions of the primary foreground object are converted to foreground pixels, thus improving the accuracy of the binary image map. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050939 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and electronic device - An image processing apparatus detects one or more subjects set as detection targets from a shot image acquired by imaging. An image pyramid generator generates an image pyramid used to detect the one or more subjects, wherein the image pyramid is generated by reducing or enlarging the shot image using scales set in advance according to the distance from the imaging unit that conducts the imaging to the one or more subjects to be detected. A detection region determining unit determines, from among the entire image regions in the image pyramid, one or more detection regions for detecting the one or more subjects. A subject detector detects the one or more subjects from the one or more detection regions. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050940 | Method for efficient target detection from images robust to occlusion - The method for efficient target detection from images robust to occlusion disclosed by the present invention detects the presence and spatial location of a number of objects in images. It consists in (i) an off-line method to compile an intermediate representation of detection probability maps that are then used by (ii) an on-line method to construct a detection probability map suitable for detecting and localizing objects in a set of input images efficiently. The method explicitly handles occlusions among the objects to be detected and localized, and objects whose shape and configuration is provided externally, for example from an object tracker. The method according to the present invention can be applied to a variety of objects and applications by customizing the method's input functions, namely the object representation, the geometric object model, its image projection method, and the feature matching function. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050941 | IMAGING DEVICE | 03-03-2011 |
20110050942 | IMAGE FILE DATA STRUCTURE, IMAGE FILE GENERATION DEVICE, IMAGE FILE GENERATION METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - In an electronic camera that captures still images when capturing a moving image records associated images in a moving image file, the data structure of which includes metadata for both of the moving image and the still images captured when the moving image is being captured. The metadata includes identification data, which unambiguously identifies a still image that is associated with the moving image. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050943 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a transmission request of information on a directory for managing contents from a display apparatus, a transmission unit configured to transmit a response to the transmission request received by the reception unit, and a notification unit configured to notify the display apparatus of a change in a predetermined directory, thereby causing the display apparatus to transmit a transmission request of information on the predetermined directory again. When a new directory is formed on the same layer as that of the directory for managing the contents as a result of addition of the contents in the storage medium, the notification unit notifies the display apparatus of a change in a directory located on a layer above the directory for managing the contents. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050944 | AUDIOVISUAL DATA RECORDING DEVICE AND METHOD - In each of photographed L and R viewpoint images, an object area and an object size are detected. A disparity calculator calculates a maximum disparity of the object area between the L and R viewpoint images. A sound image locating unit determines the shift amount of a reverberation sound ratio from a standard ratio based on the object size and the maximum disparity, to give an appropriate depth to sound data. The sound image locating unit also locates the sound data with an appropriate location angle in accordance with the position of a horizontal center of the object area. The processed sound data and L and R viewpoint image data are compressed, and recorded as an AV file on a memory card. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050945 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a power supply; a first voltage converter producing first and second voltages which are different from each other based on an output of the power supply and outputting them to first and second output systems, respectively; a second voltage converter producing the first voltage based on the second voltage and outputting the first voltage to a third output system; an imaging element operated by the first voltage; at least one circuit element operated by at least one of the first and second voltages; a sensitivity setting section setting an input sensitivity of the imaging element based on at least one of a user's operation and information of a photographic subject; and a power supply switching section switching to supply the first voltage of the first output system to the imaging element in the case where the input sensitivity is lower than a predetermined sensitivity and switching to supply the first voltage which is outputted from the third output system to the imaging element in the case where the input sensitivity is higher than the predetermined sensitivity. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050946 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING DYNAMIC RANGE OF IMAGE BY USING ELECTRONIC SHUTTER - A method for increasing a dynamic range of an image by using an electronic shutter of a camera, the method including initiating exposure of an image sensor by moving a mechanical front curtain included in the camera; moving an electronic front curtain with respect to at least one pixel of the image sensor according to a control pulse signal of the electronic shutter; and blocking the exposure of the image sensor by moving a mechanical rear curtain included in the camera. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050947 | VIDEO CAMERA HAVING RELATIONAL VIDEO DATABASE WITH ANALYTICS-PRODUCED METADATA - Video analytics and a mass storage unit are contained in a camera housing of a video camera. The camera produces video data representing the field of view of a scene observed by the camera. The video analytics analyzes the video data and detects whether there is an occurrence of a defined feature of an object or a defined event of interest. The video analytics also generates metadata based upon the content of the video data. The video data and metadata are stored in the mass storage unit. Access to stored video data may be controlled based on content, and access to live video data may be controlled as metadata corresponding to the video data is created. The metadata can be used to search for corresponding video data representing the detected feature of an object or event of interest observed in the scene. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058055 | VIDEO STORAGE - Systems, methods, and devices for encoding video data are provided. For example, an electronic device for obtaining and encoding video may include image capture circuitry, motion-sensing circuitry, and data processing circuitry. The image capture circuitry may capture an uncompressed video frame, and the motion-sensing circuitry may detect physical motion of the electronic device. The data processing circuitry may encode the uncompressed video frame based at least in part on a quantization parameter, which the data processing circuitry may determine based at least in part on whether the motion-sensing circuitry has detected physical motion of the electronic device. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058056 | AUDIO ALTERATION TECHNIQUES - A method of altering audio output from an electronic device based on image data is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring image data and determining one or more characteristics of the image data. Such characteristics may include sharpness, brightness, motion, magnification, zoom setting, and so forth, as well as variation in any of the preceding characteristics. The method may also include producing audio output, wherein at least one characteristic of the audio output is determined based on one or more of the image data characteristics. Various audio output characteristics that may be varied based on the video data characteristics may include, for instance, pitch, reverberation, tempo, volume, filter frequency response, added sound effects, or the like. Additional methods, devices, and manufactures are also disclosed. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058057 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image capture device includes: a request-data obtaining unit configured to obtain request data output from an image processing device; a determining unit configured to determine whether or not an input image is an image requested by the image processing device, on a basis of information contained in the request data; a presenting unit configured to present a user with a result of the determination; and a saving configured to save the input image at timing designated by the user. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058058 | DIGITAL IMAGE ACQUISITION CONTROL AND CORRECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - An unsatisfactory scene is disqualified as an image acquisition control for a camera. An image is acquired. One or more mouth regions are determined. The mouth regions are analyzed to determined whether they are frowning, and if so, then the scene is disqualified as a candidate for a processed, permanent image while the mouth is completing the frowning. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058059 | Object-Image Searching Apparatus - An object-image searching apparatus includes a fetcher. A fetcher repeatedly fetches an object scene image. A first searcher searches an object image that matches a registered object image from the object scene image fetched by the fetcher. An acceptor accepts a designating manipulation for designating the object image on the object scene image fetched by the fetcher. A second searcher searches a predetermined object image that matches the object image designated by the designating manipulation from among a plurality of predetermined object images. A definer defines, as the registered object image, the predetermined object image discovered by the second searcher. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058060 | Face Recognition Training Method and Apparatus - A device is trained for face recognition. A first acquired digital image of a scene includes a face. Face image data is extracted and stored in a face image library along with an unique identifier. A second acquired digital image may or may not include the face of the same person as the face in the first acquired digital image. Face recognition is applied to extracted face data of the second digital image, and the face of the first digital image is displayed as a match to the face of the second digital image when the first and second images are determined to match or the second digital image or a face therein is identified with biometric data stored along with the first digital image when the faces in the first and second images are determined to match. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058061 | SIMULTANEOUS MODEL-BASED SEGMENTATION OF OBJECTS SATISFYING PRE-DEFINED SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS - The invention relates to a system ( | 03-10-2011 |
20110058062 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, light being incident on the second surface side; a wiring layer disposed on the first surface side; a photodetector formed in the substrate and including a first region of a first conductivity type; a transfer gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and adjacent to the photodetector, the transfer gate transferring a signal charge accumulated in the photodetector; and at least one control gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and superposed on the photodetector, the control gate controlling the potential of the photodetector in the vicinity of the first surface. | 03-10-2011 |
20110063464 | VIDEO PLAYING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A video playing system includes a camera to capture images, a display unit, a processing unit, and a storage system. The storage system stores an animation which includes a controllable element. The processing unit detects an image from the camera, to identify an object in the image, and to obtain information about the object. The processing unit further receives the coordinates of the object in the image from the detecting module to obtain a position of a viewer related to the display unit, outputs one of a number of control instructions according to the position of the viewer to control movement of the element of the animation. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063465 | Analyzing Partial Face Regions for Red-Eye Detection in Acquired Digital Images - A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image includes acquiring a first image, and analyzing one or more partial face regions within the first image. One or more characteristics of the first image are determined. One or more corrective processes are identified including red eye correction that can be beneficially applied to the first image according to the one or more characteristics. The one or more corrective processes are applied to the first image. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063466 | IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD - An image capturing system is provided which includes a detection section for detecting a position of an capturing section capable of performing a pan operation and a tilt operation, a determination section for determining which coordinate system is used, either a first coordinate system representing the position of the capturing section in the pan direction and the tilt direction or a second coordinate system representing a position of a subject image of the subject captured by the capturing section in a screen, and a coordinate calculator for calculating coordinates representing the position of the capturing section in the first coordinate system based on the detected position of the capturing section when using the first coordinate system, and calculating coordinates representing the position of the subject image in the second coordinate system based on the detected position of the capturing section when using the second coordinate system. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063467 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels and a plurality of color filters. The plurality of pixels is formed in a semiconductor substrate in a two-dimensional array arrangement. Each of the pixels has a photoelectric conversion region. The plurality of color filters is stacked on each of the pixels. The photoelectric conversion regions have the same depth irrespective of colors of the color filters stacked on the pixels. The width of a shallow portion of each of the photoelectric conversion regions is differ from a width of the deep portion of each of the photoelectric regions depending on the colors of the color filters stacked on the pixels. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063468 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RETRIEVING LABEL - Disclosed is a method for retrieving a label in a portable terminal. The method includes obtaining a label image photographed through a camera, extracting characters included in the label image and recognizing the extracted characters, detecting at least one label including the recognized character from a label database including multiple labels and information on the multiple labels and constituting a preliminary label candidate group including said at least one label, detecting an image characteristic of the label image, detecting at least one label having an image characteristic, which is similar with the detected image characteristic, from the preliminary label candidate group, and constituting a final label candidate group, and providing each of said at least one label included in the final label candidate group and detailed information corresponding to each of said at least one label. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063469 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image captured according to a predetermined image capturing method, an anomalous pixel acquisition unit configured to acquire an anomalous pixel occurring according to an image capturing method different from the predetermined image capturing method, and a display control unit configured to cause the acquired anomalous pixel to be displayed together with the captured image. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063470 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device which includes a plurality of pixels in an arrangement, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, pixel transistors including a transfer transistor, and a floating diffusion region, in which the channel width of transfer gate of the transfer transistor is formed to be larger on a side of the floating diffusion region than on a side of the photoelectric conversion element. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063471 | Apparatus for Recording of Information - With an object of executing excellent finishing processing when information is recorded to a rewritable type record medium or a write once type record medium, the finishing processing is switched by whether a kind of a medium for recording information is the rewritable type record medium or the write once type record medium and a method of executing the finishing processing is switched based on a state of supplying power. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063472 | CAMERA SYSTEM - A camera system includes a camera body ( | 03-17-2011 |
20110063473 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE - A color interpolation process unit ( | 03-17-2011 |
20110069190 | FAST FOCUSING METHOD FOR DIGITAL CAMERA - A fast focusing method for a digital camera is applied in the digital camera to judge whether a focusing focal length of the digital camera needs to be adjusted in an auto focusing stage. The fast focusing method includes capturing a target image at a reference focal length; performing a blur detection procedure on the target image to acquire a focus value; setting a focusing focal length range covering the reference focal length when the focus value is between a lower limit focusing threshold and an upper limit focusing threshold; capturing corresponding comparison images at different focusing focal lengths respectively in the focusing focal length range; calculating a contrast value of each comparison image; and calculating the contrast values and a target focal length through a quadratic curve approximation method, and adjusting lenses of the digital camera to the set target focal length to perform shooting. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069191 | Correlated double sampling circuit, image sensor including the same, and image processing system including the image sensor - A correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit is provided. The CDS circuit is configured to perform a CDS on a reset signal and an image signal during a CDS phase respectively. The CDS circuit includes a sampling circuit configured to output a difference between a correlated double sampled reset signal and a correlated double sampled image signal, and a feedback unit configured to feedback the difference output from the sampling circuit during a PGA phase to an input of the sampling circuit. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069192 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a determining unit, a modifying unit, a selecting unit, and a generating unit. The determining unit determines, with respect to a missing pixel position that does not have a signal of a specified color among colors forming an image, an interpolation process type indicating the type of an interpolation process of the signal of the specified color. The modifying unit modifies the determined interpolation process type based on interpolation process types of peripheral missing pixel positions located at the vicinity of the missing pixel position. The selecting unit selects a color-difference signal that is a difference between signal of a color except the specified color and the signal of the specified color in correspondence with the modified interpolation process type. The generating unit generates an interpolation signal of the signal of the specified color at the missing pixel position based on the color-difference signal. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069193 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD - In image shooting using a self timer on an apparatus, the apparatus allows a user to control continuous shooting of a plurality of frames of images according to the user's desire. In image shooting using a self timer on the apparatus, the apparatus changes a timing of starting image shooting by self timer for a second image and beyond to be continuously shot according to detected faces of persons. The apparatus notifies the user that the timing for starting the image shooting by self timer is currently calculated. With this configuration, the user can control the timing of shooting images by continuous shooting. Accordingly, the user convenience in using the apparatus in shooting a plurality of frames of images of variable attitudes and objects is improved. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069194 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a closed-eye detection unit configured to detect a face from an image captured by the imaging unit and to detect whether the detected face has closed eyes, and a control unit configured to determine whether to issue a warning about a captured image to be recorded according to a detection result detected by the closed-eye detection unit for the captured image to be recorded and a detection result detected by the closed-eye detection unit for a preview image captured before the image to be recorded is captured. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069195 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a fetcher. A fetcher fetches an object scene image. A first adjuster adjusts a tonality of the object scene image fetched by the fetcher, corresponding to a property of a display device. An object scene image outputter outputs the object scene image having the tonality adjusted by the first adjuster, toward the display device. A second adjuster adjusts the tonality of the object scene image fetched by the fetcher, in parallel with the adjusting process of the first adjuster. A first searcher searches for an object image that coincides with a registered object image from the object scene image having the tonality adjusted by the second adjuster. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069196 | Viewfinder for shared image device - A technique includes receiving one or more captured shared image representations at a displaying shared image device from one or more shared image devices. At least one of the displaying shared image device and the one or more shared image devices configurable to capture one or more image representations. The technique further includes displaying a view-finder-based shared image representation over a viewfinder at the displaying shared image device. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069197 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CMOS IMAGE SENSING - A system is provided for determining a color using a CMOS image sensor. The system includes an input port for receiving a user command. The system further includes an image sensor, an optical device that forms an image on the image sensor, and a processor. The image sensor includes an n-type substrate and a p-type epitaxy layer overlying the n-type substrate. The image sensor includes a control circuit that applies a first voltage on the n-type substrate to obtain a first output. The control circuit applies a second voltage on the n-type substrate to obtain a second output. The control circuit also applies a third voltage on the n-type substrate to obtain a third output. The p-type epitaxy layer includes a silicon germanium material. The image sensor additionally includes an epitaxy layer interposed between the n-type substrate and the p-type epitaxy layer. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069198 | LENS UNIT - A lens unit according to the present invention includes: a barrel, which has first and second openings and an inner space defined along a center axis between the first and second openings; and lenses held in the inner space. In each pair of adjacent lenses, when projected parallel to their optical axis, one lens located closer to the second opening has a greater projection than the other lens located closer to the first opening. The barrel has inner side surface portions, which are arranged parallel to the center axis to define cross sections corresponding to the respective projections of the lenses. In each pair of adjacent inner side surface portions, one portion located closer to the second opening has a greater cross section than the other portion located closer to the first opening. The barrel has main grooves cut on the inner side surface portions to run from the first opening toward the second opening. Each of the lens units is bonded to an associated inner side surface portion with an adhesive that fills at least partially the main grooves on the inner side surface portion. | 03-24-2011 |
20110074966 | METHOD FOR MEASURING PHOTOGRAPHER'S AESTHETIC QUALITY PROGRESS - A method for measuring a photographer's progress over time toward producing images with a high level of aesthetic quality by assessing the aesthetic quality of a set of digital images captured by the photographer comprising: providing a set of digital images captured by a particular photographer, each digital image having and associated capture times captured by a particular photographer; using a processor to compute an aesthetic quality parameters for each digital image in the set; and producing an indication of the photographer's progress toward producing images with a high level of aesthetic quality using the aesthetic quality parameters for each digital image in the set and the corresponding associated capture times. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074967 | TARGET BIT RATE DECISION METHOD FOR WAVELET-BASED IMAGE COMPRESSION - A method of deciding a target bit rate for wavelet-based image encoding based on the wavelet coefficients is described. The target bit rate is used for maintaining a high quality image. A minimum target bit rate and a maximum target bit rate are determined. A pseudo code length corresponding to the minimum target bit rate is calculated. The pseudo code length is calculated as a function of the wavelet coefficients. The corresponding pseudo code length is calculated for the maximum target bit rate. A curve between the pseudo code length and target bit rate is derived. Slope of the curve depends on buffer fullness. Using the curve, for a given pseudo code length, an appropriate target bit rate is derived. The derived target bit rate depends on the image content, and computing resources are able to be optimally used to attain similar quality for each image block of an image. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074968 | Multiple data rate counter, data converter including the same, and image sensor including the same - A counter includes a buffer unit and a ripple counter. The buffer unit generates at least one least significant signal of a count by buffering at least one clock signal until a termination time point. The ripple counter generates at least one most significant signal of the count by sequentially toggling in response to at least one of the least significant signal. The counter performs multiple data rate counting with enhance operation speed and reduced power consumption. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074969 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device, including a pixel, the pixel including: a light receiving section; a charge transfer path; a transfer electrode; a readout gate section; and a readout electrode. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074970 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a plurality of image input modules configured to input images, a detection module configured to detect object regions from an image input by any image input module, a feature extracting module configured to extract feature values from any object regions detected by the detecting module, and a control module configured to control processes the detection module and feature extracting module perform on the images input by the plurality of image input modules, in accordance with the result of detection performed by the detection module. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074971 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE BASED ON SCENE MODE DISPLAY - A method and apparatus for processing an image based on a scene mode. An image processing apparatus is disclosed including a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to select scene modes applicable to a live-view image and configured to display the selected scene modes as icons on the live-view image. An image processing method is disclosed including selecting scene modes applicable to a live-view image; and displaying the selected scene modes as icons on the live-view image. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074972 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a fetcher. A fetcher fetches an original image. A first converter converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a first recording image. A second converter converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converter. A first editor edits one of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, in response to an editing instruction. A second editor edits the other of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, corresponding to the editing process of the first editor. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074973 | CAMERA AND RECORDING METHOD THEREFOR - An image captured with an imaging section is thinned out to generate a low resolution image. A face detection section obtains the low resolution image. The face detection section detects a face image from the low resolution image. A still state detector judges whether the face image is in a still state. The still state detector counts the number of frames which has been judged still by the still state detector. When the number of frames judged still reaches a predetermined value during half-pressing of a release button, a CPU automatically records the low resolution image as a substitute for a still image. | 03-31-2011 |
20110074974 | OPTICAL FLOW BASED TILT SENSOR - A method is described for determining a description of motion of a moving mobile camera to determine a user input to an application. The method may involve capturing a series of images from a moving mobile camera and comparing stationary features present in the series of images. Optical flow analysis may be performed on the series of images to determine a description of motion of the moving mobile camera. Based on the determined motion, a user input to an application may be determined and the application may respond to the user input, for example, by updating a user interface of the application. | 03-31-2011 |
20110080489 | PORTRAIT PHOTO ASSISTANT - The present invention describes an image capturing device and a method for image capturing in an auto-portrait situation, where the image capturing device determines whether the face of the user who is making the auto-portrait is positioned in desired way a preferred area of the image capturing device. In order for the auto-portrait to be satisfactory criteria regarding the distance and the size of the user's face in the preferred area have to be fulfilled. A processing unit in the image capturing device gives feedback to the user based on how far or how near the face of the user is to the desired position and size in relation to the preferred area on the image capturing device. Once the criteria of the user's face regarding distance and size are fulfilled, the processing unit instructs a control unit in the image capturing device to freeze the feedback to the user. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080490 | PROXIMITY OBJECT TRACKER - Object tracking technology, in which controlling an illumination source is controlled to illuminate while a camera is capturing an image to define an intersection region within the image captured by the camera. The image captured by the camera is analyzed to detect an object within the intersection region. User input is determined based on the object detected within the intersection region and an application is controlled based on the determined user input. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080491 | Multi-image capture system with improved depth image resolution - The multi-image capture system comprises an imaging lens, a beamsplitter directing a first portion of light on an array of micro-imaging elements and a first photodetector array divided into a plurality of macropixels providing a set of depth images, and another portion of light on a second photodetector array | 04-07-2011 |
20110080492 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - In an image sensor including a first column readout line and a second column readout line provided to each pixel column, a plurality of pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of a first group and pixel rows of a second group, pixels of the pixel rows of the first group output signals to the first column readout line, and pixels of the pixel rows of the second group output signals to the second column readout line. A shortest distance between a conversion region of a first pixel of a pixel row of the first group and the first column readout line to which a signal from the first pixel is output is not more than a shortest distance between the conversion region of the first pixel and the second column readout line to which the signals from the pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the second group are output. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080493 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - In a solid-state image sensor, first and second column readout lines are provided to each pixel column, pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of first and second groups, the first group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, the second group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the first group are output to the first column readout lines, and signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the second group are output to the second column readout lines. Pixels of an identical subgroup in an identical pixel column share a conversion region and an amplification element, a given conversion region and another conversion region included in a pixel column identical to a pixel column of the given conversion region do not intersect with each other. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080494 | IMAGING APPARATUS DETECTING FOREIGN OBJECT ADHERING TO LENS - An imaging element having an imaging surface on which an optical image of a subject field passing through an optical lens is emitted generates an image signal corresponding to the optical image of the subject field by photoelectric conversion. An aperture mechanism controls an aperture of the optical lens. A shutter controls exposure time for the imaging element. An exposure adjustment unit adjusts an exposure value for the imaging surface based on an evaluation value of brightness of the subject field. A focus adjustment unit adjusts a focus position of the optical lens. A CPU detects a foreign object adhering to the optical lens by performing shooting under a plurality of shooting conditions in which the exposure value and the focus position are identical and aperture values are different from each other, and comparing a plurality of the image signals obtained from the imaging element during the shooting. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080495 | METHOD AND CAMERA SYSTEM FOR THE GENERATION OF IMAGES FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO AN EXTERNAL CONTROL UNIT - A method and camera system are provided in which source images of a high resolution generated by an image sensor are processed by a processor in a way that, following a down-scaling of the resolution of the source image, an image copy is generated which can be transmitted to and processed in an external control unit. Additionally, a cropped image of a higher resolution in comparison to the image copy is created from the source image and also transmitted to the external control unit. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080496 | Apparatus Method and System for Imaging - There is provided in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention an optical assembly including a set of optical paths, wherein two or more optical paths receive an image from a common surface. The optical paths may direct received images onto a common image sensor generating a complex multidimensional data set, an image processing block may extrapolate each of the subset of optical paths printed on the image sensor and may generate a multidimensional data set based on the collected images. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080497 | Electronic still camera with peaking function - An image signal resulting from an image-capturing operation performed at a CCD undergoes analog processing at an image processing unit. Image data resulting from the analog processing are first digitized at an A/D conversion circuit and then undergo image processing at a DSP. The image data having undergone the image processing are stored in a frame memory. At a peaking processing circuit, a brightness signal Y stored in a Y signal memory of the frame memory is read out and differentiated at a differentiation circuit. The differentiated signal is amplified at an amplifier circuit and then the amplified signal is added to the original brightness signal Y at an adder circuit. A brightness signal Y′ representing the sum is output to a display LCD. The edges in the image signal are emphasized in the display on the display LCD. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080498 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus that has an external sensor for detecting brightness separately from an image sensor for obtaining an image pickup signal and controls the insertion and removal of a filter into and from an image pickup optical system in accordance with the brightness of the subject, using brightness information obtained from the external sensor and the image pickup signal. | 04-07-2011 |
20110085050 | Multi-Region Imaging Systems - An imaging system includes optics foi foiming an optical image, that provide a first region m the optical image that is charactenzed by a fust range of best focus and a second region in the optical image that is characterized by a second range of best focus The first and second ianges correspond to object distance ranges that are discontiguous A sensor array converts the optical image to a data stream, and a digital signal processor processes the data stream to generate a final image. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085051 | OPTICAL ELEMENT, DEVICE, METHOD, AND APPLICATIONS - A novel phase-coded aperture, associated imaging system, and design method is disclosed. The optical imaging system includes a coded-aperture followed optically by a detector array and includes an image processor. A diffraction pattern in the form of a band-limited uniformly redundant array is formed on the detector array when focusable radiation from a point source in object space is modulation by the transmission function of the coded-aperture. Since diffraction effects cannot be ignored in the optical regime, an iterative phase retrieval method is used to calculate the phase-coded aperture transmission function. Correlation type processing can be applied for the image recovery. | 04-14-2011 |
20110090354 | BLOCK-BASED VARIATIONAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Block-based variational image processing provides improved image processing by utilizing portions of an image rather than the entire image. The image is divided into multiple smaller portions, and then iterations to determine a partial differential equation for an image processing application are performed on the smaller portions. After performing the iterations on a portion, the resulting information is able to be stored in an external memory. This results in a much lower bandwidth requirement for the data, enabling the method to be performed in hardware. Additionally, the block-based variational image processing utilizes only a small number of neighboring pixels for each iteration. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090355 | IMAGE TRACKING APPARATUS AND IMAGE TRACKING METHOD - An image tracking apparatus includes: an imaging unit that repeatedly captures an image formed through an imaging optical system to generate a photographing image; a calculation unit that sets a first search region and a second search region other than the first search region in the photographing image, calculates a first calculation result indicating correlation between image information on the first search region and reference information based on a target image, and calculates a second calculation result indicating correlation between image information on the second search region and the reference information; and a detection unit that detects a position of the target image in the photographing image based on either one of the first calculation result and the second calculation result. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090356 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND IMAGING PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An imaging system includes at least one imaging apparatuses, an imaging control apparatus configured to control an image photographing operation by the imaging apparatus, an imaging work control apparatus configured to control execution of processing in each apparatus, and an automatic image processing apparatus configured to correct an image photographed by the imaging apparatus based on an instruction from the imaging work control apparatus. The imaging work control apparatus manages an image processing flow which defines a series of processing contents to be executed for the image photographed by the imaging apparatus, and causes the automatic image processing apparatus to execute image processing in parallel to control of the image photographing operation by the imaging control apparatus based on the managed image processing flow. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090357 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH AUTOMATIC FUNCTIONS - A digital camera can employ logic to delay capturing a still image after a person has operated the control button until such time as predetermined subject criteria are met, e.g., the subject is smiling with eyes open, three or more players are in the field of view to ensure a good action shot, etc. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090358 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus comprises: an object detection unit to detect an object included in a frame image based on a feature amount of the frame image, and generate and output object information concerning the detected object; an event detection unit to detect an event of the object based on the object information output by the object detection unit, and generate and output event concern information concerning the detected event of the object; and a transmission unit to transmit the frame image, the event concern information, concerning the frame image, output by the event detection unit, and time information concerning the frame image, as associating them with others. Thus, even in a case where event detection timing and event occurrence timing are different from each other, it is possible to perform a display by which a user can easily confirm the event. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090359 | IMAGE RECOGNITION APPARATUS, PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image recognition apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a dictionary used to recognize a predetermined pattern; a recognition unit configured to detect in image data using the dictionary, as recognition results, a plurality of partial regions having a likelihood of being the predetermined pattern greater than a predetermined threshold; a display unit configured to display the image data, and also display information indicating the partial regions that were detected by the recognition unit; a determination unit configured to determine, based on an instruction by a user, a negative region from among the plurality of partial regions that were detected by the recognition unit; a generation unit configured to generate a learning image based on the determined negative region; and an update unit configured to update the dictionary based on the learning image that was generated by the generation unit. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090360 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND OBJECT DETECTING METHOD - An image is input on a frame unit basis, the input image is sequentially reduced, and an object is detected from the input image and the reduced image at a frame rate according to a reduction ratio of the reduced image to the input image, thereby decreasing an amount of calculations necessary to detect the object from the image. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090361 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An imaging device includes: an imaging unit that images a subject with three or more kinds of exposures, ratios of respective pairs of exposures of which adjacent to each other in an ascending order or a descending order are equal; and a combining unit that combines, on the basis of the ratios, pixel signals corresponding to the respective three or more kinds of exposures obtained by imaging the subject with the imaging unit. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090362 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device that corrects an obtained image includes: an image acquisition unit that obtains the image; a region setting unit that sets a first region including a main object and a second region not including the main object on the image; an image characteristic amount calculation unit that calculates a first image characteristic amount, which is an occurrence state of a predetermined image characteristic amount, respectively in the first region and the second region; a comparison unit that compares the first image characteristic amounts of the first region and the second region; and an image characteristic adjustment unit that adjusts a second image characteristic amount of the obtained image on the basis of a comparison result obtained by the comparison unit. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090363 | Two Stage Detection For Photographic Eye Artifacts - A digital image acquisition device is for acquiring digital images including one or more preview images. A face detector analyzes the one or more preview images to ascertain information relating to candidate face regions therein. A speed-optimized filter produces a first set of candidate red-eye regions based on the candidate face region information provided by the face detector. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090364 | Integrated Camera Image Signal Processor and Video Encoder - An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to perform image signal processing using encoding related information. The second circuit may be configured to encode image data using image signal processing related information, wherein said first circuit is further configured to pass said image signal processing related information to said second circuit and said second circuit is further configured to pass said encoding related information to said first circuit. | 04-21-2011 |
20110096181 | ARRANGEMENT FOR AND METHOD OF ACQUIRING A MONOCHROME IMAGE WITH A COLOR IMAGE CAPTURE PROCESSOR - An arrangement for, and a method of, acquiring a monochrome image of a target, employ a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target over a field of view, and for generating an output image data stream having image components arranged in a serial format at a clock frequency, a preprogrammed microprocessor operatively connected to the imager for serially receiving, sampling and processing the image components at a sampling frequency to generate the monochrome image of the target, and a clock frequency adjustment circuit operatively connected to the imager and the microprocessor for adjusting the clock frequency to enable the microprocessor to receive, sample and process the image components and generate the monochrome image. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096182 | Error Compensation in Three-Dimensional Mapping - A method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object, including illuminating the object from a light source so as to project a pattern onto the object, capturing an image of the pattern using an array of detector elements, and processing the captured image so as to measure respective offsets of elements of the pattern in the captured image relative to a reference pattern, the offsets including at least a first offset of a first element of the pattern and a second offset of a second element of the pattern, measured respectively in first and second, mutually-perpendicular directions in a plane of the array. The method further includes computing a correction factor in response to the first offset, applying the correction factor to the second offset so as to find a corrected offset, and computing depth coordinates of the object in response to the corrected offset. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096183 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING AND GENERATING A BODY MODEL - Images of foreground objects in a scene are generated by causing electromagnetic radiation to be emitted having a first spectral power distribution from a surface of a first foreground object, which is adjacent or at least partially obscured by a second foreground object. A first image of both of the first and second foreground objects is acquired whilst the first foreground object emits electromagnetic radiation with the first spectral power distribution. A second image of the first and second foreground objects is acquired whilst the first foreground object is not emitting electromagnetic radiation or is emitting electromagnetic radiation with a second spectral power distribution which is different to the first spectral power distribution. An alpha matte of the first and second foreground objects is generated based on a comparison of the first image and second image. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096184 | Signal Processing Apparatus, Signal Processing Method, Computer Program, Image Processing Apparatus, and Image Capturing Apparatus - A signal conversion apparatus which converts an input signal x from an image sensor into an output signal y by a function relation represented by Expression 1: | 04-28-2011 |
20110096185 | IMAGING APPARATUS WITH LIGHT TRANSMISSIVE FILTER - An imaging apparatus includes a light receiving device array having light receiving devices, a light transmissive filter including plural types of band-shape light transmissive sections arranged in sequence to form a light transmissive section pattern, and an arithmetic processing unit, wherein the arithmetic processing unit includes a first parameter generating unit configured to generate a first parameter indicative of a displacement of the light transmissive section pattern relative to the light receiving device array in response to a position of one of the light receiving devices, a second parameter generating unit configured to generate second parameters in response to the first parameter generated by the first parameter generating unit, and an image generating unit configured to produce output images in response to image signals output from the light receiving devices and the second parameters generated by the second parameter generating unit. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096186 | FULLY-DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS INCLUDING FULLY-DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER, AND IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM - In a known fully-differential amplifier, it has been difficult to set a power voltage VDD to a low level while maintaining the signal amplitude and increase the amplitude of an output signal without increasing the power voltage VDD. The present invention provides a fully-differential amplifier including a voltage-current conversion unit, a first current-voltage conversion unit, and a second current-voltage conversion unit, where a resistance element included in the voltage-current conversion unit, a resistance element included in the first current-voltage conversion unit, and a resistance element included in the second current-voltage conversion unit are connected in parallel with one another. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096187 | Digital Image Processing Using Face Detection Information - A method of processing a digital image using face detection within the image achieves one or more desired image processing parameters. A group of pixels is identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digital image. Default values are determined of one or more parameters of at least some portion of the digital image. Values are adjusted of the one or more parameters within the digitally-detected image based upon an analysis of the digital image including the image of the face and the default values. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096188 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - It is determined whether or not there is inconsistency between image sensing mode data, which is set by an operator with respect to a scene including an object of shooting, and attribute data, e.g., focal length data or the like, that accompanies an obtained image. When it is determined that there is inconsistency between the image sensing mode data and attribute data, a caution is given to the operator that it is necessary to maintain consistency. | 04-28-2011 |
20110096189 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - There is provided an image pickup apparatus that has a mixture readout mode configured to mix and read outputs of a plurality of pixels in an image sensor ( | 04-28-2011 |
20110102615 | Refraction assisted illumination for imaging - An illumination source may be directed towards a surface of an object comprising subsurface features, wherein the illumination from the source is directed at a first angle relative to the normal of the surface. The object may have a portion between the subsurface features and the surface, the portion having an index of refraction that is greater than the index of refraction of a surrounding medium that surrounds the object. An imaging device may be placed with an objective lens. The first angle may be larger than an acceptance angle of the objective lens. In some embodiments, multiple illumination beams may be generated by one or more illumination sources. The beams may be rotated relative to one another about the normal of the surface. Also, in some embodiments, multiple images may be taken with the objective of the imaging device at different positions rotated off of the normal. The multiple images may be combined to generate a composite image. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102616 | DATA STRUCTURE FOR STILL IMAGE FILE, IMAGE FILE GENERATION DEVICE, IMAGE REPRODUCTION DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - A moving image generation unit generates moving image data of a predetermined resolution based on a pixel signal from an imaging element and stores the moving image data in a RAM. For example, when a still image is captured while a moving image is being captured, a still image generation unit generates still image data of, for example, full resolution based on the pixel signal from the imaging element. Then, an image extraction processing unit extracts moving image data for n seconds before and after the time the still image is captured from the moving image data stored in the RAM. A file generation unit incorporates the extracted moving image file in a header of the still image file to generate a moving image-added still image file. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102617 | Image Processing Device And Image Processing Method - The invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method which can efficiently make use of memory resources, and can also edit and simulate a registered image or the like so as to reflect the registered image or the like after editing in a normal operation without stopping the normal operation, and further to enhance production efficiency. When data for image processing edited in a second processing section is to be reflected in image processing (normal operation) that is continuously executed in a first processing section, the edited data for image processing is transmitted from a third data storage area to a second data storage area, and the edited data for image processing is read from the second data storage area when image processing is executed by use of the edited data for image processing in the first processing section. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102618 | LENS UNIT, IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE LENS UNIT, AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes a lens unit, a body unit detachably attached to the lens unit, and an interface unit configured to connect the lens unit and the body unit so as to be capable of communicating with each other, the interface unit having a bidirectional communication interface and a unidirectional interface. The lens unit includes an optical lens configured to transmit light from an object, an imaging device configured to form an image with the light, and an image processing section configured to generate image data based on an output of the imaging device. The lens unit is configured to receive setting information to be used in the image processing section for generating the image data from the body unit via the bidirectional interface of the interface unit, generate the image data based on the received setting information, send notification information to be used by the body unit for receiving the image data to the body unit via the bidirectional interface of the interface unit, and send the image data to the body unit via the unidirectional interface of the interface unit after sending the notification information. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102619 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device configured to image an object, a sound receiving device configured to receive an ambient sound, a phonation determining device configured to determine whether the object imaged by the imaging device is producing a sound or not, an object characteristic determining device configured to determine a characteristic of the object if the phonation determining device determines that the object is producing the sound, a band determining device configured to determine a band of the ambient sound which suits the characteristic of the object and emphasize the band in the ambient sound, and a recording device configured to record the ambient sound in which the band is emphasized. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102620 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, CAMERA, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device is provided, which includes a photodiode having a first conductivity type semiconductor area that is dividedly formed for each pixel; a first conductivity type transfer gate electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate via a gate insulating layer in an area neighboring the photodiode, and transmitting signal charges generated and accumulated in the photodiode; a signal reading unit reading a voltage which corresponds to the signal charge or the signal charge; and an inversion layer induction electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate insulating layer in an area covering a portion or the whole of the photodiode, and composed of a conductor or a semiconductor having a work function. An inversion layer is induced, which is formed by accumulating a second conductivity type carrier on a surface of the inversion layer induction electrode side of the semiconductor area through the inversion layer induction electrode. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102621 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GUIDING PHOTOGRAPHING - A digital image processing apparatus provides to a photographer and a subject reference images that are similar to a temporary image that is viewed through a view finder in terms of a background, a portrait, or an object, thereby enabling various photographings. The digital image processing apparatus includes a display unit on which an image is displayed, and a search unit that searches for the reference image, wherein the reference image and the temporary image are displayed on the display unit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102622 | Solid-state imaging element and camera system - A solid-state imaging element includes: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, each of the pixels converting an optical signal into an electric signal and storing the electric signal according to exposure time; a dummy pixel section having dummy pixels arranged in a matrix form; and pixel drive sections adapted to control the pixel operations in such a manner as to operate an electronic shutter on and read the pixel section and dummy pixel section, wherein when an electronic rolling shutter is operated in which the pixels are shuttered row by row, the pixel drive sections judge whether the current and next frames are shuttered concurrently and in parallel so as to determine in which horizontal read period the dummy pixel section is to be shuttered. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102623 | Solid-state imaging device and camera system - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which plural pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element which converts light signals into electric signals and accumulates the electric signals according to exposure time are arranged in a matrix state; plural control lines for drive controlling the pixels; and a pixel drive unit controlling operation of the pixels to perform electronic shutter operation and reading of the pixel unit through the control lines, | 05-05-2011 |
20110102624 | Pixel defect correction device, imaging apparatus, pixel defect correction method, and program - A pixel defect correction device includes: a defect determining section determining whether a pixel of interest of an image, in which pixels each having a pixel value are arrayed in a two-dimensional manner, is a defect of the image; a gradient detecting section detecting a gradient or an edge in a processing region, which includes pixels with the pixel of interest in the middle, based on values of at least peripheral pixels around the pixel of interest which are included in the processing region; a correction value acquisition section selecting a pixel, which is used for acquisition of a correction value of the pixel of interest, according to the detected gradient or edge and acquiring the correction value from a value of the selected pixel; and a defective pixel replacing section replacing the value of the pixel of interest with the correction value when the pixel of interest is determined to be a defect. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102625 | Image Forming Optical System and Electronic Image Pickup Apparatus Using Image Forming Optical System - An image forming optical system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in an image forming optical system having a positive lens group, a negative lens group, and an aperture stop, the positive lens group is disposed at an object side of the aperture stop,
| 05-05-2011 |
20110102626 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program which can prevent a total processing time from significantly increasing while maintaining precision of image processing at a high level, where an image acquiring section sequentially acquires images generated by imaging a predetermined subject to be imaged; an image processing executing section executes, in each of sequentially-arriving processing periods, image processing on the image acquired by the image acquiring section; a preprocessing execution result output section outputs an execution result of preprocessing performed on the image in part of the sequentially-arriving processing periods, the image having been acquired by the image acquiring section before the part of the sequentially-arriving processing periods; an execution result holding section keeps holding the execution result output by the preprocessing execution result output section at least until the execution result is output next time by the preprocessing execution result output section; and the image processing executing section executes the image processing by applying the execution result held in the execution result holding section to the image acquired by the image acquiring section. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102627 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH SETS A REGION OF INTEREST WITHIN A FRAME IMAGE AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING THE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest within each frame image picked up contiguously. A coding unit codes entire-region moving images where the frame images continue, and region-of-interest moving images where images of regions of interest set by the region-of-interest setting unit continue. A recording unit records coded data of the entire-region moving images and coded data of the region-of-interest moving images both coded by the coding unit in a manner such that the coded data of the entire-region moving images and the coded data of the region-of-interest moving images are associated with each other. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102628 | Foreground/Background Segmentation in Digital Images - An implementation efficient method of distinguishing between foreground and background regions of a digital image of a scene comprises capturing two images of nominally the same scene and storing the captured images in DCT-coded format, the first image being taken with the foreground more in focus than the background and the second image being taken with the background more in focus than the foreground. Regions of the first image are assigned as foreground or background according to whether the sum of selected higher order DCT coefficients decreases or increases for the equivalent regions of the second image. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102629 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING PARAMETER EDITING METHOD, AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD - An information processing apparatus for editing an image processing parameter available in image processing by an image sensing apparatus. Creator information set by a creator of the image processing parameter, attached to the image processing parameter, is extracted. In accordance with the extracted creator information, editing processing to generate a new image processing parameter by editing the image processing parameter is limited. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109758 | CAMERA PARAMETER-ASSISTED VIDEO ENCODING - This disclosure describes techniques for improving functionalities of a back-end device, e.g., a video encoder, using parameters detected by a front-end device, e.g., a video camera. The techniques may involve detecting a scene change in a captured frame, based on one or more parameters of auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB), and auto focus (AF) functions. If a scene change is detected in a captured frame, a video processing device, which may be a stand-alone device, or may be integrated into one of the front-end or back-end devices, provides an indication of the scene change. The video encoder interprets the signal as a trigger to encode the frame indicated as the frame where a scene change occurred as a reference I frame. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109759 | SUBJECT TRACKING PROGRAM AND CAMERA - A computer-readable computer program product contains a computer-executable subject tracking program in order to execute frame-to-frame subject tracking for a plurality of frames input in time series. The subject tracking program includes: an estimation procedure estimating a subject position within each frame by executing template matching processing for each of a plurality of partial areas assuming random positions within the frame; an identification procedure identifying a subject position within the frame by executing template matching processing for an estimated subject area containing the subject position having been estimated through the estimation procedure; a subject framing border display procedure displaying a subject framing border at the subject position having been identified through the identification procedure; and a tracking procedure tracking the subject position having been identified through the identification procedure from one frame to another through the plurality of frames. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109760 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager, having an imaging surface capturing a scene, repeatedly generates a scene image. A first searcher searches for a partial image having a specific pattern from the scene image generated by the imager. An adjuster adjusts an imaging condition by noticing an object which is equivalent to the partial image discovered by the first searcher. A second searcher searches for the partial image having the specific pattern from the scene image generated by the imager after an adjusting process of the adjuster is completed. A first recorder records the scene image corresponding to the partial image discovered by the second searcher out of the scene image generated by the imager. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109761 | IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD AND APPARATUS - An image display apparatus for displaying a composite image of an ordinary image and a special image which allows instantaneous recognition of the position of a portion appearing in the fluorescence image in the ordinary image without impairing visible information of the ordinary image. The apparatus includes a light emission unit for emitting ordinary light and special light directed to an observation area and an imaging unit having an ordinary image sensor for capturing an ordinary image by photoelectrically converting reflection light reflected from the observation area irradiated with the ordinary light and a special image sensor for capturing a special image by photoelectrically converting light emitted from the observation area irradiated with the special light and is controlled such that a charge storage amount stored in the special image sensor for each frame is periodically changed. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109762 | PIXEL AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES HAVING THE SAME - A pixel of an image sensor, the pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a semiconductor substrate; and a first transfer circuit for sequentially transferring photo-charges generated by each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to a first floating diffusion node. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109763 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE REGISTRATION IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and a method for image registration in a portable terminal are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of images, comparing edge regions of the plurality of images to search for the same region in the plurality of images, and matching the plurality of images based on the same region. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109764 | AUTOFOCUS TECHNIQUE UTILIZING GRADIENT HISTOGRAM DISTRIBUTION CHARACTERISTICS - A method for estimating if an optical assembly ( | 05-12-2011 |
20110109765 | VISUAL PROCESSING DEVICE, VISUAL PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - In order to inhibit artifacts (even when a special image has been input) a visual processing device is provided with a spatial processing portion extracting surrounding image information US from an input image signal IS, and a special image detection portion outputting a special image effect adjustment signal DS according to a degree of a statistical bias of the image signal IS. The visual processing device also includes a continuous changing portion outputting an effect adjustment signal MOD in which the special image effect adjustment signal DS is continuously changed between frames, an effect adjustment portion outputting a synthesized signal MUS in which the effect of the visual processing differs depending on the effect adjustment signal MOD, and a visual processing portion outputting a processed signal OS obtained by visually processing the image signal IS based on the image signal IS and the synthesized signal MUS. | 05-12-2011 |
20110115934 | INCREASING IMAGE RESOLUTION USING COMBINED DIFFERENTIAL IMAGE - A method for increasing the resolution of a digital image comprising: receiving an input digital image of a scene; interpolating a high-resolution image using an interpolation function; receiving a blur kernel associated with the interpolation function; initializing a candidate sharp high-resolution image; determining a plurality of differential images representing differences between neighboring pixels in the candidate sharp high-resolution image; determining a combined differential image by combining the differential images; repeatedly updating the candidate sharp high-resolution image responsive to the interpolated high-resolution image, the blur kernel, the candidate sharp high-resolution image and the combined differential image until a convergence criterion is satisfied; and storing the final candidate sharp high-resolution image in a processor-accessible memory system. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115935 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING PHOTOGRAPHED VIDEO - A photographing apparatus and a method of providing a photographed video converts a photographed video into two types of formats, stores the converted video, and transmits the video wirelessly in real-time. Therefore, a user stores a high quality video photographed by a photographing apparatus as well as broadcasts the photographed video in real-time. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115936 | DIGITAL IMAGING PROCESSOR AND METHOD OF IMPROVING USER RECOGNITION IN THE DIGITAL IMAGING PROCESSOR - A digital image processor and method of improving user recognition in the digital image processor are provided. The digital image processor includes a view finder for a user to view a subject and a display unit on which an image is electrically realized, the digital image processor includes: a sensing unit for sensing rotation of the digital image processor; a detecting unit disposed at one side of the view finder and comprising an emission unit for emitting light and a light receiving unit for receiving light reflected by the user; and a control unit for increasing time for emitting light from the emission unit when the rotation is sensed by the sensing unit and controlling power supply to the display unit based on an output value corresponding to an amount of incident light onto the light receiving unit. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115937 | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - An information processing apparatus includes an estimation unit estimating a group to which a subject shown in the registration images belongs in accordance with the frequency with which the subject is shown together in the same image; and a selection unit selecting an image showing a subject which is estimated to belong to the same group as a subject shown in a key image given as search criteria from the plurality of the registration images in a situation where a group to which the subject belongs is estimated. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115938 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING LENS DISTORTION AND CHROMATIC ABERRATION - An apparatus, computer readable medium, and method of processing an image of a data format having a plurality of color components, the method including generating a plurality of color component images corresponding to the plurality of color components; correcting lens distortion (LD) and chromatic aberration (CA) for each of the plurality of color component images; and generating a corrected image by integrating the corrected plurality of color component images. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115939 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus are provided. The digital photographing apparatus stores an image signal in a memory at the same time with the calculation of a horizontal AF evaluation value with respect to the image signal, and calculates a vertical AF evaluation value by using the stored image signal. Accordingly, exact AF detection may be performed with respect to images of all patterns. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115940 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AUTOMATIC FOCUSING METHOD, AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE METHOD, ELECTRONIC FLASH CONTROL METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image pickup device provided with an automatic focusing function includes an image pickup unit, a face detection unit, a receive unit, and an automatic focusing control unit. The image pickup unit is configured to input image data corresponding to a subject. The face detection unit is configured to separately detect eyes, a nose, and a mouth of a human face from the image data input from the image pickup unit. The receive unit is configured to receive from a user a selection of any one of the eyes, the nose, or the mouth as a ranging area. The automatic focusing control unit is configured to perform automatic focusing control based on the ranging area selected by the user. | 05-19-2011 |
20110122272 | Apparatus and method for preparing, storing, transmitting and displaying images - An imaging and display apparatus for passive displays evaluates the illumination of an input scene and incorporates data representative of such input scene within a transfer media. The transfer media may be a broadcast or transmission of image data, illumination data and gamma information that can be received by a display system, which includes a passive display illuminated by incident light, to display images while adjusting the incident light and/or gamma based on the received data. The transfer media may be a storage medium storing image data, illumination data and gamma information for delivery to a passive display system. The data controls the optical characteristics of the illumination source for the passive display and the gamma and tends to minimize energy requirements, to maximize contrast or shades of gray in the displayed image, and to optimize light source operation for color fidelity. The data provided the media and/or display as a video signal, modulated video signal, s-video signal, digital signal, or other signal that can be used by a passive display system to display images. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122273 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CAMERA MODULE - According to the Embodiments, an Image Processing apparatus includes a pixel interpolation processing unit. The pixel interpolation processing unit generates a sensitivity level value through addition of a first frequency range component of an image signal for a lacking color component and a second frequency range component of a frequency band lower than the first frequency range component. The pixel interpolation processing unit adjusts a ratio of the first frequency range component to be added to the second frequency range component. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122274 | DDR COUNTER CIRCUITS, ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTERS, IMAGE SENSORS AND DIGITAL IMAGING SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME - A counter circuit for an analog to digital converter includes: a latch stage configured to generate a latch stage output clock based on a state of an input clock such that the latch stage output clock and the input clock have a same state at start of a reset counting phase, but a same or different state at start of a signal, counting phase depending on the state of the output clock at the end of the reset counting phase. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122275 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program - An image processing apparatus includes: a specific sound detecting section detecting a specific sound generated during motion in a specific motion of a target object included in an image group including a plurality of images which continues in a time-series manner; a valid sound range setting section setting, as a valid sound range, a range in the time axis for determination of whether the specific sound is valid on the basis of a user manipulation; and a selecting section selecting a predetermined number of motion transition images representing transitions of the specific motion from a selection range of the image group in the time axis, with reference to a detection position of the specific sound in the time axis, in a case where the specific sound is detected in the set valid sound range. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122276 | Image correction using individual manipulation of microlenses in a microlens array - A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122277 | FOCUS ADJUSTMENT BASED ON INDICATOR OF RANDOMNESS OF PIXEL VALUES - A circuit for auto-focus adjustment includes a calculating unit configured to calculate an indicator of randomness of pixel values in a captured image, a direction determining unit configured to compare a first value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit in a preceding focus adjustment process with a second value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit after the calculation of the first value, thereby to determine a direction of focus shift in response to a result of the comparison, and a control unit configured to start a focus adjustment process by which a focus position is first moved in the direction of focus shift determined by the direction determining unit. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122278 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING THE METHOD - A digital photographing apparatus may perform a method of correcting hand shake to obtain images of high quality, in which hand shake is corrected completely, by correcting the hand shake using a plurality of successive images having different exposure times, and in particular, by determining whether a short exposure image will be obtained from a time period in which hand shake is weak or in a time period in which hand shake is strong according to photographing conditions. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122279 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING RED EYES - A method of detecting a red eye is provided that includes determining an eye area from an input image, obtaining a pixel having the maximum redness from the eye area, generating a first mask area having a predetermined size including the pixel from the eye area, obtaining an average of image data from pixels in the first mask area, obtaining red-eye pixels corresponding to the image data average from the eye area, and determining a red-eye area by using the red-eye pixels. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122280 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING IN-FOCUS STATE - An apparatus that detects an in-focus state according to the present invention has a plurality of line sensors arranged on a projection area of an optical image-forming system; a plurality of monitor sensors arranged on the projection area with each monitor sensor positioned adjacent to a corresponding line sensor and monitoring a quantity of light incident on the corresponding line sensor; an electric charge accumulation controller that controls the timing of completion of the accumulation of electric charges in the plurality of line sensors on the basis of monitor signals output from corresponding monitor sensors; that controls the timing of the commencement of the subsequent accumulation of electric charges in the plurality of line sensors; and a signal output processor that reads the accumulated electric charges from the plurality of line sensors and then outputs image signals corresponding to an object image. The electric charge accumulation controller commences accumulation of electric charges before the reading of all electric charges in the plurality of line sensors finishes. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122281 | IMAGING DEVICE - An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122282 | IMAGING DEVICE - [Object] To convert a pixel value obtained from a non-reference photoelectric conversion characteristic into a pixel value obtained from a reference photoelectric conversion characteristic without variation, and to prevent generation of fixed pattern noise in an image. An image sensor | 05-26-2011 |
20110128394 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE - A method for generating an image is provided. The method includes estimating a high resolution image from a plurality of low resolution images and downsampling the estimated high resolution image to obtain estimates of a plurality of low resolution images. The method also includes generating a desired high resolution image based upon comparison of the downsampled low resolution images and the plurality of low resolution images. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128395 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE MOBILE TERMINAL - A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes setting a first image as a reference image; if an image comparison mode is selected, operating a camera in a close-up photography mode; displaying a preview image currently being provided by the camera on a display module; and if the preview image is chosen to be captured, displaying a comparison result screen showing differences between the first image and a second image obtained by capturing the preview image on the display module. Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily identify the differences between the first and second images from the comparison result screen. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128396 | Position detection apparatus, image taking apparatus and position detection method - Disclosed herein is a position detection apparatus including: a signal line along which a bit array including a plurality of bits used for expressing information on one of absolute positions in a direction determined in advance is created repeatedly in the direction determined in advance; and an information reading-out section which is capable of making a movement relative to the signal line in the direction determined in advance in accordance with a driving operation carried out by driving means determined in advance and is used for reading out the information expressed by the bits from the signal line. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128397 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAPTURING JUMP IMAGE - A method of capturing an image of a subject jumping performed by an apparatus for processing digital images with a first and a second display is disclosed. The method includes displaying a notification for the subject to jump on the second display unit; and capturing the image of the subject jumping after the displaying of the notification has indicated that the subject should jump. An apparatus for capturing an image of a subject jumping, the apparatus including a first display unit disposed on a rear of the apparatus; a second display unit disposed on a front of the apparatus; and a digital signal processor configured to display a notification for the subject to jump on the second display unit, and configured to capture the image of the subject jumping after the display of the notification to jump has ended. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128398 | Image Processing Apparatus, Image Processing Method, and Computer Program - In the case of executing image processing on a multivalued image obtained by picking up an image of an imaging object with a camera, the invention calculates a predetermined projective transformation parameter for projectively transforming a multivalued image before image processing, calculates a projected area obtained by projectively transforming an area where pixels of the multivalued image before image processing exist to an output area where pixels of a multivalued image after image processing exist based upon the calculated projective transformation parameter, specifies as an effective area an area in which the calculated projected area is overlapped with the output area where the pixels of the multivalued image after image processing exist, and performs coordinate transformation based upon the specified effective area and the calculated projective transformation parameter, to generate the multivalued image after image processing from the multivalued image before image processing. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128399 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BONDED SUBSTRATE, BONDED SUBSTRATE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA - Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a bonded substrate, including the steps of: forming a first bonding layer on a surface on one side of a semiconductor substrate; forming a second bonding layer on a surface on one side of a support substrate; adhering the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer to each other; a heat treatment for bonding the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer to each other; and thinning the semiconductor substrate from a surface on the other side of the semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor layer. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128400 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Provided is a solid state imaging device including: a pixel portion where pixel sharing units are disposed in an array shape and where another one pixel transistor group excluding transfer transistors is shared by a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; transfer wiring lines which are connected to the transfer gate electrodes of the transfer transistors of the pixel sharing unit and which are disposed to extend in a horizontal direction and to be in parallel in a vertical direction as seen from the top plane; and parallel wiring lines which are disposed to be adjacent to the necessary transfer wiring lines in the pixel sharing unit and which are disposed to be in parallel to the transfer wiring lines as seen from the top plane, wherein voltages which are used to suppress potential change of the transfer gate electrodes are supplied to the parallel wiring lines. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128401 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The digital photographing apparatus includes: a first display unit disposed on a rear surface of the digital photographing apparatus; a second display unit disposed on a front surface of the digital photographing apparatus; and a digital signal processing unit for turning on the second display unit if a face is detected in an input image. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128402 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, FLASH APPARATUS USABLE WITH IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a main body having an image sensor, a flash apparatus having a flash unit installed to the main body to selectively protrude from the main body and to rotate in the protrusion, and a controller to determine whether to protrude the flash unit by determining whether the main body is disposed in an indoor location or in an outdoor location through an image sensor and locating a face of a person in a subject captured by the image sensor, and to control a flash direction by rotating the flash unit in accordance with surroundings of the face of the person in the subject image after protruding the flash unit. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128403 | Digital Camera Device Providing Improved Methodology for Rapidly Taking Successive Pictures - An in-camera two-stage compression implementation is described that reduces the latency between snapshots to a fraction of that otherwise required by other systems that either process complete compression following each snapshot or that incorporate heavy, bulky, and expensive RAM hardware capable of maintaining several raw luminosity records (unprocessed file containing a digital image). In the 1st stage compression the raw luminosity record is quickly, yet partially, compressed to available RAM buffer space to allow a user to expeditiously capture a succeeding image. When the higher-priority processes, the user shooting pictures, and stage one compression subside, a 2nd stage compression, which is slower but more effective, decompresses the earlier partially-compressed images, and re-compresses them for saving in flash memory until they are distributed to a remote platform to be finally converted to the JPEG2000 format. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128404 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Image processing capable of improving bright and dark part gradation is performed while maintaining apparent contrast by providing an imaging unit generating image data, a selecting unit selecting either a first mode not performing a correction on a dark part gradation of the image data or a second mode performing the correction, a gradation conversion processing unit performing gradation conversion processing according to a first characteristic when the first mode is selected and performing the gradation conversion processing according to a second characteristic which includes a characteristic achieving, for a same input level, an output level lower than the first characteristic and includes a characteristic changing contrast when the second mode is selected, and a correcting unit performing the correction to improve a lightness in the dark part gradation of the image data according to the second characteristic by the gradation conversion processing unit when the second mode is selected. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128405 | OPTICAL ELEMENT, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE OPTICAL ELEMENT, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR - An optical element includes a plurality of optical filters having different characteristics. The element includes a first optical filter including a first metal structure group including first metal structures periodically arranged in an in-plane direction of a substrate surface and a second optical filter including a second metal structure group including second metal structures periodically arranged in the in-plane direction, the second metal structure group exhibiting a plasmon resonance condition different from that of the first metal structure group. The optical distance between the first metal structures adjacent to each other is in a range of 0.75 to 1.25 times the optical distance between the second metal structures adjacent to each other. | 06-02-2011 |
20110134261 | DIGITAL CAMERA BLENDING AND CLASHING COLOR WARNING SYSTEM - A system, method and program product for detecting and warning of problematic color combinations. A system is disclosed that includes a color warning system having: a scanning system for detecting proximately located objects appearing in an electronic view finder of the digital camera; a color identification system for quantifying a color of each of the proximately located objects; an analysis system for identifying a problematic color combination in the proximately located objects; and a warning system for outputting a warning prior to a picture capture operation upon a detection of the problematic color combination. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134262 | CAMERA MODULE, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a camera module includes two or more sub camera modules and a block matching unit. The two or more sub camera modules are fixed in an arrangement in which directions of optical axes of the imaging optical systems differ to each other. The block matching unit matches the images of the subject of the respective sub camera modules in portions where the image circles of the imaging optical systems overlap with each other. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134263 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a focusing quantity calculating unit, a detail compensation amount calculating unit, and a detail adding unit. The focusing quantity calculating unit calculates a focusing quantity for every position in the subject image from a detail component. The compensation amount calculating unit calculates the detail compensation amount from the focusing quantity. The detail adding unit adds the detail component, which is compensated according to the detail compensation amount, to a low-frequency component of the image data. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134264 | Imaging element and camera system - An imaging element includes an amplifying transistor. A signal charge from the photodiode is transferable to the gate of amplifying transistor, the photodiode being within a semiconductor substrate. The source and drain of the amplifying transistor are electrically isolated from a semiconductor substrate, wherein the source is within a well or the source and drain are within a silicon-on-insulator layer. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134265 | Scan conversion device and electronic camera - A scan conversion device includes a first buffer unit, a pixel packing unit, a second buffer unit, and a scan output unit. The first buffer unit stores therein pixel signals of the input image on every line in a main scanning direction thereof. The pixel packing unit groups N (N≧2) pixel signals on each line into pixel signal packs according to a predetermined pixel combination rule, and outputs them sequentially. The second buffer unit stores therein the pixel signal packs and aligns them in a second main scanning direction different from the main scanning direction. The scan output unit sequentially outputs the pixel signal packs aligned in the second main scanning direction. According to this configuration, a scan pattern of the input image is changed into a scan pattern of outputting every N output lines in the second main scanning direction. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134266 | Image forming optical system and electronic image pickup apparatus equipped with same - To provide an image forming optical system that can achieve good correction of chromatic aberration, which is seriously needed particularly when the zoom ratio is high, while achieving slimness and a high zoom ratio and to provide an electronic image pickup apparatus equipped with such an image forming optical system, an image forming optical system has a lens group A including a lens component made up of a positive lens LA and a negative lens LB cemented together and having a negative refracting power as a whole. The lens group A is arranged between a lens group I closest to the object side and an aperture stop. The distance between the lens group I and the lens group A changes for zooming. The lens component has an aspheric cemented surface, and a certain condition concerning the shape of the aspheric surface is satisfied. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134267 | IMAGING APPARATUS - For increasing a dynamic range, and for signal processing according the gain of an amplifying unit, an imaging apparatus comprises a pixel configured to generate a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion, an amplifying unit amplifying the pixel signal generated by the pixel using a plurality of gains and outputting a plurality of pixel signals corresponding to the plurality of gains, a synthesizing unit selecting one of the plurality of pixel signals output by the amplifying unit in accordance with the size of the pixel signal output by the amplifying unit and outputting a signal based on the selected pixel signal, and a signal processing unit processing the signal output by the synthesizing unit in accordance with the gain of the amplifying unit corresponding to the pixel signal selected by the synthesizing unit. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134268 | SOLAR ACCESS MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A Solar Access Measurement Device (“SAMD”) located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD, an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134269 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided are a digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus. The digital photographing apparatus includes an image generator configured to generate an image comprising a subject; a subject recognizer configured to recognize the subject from the generated image of the subject; a cue selector configured to select a cue for the recognized subject; and an output unit configured to output the selected cue. The recognized subject may be captured after the selected cue is output. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134270 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - If separations between photoelectric conversion elements are different from each other, charge leaking into adjacent photoelectric conversion elements varies. A photoelectric conversion apparatus of the present invention includes a first semiconductor region that can be potential barriers against signal charge, between first and second photoelectric conversion elements. Further, the apparatus includes a second semiconductor region that has the same depth as the depth of the first semiconductor region and a width narrower than the width of the first semiconductor region and can be potential barriers against the signal charge, between the first and a third photoelectric conversion element. Moreover, the apparatus includes a third semiconductor region that can be potential barriers against the signal charge under the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134271 | Detecting Red Eye Filter and Apparatus Using Meta-Data - A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and film information. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134272 | PHOTOELECTRIC-CONVERSION DEVICE - A photoelectric-conversion device including at least two memory-cell units for a single sensor-cell unit is provided. A reset noise generated due to initialization of the sensor-cell unit is written into each of the memory-cell units at one time. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134273 | IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a face detecting unit detecting a face region from an input image input to the imaging apparatus and a control unit calculating a distance to a subject on the basis of the face size detected by the face detection unit and displaying distance identification information indicating a distance corresponding to the calculated distance in a display unit. | 06-09-2011 |
20110134274 | CAMERA, ENCODER, AND MODULATOR IN SAME ENCLOSURE - An RF signal source having a camera that provides a camera output, an encoder that encodes the camera output in a compressed digital format, and a modulator that digitally encodes and modulates the compressed camera output and that provides the digitally encoded, modulated, and compressed camera output as an RF output of the RF signal source. The camera, the encoder, and the modulator may be contained in an enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the encoder, the modulator, and at least part of the camera may be formed on a semiconductor substrate. | 06-09-2011 |
20110141299 | Low cost combination spectral-spatial vision system - A combined spectral and spatial sensing unit having a lens for receiving light from an object or substance and for directing at least a portion thereof through a diffraction device to an area imager for creating a digital spectral image of a plurality of segments of different wave lengths of light on a first set of pixels of said imager and for creating a digital spatial image on a second set of pixels of said imager, and an analytical unit having a microprocessor for receiving each of said images and comparing same to images stored in a memory associated with said microprocessor to determine the identity, condition or other information about the object or substance. Alternatively, a portion of said light may be directed through a diffraction grating to a first imager and another portion to a second imager, each of which is associated with a microprocessor for determining the identity, condition or other information about the object or substance. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141300 | Panorama Imaging Using a Blending Map - A technique of generating a panoramic image involves acquiring a set of at least two main image frames, as well as corresponding generating and/or acquiring corresponding relatively low-resolution image frames, of overlapping portions of a panoramic scene. A map or other information is stored relating to the generation of a low-res panorama. A main panorama image is formed by joining main image frames based on the map or other information gained in the low-res process. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141301 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - An image processing method comprises receiving, from a camera, a camera captured image comprising a user drawn image. At least part of the user drawn image is within a field of view of the camera. The method comprises applying an image processing operation to the camera captured image so as to generate an image feature within the camera captured image which corresponds to the user drawn image, and thinning the image feature to a line width which is smaller than a line width associated with the image feature so as to generate a modified width image feature. The method further comprises generating vector data from pixels associated with the modified width image feature so that the vector data substantially represents the modified width image feature. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141302 | Image processing device, electronic camera, and image processing program - An image processing device of the present invention includes a color-gamut determining part, a color-space determining part, and a color-space conversion part. The color-gamut determining part determines a color gamut as a range of color distribution from input image data. The color-space determining part determines a color space substantially covering the color gamut determined by the color-gamut determining part. The color-space conversion part converts the input image data into such image data that is rendered in the determined color space. The colors of the subject can thus be reproduced accurately from the converted image data. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141303 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager, having an imaging surface capturing a scene through a focus lens, repeatedly outputs a scene image. An extractor checks the scene image outputted from the imager with each of a plurality of characteristic patterns so as to extract a specific characteristic pattern satisfying a predetermined condition. A restrictor restricts behavior of adjusting a distance from the focus lens to the imaging surface in association with an extraction process of the extractor. A creator creates a reference image based on the scene image outputted from the imager corresponding to the extraction of the specific characteristic pattern. A register registers the specific characteristic pattern as a characteristic pattern used for searching for an image coincident with the reference image created by the creator. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141304 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager, having an imaging surface capturing a scene, repeatedly outputs a scene image. An extractor checks the scene image outputted from the imager with each of a plurality of characteristic patterns so as to extract one or at least two characteristic patterns in each of which a checking degree exceeds a reference. A creator creates a reference image based on the scene image outputted from the imager corresponding to the first extraction by the extractor. A selector selects a characteristic pattern used for searching for an image coincident with the reference image created by the creator, from among one or at least two characteristic patterns extracted by the extractor. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141305 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Without depending on the conventional standard, relationships between a location of user's apparatus and locations where images have been shot affect a display on a display screen. In shooting operation, image data is stored in a memory with image-location data added, which represents locations where images have been shot (step S | 06-16-2011 |
20110141306 | Image capturing device, method of searching for occlusion region, and program - An image capturing device is equipped with an external parameter estimating unit for estimating external parameters using a distance image obtained by a TOF camera and a luminance image obtained by a CCD camera, a corresponding pixel determining unit for determining a correspondence relationship between pixel positions in the distance image and pixel positions in the luminance image, using previously stored internal parameters of the TOF camera and the CCD camera or the CCD camera, and the external parameters, and an occlusion searching unit for searching for an occlusion region in the distance image, using the correspondence relationship between pixel positions in the distance image and pixel positions in the luminance image. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141307 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a reproduction condition generator configured to generate a reproduction condition of an image file, a reproduction condition recording unit configured to record the reproduction condition to a management file which is different from the image file while associating the reproduction condition with the image file, and a reproduction unit for reproducing an image file while controlling a reproduction method of the image file based on the reproduction condition associated with the image file. The reproduction condition is information representing at least one of image quality adjustment, volume adjustment, display magnification rate, and reproduction speed adjustment. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141308 | Image Processing Apparatus and Method, and Computer-Readable Medium Having Stored Thereon Computer Program for Executing the Method - An embodiment of the invention provides an image processing apparatus and method capable of reducing power consumption by controlling supply of a clock to a memory when correction is performed on image data. The image processing apparatus includes an image correction unit including a plurality of line memories to maintain image data line-by-line and perform correction on the image data, a number-of-line-memories determination unit for determining the number of line memories necessary for the correction performed by the image correction unit line-by-line, and a line memory control unit for controlling supply of a clock to the plurality of line memories based on the number of line memories determined by the number-of-line-memories determination unit to supply a clock to the line memories used for the correction performed by the image correction unit line-by-line and stop supply of the clock to line memories not used for the correction. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141309 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, PORTABLE EQUIPMENT, AND IMAGING SENSOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - A plurality of imaging regions are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of optical systems and are disposed on optical axes of the respective optical systems. Each imaging region has a plurality of pixels. The imaging apparatus further comprises an origin detecting means for detecting an origin of each imaging region, a pixel position specifying means for specifying positions of a plurality of pixels included in each imaging region using the origin as a reference, and a combination means for combining a plurality of images captured by the respective imaging regions. Thereby, it is possible to make a thin imaging apparatus capable of being easily assembled. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141310 | METHOD FOR BLOCK-ENCODING OF A RASTER IMAGE OF PIXELS, CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A method of block-encoding a raster image by successive two-dimensional decompositions of blocks of the image in a base of functions using a combined application of a one-dimensional core of vertical decomposition of n pixels and of a one-dimensional core of horizontal decomposition of p pixels. In the method the horizontal dimension P of each block is determined as a multiple of p, P=k·p, and a decomposition at log | 06-16-2011 |
20110149097 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DENSE-STOCHASTIC-SAMPLING IMAGING - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to imaging technologies, and, in particular, to an imaging system that detects relatively weak signals, over time, and that uses the detected signals to determine the positions of signal emitters. Particular embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for imaging fluorophore-labeled samples in order to produce images of the sample at resolutions significantly greater than the diffraction-limited resolution associated with optical microscopy. Embodiments of the present invention employ overlapping-emitter-image disambiguation to allow data to be collected from densely arranged emitters, which significantly decreases the data-collection time for producing intermediate images as well as the number of intermediate images needed to computationally construct high-resolution final images. Additional embodiments of the present invention employ hierarchical image-processing techniques to further resolve and interpret disambiguated images. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149098 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARUTUS AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF LENS - Provided is an image processing apparatus and method that may virtually implement characteristics of an actual lens. The image processing apparatus includes a first image obtaining unit that obtains a raw image through an image capturing apparatus, a foreground/background separation unit that separates a foreground and a background from the raw image obtained by the first image obtaining unit, a lens selecting unit that selects a lens model, a lens characteristic, or a combination thereof the image capturing apparatus, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the foreground and the background by respectively applying a predetermined calibration value for the lens model, the lens characteristic, or the combination thereof, and a second image obtaining unit that synthesizes the image-processed foreground and background to obtain a processed image. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149099 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE LEVEL DETECTION AND METHOD THEREOF - An image capture device an with adjustable level detection function comprises a controller that determines whether the rotation angle of the image capture device exceeds a predefined angle and terminates an image capture process of the image capture device when the rotation angle exceeds the predefined angle. An image capture module of the image capture device captures images when the rotation angle is within the predefined angle. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149100 | Image apparatus and imaging method - An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor in which plural pixels having a photoelectric conversion function are arranged; a light guiding unit including plural optical system windows that guide light from an object to the respective pixels of the image sensor; and a signal processing unit that performs signal processing based on imaging information of the image sensor, wherein the signal processing unit obtains distance information of the object based on the imaging information of the image sensor and generates an image in response to a distance of the object based on the distance information. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149101 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING DATA USING A MOBILE DEVICE WITH A PROJECTION FUNCTION - A method and system for generating data in a mobile device is provided. The method includes, outputting an image, stored in the mobile device, to an external screen, capturing the external screen on which the image is being displayed and creating a captured image, comparing the output image with the captured image and extracting an added image from the captured image, and creating data from the extracted image. When the mobile device user writes or draws on an external screen on which the mobile device outputs an image, the mobile device can capture the external screen, create data from the user's input content and store them in the storage unit. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149102 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a silicon substrate, and a photoelectric conversion layer arranged on the silicon substrate and lattice-matched to the silicon substrate, the photoelectric conversion layer being composed of a chalcopyrite-based compound semiconductor of a copper-aluminum-gallium-indium-sulfur-selenium-based mixed crystal or a copper-aluminum-gallium-indium-zinc-sulfur-selenium-based mixed crystal. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149103 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING SAME - To provide an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining a good-quality image even if an unexpected aberration occurs and an image pickup apparatus using the same. An image processing apparatus includes a primary restored image generating module configured to generate a primary restored image by performing image restoration processing on an input image having a plurality of color components, a restoration component generating module configured to generate difference information for each of the plurality of color components by calculating a difference between the input image and the primary restored image, and a secondary restored image generating module configured to generate a secondary restored image using the difference information. The secondary restored image generating module combines a color-combination restoration component based on the difference information for the plurality of color components with one color component of the input image. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149104 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD, AND CAMERA - An imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a contact region, and an accumulation region. The contact region is configured to receive a charge from the photoelectric conversion unit. The accumulation region is configured to store the charge from the contact region. The imaging device is configured to selectively inject a charge into the contact region. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149105 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs image data representing a forward scene of a camera housing. A first requester requests a monitor having a screen directed to backward of the camera housing to display a moving image based on the image data outputted from the imager. A selector selects any one of a plurality of imaging modes including a self imaging mode in response to a mode selection operation. An adjuster adjusts an imaging condition in a manner to be adapted to the imaging mode selected by the selector. A restrictor restricts the display operation of the monitor after a first time period has elapsed since the timing of the mode selection operation, when the imaging mode selected by the selector is the self imaging mode. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149106 | GENERATING A SYNTHESIZED IMAGE FROM A PLURALITY OF IMAGES - A plurality of images is captured, and a positional displacement between the images is determined. The images may be captured as still images or as moving images. Moving images may include, for example, images that are captured as part of the recording of a video or as live image data that is played back in real time. Different positional displacement techniques are be used to determine the positional displacement between the images, based on how the images are captured. For example, a first positional displacement technique may be used if the images are still images and a second positional displacement technique if the images are moving images. The images may then be synthesized images based on the determined positional displacement of the images to generate a synthesized image. The images may be synthesized using a weighted synthesis technique, a simple synthesis technique, or other appropriate synthesis technique. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149107 | IMAGE CONFIRMATION APPARATUS - An apparatus determines whether continuous shooting has been performed by an imaging apparatus based on an imaging signal transmitted from the imaging apparatus. If it is determined that the continuous shooting performed by the imaging apparatus and next shooting different from the continuous shooting is performed before all images related to the continuous shooting are acquired, the apparatus acquires an image of the next shooting on a priority basis compared to images of the continuous shooting, and displays the image acquired from the imaging apparatus on a display unit. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149108 | Photographing Apparatus and Method of Controlling the Same - A non-transitory computer program product, photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the photographing apparatus, the method including obtaining sound information; calculating a shooting frequency based on the obtained sound information; and controlling a shutter of an imaging device to obtain image data according to the calculated shooting frequency. | 06-23-2011 |
20110157388 | Gun Camera - A gun camera, including a main body, a video unit, a video processing unit, a recording unit and a power supply unit, wherein interior of the main body forms a holding space, and the main body can be separably joined to a gun device. The video unit fixed to the main body is used to convert external video images into electronic signals. The video processing unit fixedly positioned within the main body processes and converts electronic signals produced by the video unit into digital video data. The recording unit electrically connected to the video processing unit is used to store the digital video data, and the power supply unit provides the electric power required by the video unit, the video processing unit and the recording unit. Accordingly: the gun camera is operated in coordination with a gun device or manually operated to implement immediate filming and recording of video. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157389 | DISTRIBUTED VISION SYSTEM WITH MULTI-PHASE SYNCHRONIZATION - This invention provides a system and method for synchronization of vision system inspection results produced by each of a plurality of processors that includes a first bank (that can be a “master” bank) containing a master vision system processor and at least one slave vision system processor. At least a second bank (that can be one of a plurality of “slave” banks) contains a master vision system processor and at least one slave vision system processor. Each vision system processor in each bank generates results from an image acquired and processed in a given inspection cycle. The inspection cycle can be based on an external trigger or other trigger signal, and it can enable some or all of the processors/banks to acquire and process images at a given time/cycle. In a given cycle. each of the multiple banks can be positioned to acquire an image of a respective region of a plurality of succeeding regions on a moving line. A synchronization process (a) generates a unique identifier and that passes a trigger signal with the unique identifier associated with the master processor in the first bank to each of the slave processor in the master bank and each of the master and slave processor and (b) receives consolidated results via the master processor of the second bank, having the unique identifier and consolidated results from the results from the first bank. The process then (c) consolidates the results for transmission to a destination if the results are complete and the unique identifier of each of the results is the same. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157390 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING LENS QUALITY - A method for measuring lens quality includes receiving and transmitting an image's information to a location module through an image collecting module. A location module partitions the image's information into a plurality of measure areas. An image processing module computes the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of each measure area. A comparing module compares the MTF with a predetermined MTF to determine quality of the lenses. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157391 | HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE MOTION SENSING METHOD THEREOF - An image motion sensing method applicable for an image sensing device includes the steps of capturing a plurality of sensing frames, each sensing frame including image position information of an image; selecting a base frame from the sensing frames and a sampling frame disposed after the base frame; comparing image position information of images in the base frame and the sampling frame within a base comparison range of the base frame and a sampling comparison range of the sampling frame to generate displacement information; determining a comparison range size according to the displacement information; updating sampling comparison range according to the comparison range size; selecting a sensing frame after the sampling frame as an updated sampling frame; updating the base comparison range of the base frame according to the comparison range size; and returning to the foregoing step of comparing the image position information. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157392 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING SHOOTING CONDITION OF DIGITAL CAMERA THROUGH MOTION DETECTION - A method for adjusting a shooting condition of a digital camera through motion detection is applied to determine a shooting parameter of the digital camera. The adjusting method includes the following steps. At least two consecutive images, namely a first pre-capture image and a second pre-capture image, are selected. The first pre-capture image and the second pre-capture image are divided into a plurality of selection blocks. A motion vector of each selection block is calculated. The motion vector of each selection block is used to generate a background dominant motion vector of the camera sloshing and a self-movement vector of the shot object. The background dominant motion vector is subtracted from the self-movement vector of the shot object, so as to obtain a corrected foreground motion vector. According to the size of the corrected foreground motion vector, the corresponding shooting parameter is determined. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157393 | LENSLESS IMAGING WITH CONTROLLABLE APERTURES - Embodiments of the present invention provide a lensless optical device for acquiring an image. The device can include a light attenuating layer having a plurality of elements, where transmittance of each of the plurality of elements is controllable, and an image detector disposed at a distance from the light attenuating layer, the image detector configured to acquire an image with light that passes through the light attenuating layer. The device also can include a light attenuating layer controller configured to simultaneously control transmittance of each of the plurality of elements independent of each other. Methods of detecting and tracking an object in a scene are also disclosed. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157394 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: a picture range variation control section adapted to variably set a picture range extent of image data; and a composition processing section adapted to detect whether or not a target image is included in a picture range while the picture range extent is variably set by the picture range variation control section and carry out, when one or more target images are detected, a composition determination process including confirmation of a different target image around the detected target image or images. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157395 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH FRACTIONAL RESOLUTION IMAGE PROCESSING - A system-on-chip (SOC) includes an image sensor, an image signal processor connected to an output of the image sensor, a bypass connected to the output of the image sensor, and a multiplexer connected to an output of the image signal processor and an output of the bypass. The image sensor, image signal processor, bypass, and multiplexer are all integrated on one silicon wafer. An image capture device includes the SOC and applications processor connected to an output of the multiplexer. The image capture device can further include a system memory and a display connected to the applications processor. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157396 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of captured images captured by an image capturing apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine position information of the image capturing apparatus for each of the plurality of captured images so that an evaluation value becomes smaller; and a connecting unit configured to connect the plurality of captured images projected onto a reconstruction plane using the determined position information of the image capturing apparatus, wherein the determination unit comprises a calculation unit configured to project each of the plurality of captured images onto the reconstruction plane based on the set position information and to calculate, as the evaluation value, an image difference between the projected images in a overlapping region between the projected images. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157397 | IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image pickup control apparatus, includes: a trigger acceptance section adapted to accept a predetermined trigger input as a changeover input from an automatic image pickup mode to a request responding image pickup mode; and a request responding image pickup control section adapted to establish, when the trigger input is accepted by the trigger acceptance section while an image pickup apparatus is carrying out still picture image pickup operation with an image pickup visual field of the image pickup apparatus changed in the automatic image pickup mode, the request responding image pickup mode and control the image pickup apparatus to execute a process for determining an image pickup visual field in accordance with an image pickup request and then execute still picture image pickup operation after the determination of the image pickup visual field. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157398 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a reset gate voltage VresH to be applied to a gate of a reset MOS transistor is lower than a power supply voltage SVDD of a power supply to which drains of an amplifying MOS transistor and the reset MOS transistor are connected. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157399 | CAMERA MODULE, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE RECORDING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a camera module includes a plurality of sub-camera modules. The sub-camera modules include imaging elements and imaging lenses. At least two of the sub-camera modules include the imaging lenses, subject distances of which when best-focused are set different from each other. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157400 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING GRAPHIC FOR USER TO ESTIMATE THE REAL SIZE OF OBJECT - A photographing method displays a photographed object and displays a graphic for the user to estimate the real size of the object based on a calculated real size of the object. Accordingly, the user can evaluate the real size of the object, which is being photographed by the user. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157401 | METHOD FOR READING OUT A HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE AND DEVICE USING THE SAME - A method for reading out a high dynamic range image in an image sensor comprises: resetting a pixel array row by row from an initial row of the pixel array to process a first integration treatment for a first image when reaching a first start time; resetting the pixel array row by row from the initial row of the pixel array to process a second integration treatment for the first image when reaching a second start time; and resetting the pixel array row by row from the initial row of the pixel array to process a first integration treatment for a second image when reaching a third start time. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157402 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A method for processing image includes: acquiring image data; firstly correcting saturation information acquired from the image data based on at least one of hue information and luminance information of the image data; determining whether an image of the image data is a vivid color scene based on the saturation information corrected by the first correction; and outputting a result of scene determination. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157403 | CAMERA AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A camera with a focusing function is provided. The camera includes a first imaging unit configured to generate a first image by a photoelectric conversion from an image of a subject obtained via a first lens, a second imaging unit configured to generate a second image by a photoelectric conversion from an image of the subject obtained via a second lens, where the second imaging unit being different from the first imaging unit, an focusing amount acquiring unit configured to acquire amount of focusing, a composite image generating unit configured to set a cutout position on the second image, to cut out an partial image at the cutout position, on the basis of the operation amount and a predetermined cutout rule, and to generate a composite image by superimposing the partial image on the first image, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157404 | DIGITAL CAMERA AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A digital camera is provided with a focusing function and a focal length varying function of a main lens. The digital camera includes a main imaging unit configured to generate a main image by performing a photoelectric conversion from a subject obtained via the main lens, a sub-imaging unit configured to generate a sub-image by performing a photoelectric conversion from the subject obtained via a sub-lens, a focal length acquiring unit configured to acquire the focal length of the main lens, a magnification setting unit configured to set a level of magnification on the basis of the focal length, a composite image generating unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the main image and the sub-image, after at least one of the main image and the sub-image is magnified at the level of magnification, and an image display unit configured to display the composite image. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157405 | Photographing Apparatus, Photographing Method and Recording Medium - The photographing apparatus includes an image pickup unit that generates a raw image; a feature extractor that extracts a feature image containing at least one feature part from the raw image; an image processor that performs image processing of the raw image according to a first scene information and that performs image processing of the feature image according to a second scene information; a quantizer that performs discrete cosine transform and quantization of a raw-processed image obtained by performing image processing of the raw image and a feature-processed image obtained by performing image processing of the feature image; a difference data generator that generates difference data indicating a difference between image data obtained by processing the raw-processed image in the quantizer and feature image data obtained by processing the feature-processed image in the quantizer on a feature image data basis; and an image compressor. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157406 | Photographing Apparatus and Method - A photographing apparatus includes an auxiliary line display unit displaying auxiliary lines including at least one of at least one vertical line movable in a horizontal direction within a screen and at least one horizontal line movable in a vertical direction within the screen, an edge extracting unit extracting an edge of an object image from image data obtained by photographing an object, a straight line detecting unit detecting at least one straight line portion from the extracted edge, a target extracting unit extracting a target straight line portion from the detected at least one straight line portion, according to at least one of an inclination and a length of the detected at least one straight line portion, and a distance calculating unit calculating a distance between the extracted target straight line portion and at least one of the vertical line and the horizontal line. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157407 | DOCUMENT CAMERA WITH SIZE-ESTIMATING FUNCTION AND SIZE ESTIMATION METHOD - A size estimation method is used with a document camera to estimate an object size. The document camera includes a lens and an image sensor. The size estimation method includes the following steps. Firstly, an object distance between the lens and the object is detected. According to the object distance and a viewable angle of the lens, a shooting zone size is estimated. Then, the object is shot by the lens and the image sensor, thereby acquiring a digital image including an image of the object. Then, an effective pixel number corresponding to the object image is counted. Afterward, the size of the object is estimated according to the effective pixel number, a total pixel number of the image sensor and the shooting zone size. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157408 | Foreground/Background Segmentation in Digital Images with Differential Exposure Calculations - A digital segmentation method and apparatus determines foreground and/or background within at least one portion of a captured image. The determining includes comparing a captured image to a pre-captured or post captured reference image of nominally the same scene. One of the images is taken with flash and the other without. The system can be implemented as part of a digital camera acquisition chain having effective computation complexity. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157409 | IMAGE QUALITY ADJUSTING DEVICE, IMAGE QUALITY ADJUSTING METHOD, AND IMAGE QUALITY ADJUSTING PROGRAM - An image quality adjusting device | 06-30-2011 |
20110164143 | TV demonstration - A television demonstration method involves providing a television display and a camera; at a computer processor, receiving a video image from the camera, the computer processor capturing the video image from the camera to determine if the viewer makes a predetermined gesture; and retrieving and playing a specified video segment on the display associated with the gesture in response to determining that the viewer has made the predetermined gesture. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 07-07-2011 |
20110164144 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager, having an imaging surface capturing a scene, which repeatedly outputs a scene image. An extractor extracts a specific reference image coincident with a partial image outputted from the imager corresponding to a predetermined area allocated to the imaging surface, from among a plurality of reference images. An adjuster executes a process of adjusting an exposure amount by emphasizing the predetermined area in parallel with the extraction process. An identifier identifies a color of an object equivalent to the partial image, corresponding to extracting the specific reference image. A corrector executes a process of correcting a tonality of the scene image with reference to the identified result, in place of the extraction process. A searcher searches for a partial image coincident with the specific reference image from the scene image having the corrected tonality. | 07-07-2011 |
20110169975 | IMAGE-SCANNING COMPUTATIONAL PIXEL RESOLVING CAMERA - A method comprises: receiving a first light beam carrying a visual image; generating a plurality of second light beams based on the first light beam, wherein each of the plurality of second light beams is a subset of the first light beam; determining an energy level for each of the plurality of second light beams; and determining a single possible set of pixels that comprises the visual image carried by the first light beam based upon the determined energy level. | 07-14-2011 |
20110169976 | EFFICIENT, USER-FRIENDLY SYSTEM TO STREAM SCREENS INSIDE VIDEO USING A MOBILE DEVICE - A system helps filter and correct video captured and streamed from a mobile device. In particular, the system detects and streams content shown on screens, allowing anyone to stream screen content immediately without needing to develop hooks into external software (i.e. without installing a screen recorder software in the computer). The system can use a variety of user-selectable techniques to detect the screen, and utilizes the mobile device's touchscreen to allow users to manually override detected corners. However, some of these approaches could potentially be applied to other types of content, such as identifying TV screens, appliance LCD screens, other mobile devices' screens, multifunction devices. (e.g. a remote technician could help troubleshoot a malfunctioning MFD by having the end-user point his cellphone to the LCD screen of the MFD). | 07-14-2011 |
20110169977 | IMAGE QUALITY EVALUATION DEVICE, TERMINAL DEVICE, IMAGE QUALITY EVALUATION SYSTEM, IMAGE QUALITY EVALUATION METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM FOR STORING PROGRAMS - The present invention evaluates the quality of an image shot by a terminal device in a state closer to that seen with the eye. A computer evaluates the quality of an image obtained by shooting a photographic subject including a periodic pattern that fluctuates periodically in one direction. A Fourier transform unit accomplishes a two-dimensional Fourier transform on the image to obtain two-dimensional spatial frequency spectrum components. An analysis unit analyzes the resolution of the image on the basis of spectrum components of spatial frequencies included in the periodic pattern, among the two-dimensional spatial frequency spectrum components obtained by the Fourier transform unit, and analyzes the deterioration of the image on the basis of spectrum components other than these. | 07-14-2011 |
20110169978 | FUNCTIONAL OPTICAL COHERENT IMAGING - The present invention relates to a functional optical coherent imaging (fOCI) platform comprising at least one active camera unit (ACU) comprising a coherent and/or a partially coherent light source, and means for spectral filtering and imaging a selected body area of interest; an image processing unit (IPU) for pre-processing data received from an ACU; at least one stimulation unit (STU) transmitting a stimulation to a subject; at least one body function reference measurement unit (BFMU); a central clock and processing unit (CCU), with interconnections to the ACU, the IPU, the STU, for collecting pre-processed data from the IPU, stimuli from the STU body function reference data from the BFMU in a synchronized manner; a post-processing unit (statistical analysis unit, SAU); and an operator interface (HOD. Further the invention relates to a process for acquiring stimuli activated subject data comprising the steps of aligning a body function unit at a subject and monitoring pre-selected body function; selecting a stimulus or stimuli; imaging a body area of interest; exerting one or a series of stimuli on the subject; imaging the body area of interest synchronous with said stimuli and the preselected body functions; and transferring said synchronized image, stimuli and body function data to a statistical analysis unit (SAU) and performing calculations to generate results pertaining to body functions. | 07-14-2011 |
20110169979 | PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS BASED ILLUMINANT ESTIMATION - An image apparatus for providing an estimated illuminant of a scene and subsequently providing an adjusted image of the scene includes a capturing system and an illuminant database. The capturing system captures information for an input image of the scene. The input image is defined by a plurality of input colors. The illuminant database includes a separate subspace of information for a plurality of possible illuminants. The subspaces can be created from multi-dimensional color information from its respective possible illuminant that is computed using Principal Components Analysis. This allows for more accurate illuminant estimation of the scene and the use of Principal Components Analysis to generate the one or more subspaces allows for accurate and relatively easy generation of the subspaces. Additionally, the image apparatus can include a control system that compares the input colors to the subspaces in the illuminant database. | 07-14-2011 |
20110176018 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GAMMA CAMERA COUNT RATE SATURATION CORRECTION - A system and method for adjusting count rate information, comprising: acquiring, using at least one detector, static image information from at least one imaged object; acquiring, using the at least one detector, whole body image information from the at least one imaged object; determining, using at least one computer application, the count rate information using the static image information and the whole body image information; and adjusting, using the at least one computer application, the count rate information by accounting for movement between the at least one detector and the at least one imaged object. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176019 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION AND CONVERSION - A method for image acquisition and conversion includes low-pass filtering an image by an acquisition lens, producing from the low-pass filtered image, an up-sampled image with a first resolution with an up-sampling factor using a image sensor. The up-sampled image is converted into a multi-level image with a second resolution lower than the first resolution with an image processing circuit. The converting depends on the low-pass filtering of the lens and on the up-sampling factor. The method is adapted to gigapixel sensors and convention image sensors. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176020 | CAMERA MODULE WITH LENS ARRAY - A camera module includes a plurality of lenses with different focal lengths, a supporting plate, an image sensor, and a processor. The supporting plate defines a plurality of through holes receiving the corresponding lenses. The image sensor includes a sensing area. The sensing area is configured for receiving light through the lenses and the through holes and converting the light into electrical signals. The processor is electrically connected to the image sensor. The processor is configured for processing the electrical signals to form sub-images of a same view of same objects with different depths of field and then combining the sub-images into a final image. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176021 | Image-Processing Integrated Circuit - An image-processing integrated circuit includes an image-processing die, a conductive layer, first optical units and a second optical unit. The conductive layer is provided on a face of the image-processing die. The first optical units are provided on an opposite face of the image-processing die. The second optical unit is provided on the first optical units. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176022 | Image Sensor Devices Having Peripheral Circuits Therein that Use Light Guide Materials as Electrical Insulators - An image sensor includes an array of image sensor cells, on a substrate, and a peripheral circuit region extending adjacent the array of image sensor cells. The array of image sensor cells includes a plurality of lens elements and a plurality of color filters extending adjacent the plurality of lens elements. A plurality of photodiodes is provided in the substrate. The plurality of photodiodes are aligned to corresponding ones of the plurality of lens elements. An interconnection structure is also provided, which extends between the plurality of photodiodes and the plurality of color filters. The interconnection structure has an array of cavities therein that are aligned to corresponding ones of the plurality of photodiodes and are filled with a light guide material. The peripheral circuit region includes a metal interconnect pattern and an electrically conductive pad on the metal interconnect pattern. An electrically insulating layer extends on the electrically conductive pad. The electrically insulating layer is formed of the light guide material. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176023 | UNIT PICTURE ELEMENTS, BACK-SIDE ILLUMINATION CMOS IMAGE SENSORS INCLUDING THE UNIT PICTURE ELEMENTS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE UNIT PICTURE ELEMENTS - Unit picture elements including photon-refracting microlenses. A unit picture element may include a photodiode, a metal layer, and a photo-refracting microlens. The photon-refracting microlens may be disposed between the photodiode and the metal layer. The photon-refracting microlens may refract photons reflected by the metal layer to a center portion of the photo diode. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176024 | Image Fusion Apparatus and Method - Provided are an image fusion apparatus and method for combining multi-exposure images. The image fusion apparatus and method may generate a sharp high-resolution high dynamic image while fully representing detail in an over-exposed region and an under-exposed region of the image without contrast degradation. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176025 | VIDEO INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, VIDEO INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A video information processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set an event related to a real space where a user exists, an imaging unit configured to capture a video image of the real space, a recognition unit configured to recognize the event related to the real space based on the video image, a determination unit configured to determine whether the recognized event is permitted to be presented to another person different from the user based on whether the recognized event corresponds to the event which has been set, and a transmission unit configured to transmit information of the event whose presentation to the another person is determined to be permitted. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176026 | MODULAR APPARATUS FOR DIRECTION - The present invention refers to a modular apparatus for a mobile control room, realised in a flexible manner and such that to be advantageously assembled, continuously modified and provided according to needs and requirements of for example, a client. An important improvement for rendering the directing apparatus modular consists in that several modules are provided and there are inserted inside thereof almost the whole of the apparatuses which are needed for the control of the videocameras (or other functions in the case of different kind of modules); Therefore, the most of the investment is flexible since is moved and incorporated to the same modules. | 07-21-2011 |
20110176027 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMPRESSING MOVING IMAGE - A still block detector is provided at a stage before a moving image encoder. The still block detector divides a frame to be processed into a plurality of blocks, sorts the blocks in the frame in ascending order of movement amount, and sets the first one or more blocks the number of which is specified by a “corresponding block setting number” input from the outside of an encoding device, to “still blocks.” For the still blocks, the moving image encoder performs an inter-encoding process with respect to a moving image by forcibly setting motion vectors to zeros without performing a motion search or by forcibly setting DCT coefficients to zeros without performing DCT or quantization. | 07-21-2011 |
20110181746 | Image Preprocessing - A method performed by a software process executing on a computer system, includes obtaining a digital image having a plurality of pixels encoded in a YUV color space. Each pixel has a luma component of value Y, a blue color-difference component of value U and a red color-difference component of value V. For a specified pixel, the method includes calculating whether U is less than a first threshold and V is greater than a second threshold. The method further includes determining whether the specified pixel potentially depicts an orange hue depending on a result of the calculation. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181747 | Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel region in which shared pixels which share pixel transistors in a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions are two-dimensionally arranged. The shared pixel transistors are divisionally arranged in a column direction of the shared pixels, the pixel transistors shared between neighboring shared pixels are arranged so as to be horizontally reversed or/and vertically crossed, and connection wirings connected to a floating diffusion portion, a source of a reset transistor and a gate of an amplification transistor in the shared pixels are arranged along the column direction. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181748 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PLAYING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a light receiving device having a micro lens array in which a plurality of micro lenses are arrayed two-dimensionally, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are provided for the plurality of micro lenses, and that outputs a plurality of photoreception signals that are obtained by receiving optical flux from an optical system via the micro lenses; a detection device that, based on the photoreception signals, detects an amount of displacement between an image plane obtained from the optical system and an image plane obtained from the light receiving device; a focal point adjustment device that performs focal point adjustment on the optical system based on the displacement amount; and a control device that, when an image plane that corresponds to the displacement amount is contained within an image plane range within which it is possible to create an image that is based on the photoreception signal, creates an image of the image plane that corresponds to the displacement amount based on a photoreception signal which is selected in accordance with the displacement amount from among the plurality of photoreception signals, and then displays this image. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181749 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, DRIVING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT - A solid-state imaging device includes multiple pixels formed of photoelectric converters and pixel transistors; a floating diffusion portion that exists within a region of each of the photoelectric converters when viewed from above; and a vertical transfer gate electrode of a transfer transistor that surrounds at least a portion of each photoelectric converter and is formed in the depth direction of a substrate and makes up the pixel transistor. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181750 | DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, RECORDING MEDIUM ON WHICH A DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM IS RECORDED AND RECORDING MEDIUM ON WHICH AN IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM IS RECORDED - The display control apparatus according to the present invention displays on a display unit, in a prescribed order, multiple images respectively expressing multiple image data acquired by an image data acquisition unit. For a predetermined portion of the images in the multiple images displayed on the display unit, image processing is performed to change the style of the images and the images are then displayed on the display unit. | 07-28-2011 |
20110181751 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to generate image data by capturing an object image, a data processing unit configured to generate, by reading predetermined data describing information on a layout of an electronic album from a recording medium and by using the image data generated by the imaging unit, an image representing the image captured by the imaging unit in an album form, a display unit configured to display the image captured by the imaging unit, and a control unit configured to control, in response to completion of a shooting preparation by the imaging unit, the display unit to display the image generated by the data processing unit. | 07-28-2011 |
20110187879 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - The present application provides an imaging device and an image processing program capable of recording an image suitable for image editing. The imaging device includes an imaging section imaging a subject by an image sensor to generate data of a first image in a pixel range and data of a second image in a second pixel range circumscribing the first image, the first image having an angle of view desired by a user, and a recording section recording the data of the first image and records the data of the second image as additional information of the data of the first image. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187880 | IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM USING ORTHOGONAL TRANSFER CCD SENSING ELEMENT - An image acquisition system that includes a first image recording device that records a series of images of a subject. A lateral velocity vector estimator receives the series of images from the first image recording device and estimates the lateral velocity vectors of the subject relative to the image acquisition system. The image acquisition system further includes a second image recording device that includes an orthogonal transfer CCD sensing element which records a target image of the subject. The orthogonal transfer CCD sensing element includes an array of pixels. A control adjusts the array of pixels within the orthogonal transfer CCD sensing element based on the lateral velocity vector estimates provided by the lateral velocity estimator. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187881 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING NOTIFICATION PROFILES - According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for managing notification profiles is provided. The method comprises acquiring, at an image acquisition module of a portable electronic device, an image of a graphical indicator. The graphical indicator comprises a machine readable representation of data identifying one of the plurality of notification profiles. The method further comprises extracting from the image the data identifying one of a plurality of notification profiles maintained in a memory of the portable electronic device. The method further comprises selecting the one of the plurality of notification profiles corresponding to the extracted identifying data as an active notification profile. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187882 | DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE PROVIDING PHOTOGRAPHING COMPOSITION AND METHOD THEREOF - A digital image capturing device detecting a face in an input image and providing a photographing composition, and a method using the digital image capturing device are provided. An embodiment of the digital image capturing device includes: a face detecting unit for detecting a face in the input image; an extracting unit for extracting tilt information of the detected face and a gaze direction; an establishing unit for establishing a photographing composition according to the tilt information or gaze direction of the face; and a providing unit for providing a change of the photographing composition according to the established photographing composition. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187883 | Processing method device and system to produce a focused image signal from an unfocused image - A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image signal by receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector such as a hemispherical photodetector. The convex photodetector includes a plurality of photosensors. Each photosensor has a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of the flux of photons. The photosensors generate a respective plurality of intensity signals. Each of the intensity signals is related to the respective orientation of the photosensor that generates it. The intensity signals are received by a signal processor, such as a digital signal processor, which uses the intensity signals to compute an image signal related to the intensity signals and thereby produce a focused output image. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187884 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS THAT PROCESSES IMAGE DATA TO WHICH A PLURALITY OF PIECES OF CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION ARE ADDED, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus that makes it possible, when executing processing on image data groups classified according to classification information, to perform the processing on an image data item having a plurality of pieces of classification information added thereto, in a user-friendly manner adapted to a type of the processing. A system controller selects an image data group of image data items to which specific classification information is added. The controller designates processing to be executed on the image data group. When a plurality of image data groups are selected, the controller causes the processing designated by said designation unit to be executed on an image data item belonging to a plurality of selected image data groups such that the number of times of execution of the processing on the image data item is made different according to a type of the processing. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187885 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM TO EXECUTE THE METHOD - Provided are a digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a recording medium storing a program to execute the method. The digital photographing apparatus includes a photographing unit, an image analyzing unit, and a composing providing unit. The photographing unit generates an image signal by capturing an image of a subject. The image analyzing unit detects an edge component of the image from the image signal. The composition providing unit provides an image composition by using the detected edge component. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187886 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, WARNING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image pickup control unit displays either one of a picked-up image by a first image pickup unit and a picked-up image by a second image pickup unit on a display unit as a finder image. A feature detecting unit calculates a distribution of brightness values or brightness dispersion for each of the picked-up images by the first and second image pickup units, thereby detecting features of the two picked-up images. A sameness determining unit determines the sameness between both picked-up images based on the detected features, and determines that an abnormality like the unexpected appearance of an obstacle is present when the feature largely differs. When it is determined that an abnormality is present, a warning processing unit simultaneously displays both picked-up images on the display unit, or displays the picked-up image including the abnormality on the display unit as a finder image. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187887 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM FOR CORRECTING COLOR BLUR - The image processing apparatus includes a determining part configured to determine, from a difference between information on color of a first pixel in a first image and information on color of a second pixel corresponding to the first pixel in a second image, whether or not the first image includes color blur due to defocus, the first and second images being generated by an image-pickup system and whose focus states are mutually different. The apparatus further includes a correcting part configured to perform on the first image a correction process that corrects the color blur determined by the determining part. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187888 | DRIVE CIRCUIT AND DRIVE METHOD OF LIGHT EMITTING DISPLAY APPARATUS - A drive circuit for a light emitting display apparatus including a pixel circuit having a light emitting device for emitting a light having brightness determined based on supplied current and a drive transistor for supplying the current to the light emitting device, comprises a threshold value correction circuit converting a second signal including a threshold voltage of the drive transistor and a data voltage, the second signal being output from the drive transistor when a first signal including the data voltage is input into the control electrode of the drive transistor, into a third signal including the threshold voltage of an inverted polarity and the data voltage or a voltage corresponding to the data voltage, to output the converted third signal to the pixel circuit. The pixel circuit includes a switch for supplying the third signal to the control electrode of the drive transistor. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187889 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - In an image processing apparatus, a shooting scene and shooting parameters for each image pickup apparatus that is to be used to pick up an image are set in accordance with a user input. A picked-up image is received from an image pickup apparatus. In accordance with the shooting scene that is set for the image pickup apparatus which has picked up the received image, a threshold of the likelihood of detecting a face region that is included in the shooting parameters for the shooting scene is obtained. A face region is detected from the picked-up image using the obtained threshold of the likelihood of detecting a face region. An image of the detected face region is highlighted and displayed on a display screen. | 08-04-2011 |
20110193982 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING AND REPRODUCING CAMERA VIDEO - A camera video processing/producing method and apparatus is provided. In the camera video processing method, an aspect ratio of a captured image is determined, and a horizontal/vertical image is rotated according to the display orientation of a preview screen of a camera according to the determination result. The rotation information of the horizontal/vertical image is set in a codec parameter, and the codec parameter and the image are encoded. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193983 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - In an imaging mode for reading a part of a plurality of pixels, signals of same color adjacent pixels are simultaneously read out to capacities, and at least two capacities in a same pixel row are once short-circuited. Further, capacities of a plurality of the pixel rows are once short-circuited to perform operation for averaging the pixels in vertical and horizontal directions. With the configuration, it is possible to solve deterioration in image quality due to occurrence of moire caused by reduction in sampling frequency in a thinning reading operation mode capable of high-speed reading. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193984 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a display unit capable of performing through display for displaying in real time a captured image, a control unit configured to cause, while the through display is being performed, the imaging unit to capture a still image in response to an instruction for a shooting preparation and a subsequent instruction for a shooting operation, an image processing unit configured to apply a special effect for changing image quality in a set direction to the captured image subjected to through display, a detection unit configured to detect an orientation of the imaging apparatus, and a setting unit configured to set the direction of the special effect according to the detected orientation, wherein, during a period for which an operation input for the shooting preparation continues, the setting unit retains the setting of the direction of the special effect even when the detected orientation changes. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193985 | IMAGING DEVICE, INFORMATION ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND PROGRAM - The imaging device of the invention includes an imaging portion that images a subject; a positional information acquisition portion that acquires positional information of an imaging position; a control portion which acquires information on the subject based on the positional information, and displays image data of the subject and the information on the subject on a display portion; and a hold control portion that outputs a hold control signal, which holds the image data of the subject and the information on the subject, to the control portion. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193986 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - An image sensing device includes: a subject detection portion which detects a specific subject from a preview image; a state determination portion which determines the state of the specific subject detected by the subject detection portion; a sound output portion which outputs a sound to the specific subject when the state of the specific subject is determined not to be a first state; and a shooting portion which shoots a target image when the state of the specific subject is determined to be the first state. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193987 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING POWER SPECTRAL DENSITY OF A SIGNAL VIA MODULATION OF THE SIGNAL - Methods, apparatus and systems for determining a power spectral density (PSD) of a signal, in which modulation of the signal is employed to facilitate determination of one or more PSD values over a wide range of frequencies. In some implementations, the signal may represent a wide-sense stationary random process. In one example, the signal is measured/sampled during a plurality of measurement windows, during which an intensity of the signal is modulated at one or more modulation frequencies. A variance of a set of quantities determined from the signal samples is calculated and used to determine respective values of the power spectral density (PSD) for the signal at the one or more modulation frequencies. The one or more modulation frequencies may be chosen in excess of the Nyquist frequency of the sampling process, such that the signal may be characterized for one or more frequencies above the Nyquist limit. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193988 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The semiconductor device having task processing units which perform predetermined functional processes and are capable of freely accessing memories independently of each other, includes: the task processing units provided on the semiconductor substrate and configured to select at least one of the memories independently of each other and issue requests for memory access to the selected memory; and memory control units which are capable of operating independently of each other, correspond to the respective memories independently of each other, and are each configured to arbitrate the requests for memory access from the task processing units and connect, to the respective memories, the task processing units which have issued the arbitrated requests for memory access so that data can be transferred between the task processing units and the memories. | 08-11-2011 |
20110193989 | Method of Notifying Users Regarding Motion Artifacts Based on Image Analysis - A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component determines the degree of artefacts and whether to inform the user that the image is blurred by identifying at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image. In another embodiment, the digital processing component calculates a trajectory of at least one feature in a plurality of preview images, extrapolates such feature on to the main image, calculates a PSF in respect of the feature, and informs the user based on the calculated PSF. In another embodiment the digital processing unit after determining the degree of blur notifies the photographer of the existing blur or automatically invokes consecutive captures. In another embodiment, the digital processing unit determines whether the image quality is acceptable from real time analysis of the captured image and provides this information to the user. Such real time analysis may use the auto focusing mechanism to qualitatively determine the PSF. | 08-11-2011 |
20110199499 | FACE RECOGNITION APPARATUS AND FACE RECOGNITION METHOD - Provided is a face recognition apparatus which reduces a data transfer amount used in eye position detection processing and face feature extraction processing. First normalization means normalizes a face image to a certain size on a face image including a face detected by face detection means. Part detection means detects a part of the face by using a normalized face image. Second normalization means normalizes a face image to a certain size on a face image including the face detected by the face detection means. Feature extraction means extracts a feature amount of the face by using the normalized face image. Face image acquisition means acquires a face image to be processed by the normalization means by using a position and a size of the face detected by the face detection means. Face image acquisition selection means switches between a mode in which the face images to be used by the normalization means are individually acquired and a mode in which the face image is shared therebetween. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199500 | IMAGE OBTAINING METHOD AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - Obtaining a first image captured by directing light having a first wavelength to an observation area and receiving light emitted from the observation area, and a second image captured by directing light having a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength to the observation area and receiving light emitted from the observation area, and obtaining a deep portion image of the observation area by subtracting the second image from the first image. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199501 | IMAGE INPUT APPARATUS, IMAGE VERIFICATION APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHODS THEREFOR - The invention enables a verifier to easily confirm that the image data was captured in the multiple exposure mode, and also to easily confirm which area in the image captured in the multiple exposure mode was greatly affected by multiple exposure. An image generating unit generates exposure image data pieces by exposing an image sensor a plurality of times. An image composition unit combines exposure image data pieces to generate a single piece of composite image data. A reference image generating unit generates reference image data composed of data pieces for distinguishing pixel positions at which the exposure amount exceeds a threshold from the other pixel positions. A verification data generating unit generates verification data for determining whether alteration has been made from the composite image data and the reference image data to output a single file. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199502 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes a face area selecting unit configured to select at least a face area situated at a first object distance and a face area situated at a second object distance, and to select a face area occupying the smallest area in a picked-up image among two or more face areas in a case where the two or more face areas are situated at the first object distance or at the second object distance. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199503 | IIMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PLAYING METHOD, IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR USE IN DISPLAYING IMAGE DATA - Upon continuously displaying a plurality of image data read from a recording medium, printing setting information including trimming information is set for the image data recorded to the recording medium with a corresponding relation to the image data. The displaying of the image data is controlled based on the determination of whether or not the printing setting information is set for each image data read from the recording medium. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199504 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND VIDEO DATA CREATING METHOD - Image data (still image data) is encoded to create video data. When an interval recording mode is set, a plurality of video data created by an encoder (image compressor | 08-18-2011 |
20110199505 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus is provided that comprises: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image; a position specification unit that specifies one facial image from the image; a face correlation unit that correlates the specified facial image with face information obtained by compiling one or more stored feature values stored in a storage unit, thereby identifying one or more correlated feature values; a feature value extraction unit that extracts an extracted feature value of the specified facial image; and a storage control unit that compares the extracted feature value with the one or more correlated feature values of the face information correlated with the specified facial image, and causes the storage unit to additionally store the extracted feature value, as a storable feature value, as the face information when a predetermined condition is satisfied. | 08-18-2011 |
20110199506 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A focus detection apparatus includes an image sensor including pixels for focus detection for receiving a pair of respective light beams transmitted through different pupil areas of a photographing lens to output a pair of signals; an acquisition unit for acquiring exit window information on the photographing lens; an arithmetic circuit for calculating a tilt for detection area in the detecting position, depending on an image height for a detecting position in which a focus state is detected and on the exit window information; and a calculation unit for calculating the shape of the detection area depending on the calculated tilt, in which the defocus amount is detected on the basis of a phase difference between the pair of signals obtained from pixels for focus detection included in the calculated detection area. | 08-18-2011 |
20110205382 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENTLY CODING AND PROCESSING IMAGE DATA - Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for efficiently coding and processing image data using an electronic device are provided. While both image-quality processing and coding operations may be performed for a frame of captured image data, the electronic device may leverage information generated during one operation in order to more efficiently conduct another operation. For example, an image coding operation may be performed on a first frame of image data by partitioning the image data into blocks of data and transforming the blocks of data into a frequency domain representation or format. Color component statistics from one or more of the blocks of data may be obtained, and an image-quality processing operation may then be performed on the first frame of image data or a subsequent frame of image data using the obtained color component statistics. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205383 | EYE BLINK AVOIDANCE DURING IMAGE ACQUISITION IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH DIGITAL CAMERA FUNCTIONALITY - Eye blink avoidance for use in an electronic device having digital camera functionality, such as a mobile communications device, smartphone or superphone, is described. The device captures multiple images and determines, using eye blink detection, whether a subject in an image has closed eyes. This technology that allows a mobile phone equipped with a camera to avoid photographs of subjects with their eyes closed by capturing a plurality of images in succession and choosing the image with open eyes by using a best-effort eye blink detection algorithm to detect closed eyes in the faces of the subjects. Depending on user preferences, and configuration, the user may choose one or more of a plurality of images captured that do not have eyes closed or a best image can be selected by the device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205384 | VARIABLE ACTIVE IMAGE AREA IMAGE SENSOR - Embodiments of the invention provide a variable active image area. Sub-pixels are arranged into a variable selection group, which comprises a pixel group. Sub-pixels of the pixel group can belong to a plurality of selection subgroups. A selector is configured to select a combination of one or more selection subgroups to provide variable sub-pixel selection. Variable sub-pixel selection can vary different aspects of a variable active image area (e.g., location, size, shape). Varying these aspects can lead to greater flexibility in alignment and calibration considerations. Selecting only some of all the sub-pixels can lead to less processing and lower power consumption. A plurality of sub-pixel values can be processed into one pixel group value. Variable sub-pixel selection for different variable selection groups can be independent. Holding circuitry can hold unused or non-selected sub-pixels in a reset condition to reduce blooming. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205385 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A signal processing apparatus includes a signal transforming unit transforming a first sound signal obtained by dividing a sound signal represented by a time function and by the predetermined time width into a second sound signal represented by a frequency function; a calculating unit determining a third sound signal which has a reduced influence of the operation sound by using the second sound signal and a sound signal representing the operation sound; a correcting unit performing a correction, by setting a sound signal representing the target sound as a reference signal, on the third sound signal based on the reference signal; and a signal inverse transforming unit inverse-transforming a sound signal on which the correction is performed from the sound signal represented by the frequency function into the sound signal represented by the time function. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205386 | Solid-state imaging device and camera system - A solid-state imaging device including: a pixel section formed by a matrix-like array of a plurality of pixels performing photoelectric conversion; and a pixel signal readout section reading out a pixel signal from the pixel section in units for reading each formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixel signal readout section includes a column-parallel type ADC group formed by a plurality of analog-digital converters (ADCs) for performing A-D conversion of a pixel reset level, and a signal processing system, the signal processing system obtaining only an average value of results of A-D conversion of pixel reset levels for a plurality of pixels and automatically adjusting an input offset value for the conversion range of the ADCs such that the average value of pixel reset levels will be adequately positioned with respect to the A-D conversion range. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205387 | DETECTING OBJECTS IN AN IMAGE BEING ACQUIRED BY A DIGITAL CAMERA OR OTHER ELECTRONIC IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE - The likelihood of a particular type of object, such as a human face, being present within a digital image, and its location in that image, are determined by comparing the image data within defined windows across the image in sequence with two or more sets of data representing features of the particular type of object. The evaluation of each set of features after the first is preferably performed only on data of those windows that pass the evaluation with respect to the first set of features, thereby quickly narrowing potential target windows that contain at least some portion of the object. Correlation scores are preferably calculated by the use of non-linear interpolation techniques in order to obtain a more refined score. Evaluation of the individual windows also preferably includes maintaining separate feature set data for various positions of the object around one axis and rotating the feature set data with respect to the image data for the individual windows about another axis. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205388 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image-capturing device includes: a photographic optical system; a photoelectric conversion element array made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arrayed therein; a micro-lens array made up with a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; a data creation unit that creates pixel data at a plurality of pixels on a specific image forming plane by applying filter matrix data to output signals provided from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and an image synthesis unit that synthetically generates an image on the specific image forming plane at a given position assumed along an optical axis of the photographic optical system, based upon the pixel data. The filter matrix data assume a two-dimensional data array pattern conforming to a specific intensity distribution with a distribution center thereof set at an element corresponding to a central position of a projection image of each of the plurality of pixels. | 08-25-2011 |
20110211087 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING FOR CONTROL OF A CONTENT CAPTURING DEVICE WITH A REQUESTING DEVICE TO THEREBY CAPTURE A DESIRED CONTENT SEGMENT - An apparatus providing for transmission of a desired content segment to a receiving device may include a content preview unit for displaying a content preview corresponding to a content segment captured by a content capturing device. A content capturing device selector may receive a selection of the content capturing device which satisfies one or more predefined conditions as determined by a condition testing unit of the apparatus. Once selected, a control unit may allow for control of the content capturing device with the receiving device to thereby capture a desired content segment. Control may occur directly or indirectly, such as through providing written control instructions, which may be translated using a translator of the apparatus. Thus, the apparatus may provide for transmission of the desired content segment to the receiving device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211088 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - The spherical aberration of an imaging lens changes from an object side of image-plane base position Zo toward the other side thereof as a distance from optical axis Z | 09-01-2011 |
20110216210 | PROVIDING IMPROVED HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE - A method for producing an improved high resolution image is disclosed including capturing low resolution images and a high resolution image; combining the low resolution images to provide an aggregate low resolution image; reducing the resolution of the high resolution image and then interpolated to produce a blurred high resolution image; calculating an image difference map using the aggregate high resolution image and blurred high resolution image; and using the image difference map along with the aggregate high resolution image and the high resolution image to produce an improved high resolution image. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216211 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING OPTIMAL FLUTTER SHUTTER SEQUENCE - A method, system and computer-usable medium for determining an optimal shutter fluttering sequence. The disclosed approach is based on the use of shutter flutter technology, which means that an image can be acquired in such a manner as to encode all information about the moving subject. The disclosed approach involves determining a shutter's fluttering pattern that optimally encodes information at all frequencies. The disclosed approach involves an optimization method for finding a shutter fluttering pattern that maximizes the minimum value of a function defining the plurality of flutter shutter sequences over a frequency domain. The disclosed approach involves eliminating all flutter shutter sequences that contain lost frequencies. The objective of the disclosed approach is to select an optimal flutter shutter sequence for implementation with a flutter shutter camera. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216212 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF FABRICATING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate, a photoelectric conversion element provided on the light incidence side of the substrate and including a photoelectric conversion film sandwiched between a first electrode provided separately for each of pixels, and a second electrode provided opposite the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion film being made of an organic material or an inorganic material and generating a signal charge according to the quantity of incident light, an amplifier transistor having an amplifier gate electrode connected to the first electrode, and a voltage control circuit that is connected to the second electrode, and supplies a desired voltage to the second electrode. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216213 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A PLANE IN A RANGE IMAGE AND RANGE IMAGE CAMERA - 3D data of pixels arranged in a square lattice is converted to a houndstooth arrangement, a largest value among respective magnitudes of cross products of all pairings of the normal vector of a small triangle of interest and the normal vectors of three adjacent small triangles is derived, and a large triangle composed of the small triangle of interest and the adjacent small triangles is determined to be a plane candidate if the largest value is less than or equal to a first threshold, after which similar processing is repeated with this large triangle taken as a small triangle, and this repetition is recursively performed while enlarging the small triangle of interest, and when the area of a new large triangle is greater than or equal to a predetermined area, the region thereof is determined to be a plane and separated from a range image. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216214 | PHOTOSENSOR DEVICE - The present invention provides a photosensor device including: a photodiode array in which photodiodes are arranged in an array shape; scanning lines which are coupled to first electrodes of the photodiodes in respective lines of the photodiode array; read lines which are coupled to second electrodes of the photodiodes in respective columns of the photodiode array; a scanning circuit which is coupled to the scanning lines and sequentially supplies a selected scanning signal to the respective scanning lines in each horizontal scanning period; and a signal processing circuit which is coupled to the read lines and loads each voltage fluctuation of the read lines in one horizontal scanning period as signal voltage when reading a signal, wherein each of the photodiodes is made of amorphous silicon or microcrystal silicon, and forward bias voltage is applied to each of the photodiodes when reading a signal. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216215 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND RANGE DETERMINATION SYSTEM - An image pickup apparatus comprises a lens array with a plurality of lenses, a part of which lenses makes one or more stereo lens pairs; an image pickup device for taking a multifaceted compound-eye image consisting of a set of monocular images formed by the plural lenses; and a computing unit for computing range imagery from one or more pairs of the monocular images formed by said one or more stereo lens pairs. The computing unit includes imaging position determination means for determining from the monocular images an image pickup position of each of one or more subjects whose relative positional relationships with respect to the image pickup apparatus are known by dividing the multifaceted compound-eye image into the monocular images, and image distortion parameter determination means for determining an image distortion parameter based upon a determination result of the imaging position determination means. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216216 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD, EXPRESSION EVALUATION APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An image-capturing apparatus for capturing an image by using a solid-state image-capturing device may include a face detector configured to detect a face of a human being on the basis of an image signal in a period until an image signal obtained by image capturing is recorded on a recording medium; an expression evaluation section configured to evaluate the expression of the detected face and to compute an expression evaluation value indicating the degree to which the detected face is close to a specific expression in relation to expressions other than the specific expression; and a notification section configured to notify notification information corresponding to the computed expression evaluation value to an image-captured person. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216217 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD, EXPRESSION EVALUATION APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An image-capturing apparatus for capturing an image by using a solid-state image-capturing device may include a face detector configured to detect a face of a human being on the basis of an image signal in a period until an image signal obtained by image capturing is recorded on a recording medium; an expression evaluation section configured to evaluate the expression of the detected face and to compute an expression evaluation value indicating the degree to which the detected face is close to a specific expression in relation to expressions other than the specific expression; and a notification section configured to notify notification information corresponding to the computed expression evaluation value to an image-captured person. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216218 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD, EXPRESSION EVALUATION APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - An image-capturing apparatus for capturing an image by using a solid-state image-capturing device may include a face detector configured to detect a face of a human being on the basis of an image signal in a period until an image signal obtained by image capturing is recorded on a recording medium; an expression evaluation section configured to evaluate the expression of the detected face and to compute an expression evaluation value indicating the degree to which the detected face is close to a specific expression in relation to expressions other than the specific expression; and a notification section configured to notify notification information corresponding to the computed expression evaluation value to an image-captured person. | 09-08-2011 |
20110221917 | APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE - An apparatus for processing an image, including: a body; a lens module disposed on the body; and a control ring disposed on the lens module, wherein the control ring is configured to change a setting value of a setting item. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221918 | Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program - There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image obtaining unit for obtaining a captured image, generating unit for generating a graphic image for prompting a subject within the captured image obtained by the image obtaining unit to change a state, and an emission control unit for controlling emission of the graphic image generated by the generating unit onto the subject. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221919 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING LASER SPOT - Disclosed are an apparatus, a method, and a system for identifying a laser spot and locating coordinates of the laser spot. The apparatus comprises a foreground calculation unit used to calculate a foreground image in an input image captured by a camera device; a threshold value estimation unit used to automatically estimate, at an initialization stage, pixel brightness threshold values, pixel degree-of-saturation threshold values, and a pixel color-tone threshold value range based on the foreground image; a laser spot detection unit used to detect, at a processing stage, the laser spot based on the foreground image as well as the pixel brightness threshold values, the pixel degree-of-saturation threshold values, and the pixel color-tone threshold value range; and a coordinate locating unit used to calculate the coordinates of the laser spot in the input image based on the laser spot detected by the laser spot detection unit. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221920 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer readable storage medium, the method including obtaining a first image captured from an optical signal received via a first optical system; obtaining a second image captured from an optical signal received via a second optical system; calculating a first histogram from the first image, where the first histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the first image; calculating a second histogram from the second image, where the second histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the second image; comparing the first histogram and the second histogram with each other; and determining whether an obstacle is present on at least one of the first and second optical systems, based on the result of comparison. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221921 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs a scene image generated on an imaging surface capturing a scene. A searcher repeatedly executes a process of searching for a specific object image from the scene image outputted from the imager by using a plurality of reference-use specific object images each of which has a posture different from others. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221922 | SHOOTING ASSIST METHOD, PROGRAM PRODUCT, RECORDING MEDIUM, SHOOTING DEVICE, AND SHOOTING SYSTEM - The method includes producing first identification data used as reference; performing subject recognition on acquired images of subjects to obtain recognition images, producing second identification data, and matching the first identification data with the second identification data; tallying the acquired images based on matching results for each subject and by shooting tendency factor; judging whether a number of the acquired images or a proportion of the number of the acquired images of the subjects in respect of each of the shooting tendency factors is within a given range from tally results of the acquired images; and providing shooting assist so that the number of the acquired images or the proportion of the number of the acquired images in respect of the shooting tendency factor judged to be outside the given range is placed within the given range. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221923 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit having a function for adjusting a focal length, a stillness determination unit which determines whether or not a motion of the image capturing apparatus is within a predetermined range, a focal length adjustment processing unit which performs first focal length adjustment processing which adjusts the focal length in a direction for close-up photography when the motion of the image capturing apparatus is within the predetermined range, and a code recognition processing unit which recognizes a code from an image captured by the image capturing unit while the first focal length adjustment processing is being performed. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221924 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - An image sensing device includes: a display portion that displays a shooting image; a scene determination portion that determines a shooting scene of the shooting image based on image data on the shooting image; and a display control portion that displays, on the display portion, the result of determination by the scene determination portion and a position of a specific image region which is a part of an entire image region of the shooting image and on which the result of the determination by the scene determination portion is based. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221925 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to operate in a line-sequential manner and a shutter device operatively coupled to the image sensor. The shutter device includes regions configured to switch between substantially open states and substantially closed states such that after a first exposure for a first frame is finished, a second exposure for a second frame is started. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221926 | Spectral Anomaly Detection in Deep Shadows - A spectral anomaly detection method includes the steps of segmenting a panchromatic image, obtained from a hyperspectral sensor into cluster data sets. Principal component analysis can be separately performed on each of the cluster data sets to produce a plot of principal components. An anomaly detection algorithm can be applied to an adaptively selected subset of principal components for each of the cluster data sets to produce cluster detection scores. Finally, separate detection thresholding algorithms can be applied to each of the cluster detection scores, and the results of the detection thresholding algorithms can be combined into a single detection plane. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221927 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - There is provided an image processing apparatus including a representative image extraction unit for extracting a predetermined number of representative images from a series of images belonging to each scene, a representative image classification unit for, when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene, classifying the representative images into a main image and a sub-image, a degraded display image generation unit for generating a degraded display image by operating the sub-image in order to degrade and display the sub-image, and a representative image display unit for displaying the representative images of a plurality of scenes side by side in a scene transition sequence, and displaying the main image and the degraded display image when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene and the representative image when one representative image is extracted from each scene. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221928 | IMAGE CAPTURING/REPRODUCING APPARATUS - Only images captured in a snapshot movie capture mode are extracted and are continuously re-produced. Also, second audio data prepared separately from first audio data that is recorded during image capturing is reproduced in place of the first audio data. Accordingly, an effect of change in images at predetermined intervals at a good tempo can be obtained. Furthermore, an interrupt of audio data at change of images can be prevented, so that discomfort felt by a user can be decreased. | 09-15-2011 |
20110228116 | Spectral imaging of moving objects with a stare down camera - A spectral imaging system for collecting spectral information of a two dimensional heterogeneous objects while in motion relative to the imaging system without the use of a spectrograph, filters or any dispersive optics. The system includes a pulsed light source tunable in wavelength for producing short pulses of wavelength tuned light at a plurality of selected narrow band wavelengths within a spectral range and one or more optical components for conveying or directing the short pulses of light to a two dimensional region that is substantially stationary with respect to the imaging system and through which the two dimensional target is moving. The system also includes a many pixel camera synchronized with the tunable pulsed light source. The camera is adapted to detect light in the selected narrow band wavelengths produced by the tunable pulsed light source and reflected from or transmitted through the two dimensional target in motion relative to the imaging system and to provide image frame information with each frame at a defined wavelength band. A processor processes information from said tunable light source and said camera and to produce multi-spectral images of the target. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228117 | FACE DETECTION APPARATUS - A face detection apparatus of the present invention includes a face detection apparatus for detecting a face contained in an input image, including: a face detection section for detecting a face contained in the input image, based on a predetermined frame rate and face detection throughput per frame; and an accuracy changing section for changing, when no face is detected by the face detection section, the accuracy in detecting a face by the face detection section by reducing the frame rate. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228118 | METHOD OF EXTRACTING A 3D IMAGE - The present invention discloses a method of extracting a 3D image having steps of providing a movable optical lens assembly on an imaging path between a single lens and a single image sensor; controlling the moveable optical lens assembly to move repeatedly to make the single image sensor obtain different 2D images with parallaxes through the moveable optical lens assembly; and combining the 2D images with parallaxes to extract a 3D image. Therefore, the present invention reduces cost of extracting 3D images and controlling complexity of extracting 3D images. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228119 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING MASKING FUNCTION - An image pickup apparatus includes adjustment processors | 09-22-2011 |
20110228120 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - The image processing apparatus includes an image obtaining part configured to obtain a first image and a second image. The first image is an image generated by image capturing or generated by expanding part of the captured image and includes a first object image. The second image corresponds to an image captured at a higher image capturing magnification than that for the first image and includes a second object image corresponding to part of the first object image. The apparatus includes a processing part configured to produce a third image whose resolution is higher than that of the first image by performing image processing on the first image using the second image as a constraint condition. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228121 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus including: a representative image creation block configured to create, as a representative image, a union image with images of screens making up a predetermined scene linked with each other; and a symbol drawing block configured, on the basis of a full-screen movement of each screen in the predetermined scene, to draw a symbol indicative of the full-screen movement on a rim of the representative image created by the representative image creation block, wherein the symbol drawing block draws the symbol indicative of the full-screen movement in accordance with a display size of the representative image to be displayed on an output device. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228122 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - When a conventional circuit is used in an image sensor which employs a pixel sharing technique, selection of pixels is not properly performed, that is, an invalid operation may be performed. To address this problem, a first storage unit which stores an address of a reading row, a second storage unit which stores an address of a shutter row, and a third storage unit for controlling an element shared by a plurality of pixels are provided in a row selection unit. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228123 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM WITH PROGRAM RECORDED THEREIN - An imaging apparatus including a display section, a capturing section which captures an image at a first viewing angle, a capturing control section which performs a plurality of capturing operations by the capturing section, a generation section which generates a composite image reproducing an image captured at a second viewing angle that is wider than the first viewing angle by combining a plurality of images acquired by the plurality of capturing operations by the capturing control section, and a display control section which displays the composite image generated by the generation section on the display section. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228124 | CHARACTER RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Disclosed is a character recognition preprocessing method and apparatus for correcting a nonlinear character string into a linear character string. A binarized character string region is divided into character regions on a character-by-character basis. Upper and lower feature points of each character region are derived, and an upper boundary line, which is a curve connecting the upper feature points of the character regions, and a lower boundary line, which is a curve connecting the lower feature points of the character regions, are generated by applying cubic spline interpolation. Nonlinearity is corrected through adaptive region enlargement by using the maximum horizontal length and the maximum height of the divided character regions. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228125 | Digital camera that uses object detection information at the time of shooting for processing image data after acquistion of an image - A digital camera includes an object detecting unit which analyzes an analysis target image including a through image data taken in from an image pickup device to compose a shot of an object, a shot image, or a reduced image, based on a feature appearing in an image representing a subject of shooting, and detects at least one main object captured in the analysis target image, a subject information extracting unit which extracts, for each image of object detected by the object detecting unit, subject information including a position in a screen corresponding to the analysis target image and its expansion, and a tag data writing unit which writes the subject information, as a part of tag data corresponding to the shot image, to a storage medium, thereby enabling use of the information acquired by object detection at the time of shooting, also after the acquisition of the image. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228126 | Image Capture and Identification System and Process - A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228127 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor having a first pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a first exit pupil region, a second pixel group that photoelectrically converts an object image from a second exit pupil region, and a third pixel group for capturing that photoelectrically converts an object image from overall exit pupil region; a focus detection unit that detects focus information by performing a defocus calculation with use of a first image signal obtained from the first pixel group and a second image signal obtained from the second pixel group; an image processing unit that converts captured image data into an image file for recording and saving; and a data recording unit that records, in association with the image file, signals obtained from the first pixel group and the second pixel group such that the defocus calculation can be performed. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228128 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - A focusing operation is started before desired exposure according to a second program diagram is obtained when a program diagram is switched from a first program diagram to be used in a first mode to the second program diagram to be used in a second mode based on a light metering value. | 09-22-2011 |
20110228129 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS PERFORMING AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING PROCESSING, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDED WITH PROGRAM THEREOF - 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. | 09-22-2011 |
20110234829 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS TO CONFIGURE AN IMAGING DEVICE - In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to cause a processor to receive a first image of a visual pattern from a sensor. The visual pattern encodes at least one compression parameter, at least one capture parameter or at least one video analytic parameter to be applied to the sensor. The code represents instructions to cause the processor to apply the at least one compression parameter, the at least one capture parameter or the at least one video analytic parameter to the sensor. The code further represents instructions to cause the processor to receive a second image from the sensor. The sensor captures or analyzes the second image according to the at least one compression parameter, the at least one capture parameter or the at least one video analytic parameter. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234830 | Solid-state image pickup device, method of manufacturing thereof, and electronic apparatus - Provided is a solid-state image pickup device including: a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion portion and a pixel transistor formed in a front surface side of a substrate, wherein a rear surface side of the substrate is set as a light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion portion; and an element, which becomes a passive element or an active element, which is disposed in the front surface side of the substrate so as to be superimposed on the photoelectric conversion portion. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234831 | Communication device - There is provided a communication device capable of improving a decline in the usability caused by an angle of view of a camera. The communication device includes: a camera capturing a picture; an information processing section detecting a face image from the picture captured by the camera, to generate a partial picture including the detected face image; a transmitting section encoding the partial picture to generate encoded data, and transmitting the encoded data to a counterpart; and a first receiving section receiving data transmitted from the counterpart, and decoding the received data to generate a picturephone picture. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234832 | Control device, camera system and program - A control device of present invention includes a display control portion that performs control such that a whole image display region, in which a whole image captured by a camera is displayed, and an enlarged image display region, in which a region corresponding to a position specified on the whole image is enlarged and an enlarged image is displayed, are displayed, and a control portion that performs control such that the region corresponding to the position specified on the whole image is changed. The region includes at least one preset region, and the display control portion displays, on the whole image, a section that corresponds to the preset region. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234833 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus that effectively extends a depth of field of an imaging unit by performing restoration processing on image data obtained by imaging a subject with the imaging unit, in which image data (A/D converted digital image signal) are corrected by a linear correction unit such that an input light versus output signal value characteristic of the image sensor becomes linear and the restoration processing for depth of field extension is performed on the linear corrected image data. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234834 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - To track the movement of a common subject contained in a sequence of image frames time-sequentially captured by a digital camera, feature points of the subject are extracted from a first image frame, and corresponding points to the extracted feature point are identified in a second image frame that is captured after the first image frame. When the number of traceable feature points, to which the corresponding points can be identified, is less than a predetermined value, the speed of movement of the subject is judged high, and the shutter speed of the digital camera is set at a higher value. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234835 | APPARATUS FOR AUTO-FOCUSING DETECTION, CAMERA APPLYING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING DISTANCE TO SUBJECT - An apparatus for auto-focusing detection, a camera applying the same, and a method for calculating a distance to a subject are disclosed. The camera calculates a focusing control state based on synthetic image data output as an image passing through a pupil split unit provided with a filter arranged at one or more of the at least two holes as taken by an image pickup unit. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234836 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE TAKING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image taking device including a pixel section and a scan driving section wherein on each pixel column included in the pixel area determined in advance to serve as a pixel column having the unit pixels laid out in the scan direction, the opto-electric conversion section and the electric-charge holding section are laid out alternately and repeatedly, and on each of the pixel columns in the pixel area determined in advance, two the electric-charge holding sections of two adjacent ones of the unit pixels are laid out disproportionately toward one side of the scan direction with respect to the optical-path limiting section or the opto-electric conversion section. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234837 | RECEIVING APPARATUS, RECEIVING METHOD, PROGRAM AND TRANSMITTING APPARATUS - A receiving apparatus includes: a communication unit performing communication with a transmitting apparatus as a transmission source of contents; and a control unit acquiring remaining drive time of the apparatus itself calculated based on a battery remaining amount of the apparatus itself and time necessary for transmitting the contents to compare the remaining drive time with the necessary time when receiving the contents from the transmitting apparatus through the communication unit and recording the contents in a storage unit, and selecting any one of a first mode in which part of the contents is received from the transmitting apparatus through the communication unit and recorded in the storage unit and a second mode in which reception of the contents is not performed when determining that the necessary time is longer than the remaining drive time based on the compared result. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234838 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processor including an acquisition unit and a moving image generation unit. The acquisition unit acquires image analysis information of a feature in an image. The moving image generation unit generates a moving image superimposed and displayed on the image so that the moving image is displayed in a pattern that changes in accordance with the image analysis information acquired by the acquisition unit. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234839 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera comprises an image processing unit that performs image processing using a plurality of adjustment parameters and a parameter setting unit that sets each of the plurality of parameters for the image processing unit according to a single change command. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234840 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR RECOGNIZING A GESTURE IN A PICTURE, AND APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING A DEVICE - An apparatus for recognizing gestures in a picture includes a Hough transformer configured to identify elements in the picture or in a pre-processed version of the picture as identified gesture elements and to obtain information about the identified gesture elements. | 09-29-2011 |
20110234841 | Storage and Transmission of Pictures Including Multiple Frames - According to various embodiments, multiple frames, each having image data and metadata, can be aggregated into pictures. The frames may come from different image capture devices, enabling aggregation of image data from multiple sources. Aggregation can be automatic, or it can be performed in response to user input specifying particular combinations of frames to be aggregated. In various embodiments, pictures are mutable, whereas immutability of the constituent frames is enforced. In various embodiments, certain metadata elements that are not essential to rendering can be selectively removed from frames, so as to address privacy concerns. In various embodiments, frames can be authenticated by the use of digests generated by a hash function. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242344 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING HOW TO HANDLE PROCESSING OF AN IMAGE BASED ON MOTION - A mobile multimedia device may be operable to initiate capture of a series of image samples of a scene, where the scene may comprise one or more objects that may be identifiable by the mobile multimedia device. An image for the scene may be determined by the mobile multimedia device utilizing the captured image samples based on motion associated with the identifiable objects. As soon as the image for the scene has been determined, the capture of the series of image samples may be terminated. The image may be determined when the amount of motion associated with the identifiable objects is below a particular threshold value. The identifiable objects may comprise one or more faces. The motion may be due to a gesture such as a wink or a smile received from one or more of the faces. The image may be determined when the gesture is detected. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242345 | Method and apparatus for providing picture privacy in video - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing picture privacy in video. The method includes separating, by the processor, pixels of a first type from pixels of a second type in a current gray-scale frame based on a decision threshold, where each of the pixels of the first and second types includes an image pixel value, and applying, by the processor, a privacy filter to the pixels of the first type. The privacy filter is configured to randomly swap the image pixel values within a pixel area to occur at different locations in the pixel area. The method further includes combining, by the processor, the filter pixels of the first type with the pixels of the second type. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242346 | COMPOUND EYE PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND APPARATUS - An object is detected from live view images photographed by two imaging sections, correspondence relationship of the detected object is detected between the two live view images and between previous and current frames, and priority degrees of detected objects are adjusted. A distance from a camera to the object is calculated, and an object movement distance between the frames is calculated from an amount of change of the camera-to-object distance, which change occurs between the frames of the live view images. A focusing position for each of objects of the highest and second highest priority degrees and for each of the next and subsequent frames is predicted from the object movement distance. Photographing is performed by focusing on each of the objects of the highest and second highest priority degrees at each of the two imaging sections in accordance with each of the predicted focusing positions. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242347 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes a recording control unit that controls recording of an image of a predetermined frame among images of a plurality of consecutive frames, a trim box setting unit that sets a plurality of trim boxes containing a subject area which is an area of a subject of interest in the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, and a generation control unit that controls generation of the plurality of trim images from the image of the predetermined frame recorded by the recording control unit, based on the plurality of trim boxes set by the trim box setting unit. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242348 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF DISPLAYING, AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section outputting an image signal; a detection section detecting coordinates of a contact point of a pointing object on a display section displaying a through-the-lens image on the basis of the image signal; and a control section obtaining, from the detection section, start-point coordinates of a contact point of the pointing object on the display section as a start point, and end-point coordinates of a leaving point of the pointing object from the display section after moving as an end point, holding a line segment determined by the start-point coordinates and the end-point coordinates in a memory, and fixedly displaying, with respect to a display screen of the display section, a line segment corresponding to an edge identified as closest to the line segment among edges of a subject included in the through-the-lens image as a shooting assistance line assisting shooting. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242349 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state image capturing device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a photosensitive surface including a matrix of pixels as respective photoelectric converters; and a photochromic film disposed in a light path through which light is applied to each of the photoelectric converters, the photochromic film being made of a photochromic material having a light transmittance variable depending on the intensity of applied light in a predetermined wavelength range; wherein the light transmittance has a half-value period shorter than one frame during which pixel signals generated by the pixels are read from all the pixels. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242350 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state image sensor including photoelectric conversion elements, comprises a first insulating film arranged on a substrate and having openings arranged on the respective elements, insulator portions having a refractive index higher than that of the first insulating film and arranged in the respective openings, a second insulating film arranged on upper surfaces of the insulator portions and an upper surface of the first insulating film, and a third insulating film having a refractive index lower than that of the second insulating film and arranged in contact with an upper surface of the second insulating film, wherein letting λ be a wavelength of entering light, n be the refractive index of the second insulating film, and t be a thickness of the second insulating film in at least part of a region on the upper surface of the first insulating film, a relation t<λ/n is satisfied. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242351 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a plurality of common pixel sections arranged in a matrix form so that pixel signals of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the same row can be output; a plurality of row address lines used to select some of the photoelectric conversion elements in each row; and a scan section that allows for the pixel signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to be output through addressing adapted to select the plurality of row address lines one at a time in sequence, in which the plurality of row address lines are connected to the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the same row in each of the common pixel sections so that the scan section can individually select the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in the same row in each of the common pixel sections during addressing. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242352 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Information of a flare component is extracted from a shot image without using shooting condition data such as wavelength spectrum data of a bright point and imaging characteristic data of a shooting optical system. To achieve this, an aspect of an image processing method of the present application includes an input step inputting a processing target image obtained by a shooting optical system, an estimating step estimating an ideal bright point image component included in an occurrence area of a flare in the processing target image, an extracting step extracting a real bright point image component including a flare component from the occurrence area, and a calculating step calculating a difference between the ideal bright point image component and the real bright point image component as an index of the flare component included in the occurrence area. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242353 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPENSATING A BLACK LEVEL OF AN IMAGE SIGNAL - A method and an apparatus for compensating a black level are provided, in which an image signal processor converts an input image signal into an image signal at YUV color coordinates so that the image signal at the YUV color coordinates is in a first signal range, and a black level compensator compensates a Y component of the image signal at the YUV color coordinates so that the Y component of the image signal at the YUV color coordinates are in a second signal range narrower than the first signal range or maintains the Y component of the image signal at the YUV color coordinates in the first signal range, according to a type of an external image output device. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242354 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM WITH PROGRAM RECORDED THEREIN - An imaging apparatus including a capturing section which captures an image at a first viewing angle, a capturing control section which performs a plurality of image capturing operations by the capturing section, a generation section which generates a composite image reproducing an image captured at a second viewing angle that is wider than the first viewing angle by combining a plurality of images acquired by the plurality of image capturing operations by the capturing control section, a judgment section which judges whether or not an uncaptured area that has not been captured by the capturing control section exists within the composite image with the second viewing angle generated by the generation section, and a notification section which notifies a user of a judgment result, when the judgment section judges that an uncaptured area exists. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242355 | COMBINING DATA FROM MULTIPLE IMAGE SENSORS - A method of combining data from multiple sensors is disclosed. The method includes providing a common control signal to multiple image sensors. Each of the multiple image sensors is responsive to the common control signal to generate image data. The method also includes receiving synchronized data output from each of the multiple image sensors, combining the synchronized data output from each of the multiple image sensors to generate a synchronized data line, and providing the synchronized data line to an image processor via a single camera input of the image processor. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242356 | COMBINING DATA FROM MULTIPLE IMAGE SENSORS - A method of combining data from multiple sensors is disclosed. The method includes providing a common control signal to multiple image sensors. Each of the multiple image sensors is responsive to the common control signal to generate image data. The method also includes receiving synchronized data output from each of the multiple image sensors. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242357 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, MOVING IMAGE CUTTING METHOD, AND MOVING IMAGE CUTTING PROGRAM - The creation of a digest video is facilitated, and the editing efficiency is improved. An information processing device is provided with a moving image acquiring unit for acquiring a moving image during imaging, and an event acquiring unit for acquiring event data that is information indicating a scene of each frame of the moving image acquired by the moving image acquiring unit. If the event data acquired by the event acquiring unit satisfies a predetermined condition, a cut signal is generated, the moving image is cut in a predetermined range on the basis of the cut signal, and the cut moving image is stored in a nonvolatile storage medium. | 10-06-2011 |
20110249133 | COMPRESSION-QUALITY DRIVEN IMAGE ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide a video encoding system in which a video coding engine establishes coding quality metrics that govern its own operation as well as the operation of a camera and/or a pre-processor. An imaging system may include an image acquisition system, a pre-processor and a coding engine. The coding engine may output a quality indicator identifying, for each portion of a video sequence currently being coded, a relatively level of coding quality that is being achieved. The imaging system further may include an image acquisition controller and a pre-processor controller that impose respective operating parameters upon the image acquisition system and the pre-processor in response to these quality indicators. In this manner, overall performance of the imaging system may be improved. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249134 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE WITH CONDUCTIVE TRENCHES TO CONTROL ELECTRIC FIELD - An imaging system, semiconductor device, and method of manufacture of a photo-detector device are disclosed. For example, an imaging system is disclosed, which includes a photo-detector unit including a plurality of conductive trenches formed within the photo-detector unit, and a plurality of electrical contacts, each electrical contact connected to a respective conductive trench. The imaging system further includes a light data processor unit coupled to an output of the photo-detector unit to convert an analog signal received from the photo-detector unit to a digital signal, a processing unit coupled to an output of the light data processor unit to generate a control signal in response to the digital signal, and a display unit coupled to an output of the processing unit to vary the intensity of an image displayed in response to the control signal. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249135 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME - An image processing apparatus according to the present invention, comprises: a frame rate conversion unit that generates an interpolated frame image which interpolates an input frame image constituting an input video, and outputs the input frame image and the interpolated frame image alternately; and an HDR video generation unit that performs processing to enhance gradation of an image in a low brightness area, for the input frame image which is output from the frame rate conversion unit, and performs processing to enhance gradation of an image in a high brightness area, for the interpolated frame image. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249136 | REMOTE GAZE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides techniques for directing the gaze of a subject whose image is captured by a camera, including the direction in which the subject looks, or the distance between the subject and the camera, in such a way that a visually appealing image can be captured by the camera, where a media professional (e.g., an interviewer or a director) or other person knowledgeable in media best practices is non co-located with the subject. The techniques enable the media professional to provide visual hints both manually and automatically to the remotely located subject. | 10-13-2011 |
20110249137 | PREDETERMINED SITE LUMINESCENCE MEASURING METHOD, PREDETERMINED SITE LUMINESCENCE MEASURING APPARATUS, EXPRESSION AMOUNT MEASURING METHOD, AND MEASURING APPARATUS - An object of the present invention is to provide a predetermined site luminescence measuring method and a predetermined site luminescence measuring apparatus, which allow for determining whether, when the luminescence from the predetermined site in live samples is measured, a photoprotein is localized at the predetermined site in the same ones as the samples. An predetermined site luminescence measuring apparatus | 10-13-2011 |
20110249138 | DISPLAY DATA EXTRACTION METHODS, DEVICES AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS UTILIZING THE SAME - A device of capturing display data is implemented in an electronic device. A first request for capture of display data associated with the display of the electronic device is received. The display is a composite image generated by a program from one or more raw data objects in the electronic device. When the first request is received, a backup of the display data, comprising the one or more raw data objects, is stored by the electronic device in form of a data structure in response to the first request | 10-13-2011 |
20110254969 | POINT SOURCE DETECTION - The invention provides a technique for accurate detection of objects appearing in the image, such as single fluorescent molecules, cells, microorganisms, nucleotides, DNA strands, or stars in celestial images. The method allows to differentiate between two combined point sources even if they are closer to each other than the optical resolution of the system. The procedure involves computing several coefficients representing decomposition of the intensity data in the basis of Hermit functions. In the case when the objects are distributed randomly and higher yield of accurately detected objects is desired, the method allows for a tenfold increase in such yield. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254970 | Electronic camera - An electronic camera comprises an image processing unit that performs image quality adjustment using a plurality of adjustment parameters, an information acquisition unit that acquires from an external device first image quality adjustment information including a parameter group for use with the image quality adjustment and an image quality adjustment algorithm that applies the parameter group, and a control unit that controls the image processing unit so that it performs image quality adjustment while applying the parameter group included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired to the image quality adjustment algorithm included in the first image quality adjustment information that has been acquired. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254971 | Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and electronic camera - An image processing method of the present invention includes a detection step detecting a characteristic area from each of three or more shot images having a common graphic pattern in part thereof, the characteristic area having an image significantly different from the other shot images, and a combining step extracting a partial image located in the characteristic area from each of the three or more shot images and combining these partial images into one image. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254972 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device is provided that includes an imaging component, a cropper, a monitor, and a warning component. The imaging component is configured to generate frame image data by capturing a subject image. The cropper is configured to generate cropped image data used to produce a cropped image. The cropped image data is generated based on a cropped region of a frame image produced according to the frame image data. The monitor is configured to display a through-image by sequentially displaying the cropped images based on the cropped image data. The warning component is configured to issue a warning when the cropped region overlaps a specific portion of the frame image. | 10-20-2011 |
20110254973 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image selected according to specified viewpoint information from a plurality of captured images captured by a plurality of imaging units at different viewpoint positions, a generation unit configured to generate an image according to the specified viewpoint information using the viewpoint information of the selected captured image and the specified viewpoint information from the selected captured image, and a blurring processing unit configured to execute blurring processing on the generated image, wherein, when an imaging unit corresponding to a captured image for a target frame is different from an imaging unit corresponding to a captured image for a frame adjacent to the target frame, the blurring processing unit executes blurring processing on the generated image corresponding to the target frame. | 10-20-2011 |
20110261217 | Image processing architecture with pre-scaler - Disclosed is an image signal processing chain or functionality having an image data scaler. A method includes receiving a stream of image data having a first resolution; scaling the received stream of image data using a substantially freely configurable downscaling ratio to generate scaled image data having a second resolution that is less than the first resolution; outputting the scaled image data to at least one of a viewfinder image signal processing functionality or a video image signal processing functionality to create image data for at least one of display to a user or provide to a video encoder; and during at least one of receiving, scaling or outputting, simultaneously storing the stream or a subset of the stream of image data having the first resolution into a memory as a set of frames of image data for being processed as needed. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261218 | COMPONENT IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMPONENT IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - To image a component larger than the field of view of a camera, a range based on the shape and dimension of the component to be imaged and the field of view of the camera, a range of the component is divided, and imaging ranges of a plurality of characteristic parts to be imaged are determined. Then, images of the plurality of characteristic parts obtained by imaging the plurality of characteristic parts with the camera are combined to create a combined image of the characteristic parts of the component. Based on the combined image, the position of the component is measured. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261219 | IMAGING DEVICE, TERMINAL DEVICE, AND IMAGING METHOD - 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. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261220 | TERMINAL DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD - It is an object of the present invention to provide a photograph-taking terminal device that offers users improved convenience. The terminal device includes a face detection unit configured to detect human faces in image consecutively generated by photography, a focusing mechanism configured to focus for photography, and a control unit configured to control the focusing mechanism. After the face detection unit begins detection operations, the first time a face is detected, the control unit instructs the focusing mechanism to focus. After focusing, the control unit prevents the focusing mechanism from focusing again until the face detection unit no longer detects any face. After a face is detected anew, the control unit instructs the focusing mechanism to focus again. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261221 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device for displaying a planar map which can be easily viewed by a user without increasing the amount of processing. A planar map generating device ( | 10-27-2011 |
20110261222 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, FACE DETECTION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode. | 10-27-2011 |
20110261223 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF FABRICATING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device receiving incident light from a backside thereof. The imaging device includes a semiconductor layer on which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric converters and pixel transistors are formed, a wiring layer formed on a first surface of the semiconductor layer, a pad portion formed on a second surface of the semiconductor layer, an opening formed to reach a conductive layer of the wiring layer, and an insulating film extendedly coated from the second surface to an internal side-wall of the opening so as to insulate the semiconductor layer. | 10-27-2011 |
20110267484 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING DIGITAL IMAGES - Disclosed is a method for sharpening a digital image captured by a digital imaging device, the method comprising, for each pixel X | 11-03-2011 |
20110267485 | RANGE MEASUREMENT USING A CODED APERTURE - A method of using an image capture device to identify range information includes providing an image capture device having an image sensor, coded aperture, and lens; storing in memory a set of blur parameters derived from range calibration data; and capturing an image having a plurality of objects. The method further includes providing a set of deblurred images using the capture image and each of the blur parameters from the stored set by, initializing a candidate deblurred image; determining a plurality of differential images representing differences between neighboring pixels in the candidate deblurred image; determining a combined differential image by combining the differential images; updating the candidate deblurred image responsive to the captured image, the blur parameters, the candidate deblurred image and the combined differential image; and repeating these steps until a convergence criterion is satisfied. Finally, the set of deblurred images are used to determine the range information. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267486 | RANGE MEASUREMENT USING MULTIPLE CODED APERTURES - A method of using an image capture device to identify range information for objects in a scene includes providing an image capture device having an image sensor, at least two coded apertures, and a lens; storing in a memory a set of blur parameters derived from range calibration data for each coded aperture; capturing images of the scene having a plurality of objects using each of the coded apertures; providing a set of deblurred images using the captured images from each coded aperture and each of the blur parameters from the stored set; and using the set of deblurred images to determine the range information for the objects in the scene. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267487 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND DISPERSING ELEMENT - A solid-state image pickup device capable of taking more light into light receiving regions is provided. The solid-state image pickup device of the present invention includes: a photoelectric conversion unit having a plurality of light receiving regions that are two-dimensionally arrayed, the photoelectric conversion unit for photoelectrically converting light incident on each of the light receiving regions, and outputting an electric signal according to the intensity of the incident light; a lens unit comprising a plurality of converging lenses provided on an upper layer of the photoelectric conversion unit, each of the converging lens being provided corresponding to a set of continuous first to third light receiving regions; and a dispersing element provided between the photoelectric conversion unit and the lens unit, the dispersing element being formed of a medium whose refractive index varies periodically, and diffracting beams of a first wavelength band and of a third wavelength band, having been transmitted through the converging lens, and directing the beams onto the first light receiving region and the third light receiving region, and transmitting, without diffracting, a beam of a second wavelength band, having been transmitted through the converging lens, and directing the beam onto the second light receiving region. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267488 | Image processing apparatus, image processing method, imaging apparatus, and program - An image processing apparatus includes: a global motion estimation apparatus that performs global Motion Estimation on current and reference images and then outputs a Motion Vector, wherein the global motion estimation apparatus includes a motion estimation processing unit that has a function of executing an LK method two or more times across a whole screen to perform the global motion estimation between the current and reference images; and the motion estimation processing unit obtains a set of motion vectors based on at least information about pixel value variations and information in which a calculation result of an arbitrary calculation expression is added across a whole screen in first motion estimation, and determines whether to perform addition on each pixel according to a set condition when obtaining the at least information, and obtains and outputs a new set of motion vectors as a result of a second LK method when the condition is satisfied in second motion estimation. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267489 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO DETECT OBJECT INCLUDED IN IMAGE AND METHOD THEREFOR - An image processing apparatus acquires a plurality of input images which are serially photographed, detects a plurality of object regions from each input image, and associates object regions in a past input image with object regions in a current input image. If any object region that has not been appropriately associated exists in the object regions detected from the past input image, the apparatus calculates object region movement information for each size of the object region based on the object regions mutually associated between the past input image and the current input image, and estimates a position of the object region of the current input image that has not been associated based on the movement information for each size of the object region and a size of the object region that has not been associated. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267490 | CAMERA BASED METHOD FOR TEXT INPUT AND KEYWORD DETECTION - The present invention relates to a camera based method for text input and detection of a keyword or of a text-part within page or a screen comprising the steps of: directing a camera module on the printed page and capturing an image thereof; digital image filtering of the captured image; detection of word blocks contained in the image, each word block containing most likely a recognizable word; performing OCR within each word block; determination of A-blocks among the word blocks according to a keyword probability determination rule, wherein each of the A-blocks contains most likely the keyword; assignment of an attribute to each A-block; indication of the A-blocks in the display by a frame or the like for a further selection of the keyword; further selection of the A-block containing the keyword based on the displayed attribute of the keyword; forwarding the text content as text input to an application. | 11-03-2011 |
20110267491 | COLOR CORRECTION DEVICE, COLOR CORRECTION METHOD, DYNAMIC CAMERA COLOR CORRECTION DEVICE, AND VIDEO SEARCH DEVICE USING THE SAME - A color correction device ( | 11-03-2011 |
20110273575 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - A mobile terminal and an operating method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a camera module; a display module configured to display a preview image provided by the camera module; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device; and a controller configured to obtain location information of the mobile terminal through wireless communication with the external device and obtain object information of a first object displayed in the preview image based on the location information, wherein, if there exists object information of a second object that is overlapped by the first object, the controller displays an notification indicator indicating the existence of the object information of the second object on the display module. Therefore, it is possible to provide information of a wider area than that displayed in a preview image. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273576 | Video Recording Environment - Solutions for providing an interactive and intuitive video environment. Some such solutions use a user supersystem as an interactive multimedia system, including various features relating to video capture and processing. In some cases, a “live video thumbnail” is provided as part of a media album application, for example, to entice users to capture video (e.g., a photo or video file) using components of the user supersystem. Other implementations facilitate video processing functionality, such as “best frame” selection and auto-cropping of video data. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273577 | Imaging device, with blur enhancement - An imaging device includes an imaging section, an image segmenting section, and a blur enhancement section. The imaging section images a field to generate photographic image data. The image segmenting section partitions an image of the photographic image data into a first region that is a main subject region and a second region where the main subject is not included. The blur detecting section detects degree of blur of an image of the second region of the image of the photographic image data. The blur enhancement section performs blur enhancement processing on the image of the second region to enlarge the degree of blur of the image after image processing in proportion to the magnitude of the detected degree of blur of the image. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273578 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs an image representing a scene captured on an imaging surface. A first searcher searches for a face image representing a face portion of a person from the image outputted from the imager. A designator designates an animal-face dictionary corresponding to a posture along a posture of the face image discovered by the first searcher from among a plurality of animal-face dictionaries respectively corresponding to a plurality of postures different from one another. A second searcher executes a process of searching for a face image representing a face portion of an animal from the image outputted from the imager by referring to the animal-face dictionary designated by the designator. A processor executes an output process different depending on a search result of the second searcher. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273579 | CONTROL DEVICE, CAMERA SYSTEM AND PROGRAM - There is provided a camera terminal device including a receiving unit that receives request information of control to control a region specified in a whole image captured by a camera, a control unit that assigns the control based on the request information when the control is not assigned to the region based on the request information, and an image processing unit that acquires the region specified from the whole image based on control information to control the region when the control is assigned based on the request information. A plurality of the regions is set, and the control unit assigns control to one of the regions when the control is not assigned to the one region, regardless whether or not control is assigned to other regions. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273580 | METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGE SIGNALS AND RELATED METHOD OF IMAGE CAPTURE - A method of processing image signals comprises determining whether each of multiple units of input pixel data received from an image sensor is bad pixel data generated by a bad pixel of the image sensor or normal pixel data generated by a normal pixel of the image sensor, and performing interpolation to generate image data corresponding to the bad pixel using only normal pixel data and omitting bad pixel data. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273581 | IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A technology of a phase-difference detecting image pickup element that can precisely detect a focus by a phase difference detection method and that can be properly produced even if pixels are becoming finer is provided. An image pickup element of an image pickup device includes an AF pixel pair | 11-10-2011 |
20110273582 | METHOD FOR IMAGE RESTORATION IN A COMPUTER VISION SYSTEM - A vehicle is equipped with a camera (which may be a stereoscopic camera) and a computer for processing the image data acquired by the camera. The image acquired by the camera is processed by the computer, and features are extracted therefrom. The features are further processed by various techniques such as object detection/segmentation and object tracking/classification. The acquired images are sometimes contaminated by optical occlusions such as raindrops, stone-chippings and dirt on the windshield. In such a case, the occluded parts of the image are reconstructed by optical flow estimation or stereo disparity estimation. The fully reconstructed image is then used for intended applications. | 11-10-2011 |
20110279697 | AR NAVIGATION FOR REPEAT PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIFFERENCE EXTRACTION - Systems and methods for repeat photography and difference extraction that help users take pictures from the same position and camera angle as earlier photos. The system automatically extracts differences between the photos. Camera poses are estimated and then indicators are rendered to show the desired camera angle, which guide the user to the same camera angle for repeat photography. Using 3D rendering techniques, photos are virtually projected onto a 3D model to adjust them and improve the match between the photos, and the difference between the two photos are detected and highlighted. Highlighting the detected differences helps users to notice the differences. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279698 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit that obtains color image data composed of wavelength components in a visible light region only, and monochrome image data which does not contain the wavelength components in the visible light region and which is composed of wavelength components in other than visible light region only, a color information extraction unit that extracts color information from the color image data, a luminance information extraction unit that extracts luminance information from the monochrome image data, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes the extracted color information and the extracted luminance information to generate composite image data. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279699 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: an input section receiving input of first image data obtained by shooting a subject in a first optical-system state of an imaging section, and second image data obtained by shooting the subject in a second optical-system state of the imaging section with a blur state different from a blur state of the first image data; and a distance-information calculation section calculating distance information corresponding to a position in a depth direction of the subject on the basis of the first image data and the second image data, wherein the distance-information calculation section corrects a change in the blur by an image height of the optical system to calculate the distance information. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279700 | Digital Image Acquisition Control and Correction Method and Apparatus - An unsatisfactory scene is disqualified as an image acquisition control for a camera. An image is acquired. One or more mouth regions are determined. The mouth regions are analyzed to determined whether they are frowning, and if so, then the scene is disqualified as a candidate for a processed, permanent image while the mouth is completing the frowning. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279701 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, FACE DETECTION METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285867 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING CHIP, AND ISP CHAIN CONFIGURING METHOD - An image processing device and an ISP chain constructing method are provided which can arbitrarily reconstruct an ISP chain structure. The image processing device is connected to an image sensor, performs a signal process and includes: N (where N is a natural number of equal to or greater than 2) ISP (Image Signal Processing) functional modules that each perform a predetermined image signal process on one, which is determined by an input selection signal, of data output from the image sensor and the other ISP functional modules; and an output module that outputs one, which is determined by an output selection signal, of output data output from the N ISP functional modules as final output data. Accordingly, it is possible to reconstruct an ISP chain even after the ISP chain is embodied as a chip, thereby providing image processing functions optimized for various product applications. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285868 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a pixel signal read out unit for reading out a pixel signal and a reference signal, and for holding the read out pixel signal or the reference signal in a holding capacitor; a selection switch for successively selecting signals stored row by row in the holding capacitor of pixel signal read out unit, and for outputting the selected signal to any one of a plurality of signal lines; reset switches for resetting the plurality of signal lines to a reset voltage; a multiplexer for selectively outputting the signals of the signal lines; and a control unit for controlling the multiplexer and the selection switch. The control unit performs control based on the reference signal read out according to a period longer than a period according to which the pixel signal is read out. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285869 | SERIAL DATA SENDING AND RECEIVING APPARATUS AND DIGITAL CAMERA - A serial data sending and receiving apparatus includes a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit includes an inserting unit carrying out iterative insertion of inserting, between each of adjacent pairs of line data, a piece of determining information. Each of the adjacent pairs of the line data found in successively arranged pieces of the line data is included in serial image data. The sending unit includes a data format converting unit sending a receiving unit, via the transmission path, information-inserted serial image data with a plurality of pieces of determining information inserted. The receiving unit includes a determining unit sequentially detecting the pieces of the determining information from the information-inserted serial image data received from the transmission path, and determining whether or not non-reproducible line data is found according to at least part of the detected pieces of the determining information. | 11-24-2011 |
20110292229 | RANKING KEY VIDEO FRAMES USING CAMERA FIXATION - A method for ranking key video frames for a digital video having a time sequence of video frames, comprising using a processor to perform the steps of: analyzing the digital video to determine a camera fixation pattern; determining a set of key video frames for the digital video; and ranking the key video frames responsive to the camera fixation pattern. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292230 | METHOD FOR MANAGING PRIVACY OF DIGITAL IMAGES - A captured digital image is stored in memory together with metadata derived from a location signal only if the location metadata is determined not to be within one or more predefined exclusion zones. A GPS receiver module can be implemented to obtain the location signal. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292231 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PRIVACY OF DIGITAL IMAGES - A system having an image sensor for capturing an image and a GPS module for providing a location signal for the image. Memory stores the digital image location metadata derived from the location signal which is included with the digital image only if the location metadata is determined not to be within one or more predefined exclusion zones. A communication module transmits the digital image and the location metadata or only the digital image. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292232 | IMAGE RETRIEVAL - A method, comprising receiving query data including an image of a person, and detecting a face of the person in the image to create a detected face, generating face data and clothing data using the detected face including a measure of characteristics of the face and clothing of the person, and retrieving images and video for the person and a related group of people by comparing the face data and clothing data of the person with multiple measures for the characteristics of faces and clothing generated from a set of images and video in which other people appear wherein co-appearances of the person with at least some of the other people are used to retrieve content in which the person and people from the related group appear. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292233 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device includes an image capture module, an image processing module, and a display module. The image capture module includes a first capture unit for capturing a first image and a second capture unit for capturing a second image. The first capture unit is simultaneously enabled with the second capture unit. The second image has an overlapping view with the first image. The image processing module includes an image cropping unit and an image stitching unit. The image cropping unit crops the first image to keep a first section of the first image, and further crops the second image to keep a second section of the second image. The first section is different from the second section. The image stitching unit stitches the first section and the second section into an integrated image. The display module displays the integrated image. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292234 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - The area of a subject image in an image is changed. The correction strength is determined based on the area change amount between the area before the area change and that after the area change for the subject image whose area has been changed. A correction process is performed for the image in accordance with the correction strength. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292235 | IMAGE PROCESSING UNIT, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing unit which includes: an input section which inputs a plurality of images each of which is associated with a difference from an in-focus state detected in accordance with differences among images of a subject which is divided during production of each of the plurality of images, the images being produced in continuous shooting in which a series of images are produced continuously in time series; and a selecting section which selects an image with the highest focusing degree in accordance with the difference from the in-focus state from among the plurality of images. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292236 | DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE - A display control device includes an image data generating section and a control section. The image data generating section is configured to perform generation processing for generating image data in a predetermined processing sequence for each of a plurality of predetermined data units of the image data. The control section is configured to control a display unit to execute display processing based on the image data in the processing sequence for each of the predetermined data units. The control section is configured to control the display unit so that the longer a first time relating to the generation processing for one of the predetermined data units of the image data is, the longer a second time until the display processing starts for the one of the predetermined data units of the image data is. | 12-01-2011 |
20110298939 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUAL RECOGNITION - A method for generating a signal based on a visual image includes photographing a target object with a digital camera to obtain a target image; receiving the target image into a processor that is in communication with the camera; cross-correlating the target image with a structure having a variety of scales across the target image; and based on cross-correlating the target image, generating a signal for output on a device associated with the camera. A visual recognition system is also disclosed. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298940 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING CAMERA FUNCTION IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - A method and an apparatus for operating a camera function in a portable terminal are provided. State information representing at least one of a direction and a rotation state of the portable terminal is obtained, and at least one of a sequence of reading an image from a camera sensor and an appropriate user interface is determined depending on the state information. Thus, the camera function is performed depending on the determined sequence or user interface. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298941 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - The present invention provides a highly flexible shooting environment by letting the user shoot any subject he or she likes. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298942 | VIDEO IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An image processor detects an on-screen motion of a photographic subject in video image data generated by an image sensor provided in a camera body and outputs a photographic subject motion information. A sensor detects a motion of the camera body and outputs the detected motion as a camera body motion information. A scene decision encoding controller decides an image pickup condition of the video image data based on the photographic subject motion information and the camera body motion information, and performs an encoding amount regulation control suitable for the decided image pickup condition to an image compression processor. | 12-08-2011 |
20110298943 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS FOR PIECEWISE GENERATION OF PIXEL CORRECTION VALUES FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - Methods, apparatuses and systems providing pixel correction values for a captured image, where the correction values are determined based on a piecewise-quadratic correction function in a first direction. The parameters for the piecewise-quadratic correction function in the first direction are calculated based on a plurality of piecewise-quadratic correction functions in a second direction. The correction values may be positional gain adjustment values. | 12-08-2011 |
20110304740 | UNIVERSAL IMAGE CAPTURE MANAGER - A universal image capture manager (UICM) for facilitating the acquisition of image data from a plurality of image source devices (ISDs) to an image utilizing software application (IUSA). The UICM is implemented on a computer processing device and includes a first software communication interface configured to facilitate data communication between the UICM and an IUSA. The UICM also includes a translator/mapper (T/M) software component being in operative communication with the first software communication interface and configured to translate and map an image request from an IUSA to at least one device driver (DD) software component of a plurality of DD software components. The UICM further includes a plurality of DD software components being in operative communication with the T/M software component. Each of the DD software components is configured to facilitate data communication with at least one ISD. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304741 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor unit including an optical system forming an optical image of an object placed on a stage part and plural image sensors each of which captures part of the optical image, a drive mechanism relativity moving the stage part and the image sensor unit, and a processing part causing the image sensor unit to perform plural image capturing operations with causing the drive mechanism to relatively move the stage part and the image sensor unit after each image capturing operation, and combining the plural captured images to produce a whole image covering the whole image capturing area. The plural image sensors are arranged such that an effective diameter of the optical system necessary to introduce light from the stage part to all the plural image sensors is smaller than a diameter of a circle circumscribed to the whole image capturing area. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304742 | IMAGE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS CAPABLE OF SIMULTANEOUSLY REPRODUCING PLURALITY OF IMAGES - An image reproduction apparatus includes a flash memory which adds recording time information to an image and records the image, and a control unit which classifies images in the memory on the basis of the added time information, limits the number of classified images for each date to one, and causes a display unit to display a calendar image as a list of images. | 12-15-2011 |
20110304743 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS, IMAGE RECORDING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image recording apparatus includes an imaging section which images a subject to obtain imaging data. An image quality information acquiring section acquires a plurality of sets of information concerning image quality. An image quality information converting section converts the plurality of sets of information concerning the image quality acquired in the image quality information acquiring section into image processing parameters used in image processing of the imaging data. An image processing section performs image processing with respect to the imaging data based on the image processing parameters converted by the image quality information converting section. A recording section records in a recording medium the imaging data subjected to image processing in the image processing section, or records in the recording medium the imaging data which is not yet subjected to image processing in the image processing section and the plurality of sets of information concerning the image quality. | 12-15-2011 |
20110310263 | IMAGE RESOLUTION ADJUSTING METHOD - An image resolution adjusting method is applicable to an image capturing device, such that the image capturing device can analyze an image quality of the captured image and determine a resolution for storing a captured image according to a blur degree of the captured image. Therefore, it can make use of storage resources effectively. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310264 | CANDIDATE IMAGE PRESENTING METHOD USING THUMBNAIL IMAGE AND IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE PERFORMING THE SAME - A candidate image presenting method using thumbnail images and an image signal processor and an imaging device performing the candidate image presenting method are provided. The image signal processing device processes a plurality of original image data by frames to generate a plurality of frame image data, generates and firstly outputs a plurality of thumbnail image data corresponding to the plurality of frame image data, and secondly outputs the frame image data corresponding to the thumbnail image data selected on the basis of a selection signal. Accordingly, it is possible to enable an image to be captured in a suitable photographing mode without missing a desired instant by providing a user with thumbnail images obtained by means of photographing operations in various photographing modes for a short time and causing a user to select a desired frame image on the basis of the thumbnail images. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310265 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus that receives a plurality of signals from a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, obtains range data from the plurality of signals, acquires image data while obtaining the range data, appends the range data to the image data, and stores the image data appended with the range data in a memory. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310266 | Image pickup apparatus - The image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: an optical imaging system for forming an object image; an image pickup device including a plurality of pixels that photoelectrically converts the object image; a defocus quantity calculation section for calculating a defocus quantity based on a phase difference between a plurality of signals for focus detection obtained from a plurality of pixels for focus detection that respectively receive a light flux that passes through a different pupil region of the optical imaging system; a focusing section for driving the optical imaging system so as to achieve an in-focus state, in accordance with the defocus quantity calculated at the defocus quantity calculation section; an addition practicability determination section for determining a practicability of performing inter-frame addition on a plurality of signals for focus detection before calculating the defocus quantity, based on an analysis result of a signal component of the object image; and an inter-frame addition processing section for performing inter-frame addition based on a determination result of the addition practicability determination section. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310267 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The image processing apparatus includes an area dividing part that divides an input image produced by an image pickup system into plural image areas whose evaluation values are mutually different. The evaluation value is obtained by using a response function of the image pickup system. The apparatus further includes a processing part that performs image processing to produce an output image whose definition is higher than that of the input image by using the response functions different for the respective image areas. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310268 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND TIMING CONTROL CIRCUIT - An image-capturing device includes an image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, a progress-information-acquiring section, and an image-capture control section. The image-capturing section captures an image of a subject and repeatedly generates image-capture data of frames which represent single video frames. The image-data-generation section carries out processing for generating image data indicating an image of the subject, on the basis of image-capture data of the image-capturing section. The progress-information-acquiring section acquires progress information indicating progress of processing for generating the image data. The image-capture control section controls, on the basis of the progress information, a timing for starting the generating of the image-capture data for the next frame in the image-capturing section. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310269 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND TIMING CONTROL CIRCUIT - An image-capturing device includes image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, and an image capture control section. The image-capturing section is for capturing an image of a subject and starting generating of image-capture data corresponding to a single frame in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, The image-data-generation section is for carrying out processing for generating image data showing an image of the subject, on the basis of the image-capture data. The image capture control section is for varying, at a minimum, either a number of pulses of subsignals generated a plurality of times within a period of one cycle of the vertical synchronization signal, or the cycle for generating the vertical synchronization signal. | 12-22-2011 |
20110317026 | Imaging apparatus with scene analysis - An imaging apparatus comprises an image-capturing element that outputs image signals representing a plurality of color components and an analyzing device that analyzes a captured photographic image based upon image signals with linearity, which are output from the image-capturing element. | 12-29-2011 |
20120002066 | TERMINAL OUTPUTTING MONOCHROME IMAGE DATA AND COLOR IMAGE DATA - There is provided an imaging terminal comprising an image sensing and processing circuit that includes a hybrid monochrome and color image sensor pixel array having a first subset of pixels provided by monochrome pixels without color filter elements and a second subset of pixels provided by color pixels having color filter elements. The terminal can be operative so that the image sensing and processing circuit can output a frame of image data for storing in a CPU addressable image frame memory. The image sensing and processing circuit can be operative so that a frame of image data output by the image sensing and processing circuit for storing in a CPU addressable image frame memory can include monochrome pixel values that correspond to color pixel positions of the image sensor pixel array. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002067 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device including a subject frame setting section which, by operating a subject detector which detects a subject captured in an image, sets a subject frame which surrounds a predetermined range of the subject detected from the image; an acceptance frame setting section which sets an acceptance frame with a range wider than the subject frame according to the context of the image; a position detecting section which detects a specified position on an image which is specified by a user; and a recognizing section which recognizes a subject which is a tracking target based on the acceptance frame set by the acceptance frame setting section and the specified position detected by the position detecting section. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002068 | Camera with red-eye correction function - An electronic camera comprises an image generation unit that generates a plurality of images for red-eye detection based upon an image obtained by capturing an image of a subject with an image-capturing element, a setting unit that sets a specific mode among a plurality of modes related to electronic camera functions, a selection unit that selects a specific type of red-eye detection processing among a plurality of types of red-eye detection processing different from one another, based upon the mode set via the setting unit; and a red-eye detection unit that detects a red-eye area based upon the images for red-eye detection by executing the red-eye detection processing selected by the selection unit. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002069 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, IMAGING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: an addition intensity calculation unit which calculates an addition intensity on the basis of a difference between first image data included in a plurality of pieces of image data obtained through sequential shooting and second image data included in the plurality of pieces of image data; and an addition processing unit which performs addition processing of the first image data and the second image data on the basis of the addition intensity. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002070 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA - A solid-state image sensor having a pixel array area where a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a peripheral circuit area, each pixel including a photoelectric converter, and a transfer gate electrode which forms a channel for transferring charges generated by the photoelectric converter to a floating diffusion portion, comprises a first insulating film arranged to cover an upper surface of the photoelectric converter, at least part of an upper surface of the transfer gate electrode, and a side surface of the transfer gate electrode, a second insulating film arranged on a gate electrode of a MOS transistor arranged in the peripheral circuit area, and an interlayer insulating film arranged in contact with the first insulating film and the second insulating film. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002071 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention is directed to a method for generating virtual image data at high resolution which is obtained when imaging is performed using a light ray incident on an imaging apparatus at a virtual position different from the actual position of an image sensor. A method for image processing includes acquiring light ray information, inputting virtual position information, generating first virtual image data which is obtained if the light ray is imaged at the virtual position with first resolution based on the light ray information and the virtual position information and inputting high resolution image data with second resolution higher than the first resolution, and generating second virtual image data which is obtained if the light ray is imaged at the virtual position with third resolution higher than the first resolution, based on the first virtual image data and the high resolution image data. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002072 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE EDITING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device; a first storage section storing image data including an image obtained by the imaging device; a display section displaying the image data stored in the first storage section; an image-effect specification section specifying a type of image effect to be produced on the image data displayed in the display section; a scaling operation section capable of specifying expansion and contraction of the image data displayed in the display section and specifying a range of an image edit area on the displayed image data; and an image processing section performing image processing on the image edit area specified by the scaling operation section in accordance with the specification from the image-effect specification section. | 01-05-2012 |
20120008002 | Real-Time Video Frame Pre-Processing Hardware - A dynamically reconfigurable heterogeneous systolic array is configured to process a first image frame, and to generate image processing primatives from the image frame, and to store the primatives and the corresponding image frame in a memory store. A characteristic of the image frame is determined. Based on the characteristic, the array is reconfigured to process a following image frame. | 01-12-2012 |
20120008003 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AUGMENTED REALITY THROUGH GENERATION OF A VIRTUAL MARKER - An apparatus to provide augmented reality (AR), includes a relevant information acquisition unit to acquire relevant information corresponding to an object to implement AR, a relevant information editing unit to edit the of acquired relevant information, and a virtual marker generating unit to generate a virtual marker based on the edited relevant information by mapping the edited relevant information to a marker element, which is defined based on a number, a symbol, an icon, a color or a combination of the number, symbol, icon and color. A method for providing AR includes acquiring relevant information corresponding to an object recognized in an image, editing the relevant information, and generating the a virtual marker based on the edited relevant information. | 01-12-2012 |
20120008004 | LIGHTING IDENTIFICATION - A lighting identification chart has a grey patch lighting identification feature and a three-part fiduciary marker positioned around the grey patch. The lighting identification chart | 01-12-2012 |
20120008005 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM RECORDED THEREON - A plurality of images are combined while suppressing a luminance change and the occurrence of artifacts. An image processing apparatus includes a measurement-area setting section that sets, in each of a plurality of images to be combined, a motion-vector measurement area that is used to measure at least one motion vector; a calculation section that calculates the motion vector between the images, in the motion-vector measurement area set by the measurement-area setting section; a reliability calculation section that calculates the reliability of the motion vector; and an image composition section that corrects misalignment between the images based on the motion vector and combines the images based on a composition ratio for each pixel, determined based on a feature quantity between the images for the pixel and the reliability of the motion vector. | 01-12-2012 |
20120008006 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, AND MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - In an image processing apparatus performing synthetic processing on N number of images (where N is an integer of two or larger) being captured from a same photographic scene under mutually different exposure conditions to generate a synthetic image with a higher dynamic range than the N number of images, obtaining the N number of images, and performing low-pass processing on at least one image among the N number of images to generate a low-pass image. Then, a weighting amount in the synthetic processing is decided based on the low-pass image, and the synthetic processing is performed on the N number of images according to the decided weighting amount to generate the synthetic image. Accordingly, a natural synthetic image with fewer changes in contrast, hue, and chroma is generated in a simple configuration when generating the synthetic image. | 01-12-2012 |
20120008007 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND SIGNAL CONVERSION METHOD - An adjacent color difference data generator calculates a differential between adjacent data in a data row having different color information per pixel of the digital signal to thereby generate a first color difference data having a first code format. A code converter converts the first color difference data into a second color difference data having a second code format. The second code format is a code format where only a small number of bits change before and after the code conversion from the first code format. The number of changing bits in the switching between codes when, for example, an image monochromatic but having gradation change is imaged to reduce any noise generated when digital image data is outputted. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013757 | CAMERA THAT COMBINES IMAGES OF DIFFERENT SCENE DEPTHS - A camera system capturing two parts of a same scene each at a different focus so that objects at different distances from the camera can be captured in focus. The camera system splits the image into two paths using a splitter and focuses the image of each path separately. The focus for each path can be manual or by autofocus. The parts of the images of the two paths can be combined by abutting them at a boundary or in a zone essentially located between the two parts, The image parts in the zone can be combined by blending using a linear function or a non linear function such as a frequency based function. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013758 | Memory Compression Technique with Low Latency per Pixel - In an embodiment, a compression unit is provided which may perform compression of images with low latency and relatively little hardware. Similarly, a decompression unit may be provided which may decompress the images with low latency and hardware. In an embodiment, the transmission of compressed coefficients may be performed using less than two passes through the list of coefficients. During the first pass, the most significant coefficients may be transmitted and other significance groups may be identified as linked lists. The linked lists may then be traverse to send the other significance groups. In an embodiment, a color space conversion may be made to permit filtering of fewer color components than might be possible in the source color space. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013759 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGES - An electronic device and a method for capturing images include detecting the face area of a monitored scene and reading image data of the face area in an image of the monitored scene captured by the camera device. The method further includes calculating a definition value of the face area in the image according to the read image data, and displaying a prompt message of recapturing the image on a display of the electronic device, upon the condition that the calculated definition value is lower than or equal to a predetermined definition threshold value. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013760 | CHARACTERIZATION OF IMAGE SENSORS - A camera module characterization method is presented. An object is imaged with the camera module. The object may be a test chart including a pattern that defines edges and markers. A resolution metric is measured from the obtained image, and at least one point where the resolution metric is maximized is identified (indicative of a measured in-focus position). The measured in-focus position is then used to derive optical aberration parameters. With respect to the test chart, the markers in the image are located and compared with known theoretical marker positions. A difference between the theoretical and actual marker positions is calculated and used to determine edge locations. A measurement of a resolution metric is then made from the obtained image at the determined edge locations. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013761 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN IMAGE OF QUALITY MATCHING WITH A SCENE TO BE CAPTURED - An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor in which main and auxiliary pixels are bidimensionally arranged for outputting a high and a low output signal, respectively. The user of the camera is allowed to select a desire image quality mode appearing on a monitor by operating a control panel. In a dynamic range priority mode, the high and low output signals are smoothly combined with each other to produce an image signal with a broadened dynamic range. In a resolution priority mode, the high and low output signals are not combined in order to guarantee resolution. In a sensitivity priority mode, the low output signal is added to the high output signal in order to raise the saturation point of the first output signal and therefore sensitivity. Further, in a color reproducibility priority mode, a white balance correcting method is changed depending upon the color temperature of a scene. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013762 | DETERMINING A FINAL EXPOSURE SETTING AUTOMATICALLY FOR A SOLID STATE CAMERA WITHOUT A SEPARATE LIGHT METERING CIRCUIT - An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019683 | Face Detection Using Division-Generated Haar-Like Features For Illumination Invariance - Faces in images are quickly detected with minimal memory resource usage. Instead of calculating a Haar-like feature value by subtracting the average pixel intensity value in one rectangular region from the average pixel intensity value in another, adjacent rectangular region, a face-detection system calculates that Haar-like feature value by dividing the average pixel intensity value in one such rectangular region by the average pixel intensity value in the other such adjacent rectangular region. Thus, each Haar-like value is calculated as a ratio of average pixel intensity values rather than as a difference between such average pixel intensity values. The feature values are calculated using this ratio-based technique both during the machine-learning procedure, in which the numerical ranges for features in known face-containing images are learned based on labeled training data, and during the classifier-applying procedure, in which an unlabeled image's feature values are calculated and compared to the previously machine-learned numerical ranges. | 01-26-2012 |
20120019684 | Method for controlling and requesting information from displaying multimedia - The invention provides a robust method to control interactive media using gestures. A method to retrieve metadata information from a multimedia outlet device, wherein the method follows the steps: (1) extracting image hot spot areas in a current captured image using face detection, (2) detecting a human gesture directive in at least one image hot spot area using gesture recognition, (3) determining if the gesture directive matches a pre-assigned command to a rich interaction module, (4) sending a signal to a rich interaction module corresponding to the pre-assigned command detected, (5) extracting a media image hot spot area from electrical signals sent from the multimedia, (6) matching any detected human gestures in at least one image hot spot area using gesture recognition with a specific pixel on a device screen, and (7) retrieving information from metadata assigned to an area of pixels on the screen. | 01-26-2012 |
20120019685 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A camcorder ( | 01-26-2012 |
20120019686 | IMAGE SYNTHESIZING DEVICE, IMAGE SYNTHESIZING METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - There is provided an image synthesizing device. The device includes: an image capturing unit configured to capture a plurality of images that are temporally continuous; an image generator configured to generate a single synthesized image by adding pixels of the plurality of images; a first difference obtaining unit configured to obtain differences between the plurality of images on pixel-by-pixel basis for each of the plurality images; and a blending unit configured to employ the differences between the plurality of images as transparency information and blend the transparency information into the synthesized image. | 01-26-2012 |
20120026352 | EDGE DETECTION WITH ADAPTIVE THRESHOLD - Systems and methods are provided for detecting edges in an image. In an example method, the image is smoothed using a filter. A gradient magnitude and angle are determined for each pixel of the image. A non-maximum suppression is performed on the resulting image data. A double threshold with an upper and a lower threshold are applied to the resulting image data to determine the edges in the image. The upper and the lower thresholds are calculated automatically using a distribution of intensity values of the image. In example systems, an image is acquired by a camera, or other image acquisition units. An image processing unit is configured to detect the edges in the image using an adaptive threshold edge detection method. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026353 | SYSTEM COMPRISING TWO LAMPS AND AN OPTICAL SENSOR - A system composed of a housing and an arm coupled to the housing. The arm supports a first lamp, a second lamp, and an optical sensor. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026354 | DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE MATCHING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND IMAGE MATCHING SYSTEM - A data processing device | 02-02-2012 |
20120033096 | MOTION BLUR MODELING FOR IMAGE FORMATION - The present disclosure includes motion blur modeling methods and systems for image formation. One motion blur modeling method for image formation includes obtaining image data utilized to form a particular image taken by a camera of a subject, obtaining velocity vector data for the subject at the time the image was taken, defining a convolution kernel for use formation of the particular image and based upon the velocity vector data, and applying the convolution kernel to the image data to produce a de-blurred set of image data utilized to form the particular image. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033097 | COUNTER CIRCUIT, ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER (ADC) INCLUDING A COUNTER CIRCUIT, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING COUNTER CIRCUIT AND/OR ADC, SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, AND METHOD ASSOCIATED THEREWITH - In one embodiment, the counter circuit is associated with a pixel array and includes a plurality of counting circuits. Each counting circuit is configured to receive an associated input signal, and each input signal is associated with a different column of the pixel array. A first of the plurality of counting circuits is configured to count based on the associated input signal. Each subsequent counting circuit in the plurality of counting circuits is configured to count based on a difference between the associated input signal and the input signal associated with a preceding counting circuit. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033098 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD OF A PICKED-UP IMAGE - An image pickup apparatus determines from which position in a plurality of photographed frames a pixel of each of lines of an image to be output is read out, on the basis of a motion amount at a photographing time of each of the lines of a photographed predetermined frame, and if the determined read-out position is located on the outside of a photographing range of the predetermined frame, then determines to read out a pixel in a frame photographed before and/or after a photographing of the predetermine frame as the pixel of the output image and calculates a read-out position of the pixel on the basis of the motion amount at a photographing time of each of the lines in the frame. | 02-09-2012 |
20120038785 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGE - A high resolution image producing method includes the following steps. Firstly, an object is continuously shot to produce plural shot images. Then, plural original images are selected from the plural shot images. Then, each of the original images is segmented into plural blocks, and the motion vector of each block of each original image is calculated. Then, a first original image is scaled-up to acquire a first basis image, and a second basis image is acquired by copying the first basis image. A phase error is calculated according to the first basis image, and an interpolating operation is performed on the second basis image to obtain a high resolution image. | 02-16-2012 |
20120038786 | Decreasing Image Acquisition Time for Compressive Imaging Devices - Mechanisms for increasing the rate of acquisition of compressed/encoded image representations are disclosed. An imaging system may deliver subsets of a modulated light stream onto respective light sensing devices. The light sensing devices may be sampled in parallel. Samples from each light sensing device may be used to construct a respective sub-image of a final image. The parallelism allows compressed images to be acquired at a higher rate. The number of light sensing devices and/or the number of pixels per image may be selected to achieve a target image acquisition rate. In another embodiment, spatial portions of the incident light stream are separated and delivered to separate light modulators. In yet another embodiment, the incident light stream is split into a plurality of beams, each of which retains the image present in the incident light stream and is delivered to a separate light modulator. | 02-16-2012 |
20120038787 | Color Segmentation - A method of skin segmentation of a digital image is operable in an acquisition device. An image is acquired. A value indicative of a redness of a pixel of said image is compared with a face skin pixel redness criterion. The pixel is identified as a face skin pixel if said criteron is satisfied. | 02-16-2012 |
20120038788 | Detecting Red Eye Filter and Apparatus Using Meta-Data - A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information. | 02-16-2012 |
20120044375 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH FIXED OUTPUT SIZES AND FRAME RATES - An imaging system may include an image sensor and an image encoder that encodes images from the image sensor with fixed output sizes and frame rates. The image encoder may encode images from the image sensor into an image format such as a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. The image encoder may insert padding data between image blocks in the encoded data to compensate in real time for variations in the encoded size of an image. The amount of padding data inserted by the encoder may be calculated to ensure the encoded image has a file size close to, but not greater than, the required fixed output size. If needed, the encoder may add additional padding data after the image blocks are encoded in a blanking period before a subsequent image is encoded so that the final size of the encoded image is equal to the required output size. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044376 | FILTER CONVERSION DEVICE - A filter conversion device includes a first filter, a second filter, a motor, and a microswitch. The motor moves the first or second filter according to a control signal from a processor of the camera. The micorswitch is mounted adjacent to the first filter. A first terminal of the microswitch is grounded. A second terminal of the microswitch is connected to a power supply with a resistor and is connected to the processor of the camera with a connector. When the first filter contacts the microswitch, the microswitch turns on. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044377 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An electronic device includes: a reading unit reading image data; a transmitting unit transmitting the image data to another electronic device via a telecommunications line upon receiving a user operation; a first image processing unit processing the image data; and a control unit (i) causing, in the case where a second image processing unit has a connection to the control unit, the second image processing unit to process the image data, and the transmitting unit to transmit the processed image data, and (ii) causing, in the case where id the second image processing unit does not have a connection to the control unit, the first image processing unit to process the image data, and the transmitting unit to transmit the processed image data, the second image processing unit being included in the movie camera and processing, as well as the image data, image data which is obtained by the movie camera. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044378 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD - An imaging apparatus is capable of allowing a user of the apparatus to execute a photographing setting for implementing an expression of a photograph with the finishing requested by the user and for achieving a quality of an image which the user requested with a wide variety of expression ambiences even if the user is not very conversant with digital image processing. The user selects and executes three settings, such as the type of a scene to be photographed, a state of an object to be photographed, and a finishing. The photographing conditions and image processing parameters are set and executed in interlock with the selected settings. As a result, the imaging apparatus can implement the finishing of a photograph desired by the user. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044379 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a light emission unit, an image acquisition unit configured to drive the image pickup unit and the light emission unit to acquire an image while the light emission unit is emitting light and acquire images while the light emission unit is emitting no light at substantially the same view angle, a difference acquisition unit configured to acquire a luminance difference between the image acquired while the light emission unit is emitting light and one of the images acquired while the light emission unit is emitting no light, and an image composing unit configured to compose a composite image from the images acquired while the light emission unit is emitting no light and the image acquired while the light emission unit is emitting light, using the luminance difference acquired by the difference acquisition unit as transmission intensity data. | 02-23-2012 |
20120057039 | AUTO-TRIGGERED CAMERA SELF-TIMER BASED ON RECOGNITION OF SUBJECT'S PRESENCE IN SCENE - An automated image capture mode of a camera in an electronic device insures that a particular subject appears in the captured image. An image of the particular subject, which may be the photographer, is initially captured. Subsequently, another image capture is automatically triggered when the same subject is detected within the camera's field of view. In one embodiment, a motion sensor within the device may be employed to begin a search for the subject, when the camera is subjected to a sudden movement. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057040 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING LIGHT FIELD DATA USING A MASK WITH AN ATTENUATION PATTERN - Provided are an apparatus and method for processing a light field image that is acquired and processed using a mask to spatially modulate a light field. The apparatus includes a lens, a mask to spatially modulate 4D light field data of a scene passing through the lens to include wideband information on the scene, a sensor to detect a 2D image corresponding to the spatially modulated 4D light field data, and a data processing unit to recover the 4D light field data from the 2D image to generate an all-in-focus image. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057041 | Methods and Apparatuses for Addressing Chromatic Abberations and Purple Fringing - Methods and systems for detecting and correcting chromatic aberration and purple fringing are disclosed. Chromatic aberration can be addressed by separating an image into color planes and then adjusting these to reduce chromatic aberration by using a specific calibration image (calibration chart) as an empirical method to calibrate the image acquisition device. Purple fringing can be corrected by initially addressing color aberration resulting from the lateral chromatic aberration (LCA). The LCA is first removed and then the correction is extended to purple fringing. A discovery is relied upon that the purple fringing is created in the direction of the chromatic aberration and is more pronounced in the direction of the chromatic aberration. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057042 | Solid-state image pickup device and signal processing method therefor - Solid-state image pickup device and processing method, with A/D conversion on pixel signals read from a pixel array part that effectively achieves reductions in power consumption, size and price while retaining a high-quality image output. The device includes a pixel array part, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit, and an A/D converter. A pixel signal read via a signal line is subjected to noise elimination processing in the CDS circuit, and is then inputted into the A/D converter. The A/D converter includes a ΔΣ modulator and a digital filter to perform highly accurate A/D conversion. The A/D converter can also be provided at the front stage of the CDS circuit. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057043 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - A focus detection apparatus comprises photo-electric conversion means comprising a first pixel group which receives a light beam passing through a first pupil area of an image forming optical system that forms an image of an object, and a second pixel group which receives a light beam passing through a second pupil area of the image forming optical system; focus detection means for detecting a focus state of the image forming optical system based on a first object image generated by the first pixel group and a second object image generated by the second pixel group; a correction calculator for performing correction calculation for the first object image and the second object image based on the output from the focus detection means; and determination means for determining, based on the output from the focus detection means, whether to perform the correction calculation again. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062758 | RELATIVE POSITIONING OF DEVICES BASED ON CAPTURED IMAGES OF TAGS - This is directed to determining the relative position of several devices by capturing representations of the device environments in which a tag is located. The devices can compare the captured representations to determine a perspective of the tag corresponding to each device. In some cases, a device can determine an absolute position relative to a coordinate system integrated in a tag. Using the positioning information, several devices can receive directions to come together at a particular meeting point. In some cases, several devices can operate an application that requires the interaction of several users of the devices (e.g., multi-player games). The application can control the time or manner in which inputs are provided based on the relative positions of the devices. In some cases, the devices can display virtual content that is shared across several devices, where the different devices can each interact with the virtual content. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062759 | IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE REPRODUCTION DEVICE, AND IMAGE REPRODUCTION PROGRAM - An image generation device includes a video image generation means for generating a video image of a target photographic subject within a photographic subject on the basis of a plurality of captured images that are acquired by capturing images of the photographic subject in time series, and a background image generation means for generating a background image of the target photographic subject on the basis of the captured images. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062760 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING OBJECTS WITH REDUCED IMAGE BLUR - An imaging device is presented for use in an imaging system capable of improving the image quality. The imaging device has one or more optical systems defining an effective aperture of the imaging device. The imaging device comprises a lens system having an algebraic representation matrix of a diagonalized form defining a first Condition Number, and a phase encoder utility adapted to effect a second Condition Number of an algebraic representation matrix of the imaging device, smaller than said first Condition Number of the lens system. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062761 | Real-Time Face Tracking in a Digital Image Acquisition Device - A database includes an identifier and associated parameters for each of a number of faces to be recognized. A new acquired image from an image stream is received potentially including one or more face regions. Face detection is applied to at least a portion of the acquired image to provide a set of candidate face regions each having a given size and a respective location. Using the database, face recognition is selectively applied to at least one of the candidate face regions to provide an identifier for a face recognized in a candidate face region. A portion of the image is stored including the recognized face in association with at least one image of the image stream. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062762 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND PHOTOSENSOR CELL WITH SELECTIVELY SILICIDED GATES - The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for selectively providing a silicide coating over the transistor gates of a CMOS imager to improve the speed of the transistor gates. The method further includes an apparatus and method for forming a self aligned photo shield over the CMOS imager. | 03-15-2012 |
20120069208 | Methods, Systems , and Computer Program Products for Assuring Horizontal Image Capture - A system comprises an accelerometer, a display, an image capture means, a controller, and an indicator capable of displaying angle from vertical or horizontal, whereby the controller uses data acquired from the accelerometer to drive the indicator. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069209 | LENSLESS CAMERA CONTROLLED VIA MEMS ARRAY - A lensless camera may include an array of MEMS-based light-modulating devices. A camera controller may control the MEMS-based light-modulating devices to transmit visible light through, or substantially prevent the transmission of visible light through, predetermined areas of the array. The array may be controlled in response to input from a user and/or in response to the location of a detected subject. The viewing direction of a lensless camera having such an array can be rapidly changed by changing the transmittance of different regions of the array. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069210 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS PERFORMING AUTOMATIC PHOTOGRAPHING PROCESSING, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDED WITH PROGRAM THEREOF - 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. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069211 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD OF ARRANGING IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT - An image pickup apparatus is provided with: an optical system including a lens or a reflecting mirror; an image pickup device having a light-receiving surface on which light rays from the optical system are focused and a plurality of light-receiving pixels which generate charges on the light-receiving surface by the light rays; a bias voltage generation unit which supplies power to the image pickup device; a signal processing unit which processes a signal output from the image pickup device and outputs the processed signal as image data; and a control unit which inputs into the image pickup device a driving clock that controls transmission of the charges generated in the light-receiving pixels of the image pickup device. The image pickup device is bent so that distortion aberration present in the optical system is eliminated. | 03-22-2012 |
20120075489 | ZOOM CAMERA IMAGE BLENDING TECHNIQUE - In a digital picture created by combining an outer zone from a first lens and an inner zone from a second lens, the two zones may be blended together in an intermediate zone created by processing pixels from both the outer and inner zones. The blending may be performed by creating pixels in the intermediate zone that are progressively less influenced by pixels from the first lens and progressively more influenced by pixels from the second lens, as the location of the intermediate pixels transitions from the outer zone to the inner zone. Image registration may be used to achieve the same scale before blending. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075490 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING POSITIONING OF OBJECTS WITHIN A SCENE IN VIDEO CONTENT - Methods and systems for determining positioning of objects of interest within a scene in video content are disclosed. One method includes applying position detection tags to one or more physical objects in a scene to be captured as video content, and capturing video content including the scene containing the one or more physical objects such that positions of the physical objects are known. The method also includes detecting the one or more objects within a recorded scene of the video content, and identifying one or more objects of interest in the recorded scene corresponding to the objects at least in part by extrapolating from the known physical positions of the objects in the scene. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075491 | ACCESS OF A DIGITAL VERSION OF A FILE - Example embodiments relate to access of a digital version of a file. In example embodiments, a location identifier printed in association with a printed version of a file is received. A digital storage location on a server computing device corresponding to the location identifier may then be accessed. A digital version of the file corresponding to the printed version of the file may then be accessed from the digital storage location. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075492 | Continuous Autofocus Based on Face Detection and Tracking - An autofocus method includes acquiring an image of a scene that includes one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces. The method includes detecting one or more of the out of focus faces and/or partial faces within the digital image by applying one or more sets of classifiers trained on faces that are out of focus. One or more sizes of the one of more respective out of focus faces and/or partial faces is/are determined within the digital image. One or more respective depths is/are determined to the one or more out of focus faces and/or partial faces based on the one or more sizes of the one of more faces and/or partial faces within the digital image. One or more respective focus positions of the lens is/are adjusted to focus approximately at the determined one or more respective depths. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075493 | Method and system for robust and flexible extraction of image information using color filter arrays - Methods and systems for robust and flexible extraction of image information using color filter arrays. Methods are provided comprising receiving a sample set of data generated by transforming and sampling an optical property of an original color image in a spatial basis, wherein the transformation effected is substantially local in the spatial basis and has partially overlapping spectra. A generalized inverse of the transform augmented with regularization constraints is applied to the sample set of data to infer original image data. According to one approach the generalized inverse does not use variational minimization or assume constant color ratios. According to an alternative approach regularization can take the form of predetermined spectral constraints applied to the sample set of data to infer the original image data. According to another alternative approach regularization can promote spectral sparsity. Methods are also provided for creating an optical color filter array, for sampling an image, for reducing noise in an image, and for computing a sparse representation of an image signal. Systems for carrying out these and other methods are also provided. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075494 | Image pickup apparatus - An image pickup apparatus satisfying certain conditional expressions comprises a zoom lens and an image pickup element. The zoom lens consists of, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power in which a reflecting surface that deflects the optical path is provided, a second lens unit, comprising a plurality of negative lenses, having a negative refractive power, a rear lens unit, comprising a third lens unit and a fourth lens unit, having a positive refractive power, and an aperture stop between the second and fourth lens units. During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit is fixed, the second lens unit moves in such a way as to be located closer to the image side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the distances between the lens units change. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075495 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager has an imaging surface capturing an optical image and outputs an electronic image corresponding to the optical image. An executor executes, along a reference criterion, a process of adjusting an imaging condition based on a partial image appeared on a designated position out of the electronic image outputted from the imager. A searcher searches for a specific object image coincident with a dictionary image from the electronic image outputted from the imager. A first selector selects a specific criterion as the reference criterion when the designated position is equivalent to a position of the specific object image discovered by the searcher. A second selector selects a criterion different from the specific criterion as the reference criterion when the designated position is different from the position of the specific object image discovered by the searcher. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075496 | COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE GENERATION PROGRAM, CAPTURING APPARATUS, CAPTURING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - In an exemplary capturing apparatus, a captured image is acquired in real time. A first face area is detected from a plurality of face areas included in the captured image thus acquired, and a first face image corresponding to the first face area is acquired. Then, a face combination image is generated by replacing at least a part of a second face area with the first face image. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075497 | FLICKER CORRECTION APPARATUS, FLICKER CORRECTION METHOD AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - A flicker detection region in which an image signal has values relating to luminance and colors within predetermined ranges is extracted from a plurality of flicker detection regions allocated in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image. A flicker component is detected using the luminance information of the image signal in the extracted flicker detection region. A correction value to correct the flicker component is generated from the detected flicker component. This makes it possible to accurately correct, using a simple arrangement, a flicker component contained in an image sensed under a light source whose brightness periodically changes even when the object or the image sensing apparatus moves. | 03-29-2012 |
20120075498 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR ADAPTIVELY PROCESSING AN IMAGE USING AN ENHANCED IMAGE AND EDGE DATA - An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081566 | FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION USING IMAGE SENSOR INTERFACE TIMING SIGNAL - Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an image signal processing system that includes a flash controller that is configured to activate a flash device prior to the start of a target image frame by using a sensor timing signal. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a delayed sensor timing signal and determines a flash activation start time by using the delayed sensor timing signal to identify a time corresponding to the end of the previous frame, increasing that time by a vertical blanking time, and then subtracting a first offset to compensate for delay between the sensor timing signal and the delayed sensor timing signal. Then, the flash controller subtracts a second offset to determine the flash activation time, thus ensuring that the flash is activated prior to receiving the first pixel of the target frame. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081567 | TECHNIQUES FOR SYNCHRONIZING AUDIO AND VIDEO DATA IN AN IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - The present disclosure provides techniques for performing audio-video synchronization using an image signal processing system. In one embodiment, a time code register provides a current time stamp when sampled. The value of the time code register may be incremented at regular intervals based on a clock of the image signal processing system. At the start of a current frame acquired by an image sensor, the time code register is sampled, and a timestamp is stored into a timestamp register associated with the image sensor. The timestamp is then read from the time stamp register and written to a set of metadata associated with the current frame. The timestamp stored in the frame metadata may then be used to synchronize the current frame with a corresponding set of audio data. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081568 | STORAGE MEDIUM RECORDING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - An information processing device, which acquires a face image of a person to be imaged that is captured by an imaging device, executes: a determination step of determining whether a distance between a face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is within a predetermined range; and a display step of, if the distance between the face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is determined to be within the predetermined range in the determination step, displaying, on a display device, a target position for alignment of at least one feature point contained in the face image of the person to be imaged, together with the face image of the person to be imaged repeatedly captured by the imaging device. | 04-05-2012 |
20120086827 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSISTING MONITORING OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE - A system and method for positioning a pill to be ingested by a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera. The method includes the steps of determining a desired location of the mouth of a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera, determining a current position of a pill to be ingested by the user in the field of view of the image acquisition apparatus, and indicating on a display a movement to be made by the user to move the pill towards mouth of the user. | 04-12-2012 |
20120092512 | FAST, ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT GAUSSIAN FILTER - A fast, accurate and efficient Gaussian filter implements a box filter implementation, applies the central limit theorem and uses an overflow implementation. By combining the box filter, central limit theorem and overflow, the filter is fast, accurate and efficient so that it is able to be implemented in hardware and/or software easily. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092513 | NOVEL AND ROBUST METHOD FOR COMPUTING CONTROL POINTS - A method of and system for computing control points in a test target are described herein. The method and system utilize symmetry to test pixel locations in a raster scan fashion, then a computed Sum of Absolute Differences or a Sum of Squared Difference value is stored at the pixel locations, which enables identification of local minimum in the resulting surface. The local minimum are control point locations. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092514 | IMAGE-CAPTURE DEVICE, A METHOD OF CORRECTING IMAGES, AND A NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image-capture device comprises a display for displaying images. The images for display are pre-processed based on a diopter value set in connection with a viewfinder of the image-capture device. The pre-processing of the displayed images allows a user to have a similar experience when looking through viewfinder and when looking at the display. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092515 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD CAPABLE OF OBTAINING SENSIBILITY-BASED IMAGE - A digital image processing method includes obtaining photographing setting information from an input image, obtaining one or more candidate images corresponding to the obtained photographing setting information from a first database that stores candidate images, and determining photographing setting information for a selected candidate image from a second database that stores photographing setting information corresponding to the candidate images. A digital image processing apparatus includes a photographing setting information obtaining unit that obtains photographing setting information from an input image, a candidate image determining unit that determines one or more candidate images corresponding to the obtained photographing setting information from a first database that stores candidate images, and a photographing setting information determining unit that determines photographing setting information corresponding to a selected candidate image from a second database that stores photographing setting information corresponding to the candidate images. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092516 | IMAGING DEVICE AND SMILE RECORDING PROGRAM - A digital camera ( | 04-19-2012 |
20120092517 | IMAGE TRANSMISSION - Methods and devices are provided which capture an image with a first resolution. A detail ( | 04-19-2012 |
20120092518 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMPRESSING AN IMAGE FOR AN IMAGE SENSOR - A device for compressing an image for an image sensor, including a module for analog decorrelation of an image for providing low-frequency coefficients and high-frequency coefficients from the image, an analog-digital coefficient converter, and a module for a differentiated analog amplification of the low-frequency coefficients and of the high-frequency coefficients, provided by the analog decorrelation module to provide modified coefficients to the converter. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092519 | GESTURE RECOGNITION USING CHROMA-KEYING - A method and system for analyzing an object is provided in the present invention. The system comprises: a background arranged behind an object, wherein the color of the background is allowed to be selected from a set of colors; a first unit for setting a given color for the background so that the given color is different from the color of the object; a second unit for taking a picture including the object and the background; and a third unit for detecting at least one feature relating to the object according to the picture taken by said second unit. In the system, the color of the background is allowed to be set so as to be different from the color of the object. In this way, it is easy to distinguish the object part from the background part in the taken picture. This results in stable recognition for different objects, especially objects of different colors. | 04-19-2012 |
20120098985 | METHOD TO INCREASE THE ACCURACY OF PHASE CORRELATION MOTION ESTIMATION IN LOW-BIT-PRECISION CIRCUMSTANCES - A method and system to improve the performance of phase correlation motion estimation for low-bit-precision implementation are described herein. Phase correlation uses the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) with operations with infinite-precision constants. Since physical implementations use finite-precision arithmetic, there is some loss in precision relative to the ideal infinite-precision case. In low-complexity implementations, it is desirable to use as few bits as possible, and if the precision is too low, the performance of traditional phase correlation suffers. A pre-processing technique is applied to the data prior to taking the FFT, which minimizes the negative effects of finite precision in the FFT and allows high quality results from phase correlation. The pre-processing step is a content-dependent contrast adjustment that maps the range of the input images' pixel values to the range of input values for the FFT. There is no post-processing required after the FFT to compensate for the pre-processing step. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098986 | METHOD TO IMPROVE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF MOTION ESTIMATED WITH PHASE CORRELATION - A method of improving accuracy and reliability of motion estimation is described herein. In one aspect, a 2D neighborhood of phase correlation peak is approximated with an outer-product of two 1D vectors to eliminate the sub-pixel error. In another aspect, estimation of reliability is improved. In yet another aspect, two-pass phase correlation is implemented to eliminate sub-pel motion bias. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098987 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An imaging element which continuously outputs image data obtained by photoelectrically converting object light, a buffer memory which temporarily stores image data being output from the imaging element, a plurality of image processing units which are capable of performing image processing on image data output from the imaging element, and a control unit which causes an image processing unit of the plurality of image processing units to operate based on a number of pieces of the image data stored in the buffer memory when the image data is output continuously from the imaging element, in which the image processing unit performs image processing on each piece of image data output continuously. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098988 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING IMAGE PROCESSOR, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processor includes a first correction circuit that outputs a first correction value, which corresponds to a pixel value of an input image, based on a first correction characteristic. A second correction circuit outputs a second correction value, which corresponds to the pixel value of the input image, based on a second correction characteristic. A control circuit controls a ratio for mixing the first correction value and the second correction value. A mixing circuit that mixes the first correction value and the second correction value based on the ratio. A corrected pixel value, which corresponds to the pixel value of the input image, is generated in accordance with an output value of the mixing circuit. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098989 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING A NUMBER OF CAPTURED IMAGES - An imaging apparatus includes an image capturing unit that capture image data, a display that displays the image data, a calendar that provides current time and date information, and a determination unit that classifies the image data by determining which one of plural different scene categories corresponds to the image data. The apparatus also includes a count unit that obtains the current time and data information from the calendar, adds the image data to the time and date information and increments a number of images captured today corresponding to the scene category classified by the determination unit when a date of a currently captured image data is the same as a date in a previously captured image data. A display unit displays, on the display, the number of images captured today corresponding to each of the plural different scene categories. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098990 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME - An analog-to-digital converter includes a comparison signal generation unit and a control unit. The comparison signal generation unit determines a logic level of a comparison signal by comparing an input signal with a selected reference signal based on a switch control signal in a first comparison mode, and by comparing a difference voltage with a ramp signal based on the switch control signal in a second comparison mode. The difference voltage is generated based on the input signal and the selected reference signal such that a level of the difference voltage is lower than a fine voltage level corresponding to a voltage level of the selected reference signal in the second comparison mode. The control unit generates the switch control signal based on the comparison signal and a mode selection signal. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098991 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: a detecting section which receives a color mosaic image generated by an imaging process of a single chip color imaging device as an input and detects the strength of a high frequency signal in the proximity of a target pixel which is an interpolation process target; a plurality of statistic calculating sections each of which sets a reference region having a different area around the target pixel and calculates an individual statistic based on a pixel value included in the reference region; and an interpolating section which changes a blended state of the plurality of statistics calculated by the plurality of statistic calculating sections according to the strength of the high frequency signal detected by the detecting section and calculates an interpolated pixel value in the position of the target pixel by a blending process of the plurality of statistics. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098992 | IMAGING APPARATUS - A controller controls a photographing angle of view based on the face size detected by the face size calculation unit and the face inclination detected by the face inclination detection unit, wherein the controller controls the photographing angle of view so that a size with respect to the photographing angle of view of the subject image recognized by the face recognition unit becomes a predetermined size. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098993 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An evaluation value for a pixel in an eye region in an image is computed, which is increased with increase in the redness of the pixel and with decrease in the luminance of the pixel. Furthermore, a color saturation value for the pixel included in the eye region is corrected with the use of a luminance value for a surrounding region around an eye and the evaluation value. In this case, the color saturation value is corrected such that the amount of correction is smaller in a case in which the luminance value is smaller even with the same evaluation value, thereby achieving improvement in the correction factor of and prevention of false corrections of a redeye region with a low color saturation and a low luminance. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098994 | Compilation Of Images - A system for arranging a number of images into a compilation of images a metadata derivation unit ( | 04-26-2012 |
20120105661 | ROW AND COLUMN JUMPING FOR PIXEL READOUT USING BURST SWITCHING MODE - An imaging apparatus is described for obtaining images. The imaging apparatus includes a pixel array, a row decoder, a column decoder, and a trigger circuit. The pixel array integrates electrical signals corresponding to incident light from a scene. The row decoder enables a selected row of pixels within the pixel array. The column decoder enables readout of a pixel in a selected column of the selected row within the pixel array. The trigger circuit generates one or more burst pulses to traverse through a corresponding number of decoder stages that correspond to pixels which are identified for discarding. Each burst pulse has a duration that is less than a stipulated minimum pulse duration of a typical decoder pulse of the decoders. By using shorter burst pulses, the trigger circuit can quickly jump to a desired row and/or column of pixels for readout, while conserving power. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105662 | CAMERA SYSTEM PROVIDING A MEASURE OF POSE QUALITY - A camera system may include an image sensor to generate real-time image data of a scene having a subject. A pose evaluator can generate a pose metric signal having a pose value that provides a variable measure of a pose quality for the subject in the scene. A pose feedback indicator can provide user-perceptible feedback demonstrating the value of the pose metric signal, such that the variable measure of the pose quality is provided. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105663 | Haptic Feedback Response - A device to capture an image with an image capture component, determine whether the image is acceptable in response to a device applying at least one image detection algorithm on the image, and provide a haptic feedback response to a user of the device if the image is acceptable. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105664 | Moving Image Pickup Apparatus, Method For Observing Moving Image, Moving Image Observing Program, And Computer-Readable Recording Medium - A moving image is divided with imaging timing aligned without using a synchronous input. A moving image pickup apparatus to pick up a moving image of one or more objects as an imaging target includes an image obtaining unit for obtaining an input moving image composed of a plurality of frames containing a scene of the object making a periodic motion, a representative image selecting unit for selecting a representative image representing a cycle, a standard timing selecting unit for selecting a standard timing based on the representative image, in order to divide the input moving image obtained by the image obtaining unit with respect to each cycle, and a cycle extracting unit for dividing the input moving image with respect to each cycle, based on the standard timing selected by the standard timing selecting unit. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105665 | DIGITAL IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS, AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor configured to include a plurality of pixels in its image pickup area; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters configured to share a plurality of analog signals read out from the plurality of pixels to perform analog-to-digital conversion to the analog signals allocated thereto; and a control unit configured to read out the analog signals from the pixels within a partial area in the image pickup area for the analog-to-digital conversion. The number of pixels allocated to the analog-to-digital converters performing the analog-to-digital conversion to areas near a center position of the partial area is smaller than that allocated to the analog-to-digital converters performing the analog-to-digital conversion to areas far from the center position of the partial area. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105666 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an AD conversion unit, a clamp processing unit, and a video signal correction unit. The clamp processing unit is configured to clamp to a black level, an image signal of an effective pixel region or an optical-black region of the image sensor after having been digitally converted by the AD conversion unit, by evaluating a difference from a signal of the optical-black region. The video signal correction unit is configured to calculate signal information of a part or whole of the optical-black region of an image signal of the image sensor; and, independently for each color of the video signal, to calculate correction amount of a video signal using the signal information, and to carry out correction by subtracting calculated correction amount from the image signal before clamping operation performed by the clamp processing unit. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105667 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR SMOOTHING DYNAMIC RANGE OF LUMINANCE OF AN IMAGE SIGNAL, COLOR CONVERSION PROCESS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to capture an object image, a smoothing unit configured to smooth a dynamic range of luminance of an image signal generated based on the object image captured by the imaging unit, and a color conversion unit configured to perform a color conversion with respect to a color of the image signal whose dynamic range is smoothed by the smoothing unit and is specified by a user. | 05-03-2012 |
20120113285 | Overlaying Data in an Augmented Reality User Interface - Disclosed are various embodiments for overlaying data in an augmented reality user interface. A camera associated with a mobile device is accessed and activated, and a location associated with the mobile device is detected. A direction in which the camera is pointed is detected and video captured by the camera displayed. Indicators associated with points of interest on a golf course are overlaid on the video in a user interface. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113286 | Analog to Digital Converters, Image Sensor Systems, and Methods of Operating the Same - An analog to digital converter (ADC) can include a multi-input comparison unit configured to compare a pixel voltage from an image sensor, a comparison voltage comprising a stepped voltage modified during a coarse mode of operation, and a ramp voltage comprising a ramped voltage modified to one another during a fine mode of operation, to provide a comparison result signal that indicates whether the comparison voltage combined with the ramp voltage is greater than or less than the pixel voltage. A selection control signal generation unit can receive the comparison result signal and a mode control signal, to indicate the coarse or fine mode, to provide a selection control signal allowing modification of the comparison voltage in the coarse mode and to hold the comparison voltage constant in the fine mode. A reference voltage selection unit can receive the selection control signal to control modification of the comparison voltage. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113287 | Optical Imaging Systems And Methods Utilizing Nonlinear And/Or Spatially Varying Image Processing - Systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to introduce image attributes into an optical image. A detector converts the optical image to electronic data while maintaining the image attributes. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets, and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. The processing may optionally be nonlinear. Other imaging systems and methods include optics having one or more phase modifying elements that modify wavefront phase to form an optical image. A detector generates electronic data having one or more image attributes that are dependent on characteristics of the phase modifying elements and/or the detector. A signal processor subdivides the electronic data into one or more data sets, classifies the data sets and independently processes the data sets to form processed electronic data. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113288 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: an image sensor that converts an optical image to electronic image information; an image processor that carries out image processing on the electronic image information obtained via the image sensor to obtain image data; a tilt angle detector that detects a tilt angle of the imaging apparatus; an image display that displays the image data; and a blurred area setter that sets a blurred area and a non-blurred area to the image data in cooperation with the image processor and the image display, wherein a blurred area automatic changer that automatically changes the blurred area and the non-blurred area on the image display in accordance with the tilt angle of the imaging apparatus obtained by the tilt angle detector is provided in the image processor. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113289 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR IMAGE PROCESSING - Methods and apparatuses for generating a low dynamic range image for a high dynamic range scene. In one aspect, a method to generate a low dynamic range image from a high dynamic range image, includes: determining one or more regions of the high dynamic range image containing pixels having values that are outside a first range and inside a second range; computing a weight distribution from the one or more regions; and generating the low dynamic range image from the high dynamic range image using the weight distribution. In another aspect, a method of image processing, includes: detecting one or more regions in a first image of a high dynamic range scene according to a threshold to generate a mask; and blending the first image and a second image of the scene to generate a third image using the mask. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113290 | Solid-state image sensing device and camera system - A solid-state image sensing device includes: a pixel part in which pixels are arranged in a matrix; and a pixel signal readout part including an AD conversion part that analog-digital (AD)-converts a pixel signal read out from the pixel part. Each of the adjacent pixels or one of the pixels of the pixel part is formed as divided pixels divided into regions with different photosensitivity or amounts of accumulated charge, photosensitivity or exposure time conditions are set for the divided pixels and the photosensitivity or exposure time conditions of the divided pixels provided to be opposed in diagonal directions are set to the same conditions, the pixel signal readout part reads out divided pixel signals of the respective divided pixels of the pixel, and the AD conversion part obtains a pixel signal of one pixel by AD-converting the respective read out divided pixel signals and adding the signals. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113291 | PHOTO-SENSOR, MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - The present invention provides a photo-sensor with a stable current limiting function and pixel reset function. When the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or less than a predetermined quantity and the base potential of the phototransistor is in a first potential of an operation point in a stationary state, an MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned OFF. In addition, when the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or more than the predetermined quantity, a MOSFET for detecting an electric current is controlled so as to operate in a saturation region. When the base potential of the phototransistor has changed to a second potential from the first potential, the MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned ON. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113292 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device includes pixel cells that are formed on a substrate having a first substrate surface side, on which light is irradiated, and a second substrate surface side, on which elements are formed, and separated by an adjacent cell group and an element separation layer for each of the pixel cells or with plural pixel cells as a unit. Each of the pixel cells has a first conductive well formed on the first substrate surface side and a second conductive well formed on the second substrate surface side. The first conductive well receives light from the first substrate surface side and has a photoelectric conversion function and a charge accumulation function for the received light. A transistor that detects accumulated charges in the first conductive well and has a threshold modulation function is formed in the second conductive well. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113293 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE WITH FOUR PROCESSING UNITS - An image capture device that has an image sensor, a RISC core, four processing units connected in parallel to the RISC core via a data cache, the four processing units being interconnected with a crossbar switch and an image sensor interface. The image sensor interface is configured to receive image data from the image sensor for parallel processing by the four processing units in accordance with processing instructions from the RISC core. | 05-10-2012 |
20120120269 | RAPID AUTO-FOCUS USING CLASSIFIER CHAINS, MEMS AND/OR MULTIPLE OBJECT FOCUSING - A smart-focusing technique includes identifying an object of interest, such as a face, in a digital image. A focus-generic classifier chain is applied that is trained to match both focused and unfocused faces and/or data from a face tracking module is accepted. Multiple focus-specific classifier chains are applied, including a first chain trained to match substantially out of focus faces, and a second chain trained to match slightly out of focus faces. Focus position is rapidly adjusted using a MEMS component. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120270 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED AUDIO IN A VIDEO ENVIRONMENT - A method is provided in one example and includes receiving audio data at a microphone array that includes a plurality of microphones. The microphone array is provisioned at a first endpoint, which includes a camera element configured to capture video data associated with a video session involving the first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes formatting the audio data into a time division multiplex (TDM) stream, and communicating the stream to a port for a subsequent communication over a network and to the second endpoint. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120271 | MULTIMEDIA DEVICE, MULTIPLE IMAGE SENSORS HAVING DIFFERENT TYPES AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A multimedia device includes a first image sensor to acquire a first image, a second image sensor to acquire a second image, and a processor to determine coordinate information of the person in the first image and to extract a feature of the person in the second image based on the coordinate information. The first and second image sensors have overlapping fields of view, the coordinate information provides an indication of a distance to the person, and the processor compares the extracted feature to reference information and recognizes the person based on the comparison. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120272 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS THAT SYNTHESIZES ACQUIRED IMAGES TO GENERATE SUCCESSIVE IMAGES, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus that can reduce the area where acquired images are held and reduce the load in image synthesis when successive images are to be generated. Acquired images are sequentially acquired and held in an acquired image storage circuit. A first set number of acquired images among the acquired images are synthesized to generate first composite images. The first composite images are held in a grouped image storage circuit. Second composite images from an image generated last to an image corresponding to a second set number among the first composite images are synthesized to generate a second composite image. The acquired images used to generate the first composite images are sequentially deleted. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120273 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE SYNTHESIZING METHOD - An object of the exemplary embodiment is to make it possible to easily take a group photo of a plurality of persons including a photographer. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120274 | Method and Apparatus of Correcting Hybrid Flash Artifacts in Digital Images - A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120275 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup device configured to output an image signal, an analog image processing device having an A/D converter configured to convert the output image signal from the image pickup device into a digital image signal and transfer the digital image signal, a digital image processing device configured to load the transferred digital image signal and perform an image processing on the loaded digital image signal, a clock generator configured to supply a clock having a frequency to each of the image pickup device, the analog image processing device, and the digital image processing device to drive the image pickup device, the analog image processing device and the digital image processing device at a predetermined driving frequency, and a controller configured to perform a monitoring stop processing to stop the transfer of the digital image signal from the analog image processing device and the image processing of the digital image processing device in a predetermined state. | 05-17-2012 |
20120120276 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING AUTO FOCUSING FUNCTION USING FRACTAL DIMENSION AND AN AUTO FOCUSING METHOD - An image pickup apparatus having auto focusing function using fractal dimension and an auto focusing method of an image pickup apparatus are disclosed, the apparatus characterized by comprising: a pickup unit; a fractal controller generating a fractal dimension value indicating chrominance information change per pixel of a pickup image of the pickup unit to determine whether the auto focusing has been adjusted; and an auto focusing adjustor adjusting a focus of the pickup unit in response to an auto focus adjustment signal from the fractal controller. | 05-17-2012 |
20120127331 | Imaging Geometries for Scanning Optical Detectors with Overlapping Fields of Regard and Methods for Providing and Utilizing Same - Imaging devices and techniques that utilize multiple optical detectors are described and, in particular, imaging geometries for imaging devices that include three or more optical detectors with overlapping fields of regard. The imaging geometries are determined and provided in consideration of one or more performance criteria evaluated over multiple different operating conditions for a process of generating a reconstructed image from the captured images. Imaging systems and methods utilizing the imaging geometries are also described. | 05-24-2012 |
20120127332 | DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital image processing apparatus, which displays a setting item designated by a user together with a setting status of a setting value for the setting item to allow the user to efficiently set items necessary for photographing and/or other operations, and a control method for the apparatus. The apparatus includes: a body; and a display unit on the body where setting information is displayed, wherein a display screen displayed on the display unit includes: a selection region where at least one setting item is displayed; and an adjustment region where a currently set current setting value is displayed together with candidate setting values that can be set for at least one of the at least one setting item. | 05-24-2012 |
20120127333 | CAMERA - A camera detects a face portion of a subject from a shot image to determine whether a shot image is a good shot candidate image from the features of the face portion and a face portion-related image portion. As examples, the features include, but not be limited to, (1) the shape and variation in contour ranging from the vicinity of the face portion, (2) the position of a hand or leg to be determined by similarity to the skin tone of the face portion, and (3) determination made from the detection result of the face portion as to whether the subject is a half-length or full-length figure. | 05-24-2012 |
20120133789 | DATA CLUSTERING METHOD AND DEVICE, DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A data clustering method, a data clustering device using the same, and an image processing apparatus and a data processing apparatus equipped with the data clustering device are provided. The method includes sorting a plurality of data point to be clustered and generating a processing sequence based on the sorting, wherein each of the data point has at least one feature value. The method also includes using a non-iterative mechanism to cluster the data points into a plurality of data clusters according to the processing sequence. The method further includes optimizing the generated data clusters. Accordingly, the data clustering method can fast cluster the data points. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133790 | MOBILE DEVICE IMAGE FEEDBACK - This disclosure is directed to improving a user experience when operating a mobile device that includes a display. In one example, a mobile device is configured to render an image via a display of the mobile device. The image includes one or more properties. The mobile device may identify, using one or more sensors, one or more characteristics of a relationship between the mobile device and an optical environment of the mobile device. One or more indications of the identified characteristics may be provided to a graphics processing pipeline of the mobile device configured to present images via the display. The graphics processing pipeline may modify the one or more properties of the image to reflect the identified characteristic. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133791 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND REPRODUCTION CONTROL APPARATUS - Image pickup means is capable of picking up an image at a first frame rate and a second frame rate that is higher than the first frame rate. A highlight scene is detected by detection means. When detecting the highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a high speed mode and an image signal at high frame rate (240 fps) is produced for a period of predetermined time. When detecting no highlight scene, image pickup operation is performed at a normal mode and an image signal at normal frame rate (60 fps) is produced. It is possible to save time and labor for performing a switchover operation of a frame rate when imaging a highlight scene. It is also possible to save power consumption and a capacity of a storage medium. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133792 | VIDEO SIGNAL CAPTURING APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL APPARATUS, AND VIDEO SIGNAL CAPTURING, VIDEO SIGNAL PROCESSING, AND TRANSFERRING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A video signal transfer system including an imaging apparatus for capturing an object to be imaged and generating a consecutive plurality of picture data forming a moving image, selecting from the plurality of picture data picture data positioned in advance at predetermined intervals to generate a plurality of lines (series) of video signals, and transmitting the plurality of systems of video signal, and a signal processing apparatus having a plurality of signal processing circuits, outputting the plurality of lines of video signals received from the imaging apparatus to the plurality of signal processing circuits, and making them process the signals in parallel. | 05-31-2012 |
20120140090 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS BODY AND REPORTING TERMINAL - An imaging apparatus capable of assisting such shooting that a designated subject is accommodated in a predetermined reference range without user's continuing gazing at a display screen. Imaging apparatus | 06-07-2012 |
20120140091 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNIZING A PROTRUSION ON A FACE - A method and apparatus for recognizing a protrusion on a face is proposed. The apparatus forms two images, wherein one is formed in a condition in which a target is lighted and another is formed in a condition in which the target is non-lighted. Face regions are detected from the images respectively and then are compared each other. Then, analyzing change in intensity for indicating change in contrast of the compared regions is performed. Based on the result of the analyzing, it is determined whether there is a protrusion in a face presented in the images. | 06-07-2012 |
20120147206 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - An image processing device includes a dimension information acquisition unit that acquires dimension information specifying dimensions of a target image formed by extracting a region of a target of an image containing the target, picked up by image pickup unit. The image processing device further includes a pickup image quality information acquisition unit that acquires pickup image quality information indicating an image quality of the region of the target in the pickup image picked up by the image pickup unit; and a resolution acquisition unit that acquires a resolution of the region of the target when the region of the target is formed in the dimensions based on the dimension information and the pickup image quality information. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147207 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a supporting substrate that includes a concave portion, a solid-state imaging chip that is bonded on the supporting substrate so as to seal the concave portion in a view-angle region, a stress film that is formed on the surface of the solid-state imaging chip, and an imaging surface curved toward the concave portion at least in the view-angle region. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147208 | Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method thereof, and electronic apparatus - A solid-state imaging device includes a light blocking layer formed in an active pixel region of a pixel region on a light incident side so as to surround a photoelectric conversion unit of each pixel and formed in an extending manner to an optical black region, a concave portion formed so as to be surrounded by the light blocking layer in a region corresponding to the photoelectric conversion unit, a first refractive index layer formed on surfaces of the light blocking layer and the concave portion and having a relatively low refractive index, a second refractive index layer formed on the first refractive index layer so as to be buried in the concave portion and having a relatively high refractive index, and an anti-flare layer formed on the first refractive index layer in the optical black region. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147209 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A solid-state image capturing device includes: a pixel array including a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels; a row scanning circuit that performs row scanning to sequentially select a row; a column ADC circuit that simultaneously converts analog pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels belonging to a row selected by the row scanning circuit into pieces of digital pixel data; a column digital memory that stores pixel data of one row therein; and a one-line compression circuit that sequentially performs compression coding to pixel data output from the column digital memory. In the solid-state image capturing device, when performing the compression coding to the pixel data, the one-line compression circuit refers to pixel data belonging to a row identical to that of the pixel data in question while not referring to pixel data belonging to a row different from that of the pixel data in question. | 06-14-2012 |
20120154618 | MODELING AN OBJECT FROM IMAGE DATA - A method for modeling an object from image data comprises identifying in an image from the video a set of reference points on the object, and, for each reference point identified, observing a displacement of that reference point in response to a motion of the object. The method further comprises grouping together those reference points for which a common translational or rotational motion of the object results in the observed displacement, and fitting the grouped-together reference points to a shape. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154619 | AUGMENTED REALITY PROCESSING BASED ON EYE CAPTURE IN HANDHELD DEVICE - This disclosure describes techniques that can improve and possibly accelerate the generation of augmented reality (AR) information with respect to objects that appear in images of a video sequence. To do so, the techniques of this disclosure capture and use information about the eyes of a user of a video device. The video device may include two different cameras. A first camera is oriented to capture a sequence of images (e.g., video) outward from a user. A second camera is oriented to capture images of the eyes of the user when the first camera captures images outward from the user. The eyes of the user, as captured by one or more images of the second camera, may be used to generate a probability map, and the probability map may be used to prioritize objects in the first image for AR processing. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154620 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN IMAGE CAPTURED BY AN IMAGE SENSOR HAVING A CHARGE MULTIPLICATION OUTPUT CHANNEL AND A CHARGE SENSING OUTPUT CHANNEL - An image sensor includes a horizontal shift register electrically connected to a pixel array for receiving charge packets from the pixel array. A non-destructive sense node is connected to an output of the horizontal shift register. A charge directing switch is electrically connected to the non-destructive sense node. The charge directing switch includes two outputs. A charge multiplying horizontal shift register is electrically connected to one output of the charge directing switch. A discharging element is connected to the other output of the charge directing switch. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154621 | Multi-Channel Optical Image Fetching Apparatus - The present invention provides an apparatus for fetching optical images. Images from multiple channels are obtained. A device is used to automatically switch the images. The switching is based on time-sharing multiplexing (TSM). Thus, the images are formed on another device. The images are then integrated and displayed to be used in an optical vehicle safety assistant system. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154622 | ARC DETECTING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING ARC DETECTING PROGRAM - An arc detecting apparatus includes an input unit that inputs an image; a line-segment detector that detects line segments from the image; a determiner that determines whether two of the line segments are associable with each other, on a basis of positions of the two line segments and angles of the two line segments relative to corresponding references; and an arc detector that detects an arc approximated by at least two line segments including the two line segments, on a basis of the two line segments being associated with each other according to a result of the determination. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154623 | MULTI-CODEC CAMERA SYSTEM AND IMAGE ACQUISITION PROGRAM - A multi-codec camera system includes a multi-codec camera that acquires video in the form of multiple compression-rate image data and a determination module that selects image data from the multiple compression-rate image data acquired by the multi-codec camera according to a predetermined reference, wherein when a predetermined object is detected from the video acquired by the multi-codec camera, the determination module selects image data at a compression rate according to the size of the detected object. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154624 | Image Pickup Device and Image Pickup Result Outputting Method - The present invention is applied to an image pickup device with a CMOS solid-state image pickup element, in which an analog-to-digital conversion circuit is disposed in a surface on an opposite side from an image pickup surface in a semiconductor chip | 06-21-2012 |
20120162457 | Programmable Camera and Video Reconstruction Method - A camera for acquiring a sequence of frames of a scene as a video includes a sensor with an array of sensor pixels. Individual sensor pixels are modulated by corresponding modulation functions while acquiring each frame of the video. The modulation can be performed by a transmissive or reflective masked arranged in an optical path between the scene and the senor. The frames can be reconstructed to have a frame rate and spatial resolution substantially higher than a natural frame rate and a spatial resolution of the camera. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162458 | METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY PERFORMING PET EYE CORRECTION - A method of performing eye correction is performed in an electronic device having an image processor, an image sensor, and a storage device. The image sensor captures image data, detects a pet face in the image data, and locates a plurality of candidate eye regions in the pet face. A classifier of the image processor verifies at least one eye region of the plurality of candidate eye regions, and the image processor recovers an abnormal pupil region of the at least one verified eye region. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162459 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PATCHWORK METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus and an image patchwork method are disclosed. The image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing module and a processing module. The image capturing module captures a plurality of temporary images. The processing module is used to separate an image capturing window to form a plurality of image blocks, and control the image capturing apparatus to capture the temporary images according to the image blocks. The captured temporary images are patchworked sequentially into the image blocks by the processing module so as to generate a patchwork image. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162460 | GLOBAL ARMING METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING PIPELINE - Each unit among a pipeline of image processing units receives a new configuration vector (update), and the received new vector is only applied in sync with the Timing-derived trigger signal within a hardware-enabled time period. A hardware enable signal is logically combined with a Timing-derived triggering event signal to control a switch that applies the new received vector to the processing unit. This ensures that each image processing unit (stage) in the chain of image processing units is updated in sequence even if the CPU has output the updated configuration vectors independently of the Timing of the Data and without regard for the delay through each of the processing units. The Timing-derived triggering event is used to synchronize the application of a received configuration vector update with the receipt by the unit of a new frame of image DATA. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162461 | CONTROL APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND CONTROL SYSTEM - There is provided an imaging apparatus that continuously reproduces, if first moving image data is acquired by imaging in a first imaging mode for capturing a moving image for a predetermined period of time, and then automatically stopping the capturing of the moving image, second moving image data captured before the capturing of the moving image related to the first moving image data and acquired by the imaging in the first imaging mode and the first moving image data. | 06-28-2012 |
20120162462 | CAMERA DEVICE, MOBILE TERMINAL AND FRAME RATE CONTROLLING METHOD - A mobile phone apparatus | 06-28-2012 |
20120162463 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC CAMERA, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - To provide a technique to obtain a synthesized image with an expanded dynamic range with ease and a technique to reduce workload of a user while maintaining the degree of freedom relating to image processing. There provides an image inputting part taking in at least one of a plurality of low-resolution images and a high-resolution image obtained by shooting the same subject while changing exposure condition, a shift detecting part detecting a positional shift of pictorial pattern between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image, and a gradation expanding part generating a synthesized image in which a range of reproduced gradation is expanded by performing position alignment between each of the plurality of low-resolution images and the high-resolution image based on the positional shift, extracting a gradation information of the plurality of low-resolution images, and synthesizing it with the high-resolution image. | 06-28-2012 |
20120169895 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING FACIAL EXPRESSIONS - A method and an apparatus for capturing facial expressions are provided, in which different facial expressions of a user are captured through a face recognition technique. In the method, a plurality of sequentially captured images containing human faces is received. Regional features of the human faces in the images are respectively captured to generate a target feature vector. The target feature vector is compared with a plurality of previously stored feature vectors to generate a parameter value. When the parameter value is higher than a threshold, one of the images is selected as a target image. Moreover, a facial expression recognition and classification procedures can be further performed. For example, the target image is recognized to obtain a facial expression state, and the image is classified according to the facial expression state. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169896 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup device is provided, capable of complete correction with data of once analog-to-digital conversion, and prevention of excess use of switches and analog devices and/or erroneous correction, including: an image sensor having a plurality of analog-to-digital converters determining conversion results from a digital signal of higher order bit through separate steps of two or more times; a first correction unit which has a correction factor for correcting nonlinear errors of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters so as to adapt to the analog-to-digital converters and corrects a nonlinear error of a digital signal output from respective analog-to-digital converters based on a correction factor corresponding to respective analog-to-digital converters, characterized in that the first correction unit corrects the nonlinear errors after converting the digital signals from the plurality of analog-to-digital converters into a serial output. | 07-05-2012 |
20120176504 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TIMESTAMPING MANAGEMENT FOR ELECTRONIC PHOTOGRAPHS - Systems and methods are provided for revising the time associated with a digital photograph. A digital photograph and data representing an initial time the photograph was taken may not correspond with identified temporal information. In response, a revised time may be generated based on the temporal information and associated with the digital photograph. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176505 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING MOVING PICTURE - A method and apparatus for photographing a moving picture divides an image into a focus area and a background area, photographs the focus area and the background area at different frame rates, stores images thereof, and combines the stored images, whereby a resolution restriction due to high speed moving picture photographing can be reduced. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176506 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus, including: an image pickup lens; a lens array disposed on an image formation plane of the image pickup lens; an image pickup device adapted to receive a light ray passing through the image pickup lens and the lens array to acquire picked up image data; and an image processing section adapted to carry out an image process for the picked up image data; the image processing section including a viewpoint image production section adapted to produce a plurality of viewpoint images based on the picked up image data, and an image synthesis processing section adapted to synthesize two or more viewpoint images from among the viewpoint images. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176507 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE PROCESSING, FOR COLOR CLASSIFICATION, AND FOR SKIN COLOR DETECTION - Embodiments include a method of image processing including decomposing a reflectance spectrum for a test surface into a linear combination of reflectance spectra of a set of test targets. The coefficient vector calculated in this decomposition is used to predict a response of an imaging sensor to the test surface. A plurality of such predicted responses may be used for various applications involving color detection and/or classification, including human skin tone detection. | 07-12-2012 |
20120182438 | Multi-imaging System with Interleaved Images - A multi-imaging device includes a multiplexed optical system and a filter fixture. The multiplexed optical system forms multiple optical images of an object. These multiple optical images are interleaved at the sensor plane. The filter fixture is configured to allow a user to change filter assemblies. The filter assemblies can include different filter regions, which apply different filtering to the optical images. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182439 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: an image processing portion configured to perform image processing on an input image in such a manner that during the image processing, size of an unprocessed image necessary for obtaining a processed image is varied depending on position of the unprocessed image in the input image; a coding portion configured to code the processed image output from the image processing portion; and a preprocessing instruction portion configured such that before image processing and coding of the input image, the preprocessing instruction portion instructs the image processing portion to perform image processing on a preprocess image which is part of the input image and sends the processed preprocess image to the coding portion to acquire necessary information for coding the input image beforehand. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182440 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a scene finalization determination unit, and an image adjustment processing unit. The image pickup unit captures a subject image in photographing operation and obtains image data according to the subject. The scene finalization determination unit determines whether an imaging scene is finalized by a photographer. The image adjustment processing unit applies image adjustment processing according to the imaging scene that is finalized to the image data if the scene finalization determination unit determines that the imaging scene is finalized. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182441 | INTERPOLATION - A method of pixel interpolation in which a two-dimensional digital filter is arranged so as to interpolate an output pixel from a two-dimensional array of input pixels comprises detecting the direction of an image feature at a pixel position to be interpolated; applying a shear transformation to the digital filter and/or to the array of input pixels so as to map the operation of the filter to the detected image feature direction in respect of at least a first one of two axes of the two dimensional filter; and applying the digital filter to obtain the output pixels. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182442 | HARDWARE GENERATION OF IMAGE DESCRIPTORS - Interest point and description circuitry is provided for tracking an object through multiple image frames. Interest point and description circuitry may be provided on an integrated circuit in an imaging device. Interest points and descriptors may be calculated at frame rate. A feature detection function may be applied to scaled images to extract interest points. Descriptors may be rotating circular gradient-histogram descriptors. Descriptors may have one or two rings, each having equal area. Descriptors may have discrete rotational positions and discrete scaling. Gradient-histograms may be calculated for the descriptors using angular, radial, and directional weighting components. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182443 | PARALLAX EFFECT SECURITY ELEMENT - The present invention relates to a security element ( | 07-19-2012 |
20120188390 | Methods And Apparatuses For Out-Of-Gamut Pixel Color Correction - In a method for out-of-gamut color correction of images, the image is color corrected by compressing pixel vectors having a maximal component located outside of the output color gamut to within the output color gamut while retaining a hue of the image. An electronic imaging system includes an image signal processor configured to color correct the image for display by the output device by compressing pixel vectors having a maximal component located outside of the output color gamut to within the output color gamut while retaining a hue of the image. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188391 | ARRAY CAMERA HAVING LENSES WITH INDEPENDENT FIELDS OF VIEW - A camera module may be formed from an array of lenses and corresponding image sensors. The array of lenses may be configured so that the lenses and image sensors each capture an image of a different portion of an object. The lenses in the array may include rotationally asymmetric lenses such as wedge-shaped lenses. The image sensors may be formed in a two-dimensional array on a common image sensor integrated circuit die. The camera module may be mounted in a portable electronic device. Processing circuitry in the portable electronic device may be coupled to the image sensor array and may process the individual images. During image processing, the individual images of the object may be stitched together to form a composite image of the object. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188392 | IMAGING SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS FOR PRODUCING HIGH-DYNAMIC-RANGE IMAGES - An electronic device may have an array of image sensors that capture image data using different exposure times. Processing circuitry may be used to combine image data with a first exposure time and image data with a second exposure time to create a high-dynamic-range image. The image sensors may use electronic rolling shutter and global shutter image capture schemes. Using the electronic rolling shutter scheme, the reset signals for each sensor may be staggered and the read signals for each sensor may be aligned to allow synchronized readout from the image sensors. When using the global shutter scheme, image capture operations associated with a shorter exposure time may be centered in time within image capture operation associated with a longer exposure time to minimize motion artifacts. Multiple image sensors may also be used to capture short-exposure-time data that is spaced evenly in time within the longer exposure time data. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188393 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUSES, METHODS OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIA - A disclosed example method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes: combining a photographed image and object information indicating information regarding a subject; generating a composite image by combining the photographed image and the object information; and generating an image file including the composite image in a main image region and including the object information in an object property region. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188394 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS AND APPARATUSES TO ENHANCE AN OUT-OF-FOCUS EFFECT - Disclosed are example methods and apparatuses for image processing for improving an out-of-focus effect. A disclosed example methods includes capturing a first image, a second image, and a third image, which are captured with a different focus for a same subject and background; setting a subject portion and a background portion using the first and second images; combining the subject portion of first image and the background portion of the third image with each other to obtain an narrow depth-of-field (DOF) image; and performing image processing on the obtained narrow DOF image. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188395 | Editing and Annotating Digital Camera - A digital image-taking device designed to allow a practitioner to edit recently taken photographs, as well as a method for doing so. The device takes digital photographs and stores them in the internal memory, from which they may be recalled for editing. The device is equipped with an LCD display screen that slides upward to reveal a keyboard, cursor controls and editing buttons, which may be used to manipulate images currently stored on the internal memory of the device. In particular, the editing controls are designed to facilitate the branding and annotating of photographs to allow the practitioner to maintain a proper memory of who, what, where and when the photograph was taken. The device is equipped with a variety of software editing tools, and may include a touch screen to facilitate usage. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188396 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUSES, METHODS OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIA - A disclosed example method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes: combining a photographed image and object information indicating information regarding a subject; generating a composite image by combining the photographed image and the object information; and generating an image file including the composite image in a main image region and including the object information in an object property region. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188397 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state imaging element includes a wiring layer; a charge accumulation unit including a semiconductor layer provided on the wiring layer; and a photoelectric conversion film provided on the semiconductor layer, wherein a pinning layer of a conductivity type opposite to a conductivity type of the charge accumulation unit, the pinning layer including an opening, is provided in a region of the charge accumulation unit, the region being located at an interface between the charge accumulation unit and the photoelectric conversion film. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188398 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - Provided is an image capture device capable of suppressing blurring of images and keeping a subject image at the start of capturing in the picture frame, even when a plurality of objects such as persons are photographed over a long time. The image capture device includes: an imaging optical system 1; an image capture element 2; a feature detector unit (face detector unit 8) for detecting the features of the objects contained in an image represented by an image signal obtained by the image capture element 2; a movement quantity detector unit for detecting the movement quantities of the features including the face regions of the human figures; and a composition change correction unit for correcting a change in the composition of the image based on the movement quantities of the face regions. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194692 | TERMINAL OPERATIVE FOR DISPLAY OF ELECTRONIC RECORD - There is set forth herein a terminal having an input device. The terminal can be hand held. In one embodiment the terminal can be operative for determining a direction of movement of the terminal by processing of signals generated by the input device. The terminal can further be operative for moving a portion of an electronic record displayed on a display of the terminal responsively to the determining of a direction of movement of the terminal. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194693 | VIEW ANGLE FEEDBACK DEVICE AND METHOD - The present invention provides a portable device that includes at least one view angle sensor for collecting sensor information about the view angle of the portable device. It also includes a view angle determination component for determining (1) the view angle of the portable device engaged in a videoconference session and (2) whether the view angle is within a predefined range for the videoconference session. The portable device also includes a feedback component, wherein responsive to the determination that the view angle is out of range, providing user feedback. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194694 | CAMERA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING NON-BLINKING IMAGES OF PEOPLE - In a method for capturing non-blinking images of people using a camera device, the camera device includes an image capturing unit and a storage system. The image capturing unit captures a series of digital images of a group of persons. A face feature value and an eyes feature value of people are predefined, and are stored in the storage system. The number of faces is detected from each of the digital images according to the face feature value, and the number of eyeballs is detected from each of the face area according to the eyes feature value. The method calculates the ratio of the number of faces and the number of eyeballs, and selects the digital image of which the ratio of the face number and the eyeball number is 1:2 as a non-blinking image of the a group of persons. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194695 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus receives a plurality of consecutive images, and regards pixels having the same coordinates in each of the consecutive images as a pixel match. The apparatus determines a range for red values, a range for green values, and a range for blue values in each pixel match, and filters out R, G, and B values which fall outside a corresponding range for the pixel match. In addition, the apparatus calculates an average R value, an average G value, and an average B value for each pixel match according to remaining R values, remaining G values, and remaining B values of the pixel match, and creates a new image by taking the average R value, the average G value, and the average B value of each pixel match as color values of a corresponding pixel in the new image. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194696 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA - A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels for focus detection by a phase difference detection scheme. The pixel includes a semiconductor region provided therein with a plurality of photoelectric converters configured so that signals therefrom are independently read out, a microlens, and a lens surface arranged between the microlens and the semiconductor region, wherein the lens surface exerts a negative power on light which passes through the microlens toward the semiconductor region. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200724 | Video Magnification Device - A video magnification device allows a visually impaired user to read contents of a media. The device includes a video camera, and a driving unit. The video camera is positioned facing the media and is capable of capturing images of the media, or one or more portions thereof. The driving unit includes an input unit, a controller and an actuator assembly. The input unit is capable of being operated by the user for indicating a particular portion of the media for reading contents on the particular potion of the media. The controller is configured to process a signal generated by the input unit, and the actuator assembly is configured to move the video camera based on the processing of the signal. The movement of the video camera allows the user to read contents on the particular portion of the media, without physically moving the media. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200725 | Autofocus Method - An autofocus method includes acquiring multiple images each having a camera lens focused at a different focus distance. A sharpest image is determined among the multiple images. Horizontal, vertical and/or diagonal integral projection (IP) vectors are computed for each of the multiple images. One or more IP vectors of the sharpest image is/are convoluted with multiple filters of different lengths to generate one or more filtered IP vectors for the sharpest image. Differences are computed between the one or more filtered IP vectors of the sharpest image and one or more IP vectors of at least one of the other images of the multiple images. At least one blur width is estimated between the sharpest image and the at least one of the other images of the multiple images as a minimum value among the computed differences over a selected range. The steps are repeated one or more times to obtain a sequence of estimated blur width values. A focus position is adjusted based on the sequence of estimated blur width values. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200726 | Method of Controlling the Depth of Field for a Small Sensor Camera Using an Extension for EDOF - A system is provided for providing an adjustable depth of field in a photographic image. The system comprises a plurality of buffers, each configured to store an image associated with a different wavelength of light, each of the images having a different focal plane related to the associated wavelength. The system further comprises an algorithm configured to accept an input specifying the depth of field and a focal plane and further configured to produce a photograph with the specified depth of field and focal plane, wherein the algorithm applies the specified depth of field around the specified focal plane, the specified focal plane being associated with a focal plane of one of the images stored in one of the buffers. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200727 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION ELEMENT, AND PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - A member for light path to a photoelectric conversion portion includes a middle portion, and a peripheral portion having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the middle portion, and within some plane in parallel with the light receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion portion, and within other plane closer to the light receiving surface than the some plane in parallel with the light receiving surface, the peripheral portion is continuous with the middle portion and surrounds the middle portion, and also the refractive index of the peripheral portion is higher than the refractive index of an insulator film, and the thickness of the peripheral portion within the other plane is smaller than the thickness of the peripheral portion within the some plane. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200728 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion apparatus at least includes an insulating film, a plurality of high-refractive-index members provided so as to correspond respectively to individual photoelectric conversion portions, being surrounded by the insulating film and having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the insulating film, and a high-refractive-index film provided on the insulating film so as to connect the plurality of high-refractive-index members to one another and having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the insulating film, and lens portions lying next to each other from among a plurality of lens portions border each other. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200729 | IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROLLER CAPABLE OF PROVIDING EXCELLENT VISIBILITY OF DISPLAY AREA FRAMES, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image display controller capable of providing excellent visibility of a face display frame and a human display frame associated with an object. The image display controller detects an object in an image, and identifies a face area of the object distinguishably from a human body area exclusive of the face area. Further, the image display controller generates a face display frame for enclosing the face area and a human body display frame for enclosing the human body area. Then, the image display controller displays the face display frame and the human body display frame on a screen together with the image. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200730 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA THAT REDUCES PROCESSING TIME BY PERFORMING DIFFERENT PROCESSES IN PARALLEL - An electronic camera includes: an image-capturing device that captures an image of a subject and generates image data; a first bus to which the image data generated by the image capturing device are output; an image memory that is connected to the first bus and temporarily stores the image data on the first bus; a plurality of image data conversion devices connected to the first bus that individually convert the image data on the first bus; a second bus through which conversion outputs from the plurality of image data conversion devices are provided to individual output destinations; and an adjustment device that performs timing adjustment or multiplexing of a plurality of conversion outputs to ensure that the plurality of conversion outputs do not collide on the second bus. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206617 | FAST ROTATION ESTIMATION - A measure of frame-to-frame rotation is determined. A global XY alignment of a pair of frames is performed. Local XY alignments in at least two matching corner regions of the pair of images are determined after the global XY alignment. Based on differences between the local XY alignments, a global rotation is determined between the pair of frames. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206618 | OBJECT DETECTION FROM IMAGE PROFILES - A measure of frame-to-frame rotation is determined. A global XY alignment of a pair of image frames is performed. At least one section of each of the X and Y integral projection vectors is determined, where aligned global vectors demonstrate a significant localized difference. Based on X and Y locations of the at least one section of the X and Y integral projection vectors, location, relative velocity and/or approximate area of at least one moving object within the sequence of image frames is/are determined. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206619 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus comprising an image acquiring section that acquires a plurality of images captured in time sequence; a subject extracting section that extracts a plurality of different subjects contained in the plurality of images; and a main subject inferring section that determines the position of each subject in each of the images, and infers which of the subjects is a main subject in the images based on position information for each of the subjects in the images. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206620 | MULTI-CHANNEL IMAGE SENSORS - An image sensor includes a pixel array and an image sensor objective optical element. The element is formed by a lenslet array. Each lenslet in the array directs incoming radiation onto a different specific pixel or sub-array of pixels in the pixel array. The lenslets in the array are shaped such that fields of view of next-but-one neighboring ones of the lenslets (i.e., two lenslets spaced from each other by another lenslet) do not overlap until a certain object distance away from the lenslet array. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212636 | IMAGE CAPTURE AND POST-CAPTURE PROCESSING - Image data of a scene is captured. Spectral profile information is obtained for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, each of which maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the scene is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the scene are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the scene against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the scene is constructed, and the metadata is embedded with the image data for the scene. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212637 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME, AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising: a semiconductor chip having a principal face including a pixel region; a protruding portion disposed on the principal face to surround the pixel region; a cover member disposed over the pixel region; and an adhesive material surrounding the pixel region and bonding the cover member and the protruding portion, is provided. The protruding portion has top and first side faces facing the space, a first edge line being formed by this two faces. The adhesive material bonds the top face of the protruding portion and the cover member. The adhesive material has a first face facing the interior space, and the first face extends from the first edge line toward the cover member. Perimeters of the interior space, in planes parallel to the principal face become shorter in a direction from the top face of the protruding portion toward the cover member. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212638 | VISUAL SEGMENTATION OF LAWN GRASS - This invention provides a method for identifying lawn grass comprising capturing an image of the terrain in front of a mower, segmenting the image into neighborhoods, calculating at least two image statistics for each of the neighborhoods, generating a binary representation of each image statistic. The binary representation of each image statistic is generated by comparing the calculated image statistic values to predetermined image statistic values for grass. The method further comprises weighting each of the binary representations of each image statistic, and summing corresponding neighborhoods for all image statistics. A binary threshold is applied to each of the summed neighborhoods to generate a binary map representing grass containing areas and non-grass containing areas. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212639 | Image Sensor - An image sensor includes a sensor matrix including a plurality of sensing elements and a plurality of shutter control lines. Each sensing element includes an electronic shutter and a photo-detector, wherein the electronic shutter controls the exposure time of the photo-detector. Each shutter control line couples to a row or column of the electronic shutters, whereby different rows or columns of the electronic shutters can be independently controlled, and the photo-detectors in the same row or column can have the same exposure time. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212640 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device has an input image acquisition section which acquires a plurality of input images obtained by shooting a subject group from mutually different viewpoints and an output image generation section which generates an output image based on the plurality of input images. The output image generation section eliminates the image of an unnecessary subject within an input image among the plurality of input images by use of another input image among the plurality of input images, and generates, as the output image, an image from which the unnecessary subject has been eliminated. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212641 | IMAGING DEVICE, EDITION DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An imaging device for supporting the user to generate satisfactory synthesized images, not missing photo opportunities. The imaging device generates a plurality of still images continuously and generates a synthesized image from the still images. While the shooting button is pressed to instruct continuous shooting, the imaging device performs a process in which it writes still image data, which is obtained by the continuous shooting, into a recording medium sequentially. After the continuous shooting ends, the imaging device enters a wait state to wait for a new instruction, and then upon receiving an instruction to start generating a synthesized image, it performs a process of generating a synthesized image by using a plurality of pieces of still image data stored in the recording medium. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212642 | ADAPTIVE AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL IMAGES - An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting an exposure for a digital imaging device by (a) receiving a current image frame using an exposure value (EV), (b) computing a current image spatial entropy (ISE) for the current image frame, and (c) whenever the current ISE is greater than a previous ISE, setting the previous ISE equal to the current ISE, increasing the EV, and repeating steps (a) and (b), and (d) whenever the current ISE is less than or equal to the previous ISE, decreasing the EV, receiving the current image frame using the EV, and displaying the current image frame. | 08-23-2012 |
20120218432 | RECURSIVE ADAPTIVE INTRA SMOOTHING FOR VIDEO CODING - A recursive adaptive intra smoothing filter for intra-mode video coding is executed using one or more approaches including, but not limited to matrix multiplication, spatial filtering and frequency domain filtering. Matrix multiplication includes initially computing a prediction matrix P | 08-30-2012 |
20120218433 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus configured to process an image taken by an image-pickup unit includes a memory configured to store a relationship between a color shift amount at positions that are symmetrical with respect to an origin of an image and a blur amount relating to a curvature of field at the positions symmetrical with respect to the origin of the image, a detector configured to detect a color shift amount at the positions that are symmetrical with respect to the origin of the image, an acquirer configured to acquire the blur amount relating to the curvature of field corresponding to the color shift amount detected by the detector based on the relationship stored in the memory, and a processor configured to execute image processing that is asymmetrical with respect to the origin so as to correct the blur amount relating to the curvature of field acquired by the acquirer. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218434 | EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A device that analyzes an image. The device includes a circuit that receives an image that includes a plurality of pixels. The circuit creates a histogram of the image and analyzes the histogram to determine an acceptable exposure of the image. The histogram may include a plurality of bins versus a population of pixels associated with each bin. By way of example, the bins may be associated with an intensity of light. The images and histograms may include data defined by low dynamic range number of bits and/or an extended dynamic range number of bits. Certain features and criteria of the image may be determined and analyzed to determine whether the image has an acceptable exposure. If the image is unacceptable, an exposure characteristic can be changed and the process can be repeated until an acceptable image is obtained. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218435 | LARGE DYNAMIC RANGE CAMERAS - 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. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218436 | Sensor-Based Mobile Search, Related Methods and Systems - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218437 | ENHANCED IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - This invention provides accurate, high quality images for the identification of the surface characteristics of an object, that may be used as an input to suitable industrial process. It involves acquiring a first raw scan of a portion of a target object across a scan line in a scan zone with a first camera and simultaneously acquiring a second raw scan of the same portion of the target object across the scan line in the scan zone with a second camera. The raw scans are converted to digital and then processed with flattening coefficients derived from measurements of variations in illumination. The first and second cameras sets of flattened image data are then gridized to compensate for parallax, make them orthographic sets of image data that can be compared on a pixel-by-pixel basis with a known or measured geometric profile of the target. A selection of enhanced pixel value for a surface coordinate can then be made, based on both sets of data. The obscuring of surface features by specular reflection can thus be effectively eliminated. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218438 | MOVING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, MOVING IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, MOVING IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE PROVIDED WITH MOVING IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - A camera outputs to a host terminal a moving image for display on a display. An image acquisition unit acquires an unprocessed image captured using an imaging element. A simple demosaic processing unit performs a demosaic process on the unprocessed image. A pyramid filter unit converts the unprocessed image into a plurality of reduced images whose resolutions vary in stages. An image transmission unit is provided with a selection unit for selecting a part of the unprocessed image as a specific part and also selecting any one of the plurality of reduced images as a specified reduced image. The specific part of the unprocessed image and the specified reduced image that have been selected are transmitted to a host terminal by a communication unit for a further image process. | 08-30-2012 |
20120224077 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGE CAPTURING BASED ON USER INTEREST - An image capturing apparatus, method, and storage medium identifying image metadata based on user interest. The image capturing apparatus includes a first image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a scene for a user, a second image capturing unit configured to capture an image of the user, an identification unit configured to identify at least one region of interest of the scene based on a combination of eye and facial characteristics of the user of the image capturing apparatus during an image capturing operation, a processing unit configured to analyze at least facial characteristics of the user associated with each region of interest during the image capturing operation, a determining unit configured to determine a facial expression classification associated with each region of interest based on corresponding analyzed facial characteristics for each region during the image capturing operation, a recording unit configured to record facial expression metadata based on information representing the at least one region of interest and the facial expression classification associated with an image captured during the image capturing operation, and a rendering unit configured to render the image using the recorded facial expression metadata. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224078 | Camera Housing With Integrated Expansion Module - A camera housing includes an integrated expansion module for providing expanded functionality to a camera (e.g., a display screen). Different embodiments of the housing include different expansion modules for adding a variety of features to the camera when the camera is placed in the housing. Thus, a user may modify features of a camera by swapping the housing. Furthermore, a user may add a feature to an existing camera without needing to purchase a new camera. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224079 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus, including a region setting unit for setting regions on a processing target image in which each pixel of the image is included according to a level of each pixel, a low frequency image generation unit for generating a low frequency image of the processing target image, a gain calculation unit for calculating a gain for each pixel of the processing target image such that the lower the level the greater the gain, wherein the unit calculates the gain such that pixels in each of the regions in which each pixel of the processing target image is included have substantially the same gain based on a region setting result and a level of each pixel of the low frequency image, and a processing unit for generating a processed image by performing dynamic range compression on the processing target image based on the gain. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224080 | IMAGE PICKUP LENS, IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE USING SAME, AND PORTABLE DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - The present invention provides an image pickup lens capable of adequately suppressing flare caused by unnecessary diffraction order light. An image pickup lens | 09-06-2012 |
20120229664 | Digital image and video compression and decompression methods - A multi-functional digital imaging system is described that controls, manages and automates digital image and video compression and decompression methods. The digital image file is compressed and decompressed in a seven step modular user-adjustable lossless process. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229665 | IMAGE PROCESSING - Image processing apparatus comprises a demosaic processor for receiving a video signal comprising pixel data from an array of photosensors each having a respective color filter so as to restrict the sensitivity of that photosensor to a primary color range selected from a set of three or more primary color ranges, the array being such that the photosensors in alternate rows are sensitive to a first primary color range, and photosensors in intervening rows are sensitive to the other primary color ranges. The pixel data including pixel data from a first subset of the rows sensitive to the first primary color range, the first subset being the same from image to image of the video signal; and pixel data from a second subset of the rows of photosensors sensitive to the other primary color ranges, the second subset changing from image to image of the video signal. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229666 | A/D CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE - An A/D conversion circuit includes a reference signal generation unit, a comparison unit, a delay circuit, a latch unit, an arithmetic circuit, a lower counter, and an upper counter including a second binary counter performing counting using the count clock based on one of the output signals constituting the first lower phase signal, performs counting to acquire a first upper count value, inverts values of respective bits constituting the first upper count value, performs counting using the count clock based on of the output signals constituting the second lower phase signal, and performs counting based on the second upper count clock to acquire a second upper count value, and having a data protection function for protecting an upper count value held by the second binary counter at a time of count clock switching, wherein digital data corresponding to a difference between the first and second analog signals is acquired. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229667 | IMAGE-SHOOTING DEVICE - An image-shooting device has an image sensor having a plurality of photoreceptive pixels, and a signal processing section which generates the image data of an output image from the photoreceptive pixel signals within an extraction region on the image sensor. The signal processing section controls the spatial frequency characteristic of the output image according to an input pixel number, which is the number of photoreceptive pixels within the extraction region, and an output pixel number, which is the number of pixels of the output image. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229668 | IMAGE ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and system for imaging information comprising at least one processor for processing information; a light source for illuminating first and second locations; a spatial receiver located at the second location for receiving the illuminating light comprising an array of pixel locations for detecting high resolution spatial information concerning the illuminating light; the spatial receiver being operatively connected, to the at least one processor and operating to transmit high resolution spatial information correlated to specific intervals of time to the processor; the at least one receiver operatively connected to the processor(s) and operative to receive light reflected from a subject and operating to transmit low resolution spatial information to the processor correlated to specific intervals of time; the processor operating to correlate a response by the at least one receiver with spatial information derived from the spatial receiver at correlating time intervals to create a high resolution image. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229669 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSOR - In one embodiment, an image sensor includes, a bank | 09-13-2012 |
20120229670 | Video Format for Digital Video Recorder - Some embodiments provide a video camera. The video camera includes image sensing circuitry for capturing a sequence of video pictures, a user interface for allowing a user to select a video encoding format from a temporally compressed encoding format and non-temporally compressed encoding format, encoding circuitry for encoding the video pictures according to the format selected by the user, and random access storage for storing video clips. | 09-13-2012 |
20120236170 | BLUR DIFFERENCE ESTIMATION USING MULTI-KERNEL CONVOLUTION - An apparatus and method for rapidly and accurately determining blur differences between captured images. Blur change is modeled as a point spread function from a first position to a second position, which is approximated in response to performing a series of convolutions using at least two different blur kernels having different variance. The kernel with a larger variance is used first to speed processing, after which a kernel having a smaller variance is utilized to attain desired accuracy. Any number of kernels can be utilized with decreasing variance to achieve any desired level of accuracy. The apparatus and method can be utilized within a wide range of image capture and/or processing devices, and can be utilized within camera focus mechanisms to increase focusing speed and accuracy. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236171 | Optical apparatus as well as imaging apparatus and system incorporating the same - The invention provides an imaging apparatus and an imaging system, each one comprising an optical system having characteristics matching with image restoration processing, thereby achieving effective image restoration processing. To this end, the imaging apparatus or system comprises an imaging device | 09-20-2012 |
20120236172 | Multi Mode Augmented Reality Search Systems - Augmented reality systems recall prescribed stored information relating to scenes being addressed based upon a plurality of alternative search modes. Primarily, sensor based and visual based search modes are switched depending upon the physical states of these AR systems. When deployed in near field use, information recall is primarily based upon image recognition. Conversely, when these systems are deployed in far field uses, the search modes switch to those based upon sensors which measure physical states of the device to determine the probable matter being addressed. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242852 | Gesture-Based Configuration of Image Processing Techniques - This disclosure pertains to apparatuses, methods, and computer readable medium for mapping particular user interactions, e.g., gestures, to the input parameters of various image filters, while simultaneously setting auto exposure, auto focus, auto white balance, and/or other image processing technique input parameters based on the appropriate underlying image sensor data in a way that provides a seamless, dynamic, and intuitive experience for both the user and the client application software developer. Such techniques may handle the processing of image filters applying location-based distortions as well as those image filters that do not apply location-based distortions to the captured image data. Additionally, techniques are provided for increasing the performance and efficiency of various image processing systems when employed in conjunction with image filters that do not require all of an image sensor's captured image data to produce their desired image filtering effects. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242853 | DIGITAL CAMERA FOR CAPTURING AN IMAGE SEQUENCE - A digital camera having a burst image capture mode, comprising: an image sensor; an optical system; a data processing system; an image memory; and a program memory storing instructions configured to implement a method for capturing a sequence of digital images in the burst image capture mode. The instructions include: capturing a sequence of digital images of the scene using the image sensor, each digital image being captured at a different time; identifying a moving object in the captured digital images; automatically determining the position of the moving object in each of the captured digital images; automatically selecting a subset of the captured digital images where the moving object has positions that most nearly correspond to a set of desirable positions; and storing the selected subset of captured digital images in the image memory. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242854 | Remote Sensing of Hidden Objects - An apparatus and method are provided for creating an indirect image of an object. The apparatus includes a light source and an imaging system. Light emitted from the light source is reflected by a first non-specular surface toward the object. Light reflected by the object is further reflected by a second non-specular surface toward the imaging system. The imaging system is configured to create the indirect image from the reflected light. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242855 | DEVICE AND METHOD INCLUDING FUNCTION FOR RECONSTITUTING AN IMAGE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Noise that occurs when a reconstituted image is generated from a light field image captured by a plenoptic camera is reduced. A light field image acquisition section | 09-27-2012 |
20120242856 | AUTO-FOCUS IMAGE SYSTEM - An auto focus image system that includes a pixel array coupled to a focus signal generator. The pixel array captures an image that has a plurality of edges. The generator generates a focus signal that is a function of a plurality of edge-sharpness measures for the plurality of edges. The generator compares a sequence of gradients across the edge with one or more reference sequences of gradients and/or reference curves defined by data retrieved from a non-volatile memory. The generator may reject or de-emphasize the edge using result of the comparison. The edge sharpness measure is a quantity whose unit is a positive or negative, integer or non-integer power of a unit of length. It may be measured from the edge and/or a reference sequence/curve matched to the edge, or may be retrieved for the matched reference sequence/curve from a non-volatile memory. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242857 | CAMERA INCLUDING IMAGING SYSTEM HAVING DIFFERENT DEPTHS OF FIELD FOR DIFFERENT FREQUENCIES OF OPTICAL RADIATION - A camera including an imaging system having a first depth of field for one or more first frequencies of optical radiation and a second depth of field, smaller than the first depth of field, for one or more second frequencies of optical radiation. The imaging system includes an iris having a first aperture for the first frequency(ies) of optical radiation and a second aperture, larger than the first aperture, for the second frequency(ies) of optical radiation. The first aperture is defined by an outer opaque ring and the second aperture is defined by an inner chromatic ring. The inner chromatic ring blocks the first frequency(ies) and passes the second frequency(ies) such that the image formed by the first frequency(ies) is sharper than the image formed by the second frequency(ies), and that sharpness may be transposed to other images by known image processing techniques. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242858 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FOR RELIEF IN HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGES - The invention relates to a device for adjusting the raised pattern of at least one hyper-spectral image including at least one sensor capable of producing at least one hyper-spectral image in at least two wavelengths, a computing means capable of classifying the pixels of the hyper-spectral image derived from the sensor on the basis of a two-state classification relationship, and a display means capable of displaying at least one image on the basis of the classified pixels from the computing means. The computing means includes a means for adjusting the raised pattern on the basis of at least one reference image. | 09-27-2012 |
20120249818 | Image capturing system and image capturing method - When a photographer presses a release button by a predetermined amount after focusing on a first object, a focus lens is moved in an optical axis direction so that a second object is brought into focus, whereupon image pickup is performed while focusing on the second object. Image processing is then performed on image data obtained in the image pickup. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249819 | MULTI-MODAL IMAGE CAPTURE - An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor which has a tunable spectral response and which is tunable in accordance with a capture mask to capture multi-spectral image data. Light-field optics are arranged to project light-field information of a scene onto the image sensor. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249820 | Automatic Determination of Compliance of a Part with a Reference Drawing - A system for visually comparing a part to a drawing of said part in computer memory or on a screen is provided. The system includes a camera for capturing either a single image or an image stream of the part, a computing module for receiving the image or image stream, for obtaining, scaling, positioning and displaying the drawing of the part on a display unit and for overlaying the drawing on the image or image stream. The system determines if the part is manufactured within predefined tolerances at least one control section. In use, a user defines at least one control section and the system performs a CAD-space to image-space transformation of each control section. A deviation between the CAD drawing and the part at each control section is calculated, and this deviation is indicated to the user. The deviation is compared to a predetermined tolerance in order to determine if the part at each control section is within the predetermined tolerance; and a pass/fail indication is determined based on the comparison. For more complex shapes, a user can select an entire geometrical shape, and the system automatically determines a plurality of control sections within the geometric shape, in order to provide the user with a shape pass/fail indication. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249821 | IMAGE CAPTURE ADJUSTMENT FOR POST-CAPTURE PROCESSING - Preview image data of a scene is captured. A designation of a region of interest is accepted in the preview image data. Spectral image data of the scene is captured, and spectral profile information for the region of interest is calculated by using the captured spectral image data for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, of which each profile maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the region of interest is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the region of interest are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the region of interest against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the region of interest and which identifies location of the region of interest relative to the scene is constructed. The metadata is stored together with image data. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249822 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING UNIT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGING UNIT, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging unit includes: a solid-state imaging device mounted on a substrate; a bonding wire which electrically connects a pad formed on the solid-state imaging device and a lead formed on the substrate; a frame member having a frame shape which surrounds side portions of the solid-state imaging device; and an optical member having optical transparency and mounted on the frame member so as to face an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device, wherein the frame member has a leg portion which protrudes from an optical member side toward the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device, and the frame member and the solid-state imaging device are integrally fixed to each other in a state where the leg portion comes into contact with an intermediate area which is located between an imaging area and a pad forming area on the imaging surface. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249823 | DEVICE HAVING IMAGE RECONSTRUCTING FUNCTION, METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A reconstructed image with less noise is reconstructed from a lens array image. An image reconstructing device acquires the lens array image formed by a lens array comprising an array of multiple sub-lenses for an optical image of an object formed by a main lens. The image reconstructing device comprises an interpolation part interpolating a third sub-image formed by a third sub-lens based on the first sub-image and the second sub-image constituting the acquired lens array image, wherein the third sub-lens is positioned between the first sub-lens forming the first sub-image and the second sub-lens forming the second sub-image. The image reconstructing device comprises a reconstructing part reconstructing an image of the object formed by the main lens focused on a point at a given distance from the interpolated third sub-image, the first sub-image and the second sub-image. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249824 | PSEUDO-DIGITAL AVERAGE SUB SAMPLING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of k*k subsampling, where k is an integer greater than one, a full frame readout on a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each pixel belonging to one of at least two sets, a first set configured to sense a first value of an image parameter and a second set configured to sense a second value of the image parameter, the method including sampling signals of k pixels of at least one set in a first row to output subsampled signals, converting the subsampled signals into digital signals having a lower resolution than the full frame readout, repeating sampling and converting for k rows, and adding digital signals for the first to kth rows within the at least one set. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249825 | IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING IMAGE EDITING PROGRAM - An image editing apparatus includes an image input unit including an image pickup circuit which takes a picture of a subject to obtain an image of a subject. A face detection circuit detects an image of a face of the subject from the image obtained from the image input unit. A face expression detection circuit detects at least any one of direction and expression of the face of the subject, based on the image of the face detected by the face detection circuit. A pupil detection circuit detects images of pupils of the subject, based on the image of the face detected by the face detection circuit. A catch-light composition circuit composes different catch-lights on the images of the pupils detected by the pupil detection circuit, according to any one of the direction and expression of the face detected by the face expression detection circuit. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249826 | IMAGE SELECTION DEVICE AND IMAGE SELECTING METHOD - An image selection device includes: an image acquiring unit which acquires a plurality of shot images acquired by continuously shooting a subject; an area segmentation unit which segments an image area of the shot image into a motion area indicating different positions by a specified amount or more between two shot images and a non-motion area other than the motion area based on the two consecutive shot images in time series in the plurality of shot images; and a selection unit which selects at least one shot image from the plurality of shot images based on an amount of blur of an image in the non-motion area. | 10-04-2012 |
20120257072 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR MANIPULATING IMAGES USING METADATA - Many cameras have the ability to capture an image and generate metadata associated with the image. Such image metadata may include focus point metadata information that may be indicative of the potential focus points available to the camera as well as which one or more of those potential focus points were utilized to capture the image. As the location of a focus point used during image capture is generally intended to coincide with the location of the photographer's main area of interest within the image, such focus point metadata can be accessed during image editing and used to zoom in to the captured image at that focus point location. Performing a “smart-zoom” based on an image's focus point metadata may save time and reduce frustration during the image editing process. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257073 | CAPTURING DEVICE - A capturing device includes a capturing unit for capturing an image, a compass, a computing unit and a processor. The compass is used for rotating the pointer thereof to a predetermined direction when the capturing device rotates. The computing unit is used for computing an angle and direction rotated by the pointer of the compass in the process of the capturing unit capturing the image. The processor is used for correcting the captured image according to the angle and direction computed by the computing unit. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257074 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUSES, DATA PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - Disclosed herein is a data processing apparatus including: a data sort block configured to sort, into multiple groups by information data of a same type, input data including information data of multiple types formed by multiple bits; a maximum value extraction block configured to extract a maximum value of the information data in each of the groups sorted by the data sort block; and a bit position decision and bit reduction block configured to determine a reduction position of bits common to the information data of the same type in each group on the basis of the maximum value extracted by the maximum value extraction block and reduce the common bits in accordance with the determination. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257075 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging device mounted on a substrate; a bonding wire that electrically connects a pad formed on the solid-state imaging device to a lead island formed on the substrate; a frame member that has a frame-like shape and surrounds side portions of the solid-state imaging device; and a light-transmissive optical member so accommodated in the frame member that the optical member faces an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device, wherein the frame member has a leg portion extending from the side where the optical member is present toward the imaging surface, and the frame member is integrally fixed to the solid-state imaging device with an end of the bonding wire that is connected to the pad covered with the leg portion. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257076 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit which obtains an image signal; an extraction position information obtaining unit which obtains information about an extraction position, where an image is extracted, from the image signal; a correction target value calculating unit which calculates a correction target value for correcting the image signal in accordance with the position information from an image center based on the extraction position information; an image correcting unit which corrects the image signal based on the correction target value; and an image extracting unit which extracts the image based on the extraction position information. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257077 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD AND RECORDING DEVICE RECORDING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - A digital camera has an image pickup unit which can obtain a set of plural input images with different exposure amounts by photographing the same subject; an image synthesizing unit which creates a synthesized image from the set of plural input images; a live-view image output unit which outputs a live-view image on the basis of the synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a set of n pieces of (n is an integer not less than 2) input images with different exposure amounts obtained from the photographing unit during a view display operation; and a recorded image creating unit which creates an image for recording on the basis of the synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a set of m pieces of (m is an integer not less than 2) input images with different exposure amounts obtained from the image pickup unit during main photographing in the image synthesizing unit. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257078 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, SETTING GUI DISPLAY METHOD, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An information processing apparatus including: a GUI generation unit configured to generate GUI data in which one of two mutually-orthogonal directions on a screen is allocated as a direction in which information flows, a plurality of processing systems for information processing are expressed as a plurality of lines along the one direction, and one or more blocks in which a name and setting value of one or more setting items of the processing system corresponding to at least one of the lines are displayed on the line are arranged; and a display processing unit configured to display the generated GUI data on the screen. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257079 | Multi-Field CCD Capture for HDR Imaging - Techniques are described to combine image data from multiple images with different exposures into a relatively high dynamic range image. A first image of a scene may be generated with a first operational mode of an image processing system. A second image of the scene may be generated with a second different operational mode of the image processing system. The first image may be of a first spatial resolution, while the second image may be of a second spatial resolution. For example, the first spatial resolution may be higher than the second spatial resolution. The first image and the second image may be combined into an output image of the scene. The output image may be of a higher dynamic range than either of the first image and the second image and may be of a spatial resolution higher than the second spatial resolution. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257080 | LUMINANCE CONTROL OF A DISPLAY DEVICE - A device is proposed comprising a display screen for displaying digital information and/or images in a first mode of operation of the device, an image sensor having a set of photosensitive cells for capturing at least one digital image in a second mode of operation, and a control unit for controlling at least one display parameter of the screen in the first mode of operation. The control unit is configured to adjust the parameter on the basis of information representative of the brightness of ambient light obtained from at least a subset of the set of photosensitive cells of the image sensor. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262596 | IMAGE FOCUSING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGE FOCUSING DEVICE - According to various embodiments, an image focusing device may be provided. The image focusing device may include an image acquirer configured to acquire digital data representing an image. The image focusing device may further include a region selector configured to receive information indicating a first region of the image and indicating a second region of the image. The second region may be different from the first region. The image focusing device may further include an image deconvolver configured to iteratively apply deconvolutions to the first region and to the second region. A stopping criterion for the iterative application of the deconvolutions may be based on a focusing quality of the deconvolved first region and is independent from the deconvolved second region. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262597 | METHOD FOR CAPTURING WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE IN A 16 BIT FLOATING POINT FORMAT - Embodiments of the invention provide a 16 bit floating point signal processor will typically give an order of magnitude more performance than a 32 bit floating point signal processor and about twice as much performance as a 16 bit fixed point processor. Capturing wide dynamic range images in 16 bit floating point format entails representing an iris of a imaging device as an exponent of a floating point number and representing the precision of said imaging device as a mantissa of said floating point number. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262598 | IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - An object of this invention is to effectively reduce a luminance flicker caused by noise while suppressing an adverse effect such as an afterimage and a decrease in the resolution upon smoothing as much as possible even when the S/N ratio of an image photographed at an increased gain is low. An image signal processing apparatus includes a smoothing circuit ( | 10-18-2012 |
20120262599 | Dynamic Exposure Metering Based on Face Detection - A system, computer readable medium, and method for dynamically setting a camera's exposure parameters based on face detection are disclosed. When taking a picture or video of a person in front of a bright background, standard exposure algorithms tend to overexpose the background. In one embodiment disclosed herein, a face detection algorithm is run on the current picture or video frame, and the exposure metering region is inset over the detected face. Exposure time, gain, or other exposure parameters may be set based on the pixels within the exposure metering region. In another embodiment, the exposure metering region tracks a moving face according to lag parameters so that the exposure metering region remains substantially over the face. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of faces may be tracked, with the exposure parameters set based on a weighted average of the pixels within the plurality of face-containing exposure metering regions. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268618 | ADAPTIVE COLOR IMAGING BY USING AN IMAGING ASSEMBLY WITH TUNABLE SPECTRAL SENSITIVITIES - Image capture using an image capture apparatus that includes an imaging assembly. Geographic location of the image capture apparatus is received from a location sensor that obtains geographic location of the image capture apparatus. A capture mask is constructed by calculations which use the geographic location. The constructed capture mask is applied to the imaging assembly, the imaging assembly having a tunable spectral response and being tunable in accordance with the capture mask. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268619 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - An image sensor comprises a pixel array formed by arraying pixels in a column direction and a row direction; a column common readout unit provided for each pixel column in the pixel array; at least three readout channels which sequentially read signals from the column common readout units, respectively; and a readout channel selection unit which selects readout channels so that the signal is output from each of the column common readout units to a corresponding one of the at least three readout channels, wherein the readout channel selection unit selects readout channels, to which the signals are output from the column common readout units, in a predetermined pattern that varies in each individual row of the pixel array. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268620 | INFORMATION PROVIDING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an information providing apparatus including a course information acquiring unit that acquires course information to which position information indicating positions of a predetermined plurality of spots and order information indicating an order of each spot are set, a photo acquiring unit that acquires photos taken in a predetermined area including the spots, a map making unit that makes a map where marks indicating the plurality of spots are displayed on the basis of the position information set to the course information, and a display control unit that sequentially sets the plurality of spots as display objects according to the order information set to the course information and causes a display unit to display the photos taken in the spots set as the display objects and a map of a predetermined range including the marks indicating the spots. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268621 | IMAGING APPARATUS, AZIMUTH RECORDING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture an object according to an imaging start instruction and output a captured image, a geomagnetic sensor configured to detect geomagnetism, an imaging controlling unit configured to control components of the imaging unit in an imaging processing period from the imaging start instruction to the output of the captured image and determine an operation period of a magnetic field generating component affecting a detection value of the geomagnetic sensor, among the components of the imaging unit, an azimuth calculating unit configured to calculate an imaging azimuth based on the detection value detected by the geomagnetic sensor, in a period other than an operation period of the magnetic field generating component, during the imaging processing period, and a recording unit configured to record the imaging azimuths on a recording medium in association with the captured image. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268622 | OPTICAL FLOW BASED TILT SENSOR - A method is described for determining a description of motion of a moving mobile camera to determine a user input to an application. The method may involve capturing a series of images from a moving mobile camera and comparing stationary features present in the series of images. Optical flow analysis may be performed on the series of images to determine a description of motion of the moving mobile camera. Based on the determined motion, a user input to an application may be determined and the application may respond to the user input, for example, by updating a user interface of the application. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274798 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that are capable of removing an influence due to illumination components from a plurality of images in which illumination environments are different and generating an image having high color reproducibility. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274799 | CALIBRATING IMAGE SENSORS - In one implementation, an image sensor is calibrated by generating a plurality of spectral characterizations for the image sensor and defining a plurality of color corrections for the image sensor based on the plurality of spectral characterizations and a reference spectral characterization. Each spectral characterization from the plurality of spectral characterizations is associated with an image window of the image sensor. Each color correction from the plurality of color corrections is associated with an image window of the image sensor. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274800 | MULTI-MEDIA DEVICE CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICES - A multi-media device and a method for manufacturing the multi-media device is described herein. The multi-media device includes a first and second substrate coupled to each other. Both the first and second substrates have a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The multi-media device further includes a first camera coupled to the first side of the first substrate and a second camera coupled to the first side of the second substrate. The first camera includes a first lens housing, which houses one or more first lenses. The second camera includes a second lens housing, which houses one or more second lenses. The second substrate is coupled to the first substrate in a manner such that the one or more first lenses and the one or more second lenses receive light from opposite directions. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274801 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of offering a wider range of expressions with use of a plurality of shooting modes during multiple exposure shooting and also performing effective multiple exposure shooting. The imaging apparatus can perform control to change a shooting mode to a first shooting mode while maintaining a multiple exposure shooting mode upon receiving an instruction to change the shooting mode to the first shooting mode in a case where the imaging apparatus is set in the multiple exposure shooting mode, and perform control to change the shooting mode to a second shooting mode while canceling the multiple exposure shooting mode upon receiving an instruction to change the shooting mode to the second shooting mode in a case where the imaging apparatus is set in the multiple exposure shooting mode. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274802 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An imaging apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control to record an uncombined image captured in a multiple exposure shooting mode on a recording medium, and, if the number of images to be combined to generate a multiple combined image is one when the multiple exposure shooting mode ends, to prevent the multiple combined image from being generated or recorded. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274803 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - Provided is an information processing device that is capable of recognizing characters in an image quickly. The portable phone according to the present invention is a device that recognizes words and phrases from an image. The portable phone includes: an image capturing section that captures a moving image; a character string obtaining section, a character string collation section, and a word and phrase ID obtaining section, which successively obtains consecutive images that constitute the captured moving image and obtains an ID indicative of a word or a phrase at a predetermined position of the image; a FIFO buffer for storing the obtained ID; and a recognition determination section that determines, as a recognition result, an ID that is stored in the FIFO buffer by the most number. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274804 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus including an image capturing unit configured to obtain an image by image capturing includes a first storage unit configured to store face information of an owner of the image capturing apparatus, an estimation unit configured to estimate a photographer of the image capturing apparatus based on a relationship between an object included in the image obtained by the image capturing unit and the face information of the owner stored in the first storage unit, and a change unit configured to change a photographing mode to a simple photographing mode according to the estimated photographer. | 11-01-2012 |
20120281106 | APPARATUS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, FOR STABILIZING A VIDEO SEQUENCE - An apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating stabilization of a recorded video sequence, formed of captured image frames. Captured image frames are cropped by a frame cropper. Cropping of an image is dependent upon lighting conditions. Upon the occurrence of a low-light, lighting condition, the amount of cropping is altered. And, when acceptable lighting conditions return, the amount of cropping is again altered, all in a manner to facilitate video stabilization. | 11-08-2012 |
20120281107 | IMAGING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF RECOGNIZING PHOTOGRAPHIC SCENE AND METHOD FOR THE SAME - To output stable results as necessary when recognizing scenes with a camera. Unless the result of scene recognition can be stabilized, an output result will confuse the user. In consideration thereof, by combiningly performing processing for determining what type of scene a particular scene is and processing for monitoring whether or not a change has occurred from a recognized scene, it is now possible to perform scene recognition in an accurate and stable manner. | 11-08-2012 |
20120287297 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a photoelectric conversion device; a wire grid polarizer provided on the photoelectric conversion device; and a conductive film electrically connecting conductive layers provided in the photoelectric conversion device to the wire grid polarizer. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287298 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - There is provided with an image processing apparatus which performs transformation processing for an input image, and performs filter processing for a transformed image including the transformed input image in an image area, thereby generating an output image, comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a pixel position to be mapped to a pixel of interest position in the transformed image by a transformation processing is present among pixel positions in the input image; and a calculation unit configured to set a pixel value, obtained by a convolution operation between filter coefficients and pixel values of pixels near a processing pixel position in the transformed image, as the pixel value of the pixel at the processing pixel position in the output image if the pixel position to be mapped is present. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287299 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An image processing device includes an image input part inputting image data formed of a first type pixel in which a first color element is known, a second type pixel in which a second color element is known, and a third type pixel in which a third color element is known, a first color element interpolating part determining a first interpolation value of the first color element based on the first type pixels, a first convexoconcave structure calculating part calculating a first convexoconcave structure based on either of the second type pixels and the third type pixels, a first convexoconcave addition part adding the first convexoconcave structure to the first interpolation value to determine a second interpolation value, a first color range calculating part determining a range of the first color element based on the first type pixels, and a clip part determining a third interpolation value. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287300 | MASKING TOOL - A system for controlling effects performed on an image includes a digital camera having a display that displays the image. Masking tools position graphical representations on the display to define a portion of the image that is altered when the effects are subsequently applied to the image. The several masking tools may be combined to form a single masking tool. | 11-15-2012 |
20120287301 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of a subject includes: a lock/unlock unit adapted to lock and unlock operation of the image capturing apparatus; a registration unit adapted to register a main item and a sub-item that have been selected by a user, wherein the main item is a main setting item among operation items of the image capturing apparatus and the sub-item is a setting item in a layer lower than that of the main item; and a control unit adapted to limit operation solely to a release operation of the image capturing apparatus and to the main item and sub-item, which have been registered by the registration unit, in a case where operation of the image capturing apparatus has been locked by the lock/unlock unit. | 11-15-2012 |
20120293677 | Methods and apparatuses for anti-shading correction with extended color correlated temperature dependency - In a method for correcting shading effects in an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, shading effects on at least one readout pixel of the image sensor are modeled based on a parametric component, and the shading effects on the at least one readout pixel are corrected based on the modeled shading effects. The parametric component is dependent on at least one of a color channel corresponding to the readout pixel and a color correlated temperature of light incident on the at least one readout pixel | 11-22-2012 |
20120293678 | RECORDING DATA WITH AN INTEGRATED FIELD-PORTABLE DEVICE - An integrated field-portable device comprising an image capture device configured to capture an image of a survey target area and a position determination system for determining a position of the integrated field-portable device, and an annotation system configured to access the image and associate the image with the position of at least one target in the survey target area and to associate with the image an instance of additional data comprising an identifier of the survey target area. The integrated field-portable device further comprises a storage system configured to generate a digital representation when the image is captured comprising the image, the position of the at least one target and the instance of additional data. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293679 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus calculates an actual reproduction frame rate from a reproduction speed and a frame rate of a moving image file and compares the actual reproduction frame rate with a predetermined frame rate. A display manner of image information of the moving image file is chanced in accordance with a comparison result. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293680 | Method and apparatus for controlling master-slave mode cameras in wireless terminal - The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for controlling dual cameras in a wireless terminal in a master-slave mode, in order to avoid interferences that may occur between the dual cameras due to sharing of data buses. In the disclosure, as the master processor uses a set of resources to control the two cameras, the resources of the master processor may be saved which otherwise will be occupied by the dual cameras, the dependency of the cameras on the master processor is reduced, so that the master processor may release more resources for other peripherals or other tasks. As the multiplexer switch isolates signals of the two camera sensors in a relatively thorough way, mutual interferences between the two cameras may be avoided and electromagnetic interferences may be decreased. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293681 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - A signal processing apparatus performs predetermined signal processing on an image signal output from an image sensor having a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a direction along a row and a direction along a column. The signal processing apparatus comprises: a storage unit that stores characteristic information indicating characteristics of signal component mix in each pixel from adjacent pixels according to the pixel position in the pixel array of the image sensor; and a correction unit that calculates a correction coefficient according to the position of a pixel for correction in the pixel array from the characteristic information, and corrects an output image signal of the pixel for correction based on an output image signal of adjacent pixels of the pixel for correction and the calculated correction coefficient. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293682 | Image Pickup Optical System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An image pickup optical system made of five lenses, includes in order from an object side, an aperture stop, a first lens L | 11-22-2012 |
20120293683 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - According to an aspect, a portable electronic device includes an imaging unit, a moving unit, and a control unit. The imaging unit images a subject in an imaging region. The moving unit changes orientation and/or a position of the portable electronic device. The control unit causes the moving unit to change the orientation and/or the position of the portable electronic device so as to move the imaging region of the imaging unit. | 11-22-2012 |
20120300089 | IMAGE ANNOTATION ON PORTABLE DEVICES - A system for automated annotation of images and videos points a mobile device towards an object of interest, such as a building or landscape scenery, for the device to display an image of the scene with an annotation for the object. An annotation can include names, historical information, and links to databases of images, videos, and audio files. Different techniques can be used for determining positional placement of annotations, and, by using multiple techniques, positioning can be made more precise and reliable. The level of detail of annotation information can be adjusted according to the precision of the techniques used. A trade-off can be taken into account between precision of annotation and communication cost, delay and/or power consumption. An annotation database can be updated in a self-organizing way. Public information as available on the web can be converted to annotation data. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300090 | FAST FACE DETECTION TECHNIQUE - A processor includes a face recognition block and a face detection block. The face detection block includes a scan block and control logic. The scan block may divide an image into a plurality of rectangles, determine whether at least some pixel values in each of the plurality of rectangles is within an allowable skin tone range, reject one or more of the plurality of rectangles, which do not contain pixels having a value within the allowable skin tone range, and mark remaining of the plurality of rectangles as component rectangles of a human face. Further, the scan block is to determine variability of the component rectangles, compare the variability of the component rectangles with a variability threshold, reject one or more of the component rectangles whose variability is less than the variability threshold, and retain remaining component rectangles as features of the human face. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300091 | Focusing and Focus Metrics for a Plenoptic Imaging System - Metrics for characterizing the focusing of a plenoptic imaging system. In one aspect, the metric is based on the high frequency content and/or the blurring of the plenoptic image. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300092 | AUTOMATICALLY OPTIMIZING CAPTURE OF IMAGES OF ONE OR MORE SUBJECTS - Capturing and storing an optimized images of a subject are described herein. Images of the subject may be captured while in a live mode or burst mode. The photographer or user administering the photographs may wish to have an image with one or more optimized features. Within the plurality of images, the optimized feature for each subject is found and used to compose an optimized image, and the optimized image may be stored. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300093 | Method For Pointing A Plurality Of Predetermined Locations Inside A Structure And Corresponding Pointing System - According to the invention, the system ( | 11-29-2012 |
20120300094 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS THAT PERFORMS EXPOSURE CONTROL, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image pickup apparatus capable of not only detecting whiteout or blackout but also effectively achieving exposure control. In the image pickup apparatus, an entire-screen brightness frequency distribution is detected based on a picked-up image signal. The image pickup apparatus calculates a first exposure control value from the entire-screen brightness frequency distribution. The image signal is divided into a plurality of small areas, and the brightness of each of the small areas is detected. The image pickup apparatus calculates a second exposure control value from the brightness. The image pickup apparatus calculates an exposure correction value based on the first exposure control value and the second exposure control value. An exposure value is calculated using the exposure correction value and an exposure value of the image signal. The image pickup apparatus performs exposure control of the image pickup section based on the calculated exposure value. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300095 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD - A super-resolution capability is enhanced when a distance to a principal object is set as a synthetic focal distance. The principal object is extracted from images imaged by a plurality of imaging units, and a super-resolution capability of the extracted principal object is calculated. An imaging parameter is adjusted according to the calculated super-resolution capability. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300096 | Zoom Lens and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - A zoom lens comprises in order from an object side, a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a third lens unit, a fourth lens unit, and a fifth lens unit having, respectively, a positive, negative, positive, negative, and positive refractive power. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the first, third, and fourth lens units move toward the object side. A distance between the first and second lens units increase, a distance between the second and third lens units decrease, a distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit changes, and a distance between the fourth lens unit and the fifth lens unit increases. The zoom lens satisfies the following expressions: | 11-29-2012 |
20120300097 | VARIABLE IMAGING ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS THEREFOR - Various approaches to imaging involve selecting directional and spatial resolution. According to an example embodiment, images are computed using an imaging arrangement to facilitate selective directional and spatial aspects of the detection and processing of light data. Light passed through a main lens is directed to photosensors via a plurality of microlenses. The separation between the microlenses and photosensors is set to facilitate directional and/or spatial resolution in recorded light data, and facilitating refocusing power and/or image resolution in images computed from the recorded light data. In one implementation, the separation is varied between zero and one focal length of the microlenses to respectively facilitate spatial and directional resolution (with increasing directional resolution, hence refocusing power, as the separation approaches one focal length). | 11-29-2012 |
20120300098 | IMAGE CODING METHOD, IMAGE CODING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - The image coding method according to the present invention includes the following steps. At a histogram calculation step, a histogram of pixel values included in a block image is calculated. At a plane region detection step, a size of a plane region included in the block image is detected. At an orthogonal transformation size selection step, (i) a first processing size is selected as a processing size of orthogonal transformation for the block image when the histogram is bimodal and the size of the plane region is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, and (ii) a second processing size greater than the first processing size is selected as the processing size, when that the histogram is not bimodal or the size of the plane region is smaller than the first threshold value. | 11-29-2012 |
20120307096 | Metadata-Assisted Image Filters - This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating and/or interpreting image metadata to determine input parameters for various image processing routines, e.g., filters that distort or enhance an image, in a way that provides an intuitive experience for both the user and the software developer. Such techniques may attach the metadata to image frames and then send the image frames down an image processing pipeline to one or more image processing routines. Image metadata may include face location information, and the image processing routine may include an image filter that processes the image metadata in order to keep the central focus (or foci) of the image filter substantially coincident with one or more of the faces represented in the face location information. The generated and/or interpreted metadata may also be saved to a metadata track for later application to unfiltered image data. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307097 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - A solid-state image sensor comprising a pixel array having a plurality of pixels, and a plurality of signal processing circuits each of which amplifies a signal of the pixel array, wherein each of the plurality of signal processing circuits comprises an operation amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal, an input capacitance arranged between the input terminal and the column signal line, and a feedback circuit which connects the input terminal with the output terminal, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to form a feedback path in which a first and a second capacitance elements are arranged in series in a path connecting the input terminal to the output terminal, and a third capacitance element is arranged between a reference potential and a path connecting the first capacitance element to the second capacitance element. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307098 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - Image pickup apparatus | 12-06-2012 |
20120307099 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - When the super-resolution processing is performed, loss of signal occurs due to the aperture effect, and adversely affects the image quality. In order to improve the image quality by suppressing the occurrence of loss of signal, a pixel aperture characteristic provided for some of image capturing units differs from a pixel aperture characteristic provided for the other image capturing units, and a plurality of digital images are captured by these image capturing units and are synthesized thereafter. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307100 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA - A solid-state image sensor has a pixel array including pixel units and column signal lines. Each pixel unit includes a photoelectric converter and an amplifier transistor which outputs a signal to the column signal line. The sensor includes a cascode current source which supplies a current to the amplifier transistor and which includes cascode-connected first and second transistors, a first bias circuit which determines a voltage of a first node connected to a gate of the first transistor, and a second bias circuit which determines a voltage of a second node connected to a gate of the second transistor. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307101 | IMAGING DEVICE, DISPLAY METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An imaging device includes an imaging unit that images a subject and that continuously creates image data on the subject; a display unit that chronologically displays live view images associated with the image data created by the imaging unit; a face detector that detects the face of a subject included in the live view image; a trimming unit that creates a face image by cutting out, from the live view images, a face area including the face of the subject detected by the face detector; and a display controller that displays the face image created by the trimming unit at a display position specified in a display area of the display unit. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307102 | VIDEO CREATION DEVICE, VIDEO CREATION METHOD AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - In a video creation device, a creator creates a frame of a first type and a frame of a second type. A difference determiner determines whether or not the difference between frames of a determination pair exceeds a threshold, wherein the determination pair contains two frames of the first type, or the frame of the first type and the frame of the second type. A frame creator creates a frame of a third type between frames of a data pair, wherein the data pair contains two frames of the first type next to each other. A synthesizer creates high-dynamic-range frame by synthesizing frames of synthesized pair, wherein synthesized pair contains the frame of the second type and the frame of the first type, or the frame of the second type and the frame of third type. And, a video creator creates video comprised of the frame synthesized by the synthesizer. | 12-06-2012 |
20120314096 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE CAPTURE FOR AN AUGMENTED REALITY REPRESENTATION - Technologies and implementations for capturing two-dimensional images for an augmented reality representation are generally disclosed. | 12-13-2012 |
20120314097 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging device comprising an imaging unit that outputs digital data of a pixel value indicating one of colors for each pixel and a conversion unit that outputs from ports I pieces of the digital data that has been input from the imaging unit in a first mode and output from part of the ports J (J | 12-13-2012 |
20120314098 | Video Reproducing Apparatus - A video reproducing apparatus comprises: a memory capable of parallel data transfer in which a program for allowing a SoC to operate and parameters for setting a scaler are stored; and bus switches for connecting the memory to either the SoC or the scaler. In this apparatus, when the scaler is started, the circuit to which the memory is connected is switched to the scaler by the bus switches so that the parameters for setting the scaler, which are stored in the memory, can be transmitted in parallel from the memory to the scaler. Therefore, the parameters for setting the scaler can be transmitted to the scaler at high speeds, as compared to a conventional video reproducing apparatus in which the parameters for setting the scaler are transmitted to the scaler via a control line for I | 12-13-2012 |
20120314099 | Apparatus And Method For Compressive Imaging And Sensing Through Multiplexed Modulation - Compressive imaging apparatus employing multiple modulators in various optical schemes to generate the modulation patterns before the signal is recorded at a detector. The compressive imaging apparatus is equally valid when applying compressive imaging to structured light embodiments where the placement is shifted from the acquisition path between the subject and the detector into the illumination path between the source and the subject to be imaged. | 12-13-2012 |
20120320229 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM FOR PROCESSING AN IMAGE - The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and program for processing an image, capable of producing a sharp image. A digital camera | 12-20-2012 |
20120320230 | IMAGING DEVICE AND DISTANCE INFORMATION DETECTING METHOD - An imaging device is provided that comprises an imaging processor, a distance information detector, a primary image capturing processor and an image processor. The imaging processor captures a plurality of secondary images of the same object at different in-focus positions by driving a photographing lens. The distance information detector detects distance information of the object for each of the areas of an image based on the contrast in each of the areas in each of the secondary images. The primary image capturing processor captures the same image of the object as a primary image. The image processor carries out image processing on the primary image based on the distance information. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320231 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus includes: an image sensor; an analog-image processing unit; a timing generator; a mechanical shutter; and a control unit that performs completing parameter settings to the timing generator and performs time setting for time at which the mechanical shutter is to be closed. The parameter settings cause an operation mode of the image sensor to switch to a still-image photographing mode. In response to an instruction to capture a still image, the control unit inserts a dummy still-image exposure period and a dummy still-image read period into a point in time before a still-image exposure period and a still-image read period, performs completing of the parameter settings during the dummy still-image exposure period, and when the still-image exposure period is started after an elapse of the dummy still-image read period, then performs the time setting. | 12-20-2012 |
20120327257 | PHOTO PRODUCT USING IMAGES FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS - A method for providing a photo product, comprising receiving, over a wireless communications network, a plurality of captured images from a wireless capture device taken at different locations along a route, evaluating one or more images taken at different locations according to predetermined criteria and if an image meets such criteria selecting such image so that a predetermined number of images has been selected at least one of which relates to each location; and producing a photo product including the selected images positioned in the photo product in association with prestored information that relates to the respective scenes in the plurality of locations. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327258 | Facilitating Image Capture and Image Review by Visually Impaired Users - Techniques and mechanisms are provided for facilitating the capture and review of visual images by visually impaired users. In one implementation, these techniques and mechanisms provide pre image capture functionality and captured image review functionality. With the pre image capture functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user position an image capturing mechanism properly to capture the desired subjects in a picture, to frame the subjects properly within the picture, to size the subjects properly within the picture, etc. With the image review functionality, audio messages are provided to the user to help the user enjoy and “visualize” a visual image that has been captured and is being displayed to the user. With these functionalities, a visually impaired user is able capture and review images to a much greater degree than is currently possible. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327259 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device for generating a composite image using multi-viewpoint image data before color interpolation captured by a camera array image capturing device, includes a unit configured to acquire information of a pixel value and a pixel position in the multi-viewpoint image data, a pixel position determination unit configured to determine the pixel position in the composite image in the pixel position of each pixel of the multi-viewpoint image data in accordance with an arbitrary focus position based on optical parameters at the time of the image capturing, a color derivation unit configured to derive the color of each pixel of the multi-viewpoint image data, and a pixel value calculation unit configured to calculate the pixel value of each pixel of the composite image using the determined pixel position in the composite image and the pixel value of the multi-viewpoint image data corresponding to the derived pixel color. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327260 | PARALLEL OPERATION HISTOGRAMMING DEVICE AND MICROCOMPUTER - A parallel operation histogramming device can handle parallel-input data from a plurality of processors to generate frequency data of a histogram. The processing time for generating frequency data of the histogram is independent of the distribution of histogram values in the input data. The device can also reduce the memory area used for accumulating frequency data of the histogram. The device includes a histogram counter circuit which has a plurality of counters equal in number to the number of histogram bins. The counters count in parallel the number of pieces of data for each type of the operation results from the plurality of processors. The counted values from each counter are accumulated to form the frequencies in a histogram. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327261 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN INDICATION OF AN OBJECT WITHIN AN OPERATING AMBIT OF HEAVY LOADING EQUIPMENT - A method, apparatus and system for generating an indication of an object within an operating ambit of heavy loading equipment is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of sensors disposed about a periphery of the loading equipment, each being operable to generate a proximity signal in response to detecting an object within a coverage region of the sensor, the proximity signal including an indication of at least an approximate distance between the sensor and the object. A processor circuit is operably configured to define an alert region extending outwardly and encompassing swinging movements of outer extents of the loading equipment. The processor circuit is operably configured to receive proximity signals from the plurality of sensors, process the signals to determine a location of the object relative to the loading equipment, and initiate an alert when the location falls within the alert region. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327262 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION DETECTION METHOD - An imaging apparatus according to an implementation of the present invention includes: an imaging device unit which converts light coming from an object into an image signal, the light being illuminating light reflected off an object; a light pattern detecting unit which detects a light-dark pattern from the image signal so as to detect information overlaid on the illuminating light, the image signal being converted from the light by the imaging device unit; a comparing unit which compares detection information with predetermined determination information, the detection information being the information detected by the light pattern detecting unit; and a display unit which displays a specific image, depending on a result of the comparison by the comparing unit. | 12-27-2012 |
20120327263 | DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera captures an image of a photographic subject and creates image data, and records this image data upon a recording medium. The digital camera includes: an image processing device that, according to operation by a user, performs any of a plurality of types of image processing upon the image data that has been recorded; and a control device that, for performing the image processing, (a) if image data is first selected, permits selection of a type of image processing that is to be performed upon the selected image data; and (b) if a type of image processing is first selected, permits selection of image data upon which that selected type of image processing is to be performed. | 12-27-2012 |
20130002898 | ENCODER-SUPERVISED IMAGING FOR VIDEO CAMERAS - A controller controls a camera that produces a sequence of images and that has output coupled to a video encoder. The camera has an operating condition including a field of view and lighting, and one or more imaging parameters. The video encoder encodes images from the camera into codewords. The controller receives one or more encoding properties from the video encoder, and causes adjusting one or more of the imaging parameters based on at least one of the received encoding properties, such that the camera produces additional images of the sequence of images for the video encoder using the adjusted one or more imaging parameters. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002899 | IMAGING DEVICE - Herein describes, by example, a digital image device comprising a CCD image sensor, a setting dial, a controller, and an image processor. The CCD image sensor captures a subject image and outputs image information. The setting dial accepts an input operation and outputs an operation signal including one that corresponds to the direction of the dial. The controller sets an object region that will be the object of a specific image processing process, so that at least one of a region direction and a region range for setting the object region can be changed according to an operation signal corresponding to the operation direction of the interface component. The image processor performs diorama filtering on the object region on the basis of the region direction and the region range. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002900 | Object Tracking - In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A computing system accesses an indication of a first template that includes a region of a first image. The region of the first image includes a graphical representation of a face. The computing system receives a second image. The computing system identifies indications of multiple candidate templates. Each respective candidate template from the multiple candidate templates includes a respective candidate region of the second image. The computing system compares at least the first template to each of the multiple candidate templates, to identify a matching template from among the multiple candidate templates that includes a candidate region that matches the region of the first image that includes the graphical representation of the face. | 01-03-2013 |
20130010145 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state image sensing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensing device, signal processing circuit device, and a multi-layer wiring package. The solid-state image sensing device has a pixel in an image sensing area thereof. The pixel receives incident light and generate a signal electric charge. The signal processing circuit device is arranged to face the image sensing area and applies signal processing to a signal output from the solid-state image sensing device. The multi-layer wiring package has wiring layers, the solid-state image sensing device, and the signal processing circuit device. Each of the wiring layers is laminated via an insulator. The multi-layer wiring package is formed such that a first wiring layer provided between the solid-state image sensing device and the signal processing circuit device has a greater thickness than second wiring layers and has heat conductivity higher than or equal to heat conductivity of the second wiring layers. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010146 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An image processing device includes a dynamic range compressor that changes a characteristic of a tone curve depending on a position on input image data so as to compress a dynamic range of the image data, and a coordinate converter that converts coordinates of the image data of which the dynamic range has been compressed. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010147 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - The present invention provides an image processing apparatus including a unit that obtains a plurality of image data, a unit that designates an image group as an editing target in the plurality of image data, a unit that determines a main object in each image data of the image group, a unit that obtains, from the image data, information to determine a depth-direction relative positional relationship between the main object and an image capturing apparatus, the information containing information of the main object, a unit that determines, based on the information, the depth-direction relative positional relationship between the image capturing apparatus and the main object in each image data of the image group, and a unit that determines, based on the positional relationship, a layout order and image sizes or an image overlay order of the image data of the image group on a layout plane. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010148 | PORTABLE IMAGING DEVICE WITH MULTI-CORE PROCESSOR - A portable imaging device that has a CMOS image sensor, a color display for displaying an image sensed by the CMOS image sensor and a central processor. The central processor has an image sensor interface for receiving data from the CMOS image sensor, multiple processing units for parallel operation to simultaneously process the data, and an image display interface for sending processed data to the color display. The central processor is integrated onto a single chip. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010149 | PORTABLE DEVICE WITH IMAGE SENSORS AND MULTI-CORE PROCESSOR - A portable device that has first and second image sensors and a central processor. The central processor has a first sensor interface and a second sensor interface for receiving data from the from the first and second image sensors respectively such that the data is simultaneously processed in the multiple processing units. The central processor integrates the multiple processing units and the first and second sensor interfaces onto a single chip. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010150 | PORTABLE HANDHELD DEVICE WITH MULTI-CORE IMAGE PROCESSOR - A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an orientation sensor for determining a rotation of the image sensor; and a system-on-chip processor having integrated on a common wafer a CPU for processing a script language, a multi-core processor for processing an image captured by the image sensor, and a common synchronization register. The multi-core processor includes multiple processing units connected in parallel by a crossbar switch. Each processing unit stores one or more synchronization bits for identifying which of the other processing units are functioning as a single process therewith. The common synchronization register contains therein synchronization bits from each of the processing units. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010151 | PORTABLE HANDHELD DEVICE WITH MULTI-CORE IMAGE PROCESSOR - A portable handheld device includes an image sensor for capturing an image; an image sensor interface for receiving data from the image sensor; a DRAM for storing the data received by the image sensor interface; an image processor for storing the image the DRAM, the image processor including a plurality of micro-coded processing units; a central processor for instructing the image processor; and an orientation sensor for sensing a rotation of the protable handheld device at a time of sensing the image. The central processor is configured to load the plurality of micro-coded processing units of the image processor with micro-code for performing an affine transform of the data in the DRAM to rotate the data in the DRAM by a rotation corresponding to the rotation sensed by the orientation sensor. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010152 | HAND HELD IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE WITH MULTI-CORE PROCESSOR FOR FACIAL DETECTION - A hand held image capture device that has a camera with an image sensor to capture a scene viewed by the camera and, a central processor having multiple processing units and an image sensor interface integrated onto a single chip. The image sensor interface is configured to receive data from the image sensor and the multiple processing units being configured for processing in the data. The processing of the data includes detecting faces within the scene. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010153 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - To provide an apparatus and method for realizing a processing with which a pixel gravity center control can be conducted when a pixel number reduction image is generated in an image pickup apparatus. A pixel unit configured to output a pixel addition signal obtained by adding output pixel signals from pixels having different sensitivities to each other and a pixel information synthesis unit configured to execute a weighted addition processing of multiplying plural pixel addition signals output from the pixel unit by a previously set gain and calculate a configuration pixel value of a pixel number reduction image where a total number of pixels is lower than a number of pixels of the pixel unit are provided. A control on gravity center positions for respective pixels constituting the pixel number reduction image is executed through the pixel addition signal generation processing by the pixel unit and the weighted addition processing by the pixel information synthesis unit. For example, a gravity center position control to evenly arrange the gravity center positions for the respective pixels constituting the pixel number reduction image in the pixel unit is executed. Through this processing, it is possible to generate a high quality image in which a generation of jaggies or the like is suppressed. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010154 | IMAGE MANAGEMENT DEVICE, IMAGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An image management device clusters acquired images (S | 01-10-2013 |
20130016242 | ELECTRONIC CAMERAAANM Mizuhara; YoshifumiAACI Osaka-shiAACO JPAAGP Mizuhara; Yoshifumi Osaka-shi JP - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager outputs an image representing a scene. A searcher searches for an index image representing a specific index from the image outputted from the imager. A size adjuster adjusts a size of a material image to a size adapted to an appearance manner of the index image detected by the searcher. A composer executes a process of composing the material image having the size adjusted by the size adjuster on the image outputted from the imager, corresponding to a position of the index image detected by the searcher. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016243 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGE QUALITY LEARNING WITH SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSORSAANM Foote; WilliamAACI EdinburghAACO GBAAGP Foote; William Edinburgh GB - The present disclosure relates to solid state image sensors in digital imaging systems, more particularly to an image quality learning method and system for solid state image sensors. One of the advantages of the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is to allow the implementation of a digital machine vision system with a faster convergence of an Image Quality algorithm, which results in a shorter delay for the user. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method is performed as a recursive algorithm which tends to converge to an Image Quality setting satisfying image quality criteria. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016244 | IMAGE PROCESSING APARATUS AND METHOD, LEARNING APPARATUS AND METHOD, PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUMAANM TAKAHASHI; NoriakiAACI TokyoAACO JPAAGP TAKAHASHI; Noriaki Tokyo JPAANM NAGANO; TakahiroAACI KanagawaAACO JPAAGP NAGANO; Takahiro Kanagawa JP - There is provided an image processing apparatus including a calculation part calculating a prediction value of a target pixel in an image captured by an image capturing part capturing images using an image sensor configured by regularly arranging a plurality of pixels having a plurality of exposure times based on values of a plurality of other pixels different from the target pixel in exposure time and prediction coefficients corresponding to the respective other pixels; and a motion amount identifying part identifying a motion amount of the target pixel per unit time based on the calculated prediction value of the target pixel and a value of the target pixel. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016245 | IMAGING APPARATUSAANM Yuba; MotohiroAACI Ibaraki-shiAACO JPAAGP Yuba; Motohiro Ibaraki-shi JP - An imaging apparatus includes an imager which acquires an image signal of a subject. A first filter processer performs a filer process on a luminance signal included in the image signal in a focus area. A second filter processor performs a filter process on the luminance signal included in the image signal in the focus area and to which a cutoff frequency different from the cutoff frequency of the first filter processor is set. A first determiner determines whether or not a point light source is included in the subject. A calculator calculates an evaluation value from the luminance signal included in the image signal in the focus area. A focuser performs focus control based on the evaluation value. When it is determined that the point light source is included in the subject, the calculator calculates the evaluation value based on outputs of the first and second filter processor. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016246 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An image processing device includes a correcting portion which corrects an image in a target region included in a first input image. The correcting portion includes a correction processing portion which corrects the image in the target region using an image in a region for correction included in a second input image that is the same as or different from the first input image, and a correction region extracting portion which extracts the region for correction from the second input image based on image data of the target region. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016247 | CAMERA DEVICE WITH COLOR DISPLAY AND PROCESSOR FOR DECODING DATA BLOCKS CONTAINING PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF DATA - A handheld digital camera device including: a digital camera unit having a first image sensor for capturing images and a color display for displaying captured images to a user; and an integral processor configured for: controlling operation of the first image sensor and color display; decoding an imaged coding pattern printed on a substrate; and performing an action in the handheld digital camera device based on the decoded coding pattern. The decoding includes the steps of: identifying a data block in the imaged coding pattern, the data block containing a data area having an encoded control block, the control block containing encoded information regarding the size of data to be extracted from the data area; decoding the control block to determine the size of data to be extracted from the data area; and decoding the coding pattern contained in the data area of the data block. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016248 | MULTI-CORE IMAGE PROCESSOR FOR PORTABLE DEVICE - A processor for a portable handheld device having an area image sensor includes a shared wafer substrate; an image sensor interface provided on the shared wafer substrate, the image sensor interface for receiving image data capture by an image sensor; an image processor provided on the shared wafer substrate, the image processor for processing the image data received by the image sensor interface; a central processor provided on the shared wafer substrate, the central processor for loading the image processor with instructions; a first internal bus provided on the shared wafer substrate, the first internal bus effecting communication between the image sensor interface and the image processor; and a second internal bus provided on the shared wafer substrate, the second internal bus effecting communication between the central processor and the image processor. | 01-17-2013 |
20130021488 | Adjusting Image Capture Device Settings - Disclosed are various embodiments of generating user interface elements associated with an image capture device. Image settings applicable to an image can be identified. A user interface element providing simultaneous adjustability of image settings can be generated. Multiple image settings can be adjusted when a user modifies an adjustability element rendered in the user interface. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021489 | Regional Image Processing in an Image Capture Device - Disclosed are various embodiments of applying image processing techniques in an image capture device. Regions of an image can be isolated and a respective region type identified. The image capture device can apply various image processing techniques to various regions of the image based at least upon a region type that is identified for the various regions. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021490 | Facial Image Processing in an Image Capture Device - Disclosed are various embodiments of applying image processing techniques in an image capture device to faces within an image. Faces and/or facial features can be detected within an image. A facial signature can be calculated that corresponds to the face within the image. A facial profile corresponding to the facial signature can reference one or more image processing techniques. The image processing techniques can be applied to the region of the image in which the face is located. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021491 | Camera Device Systems and Methods - Disclosed are various systems and methods implemented in a camera device. An image sensor is configured to capture image data of a target scene from a lens system and a subject feedback mechanism generates framing feedback associated with the image data that includes information about a current framing of an image associated with the image data. Video capture logic also obtains motion information from motion sensors integrated into the camera device and skip frame capture when motion levels exceed a threshold. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021492 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to embodiments, an image processing device includes a line-exposure selecting unit. The line-exposure selecting unit is capable of switching a pattern of selecting a first exposure time and a second exposure time. The second exposure time is shorter than the first exposure time. The line-exposure selecting unit switches the pattern according to at least one of a frame rate required of a synthetic image and an image size required of a synthetic image. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021493 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a first pixel generating a signal by photoelectric conversion, a second pixel arranged in the same row as the first pixel and generating a signal by photoelectric conversion, a first comparator comparing the signal based on the first pixel with a first reference signal having a level changed according to passage of time, and a second comparator comparing the signal based on the second pixel with a second reference signal having a rate of change for passage of time different from that of the first reference signal. In addition, a first counter counts until the first comparator outputs a signal indicating inversion of magnitude relation of the signal based on the first pixel and the first reference signal, and a second counter counts until the second comparator outputs a signal indicating inversion of magnitude relation of the signal based on the second pixel and the second reference signal. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021494 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus capable of appropriately arranging a plurality of images of an output target in an output region is provided. For example, when the plurality of images is arranged in rows and columns by the arrangement unit, if there is a row or a column in which a number of images is less than a predetermined number of images, the number of images in the row or column is identified. Then, from the plurality of combinations, based on the number of images identified by the identification unit, for each of a plurality of combinations of number of rows and number of columns when the plurality of imaged is arranged, a combination of the number of rows and the number of columns is determined. | 01-24-2013 |
20130027573 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTO-DETECTING ORIENTATION OF FREE-FORM DOCUMENT USING OCR - Method and apparatus of detecting orientation of document using OCR. Decoding. The method includes (1) capturing an image of a document having a text string with an imaging arrangement having a solid-state imager; (2) storing into a memory a captured image of the document obtained by the solid-state imager; (3) performing OCR decoding on the text string in the captured image of the document to find an up-direction of the document in the captured image; and (4) setting an orientation of the document in the captured image based upon the up-direction of the document. In one implementation, the text string includes an OCR string specifically designed for OCR decoding. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027574 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VERIFICATION OF IMAGING SYSTEMS - Imaging systems may be provided with image sensors and verification circuitry. Verification circuitry may be configured to continuously verify proper operation of the image sensor during operation. Verification circuitry may include one or more heating elements formed on a common substrate with image pixels of the image sensor. Verification data may be generated by powering on the heating elements and collecting charges generated in image pixels of the image sensor in response to heat generated by the powered heating element. Heat image charges may be read out using the same readout circuitry that is used to readout imaging data generated in response to incoming light. Heat image data may be used to verify proper operation of all components of an imaging system. Based on a comparison of the verification data with a predetermined standard, an imaging system may continue to operate normally or corrective action may be taken. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027575 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARRAY CAMERA PIXEL READOUT - Imaging systems may include camera modules that include an array of image sensors. An image sensor may include multiple image pixel arrays arranged in rows and columns, multiple control circuits for operating the image pixels of that image sensor, and shared readout circuitry for reading out the image pixels of the image pixel arrays of that image sensor. Each control circuit may be operable to select rows of image pixels that extend across a row of image pixel arrays. Shared readout circuitry may include one or more line buffers configured to temporarily store image data captured by image pixels in the selected rows of image pixels. Shared readout circuitry may include selection circuitry configured to readout image data from groups of associated pixels located in separate image pixel arrays. An imaging system may include processing circuitry for processing the image data from each group of pixels. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027576 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIGITAL PULSE RECOGNITION DEMODULATION - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for recognizing a broadcast digital pulse recognition tone in a beacon-based light positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes capturing a digital image using an imaging sensor of an imaging device, identifying one or more regions of the digital image illuminated by one of one or more beacon light sources, determining a frequency content of each of the one or more regions, and determining a particular tone broadcast by the beacon light source illuminating a particular region using the frequency content of the particular region. In some embodiments, the imaging sensor has a frame rate and includes a rolling shutter, the rolling shutter having a sampling rate greater than the frame rate of the imaging sensor. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027577 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH COLOR FILTER BARRIERS - An image sensor may be provided in which a pixel array includes imaging pixels and application-specific pixels. The application-specific pixels may include depth-sensing pixels, infrared imaging pixels, or other types of application-specific pixels. A color filter array may be formed over the pixel array. The color filter array may include Bayer color filter array formed over the imaging pixels. The color filter array may also include a plurality of green color filter elements formed over the application-specific pixels. Barrier structures may be interposed between imaging pixels and application-specific pixels. The barrier structures may be configured to reduce or eliminate optical crosstalk between imaging pixels and adjacent application-specific pixels. The barrier structures may include an opaque photodefinable material such as black or blue photodefinable material that may be configured to filter out wavelength bands of interest. The barrier structures may be formed during the color filter array fabrication process. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027578 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH DIGITALLY CONTROLLED ANALOG OFFSET COMPENSATION - An image sensor may be provided that includes an image pixel array, analog column circuitry and digital column circuitry. The digital column circuitry may extract a systematic analog signal offset from data received from the analog column circuitry. The digital column circuitry may generate analog signal offset correction values based on the systematic analog signal offsets and provide the analog signal offset correction values to the analog column circuitry. The analog column circuitry may remove signal offsets from subsequently read out image data from the image pixel array using the analog signal offset correction values provided by the digital column circuitry. The image pixel array may include image pixels having color filters of various colors. The digital column circuitry may generate analog signal offset correction values corresponding to each of the various colors. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027579 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM STORAGE DEVICE - An image processing apparatus, method and non-transitory computer program storage device cooperate to process successive images. Respective frames are created and positioned within the successive images, where each frame has a border. When changes between the frame borders are detected, a controller triggers the capturing of an image. This approach results in the capturing of interesting moments, even if the subject is not a human subject. The change in frame boundaries may be categorized in a variety of ways, including change in aspect ratio, shape, orientation, and position, for example. By detecting the changes in this way, an imaging device can capture images of interesting events automatically. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027580 | DIGITAL CAMERAS WITH DIRECT LUMINANCE AND CHROMINANCE DETECTION - 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. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033613 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME, AND APPARATUS INCLUDING IMAGE SENSOR - The analog-to-digital converter includes a signal processing unit generating an operational amplifier output voltage in response to an input voltage and a DAC output voltage in a first period and generating the operational amplifier output voltage in respose to a feedbacked operational amplifier output voltage and the DAC output voltage in a second period; a control unit generating a DAC control signal by comparing the operational amplifier output voltage with a first reference voltage to obtain high order M-bits of data in the first period, and generating the DAC control signal by comparing the operational amplifier output voltage with second and third reference voltages to obtain low order N-bits of data in the second period; and a digital analog converter generating the DAC output voltage in response to the DAC control signal. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033614 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A display apparatus and control method are provided. The display apparatus includes an image receiver which receives an image of a portion of a user's body; an image processor which processes the received image to be displayed; a display which displays the image processed by the image processor; and a controller which extracts a contour of the portion of the user's body from the image, generates a shadow image that distinguishes an internal region of the contour from an external region of the contour, and displays the generated shadow image on the display. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033615 | METHOD OF IMAGE PREVIEW IN A DIGITAL IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to a method of image preview in an image pickup apparatus. One embodiment is directed to a method that includes acquiring from an image sensor an image of a scene observed by an image sensor of the apparatus, generating a preview image obtained by applying to the acquired image a resolution reduction process to adapt it to the resolution of a display screen of a viewfinder of the image pickup apparatus, displaying the preview image on the display screen, generating an image of an area of the scene by extracting an area from the acquired image, and displaying the area image superimposed on the preview image or alternately with the preview image, the area image displayed having a resolution higher than that of the preview image and inferior or equal to that of the acquired image. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033616 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - Provided is an imaging device including an image sensor for outputting a high-sensitivity pixel signal from a long-time exposure pixel and a low-sensitivity pixel signal from a short-time exposure pixel; and a blooming correction processing unit for receiving the output pixel signal from the image sensor and executing blooming correction for the pixel signal. The blooming correction processing unit executes pixel value correction of the input pixel from the image sensor according to a difference between or a ratio of an input pixel value from the image sensor and an ideal pixel value not affected by blooming. | 02-07-2013 |
20130033617 | GENERATING AN IMAGE PRESEGMENTED INTO REGIONS OF INTEREST AND REGIONS OF NO INTEREST - A camera system ( | 02-07-2013 |
20130038747 | IMAGE PICKUP UNIT AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - There is provided an image pickup unit including an image pickup element converting an optical image to an electrical signal, an optical member disposed on a subject side of the image pickup element, a plate joined to one edge of the optical member, and a vibrating member joined to the plate. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038748 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND A NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus that performs an image restoration processing of an image includes an optical transfer function obtaining portion configured to obtain an optical transfer function depending on an image pickup condition of the image, a threshold frequency obtaining portion configured to obtain a threshold frequency at which an absolute value of the optical transfer function is under a predetermined threshold value, a generating portion configured to generate an image restoration filter that has gain characteristics depending on the threshold frequency using the optical transfer function, and a processing portion configured to perform the image restoration processing of the image using the image restoration filter. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038749 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing method of performing an image restoration processing of an image, includes the steps of generating a plurality of first optical transfer functions depending on a position of the image using coefficient data depending on an image pickup condition of the image, generating a plurality of second optical transfer functions by rotating the first optical transfer functions around a center of the image or around an optical axis of an image pickup optical system, generating an image restoration filter based on the first optical transfer functions and the second optical transfer functions, and performing the image restoration processing of the image using the image restoration filter. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038750 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PERFORM MULTI-FOCAL PLANE IMAGE ACQUISITION AND COMPRESSION - Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038751 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS BODY, AND SHADING CORRECTING METHOD - An imaging apparatus body on which a lens unit including an imaging optical system and an identification information storage unit that stores specific identification information can be removably mounted, comprising a shading correction unit that corrects, when the determination unit determines that the correction table corresponding to the identification information of the mounted lens unit is stored in the correction table storage unit, the shading in the set of viewpoint images according to the correction table, corresponding to the identification information of the mounted lens unit, stored in the correction table storage unit. | 02-14-2013 |
20130044233 | EMOTIONAL ILLUMINATION, AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS - A smartphone senses a user's emotional reaction to certain output (e.g., an output from a smartphone's attempt to read a barcode printed in a newspaper). The phone then tailors its operation based on the sensed reaction (e.g., it may turn on a torch to better illuminate the newspaper, or vary image processing or decoding parameters). | 02-21-2013 |
20130044234 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR GENERATING AUXILIARY INFORMATION FOR CAPTURED IMAGE - An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an imaging lens, an image sensor, and a plurality of microlenses. The apparatus also comprises an image processing unit configured to generate a reconstruction image at a predetermined refocus plane by performing refocus processing on the image data that was output from the image sensor, and determine whether or not a subject appears in the reconstruction image. The recording unit of the apparatus records the image data that was output from the image sensor and record information regarding the subject that was determined to appear by the image processing unit as auxiliary information in association with the image data. | 02-21-2013 |
20130044235 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH ON-SCREEN OPTICAL NAVIGATION - A mobile computing device, including a main body, a processor and associated memory housed within the main body, a display screen housed within the main body and responsive to signals from the processor, an optical sensor fixed to the main body for capturing successive images and providing image signals representative of the captured images to the processor, and a navigation module associated with the processor for determining, based on the image signals, a relative movement between the main body and a reference surface and moving a pointer on the display screen based on the determined relative movement. | 02-21-2013 |
20130050519 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same are provided. The mobile terminal detects an object in which a ghost may appear through a preview image of an image acquired using a dual camera. The mobile terminal may display an indicator for identifying the detected object. Accordingly, a higher quality high dynamic range (HDR) image can be more efficiently acquired. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050520 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image information combining unit that performs a pixel value combining process on a long-time exposure pixel and a short-time exposure pixel. The pixel information combining unit calculates a plurality of blending ratios based on pixel values of a plurality of pixels of different periods of exposure time, determines an applied blending ratio, which is applied to a blending process for the long-time exposure pixel and the short-time exposure pixel, based on the plurality of blending ratios, and determines pixel values of an output image or an intermediate image which is applied to produce the output image, by the blending process for the long-time exposure pixel and the short-time exposure pixel to which the applied blending ratio is applied. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050521 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs an image representing a scene. A register registers relative position information in response to a registering operation. A searcher searches for a predetermined site image representing a predetermined site forming a specific object, from the image outputted from the imager. A detector detects a reference position on the specific object image appearing on the image outputted from the imager, based on the predetermined site image searched out by the searcher and the relative position information registered by the register. An adjuster adjusts an imaging condition, out of the image outputted from the imager, based on a partial image present at the reference position detected by the detector. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050522 | VIDEO IMAGE PROVIDING APPARATUS, VIDEO IMAGE UTILIZING APPARATUS, VIDEO IMAGE PROVIDING SYSTEM, VIDEO IMAGE PROVIDING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The present invention has been made for purpose of providing a video image providing apparatus which can provide a variety of users with a video image captured by a surveillance camera or the like, while paying careful attention to privacy information included in the video image. | 02-28-2013 |
20130057717 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SELECTING MENUS - An electronic device includes a camera module, a user interface module, a display module and a detection module. The electronic device continuously captures face image of face areas of a user in response to entering a menu selecting mode, displays an initial face image divided into a plurality of face regions relationships between the face regions and menus on the display module. The detection module notifies the user interface module the selected face region that is selected according to hand placement of a hand of the user on a corresponding face area of a face of the user for more than a predetermined timer period. Then the user interface module determines a menu of the current content that corresponds to the selected face region is selected corresponding to the relationships between the face regions and the menus. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057718 | PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM, PATTERN DETECTION SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC UNIT - A photographing system includes: a photographing section photographing a subject to acquire a frame image including a subject image; and a matching section repeats image search through pattern matching between a template image and a subject image while sequentially changing a size ratio of the template image to the subject image, and obtains one or more size ratios at which patterns match each other, in a certain order of image search, and holds a size ratio having a largest value among such obtained size ratios as a first size ratio, and thereafter performs image search in a manner that pattern matching is performed at a first frequency in a range of a size ratio equal to or larger than the first size ratio, and is performed at a frequency lower than the first frequency in a range of a size ratio smaller than the first size ratio. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057719 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - In response to an input of an instruction of still image capturing when a moving image is being captured, an image pickup apparatus compresses predetermined image data as an IDR frame of a moving image more than once, and uses a plurality of acquired IDR frames more than once to record the IDR frames onto a recording medium as moving image data in such an order that the IDRIDs of the adjacent IDR frames are not identical. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057720 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The number of control parameters to be set has increased in electronic devices, particularly those with complex systems, and with automatic control parameter setting, even a small change in conditions can result in control result that differs greatly from what the user desires, which results in poor operability and worse output. Therefore, provided is an electronic device comprising a processing section that performs processing and a control section that changes the processing by the processing section upon receiving a change in biometric information of a user caused by the processing of the processing section. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057721 | AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF VISUAL PARAMETERS IN VIDEO PROCESSING - Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for controlling visual parameters of a capturing device. The method includes analyzing a current frame of a received video signal captured by a capturing device and automatically adjusting visual parameters of the capturing device for a subsequent frame in a feedback process based on analysis of the current frame. The adjustment may reduce clipping and saturation in the subsequent frame. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057722 | IMAGE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, IMAGE TRANSMISSION METHOD AND IMAGE TRANSMISSION PROGRAM PRODUCT - An image acquiring apparatus that includes: an acquiring module to acquire an image of an object; a display module to display the image; a masked region determining module to determine a masked region to mask at least a part of the image displayed on the display module; a feature extraction module to extract a feature from the image; a masked region movement module to move the masked region determined by the masked region determining module according to a change in a position of the feature; and a composite image generation module to generate a composite image in which the masked region of the image is converted to another image. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057723 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGING DEVICE AND DISPLAY DEVICE - An object is to provide an imaging system for taking an image of a subject with high reproducibility. It includes an imaging device for taking a picture in accordance with imaging conditions which are set values concerning imaging, a display device for displaying the image taken with the imaging device in accordance with display conditions which are set values concerning display, and an imaging condition decision unit for determining imaging conditions corresponding to the display conditions. When the display device alters the display conditions, the imaging condition decision unit determines the imaging conditions corresponding to the display conditions after the alteration, and the imaging device alters the imaging conditions stored in an imaging condition altering unit to the imaging conditions the imaging condition decision unit determines. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063619 | INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - The information processing apparatus includes: a search unit configured to search an application, which satisfies a condition; a data share unit configured to output location information; and a computer controlled to function as: a first request control unit that requests with a first condition; a first reception unit that receives first application information, satisfying the first condition; a second request control unit that requests with a second condition; a second reception unit that receives second application information satisfying the second condition; a display control unit that displays options to receive an operation of selecting any one of the application indicated by the first application information and the second application information; and an output unit that designates a selected application corresponding to the selected options and outputs location information. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063620 | APPARATUS FOR RECOGNIZING CHARACTER AND BARCODE SIMULTANEOUSLY AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method for controlling a character and barcode recognition apparatus by receiving an image including at least one text image and at least one barcode, dividing the received image into a text area and a barcode area, the text area including the at least one text image and the barcode area including the at least one barcode, recognizing at least one character in the text area by performing character recognition on the text area, and recognizing the at least one barcode in the barcode area by performing barcode recognition on the barcode area. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063621 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an imaging section configured to receive a light beam from a subject, and output an image signal, an image processor configured to produce image data based on the image signals input from the imaging section, a recording section configured to record the image data from the image processor as moving image data, an operation section configured to designate start and stop of recording of the moving image data, an attention point moving image designation section configured to designate an attention point moving image as a set of moving images which are stored by being clipped from a moving image, an attention point moving image time designation section configured to designate a clipping time of the attention point moving image, and a controller configured to control the recording section such that the attention point moving image for the clipping time is recorded in the recording section. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063622 | IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD OF CAPTURING AN IMAGE - A better compromise between the dynamic range, the spatial resolution, the implementation outlay and the image quality is achieved if different subdivisions of the exposure interval into accumulation intervals are performed for different pixel sensors or pixels. In the event of more than one accumulation interval per exposure interval, the values detected in the accumulation intervals are summed to obtain the respective pixel value. Since the exposure effectively continues to take place for all pixels over the entire exposure interval, no impairment of the image quality arises, or no artifacts arise in image movements. All pixels undergo the same image blur on account of the movement. The additional hardware outlay compared with commercially available pixel sensors is either entirely non-existent or can be kept very small, depending on the implementation. Moreover, a reduction in the spatial resolution is not necessary since the pixels contribute equally to the image capturing. | 03-14-2013 |
20130070115 | Feature Data Compression Device, Multi-Directional Face Detection System and Detection Method Thereof - A feature data compression device, a multi-directional face detection system and a detection method thereof. The feature data compression device comprises a mirror unit and a transposition unit. The mirror unit compares and computes a plurality of feature values each other to obtain a position of each mutual symmetric feature value and abandoning one of each two symmetric feature values to form first mirrored data, or to obtain a position of the feature value with the highest weight value to form second mirrored data. The transposition unit transposes at least one image template with an angle based on a transposition table for obtaining transposed data. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070116 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND PROGRAM CAUSING COMPUTER TO EXECUTE THE METHOD - There is provided an image processing device including an image acquisition part acquiring an image; a depth acquisition part acquiring a depth in association with a pixel included in the image; a target object detection part detecting a region of a predetermined target object in the image; a target object detection distance selection part selecting the depth corresponding to the pixel included in the detected region as a target object detection distance; a local maximum distance selection part selecting the depth having a local maximum frequency in a frequency distribution of the depths as a local maximum distance; and a determination part determining whether the image is a target object image obtained by shooting the target object depending on whether a degree of closeness between a value of the target object detection distance and a value of the local maximum distance is higher than a predetermined value. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070117 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus | 03-21-2013 |
20130070118 | TIMING ADJUSTMENT CIRCUIT, SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A timing adjustment circuit includes at least one data line; a phase synchronization circuit that includes a plurality of oscillation delay elements which oscillate an oscillation signal, and that is configured to oscillate the oscillation signal by synchronizing a phase of a feedback clock with a phase of a reference clock; at least one delay circuit that includes a delay element which is disposed on the data line and which is equivalent to one of the plurality of oscillation delay elements, and that is configured to delay data which is to be transmitted on the data line; and a delay adjustment unit configured to adjust an amount of delay of the delay element of the delay circuit in accordance with a signal associated with oscillation of the phase synchronization circuit. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076930 | DIGITAL CAMERA INCLUDING REFOCUSABLE IMAGING MODE ADAPTOR - A digital camera system configurable to operate in a low-resolution refocusable mode and a high-resolution non-refocusable mode comprising: a camera body; an image sensor mounted in the camera body having a plurality of sensor pixels for capturing a digital image; an imaging lens for forming an image of a scene onto an image plane, the imaging lens having an aperture; and an adaptor that can be inserted between the imaging lens and the image sensor to provide the low-resolution refocusable mode and can be removed to provide the high-resolution non-refocusable mode, the adaptor including a microlens array with a plurality of microlenses; wherein when the adaptor is inserted to provide the low-resolution refocusable mode, the microlens array is positioned between the imaging lens and the image sensor. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076931 | PLENOPTIC LENS UNIT PROVIDING REFOCUSABLE IMAGING MODE - A plenoptic lens unit for use with a digital camera system including a camera body having an image sensor in order to provide a low-resolution refocusable imaging mode. The plenoptic lens unit includes a lens housing having a lens mounting interface for mounting the plenoptic lens unit to the camera body, a microlens array with a plurality of microlenses mounted in the lens housing, and an imaging lens for forming an image of a scene onto the microlens array. The plenoptic lens unit is adapted to be mounted on the camera body such that the microlens array is positioned between the imaging lens and the image sensor to provide the low-resolution refocusable mode. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076932 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING A SURFACE PROFILE USING A PLURALITY OF LIGHT SOURCES - A method for determining a surface profile of subject's skin includes illuminating the subject with light from a plurality of light sources. The plurality of light sources having distinct colors is configured to illuminate the subject from distinct locations. A multi-color image of the subject is obtained. The multi-color image includes respective values corresponding to respective intensities of light of respective colors for each region of the subject. A surface profile of the subject is determined in accordance with the respective values corresponding to the respective intensities of light of the respective colors. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076933 | BACKSIDE ILLUMINATION IMAGE SENSOR, OPERATING METHOD THEREOF, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGE USING THE SAME - A backside illumination image sensor is provided. The backside illumination image sensor includes a plurality of different types of pixels, each pixel including a photodiode configured to accumulate photogenerated charges corresponding to light incident on a backside of a semiconductor substrate and a transfer transistor configured to transfer the photogenerated charges to a floating diffusion node; and a plurality of transfer lines disposed at a front side of the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of transfer lines connected to a gate of the transfer transistor of a respective one of the pixels, wherein transfer control signals respectively transmitted through the transfer lines produce different effective integration times in the pixels. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076934 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a unit cell forming region in a pixel array of a semiconductor substrate, a pixel which is provided in the unit cell forming region and generates a signal charge based on a light signal, and an amplification transistor which is provided in the unit cell forming region and amplifies a potential associated with the signal charge transferred from the pixel to a floating diffusion. The amplification transistor includes a gate electrode having one or more first embedded portions embedded in one or more trenches in the semiconductor substrate through a first gate insulating film. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076935 | IMAGE RECORDING DEVICE THAT RECORDS MOVING IMAGE, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image recording device capable of obtaining a moving image with less noise even in a low illuminance environment when obtaining a moving image having a wide dynamic range. An image pickup device picks up an image of an object over different exposure time periods to output a plurality of image signals. The plurality of image signals output from the image pickup device are synthesized to thereby obtain a synthesized image. The synthesized image is recorded in a memory at a predetermined frame rate. Respective vertical transfer periods for reading out the plurality of image signals are differentiated according to the different exposure time periods, and the sum of the vertical transfer periods is controlled to a time period defined by the predetermined frame rate. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076936 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging lens configured to form a target optical image of a target, an imaging device configured to acquire a captured image by converting the target optical image formed by the imaging lens into image data by an imaging element, an image processor configured to perform image processing on the captured image acquired by the imaging device, and an image display configured to display an image obtained through the image processor, wherein the image processor has an edge extraction unit, a display processor, and a mode selection unit. | 03-28-2013 |
20130083213 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CORRECTING METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate a parameter indicating a degree of change of a difference value between signal values of pixel signals of different pixels in an OPB region of an imaging element, and an estimation unit configured to estimate a reference value of a black level which is used for correcting a black level of a signal value of a pixel signal in an effective pixel region of the imaging element, by using a model of the parameter that is calculated by the calculation unit. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083214 | IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD - An imaging device includes a silicon substrate having a photoelectric conversion element therein, and a wiring layer on a front-surface side of the silicon substrate. The photoelectric conversion element performs photoelectric conversion on light which enters the photoelectric conversion element from the front-surface side through the wiring layer, and performs photoelectric conversion on light which enters the photoelectric conversion element from a back-surface side of the silicon substrate without going through the wiring layer. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083215 | Image and/or Video Processing Systems and Methods - A system, a method, and a computer-program product for image and/or video processing are disclosed. A template to be used in conjunction with a content to be captured by an optical device is provided. The optical device includes a viewfinder mechanism. The content is captured using the optical device. The captured content and the template in the viewfinder mechanism of the optical device are combined. A final content containing the captured content and the template is generated. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088612 | IMAGE CAPTURE WITH TUNABLE POLARIZATION AND TUNABLE SPECTRAL SENSITIVITY - Image capture using an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a spectral sensitivity tunable in accordance with a spectral capture mask, and imaging optics having a polarization filter tunable in accordance with a polarization control mask for projecting an image of a scene onto the imaging assembly. A default polarization control mask is applied to the imaging optics, and a default spectral capture mask is applied to the imaging assembly. An image of the scene is captured using the imaging assembly. | 04-11-2013 |
20130093910 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of transmission lines connected to each of the pixels, respectively, and a plurality of comparators configured to compare each of a plurality of control signals transmitted through each of the transmission lines with a reference signal and output a comparative signal based on the result of the comparison. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093911 | IMAGE SENSOR, ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND IMAGE SENSING METHOD - An image sensor and an image sensing method are provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric converter comprising a bias unit, which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, which selectively absorbs light and converts the light into electrons; a via contacting the second electrode to connect the photoelectric converter with the semiconductor substrate; a storage node configured to store electrons; a read-out unit to converts charge transferred from the storage node into an image signal; a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises an intermediate insulating layer; and an output circuit configured to read out the image signal from the pixel array. The quantity of light received by the organic photoelectric conversion layer is adjusted by a bias change of the bias unit. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093912 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus and method which reduces fixed pattern noise appearing in multiple exposure shooting and which can obtain a high-quality multiple exposure image. Multiple pieces of exposure image data are obtained by exposing an image pickup device. The multiple pieces of exposure image data are subjected to image processing. The multiple pieces of image processed exposure image data are synthesized to generate synthesized exposure image data. Multiple pieces of dark image data are obtained by shielding the image pickup device from light. Each of the multiple pieces of dark image data is subjected to image processing equivalent to image processing performed on a corresponding one of the multiple pieces of exposure image data. The multiple pieces of image processed dark image data that are synthesized to generate synthesized dark image data. The synthesized exposure image data is corrected on the basis of the synthesized dark image data. | 04-18-2013 |
20130093913 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, DISPLAY METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus displaying a desired image includes an acquisition unit acquiring image data transmitted from a device connected to the information processing apparatus; and a scale conversion unit enlarging the acquired image data in accordance with a requested image size. | 04-18-2013 |
20130100307 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR ANALYZING CONTEXT-BASED MEDIA DATA FOR TAGGING AND RETRIEVAL - An apparatus for enabling retrieval of media content and identifying an interestingness of the media content may include a processor and memory storing executable computer program code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including capturing items of media content including objects and assigning context data indicating a determined location of one of the captured objects and a time that the object was captured to the media content. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to assign a detected item of orientation information indicating an orientation of a media capturing device, capturing the objects, to the context data associated with the media content. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable retrieval of the media content from a memory based on analyzing the location of the captured object, the time and the orientation information. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100308 | TURBULENCE COMPENSATED IMAGE PRODUCTION - Turbulence compensated image data is produced by adapting the settings of a deformable mirror ( | 04-25-2013 |
20130100309 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS THAT CORRECTS DETERIORATION OF IMAGE, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a data storing portion configured to store coefficient data for reconstructing an optical transfer function of an image pickup optical system in accordance with a type of the image pickup optical system and an imaging condition, a tap number determining portion configured to determine a tap number of the optical transfer function that is reconstructed by using the coefficient data in accordance with a size of one pixel of an image pickup element, and a reconstruction portion configured to reconstruct the optical transfer function in accordance with Nyquist frequency of the image pickup element and the tap number in a frequency space. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100310 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image smoothing unit smoothing a target image having pixel values which include a plurality of color components with a different plurality of smoothing degrees and generating a plurality of smoothed images; a calculation unit obtaining color differences being differences between a pixel value of a predetermined color component of the target image and pixel values of a color component of each of the smoothed images which is different from the predetermined color component at each pixel position of the target image, and calculating dispersions of the obtained color difference; a determination unit comparing sharpness of each of the color components of the target image based on the dispersions of the color differences and determining a color component having the highest sharpness; and an adjustment unit adjusting the sharpness of at least one of the color components of the target image based on the color component having the highest sharpness. | 04-25-2013 |
20130107072 | MULTI-RESOLUTION IP CAMERA | 05-02-2013 |
20130107074 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA | 05-02-2013 |
20130107075 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130113951 | VIDEO CAMERA - Embodiments provide a video camera that can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosacied. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113952 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition part acquiring a subject image obtained by capturing an image of a subject; an image analysis part analyzing an image capturing aspect of the subject in the subject image acquired by the image acquisition part; and a comment determination part determining, with respect to the image capturing aspect, a comment which is added to the subject image and displayed on a display screen based on an analysis result of the image analysis part. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113953 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN IMAGE-PROCESSING DEVICE AND A CORRESPONDING IMAGE-PROCESSING DEVICE - The invention pertains to a method for operating an image-processing device in which an image signal on which a noise signal is superimposed is digitally transmitted between a transmitter and at least one receiver, and in which the image signal comprises a timed sequence of images, each containing its own image content and a noise pattern of the noise signal superimposed on the image content. At least certain areas of at least two successive images of the image signal are compared to each other after the transmission, and if a difference is found between the noise patterns contained in the images, it is concluded that the images have been transmitted successfully even if the image content of the images is identical. The invention also pertains to an image-processing device for the digital transmission of an image signal on which a noise signal is superimposed. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113954 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN IMAGE-PROCESSING DEVICE AND A CORRESPONDING IMAGE-PROCESSING DEVICE - The invention pertains to a method for operating an image-processing device, in which an image signal is digitally transmitted between a transmitter and at least one receiver, and in which the image signal comprises a timed sequence of images. An alternating signal which alternates at a signal alternation frequency is superimposed on the image content of the images before they are transmitted, and the signal alternation frequency is greater than or equal to the perception frequency resolvable by the human eye. The invention also pertains to an image-processing device. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113955 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE TERMINAL STATUS AND MOBILE TERMINAL - The present invention discloses a method for controlling mobile terminal status and a mobile terminal, which relate to the field of portable electronic devices, and solve the problem in the prior art where the mobile terminal cannot identify an input instruction obtained due to a non-manual operation and therefore fails to enter a standby state. The technical solutions include: acquiring an environment image obtained through a front camera module; and performing face recognition for the acquired environment image, and if no face figure is recognized from the acquired environment image, making the mobile terminal enter a standby state. The method for controlling mobile terminal status and the mobile terminal provided in embodiments of the present invention can be applied to the field related to mobile terminals. | 05-09-2013 |
20130120605 | Methods, Apparatus, and Computer-Readable Storage Media for Blended Rendering of Focused Plenoptic Camera Data - Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for rendering focused plenoptic camera data. A rendering with blending technique is described that blends values from positions in multiple microimages and assigns the blended value to a given point in the output image. A rendering technique that combines depth-based rendering and rendering with blending is also described. Depth-based rendering estimates depth at each microimage and then applies that depth to determine a position in the input flat from which to read a value to be assigned to a given point in the output image. The techniques may be implemented according to parallel processing technology that renders multiple points of the output image in parallel. In at least some embodiments, the parallel processing technology is graphical processing unit (GPU) technology. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120606 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING CAPTURED IMAGES TO A TERMINAL VIA A NETWORK - An image pickup apparatus according to the present invention includes image pickup means; holding means for holding a coordinate system used to represent an image capturing direction of the image pickup means or a region in an image capturing range of the image pickup means; reception means for receiving a first command for rotating a captured image obtained by the image pickup means or a captured image cut out from the region in the image capturing range by a certain angle, a second command for rotating the coordinate system held in the holding means about the origin by the certain angle, and specification information for specifying the image capturing direction in the coordinate system; and change control means for executing control to change the image capturing direction of the image pickup means to the image capturing direction specified by the specification information. | 05-16-2013 |
20130128068 | Methods and Apparatus for Rendering Focused Plenoptic Camera Data using Super-Resolved Demosaicing - A super-resolved demosaicing technique for rendering focused plenoptic camera data performs simultaneous super-resolution and demosaicing. The technique renders a high-resolution output image from a plurality of separate microimages in an input image at a specified depth of focus. For each point on an image plane of the output image, the technique determines a line of projection through the microimages in optical phase space according to the current point and angle of projection determined from the depth of focus. For each microimage, the technique applies a kernel centered at a position on the current microimage intersected by the line of projection to accumulate, from pixels at each microimage covered by the kernel at the respective position, values for each color channel weighted according to the kernel. A value for a pixel at the current point in the output image is computed from the accumulated values for the color channels. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128069 | Methods and Apparatus for Rendering Output Images with Simulated Artistic Effects from Focused Plenoptic Camera Data - Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for simulating artistic effects in images rendered from plenoptic data. An impressionistic-style artistic effect may be generated in output images of a rendering process by an “impressionist” 4D filter applied to the microimages in a flat captured with focused plenoptic camera technology. Individual pixels are randomly selected from blocks of pixels in the microimages, and only the randomly selected pixels are used to render an output image. The randomly selected pixels are rendered to generate the artistic effect, such as an “impressionistic” effect, in the output image. A rendering technique is applied that samples pixel values from microimages using a thin sampling kernel, for example a thin Gaussian kernel, so that pixel values are sampled only from one or a few of the microimages. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128070 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform control for selecting settings for an imaging operation of an imaging unit based on surrounding sound obtained by a sound obtaining unit and an image generated by the imaging unit. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128071 | DETECTING OBJECTS IN AN IMAGE BEING ACQUIRED BY A DIGITAL CAMERA OR OTHER ELECTRONIC IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE - The likelihood of a particular type of object, such as a human face, being present within a digital image, and its location in that image, are determined by comparing the image data within defined windows across the image in sequence with two or more sets of data representing features of the particular type of object. The evaluation of each set of features after the first is preferably performed only on data of those windows that pass the evaluation with respect to the first set of features, thereby quickly narrowing potential target windows that contain at least some portion of the object. Correlation scores are preferably calculated by the use of non-linear interpolation techniques in order to obtain a more refined score. Evaluation of the individual windows also preferably includes rotating the feature set data with respect to the image data for the individual windows about another axis. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128072 | PHOTOGRAPHING DEVICE AND PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD - In a photographing device including a plurality of photographing means, a failure is liable to arise in photographing an object, therefore, a photographing device according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a plurality of photographing means; a photographing control means to which the plurality of photographing means are connected; and an output control means connected to the photographing control means; wherein the photographing control means includes an image information extraction means obtaining photographed images from the photographing means and extracting image information from each of the photographed images, an image information processing means detecting a difference between multiple pieces of the image information, and a comparison means making a comparison in size between the difference and a predetermined threshold value, the output control means outputs a warning signal if the comparison means determines that the size of the difference exceeds the size of the predetermined threshold value. | 05-23-2013 |
20130135489 | RESPONSE FUNCTION DETERMINATION BY RANK MINIMIZATION - A response function of a device may be determined using rank minimization to transform a problem of determining a response function of the device into a framework of a rank minimization problem. A function is identified that minimizes a rank of an observation matrix which includes data of observations obtained by the device. This transformation may be used to determine a response function of the device under various conditions and to determine response functions of different devices in a unified framework. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135490 | Image Processing Apparatus And Focus Adjusting Method - Provided is an image processing apparatus which is capable of easily selecting an optimum focus position for an inspection object even when a plurality of candidate focus positions are present. The image processing apparatus according to the invention includes: an imaging unit for imaging a region including an inspection object; a display unit for displaying an image; a focus adjusting unit for adjusting a focus position with respect to the inspection object; and an image processing unit for executing image processing on image data. A plurality of positions where part of the imaged region comes into a focused state are extracted as candidate focus positions, while the focus position with respect to the inspection object is changed, and candidate focus position information is displayed in the display unit. Selection of a focus position is accepted among the plurality of displayed candidate focus positions. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135491 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager outputs an electronic image corresponding to an optical image captured on an imaging surface. An acquirer acquires the electronic image outputted from the imager, in response to a user operation. A controller controls permitting/restricting a process of the acquirer by determining a commonality between an object captured by the imaging surface at a time point at which the user operation is accepted and an object captured by the imaging surface in a reference attitude. A creator creates attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging surface at the time point at which the user operation is accepted when the process of the acquirer is permitted by the controller. A reproducer reproduces the electronic image acquired by the acquirer with reference to the attitude information created by the creator. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135492 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - There is provided an image pickup apparatus that, even if image data has insufficient depth difference between an object and a background, accurately discriminates a region including an object and a region including a background. The image pickup apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate image data, and a discrimination unit configured, based on first image data generated by the generation unit, when an in-focus position is at a first focal position at which an object is in-focus state or a second focal position on a short distance side of the first focal position, and second image data generated by the generation unit, when an in-focus position is at a third focal position on a far distance side of a focal position at which a background is in-focus state, to discriminate a first region including the object and a second region including the background. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135493 | SOILD-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING DEVICE AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - A solid-state image sensor includes a photosensitive cell array and a dispersing element array. Each unit block | 05-30-2013 |
20130141604 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING DETAILS OF ENTIRE SHOOTING SCENE - An image capturing method implemented by an image capturing device includes determining a shooting scene of interest; dividing the shooting scene into a pre-set number of sub-areas; focusing on each of the pre-set number of sub-areas to have object(s) in each of the pre-set number of sub-areas clearly imaged with a corresponding focus setting, and capturing corresponding element images to produce the pre-set number of element images; associating all the element images together in a collection; and accessing any one of the element images according to a user input after the collection is accessed. The image capturing device is also provided. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141605 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of editing an image. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display unit configured to display an image, a detection unit configured to detect a facial image from the image, and a controller configured to retrieve facial data corresponding to the facial image, and edit the facial image using the retrieved facial data. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141606 | SOLID STATE APPARATUS - A solid state apparatus comprising, a printed circuit board having a first and a second surface that are opposite surfaces, a semiconductor chip for imaging arranged on the first surface, a sealing resin arranged to cover the printed circuit board and the semiconductor chip, and a translucent member arranged on the sealing resin, the solid state apparatus having a first region located inward of an outer edge of the semiconductor chip, and a second region located outward of the outer edge, the printed circuit board comprising, on the first surface, a first terminal electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, and comprising, on the second surface, a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal within the printed circuit board, the second terminal being arranged in the first region. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141607 | VIDEO GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A video generating apparatus comprises: an obtaining unit for obtaining an image in which a person has been taken; a human body recognizing unit recognizing a part of a human body of the person in the image; a holding unit for holding data concerning a basic video showing that the person exercises; a setting unit for setting a motion range of a specific part in the exercise of the person, on the basis of the recognized parts of the human body of the person; a video generating unit for generating, from the data concerning the basic video, a sample video for the person in the image on the basis of the motion range; and a display controlling unit for displaying the generated sample video on a displaying apparatus. Thus, it is possible to generate and show the sample video suitable for the person. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141608 | DEVICE FOR TAKING LONG-DISTANCE IMAGES - A device for taking long-distance images includes, successively: a catadioptric optical system and an optical system to shape the beam positioned close to the first image generated by the catadioptric system, which adjusts the exit aperture of the catadioptric system on a second image of the aperture in an image space of a variable focal length optical system. The catadioptric optical system and the optical system to shape the beam generates a third image of the observed scene. A focal plane is superposed over an image plane of the catadioptric optical system and the optical system to shape the beam. A projection lens receives the light beam output by the variable focal length system and forms a fourth image of the observed scene at the focal plane of the projection lens. An image sensor is positioned at the focal plane of the projection lens. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141609 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, ACCESSORY, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a camera and an interchangeable lens capable of further improving the operational performance while supporting an old-type interchangeable lens using a communication method in the related art. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147980 | APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR FACE TRACKING IN VIDEO CONFERENCE AND VIDEO CHAT COMMUNICATIONS - A communication device useful for video chat applications employs face recognition and tracking functionality to display an indication of the near-end user being properly positioned within an image capture area of the communication device without displaying the near-end user's image. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147981 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING BRIGHTNESS OF A DISPLAY SCREEN OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - In a method for adjusting brightness of a display of an electronic device, the method sets a plurality of brightness levels of the display screen, and sets a plurality of brightness intervals of brightness values of images captured by a camera device of the electronic device, each brightness interval corresponding to a range of the brightness values. The method further controls the camera device to capture an image of an ambient scene of the electronic device at each predetermined time interval. A brightness value of the captured image is calculated, and a brightness interval of the calculated brightness value is determined. The method adjusts the brightness of the display screen to a brightness level corresponding to the determined brightness interval of the calculated brightness value. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147982 | IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Provided are an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an image processing apparatus in which generation of an omni-focal image is possible without based on a position in a depth direction in a process of acquiring a captured image. To this end, the imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit for capturing a sweep image by continuous exposing a focus lens or an imaging element during driving of the focus lens or the imaging element in an optical-axis direction and an image processor for deconvolutioning the captured sweep image to generate a deconvolution image. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147983 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LOCATION INFORMATION - Provided herein are an apparatus and a method for providing location information, which may determine the location of an object by identifying an overlaid area of the object in a virtual area divided into a plurality of areas when the object is recognized in a photographed image. The apparatus includes a camera configured to generate an image including a photographed object, an area extraction unit, executed by a processor, configured to extract divisional areas corresponding to the photographed object, among a plurality of divisional areas formed by dividing the image, and an output unit, executed by the processor, configured to output the extracted divisional areas. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147984 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND PROGRAM FOR OBTAINING POSITION INFORMATION AND DIRECTION INFORMATION - An image pickup apparatus includes continuous shooting means, position acquisition means, and direction acquisition means, wherein the continuous shooting means performs multiple shooting operations and obtains multiple images, the position acquisition means acquires position information, the direction acquisition means acquires direction information, and in the multiple shooting operations performed by the continuous shooting means, the position acquisition means does not acquire position information for each of the shooting operations performed by the continuous shooting means, and the direction acquisition means acquires direction information for each of the shooting operations performed by the continuous shooting means. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147985 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device includes an image acquisition section that acquires pixel-sum values of a first summation unit group when summation units are classified into the first summation unit group and a second summation unit group, a candidate value generation section that generates a plurality of candidate values for the pixel-sum values of the second summation unit group, a determination section that performs a determination process that determines the pixel-sum values of the second summation unit group based on the pixel-sum values of the first summation unit group and the plurality of candidate values, and an estimation section that estimates pixel values of pixels included in the summation units based on the pixel-sum values of the first summation unit group and the pixel-sum values of the second summation unit group. | 06-13-2013 |
20130155269 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY DEVICE - An image processing apparatus generates a plurality of parallactic images having a relationship that the magnitude of an amount of image shift between parallactic images increases with an increase of a defocus amount, generates, through plural selections of the generated parallactic images permitting a repeated same selection, a series of parallactic images in which the selected parallactic images are arranged in a selection order; repeatedly applies interpolation processing to each pair of adjacent parallactic images included in the series of parallactic images to generate a plurality of interpolation images; and arranges the interpolation images between the adjacent parallactic images to output the interpolated parallactic images as an output image of a moving image. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155270 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager has an imaging surface capturing an optical image expressing a scene and outputs an electronic image corresponding to the optical image. An acquirer acquires a plurality of electronic images outputted from the imager at a plurality of timings different to one another. A detector detects a motion of the imaging surface in association with a process of the acquirer. A definer defines an image region of a predefined size expressing a scene common among the plurality of electronic images acquired by the acquirer, with reference to a detection result of the detector. A combiner combines a plurality of partial images belonging to the image region defined by the definer, out of the plurality of electronic images acquired by the acquirer. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155271 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - The present invention relates to an image capture apparatus comprising an image sensor that includes a plurality of first pixel portions and a plurality of second pixel portions whose output signals can be used to perform a correlation operation. In a case of a first photographing condition, the apparatus performs correction processing on output signals from the first pixel portions using output signals from the second pixel portions, and in a case of a second photographing condition, does not perform correction processing on output signals from the first pixel portions using output signals from the second pixel portions. The apparatus also performs image processing on a signal resulting from the correction processing or a signal that was not subjected to the correction processing, and records a signal resulting from the image processing. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155272 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing device includes an image acquisition section, a resampling section, an interpolation section, and an estimation section. The image acquisition section alternately acquires pixel-sum values of a first summation unit group and a second summation unit group in each frame of a plurality of frames. The resampling section calculates a resampling value in the each frame. The interpolation section determines whether or not to interpolate the pixel-sum value that is not acquired in a target frame based on the pixel-sum value acquired in the frame that precedes or follows the target frame based on a time-series change in the resampling value. The estimation section estimates pixel values based on the pixel-sum values. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155273 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAPTURING METHOD - A method and an apparatus for controlling image capturing according to an image value degree are provided. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that captures an image; an image value degree calculator that calculates an image value degree indicating a value of an image captured by the imaging unit; and an image controller that controls capturing by the imaging unit depending on the image value degree calculated by the image value degree calculator. | 06-20-2013 |
20130162855 | CAMERA AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING THE EXPOSURE OF AN IMAGE FRAME IN A SEQUENCE OF IMAGE FRAMES CAPTURING A SCENE BASED ON LEVEL OF MOTION IN THE SCENE - A method and camera are used for optimizing the exposure of an image frame in a sequence of image frames capturing a scene based on level of motion in the scene. Based on image data from a plurality of image sensor frames, regions of the scene are determined including different level of motion. Image frame regions for the image frame are determined, wherein an image frame region corresponds to at least one region of the scene. The exposure of the image frame is optimized by emulating a region specific exposure time for each image frame region by producing each image frame region using image data from a number of image sensor frames. The number of image sensor frames used to produce a specific image frame region is based on the level of motion in the at least one corresponding region of the scene. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162856 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING OR STORING RESULTANT IMAGE WHICH CHANGES IN SELECTED AREA - An image processing method includes: defining a selection area in a first still image according to a user input; extracting image data that correspond to the selected area from a second still image; combining the image data extracted from the second still image on the selection area of the first still image to create a composite image; and sequentially displaying the first still image and the composite image. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162857 | IMAGE SENSORS AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS - An image sensor includes a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) including a delta-sigma modulator (DSM) and a voltage adjusting circuit. The DSM is configured to perform delta-sigma modulation on an analog signal from a unit pixel. The delta-sigma ADC is configured to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. The voltage adjusting circuit includes a replica inverter having a same configuration as at least one inverter included in the DSM. The voltage adjusting circuit is configured to adjust a power supply voltage and an input voltage provided to the at least one inverter based on a current flowing in the replica inverter. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162858 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE QUALITY AND AN IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS APPLYING THE SAME - A method of controlling an image quality, and an image capturing apparatus to apply the method. The method of controlling an image quality may include displaying a plurality of image quality adjustment items; selecting at least one of the plurality of image quality adjustment items; if the selection of the image quality adjustment item is completed, displaying a live view; if an image quality adjustment command is input, adjusting a set value of the selected image quality adjustment item and displaying the live view to which the adjusted set value has been applied; if an image quality determination command is input, storing the adjusted set value; and displaying the live view of which the image quality has been adjusted according to the stored set value. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162859 | IMAGING APPARATUS, RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS - A source follower connection line connects a gate of a source follower thin film transistor in a first pixel with a gate of a source follower thin film transistor in a second pixel, between adjacent first and second pixel, and a driving circuit turns the transfer thin film transistor in the first pixel region ON and turns the transfer thin film transistor in the second pixel OFF to make the transfer thin film transistor in the first pixel region output the signal of the first pixel. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162860 | IMAGING DEVICE HOLDING UNIT AND LENS BARREL EACH HAVING HOLDER MEMBER FOR IMAGING DEVICE PACKAGE, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING HOLDING UNIT OR LENS BARREL - A lens barrel having a holder member that holds an imaging device package and allowing one or more structure members other than the holder member to be disposed around the package. The imaging device package in which an imaging device is housed is held by the holder member having planar portions that are disposed parallel to the package and that are coupled to each other through raised bent portions. The raised bent portions of the holder member are disposed so as to be overlapped with and inside the package as seen from an optical axis direction, thereby obtaining a free space around the package, in which one or more structural members other than the holder member can be disposed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162861 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE FOR GENERATING RECONSTRUCTION IMAGE, IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A sub-image extractor extracts a target sub-image from a light field image. A partial area definer defines a predetermined area in the target sub-image as a partial area. A pixel extractor extracts pixels from the partial area, the number of pixels meeting correspondence areas of a generation image. The pixel arranger arranges the extracted pixels to the correspondence areas of the generation image in an arrangement according to the optical path of the optical system which photographs the light field image. Pixels are extracted for all sub-images in the light field image, and are arranged to the generation image to generate a reconstruction image. | 06-27-2013 |
20130169835 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE WITH IMAGE BLENDING FUNCTION AND METHOD THRERFOR - An image blending method implemented by an image capturing device includes: focusing on a close foreground and capturing a first image; focusing on a distant background and capturing a second image; and blending the first image and the second image together to generate a composite image, in which the close foreground is from the close background of the first image and is set to an appropriate proportion and the distant background is from the distant background of the second image and is set to an appropriate proportion. The image capturing device is also provided. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169836 | FACE RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAKING GROUP PHOTO - A face recognition method recognizes complete faces in a preview image of a group photo taken by an image capturing device, divides the preview image into default blocks if the number of the complete faces is no more than a predetermined number, and adjusts the default blocks into adjusted blocks, wherein the adjusted blocks comprising complete face blocks and non-complete face blocks, wherein each of the complete face blocks contains only one complete face while each of the non-complete face blocks does not contain any complete face, and one of the most adjacent complete face contains one of the most adjacent complete faces. The method analyzes the adjusted blocks to obtain target blocks from the non-complete face blocks which is most adjacent to any one of the complete face blocks and recognizes facial features in each of the target blocks and obtain non-complete face blocks. | 07-04-2013 |
20130169837 | DEVICE HAVING IMAGE RECONSTRUCTING FUNCTION, METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A mask acquisition unit acquires a mask (region information) that matches photography setting information acquired by a photography setting acquisition unit, the mask defining a sub-image region of a light field image acquired by an LFI acquisition unit. A prototype definition unit disposes a prototype of a reconstructed image at a position of reconstruction setting in a reconstruction setting storage unit. A reconstructed pixel selecting unit selects a pixel of interest from pixels of a reconstructed image. A corresponding pixel extracting unit extracts, as a corresponding pixel, a pixel that corresponds to the pixel of interest and is included in a sub-image region of the acquired mask. A pixel value calculation unit calculates a pixel value of the pixel of interest from a pixel value of the corresponding pixel. An output unit decides pixel values of all reconstructed pixels as pixels of interest and generates and outputs a reconstructed image. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176453 | METHODS, APPARATUSES AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR FACILITATING IMAGE REGISTRATION BASED IN PART ON USING SENSOR DATA - An apparatus for performing image registration based on sensor data may include a processor and memory storing executable computer program code that cause the apparatus to at least perform operations including capturing successive images corresponding to a scene. The successive images are captured during successive exposure time intervals. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to detect sensor data during the exposure time intervals. The sensor data may be utilized to determine horizontal and vertical orientation differences between at least two consecutive images of successive images. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to perform registration to align pixels of the two images by shifting pixels of a first image of the two images to align with pixels of a second image of the two images based on the horizontal orientation difference and the vertical orientation difference. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. | 07-11-2013 |
20130176454 | Air Pocket Detection Methods and Systems - Methods and systems for use in detecting an air pocket in a single crystal material are described. One example method includes providing a matrix including a plurality of data units, the plurality of data units including image data related to a region of interest of the single crystal material; determining, by a processor, a difference between data units of the matrix and a corresponding data unit of the matrix, wherein the corresponding data unit is defined by a first operation of the matrix; calculating, by the processor, a first index value based on the differences of the corresponding data units; and identifying an air pocket within the single crystal material based on the first index value and a predetermined threshold. | 07-11-2013 |
20130182139 | Orientation Detection Using Image Processing - Devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing image orientation detection using image processing techniques are described. In one implementation, an image processing method is disclosed that obtains image data from a first image captured by an image sensor (e.g., from any image capture electronic device). Positional sensor data captured by the device and corresponding to the image data may also be acquired (e.g., through an accelerometer). If the orientation of the device is not reliably discernible from the positional sensor data, the method may attempt to use rotationally invariant character detection metrics to determine the most likely orientation of the image, e.g., by using a decision forest algorithm. Face detection information may be used in conjunction with, or as a substitute for, the character detection data based on one or more priority parameters. Image orientation information may then be included within the image's metadata. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182140 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREFOR, AND LENS UNIT AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREFOR, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182141 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager has an imaging surface capturing an optical image representing a scene, and repeatedly outputs an electronic image corresponding to the optical image. A searcher searches for a characteristic image representing a characteristic portion of a specific object from the electronic image outputted from the imager. A detector detects a direction of the specific object based on a distortion of the characteristic image detected by the searcher. An assigner assigns an adjustment area to a position in which an offset inhibiting a difference between the direction detected by the detector and a predetermined direction is appended, by using a position covering the characteristic image detected by the searcher as a reference. An adjuster adjusts an imaging condition based on a partial image belonging to the adjustment area out of the electronic image outputted from the imager. | 07-18-2013 |
20130188069 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR RECTIFYING ROLLING SHUTTER EFFECT - In a method for rectifying rolling shutter effects, a horizontal translation and a vertical translation of a second image relative to a first image are estimated, and the estimated horizontal and vertical translations are filtered using a Kalman filter. Rolling shutter distortion of the second image is rectified according to the filtered horizontal and vertical translations. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188070 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING FACE IMAGE USING MULTIPLE CAMERAS SO AS TO IDENTIFY HUMAN LOCATED AT REMOTE SITE - An apparatus for acquiring a face image using multiple cameras so as to identify a human being located at a remote site is disclosed. The apparatus for acquiring a face image using multiple cameras allows a PTZ camera to track an interest object from among objects detected/tracked by a fixed camera, and obtains an optimum face image for remote human identification from images generated by the PTZ camera. The apparatus for acquiring the face image using multiple cameras so as to identify a human located at a remote site includes a multi-camera control module for tracking an interest object being detected/tracked by a fixed camera through a Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera, and generating an image of the interest object; and a face-image acquisition module for acquiring a face image appropriate for identifying a face image of the remote human in the interest object image generated by the multi-camera control module. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188071 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTROL METHOD - An electronic apparatus includes an image pickup portion for generating a subject image signal by photography, a hardware device for controlling optical characteristics in the photography, a software executing portion for executing camera application software for performing the photography, and a control portion for controlling the hardware device. When the camera application software executed by the software executing portion is specific software that does not contain a program for controlling the optical characteristics, the control portion controls the optical characteristics independently of the specific software. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188072 | EYEPIECE OPTICAL SYSTEM AND IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided an eyepiece optical system including a lens, a surface nearest to an observer side of the lens disposed nearest to the observer side being formed in a convex shape on the observer side, and the eyepiece optical system satisfying a conditional expression (1) |RL/DH|<1.7, where RL is a radius of curvature of the surface nearest to the observer side, and DH is a shortest distance in a radial direction from an optical axis to an edge surface of the lens nearest to the observer side. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188073 | Automatic Face and Skin Beautification Using Face Detection - Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face. | 07-25-2013 |
20130194445 | Integrated Multi-Channel Analog Front End And Digitizer For High Speed Imaging Applications - A module for high speed image processing includes an image sensor for generating a plurality of analog outputs representing an image and a plurality of HDDs for concurrently processing the plurality of analog outputs. Each HDD is an integrated circuit configured to process in parallel a predetermined set of the analog outputs. Each channel of the HDD can include an AFE for conditioning a signal representing one sensor analog output, an ADC for converting a conditioned signal into a digital signal, and a data formatting block for calibrations and formatting the digital signal for transport to an off-chip device. The HDDs and drive electronics are combined with the image sensor into one package to optimize signal integrity and high dynamic range, and to achieve high data rates through use of synchronized HDD channels. Combining multiple modules results in a highly scalable imaging subsystem optimized for inspection and metrology applications. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194446 | SYSTEM AND RELATED METHOD FOR DETERMINING VEHICLE WHEEL ALIGNMENT - A system for determining the orientation of at least one first wheel of a vehicle and provided with: at least one first target integrally coupled to the first wheel, an image capturing device that acquires a first two-dimensional image of the first target and a processing device, operatively connected to the image-capturing device and processing the first two-dimensional image. The first target has a three-dimensional shape suitable for defining geometric quantities arranged according to a known three-dimensional arrangement; the processing device processes the first two-dimensional image to identify the projections of the geometric quantities and determine a spatial arrangement of the first target with respect to a reference system based on the geometrical characteristics of the projections, to determine the orientation characteristics of the first wheel. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194447 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An electronic apparatus including an image sensing unit performs scene determination processing of determining a photographic scene based on an image being captured by the image sensing unit. Upon receiving a help designation to display a help screen, the electronic apparatus displays a description concerning the determined photographic scene as the help screen. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194448 | RULES FOR MERGING BLOCKS OF CONNECTED COMPONENTS IN NATURAL IMAGES - An electronic device and method may capture an image of an environment, followed by identification of blocks of connected components in the image. A test for overlap of spans may be made, between a span of a block selected (e.g. for having a line of pixels) and another span of an adjacent block located above, or below, or to the left, or to the right of the selected block and when satisfied, these two blocks are merged. Blocks may additionally be tested, e.g., for relative heights of the two blocks, and/or aspect ratio of either or both blocks, etc. Classification of a merged block as text or non-text may use attributes of the merged block, such as location of a horizontal pixel line, number of vertical pixel lines, and number of black-white transitions and number of white-black transitions in a subset of rows located below the horizontal pixel line. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194449 | IMAGE DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An image data processing apparatus includes a data size conversion device that changes a data size of an image data at an optional ratio, the image data has a plurality of pixels each of which includes any one of a plurality of color components, and the plurality of color components being arranged in a specific order. The data size conversion device newly calculates a value of color component of each pixel after changing the data size based upon values of color components of a plurality of same color pixels before changing the data size, while maintaining the order of arrangement of the plurality of color components. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201358 | Efficient Line Detection Method - An efficient line detection technique pre-processes an image to remove edge pixels that are not on straight lines, before performing line detection. By removing edge pixels not on straight lines, the complexity of the task of line detection can be significantly reduced, while increasing the accuracy. Various embodiments preprocess the edge maps of an image by anisotropic line filtering, kernel density estimation-based edge pruning, and connected component analysis. The resulting pruned edge map may then be processed using a Hough transform to detect straight lines in the image, having removed much of the noise in the edge map. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201359 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNATTENDED IMAGE CAPTURE - Described is a method and apparatus for unattended image capture that can identify subjects or faces within an image captured with an image sensor. The methods and apparatus may then score the image based, at least in part, on scores of detected subjects or faces in the image, scores of facial expressions, a focus score, exposure score, stability score, or audio score. If the score of the image is above a threshold, a snapshot image may be stored to a data store on the imaging device. If the score of the image is below a threshold, one or more audible prompts may be generated indicating that subjects should change positions, smile or remain more still during the image capture process. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201360 | METHOD OF CHANGING AN OPERATION MODE OF A CAMERA IMAGE SENSOR - By a method of changing an operation mode of a camera image sensor, an application processor outputs a resolution change request signal to the camera image sensor when an operation mode change signal is generated while the camera image sensor outputs a first sensor output image. The camera image sensor prepares a resolution change operation in response to the resolution change request signal, outputs an interrupt signal to the application processor when the resolution change operation is prepared, performs the resolution change operation after the first sensor output image is output, and outputs a second sensor output image when the resolution change operation is completed. The application processor changes an interface setting value in response to the interrupt signal, and receives the second sensor output image based on the changed interface setting value. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201361 | Image Sensor and Image Processing Apparatus Using the Same - An image sensor senses object information and converts the sensed object information into an electrical signal. An image processing apparatus uses the image sensor. The image sensor includes a column signal line connected to output terminals of a plurality of pixel sensors, a comparator circuit configured to output a signal corresponding to a comparison result of a signal output to the column signal line and a reference signal, an ADC circuit configured to convert an analog signal corresponding to an optical signal sensed by the pixel sensor selected from the plurality of pixel sensors connected to the column signal line into digital data based on the signal output from the comparator circuit and, a load circuit connected in series to the comparator circuit between the column signal line and a ground terminal, wherein the load circuit is configured as a common load device of the plurality of pixel sensors connected to the column signal line and the comparator circuit. | 08-08-2013 |
20130215286 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - Provided is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels and a control unit, wherein each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a digital-signal output unit configured to output a digital signal based on the output of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the number of bits of the digital signal may be switched. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215287 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS MANUFACTURING METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, and multiple pixels. Each of the multiple pixels includes a photoelectric-conversion unit disposed in the semiconductor substrate, a first conductive first semiconductor region disposed in the semiconductor substrate, which holds charge generated by the photoelectric-conversion unit at a place different from the photoelectric-conversion unit, a first transfer unit which transfers charge to the first semiconductor region, and a second transfer unit which transfers charge held at the first semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. At the depth where the third portion is disposed, the first portion is disposed between the third portion and first transfer unit, and the second portion is disposed between the third portion and second transfer unit. Impurity concentration of the third portion is lower than that of the first and second portions. | 08-22-2013 |
20130222630 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A solid-state image pickup device has an image pickup pixel including a first photoelectric conversion portion and a first transistor and a focus detection pixel including a second photoelectric conversion portion, a second transistor, and a light shielding portion, in which a reflection preventing portion is provided on the underface side of the light shielding portion. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222631 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixel units forming a pixel array, and a plurality of processing portions each corresponding to each column of the pixel array respectively, and each of the plurality of processing portions comprising a first front-side capacitance configured to hold a first signal having a noise component, a second front-side capacitance configured to hold a second signal having the noise component and a signal component, a first transfer portion configured to transfer the first signal from the first front-side capacitance to a first back-side capacitance, and a second transfer portion configured to transfer the second signal from the second front-side capacitance to a second back-side capacitance, wherein positions of the first and the second transfer portions are different from each other in a direction of the column. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222632 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An electronic camera includes an imager. An imager repeatedly outputs an image representing a scene. A first searcher searches for a specific object image from the image outputted from the imager, corresponding to a first mode. A first detector detects a size of the specific object image detected by the first searcher. A first adjuster adjusts an imaging condition by noticing the specific object image detected by the first searcher. A second searcher searches for a partial image equivalent to the specific object image detected by the first searcher from the image outputted from the imager, corresponding to a second mode which substitutes for the first mode. A second adjuster adjusts the imaging condition based on a difference between a size of the partial image detected by the second searcher and the size detected by the first detector and an adjustment result of the first adjuster. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222633 | LIGHT-FIELD PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS, CAMERA CONTROL, AND USER INTERFACES AND INTERACTION ON LIGHT-FIELD CAPTURE DEVICES - In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for capturing, processing, analyzing, displaying, annotating, modifying, and/or interacting with light-field data on a light-field capture device. In at least one embodiment, the light-field capture device communicates to the user information about the scene during live-view to aid him or her in capturing light-field images that provide increased refocusing ability, increased parallax and perspective shifting ability, increased stereo disparity, and/or more dramatic post-capture effects. Additional embodiments present a standard 2D camera interface to software running on the light-field capture device to enable such software to function normally even though the device is actually capturing light-field data. Additional embodiments provide the ability to control camera optical elements to facilitate ease of composition and capture of light-field data, and/or generating a plurality of 2D video streams derived from a stream of light-field data. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222634 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ANALYZE AN IMMUNOASSAY TEST STRIP COMB MEMBER - Systems and methods for analyzing test strip comb members having a plurality of fingers are disclosed. The systems and methods may analyze a test strip comb member to determine the presence of one more analytes on each of the plurality of fingers. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222635 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital photographing apparatus and associated method are provided, the apparatus comprising: a first display unit disposed on a rear surface of the digital photographing apparatus; a second display unit disposed on a front surface of the digital photographing apparatus; and a digital signal processing unit that, when a face is detected in an input image, performs face recognition by comparing the detected face with a registered face, and continuously photographs the input image according to a result of the face recognition. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222636 | MOBILE TERMINAL WITH MULTIPLE CAMERAS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE PROCESSING USING THE SAME - A mobile terminal includes: a first camera; a second camera; an image processor to process first image data generated by the first camera according to an interface format of a host processor; and a concurrent driver to process second image data generated by the second camera according to an output format of the image processor and to buffer the processed second image data to the host processor. A method for image processing of a mobile terminal includes, if both the first and second cameras operate in an ON state, the image processor processing the first image data of the first camera according to the interface format of the host processor, and the concurrent driver operating in an active mode to process the second image data of the second camera according to the output format of the image processor and buffering the arranged images to the host processor. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229541 | Structure Histograms - Systems, methods, and computer readable media expounding “Structure Histograms” and their use are presented. Structure Histograms may be described as histograms whose individual entries (values) express a functional relationship between a given pixel (or group of pixels) and its neighboring pixels. As such, Structure Histograms capture information about the structure of an image in so far as they record information related to the relative placement of pixels within an image (e.g., are pixels of a common value closely spaced or spaced far apart). Structure Histograms may be generated from tonal pixel values (e.g., red, green and blue values), luminance pixel values (e.g., gray scale pixel values) or cross-channel pixel values (e.g., red-luminance, green-blue, or green-blue-luminance pixel values). Structure Histograms may be used in a number of image processing contexts such as, for example, automated image enhancement operations. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229542 | Image Processing Method and Apparatus - A method and apparatus for providing image processing. For one embodiment of the invention, an image processing apparatus is arranged to process a first relatively underexposed and sharp image of a scene, and a second relatively well exposed and blurred image, nominally of the same scene, the first and second images being derived from respective image sources. The apparatus provides a portion of the relatively first underexposed image as an input signal to an adaptive filter; and a corresponding portion of the second relatively well exposed image as a desired signal to the adaptive filter. The adaptive filter produces an output signal from the input signal and the desired signal; and an image generator constructs a first filtered image from the output signal, relatively less blurred than the second image. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229543 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGING APPARATUS DRIVING METHOD - An imaging apparatus, driving method of the imaging apparatus, and an imaging system, are provided, wherein pixels output at least two image signals with different viable signal ranges, and the pixel signal with a larger signal range is converted to a digital signal during a first period, and the pixel signal with a smaller signal range is converted to a digital signal during a second period shorter than the first period. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229544 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device includes: a correspondence point calculating unit, an image deformation unit, an image interpolation unit, and an optional image synthesis unit. The correspondence point calculating unit detects a point of the second image that corresponds to each reference point of the first image. The image deformation unit creates an image by moving pixels from a point in the second image to a corresponding reference point to generate a deformed image that has a viewpoint which is in approximate agreement with the viewpoint of the first image. The image interpolation unit generates an interpolated image, which has interpolated pixel values for points in the region of the deformed image where a corresponding point is not detected. The image synthesis unit generates a synthesized image as a synthesis of the first image and the interpolated image. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229545 | Face Recognition Using Face Tracker Classifier Data - A method of determining face recognition profiles for a group persons includes determining with a multi-classifier face detector that a face region within a digital image has above a threshold probability of corresponding to a first person of the group, and recording probability scores which are analyzed for each classifier, including determining a mean and variance for each classifier for the first person. The process is repeated for one or more other persons of the group. A sub-set of classifiers is determined which best differentiates between the first person and the one or more other persons. The sub-set of classifiers is stored in association with the first person as a recognition profile. | 09-05-2013 |
20130235227 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF AND HUMAN RECOGNITION PHOTOGRAPH SYSTEM - This invention discloses an image capturing device, an image capturing method, and a human recognition photograph system. The image capturing device comprises: a capturing module sensing an image; a human detecting module detecting the number of at least one person in an image generating detecting signal; a face recognition module generates recognition signal by recognizing a face condition of the at least one person in the image; and a processing module that receives detecting signal and recognition signal and calculates the number of at least one person and face condition value according to the detecting signal and the recognition signal respectively. The processing module determines whether the number of at least one person and face condition value correspond to a predetermined number and a predetermined face condition value respectively; if so, generating an image capturing signal to control the capturing module to capture image and generate image data. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235228 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a face detection unit which detects faces from an input image, an evaluation value calculation unit which calculates an evaluation value expressing a degree of a facial expression for each of the facial expressions of the faces detected by the face detection unit, and a control unit which changes a standard for extracting an image such that an image including the facial expressions, that a small number of people have, is easily extracted, based on the number of people for each of the facial expressions of the faces detected by the face detection unit and an evaluation value for each facial expression of the face calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235229 | IMAGING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF SPECIFYING SHOOTING POSTURE, METHOD FOR SPECIFYING SHOOTING POSTURE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - There is provided an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit, an orthogonal axis information detecting unit that detects orthogonal axis information indicating an inclination of an orthogonal axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging unit after imaging by the imaging unit, and a specifying unit that specifies a shooting posture of an apparatus body at time of imaging, based on the orthogonal axis information detected by the orthogonal axis information detecting unit. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235230 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device including a solid-state image pickup element operable to produce an electric charge according to the amount of light received, a lens disposed on the upper side of a pixel of the solid-state image pickup element, a protective film which covers the upper side of the lens and a surface of which is flattened, and a surface film which is formed at the surface of the protective film and which is higher in hydrophilicity than the inside of the protective film. | 09-12-2013 |
20130242125 | CALIBRATION IN MULTIPLE SLOPE COLUMN PARALLEL ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION FOR IMAGE SENSORS - A method of an aspect includes acquiring analog image data with a pixel array, and reading out the analog image data from the pixel array. The analog image data is converted to digital image data by performing an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion using a multiple slope voltage ramp. At least some of the digital image data is adjusted with calibration data. Other methods, apparatus, and systems, are also disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242126 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - The line buffer stores an input image after a change is made to the stored line position of each horizontal segment. The stored-line position memory unit stores the stored line position of each horizontal segment in the line buffer. The vertical interpolator performs vertical interpolation on each of outputs of the line buffer based on the differences between the vertical interpolation line positions and the stored line positions. Thus, the number of lines needed for vertical interpolation to be stored in the line buffer can be reduced. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242127 | IMAGE CREATING DEVICE AND IMAGE CREATING METHOD - An image creating device includes: an acquiring unit for acquiring an image; an extracting unit for extracting feature information from a face in the image acquired by the acquiring unit; and a creating unit for creating a replaced image by replacing an image of a face region in the image acquired by the acquiring unit by other image, based on the feature information extracted by the extracting unit. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242128 | IMAGING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH IMAGE GAIN ADJUSTMENT FUNCTION - An imaging apparatus is equipped with an analog block, an imaging condition determination section, and an analog gain control section. Current consumption of the analog block changes in accordance with an analog gain, which is an amplification ratio of outputs of an imaging device. The imaging condition determination section determines imaging conditions, including the analog gain, in accordance with the brightness of an imaging object. Depending on a state of the imaging apparatus, the analog gain control section alters the analog gain determined by the imaging condition determination section so as to reduce the current consumption of the analog block. Thus, in this imaging apparatus, the current consumption of the analog block may be reduced by the performance of control that alters the analog gain in accordance with the state of the imaging apparatus. Thus, the state of the imaging apparatus may be regulated. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242129 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECOVERING A DIGITAL IMAGE FROM A SEQUENCE OF OBSERVED DIGITAL IMAGES - A computer-implemented method for recovering a digital image (x) from a sequence of observed digital images (y | 09-19-2013 |
20130250136 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PREVIEW SYSTEM AND IMAGE PREVIEW METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses an image pickup device, an image preview system and an image preview method thereof. The image pickup device comprises an image pickup module, an image processing module and a display module. The image pickup module is arranged for capturing a plurality of images. The image processing module is arranged for scaling down pixels of each image to generate a plurality of adjusted images, and combining the plurality of adjusted images to generate a preview image. The display module is arranged for displaying the preview image. Wherein, the image processing module is arranged for rendering a high dynamic range image according to the plurality of images while the plurality of adjusted images is blended. | 09-26-2013 |
20130250137 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - In an image sensor including a first column readout line and a second column readout line provided to each pixel column, a plurality of pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of a first group and pixel rows of a second group, pixels of the pixel rows of the first group output signals to the first column readout line, and pixels of the pixel rows of the second group output signals to the second column readout line. A shortest distance between a conversion region of a first pixel of a pixel row of the first group and the first column readout line to which a signal from the first pixel is output is not more than a shortest distance between the conversion region of the first pixel and the second column readout line to which signals from the pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the second group are output. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258129 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING ORIENTATION IN DEVICES WITH MULTIPLE IMAGING SENSORS - Described herein are methods and devices that capture a stereoscopic image with a device that has a first pair of imaging sensors and a second pair of imaging sensors. When a stereoscopic image is to be taken, the orientation of the device is detected and the appropriate pair of imaging sensors is selected based on the detected device orientation. A stereoscopic image pair may then be captured with the selected pair of imaging sensors. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258130 | ZOOM LENS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS USING THE SAME, IMAGE TRANSMISSION APPARATUS, AND IMAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - A zoom lens includes in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a last lens group having a positive refractive power. At the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens group and the third lens group move, and one of the fourth lens group, the fifth lens group, and the last lens group moves. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258131 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - When a level of a signal output from a pixel is higher than a comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a first period by using a first reference signal. If the level of the signal output from the pixel is lower than the comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a second period that is longer than the first period by using a second reference signal. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258132 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of pixels provided in a plurality of columns, a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units each provided for a corresponding one of the plurality of columns, and a correction unit. Each of the plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units is configured to convert a signal of a corresponding one of the plurality of pixels into a digital signal at a resolution corresponding to a magnitude of the signal. The correction unit is configured to correct a difference in the resolution. | 10-03-2013 |
20130258133 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, SERVER AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image processor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a movie generating section which generates movie data based on an image capturing signal that has been generated by an image capturing section, and a controller which determines, by reference to information concerning a shooting condition, whether or not to write the movie data (chapter(s) just before and/or right after a still picture is shot) on a memory in accordance with a shooting instruction. | 10-03-2013 |
20130265460 | JOINT VIDEO STABILIZATION AND ROLLING SHUTTER CORRECTION ON A GENERIC PLATFORM - In one embodiment, a video processing system | 10-10-2013 |
20130265461 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - When various reverse operations are performed using a scan reverse function that reverses an image vertically or horizontally, there is a problem in that color information of the first pixel of an image after being reversed is different from color information of the first pixel of a Bayer image before interpolation processing. An image processing apparatus performs interpolation processing on a first image of a Bayer pattern, generates a second image in which colors are arranged in an order reverse to the predetermined order from an interpolated image, and stores the second image in a memory. The image processing apparatus reverses the second image when reading the second image from the memory. | 10-10-2013 |
20130271621 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAMERA - An image processing apparatus and method of a camera is provided for compensating for shutter lag. An image processing apparatus includes an image scaler which scales a camera output image to a viewing image, a buffer which buffers the camera output image, a multiplexer which multiplexes outputs of the image scaler and the buffer, an image processor which processes multiplexed images corresponding to the multiplexed outputs of the image scaler and the buffer, a demultiplexer which demultiplexes an output of the image processor so as to supply the viewing image to a display unit, a codec which encodes the camera output image output by the demultiplexer into a capture image, and a controller which controls the multiplexer and the demultiplexer in a time divisional manner within a frame duration such that the image processor processes the viewing and camera output image sequentially in a capture mode. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271622 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DISPLAY APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus for generating a high dynamic range image using a plurality of images obtained by capturing images of a same object with different exposure values, has: an input unit for inputting a correctly exposed image generated with correct exposure and an incorrectly exposed image generated with exposure other than the correct exposure; a filter unit for performing low pass filter processing on the incorrectly exposed image; and a composition unit for generating a high dynamic range image by composing an output image of the filter unit with the correctly exposed image. | 10-17-2013 |
20130278788 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF A FOREGROUND OBJECT IN AN IMAGE - Embodiments are directed towards determining within a digital camera whether a pixel belongs to a foreground or background segment within a given image by evaluating a ratio of derivative and deviation metrics in an area around each pixel in the image, or ratios of derivative metrics across a plurality of images. For each pixel within the image, a block of pixels are examined to determine an aggregate relative derivative (ARD) in the block. The ARD is compared to a threshold value to determine whether the pixel is to be assigned in the foreground segment or the background segment. In one embodiment, a single image is used to determine the ARD and the pixel segmentation for that image. Multiple images may also be used to obtain ratios of a numerator of the ARD, useable to determine an extent of the foreground. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278789 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An electronic device issues a command for setting a function when the function of the electronic device is set by a user by executing software, executes the function in response to the issued command, stores information relating to an invalid function, detects the fact that the issued command is a command for setting the invalid function based on the stored information, and controls so as not to execute the function set by the user in response to the detection that the issued command is a command for setting the invalid function. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286236 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING CAMERA IMAGE DATA - Systems and methods of adjusting camera image data include receiving image data from a visible light camera module are described. A quality factor of the image data can be determined based on at least one predetermined characteristic. The quality factor can be compared to a predetermined threshold. Image data from a non-visible light camera module can be requested when the quality factor is below the predetermined threshold. Image data from the non-visible light camera module can be received in response to the request. The received image data from the visible light camera module can be augmented with the received image data from the non-visible light camera module to form hybrid image data. The image sensor can be adjusted based on a quality factor of the hybrid image such that the visible light camera captures a subsequent image having a quality factor that meets or is greater than the predetermined threshold. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286237 | SPATIALLY MODULATED IMAGE INFORMATION RECONSTRUCTION - A system and method include a color filter array configured to spatially modulate captured image information and a processor configured to reconstruct the image information. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286238 | DETERMINING A LOCATION USING AN IMAGE - Determining a location. An initial image is captured at an image capturing device. The initial image is compared with images in a database of images which have associated locations to determine the location of the image capturing device. A user receives a notification if a location cannot be determined. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286239 | Rifle Scope with Video Output Stabilized Relative to a Target - A rifle scope including a display, at least one optical sensor to capture video of a view area, and image processing circuitry coupled to the display and the at least one optical sensor. The image processing circuitry is configured to select visual elements within a sequence of frames of the video and to align the visual elements within adjacent frames of the sequence of frames to produce a video output corresponding to the view area that is stabilized relative to a target. The image processing circuit is configured to provide the video output to the display. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286240 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD OF IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An operating method of an image capturing device includes capturing an image; detecting a target object from the captured image; calculating modification parameters based on the detected target object; generating an adjusted image by adjusting a size of an area of the captured image according to the modification parameters; and displaying the adjusted image. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286241 | LOW-COST ROTO-TRANSLATIONAL VIDEO STABILIZATION - A method and system for filtering an image frame of a video sequence from spurious motion, comprising the steps of dividing the image frame and a preceding image frame of the video sequence into blocks of pixels; determining motion vectors for the blocks of the image frame; determining inter-frame transformation parameters for the image frame based on the determined motion vectors; and generating a filtered image frame based on the determined inter-frame transformation parameters; wherein the image frame is dived into overlapping blocks. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286242 | FLASH SYNCHRONIZATION USING IMAGE SENSOR INTERFACE TIMING SIGNAL - Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to an image signal processing system that includes a flash controller that is configured to activate a flash device prior to the start of a target image frame by using a sensor timing signal. In one embodiment, the flash controller receives a delayed sensor timing signal and determines a flash activation start time by using the delayed sensor timing signal to identify a time corresponding to the end of the previous frame, increasing that time by a vertical blanking time, and then subtracting a first offset to compensate for delay between the sensor timing signal and the delayed sensor timing signal. Then, the flash controller subtracts a second offset to determine the flash activation time, thus ensuring that the flash is activated prior to receiving the first pixel of the target frame. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286243 | CAMERA SYSTEM, VIDEO PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286244 | System and Method for Image Selection and Capture Parameter Determination - An apparatus and method for identifying image capture opportunities. Sensors are periodically polled, and data associated with the polled sensors is used to determine an image capture opportunity at the user-device. Data is collected from other user devices and received through the transceiver can be used to determine an image capture opportunity. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293734 | PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION USING MOBILE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user. The method may include capturing an image of a target object using an imaging device of an electronic device, analyzing the image to identify a plurality of features and feature locations on the target object with a processor using an image recognition application, accessing a model database to identify an appliance model having features and feature locations that match the identified features and feature locations from the image, retrieving one or more document files that correspond to the identified model from a file database, and providing the one or more document files to a user. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293735 | IMAGING CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR IMAGING CONTROL DEVICE - An imaging control device includes a character recognition section, an object recognition section, an imaging condition determination section, and an imaging control section. The character recognition section is configured to recognize a predetermined character string in an image to be imaged, and the object recognition section is configured to recognize a predetermined object in the image. The imaging condition determination section is configured to determine an imaging condition for imaging of the image, the imaging condition being determined based on the recognized character string and the recognized object. The imaging control section is configured to control the imaging of the image in accordance with the determined imaging condition. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293736 | IMAGE SENSOR, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE SENSOR, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - There is provided an image sensor, including a plurality of phase difference lines in which a plurality of pixels including phase difference pixels for detecting a phase difference are arranged, a plurality of normal lines in which a plurality of normal pixels not including the phase difference pixels are arranged, a row scanning section which selects each of the plurality of phase difference lines and each of the plurality of normal lines within a first period, and selects each of the plurality of phase difference lines within a second period different from the first period, and a column scanning section which outputs pixel values of the plurality of normal pixels in each of the lines selected within the first period, and outputs pixel values of the phase difference pixels in each of the lines selected within the second period. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293737 | IMAGE ENCODING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAMERA DEVICE - An apparatus and method for adjusting compression rate based on the image size analysis in a camera device are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a compression rate determiner which determines a compression rate according to complexity of an image by extracting auto focus filter values of the image acquired from the camera, a processor which processes the image acquired from the camera in a unit of the line, and a still image codec which compresses line images output from the processor at the compression rate. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293738 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH PROGRAMMABLE FIXED RATE CODECS - An imaging system may be provided haying an image sensor and a fixed-rate codec for encoding image data from the image sensor into a fixed-rate bitstream. The image sensor may include an array of image pixels with a corresponding Bayer pattern array of color filter elements. The codec may include circuits for partitioning the image data into fixed-size blocks of image data and compressing the image data in each fixed-size block based on the image content in that block using, a logarithm-based quantization of selected transform coefficients. The available bits for each block. may be allocated to various components such as color components of the data based on the complexity of the image content in each component. The bitstream may include header information with pointers to coefficient locations within each block. The header information may be compressed prior to insertion into the bitstream. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293739 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An apparatus for processing image, includes an input unit for inputting user operation information, a recording medium for recording moving image data, a data processor for retrieving data recorded on the recording medium and generating display data in response to an input to the input unit, and a display unit for displaying the display data. The data processor selects a frame containing an image of a person's face from a scene as a moving image recording unit recorded on the recording medium, generates a thumbnail image of a face region extracted from the selected frame and displays on the display unit a list of generated thumbnail images arranged in a time-series order. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293740 | MOBILE TERMINAL, ICON MATERIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND ICON MATERIAL MANAGEMENT METHOD - A mobile terminal includes an image capturing unit, an image processing unit, a control unit, and a key input unit. The image capturing unit captures an image. The image processing unit continuously drives the image capturing unit and acquires data of a plurality of images. The control unit generates decorative data based on the plurality of image data, the decorative data including image data indicative of an image having only an object common to the plurality of images nontransparent. The key input unit inputs a character from an external operation. The control unit determines whether or not character information associated with decorative information is contained in a text constituted by the character information inputted by the key input unit, and substitutes the character information with the decorative data associated therewith if it is determined that the character information is included. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293741 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - There are provided a feature amount acquisition unit acquiring feature amounts of focused states of a first image and a second image which are captured in time-series; a calculation unit dividing each of the first image and the second image into a plurality of image areas and determining a frequency distribution of a feature amount for each of the image areas; and a motion detection unit calculating a difference between the frequency distribution of the first image and that of the second image for each of the image areas and detecting a motion of a subject based on a frequency distribution of the difference for each of the image areas. | 11-07-2013 |
20130300890 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processor includes a first acquirer that acquires a matching tap having a target pixel at the center, a second acquirer that acquires plural matching taps each having, at the center, one of pixels in a search area including the pixels surrounding the target pixel, a similarity identifier that identifies, among the matching taps acquired by the second acquirer, a similarity maximizing pixel representing a central pixel of the matching tap having the highest similarity to the matching tap acquired by the first acquirer, and a mixing controller that computes a pixel value of the target pixel by mixing a pixel value obtained by performing a predetermined arithmetic process on pixel values of a prediction tap having the target pixel at the center with a pixel value obtained by performing a predetermined arithmetic process on pixel values of a prediction tap having the similarity maximizing pixel at the center. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300891 | Identifying Facial Expressions in Acquired Digital Images - A face is detected and identified within an acquired digital image. One or more features of the face is/are extracted from the digital image, including two independent eyes or subsets of features of each of the two eyes, or lips or partial lips or one or more other mouth features and one or both eyes, or both. A model including multiple shape parameters is applied to the two independent eyes or subsets of features of each of the two eyes, and/or to the lips or partial lips or one or more other mouth features and one or both eyes. One or more similarities between the one or more features of the face and a library of reference feature sets is/are determined. A probable facial expression is identified based on the determining of the one or more similarities. | 11-14-2013 |
20130308003 | FLASH CHARACTERIZATION FOR CAMERA | 11-21-2013 |
20130308004 | DETECTION OF NEAR-FIELD CAMERA OBSTRUCTION | 11-21-2013 |
20130308005 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus that acquires a focusing distance from a plurality of images each having different degrees of blur, comprises a misalignment detection unit that detects misalignment among the plurality of images; a distance information acquisition unit that acquires, based on the plurality of images, distance information, which is information to indicate a focusing distance in an area of the images; and a reliability information acquisition unit that creates, based on the detected misalignment, reliability information, which is information to indicate reliability of the focusing distance acquired for each area, wherein the distance information acquisition unit changes the acquired distance information based on the reliability information. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308006 | TUNING OF DIGITAL IMAGE QUALITY - An image restoration method includes providing image data ( | 11-21-2013 |
20130308007 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus that blurs a picked-up image based on distance information on a subject, comprises a restoration kernel acquisition section that acquires a restoration kernel as a kernel for eliminating degradation of an image; a blur kernel acquisition section that acquires a blur kernel as a kernel for blurring the image; a compound kernel acquisition section that acquires a compound kernel obtained by merging the restoration kernel with the blur kernel; and an image processing section that eliminates the degradation of the picked-up image and blurs the picked-up image by using the compound kernel. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308008 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state image pickup device including a pixel unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having different sensitivities are arranged; and a pixel reading unit configured to read and add output signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel unit, and to obtain an output signal seemingly from one pixel. The pixel unit includes an absorbing unit configured to absorb overflowing electric charge from a photoelectric conversion element with a high sensitivity. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314561 | Method and Device for Composite Image Creation - The present disclosure provides a method and device for composite image creation. Images from multiple lenses, such as a front camera and rear camera of a host electronic device, are combined to create a composite image. The images may be modified before combining using location, orientation and/or proximity information associated with the images. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314562 | OBJECT RECOGNITION APPARATUS, OBJECT RECOGNITION METHOD AND OBJECT RECOGNITION PROGRAM - There is a need for an object recognition apparatus for identifying multiple objects separately or collectively and a method therefor. An object recognition apparatus is configured to include: an image output section acquiring multiple object images and outputting an image; a detection section detecting the multiple object images in the image; a first identification section identifying the detected multiple object images; and a second identification section identifying the detected multiple object images collectively. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314563 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device is configured so that the user can select either automatic determination mode or selection mode. In automatic determination mode, when a first combination imaging mode is selected for capturing and combining a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific first number of combinations. In selection mode, when a second combination imaging mode is selected for capturing a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific second number of combinations. The first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314564 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor compring an imaging pixel for receiving light through an opening with a center position coincident with the optical axis of a microlens, first and second focus detection pixels for receiving pupil-divided light through a first and second opening offset in first and second directions from the optical axis of a microlens, respectively; ROM for storing shading correction data; correction coefficient generation unit for generating shading correction coefficients respectively for the imaging pixel, and the first and second focus detection pixels from the shading correction data; and correction unit for subjecting a signal for the imaging pixel to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficient for the imaging pixel, and subjecting signals for the first and second focus detection pixels to shading correction with the use of the shading correction coefficients for the first and second focus detection pixels. | 11-28-2013 |
20130321660 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A semiconductor device comprising a MOS transistor provided in a semiconductor region, wherein a source region and a drain region of the MOS transistor have a first conductivity type, the source region includes a first region including an upper portion of a boundary portion between the source region and a channel region of the MOS transistor, and a second region including an lower portion of the boundary portion, and the first region contains an impurity having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, in an amount larger than that in the second region. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321661 | Method, apparatus and system providing holographic layer as micro-lens and color filter array in an imager - A method, apparatus, and system that provides a holographic layer as a micro-lens array and/or a color filter array in an imager. The method of writing the holographic layer results in overlapping areas in the hologram for corresponding adjacent pixels in the imager which increases collection of light at the pixels, thereby increasing quantum efficiency. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321662 | OPTICAL MODULE - A gesture recognition system includes an image capturing device, a memory unit and a processing unit. The image capturing device includes a zoom lens and captures an image frame with a focus length. The memory unit previously saves a lookup table of depths versus sharpness associated with at least one the focus length of the zoom lens. The processing unit is configured to calculate a current sharpness value of at least one object image in the image frame and to obtain a current depth of the object image according to the lookup table. | 12-05-2013 |
20130329070 | Projection-Based Image Registration - Systems, methods, and computer readable media to register images in real-time and that are capable of producing reliable registrations even when the number of high frequency image features is small. The disclosed techniques may also provide a quantitative measure of a registration's quality. The latter may be used to inform the user and/or to automatically determine when visual registration techniques may be less accurate than motion sensor-based approaches. When such a case is detected, an image capture device may be automatically switched from visual-based to sensor-based registration. Disclosed techniques quickly determine indicators of an image's overall composition (row and column projections) which may be used to determine the translation of a first image, relative to a second image. The translation so determined may be used to align/register the two images. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329071 | Image Blending Operations - Procedures are described for blending images in real-time that avoid ghosting artifacts (attributable to moving objects), maintain the proper appearance of contiguous edges in the final image, and permits the use of fast (real-time) blending operations. A “guard-band” may be defined around an initially identified seam that perturbs the path of the initial seam so that both the seam and the guard-band's edges avoid moving objects by at least a specified amount. Rapid blend operations may then be performed in the region demarcated by the guard-band. The seam may be further adjusted to bias its position toward a specified trajectory within the overlap region when there is no moving object present. If visual registration techniques are not able to provide a properly aligned overlap region, motion sensor data for the image capture device, may be used instead to facilitate blending operations. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329072 | Motion-Based Image Stitching - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for stitching or aligning multiple images (or portions of images) to generate a panoramic image are described. In general, techniques are disclosed for using motion data (captured at substantially the same time as image data) to align images rather than performing image analysis and/or registration operations. More particularly, motion data may be used to identify the rotational change between successive images. The identified rotational change, in turn, may be used to calculate a motion vector that describes the change in position between a point in a first image and a corresponding point in a subsequent image. The motion vector may be utilized to align successive images in an image sequence based on the motion data associated with the images. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329073 | Creating Adjusted Digital Images with Selected Pixel Values - Creating adjusted digital images with selected pixel values includes taking multiple digital images of a view where at least two of the digital images are taken with light from different angles and selecting pixels values from the at least two digital images to create an adjusted digital image. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329074 | SHUTTER RELEASE USING SECONDARY CAMERA - A method of capturing an image includes activating a first image sensor and capturing a sequence of images with a second image sensor. A determination is made as to whether the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor includes a shutter gesture. If a shutter gesture is included in the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor, the first image sensor captures a target image in response. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329075 | DYNAMIC CAMERA MODE SWITCHING - A method for automatic image capture control and digital imaging is described. An image buffer is initialized to store a digital image produced by an image sensor, through allocation of a region in memory for the buffer that is large enough to store a full resolution frame from the image sensor. While non-binning streaming frames, from the sensor and in the buffer, are being displayed in preview, the sensor is reconfigured into binning mode, and then binned streaming frames are processed in the buffer, but without allocating a smaller region in memory for the buffer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329076 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PIXEL DATA EXTREMA DETECTION AND HISTOGRAM GENERATION - Imaging devices may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns coupled to processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may include histogram generation circuitry and extremum pixel value identification circuitry. The histogram generation circuitry may include sub-histogram generation circuitry that generates pixel value sub-histograms each of which includes pixel values generated by pixels from respective subsets of the rows in the array. Histogram accumulation circuitry may combine the sub-histograms to generate an accumulated histogram. The extremum identification circuitry may process a set of pixel value patches. The identification circuitry may include a first stage of comparator circuitry for identifying an extremum value of each column in the set of patches, a second stage of comparator circuitry for identifying an extremum value of each patch in the set, and a third stage of comparator circuitry for identifying an extremum of the set of pixel value patches. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329077 | METHODS OF IMAGE ACQUIRING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Disclosed is a method of image acquiring and an electronic device. The method comprises: obtaining first image purpose information, wherein the first image purpose information corresponds to a first application; determining a first algorithm corresponding to the first image purpose information from at least two algorithms which are different from each other, based on the first image purpose information; and acquiring a first image data for the use of the first application based on the first algorithm. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329078 | IMAGING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An imaging device including a data processor configured to execute processing for selecting picture portions corresponding to important scenes from captured picture data, on the basis of input information that is input during a period of taking a picture. The data processor generates highlight point information that allows identification of the picture portions corresponding to the important scenes, the picture portions being selected on the basis of the input information, and records the highlight point information on a recording medium as information associated with the captured picture data. | 12-12-2013 |
20130329079 | Eye Beautification Under Inaccurate Localization - Sub-regions within one or more face images are identified within a digital image, and enhanced by applying an artificial glint symmetrically and/or synchronously to image data corresponding to sub-regions of eyes within the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more eye regions of the face with the artificial glint. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335589 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335590 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor includes preparing a structure including a photoelectric converter formed in an image sensing region and a pad electrode formed in a pad region, forming a first organic film including a first organic portion arranged in the image sensing region of the structure in the image sensing region and the pad region, forming a color filter layer on the first organic portion, forming a second organic film in the image sensing region and the pad region, forming an inorganic film in the image sensing region and the pad region, and etching the inorganic film, the second organic film, and the first organic film so as to form an opening which communicates with the pad electrode. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335591 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE CODING APPARATUS, IMAGE CODING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A multi-viewpoint image which has been captured with respect to an object from a plurality of viewpoints is coded by setting a base viewpoint among the plurality of viewpoints. An image captured from a viewpoint that is not the base viewpoint is then coded using a reference image selected based on imaging parameters and a parallax. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342718 | DEVICES AND METHODS INVOLVING ENHANCED RESOLUTION IMAGE CAPTURE - Devices and methods involving enhanced resolution image capture are provided. A representative electronic device includes: an image capture sensor having a plurality of pixels, the image capture sensor being operative to acquire a frame of image information by converting light incident upon the pixels during an exposure duration into electrical signals; and an image capture system selectively operative in a first image capture mode and a second image capture mode; in the first image capture mode, the image capture system outputs an image corresponding to a single frame of image information acquired during a single exposure duration; and in the second image capture mode, the image capture system outputs an enhanced image corresponding to frames of image information acquired during multiple exposure durations such that the enhanced image exhibits a higher resolution than a resolution exhibited by the acquired image associated with the first mode. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342719 | DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A display control apparatus, which executes control required to display a moving image, received via a network, on a display unit, the apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to input an operation instruction required to operate the display control apparatus; and a control unit configured to execute control required to display, on the display unit, a moving image at a frame rate depending on whether or not processing according to the operation instruction input by the input unit is executed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342720 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM PRODUCT - An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit that generates first image data by an imaging process; a receiving unit that receives view angle change request information to instruct a change in angle of view on which an imaging process is performed, and number-of-pixels information related to the number of pixels of a display unit of an operation terminal; an image cropping unit that sets an area of part of a first image data as a crop area based on the view angle change request information and the number-of-pixels information, and crops a second image data included in the crop area; and a transmitting unit that transmits the second image data to the operation terminal. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342721 | LENS BARREL AND IMAGING APPARATUS - For a lens barrel that restricts the rectilinear of a lens group using a restricting portion, the light-shielding property for external light, the degree of freedom of design relating to the arrangement of the interlocking section for a cam ring, and a change in the relative distance between a front group and a rear group are increased. A lens barrel has a first group (front group) and a second group (rear group) that are movable in the optical axis direction, and further includes a first group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by a holding member of the first group, a second group cam ring cam-engaged with and held by the holding member of the second group, a moving cam ring that guides the first group cam ring and the second group cam ring, and a fixed tube cam-engaged with the moving cam ring to rotatably support it. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342722 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels each including a hybrid photoelectric conversion portion and pixel transistors, wherein the hybrid photoelectric conversion portion includes a semiconductor layer having a p-n junction, a plurality of columnar or cylindrical hollow-shaped organic material layers disposed in the semiconductor layer, and a pair of electrodes disposed above and below the semiconductor layer and the organic material layers, wherein charges generated in the organic material layers through photoelectric conversion move inside the semiconductor layer so as to be guided to a charge accumulation region, and wherein the solid-state imaging device is configured as a back-illuminated type in which light is incident from a surface opposite to the surface on which the pixel transistors are formed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342723 | VIDEO PROCESSING APPARATUS, VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND VIDEO PROCESSING METHOD - A video processing apparatus includes an image capturing apparatus and a processing apparatus connected to the image capturing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus includes an image obtaining unit that obtains a frame image; a frame image transmitting unit that transmits the frame image to the processing apparatus; a transformation parameter setting unit that sets transformation parameters received from the processing apparatus in the image capturing apparatus; an image transforming unit that applies an image transformation to the frame image using the transformation parameters thus set; and a transformed frame image transmitting unit that transmits a transformed frame image to the processing apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a transformation parameter calculating unit that calculates the transformation parameters for the image transformation, using the frame image received from the image capturing apparatus; and a transformation parameter transmitting unit that transmits the transformation parameters to the image capturing apparatus. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002685 | PHASE FILTER AND IMAGING CAMERA SYSTEM USING THE SAME | 01-02-2014 |
20140002686 | PROCESSING CONTROL APPARATUS, PROCESSING CONTROL METHOD AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM | 01-02-2014 |
20140002687 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND CAPTURING METHOD WITH LIGHT ASSISTANCE | 01-02-2014 |
20140002688 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND LENS APPARATUS | 01-02-2014 |
20140002689 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 01-02-2014 |
20140002690 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140009633 | CONFIGURABLE LANE ARCHITECTURE IN SOURCE SYNCHRONOUS SYSTEMS - A system and method for utilizing multiple configurable lanes for clock and data transfer in source synchronous systems that may utilize a clock signal from another source for interpreting data received from the source. In an embodiment, a system may include a transmitter configured to transmit at least one clock signal and at least one data signal to a receiver device. The receiver device may have at least one clock lane and at least one data lane for receiving signals from the transmitter device. The clock lane(s) and data lane(s) can be arranged in any order as per requirement of system design. In the receiver, after manufacture, each data lane may be configured to be clocked by any clock lane. | 01-09-2014 |
20140009636 | CAMERA DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE - A method for processing an image in a camera device according to the present disclosure includes autofocus photographing to continuously obtain an image by moving a focusing lens at a predetermined focusing interval, extracting a focus value for a focus area of the obtained image, and storing the focus value with the image. The method also includes focus resetting by displaying a representative image of the stored images, and storing an image having the maximum focus value for a focus area of a selected location if the location is selected from the representative image. | 01-09-2014 |
20140015992 | Specular Edge Extraction Using Multi-Flash Imaging - A method and system extract features from an image acquired of an object with a specular surface by first acquiring an image while illuminating the object with a hue circle generated by a set of lights flashed simultaneously. The lights have different colors and are arranged circularly around a lens of a camera. Then, the features correspond to locations of pixels in the image within a neighborhood of pixels that includes a subset of the colors of the lights. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015993 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a plurality of signal processing units each associated with a respective one of columns of the pixel array and including an A/D conversion unit configured to convert a signal generated based on the pixels into a digital signal. The photoelectric conversion device further includes a plurality of groups each including a plural ones of signal processing units out of the plurality of signal processing units and a block output unit configured to receive outputs of the plural ones of signal processing units, and a driving signal transmission unit configured to transmit a driving signal for driving a plurality of the block output units. The driving signal transmission unit supplies, to one of the block output units and another of the block output units, the driving signal at respective different timings. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015994 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING CHROMATIC ABERRATION - A method of processing a polychromatic image is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a portion of the picture elements, assigning to the picture element a new color value for each individual color, and storing the new values in a computer readable medium. The new values are assigned by: processing each of a first and a second colors of the picture element, based, at least in part on first and second colors of peripheral picture elements, to respectively provide a first processed color value and a second processed color value; employing optimization for reducing error and for assigning to the picture element a new color value for each of the first and second colors; and assigning to the picture element a new color value for a third color calculated based, at least in part, on the new color values for the first and second colors. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015995 | Image Capture Accelerator - An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015996 | Image Capture Accelerator - An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015997 | IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus includes an imaging device and a signal processing circuit for performing signal processing on an output signal of the imaging device. The imaging device includes one group of lenses, and an imaging element on which an image is formed through the lenses, and the lenses include a first lens having an object side surface in a convex shape projecting to an object side, a transparent body, and a second lens, the first lens, the transparent body, and the second lens being arranged in order from the object side to an image surface side without an air being interposed between the first lens, the transparent body, and the second lens, and the imaging element is curved so as to have a concave surface facing the object side. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015998 | IMAGE CAPTURE POSITION AND IMAGE CAPTURE DIRECTION ESTIMATION DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURE POSITION AND IMAGE CAPTURE DIRECTION ESTIMATION METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image capture position and direction estimation device includes a region determination unit that determines a plurality of regions to be associated between a query image and an image with position and direction, a depth estimation unit that estimates a depth of each region, and an image capture position and direction estimation unit that estimates a direction in the region with a large depth estimated by the depth estimation unit and estimates a position in the region with a small depth estimated by the depth estimation unit. | 01-16-2014 |
20140015999 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging lens consists of a negative first-lens, a first-cemented-lens of a second-lens and a third-lens, a stop, a positive fourth-lens, and a second-cemented-lens of a fifth-lens and a sixth-lens in this order from an object-side. The first-lens has a plano-concave or meniscus shape with a concave image-side surface. One of the second-lens and the third-lens is a positive lens and the other one is a negative lens. An object-side surface of the fourth-lens is a flat surface or a surface with a curvature radius the absolute value of which is greater than that of its image-side surface. One of the fifth-lens and the sixth-lens is a positive lens and the other one is a negative lens. Formulas about the ratio of a back focus to a focal length in the entire system, and refractive indices and Abbe numbers of the positive and negative lenses in the first-cemented-lens are satisfied. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016000 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes generating means for generating image data, transmitting means for transmitting predetermined image data to an external device, the predetermined image data being generated by performing a predetermined process for pixel range conversion on the image data, and control means for performing control such that predetermined data relating to the predetermined image data generated by the predetermined process and the predetermined image data are transmitted to the external device. | 01-16-2014 |
20140022405 | FILL WITH CAMERA INK - A content editing application may receive preview image data from a sensor. The preview image data may be displayed within an interface of the content editing application. The content editing application may request that the sensor capture a final image and the final image may be displayed within the interface of the content editing application. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022406 | AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OF SKEW IN NATURAL IMAGES AND VIDEO - An electronic device and method use a camera to capture an image of an environment outside followed by identification of regions therein. A subset of the regions is selected, based on attributes of the regions, such as aspect ratio, height, and variance in stroke width. Next, a number of angles that are candidates for use as skew of the image are determined (e.g. one angle is selected for each region. based on peakiness of a histogram of the region, evaluated at different angles). Then, an angle that is most common among these candidates is identified as the angle of skew of the image. The just-described identification of skew angle is performed prior to classification of any region as text or non-text. After skew identification, at least all regions in the subset are rotated by negative of the skew angle, to obtain skew-corrected regions for use in optical character recognition. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022407 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of units, each including a sensor unit which accumulates charges upon photoelectric conversion and a storage unit which stores information, and a control unit which controls each of the plurality of units, wherein the control unit sequentially performs, for each of the plurality of units, first operation of comparing a reference voltage with an output signal from the sensor unit based on the amount of accumulated charges and second operation of storing information based on the comparison result in the storage unit corresponding to the sensor unit if an output signal from the sensor unit reaches the reference voltage in the first operation, and the control unit is configured to be able to start the first operation for a next unit upon skipping the second operation and skips the second operation in a predetermined period. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022408 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An image capture apparatus is provided that is capable of accurately determining exposure conditions of multiple images to be used in high dynamic range compositing in a short duration, based on a captured image. A scene dynamic range is computed based on luminance information obtained from an image captured with a standard exposure according to a luminance zone to be prioritized in high dynamic range shooting and luminance information obtained from an image captured with an over-exposure or an under-exposure relative to the standard exposure. An exposure range of multiple images for creating a high dynamic range image is determined according to the computed dynamic range. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022409 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS WITH FUNCTION FOR SPECIFYING IMAGE QUALITY, AND METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus to be employed at an imaging device. An image acquisition section acquires data of an image. An input operation receiving section receives an operation for selection of an image region of the image data acquired by the image acquisition section. An image quality processing choosing section chooses image quality processing to be applied to the image data acquired by the image acquisition section in accordance with the image region received by the input operation receiving section. An image quality processing information presentation section presents information relating to the image quality processing chosen by the image quality processing decision section. | 01-23-2014 |
20140028867 | Illuminating Device for Close-up Photographing - A mobile photographic accessory that simultaneously stabilizes a recording camera, illuminates the subject, and provides an optional close-up lens, thus enhancing close-up photographs and video recordings. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028868 | DISPLACEMENT DETECTION DEVICE AND POWER SAVING METHOD THEREOF - A displacement detection device includes an image sensor, a light source and a processing unit. The image sensor is configured to successively capture images. The light source provides light with an emission frequency and an emission duration for the image sensor in capturing the images. The processing unit is configured to calculate a displacement according to the images and to adjust both the emission frequency and the emission duration according to the displacement. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028869 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - The image processing method of producing, based on information on positions and angles of light rays obtained from a first image, a second image, the first image being produced by using an image pickup apparatus that introduces the light rays from an image capturing optical system ( | 01-30-2014 |
20140028870 | CONCURRENT IMAGE PROCESSING FOR GENERATING AN OUTPUT IMAGE - Embodiments of the present application automatically utilize parallel image captures in an image processing pipeline. In one embodiment, image processing circuitry concurrently receives first image data to be processed and second image data to be processed, wherein the second image data is processed to aid in enhancement of the first image data. | 01-30-2014 |
20140036103 | Visual Communications System Employing Video Imagery - A system and method for platform independent LOS visual information transmission is disclosed. A transmitter consists of a series of sequential images that are stacked together to form frames in a video transmission. Each image is modulated spatially, by color, and by intensity. The data is transmitted over an LOS visual channel. The receiver first captures each individual image from the received video, and then demodulates each image in the three areas it was modulated spatially, by color, and by intensity. LOS visual information transmission allows for secure data transfer and reduces interference from other applications. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036104 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHING MOVING OBJECT WITH THE SAME - A photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an object to acquire image data; a part judgment section judging a particular part of the object in the image shown based on the image data; a change-in-part judgment section judging change over time of the part of the object judged by the part judgment section; and a control section changing a photographing condition in accordance with a result of the judgment by the change-in-part judgment section, wherein the part judgment section judges a first part of the object in the image and a second part presumed from the first part; and the change-in-part judgment section judges change over time of the second part. | 02-06-2014 |
20140043497 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING IMAGE SENSOR - There is provided an apparatus including an image sensor of a back-illuminated type using a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), including a light receiving unit, formed in a semiconductor substrate, which receives incident light, an anti-reflection film formed on a back-surface side of the semiconductor substrate in which the light receiving unit is formed, and a silicon oxide film, formed on a back-surface side of the anti-reflection film, which has a refractive index lower than a silicon nitride film and has a higher density in a back-surface side than in a front-surface side thereof. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043498 | POWER SAVING CONTROL METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING THE SAME - A control for a power saving of an electronic device is disclosed. The device includes a camera configured to be activated and then obtain an image when no input event is received within a given time after activation of a selected function. The device further includes a control unit configured to, if the obtained image contains a specific pattern, determine whether the specific pattern corresponds to a human face pattern, and to, if the specific pattern does not correspond to the human face pattern, perform a power saving control of the electronic device. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043499 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing on one or more faces in an image according to the distances of faces from the digital photographing apparatus or whether auto-focusing has been performed on the faces. Also provided are a digital photographing apparatus and method of performing different degrees of image processing which assist in preventing faces at farther distances from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces at closer distances and which assist in preventing faces that have not been auto-focused from appearing more processed, for example, more blurred, than faces that have been auto-focused. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043500 | Image Capture and Identification System and Process - A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object. | 02-13-2014 |
20140049661 | Higher Resolution Still Image Generation from Lower Resolution Video Camera Frames - Technologies are generally described herein for generating a higher resolution still frame. Some example technologies may configure a video camera at a first configuration, which the video camera to capture video at a first pixel offset. The technologies may capture a first frame of al field-of-view through the video camera configured at the first configuration. The first flame may contain the field-of-view captured at the first pixel offset. The technologies may adjust the video camera from the first configuration to a second configuration, which adapts the video camera to capture the video at a second pixel offset, the adjustment using a hardware mechanism. The technologies may capture a second frame of the field-of-view through the video camera configured at the second configuration. The second frame may contain the field-of-view captured at the second pixel offset. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049662 | ADAPTIVE SPECTRAL IMAGING FOR VIDEO CAPTURE - A spectral capture parameter is adjusted for capturing successive frames of motion image data. Spectral content in a first region of a current frame is compared to spectral content in a counterpart region in a previous frame. It is determined whether the spectral content has changed by more than a threshold value, based on the comparison. Responsive to a determination that the spectral content has changed by more than the threshold value, the spectral capture parameter for the first region is adjusted, and the adjusted spectral capture parameter is applied to an imaging system for capture of a successive frame. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049663 | IMAGING ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS THEREFOR - Image data is processed to facilitate focusing and/or optical correction. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an imaging arrangement collects light data corresponding to light passing through a particular focal plane. The light data is collected using an approach that facilitates the determination of the direction from which various portions of the light incident upon a portion of the focal plane emanate from. Using this directional information in connection with value of the light as detected by photosensors, an image represented by the light is selectively focused and/or corrected. | 02-20-2014 |
20140055634 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD, PROGRAM, AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided an image processing device including a prediction tap acquisition unit that acquires, as prediction taps, values of a plurality of pixels decided according to a pixel of interest from a plurality of input images which are formed by pixels each having a single color component and have different array forms of the pixels, a coefficient data storage unit that stores data of coefficients multiplied by the respective acquired prediction taps, and a prediction calculation unit that computes, through calculation using the prediction taps and the coefficients, a value of the pixel of interest in an output image formed by pixels having a plurality of color components, which is an image obtained by demosaicing the input images. | 02-27-2014 |
20140055635 | IMAGE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor includes a sensing device including a pixel array having a plurality of unit pixels, the sensing device being configured to generate pixel data in response to an incident light signal having information of an image of an object and information of an ambient light; an image data generation unit configured to generate image data corresponding to the object based on the pixel data; and an illuminance data generation unit configured to generate illuminance data corresponding to the ambient light based on the pixel data. | 02-27-2014 |
20140055636 | IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP CONTROL METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR CHANGING AN IMAGE PICKUP MODE - An image pickup control apparatus, includes: a trigger acceptance section adapted to accept a predetermined trigger input as a changeover input from an automatic image pickup mode to a request responding image pickup mode; and a request responding image pickup control section adapted to establish, when the trigger input is accepted by the trigger acceptance section while an image pickup apparatus is carrying out still picture image pickup operation with an image pickup visual field of the image pickup apparatus changed in the automatic image pickup mode, the request responding image pickup mode and control the image pickup apparatus to execute a process for determining an image pickup visual field in accordance with an image pickup request and then execute still picture image pickup operation after the determination of the image pickup visual field. | 02-27-2014 |
20140055637 | Installation for Conveying Signals Between a Video Camera Equipment and a Remote Equipment | 02-27-2014 |
20140063279 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSOR - An image capture device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image capturing section configured to generate an image by shooting; an acceleration detector configured to detect acceleration; an angular velocity detector configured to detect angular velocity; and a controller configured to determine, when the difference between the absolute value of the acceleration that has been detected by the acceleration detector and a preset reference value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, an angle of rotation to correct the tilt of the image based on a result of detection obtained by the angular velocity detector. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063280 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus including: an imaging section; an image storage section configured to store a captured image obtained by capturing an image by the imaging section; an object selection section configured to select an object from the captured image obtained by capturing the image by the imaging section; and an image extraction section configured to extract a captured image in accordance with the object selected from the stored captured image. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063281 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RANDOM INTENSITY ILLUMINATION MICROSCOPY - An optical imaging system and method for performing random intensity illumination microscopy is disclosed. The system includes an incoherent signal light source, at least two diffusers having spatially random diffusion patterns, an image capture device that receives a reflected light signal from an object to be imaged, and a processor configured to perform digital image processing of the reflected signal. The method comprises acts of providing an incoherent light signal, diffusing the incoherent light signal with at least two diffusers having spatially random diffusion patterns to provide a diffused light signal, splitting the diffused light signal to provide a first light signal and a second light signal, reflecting the first light signal from a specimen to provide a reflected light signal, collecting the reflected light signal and the second light signal with an image capture device and processing the collected images to determine reflectance. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063282 | MODIFYING VISUAL PERCEPTION - Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception. | 03-06-2014 |
20140071308 | Automatic Image Orientation and Straightening through Image Analysis - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for adjusting the orientation of an image frame and a scene depicted in the image frame are described. In general, techniques are disclosed for analyzing an image with one or more feature detectors to identify features in the image. An alignment or position associated with one or more features identified in the image may be used to determine a proper orientation for the image frame. The image can then be rotated to the proper orientation. It may also be determined if a scene depicted in the image is properly aligned in the rotated image orientation. If not, alignment information associated with the identified features may be utilized to straighten the depicted scene. | 03-13-2014 |
20140078333 | IMAGING DEVICE WITH A PLURALITY OF PIXEL ARRAYS - An imaging device includes a first pixel array arrange to capture a first image and a second pixel array arranged to capture a second image. The first pixel array and the second pixel array face substantially a same direction. The imaging device also includes shutter control circuitry which is coupled to the first pixel array to initiate a first exposure period of the first pixel array to capture the first image. The shutter control circuitry is also coupled to the second pixel array to initiate a second exposure period of the second pixel array to capture the second image. The imaging device also includes processing logic coupled to receive first pixel data of the first image and coupled to receive second pixel data of the second image. The processing logic is configured to generate at least one image using the first pixel data and the second pixel data. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078334 | APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PHOTOGRAPH AN IMAGE - An apparatus and a method of photographing an image are provided. The photographing apparatus includes a photographing unit which photographs an image, an input unit which receives a user command, and a controller which, if a user command to turn on the photographing apparatus is input through the input unit, determines whether the photographing apparatus is set to an auto continuous shooting mode, and, if it is determined that the photographing apparatus is set to the auto continuous shooting mode, controls the photographing unit to perform auto continuous shooting after power is supplied to the photographing unit. Accordingly, the photographing apparatus performs continuous shooting more rapidly. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078335 | SCANNING CIRCUIT, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, AND CAMERA - A scanning circuit, comprising first signal lines, second signal lines, third signal lines, a drive unit configured to drive the first signal lines, first buffers configured to drive the second signal lines in accordance with signals of the first signal lines, second buffers configured to drive the third signal lines in accordance with the signals of the first signal lines, and a shift register having a first part to be driven by signals of the second signal lines and a second part to be driven by signals of the third signal lines, wherein the first to third signal lines include two signal lines arranged in parallel to each other and configured to transmit the in-phase signals. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078336 | IMAGING PIXELS WITH IMPROVED DYNAMIC RANGE - An imager may include hybrid pixels that can be operated in first and second configurations. A hybrid pixel may include a floating diffusion region and first and second photodiodes that are coupled to the floating diffusion region. The second photodiode may be coupled to the floating diffusion region by a transfer gate. The first photodiode may accumulate charge during a first integration period, whereas the second photodiode may accumulate charge during a second integration period. The imager may operate the hybrid pixel for improved dynamic range by controlling the configuration of the hybrid pixel. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078337 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor having a first charge accumulation region, a second charge accumulation region, includes implanting ions into a semiconductor substrate through first and second openings of a mask to form the first and second charge accumulation regions. The implanting ions includes a first implantation of implanting ions into a portion below a first transfer gate, and a second implantation of implanting ions into a portion below a second transfer gate in a direction different from a direction of the first implantation. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078338 | IMAGE PROCESSOR, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND DIGITAL CAMERA - An image processor includes: a reduction (resizing) processor | 03-20-2014 |
20140078339 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for performing image processing of image data in which information specifying, on a first coordinate system, a position of a portion of interest in an image is recorded, including an image processing unit configured to perform rotation processing of the image data using a second coordinate system having an origin different from that of the first coordinate system, and a change unit configured to change the information specifying the position of the portion of interest in accordance with a rotation amount of the image data by the rotation processing such that an image of the portion of interest specified by the information specifying the position of the portion of interest after the rotation processing matches that before the rotation processing. | 03-20-2014 |
20140085499 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - An image photographing method and an apparatus in a portable terminal is provided. The method includes photographing an image a number of times with an interval when a photographing signal is input in an optimum subject photographing mode, recognizing a subject from the photographed images, extracting a candidate image which includes the recognized subject, determining a validity of the extracted candidate image, displaying one of the photographed images as a representative image, and dividing and displaying a valid candidate image which is determined as a valid candidate image and an invalid candidate image which is determined as an invalid candidate image on one side of the displayed representative image, or displaying only the valid candidate image. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085500 | VIDEO CAMERA MIRROR SYSTEM WITH OPERATION FOR MODIFYING VISUAL PERCEPTION - Various embodiments directed to modifying and enhancing visual perception are disclosed. One embodiment is directed to a camera which includes a lens system for capturing images and a lighting system providing key light above the lens system and providing fill light below the lens system. A processor controls one or more operations of the camera, including automatically enhancing the captured images and presenting the enhanced images on a display. The system and method for modifying visual perception may also be directed to a video camera mirror system, a seating system, a cosmetic package, a lipstick packaging, a polarized mirror, an illuminated cosmetic brush, a personal portrait photography management system and an illumination system for modifying visual perception. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085501 | VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A smart camera system is disclosed. The camera can work with cloud data storage systems and compute cloud. A call center can access the cloud to provide security monitoring services. | 03-27-2014 |
20140092270 | METHOD OF REPRODUCING MULTIPLE SHUTTER SOUND AND ELECTRIC DEVICE THEREOF - A method and electronic device reproducing a multiple shutter sound that reproduces a same shutter sound or a series of different shutter sounds during the period where an image is being processed by transmitting two or more interrupts to a controller by an image signal processor and an electronic device thereof. The repetitive shutter sounds can indicate to a user that the image is still being processed, so that the user does not move the camera and affect the capture of the image. The method of reproducing a multiple shutter sound includes: receiving a command for shooting a photograph; processing an image in response to the command; and transmitting at least two interrupt to a controller such that the shutter sound is reproduced at least twice while processing the image. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092271 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1) and is configured by disposing a first lens group that has a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, and a second lens group that has a positive refractive power in order from an object side to an image side. The first and second lens groups are moved from the image side to the object side in a state in which a gap between the lens groups is constant on an optical axis when a subject distance changes from infinity to approach, and the second lens group is configured by at least two negative lenses and at least three positive lenses. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092272 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING MULTI-FOCUS IMAGE USING CONTINUOUS AUTO FOCUS - The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for capturing a multi-focus image using continuous auto focus. The method for execution on a processor includes: providing a target including a plurality of target image areas; continuously auto-focusing an image capturing device to capture one or more temporary images of the plurality of target image areas; determining an Auto-Focus (AF) value for each target image area in the one or more temporary images; for the plurality of target image areas, selecting using the processor, a temporary image having a maximum AF value for the respective target image area; for the plurality of target image areas, linking using the processor, an image of the respective target image area from the selected temporary image associated with the respective target image area to obtain a multi-focus image. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092273 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE, AND IMAGING DEVICE - A clock signal generator that generates a second clock signal and clock information from a transfer first clock signal and based on a thinning rate, the number of horizontal pre-blank data pieces, the number of effective horizontal pixels, and the number of horizontal post-blank data pieces stored in a register. A thinning processor retrieves image data in accordance with the first clock signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The thinning processor performs a thinning process on the image data to generate thinned image data and stores the thinned image data in a memory. A read controller sequentially reads the thinned image data from the memory in accordance with the second clock signal having a frequency lower than the first clock signal. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092274 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DYNAMIC PICTURE REPRODUCTION APPARATUS, AND PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - A synthetic dynamic image is output by first transforming each frame of a first dynamic image based on a relative positional relationship between each frame of the first dynamic image to create a first transformed dynamic image. Next, each frame of a second dynamic image is transformed based on a relative positional relationship between at least one frame including the first dynamic image and at least one frame including the second dynamic image, and a relative positional relationship between each frame of the second dynamic image to create a second transformed dynamic image. Finally, the synthesized dynamic image is synthesized by aligning, for each frame of the first transformed dynamic image and the second transformed dynamic image, a position in the first transformed dynamic image with a position in the second transformed dynamic image. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092275 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device determines an in-focus position by contrast autofocus. The device includes a first optical system including a first lens and a first image sensor, a second optical system including a second lens and a second image sensor, a signal processing unit to read an image signal from at least one of the first image sensor and the second image sensor and generate an image for display, and a display unit to display the generated image. In the contrast autofocus, the signal processing unit reads a part of the image signal from the first image sensor and calculates a contrast value based on the read part of the image signal, and generates the image for display from the image signal read from the second image sensor. | 04-03-2014 |
20140098257 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING CAMERA FUNCTION IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - A method and an apparatus for operating a camera function in a portable terminal are provided. State information representing at least one of a direction and a rotation state of the portable terminal is obtained, and at least one of a sequence of reading an image from a camera sensor and an appropriate user interface is determined depending on the state information. Thus, the camera function is performed depending on the determined sequence or user interface. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING IMAGE QUALITY IN A DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera includes an image optimization engine configured to generate an optimized image based on a raw image captured by the digital camera. The image optimization engine implements one or more machine learning engines in order to select rendering algorithms and rendering algorithm arguments that may then be used to render the raw image. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104451 | ANDROID BOUND SERVICE CAMERA INITIALIZATION - A mobile device includes a camera, a user interface system, and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera and the user interface system. The processor is typically configured for running a first application. The first application is typically configured for (i) accessing the camera, (ii) upon the initialization of the first application, initializing the camera, and (iii) maintaining the camera in an initialized state as long as the first application is running. The application may be further configured for focusing the camera and maintaining the camera in a focused state as long as the first application is running. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104452 | SUB-PIXELS, IMAGE SENSORS HAVING THE SAME AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEMS - A sub pixel includes a photodetector and a column line output circuit. The photodetector is configured to output an electrical signal based on a detected amount of photons. The column line output circuit is configured to generate an output signal based on the electrical signal. The output signal is one of a current from a current source and a comparison signal indicative of binary output data. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104453 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing apparatus that notifies a user of completion of preparation when the image capturing preparation including strobe charging and so on is finished has been known. However, a user of such apparatus has to take an image while checking whether a specific object is within a desired region. Thus, an image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing section that captures an image of an object and generates a captured image, an object recognition section that recognizes a specific object in the captured image generated by the image capturing section, and a tactile notification section that notifies a user in a tactile manner concerning whether the specific objet is in a predetermined region of the captured image or not based on recognition by the object recognition section. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111663 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND CAMERA - An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions. The device further includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface for receiving incident light and a second surface on an opposite side to the first surface, the photoelectric conversion portions being provided therein, a first non-metal region arranged on a second surface side and arranged at a position at least partially overlapping with the photoelectric conversion portions, a second non-metal region arranged to be in contact with a side surface of the first non-metal region, and a reflection layer arranged on an opposite side of the first non-metal region to the semiconductor substrate. A refractive index of the first non-metal region is higher than a refractive index of the second non-metal region. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111664 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND CAMERA - A back-side illumination image capturing apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface for receiving incident light and a second surface located on the opposite side as the first surface, and including a photoelectric conversion portion, and a gate electrode disposed above the second surface. The apparatus further includes a first insulating layer disposed above the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, an interlayer insulation film disposed on the first insulating layer, a contact plug connected to the gate electrode, and a light-cutting portion for cutting light, of the incident light, that has passed through the photoelectric conversion portion. The light-cutting portion passes through at least part of the interlayer insulation film. The first insulating layer is located between the light-cutting portion and the semiconductor substrate. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118570 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION USING FOCUS DIFFERENCES - First and second images are captured at first and second focal lengths, the second focal length being longer than the first focal length. Element sets are defined with a first element of the first image and a corresponding second element of the second image. Element sets are identified as background if the second element thereof is more in-focus than or as in-focus as the first element. Background elements are subtracted from further analysis. Comparisons are based on relative focus, e.g. whether image elements are more or less in-focus. Measurement of absolute focus is not necessary, nor is measurement of absolute focus change; images need not be in-focus. More than two images, multiple element sets, and/or multiple categories and relative focus relationships also may be used. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118571 | METHOD OF SETTING FOCUS OF A DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA AND ADIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA DOING THE SAME - A digital video camera that includes a photo sensor having a plurality of pixels, each pixel being arranged to obtain and output pixel data, a focusing device to set a focus of the digital video camera, a processing unit to process pixel data from a first subset of the pixels such that image frames of said video image stream are rendered based on pixel data in said first subset of pixels, and an array of micro lenses covering a second subset of the pixels, each of said micro lenses covering a number of pixels. The first subset of pixels is confined within an area and the second subset of pixels is arranged outside and adjacent to said first subset of pixels such that a frame of pixels of said second subset is formed around said first subset of pixels. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118572 | Alternative Color Image Array And Associated Methods - An image sensor includes an array of light sensitive elements and a filter array. Each filter element is in optical communication with a respective light sensitive element. The image sensor receives filtered light having a repeating pattern. Light sensitive elements in at least two successive rows alternately receive light having a first color and a second color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the successive rows alternately receive light having the first color and the second color. Light sensitive elements in at least two additional successive rows alternately receive light having a third and a fourth color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the additional successive rows alternately receive light having the third color and the fourth color. Output values of pairs of sampled light sensitive elements receiving light of a common color and from successive rows are combined to generate a down-sampled image. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125831 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND RELATED METHOD AND MACHINE READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An embodiment of the invention provides a method performed by an electronic device. According to the method, the electronic device first receives a shutter instruction. Then, in response to the shutter instruction, the electronic device automatically captures a plurality of images of a scene using a plurality of different focal distances, respectively. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125832 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - There is provided an information processing device including N first clock conversion units (N is an integer) that convert image data as parallel data into image data having a specific clock cycle, a serial conversion unit that converts N pieces of the converted image data into one-system serial data and outputs the converted data, a parallel conversion unit to which the converted image data is input and that converts the data into N pieces of parallel data having a predetermined number of bits, a synchronized data generation unit that generates synchronized data of the image data, and N second clock conversion units that reconvert the N pieces of converted image data to an original clock cycle from the specific clock cycle and set the clock cycle of the converted image data to be in a phase in synchronization with the synchronized data generated by the synchronized data generation unit. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125833 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus comprises a first image capturing unit configured to shoot an object side, a second image capturing unit configured to shoot a photographer side, a detection unit configured to detect an object from image data shot by the second image capturing unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether the object detected by the detection unit is a predetermined object, and a control unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that the detected object is the predetermined object, control to prioritize setting of shooting parameters of the second image capturing unit over that of the first image capturing unit. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125834 | DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - In a display apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus which detects the change amount in an input image and stores, as a detected image, an image during a period with a change amount equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the change log of the change amount and the detected image are received, the change log is displayed by using a graph, and information related to the detected image is displayed on the graph in a superposed manner. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125835 | Visual Media on a Circular Buffer - A device to capture visual media, transiently store the visual media on a circular buffer, detect for a trigger from an environment around the device, and store the visual media on a location of a storage component separate from the circular buffer in response to detecting the trigger. | 05-08-2014 |
20140132791 | DEPTH ESTIMATION BASED ON INTERPOLATION OF INVERSE FOCUS STATISTICS - Embodiments are directed towards performing depth estimation within a digital camera system based on interpolation of inverse focus statistics. After an image is captured, various statistics or focus measure may be calculated using, for example, a high pass filter. Depth is estimated by interpolating the inverse of the statistics for three positions of focus for the image. The inverse of the statistics, St(n), may be 1/St(n), or 1/St | 05-15-2014 |
20140132792 | IMAGING DEVICE - A digital camera includes a CCD image sensor that produces a plurality of sets of image data by continuously capturing a subject, a controller that sets the priority for executing image processing on at least one of the plurality of sets of image data, and an image processor that subjects a plurality of sets of image data to image processing on the basis of the priority for executing image processing. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132793 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UNIFORMLY FOCUSED RING LIGHT - An apparatus and method for the function to control the lighting direction onto an object surface, focus the light, and maintain the lighting uniformity. A ring light system takes advantage of a contoured reflector to match with the uniform, non-focused ring light source, and converting the non-focused ring light source into a focused uniform ring light source. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132794 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: a determination unit determining whether each character included as a subject in a captured image is an unnoted non-main character; and a controller controlling an image-related process which is a process related to an image on the basis of a status of the character determined as a non-main character. | 05-15-2014 |
20140139699 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF - A photographing apparatus is disclosed. The photographing apparatus includes a determination unit which determines a scene category to which an input image belongs from a plurality of predetermined scene categories, a photographing unit which photographs the input image, a control unit which controls the photographing unit to generate an original image corresponding to the input image and an additional image where image processing corresponding to the determined scene category has been performed on the input image, and a display unit which displays the generated original image and additional image according to a predetermined event. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139700 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE COMMUNICATION METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes a communication unit, a display unit, a selecting unit, an imaging unit, and a control unit. The communication unit acquires image data of a connection partner from an external apparatus of the imaging apparatus. The display unit displays an image in accordance with the acquired image data of the connection partner. The selecting unit selects, as a connection side, one of sides of the image displayed on the display unit. The imaging unit images a subject to acquire image data to be connected to the image data of the connection partner after the connection side is selected by the selecting unit. The control unit records the image data acquired by the imaging unit in a recording unit together with information indicating the position of the connection side. | 05-22-2014 |
20140139701 | IMAGE CORRECTION CIRCUIT, IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, IMAGE CORRECTION METHOD, AND IMAGE CORRECTION PROGRAM - A device includes a correction section configured to correct an image of an object captured by using a first shutter operation for starting exposure of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a second shutter operation for ending exposure of the photoelectric conversion elements. The correction section is configured to correct the image according to a distance from an optical axis center to the photoelectric conversion elements to minimize variance in exposure duration among the photoelectric conversion elements between the first shutter operation and the second shutter operation. | 05-22-2014 |
20140146194 | DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING COMPRESSED MULTIMEDIA DATA OVER CAMERA INTERFACE - A data processing system has a first data processing apparatus and a second data processing apparatus. The first data processing apparatus has at least a camera sensor, a compressor and an output interface. The camera sensor generates first input multimedia data. The compressor compresses the first input multimedia data into compressed multimedia data. The output interface packs compressed multimedia data into a bitstream. The second data processing apparatus has at least an input interface, a data access circuit, and a de-compressor. The input interface un-packs the bitstream into second input multimedia data. The data access circuit stores second input multimedia data into a multimedia buffer and reads buffered multimedia data from the multimedia buffer. The de-compressor de-compresses buffered multimedia data. Alternatively, one of the compressor and the decompressor may be implemented in a third data processing apparatus coupled between the first data processing apparatus and the second data processing apparatus. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146195 | DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING COMPRESSION-RELATED INDICATION INFORMATION VIA CAMERA INTERFACE AND RELATED DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A data processing apparatus has a compressor and an output interface. The compressor generates a compressed multimedia data by compressing a multimedia data according to a compression algorithm. The output interface records indication information in an output bitstream, and outputs the output bitstream via a camera interface, wherein the output bitstream is derived from the compressed multimedia data, and the indication information is set in response to the compression algorithm employed by the compressor. Another data processing apparatus has a de-compressor and an input interface. The de-compressor de-compresses a compressed multimedia data derived from an input bitstream. The input interface receives the input bitstream via a camera interface, parses indication information included in the input bitstream, and configures the de-compressor to employ a de-compression algorithm as indicated by the indication information. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146196 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, ANDFOCUS DETECTION METHOD - A focus detection apparatus performs focus detection of a phase difference method by using signals from an image pickup element including a first pixel and a second pixel sharing one micro lens, and the focus detection apparatus includes a first saturation detector configured to detect saturation of a first signal obtained from the first pixel, a second saturation detector configured to detect saturation of a second signal obtained from the second pixel, a luminance generating portion configured to generate luminance signals of the first signal and the second signal after detecting the saturations of the first signal and the second signal are detected, and a processor configured to perform a correlation calculation based on the luminance signals. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146197 | IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup element includes a first pixel, a second pixel, and a third pixel that share one microlens, a first boundary that is provided between the first pixel and the second pixel, and a second boundary that is provided between the first pixel and the third pixel, and when a charge amount of the first pixel is saturated, a first charge amount from the first pixel to the second pixel via the first boundary is larger than a second charge amount from the first pixel to the third pixel via the second boundary. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146198 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE - Provided is an image processing device that acquires from an input image a high-quality image that is free from halos and features high contrast from a dark image portion to a light image portion of the image. The image processing device ( | 05-29-2014 |
20140146199 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HANDHELD DEVICES - Image processing methods and systems for handheld devices are provided. First, an image effect is determined. Then, a plurality of preview images is continuously captured by an image capture unit of an electronic device. After the respective preview image is captured, the image effect is applied to the preview image, and the preview image applied with the image effect is displayed in a display unit of the electronic device. | 05-29-2014 |
20140152861 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - Provided is an image processing apparatus and method. The image processing apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect a motion by using a long-exposed image in a current frame and a long-exposed image in a previous frame; and a processing unit configured to perform infinite impulse response (IIR) filtering on a short-exposed image in the current frame according to a result of the detecting of the motion which is obtained from the detection unit. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152862 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes a calculator configured to calculate coordinate conversion information for associating a position of a first image with a position of a second image, a region setting portion configured to set a first region in the first image and set a second region associated with the first region in the second image based on the coordinate conversion information, and an evaluation value obtaining portion configured to compare the first region with the second region to obtain an evaluation value. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152863 | Image Mosaicing - It is provided a method implemented by an electronic device for image mosaicing. The method comprises providing a mosaic and an image, wherein the mosaic and the image each represent at least part of a scene. The method also comprises estimating a motion of blocks of the image, wherein the motion of a given block of a given image represents how the scene content of the given block has moved during a time interval before taking the given image. The method then comprises integrating part of the image to the mosaic according to the estimation. Such a method improves the way of performing image mosaicing. | 06-05-2014 |
20140160313 | DETERMINING A FINAL EXPOSURE SETTING AUTOMATICALLY FOR A SOLID STATE CAMERA WITHOUT A SEPARATE LIGHT METERING CIRCUIT - An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140168458 | PIXEL MULTIPLICATION USING CODE SPREAD FUNCTIONS - Methods and apparatus for pixel multiplication in optical imaging systems. In one example, an expanded optical point spread function, referred to as a code spread function, is used to phase modulate an incident electromagnetic wavefront, and digital processing, including correlation techniques, are used to filter and process the modulated wavefront to recover sub-pixel information from an image produced by the wavefront on a pixilated detector array. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168459 | PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE VIA REAL TIME BROADCAST OF LIGHTING PARAMETERS - A system for photographic exposure via real-time broadcast of lighting parameters. The system includes a light source that emits light at different color temperatures and intensities controlled by a controller. The controller generates light source data that is transmitted to a digital imaging device. The digital imaging device includes a receiver for receiving the signal from the light source and a processor processing the light source data for determining color temperature, intensity, and timing of light emitted by the light source for generating exposure data. The exposure data determines when to commence capturing an image of a desired exposure and color temperature for achieving a desired exposure. The digital imaging device includes a display for displaying the exposure data to a user for allowing the user to select when to actuate the shutter release for capturing the image with the desired color temperature and exposure. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168460 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING CONTROL METHOD - In a method for capturing an optimized image of people jumping, the method obtains a first image captured by an image capturing device of an electronic device, detecting face areas from the first image, obtains vertical coordinates of center points of the detected face areas, and calculates an average value of the vertical coordinates of the center points. The method further controls the image capturing device to capture a second image when the calculated average value is greater than a preset value, the second image is determined as the optimized image that all of people in the second image have jumped. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168461 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING THE STRUCTURE AND MOTION OF AN OBJECT - In one embodiment, the structure and motion of a stationary object are determined using two images and a linear velocity and linear acceleration of a camera. In another embodiment, the structure and motion of a stationary or moving object are determined using an image and linear and angular velocities of a camera. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168462 | PHOTOGRAPHY-TASK-SPECIFIC DIGITAL CAMERA APPARATUS AND METHODS USEFUL IN CONJUNCTION THEREWITH - A multi-mode digital photography method including generating an output image of a location L at a specific time t which is identified as a function of a user-selected photography task, the method including generating an output image of a particular scene which is built up from a plurality of images thereof, as another function of a user-selected photography task. | 06-19-2014 |
20140176748 | METHOD FOR PROMPTING PHOTOGRAPHS OF EVENTS - A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for interacting with images having similar content. In an embodiment, a method may include identifying one or more event attributes associated with an ongoing event. The method may also include determining one or more statistical characteristics associated with the one or more of the event attributes. The method may further include generating a prompt to an event participant to take a photograph during the ongoing event based on, at least in part, the one or more statistical characteristics. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176749 | Collecting Photos - Implementations generally relate to collecting photos. In some implementations, a method includes collecting photos associated with one or more objects, where the photos are collected from a plurality of users. The method also includes collecting attention information associated with the one or more objects. The method also includes generating an attention map based on the attention information. The method also includes guiding users to capture photos of particular objects based on the attention map. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176750 | APPROACH FOR CAMERA CONTROL - An approach is provided for performing back-end operations for camera control. In one example, a method includes the following: receiving a user edit via a user interface device that displays an interpretation of a scene at which a camera lens of the camera is pointing, wherein the user edit is based on user input that is associated with a selection region on the user interface device; generating an edits mask based on one or more matching image patches, which are based on the user edit and a high dynamic range (HDR) image generated by the camera; performing one or more tone mapping operations based on the edits mask and the HDR image in order to generate a tone mapped HDR image; and performing one or more metering operations based on the edits mask and the tone mapped HDR image in order to generate metering parameters for frame capturing operations. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176751 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a high-pass filter that extracts a high-frequency component of an input image; an edge judgment unit that judges whether there is an edge based on the high-frequency component and estimates an edge position when there is an edge; a coordinate conversion unit that obtains an edge position in an enlarged image corresponding to the estimated edge position; an interpolation unit that obtains, regarding a position where an edge position of the high-frequency component and the edge position of the enlarged image overlap, a pixel value at each pixel position of an edge circumference of the enlarged image using a pixel value of the high-frequency component; a first enlargement processing unit that generates the enlarged image by enlarging by a desired enlargement factor; and a synthesis unit that synthesizes the interpolated pixel value of the high-frequency component and the pixel value of the enlarged image. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176752 | OBJECT DETECTION METHOD, OBJECT DETECTION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An object detection method performed by an apparatus which stores a general model for a specific object type in advance, the general model describing a plurality of components which are expected to co-exist in objects of the specific object type, the method including: a sample image receiving step of receiving one or more sample images, the one or more sample images each include a same query object of the specific object type; an object detector creating step of creating, using the general model and the one or more sample images, a detector specific to said query object; and an object detecting step of detecting, using the created detector specific to the query object, the query object from a destination image. According to the object detection method mentioned above, various objects of a specific object type can be precisely detected with high flexibility. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176753 | Image Correction Using Individual Manipulation of Microlenses in a Microlens Array - A system constructs a composite image using focus assessment information of image regions. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176754 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus comprises a photometry unit which detects a luminance of an object; a determining unit which determines, based on a result of photometry at a first exposure, whether to perform autoexposure bracketing that captures a plurality of images at different exposures; a calculating unit which calculates an exposure change amount that is different from the first exposure used when performing the autoexposure bracketing; a correcting unit which corrects the calculated exposure change amount based on a result of photometry at a second exposure that is different from the first exposure; and a shooting control unit which shoots an image at the exposure change amount calculated by the calculating unit or the exposure change amount corrected by the correcting unit. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176755 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Disclosed in an image processing apparatus capable of avoiding partial loss of an output image due to a lack of reference pixels, when generating an output image by applying geometric deformation to an image. The image processing apparatus determines whether a reference area required in a geometric deformation process fits within a captured area, and, in the case where the reference area required in the geometric deformation process does not fit within the captured area, sets an upper limit for a displacement amount of the reference area of the geometric deformation process so that the reference area fits, and applies the geometric deformation process, which uses a geometric deformation parameter generated based on the set upper limit, to the image. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176756 | CAMERA APPRATUS AND METHOD TAKING PICTURES OF THE CAMERA APPARATUS - A camera apparatus for capturing a picture image or a dynamic image of a constant composition without relation to a slope of a camera apparatus and a capturing method thereof are provided. The capturing method includes converting an image input through a lens into at least one of a picture image and a dynamic image, determining whether an operation mode of the camera apparatus corresponds to a fixed composition mode, and cropping at least a part of the at least one of the picture image and dynamic image having a preset composition and storing the least a part of the at least one of the picture image and the dynamic image if the operation mode corresponds to the fixed composition mode. | 06-26-2014 |
20140184842 | CAMERA COMMAND SET HOST COMMAND TRANSLATION - The present disclosure provides techniques for translating input camera commands to device-specific commands. Camera commands may be translated by a translation engine located separately from the camera and then transferred to the camera. The translated commands may be less complex than input commands. By translating the commands, older cameras may be capable of supporting newer commands which are not natively supported. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184843 | DEFINED DATA PATTERNS FOR OBJECT HANDLING - A method of defining data patterns for object handling includes obtaining an image of an input data area, processing the image to obtain image data, and comparing the image data with a pattern, wherein the pattern identifies spatial information of corresponding pattern fields of the pattern. The method further includes determining a confidence level of the comparison of the image data according to a success in matching the image data with the pattern fields, comparing the confidence level with a confidence threshold associated with the pattern, and selecting the pattern. A pattern output associated with the selected pattern is identified, wherein the pattern output corresponds to a canonical return format, and the pattern output is applied to the image data. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184844 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - A photoelectric conversion device includes analog signal output units including pixels and configured to output analog signals based on pixels, and signal processing units. Each of the signal processing units is provided correspondingly to one of the analog signal output units and includes a gain application unit configured to apply a gain to an analog signal and an AD conversion unit. The gain application unit selectively outputs a first amplified signal obtained by applying a first gain of 1 or less to the analog signal or a second amplified signal obtained by applying a second gain, smaller than the first gain, to the analog signal. The AD conversion unit converts, from analog to digital, the first or second amplified signal output from the gain application unit. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184845 | IMAGING OPTICAL SYSTEM, CAMERA DEVICE AND MOBILE INFORMATION TERMINAL DEVICE - An imaging optical system, includes: in the order from an object side to an image plane side, a first lens group having a first lens which is formed as a negative lens; a second lens group having a second lens which is formed as a plano-concave lens, a third lens which is formed as a negative meniscus lens, and a fourth lens which is formed as a biconvex lens; an aperture stop; a third lens group having a fifth lens which is formed as a biconvex lens, and a sixth lens which is formed as a biconcave lens; and a fourth lens group having a seventh lens which is formed as a negative meniscus lens. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184846 | METHOD FOR RUNNING CAMERA AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE THEREOF - A method usable by an electronic device executes at least one application operating a first camera and a second camera and determines whether an image acquired by the second camera is shaded by an object obscuring a portion of the acquired second camera image. In response to a determination the acquired second camera image is shaded, the method displays on a preview screen an image acquired by the first camera. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184847 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, COMPONENT MOUNTING APPARATUS, COMPONENT TESTING APPARATUS, AND SUBSTRATE INSPECTION APPARATUS - The TDI sensor includes: a light receiving unit including pixel rows each having a plurality of image capturing elements arranged in a first direction and generating and holding electric charges corresponding to respective exposure amounts, and electric charge holding rows each having a plurality of electric charge holding sections having only a function of holding the electric charges and arranged in the first direction so as to correspond to respective image capturing elements of the pixel rows, one of the pixel rows and one or a plurality of the electric charge holding rows being alternately arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and a transfer unit that sequentially, on a row-by-row basis, transfers electric charges held by the image capturing elements and the electric charge holding sections to adjacent rows, and outputs a signal corresponding to electric charges finally accumulated by the transfer. | 07-03-2014 |
20140192215 | METHOD OF DETECTING SUBJECT OF IMAGE AND IMAGING DEVICE THEREOF - A method of detecting the subject of an image and imaging device thereof are disclosed. The method comprises the following steps of providing an image capturing module to capture the temporal image, providing the image processing module to receive the temporal image and to determine a plurality of objects from the temporal image, using the image processing module to define a plurality of regions on the temporal image based on the center of temporal image, using the image processing module to assign an initial setup value to each of the objects according to the region corresponding to each of the objects, using the imaging processing module to execute an operation to increase or decrease each of the initial setup values, using the image processing module to execute a sorting, and selecting at least one of the objects as a subject of the temporal image. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192216 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS THAT CAN DETERMINE APPROPRIATE FOCUS POSITION, IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image capture apparatus includes the image capture unit | 07-10-2014 |
20140192217 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHING PORTRAIT IN PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING CAMERA - A method for photographing a portrait in an apparatus having a camera is provided. The method includes detecting a person in an image obtained by a camera in a photographing mode, determining occurrence of an error by identifying whether the detected person is located in a subject recognition area, generating an error warning including direction information so that the person moves into the subject recognition area if at least a portion of the person is out of the subject recognition area based on the determining of the occurrence of the error, and storing an image output by the camera if the person is located in the subject recognition area based on the determining of the occurrence of the error. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192218 | APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING APERTURE USING MICROELECTROFLUIDIC METHOD - Provided is an aperture adjusting apparatus for adjusting an aperture through which light transmits. The aperture adjusting apparatus includes: a chamber configured to have space in which fluid flows, the chamber including a lower channel, an upper channel, and a plurality of reservoir regions connecting the lower channel and the upper channel and each having a non-uniform width crossing a flow direction of a fluid to form a space in which fluid flows; a photo-interceptive first fluid and a photo-transmissive second fluid having a property that the photo-transmissive second fluid does not mix with the first fluid and that are prepared in the chamber; and a first electrode unit in which one or more electrodes to which a voltage is applied are arrayed to form an electric field in the chamber, wherein an aperture through which light transmits is adjusted by a location change of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid according to the electric field. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192219 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging device is provided which includes a hue value setting portion that sets at least one hue value from among a plurality of hue values, a color component region detection portion that detects a region having a color component that includes the set hue value, from image data of a photographic subject, and a color component region display portion that, based on the image data of the photographic subject, converts, of the photographic subject, the detected region having the color component to a first color, converts regions other than the detected region having the color component to a second color different from the first color, and displays the photographic subject on a display portion. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192220 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup apparatus for simultaneously realizing a phase difference AF and a contrast AF decides a shift amount of an image signal corresponding to a focus evaluation position every exit pupil area, generates an image corresponding to an image plane position by executing an arithmetic operation processing based on the decided shift amount to the image signal, calculates an evaluation value of a contrast of the generated image, and calculates an evaluation value of a correlation between the images corresponding to the different exit pupil areas in the generated image. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192221 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND CAPTURING FOCUSED IMAGE - The embodiments herein provide a system and method for detecting and capturing a focused image. The system comprises of an image capturing unit, edge detection unit and a focusing unit. The image capturing unit obtains plurality of images sequentially. The edge detection unit identifies region of interest in each of the obtained images and calculates edge strength value for the identified regions. The edge detection unit determines peak edge value from the edge strength values. The edge strength value quantifies degree of focus in the identified region. If the identified region is more focused, the number of edges is relatively more when compared with out-of-focus region. The peak edge value indicates that the identified region is well focused. The focusing unit causes the image capturing unit to capture focused image when the edge strength value reaches a predefined value of the peak edge value. | 07-10-2014 |
20140198231 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - The image processing apparatus includes an image acquirer configured to acquire an input image produced by image capturing through a zoom lens whose magnification is variable, and a processor configured to perform an image restoration process using an image restoration filter produced on a basis of information on aberration of the zoom lens. The processor is configured to not perform the image restoration process on a central image area of the input image produced by the image capturing through the zoom lens set in a specific magnification state and to perform the image restoration process on a specific image area more outer than the central image area of that input image. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204232 | DESCRIPTOR-BASED STREAM PROCESSOR FOR IMAGE PROCESSING AND METHOD ASSOCIATED THEREWITH - The present disclosure provides a stream processor, an associated stream controller and compiler, and associated methods for data processing, such as image processing. In some embodiments, a method includes defining a kernel pattern associated with an image frame, and processing the image frame using the defined kernel pattern. The method can further include generating a kernel switch lookup table based on the defined kernel pattern. In various implementations, the stream controller is operable to direct execution of kernels on the image frame according to the defined kernel pattern and the kernel switch lookup table. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204233 | MONOCULAR TELESCOPE CAPABLE OF CAPTURING AND RECORDING IMAGES - The monocular telescope provided by the present invention includes a monocular main body, an image capturing/recording module and a LCD monitor. The monocular main body includes a tube. An eyepiece end is disposed at a side of the tube, and an objective lens end is disposed at an opposite side of the tube. The image capturing/recording module is disposed inside the monocular main body. An optical image signal captured by a camera lens is converted into an electronic image signal and is transmitted to a control/process module by the image capturing/recording module. The control/process module processes and transmits the electronic image signal in accordance therewith. The LCD monitor is pivotally connected at a side of the monocular main body in such way that the LCD monitor is able to open and close with respect to the tube. The LCD monitor displays images according to the processed electronic image signal. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204234 | PHOTOGRAPHING UNIT, COOPERATIVE PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED PROGRAM - A photographing unit includes an image pickup portion which outputs a first image pickup image obtained through photographing of an object, a display control portion for displaying the first image pickup image from the image pickup portion and a second image pickup image from a different photographing unit on an identical display screen, an image comparison portion which compares the first image pickup image with the second image pickup image, and an angle-of-view display portion which controls the display control portion on the basis of a comparison result from the image comparison portion to display a display indicating an image pickup range of the first image pickup image in the second image pickup image. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204235 | APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGES TO PROLONG BATTERY LIFE - A device and method are provided for processing mages to prolong battery e. In one implementation, a wearable apparatus may include a wearable image sensor configured to capture a plurality of images from an environment of a user. The wearable apparatus may also include at least one processing device configured to, in a first processing-mode, process representations of the plurality of images to determine a value of at least one capturing parameter for use in capturing at least one subsequent image, and in a second processing-mode, process the representations of the plurality of images to extract information. In addition, the at least one processing device may operate in the first processing-mode when the wearable apparatus is powered by a mobile power source included in the wearable apparatus and may operate in the second processing-mode when the wearable apparatus is powered by an external power source. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204236 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE IN MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING CAMERA - An apparatus and method process an image in a portable terminal having a camera. The apparatus obtains a final image from a plurality of images by performing a focusing function based on a plurality of images photographed by varying focus characteristics of an identical subject. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204237 | USER TERMINAL AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING USER IN USER TERMINAL - A user terminal includes: a first camera and a second camera photographing a subject; and a controller photographing a user using the second camera upon photographing through the first camera to thus recognize the user, and performing predetermined image processing on an image photographed through the first camera according to the result of the user recognition. Therefore, by recognizing a user and performing image processing on a photographed image based on the result of the user recognition, it is possible to protect a user's copyright for photographed images and also to use user information for various purposes by associating the user information with photographed images. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204238 | FEATURE EXTRACTION APPARATUS, FEATURE EXTRACTION PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Provided is a feature extraction device including a sub region setting unit ( | 07-24-2014 |
20140211035 | DETERMINING A DEVICE IDENTIFIER FROM A LIGHT SIGNAL EMITTED BY A DEVICE - A method performed by a processing system includes determining device identifier corresponding to a device from a series of captured images that include a light signal emitted by the device. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211036 | IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image capturing method includes: continuously generating, using a processor, one or more OFF images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned OFF, for a first number of times; continuously generating, using the processor, ON images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned ON, for a second number of times; continuously generating, using the processor, one or more OFF images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned OFF, for the first number of times; computing, using the processor, a difference image between each of the generated ON images and the OFF image corresponding to the ON image among the generated OFF images; and integrating, using the processor, the computed difference images. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211037 | Electronic Apparatus, Method for Controlling the Same, and Computer-Readable Recording Medium - An electronic apparatus includes a photographing unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. The photographing unit creates an image signal and captures a first image corresponding to a first shutter release signal. The processing unit creates a first quick view image of the first captured image and creates a live view image based on the image signal. The display unit displays the first quick view image and the live view image. If a second shutter release signal is inputted within a first reference time from a moment at which the first shutter release signal is inputted, the processing unit creates and displays, at the display unit, a second quick view image corresponding to the second shutter release signal. If the second shutter release signal is not inputted within the first reference time, the processing unit creates and displays, at the display unit, the live view image. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211038 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus ( | 07-31-2014 |
20140211039 | Efficient Transforms and Efficient Row Generation for Kronecker Products of Hadamard Matrices - If a Hadamard matrix H | 07-31-2014 |
20140211040 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - A control unit monitors a state of captured image sequentially outputted by an image capturing unit. The control unit carries out a first determination that determines whether or not the state of a captured image satisfies a prescribed condition. When the result is that the prescribed condition is satisfied, the captured image is recorded in a recording unit. The control unit also carries out a second determination that determines whether or not the state of the captured image is appropriate for being subjected to the first determination. When the result is that the state is not appropriate for being subjected to the first determination, a warning is issued to the user to this effect. | 07-31-2014 |
20140218556 | OPTICAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, LIGHT SOURCE LUMINANCE ADJUSTMENT METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM THEREOF - An optical processing apparatus, a light source luminance adjustment method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium thereof are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218557 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS - A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing an image processing program configured to enable a computer to execute a shaping step of shaping an input image generated through capturing via an optical system by using a characteristic of the optical system and an image-pickup condition, a blurring step of blurring an image shaped in the shaping step, and a dividing step of dividing the input image into a plurality or layered images according to an object distance. The computer executes the shaping step based upon distance information of an object contained in each layered image. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218558 | LENS UNIT, IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE LENS UNIT, AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes a lens unit, a body unit detachably attached to the lens unit, and an interface unit configured to connect the lens unit and the body unit so as to be capable of communicating with each other, the interface unit having a bidirectional communication interface and a unidirectional interface. The lens unit includes an optical lens configured to transmit light from an object, an imaging device configured to form an image with the light, and an image processing section configured to generate image data based on an output of the imaging device. The lens unit is configured to receive setting information to be used in the image processing section for generating the image data from the body unit via the bidirectional interface of the interface unit, generate the image data based on the received setting information, send notification information to be used by the body unit for receiving the image data to the body unit via the bidirectional interface of the interface unit, and send the image data to the body unit via the unidirectional interface of the interface unit after sending the notification information. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232891 | ADJUSTING PERSPECTIVE DISTORTION OF AN IMAGE - The present disclosure concerns a method and system to accurately remove a three-dimensional distortion in an image of a document and convert the image into an accurate two dimensional image. A method for accurately deducing an image of a document to a precise document boundary is also disclosed. A portable computing device may employ the disclosed method and system. The methods involve a marker embedded in a document which provides three-dimensional positional information of a recording device with reference to the marker continuously in real time. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232892 | DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSOR BUFFER MANAGEMENT - A camera image sensor captures image data at a first rate, and stores the captured image data at a DSP buffer until it is processed by a DSP image processor. In response to the available capacity at the DSP buffer falling below a first threshold, the DSP buffer notifies the image sensor of the buffer's status, and the image sensor is configured to capture image data at a second rate. The second rate can be associated with a frame rate lower than the frame rate associated with the first rate, and/or can be associated with a resolution less than the resolution associated with the first rate. When the available capacity of the DSP increases, for instance, above a second threshold, the image sensor can be re-configured to capture image data at the first rate, or at a third rate different from the second rate and first rate. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232893 | IMAGE SENSOR AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - There is provided an image sensor including a light sensitive device and a digital signal processing circuit. The light sensitive device is configured to output a digital image. The digital signal processing circuit is configured to detect at least one feature point in the digital image and calculate a feature point coordinate of the at least one feature point. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232894 | DIGITAL CAMERA WITH MULTIPLE PIPELINE SIGNAL PROCESSORS - A method includes sampling a first intensity of light with a first array of photo detectors of a digital camera. A second intensity of light is sampled with a second array of photo detectors of the digital camera. A first channel processor coupled to the first array of photo detectors generates a first image using first array data which is representative of the first intensity of light sampled by the first array of photo detectors. A second channel processor coupled to the second array of photo detectors generates a second image using second array data which is representative of the second intensity of light sampled by the second array of photo detectors. The first array of photo detectors, the second array of photo detectors, the first channel processor, and the second channel processor are integrated on or in a semiconductor substrate. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232895 | Method and System for Adjusting Exposure Settings of Video Cameras - A system and method to enhance dark areas of a scenes while preventing bright areas of the scenes from distorting or skewing exposure settings of video cameras. The video cameras capture images and identify bright areas in the captured images. The video cameras calculate exposure settings while excluding the bright areas in the captured images to enhance the dark areas in the captured images. Camera control parameters are then adjusted based on the calculated exposure settings. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232896 | INFORMATION COMMUNICATION METHOD OF OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM A SUBJECT BY DEMODULATING DATA SPECIFIED BY A PATTERN OF A BRIGHT LINE INCLUDED IN AN OBTAINED IMAGE - An information communication method includes: obtaining a first image by capturing a subject; detecting a range of the subject from the first image; determining, from among a plurality of exposure lines, predetermined exposure lines for capturing the range of the subject; setting an exposure time so that, in a second image obtained using the predetermined exposure lines, a bright line appears according to a change in luminance of the subject; obtaining the second image including the bright line, by capturing the subject that changes in luminance using the predetermined exposure lines with the set exposure time; and demodulating data specified by a pattern of the bright line included in the obtained second image. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232897 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image-capturing device includes: a photographic optical system; a photoelectric conversion element array made up with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arrayed therein; a micro-lens array made up with a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed therein; a data creation unit that creates pixel data at a plurality of pixels on a specific image forming plane by applying filter matrix data to output signals provided from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and an image synthesis unit that synthetically generates an image on the specific image forming plane at a given position assumed along an optical axis of the photographic optical system, based upon the pixel data. The filter matrix data assume a two-dimensional data array pattern conforming to a specific intensity distribution with a distribution center thereof set at an element corresponding to a central position of a projection image of each of the plurality of pixels. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232898 | DIGITAL CAMERA - A digital camera captures an image of a photographic subject and creates image data, and records this image data upon a recording medium. The digital camera includes: an image processing device that, according to operation by a user, performs any of a plurality of types of image processing upon the image data that has been recorded; and a control device that, for performing the image processing, (a) if image data is first selected, permits selection of a type of image processing that is to be performed upon the selected image data; and (b) if a type of image processing is first selected, permits selection of image data upon which that selected type of image processing is to be performed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232899 | SERVER DEVICE, IMAGE TRANSMISSION METHOD, TERMINAL DEVICE, IMAGE RECEPTION METHOD, PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - In some embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting, via at least one network, a request to another apparatus for still image data generated from moving image data, the request comprising at least one criterion, and receiving still image data generated from moving image data matching the at least one criterion in the request. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for receiving the request via at least one network, using the at least one criterion in the request to obtain still image data generated from moving image data, and responding to the request by transmitting the obtained still image data. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240531 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS THAT CONTROLS PHOTOGRAPHING ACCORDING TO PHOTOGRAPHIC SCENE - An image capture apparatus according to the present invention includes: sequentially estimating a photographic scene; sequentially setting, based on the photographic scene sequentially estimated, a photographic scene that serves as a basis for judging a photographic condition; sequentially displaying, based on the photographic scene sequentially set, scene identification information indicating the photographic scene being set; and controlling, for each photographic scene, an update condition for determining an update timing of the photographic scene set by the scene setting unit or an update timing of the photographic scene displayed by the scene display unit, so that, with this configuration, it is possible to preferably set a timing or a condition relating to setting. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240532 | Methods and Apparatus for Light Field Photography - In exemplary implementations of this invention, a light field camera uses a light field dictionary to reconstruct a 4D light field from a single photograph. The light field includes both angular and spatial information and has a spatial resolution equal to the spatial resolution of the imaging sensor. Light from a scene passes through a coded spatial light modulator (SLM) before reaching an imaging sensor. Computer processors reconstruct a light field. This reconstruction includes computing a sparse or compressible coefficient vector using a light field dictionary matrix. Each column vector of the dictionary matrix is a light field atom. These light field atoms each, respectively, comprise information about a small 4D region of a light field. Reconstruction quality may be improved by using an SLM that is as orthogonal as possible to the dictionary. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247372 | FOVEATED IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A time-varying image is synthesized having at least one time-varying region of interest therewithin. The image is spatially modulated with an array of modulating pixels to form a modulated image. The array of modulating pixels has a modulator resolution. The modulated image is sensed with an array of sensor pixels. The array of sensor pixels has a sensor resolution. The modulator resolution is finer than the sensor resolution. Each sensor pixel corresponds to a plurality of modulating pixels. Said sensor pixel and said plurality of modulating pixels subtend the same region in the image. Outside the region of interest, the modulated image is synthesized at the sensor resolution and at a sensor video frame rate. Inside the region of interest, the modulated image is synthesized at the modulator resolution and at an effective synthesized video frame rate that is less than sensor video frame rate. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247373 | MULTIPLE LENSES IN A MOBILE DEVICE - Generally, this disclosure describes multiple lenses in a mobile device. A mobile device may include a housing including a first surface, an opposing second surface and third, fourth, fifth and sixth surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface forming the housing; a plurality of lenses, each lens configured to capture a respective image, each lens positioned relative to the housing so that a respective lens axis associated with each lens is perpendicular within a tolerance to at least a portion of at least one surface and a first lens axis associated with a first lens is perpendicular within the tolerance to a second lens axis associated with a second lens; at least one image sensor coupled to the plurality of lenses, configured to convert each captured image into respective image data; and circuitry configured to receive and process the image data. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247374 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing system includes a face detection unit to detect a face in an image and a partial region detection unit to detect a partial region of the image based on a position of the face detected in the image. A tracking determination unit may also be included in the image processing system to select at least one of the face and the partial region for tracking based on a predetermined condition, and to track the selected one of the face and the partial region. | 09-04-2014 |
20140253750 | Methods and Apparatus For Low Resolution Item Identification - Methods and apparatus are provided for low resolution item identification. An image of an unknown item is captured and quantized to greatly lower the resolution of the image. The quantized image data of the unknown item is compared to a plurality of the quantized image data for known items. The comparison includes using a signal-to-noise ratio calculated using the quantized image data for both the unknown and known items. A match is found when the calculated signal-to-noise ratio is above a predetermined threshold value. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253751 | METHOD OF COMPRESSION OF IMAGES USING A NATURAL MODE AND A GRAPHICS MODE - A method of and system for compression of images and video, with random access capability are described herein. Before encoding, the image is partitioned into blocks. The pixels in each block are grouped into several groups using thresholds such that a single value is stored in each group. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253752 | IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD FOR IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus includes: pixels ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140253753 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY DEVICE - An image processing apparatus generates a plurality of parallactic images having a relationship that the magnitude of an amount of image shift between parallactic images increases with an increase of a defocus amount, generates, through plural selections of the generated parallactic images permitting a repeated same selection, a series of parallactic images in which the selected parallactic images are arranged in a selection order; repeatedly applies interpolation processing to each pair of adjacent parallactic images included in the series of parallactic images to generate a plurality of interpolation images; and arranges the interpolation images between the adjacent parallactic images to output the interpolated parallactic images as an output image of a moving image. | 09-11-2014 |
20140267818 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING STILL IMAGES AND VIDEO USING DIFFRACTION CODED IMAGING TECHNIQUES - An apparatus and method are described for capturing images in visible light as well as other radiation wavelengths. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a diffraction coded imaging system including a plurality of apertures arranged in a diffraction coded array pattern with opaque material blocking array elements not containing apertures; and a light- or radiation-sensitive sensor coupled to the diffraction coded imaging system array and positioned at a specified distance behind the diffraction coded imaging system array, the radiation-sensitive sensor configured to sense light or radiation transmitted and diffracted through the apertures in the diffraction coded imaging system array. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267819 | MACH-ZEHNDER BASED OPTICAL MARKER/COMB GENERATOR FOR STREAK CAMERA CALIBRATION - This disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for generating marker and comb indicia in an optical environment using a Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) modulator. High speed recording devices are configured to record image or other data defining a high speed event. To calibrate and establish time reference, the markers or combs are indicia which serve as timing pulses (markers) or a constant-frequency train of optical pulses (comb) to be imaged on a streak camera for accurate time based calibration and time reference. The system includes a camera, an optic signal generator which provides an optic signal to an M-Z modulator and biasing and modulation signal generators configured to provide input to the M-Z modulator. An optical reference signal is provided to the M-Z modulator. The M-Z modulator modulates the reference signal to a higher frequency optical signal which is output through a fiber coupled link to the streak camera. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267820 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition module, a computation module and an image generator. The acquisition module acquires a first image including a substance-unapplied region of a subject and a second image including a substance-applied region of a subject. The first and second images are taken by an imager or imagers having the same sensor characteristics. The computation module computes reflection characteristic of the subject based on the first image and computes application amount of the substance applied to the subject based on the second image and the computed reflection characteristic. The image generator generates an image to be displayed based on the second image and the computed application amount. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267821 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing device includes: an acquisition section configured to acquire image data of a captured image; a dividing section configured to divide the acquired image data into divisional regions; a characteristic-amount calculation section configured to calculate a characteristic amount of the image data in each of the divisional regions; a characteristic-amount storage section configured to update the calculated characteristic amount and store the updated characteristic amount sequentially; and a change determination section configured to perform first and second processings, the first processing being provided to calculate a change amount or an agreement amount between the characteristic amounts, the second processing being provided to calculate a difference value between the characteristic amounts, and the change determination section being configured to determine, based on processing contents of the first and second processings, whether or not the update region is a changed region. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267822 | TONE MAPPING METHOD - Generating by a digital processing device, of a first digital image from a second digital image, by: for each pixel of the second image, determining a pixel luminance; dividing the interval ranging from the lowest to the highest luminance into a plurality of sub-intervals; and determining the value of at least one pixel of the first image by multiplying the value of a pixel of the second image by a gain determined by interpolation by taking into account the distance of the pixel luminance of the second image to the limits of the sub-interval containing this luminance. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267823 | POSITION DETECTION APPARATUS, LENS APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, MACHINE TOOL APPARATUS, POSITION DETECTION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A position detection apparatus ( | 09-18-2014 |
20140267824 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE DATA TRANSFER IN DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING - An apparatus and method are described in which image information is received from an image sensor relating to one image frame, one or more sub-images are produced from the received image information according to given cropping data; and the produced one or more sub-images are forwarded through an output. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267825 | IMAGING APPARATUS - In the imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the aperture area ratio between the plurality of regions of the multifocal lens is appropriately configured. Thereby, it is configured such that, when a plurality of images are simultaneously imaged via the plurality of regions using the illumination light source, brightness of the image of the subject at an in-focus distance corresponding to one region of the plurality of regions, the image imaged via the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light, is substantially equal to brightness of the image of another subject at an in-focus body distance corresponding to another region, the image imaged via the other region except the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light. Accordingly, the subject at any of the distances does not suffer excess or deficient exposure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293079 | Camera Obstruction Detection - The present disclosure provides example methods operable by computing device. An example method can include receiving an image from a camera. The method can also include comparing one or more parameters of the image with one or more control parameters, where the one or more control parameters comprise information indicative of an image from a substantially unobstructed camera. Based on the comparison, the method can also include determining a score between the one or more parameters of the image and the one or more control parameters. The method can also include accumulating, by a computing device, a count of a number of times the determined score image exceeds a first threshold. Based on the count exceeding a second threshold, the method can also include determining that the camera is at least partially obstructed. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293080 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus and method are provided. In the method, an image sensor including first pixels for detecting an image and second pixels for detecting a different type of signals, reads out values from at least one of the second pixels and at least one the first pixels, based on a predetermined rule, outputs a first sampling image, based on the read out pixels, restores values of the at least one of the second pixels to be image pixel values for locations of the at least one of the second pixels included in the first sampling image, outputs a restored image based on the restored values, performs binning on pixels of the restored image using a predetermined method; and outputs a reduced resolution image with a resolution reduced at a predetermined rate from the restored image, based on the binning. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293081 | COMPUTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF IMAGE MATCHING - A computing device is connected to a measurement device including a projector, a left camera and a right camera. The projector is controlled to project gratings with a number M of frequencies on an object. The left camera captures a number N of left grating images, and the right camera captures a number N of right grating images of the gratings with each of the frequencies. A luminous intensity of each pixel in each of the left grating images and the right grating images is computed. According to the luminous intensity of each pixel in each of the left grating images, a first phase grayscale image is obtained. According to the luminous intensity of each pixel in each of the right grating images, a second phase grayscale image is obtained. A matched image is obtained by matching the first phase grayscale image and the second phase grayscale image. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293082 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a color variation amount/normalized dynamic range operation unit that operates color variation amounts indicating variation amounts of a first color component and a second color component for a third color component of the plurality of color components in pixels of the designated region of a first image output from a single-plate type pixel portion, and a coefficient reading unit that reads a coefficient stored in advance on the basis of a result of class sorting of the designated region, in which an operation method of pixel values of the second image formed by pixels of only the first color component and an operation method of pixel values of the second image formed by pixels of only the second color component are changed on the basis of the color variation amounts and the normalized dynamic ranges. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293083 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: a representative value calculation unit that selects a designation area from a first image, and that calculates a representative value of each of the color components in the designation area, a class classification unit that performs class classification on the designation area, a coefficient reading unit that reads a coefficient that is stored in advance, a color component conversion unit that sets the pixel value relating to a predetermined pixel within the designation area to be a prediction tap, sets the pixel value of one color component, to be a reference, and converts the pixel value of each color component into a conversion value, and a product and sum calculation unit that sets the conversion value to be a variable and calculates each of the pixel values of a second image, by performing product and sum calculation which uses the coefficient which is read. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293084 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes: a representative value calculation unit that selects a designation area from a first image, and that calculates a representative value of each of the color components in the designation area, a class classification unit that performs class classification on the designation area, a coefficient reading unit that reads a coefficient that is stored in advance, a color component conversion unit that sets the pixel value relating to a predetermined pixel within the designation area to be a prediction tap, sets the pixel value of one color component, to be a reference, and converts the pixel value of each color component into a conversion value, and a product and sum calculation unit that sets the conversion value to be a variable and calculates each of the pixel values of a second image, by performing product and sum calculation which uses the coefficient which is read. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293085 | IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD OF IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging device includes a comparator that compares a noise signal with each of a first reference signal and a second reference signal having potentials with different changing quantities per unit time, and that compares a photoelectric conversion signal with each of the first reference signal and the second reference signal. Also, the imaging device AD-converts signals obtained by amplifying the noise signal by a first gain and a second gain having different gains, and AD-converts a signal obtained by amplifying the photoelectric conversion signal by one of a first gain and a second gain. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293086 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING METHOD OF THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM TO STORE COMPUTER-PROCESSIBLE TRACKING PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes a display unit, a touch panel, a frame display controller, an imaging controller. The frame display controller displays a frame for focus on the display unit if an operation portion approaches the touch panel, and moves the frame for focus in accordance with the movement of the operation portion that approaches the touch panel. The imaging controller performs focusing on the subject in the frame for focus and then performs imaging in response to a photography instruction. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293087 | SCREEN DETECTOR - Technology described herein provides techniques for screen detection. This could be a dynamic screen, such as a display screen of an electronic device, or a static screen such as a street sign. In one aspect, a screen is detected in frames of image data. An active image and/or an average color image may be formed based on frames of image data. A set of lines that are candidate for boundaries of a screen are identified in the frames. The active image and/or an average color is integrated on both sides of each line in the set of lines to form integration results. A set of screen candidates are formed based on the integration results. Screens in the screen candidates are scored according to a criterion. One or top few of the screens in the set of screen candidates is selected based on the scoring. | 10-02-2014 |
20140300769 | Automatic Time Lapse Capture - In one embodiment, a mobile device captures images at a rate different than playback speed. The mobile device receives a user input to initiate a collection of image data by a mobile device. A timer is incremented in response to the collection of image data or in response to the user input. The mobile device compares an elapsed time of the timer to a threshold. The image data is captured at a first frame rate until the elapsed time reaches the threshold and at a second frame rate when the timer exceeds the threshold. A series of thresholds may be used. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300770 | CAMERA, LENS UNIT, AND IMAGE-PICKUP SYSTEM - A camera communication unit is configured to change a voltage applied to a communication terminal used for a communication with the lens unit. The camera communication unit is configured to communicate with the lens unit using one of a first communication mode and a second communication mode, the first communication mode setting the voltage applied to the communication terminal to a first range and enabling the communication with the lens unit using a communication method of a first communication speed, and the second communication mode setting the voltage applied to the communication terminal to a second range that is located on a lower voltage side than the first range and enabling the communication with the lens unit using a communication method of a second communication speed higher than the first communication speed. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300771 | IMAGING PROCESSING APPARATUS, CAMERA SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A camera system, image processing method and computer program stored on a computer readable medium for image processing. Long and short accumulation images with longer and shorter exposure times are respectively obtained from one field. First and second long accumulation evaluation values are computed from the long accumulation image. A short accumulation evaluation value is computed from the short accumulation image. A short accumulation target exposure time and short accumulation exposure control information are acquired from the short accumulation evaluation value and a first target level. A long accumulation evaluation value is acquired by synthesizing the first and second long accumulation evaluation values. Long accumulation exposure control information is acquired from the long accumulation evaluation value and a second target level. An image is generated from the long accumulation image and the short accumulation image. | 10-09-2014 |
20140307118 | Smart Tiles - The instant application discloses, among other things, techniques to allow multiple tiles containing various types of sensors to be connected via a network to a number of other tiles and a computer, with automatic virtual orientation of the tiles and fast data transmission. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307119 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGE NOISE FILTERING - Methods and apparatus for filtering noise of low frequency from an image of the surface characteristics of an object expressed with reference to orthogonal first and second axis and obtained with linear light scanning, involve calculating a difference between pixel values of an image column vector along the second axis adjacent a selected reference image column vector and respective pixel values of the selected reference image column vector to obtain a pixel difference vector. The pixel difference values not mainly associated with a corresponding atypical change of surface characteristics as compared with noise are then selected, and a mean value from the selected pixel difference values are calculated as an estimated value of the noise. The estimated noise value are subtracted from the adjacent image column vector to obtain a corrected image column vector. The calculations are repeated using the corrected image vector as the reference image column vector and a further adjacent image column vector to obtain further corrected image column vectors, from which a noise filtered image is generated. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307120 | METHOD TO IMPROVE ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY OF MOTION ESTIMATED WITH PHASE CORRELATION - A method of improving accuracy and reliability of motion estimation is described herein. In one aspect, a 2D neighborhood of phase correlation peak is approximated with an outer-product of two 1D vectors to eliminate the sub-pixel error. In another aspect, estimation of reliability is improved. In yet another aspect, two-pass phase correlation is implemented to eliminate sub-pel motion bias. | 10-16-2014 |
20140313362 | METHOD AND DEVICE RELATING TO IMAGE CONTENT - The invention relates to a method and device for reproducing an image. The device comprises: a controller and an image recording portion for recording a first image comprising a first object and a second object, means for computing distance data to each of said first and second objects; and the controller being configured to generate output image data for a second image, said output image data comprising distance data to said first and second objects and data for additional visual information, wherein said additional visual information together with at least a first portion of said second image when reproduced is visualised different than at least a second portion of said second image with respect to distance information from said computed distance. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313363 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING AND USING GESTURE BASED USER INTERFACE WIDGETS WITH CAMERA INPUT - Described is approach to gesture interaction that is based on user interface widgets. In order to detect user gestures, the widgets are provided with hotspots that are monitored using a camera for predetermined patterns of occlusion. A hotspot is a region where user interacts with the widget by making a gesture over it. The user's gesture may be detected without user physically touching the surface displaying the widget. The aforesaid hotspots are designed to be visually salient and suggestive of the type of gestures that can be received from the user. Described techniques are advantageous in relation to conventional systems, such as systems utilizing finger tracking, in that they can better support complex tasks with repeated user actions. In addition, they provide better perceived affordance than conventional systems that attempt to use widgets that are not designed for gesture input, or in-the-air gesture detection techniques that lack any visual cues. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313364 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE OF PATCH PANEL - A method for processing an image of a patch panel includes: a) receiving an initial image; b) determining multiple ports of the patch panel are aligned in a desired orientation in the initial image; c) processing the initial image to identify edge lines perpendicular to the desired orientation; d) processing the edge lines to identify a port hypothesis that includes an estimated port gap between the multiple ports along the desired orientation and an estimated port size for the multiple ports along the desired orientation; e) processing the port hypothesis to determine an estimated port quantity for the multiple ports; and f) processing the port hypothesis to identify an estimation error between expected and detected edge line positions in relation to a reference axis perpendicular to the edge lines. An apparatus associated therewith includes an input/output and pre-processing modules and detection, hypothesis, estimating, and scoring processors. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313365 | VIRTUAL PRESENCE SYSTEM - A method comprising capturing, by a device equipped with a first camera, at least one image about an object of interest; determining at least one of location and orientation information of the device; retrieving, on the basis of at least one of said at least one image and said location and orientation information, at least one image of the object of interest from a service comprising media associated with location information; capturing, by a second camera, at least one image about an object currently locating in the vicinity of the object of interest; creating a cropped image from the at least one image about said object, the cropped image comprising at least a cropped portion of said object; and embedding the cropped image of said object to the at least one image of the object of interest retrieved from said service. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313366 | METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SYSTEM SUPPORTING THE SAME - An image processing method, and an electronic device and a system supporting the same are provided. The method includes obtaining a first image by using an image sensor, generating a second image compatible with an output device from the first image based on mapping information, and outputting the second image to the output device. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313367 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging device of the present invention, using image data that has been continuously read out at specified time intervals from an image sensor, generates relatively dark combination image data resulting from relatively dark combination using darker pixel data of each pixel of image data is generated, and relatively bright combination image data resulting from relatively bright combination using brighter pixel data of each pixel of image data, and difference output image data is generated from the relatively bright combination image data and the relatively dark combination image data. With the generated relatively dark combination image data as background image data and the difference output image data as light trace output image data, respective brightness is adjusted, and by subjecting each of the image data after adjustment to addition combination, it is possible to respectively independently adjust background brightness and light trace brightness. | 10-23-2014 |
20140320687 | CAMERA TAP SWITCH - Various embodiments provide a wearable camera that can be worn by a user. The wearable camera includes an accelerometer that can be used to detect camera motion. Input can be provided to the camera in the form of one or more taps which have an associated motion profile, as sensed by the accelerometer. The tap or taps can be mapped to camera functionality to activate the functionality. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320688 | Power Efficient Image Sensing Apparatus, Method of Operating the Same and Eye/Gaze Tracking System - An image sensing apparatus has a light sensitive area and a control unit. The light sensitive area registers image data in response to an incoming amount of light, and is operable in an active mode wherein image data can be read out there from as well as in a standby mode wherein image data cannot be read out. The control unit produces a control signal setting the light sensitive area to operate in the active mode and the standby mode respectively in a cyclic manner during an operation period, which preferably encompasses multiple data frame read-outs of image data from the light sensitive area. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320689 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE DATA PROCESSING METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image data production unit configured to produce data of a plurality of kinds of images from a picked up image and successively output the data; an image synthesis unit configured to cyclically connect the data of the plurality of kinds of images for each pixel string within a range set in advance for each of the kinds of the images and output the connected data as a stream to produce a virtual synthetic image; and an image sending unit configured to accept, from a host terminal, a data transmission request that designates a rectangular region in the virtual synthetic image, extract and connect data from the stream and transmit the connected data as a new stream to the host terminal | 10-30-2014 |
20140320690 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - One embodiment according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a pixel. The pixel includes first and second photoelectric conversion units, a floating diffusion portion, and first and second transfer transistors. The first and second transfer transistors are configured to transfer electric carriers generated respectively at the first and second photoelectric conversion units to the floating diffusion portion. The imaging apparatus includes a first conductive member electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transfer transistor, a second conductive member electrically connected to the gate electrode of the second transfer transistor, and a control unit. The distance of closest proximity between the first conductive member and the floating diffusion portion is longer than the distance of closest proximity between the second conductive member and the floating diffusion portion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320691 | Method and system for head tracking and pose estimation - Techniques for performing accurate and automatic head pose estimation are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, head pose estimation is integrated with a scale-invariant head tracking method along with facial features detected from a located head in images. Thus the head pose estimation works efficiently even when there are large translational movements resulting from the head motion. Various computation techniques are used to optimize the process of estimation so that the head pose estimation can be applied to control one or more objects in a virtual environment and virtual character gaze control. | 10-30-2014 |
20140333790 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING METHOD AND PROGRAM - An image processing system includes circuitry that determine whether a focus operation is performed on an image, and processes the image in a high resolution mode when the focus operation is determined to be performed. The circuitry processes the image in a low resolution mode when the focus operation is determined not to be performed. The resolution of the image is lower in the low resolution mode than in the high resolution mode. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333791 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit configured to capture images by an image sensor; an acquisition unit configured to acquire information relating to sensitivities of the image sensor used for capturing the images; a composition unit configured to add a plurality of images for generating a composite image; and a development processing unit configured to perform development processing of data of the composite image generated by the composition unit; wherein a plurality of parameters having different characteristics corresponding to the sensitivities of the image sensor are provided as the parameters used for the development processing; further comprising a control unit configured to perform controlling to compare the sensitivities used for shooting the plurality of images and set the parameter corresponding to the highest sensitivity as the parameter used for the development processing. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333792 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus, comprises an image capturing unit configured to capture an image; a detection unit configured to detect an object in a captured image; a first authentication unit configured to perform authentication on a photographer using first dictionary data in which feature information of the photographer is registered; a second authentication unit configured to perform authentication on the object in the captured image using second dictionary data in which feature information of the object is registered for each photographer; and a switching unit configured to switch the second dictionary data to be used by the second authentication unit in accordance with the photographer authenticated by the first authentication unit. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333793 | PHOTOGRAPHING EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHING ASSISTING METHOD, DISPLAY APPARATUS AND DISPLAY METHOD - Photographing equipment includes an image pickup unit which picks up an image of an object to obtain a picked up image, a display unit which displays the picked up image, a portion determining unit which sets an inspection area at the picked up image displayed on the display unit, an analyzing unit which analyzes at least one of an image and a setting associated with the inspection area, and a search unit which obtains a factor of a defect of the image of the inspection area by referring to a database provided in advance using an analysis result of the analyzing unit. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333794 | SENSOR-BASED MOBILE SEARCH, RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333795 | DIGITAL CAMERA AND IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD - A portable device and image processing method for the device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an image, performing an eye-gazing detection process on the image to detect an eye-gazing direction of at least one eye of at least one object in the image, determining whether the eye-gazing direction meets a gazing criterion, wherein the gazing criterion defines a specific angle of the eye-gazing direction of the at least one eye of the at least one object with respect to the portable device, and wherein the eye-gazing direction is determined by analyzing pupils of the at least one eye, and triggering an application of the portable device in response to the eye-gazing direction meeting the gazing criterion. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333796 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT AND IMAGING DEVICE - This solid-state image sensor includes a dispersing element array which is arranged to face a photosensitive cell array and which includes a plurality of high-refractive-index transparent portions, a low-refractive-index transparent layer that fills a gap between the high-refractive-index transparent portions, and pairs of dispersing elements arranged to face multiple unit blocks of the photosensitive cell array. Each pair of dispersing elements is comprised of: a first dispersing element which includes one of the high-refractive-index transparent portions and which splits incoming light into two light rays representing first and second color components, respectively; and a second dispersing element which includes another one of the high-refractive-index transparent portions and which splits the incoming light into two light rays representing third and fourth color components, respectively. The first dispersing element makes the light ray representing the first color component incident on the first photosensitive cell and also makes the light ray representing the second color component incident on a pair of the second photosensitive cells which are adjacent to the first photosensitive cell. The second dispersing element makes the light ray representing the third color component incident on the third photosensitive cell and also makes the light ray representing the fourth color component incident on a pair of the fourth photosensitive cells which are adjacent to the third photosensitive cell. | 11-13-2014 |
20140340540 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An image capturing device includes an optical module configured to capture an image, at least one sensor module configured to generate image signals for the captured image, and a data processing module configured to generate image data for the captured image on the basis of the generated image signals. The image capturing device further includes a display device configured to display the captured image on the basis of the generated image data and an assigned memory unit configured to store the generated image data. The data processing module has a marking unit configured to optically mark at least one image position in the displayed image on the display device and to produce on the display device a display of at least one designating element to allow a designation of the at least one image position. The designating element is configured to allow a clear identification of the image position designated. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340541 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging apparatus which includes a semiconductor portion having a first face on the light incident side and a second face opposite to the first face, and an optical system arranged on the first face, comprising a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type provided on the second face side in the semiconductor region, a photoelectric conversion portion provided in the semiconductor portion so as to surround the first semiconductor region, including a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a gate electrode arranged between the first and the second semiconductor regions on the second face, for transferring a charge generated in the photoelectric conversion portion to the first semiconductor region, wherein the optical system is configured so that a light intensity in the second semiconductor region is higher than that in the first semiconductor region. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340542 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING IMAGE CAPTURING FUNCTION - An electronic device with an image capturing device includes device to detect the functionality and quality of the image capturing device. Images of a first template object and of a different second template object are taken. The detecting device compares image of the first with a first predetermined standard image of the first template object to determine whether the first image possesses certain qualities and compares the image of the second with a second predetermined standard image of the second template object to determine whether the second image possesses the qualities and outputs a result indicating whether or not the image capturing device is acceptable based on whether the first and second images have the certain qualities. | 11-20-2014 |
20140347511 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONFIDENCE-BASED IMAGE PROCESSING - A system and method for triggering image re-capture in image processing by receiving a first image captured using a first mode, performing a computer vision task on the first image to produce a first result, generating a confidence score of the first result using a machine learning technique, triggering an image re-capture using a second mode in response to the confidence score of the first result, and performing the computer vision task on a result of the image recapture using the second mode. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347512 | IMAGING SENSOR AND METHOD FOR BIOMETRIC MAPPING OF FACIAL SKIN - A diagnostic system for biometric mapping of facial skin includes a light filter a light sensor, a non-transient memory, a correlation processor, and an output unit. The light filter filters light reflected from an object to a filtered light signal. The light sensor receives the filtered light signal and generates a first electronic image signal representative of an image of the object in accordance with the filtered light signal. The memory stores a first electronic diagnostic signal representative of a predetermined mal-condition of the object. The processor determines a correlation between the first electronic image signal and the first electronic diagnostic signal, generates a correlation signal representative of a strength of the correlation, determines a diagnosis of the associated object based on the correlation signal, and generates a diagnosis signal in accordance with the diagnosis. The output unit generates a diagnosis result signal in accordance with the diagnosis signal. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347513 | DETECTION APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DETECTING FEATURE POINT AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A feature point detection apparatus sets, in accordance with a shooting mode or a designation from a user, a detection parameter for each region of an image to detect a feature point, and detects the feature point based on the detection parameter. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347514 | Detecting Facial Expressions In Digital Images - A method and system for detecting facial expressions in digital images and applications therefore are disclosed. Analysis of a digital image determines whether or not a smile and/or blink is present on a person's face. Face recognition, and/or a pose or illumination condition determination, permits application of a specific, relatively small classifier cascade. | 11-27-2014 |
20140347515 | IMAGING LENS AND IMAGING DEVICE USING SAME - An imaging lens includes, arranged in sequence from the object side to the imaging surface side, a first lens having a positive power and convex surfaces on both sides; an aperture diaphragm; a second lens being a meniscus lens having a negative power and a convex surface on the object side; a third lens being a meniscus lens having a positive power and a concave surface on the object side; and a fourth lens having a negative power and concave surfaces on both sides. With this structure, the imaging lens is well corrected for various aberrations in spite of being compact in the lens radial direction and thin in the optical axis direction. | 11-27-2014 |
20140354845 | Identifying Dominant and Non-Dominant Images in a Burst Mode Capture - For cameras that capture several images in a burst mode, some embodiments of the invention provide a method that presents one or more of the captured images differently than the remaining captured images. The method identifies at least one captured image as dominant image and at least another captured image as a non-dominant image. The method then displays each dominant image different from each non-dominant image in a concurrent presentation of the images captured during the burst mode. The dominant images may appear larger than non-dominant images, and/or appear with a marking that indicates that the images are dominant. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354846 | VISIBLE LIGHT RECEIVING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A visible light is photographed through an optical diffusion filter with a camera of a portable terminal. The camera includes a pixel amplifier sequential output type imaging element in which electric charges generated in respective pixels are amplified by respective pixel amplifiers, to output imaging signals in sequence from the respective pixel amplifiers. A striped pattern based on an information signal is generated in the column direction or row direction in the imaging element, in a photographed optically-diffused image. The information signal is extracted to be demodulated on the basis of a state of generation of the striped pattern. | 12-04-2014 |
20140362247 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An imaging apparatus is provided which allows acquisition of a plurality of images in response to one instruction to generate images without requiring a user to perform complicated setting operations and advanced knowledge. A control unit in the imaging apparatus selects a photographing parameter to be changed for the auto bracketing from a plurality of photographing parameters based on a result of analysis on an image captured in advance by the imaging unit and sets a variance range of values of the selected photographing parameters based on a category instructed by a user. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362248 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS, CAPTURED IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A mobile terminal apparatus includes a geometrical arrangement detecting section ( | 12-11-2014 |
20140362249 | INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An interactive electronic device includes an image capture module, a response module and a processing module. The image capture module is for capturing images. The processing module is for generating a first or second command set according to the image and output a control signal. The response module is for driving the interactive electronic device to perform a first continuous reaction corresponding to a specific pattern contained in the image according to the first command set or drive the interactive electronic device to perform a second continuous reaction according to the second command set. The processing module is further for replacing, adding or deleting at least a command in the first command set in a random manner thereby obtaining the second command set. | 12-11-2014 |
20140368687 | TERMINAL DEVICE AND LINE OF SIGHT DETECTION METHOD - A terminal device includes, a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute, obtaining information that indicates a state of an imaging unit when photographing a subject; determining whether an image photographed by the imaging unit includes blurriness due to shaking of the imaging unit based on the obtained information; and using an image determined as not including blurriness in the determining to detect a line of sight of the photographed subject. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368688 | COMPUTER VISION APPLICATION PROCESSING - Methods, systems, and techniques to enhance computer vision application processing are disclosed. In particular, the methods, systems, and techniques may reduce power consumption for computer vision applications and improve processing efficiency for computer vision applications. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368689 | IMAGE SIMILARITY DETERMINING DEVICE AND METHOD, AND AN IMAGE FEATURE ACQUIRING DEVICE AND METHOD - An image similarity determining device and method and an image feature acquiring device and method are provided. The image similarity determining device comprises a preprocessing unit for extracting feature points of each input image region of an input image and each image region to be matched of a data source image; a matched feature point set determining unit for determining one to one matched feature point pairs between input image regions and image regions to be matched to determine matched feature point sets; a geometry similarity determining unit for determining a geometry similarity between the input image region and the image region to be matched based on distribution of respective feature points in the matched feature point sets; and an image similarity determining unit for determining similarity between input image and data source image based on geometry similarities between input image regions and corresponding image regions to be matched. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368690 | IMAGE GENERATION METHOD, IMAGE GENERATION APPARATUS, PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image generation method is provided for generating an output image from an input image acquired by an image sensor that has an array of multiple pixels, each of which has arranged therein multiple sub-pixels that each receive a light beam that passes through a different pupil sub-area of an imaging optical system. The method includes a step of generating multiple parallax images that respectively correspond to the different pupil sub-areas; a step of generating multiple pixel shifted images by performing different shifting for each of the parallax images according to a virtual image forming plane of the imaging optical system; and a step of generating an output image that has a higher resolution than the resolution of the parallax images from the pixel shifted images through composition processing. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368691 | Object Information Derived From Object Images - Search terms are derived automatically from images captured by a camera equipped cell phone, PDA, or other image capturing device, submitted to a search engine to obtain information of interest, and at least a portion of the resulting information is transmitted back locally to, or nearby, the device that captured the image. | 12-18-2014 |
20140375836 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SINGLE-FRAME BASED SUPER RESOLUTION INTERPOLATION FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS - A digital camera system for super resolution image processing is provided. The digital camera system includes a resolution enhancement module configured to receive at least a portion of an image, to increase the resolution of the received image, and to output a resolution enhanced image and an edge extraction module configured to receive the resolution enhanced image, to extract at least one edge of the resolution enhanced image, and to output the extracted at least one edge of the resolution enhanced image, the at least one edge being a set of contiguous pixels where an abrupt change in pixel values occur. The digital camera system also includes an edge enhancement module configured to receive the resolution enhanced image and the extracted at least one edge, and to combine the extracted at least one edge or a derivation of the extracted at least one edge with the resolution enhanced image. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375837 | CAMERA SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, LIGHTING DEVICE, AND CONTROL METHOD - A camera system includes a lighting device and an imaging apparatus. The lighting device includes a movable unit including a flash unit, a detection unit to detect information indicating the position of the movable unit, and a transmission unit to transmit position information based on information detected by the detection unit to the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a calculation unit to calculate amount of light emission of the flash unit, a correction unit to perform correction of the amount of the light emission calculated by the calculation unit, and a reception unit to receive the position information from the lighting device. According to the position information received by the reception unit, the correction unit switches whether to perform correction of the amount of the light emission calculated by the calculation unit. | 12-25-2014 |
20150009355 | MOTION ADAPTIVE CMOS IMAGING SYSTEM - The present disclosure provides a motion adaptive imaging control method applied to a high dynamic range CMOS imaging system. In the motion adaptive imaging control method, first a motion index of each pixel of a high dynamic range (HDR) image data is determined according to a first image data of a scene corresponding to a first exposure value and a second image data of the scene corresponding to a second exposure value. Then, any combination of an auto exposure control process, an auto focus control process and a contrast enhancement process is performed according to the motion index of each pixel, the first image data and the second image data. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009356 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus, which processes a plurality of image data obtained by picking up images of an object in different photographing conditions, combines the plurality of image data and generate combined image data, and switches between execution of determination processing for determining the object included in the image on at least one of the plurality of image data and execution of the determination processing on the combined image data. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009357 | EXTENDED DEPTH OF FOCUS FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION OPTICAL IMAGE SCANNING - Methods and systems for acquiring and/or projecting images from and/or to a target area are provided. Such a method or system can includes an optical fiber assembly which may be driven to scan the target area in a scan pattern. The optical fiber assembly may provide multiple effective light sources (e.g., via a plurality of optical fibers) that are axially staggered with respect to an optical system located between the optical fiber and the target area. The optical system may be operable to focus and/or redirect the light from the multiple light sources onto separate focal planes. A composite image may be generated based on light reflected from and/or projected onto the separate focal planes. The composite image may have an extended depth of focus or field spanning over a distance between the separate focal planes while maintaining or improving image resolution. | 01-08-2015 |
20150015732 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROJECTING IMAGES ONTO PREDEFINED PORTIONS OF OBJECTS - Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for projecting images onto predefined portions of objects in a projection area. The system includes a computing device, a projector and a camera. The computing device stores a digital model of an object, and an image containing a reference to the digital model. The projector, or another light source, projects structured light onto the projection area, and the camera simultaneously captures an image of the projection area. The computing device receives the captured image, determines a position and orientation of the object by comparing the digital model to the captured image, and then generates a canvas image including a version of the image which has been transformed to match the determined position and orientation of the object. The projector projects the canvas image onto the projection area. The transformed image is thereby projected onto a predefined portion of the object. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015733 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE AND APPARATUS THEREOF - The present disclosure discloses a method for processing an image and an apparatus thereof, applicable to an electronic device including an image acquisition unit corresponding to an image acquisition area, wherein the method includes: generating a first image and a second image according to an object to be acquired in the image acquisition area at a first instance of time, wherein both the first image and the second image are images corresponding to the object to be acquired, and the amount of data of the first image is larger than the amount of data of the second image; and storing the first image and the second image and setting the second image as an associated image of the first image, to thereby improve the convenience and efficiency of processing the generated image in the electronic device. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015734 | METHOD OF DEVELOPING AN IMAGE FROM RAW DATA AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus is described. The electronic apparatus includes: a photographing unit which generates raw data by photographing processing; a non-transitory memory which stores interface information for displaying, on a display unit of an external device, a development interface which receives setting operations that set development parameters used in development processing of the raw data; a communication unit which transmits the interface information to the external device and receives from the external device the development parameters set on the external device; and an image processing unit which, based on the development parameters received from the communication unit, performs the development processing of the raw data and generates development data for display. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015735 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAPTURING IMPORTANT OBJECTS USING A CAMERA BASED ON PREDEFINED METRICS - A method for capturing important objects with a camera may include the following steps: non-selectively capturing an incoming sequence of images using an image capturing device; analyzing said incoming sequence of images, to yield metrics associated with objects contained within the images, wherein at least one of the metrics is calculated based on two or more images; automatically deciding, in real time, on selectively capturing a new image wherein the selective capturing is carried out differently than the non-selective capturing, whenever the metrics of the objects meet specified criteria; and determining at least one object as an important object, wherein said determining associates the selected object with a level of importance and wherein said metrics are calculated only for the at least one important object. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015736 | Method, Apparatus and Computer Program for Capturing Images - The Figures illustrate an apparatus, method, computer program and apparatus wherein the method includes detecting an input; and in response to detecting the input, causing an image capturing apparatus to capture a plurality of images; wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a first set of parameters to capture a first subset of the plurality of images such that the first subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a first image processing algorithm and the image capturing apparatus is configured to have a second set of parameters to capture a second subset of the plurality of images such that the second subset of the plurality of images are configured for use with a second image processing algorithm. | 01-15-2015 |
20150022683 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND VIDEO PLAYING METHOD - A video playing method for an electronic device, the electronic device includes a display and an image capturing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus captures images in real-time while a video is being displayed by the electronic device. The electronic device determines whether each of the images captured by the image capturing apparatus includes facial characteristics. If one or more images do not include the facial characteristics, the video is automatically paused. | 01-22-2015 |
20150029353 | Automatic Tuning of Images Based on Metadata - Automatic techniques to tune images based on metadata are described. In one or more implementations, image data and metadata are received that references a geographic location. Responsive to a user input, the image data is processed using one or more tuning parameters that correspond to the geographic location to change one or more visual characteristics of the image data. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029354 | Method of Filming High Dynamic Range Videos - The present invention discloses a method of filming a high dynamic range video. The method includes: using an image sensor to capture an original frame which is interlaced by a plurality of long exposure areas and a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a long exposure field via a plurality of long exposure areas and forming a short exposure field via a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a reconstructed long exposure field and a reconstructed short exposure field having the same resolution as the original frame via a reconstruction process by a pixel value of each pixel in the long exposure field and the short exposure field; and forming a high dynamic range image based on the pixel value of each pixel of the reconstructed long exposure field and the reconstructed short exposure field via a merging process. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029355 | IMAGE SENSORS AND IMAGING DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME - A pixel array includes pixels arranged in a grid, with separate readout paths configured to readout image data from different subsets of the pixels in the array. An image sensor may employ image data from one subset of pixels, which may include fewer pixels than another subset of pixels in the array, to quickly form an image. | 01-29-2015 |
20150036016 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE ORIENTATION OF A MOBILE PHONE IN AN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus captures one or more images of at least a first indicator and a second indicator, identifies the first indicator based on first identifying information and identifies the second indicator based on second identifying information, and determines an orientation of the mobile device based on the captured one or more images of the at least the first indicator and the second indicator. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036017 | IMAGING CONTROL UNIT, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging control unit includes: a calculating unit that obtains block brightness-values of a plurality of blocks from each pixel of an image data of a frame, the image data of a frame being divided into the plurality of blocks; a limiting unit that limits to a first limit brightness-value a block brightness-value which is larger than the first limit brightness-value among the plurality of block brightness-values; and a controlling unit that controls an exposure amount of an imaging unit so that a representing brightness-value of the plurality of the block brightness-values correspond to a target brightness-value which is less than first limit brightness-value. | 02-05-2015 |
20150042835 | METHOD OF PREVIEWING PROCESSED IMAGE, DEVICE USING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING COMPUTER PROGRAM STORED THEREON - The present disclosure proposes a method of previewing a processed image, a portable handheld electronic device using the same method, and a non-transitory storage medium which stores computer programs to execute the same method in a portable handheld electronic device. The method includes displaying on the touch screen an image, displaying on the touch screen a movable effect grid which is divided into a plurality of areas according to a predetermined pattern with each area producing a different effect, performing image processing between the image and the movable effect grid to generate a first preview image which has different effects in different areas defined by the predetermined pattern, and displaying the first preview image on the touch screen. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042836 | Method for Controlling Exposure Time of High Dynamic Range Image - A method for controlling an exposure duration of a high dynamic range image, including: consecutively generating a first high dynamic range image having a first exposure duration ratio and a second high dynamic range image having a second exposure duration ratio greater than the first exposure duration ratio; performing image quality evaluations on both the first high dynamic range image and the second high dynamic range image to obtain a first image quality and a second image quality, respectively; and determining whether the second image quality is better than the first image quality; if yes, generating a third high dynamic range image having a third exposure duration ratio greater than the second exposure duration ratio; if not, generating the third high dynamic range image having the first exposure duration ratio and setting the first exposure duration ration as the optimal exposure duration ratio. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042837 | IMAGE ACQUIRING METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - The method of acquiring image comprises: acquiring a first image; determining a first sub-image corresponding to a first object from the first image; and replacing the first sub-image with a second sub-image different from the first sub-image to obtain a second image. This solution may replace the first sub-image with the second sub-image, thereby achieving the technical effect of automatically removing a part of content from the image during image acquiring. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042838 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes: a plurality of micro-lenses arranged in a two-dimensional pattern so that a subject light through an image forming optical system enter there; a plurality of light receiving elements disposed in a vicinity of a focal position at rear side of the micro-lenses to correspond to the plurality of micro-lenses respectively that receive the subject light through the micro-lenses; an image synthesizing unit that synthesizes an image on a focal plane that is different from a predetermined focal plane of the image forming optical system based upon outputs from the plurality of light receiving elements; and a processing unit that, based upon at least an objective image in a vicinity of the plurality of micro-lenses, and an auxiliary image outside the vicinity of the plurality of micro-lenses, which are synthesized by the image synthesizing unit, performs a process to enhance a resolution of the objective image. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042839 | DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD - A distance measuring apparatus that calculates an subject distance from a plurality of images having different degrees of a blur, comprises an area setting unit configured to set ranging target areas in corresponding coordinate positions in the plurality of images, respectively; a feature value calculating unit configured to calculate, for each of the ranging target areas set in the plurality of images, a feature value of the ranging target area; and a distance calculating unit configured to calculate an subject distance in the ranging target area based on a plurality of feature values calculated for the ranging target areas. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042840 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus comprises a corresponding point determining unit configured to, for a plurality of points contained in a first image, search a second image for corresponding points; a transformation coefficient calculating unit configured to divide the plurality of corresponding points into groups, based on amounts of misalignment between the images at the corresponding points, and configured to calculates a coordinate transformation coefficient for each of the groups; and an image synthesizing unit configured to generate a synthesis image, using a plurality of the coordinate transformation coefficients and the second image. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042841 | DEPTH ESTIMATION BASED ON INTERPOLATION OF INVERSE FOCUS STATISTICS - Embodiments are directed towards performing depth estimation within a digital camera system based on interpolation of inverse focus statistics. After an image is captured, various statistics or focus measure may be calculated using, for example, a high pass filter. Depth is estimated by interpolating the inverse of the statistics for three positions of focus for the image. The inverse of the statistics, St(n), may be 1/St(n), or 1/St | 02-12-2015 |
20150042842 | Camera Preview Via Video Tag - In one embodiment, a computing device incorporating a camera receives an instruction associated with the camera to display an image generated by the camera in an area within a graphical user interface of an application running on the computing device. The computing device determines a width and a height of the area. The computing device instructs the camera to configure the image, in connection with its generation, for display in the area. And the computing device displays in the area the image as generated and configured by the camera. | 02-12-2015 |
20150054977 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that obtains a plurality of photographed images of different photographing conditions includes a setting unit that sets photographing conditions of the imaging unit, an instruction unit that instructs photographing by the imaging unit, and a notification unit that notifies photographing conditions set by the setting unit before the instruction unit instructs the photographing, wherein the notification unit notifies, before the instruction unit instructs the photographing, only a photographing condition of a longest exposure time from among a plurality of photographing conditions for obtaining the plurality of photographed images or a sum of exposure times for obtaining the plurality of photographed images. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054978 | IMAGING APPARATUS, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An imaging apparatus is arranged to perform a focus detection in each of focus detection areas set on an image pickup plane; select first area and second areas from among the focus detection areas on the basis of the focus detection result; pick up an optical image which is formed at each of a first focus position at which the selected first area is in focus and a second focus position at which the selected second area is in focus and generate image data; determine an area to be processed on the basis of the image data; execute a predetermined processing to the image data on the basis of a determination result. The second area is selected based on the number of focus detection areas satisfying a predetermined condition from among the focus detection areas each having a depth difference from the first area in a predetermined range. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054979 | VARIABLE-ILLUMINATION FOURIER PTYCHOGRAPHIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Certain aspects pertain to Fourier ptychographic imaging systems, devices, and methods such as, for example, high NA Fourier ptychographic imaging systems and reflective-mode NA Fourier ptychographic imaging systems. | 02-26-2015 |
20150062365 | METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE THEREOF - A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes entering a camera capture mode according to a camera capture mode entry event, detecting a capture event, determining whether the capture event is detected within a predetermined time from the generation of the camera capture mode entry event or the entry of the camera capture mode, performing an instant capture when the capture event is detected within the predetermined time, and performing a normal capture when the capture event is detected after the predetermined time. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062366 | METHOD OF IMPROVING DECODING SPEED BASED ON OFF-THE-SHELF CAMERA PHONE - A system and method for decoding an image of decodable indicia, the computer system that includes receiving a request to decode an image, disabling the automatic focus on a camera in a client, setting the focus to a predetermined focus point that is close to the camera lens, capturing the image, locating the decodable indicia in the image and decoding the image of decodable indicia. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062367 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CAMERA - An image capturing apparatus, comprising a pixel array in a semiconductor region, a pad portion for receiving a voltage, a plurality of first power wiring patterns arranged on the pixel array along a first direction as one direction of a row direction and a column direction, a second power wiring pattern, arranged on a region outside the pixel array along a second direction as the other direction of the row direction and the column direction, for electrically connecting the plurality of first wiring patterns to the pad portion, and a plurality of contacts for electrically connecting the plurality of first power wiring patterns to the semiconductor region, wherein a resistance value of the second power wiring pattern in the second direction is smaller than a resistance value of the plurality of first power wiring patterns in the first direction. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062368 | IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING BINNED HIGH-DYNAMIC-RANGE IMAGES - Electronic devices may include image sensors that capture interleaved images having rows of long-exposure pixel values interleaved with rows of short-exposure pixel values. Processing circuitry in the electronic device may (spatially) partition the interleaved images into multiple bins. The processing circuitry may generate a weighted long-exposure pixel value for each bin and a weighted short-exposure pixel value for each bin. The weighted long and short exposure values in each bin may be combined to generate a binned high-dynamic-range (HDR) pixel value for that bin. The processing circuitry may output a binned HDR image formed from the binned HDR pixel values to additional circuitry such as video processing circuitry for performing additional image processing operations. If desired, the image sensor and processing circuitry may be combined into an integrated structure that generates a single binned HDR pixel value and multiple integrated structures may be used. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062369 | Optoelectronic Apparatus and Method for Recording Rectified Images - An optoelectronic apparatus ( | 03-05-2015 |
20150062370 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN ALL-IN-FOCUS IMAGE - Techniques are described for generating an all-in focus image with a capability to refocus. One example includes obtaining a first depth map associated with a plurality of captured images of a scene. The plurality of captured images may include images having different focal lengths. The method further includes obtaining a second depth map associated with the plurality of captured images, generating a composite image showing different portions of the scene in focus (based on the plurality of captured images and the first depth map), and generating a refocused image showing a selected portion of the scene in focus (based on the composite image and the second depth map). | 03-05-2015 |
20150062371 | ENCODING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An encoding apparatus includes an image capture unit configured to capture an image through a lens; a characteristic determination unit configured to determine characteristics of the image based on a difference between a predetermined region where characteristics of the lens influence image quality and another region; a size determination unit configured to determine, based on the characteristics of the image, a block size used to divide a target block included in the image; a division unit configured to divide the target block into a plurality of blocks based on the determined block size; and a prediction coding unit configured to encode the plurality of blocks. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062372 | VISION ENHANCING DEVICE - A Low Vision enhancing device for recording an object whereon text and/or at least one picture are visible and for displaying the recorded object on a screen, said vision enhancing device being provided with:
| 03-05-2015 |
20150070524 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An aspect of one embodiment, there is provided a solid state image-processing device, including a gain adjustment unit configured to adjust each of pixel data transmitted from each of the pixels as gain adjustment data corresponding to a sensitivity ratio between a sensitivity of each of the pixels and a sensitivity of the pixel with the highest sensitivity to transmit each of the pixel data and each of the gain adjustment data, an effectiveness decision unit configured to decide each pixel value being ranged in a prescribed effective range or not, an inversion decision unit configured to decide a pixel with higher sensitivity in two pixels which are an inversion state or not when the pixel data of each of the two pixels are decided to be effective by the effectiveness decision unit, a blend unit configured to blend the gain adjustment data with respect to the two pixel data to transmit blend pixel data when the inversion decision unit is in a non-inversion state, and selection unit configured to select one of the gain adjustment data and the blend pixel data to transmit the selected data as an HDR output data on a basis of a first judge result of the effectiveness decision unit and a second judge result of the inversion decision unit. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070525 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A mobile terminal capable of processing video and a partial image/video of the video being captured by a camera discriminately in isolation from each other, and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes: a camera configured to capture an image; and a controller configured to control the camera to perform a video capture function, wherein in response to a partial image/video generation event sensed while the video capture function is being performed, the controller processes at least a portion of an image captured by the camera after the sensing of the partial image/video generation event, as a partial image/video discriminated from video being continuously captured according to the video capture function. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070526 | DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is a display control device including a display image processing unit configured to perform a display image data process that is an image data process for display on image data that is a target of a main subject determination process such that at least candidate presentation for a candidate image set as a candidate for a main subject in the main subject determination process based on candidate image information and main subject presentation based on main subject information of a determination result of the main subject determination process are performed in different display forms, and a display data output unit configured to output image data processed by the display image processing unit as display data to be supplied to a display unit. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070527 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes a solid-state imaging device, a storage unit, an imaging-processing unit configured to process input image data output from the solid-state imaging device or image data stored in the storage unit, and a timing-generating unit configured to generate timings at which the solid-state imaging device and the imaging-processing unit operate. The timing-generating unit generates a first synchronization signal for driving the solid-state imaging device to output the first synchronization signal to the solid-state imaging device and output the first synchronization signal and a first clock signal input from the solid-state imaging device to the imaging-processing unit in a first operation based on the timing of the solid-state imaging device. The timing-generating unit outputs a generated second synchronization signal and second clock signal to the imaging-processing unit in a second operation based on an internal timing of the imaging-processing unit. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077582 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADAPTING A DEVICE FOR ENHANCEMENT OF IMAGES - A device stores a list of geographic regions and respective sets of device parameters for achieving target visual characteristics thereof. One of the geographic regions is selected. In response to the selected geographic region's respective set of device parameters, the device automatically adapts for achieving the selected geographic region's target visual characteristics in the device's enhancement of images. At least one of the images is enhanced with the adapted device. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077583 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIGITAL CORRECTION OF ABERRATIONS PRODUCED BY TILTED PLANE-PARALLEL PLATES OR OPTICAL WEDGES - An imaging method and apparatus to provide digital calibration of an optical system that includes one or more removable plane parallel plates or optical wedges. One example of the method includes generating an initial estimate of an optical point spread function of an optical imaging system that includes a plane parallel plate or optical wedge positioned in the optical train based on an optical prescription of the optical imaging system, capturing a first image of a scene using the optical imaging system, and applying a blind deconvolution process to the first image using the initial estimate of the optical point spread function to produce a refined estimate of the optical point spread function and produce a second image that is substantially without blur. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077584 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes: a first acquiring unit that acquires a first pattern image including a prespecified pattern for being displayed on a display medium by a display unit; a second acquiring unit that acquires, as a second pattern image, a captured image obtained by capturing an image obtained by displaying the first pattern image on the display medium from a desired position except the front of the display medium; and an image processing unit that compares the first pattern image with the second pattern image, and deforms a target image according to a result of the comparison. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077585 | MICROLENS ARRAY FOR SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND LENS UNIT - According to an embodiment, a microlens array for a solid-state image sensing device includes a plurality of microlenses and a state detector. The plurality of microlenses are disposed in an imaging microlens area and is configured to form two-dimensional images. The state detector is disposed on a periphery of the imaging microlens area and is configured to, on an image forming surface of the microlenses, generate images having a smaller diameter than images formed by the microlenses. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077586 | Conversion Between Aspect Ratios in Camera - A camera system captures an image in a source aspect ratio and applies a transformation to the input image to scale and warp the image to generate an output image having a target aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio. The output image has the same field of view as the input image, maintains image resolution, and limits distortion to levels that do not substantially affect the viewing experience. In one embodiment, the output image is non-linearly warped relative to the input image such that a distortion in the output image relative to the input image is greater in a corner region of the output image than a center region of the output image. | 03-19-2015 |
20150085154 | Ad Collateral Detection - A method including transmitting an image from a camera of an apparatus, where the image includes one or more Ad collateral; and automatically detecting by the apparatus at least one of the Ad collateral in the image. An apparatus including at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to automatically discern at least one Ad collateral in a camera image. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085155 | IMAGE CAPTURE INPUT AND PROJECTION OUTPUT - Systems and methods are provided for alternating projection of content and capturing an image. The method includes steps of projecting, by a projection device, content at a first rate, projecting, by the projection device, a capture frame at a second rate, and capturing, by an image capture device, an image including the capture frame at the second rate, wherein capturing the image comprises capturing the image when the capture frame is projected. Systems and methods provided herein may provide increased tracking accuracy by a projecting a capture frame that does not obscure features in the image. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085156 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring. | 03-26-2015 |
20150092074 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing device includes a plurality of clock selection units configured to select a clock signal to be supplied to each of a plurality of calculation units forming a pipeline from a plurality of clock signals and output the clock signal to the calculation unit, a data delivery unit disposed on the pipeline between the calculation unit to which a first clock signal is input and the calculation unit to which a second clock signal is input, and a control unit configured to control a selection of the clock signal and a combination and a disposition order of the data delivery unit and the calculation units forming the pipeline in accordance with an operation mode of image processing. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092075 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE - There is provided a method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image, including obtaining an image sequence with similar exposure times, obtaining a plurality of still images with different exposure times, which temporally correspond to at least one image among the image sequence, and generating a matched image having an HDR from the plurality of still images by using the image sequence. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092076 | Image Capture Accelerator - An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092077 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY - A system, method, and computer program product are provided for digital photography. In use, a method and apparatus are provided for identifying an object including a synthetic image that is generated based on a first image and a second image. Next, an output image is generated utilizing the object and a viewing parameter. Lastly, the output image is outputted. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092078 | FACE TRACKING FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING PARAMETERS - A method of tracking faces in an image stream with a digital image acquisition device includes receiving images from an image stream including faces, calculating corresponding integral images, and applying different subsets of face detection rectangles to the integral images to provide sets of candidate regions. The different subsets include candidate face regions of different sizes and/or locations within the images. The different candidate face regions from different images of the image stream are each tracked. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092079 | IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING MOTION-COMPENSATED HIGH-DYNAMIC-RANGE IMAGES - Electronic devices may include image sensors. Image sensors may be used to capture images having rows of long-exposure image pixel values that are interleaved with rows of short-exposure image pixel values. The long-exposure and short-exposure values in each interleaved image frame may be interpolated to form interpolated values. A combined long-exposure image and a combined short-exposure image may be generated using the long-exposure and the short-exposure values from the interleaved image frames and the interpolated values from a selected one of the interleaved image frames. The combined long-exposure and short-exposure images may each include image pixel values from either of the interleaved image frames in a non-motion edge region and image pixel values based only on the image pixel values or the interpolated values from the selected one of the interleaved images in a motion or non-edge region. High-dynamic-range images may be generated using the combined long-exposure and short-exposure images. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097982 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND MEDIUM RECORDING PHOTOGRAPHING CONTROL PROGRAM - A photographing apparatus includes an image pickup unit that acquires a plurality of picked-up images by picking up images of a subject from mutually different viewpoints, an image comparison section that determines a specific part which is specific in the picked-up images and a part other than the specific part, and an image generating section that generates a special image by performing image processing differently for the specific part and for the part other than the specific part. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097983 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING CAMERA WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENS - One or more embodiments provide a method and an apparatus for operating an interchangeable-lens camera system suitable for shooting of a high quality photo or moving picture. The camera system includes a main body and a lens unit mountable on and detachable from the main body and wirelessly accessible to the main body. The lens unit estimates position information between the lens unit and the main body using beam information of the lens unit formed via beamforming and beam information of the main body. The lens unit applies the estimated position information to shooting. | 04-09-2015 |
20150103199 | METHOD OF PRODUCING COMPACT DESCRIPTORS FROM INTEREST POINTS OF DIGITAL IMAGES, CORRESPONDING SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - Compact descriptors of digital images are produced by detecting interest points representative of the digital images and selecting out of the interest points key points for producing e.g. local and global compact descriptors of the images. The digital images are decomposed into blocks by computing an energy (variance) for each said block and then subjecting the blocks to culling by rejecting those blocks having an energy failing to pass an energy threshold. The interest points are detected only in the blocks resulting from culling, and the key points for producing the compact descriptors are selected out of the interest points thus detected, possibly by using different selection thresholds for local and global compact descriptors, respectively. The number of key points for producing the compact descriptors may be varied e.g. by adaptively varying the number of the interest points detected in the blocks resulting from culling. | 04-16-2015 |
20150109473 | PROGRAMMING A CAMERA SENSOR - One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for performing camera startup operations substantially in parallel. The method includes programming graphics hardware to perform one or more processing functions for a camera. The method also includes allocating resources for one or more camera operations. The method also includes programming the camera sensor to capture an image and initiating a preview of the image on a display associated with the camera. Finally, the steps of allocating resources and programming the camera sensor are performed substantially in parallel. One advantage of the disclosed technique is that the launch time for the camera is reduced. This allows a user to take a picture more quickly and thus improves the user experience. | 04-23-2015 |
20150109474 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - In order to precisely identify a class relating to classification of an object at each of regions of an image, an image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire image capturing information when the object has been captured, an estimation unit configured to estimate distribution relating to a degree of existence of each class which indicates classification of the object at each of predetermined regions of a captured image of the object based on the image capturing information acquired by the acquisition unit, and an identification unit configured to identify the class at each of the regions based on distribution information indicating the distribution estimated by the estimation unit and image information relating to the captured image. | 04-23-2015 |
20150109475 | MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A ROTATABLE CAMERA - A mobile electronic device comprising a processor configured to control the operation of said mobile electronic device, and a front-facing display screen coupled to said processor and arranged on a front side of said mobile electronic device. Also the mobile electronic device comprises a mechanically rotatable camera, said camera being rotatable around a rotation axis and configured to capture images around said rotation axis, and said camera being coupled to said processor, and a rotating motor coupled to said rotatable camera for mechanically rotating the mechanically rotatable camera and said rotating motor coupled to said processor, and wherein said processor is configured to control a rotational orientation of the mechanically rotatable camera by control of the rotating motor for mechanically rotating the mechanically rotatable camera. | 04-23-2015 |
20150116529 | AUTOMATIC EFFECT METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus includes an camera set, an input source module, an auto-engine module and a post usage module. The camera set is configured for capturing image data relative to a scene. The input source module is configured for gathering information related to the image data. The auto-engine module is configured for determining at least one suitable photography effect from a plurality of candidate photography effects according to the information related to the image data. The post usage module is configured for processing the image data and applying the suitable photography effect to the image data after the image data are captured. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116530 | ARTICLE AUTHENTICATION APPARATUS HAVING A BUILT-IN LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE AND CAMERA - An apparatus ( | 04-30-2015 |
20150116531 | IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, DECODING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD, AND DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM - An image capturing system includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge holding unit, a multiple sampling information setting unit, a multiple sampling unit, a conversion unit, and an image reconstruction unit. The photoelectric conversion unit converts optical signals received by a plurality of pixels to electric signals. The charge holding unit stores the electric signals and holds the electric signals as charge signals. The multiple sampling information setting unit sets multiple sampling information used for a multiple sampling process. The multiple sampling information includes first multiple sampling information and second multiple sampling information. The multiple sampling unit performs the multiple sampling process using the multiple sampling information and the charge signals so as to output signals. The conversion unit converts the output signals to digital signals. The image reconstruction unit generates reconstructed images using the digital signals and the multiple sampling information, and outputs the reconstructed images. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116532 | Image Shooting Unit and Apparatus, Integrated Display and Image Shooting Apparatus, and Image Shooting Method - The image shooting unit is configured to collect image information, and a formed image is a pixel block including one or several pixels, and the image shooting unit includes a tubular directional hood, a lens group, and a light sensitive module that are arranged sequentially along a light incidence direction and a same optical axis, where the tubular directional hood eliminates non-parallel light signals entering the tubular directional hood and enables parallel light signals parallel to an axis of the tubular directional hood to pass; the lens group converges, onto the light sensitive module, the parallel light signals passing through the tubular directional hood; and the light sensitive module converts the parallel light signals into electrical signals. | 04-30-2015 |
20150124114 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that has image sensors for each image of red, green, and blue which have a two-line addition function respectively. The imaging unit outputs image signals of red and blue and an image signal of green of which sample phases in a space are shifted by one pixel interval in a vertical direction using the two-line addition function. A resolution conversion unit obtains image signals of red, green, and blue of which the number of lines is doubled by performing interpolation processing on the image signals of red and blue and an image signal of green output from the imaging unit. | 05-07-2015 |
20150124115 | SHUTTER RELEASE USING SECONDARY CAMERA - Capturing a target image includes activating a first image sensor for capturing the target image. A sequence of images is captured with a second image sensor while the first image sensor remains activated. A determination is made as to whether the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor includes a shutter gesture while the first image sensor remains activated. If a shutter gesture is included in the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor, the first image sensor captures the target image in response. | 05-07-2015 |
20150124116 | Rotary Switch - A digital camera includes a rotary switch, a switching unit, and a switching unit. The switching unit switches between two states independently of a function other than functions assigned to the respective states of the rotary switch, the two states including a restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is restricted with a clicking feel and a function of at least one of a shutter speed and an aperture as a function with discrete output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch and a non-restricted state where rotation of the rotary switch is not restricted and a function of at least one of focusing, and a zoom magnification of a lens, and similar function as a function with continuous output values is related to the rotating operation of the rotary switch. | 05-07-2015 |
20150130962 | POLARIZATION COLOR IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A polarization color image capture device includes: a polarization color filter plate including a first area configured to transmit light that is polarized in a first direction and that falls within a first wavelength range, a second area configured to transmit light that is polarized in a second direction and that falls within a second wavelength range, and a third area configured to transmit incoming light at least partially; an image sensor in which a plurality of unit blocks, each including first, second and third photosensitive cells and first, second and third polarization filters that are arranged to face the first, second and third photosensitive cells, respectively, are arranged on an imaging area, the polarization transmission axis directions of the first, second and third polarization filters being different from each other; and an optical lens that produces an image on the imaging area of the image sensor. | 05-14-2015 |
20150130963 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires stability state information for an image capturing apparatus indicating whether the image capturing apparatus is stable or not, and a processor that rotates an image, captured by the image capturing apparatus, based on the stability state information of the image capturing apparatus. | 05-14-2015 |
20150138386 | OBJECT DETECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An image processing apparatus comprises: an image acquiring unit to acquire an image including an object; a dividing unit to divide the image, which is acquired by the image acquiring unit, into a plurality of superpixels based on similarity of adjacent pixels; a candidate area acquiring unit to acquire, from the superpixels divided by the dividing unit, a plurality of candidate areas acting as candidates of an area of the object; an extracting unit to extract a feature quantity from each of the plurality of candidate areas acquired by the candidate area acquiring unit; a checking unit to check the feature quantity, which is extracted from each candidate area by the extracting unit, against registered information concerning a feature quantity of object area; and an outputting unit to output the area of the object in the image, based on a checked result by the checking unit. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138387 | OPERATION APPARATUS, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An operation apparatus includes a touch detection section, a vibration section, a setting section and a control section. The touch detection section is provided on an exterior part, and outputs a signal when touched by an user. The vibration section is provided on the touch detection section in an overlapping manner, and vibrates when the touch of the user is detected by the touch detection section. The setting section is configured to set a function to be carried out when the touch detection section is touched. The control section is configured to determine a touch position of the touch detection section, provided on the touch detection section of the determined touch position, and configured to cause the vibration section to vibrate, and output a signal used to cause the function. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138388 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138389 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEGMENTATION OF FOREGROUND OBJECTS IN IMAGES AND PROCESSING THEREOF - In an example embodiment, a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes facilitating capture of at least one image of a scene including a foreground object by at least one rolling shutter sensor. The at least one image includes a pattern in an image region of the foreground object comprising a series of alternate dark and bright pixel regions. The at least one image is captured by setting exposure time of the sensor as equal or less than a read-out time of a set of pixel rows of a plurality of pixel rows, and by facilitating a repeating sequence of ON and OFF of flash such that flash is ON while capturing the set of pixel rows, and OFF while capturing subsequent set of pixel rows. The method includes determining a contour of the foreground object in the at least one image based on the pattern. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138390 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING FOCUS AND/OR EXPOSURE ADJUSTMENT CONTROL - An image processing apparatus includes a selection unit configured to select a main object area from among a plurality of object areas of an image in which any one of a plurality of object types is assigned to each of the object areas, a detection unit configured to detect a position and a size of each of the plurality of object areas, and a setting unit configured to set an evaluation area for obtaining an evaluation signal used for a predetermined control based on the main object area selected by the selection unit. The selection unit selects the main object area from among the plurality of object areas based on the position, size, and a priority set for each of the object types, of each of the plurality of object areas. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138391 | IMAGE CAPTURE ACCELERATOR - An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode. | 05-21-2015 |
20150146032 | LIGHT FIELD PROCESSING METHOD - A light field processing method for processing data corresponding to a light field, comprising:
| 05-28-2015 |
20150146033 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND DISTANCE MEASUREMENT METHOD - A distance measurement apparatus includes: an imaging element that images an object by performing exposure and readout of electric charges sequentially for each row or column; an optical system that has a controllable in-focus position; an imaging control unit that moves the in-focus position at constant speed, and causes the imaging element to image the object sequentially while the in-focus position is being moved, to obtain blurred images; a distance measurement unit that measures a distance from a reference position in the optical system to the object using the blurred images and a point spread function dependent on object distance; and a correction unit that performs a correction process on the distance for each row or column according to a movement range of the in-focus position in which the in-focus position is moved during the exposure for each row or column when the blurred images are obtained. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146034 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND DIGITAL CAMERA - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a demosaic processing unit. A pixel block includes a red pixel, a blue pixel, a first green pixel, and a second green pixel. A first green component detected by the first green pixel and a second green component detected by the second green pixel are green components of the same wavelength region. The demosaic processing unit generates image signals of four components. The four components are a red component, a blue component, the first green component, and the second green component. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146035 | LENS BARREL AND LENS UNIT - A lens barrel includes: a motor; an input transmission ring that is rotated by the motor and is rotatable around the optical axis; and a lens drive cylinder connected to the input transmission ring so that rotating force can be transmitted from the input transmission ring, the lens drive cylinder moving a lens in the optical axis direction and being rotatable. The lens drive cylinder is placed on one side of the motor in the optical axis direction, and the input transmission ring is placed on the same side of the motor as the lens drive cylinder. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146036 | Image Forming Lens System and Image Pickup Apparatus Using the Same - An image forming lens system includes a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a rear lens unit, and does not include any other lens unit. The front lens unit includes a first lens unit having a positive refractive power and a second lens unit having a negative refractive power. Each of the first lens unit and the second lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. The second lens unit is a focusing lens unit. The rear lens unit includes a positive lens and a negative lens. The second lens unit is the only lens unit that moves, in the front lens unit, and the following conditional expressions (1) and (2′) are satisfied: | 05-28-2015 |
20150292709 | Integrated photonics module for optical projection - Optical apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate and a first array of surface-emitting radiation sources, which are mounted on a surface of the substrate so as to emit optical radiation along respective axes that are perpendicular to the surface. A second array of optical elements is mounted over the first array and aligned with the respective axes so that each optical element receives and transmits the optical radiation emitted by a respective radiation source. | 10-15-2015 |
20150294442 | CAMERA SYSTEM AND IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a camera system comprises a light amount adjusting unit and a focus adjusting unit. The light amount adjusting unit adjusts a light-amount distribution of light having entered the image pickup optical system. The focus adjusting unit moves the image pickup lens between a first position and a second position to change focus continuously during the exposure time of the image sensor. The first position is located on the object side of the position of the image pickup lens when in focus. The second position is located on the image sensor side of the position of the image pickup lens when in focus. | 10-15-2015 |
20150296132 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING ASSIST METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECODING MEDIUM STORING AN IMAGING ASSIST PROGRAM - An imaging apparatus includes an imager, a face detecting unit, an object detecting unit, an another-subject determining unit, a trimming-position setting unit, and an image processing unit. The imager acquires image data. The face detecting unit detects a face in the image data. An object detecting unit detects an object specifying a direction in which the face seems to be paying attention. The another-subject determining unit determines whether another subject is present in the direction in which the face seems to be paying attention. The trimming-position setting unit sets a trimming range on the basis of a determination result of the another-subject determining unit. The image processing unit performs trimming on the image data in accordance with the trimming range set. | 10-15-2015 |
20150296136 | METHOD AND A PROCEDURE TO REPLICATE VISUAL ACUITY DEFICIENCIES FOR USE IN ACCESSIBILITY VERIFICATION - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a replicator that reproduces acuity deficiencies for use during an accessibility verification procedure. The replicator applies in real time at least one filter to an original video feed. Each filter includes a programmable definition to mimic a type of visual acuity limitation, such as color blindness, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or reduced contrast. Prior to and/or during the accessibility verification procedure, a tester is able to select one or more filters to be applied to the original video feed to thereby produce a filtered video feed. The filtered video feed is shown on a display and portrays what an individual with corresponding visual disorder(s) sees. The replicator can be updated to add, delete or modify one or more definitions. | 10-15-2015 |
20150296317 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND RECORDING METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device includes a capturing unit that captures an image and a mike unit that receives an audio signal while the image is captured. An object detection unit detects one or more objects from the image. An audio analyzing unit determines an originating position of the audio signal received by the mike unit. A mapping unit maps the audio signal to a detected object of the one or more objects that corresponds to the determined originating position. | 10-15-2015 |
20150302029 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM - An image processing apparatus includes a subject information acquiring unit, a reference image acquiring unit, a photographic process information acquiring unit, and a presenting unit. A subject information acquiring unit acquires subject information from input photographic image data. A reference image acquiring unit acquires a reference image corresponding to the subject information. A photographic process information acquiring unit acquires photographic process information including photographic process images that correspond to the reference image acquired by the reference image acquiring unit and that have been acquired at the time of the photography of the reference image. A presenting unit displays the photographic process information or the reference image. | 10-22-2015 |
20150302254 | IMAGE OUTPUTTING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING METHOD BY THE IMAGE OUTPUTTING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM - Provided is an image outputting apparatus that photographs a user as a subject, allows the user to perform edit input to an acquired photographed image, and outputs the photographed image. The image outputting apparatus comprises a photographing condition selection unit that selects a photographing condition related to the photographing, and a music output unit that outputs music corresponding to the selected photographing condition during the photographing. | 10-22-2015 |
20150302275 | Devices, Terminals and Methods for Image Acquisition - Devices, terminals and methods are provided for image acquisition. For example, an instruction for acquiring a first image triggered by a user is responded to; actual feature information of the first image is acquired; preset feature information of a reference image corresponding to the first image is called; the actual feature information of the first image is compared with the preset feature information of the reference image; a first similarity between the actual feature information of the first image and the preset feature information of the reference image is determined; and image acquisition is performed for the first image based on at least information associated with the first similarity. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304537 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND ADJUSTMENT METHOD THEREOF - Electronic apparatuses and adjustment methods thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus includes an input interface and a processor. The input interface is configured to receive a reference frame, wherein the reference frame corresponds to a plurality of luminance values. The processor is electrically connected to the input interface and configured to adjust at least a portion of the luminance values that are greater than a predetermined threshold, calculate a weighted luminance value of the reference frame according to the luminance values, generate a comparison result by comparing the weighted luminance value and a luminance target, and decide the luminance values according to the comparison result. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304556 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD - In an imaging device, a difference calculation unit calculates a differential signal between charge signals that have been accumulated and are held by first and charge holding units with different timings. A multiple sampling unit performs multiple sampling processing on the differential signal, and an analog digital conversion unit converts a signal that has undergone multiple sampling processing to a digital signal. That is, multiple sampling processing is performed on a differential signal with a higher sparsity than that of an image signal. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304566 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND IMAGE COMPOSITION METHOD THEREOF - A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a user interface configured to receive a user command to select a mode for setting a location in which an image which is photographed in a back side of the display apparatus is composed with an object which is photographed in a front side of the display apparatus, a camera configured to photograph the front side and the back side of the display apparatus, and a controller configured to segment an object image from an image of the object which is photographed in the front side, compose the segmented object image with the image which is photographed in the back side according to the selected mode, and store the composed image. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304568 | FIELD DISPLAY SYSTEM, FIELD DISPLAY METHOD, AND FIELD DISPLAY PROGRAM - A field display system is provided which can intelligibly present to a user a range in which a camera can capture an image of an entire target to be monitored or a certain part or more of the target to be monitored. A projecting unit | 10-22-2015 |
20150310588 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - At least one image processing apparatus is provided which allows performing a demosaicing process on a polychrome image signal with high accuracy. The at least one image processing apparatus performs an interpolation process in each of a plurality of defined directions on a mosaic image signal and acquires an evaluation value representing a correlation in each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction for each of a plurality of pixels of the image signal having undergone the interpolation process. The evaluation values for at least one pixel of interest are corrected based on the evaluation values for peripheral pixels if a predetermined condition including a condition that it is determined that the at least one pixel of interest is an isolated point is satisfied. Then, the image signal after the at least one pixel of interest is interpolated based on the corrected evaluation values. | 10-29-2015 |
20150310589 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A demosaicing unit interpolates mosaic image data of each pixel of interest so as to reproduce colors missing at each pixel by interpolation using neighboring pixels. In the demosaicing unit, an interpolation unit performs an interpolation process in a plurality of prescribed directions using neighboring pixels in the prescribed directions. An evaluation unit evaluates image data in each prescribed directions interpolated by the interpolation unit. A spurious resolution area judgment unit judges whether a pixel is in a spurious resolution area, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, based on a saturation detected from image data subjected to an interpolation process performed so as to preserve an edge component. An image generation unit selects image data to be interpolated for each pixel based on a result of the evaluation by the evaluation unit and a result of the judgment by the spurious resolution area judgment unit, and generates interpolated image data. | 10-29-2015 |
20150312473 | ELECTRONIC CAMERA AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An electronic camera includes an image pickup device, a memory, a face detecting section, a face recognizing section, and an object specifying section. The image pickup device photo-electrically converts an image of an object into an electric signal and generates an image signal as the electric signal. The memory has recorded registration data representing characterizing points of faces as recognizing targets. The face detecting section detects face areas in a shooting image plane based on the image signal and extracts characterizing points of faces of objects from the face areas. The face recognizing section determines whether or not the face areas are the recognizing targets based on data of the characterizing points corresponding to the face areas and on the registration data. The object specifying section specifies as a main object an object present on nearest side of the electronic camera of objects as the recognizing targets. | 10-29-2015 |
20150312475 | USER PROGRAMMABLE IMAGE CAPTURING AND PROCESSING DEVICE - The present description provides a user programmable image capturing and processing apparatus which allows the user to load and run its own custom processing algorithms into the camera or device apparatus, does not limit the client to a specific set of factory preloaded image processing algorithms, and can utilize a wide range of image capturing means such as Ultrasound, X-ray, RF frequency, or other means of converting signals or waves to image. | 10-29-2015 |
20150312498 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus includes a processing unit configured to perform predetermined detection processing on image data captured with use of an imaging unit for wide-angle imaging, a determination unit configured to determine whether to transmit geometrically converted image data generated by performing a geometric conversion on the captured image data to a reception apparatus, or to transmit the captured image data, without the geometric conversion, to the reception apparatus, and a control unit configured to perform control for performing the geometric conversion on a result of the predetermined detection processing performed on the captured image data without the geometric conversion, in a case where it is determined that the geometrically converted captured image data is to be transmitted to the reception apparatus. | 10-29-2015 |
20150319366 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CAPTUING IMAGE DATA - A method comprises causing a user interface to provide an output directly or indirectly specifying at least one object, analyzing substantially real-time data from a camera to determine if the at least one object is located in the field of view of the camera, and, in response to determining that the at least one object is located in the field of view of the camera, causing an indication that the object has been located to be provided through the user interface. | 11-05-2015 |
20150319371 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus for processing image signals that are obtained from an image pickup element. A correlation operation unit operates a correlation of the image signals of two images that are obtained from the image pickup element, and operates an image shift amount between images that are picked up by photoelectric conversion units, on the basis of the correlation. A detection unit detects whether or not an image signal reaches a predetermined level, and produces count information in a case that the image signal reaches the predetermined level. A controller controls the correlation operation unit, in which the controller normalizes the correlation that is used for the operation of the image shift amount, on the basis of the count information. | 11-05-2015 |
20150319372 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus for processing image signals that are obtained from an image pickup element. A correlation operation unit operates a correlation of the image signals of two images that are obtained from the image pickup element, and operates an image shift amount between images that are picked up by photoelectric conversion units, on the basis of the correlation. A detection unit detects whether or not an image signal, of the two images, reaches a predetermined level, and produces count information in a case that the image signal reaches the predetermined level. A controller controls the correlation operation unit, in accordance with the count information. | 11-05-2015 |
20150326780 | INTERCHANGEABLE LENS, CAMERA SYSTEM, IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF CAMERA SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGING APPARATUS - An interchangeable lens includes an optical system which is variable in focal distance and in which a size of an image circle varies by the focal distance, the image circle being an effective image formation region of an optical image of a subject; a lens data storage unit which stores data indicating a correspondence between a value of the focal distance and a value of the size of the image circle; and a lens interface unit which sends data indicating the correspondence to the imaging apparatus. | 11-12-2015 |
20150332090 | IMAGING AND DISPLAYING DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION OF IMAGING AND DISPLAYING DEVICE - An imaging and displaying device according to the present disclosure includes an imaging device that takes an image of a subject including a user; a display; and an image processor that receives data of an image of the subject taken by the imaging device and causes the image to be displayed on the display. The imaging device includes an imaging element that is disposed so that a normal to an imaging surface is horizontal; an optical system that has a lens for forming the image of the subject on the imaging surface; and an optical axis shift device. The optical axis shift device supports at least one of the imaging element and the lens in such a manner that the at least one is movable in a direction parallel with the imaging surface and that shifts the movably supported imaging element or lens in the direction parallel with the imaging surface. | 11-19-2015 |
20150332102 | OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM - An object detection system for a host vehicle includes an imaging device operable to capture image data representative of a scene exterior the host vehicle. An image processor processes captured image data to detect an object. A ranging device tracks the detected object and determines distance to the detected object. The detected object is assigned a priority score that represents the potential danger of the detected object to the host vehicle. The priority score is at least in part established responsive to image processing by the image processor of captured image data and to distance determined by the ranging unit. The detected object is assigned its priority score based on one of (i) the detected object being a vehicle that is closing with the host vehicle and (ii) the detected object being a pedestrian who is present in the field of view of said imaging device. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334287 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC-DEVICES AND METHODS FOR IMAGE EXTRACTION - A portable electronic-device adapted to photograph an object including a first camera module, a second camera module, a processing unit and a control unit. The first camera module obtains a first reference image according to a first predetermined focal length. The second camera module obtains a second reference image according to a second predetermined focal length. The processing unit determines the photographed focal length according to the first reference image and the second reference image. The control unit controls the first camera module or the second camera module to photograph the object according to the photographed focal length. The first camera module and the second camera module face toward a direction corresponding to the object. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334291 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication; a camera configured to obtain an image; a display unit configured to display a preview image obtained through the camera; and a controller configured to control the display unit to operate in any one of a first state in which a graphic object relating to an image capturing function is displayed overlapping the preview image and a second state in which the graphic object is not displayed while the preview image is displayed, based on a user request, and when a first pre-set type of touch is sensed in a region on which the preview image is displayed in the second state, control the camera to capture the preview image based on the pre-set type of touch. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334292 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING HAPTIC FEEDBACK TO ASSIST IN CAPTURING IMAGES - Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing haptic feedback to assist in capturing images are presented. In some embodiments, a method for providing haptic feedback to assist in capturing images includes obtaining, via an image capture device, an ambient light measurement of an environment in which the image capture device is present. The method further includes detecting, via the image capture device, one or more objects within one or more image frames captured by the image capture device. The method also includes changing, via the image capture device, a manner in which haptic feedback is provided to a user of the image capture device, based at least in part on the obtained ambient light measurement and the detected one or more objects. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334295 | Dynamic Configured Video Camera - A method for providing video data streams is disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes generating video image data by a digitally adjustable video camera arrangement and preparing the video image data by a reconfigurable logic cell arrangement, wherein during camera operation, settings of the video camera arrangement are changed, adapted reconfiguration data for the reconfigurable logic cell arrangement are calculated in view of the amended settings and provided to the logic cell arrangement, and wherein the logic cell arrangement is configured with the reconfiguration data at runtime. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334297 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed are an image capture apparatus that includes an image sensor capable of acquiring parallax images, and calculates the amount of parallax while reducing the amount of data that is to be transmitted or recorded, and a method for controlling the same. The image capture apparatus less frequently outputs a second image signal than a first image signal, wherein the first image signal is generated based on all of the photoelectric signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units of each pixel, and wherein the second image signal is generated based on at least one of but not all of the photoelectric signals. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334298 | DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR RECORDING RESOLUTION AND DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND TERMINAL - The present disclosure provides a dynamic adjustment device for adjusting video resolution. The dynamic adjustment device includes an attributive character obtaining unit configured for obtaining attributive characters of captured video images, which are captured during video capturing; and a resolution adjustment unit configured for dynamically adjusting the video resolution of a current video according to the obtained attributive character. The present disclosure further provides a dynamic adjustment method and a terminal for adjusting video resolution. By means of the technical solution of the present disclosure, the video resolution can be dynamically adjusted according to an actual situation in a procedure of capturing a video, so as to not only ensure the quality of the captured video but also effectively save storage space without interrupting video capturing. | 11-19-2015 |
20150334360 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, AND IMAGING DEVICE - An image processing device includes a signal processing circuit, a chromatic aberration extraction circuit, and a diaphragm control circuit. The signal processing circuit generates image data by signal-processing output data generated by an image sensor in accordance with light passing through a diaphragm and a lens. The chromatic aberration extraction circuit extracts a chromatic aberration from the image data. The diaphragm control circuit changes an f-number of the diaphragm. The diaphragm control circuit sets the f-number of the diaphragm based on the chromatic aberration extracted by the chromatic aberration extraction circuit. | 11-19-2015 |
20150341535 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING IMAGE RESOLUTION - Systems and methods for deductively determining a resolution setting for an imaging device based on one or more features of a scene are disclosed. The features may include the size of primary or foreground faces within the scene, a maximum amount of high frequency content within the scene, a lighting condition of the scene, or a battery level of an electronic device. | 11-26-2015 |
20150341550 | ENHANCED IMAGE CAPTURE - Disclosed are techniques that provide a “best” picture taken within a few seconds of the moment when a capture command is received (e.g., when the “shutter” button is pressed). In some situations, several still images are automatically (that is, without the user's input) captured. These images are compared to find a “best” image that is presented to the photographer for consideration. Video is also captured automatically and analyzed to see if there is an action scene or other motion content around the time of the capture command. If the analysis reveals anything interesting, then the video clip is presented to the photographer. The video clip may be cropped to match the still-capture scene and to remove transitory parts. Higher-precision horizon detection may be provided based on motion analysis and on pixel-data analysis. | 11-26-2015 |
20150341553 | ULTRA-WIDE FIELD OF VIEW SEEKER - A system includes a seeker having a reflective surface of rotation, an image detector configured to capture images of a field of view, and an imaging lens group configured to provide the images of the field of view from the reflective surface of rotation onto the image detector. The system also includes an electronics unit configured to process the captured images. The reflective surface of rotation could distort the field of view in the captured images, and the electronics unit could remove distortions in the captured images caused by the reflective surface of rotation. The electronics unit could remove the distortions in the captured images using inverse reflective anamorphosis. The reflective surface of rotation could include a concave surface, a convex surface, a cylindrical surface, an inverted straight cone, a slice of a sphere containing an outer curved surface, or at least one reflective surface rotatable around an optical axis. | 11-26-2015 |
20150341564 | IMAGE EDITING METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - An image editing method and an electronic device including a display unit are provided. In the method, a first image is captured and displayed on the display unit. A first object is extracted from the first image, and a second object in the first image is detected. A second image is captured and the second object in the second image is detected. A movement of the second object is obtained according to the first image and the second image, and the first object on the display unit is moved along with the movement of the second object. Accordingly, an object in a photo can be moved by using images. | 11-26-2015 |
20150341576 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CODED ROLLING SHUTTER - Methods and systems for coded rolling shutter are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, methods and system are provided that control the readout timing and exposure length for each row of a pixel array in an image sensor, thereby flexibly sampling the three-dimensional space-time value of a scene and capturing sub-images that effectively encode motion and dynamic range information within a single captured image. | 11-26-2015 |
20150348302 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An imaging device includes an imaging unit that images a subject so as to obtain first image data, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the first image data so as to obtain second image data, a first storage unit in which image data including one or both of the first image data and the second image data is stored, an image analysis unit that analyzes a feature of the image data stored in the first storage unit, a scenario generation unit that generates scenario data on the basis of an analysis result of the image analysis unit, a scenario changing unit that performs setting so as to change the scenario data, and an image collage processing unit that combines the plural pieces of image data stored in the first storage unit on the basis of the scenario data so as to generate the image collage data. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350508 | REGION BASED SHUTTER ADAPTATION METHOD FOR IMAGE EXPOSURE - The present invention discloses a region based shutter adaptation method for image exposure. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing an image which is non-uniformly illuminated; (b) segmenting the image into two or more non-overlapping regions; (c) identifying brightness values for each of the regions when more than one brightness value has been produced for each of the regions; (d) applying the whole image with different shutters for different regions; and (e) exposing different regions for different exposure durations according to the brightness values respectively assigned to the regions, so that the present invention is capable of enabling different regions within the whole image which is non-uniformly illuminated to have different shutter adaptions. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350512 | Highlight Exposure Metric And Its Applications - Systems, methods, and computer readable media for the use of a metric whose value is especially sensitive to the information lost when an image's pixels are clipped are disclosed. The metric may be used as an image's score, where higher values are indicative of lost highlight information (more clipped pixels). One use of the disclosed metric would be to determine when the use of high dynamic range (HDR) techniques are appropriate. The disclosed metric may also be used to bias a scene's exposure value (EV) such as to a lower or underexposed value (EV−) so that the scene may be captured with no more than an acceptable number of clipped pixels. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350514 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE VIDEO CAPTURE CONTROL FOR VIDEO TRANSMISSION - Systems and methods are provided for capturing high quality video data, including data having a high dynamic range, for use with conventional encoders and decoders. High dynamic range data is captured using multiple groups of pixels where each group is captured using different exposure times to create groups of pixels. The pixels that are captured at different exposure times may be determined adaptively based on the content of the image, the parameters of the encoding system, or on the available resources within the encoding system. The transition from single exposure to using two different exposure times may be implemented gradually. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350532 | NEXT GENERATION IMAGING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Novel imaging arrangements are detailed. One comprises an optical array sensor with plural photo-electron generating regions dispersed at two or more layers in the structure. Two of these photo-electron generating regions are vertically separated by at least 10 microns—making the sensor useful for sensing objects at focal distances ranging from less than ten inches, out to infinity. Another arrangement involves movement of a camera sensor, in a repetitive tracking/pop-back motion, to reduce motion blur in individual frames of a video sequence. In a further arrangement, a user signals interest in a scene by sweeping a phone camera along a path to a point where it is briefly held, after which the phone is swept back in a contrary direction. The position at which it is briefly held indicates the user's interest in the scene viewed by the camera from that position. A great number of other arrangements are also detailed. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350539 | DEVICES AND METHODS OF INFORMATION-CAPTURE - An information-capture device includes a video-capture device, a pre-processing module, an image-processing module, and a text generation module. The video capturing module is configured to capture a video data. The pre-processing module is configured to divide the video data into a background data and a foreground data. The image-processing module generates an object feature and the object-motion information according to the foreground data, and generates captured-space information of the video data according to the background data. The text generation module generates event-description information according to the object feature, the object-motion information, and the captured-space information, in which the event-description information is related to an event that occurred in the video data, including the information related to the event, and is a machine-readable text file. | 12-03-2015 |
20150358521 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHING MOVING OBJECT WITH THE SAME - A photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an object to acquire image data; a part judgment section judging a particular part of the object in the image shown based on the image data; a change-in-part judgment section judging change over time of the part of the object judged by the part judgment section; and a control section changing a photographing condition in accordance with a result of the judgment by the change-in-part judgment section, wherein the part judgment section judges a first part of the object in the image and a second part presumed from the first part; and the change-in-part judgment section judges change over time of the second part. | 12-10-2015 |
20150358536 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING IMAGE IN PORTABLE TERMINAL - The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for capturing an image in a portable terminal. Upon receiving an image for preview and an image for capture simultaneously by a camera module, the controller simultaneously outputs the image for the preview and the image for the capture to a main controller during a simultaneous output mode. The received image for the preview is displayed and stored for a predetermined time period for a subsequent retrieval, so that when a capture key is pressed to capture a target object, the stored image corresponding to a time point at which the capture key is activated is retrieved and stored. | 12-10-2015 |
20150365545 | Picture Outputting Method and Apparatus - A picture outputting method and apparatus are provided, where the method may include collecting photographing data by using a camera, parsing the collected photographing data to obtain a first attribute parameter, where the first attribute parameter includes the number of faces and a location of a face on a screen, matching the parsed-out first attribute parameter to a second attribute parameter of one or more pre-stored photographic pose recommendation pictures, and when a photographic pose recommendation picture is found, outputting the photographic pose recommendation picture, so that a user adjusts a photographic pose according to the photographic pose recommendation picture, where a second attribute parameter of the photographic pose recommendation picture and the first attribute parameter meet a preset matching result. Therefore, a superb photographic pose recommendation picture is output for a user. | 12-17-2015 |
20150365574 | HANDHELD MOBILE APPARATUS WITH FOUR-DIRECTION PHOTOGRAPHY - A handheld mobile apparatus with four-direction photography comprises a handheld mobile device and a four-direction photography part. The handheld mobile device comprises a front surface with a screen, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface and a right surface. The four-direction photography part comprises four photography devices that are respectively disposed on the upper surface, the lower surface, the left surface and the right surface. Accordingly, the four photography devices can capture image along four photography directions. At least one image captured is instantly displayed on the screen. Therefore, it can improve security of users to advance while using the handheld mobile apparatus. It is quite convenient for users to be capable of holding in both of an upright or a transversal holding position. And, it is quite humanized for users to arbitrarily choose a quantity of images to be displayed, and so on. | 12-17-2015 |
20150365597 | MOVING-IMAGE RECORDING/REPRODUCTION APPARATUS - A moving-image recording/reproduction apparatus includes a first image processing apparatus configured to divide a region of an image signal into first and second regions when the image signal of each frame in a high-resolution moving image is input and generate first moving-image data by performing moving-image processing on the image signal of the first region and a second image processing apparatus configured to generate second moving-image data by performing the moving-image processing on the image signal of the second region. High-resolution moving-image data corresponding to the high-resolution moving-image obtained by combining the first and second moving-image data and low-resolution moving-image data corresponding to a low-resolution moving image having the same angle of view as the high-resolution moving image generated by the first or second image processing apparatuses are associated and recorded and the high- or low-resolution moving-image data is selected according to an image resolution that can be displayed. | 12-17-2015 |
20150379740 | EXPOSURE METERING BASED ON BACKGROUND PIXELS - The disclosed technology relates to image-capturing methods. In one aspect, a method includes receiving an image frame comprising a plurality of pixels and subtracting foreground pixels from the image frame to obtain background pixels. The method additionally includes determining an exposure condition for a next image frame based on at least a subset of the background pixels. The method further includes adjusting the foreground pixels such that a difference between a background luma value and a foreground luma value of the next image frame is within a predetermined range. Aspects are also directed to apparatuses configured for the methods. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381867 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - 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. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381869 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS FOR IMAGE SENSORS WITH PHASE DETECTION PIXELS - An image sensor may include a pixel array having image pixels for capturing image data and phase detection pixels for gathering phase information during automatic focusing operations. Phase detection pixels may form phase detection pixel pairs having first and second pixels with different angular responses. The first and second pixels may have color filters of the same color or may have color filters of different colors. The phase detection pixel pairs may be isolated from other phase detection pixel pairs in the array or may be arranged consecutively in a line. The phase detection pixels may, for example, be provided with color filters to match the color filter pattern of the pixel array. Processing circuitry may adjust red and green pixel signals from a phase detection pixel pair having a red and green color filter and may subsequently determine a phase difference using the adjusted pixel signals. | 12-31-2015 |
20160004144 | METHODS AND APPARATUS RELATING TO DETECTION AND/OR INDICATING A DIRTY LENS CONDITION - The present application relates to image capture and generation methods and apparatus and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus which detect and/or indicate a dirty lens condition. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method of operating a camera including the steps of capturing a first image using a first lens of the camera; determining, based on at least the first image, if a dirty camera lens condition exists; and in response to determining that a dirty lens condition exists, generating a dirty lens condition notification or initiating an automatic camera lens cleaning operation. In some embodiments multiple captured images with overlapping image regions are compared to determine if a dirty lens condition exists. | 01-07-2016 |
20160005221 | PHOTOMETRIC OPTIMIZATION WITH T-SPLINES - One example method is disclosed that includes the steps of capturing a plurality of images of a scene, wherein each of the plurality of images of the scene captures a different perspective of a portion of an object; establishing a three-dimensional (“3D”) model of the object using at least some of the plurality of images of the scene; initializing a T-spline based at least in part on the 3D model; determining a first photometric error associated with the 3D model and the T-spline; and optimizing the T-spline based on the first photometric error to create an optimized T-spline. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006931 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element, a reading scheme setting unit, and an image processing unit. A phase-difference detecting pixel for detecting a focal point is arranged at part of the imaging pixels of the imaging element. The reading scheme setting unit sets a reading scheme for reading pixel data from the imaging pixels and phase-difference detecting pixel. The image processing unit corrects the pixel data of the phase-difference detecting pixel. The image processing unit performs the correction, to change a use ratio of the pixel data of the phase-difference detecting pixel to the data interpolated from the pixels adjacent to the phase-difference detecting pixel. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006932 | GRID-BASED IMAGE RESOLUTION ENHANCEMENT FOR VIDEO PROCESSING MODULE - A method for providing a high resolution display image that includes providing a camera image that can be processed into at least two different camera views. The method also includes identifying a warped grid in each of the at least two different camera views and identifying a minimum field of view for displaying each of the at least two different camera views. The method further includes cropping the camera image based on the identified minimum field of view and de-warping the at least two different camera views to provide the high resolution display image. | 01-07-2016 |
20160014310 | Apparatus And Method For Compressive Imaging And Sensing Through Multiplexed Modulation Via Spinning Disks | 01-14-2016 |
20160014334 | CAMERA SYSTEM, VIDEO PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA APPARATUS | 01-14-2016 |
20160014349 | AUTOMATIC CAMERA ADJUSTMENT FOR TEXT DOCUMENTS | 01-14-2016 |
20160021303 | Enhanced low light photography system - One embodiment of the present invention comprises methods and apparatus for a camera that includes a curved sensor. This first embodiment samples the output of a group of pixels on the curved sensor. The output of the pixels is compared to a predetermined setting that establishes the maximum amount of unwanted motion that is to be allowed in an exposure. If the output is below the predetermined setting, a signal processor, which is connected to the output of the pixels, instructs a shutter means control to increase the duration of the exposure. | 01-21-2016 |
20160028932 | EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR AN IMAGING SYSTEM - A device that analyzes an image. The device includes a circuit that receives an image that includes a plurality of pixels. The circuit creates a histogram of the image and analyzes the histogram to determine an acceptable exposure of the image. The histogram may include a plurality of bins versus a population of pixels associated with each bin. By way of example, the bins may be associated with an intensity of light. The images and histograms may include data defined by low dynamic range number of bits and/or an extended dynamic range number of bits. Certain features and criteria of the image may be determined and analyzed to determine whether the image has an acceptable exposure. If the image is unacceptable, an exposure characteristic can be changed and the process can be repeated until an acceptable image is obtained. | 01-28-2016 |
20160028943 | GESTURE RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND GESTURE RECOGNITION METHOD BASED ON SHARPNESS VALUES - A gesture recognition system includes an image capturing device, a memory unit and a processing unit. The image capturing device includes a zoom lens and captures an image frame with a focus length. The memory unit previously saves a lookup table of depths versus sharpness associated with at least one the focus length of the zoom lens. The processing unit is configured to calculate a current sharpness value of at least one object image in the image frame and to obtain a current depth of the object image according to the lookup table. | 01-28-2016 |
20160033738 | Apparatus, Method and Computer Program for Capturing Images - An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus includes an image sensor, an optical arrangement including at least one adjustable focusing element; wherein the adjustable focusing element is configured to alternate between a first focus distance and a second focus distance as an image is captured by the image sensor. | 02-04-2016 |
20160034252 | SMART DEVICE CONTROL - A wearable device such as a head-mountable device and related method are disclosed. The disclosed device includes a processor adapted to respond to a user instruction and to perform an operation in response to said instruction, wherein the processor is adapted to communicate with a microphone adapted to capture sounds from the oral cavity of the user; wherein the processor is adapted to recognize a non-vocal sound generated by the user in said oral cavity as said user instruction. | 02-04-2016 |
20160035767 | PHOTOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A photoelectric transducer includes a wiring structure and a photoelectric conversion section provided on a substrate. The photoelectric conversion section includes a first electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer provided on the first electrode. The wiring structure includes a first wiring layer including a wiring pattern. The distance between the bottom face of the first electrode and the substrate is shorter than the distance between the bottom face of the wiring pattern and the substrate. | 02-04-2016 |
20160037066 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus obtains an image signal, which is captured by an image capturing apparatus, and in which respective pixels correspond to light fluxes of different combinations of pupil regions, where the light fluxes have passed through in an imaging optical system of the image capturing apparatus, and incident directions. The image processing apparatus sets a focal length corresponding to an object to be focused, and generates a reconstructed image focused on the object of the set focal length from the image signal. The image processing apparatus generates a moving image by concatenating a plurality of reconstructed images generated in association with a plurality of different focal lengths, and outputs the moving image in association with the image signals. | 02-04-2016 |
20160037072 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A digital photographing method and apparatus include determining a motion vector of an object in a preview image, determining whether the motion vector meets a predetermined condition and, when it does, generating an image capturing signal to photograph a scene desired by a user. | 02-04-2016 |
20160037085 | AUTO FILTER EXTENT MANAGEMENT - An output rescale module may determine an estimated set of lines to hold in vertical support for use when performing image transformations. For example, an output rescale module may monitor input Y coordinates (in terms of input pixel lines) computed over previous lines and compute a set of lines to hold in a set of line buffers. As each output pixel line is generated, the output rescale module may compute the minimum and maximum values of Y generated by the transform across that line. The minimum and maximum input Y coordinates may then be averaged to determine the center value (the centermost input line) for that output line. The difference (in terms of input pixel lines) between centerlines for two adjacent output lines may be added to the centerline value for the current output line to estimate a center line for the next (net yet generated) output pixel line. | 02-04-2016 |
20160044237 | FEATURE DETECTION IN IMAGE CAPTURE - A feature detection process includes identifying an approximate location of a feature in a preliminary image. A gradient phase map of image pixel intensities within the approximate location is computed. A projection result is determined by applying a projection function to the gradient phase map. The projection result is analyzed to determine a state of the feature. | 02-11-2016 |
20160044238 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image capturing unit configured to generate image data; an adding unit configured to add additional information every predetermined amount of pixel data in the image data; a transmission unit configured to transmit image data by the amount of pixel data to which the additional information is added; an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the image data; and a power control unit configured to control power supply when the transmission unit transmits the pixel data, based on the additional information, wherein the power control unit restricts the power supply to less than a predetermined power amount in a case where the additional information indicates a predetermined state, and performs power supply at the predetermined power amount in a case where the additional information does not indicate the predetermined state. | 02-11-2016 |
20160050363 | SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING COMPLIANT FACIAL IMAGES FOR SELECTED IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS - A method of recoding a photograph for use in a personal photo identification document such as a passport includes using a digital image capture system, including a digital camera, a computer processor, and memory to store specifications and requirements for a photo print in order to be compliant for use in a user selected photo ID such as a passport for a selected country or jurisdiction, using the digital image capture system to capture a facial image, using facial image processing techniques to provide automatic detection of a face and facial feature points on the facial image, processing the facial image and generating a visual indication of compliance, and when compliant, generating the photograph based on the compliant facial image. | 02-18-2016 |
20160050369 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE SYSTEM - An image processing apparatus detecting a plurality of joint positions between a plurality of input images includes a target image generation unit configured to generate a plurality of target images to be searched in a second input image among the input images from a first input image among the input images; a characteristic amount calculation unit configured to calculate a characteristic amount for each of the target images generated by the target image generation unit; and a matching calculation unit configured to calculate a matching between the target image of interest among the target images having the characteristic amounts calculated by the characteristic amount calculation unit, and a part of the second input image, using an evaluation method depending on the characteristic amounts calculated by the characteristic amount calculation unit. | 02-18-2016 |
20160057330 | COLORIMETRY METHOD, COLORIMETRY DEVICE, SPECTRAL MEASUREMENT METHOD, SPECTRAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An imaging device outputs imaging data captured with a predetermined exposure time, and a brightness determination unit determines whether the brightness of the imaging data is within a predetermined range. Re-imaging is performed with the exposure time changed when the brightness of the imaging data is not within the predetermined range. The re-imaging is performed with the exposure time lengthened when the brightness of the imaging data is less than a determination value, and the re-imaging is performed with the exposure time shortened when the brightness of the imaging data is saturated. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057339 | Image Capture Technique - This disclosure relates to winking to capture image data using an image capture device that is associated with a head-mountable device (HMD). An illustrative method includes detecting a wink gesture at an HMD. The method also includes causing an image capture device to capture image data, in response to detecting the wink gesture at the HMD. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057340 | DEPTH DETECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND GESTURE DETECTING APPARATUS AND GESTURE DETECTING METHOD - A gesture detecting apparatus including a light emitter configure to emit light towards an object, a camera configured to capture light emitted from the light emitter and reflected by the object, and a signal controller configured to control the light emitter and the camera, in which the light emitter comprises a first light and second light, at least one of which is configured to emit light having non-monotonic intensity characteristics. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057348 | DYNAMIC CAMERA MODE SWITCHING - A method for automatic image capture control and digital imaging is described. An image buffer is initialized to store a digital image produced by an image sensor, through allocation of a region in memory for the buffer that is large enough to store a full resolution frame from the image sensor. While non-binning streaming frames, from the sensor and in the buffer, are being displayed in preview, the sensor is reconfigured into binning mode, and then binned streaming frames are processed in the buffer, but without allocating a smaller region in memory for the buffer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057395 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE SYSTEM, AND DEVICE CONTROL METHOD - An electronic device including: a living thing state estimator that determines whether or not at least an animal other than a human is present in a space based on information on the space in which the electronic device is disposed, and estimates a state of the animal that is determined to be present; and a control detail determiner that determines a control detail for the electronic device, according to a result of the determination or the estimated state of the animal. | 02-25-2016 |
20160062472 | RECOGNITION DEVICE, INTELLIGENT DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD - An intelligent device is configured to provide relevant information related to an image. The intelligent device includes a sensor module, an activation module, an image capture module, an image recognition module, and an information providing module. The sensor module includes a magnetometer and a gyroscope. The magnetometer detects a direction of a gesture relative to the intelligent device. The gyroscope detects at least one angular velocity of the gesture. The activation module determines the gesture according to the direction and the angular velocities, and generates an activating signal according to the gesture determined. The image capture module captures the image according to the activation signal. The image recognition module identifies the image to retrieve relevant information related to the image. The information providing module provides the relevant information. | 03-03-2016 |
20160063706 | Reduced Homography based on Structural Redundancy of Conditioned Motion - Efficient techniques of recovering the pose of an optical apparatus exploiting structural redundancies due the conditioned motion of an apparatus are disclosed. The techniques are based on determining a reduced homography consonant to the conditioned motion of the optical apparatus. The optical apparatus comprises an optical sensor on which space points are imaged as measured image points. The reduced homography is based on a reduced representation of the space points, obtained by exploiting the structural redundancy in the measured image points due to the conditioned motion. The reduced representation consonant with the conditioned motion is defined by rays in homogeneous coordinates and contained in a projective plane of the optical sensor. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065819 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECTING DATA CAPTURE DEVICES IN A MOBILE UNIT WITH A SINGLE OPERATION - In a single operation executed by a mobile device, operation is executed on at least two data capture devices housed in the mobile device with a single trigger operation. The mobile device receives information captured by at least one of a first data capture device and a second data capture device; instructs adjustment of the other of the first data capture device and the second data capture device based on the received information and receives information captured by at least one of the first data capture device and the second data capture device subsequent to the adjustment. The mobile device analyzes the received information, repeats instructing adjustment until appropriated details are retrieved from the received information; and directs data capture and/or an image capture by at least one of the first data capture device and the second data capture device in accordance with the retrieved details. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065824 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - An image processing system has a sensor array with a plurality of pixels. A distinct circuit is associated with each pixel in the sensor array. The circuits are designed such that across the plurality of circuits, there are a plurality of distinct sensitivities to irradiance from a scene to be captured which are spatially pseudo-randomly ordered relative to each other. The image processing system also comprises an image reconstruction algorithm. A method is also disclosed. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065841 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device and an image capture method thereof are disclosed herein. The image capture method is suitable for an electronic apparatus including an image capture unit. The image capture method includes steps of: providing a first preview image by the image capture unit; detecting a first facial expression from the first preview image; providing a second preview image by the image capture unit after the first preview image; detecting the second facial expression from the second preview image; determining whether the second facial expression is matched to the first facial expression; and, automatically generating a second target image in response to the second facial expression is not matched to the first facial expression. | 03-03-2016 |
20160071894 | IMAGE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - Disclosed are an image sensor including a light collection member having a multi-layer step shape and an electronic device including the same. This technology can improve light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel since a corresponding pixel lens is included. Furthermore, light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel can be improved more effectively by controlling the width of a corresponding pixel lens so that the pixel lens corresponds to the wavelength of incident light whose color has been separated by a corresponding color filter. As described above, quantum efficiency in the photoelectric conversion element can also be improved since light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel is improved. As a result, performance of the image sensor can be improved. | 03-10-2016 |
20160071895 | IMAGE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - This technology provides an image sensor and an electronic device including the same, In an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels, each of the plurality of unit pixels may include a photoelectric conversion element and a pixel lens over the photoelectric conversion element and comprising a plurality of light condensing layers in which a lower layer has a larger area than an upper layer, wherein the pixel lens has a shape changing based on a position of a corresponding unit pixel from a center of the pixel array to an edge of the pixel array. | 03-10-2016 |
20160073020 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - [Object] To obtain more useful images when images taken using a fisheye lens are used without being remapped. | 03-10-2016 |
20160080627 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE-PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An image processing apparatus include a first acquirer ( | 03-17-2016 |
20160080639 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A mobile terminal including a display unit; a camera configured to capture an image; and a controller configured to control the camera to capture a plurality of images in response to an image capture request, and generate an image including a focused particular graphic object and at least some out of focus portions excluding the focused particular graphic object by combining at least two of the plurality of images. | 03-17-2016 |
20160080648 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Upon capturing a digital watermark embedded in a wide range of a print product separately plural times by moving an image capturing device, a camera shake occurs, captured images become out of focus, and the digital watermark cannot be read. In one embodiment, upon performing continuous shooting of a print product plural times, shooting is performed while changing the image capturing condition of the device, and information of the watermark is obtained based on plural captured images. Even if the device is moved to perform shooting separately plural times, it can be prevented that the distance to the print product cannot be adjusted owing to occurrence of a camera shake, and a captured image becomes out of focus. A user holds the device by the hand and can accurately perform shooting. | 03-17-2016 |
20160080652 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE INPUT DEVICE - According to an embodiment, in an information processing device, when there is no change in a first image received from an image sensor, reception of the next first image is awaited. When there is a change in the first image, a second image having a higher resolution than the first image is received from the image sensor and processing for the second image is performed. | 03-17-2016 |
20160088220 | CAMERA COMMAND SET HOST COMMAND TRANSLATION - The present disclosure provides techniques for translating input camera commands to device-specific commands. Camera commands may be translated by a translation engine located separately from the camera and then transferred to the camera. The translated commands may be less complex than input commands. By translating the commands, older cameras may be capable of supporting newer commands which are not natively supported. | 03-24-2016 |
20160088221 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING AN IMAGING DEVICE FOR THE RECEPTION OF DIGITAL PULSE RECOGNITION INFORMATION - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for configuring one or more imaging sensors of an imaging device to capture digital images for digital pulse recognition demodulation. In some embodiments, the method includes initializing one or more imaging sensors of the imaging device, determining a subset of the one or more imaging sensors to configure, setting a configuration for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset by defining a region of interest as a metering area for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset and automatically adjusting a setting for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset, and adjusting input parameters of a demodulation function based on a device profile of the imaging device. In some embodiments, the adjusted setting is locked to prevent further adjustment of the adjusted setting. | 03-24-2016 |
20160088231 | BACKGROUND-DIFFERENTIAL EXTRACTION DEVICE AND BACKGROUND-DIFFERENTIAL EXTRACTION METHOD - This invention provides a technology that allows the acquisition of background differentials using images acquired by a camera, the viewpoint of which moves. First, said camera acquires a background image, i.e. an image that does not contain a target object. Using information on the line-of-sight direction and viewpoint position of the camera, position information for pixels in the background image is transformed to polar-coordinate information Next, the camera acquires an object image. Using information on the line-of-sight direction and viewpoint position of the camera, position information for pixels in the object image is transformed to polar-coordinate information. The polar-coordinate information for the pixels in the object image is used to identify a target background, said target background being the part of the background image in an angle region corresponding to the object image. By comparing the object image and the target background, the differential therebetween is extracted. | 03-24-2016 |
20160093011 | DETECTING ENCODED SIGNALS UNDER ADVERSE LIGHTING CONDITIONS USING ADAPTIVE SIGNAL DETECTION - The present disclosure relates generally to signal detection adaptable to accommodate various lighting conditions, and to embedding signals according to anticipated lighting conditions likely to be present during image capture. One claim recites a portable apparatus comprising: a camera for capturing data representing imagery or video; a touchscreen display; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured for: obtaining data representing imagery or video, the imagery or video having been captured with said camera; obtaining lighting information associated with image capture of the imagery or video, in which the lighting information is associated with a light level or color temperature; adapting an auxiliary data detector based on the lighting information; and controlling the adapted auxiliary data detector to process the data representing imagery or video to determine whether auxiliary data is encoded therein. Of course, additional disclosure, combinations and claims are also provided. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094769 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS WITH EMISSION UNIT, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR - An image pickup apparatus capable of obtaining focusing information at the time of photometry for emission control and of controlling an emission quantity appropriately. An image pickup device receives a pair of light beams that pass through different pupil division areas of an imaging optical system with a pair of photoelectric conversion sections. An extraction unit extracts candidates from a pre-emission image. A calculation unit finds focused areas and defocus areas in the pre-emission image. A selection unit selects a light-control target area from the candidates according to information about the focused areas. A control unit controls emission quantity so that luminance in the light-control target area becomes predetermined luminance. The calculation unit finds the information about the focused areas based on difference information between a first phase difference signal read from one photoelectric conversion section and a second phase difference signal read from the other photoelectric conversion section. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094774 | MOBILE DEVICE IMAGE ACQUISITION USING OBJECTS OF INTEREST RECOGNITION - An approach is provided for acquiring images with camera-enabled mobile devices using objects of interest recognition. A mobile device is configured to acquire an image represented by image data and process the image data to identify a plurality of candidate objects of interest in the image. The plurality of candidate objects of interest may be identified based upon a plurality of low level features or “cues” in the image data. Example cues include, without limitation, color contrast, edge density and superpixel straddling. A particular candidate object of interest is selected from the plurality of candidate objects of interest and a graphical symbol is displayed on a screen of the mobile device to identify the particular candidate object of interest. The particular candidate object of interest may be located anywhere on the image. Passive auto focusing is performed at the location of the particular candidate object of interest. | 03-31-2016 |
20160100103 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE THAT SYNTHESIZES A PLURALITY OF IMAGES, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image processing device that is capable of synthesizing a plurality of images by accurately correcting an image shift even in a photographing scene with a lot of external disturbances, such as noise. An image processing device synthesizes a plurality of images obtained by photographing an object that moves at a predetermined speed to thereby obtain a synthesized image. Each of the plurality of images is divided into a plurality of blocks, and a motion vector is detected from each of the blocks. Selection from the motion vectors is performed based on a focal length and an exposure interval applied when the plurality of images are obtained. Synthesis processing is performed by aligning the plurality of images based on the selected motion vectors, whereby the synthesized image is obtained. | 04-07-2016 |
20160100145 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH DISPLAY SECTION AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus that is capable of reducing degradation of image quality of the whole display screen of a display section while improving display delay with respect to an observed area. In an image pickup apparatus, an image pickup section picks up an image of an object, and a development processor generates image data by developing input data acquired by the image pickup section. A first image generation unit generates a first image by performing image processing on part of the image data. A second image generation unit performs predetermined image processing on the image data to thereby generate a second image which is different in the number of steps of image processing from the above image processing. An image synthesis section generates a third image by synthesizing the first image with the second image, and a display device displays the third image. | 04-07-2016 |
20160105599 | AUTOMATIC FOCUS SEARCHING USING FOCAL SWEEP TECHNIQUE - An automatic focus searching method for an image capture device is provided. The image capture device has a lens and an image sensor. The method includes: setting an exposure time of the image sensor; computing a focal sweep trajectory of the lens based on at least the exposure time; during the exposure time, moving the lens along the focal sweep trajectory while exposing the image sensor; reading out pixel data of the image sensor that is generated during the exposure time; and applying a filtering operation upon the pixel data to generate an output image. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105602 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR AUTOMATICALLY CAPTURING AN IMAGE - An apparatus comprising: means for processing, at a first time, a user-input to determine a position condition defined in respect of an object that is yet to be included in a sensed image; and means for automatically capturing, after the first time, a sensed image including a first object not included in the sensed image at the first time, in response to determination that the user-input position condition is satisfied in respect of the first object. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105607 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF FILM CAPTURE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - A system, apparatus, or method is provided for imaging and for capturing visuals to provide image manipulation options for increasing resolution of subject images. A system, apparatus or method for increasing resolution of subject images using a camera to deliver unexposed photographic emulsion or a digital image and to generate images of greater resolution by modifying digital images or modifying digital and emulsion images. | 04-14-2016 |
20160112644 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL PROGRAM - To make a difference between respective accumulation conditions of first and second regions of a live view image and then to check the live view image for changes in an image corresponding to the changes in the accumulation conditions of the respective regions. An electronic apparatus includes an image-capture unit and a system control unit. The image-capture unit includes an image sensor and captures an image of first and second regions. The system control unit causes a display unit to display a live view image corresponding to the image of the first and second regions captured by the image-capture unit. The system control unit also makes a difference between respective accumulation conditions of the first and second regions of the live view image. | 04-21-2016 |
20160117829 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE - Electronic devices and methods for processing images are provided. The method includes obtaining a first image and a second image through a first image sensor, extracting depth information from at least one third image obtained through a second image sensor, applying the extracted depth information to the obtained first image and displaying the first image, and applying the extracted depth information to the obtained second image. | 04-28-2016 |
20160119535 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes an imaging unit configured to image an object and output a captured image, a face recognition unit configured to recognize a face included in the captured image and detect a direction and a position of the recognized face, and a group detection unit configured to detect a group formed by the faces included in the captured image based on directions and positions of two faces being adjacent to each other among the faces included in the captured image. | 04-28-2016 |
20160119603 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An imaging device | 04-28-2016 |
20160127628 | TIME EXTENSION FOR IMAGE FRAME PROCESSING - A method includes determining, at an image processor, a first time period associated with processing a first frame of an image captured via an image sensor. The method also includes extending a frame time for processing the first frame by a second time period. The second time period is based at least in part on an amount of permitted focus value contamination for processing the first frame, and the frame time includes the first time period and the second time period. | 05-05-2016 |
20160127631 | IMAGING CONTROL DEVICE - An imaging system | 05-05-2016 |
20160127640 | POWER SAVING CONTROL METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING THE SAME - A control for a power saving of an electronic device is disclosed. The device includes a camera configured to be activated and then obtain an image when no input event is received within a given time after activation of a selected function. The device further includes a control unit configured to, if the obtained image contains a specific pattern, determine whether the specific pattern corresponds to a human face pattern, and to, if the specific pattern does not correspond to the human face pattern, perform a power saving control of the electronic device. | 05-05-2016 |
20160127651 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGE USING ASSISTANT ICON - An electronic device obtains a preview of a video captured by the electronic device. The electronic device generates an assistant icon in the preview of the video. The electronic device captures an image of a scene when a desired object enters into the preview of the video and moves to a predetermined position. | 05-05-2016 |
20160132748 | Hyperspectral Resolution Using Three-Color Camera - A method for capturing hyperspectral images using a regular color camera. In the method, the camera takes multiple images of a scene, with the camera oriented differently for each image. For a camera carried by an aircraft or spacecraft, this allows hyperspectral imaging without the cost or weight of a hyperspectral camera. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134793 | Interchangeable User Input Control Components - In one example, a controller of a camera is configured to detect a mechanical connection of an accessory for the camera through data received by a sensor. The accessory includes a physical component that performs a function for the camera. The function may replace an existing function of the camera or supplement an existing function of the camera. The controller identifies one or more identification marks on the accessory to determine an existence of the accessory or a position of the accessory. The controller may disable an existing function of the camera or modify a configuration of the camera based on the identification marks. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134803 | PRODUCTION OF FACE IMAGES HAVING PREFERRED PERSPECTIVE ANGLES - Techniques are disclosed for identifying preferred orientations of a face in view of various preference factors and for producing a face image having a preferred orientation. The techniques allow a user to take a so-called selfie or have a video chat and appear as if he/she is looking into the camera with a face orientation that has been determined to be optimal for various factors. Such factors may be associated with face type (e.g., face shape, face color), image capture conditions (e.g., time of day, location, light condition, background), and/or the preferences of a particular user. The factors may also be directly associated with and/or dependent on face orientation (e.g., relative nostril size, facial symmetry, relative eye size, eye height). | 05-12-2016 |
20160134807 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Conventionally, on a subject in which range, refocus can be performed at the time of image capturing or at the time of editing an image is not specified clearly, and therefore, it is difficult for a user to capture an image or to edit an image in a manner the user intends. An image processing apparatus has an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image including a plurality of subject areas and distance information corresponding to the plurality of subject areas and a generation unit configured to generate a shifted image in which positions of the plurality of subject areas are shifted in the image based on the distance information. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134834 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL BASED ON FACE OR HAND GESTURE DETECTION - System and method for control using face detection or hand gesture detection algorithms in a captured image Based on the existence of a detected human face or a hand gesture in an image captured by a digital camera (still or video), a control signal is generated, and provided to a device. The control may provide power or disconnect power supply to the device (or part of the device circuits). Further, the location of the detected face in the image may be used to rotate a display screen horizontally, vertically, or both, to achieve a better line of sight with a viewing person. If two or more faces are detected, the average location is calculated and used for line of sight correction. A linear feedback control loop is implemented wherein detected face deviation from the optimum is the error to be corrected by rotating the display to the required angular position. A hand gesture detection can be used as a replacement to a remote control wherein the various hand gestures controls the various function of the controlled unit, such as a television set. | 05-12-2016 |
20160140734 | COLORING INSPECTION APPARATUS AND COLORING INSPECTION METHOD - An object is to ensure clear and easy quantification of the textures such as metallic texture and shiny texture of pearl pigment and to rationalize comparison inspection between an inspection object and a reference object. A coloring inspection apparatus | 05-19-2016 |
20160142615 | ROBUST LAYERED LIGHT-FIELD RENDERING - According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein process light-field image data so as to prevent, mitigate, and/or remove artifacts and/or other image degradation effects. A light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array. Based on a depth map of the light-field image, a plurality of layers may be created, and samples from the light-field image may be projected onto the layers to create a plurality of layer images. The layer images may be processed with one or more algorithms such as an inpainting algorithm to fill null values, a reconstruction algorithm to correct degradation effects from capture, and/or an enhancement algorithm to adjust the color, brightness, contrast, and/or sharpness of the layer image. Then, the layer images may be combined to generate a processed light-field image. | 05-19-2016 |
20160142622 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring. | 05-19-2016 |
20160142625 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING IMAGE COMPOSITION ATTRIBUTE ADJUSTMENTS - Method, system and program product are provided for collecting image information for a scene in a field of view with a camera, and obtaining a candidate attribute of interest (AOI) associated with the image information. The method and program product identify a reference AOI associated with a reference image corresponding to the image information, determine an AOI adjustment indicative of a change in the candidate AOI in order to align the candidate AOI with the reference AOI, and output the AOI adjustment. | 05-19-2016 |
20160142630 | IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE HAVING THE IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor comprising: a first layer having a plurality of groups of photodiodes formed in a semiconductor substrate, each group representing a 2×2 array of photodiodes, with 2 first pixels configured to detect light of a first wavelength and 2 second pixels configured to detect light of a second wavelength, each first pixel positioned adjacent to the second pixels; and a second layer overlapping the first layer, the second layer is organic, having a plurality of organic photodiodes configured to detect light of a third wavelength, each organic photodiode positioned to partially overlap 2 first photodiodes and 2 second photodiodes of the first layer. | 05-19-2016 |
20160148386 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING DEPTH OF FOCUSED PLENOPTIC DATA - Method and apparatus for estimating the depth of focused plenoptic data are suggested. The method includes: estimating the inherent shift of in-focus pixels of the focused plenoptic data; calculating a level of homogeneity of the pixels of the focused plenoptic data; determining the pixels of the focused plenoptic data which either have disparities equal to the inherent shift or belong to homogeneous areas, as a function of the level of homogeneity of the pixels of the focused plenoptic data; and estimating the depth of the focused plenoptic data by a disparity estimation without considering the determined pixels. According to the disclosure, the pixels of the focused plenoptic data which either have a disparity equal to the inherent shift or belong to a homogeneous area will not be considered for the estimation of the depth, which can reduce computational costs and at the same time increase accuracy of estimations for in-focus parts of the scene. | 05-26-2016 |
20160156828 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME | 06-02-2016 |
20160156838 | CONTROLLING A CAMERA WITH FACE DETECTION | 06-02-2016 |
20160156841 | Method and Apparatus for Automatic Prediction of Dynamic Exposure | 06-02-2016 |
20160156843 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160162515 | NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A non-transitory computer readable medium stores a program causing a computer to execute a managing process. The managing process includes determining a location of a photo-shooting target based on photo-shooting information of image information, the image information being generated by capturing the photo-shooting target, and associating at least one shop with the captured image, with reference to location information of plural shops that has been registered in advance. | 06-09-2016 |
20160163752 | IMAGE-ACQUISITION DEVICE - Provided is an image-acquisition device including a first image-acquisition surface including a photoelectric conversion film capable of subjecting incident light to photoelectric conversion while transmitting some of the incident light; a second image-acquisition surface including a photoelectric conversion layer that subjects the incident light transmitted by the first image-acquisition surface to photoelectric conversion; and a polarizing filter that is disposed between the two image-acquisition surfaces and that extracts polarization information from the incident light transmitted by the first image-acquisition surface. | 06-09-2016 |
20160165127 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A first restoration processing section | 06-09-2016 |
20160165132 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - In order to enable users to use various functions via simple operations, a setting unit is configured to set any of setting values included in a first item in a hierarchy of a first setting menu and to set any of setting values included in a second item in a hierarchy of a second setting menu, and a control unit is configured to, according to a specific operation, switch to selection of a second setting value included in the second item in a case a first setting value included in the first item is selected, and to switch to selection of a fourth setting value included in the second item in a case a third setting value included in the first item is selected. | 06-09-2016 |
20160171655 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM | 06-16-2016 |
20160173759 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND STORAGE MEDIUM | 06-16-2016 |
20160173765 | IMAGE-CAPTURING APPARATUS WHICH CONTROLS IMAGE-CAPTURING DIRECTION | 06-16-2016 |
20160173766 | IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160173767 | Conversion Between Aspect Ratios in Camera | 06-16-2016 |
20160173768 | CAMERA SYSTEM TRANSMISSION IN BANDWIDTH CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENTS | 06-16-2016 |
20160173769 | CAMERA SYSTEM DUAL-ENCODER ARCHITECTURE | 06-16-2016 |
20160173776 | CAMERA SYSTEM DUAL-ENCODER ARCHITECTURE | 06-16-2016 |
20160173777 | CAMERA SYSTEM DUAL-ENCODER ARCHITECTURE | 06-16-2016 |
20160173785 | IMAGE SENSOR ALIGNMENT IN A MULTI-CAMERA SYSTEM ACCELERATOR ARCHITECTURE | 06-16-2016 |
20160173786 | SHOT IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160173834 | PLASMONIC POLARIZATION-SENSITIVE IMAGE SENSOR | 06-16-2016 |
20160173844 | OPTIMIZATION OF OPTICAL SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVED LIGHT FIELD CAPTURE AND MANIPULATION | 06-16-2016 |
20160182812 | IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF | 06-23-2016 |
20160182813 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN ADAPTED SLICE IMAGE FROM A FOCAL STACK | 06-23-2016 |
20160182816 | PREVENTING PHOTOGRAPHS OF UNINTENDED SUBJECTS | 06-23-2016 |
20160182818 | VIDEO CAPTURING APPARATUS, VIDEO CAPTURING SYSTEM AND VIDEO CAPTURING METHOD | 06-23-2016 |
20160182831 | REAL-TIME PERSPECTIVE CORRECTION | 06-23-2016 |
20160188935 | FAST VISION SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for performing a vision process using a camera having a multi-focus lens having a lens field of view where the lens can be set at different focus positions the method comprising the steps of positioning at least one of the camera and an item to be imaged so the lens field of view is directed at the item to be imaged, obtaining a plurality of images where each image is obtained with the lens focus at a different position and after each image is obtained, attempting to perform the machine vision process using the image irrespective of whether or not the lens was focused when the image was obtained. | 06-30-2016 |
20160196634 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME, AND VIDEO CAMERA | 07-07-2016 |
20160196679 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM | 07-07-2016 |
20160198100 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF | 07-07-2016 |
20160255262 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING DIGITAL IMAGES USING MULTIPLE SHORT EXPOSURES | 09-01-2016 |
20160255269 | LIFELOG CAMERA AND METHOD OF OBTAINING A DIGITAL IMAGE TAGGED WITH CORRECTED IMAGE DIRECTION INFORMATION | 09-01-2016 |
20160381268 | DIGITAL CAMERA APPARATUS WITH DYNAMICALLY CUSTOMIZED FOCUS RETICLE AND AUTOMATIC FOCUS RETICLE POSITIONING - An apparatus includes digital camera equipment and a display that provides a viewfinder. A processor that is operatively coupled to the camera equipment, and to the display, controls the camera equipment and the display to provide a custom reticle that defines a region-of-interest having a shape corresponding to an object-of-interest as the object-of-interest appears in the viewfinder. One or more object templates may be stored in memory. The object templates contain location information and size information for one or more objects-of-interest in a geographic region where the apparatus is located. The processor may construct the custom reticle using one or more of the object templates. The processor can determine that an object-of-interest is displayed in the viewfinder and construct a custom reticle for that particular object-of-interest. | 12-29-2016 |
20170237898 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REPRODUCING SITUATION USING MOBILE DEVICE HAVING IMAGE SHOOTING FUNCTION | 08-17-2017 |
20190147618 | ATTENTION POSITION RECOGNIZING APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, DISPLAY APPARATUS, ATTENTION POSITION RECOGNIZING METHOD AND PROGRAM | 05-16-2019 |
20190149709 | IMAGING DEVICE | 05-16-2019 |
20190149723 | CAMERA, SETTING METHOD OF CAMERA, AND SETTING PROGRAM OF CAMERA | 05-16-2019 |
20190149727 | PROCESSING APPARATUS, LENS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 05-16-2019 |
20190149728 | IMAGE-PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE-PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE-PROCESSING PROGRAM | 05-16-2019 |
20190149751 | SPARSE SCANOUT FOR IMAGE SENSORS | 05-16-2019 |
20190149752 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM | 05-16-2019 |
20220139990 | POLARIMETRIC IMAGING CAMERA - In one example, an apparatus comprises: a semiconductor substrate comprising a first photodiode and a second photodiode, the first photodiode being positioned adjacent to the second photodiode along a first axis; a birefringent crystal positioned over the first photodiode and the second photodiode along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a microlens positioned over the birefringent crystal along the second axis, the microlens having an asymmetric curvature along the first axis, an apex point of the curvature being positioned over the first photodiode along the second axis. | 05-05-2022 |
20220141374 | INTELLIGENT FLASH INTENSITY CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A system and method for intelligent flash intensity control are provided. The method includes that: receiving an input from a user to open a camera [ | 05-05-2022 |
20220141389 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF RECOGNIZING VOICE COMMAND, CONTROL METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of a subject, a driving unit configured to drive a driving member configured to change an imaging direction of the image capturing unit, and a detection unit configured to detect a first voice command for performing specific processing and a second voice command for starting the detection of the first voice command. The driving unit limits the driving of the driving member in response to the detection of the second voice command by the detection unit. | 05-05-2022 |
20220141401 | INTEGRATED HIGH-SPEED IMAGE SENSOR AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF - An integrated high-speed image sensor includes a pixel array; a processor configured to determine a region of interest (ROI) and a region of non-interest (RONI) of the pixel array; an analog signal processing circuit configured to read out ROI image data at a first frame rate and read out RONI image data at a second frame rate; and a memory storing the ROI image data and the RONI image data. | 05-05-2022 |