Abstract: The disclosure addresses the vignetting effect caused on an image captured by lightfield camera. A method to compensate for the vignetting effect for a lightfield camera comprising an image sensor array including plurality of photosites. The method includes the operations of obtaining luminance values from the each photosite; obtaining a set of weight values for compensating the vignetting effect for the each photosite being associated with a present setting of the lightfield camera; and changing the luminance values of the each photosite based on the obtained a set of the weight values.

Abstract: An image-capture system, which handles on-chip compensation of rolling shutter effect in an imaging sensor, generates motion vector information for a plurality of speed values of a vehicle at each location on a specified route and derives an image-kernel for the plurality of speed values at each location on the specified route. A successive location of the vehicle is predicted at a current location of the vehicle based on the generated motion vector information for a current speed value of the vehicle at the current location on the specified route. A first image, which exhibits a shift of a plurality of pixels, is captured by the imaging sensor at the predicted successive location on the specified route. A second image is generated from the captured first image based on a compensation of the shift of the plurality of pixels in the captured first image.

Abstract: Features are disclosed for interacting with a user to take a photo when the user is actually ready. The features combine computer vision and voice recognition to determine when the user is ready. Additional features to interact with the user to compose the image are also described. For example, the system may play audio requesting a response (e.g., “move a bit to the left” or “say cheese”). The response may include a user utterance or physical movement detected by the system. Based on the response, the image may be taken.

Abstract: Color separation devices, and image sensors including the color separation devices and color filters, include at least two transparent bars that face each other with a gap therebetween. Mutually-facing surfaces of the at least two transparent bars are separated from each other by the gap such that the at least two transparent bars allow diffraction of visible light passing therebetween. The at least two transparent bars have a refractive index greater than a refractive index of a surrounding medium.

Abstract: A lens driving mechanism is provided for moving a lens unit along a light axis, including a frame, a base, a lens holder, and a driving assembly. The frame has plastic material and forms an opening. The base is in contact with and fixed to the frame, wherein a space is formed between the base and the frame. The lens holder is movably disposed in the space for holding the lens unit, wherein an external light enters the space through the opening to the lens unit. The driving assembly is disposed in the space and is connected to the lens holder and the frame, to impel the lens unit to move along the light axis.

Abstract: A directionally adjustable mounting device is disclosed for use with a small electronic device such as a wireless camera. Also disclosed is a method of using the mounting device. The mounting device has a housing for receiving the camera extending from and rotatable about bearing. A socket of the housing is biased into frictional contact with the bearing by a spring to inhibit movement of the camera relative to the bearing. The mount is configured to receive an opposing force on the housing to overcome the spring force and allow the camera to be repositioned.

Abstract: As an apparatus for adjusting camera exposure, the apparatus includes: a virtual image generator generating a plurality of virtual images by changing brightness of an image photographed by a camera; a feature image generator generating a plurality of feature images respectively indicating features of the plurality of virtual images; and an exposure controller corresponding a feature value of the plurality of feature images to brightness, estimating reference brightness that corresponds to the maximum feature value, increasing camera exposure when the reference brightness is brighter than the photographed image, and decreasing the camera exposure when the reference brightness is darker than the photographed image.

Abstract: A digital video camera, including a heat management system, which includes at least one inlet and at least one outlet in the housing to enable air to flow through the housing. The heat management system also includes a first heat sink thermally connected to an image sensor(s), and a second heat sink thermally connected to a data processing unit(s), and a centrifugal fan. The centrifugal fan is configured to draw air into the front of the fan in an axial direction and push air radially out in a sideways direction, whereby air travels through the inlet(s) over the first heat sink and then over the second heat sink to the outlet(s).

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a plurality of light receiving units arranged along a first direction and along a second direction different from the first direction in a two-dimensional array; and a light receiving unit arranged at a central position among four light receiving units set next to each other along the first direction and the second direction among the plurality of light receiving units, which includes a light shielding member arranged over part thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image signal processing. For example, methods may include receiving, by an image signal processor, one or more input image signals from one or more image sensors; determining a mapping based on the input image signal(s), wherein the mapping includes records that associate image portions of an output image with corresponding image portions of the input image signal(s); sorting the records of the mapping according to an order of the corresponding image portions of the input image signal(s); applying, by the image signal processor, image processing to image portions of the input image signal(s) to determine image portions of one or more processed images in the order; and determining, by the image signal processor, the image portions of the output image based at least in part on the mapping and the corresponding image portions of the processed image(s) in the order.

Abstract: Pixel arrangements in time-of-flight sensors are presented that include sensing elements that establish charges related to incident light, charge storage elements that accumulate integrated charges transferred from the sensing elements, and diffusion nodes configured to establish measurement voltages representative of the integrated charges that are dumped from the charge storage elements. The pixel arrangement includes analog domain output circuitry comprising a measurement capacitance element that stores the measurement voltage, and a reset capacitance element that stores a reset voltage established at the diffusion node during a reset phase performed prior to a measurement phase. The analog domain output circuitry subtracts the stored reset voltage from the stored measurement voltage for processing into a pixel output voltage that at least partially reduces readout voltage uncertainty of the pixel arrangement.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a sensor controller and a distance calculator. The sensor controller acquires a target image and a first reference image. The point spread function (PSF) of the target image is point-asymmetric, and the PSF of the first reference image being point-symmetric. The image sensor receives light having passed through a filter region that changes PSFs for sensor images of at least one kind into point-asymmetric forms, and then generates the target image for which a PSF has been changed into a point-asymmetric form by the filter region, and the first reference image that is not the target image. The distance calculator calculates the distance to an object captured in the target image and the first reference image, in accordance with the correlations each between an image obtained by convoluting a blur kernel to the target images and the first reference image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus and method are provided. The image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit including a camera, the image capturing unit configured to capture an image, and a controller connected to the image capturing unit. The controller is configured to set a position of a focus lens at a distance at which an object of the image to be captured is predicted to be positioned, to measure a movement speed of the object of the image to be captured, to determine an image capturing time by predicting a time until the object reaches the set position of the focus lens based on the measured movement speed, and to control the image capturing unit to capture the image of the object at the determined image capturing time.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for a track-and-hold amplifier configured to sample and amplify an analog signal. Methods and apparatus for a track-and-hold amplifier according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise an isolation circuit configured to isolate transient current in a track-and-hold capacitor during a track phase. According to various embodiments, selective activation of the isolation circuit provides a settling time that is independent of the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to displaying visual effects in image data. In some examples, visual effects include an avatar displayed on a user's face. In some examples, visual effects include stickers applied to image data. In some examples, visual effects include screen effects. In some examples, visual effects are modified based on depth data in the image data.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method for supplying an optimum amount of image data to another apparatus. When a PDA 91 has a maximum transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps, a mobile phone 1 determines that a maximum speed of communication with the PDA 91 is low, reduces accordingly the amount of moving image data captured by a CCD of the mobile phone, and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA 91. The PDA 91 displays a low-quality moving image 93 on its display unit. When the PDA 91 has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps, the CPU of the mobile phone leaves unchanged the amount of moving picture data captured by the CCD and supplies the captured moving image data to the PDA 91. The PDA 91 then displays a high-quality moving image 94 on the display unit. This invention applies advantageously to digital cameras.

Abstract: A method provides phase disparity data. First phase disparity data for a first image frame of a first scene is computed using a phase disparity engine of an image capture device. The method determines whether the image capture device is receiving light from a second scene that is different from the first scene and corresponds to a second image frame. The phase disparity engine discontinues computing of phase disparity data, in response to a determination that the second scene is not different from the first scene. The first phase disparity data are output in connection with the second image frame, in response to determining that the second scene is not different from the first scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of digital pathology and in particular to whole slide scanners. Autofocus imaging can be performed by sampling a first number of pixels of a primary image sensor which is a time delay integration (TDI) sensor, and sampling a second number of pixels of an autofocus image sensor, wherein the second number is between one quarter and three quarters of the first number. Thus, continuous autofocus for rapid light scanning may be provided based on an additional image sensor that is tilted with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit and a controller. The image acquiring unit acquires a captured image capturing a subject illuminated by light from at least one light source. The controller generates adjustment information for adjusting an intensity of the light from the at least one light source on the basis of a size of a pupil of the subject determined from the captured image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of digital pathology and in particular to whole slide scanners. Autofocus imaging can be performed by sampling a first number of pixels of an image sensor and sampling a second number of pixels of the image sensor, wherein the second number is between one quarter and three quarters of the first number. Thus, continuous autofocus for rapid light scanning may be provided using data from a single sensor based on sampling data along a tilt with respect to the optical axis.