Abstract: A method and an apparatus for outputting pixel data with appended data are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor, which outputs raw data corresponding to an external image, a memory, which stores the raw data inputted from the image sensor; an output control unit, which adds appended data to the raw data stored in the memory and outputs the added raw data, and an image signal processor, which performs image processing corresponding to at least one of filtering and interpolation of the raw data or the raw data to which the appended data are added. With the present invention, a loss of image data to be displayed can be prevented.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: imaging means for capturing an image of an object of shooting; defective-position storing means for storing a position of a defective pixel of the imaging means; arraying means for arraying a plurality of pixels in a certain range of the vicinity of a noticed pixel of the image of the object of shooting output by the imaging means; when the noticed pixel is the defective pixel, prediction-pixel obtaining means for obtaining prediction pixels located at relative positions predetermined with respect to the noticed pixel and to be used for correcting the defective pixel out of the arrayed pixels; prediction-coefficient supplying means for supplying prediction coefficients corresponding to the prediction pixels; and calculation means for calculating a correction value of the noticed pixel by the sum of the products of the prediction pixels and the prediction coefficients.

Abstract: Disclosed are a portable recording/reproducing apparatus for recording predefined information onto a recording medium and reproducing the recorded information, and a method for controlling the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a pixel correction function for compensating for vignetting in an optical device include exposing an optical device to a reference object in order to generate pixel data of at least part of an image of the reference object. A pixel correction function is provided including a first number of unknown constant values. Pixel data of a second number of sample points is provided from the pixel data of the at least part of the image. The second number is equal to the first number or the first number plus one. The constant values are determined using the pixel data of the second number of sample points. The method allows a pixel correction function to be calibrated with a small number of sample points, thereby simplifying calibration processes for individual optical devices, and thus reducing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A pixel circuit having a shared control line for providing two control signals to the pixel array. One control line is used to provide a control signal to both a high dynamic range circuit and a dual conversion gain circuit to two pixel circuits. The pixel circuits each contain two pixel cells that have separate photo-conversion devices but share readout circuitry.

Abstract: An imaging device, such as a digital camera, has a mechanism for compensating an image blur caused by hand jiggling and is capable of consecutively shooting, through one operation of a shutter operation section (36), frames of an image in a state where the mechanism (20) is operational and in a state where the mechanism is not operational.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a high frequency signal extraction unit, a first filter unit, a second filter unit and a level setting unit. The high frequency signal extraction unit extracts a high frequency signal from an input signal. The first filter unit applies a horizontal band-pass filter to the input signal. The second filter unit applies a vertical band-pass filter to the input signal. The level setting unit sets a level, which is used to remove a noise component from the high frequency signal, to one of a first level and a second level lower than the first level. The level is set to the first level, if the input signal is obtained from a first area including low contrast. The level is set to the second level, if the input signal is obtained from a second area including small pattern.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arrayed in two dimensions, each having a photoelectric conversion device, a means for resetting signal accumulated at the photoelectric conversion device, a memory means for retaining signal accumulated at the photoelectric conversion device, and a transfer means for transferring signal accumulated at the photoelectric conversion device to the memory means, the signal retained at the memory means being outputted as signal of the pixel, and further including: a global control means, the pixel section having a plurality of pixel regions divided in row direction, for concurrently effecting the reset operation and the transfer operation, respectively, with treating the divided pixel region as a unit; a vertical scanning means for controlling sequence in outputting signals of the pixels with treating the divided pixel region as a unit; and a first and a second horizontal read means for outputting signals of the pixels of two pix

Abstract: An image processing method for obtaining digital data comprising the steps of obtaining a plurality of image signals under a condition of different accumulation periods as an initial value for a counting operation, comparing, by using digital data for a first image signal of the plurality of image signals, an electric signal corresponding to a second image signal of the plurality of image signals with a reference signal, obtaining digital data for the second image signal, performing a counting operation in a mode having the same sign as the sign of digital data for the first image signal between a down-counting mode and an up-counting mode while the comparing step is being performed, and storing a count value.

Abstract: A method for obtaining image data from an image sensor array including the steps of: providing an image sensor array having a first component subset of panchromatic pixels for integrating charge and a second component subset of color pixels for integrating charge; reading pixel charge to produce pixel signals from the first component subset of the panchromatic pixels while exposing the second component subset of color pixels and digitizing and storing the first component subset signals; and reading pixel charge to produce pixel signals from the second component subset of color pixels that were exposed for at least a portion of time during the reading of pixel signals from the first component subset of the panchromatic pixels and digitizing and storing the second component subset signals.

Abstract: A camera head enclosure apparatus configured to allow the interchangeability of photo-electric pixel arrays used in various applications is provided. A personality plate configured to receive and secure a photo-electric pixel array of a particular configuration provided on a chip is provided. The exemplary embodiments allow a user to interchange photo-electric pixel arrays, and personality plates, while using the same camera head enclosure, thus enabling the camera head enclosure to be adapted to a different photo-electric pixel array eliminating the need to custom make camera head enclosures for each application. The camera head enclosure apparatus may include carriers configured to hold circuit boards associated with the particular photo-electric pixel array selected.

Abstract: In through image display mode, a CPU drives two CCDs under control suitable for the through image display in such a way that image data captured by both CCDs are read out alternately (S1), and displays image data output alternately from one CCD and the other CCD on a display unit (S2). In an AF mode, the CPU changes over a driving of one CCD to a driving suitable for an AF process to executes the AF process (S4), and performs through image display on image data imaged by the other CCD (S5). In a still picture shooting mode, the CPU drives the one CCD under control suitable for a still picture shooting process to execute the still picture shooting process (S10), and performs through image display on image data imaged by the other CCD (S11).

Abstract: To determine a more appropriate WB gain. A first image data, which is obtained by way of photographing essentially the same subject as that of a main image intended by a user without firing a strobe light for preliminary illumination, and a second image data, which is obtained by way of photographing the same while firing the strobe light for preliminary illumination, are captured. Subsequently, a typical value of each of blocks constituting the first and second image data and the type of a light source of the same are acquired as block information. The thus-acquired pieces of block information about the first and second image data are compared with each other, to thus acquire the tendency of a color change in subject before and after preliminary illumination. An environment light source is estimated on the basis of the obtained tendency of a color change.

Abstract: An electronic device for allowing a viewer to view still pictures according to the intention of a photographer or drafter of the still pictures when the still pictures are successively displayed, a display method thereof, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the method. The electronic device includes an estimation unit that estimates a level of adaptation of a viewer caused by a first picture displayed and a picture adjustment unit adjusting a second picture based on the estimated level of adaptation when the second picture is displayed subsequently to the first picture.

Abstract: Each pixel has a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into electrical charges and to store the electrical charges, an amplifying unit configured to amplify a signal based on the electrical charges stored in the photoelectric conversion unit and to output the signal to an output line, and a reset unit configured to reset a input part of the amplifying unit. A clip unit, which is configured to limit an electric voltage of the output line, includes an amplifying circuitry for amplifying a signal based on the electric voltage of the output line and an MOS transistor for limiting the electric voltage of the output line based on the difference in electric potential between the gate and source. The clip unit controls the electric potential of the gate of the MOS transistor by the amplifying circuitry.

Abstract: Unit cells each having a plurality of photodiodes 101a and 101b, a plurality of transfer MOSFETs 102a and 102b provided in correspondence to the plurality of photodiodes, respectively and a common amplifying MOSFET 104 for amplifying and outputting signals read out from the plurality of diodes are arranged two-dimensionally, and, plural photodiodes are disposed around the photodiode 101b and trapping regions 130, 134, 135 and 132 are for trapping excessive carriers from the photodiode 101b are provided between the photodiode 101b and the plural photodiodes, respectively.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method is disclosed for obtaining digital data for a plurality of signals to be processed, comprising. The disclosed process includes comparing, by using digital data for a first signal of the plurality of signals, an electric signal corresponding to a second signal of the plurality of signals with a reference signal; obtaining digital data for the second signal based on the comparing step; performing a counting operation in one of a down-counting mode and an up-counting mode while the comparing step is being performed; storing a first count value; outputting the first count value as computed data at a predetermined time; generating normal data based on one of the plurality of signals to be processed; and outputting the normal data.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device with an AD converter mounted on the same chip, to enable an efficient product-sum operation while reducing the size of the circuit scale and the number of transmission signal lines. A pixel signal during an n-row readout period is compared with a reference signal for digitizing this pixel signal, and a counting operation is performed in one of a down-counting mode and an up-counting mode while the comparison processing is being performed, and then, the count value when the comparison processing is finished is stored. Subsequently, by using the n-row counting result as the initial value, a pixel signal during an (n+1)-row readout period is compared with the reference signal for digitizing this pixel signal, and also, the counting operation is performed in one of the down-counting mode and the up-counting mode, and then, the count value when the comparison processing is finished is stored.

Abstract: The first amplifier sets a first amplification factor for the pixel signals for each color pixel to adjust the sensitivities of the color pixels. The second amplifier amplifies the pixel signals, whose sensitivities have been adjusted, with a second amplification factor. The second amplification factor allows the color level signal having the maximum signal intensity in the pixel signals which have been adjusted in sensitivity and output from the first amplifier to have a signal intensity equivalent to the dynamic range of image processing performed in a latter stage. The computing unit subtracts a black level signal component from each of the pixel signals amplified by the second amplifier. After adjusting the sensitivities which differ between colors, the color level signals can be amplified up to the dynamic range of the image processing.

Abstract: A digital camera is provided, comprising an image system having a unique combination of features that aid in generating creative, high-quality images. The system presents a variety of overlays, each having prescribed attributes, e.g., ranging in size, opacity, and functionality, and from iconic overlays to full-scale overlays having varied opacity. The overlays can be used as an aid in composing a live image for digital capture, either as a constant or intermittent presence on the view-screen of the camera. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera can create a composite photograph in which a live image and the overlay are combined together. In an independent aspect, the camera can include an auto-compositing feature that aids in creating images free of improperly exposed regions. Thus, a photographer can create and combine images “on location” in a unique manner.