Abstract: A novel imaging apparatus capable of correcting a focus state by an AF detection value both simply and surely has been disclosed. The imaging apparatus comprises an auto-focus drive section for moving a lens, an AF processing section for calculating an AF detection value indicating the focus state from imaging data, a luminance processing section for calculating a luminance value from the imaging data, a correction section for calculating a corrected AF detection value by correcting the calculated AF detection value by the calculated luminance value, and a control section for controlling the auto-focus drive section based on the calculated corrected AF detection value. The imaging data is data not having been subjected to auto-exposure processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image taking apparatus that has functions of performing plural types of corrections on a captured image, and can continuously execute the plural types of corrections on the image. The image taking apparatus can be configured in such a way that when image data recorded in a recording medium is read and is subjected to plural types of corrections, for example, the image data once read can be saved in the recording medium after completion of the plural corrections which are continuously executed. The plural types of corrections can be configured in such a way that the combination or the order thereof is determined based on information unique to the image data.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image sensor that includes imaging pixels that are disposed in a two-dimensional array and focus detection pixels disposed in part of the array of the imaging pixels, a coefficient setting circuit that sets a conversion coefficient to be used to convert an output from each focus detection pixel to an image output at the focus detection pixel, in correspondence to an aperture value set at an imaging optical system, and an estimating circuit that estimates the image output at the focus detection pixel based upon the conversion coefficient and the output from the focus detection pixel.

Abstract: A flash-based strategy is used to separate foreground information from background information within image information. In this strategy, a first image is taken without the use of flash. A second image is taken of the same subject matter with the use of flash. The foreground information in the flash image is illuminated by the flash to a much greater extent than the background information. Based on this property, the strategy applies processing to extract the foreground information from the background information. The strategy supplements the flash information by also taking into consideration motion information and color information.

Abstract: A programmable pattern-matching device is provided that may perform bad pixel correction and image sharpening and smoothing (noise removal). Soft edges of an image are identified and adaptively sharpened. Soft edges are identified by subtracting adjacent pixel values along a diagonal, row and/or column, generating a pixel string pattern based on the pixel value differences, and comparing the pixel string pattern to predefined string patterns indicative of a soft edge. Similarly, hard edges are identified by comparing the pixel string pattern to predefined string patterns indicative of a hard edge, which are then excluded from a low pass filter applied to smooth the image in order to reduce image noise. Bad photosensors of an image sensor are detected by subtracting a pixel value for a first photosensor from its surrounding photosensors to obtain a pixel string pattern that is then compared to predefined string patterns indicative of a bad pixel.

Abstract: JPEG image data captured by camera module 20 is paired with image capturing information pertaining to image capturing conducted by camera module 20 and a predetermined information area to store image capturing information pertaining to a main body unit, in a form being compliant with Exif standards to output to the main body unit, and the main body unit stores the outputted image data in memory section 16, and further stores image capturing information pertaining to the main body unit for image capturing in the predetermined information are paired with the image data.

Abstract: A display device includes: a transmission-type optical image forming element that forms an image based upon image signals; an illuminating device that illuminates the optical image forming element; and a light adjustment device that allows illuminating light emitted from the illuminating device to the optical image forming element to have a specific light quantity distribution.

Abstract: A method for predicting the quantity of pictures that can be taken is applied to a picture-taking function of a digital still camera. Firstly, a lookup table is individually built for different power using operations of a battery according to the operational modes of the picture-taking function. Next, the method looks up the corresponding lookup table according to an obtained battery voltage value of the digital still camera and the operational mode. Finally, a quantity of pictures that can be taken is obtained from the lookup table, and is displayed on a display unit of the digital still camera and is provided to the user. Thereby, the user can change the operational mode to reduce power consumption and take more pictures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing image noise of a camera having an illumination sensor. The method includes: grasping the noise response characteristics of the camera and storing mean signal-to-noise ratio values for respective illumination values in a low frequency region and a high frequency region; acquiring the present illumination value using the illumination sensor when photographing an image; reading mean signal-to-noise ratio values of the low frequency region and the high frequency region corresponding to the present illumination value from the stored mean signal-to-noise ratio values; and applying the read mean signal-to-noise values to filters for respective frequency regions, thereby filtering the signals of the photographed image.

Abstract: A small and slim digital camera with an improved grip and a large display unit is provided. The digital camera takes a picture of an object via a lens unit installed in a front surface of a case of the digital camera. The digital camera includes: a case that has a main body in which a lens unit is formed on a front surface of the main body; and a side portion of the case which is pivotably coupled to the main body to be able to pivot toward the lens unit with respect to the main body; and a manipulating unit which is exposed to the outside between the main body and the side portion at a rear surface of the case when the side portion is pivoted.

Abstract: An imager and method of operating an imager employing multi-column shared readout circuitry. Columns of a pixel array are organized into groups, each group having a respective multi-column shared readout circuit. The columns of each group are readout serially but in parallel with the columns of other groups. Each multi-column shared readout circuit may comprise a black level correction clamp, a multi-column analog gain amplifier, a analog-to-digital converter, a digital offset correction block, and a digital gain calibration block. A single-column analog gain amplifier may amplify an analog pixel signal value of each column prior to processing by a respective multi-column shared readout circuit.

Abstract: A driving section 4 supplies a reading pulse of ‘H’ to electrodes V1 and V5 simultaneously with completion of exposure to read out electric charges to empty packets below electrodes V1, V2, V5, and V6. Then, the driving section 4 supplies a driving pulse of ‘M’ to electrodes V3 and V7 and a multiplication pulse to the electrodes V2 and V6. At this time, a level of the multiplication pulse supplied to the electrodes V2 and V6 is set so that a potential difference between the electrodes V1 and V3 and the electrode V2 and a potential difference between the electrodes V5 and V7 and the electrode V6 become values required to cause avalanche multiplication. Electric charges accumulated below the electrodes V1 to V3 move into packets formed below the electrodes V2 and V6. The avalanche multiplication occurs at the time of movement. Thus, the electric charges are multiplied.

Abstract: The black level in raw image data captured from an image sensor does not always stay fixed at a constant level, but may change as a function of the analog gain and exposure time and may vary from one spatial location of the pixels to another. To carry out black-level correction on the raw image data, the black level of each of the color components is measured at one or more sampling locations. A look-up table is generated based on the measured black levels and a computation module is used to carry out black-level correction based on the information stored in the look-up table. The look up table may have information indicative of the analog gain level and the exposure time and the variations of black-levels in different spatial locations.

Abstract: A system and method for audio/visual displaying, capturing, streaming, recording and playback is disclosed. The invention has many applications including distance learning and video capture of legal proceedings. The video deposition embodiment of the present invention facilitates paperless depositions by allowing the simultaneous, single channel recording and streaming of a deponent (witness) and his or her exhibits during a litigation deposition or similar process, such as courtroom record-making and teleconferencing. One aspect of the present invention is the paperless, digital display of rich media exhibits at the deposition on a large-format display such as an LCD, DLP, or plasma screen that is positioned next to the deponent, facing the camera, displaying exhibits in a digital (paperless) format.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoreceptor portion including a plurality of photoreceptors arranged in an array, a microlens array including a plurality of microlenses, and a light shielding layer placed between the photoreceptor portion and the microlens array. The light shielding layer has apertures located corresponding to the plurality of photoreceptors. An optical relationship of an actual length d1 of an aperture width of the apertures on a side of the photoreceptors, an actual length p of a distance between adjacent microlenses, an equivalent air length t0 of a distance between vein and a top of the microlenses, and an equivalent air length t1 of a thickness between the top of the microlenses and an aperture position of the apertures on the side of the photoreceptors satisfies: 1.36 × t ? ? 1 p ? d ? ? 1 ? 2.4 × t ? ? 1 p + p × t ? ? 1 t ? ? 0 .

Abstract: Detection information is obtained from captured-image information of an imaging element array. An area is provided in an image capturing region in the imaging element array. In response to the obtained detection information, a pattern is generated which defines a ratio of a number of photosensor pixels used to capture an image to a number of all photosensor pixels in the area. The imaging element array is driven in accordance with the generated pattern. Interpolation responsive to a first picture signal generated by the used photosensor pixels in the area is implemented to generate a second picture signal corresponding to unused ones among all the photosensor pixels in the area. The first picture signal and the second picture signal are combined into a captured-image signal. The captured-image signal is outputted at a prescribed frame rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for applying sketch effects to digital images. An exemplary method may comprise comparing an original image to a filtered image. The method may also comprise rendering changes in the filtered image as lines. The method may also comprise applying connected component labeling to lines in the filtered image to reduce noise. The method may also comprise rendering the filtered image with a sketch effect after reducing noise in the filtered image.

Abstract: The present invention relates illustratively to a video camera for recording image pickup results constituting moving pictures, an electronic still camera, and a monitoring apparatus. The invention envisages varying the charge storage time TE or the frame period of image pickup means 3 or the processing time TC of data compressing means 8 in accordance with the processing time TC of the data compressing means 8.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus which includes an optical member that is vibrated in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis to facilitate removal of particles (e.g., dust), where the vibration of the optical member is substantially isolated from an image pickup element.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of two-dimensionally disposed pixel cells each for effecting photoelectric conversion of an incident light; an electronic shutter scanning circuit for outputting to the pixel section a second line select signal for selecting second lines of a subject which an operation setting corresponding to an exposure time is effected; and a scanning control section for controlling selection of the first lines through the line scanning circuit, controlling, including as subject of selection the first lines and lines to be omitted in a skipping read, selection of the second lines through the electronic shutter scanning circuit, and controlling timing at which the pixel cells belonging to the second lines are reset in accordance with the exposure time.