Abstract: The color response of camera devices may be calibrated, using a correction factor that can account for differences in the spectra of light emitted by different light sources used during calibration. The correction factor may be calculated based on the expected spectral sensitivities of the camera devices, the power spectrum of an actual light source, and the power spectrum of a canonical light source. The correction factor is then applied to adjust a measured color response of a given camera device, so that the adjusted color response is effectively the response of the given camera device if it had been illuminated by the canonical light source. In this manner, any measured color response differences, which may be due to differences between the actual light source used and the canonical light source, can be effectively reduced (if not essentially eliminated.) Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an integrated stereo imager that includes first and second imager arrays on a single integrated circuit. Image readout circuitry may be located between the first and second imager arrays and a horizontal electronic rolling shutter may be used to read image data out of the arrays. The layout of the arrays and image readout circuitry on the integrated circuit may help to reduce the size of the integrated circuit while maximizing the baseline separation between the arrays. Memory buffer circuitry may be used to convert image data from the arrays into raster-scan compliant image data. The raster-scan compliant image data may be provided to a host system.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image with an image capture device, such as a camera or mobile electronic device. The method includes initiating a master-slave relationship between the image capture device and at least one secondary device. Once the master-slave relationship is initiated, remotely activating one of an at least one light source of the at least one secondary device. As the light source is activated, capturing a test image of a scene illuminated by the at least one light source by the image capture device. Then, analyzing the test image to determine if an illumination of the scene should be adjusted and if the illumination of the scene is to be adjusted, providing a control signal to the at least one secondary device including at least one of a position instruction, an intensity level, or timing data.

Abstract: A controller for an image sensor includes a mode selector that receives a selection between image capture mode and data capture mode. An exposure sensor collects exposure data for a scene falling on the image sensor. A command interface sends commands to the image sensor to cause the image sensor to capture an image with a rolling reset shutter operation in which an integration interval for the image sensor is set based on the exposure data if the image capture mode is selected. The integration interval for the image sensor is set to less than two row periods, preferably close to one row period, without regard to the exposure data if the data capture mode is selected. An analog gain may be increased to as large a value as possible in data capture mode. All pixels in a row may be summed before AD conversion in data capture mode.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a super-resolution image using an image capturing device. In one embodiment, an electronic image sensor captures a reference optical sample through an optical path. Thereafter, an optical image stabilization (OIS) processor to adjusts the optical path to the electronic image sensor by a known amount. A second optical sample is then captured along the adjusted optical path, such that the second optical sample is offset from the first optical sample by no more than a sub-pixel offset. The OIS processor may reiterate this process to capture a plurality of optical samples at a plurality of offsets. The optical samples may be combined to create a super-resolution image.

Abstract: The color response of camera devices may be calibrated, using a correction factor that can account for differences in the spectra of light emitted by different light sources used during calibration. The correction factor may be calculated based on the expected spectral sensitivities of the camera devices, the power spectrum of an actual light source, and the power spectrum of a canonical light source. The correction factor is then applied to adjust a measured color response of a given camera device, so that the adjusted color response is effectively the response of the given camera device if it had been illuminated by the canonical light source. In this manner, any measured color response differences, which may be due to differences between the actual light source used and the canonical light source, can be effectively reduced (if not essentially eliminated.) Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Determining, applying and storing model spectral response parameters used to correct colors in a digital image. The model spectral response parameters may be estimated through a recursive error analysis and applied or stored to all digital imaging devices of a particular type, thereby occupying minimal firmware storage space and permitting on the fly correction of images.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image with an image capture device, such as a camera or mobile electronic device. The method includes initiating a master-slave relationship between the image capture device and at least one secondary device. Once the master-slave relationship is initiated, remotely activating one of an at least one light source of the at least one secondary device. As the light source is activated, capturing a test image of a scene illuminated by the at least one light source by the image capture device. Then, analyzing the test image to determine if an illumination of the scene should be adjusted and if the illumination of the scene is to be adjusted, providing a control signal to the at least one secondary device including at least one of a position instruction, an intensity level, or timing data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing and calibrating camera modules based on a benchmark standard are provided. The systems can include a receptacle for receiving a camera module under test and a spectrometer. The test station can capture a test measurement using the camera module under test while contemporaneously capturing a true measurement using the spectrometer. Using the true measurement, the test station can predict how the benchmark standard would have performed in those conditions and compare that expected performance to the test measurement. Any differences can be stored in memory within the camera module under test for later retrieval to optimize image processing.

Abstract: An a data input system includes an encoded pad having position encoding and a data input device adapted to image a portion of the encoded pad to determine position and orientation of the data input device relative to the encoded pad. The encoding pad includes a plurality of correlation windows. Each correlation window includes a primary encoding marker in form of vertical line segment and a set of secondary encoding markers in form of diagonal line segments, at least one diagonal line segment intersecting the vertical line segment at an intersection angle. Spacing of the diagonal line segments encodes the X-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Intersection angle encodes the Y-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Angle of the primary encoding marker vertical line segment within the frame of the captured image encodes the angular orientation of the input device relative to the axes of the encoded pad.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an integrated stereo imager that includes first and second imager arrays on a single integrated circuit. Image readout circuitry may be located between the first and second imager arrays and a horizontal electronic rolling shutter may be used to read image data out of the arrays. The layout of the arrays and image readout circuitry on the integrated circuit may help to reduce the size of the integrated circuit while maximizing the baseline separation between the arrays. Memory buffer circuitry may be used to convert image data from the arrays into raster-scan compliant image data. The raster-scan compliant image data may be provided to a host system.

Abstract: A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images.

Abstract: A digital frame transfer imager having an image sensor and frame memory in the same chip. The image sensor has an integrated memory controller for controlling transfers of data between the sensor and the memory array. The imager utilizes a rolling shutter and multiple groups of analog-to-digital processing circuitry to readout data from the sensor and to output digital images substantially free from image smear, kT/C noise and other unwanted image artifacts.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may operate to illuminate an image sensor array (ISA) used in, for example, a digital imager alternately using a first illuminator and a second illuminator laterally offset from the first illuminator with respect to a face of the ISA. A reduced illuminance level consistent with an existence of an occlusion may be sensed at an apparent occluded location on the ISA while the occlusion is illuminated with the first illuminator. If an illuminance level consistent with an existence of the occlusion is also sensed at the apparent occluded location while the occlusion is illuminated using the second illuminator, the occlusion may be identified as being located on the ISA. Otherwise, the occlusion may be identified as being located at a position anterior to the ISA, perhaps on a surface of a cover glass associated with the ISA.

Abstract: A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images.

Abstract: A method of focusing a digital camera module with an image sensor including capturing an image of a test target with the digital camera module, determining a focus quality of the image with the image sensor, outputting a signal related to the focus quality of the image from the digital camera module to a focusing station external to the digital camera module, and determining whether a position of a lens from the image sensor within the digital camera module should be altered to improve a focus quality of subsequently captured images.

Abstract: An a data input system includes an encoded pad having position encoding and a data input device adapted to image a portion of the encoded pad to determine position and orientation of the data input device relative to the encoded pad. The encoding pad includes a plurality of correlation windows. Each correlation window includes a primary encoding marker in form of vertical line segment and a set of secondary encoding markers in form of diagonal line segments, at least one diagonal line segment intersecting the vertical line segment at an intersection angle. Spacing of the diagonal line segments encodes the X-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Intersection angle encodes the Y-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Angle of the primary encoding marker vertical line segment within the frame of the captured image encodes the angular orientation of the input device relative to the axes of the encoded pad.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging device, an imaging device, a camera system including an imaging device, and a processing system including an imaging device for calibrating an analog-to-digital converter of the imaging device to generate a look-up table of correction values, and correcting an output of the analog-to-digital converter with the correction values.

Abstract: An a data input system includes an encoded pad having position encoding and a data input device adapted to image a portion of the encoded pad to determine position and orientation of the data input device relative to the encoded pad. The encoding pad includes a plurality of correlation windows. Each correlation window includes a primary encoding marker in form of vertical line segment and a set of secondary encoding markers in form of diagonal line segments, at least one diagonal line segment intersecting the vertical line segment at an intersection angle. Spacing of the diagonal line segments encodes the X-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Intersection angle encodes the Y-axis position of the input device relative to the encoding pad. Angle of the primary encoding marker vertical line segment within the frame of the captured image encodes the angular orientation of the input device relative to the axes of the encoded pad.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent distributed analyses of images including capturing the images and analyzing the captured images, where feature information is extracted from the captured images. The extracted feature information is used in determining whether a predefined condition is met, and the extracted feature information is transmitted for further analysis when the predefined condition is met. The extracted feature information is stored and is used to generate statistical information related to the extracted feature information. Further, additional feature information is provided from other databases to implement further analysis including an event detection or recognition. Accordingly, distributed intelligent analyses of images is provided for analyzing captured images to efficiently and effectively implement event detection or recognition.