Abstract: Tracking-based motion deblurring via coded exposure is provided. Fast object tracking is useful for a variety of applications in surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and remote sensing. In particular, there is a need to have these algorithms embedded on specialized hardware, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), to ensure energy-efficient operation while saving on latency, bandwidth, and memory access/storage. In an exemplary aspect, an object tracker is used to track motion of one or more objects in a scene captured by an image sensor. The object tracker is coupled with coded exposure of the image sensor, which modulates photodiodes in the image sensor with a known exposure function (e.g., based on the object tracking). This allows for motion blur to be encoded in a characteristic manner in image data captured by the image sensor. Then, in post-processing, deblurring is performed using a computational algorithm.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including: a plurality of light sources each emitting a plurality of lights; a camera outputting a first subject image obtained by photographing a subject; and a control unit controlling each of the plurality of light sources according to an optical coded pattern set based on a complex modulation transfer function during a shutter exposure time of the camera, and outputting a second subject image in which motion blur is removed from the first subject image according to point spread functions for each color channel modulated by the optical coded pattern set.

Abstract: A communication module adaptor adapted for mating with a device connector of a smart electronic device includes an adaptor circuit having a communication module and an adaptor connector coupled to the adaptor circuit. The communication module has a mating interface differing from a mating interface of the device connector such that the communication module is unable to directly connect to the device connector. The adaptor connector has a mating interface complementary to the mating interface of the device connector for mating with the device connector to electrically connect the communication module adaptor to the smart electronic device. The adaptor circuit electrically connects the adaptor connector and the communication module and control signals are transmitted from a controller of the communication module to the device connector of the smart electronic device via the adaptor connector.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a flash are disclosed. The method includes obtaining a statistical gray value of a preview image. If the statistical gray value of the preview image is less than a preset threshold, a corresponding fill light parameter is searched for in a preset dynamic fill light table according to the statistical gray value of the preview image and the fill light drive current is set according to the fill light parameter. The fill light drive current is configured to drive a flash lamp to fire a pre-flash. A corresponding exposure drive current in the preset exposure parameter table is configured according to the fill light parameter and the exposure drive current is configured to drive the flash lamp to flash.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a mobile device for modifying visual perception of an image. In one embodiment, the mobile device includes a device body having a main display on a front of the device body. The mobile device also includes a lens system for capturing images, wherein at least a portion of the lens system is positioned above the main display on the front of the device body. The mobile device further includes a lighting system positioned on the front of the device body and proximate to the lens system. The lighting system provides key light above the lens system and fill light below the lens system. The mobile device also includes a processor housed within the device body. The processor controls one or more operations of the lens system including automatically enhancing the captured images and for presenting the automatically enhanced images on the main display.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provide a flash module and an electronic apparatus using the flash module. The electronic apparatus has a sensor and a processor. The sensor is used by the processor to detect an environmental brightness and issue a flash order. The flash module comprises a flash cartridge, a linkage lever set, a housing, an electromagnetic actuator, a mechanical linkage, and a latching mechanism. When necessary, the elements of the flash module perform a process to automatically move the flash to an open position.

Abstract: An image capture device according to the present invention includes: an optical system for producing a subject's image; an imager with multiple photodiodes, which reads an electrical signal representing the intensity of light that has been incident on each photodiode from the photodiode, thereby generating an image signal representing the subject's image; a controller, which acquires sensitivity information by photometry in order to adjust the sensitivity of the imager to light and which selects one of multiple methods for reading the electrical signal from each photodiode according to the sensitivity information acquired; and a driver for driving the imager by the reading method selected. The multiple reading methods include a mixing reading method, by which the electrical signals supplied from the photodiodes are added together and then output.

Abstract: Input from a user is received, to take a picture. A camera flash is signaled to produce multiple flash pulses during a single shutter cycle of the picture. The amplitudes of at least two of the flash pulses are different relative to each other. The picture is stored, including in its metadata information that describes the variable amplitude of the flash pulses that illuminated the scene when taking the picture. The information describing the variable amplitude of the flash pulses is used to deblur the picture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Input from a user is received, to take a picture. A camera flash is signaled to produce multiple flash pulses during a single shutter cycle of the picture. The amplitudes of at least two of the flash pulses are different relative to each other. The picture is stored, including in its metadata information that describes the variable amplitude of the flash pulses that illuminated the scene when taking the picture. The information describing the variable amplitude of the flash pulses is used to deblur the picture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An imaging system for capturing a sequence of images from a target at ultra-high framing rates is disclosed. The imaging system includes an illumination system operable to emit at least first and second light pulses at first and second wavelengths, respectively. The first and second light pulses sequentially illuminate the target whereupon at least first and second propagated light pulses emanate from the target. The system also includes at least first and second image sensors operable to receive the first and second propagated light pulses, respectively, to thereby capture the sequence of images from the target. Various exemplary embodiments of the imaging system and associated method are provided.

Abstract: In a circumstance in which light is emitted from many electronic flashes, e.g., a press conference hall or a wedding hall, light emission from other electronic flashes overlaps preliminary light emission performed before main light emission. This decreases the photometry accuracy with respect to preliminary light emission and makes it difficult to perform proper flash exposure. In a camera system designed to perform preliminary light emission before main light emission, photometry is performed a plurality of number of times upon preliminary light emission, and flash exposure is performed by suppressing photometric values which may have been influenced by light emission as disturbance other than the preliminary light emission.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic camera for generating an image having a wide dynamic range by synthesizing two image pickup signals of different exposure amount generated by using an electronic shutter function and means for shutting off light, shading of image pickup signals resulting from difference in charge accumulating time among the pixels of image pickup device due to operation from opened state to closed state of the means for shutting off light being corrected by a shading correction means to form a synthesized image without an occurrence of false color due to shading.

Abstract: A camera flash is disclosed for producing a warm light having a desired color temperature. In one embodiment, the flash has a xenon flash component producing a light with a spectrum having a color temperature at a higher Kelvin rating than the warm light, and a light emitting diode flash component producing a light with a spectrum having a color temperature at a lower Kelvin rating than the warm light. The color temperature of the light of the xenon flash component and the color temperature of the light of the light emitting diode flash component together produce the warm light having the desired color temperature.

Abstract: The invention is based on a method for controlling a flash unit in connection with a digital image sensor without a mechanical shutter, wherein the exposure of the image sensor is performed in sub-areas, such as pixel rows or columns, or in another order, by using a rolling electronic shutter or the like. Thus, the exposure of said sub-areas of the image sensor takes place at least partly at different times. According to the invention, during the time of exposure of one image, i.e. substantially all the sub-areas of the image sensor, several discrete, successive flashes of the flash unit are used to achieve even exposure of the image area, which the flashes are timed in such a way that each single flash is triggered at a point of time which is common to the integration or exposure time of as many successive sub-areas of the image sensor as possible.

Abstract: A photo illumination technology that facilitates user selectable illumination of an existing photo ranging from full artificial flash illumination to ambient light illumination and every gradation between. The technology in one embodiment employs a digital camera feature that captures two photos hundredths of a second apart where one photo is captured in concert with a flash and one is captured with no flash. Compensations are made to reconcile any movement of the subject matter that may have occurred between the two photos and the user is presented with the infinite gradations of illumination on the subject matter when selecting a photo for display or printing.

Abstract: A camera includes a stroboscopic light emission unit capable of operating at least in an intermittent light emission mode, wherein the camera has a photographing mode setting unit for setting the camera either in a single photographing mode or in a sequential photographing mode, and a light emission period setting unit for setting the period of the intermittent light emission for said stroboscopic light emission unit in accordance with the photographing mode set by the photographing mode setting unit.

Abstract: A uniform flash-emission controller which controls an intensity of a light emission of a flashtube, the uniform flash-emission controller includes an IGBT which causes the flashtube to emit a rapid series of short flash pulses; an IGBT controller which switches the IGBT ON and OFF so as to maintain the intensity at a substantially constant level; and a latch for holding an ON state and an OFF state of the IGBT until a predetermined period of time elapses from a time the IGBT controller switches the IGBT ON and OFF, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera including a stroboscopic light emission unit capable of operating at least in an intermittent light emission mode, wherein the camera comprising photographing mode setting unit for setting said camera either in a single photographing mode or in a sequential photographing mode, and light emission period setting unit for setting the period of the intermittent light emission for said stroboscopic light emission unit in accordance with the photographing mode set in said photographing mode setting unit.

Abstract: In a flash system, information on a light emission mode, etc., is communicated to a slave flash device through pulse light emitted from a master flash device, and, after completion of communication of the information, the master flash device makes light emission, which causes the slave flash device to start to make light emission in an operative mode according to the communicated information.

Abstract: In an information transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting information by using flash light emission of a flash light emission tube, communication data is detected at timing synchronized with a predetermined period and, when the detected communication data indicates a light emission instruction, a predetermined light emission signal is formed and outputted to cause the flash light emission tube to make light emission, wherein a time interval from a point of time at which the light emission instruction has been detected to a point of time at which the light emission signal is outputted is varied according to a time interval from a point of time at which the preceding light emission has been performed to a point of time at which the light emission instruction for the current light emission is detected, so that the intervals of flash light emission are adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use camera comprising a mechanism for repetitive flashing not connected to shutter operation.

Abstract: An electronic flash device for use with a camera having a shutter with an aperture that opens gradually. The electronic flash device includes a flash tube having a discharge path; a switching element arranged in the discharge path; and a light emission controller for controlling a light emission of the flash tube during an opening operation of the shutter by repeatedly turning on and off the switching element in accordance with the opening operation of the shutter. Thus, the electronic flash device can reliably maintain an expected photographic effect even in an unstable area of the shutter aperture.

Abstract: A flash photographing system includes a first firing device operable to fire a first flash light effective for photography of the camera device; a second firing device operable to fire a second flash light ineffective for photography of the camera device, the second firing device having two different emission modes; and a changer operable to change over the two emission modes of the second firing device. The emission modes are changed over in accordance with selection of macro or portrait photography mode. The second flash light consists of intermittently emitted flash lights. The emission modes of the second flash light are different from each other in aspect of the light amount, emitting frequency, number of emitting times, or emitting time.

Abstract: An electronic flash apparatus of a camera incorporating a focal plane shutter has a capacitor for storing an electric charge, a flashtube for irradiating a subject with a flash of light by the electric charge stored in the capacitor and a setting unit capable of setting any of a signal flash mode in which the flashtube effects a single flash and a high-speed mode in which the flashtube effects high-speed repetitive flash. The apparatus has a voltage setting unit for setting a first voltage as an energizing voltage when the single flash mode is set and setting a second voltage higher than the first voltage as an energizing voltage when the high-speed mode is set and an energizing unit for monitoring a voltage when the capacitor stores the electric charge and energizing a ready light just when the voltage in the storage of the electric charge exceeds the set energizing voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic flash apparatus of a camera incorporating a focal plane shutter. The apparatus is constructed of a capacitor for storing an electric charge, a flashtube for irradiating a subject with a flash of light by the electric charge stored in the capacitor and a setting unit capable of setting any of a signal flash mode in which the flashtube effects a single flash and a high-speed mode in which the flashtube effects high-speed repetitive flash. The apparatus is further constructed of a voltage setting unit for setting a first voltage as an energizing voltage when the single flash mode is set and setting a second voltage higher than the first voltage as an energizing voltage when the high-speed mode is set and an energizing unit for monitoring a voltage when the capacitor stores the electric charge and energizing a ready light just when the voltage in the storage of the electric charge exceeds the set energizing voltage.