Abstract: An image pickup optical system includes, in order from the object side, a front unit having at least one reflecting surface with power that is rotationally asymmetrical, an aperture stop, and a rear unit having at least one reflecting surface with power that is rotationally asymmetrical. In this case, F-numbers in two directions perpendicular to each other on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are different. Decentration takes place in one of the two directions and the F-number in a direction perpendicular to a decentering direction is smaller than that in the decentering direction. When the F-number in the decentering direction is represented by FNY and the F-number in the direction perpendicular to the decentering direction is represented by FNX, the optical system satisfies the following condition: 1.1<FNY/FNX<2.0.

Abstract: In an image generation apparatus capable of generating an image of an arbitrary view point, to enable a user to easily set a view point position of a reconstructed image in an actual space, there are provided an image photographing means for photographing an image; a position/orientation measurement means for measuring position and orientation when photographing the image; a reconstruction view point position setting means for setting a view point position of a reconstruction image; and a reconstruction means for reconstructing an image according to the view point position set by the reconstruction view point position setting means, by using beam information included in the image photographed by the image photographing means.

Abstract: A digital camera having a camera-shake compensation mechanism and a luminance compensation processor is provided. The camera-shake compensation mechanism compensates for a camera-shake by adjusting a relative relation between positions of an optical axis of a photographing optical system and a center of an image of an imaging device. The luminance compensation processor compensates for luminance information of pixels of the imaging device, which are outside an image circle of the photographing optical system during a camera-shake compensation operation performed by the camera-shake compensation mechanism.

Abstract: Improved camera calibration techniques, including an improved up look angle and an improved method for calibrating a virtual center of projection. By using a view camera technique for the up look angle, the image sensors can be mounted flat to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). By using a sub-region of the image sensor for the active area of the camera it is possible to calibrate the virtual center of projection (C?).

Abstract: A sigma-delta modulation sensing circuit and an analog-to-digital converter for an imager that do not rely on the ratio of the reset and pixel voltage levels being sensed. The sensing circuit includes a regulation branch based on a reference voltage common across multiple columns of the imager. The regulation branch has an adjustable resistance that is modulated during the sensing operation, which creates an adjustment current that is applied during the sensing operation to a current associated with one of the reset and pixel signals. The sensing circuit and analog-to-digital converter can generate a digital code based on the difference between the reset and pixel signal voltage levels, which substantially mitigates noise associated with the pixel and reset signal voltages. The reference voltage can also be used as a gain control for the imager as well.

Abstract: The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and all subject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and all divisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as of the date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, sold and set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A., together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connection with, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countries in the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

Abstract: A linear sensor array for imaging coded indicia includes an analog front end and a digital back end integrated on a single CMOS chip. A real-time, correlated double sampling circuit is used for noise suppression.

Abstract: Interactive multi-view video presents new types of video capture systems, video formats, video compression algorithms, and services. Many video cameras are allocated to capture an event from various related locations and directions. The captured videos and any associated audio streams are captured in a video beam format which allows for the efficient and expedient search of the vast amount of data in real-time and allows the data to be stored for off-line access.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an electronic camera that can properly display a moving image usable as a viewfinder. The electronic camera of the invention includes: an image pickup section photographing an object for image generation; a display device displaying the image generated by the image pickup section as a moving image; a buffer section; a recording section; and a display switching section. The buffer section temporarily stores the image generated by the image pickup section and to be displayed as a moving image on the display device. The recording section records the image generated by the image pickup section according to a user's operation. The display switching section switch, at predetermined timing, a first display for display of a moving image on the display device through the buffer section, and a second display for display of a moving image not through the buffer section.

Abstract: A method for reducing residual signal from a first image from appearing in a second image, the method includes the steps of capturing the first image on an image sensor having a known exposure that includes exposure time and a peak light intensity; estimating a flush time for the second image based on the known exposure in capturing the first image; and capturing the second image using the estimated flush time for substantially reducing the residual signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an output signal that represents light with a desired color profile. A first sensor is provided to receive light and based thereon to generate a first signal with a first color profile. A color sensor is also provided that receives light and based thereon generates a second signal with a second color profile. A signal generation mechanism that is coupled to the first sensor and the color sensor and receives the first signal with a first color profile, receives the second signal with a second color profile, and performs a predetermined operation on the first signal and the second signal to generate the output signal with the desired color profile.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor comprises a photodiode providing a photodiode output current indicative of an intensity of light incident the photodiode and an integrator circuit electrically coupled to the photodiode. The integrator circuit is configured to provide a pixel voltage representing an integration of the photodiode output current when the photodiode is exposed to light and dark leakage current through the photodiode when the photodiode is not exposed to light. The integrator circuit is configured to set a reverse bias voltage on the photodiode and respond to at least one control input to set the reverse bias voltage to a first level. The active pixel sensor comprises a feedback loop configured to receive the pixel voltage and control the integrator circuit to adjust the reverse bias voltage to substantially reduce the dark leakage current through the photodiode to a desired level.

Abstract: With the use of the MOS-type solid-state imaging device, it is possible, by extending the period during which the VDD voltage rises from Low level to High level, that the gate voltage of the resetting unit does not fluctuate to have a positive electric potential due to the coupling capacitance between the VDD power and the gate of the resetting unit, unlike the conventional case. Consequently, the electrons necessary for rendering the accumulation unit non-selectable do not flow from the accumulation unit to the VDD power. This prevents the level of the electric potential in the accumulation unit of non-selectable row from becoming positive. Also, the detecting unit is not switched on, which prevents the error of selecting a non-selectable row.