Abstract: A CMOS image sensor that outputs signal data before outputs reset data, and a driving method therefor. The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel sensor, a data I/O line, a double sampling circuit and an output circuit. The pixel sensor generates signal data and reset data. The signal data has a voltage level depending on an amount of photo-charge produced in response to energy received externally. The reset data is produced in a reset mode. The data I/O line transfers the generated signal data and the reset data. The double sampling circuit samples the signal data and then the reset data, from the data I/O line, and drives an output terminal. The output circuit outputs data related to a voltage level of the output terminal.

Abstract: A color enhancement method for use in a video camera imaging system (10,30) in the context of non-uniform lighting includes an adaptive algorithm (100–110) for developing a shutter speed control signal, analog gain control signal and color balance signals from pixel luminance over one field of video. The control signals developed during one field are used to control the camera (12) during the next field. The speed control signal and analog signal are determined based on the luminance signal obtained in digital form from the video camera, and analyzed over at least one field of video. During one field, the speed control signal and the analog gain signal target dark areas of the image and during the next field they target the bright areas of the image so that, over two fields, every pixel is within a workable range of luminance in at least one of two alternate fields.

Abstract: The method for forming an image with a wide dynamic range makes use of an image sensor containing subsets of pixels that can be individually reset. After an initial reset (21), a pixel or row of pixels is exposed (22) for a first time interval and the gray value(s) (Plong(255)) are read out (23) and stored (24). The pixel or row of pixels is then reset (25) and exposed (26) for a second, shorter time interval. The second gray value(s) (Pshort(255)) is/are read out (27) and either stored or immediately combined (28) with the first gray value(s) (Plong(255)) by means of a merging function (ƒ). The merging function (ƒ) ensures a monotonic, smooth change in output from the lowest to the highest gray values. The procedure is repeated for all pixels or rows of pixels in the image sensor, thus obviating the need for the storage of complete images. The method reduces temporal aliasing to a minimum and eliminates spatial aliasing.

Abstract: An image input device comprises a mirror body which is designed in a polygonal prism form and has side peripheral surfaces each formed of a mirror face, image pickup light from a subject being reflected from the mirror face, and a linear sensor for talking the image pickup light reflected from each mirror face of the mirror body to perform photoelectric conversion on the image pickup light. The mirror body is arranged so that the length direction thereof is substantially parallel to the length direction of the linear sensor, and disposed so as to be rotatable around a shaft at the center of the bottom surface which are substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the mirror body.

Abstract: A circuit for determining the median dark level of an image sensor, the circuit comprises a first circuit for comparing a current pixel value and a cumulative median; a storage element for storing the cumulative median level; and a second circuit which utilizes the first circuit for adjusting the cumulative median based on the current pixel level input for updating the cumulative median dark level.

Abstract: A method and system for incorporating textual and audio material into a JPEG file in a manner allowing both a photograph and the textual material to be stored as one unit and transferred as one unit. The textual materials stored in various photograph tag markers which become part of the JPEG file. The JPEG file including the textual material can be transferred to an authorized user who could edit the file based upon password security. The textual materials can appear around any of the borders of the photographs or can be directly embedded into the photograph.

Abstract: A camera comprising: (a) means for capturing an image of a real world scene as an image signal; (b) storage means for storing captured images and from which stored images can be read; (c) a screen; (d) a means for displaying on the screen a symbolic representation of the list of stored images and a user selected location within the list; (e) a user interface which allows a user to select the location within the list; and (f) means for displaying on the screen the image within the list corresponding to the selected location. A method which can be executed by a camera such as the above, is also provided.

Abstract: The distance and external contour of objects are imaged using time domain measurement. An array of pixel cells receives a time-varying waveform (e.g., a ramp voltage) time synchronized to a transmitted light pulse. Each pixel cell senses light from the pulse that is reflected from objects in the field of view of the apparatus, and stores the value of the ramp voltage at the time the reflected light pulse is detected at that pixel cell. The ramp voltage at any time is known and therefore serves as a measure of the combined transmission and reflection times of the light pulse for each pixel cell. The speed of light is also known, therefore the stored voltage level at each pixel cell represents the distance between the apparatus of a portion of the object from which the light pulse is reflected. The stored pixel cell voltages can be delivered sequentially to a monochrome video monitor pursuant per any suitable video standard.

Abstract: This invention includes an RGB color camera for photographing an object under photographing illumination light, a simplified spectrophotometer for measuring a photographing illumination light spectrum, and a color correction device for calculating tristimulus value data of the object and converting the data into an input signal to a CRT monitor by using monitor profile data. On the observation side, a CRT monitor and illumination light colorimeter for measuring the tristimulus values of observation illumination light are arranged. A color correction device can perform color reproduction without being influenced by changes in the color perception characteristics of a person such as chromatic adaptation by reproducing a virtual illumination light spectrum having tristimulus values equal to those of the observation illumination light without measuring any observation illumination light spectrum.

Abstract: Color balancing algorithms for digital image processing require an accurate estimate of the physical properties of the ambient scene illuminant, particularly its spectral power distribution. An active imaging method and apparatus estimate these properties by emitting modulated light with a known spectral power distribution into a region of a scene. Backscattered light is detected and demodulated to separate output representing active emitter light from output representing ambient illuminant light. Using the emitter-related detector output and the known emitter spectral power distribution, the surface spectral reflectance function of the illuminated scene region can be computed. Subsequently, the spectral power distribution of the ambient scene illuminant can be computed from the surface reflectance function and the illuminant-related output of the detector. The estimated spectral power distribution can be used in standard color balancing algorithms for digital or film images.

Abstract: A solid-state, two-dimensional image sensing device having a matrix of pixels each of which employs a photosensor that generates a photocurrent and a MOS circuit which outputs a signal proportional to the logarithm of the integral over time of the photocurrent. The sensor includes an integration control switching device so that all pixels in the array have equal integration time. The sensor integrates the signal for each pixel for a period of time and stores the integrated signal in a pixel signal storage location. To read out the stored signal each pixel includes an amplifier to increase the signal during read out. The sensor further accumulates signal in either a MOS transistor pn-junction or a secondary pixel storage location during a time that the integrated pixel signal is being read out so that image information can be collected continuously even while the integrated pixel signal for each pixel is being read.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge apparatus and method for a lens of a hand-held imaging device are provided according to the invention. The electrostatic discharge apparatus includes a main body and an optical lens mounted on the main body. A transparent conductive coating is formed on the optical lens. The device further includes a conductive pad formed on the main body. The conductive pad is in electrical contact with the transparent conductive coating. The conductive pad is located on the main body at a region contacted by a user during use of the hand-held imaging device.

Abstract: Dual still image and video mode features are provided for a digital camera whereby the digital camera and an associated computer system support the concurrent capture of still images and video streaming operations. Capture and retrieval of a still image during video streaming operations of a digital camera tethered to a computer system includes pausing video streaming operations, capturing a still image by the digital camera, transferring the still image from the digital camera to the computer system, and resuming video streaming operations. Transfer of the captured still image is performed by camera device driver and bus interface software executing on the computer system. In one embodiment the digital camera is tethered to the computer system by a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the camera device driver and bus interface software control access and usage of the USB.

Abstract: A solid-state, two-dimensional image sensing device having a matrix of pixels each of which employs a photosensor that generates a photocurrent and a MOS circuit which outputs a signal proportional to the logarithm of the integral over time of the photocurrent. The sensor includes an integration control switching device so that all pixels in the array have equal integration time. The sensor integrates the signal for each pixel for a period of time and stores the integrated signal in a pixel signal storage location. The sensor further accumulates signal in a MOS transistor pn-junction during a time that the integrated pixel signal is being read out so image information can be collected continuously even while the integrated pixel signal for each pixel is being read.

Abstract: A TV optical lens system is provided which can prevent any problem to be caused by transmission of data not initialized upon a data transmission request from a camera. The system includes a movable optical member, a position detecting unit for detecting a position of the movable optical member as relative information, an initializing unit for performing an initializing operation of moving the optical member to a reference position so as to convert the information detected by the position detecting unit into absolute position information, and a communication unit for communicating with a camera mounted on the photographing lens system, wherein the system is provided with a communication inhibiting unit for inhibiting the communication by the communication unit until the initializing operation is completed.

Abstract: A digital single lens reflex camera includes a reflector located in a photographic light path to reflect object-carrying light transmitted through a photographic optical system toward a finder optical system. An image pickup device is located at the imaging plane of the photographic optical system. The object-carrying light in the photographic light path is reflected by the reflector in a direction substantially away from an eyepiece optical system of the finder optical system. A reflection light path is formed in the vicinity of the photographic optical system and is provided with a plurality of reflection surfaces to make the light reflected by the reflector in the photographic light path incident on the eyepiece optical system. Furthermore, a relay optical system is located in the reflection light path to relay an image formed on a primary imaging plane, which is optically equivalent to an image pickup surface of the image pickup device, to the eyepiece optical system.

Abstract: An offset correction circuit which enables a designer to control the correction range irrespective of the amplification sought to be achieved to the image component of the input signal. The offset correction further enables the designer to perform offset correction to a low resolution. Both range and resolution can potentially be attained using only two stages thereby minimizing power consumption and also minimizing introduction of any undesirable components.

Abstract: An imaging system capable of easily and reliably adjusting the functions provided in the camera device and preventing mistaken adjustment of these functions. At a step S255, a specified parameter of a definition file or a user file is deleted or changed in values. A CPU judges whether or not an effective key is pressed. If the key is found to be pressed, the CPU proceeds to a step S256 and, if otherwise, the CPU dwells at a step S255. At a step S256, the CPU reads out image data of a parameter setting window from a disc drive based on the selected parameter or the definition file prevailing at a time point of pressing of the effective key. The CPU writes image data of the parameter setting window in a VRAM and causes a display image corresponding to the image data to be displayed on a display.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus which senses a plurality of color images for obtaining a single color image or black-and-white image of high resolution by combining the sensed images, a color image/black-and-white image determination unit determines whether a sensed image is a black-and-white image or a color image. When it is determined that the sensed image is a black-and-white image, a pixel shifting method of shifting by half pixel for increasing a resolution is performed. Accordingly, the number of times to sense images is reduced, thereby shortening a period of time required for sensing a black-and-white image of high resolution by using a single CCD type color image sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable housing for a surveillance TV camera which can be mounted by a mount to a wall, a pole or a ceiling inside or outside the building includes a front panel, an adjustable camera support for adjustably mounting the TV camera inside the housing, an adjustable pane assembly with front and rear holders and a transparent window having a transparent pane enclosed between the two holders and a rear support for supporting and locking the pane assembly to the front panel. The front holder has a front window frame which is smaller than the opening in the front panel through which the TV camera is aimed at different zones.