Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for obtaining high dynamic range images using a low dynamic range image sensor. The scene is exposed to the image sensor in a spatially varying manner. A variable-transmittance mask, which is interposed between the scene and the image sensor, imposes a spatially varying attenuation on the scene light incident on the image sensor. The mask includes light transmitting cells whose transmittance is controlled by application of suitable control signals. The mask is configured to generate a spatially varying light attenuation pattern across the image sensor. The image frame sensed by the image sensor is normalized with respect to the spatially varying light attenuation pattern. The normalized image data can be interpolated to account for image sensor pixels that are either under or over exposed to enhance the dynamic range of the image sensor.

Abstract: In a learning process, first, images having different resolutions are obtained from a target region of the subject (S101). Further, the subject characteristic of the target region is obtained (S102). Then, the resolution conversion rules are learned from the images having different resolutions, and those are recorded to a storage device along with the subject characteristics (S103). When converting the resolutions, the resolution conversion rules learned for the corresponding subject characteristics are applied to each region of the original image so as to convert the resolutions of the original image.

Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes a plurality of image processing circuits, a memory having real address space, a memory management unit that performs virtual memory control, and a CPU that controls the image processing circuits. Each image processing circuit has a function of specified data processing, and writes/reads data to/from the memory in virtual address space. The memory management unit has corresponding information for managing correspondence between specified data unit region (virtual page) in virtual address space, and specified data unit region (real page) in real address space, and deletes the correspondence between virtual page and real page concerning the read data in the corresponding information when the image processing circuit completes the read operation of the data in specified data unit from the memory.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for outputting pixel data with appended data are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes an image sensor, which outputs raw data corresponding to an external image, a memory, which stores the raw data inputted from the image sensor; an output control unit, which adds appended data to the raw data stored in the memory and outputs the added raw data, and an image signal processor, which performs image processing corresponding to at least one of filtering and interpolation of the raw data or the raw data to which the appended data are added. With the present invention, a loss of image data to be displayed can be prevented.

Abstract: An image sensor having an array of pixel cells, each including a photo-conversion device. The array has first, second, and third groups of pixel cells. The first group of pixel cells receives light and the second and third groups are shielded from light. Each pixel cell of the second group is configured to output a black reference signal for determining a black level of the array. Each pixel cell of the third group has at least one first transistor coupled to the photo-conversion device, and each transistor coupled to the photo-conversion device has a gate coupled to a power supply voltage.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes the following units. An image pickup unit captures an image and outputs an analog image signal. A conversion unit converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal. A synchronization signal generation unit generates a synchronization signal to be supplied to the image pickup unit and the conversion unit, and supplies the synchronization signal to the image pickup unit. An adjustment unit adjusts the timing at which the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generation unit is supplied to the conversion unit, and supplies the synchronization signal to the conversion unit. The adjustment unit is disposed in a position such that the adjustment unit is affected by the self-heating of the image pickup unit.

Abstract: A method of capturing images in an imaging device in a burst zoom operation includes zooming the imaging device from a first zoom setting to a second zoom setting, and automatically capturing a plurality of still images during the zooming, each of the plurality of still images being captured at a different zoom setting.

Abstract: A method for compensating pixel values of defective pixels in an image processing system is provided. First, a normal image is captured to obtain the pixel values of a plurality of pixels, and the pixel values of the defective pixels are then marked as a specific pixel value. When the pixel values are to be compensated, the locations of the defective pixels are determined by locating the specific pixel value, and the average values of the neighboring pixels of these defective pixels are calculated and used as the pixel values of these defective pixels, so as to complete a compensation procedure. Besides, the present invention further includes closing the shutter to capture a dark image with similar exposure condition as the normal image does. The compensation procedure is performed after subtracting the dark image from the normal image so that the noise caused by dark current can be eliminated.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus is provided. The image capture apparatus includes a prism that separates light incident through a lens into at least two color components of light to be output and an image capture device that converts light separated by and output from the prism into a captured image signal. The image capture apparatus includes a fixing plate attached to the image capture device mounted on a substrate. In addition, the image capture apparatus includes a plurality of fixing members for fixing an unattached surface of the fixing plate, which is unattached to the image capture device, on a side surface of the prism through an adhesive.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus is disclosed which enables accurate AF operations without a focusing judgment performed in an out-of-focus state even when taking an image including a high-luminance object. The focus detection apparatus generates luminance information of each pixel by using an output from a plurality of pixels of a photoelectric converting element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by an optical system, and enumerates the number of at least one of pixels whose luminance information is higher than a predetermined luminance and pixels whose luminance information is lower than a predetermined luminance. And, information according to the enumerated result is outputted as the focusing information. The predetermined luminance is set based on the luminance information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: imaging means for capturing an image of an object of shooting; defective-position storing means for storing a position of a defective pixel of the imaging means; arraying means for arraying a plurality of pixels in a certain range of the vicinity of a noticed pixel of the image of the object of shooting output by the imaging means; when the noticed pixel is the defective pixel, prediction-pixel obtaining means for obtaining prediction pixels located at relative positions predetermined with respect to the noticed pixel and to be used for correcting the defective pixel out of the arrayed pixels; prediction-coefficient supplying means for supplying prediction coefficients corresponding to the prediction pixels; and calculation means for calculating a correction value of the noticed pixel by the sum of the products of the prediction pixels and the prediction coefficients.

Abstract: If an image reproducing apparatus has a device-dependent color space conversion function that converts the color space of processing target image data to a device-dependent color space using a particular color space, (i) reproduction image data is generated by carrying out basic color space conversion to image data for which the color space specified by color space identification information is the standard color space, and (ii) reproduction image data is generated by carrying out device-dependent color space conversion to image data for which the specified color space is the particular color space.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an operating unit that is capable of inputting a first operation input in acquiring generic image data and a second operation input in acquiring key image data in different operation forms. In addition, the imaging apparatus stores the generic image data and the key image data in an identical storage medium in expressions distinguishable from each other.

Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels, wherein the array of pixels includes pixels of different colors, includes, for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the pixels of a first color, and for a second duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the pixels of a second color. The first and second durations are different and the first and second durations are chosen, at least in part, to improve the signal to noise ratio of the image capture device.

Abstract: Pixels are two-dimensionally arranged into rows and columns in an image sensing region of a solid-state image sensing device, and divided into a plurality of vertical blocks. A vertical signal line is connected to each pixel column. A voltage read out from a pixel is A/D-converted and held in a holding circuit. A vertical block selection circuit outputs a vertical block selection signal in response to a horizontal sync pulse. An intra-block line selection circuit selects one pixel row in one block or simultaneously selects a plurality of pixel rows in one block, in accordance with the selection signal and a signal for setting the number of lines to be selected. A pulse selector circuit supplies a pixel driving pulse signal to a pixel row selected by the intra-block line selection circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a portable recording/reproducing apparatus for recording predefined information onto a recording medium and reproducing the recorded information, and a method for controlling the apparatus.

Abstract: A focus range is determined on the basis of an object distance, focal distance, and aperture value, after an autofocus operation. When SW2 is operated, an exposure is performed only during a period that a displacement of a blur in an optical-axis direction is within the focus range. If an exposure time for one exposure does not reach an exposure time to obtain an optimum exposure, a plurality of exposures are performed until a total exposure time reaches the exposure time to obtain the optimum exposure. When the plurality of exposures are performed, a plurality of images obtained are combined to generate an image with the optimum exposure.

Abstract: An integrated Internet camera system comprises a website archive and review center (WSARC) for storing and managing images and an Internet direct camera (IDC) for capturing an image, automatically transmitting the image to an account associated with said IDC on the WSARC upon image capture and receiving stored image from the WSARC. The IDC comprises a display for displaying the captured image and the received image. The IDC automatically connects to the WSARC over an Internet connection on power-up.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a robotic surgical system includes a master control console having a stereo viewer to view stereo images; a surgical manipulator having a stereo endoscopic camera coupled to a robotic arm to generate the stereo images of a surgical site; a stereo telestration device coupled between the stereo endoscopic camera and the stereo viewer to mix telestration graphics and the stereo images of the surgical site together for viewing by the stereo viewer; and a telestration generator coupled to the stereo telestration device to generate the telestration graphics for overlay on the stereo images of the surgical site.

Abstract: An image system which captures, along with the images, information defining both the position and the orientation of the camera along with the distance to the subject. A video camera is attached to three accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and a rangefinder. Data gathered from these devices and defining the pitch, yaw, and roll of the camera, the camera's acceleration, and the distance to the subject is captured and recorded along with video images. The video images are later stored within a computer's data base along with data defining the position and orientation of the camera and the distance to the subject for each image, this latter data being computed from the captured data. The images may then be presented to the user in a three-dimensional display in which the user can navigate through the images using a joystick device, with the images located in positions corresponding to the positions in space of the objects that were imaged.