Abstract: In a moving image recording process, a shooting operation using a short exposure time appropriate for shooting a still image, and a shooting operation using a long exposure time appropriate for shooting a moving image are performed repeatedly in turn. Plural pieces of frame image data “B” shot by the shooting operations using a long exposure time are successively recorded as moving image data. When a shutter button is pressed in the moving image recording process, frame image data which is shot using a short exposure time just before the shutter button is pressed is recorded as a still image.

Abstract: An image pickup device having an electron multiplying-charge coupled device includes a control unit for controlling an electron multiplication factor of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; an obtaining unit for obtaining signals output from predetermined pixels of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; and an averaging unit for performing an inter-line averaging process of the signals obtained by the obtaining unit. The device further includes a suppression unit for performing low-level and high-level suppressions on the signal averaged by the averaging unit based on the electron multiplication factor of the electron multiplication factor control unit; an acquisition unit for acquiring image signals output from the pixels other than the predetermined pixels of the electron multiplying-charge coupled device; and a subtractor for subtracting the signal suppressed by the suppression unit from the image signals acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: An imaging acquisition system that generates a picture depth from an auto focus curve generated from picture of a three dimensional spatial scene is described. The auto focus curve comprises a step edge. The system generates the depth based on the step edge and a reference auto focus normalization curve.

Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging apparatus which is capable of preventing electric charge from being injected from a semiconductor substrate while electric charge is being accumulated into photodiodes. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device and a driving pulse control unit. The solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate, photodiodes which are two-dimensionally formed on the semiconductor substrate, and vertical Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) having at least one arranged read-out gate and non-read-out gate for each of the photodiodes, the read-out gate being for reading out accumulated electric charge from the associated photodiode, and the non-read-out gate being not for reading out accumulated electric charge from the associated photodiode.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for eliminating image tearing effects and other visual artifacts perceived when scanning moving subject matter with a scanned beam imaging device. The system, method and apparatus uses a motion detection means in conjunction with an image processor to alter the native image to one without image tearing or other visual artifacts. The image processor monitors the motion detection means and reduces the image resolution or translates portions of the imaged subject matter in response to the detected motion.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus illuminates an object and captures an image of the object using the reflected light from the object. On a circuit substrate mounted an image sensor, a plurality of light-emitting devices are mounted in the peripheral positions of the image sensor. By means of a ring-shaped light guide member, the light from the plurality of light-emitting devices is guided to an image capturing range, so as to illuminate the object. With this, by mounting a light receiving system and a light emitting system on an identical substrate, miniaturization can be achieved, and the image capturing range can be illuminated by substantially uniform light. Also, using the ring-shaped light guide member, an optical unit is housed inside the ring, thus enabling further miniaturization.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.

Abstract: An image recording/playback control apparatus includes a moving image capturing section capturing a moving image and generating moving image data; a still image capturing section capturing a still image and generating still image data; a still image information generation section generating still image information in which the moving image data and the still image data are associated with each other by an image-capturing time; moving and still image coding sections coding the moving and still image data, respectively; a recording section recording the coded moving and still image data; a separation section separating the coded moving and still image data; moving and still image decoding sections decoding the coded moving and still image data, respectively; a still image information indication section indicating the moving or still image data; a selection section selecting the moving and still image data; and a display control displaying the moving or still image data.

Abstract: A primary integrated image sensor is operatively connected to one or more secondary image sensors. The primary integrated image sensor includes a pixel array integrated on a semiconductor substrate along with one or more of an image signal processing circuit, readout circuitry, a digital serial interface, storage, a timing circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a bi-directional digital input/output circuit. Each secondary image sensor can be implemented as a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor and include a pixel array along with one or more of a readout circuitry, a digital serial interface, a timing circuit, an output circuit, and an optional analog-to-digital converter. Images captured by the primary integrated image sensor and each secondary image sensor are processed by the primary image sensor. Each secondary image sensor can also transmit physical and operational data to the primary integrated image sensor.

Abstract: A method for detecting color temperature and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. According to the present invention, the apparatus for detecting color temperature converts RGB color information, generated by interpolating an image signal sequentially inputted in units of pixel from an image sensor, to a three-dimensional coordinate value of luminance, R-G color difference information, and B-G color difference information, and then renews the added value per color, if included in a filtering zone corresponding to a characteristic curve of the image sensor. Then, an average value per color is generated in units of frame, and the compensation rate per color is determined such that the average value per color becomes identical to each other. With the present invention, accurate colors can be displayed by detecting the color temperature of the current light source and correcting the distorted color information.

Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are described that provide automated and efficient optimization of camera settings. In certain embodiments of the invention, both focus and exposure settings are determined based on an analysis of compressed images taken of a frame. Based on this analysis, the camera focus and exposure settings are set to provide a preferred image quality of the particular frame. This optimization of the focus and exposure settings is performed at each frame within the multi-frame image source. As a result, each frame image is independently optimized and addresses variations, such as light and surface inconsistencies, across the multi-frame image source.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor includes a photosensitive device and a dynamic comparator that when coupled with a voltage ramp will form a digital pixel sensor with pulse width modulated digital output. A number of switches are included in the digital pixel sensor to configure the input of the dynamic comparator to couple with the photosensitive device or the voltage ramp such that the dynamic comparator is free from input transistor mismatch problem, as both input use the same input transistor. A cascade of dynamic comparator is disclosed in this invention, such as to improve the sensitivity and conversion speed of the digital pixel sensor. There are a number of switches that connect and isolate the digital pixel sensor from the bit line, which is shared by a plurality of digital pixel sensors in the sensor array. Photosensitive devices in close proximity can share the dynamic comparator by a number of selection switches, such that each photosensitive device can be read out in a time shared manner.

Abstract: A method for driving a CCD-type solid-state imaging device includes: reading charges detected by photoelectric conversion elements into potential packets A (B) formed in a charge transfer path, dividing each potential packet A (B) into plural segment packets A1, A2 (B1, B2) while narrowing a range where the charges are present in each potential packet A (B), by moving a split barrier D from one side of each potential packet A (B) toward the other side of each potential packet A (B), and transferring the charges along the charge transfer path after the dividing. Each split barrier D has a lower potential height than a partition barrier C that forms a boundary between the adjacent potential packets A, B.

Abstract: The dynamic range of a pixel is increased by using selective photosensor resets during a frame time of image capture at a timing depending on the light intensity that the pixel will be exposed to during the frame time. Pixels that will be exposed to high light intensity are reset later in the frame than pixels that will be exposed to lower light intensity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for color correction of color device for various operating conditions. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, operating under a current condition, a color correction operation that is derived from color correction operations defined for other conditions is performed on the color data. In another embodiment, a device profile for managing colors for a color device operating under one condition is interpolated from the device profiles for the color device operating under other conditions (e.g., based on the input received from a user interface according to the perception of the user or based on the measurement of a sensor). The interpolation can be based on the input received from a user interface according to the perception of the user or it can be based on the measurement of a sensor or a set of sensors. Various operating conditions for a color device (e.g.

Abstract: A cradle for connecting to a portable electronic apparatus is described. The cradle includes an AC adapter connector, a USB connector, a mini USB plug, and a USB signal detecting circuit. The USB connector is used to connect to a USB interface of a computer. The mini USB plug is used to connect to the portable electronic apparatus. The USB signal detecting circuit detects the USB_D+ and the USB_D? of the USB connector. When the computer is suspended from an operating state, the portable electronic apparatus is charged by the AC adapter through the mini USB plug. When the computer resumes normal operation, the USB connection between the portable electronic apparatus and the computer is automatically reestablished.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus, image data obtained by an image pickup unit is subjected to predetermined image processing, and an image is displayed on an electronic viewfinder screen based on the image data that has undergone the image processing. A specified color is determined based on color information included in a predetermined region of an image that is currently being displayed on the electronic viewfinder screen, and image processing parameters are produced so that color conversion is carried out on the image while eliminating color components of colors other than the determined specified color.

Abstract: A user portable viewing device includes a plurality of non-coaxially aligned sensors for sensing a scene. A processing element combines electronic images into a single electronic image. A display displaying the combined electronic image is adaptable for mounting in an optical axis including an eye of the user and an input end of the first sensor for direct view. In a second embodiment, a system for fusing images comprises sensors for generating sets of image data. An information processor receives and samples the sets of image data to generate sample data for computing a fused image array. A display receives the fused image array and displays a fused colorized image generated from the fused image array.

Abstract: A circuit includes a luminance average value output unit for extracting luminance values from pixel data of the first and the second frames to generate first luminance average values for pixel lines of the first frame and second luminance average values for pixel lines of the second frame, a flicker curve generating unit for subtracting the second luminance average values from the first luminance average values, thereby generating a flicker curve, and a flicker detecting unit for extracting a plurality of local minimum points from the flicker curve, calculating a distance between each two neighboring local minimum points of the extracted local minimum points, and determining whether the flicker is present based on the distances and the frequency numbers of the distances.