Abstract: Camera that generates output images of configurable resolutions is described. The camera includes a resolution controller that receives an image with a first resolution, a horizontal scaling factor, and a vertical scaling factor, and based thereon generates an output image with a second resolution. A memory buffer is coupled to the resolution controller and stores at least one output image.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a digital camera includes an image sensor array adapted to capture a scene into electrical values and a reference detector proximal to the sensor array for detecting illuminant intensities. The reference detector at least partially surrounds the image sensor array. The reference detector is read multiple times during the frame period in which the image sensor array captures a scene to detect illuminant intensities during the same frame period. Using the illuminant intensities, the phase and the amplitude of the flicker of the illuminant are extracted. Using the phase and the amplitude parameters, a flicker correction signal is synthesized. The flicker correction signal is used to correct the captured image data to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of flicker on the captured image.

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: A method for reading a meter includes (1) capturing a first image of digits displayed by the meter, (2) roughly locating the digits by correlating the entire first image against symbols, (3) precisely locating the digits by correlating the digits against the symbols, which are now rotated, resized, and repositioned to maximize correlation, (4) determining and storing nominal centers of the digits in a nonvolatile memory. The method further includes (5) capturing a second image of the digits, (6) locating regions of interest in the second image according to the nominal centers, (7) determining vertical positions of full digits (or partial digits) in the regions of interest, (8) aligning symbols (or partial symbols) and the full digits (or the partial digits) according to the vertical position, and (9) correlating the symbol and the full digits (or the partial symbols and the partial digits).

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.

Abstract: After image capture, scene parameters are analyzed, e.g. lux, flicker, or world estimation. A best guess illuminant for the scene parameters is determined. At this point, the white balancing coefficients corresponding to that illuminant may be applied.

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: 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.

Abstract: Methods for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker are provided. One such method comprises: providing pixel circuits; and operating the pixel circuits in a bi-directional mode during which first information corresponding to a scene is acquired in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then second information corresponding to the scene is acquired in a reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuits. Systems also are provided.

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 surveillance system and method is provided for detecting and event and then capturing an image of the event under low illumination conditions. A camera captures a current image and a prior reference image under low illumination conditions using a long exposure time and compares the current and reference images to determine whether an event has occurred in the current image. An illumination source is activated upon the detection of an event to provide artificial illumination. The illumination allows an additional event image to be captured using a shorter exposure time.

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: A method of using a personal viewing device that has a display includes sensing a coordinate and an attitude of the personal viewing device and then calculating display data based on stored object data, the coordinate and the attitude. The method further includes displaying on the display a representation of the object in response to the display data.

Abstract: Accurate correction of a local clock that avoids excessive drift in the local clock while avoiding an accumulation of quantization errors. A local clock according to the present techniques generates a local time by accumulating a sequence of rate coefficients selected from a plurality of rate coefficients using a series of progressively longer replacement periods.

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: Camera modules with focus adjustment structures and systems and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a sensor housing having an image sensor, a lens holder comprising a lens, and a deformable focus adjustment structure are provided. The focus adjustment structure is deformed to move the lens whereby light is focused onto the image sensor.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel has variable conversion gain to prevent overexposure of the pixel without reducing the exposure period. Under dim lighting conditions, the pixel operates with high conversion gain and is highly sensitive to light. When the incident light is bright, the pixel switches into a low conversion gain, low-sensitivity mode. The variable conversion gain is implemented by connecting a variable capacitive load in parallel with the photodiode of the image sensor pixel. When the incident light intensity exceeds a certain threshold, the variable capacitive load is increased to allow the photodiode to absorb more light. Likewise, the variable capacitive load is decreased when the incident light intensity is below a certain threshold.

Abstract: A method including capturing an image, segmenting the image into foreground and background pixels, coalescing contiguous foreground pixels into a blob, associating a weight for each pixel in the blob, and determining a position in the image for the blob.

Abstract: An image sensor communicates with a microcontroller. A capture timing circuit provides feedback from the microcontroller to the image sensor. The microcontroller bidirectionally communicates with a memory subsystem and a communication interface. A “background learning” technique is applied to the captured images to determine when motion activity has occurred.

Abstract: A method includes initializing a density map, identifying regions in a captured image, calculating a center of mass for the regions, updating the density map according to the center of mass, and transforming the data.