Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to output image data, an optical system that includes a focus lens and is configured to form an image of the subject on the imaging unit, a finder that allows a user to view the subject, a proximity sensor configured to sense proximity of an object to the finder, and a controller configured to perform a focus operation to drive the focus lens to focus on the image of the subject when the proximity sensor senses proximity of an object, and fix the position of the focus lens after completion of the focus operation until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of the human computer interaction, more particularly to, a system and method for human computer interaction. The system for human computer interaction comprises a projection unit, a first image sensing unit, a second image sensing unit, an interface unit, an image processing unit, a projected interface processing unit, and a controlling unit. The system for human computer interaction provided by the present invention may easily project the human computer interaction interface on all kinds of planes encountered in people's daily life, to realize display of the human computer interaction interface everywhere, and improve users' experience.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for displaying useful countdown timers on a media capture device. A media capture device can increase contrast between countdown timer and the video of a scene to be captured by a media capture device and adjust the position and size of a counter displayed on the device based on whether the object is determined to be closer or further than a predetermined threshold distance. Countdown timers can be triggered by detection of objects and gestures.

Abstract: An audio signal acquired by an audio acquisition unit during a predetermined period from when a drive signal has been output is analyzed, and a noise reduction period is determined based on a specific frequency component included in the audio signal of the predetermined period. The noise generated in the noise reduction period is then reduced from the audio signal acquired by the audio acquisition unit.

Abstract: A computer program product includes: a receiving module for utilizing a communication circuit to receive a photographing positions distribution information; an option object generating module for utilizing a control circuit to generate multiple option objects; an arranging module for utilizing the control circuit to generate a graphic user interface including the multiple option objects and one or more reference indicators according to the photographing positions distribution information; and a displaying control module for utilizing a display device to display the graphic user interface. When the display device displays the graphic user interface, if an input device receives a shift command inputted by a user, the display controlling module controls the display device to move at least a portion of the option objects on the graphic user interface toward a same side and to change position or content of at least one reference indicator.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image information combining unit that performs a pixel value combining process on a long-time exposure pixel and a short-time exposure pixel. The pixel information combining unit calculates a plurality of blending ratios based on pixel values of a plurality of pixels of different periods of exposure time, determines an applied blending ratio, which is applied to a blending process for the long-time exposure pixel and the short-time exposure pixel, based on the plurality of blending ratios, and determines pixel values of an output image or an intermediate image which is applied to produce the output image, by the blending process for the long-time exposure pixel and the short-time exposure pixel to which the applied blending ratio is applied.

Abstract: An object of the exemplary embodiment is to make it possible to easily take a group photo of a plurality of persons including a photographer. In a digital camera 1, an image a of other photographed persons is taken by a photographer immediately after an instruction of a composite shooting mode is given. Next, the digital camera 1 is handed over to one of the other photographed persons, by whom an image b of the photographer is taken. When predetermined synthesizing conditions are satisfied, a facial image contained in one of the two taken images a and b shot in series is synthesized with the other taken image so that a new composite image c is created. Thus, a group photo in which all the persons have been photographed can be synthesized easily.

Abstract: First image data obtained by capturing an image of a subject under a first light condition, and second image data obtained by capturing an image of the subject under a second light condition different from the first light condition are input. The sampling positions of colors used to generate correction parameters are acquired. First color signal values are sampled from the sampling positions in the first image data, and second color signal values are sampled from the sampling positions in the second image data. Correction parameters used to correct the first image data which depends on the first light condition into image data which depends on the second light condition are generated based on the first and second color signal values.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a camera determines whether to acquire an image (e.g., automatically), determines whether to store the acquired image, and determines how to store the acquired image.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for adjusting camera device characteristics using a remote imaging server. The camera device may take an initial image before the user takes a picture. The initial image is provided to the imaging server over a network. The imaging server analyzes the initial image and assesses which image parameters may need to be adjusted to capture a higher quality picture. The image parameters may include, but are not limited to, brightness, reflectivity, user vibrations, skin tone, subject movement, light sources, and/or user preferences. The imaging server may provide recommendations or adjustments to the camera device prior to the user taking a picture. The imaging server may also prompt the user to position or orientation of the camera device or a subject prior to taking a picture.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout circuit. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed to correspond to a pixel column array, and a plurality of counters. Each counter includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a mirror circuit to from a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier. The first amplifier includes differential transistors, initializing switches connected between gates and collectors of the differential transistors, and first and second capacitors connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors. The second amplifier includes an initializing switch and a third capacitor. The mirror circuit includes a gate input transistor whose gate is inputted with a voltage sampled by the first amplifier or a voltage sampled by the second amplifier.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data to a camera without requiring in the camera a conventional wireless transmission capability includes (a) in the camera's field of view, providing an object which forms an image on which the data is encoded; (b) capturing an image of the object using optics of the camera; and (c) recovering the data from the image of the object. The data is encoded by an optically detectable quantity (e.g., light intensity or color) or a pattern in one or more portions of the object. The data can be carried by the distribution of the optically detectable quantity within the image or its derivative. The field of view of the camera may be divided into multiple sub-areas to allow providing multiple data-bearing images. A sequence of such images may be used to increase the amount of data that can be transmitted in this manner.

Abstract: A blur correction apparatus includes a first fixing member, a moveable member and a second fixing member. A coil for generating a magnetic flux is arranged on the first fixing member. The movable member includes (1) a first magnet facing the coil, (2) a second magnet arranged adjacent to the first magnet, such that the first magnet is arranged between the second magnet and the coil arranged in the first fixing member, and (3) an optical element. The movable member can move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical element relative to the first fixing member. The second fixing member includes a hall element that is arranged adjacent to the second magnet in the movable member.

Abstract: An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode.

Abstract: An electronic device can utilize one or more image capture elements on the sides or edges of the device to capture image information in a way that is more discrete than for conventional devices with a single camera on a back of the device. Further, the ability to utilize cameras on multiple sides of the device provides enhanced capability. Devices can utilize information such as the current orientation of a device to select one or more appropriate image capture elements to activate at a given time. The image information can be used to provide information about the user's surroundings, such as the names of people in a meeting, without making it obvious that the user is trying to determine that information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an exposure parameter compensation method and an imaging device. A capture-mode image capturing step is performed to obtain a first image and a second image according to a first exposure time and a second exposure time respectively based on a first light sensitivity and a predetermined time. The first image and the second image are operated on to result in a difference image. The first light sensitivity is replaced with a second light sensitivity, which is then recorded.

Abstract: A camera module includes an imaging sensor, a conductive member, a plate-like member, and a sealing member. The imaging sensor includes a light-receiving surface configured to receive light gathered by a lens unit, the lens unit including a lens and a drive section driving the lens. The conductive member is connected to the drive section for supply of power to the drive section. The plate-like member is provided with the imaging sensor and the conductive member. The sealing member is formed by sealing the imaging sensor and the conductive member, the conductive member being exposed at a connection part for connection to the drive section, the imaging sensor being exposed at the light-receiving surface.

Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is capable of simplifying the pixel structure to reduce the pixel size and capable of suppressing the variation in the characteristics between the pixels when a plurality of output systems is provided. A unit cell (30) includes two pixels (31) and (32). Upper and lower photoelectric converters (33) and (34), transfer transistors (35) and (36) connected to the upper and lower photoelectric converters, respectively, a reset transistor (37), and an amplifying transistor (38) form the two pixels (31) and (32). A full-face signal line 39 is connected to the respective drains of the reset transistor (37) and the amplifying transistor (38). Controlling the full-face signal line (39), along with transfer signal lines (42) and (43) and a reset signal line (41), to read out signals realizes the simplification of the wiring in the pixel, the reduction of the pixel size, and so on.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including, a first semiconductor region of the first conduction type, a photoelectric conversion part having a second semiconductor region of the second conduction type formed in the region separated by the isolation dielectric region of the first semiconductor region, pixel transistors formed in the first semiconductor region, a floating diffusion region of the second conduction type which is formed in the region separated by the isolation dielectric region of the first semiconductor region, and an electrode formed on the first semiconductor region existing between the floating diffusion region and the isolation dielectric region and is given a prescribed bias voltage.