Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an imaging unit that is configured to acquire a plurality of images with different exposure times, a position offset detection unit that is configured to detect a position offset between a plurality of images filmed by the imaging unit, a combining ratio calculation unit that is configured to calculate a combining ratio in case of combining the plurality of images based on pixel values of at least one image among the plurality of images filmed by the imaging unit and the amount of the position offset detected by the position offset detection unit, and an image combining unit that is configured to combine the plurality of images based on the combining ratio calculated by the combining ratio calculation unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating an image exposure capture a first set of images of a scene; and generate a flash preview image based on the first set of images, an estimated scene spectral reflectance, an estimated spectral power distribution of the scene, and one or more flash device settings, wherein the flash preview image approximates a brightness and a color appearance of a final image of the scene captured while the scene is illuminated by a flash device according to the one or more flash device settings.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, method and non-transitory computer program storage device cooperate to process successive images. Respective frames are created and positioned within the successive images, where each frame has a border. When changes between the frame borders are detected, a controller triggers the capturing of an image. This approach results in the capturing of interesting moments, even if the subject is not a human subject. The change in frame boundaries may be categorized in a variety of ways, including change in aspect ratio, shape, orientation, and position, for example. By detecting the changes in this way, an imaging device can capture images of interesting events automatically.

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: The apparatus of the invention is characterized by executing first integration operation for time-integrating the first acceleration to calculate a first velocity, second integration operation for time-integrating the first velocity to calculate an amount of movement in the first axial direction, estimation operation for calculating an estimated first velocity in the first axial direction based on a first velocity change found by time integration of the first acceleration from a first timing at which the third angular velocity becomes zero to a second timing at which the third angular velocity again becomes zero, the second angular velocity at the first timing, and the second angular velocity at the second timing, and update operation for updating the first velocity calculated in the first integration operation to the estimated first velocity estimated in the estimation operation.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first substrate including a driving element, a first insulation layer on the first substrate and on the driving element, a second substrate including a photoelectric conversion element, and a second insulation layer on the second substrate and on the photoelectric conversion element. A surface of the second insulation layer is on an upper surface of the first insulation layer. The image sensor includes a conductive connector penetrating the second insulation layer and a portion of the first insulation layer. Methods of forming image sensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a lens shading correction method, the lens shading correction method including, obtaining optical axis coordinates and a center-contrasted surrounding gain according to a lens position of a predefined long-distance focusing and short-distance focusing to a sample image input in which each pixel has an uniform brightness value, obtaining image data using the auto focus function, obtaining a modified optic coordinate and center-contrasted surrounding gain according to a lens position used in the acquisition of the image data, and lens shading correcting the image data using the modified optic axis coordinate and center-contrasted surrounding gain.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor that includes a plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements, and a plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of micro lenses each of which is provided for each pixel on the image sensor, and a controller configured to execute still image pickup using the plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements simultaneous with motion image pickup using the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements. Each micro lens introduces a light flux from part of an exit pupil of the image pickup optical system to at least one first photoelectric conversion element, and a light flux from another part of the exit pupil to at least one second photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.

Abstract: A camera system that transfers static image data while reducing power consumption is provided. A static image application issues a frame transfer command at a certain transfer period to a camera module. In each transfer period, the camera module wakes up from a suspend state and generates static image data. After the end of the transfer, the camera module transitions to the suspend state. The camera module is able to transition to the suspend state at each transfer period and thus is able to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit.

Abstract: An imaging system captures focused imagery from two or more focal planes, yet does so with relatively simple optical elements. Some arrangements involve folded optical paths, to make them more compact in size. Others enable the image sensors to be mounted in coplanar arrangement. Still others involve digital compositing, e.g., to mitigate undesired bokeh effects. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image with an image capture device, such as a camera or mobile electronic device. The method includes initiating a master-slave relationship between the image capture device and at least one secondary device. Once the master-slave relationship is initiated, remotely activating one of an at least one light source of the at least one secondary device. As the light source is activated, capturing a test image of a scene illuminated by the at least one light source by the image capture device. Then, analyzing the test image to determine if an illumination of the scene should be adjusted and if the illumination of the scene is to be adjusted, providing a control signal to the at least one secondary device including at least one of a position instruction, an intensity level, or timing data.

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.

Abstract: A method for reducing video crosstalk in a display-camera system includes capturing a first image of a local site while projecting an image of a remote site with a first intensity gain; capturing a second image of the local site while projecting the image with a second gain that is different from the first gain; capturing a first mixed image of the local site that includes the first image combined with the projected image having first gain and a second mixed image of the local site that includes the second image combined with the projected image having second gain; performing crosstalk reduction on the mixed images to create a reconstructed image of the local site, wherein performing crosstalk reduction of the mixed images includes determining whether a pixel value variation between the mixed images is affected by motion in the first and the second image of the local site.

Abstract: A diaphragm control apparatus of an interchangeable lens camera includes a photographing lens, a diaphragm control slider which is driven between first and second control ends corresponding to maximum and minimum apertures, a position detector, and a controller which drives the diaphragm control slider toward the first control end at high-speed, stores in a memory, as a temporary origin, a position to which the diaphragm control slider has rebounded after reaching the first control end. Thereafter, the controller compares the current position of the diaphragm control slider with the temporary origin while driving the diaphragm control slider at a low-speed towards the first control end. When the current position is within a predetermined range of the temporary origin, the controller determines the current position as the origin of the diaphragm control slider.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a color filter unit disposed on a pixel array unit including pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a conversion processing unit disposed on a substrate having the pixel array unit thereon. The color filter unit has a color arrangement in which a color serving as a primary component of a luminance signal is arranged in a checkerboard pattern and a plurality of colors serving as color information components are arranged in the other area of the checkerboard pattern. The conversion processing unit converts signals that are output from the pixels of the pixel array unit and that correspond to the color arrangement of the color filter unit into signals that correspond to a Bayer arrangement and outputs the converted signals.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a communication part that transmits an image data to an external display device, an outer barrel, an imaging element, and first and second coupling parts that are configured to be coupled to an installation device which is attachable to and detachable from the display device. The first and second coupling parts are disposed at a rear surface part of the outer barrel, and a storage part that stores a battery is provided between the first coupling part and the second coupling part in the rear surface part of the outer barrel.

Abstract: The present invention generates first developed image data by correcting image data with use of a first white balance correction value corresponding to a first light source, generates second developed image data by correcting the image data with use of a second white balance correction value corresponding to a second light source, calculates a color evaluation value of each of blocks by adding and averaging color evaluation values of pixels in the image data for each of the divided blocks, calculates a combining ratio based on a difference between the calculated color evaluation value of each of the blocks and a color evaluation value of white under the second light source, and combines the first developed image data and the second developed image data according to the calculated combining ratio.

Abstract: Video recording where an input image signal is received with one or more optical sensor disposed in a hands-free video recorder. The input image signal is processed into an encoded video data stream with one or more processor disposed in the hands-free video recorder. First frames of the video data stream are relayed over a wireless communication link to a cellular-enabled wireless telephony handset and presented on a display screen of the handset along with a graphical user video control interface. Video control commands are wirelessly sent to the recorder in response to receiving a first input through the video control interface. Second frames of the video data stream are directed by the video control commands to at least one of a plurality of destinations.