Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Image signal processing includes obtaining two or more image signals from a first hyper-hemispherical image sensor, where each of the two or more image signals has a different exposure and obtaining two or more image signals from a second hyper-hemispherical image sensor, where each of the two or more image signals has a different exposure. Image signal processing includes generating an exposure compensated image based on a gain value applied to an exposure level of a first image and a gain value applied to an exposure level of a second image. Image signal processing further includes performing high dynamic range (HDR) processing on the exposure compensated image. The HDR processing may be performed on a high a frequency portion of the exposure compensated image.

Abstract: An image capture device may include one or more optical elements. One or more lens covers may be used to cover the optical element(s). Usage of the lens cover(s) with respect to the optical element(s) may be determined. The operation of the image capture device may be changed based on whether the lens cover(s) are on or off the optical element(s).

Abstract: An image or a video may include a spherical capture of a scene. A punchout of the image or the video may provide a panoramic view of the scene.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus may include an image sensor, a motion sensor, and an auto-exposure unit. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an input image captured during an exposure interval and corresponding motion data indicating motion of the image capture apparatus during the exposure interval. The auto-exposure unit may obtain image information-amount data for the input image. The auto-exposure unit may obtain derivative information-amount data based on the information-amount data and a candidate exposure adjustment. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an information-amount maximizing exposure interval based on the information-amount data and the derivative information-amount data. The image capture apparats may control the image sensor to obtain a subsequent input image signal representing a subsequent input image captured during the information-amount maximizing exposure interval, and output or store information representing the subsequent input image.

Abstract: Flare compensation includes receiving a first image and a second image; converting the first and the second images from an RGB domain to a YUV domain; obtaining an intensity differences profile along a stitch line between the first and the second images, where the intensity differences profile is obtained for the Y component; obtaining a dark corner intensity differences profile between the first and the second images based on a relative illumination of an area outside a first image circle of the first image and a second image circle of the second image, where the dark corner intensity differences profile is obtained for the Y component; obtaining a flare profile using the intensity differences profile and the dark corner intensity differences profile; converting the flare profile of the Y component to an RGB flare profile; and modifying one of the first or second images based on the RGB flare profile.

Abstract: Multiple lookup tables (LUTs) storing different numbers of control point values are used to process pixels within different blocks of an image, such as after image processing using tone mapping and/or tone control, and/or to collect histogram information or implement 3D LUTs. First control point values stored within a first LUT are applied against pixels of a given block of an image to produce a distorted image block. Second control point values stored within a second lookup table are applied against a pixel of the distorted image block to produce a processed pixel. The second LUT is one of a plurality of second LUTs and stores fewer values than the first LUT. A processed image is produced using the processed pixel. The processed image is then output for further processing or display.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stitching images, or re-stitching previously stitched images. Specifically, the disclosed systems in one implementation save stitching information and/or original overlap source data during an original stitching process. During subsequent retrieval, rendering, and/or display of the stitched images, the originally stitched image can be flexibly augmented, and/or re-stitched to improve the original stitch quality. Practical applications of the disclosed solutions enable, among other things, a user to create and stitch a wide field of view (FOV) panorama from multiple source images on a device with limited processing capability (such as a mobile phone or other capture device). Moreover, post-processing stitching allows for the user to convert from one image projection to another without fidelity loss (or with an acceptable level of loss).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the stitch zone calculation of a generated projection of a spherical image. In one embodiment, a computing device is disclosed which includes logic configured to: obtain a plurality of images; map the plurality of images onto a spherical image; re-orient the spherical image in accordance with a desired stitch line and a desired projection for the desired stitch line; and map the spherical image to the desired projection having the desired stitch line. In a variant, the desired stitch line is mapped onto an optimal stitch zone, the optimal stitch zone characterized as a set of points that defines a single line on the desired projection in which the set of points along the desired projection lie closest to the spherical image in a mean square sense.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for high dynamic rate processing based on angular rate measurements. For example, methods may include receiving a short exposure image that was captured using an image sensor; receiving a long exposure image that was captured using the image sensor; receiving an angular rate measurement captured using an angular rate sensor attached to the image sensor during exposure of the long exposure image; determining, based on the angular rate measurement, whether to apply high dynamic range processing to an image portion of the short exposure image and the long exposure image; and responsive to a determination not to apply high dynamic range processing to the image portion, selecting the image portion of the short exposure image for use as the image portion of an output image and discard the image portion of the long exposure image.

Abstract: Images with an optical field of view are captured by an image capture device. An observed trajectory of the image capture device reflects the positions of the image capture device at different moments may be determined. A capture trajectory of the image capture device reflects virtual positions of the image capture device from which video content may be generated. The capture trajectory is determined based on a subsequent portion of the observed trajectory such that a portion of the capture trajectory corresponding to a portion of the observed trajectory is determined based on a subsequent portion of the observed trajectory. Orientations of punch-outs for the images are determined based on the capture trajectory. Video content is generated based on visual content of the images within the punch-outs.

Abstract: Image analysis and processing may include a first sensor readout unit receiving first Bayer format image data corresponding to a first input image, a second sensor readout unit receiving second Bayer format image data corresponding to a second input image, a first Bayer-to-RGB unit obtaining first RGB format image data based on the first Bayer format image data, a second Bayer-to-RGB unit obtaining second RGB format image data based on the second Bayer format image data, a high dynamic range unit configured obtaining high dynamic range image data based on a combination of the first RGB format image data and the second RGB format image data, an RGB-to-YUV unit obtaining YUV format image data based on the high dynamic range image data, and a three-dimensional noise reduction unit obtaining processed image data based on the YUV format image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for image signal processing. For example, methods may include receiving a current image of a sequence of images from an image sensor; combining the current image with a recirculated image to obtain a noise reduced image, where the recirculated image is based on one or more previous images of the sequence of images from the image sensor; determining a noise map for the noise reduced image, where the noise map is determined based on estimates of noise levels for pixels in the current image, a noise map for the recirculated image, and a set of mixing weights; recirculating the noise map with the noise reduced image to combine the noise reduced image with a next image of the sequence of images from the image sensor; and storing, displaying, or transmitting an output image that is based on the noise reduced image.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus may include an image sensor, a motion sensor, and an auto-exposure unit. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an input image captured during an exposure interval and corresponding motion data indicating motion of the image capture apparatus during the exposure interval. The auto-exposure unit may obtain image information-amount data for the input image. The auto-exposure unit may obtain derivative information-amount data based on the information-amount data and a candidate exposure adjustment. The auto-exposure unit may obtain an information-amount maximizing exposure interval based on the information-amount data and the derivative information-amount data. The image capture apparats may control the image sensor to obtain a subsequent input image signal representing a subsequent input image captured during the information-amount maximizing exposure interval, and output or store information representing the subsequent input image.

Abstract: A system accesses an image with each pixel of the image having luminance values each representative of a color component of the pixel. The system generates a first histogram for aggregate luminance values of the image, and accesses a target histogram for the image representative of a desired global image contrast. The system computes a transfer function based on the first histogram and the target histogram such that when the transfer function is applied, a histogram of the modified aggregate luminance values is within a threshold similarity of the target histogram. The system modifies the image by applying the transfer function to the luminance values of the image to produce a tone mapped image, and outputs the modified image.

Abstract: Images with an optical field of view are captured by an image capture device. An observed trajectory of the image capture device reflects the positions of the image capture device at different moments may be determined. A capture trajectory of the image capture device reflects virtual positions of the image capture device from which video content may be generated. The capture trajectory is determined based on a subsequent portion of the observed trajectory such that a portion of the capture trajectory corresponding to a portion of the observed trajectory is determined based on a subsequent portion of the observed trajectory. Orientations of punch-outs for the images are determined based on the capture trajectory. Video content is generated based on visual content of the images within the punch-outs.

Abstract: Image analysis and processing may include a first sensor readout unit configured to receive first Bayer format image data, a second sensor readout unit configured to receive second Bayer format image data, a first Bayer-to-RGB unit configured to obtain first RGB format image data based on the first Bayer format image data, a second Bayer-to-RGB unit configured to obtain second RGB format image data based on the second Bayer format image data, a high dynamic range unit configured to obtain high dynamic range image data based on a combination of the first RGB format image data and the second RGB format image data, an RGB-to-YUV unit configured to obtain YUV format image data based on the high dynamic range image data, and a three-dimensional noise reduction unit configured to obtain noise reduced image data based on the YUV format image data.

Abstract: Flare compensation includes obtaining a first input frame, which includes lens flare, and a second input frame; obtaining a stitch line between the first input frame and the second input frame; obtaining, for the first input frame, a first intensity profile; obtaining, for the second input frame, a second intensity profile; obtaining an intensity differences profile; obtaining a first dark corner profile based on a first illumination of a first area outside a first image circle of the first input frame; obtaining a second dark corner profile based on a second illumination of a second area outside a second image circle of the second input frame; obtaining a dark corner difference profile; calculating a flare model; obtaining a flare mask; and correcting the first input frame by subtracting the flare mask from the first input frame.

Abstract: Video content may be captured by an image capture device during a capture duration. The video content may include video frames that define visual content viewable as a function of progress through a progress length of the video content. Rotational position information may characterize rotational positions of the image capture device during the capture duration. Time-lapse video frames may be determined from the video frames of the video content based on a spatiotemporal metric. The spatiotemporal metric may characterize spatial smoothness and temporal regularity of the time-lapse video frames. The spatial smoothness may be determined based on the rotational positions of the image capture device corresponding to the time-lapse video frames, and the temporal regularity may be determined based on moments corresponding to the time-lapse video frames. Time-lapse video content may be generated based on the time-lapse video frames.

Abstract: Visual content is captured by an image capture device during a capture duration. The image capture devices experiences motion during the capture duration. The intentionality of the motion of the image capture device is determined based on angular acceleration of the image capture device during the capture duration. A punchout of the visual content is determined based on the intentionality of the motion of the image capture device. The punchout of the visual content is used to generate stabilized visual content.