Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media to enhance an image on a mobile computing device. In some aspects, a user interface on the mobile computing device provides a plurality of image filters, each of the image filters associated with a different replacement sky type. Upon application of one of the plurality of image filters to an image, the mobile computing device is configured to identify a sky portion of the image, modify a color mapping of a non-sky portion of the image, and replace the sky portion of the image with replacement sky data corresponding to the applied image filter.

Abstract: A method for testing an autofocus function of a camera module fixes a camera module and at least two test members sequentially spaced at different positions on an axis pointing straight away from the camera. The camera module is controlled to focus and capture images of each test member and record driving currents of the camera module to achieve those focuses at those distances. When a sharpness of image of a test member reaches a preset threshold value a correspondence table between the driving currents and object distances is generated. An autofocus testing device is further provided.

Abstract: A portable communication device is provided that includes a transceiver, a memory, a touchscreen, an imaging device, and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain, using the imaging device, a first image including objects external to the portable communication device based at least in part on a first focus and a first exposure. When the objects are persons, the processor is configured to display, via the touchscreen, the first image, graphical user interface (GUI) items corresponding to each face region of the persons. The processor is also configured to move at least one of the GUI items according to a user input detected via the touchscreen, and based at least in part on the user input, replace the displayed first image with a second image using at least one of a second focus or a second exposure determined with respect to the moved position.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor may include pixel groups, which are two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate, and each of the pixel groups including a plurality of pixels. The image sensor may also include a light-blocking pattern, which is disposed on the substrate and between the pixels. The pixel groups may include first image pixel groups sensing a first light, second image pixel groups sensing a second light, and an auto-focus (AF) pixel group detecting a phase. The AF pixel group may include a first AF pixel and a second AF pixel adjacent to each other, and the light-blocking pattern may be absent on the substrate between the first AF pixel and the second AF pixel.

Abstract: A swivelling module able to capture light from any desired direction includes a light-transmitting housing, a reflecting element in the light-transmitting housing, a plurality of magnets disposed on a periphery of the reflecting element, and a plurality of electromagnetic induction coils disposed on corners of the light-transmitting housing. When the electromagnetic induction coils are energized, the electromagnetic induction coils interact with the magnets to drive the reflecting element to rotate to a desired direction. An imaging device and an electronic device including the swivelling module are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to achieve a relatively small installation height of a multi-aperture imaging device having a one-line array of adjacently arranged optical channels, lenses of the optics of the optical channels are attached to a main side of a substrate by one or more lens holders and are mechanically connected via the substrate, the substrate being positioned such that the optical paths of the plurality of optical channels pass therethrough.

Abstract: A pixel cell readout circuit includes an amplifier and a capacitor switch circuit that includes a first routing path coupled to an input of the amplifier. A second routing path includes switches coupled in series along the second routing path. A first end of the second routing path is coupled to a bitline. A second end of the second routing path is coupled to an output of the amplifier. Only one of the switches is turned off and a remainder of the switches are turned on. Capacitors are coupled in parallel between the first routing path and the second routing path. A first end of each of the capacitors is coupled to the first routing path. A second end of each of the capacitors is coupled to the second routing path. The switches are interleaved among the second ends of the capacitors along the second routing path.

Abstract: A display control device includes a controller configured to perform control displaying, on a display, whether or not shooting is performed at a shooting rate slower than a predetermined shooting rate, after the shooting starts at the predetermined shooting rate.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of a method for setting camera parameters of a camera, the method comprising: obtaining a first set of image characteristic values of images captured by the camera at a first lighting condition, the image characteristics being dependent on the camera parameters, at least two image characteristic values of the first set respectively corresponding to at least two different values of a same camera parameter; determining at least one second set of image characteristic values by adapting values of the obtained first set of image characteristic values from images captured by the camera at at least one second lighting condition, at least two image characteristic values of the second set respectively corresponding to at least two different values of a same camera parameter; selecting camera parameter values, based on the determined at least one second set of image characteristics; and modifying settings of the camera as a function of the selected values.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a first light source configured to project a first illumination onto a vehicle occupant and a second light source configured to project a second illumination onto the vehicle occupant. The system further comprises an imager comprising a pixel array. A lens apparatus comprises a first lens comprising a first field of view and a second lens comprising a second field of view. At least one shutter is selectively controlled to transmit the first illumination from the first lens to the pixel array. The at least one shutter is further controlled to selectively transmit the second illumination from the second lens to the pixel array. The imager is configured to process the first illumination in the first field of view and the second illumination in the second field of view.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor includes generating an analog pixel signal, including a reset component and an image component, based on incident light received by a pixel in the image sensor. Operations are performed to repeatedly sample the reset component of the analog pixel signal using a ramp signal, during a first time interval, and then repeatedly sample the image component of the analog pixel signal using the ramp signal, during a second time interval subsequent to the first time interval. A digital signal corresponding to an effective image component of the incident light is then generated. This digital signal is based on the repeatedly sampled reset component of the analog pixel signal and the repeatedly sampled image component of the analog pixel signal. In addition, during both the first and second time intervals, the ramp signal decreases in magnitude and increases in magnitude.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises means for selecting, from a single image, a range where a target pixel is made to be a reference, means for approximating a distribution of pixel values of the selected range by a function that represents a curved surface, and means for calculating a vector related to the distribution of pixel values from a parameter of the function obtained as a result of the approximation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an end-to-end photography model for setting the light and exposure in a digital photography device with an external lighting system. The present disclosure is for a system and a method for automatically setting one or more image parameters for improved photography and image aesthetics. Specifically, the present invention is for automatically setting light and exposure which can be implemented on a personal electronic device with an integrated image capturing device having integrated and/or external illumination system. The embodiments described herein in general relate to a system and method for analyzing and controlling image parameters to set precise light and exposure for the electronic image capturing device, particularly for a personal electronic device, such as smartphone and tablet, with an integrated image capturing device.

Abstract: A position detecting device for detecting a position of a magnet configured to move over a first target point and a second target point in steps includes a first hall device configured to generate a first hall voltage, a second hall device configured to generate a second hall voltage, a subtractor configured to generate a subtraction voltage based on a difference between the first hall voltage and the second hall voltage, an adder configured to generate an addition voltage based on a combination of the first hall voltage and the second hall voltage, a divider configured to calculate a ratio of the subtraction voltage to the addition voltage, and a subtraction voltage changing unit configured to maintain the subtraction voltage at the first target point and the second target point and in a transition section between the first target point and the second target point to be constant.

Abstract: There is provided a feedback and control method of operating a device. The method seeks to minimise cognitive load on a user, including novice users, and seeks to enable efficient, competent control of a device, and informed selection of and between optimum configurations.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device that is capable of improving an imaging characteristic by enhancing a dynamic range of an ADC is provided. A solid-state imaging device that includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels outputting a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion, and an AD conversion processing unit that performs AD conversion with respect to the pixel signal, and in which the AD conversion processing unit includes a comparator having a first amplifying unit that includes a pair of first differential pairs constituted of P-type transistors and a pair of second differential pairs constituted of N-type transistors, and a second amplifying unit that amplifies an output of the first amplifying unit, and in which a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor are connected in series is provided.

Abstract: A camera module includes first to third lens groups; a first mover configured to move the second lens group in the optical-axis direction; a second mover configured to move the third lens group in the optical-axis direction; a base accommodating the first mover and the second mover; a support ball disposed to be in rolling contact with the first mover, the second mover, and the base, the support ball supporting movement of the first mover and the second mover relative to the base; a driving magnet coupled to each of the first mover and the second mover; and a coil part coupled to the base, the coil part being disposed to face the driving magnet, and wherein an entirety of a surface of the driving magnet that faces the moving coil serves as a first pole.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a plurality of cameras and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to obtain a plurality of images using the plurality of cameras, to check a location of a region of interest among regions of the plurality of images that will be mapped to a polyhedron using a first assignment method, to map the plurality of images to the polyhedron using a second assignment method if the location of the region of interest is included in assigned conditions, and to generate image data using the polyhedron to which the plurality of images are mapped.

Abstract: This application describes techniques for controlling an apparatus that includes a camera both locally and remotely. The camera apparatuses described herein may include obfuscation components that function to selectively obfuscate a view of the camera at the request of a user. For instance, one particular camera apparatus may include a lens cap and an actuator to move the lens cap from a position in which the lens cap at least partially obfuscates the view of the camera to a position in which the lens cap does not (and vice versa). The camera apparatus may include a physical control to allow a user to locally request to open or close the lens cap, and may also include a network interface to communicate with a user device, thus allowing a user to remotely request to open or close the lens cap.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array of pixels arranged in one or more rows and one or more columns, the pixel array configured to generate an image based on light being incident on one or more pixels of the pixel array. The image sensor includes pixel load circuitry connected to one column of pixels and including transistors serially connected to each other. The image sensor includes switches connected in parallel to separate, respective nodes between adjacent transistors. The image sensor includes image sensor processing circuitry configured to receive, from image processor circuitry, gain information indicating an intensity of light concurrently with an image being generated by the image sensor, and control at least one switch of the plurality of switches to be turned on/off to change an electrical path of a current that passes through the pixel load circuitry, based on the gain information.