Abstract: A method automatically corrects dust artifact within images acquired by a system including a digital acquisition device including a lens assembly and a translucent lens cap. Multiple original digital images are acquired with the digital acquisition device. Probabilities that certain pixels correspond to dust artifact regions within the images are determined based at least in part on a comparison of suspected dust artifact regions within two or more of the images. Probable dust artifact regions are associated with extracted parameter values relating to the lens assembly when the images were acquired. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust regions based on the determining and associating. Pixels corresponding to correlated dust artifact regions are corrected within further digitally-acquired images based on the associated statistical dust map.

Abstract: A CPU 14 drives the CCD2 by switching its driving mode between an omission readout mode and a summation readout mode. Summing the signal charge of pixels in the summation readout mode offers an increased sensitivity. The omission readout mode reduces smear. The summation readout mode calls for reading out to the vertical transfer paths all red pixel signal charges of the two-color filters aligned along each vertical transfer path. While charge readout voltages are applied to a specific system of charge readout electrode systems, vertical transfer is performed to sum pixels of a like color on each vertical transfer path. Charges of the green pixels are read to the vertical transfer paths so as not to be mixed with the red signal charges. By combining vertical transfer with selective readout, pixels of the respective same colors are summed on the vertical transfer paths or the horizontal transfer path.

Abstract: An OB level difference is calculated from the luminance signal levels of at least two frames which are exposed for proper exposure time and for exposure time different from the proper exposure time, and the OB level difference is corrected in an input step of a signal processing circuit. Calculation of the OB level difference is performed regularly from immediately after power on of the equipment, the OB level difference obtained in each frame is multiplied, and a value obtained by dividing the multiplied OB level difference by the number of sampled frames is designated as a correction value.

Abstract: A digital camera with a personal identification which is provided with a fingerprint comparator for comparing fingerprint data inputted and sensed by a fingerprint sensor with those already registered with a fingerprint register. An identifier of one of the registered fingerprint data identified with the inputted data is stored in an authorizer of the camera. When a microcomputer of the camera receives an instruction, it accesses the authorizer to execute the instruction if the instruction is intended to handle a frame of image data associated with an identifier stored in the authorizer.

Abstract: When a still image is picked up with an electronic camera utilizing a MOS type solid-state image pickup device, a flashing device is operated under the condition that both an image signal read operation and an electronic shutter operation are not performed, and the MOS type solid-state image pickup device is controlled so that the same exposure time is set to each photoelectric conversion element. Backlight correction can be achieved.

Abstract: In a voice mode, when a shutter button of a camera is fully depressed, first and second switches are turned ON, recording of voice starts. The shutter button is released. When the shutter button is half depressed after the shutter button is released the recording of the voice is stopped. Since the recording of voice is performed between when the shutter button is released and when it is depressed half, no mechanical sound is recorded.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic still camera with a printer section for printing an image on recording paper on the basis of image data obtained through a camera section of the camera. A paper roll chamber is formed around a lens barrel which holds a taking lens therein. A roll of recording paper, which is wound around a reel, is loaded in the paper roll chamber by fitting a center hole of the reel on the lens barrel. A lid for opening and closing the paper roll chamber is disposed on the front side of the camera. The lid has an opening for exposing the taking lens while the lid is closed.

Abstract: In a color separation optical system in a camera, subject light entering focus-imaging elements, to which optical path lengths from the taking lens are different, is obtained with a light dividing face. The focusing state is determined with focus evaluation values according to high frequency components of images captured by the focus-imaging elements. Thus, the focusing state can be quickly determined by a simple construction without using the wobbling method. The green light in the subject light entering the color separation optical system is transmitted through a blue light separation prism and a red light separation prism, and is divided into a reflected light and a transmitted light by a beam splitter face, which is a contact face between a first green light separation prism and a second green light separation prism. The light reflected on the beam splitter face exits from the color separation optical system as the subject light for determining the focusing state, and enters the focus-imaging element.

Abstract: A panoramic scene storage device comprises a convex reflector mounted within a housing. The housing has photochromic properties, such that it darkens when exposed to ultraviolet light. A capture device, preferably a CCD camera, is used to capture the 360 degree images from the convex reflector. The photochromic housing improves the performance of the capture system, especially in situations when bright sunlight is present in the captured scene.

Abstract: An imaging camera apparatus (20) for capturing images electronically and providing output data for four separate color channels, red, green, blue, and a fourth saturated primary color, expanding the color gamut over conventional three color channel cameras. An image acquisition unit (120) directs input light to one, two, or four photosensors (30) for obtaining four-color image data.