Abstract: An improved ghost-artifact detection and removal method for high-dynamic range (HDR) image creation and related apparatus are described. A binary ghost map is first generated for each image of the multiple input images by a ghost-artifact detection process, where one of the binary values indicate ghost pixels and the other indicates non-ghost pixels. Each binary ghost map is smoothed to generate a continuous-tone ghost map, by changing the pixel value of each non-ghost pixel of the binary map to a ghost value between the two binary values. The ghost value is calculated using a monotonous function of the distance between the non-ghost pixel of the binary map and the nearest ghost pixel. Ghost pixels in the binary ghost map are kept as fully ghost pixel in the continuous-tone ghost map. This method helps to reduce visibility of artifacts at ghost boundaries without losing small detected ghost regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module and a method for driving the camera module, the module including: a photographing unit controlling a shutter speed to photograph an image in response to an inputted control signal; a display unit displaying the image; and a controller outputting a first shutter speed control signal to the photographing unit to allow an average brightness of two or more particular areas to become a set reference brightness, in a case the two or more particular areas in a plurality of divided areas in the display unit are selected.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes an image pickup element including first and second pixels that detect light beams passing through different exit pupils in an image pickup optical system, an estimating unit that estimates a moving charge amount between the first and second pixels using first and second luminance signals, a correcting unit that corrects the first and second luminance signals based on an estimation result, a defocus amount calculating unit that obtains a defocus amount by using correction values of the first and second luminance signals, and a focus detecting unit that performs focus detection of a phase difference method using the defocus amount, and the moving charge amount is a charge amount which moves from one to the other of the first and second pixels as a charge amount accumulated in the one of the pixels comes close to a saturated charge amount.

Abstract: Light field imaging systems, and in particular light field lenses that can be mated with a variety of conventional cameras (e.g., digital or photographic/film, image and video/movie cameras) to create light field imaging systems. Light field data collected by these light field imaging systems can then be used to produce 2D images, right eye/left eye 3D images, to refocus foreground images and/or background images together or separately (depth of field adjustments), and to move the camera angle, as well as to render and manipulate images using a computer graphics rendering engine and compositing tools.

Abstract: A cover opening and closing apparatus of an electronic appliance is provided. The apparatus includes a body comprising a container-shaped housing with an open side configured to insert and remove at least one electronic component, a cover configured to open and close an opening of the housing, and a moving hinge hinged to the cover, received in the body, and movable. When the cover rotates over a threshold angle, the cover rotates on a rotation axis being a protrusion contacting the body and a hinge connector between the cover away from the rotation axis and the moving hinge moves out of the body.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device which stores first image files includes location information and time information and a display processor which displays, on a screen, a map image, a plurality of objects on the map image, and lines on the map. Locations of the plurality of objects correspond to location information of the first image files. Shapes of the lines are determined based on location information and time information of the first image files. A line is drawn between a first object corresponding to first time information regarding a first timing of photographing and a second object corresponding to second time information regarding a second timing of photographing next to the first timing of photographing.

Abstract: Computer program products and a mobile terminal for transmitting and receiving video data. Image data of first and second frames of a video signal captured by a camera is used to determine encoded first spatial units of the first frame and encoded second spatial units of the second frame at lower spatial resolution, which are transmitted to the receiver terminal. The second spatial units are unaligned with the first spatial units due to rotation of the camera between the first and second frames, such that each of the second spatial units partially overlaps with at least one first spatial unit. An indication of the angle of rotation of the camera between the first and second frames is detected using a rotational motion sensor and transmitted to the receiver terminal. The receiver terminal combines the first and second spatial units using the indication to reconstruct an image of higher spatial resolution.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention, which is capable of continuous shooting before and after a still image shot according to photographer's operation, comprises: an imaging section converting an object image into image data; a still image shooting section obtaining image data of the still image according to release operation; a continuous shooting section obtaining the image data by continuous shooting before and after the obtaining of the still image in the still image shooting section; an image processing section performing image processing which is different from that of the image data obtained by the still image shooting section and changed sequentially, on the image data obtained by the continuous shooting section; and a recording section recording the image data image-processed by the image processing section.

Abstract: There is provided a system including a housing configured to be grasped by a hand, a determination unit configured to determine whether an object point is present in a vicinity of an electronic apparatus, a recognition unit configured to recognize a relative relationship between the object point and a position of the electronic apparatus when the determination unit has determined that the object point is present in the vicinity, and a stimulation control unit configured to perform control in a manner that a stimulus is provided to a hand in accordance with the recognized relative relationship.

Abstract: Embodiments related to detecting object information from image data collected by an image sensor are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the object information is detected by receiving a frame of image data from the image sensor and detecting a change in a threshold condition related to an object within the frame. The embodiment further comprises adjusting a setting that changes a power consumption of the image sensor in response to detecting the threshold condition.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array, control lines TG each provided for a corresponding one of rows of pixels and configured to control, e.g., operation of a transfer transistor, and a driver circuit 103 configured to control the operation of the transfer transistor through the control lines TG and connected to a power-supply line TGL. The solid-state imaging device performs all reset operation for resetting signal charges of all pixels by the driver circuit 103 and reading operation for reading a pixel signal from each row of the pixels. An impedance controller 130 configured to control an impedance value for power-supply line TGL in the reading operation to be less than an impedance value for power-supply line TGL in the all reset operation is provided.

Abstract: An image processing method in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes: preparing a storage unit storing a color mix ratio, which is each of color mix ratios of peripheral pixels adjacent to an object pixel for mixed color correction in a mosaic image including pixels of a plurality of colors, corresponding to each of combinations of first and second parameters indicating an azimuth direction and a color of each of the peripheral pixels, respectively; acquiring color signals of any object pixel and peripheral pixels thereof; reading out a corresponding color mix ratio from the storage unit based on an azimuth direction and a color of each of the peripheral pixels; and eliminating mixed color components included in the object pixel based on the color signals of the object pixel and the peripheral pixels thereof, and the color mix ratio of the peripheral pixels.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.

Abstract: A camera generally including a sensor and an auto-exposure circuit is disclosed. The sensor may be configured to generate a digital signal in response to an optical signal. The auto-exposure circuit may be configured to control a lightness of a picture within the digital signal by (i) adjusting at least one among an aperture, a shutter and an analog gain and (ii) adjusting a digital gain applied to the digital signal, wherein the digital gain adaptively reduces the lightness of the picture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of filming a high dynamic range video. The method includes: using an image sensor to capture an original frame which is interlaced by a plurality of long exposure areas and a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a long exposure field via a plurality of long exposure areas and forming a short exposure field via a plurality of short exposure areas; forming a reconstructed long exposure field and a reconstructed short exposure field having the same resolution as the original frame via a reconstruction process by a pixel value of each pixel in the long exposure field and the short exposure field; and forming a high dynamic range image based on the pixel value of each pixel of the reconstructed long exposure field and the reconstructed short exposure field via a merging process.

Abstract: A method for imaging includes focusing optical radiation so as to form respective first and second optical images of a scene on different, respective first and second regions of an array of detector elements. The focused optical radiation is filtered with different, respective first and second passbands for the first and second regions. A difference is taken between respective first and second input signals provided by the detector elements in the first and second regions so as to generate an output signal indicative of the difference.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a camera module for acquiring still and video digital images of a subject. A light source such as a light-emitting diode may serve as a flash for the camera module. A shutter may be mounted above the light-emitting diode. When the light-emitting diode is not being used to produce a flash of light for illuminating the subject, the shutter may be closed to block the light-emitting diode from view by a user. During image acquisition operations in which it is desired to illuminate the subject, the shutter may be opened to allow light from the light-emitting diode to exit the electronic device. The electronic device may have a touch screen display with an active region and an inactive region. The camera module and light source may be mounted under a portion of the inactive region of the display. The shutter may include a filter structure.

Abstract: An actuator includes a base, a stationary frame mounted on the base, a moveable frame supported on the base, and a driving unit. The stationary frame includes a receiving cavity, a first sidewall, a neighboring second sidewall, an upper end, and an opposing lower end. The stationary frame defines a first cutout in the first sidewall, a second cutout in the second sidewall, and a third cutout passing through the lower end. The first cutout and the second cutout communicate with the receiving cavity, and the third cutout is located between the first cutout and the second cutout and directly communicates with the first cutout and the second cutout. The moveable frame includes a main body received in the receiving cavity and a protruding portion received in the third cutout. The driving unit includes a guide pole, a first metal clip, a second metal clip, and a SMA wire.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes image signals obtained from an image pickup element. A correlation operation unit operates a correlation of the image signals of two images that are obtained from the image pickup element and operates an image shift amount between images that are picked up by photoelectric conversion units, on the basis of the correlation. A saturation detection unit detects whether an image signal, of the two images, reaches a saturation level, and produces a saturation detection result. A controller controls the correlation operation unit such that the controller controls whether the correlation of the image signals from a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, including the photoelectric conversion units, is used for the operation of the image shift amount performed by the correlation operation unit. The control by the controller is made in accordance with the saturation detection result produced by the saturation detection unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and a high dynamic range (HDR) synthesizing circuit 19. A pixel is configured as a small pixel group. The HDR synthesizing circuit 19 includes a valid pixel selecting unit 34, a sensitivity ratio correcting unit 35, and a calculation processing unit 36. The valid pixel selecting unit 34 selects one or more small pixels validating a use of a signal value in the HDR synthesis as a valid pixel from among the small pixel group. The sensitivity ratio correcting unit 35 executes sensitivity ratio correction on the signal value of each small pixel. The calculation processing unit 36 uses the signal value of the valid pixel among the signal values of the small pixels from the sensitivity ratio correcting unit 35 for a calculation for the HDR synthesis.