Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a pixel array. Each pixel may include multiple storage regions capable of storing pixel signals during integration. The method and apparatus may utilize the floating diffusion region as a storage region during both an integration period and readout period. The method and apparatus may store pixel signals corresponding to a first exposure periods in the floating diffusion region and pixel signals corresponding to a second exposure periods in a separate storage region.

Abstract: A comparator includes: a comparison block suitable for comparing a pixel signal and a plurality of ramp signals; a correlated double sampling (CDS) block operatively coupled among a first input terminal receiving a first ramp signal used for first and third steps, a third input terminal receiving the pixel signal, and a negative input terminal of the comparison block, and suitable for performing CDS; a switch coupled between a second input terminal receiving a second ramp signal used for a second step and a positive input terminal of the comparison block; a capacitor coupled between a ground terminal and the positive input terminal of the comparison block; an amplification block suitable for buffering a comparison signal outputted from the comparison block; and a feedback control unit suitable for generating a control signal for controlling the switch based on the buffered comparison signal.

Abstract: A camera module and an array camera module based on an integral packing process are disclosed. The camera module or each of the camera module units of the array camera module includes a circuit board, an integral base, a photosensitive element operatively connected to the circuit board, a lens, a light filter holder installed at the integral base and a light filter installed at the light filter holder. The light filter is not required to be directly installed to the integral base, so that the light filter is protected and the requiring area of the light filter is reduced.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment, an image processing device is provided. The image processing device includes a foreground selection processing circuit to select at least one foreground image that has been separated from a source image; a background selection circuit to select at least two display background images from at least one background image that has been separated from the source image; and a combination circuit to combine the at least one selected foreground image with the at least two display background images to generate a plurality of combined images, wherein at least one of the plurality of combined images does not appear in the source image.

Abstract: There is provided a system for calibrating a camera including: a memory storing centering calibration data reflecting a deviation of an optical axis of a lens; and an image signal processor determining an image recognition region of an image sensor based on the centering calibration data to process an image signal input from the image sensor.

Abstract: The related art has the problem of difficulty in providing the maximum number of actually superimposable images from an image-capturing apparatus to an external apparatus to which superimposition images are to be set, so that normal superimposition image setting cannot be performed from the external device. An image-capturing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a request to acquire information on setting of superimposition information; and a transmission unit configured, when the reception unit receives an acquisition request, to transmit a maximum number of superimposition settings that the image-capturing apparatus can perform and a maximum number of settings for each kind of superimposition information.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a crosstalk suppression mechanism included in each pixel arranged in a pixel array, the crosstalk suppression mechanism of a part of the pixels differing from that of other pixels in an effective area of the pixel array.

Abstract: A camera module includes a multilayer base body including a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a connecting portion. The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are connected to the connecting portion. A connector element is arranged in the second mounting portion. The first mounting portion includes a cavity, and a penetration hole penetrating from the cavity to one surface of the first mounting portion. An image sensor IC is arranged in the cavity, and the lens unit is arranged on the one surface of the first mounting portion at a location at or near the penetration hole. Peripheral circuit components and conductor patterns are mounted to or incorporated in the first mounting portion.

Abstract: Image data output from an image capturing unit is input to an image processing circuit, and the image processing circuit is connected in cascade to another image processing circuit. With the image processing circuit, a portion of the image data for which processing is shared is processed by the image processing circuit, the processed image data is multiplexed by a multiplexing unit with another portion of the image data to be processed by the other image processing circuit, and is transmitted to the other image processing circuit by an output IF unit. The other image processing circuit processes its share of the image data and displays it along with the processed image data received from an image processing unit.

Abstract: In an image sensor, a front-end circuit provides an output signal indicative of the amount of light in response to at least one input signal. The front-end circuit includes a transistor having a threshold voltage that affects a relationship between the output signal and the level of the detection quantity. This transistor has a biasing node via which a biasing voltage can be applied to a semiconductor region that affects the threshold voltage of the transistor. A replica of the front-end circuit receives at least one defined input signal, among which is a substitute of the detection quantity having a defined level. The replica is arranged in a control loop that controls the biasing voltage that is applied to the biasing node in the replica, so that the replica provides a defined output signal. This biasing voltage is then also applied to the biasing node in the front-end circuit.

Abstract: A method for generating a target gain value of a wide dynamic range (WDR) operation is disclosed including: acquiring an average bright portion luminance corresponding to an average pixel luminance of a bright portion of a video image; acquiring an average dark portion luminance corresponding to an average pixel luminance of a dark portion of the video image; generating an initial gain value of the WDR operation according to a difference between the average bright portion luminance and the average dark portion luminance; and adjusting the initial gain value according to at least one of a color temperature and an exposure duration configuration value of the video image to generate the target gain value.

Abstract: An electronic device having a camera module. The electronic device comprises: a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) located on a surface of the camera module; a lens module mounted on a first area of the PCB; fixing maintaining components mounted on a second area of the PCB; and a third area located between the first area and the second area, and having at least one opening.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module, a memory configured to store reference composition information, and a camera control module configured to collect real-time composition information through the camera module. The camera control module compares the stored reference composition information and the real-time composition information to indicate to a user whether the stored reference composition information and the real-time composition information are consistent with each other.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprising: a focus adjustment lens which is provided within a lens barrel containing a photographing lens and is movable in an optical axis direction; a ring member disposed rotatably with respect to the lens barrel in an angle range from a first end point to a second end point; a storage unit to store a first relationship between a rotation angle of the ring member and a distance, and a second relationship between a position of the focus adjustment lens in the optical axis direction and the distance; and a control unit to calculate a distance corresponding to a rotation angle of the ring member according to a rotation angle of the ring member and the first relationship, and to set a position of the focus adjustment lens in the optical axis direction according to the distance and the second relationship.

Abstract: An active pixel image sensor comprising a matrix of pixels organized in rows and columns and a read circuit comprising a distinct read pathway for each column of pixels, comprises: a photodiode, a storage node, a transfer transistor, a storage node reset transistor, a row select transistor and a transistor mounted as voltage follower; each read pathway comprises a subtraction block connected to receive, first, voltage at the terminals of the storage node of a pixel of the corresponding column and, second, a reference voltage of value substantially equal to the reset voltage of the pixels of the matrix seen at the input of the read pathway; the sensor comprises a controller for driving the transistors of pixels and the read circuit to perform an image acquisition in global shutter mode with subtraction of the reset noise and non-destructive reading of the pixels. A method for acquiring images is provided.

Abstract: An optical lens includes a plastic lens body and a plurality of light-absorbing particles. The light-absorbing particles are dispersed in the plastic lens body, are present in an amount ranging from 0.01 wt % to 0.05 wt % based on the total weight of the optical lens, and are capable of absorbing infrared having a wavelength greater than 1100 nm.

Abstract: A method of automatically focusing a projector in a projection system is provided that includes projecting, by the projector, a binary pattern on a projection surface, capturing an image of the projected binary pattern by a camera synchronized with the projector, computing a depth map from the captured image, and adjusting focus of the projector based on the computed depth map.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, a solid-state image sensor and a camera system capable of reducing the influence of noise at a connection between chips without a special circuit for communication and reducing the cost as a result. The semiconductor device includes: a first chip; and a second chip, wherein the first chip and the second chip are bonded to have a stacked structure, the first chip has a high-voltage transistor circuit mounted thereon, the second chip has mounted thereon a low-voltage transistor circuit having lower breakdown voltage than the high-voltage transistor circuit, and wiring between the first chip and the second chip is connected through a via formed in the first chip.

Abstract: Techniques related to improved front facing camera performance using display light during exposure of a scene are discussed. Such techniques may include providing, via a display device, exposure light during exposure of the scene such that providing the exposure light includes setting regions of the display device to different colors during exposure.

Abstract: Techniques related to spatially adjustable flash exposures for imaging devices are discussed. Such techniques may include adjusting region transparencies of a flash filter panel adjacent to a flash module of the image device based on flash filter panel control parameters and exposing the scene by providing a flash light from the flash module and through the flash filter control panel.