Abstract: The optimum reproduction of high-contrast motifs in digital imaging technology is limited owing to the limited dynamic range of present-day image sensors. The reproduction of high-contrast motifs is intended to be improved using active pixel image sensors. The sensitivity of the sensor pixels is adapted, controlled in an analogous manner to the blurred brightness distribution in the motif, to ensure that the dark and bright image regions of the motif are also reproduced, well illuminated, without any loss of detailed contrast. This results in a particularly natural and balanced image impression. This method may be used in numerous fields for digital image processing.

Abstract: An image stabilization system and method. The inventive system (100) includes an image sampling circuit (230) mounted on a platform (400) for sampling an image in response to timing control signals and outputting a plurality of imaging signals in response thereto. An azimuth resolver (310) detects vibration of the platform and providing a signal in response thereto. A microprocessor (540) adjusts the timing control signals to cause the image sampling circuit (230) to sample the image and thereby compensate for an effect of vibration on the image. In the illustrative embodiment, the microprocessor (540) includes software for compensating for vibration that causes image offset, compressed images, expanded images, and compression and expansion within a single field. The invention provides image stabilization in a purely electronic manner without the need for any moving parts that would typically require control hardware and a significant amount of space.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has a photographic optical system, an image sensing device for converting an optical image formed by the photographic optical system into electric signals, a main board and an image sensing board for processing the electric signals from the image sensing device into image signals for displaying, transmitting to an external device, or recording on a detachable recording medium, and a power supply board for supplying electric power to the image sensing apparatus, where the photographic optical system is arranged between the main and image sensing boards and the power supply board.

Abstract: A digital camera which allows voice annotations to be recorded for each picture, but which includes text annotations with each such picture when the picture is transmitted from the camera. The digital camera includes an image sensing apparatus operable to receive light comprising an image and output image data representing the image, a first memory operable to store the image data, a sound sensing apparatus operable to receive a sound and output sound data representing the sound, wherein the sound is speech and the sound data is voice data, a second memory operable to store the voice data, a third memory operable to store text data; and a voice recognition apparatus operable to access the second memory, translate the stored voice data into text data and store the text data in the third memory, when the digital camera is provided with external power.

Abstract: A read out circuit for an active pixel sensor array is provided. The read out circuit includes an amplifier that has a first and second input devices and an output port. The first input device is included in a pixel of an active pixel sensor array to receive an input signal indicative of an intensity of light detected by the pixel. The amplifier generates at an output thereof an output signal proportional to the input signal.

Abstract: When pixel signals included in pixel blocks forming an image are supplied, a detector detects the difference between pixel signal levels in the vicinity of block boundary of the pixel blocks. Then, a comparator compares the difference with a threshold value. An adder adds additional values to the pixel signal levels in the vicinity of block boundary in accordance with the comparison results. A pseudo random number is generated, to select a value pattern including the additional values from additional value patterns based on the random number. The above-described process can disturb the regularity of differentials in the pixel block boundary, thus positively facilitating to eliminate block deformation possibly arising in between pixel blocks.

Abstract: An internal indicator of a viewfinder of a camera includes a viewfinder optical system which includes a focusing screen on which an object image is formed through a photographic optical system of the camera; at least one optical deflector that is positioned on or in the close vicinity of the focusing screen and is provided with at least one deflecting surface; and at least two light emitters for illuminating the optical deflector from the outside of the viewfinder optical system, which emit at least two light beams of different colors to be incident on the optical deflector.

Abstract: A method of correcting white balance in a video camera is provided, which controls the red gain and blue gain of a captured image signal to allow the average of color difference signals of a picture, the method including the steps of (a) dividing the captured image of one picture into a predetermined number of unit cells, and accumulating the color difference signals by cells divided, (b) extracting an effective cell according as the accumulated data of each of the unit cells is data required for white balance correction or not, (c) judging whether data of the effective cell extracted in step (b) is monochrome data or mixed color data, (d) performing white balance correction without using the effective cell when the data of the effective cell is judged to be mixed color data in step (c), and (e) carrying out white balance correction using the effective cell when the data of the effective cell is judged to be monochrome data in step (c).

Abstract: An image sensor comprises a detector circuit (17) with detector diodes (3), which are reverse biased during image sensing. It is characterized in that the cathode voltage of the detector diodes is controlled by forward biasing detector circuit (17) diodes via the read circuit (20). The control diodes can be dedicated diodes or forward biased photodetector diodes. In the latter case, a picture is taken in several sequences.

Abstract: An image sensor according to the present invention can detect and correct an error value of a defective pixel. The image sensor includes an error detection circuit for detecting an error by comparing difference between a current pixel value and a previous pixel value with a predetermined reference value and an error correction circuit for correcting an error value from a pixel, by substituting the previous pixel value for the current pixel value.

Abstract: An image sensing device comprising active pixels is disclosed, each pixel having a charge accumulation region for collecting charges generated by a photosensitive element such as a photodiode. A linear voltage to current converter, current mirrors, and a differential amplifier generate an output signal and minimize fixed pattern noise and improve the signal to noise ratio. Image quality is improved by reducing pixel blooming and image smearing through an improved method for resetting the pixels with a bias voltage reference which is less than Vdd. Active circuitry and physical device layout reduce the effects of IR voltage drops along the bus lines in a massive pixel array.

Abstract: A focus point detecting apparatus comprises a HPF which extracts a high-frequency component from a picked-up image, and an ABS circuit which obtains an absolute value of the outputs of the HPF. A base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit, and an another base clipping circuit removes a component equal to or less than a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value from the output of the ABS circuit. An integrator integrates the output of one of the base clipping circuits and an another integrator integrates the output of the other base clipping circuit. Finally, a computing circuit detects a focus point according to the integrated values in the two integrators. Therefore, focus point can be detected with higher precision.

Abstract: An optical black portion in an output of a CCD image pickup device is extracted and a clamp level of each line is obtained by an integrating and averaging circuit. A difference value of the clamp levels between the front and rear lines and an absolute value of the difference are calculated by a comparing circuit. Either the clamp level of each line or the clamp level updated every (+1) or (−1) is selected by a selector in accordance with whether the absolute value of the difference of the clamp levels between the front and rear lines lies within a predetermined range or not. The clamp level which is outputted from the selector is subtracted from the output of the CCD image pickup device.

Abstract: An autofocus apparatus sets a portion of an image frame as an AF area. Then, in first image-pickup, acquires first image data for the AF area within the image frame according to a first light flux from an object passing through an aperture of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is not shifted. Further, in second image-pickup, acquires second image data for the AF area within the image frame according to a second light flux from the object passing through the aperture of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is shifted in one vertical direction with respect to the optical axis. A cross correlation between the first image data and the second image data is computed, and a distance up to a focus position of the focal lens as well as a direction thereof is computed according to the cross correlation. Then, the focal lens is driven to the focus position.

Abstract: A triple-slope MOS active pixel sensor disposed on a semiconductor substrate comprises first and second capacitive storage elements each having a first terminal connected to a fixed potential and a second terminal. First and second photodiodes each have a first terminal connected to a fixed potential and a second terminal. The second photodiode is smaller than the first photodiode. First and second semiconductor reset switches each have a first terminal connected respectively to the second terminal of the first and second photodiodes and a second terminal connected respectively to first and second reset potentials that reverse bias the photodiodes. First and second semiconductor transfer switches each have a first terminal connected respectively to the second terminals of the first photodiode and a second terminal connected respectively to the second terminals of the first and second capacitive storage elements.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pick-up device having a photoelectrical conversion element cell array with a matrix arrangement of cells, between either a first or second signal line and a prescribed selection circuit that drives the signal line are provided a multiple signal line received light amount value storage means that includes a amount of received light detection means that separately reads out the amount of received light data for a plurality of photoelectrical conversion element cells connected to a plurality of selected signal lines in the other signal group, and a switching means that selectively transmits this detected amount of received light information to an output means.

Abstract: A low-angle grip device for holding an ENG camera in desired low-angle positions comprises a grip rod supported at opposite ends by front and rear fixtures secured to the ENG camera body and a camera lens controlling member operated with a thumb of a hand by which the grip rod is grasped. The grip rod at one of its opposite ends is pivotally supported on one of the front and rear fixture, and the grip rod at the other end is tilted upward or downward about the one end by a desired angle and is engaged by the other fixture in the tilted position.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has an image sensor having first-type, second-type, and third-type pixels each producing a signal corresponding to a first, a second, and a third color respectively. The pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional array consisting of first-type and second-type lines arranged alternately, with the first-type lines each composed of first-type and second-type pixels arranged alternately and the second-type lines each composed of first-type and third-type pixels arranged alternately. The image pickup apparatus also has a first subtracter for calculating the difference between the outputs of the first-type pixels and the outputs of the second-type pixels on the first-type lines, and a second subtracter for calculating the difference between the outputs of the first-type pixels and the output of the third-type pixels on the second-type lines.

Abstract: A method of storing image files in digital storage media begins by arranging a given set of image files into a composite image. A transformation may be applied to a given image file prior to being arranged into the composite image. A compression routine is then applied to the composite image, with the result then being stored in the digital storage media. This process reduces the amount of storage that would be otherwise required if the individual files were compressed and stored separately.

Abstract: Signal charges are read out from light-receiving portions during a vertical blanking period by applying a read-out voltage pulse to read-out electrodes that are provided separately from vertical transfer electrodes, while signal charges are prevented from leaking from the light-receiving portions during a vertical scanning period by applying a negative voltage to the read-out electrodes. The read-out voltage pulse also is applied to vertical transfer electrodes, whereby signal charges are read out from the light-receiving portions more efficiently. Signal charges are read out from light-receiving portions in a predetermined region by applying a read-out voltage pulse to read-out electrodes while applying a negative voltage to a part of the vertical transfer electrodes.