Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of performing automatic adjustment of black balance properly without the need to have a member for fully shielding light. A diaphragm of a lens barrel and an ND filter, which is provided separately from the diaphragm, adjust the amount of light incident on an image pickup device that picks up an image of a subject. Whether the automatic adjustment is possible in present image pickup environment is judged based on evaluation values of a picked-up image obtained in a state where the amounts of incident light are maximized by respective ones of the diaphragm and the ND filter, and a predetermined judgment threshold value which is determined based on a range over which the amount of incident light is adjustable by the diaphragm and a range over which the amount of incident light is adjustable by the ND filter.

Abstract: A method of illuminating a subject during photography is disclosed. The method includes illuminating a background lighting system during a first image capture, illuminating a subject lighting system during a second image capture, and illuminating the background lighting system during a third image capture. The time from the first image capture to the third image capture is less than about 100 milliseconds. Also disclosed is a method for generating a composite mask of a subject, including receiving the three images, determining any movements of the subject between the first and third images, estimating an intermediate position of the subject during the second image, and generating a composite mask at the estimated intermediate position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing motion blur in images or video in ultra low light with array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for synthesizing an image from multiple images captured using an array camera includes capturing image data using active cameras within an array camera, where the active cameras are configured to capture image data and the image data includes pixel brightness values that form alternate view images captured from different viewpoints, determining sets of corresponding pixels in the alternate view images where each pixel in a set of corresponding pixels is chosen from a different alternate view image, summing the pixel brightness values for corresponding pixels to create pixel brightness sums for pixel locations in an output image, and synthesizing an output image from the viewpoint of the output image using the pixel brightness sums.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for performing image processing for image data. The image processing apparatus includes a signal separation unit configured to separate a color signal and a luminance signal included in the image data, and a color signal control unit configured to control chroma of the color signal used for the image processing based on a luminance value of the luminance signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array with unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion device arranged in a matrix. Column signal lines are wired with respect to one column in the pixel arrangement and pixels are regularly connected to the column signal lines in accordance with rows in which pixels are positioned. A pixel signal reading unit has a column processing unit that reads pixel signals in units of plural pixels from the pixel array and performs column processing to read signals on a column basis, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a column input unit which can connect one or plural column signal lines arranged at a corresponding column to an input of one column processing unit through plural capacitors connected in parallel The column input unit has switches which can change a connection state between capacitors and column signal lines corresponding to the column.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose various image capture control methods and apparatuses, wherein one of the methods comprises: acquiring motion information of an object during the process of image capture by an image sensor; determining, according to the motion information, a relative displacement of a sub-image that corresponds to the object on the image sensor within a first exposure duration; determining, in the image sensor, a first imaging region that corresponds to the relative displacement and that has not performed any image capture; adjusting an image capture control parameter of the first imaging region to shorten an exposure duration of the first imaging region; and performing, according to the image capture control parameter after being adjusted, image capture on the first imaging region. In the embodiments of the present application, overall quality of an image captured by an image sensor is improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating angular misalignment in Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) systems are described. In some embodiments, a method may include measuring an angle representing a misalignment between an actuator and an electronic component within a camera; and compensating for the misalignment using a rotation matrix, wherein the rotation matrix is calculated based upon the angle. In other embodiments, a camera may include an image sensor coupled to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB); an OIS actuator coupled to the PCB and optically coupled to the image sensor, where the OIS actuator is physically misaligned with respect to the image sensor; and a controller coupled to the PCB, the controller configured to: measure an angle representing the misalignment; and compensate for the misalignment using a rotation matrix at the time of an image capture, where the rotation matrix is calculated based upon the angle.

Abstract: There is provided an operating method of an image sensor including: storing a first charge from an optoelectronic circuit to a pixel buffer circuit within a first exposure period; storing a second charge from the optoelectronic circuit to the pixel buffer circuit within a second exposure period; transferring the first charge from the pixel buffer circuit to a first storage circuit outside of pixel circuits; transferring the second charge from the pixel buffer circuit to a second storage circuit outside of pixel circuits; and comparing the first charge with the second charge to output an analog image signal.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic apparatus that realize a high frame rate image capture without deteriorating an image quality. A floating diffusion holds a charge accumulated on one or more photoelectric conversion units. A plurality of amplification transistors read out a signal corresponding to the charge held by the floating diffusion. The signal read out by the amplification transistor is output to a vertical signal line. The plurality of amplification transistors are connected in parallel. The present technology is applicable to a CMOS image sensor, for example.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera system capable of reducing interference between signals transmitted through adjacent via holes, preventing an increase in the number of the via holes, reducing the area of a chip having sensors thereon and the number of mounting steps thereof. First and second chips are bonded together to form a laminated structure, a wiring between the first chip and the second chip being connected through via holes, the first chip transmitting signals obtained by time-discretizing analog signals generated by respective sensors to the second chip through the corresponding via holes, the second chip sampling the signals transmitted from the first chip through the via holes at a timing different from a timing at which the signals are sampled by the first chip and quantizing the sampled signals to obtain digital signals.

Abstract: A plurality of adjacent pixels is provided adjacently in a plurality of directions to a first pixel. A direction with a highest correlation is derived from signals of the plurality of pixels, and the direction with the highest correlation is reflected to interpolation processing to be performed on the signal of first pixel.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging device including a pixel array section including pixel units two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix pattern, each pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, and a plurality of column signal lines disposed according to a first column of the pixel units. The imaging device further includes an analog to digital converter that is shared by the plurality of column signal lines.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus which is capable of reducing the number of parts and assembling man-hours of a seal construction of an matching section of external covers, and making seal performance stable while realizing downsizing of the apparatus. The electronic apparatus has a first external cover, a second external cover abutting to the first external cover through a matching section, a seal member disposed at the matching section, a gap disposed at the matching section on an external side of the electronic apparatus with respect to the seal member, and a third external cover fitted to the first external cover and the second external cover so as to partially cover the seal member. The seal member has, at a part of the gap partially covered by the third external cover, a protruding portion abutting to the third external cover to seal the part of the gap.

Abstract: An image processor merges images from a plurality of cameras including applying spatially-varying gains over images from individual cameras to obtain a consistent effective where the images are stitched together despite the cameras possibly having different camera exposures. The image processor can adjust the camera exposures to improve stitching results. In addition to gain modification, the image processor can also modify the images for other artifacts, such as veiling glare and make those less visible at the seams of images. The image processor also can take into account constraints on gain changes and optimize camera parameters to minimize stitching artifacts. Using a cost function, the image processor can optimize for constraints on camera exposure that would otherwise result in camera exposure differences that would themselves cause visible artifacts.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, systems and methods involving imaging providing pixel intensity ratios using circuitry. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a photosensor array having an array of sensors and a circuitry. Each sensor of the photosensor array provides a signal value for a pixel that is indicative of an intensity of light detected. Further, the circuitry responds to the signal values from a plurality of sensors of the photosensor array, by converting signals indicative of a ratio of pixel intensity values to a digital signal that characterize at least an edge of an object corresponding to or associated with the intensity of the detected light. The circuitry provides digital signals, each indicative of a ratio of pixel intensity values, for respective sensors of the photosensor array.

Abstract: In an image pickup device internally including a memory unit and a computing processing unit, image signals of a moving image are resized and are generated from image signals of still images, and the image signals of the still images are stored in the memory unit, and, after the image signals of the moving image are all transferred externally from the image pickup device, the image signals of the still images are transferred.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a movable member supporting an imaging device; a stationary member supporting the movable member to allow the movable member to spherically swing about a point on an optical axis of the imaging device; first and second actuators which apply two driving forces to the movable member in different tilting directions to vary an inclination of the optical axis; and a third actuator which applies a driving force to the movable member in a rotational direction about the optical axis. The first, second and third actuators are provided as three separate actuators installed at intervals in a circumferential direction about the optical axis, in an initial state of the movable member in the spherical-swinging operation relative to the stationary member. Part of each of the first, second and third actuators lies on a cylindrical surface centered on the optical axis in the initial state.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes: a floating diffusion node; an initialization block suitable for initializing the floating diffusion node with a first voltage, based on an initialization control signal; a boosting block suitable for boosting the floating diffusion node with a second voltage, based on a boost control signal; a photodiode suitable for generating a photocharge based on incident light; a transmission block suitable for transmitting the photocharge to the floating diffusion node based on a transmission control signal; and a selection block suitable for generating a pixel signal corresponding to a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion node based on a selection control signal.

Abstract: An accessory shoe device enabling multi-polarization of a connector for connection to an accessory without degrading the versatility thereof. The accessory is attached to an engagement member. A signal terminal connector has contacts arranged in a lateral direction orthogonal to an attaching direction. A pair of first engagement portions in the engagement member are spaced by a first width in the lateral direction, and a pair of second engagement portions in the engagement member are spaced by a second width larger than the first width. The signal terminal connector is disposed forward of the first engagement portions in the attaching direction. A length of the signal terminal connector in the lateral direction is larger than the first width and smaller than the second width. The second engagement portions are formed rearward of the first engagement portions in the attaching direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMOS image sensor. The present invention provides a digital pixel sensor capable of maintaining consistency between two reference voltage changing rates. To this end, the invention proposes a technical solution in which a digital pixel exposure method by using multiple ramp voltage as reference voltage is provided.