Abstract: A method of tracking digital images includes inputting data identifying a subject of an image into a camera, acquiring an image with the camera, and storing the image and the inputted data, as metadata, in an image file when the image is acquired. The method can be implemented using a scanner, a digital camera, and a data processor. The scanner obtains the identifying data and transmits the data to the camera. The camera obtains digital images and embeds the data into digital image files encoding the digital images. The identifying data has a format different from any of the formats processable by the digital camera. The data processor converts the format of the identifying data to one of the plurality of formats processable by the digital camera loads the converted information into the digital camera as metadata.

Abstract: Solid state CMOS active pixel sensor devices having unit pixels that are structured to provide improved uniformity of pixel-to-pixel sensitivity across a pixel array without the need for an additional light shielding layer. For example, unit pixels with symmetrical layout patterns are formed whereby one or more lower-level BEOL metallization layers are designed operate as light shielding layers which are symmetrically patterned and arranged to balance the amount of incident light reaching the photosensitive regions.

Abstract: A method used for the compensation of vignetting in digital cameras has been achieved. The compensation for vignetting is done in two steps. The first step is done during production of the camera unit and involves taking and analyzing an image of a test screen, preferably a gray test screen. This results in a set of e.g. 5×5 coefficients describing a polynomial surface. The second step is done for each image that is taken by the camera and involves calculating and applying a gain-table based on polynomial coefficients to all pixels of the image to compensate vignetting.

Abstract: An analog sampling circuit comprising a plurality of capacitors is used to sample the reset and video sampling levels at different instants in time to obtain a plurality of respective reset sampling values and a plurality of respective video sampling values. The reset sampling values are then averaged to obtain an average reset sampling value. Likewise, the video sampling values are averaged to obtain an average video sampling value. By averaging the reset sampling values and the video sampling values over time in this manner, random telegraph noise in the reset and video sampling values is eliminated or at least substantially reduced.

Abstract: A first silicon oxide film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area of a vertical transfer channel and a read gate contiguous with each other, and a silicon nitride film is formed on the first silicon oxide film. The silicon nitride film is isotropically etched by using a resist pattern formed on the silicon nitride film as a mask. A second silicon oxide film is formed on the surface of the etched silicon nitride film to form an insulating film containing silicon oxide films and a silicon nitride film. A photoelectric conversion element contiguous with the read gate on the opposite side of the vertical transfer channel is formed. The isotropical etching makes the silicon nitride film cover the vertical transfer channel, extend over the read gate, and have a tapered sidewall. A high quality solid state image pickup device can be manufactured.

Abstract: Based on a detection signal from a drop sensor, it is determined whether or not an apparatus is actually dropping. When the apparatus is determined to be dropping, access to a HDD for recording or reading is forbidden, while when the apparatus is determined not to be dropping, the access is allowed. When the access is allowed, a process which is performed immediately before the access is forbidden is resumed.

Abstract: Portable docks are provided for use with a camera having a camera memory and a camera power supply. A dock has a dock memory, a dock power supply with sufficient power so that the camera power supply can be charged with at least sufficient power to enable the camera to perform completely at least one additional camera function, and an electrical connector adapted to engage a mating camera connector for data communication and power exchange therethrough. A control system enables the transfer of image related data between the camera memory and the dock memory. The dock memory, power supply, electrical connector, and control system are held by a body adapted to receive the camera so that the camera connector can engage the electrical connector.

Abstract: A color photographing device is equipped with a light-receiving section having a red pixel selectively receiving red light and outputting a red pixel signal and a green pixel selectively receiving green light and outputting a green pixel signal. The color photographing device is further equipped with an optical filter disposed on the side with a light-receiving surface of the light-receiving section. The optical filter substantially equalizes the signal level of the red pixel signal and the signal level of the green pixel signal when achromatic color illuminated by a solar light source in the daytime is photographed. Therefore, a white balance gain Wr at about 5000K can be lowered as compared with a conventional color photographing device. Accordingly, reduction of color noises and enhancement of gradation can be expected.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a color filter including complementary color filter segments. When a shutter release bottom is pressed to its half-stroke or full-stroke position, light incident via the filter is picked up in a movie/photometry or a still picture mode, respectively. While signal charges are read out of an image sensor in accordance with the mode, the signal charges are digitized to become pixel data. In the movie/the photometry mode, despite that a plurality of pixel data are mixed together, a set of primary color pixel data are generated as if pixel signals were thinned out by mixture. In the still picture mode, all the pixels are sequentially read out and interpolated to generate primary color pixel data greater in number than photosensitive cells. The primary color data are raised in frequency to enhance the resolution of a picture.

Abstract: A main frame adapter is detachably mounted, instead of a camera head, on a camera main frame from which the camera head is separated. The camera head comprises an image taking optical system and an imaging device. The camera main frame is adapted to receive an image signal from the camera head that is detachably mounted on the camera main frame. A head adapter that is detachably mounted, instead of the camera main frame, on the camera head separated from the camera main frame. Both the adapters have each the radio communication section.

Abstract: A lens auto-focusing method in camera module testing includes the following steps: providing testing equipment including a range finder, a signal processor and a driving member; providing an imaged object (20); providing an camera module including a lens module (10) and an image sensor, the view angle and the biggest value of the modulation transfer function of the lens module are both certain values, the image (30) of the imaged object is formed in the image sensor; the imaged object and the image formed thereby in the other side of the lens module are fixed; the imaged object and the image formed in the other side of the lens module are fixed; inputting an image distance tested by the range finder into the signal processor, the signal processor calculates a displacement for the driving member; the driving member drives the lens module to a focusing point.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a display unit for displaying an image, an imaging optical system, an imaging unit, a posture detector for detecting a posture of the imaging device in shooting, a recording unit for recording a reduced image of a shot image, and posture information on a posture of the imaging device corresponding to the reduced image, an image extracting unit for extracting reduced images including the same posture information among said reduced images recorded on the recording unit, and an image display controller for displaying the reduced images extracted by the image extracting unit on the display unit, wherein the image display controller reconstructs, on the basis of the posture information, a horizontal and vertical direction of the reduced images extracted by the image extracting unit to the posture of the imaging device in shooting, and displays the reduced image being reconstructed on the display unit. Thereby, that makes it possible to display a comfortable reduced image.

Abstract: It is now possible to correct flicker without the risk of correcting flicker by error if a moving subject exists in the scene by using values detected in the past in order to prevent degradation of image quality from taking place. The integral value obtained by integrating an input video signal that includes a flicker component over not less than a horizontal period and the difference value between integral values of adjacent fields or frames is normalized. Then, the amplitude component and the phase component of the flicker component are estimated. A flicker coefficient for canceling the amplitude component and the phase component of the flicker component estimated is generated on the basis of the probability of being under the lighting of a fluorescent lamp. The flicker coefficient and the input video signal are computationally determined to obtain a video signal with a reduced flicker component.

Abstract: According to the invention, an electronic module tester for engaging a camera module is disclosed. The electronic module tester includes a camera tester body, an engagement ring, and a camera back support. The engagement ring engages a lens holder of the camera module, where the engagement ring comprises an engagement surface, an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The engagement surface rotates and is not keyed for any key on the lens holder. The camera back support engages a back of the camera module, where the back is on the opposite side of camera module as the lens holder. The engagement ring and the camera back support are separated, but biased together to engage the camera module.

Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within said captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a method for operating the same are provided. The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel array unit having a matrix of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises a charge transfer element for transferring charge collected in a photoelectric conversion element to a charge detection element, and a row drive unit for supplying a voltage to the charge transfer element during part of a charge integration period of the photoelectric conversion element, wherein the supplied voltage causes the charge transfer element to have a negative potential.

Abstract: A photographing system having plural image pickup units for a moving apparatus with enhanced user's visibility of images for a driver of the apparatus. A system control part controls the image pickup units. Image pickup unit picks up images ahead of the moving apparatus. Image pickup unit picks up images aback. System control unit predicts surrounding state of the moving apparatus based on map information or position information and, when the moving apparatus enters a tunnel, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of image pickup device thereof, and then, when level of output image signal of the image pickup unit enters within a specified range, issues a control instruction to image pickup unit so as to increase exposure quantity of the image pickup device thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a heterogeneity-projection hard-decision interpolation method for color reproduction, which utilizes a heterogeneity-projection method to determine the optimal edge direction and then utilizes a hard-decision rule to determine the optimal interpolation direction and obtain the information of the green color elements. The high-frequency information of the plane of the green color elements is incorporated into the processing of the planes of the red color elements and the blue color elements to reduce the restoration errors of the red and blue color elements. Therefore, the present invention can decrease the interpolation-direction errors and achieve a higher PSNR and a better visual effect.

Abstract: An active CMOS pixel sensor includes a red photodiode and a green photodiode coupled to sense nodes. Blue photodiodes are coupled to a blue sense node through select transistors. A blue reset transistor is coupled between a supply node and the blue sense node. A source-follower transistor is coupled to the blue sense node. A blue row-select transistor is coupled to the source-follower transistor and a biased blue column line. Red and green amplifier transistors have gates coupled to sense nodes, drains coupled to a supply node, and sources. Red and green reset transistors have drains coupled to the drains of the amplifier transistors, sources coupled to the sense nodes. Feedback capacitors couple the sense nodes to the reset transistor drains. Red and green row-select transistors have drains coupled to the sources of the amplifier transistors, sources coupled to biased column lines, and gates coupled to a red-green row-select line.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus configured to clean a surface of an optical member disposed in the vicinity of an image sensor that photoelectrically converts an object image. The imaging apparatus includes a foreign substance removal mechanism including a capturing portion configured to capture foreign substances by traveling while contacting a surface of the optical member, and a cleaning mechanism including a wiping portion configured to wipe off the captured foreign substance from the capturing portion to clean the capturing portion.