Abstract: A digital imaging device is operated to capture a first image in a digital format. At least two non-contiguous portions of the first image are rendered in a display of the digital imaging device. The at least two non-contiguous portions of the first image are used to align a live version of a second image in the display, wherein the second image is an extension of the first image. The second image is captured in a digital format. A corner matching algorithm is applied to determine an offset of the second image with respect to the first image, wherein the offset is required to achieve a substantially accurate alignment of the first and second images. Application of the corner matching algorithm is limited to an overlap region intervening between the at least two non-contiguous portions of the first image.

Abstract: A method for processing analog color signals includes analog preprocessing sensor output signals to obtain analog preprocessed signals that cause a reduced amount of digital quantizatlon errors; converting the analog preprocessed signals into digital signals; reconstructing a first basic color signal, a second basic color signal, and a third basic color signal from the digital signals, and correcting the basic color signals, in which a three color signal matrix containing the first, second and third basic color signals is multiplied by a correction matrix containing coefficients that depend on the analog preprocessing. The analog preprocessing may include a white balance adjustment or the horizontal sum values of the correction matrix are adjusted to one for horizontal sum values larger than one, with the analog preprocessing comprising a corresponding multiplication in the analog preprocessing.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixel elements where the array of pixel elements outputting pixel data representing an image of a scene, and a two-dimensional array of selectively transmissive filters superimposed on the two-dimensional array of pixel elements, whereby each pixel element in the array of pixel elements is disposed to capture a first and a second color spectra of visible light. In one embodiment, the image sensor is a digital pixel sensor where the array of pixel elements is a sensor array of digital pixels, each of the digital pixels outputting digital signals as pixel data. In another embodiment, the pixel elements of the image sensor output analog signals as pixel data. In this manner, light intensity values for two different color spectra are optically summed at the pixel level, providing pixel values that are suitable for use in interlaced video display.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-Y address type solid-state image pickup device manufactured by a CMOS process, and has an object to provide an X-Y address type solid-state image pickup device in which a chip area is not increased, manufacturing costs are suppressed, and an image averaging processing can be carried out. Pixel regions Pmn are arranged in a matrix form in regions defined by horizontal selection lines RWm and vertical selection lines CLn. Each of the pixel regions Pmn includes a photodiode 10, a source follower amplifier 14 for converting an electric charge of the photodiode 10 into a voltage and amplifying it to output image data, and a horizontal selection transistor 16 for outputting the image data to a predetermined one of the vertical selection lines CLn. An amplifier/noise cancel circuit 6 has a built-in image averaging circuit for carrying out an averaging processing of the image data outputted from at least two of the plurality of the pixel regions Pmn.

Abstract: A linear image sensor chip is manufactured by forming an image pickup section, peripheral circuit sections, a plurality of bonding pads, and a light-suppressing layer on a semiconductor substrate having an elongated shape. In this case, each of the bonding pads is formed outer than photodiode groups in the image pickup section along a longitudinal direction of the semiconductor substrate. Even if the dynamic range of an image reader utilizing such a linear image sensor chip is broadened, it is possible to suppress generation of noises without lowering the sensitivity.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided for reproducing light incident thereto as an image. The image device included a photodetector adapted to translate incident light of an image to a representative electronic signal. A white balance control configures the white balance of the representative electronic signal in accordance with a white balance gain value. A selector interface is operably linked to the white balance control. The selector interface selects among a plurality of predetermined values to set the white balance gain value in accordance with an imaging application. An adjustment interface adjusts the selected value of the plurality of predetermined values. A display of the imaging device provides information of the set value.

Abstract: Wide dynamic range operation is used to write a signal in a freeze-frame pixel into the memory twice, first after short integration and then after long integration. The wide dynamic range operation allows the intra-scene dynamic range of images to be extended by combining the image taken with a short exposure time with the image taken with a long exposure time. A freeze-frame pixel is based on voltage sharing between the photodetector PD and the analog memory. Thus, with wide dynamic range operation, the resulting voltage in the memory may be a linear superposition of the two signals representing a bright and a dark image after two operations of sampling.

Abstract: A visual sensor capable of expanding a dynamic range with a little load of processing for arithmetic operations and performing a stable detection not affected by change of conditions such as ON/OFF state of projection of reference light. A multiplying parameter A (A>1) and the number N of times of image capturing are set in accordance with ON/OFF state of the reference light projection. N images are captured with a shutter speed varying by successively multiplying an initial value by (1/A). Values of density of each pixel in the captured images are summed. Values of constants B and C in equations: 1=B·Zmax+C; 0=B·Zmin+C are obtained based on the maximum value Zmax and the minimum value Zmin of the summed values of densities of all the pixels. An output value Z? of each pixel is obtained according to an equation: Z?=B·Z+C, using the determined values of B and C.

Abstract: A control system for an image file eliminating saving of an overlapped image data part and saving files in a short time and in a power-saving manner. When a digital camera and a personal computer are connected with each other for data communication, the system compares record unit information to identify an image file that the digital camera has with record unit information to identify an image file that the personal computer has, and transfers to save the image file, which includes the record unit information that the digital camera has and the personal computer does not have, from the digital camera to the personal computer. After completing transfer of the image file from the digital camera to the personal computer, the personal computer generates record unit information newer than the record unit information of the acquired image file and transmits the newer record unit information to the digital camera, which can be recorded in the header of the image file newly photographed by the digital camera.

Abstract: An electronic still imaging system employs an image sensor comprised of discrete light sensitive picture elements overlaid with a color filter array (CFA) pattern to produce color image data corresponding to the CFA pattern, an A/D converter for producing digital CFA image data from the color image data, and a memory for storing the digital CFA image data from the picture elements. A processor enables the processing of the digital CFA image data to produce finished image data, and the digital CFA image data and the finished image data are both stored together in an image file. This enables image processing from raw camera data to final output data to be completed in a single, integrated process to provide improved image quality when printing.

Abstract: A digital camera which allows to make thickness, height and width of its camera body small. The camera has a first optical member for generally perpendicularly bending a first optical axis of light coming from an object through a lens opening part, a second optical member for bending a second optical axis of light coming from the first optical member, and an image taking element having a light receiving surface for receiving a third optical axis of light coming from the second optical member in which the light receiving surface crosses the third optical axis of light. The third optical axis of light is included in a plane which is different from a plane including both of the first optical axis of light and the second optical axis thereof.

Abstract: A modular digital imaging system adapted to transfer digital images. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of modules which are stackable to form a customizable unit. A first one of the plurality of modules provides a first function and has a first electrical connector and at least one attachment member. A second one of the plurality of modules provides a second function different than the first function and has a second electrical connector matable with the first electrical connector. The second module further comprises at least one attachment feature complementing the attachment member whereby the at least one attachment member mates with the at least one attachment feature to securely attach the first and second modules when the first and second modules are stacked. The electrical connector is employed to transfer the digital images between modules when securely attached.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in which previously sensed image information is stored, so that information with an angle desired by the user can be searched for and displayed. Image data sensed by a camera device (100) is captured by an image information capture unit (101) and the angle information of image data captured by the image information capture unit (101) is acquired by an image view point information acquisition unit (102). A header is generated by a header generation unit (103) based on the angle information. A recording information generation unit (104) generates recording information based on the generated header and the captured image data, and stores the generated information in an external storage device (6). Upon reception of an external search instruction, a search unit (105) searches for information matching angle information included in the search condition, and an output unit (106) outputs the found image data.

Abstract: A composite system includes first and second devices, each operated using its own power source device as a driving source. The system comprises a signal line connecting loads of the first and second devices so that the first and second devices operate in cooperation with each other; and a power source line connecting a first line connecting the first power source device and the load of the first device via a diode and a second line connecting the second power source device and the load of the second device via a diode so that the first and second devices can operate using the power source device of the counterpart device as the drive source.

Abstract: The image input apparatus comprises the image pickup unit which optically scans a subject and successively acquires partial images of the subject. The relative change detection unit detects an amount of relative change in position or speed of the image pickup unit between a time when a previous partial image was taken and a time when a current partial image is being taken. The an overlapping amount calculating unit calculates an amount of overlap between the previous partial image and the current partial image based upon the amount of relative change in position or speed detected by the relative change detection unit. The image recording determination unit determines whether or not the current partial image is to be recorded based upon the amount of overlap calculated by the overlapping amount calculating unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a solid-state image pickup element formed on a single semiconductor chip, the solid-state image pickup element including photoelectric conversion units arranged two-dimensionally, a plurality of CCDs for transferring charges generated by the photoelectric conversion units arranged two-dimensionally, each of the plurality of CCDs being arranged correspondingly to each line of photoelectric conversion units, a plurality of charge detection circuits for detecting the charges from the plurality of CCDs and supplying corresponding signal levels, each of the plurality of charge detection circuits being arranged correspondingly to each CCD, a common output line to which signals from the plurality of charge detection circuits are sequentially output, a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring the signals from the plurality of charge detection circuits to the common output line, and a scanning circuit for controlling the plurality of transfer transistors to sequentially out

Abstract: A system and method for creating still images by utilizing a video camera comprises a cradle device that transports the video camera across a target object during a scanning procedure that captures and stores video data. During the scanning procedure, a motion detector captures and provides scan motion data to a scanning manager from the video camera. The scanning manager may then responsively utilize the scan motion data to accurately extract still frames corresponding to the target object from the captured video data at pre-determined time intervals. A stitching software program may then access and combine the still frames generated by the scanning manager to thereby create composite still images.

Abstract: An image sensor for capturing an image includes a photosensitive area for receiving incident light; a substance placed covering a portion of the photosensitive area which substance includes a first index of refraction; and a plurality of electrodes positioned adjacent the substance having a dielectric placed between a portion of the electrodes, which dielectric includes a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction.

Abstract: A signal processing device for a sensor output signal from a sensor covered by a color mask pattern having a plurality of colors, the signal processing device comprising a reconstruction unit (5) for generating a plurality of color signal values (R, G, B) for each pixel from the sensor output signal; and a clipping device (8) for clipping the sensor output signal or the plurality of color signal values (R, G, B). Preferably, the signal processing device further comprises: a conversion unit (6) for generating luminance signals (Y) and chrominance signals (U, V) from the plurality of color signal values (R, G, B), and an adjustment unit (10) for selectively setting the chrominance signals (U, V) to a zero color difference when clipping is performed (8).

Abstract: A digital camera is provided with, a voltage detection unit for a driving power supply, a temperature detection unit which detects an inner temperature and an outer temperature of the apparatus, a power supply detection unit which detects whether the power supply is an AC power supply or a DC power supply (battery), a power-supply condition control unit which makes a determination as to a power-supply state of the apparatus based upon a voltage, a temperature and the kind of the power supply that have been respectively detected by the respective detection and monitoring unit; and a focusing unit which automatically focuses a focus lens system onto a subject, and in this arrangement, the gap of automatic focusing timing is varied by an output from the power-supply condition control unit.