Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 10 capable of extending a dynamic range by combining a plurality of read-out signals has a signal processing part 710 which, when combining the plurality of read-out signals, selects at least one signal which becomes necessary for the combination in accordance with a result of a comparison between at least one read-out signal among the plurality of read-out signals (high conversion gain signal HCG, low conversion gain signal LCG) with a threshold value (Joint Thresh), applies the selected signal to the combinational processing, and thereby generates the combined signal extended in the dynamic range, and the signal processing part can dynamically change the threshold value. By this configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch a plurality of signals to be combined irrespective of variations in individual units etc., possible to realize a higher dynamic range while suppressing deterioration of images, and consequently possible to realize a higher quality of image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 10 includes a signal processing part 710 which, when combining specific read-out signals among the plurality of read-out signals, selects at least one signal which becomes necessary for a combinational operation in accordance with a result of a comparison between at least one read-out signal among the plurality of read-out signals and a threshold value, applies the selected signal to the combinational processing, and generates a combined signal extended in dynamic range, and wherein the signal processing part, when combining read-out signals from one specific pixel, determines the combinational information concerning the combinational operation of these read-out signals with reference to the combinational information concerning the combinational operation of the surrounding pixels of the one specific pixel. By this configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch a plurality of signals, possible to realize a higher dynamic range and a higher quality of image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 10 capable of extending a dynamic range by combining a plurality of read-out signals has a signal processing part 710 which, when combining the plurality of read-out signals, selects at least one signal which becomes necessary for the combination in accordance with a result of a comparison between at least one read-out signal among the plurality of read-out signals (high conversion gain signal HCG, low conversion gain signal LCG) with a threshold value (Joint Thresh), applies the selected signal to the combinational processing, and thereby generates the combined signal extended in the dynamic range, and the signal processing part can dynamically change the threshold value. By this configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch a plurality of signals to be combined irrespective of variations in individual units etc., possible to realize a higher dynamic range while suppressing deterioration of images, and consequently possible to realize a higher quality of image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device 10 includes a signal processing part 710 which, when combining specific read-out signals among the plurality of read-out signals, selects at least one signal which becomes necessary for a combinational operation in accordance with a result of a comparison between at least one read-out signal among the plurality of read-out signals and a threshold value, applies the selected signal to the combinational processing, and generates a combined signal extended in dynamic range, and wherein the signal processing part, when combining read-out signals from one specific pixel, determines the combinational information concerning the combinational operation of these read-out signals with reference to the combinational information concerning the combinational operation of the surrounding pixels of the one specific pixel. By this configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch a plurality of signals, possible to realize a higher dynamic range and a higher quality of image.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method for dynamic range adjustment and stereography are provided. The photographing apparatus includes a first imaging device for converting a light of a subject received through a first optical system into an electric signal; a second imaging device for converting a light of the subject received through a second optical system into an electric signal; a first image signal processor for generating an image signal for live view based on the electric signal output from the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image; an exposure controller for controlling an exposure so as to perform a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing of the still image; and an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount in the photographing operation of the still image based on the electric signal converted in the second imaging device obtained through the step exposure.

Abstract: An image having good image quality is obtained by discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus, which includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by light-exposing the image pickup device, includes: a detector for detecting a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller for controlling an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller for controlling a light-exposure start scan of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller discharges the charges accumulated in the image pickup device a plurality of times according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving three dimensional (3D) effect of a 3D image collected by a 3D photographing apparatus, and reducing visual fatigue, are provided. A feature point of a left-eye image entering through a left-eye lens and of a right-eye image entering through a right-eye lens is acquired, a disparity between the left- and right-eye images is detected, a distance between the left- and right-eye lenses is controlled so that the disparity between the left- and right-eye images becomes a previously-set reference disparity, and at least one of the left- and right-eye images is shifted so that a convergence point is placed on an object located within the left- and right-eye images.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method for dynamic range adjustment and stereography are provided. The photographing apparatus includes a first imaging device for converting a light of a subject received through a first optical system into an electric signal; a second imaging device for converting a light of the subject received through a second optical system into an electric signal; a first image signal processor for generating an image signal for live view based on the electric signal output from the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image; an exposure controller for controlling an exposure so as to perform a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing of the still image; and an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount in the photographing operation of the still image based on the electric signal converted in the second imaging device obtained through the step exposure.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method for dynamic range adjustment and stereography. The photographing apparatus includes a first imaging device for converting a light of a subject received through a first optical system into an electric signal; a second imaging device for converting a light of the subject received through a second optical system into an electric signal; a first image signal processor for generating an image signal for live view based on the electric signal output from the first imaging device before a photographing operation of a still image; an exposure controller for controlling an exposure so as to perform a step exposure in the second imaging device before the photographing of the still image; and an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount in the photographing operation of the still image based on the electric signal converted in the second imaging device obtained through the step exposure.

Abstract: Photographing having a wide dynamic range is performed by adjusting a discharging time for discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus comprises an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by exposing the image pickup device to light, and also includes: a detector that detects a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller that controls an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller that controls an exposure start scanning of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller adjusts a discharging time for discharging the charges accumulated in the image pickup device according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a MOS image sensor that shoots an image of a subject, and a control unit that selects one of plural shutter drive modes and drives the MOS image sensor in the selected shutter drive mode. The control unit analyzes a through image of a subject that is obtained by the MOS image sensor before main shooting (step S3) and performs the selection automatically based on a result of the analysis (steps S6, S9, and S10).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for improving three dimensional (3D) effect of a 3D image collected by a 3D photographing apparatus, and reducing visual fatigue, are provided. A feature point of a left-eye image entering through a left-eye lens and of a right-eye image entering through a right-eye lens is acquired, a disparity between the left- and right-eye images is detected, a distance between the left- and right-eye lenses is controlled so that the disparity between the left- and right-eye images becomes a previously-set reference disparity, and at least one of the left- and right-eye images is shifted so that a convergence point is placed on an object located within the left- and right-eye images.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a light source discrimination device which discriminates a light source in a photographing environment; and a shading correction device which makes shading correction according to the light source discriminated by the light source discrimination device for an image photographed under the light source in the photographing environment. According to the image taking apparatus of the present invention, the shading correction is made according to the light source in the photographing environment, whereby the excellent image quality can be maintained by appropriately making shading correction even if the light source is changed.

Abstract: Photographing having a wide dynamic range is performed by adjusting a discharging time for discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus comprises an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by exposing the image pickup device to light, and also includes: a detector that detects a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller that controls an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller that controls an exposure start scanning of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller adjusts a discharging time for discharging the charges accumulated in the image pickup device according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: An image having good image quality is obtained by discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus, which includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by light-exposing the image pickup device, includes: a detector for detecting a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller for controlling an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller for controlling a light-exposure start scan of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller discharges the charges accumulated in the image pickup device a plurality of times according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method capable of suppressing degradation of the picture quality caused by correction of optical distortion. A distortion correction circuit corrects optical distortion contained in digital image data obtained by photographing conducted via a lens. Correction coefficients (gain) are set by a CPU so as to increase a correction quantity of contour correction as a quantity of correction for the optical distortion increases. Contour correction using the correction coefficients set by the CPU is conducted on the digital image data corrected in optical distortion.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes an imaging unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns and that captures an image of a subject; a detector that detects a photographing condition of the subject; a mechanical shutter that moves to shield the imaging unit; an operation controller that controls movement of the mechanical shutter; and a scan controller that controls an exposure start scan of the imaging unit by applying reset signals to the pixels at a time controlled based on the photographing condition of the subject before the mechanical shutter moves to shield the imaging unit.

Abstract: Even when a part of a subject image is cut down after imaging, an image of good image quality is obtained. When a subject is imaged, divisional photometry (divided brightness measuring) is performed. Image data representing an image of the subject and a divisional photometry values are recorded on a memory card in correspondence with photometry sections obtained by division. At the time of reproduction (playback), image data is read out of the memory card, to display the subject image. A desired part of the displayed subject image is cut out (trimmed). Correction is made such that the brightness of the trimmed image is proper using the divisional photometry values corresponding to the trimmed image.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an imaging apparatus comprising: a solid-state image sensor having an effective pixel area and an optical black area; a smear detection device which detects smear intensity and smear occurrence position in a smear occurrence area, in which a smear occurs, in the effective pixel area, based on an output signal obtained from the optical black area of the solid-state image sensor; and a smear correction device which performs smear correction by subtracting a smear correction value corresponding to the smear intensity from an output signal of the smear occurrence area and the vicinity thereof in the effective pixel area.

Abstract: Even when a part of a subject image is cut down after imaging, an image of good image quality is obtained. When a subject is imaged, divisional photometry (divided brightness measuring) is performed. Image data representing an image of the subject and a divisional photometry values are recorded on a memory card in correspondence with photometry sections obtained by division. At the time of reproduction (playback), image data is read out of the memory card, to display the subject image. A desired part of the displayed subject image is cut out (trimmed). Correction is made such that the brightness of the trimmed image is proper using the divisional photometry values corresponding to the trimmed image.