Abstract: An image sensor includes readout circuits coupled to read out integrated light signals from pixels via bitlines respectively. Each readout circuit includes a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, followed by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). At least two pixels of a row share a bitline and an associated readout circuit. The ADC operates concurrently with the CDS circuit, such that their operating periods are substantially overlapped with each other.

Abstract: When correction values are respectively determined for noise components of “OFFSET COMPONENT OF CCD ELEMENT”, “GRADATION COMPONENT OF BACKGROUND LIGHT” and “OFFSET COMPONENT OF OPTICAL SYSTEM”, the pixel values including as less of these noise components as possible are evaluated. The evaluated pixel values include a noise component of “THERMAL NOISE PLUS READOUT NOISE COMPONENT” which is superposed onto the pixel values. With this taken into consideration, a moving object detection method of an embodiment photographs multiple images of a moving object being an observation object with a photographic area fixed, selects the smallest pixel value in each group of corresponding pixels across the images from image signals representing the images, evaluates image signals including as less of the four noise components as possible by using the smallest pixel value as the correction value for the four noise components.

Abstract: An image display device includes: an external light measurement unit measuring the illuminance of an external light a plurality of times, and generating a measurement value indicating the illuminance; a storage unit storing history data which shows the measurement values, and color mode data which shows a correspondence between the illuminance and a color mode; a determination unit, based on the history data, determining whether or not it is a changed condition wherein the illuminance changes upward or downward, or the illuminance fluctuates; and an adjustment unit, in the event that it is not the changed condition, determining the color mode to be applied based on the measurement values and the color mode data, and adjusting the color or brightness of an image in accordance with the color mode, and in the event that it is the changed condition, continuing the adjustment currently being applied as the image adjustment.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: pixel circuits (1) arranged in a matrix, each configured to generate a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion; readout circuits (50) each provided correspondingly to each column of the plurality of pixel circuits, and each configured to read out the pixel signals from the pixel circuits of a corresponding column; 2n first output lines (5-1 to 5-8) to which output terminals of every 2n columns of the readout circuits are commonly connected; and an adding unit configured to add the pixel signals from the pixel circuits arranged in different columns. Among the readout circuits on plural columns connected to the pixel circuits which are subjected to adding by the adding unit, only the readout circuit on one column performs the read out, and all of the 2n first output lines receives input of the pixel signals from one of the plural readout circuits.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor including at least one pixel and one circuit arranged to receive, on a first node of the circuit, an analog signal representative of the luminosity level received by the pixel, the circuit being capable of successively acquiring 2n samples of said signal, n being an integer greater than or equal to 1, and of delivering, on a second node of the circuit, an analog signal having a value equal to the average of the values of said samples, without generating an intermediate signal having a value greater than the value of the largest acquired sample.

Abstract: A mobile platform efficiently processes sensor data, including image data, using distributed processing in which latency sensitive operations are performed on the mobile platform, while latency insensitive, but computationally intensive operations are performed on a remote server. The mobile platform acquires sensor data, such as image data, and determines whether there is a trigger event to transmit the sensor data to the server. The trigger event may be a change in the sensor data relative to previously acquired sensor data, e.g., a scene change in an image. When a change is present, the sensor data may be transmitted to the server for processing. The server processes the sensor data and returns information related to the sensor data, such as identification of an object in an image or a reference image or model. The mobile platform may then perform reference based tracking using the identified object or reference image or model.

Abstract: Systems, processes, devices, apparatuses, algorithms and computer readable medium for suppressing spatial interference using a dual microphone array for receiving, from a first microphone and a second microphone that are separated by a predefined distance, and that are configured to receive source signals, respective first and second microphone signals based on received source signals. A phase difference between the first and the second microphone signals is calculated based on the predefined distance. An angular distance between directions of arrival of the source signals and a desired capture direction is calculated based on the phase difference. Directional-filter coefficients are calculated based on the angular distance. Undesired source signals are filtered from an output based on the directional-filter coefficients.

Abstract: A moving object detection method according to an embodiment includes evaluating an average value, instead of a median value, of pixel values at the same pixel positions across multiple superposed images. A threshold value obtained by multiplying the average value by a predetermined number is employed to distinguish space debris from an object which emits light at a higher luminance than the space debris. In order to detect the space debris accurately, an average value of the pixel values that are equal to or less than the threshold is employed as an evaluation value for the space debris detection.

Abstract: A color image sensor comprises normal pixels and phase difference pixels. A pixel combining circuit combines pixel signals of the normal pixels, and combines pixel signals of the normal pixel and the phase difference pixel of the same color. Thereby the pixel combining circuit produces a composite image. An edge detector uses a pixel signal of each pixel in the composite image to detect an edge of a subject. The edge is vertical to a direction in which a difference between the pixel signals is at the maximum. A pixel signal correction processor corrects the combined pixel signals through interpolation along the edge and with the use of pixel signals of the same color obtained by combining the pixel signals of the normal pixels in a case where the pixel signals of the phase difference pixels are combined across the edge.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor includes: generating a pixel signal according to intensity of incident light; and generating a digital pixel signal based on a comparison between the pixel signal and at least one reference current. Accordingly, a current output from a 1T pixel in the image sensor is sensed such that the influence of noise is reduced and a pixel signal is sensed more precisely.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises: a sensor unit, having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for receiving light that passed through an imaging optical system and accumulating charge, configured to generate an image signal to be used for correlation calculation for focus detection based on the accumulated charge; a control unit configured to control the photoelectric conversion elements to stop charge accumulation in a case where a first signal that represents contrast of the image signal reaches a predetermined voltage level; and a voltage level setting unit. The voltage level setting unit sets a larger voltage level in a first case, in which luminance change in a direction of the correlation calculation in the plurality of the photoelectric conversion elements is gentler than a second case, than in the second case.

Abstract: An apparatus including pixels, each having first and second photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifying unit, first and second transfer gates, and a microlens, performs, in one pixel, a first operation involving turning on the first transfer gate, outputting a signal based on charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element, turning on the first and second transfer gates while retaining the charge generated and transferred to an input node, and outputting a signal based on charges generated in the first and second photoelectric conversion elements, and, in another pixel, a second operation involving turning on the first transfer gate, not outputting a signal based on charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element, turning on the first and second transfer gates while retaining the charge generated and transferred to the input node, and outputting a signal based on charges generated in the first and second photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device (1) includes a light receiving unit (10), a row selection unit (20), a holding unit (30), a column selection unit (40), a reading unit (50), and a control unit (60). The light receiving unit (10) includes M×N pixel units (P1,1 to PM,N). The holding unit (30) includes 2N hold circuits (H1,1 to H2,N). In a first operation mode, the hold circuits (H1,n and H2,n) of the holding unit (30) operate in parallel to alternately perform data sampling and alternately perform data output. The reading unit (50) outputs data Dout according to an amount of light incident on a photodiode of the pixel unit (Pm,n) based on the data alternately output from the hold circuits (H1,n and H2,n) of the holding unit (30).

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes: a plurality of comparators comparing an analog signal with a reference signal; a counter generating a count signal having a plurality of bits in Gray code; a plurality of first signal wirings each transmitting one of bits of the count signal from the counter to the plurality of memories each having a plurality of bit memories; and a plurality of second signal wirings, each connecting between the bit memories of the plurality of memories. Each of the second signal wirings is connected to one of the plurality of first signal wirings, and the first signal wirings and/or the second signal wirings include a signal wiring transmitting a signal of least significant bit in the count signal arranged between the plurality of other signal wirings each transmitting a signal of a bit different from the least significant bit in the count signal.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels; first vertical transfer lines; a second vertical transfer line; a reference voltage generator configured to generate a first reference voltage for a column-black reference signal, a second reference voltage for a line-black reference signal and a third reference voltage for phase adjustment; a phase adjusting signal generator configured to output a phase adjusting signal corresponding to the third reference voltage; a first reference signal generator configured to generate a column-black reference signal corresponding to the first reference voltage; a second reference signal generator configured to generate a line-black reference signal corresponding to the second reference voltage; and a timing generator configured to drive the phase adjusting signal generator, the first reference signal generator and the second reference signal generator to transmit the phase adjusting signal, the column-black reference signal and the line-black reference signal, respectiv

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes an active pixel array suitable for generating an active pixel signal, a dummy pixel array suitable for generating a dummy pixel signal, a row driver suitable for controlling the active pixel array and the dummy pixel array to simultaneously operate at a same column, and a correlated double sampling (CDS) array suitable for generating an active sampling signal and a dummy sampling signal, which are sampled from the active pixel signal and the dummy pixel signal by using a correlated double sampling, respectively, based on a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal, and comparing the active sampling signal with the dummy sampling signal.

Abstract: The noise reduction device includes an image storage unit, a blackout image processing unit, and a noise processing unit. The image storage unit captures image data obtained by imaging a field with an image sensor, and stores the image data therein. The blackout image processing unit captures blackout image data obtained by imaging by the image sensor that is shaded, and extracts a specific noise component of the blackout image data. The noise processing unit reduces a noise in the image data based on the specific noise component of the blackout image data.

Abstract: An image fusing method, apparatus and system for fusing images from an array of cameras, method includes selecting a camera from the array of cameras as a reference camera, estimating misalignment between the retrieved input images from the reference camera and the retrieved input images from the other cameras, estimating misalignment parameters between the reference camera and the other cameras, estimating local disparity between the reference camera image data and the other cameras based on the estimated misalignment parameters, using the estimated misalignment parameters and the estimated disparity values, mapping the image data into a reference camera grid, the retrieved input image data from the other cameras in the array of cameras is fused in the reference camera grid utilizing fractional offsets from integer coordinates, and producing an output image grid on the reference camera grid and interpolate output pixels using processed data for producing a high resolution image.

Abstract: An imaging device, includes: a sensor including first phase difference detecting pixels arranged in a row direction and second phase difference detecting pixels arranged in the row direction; a defocus amount calculating unit which calculates a correlated amount of a first output signal group and a second output signal group while shifting the first output signal group and the second output signal group in the row direction by an arbitrary amount to calculate a defocus amount from a first shift amount of the first output signal group and the second output signal group when the correlated amount is at a maximum. The defocus amount calculating unit changes an upper limit of a shift amount of the first output signal group and the second output signal group in accordance with at least one of an F value, a focal distance, and a position of a focus lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting a defective pixel includes a unit configured to obtain a first corrected value based on a maximum value or minimum value of values of surrounding pixels around a defective pixel, a unit configured to identify a direction in which a change in pixel values is the smallest based on the values of the surrounding pixels, and configured to obtain a second corrected value responsive to values of pixels situated in the identified direction among the surrounding pixels, and a selection unit configured to select the first corrected value when a difference between a value of the defective pixel and a representative value of the surrounding pixels is smaller than a first threshold value, configured to select the second corrected value when the difference is larger than or equal to a second threshold value that is larger than or equal to the first threshold value.

Abstract: A moving object detection method according to an embodiment includes evaluating an average value, instead of a median value, of pixel values at the same pixel positions across multiple superposed images. A threshold value obtained by multiplying the average value by a predetermined number is employed to distinguish space debris from an object which emits light at a higher luminance than the space debris. In order to detect the space debris accurately, an average value of the pixel values that are equal to or less than the threshold is employed as an evaluation value for the space debris detection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating long shutter frames are provided. First, frames are captured or obtained from a video file. A weight is assigned to the respective frame. The frames are composed according to the corresponding weights to generate a long shutter frame.

Abstract: Provided are a depth information based optical distortion correction (ODC) circuit and method. The ODC circuit includes a depth acquisition unit acquiring a depth of an image, a grid generation unit dynamically generating a correction grid corresponding to the depth of the image using depth information of the image and a projection matrix, and a distortion correction unit correcting optical distortion in the image using the correction grid. The corrected image can then be stored, transmitted, or otherwise output. The image can be a single static image or photograph or a frame in a video recording.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading out a CMOS image sensor. The method includes setting a pixel (Pxl) in a first mode (SS) and resetting the pixel (Pxl) so the predefined voltage (V-ref) is set over the photo-diode (Dde) and the first capacitance (C_low). The method further includes collecting charge carriers that reduce the pixel potential (Vp) on the photo-diode (Dde). The method further includes reading out the pixel (Pxl) while in the first mode (SS) and a second mode (LS), and storing the pixel potential (Vp). The method further includes resetting the pixel (Pxl) such that the predefined voltage (V_ref) is over the photo-diode (Dde), the first capacitance (C_low), and the second capacitance (C_high). The method further includes reading out the pixel (Pxl) while in the second mode (LS) and the first mode (SS), and storing the pixel potential (Vp).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and imaging systems for obtaining complex images following desirable projection schemes from images obtained using rotationally-symmetrical wide-angle lenses by mathematically-precise image processing methods. The present invention further provides CMOS image sensors which execute hardwire image-processing to provide desirable complex images. Imaging systems employing these hardwire image processing CMOS image sensors do not need any software image processing to generate desirable complex images.

Abstract: Provided is a raw data processing apparatus including a variable processing part that processes raw data with a predetermined variable value, the raw data being output from an imaging element, an exposure determination part that receives the raw data and determines a gain value of the imaging element based on a determination result obtained by determining an exposure which is set when the raw data is shot, an improvement amount table in which an improvement amount for the gain value of the imaging element is set, a gain modulation part that extracts the improvement amount from the improvement amount table and modulates the gain value of the imaging element, a development parameter setting part that sets a development parameter used for developing the raw data, and a development processing part that outputs image data which is developed from the raw data processed with a predetermined variable value.

Abstract: The image processing method disclosed includes acquiring an input image produced by image capturing through an image capturing optical system, storing image restoration filters to be used for an image restoration process to a memory, acquiring information showing an image capturing state that is a state of the image capturing optical system for the image capturing, and determining whether or not to perform the image restoration process on the input image depending on the image capturing state. The method further includes acquiring the image restoration filter corresponding to the image capturing state from the memory only when a determination to perform the image restoration process is made, and performing the image restoration process on the input image by using the acquired image restoration filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for reducing image artifacts for a CMOS camera used as an optical detector for a line confocal fluorescent imager. The method for reducing image artifacts in a monochromatic image comprises subtracting RGB channel offset mismatch; and correcting random row offset for each row. Preferably, the method also comprises correcting random column offset and gain. Optionally, the method also comprises clipping of defective pixels, and/or subtracting dark current. When the monochromatic image is a fluorescence image, the method also comprises a step of compressing CMOS camera noise. Also provided are a system for reducing image artifacts in a monochromatic image from a CMOS camera, as well as an image artifact reduction system for a CMOS camera-based line confocal fluorescent microscope.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a so-called smart gallery that is designed to create a short summary view of a collection of content, such as photographs and video. The content can be prioritized and presented in a smart gallery user interface that includes gallery elements that can be sized in accordance with prioritized content. Prioritization can take place based on whether content is manually captured or automatically captured. Alternately or additionally, prioritization can take place based on content analysis that looks at content quality and/or objects that appear in the content.

Abstract: There are provided an imaging apparatus, an imaging system, and a method for driving the imaging apparatus, which include a pixel including a conversion unit and an AD conversion unit for converting a signal output from the conversion unit into a digital signal, a first bias line electrically connected to the conversion unit, and a capacitance element for storing the voltage based on the potential of the first bias line, wherein the AD conversion unit is driven by the voltage stored in the capacitance element.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for digital photography. In use, a method and apparatus are provided for identifying an object including a synthetic image that is generated based on a first image and a second image. Next, an output image is generated utilizing the object and a viewing parameter. Lastly, the output image is outputted. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, for which of the original image data before the gradation correction and the original image data after the gradation correction the restoration process is performed is determined depending on whether or not the image information meets the condition under which the ringing appears in the recovery image data due to the restoration process. When the gradation correction is performed after the restoration process, there is a probability that the side effect (the ringing or the like) of the restoration process is emphasized by the gradation correction. Therefore, in the case where the image information meets the condition under which the ringing appears, it is possible to prevent such a side effect (the ringing or the like) of the restoration process from being emphasized by the gradation correction, by performing the restoration process for the original image data after the gradation correction.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a moving unit, a detector, and a determiner. The image capturing unit includes an optical transmission member; and a sensor capturing an image of the subject via the optical transmission member. The moving unit moves the image capturing unit in an optical axis direction of the sensor. The detector detects a contamination from first and second images. The first and second images are captured by the sensor when the image capturing unit is located at first and second positions in the optical axis direction, respectively. The second position is spaced away from the subject than the first position in the optical axis direction. The determiner determines that a contamination is deposited on the optical transmission member when a difference in the number of pixels in which a contamination is detected between the first and second images is less than a threshold.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion unit. The pixel array generates an analog signal by sensing an incident light. The A/D conversion unit generates a digital signal in a first operation mode by performing a sigma-delta A/D conversion and a cyclic A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal and generates the digital signal in a second operation mode by performing a single-slope A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal. The image sensor provides a high-quality image in a still image photography mode and a dynamic image video mode.

Abstract: An image sensor has multiple pixel units in correspondence with each microlens, and focus detection is performed with a phase-difference detection method using output from the image sensor. The signals to be used in the focus detection can be combined, and a larger signal combining amount is set in the case of output from the image sensor with a first thinning amount than in the case of output from the image sensor with a second thinning amount.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a first pn junction comprised of at least two semiconductor regions of different conductivity types, and a first field-effect transistor including a first source connected with one of the semiconductor regions, a first drain, a first insulated gate and a same conductivity type channel as that of the one of the semiconductor regions. The first drain is supplied with a second potential at which the first pn junction becomes zero-biased or reverse-biased relative to a potential of the other of the semiconductor regions. When the first source turns to a first potential and the one of the semiconductor regions becomes zero-biased or reverse-biased relative to the other semiconductor regions, the first pn junction is controlled not to be biased by a deep forward voltage by supplying a first gate potential to the first insulated gate, even when either of the semiconductor regions is exposed to light.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for adding a blur to an image in use of depth information corresponding to the image, comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert the depth information into blur size information; a division unit configured to divide the image into a plurality image areas having a same blur size; an image generation unit configured to perform blur processing on each of the plurality of image areas with the blur size to generate blurred images; and a synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the plurality of blurred images generated by the image generation unit.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a photoelectric-conversion element configured to output electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion to a first node, and an accumulation circuit having an input terminal connected to the first node and being capable of changing an integral capacitance value. The number of drain or source of a MOS transistor in an OFF state connected to the first node is one.

Abstract: An image processing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes acquiring a mosaic image composed of pixels of a first color that contributes most to acquisition of a luminance signal among three colors for pixels, and pixels of second colors other than the first color, a first color image corresponding to pixels of the first color and a second color image corresponding to pixels of the second colors having respective different frequency ranges that are reproducible; extracting a region containing a spatial frequency at which the second color image is not reproducible while the first color image is reproducible, in an entire image area corresponding to the mosaic image; and reducing a chroma of an image corresponding to that region in an image acquired by demosaic processing on the mosaic image.

Abstract: A solid-state image-capturing device includes: plurality of pixels arranged in two-dimensional manner; plurality of vertical signal lines for corresponding column of the plurality of pixels, to receive a signal of the pixels of corresponding column; plurality of signal processing units process a signal of the plurality of vertical signal lines based on a ramp signal and reference voltage; first line configured as a common line connects first input units of the plurality of signal processing units to receive the ramp signal; the ramp signal is supplied to one side of the first line along a row direction; second line configured as common line connects second input units of plurality of signal processing units to receive reference voltage, the reference voltage is supplied to one side of the second line along the row direction and reference voltage is not supplied to another side of the second line along the row direction.

Abstract: An image sensor having improved dynamic range includes a signal that is read out for a selection of pixels which act as a calibration to govern the choice of exposure levels to be applied to the rest of the array. In this way, the sensor is operable to adapt to variations in scene intensity. The pixels in the array are vertically and horizontally addressed so as to enable accounted for small areas of intensity variation across an imaged scene.

Abstract: An image sensor system that compensates the amplifier in a column of a pixel array. This uses a sampling capacitor, that receives a signal from a pixel of the pixel array. A first plate of the sampling capacitor receives a value from the amplifier representing an offset level of the amplifier. While receiving the offset level from the amplifier on the first plate, the capacitor receives information from the pixel on a second plate of the same capacitor that is receiving the offset, thereby canceling the offset. The value from said sampling capacitor indicative of said information from said pixel with said offset cancelled being coupled to said amplifier to amplify said value as a first pixel value. The amplifier is also connected to other selecting switches from other pixels of said column of the pixel array.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an autofocus function, and performs focus adjustment by displacing a focus lens to an in-focus opposition. A focal correction calculation unit calculates a focal correction amount using at least one type of information selected from the diaphragm information used for exposure adjustment, positional information for the zoom lens, and positional information for the focus lens. The focal correction amount is further revised, and processing is executed to suppress coloring on the subject image resulting from chromatic aberration. The correction amount after revision is sent to a focal adjustment unit and the focal lens is driven and controlled by the lens control unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is arranged to perform a focus detection in each of focus detection areas set on an image pickup plane; select first area and second areas from among the focus detection areas on the basis of the focus detection result; pick up an optical image which is formed at each of a first focus position at which the selected first area is in focus and a second focus position at which the selected second area is in focus and generate image data; determine an area to be processed on the basis of the image data; execute a predetermined processing to the image data on the basis of a determination result. The second area is selected based on the number of focus detection areas satisfying a predetermined condition from among the focus detection areas each having a depth difference from the first area in a predetermined range.

Abstract: Provided is a video recording apparatus that can generate image signals to increase a difference in amount of blur in recording video using a rolling shutter during wobbling, and includes: an image sensor that generates an image signal corresponding to an image; a driving unit that drives a focus lens along an optical axis; and a control unit that controls the driving unit for controlling a focus in an optical system, while the focus lens is wobbling, wherein the control unit (i) generates blur signals to increase a difference in amount of blur in a predetermined region by controlling imaging timings at which the image sensor captures the image, (ii) calculates distance information on a distance to the object to be displayed in the region, using blur signals in the region among the generated blur signals, and (iii) controls the focus using the distance information.

Abstract: An example imaging sensor system includes a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) imaging array formed in a first semiconductor layer of a first wafer. The SPAD imaging array includes an N number of pixels, each including a SPAD region formed in a front side of the first semiconductor layer. The first wafer is bonded to a second wafer at a bonding interface between a first interconnect layer of the first wafer and the second interconnect layer of the second wafer. An N number of digital counters are formed in a second semiconductor layer of the second wafer. Each of the digital counters are configured to count output pulses generated by a respective SPAD region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes predicting at least a portion of a current image in a current layer based on at least a residual coded portion of a base image in a base layer, a reference image, shift information for samples in the predicted current image, and offset information indicating a position offset between at least one boundary pixel of the reference image and at least one boundary pixel of the current image. The residual coded portion represents difference pixel data.

Abstract: In an image reading device, a storing device stores reference dark output data and reference correction data. A control device, after a command receiving unit receives an instruction to read an original document, generates dark output data based on read data while the light source does not emit light. The control device determines whether the dark output data is within a first prescribed range into which the reference dark output data falls. The control device selects the reference correction data as selected correction data, when determining that the dark output data is within the first prescribed range. The control device generate correction data to correct the image data when determining that the dark output data is not within the first prescribed range, and selects the generated correction data as the selected correction data. The control device corrects the image data by using the selected correction data.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for improving the perceptual quality and naturalness of an image captured by an image acquisition device (e.g., digital camera). Statistical features of a scene being imaged by the image acquisition device are derived from models of natural images. These statistical features are measured and mapped onto the control parameters (e.g., exposure, ISO) of the digital acquisition device. By mapping these statistical features onto the control parameters, the perceptual quality and naturalness of the scene being imaged may be based on the values of these control parameters. As a result, these control parameters are modified to maximize the perceptual quality and naturalness of the scene being imaged. After modification of these control parameters, the image is captured by the image acquisition device. In this manner, the perceptual quality and naturalness of the image captured by the image acquisition device is improved.

Abstract: A method and imaging device are provided. A pixel output signal is obtained for each green pixel in a group of pixels of an image. The group of pixels includes a plurality of pixel arrays, where each pixel array of the plurality of pixel arrays includes a first green pixel and a second green pixel. A green imbalance value is determined for the group of pixels based on the obtained pixel output signals. For each pixel array, a difference between the pixel output signal for the first green pixel and the pixel output signal for the second green pixel is calculated. An average of the calculated differences is determined. The pixel output signal of at least one of the green pixels in the group of pixels is adjusted based on the green imbalance value.