Abstract: An image processing apparatus, for equally dividing an area of an arbitrary figure by pixel units by a number of parallel lines, which includes an input element for inputting a dividing number for a figure obtaining element which obtains a total number of pixels of the figure, a calculating element for calculating an initial ideal value by dividing the total number of pixels by the dividing number, a computing element for computing an ideal value of the number of pixels of a kth divided region in the figure using the initial ideal value and a sum of determined values of the numbers of pixels of a first to a (k?1)th divided region, and a determining element for determining a determined value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region such that an error between the determined value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region and the ideal value of the number of pixels of the kth divided region is minimized.

Abstract: An image recorded on a photo film is projected through an imaging lens onto an image sensor. In accordance with a selected mode, set values are read out from a data ROM and are applied to a band pass filter having programmable digital filters. Pixel signals from the image sensor are converted into evaluation signals that are correlative with spatial frequencies of the image, and are filtered through the band pass filter with the frequency band determined by the set values. The evaluation signals are integrated, and a peak value of integration values obtained at different focusing positions is determined to be an in-focus position.

Abstract: A system and method for processing mosaiced or raw data images operates to concurrently demosaic and resize the mosaiced images in a combined process. The combined demosaic/resize process allows the system to perform demosaicing and resizing more efficiently than conventional systems, which perform these processes separately and sequentially. Furthermore, the combined demosaic/resize process allows the system to produce demosaiced and resized images of higher quality as compared to demosaiced and resized images produced by the conventional systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for auto-exposure control in a scene under artificial illumination that synchronizes the exposure control algorithm and final image capture with the intensity variations in the artificial illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a brightness balance of a stereoscopic camera includes a gain control amplifier and a micro-computer. The gain control amplifier adjusts a brightness balance of a pair of images outputted from the stereoscopic camera by gain. The micro-computer calculates a first evaluation value representing a magnitude of an entire brightness of a first evaluation window established in a reference image outputted from the gain control amplifier and calculates a second evaluation value representing a magnitude of an entire brightness of a second evaluation window established in a comparison image outputted from an adjusting device, and established in an area having a brightness correlation with the first evaluation window. Also, the micro-computer corrects a gain so as to reduce the difference between the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value.

Abstract: A dual-band frequency converter unit, for selectively performing frequency conversion between a 2.4-GHz high-frequency-band signal or a 5-GHz high-frequency-band signal and a baseband signal by frequency mixing, includes a local oscillator for generating a local oscillation signal; a first frequency divider for generating a half-frequency signal of the local oscillation signal; and a second frequency divider for generating a quarter-frequency signal of the local oscillation signal. Frequency conversion between the 2.4-GHz high-frequency-band signal and the baseband signal is performed by frequency mixing using the half-frequency signal of the local oscillation signal. Frequency conversion between the 5-GHz high-frequency-band signal and the baseband signal is performed by frequency mixing using the local oscillation signal and the quarter-frequency signal of the local oscillation signal.

Abstract: Provided is a camera control system which will not invade one's privacy even if a camera is located where there is a problem in terms of privacy. To accomplish this, the system is provided with an input unit for inputting a control command for controlling shooting direction or zoom magnification of the camera, a calculation unit for calculating, on the basis of the control command input by the input unit, an area to be imaged by the camera, a limiting unit for limiting a control range of the zoom magnification of the camera in a case where the imaging area of the camera calculated by the calculation unit overlaps a prescribed area; and a control unit for controlling the zoom magnification of the camera so as to fall within the control range, which has been limited by the limiting unit, in a case where the zoom magnification of the camera exceeds the control range limited by the limiting unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for exploring the viewpoint and focal length of a fisheye lens camera (FELC). It employs the characteristic of the central symmetry of the distortion of the fisheye lens (FEL) to set its optic axis by means of a calibration target with a plurality of symmetrically homocentric figures. Once the optic axis is fixed, further disclose the viewpoint (VP) of the FELC along the optic axis through a trail-and-error procedure and calculate its effective focal length and classify it to the primitive projection mode. Because the invention is capable of finding out both the internal and external parameters of the FELC and the calibration method is easy, low-cost, suitable to any projection model, and has greater sensitivity corresponding to an increasing in image distortion, the distortive images can be transformed easily to normal ones which fit in with a central perspective mechanism.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus is described for processing a signal from a monochrome or color sensor that may be subject to pixel defects or blemishes. Without prior knowledge of any pixel defects, the processing method examines each pixel value and its neighboring pixel values. A number of tests are applied to the set of pixel values to determine whether the underlying pixel is defective. If the underlying pixel is determined to be defective, the pixel value is replaced by an estimate value derived from the values of its neighboring pixels. Otherwise, the pixel value remains intact.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprising an imaging area having unit cells, a vertical driving circuit, signal processing circuits, a horizontal driving circuit, and an output circuit. Each of the unit cells including first and second photoelectric conversion/storage sections, first and second charge readout circuits, a potential detecting circuit, a reset circuit, and an address circuit. The solid-state imaging device has a first operation mode in which the first and second charge readout circuits are driven at substantially the same timing by the vertical driving circuit, the charges stored in the first and second photoelectric conversion/storage sections are transferred to and added together in the charge detecting section, and the potential detecting circuit detects the added charges, generates and transmits a potential corresponding to an amount of detected charges to the vertical signal line, and outputs the potential from the output circuit via the signal processing circuits.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a photoelectric conversion device provided with a plurality of groups comprising a plurality of adjacent photoelectric conversion elements, wherein the plurality of groups are respectively provided with a detection circuit for detecting a peak signal of each group. The device is advantageously incorporated in an image processing device for outputting corresponding image signals.

Abstract: The user of an objective device registers a favorite setup of the objective device in a user setup data recording device in correspondence with user information based on a physical feature. Upon detecting the physical feature of the user, the objective device sends its device ID to the user setup data recording device together with the user information based on the physical feature. The user setup data recording device sends setup data of the objective device, which is set in advance by the user, to the objective device on the basis of the received user information and device ID. The objective device changes its setup on the basis of the received setup data.

Abstract: A digital-type camera having a printing mechanism which assures a high quality of prints in an environment with a low temperature. The digital-type camera has an arrangement in which an ink cartridge, for storing ink fed to a printer head of a printing part, is installed on a rear surface of a substrate on a front surface of which a CCD of a heat-generating component is installed. Heat generated from the CCD is conducted to the ink cartridge via the substrate, so that the ink stored inside the ink cartridge is prevented from dropping down in temperature, and so that the temperature of the ink is kept within a thermal region within which its printing operation is guaranteed.

Abstract: A driving method for a solid-state image sensing device having a plurality of sensor portions being disposed two-dimensionally in a horizontal and a vertical directions, and a vertical charge transfer portion being disposed between said plurality of sensor portions and being provided with transfer electrodes of a plurality of systems disposed along its disposed direction, including the steps of; selectively applying high level driving pulses to the transfer electrodes of said plurality of systems in respective sectional periods in a vertical transfer period, and transferring the signal charges read out from said plurality of sensor portions in the vertical direction, wherein a sectional period in a vertical transfer period, in which the number of systems of the transfer electrodes to be applied with high level driving pulses becomes minimum is set longer than that of the other sectional periods.

Abstract: In a monitor camera system includes a monitor camera capable of rotation 360 degrees in pan directions and 180 degrees in tilt directions and a control unit for controlling the monitor camera remotely, the control unit sends control data indicative of a photographing position or photographing direction of the monitor camera to said monitor camera, while the monitor camera receives the control data to calculate, on the basis of the control data, a pan rotation quantity and a tilt rotation quantity by which the monitor camera is to be rotated from the present camera position, thus accomplishing its pan rotation or tilt rotation according to the calculated rotation quantity. Accordingly, with this configuration, an operator can align the monitor camera in a target direction by merely manipulating a joystick in the target direction, that is, can face the monitor camera to a target position through a simple manipulation.

Abstract: An automatic focus adjustment device has an image sensing element for converting an object optical image into an electrical signal, and outputting an image signal, a filter for extracting high-frequency components of the image signal obtained by the image sensing element, an integrator for integrating the high-frequency components extracted by the filter and outputting an integrated value, a peak hold circuit for detecting and outputting a peak value of the high-frequency components extracted by the filter, a discrimination unit for discriminating the luminance distribution of the object optical image, and a focus adjustment unit for making focus adjustment using one of the integrated value output from the integrator and the peak value output from the peak hold circuit in accordance with the discrimination result.

Abstract: A control device determines whether an image generated by merging several concurrently picked-up images has consistent image quality on a display device. If determined No, image quality parameters set in each image pickup device are so controlled as to make the image quality of the merged image consistent. Therefore, the merged image can assuredly have consistent image quality. Further, a signal processing device detects, based on positions of nodes and attributes of cameras, a connection indicating which node is connected to which camera and with what attribute. The signal processing device in advance stores every detectable connection and a plurality of image processing programs corresponding to each connection, and selects and carries out one of the image processing programs corresponding to the detected connection.

Abstract: A solid-state camera device having a matrix of pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein a subset of pixels of the entire pixel matrix can be read for display and confirmation of photographic conditions to reduce power consumption and decrease time to display the image. In electronic cameras light is focused on the camera device having pixels and the light energy is used to provide an electric signal from each pixel in proportion to the incident light to provide an image signal. The image signal may be displayed on an attached display such as a liquid crystal display. Because most display have fewer pixels than the camera device, the display can not display image information from each camera device pixel.

Abstract: An event synchronizing apparatus E for an image intensification camera system C for gathering image data includes an image intensifier 348 for amplifying received light 312. A relay optic assembly 316 is coupled between the image intensifier 348 and a digital image sensor 350, such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic 352 is used to process or output an image or related data 334. An event detector 340 digitizes an input signal 342 from an illumination source 338 and generates an electrical output synchronization signal 346 in response to the input optical signal 342. The image intensifier camera C derives imaging and control information for the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A method and lens system for modifying the modulation transfer function of the light passing through the lens system to a camera or other imaging system that includes providing a spatial frequency response modifying (SFRM) filter within the lens system. The SFRM filter may be a thin film(s) or other type of modifying filter, including any conventional diffusion filters. The SFRM filter is located along the optical axis where the on-axis, zero field angle light rays are collimated in any lens system and form light beam(s) of a substantially constant cross sectional area throughout the range of focusing of a prime objective lens or throughout the ranges of zooming and focusing of an objective zoom lens for providing a consistent modulation transfer function of the light reaching the camera or other imaging system.