Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for storing camera module characteristics of a camera module (or camera) of an electronic device provided during production (e.g., a factory testing) of the electronic device in a non-volatile memory of the camera module, such that the camera module characteristics are used by the electronic device for taking and processing images and/or identifying the camera module. The electronic device can be a wireless communication device, a portable electronic device, a camera, a camera-phone mobile device, etc.

Abstract: The black level in raw image data captured from an image sensor does not always stay fixed at a constant level, but may change as a function of the analog gain and exposure time and may vary from one spatial location of the pixels to another. To carry out black-level correction on the raw image data, the black level of each of the color components is measured at one or more sampling locations. A look-up table is generated based on the measured black levels and a computation module is used to carry out black-level correction based on the information stored in the look-up table. The look up table may have information indicative of the analog gain level and the exposure time and the variations of black-levels in different spatial locations.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for image binning (downscaling) according to a predetermined procedure for a pre-selected color arrangement (e.g., a Bayer arrangement) by substantially maintaining a phase of channels (represented by selected colors) for reducing/elimination of artifacts in images taken by an electronic device. Several binning or scaling modes where the center points of each binned (e.g., averaged) pixel are arranged in the pre-selected color arrangement and maintain the phase of the channels are described.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for determining a mechanical shutter exposure time (e.g., an actual closing time) with a rolling readout of an image (e.g., complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor using a predetermined calibration area of the image sensor in digital cameras or in electronic devices with digital cameras.

Abstract: A communications apparatus is shown having an imaging device for capturing an image, and a flash for lighting an image to be captured. Also shown is the use of the apparatus. Software for matching a flash performance to other functions of a device is also shown. A radio communications apparatus embodiment is shown that comprises an imaging device including an image sensor and a rolling shutter, and a flash unit. The flash unit is operated at a certain flash frequency, and an exposure time is determined according to the flash frequency so that the image sensor is uniformly exposed by the rolling shutter during the determined exposure time.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for a dark frame subtraction using multiple dark frames by storing only one frame at a time, i.e., using only one frame storage so that the amount of memory can be minimized. Divisional and multiplication algorithms can be used for the dark frame subtraction.