Abstract: A digital camera 100 includes a photographic optical system (21) for projecting an image of a subject; a CCD (24) for converting the projected image into an image signal and outputting it; a focus driving system (25) which changes a focusing condition of the image projected to the CCD (24) by relatively moving at least one of the photographic optical system (21) and the CCD (24) to the other; a CCDAF portion (82) which sequentially evaluates the image signal obtained in each focusing condition while subsequently changes the focusing condition by controlling the focus driving system (25), and which obtains a predetermined focusing condition based on the evaluation; an AF controlling portion (83) for controlling an operation of the CCDAF portion (82); and a ranging sensor (31) for measuring a subject distance. In addition, the AF controlling portion (83) controls the operation of the CCDAF portion (82) according to the subject distance to prioritize either a focusing accuracy or a focusing speed.

Abstract: An image sensor capable of preventing the cross-talk phenomenon due to a deep penetration depth and a low absorption coefficient of red light in a photodiode region and a method for fabricating the same, wherein the photodiode for collecting incident light has different depths in accordance with the wavelength of the incident light. The photodiode for receiving red light, which has the longest wavelength, has the deepest depth, the photodiode for receiving blue light has the least depth, and the photodiode for receiving green light, which has a wavelength between the red light and the blue light has an intermediate depth.

Abstract: The electronic camera, and image display method and image recording method applied thereto are capable of eliminating discontinuity in moving image caused by a camera control such as interruption by still image recording in moving image capturing and aperture switching. With respect to the period during which the capturing of the image data of moving image is interrupted, an image picked-up immediately before the interruption is repeatedly displayed or recorded. As to the moving image recording, supplementary recording for non-recording period may be performed afterward by utilizing an image immediately after resuming the reading of movie image. Moreover, display of non-image screen (“non-display”), recording of black screen (“black recording”) or display or recording of a special image can be inserted if necessary, thus giving an impression that the shutter is clicked.

Abstract: A digital image process for a digital camera contains a preprocessor and a postprocessor. The preprocessor can include, for example, a uniformity corrector, a sampling filter, a modulation transformer, and a ditherer. The postprocessor can include a color interpolator, an RGB reconstruction block, a digital compressor, and a color pattern data buffer. The digital image process is programmable to operate one or more of the processing blocks of one or both the preprocessor and the postprocessor for flexible programming that can adapt to the requirements of various digital camera designs or users.

Abstract: A method for producing a motion video image file from a motion image sequence, includes the steps of providing a first target data rate for a first image frame of the motion image sequence; compressing the first image frame using the first target data rate, and storing the compressed first image frame in a motion video image file; providing a second target data rate for subsequent image frames of the motion video sequence, the second target data rate being lower than the first target data rate; and compressing the subsequent image frames of the motion image sequence using the second target data rate. The method further includes the steps of storing the compressed subsequent image frames in the motion video image file; decompressing the compressed first image frame; and using the decompressed first image frame to provide a still image representative of the motion video image file.

Abstract: Automated zoom control and/or automated wide angle capture for digital camera systems and related methods. The camera is configured to have imaging apparatus that selectively couples images from an image scene to an image sensing apparatus that senses the coupled images. A processor implements an automated zoom control function that automatically records a plurality of closely related images having different zoom levels sensed by the image apparatus, and from which a user selects images for storage.

Abstract: A digital camera 10 includes a systems control section 20. When the systems control section 20 receives any of operation signals from a key operation section 18, the systems control section 20 measures the passage of time with a timer 22, and continues the time measurement for a specified period of time until any of the operation signals is supplied. In an imaging mode, the system controls section 20 generates an oscillation frequency higher than a normal oscillation frequency with a signal generation circuit 260 in response to a button depressing operation of a release shutter button 180, and generates the normal oscillation frequency upon receipt of any one of the operation signals in a specified period of time.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to prevent degradation of the image quality caused by insufficient or excessive correction of a defective pixel, and realize high-speed, high-precision correction processing for a defective pixel. To achieve this object, an apparatus which performs correction for a pixel of an image sensing element formed from a plurality of pixels includes: (A) a memory unit which stores a plurality of correction data that have pieces of defective pixel address information and are used to correct outputs from defective pixels of the image sensing element; and (B) a correction processing unit which selects correction data for use from the plurality of correction data in accordance with a predetermined condition by a predetermined selection method including different types of selection standards, and performs defective pixel correction processing for an output from the image sensing element by using the selected correction data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera. Herein, prior to actual photographing, pre-photographing is performed with a shutter speed set to a plurality of different values. A signal synthesizing circuit synthesizes the resultant image values to acquire information concerning a dynamic range required to photograph a photographic scene. A signal distribution arithmetic circuit produces a histogram using the acquired information. A signal distribution analyzing circuit analyzes the peak frequencies of the histogram. A shutter timing calculating circuit produces shutter timing signals optimal for actual photographing according to the result of the analysis. An image-pickup device or the like is driven in response to each of the produced shutter timing signals, whereby actual photographing is achieved.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for acquiring images having high dynamic range. The image capturing apparatus includes CCD consisting of a first photo detector for detecting light from central area of a subject, a second photo detector for detecting light from marginal area of the subject, a photometry sensor for measuring brightness of the central and the marginal areas of the subject, and a sensitivity control unit for controlling sensitivity of the first photo detector based on the brightness of the central area measured by the photometry sensor and controlling sensitivity of the second photo detector based on the brightness of the marginal area measured by the photometry sensor.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus wherein, when a video camera is employed as a TV telephone or a portable telephone is employed as a TV telephone and when the direction of the display face of an LCD panel is directed (the display direction) is the opposite of that of a lens (the photographing direction), the image of an object photographed through the lens is displayed as the main picture on the LCD panel, and wherein, when the direction of the display face of the LCD panel is directed (the display direction) is the same as that of the lens (the photographing direction), an image transmitted by a communication partner is displayed as the main picture on the LCD panel.

Abstract: A sensor for color and depth information capture is disclosed. A filter passes selected wavelengths according to a predetermined pattern to the sensor. The sensor measures light intensities passed by the filter. In one embodiment, the wavelengths passed by the filter correspond to red, green, blue and infrared light. The intensity values can be used for interpolation operations to provide intensity values for areas not captured by the sensor. For example, in an area corresponding to a pixel for which an intensity of red light is captured, interpolation operations using neighboring intensity values can be used to provide an estimation of blue, green and infrared intensities. Red, green and blue intensity values, whether captured or interpolated, are used to provide visible color image information. Infrared intensity values, whether captured or interpolated, are used to provide depth and/or surface texture information.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device and a pixel defect testing method thereof are disclosed. A solid-state image pickup device including: a pixel unit having a plurality of unit pixels that perform photoelectric conversion; a driving circuit for driving the pixel unit to control output of a pixel output signal; an output signal processing circuit for subjecting the pixel output signal outputted from the pixel unit according to the driving of the driving circuit to predetermined signal processing, and outputting a resulting pixel output signal; a pixel defect determining circuit for capturing the pixel output signal outputted from the pixel unit according to the driving of the driving circuit, and determining a pixel defect by comparing the pixel output signal with a predetermined reference signal; and a timing generator for supplying a predetermined operating pulse to the driving circuit, the output signal processing circuit, and the pixel defect determining circuit.

Abstract: There are provided hue detecting means for detecting a hue component for each pixel from a first color difference signal R?Y and a second color difference signal B?Y, and gain controlling means for controlling for each pixel a gain for arbitrarily selected one of or an arbitrary combination of a luminance signal, a first color difference signal R?Y, and a second color difference signal B?Y depending on the detected hue component for each pixel.

Abstract: A camera system has a camera with a photosensitive member that records optical images; and a lens apparatus removably mounted on the camera and forming an optical image with an image taking optical system including a focus lens. Focus control of the focus lens is changed in accordance the photosensitive member. A control circuit controls a lens driving unit and sets a driving pattern in accordance with information stored in a photosensitive member information storage circuit, and controls the lens driving unit based on focus adjustment state detected by a focus detection unit. An in-focus state can be achieved with focus accuracy suited for a photosensitive member in a combination of different cameras provided with different photosensitive members and interchangeable lenses common to these cameras.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus senses an image by illuminating a document by a light source including three light emitting diodes which emit light of red, green, and blue so that the light reflected from the document is incident on a sensor array which in turn generates an electric signal corresponding to the incident light, wherein a predetermined light emitting diode is also turned on during a period in which no image sensing operation is performed thereby making it possible to stabilize the intensity of light illuminating an image. Thus, the invention provides a high-performance and small-sized image sensing apparatus at a low cost.

Abstract: A system for controlling photosensitive charge transfers utilizes an array of photosensitive elements, a transfer gate, a charge transfer register, and a controller. The transfer gate is coupled to the photosensitive elements, and the charge transfer register is coupled to the transfer gate. The charge transfer register is configured to receive charges from the array of photosensitive elements, via the transfer gate, and to shift the charges out of the charge transfer register. The controller is configured to control the transfer gate such that charges are collected in each of the photosensitive elements and transferred, via the transfer gate, to the charge transfer register. The controller is further configured to enable the transfer gate during a time period when the charge transfer register is shifting a set of charges previously transferred from the array of photosensitive elements to the charge transfer register.

Abstract: A charge coupled device (CCD) circuit employing substrate electrical bounce compensation circuitry that is particularly useful in a cinematography digital image capture cameras. An exemplary CCD circuit comprises a CCD array having a substrate that is coupled to an output node. The output of the CCD array (substrate) is coupled to a gate input of a reset field effect transistor (FET). The output node is coupled to a source input of the reset FET. The output of the CCD array is coupled to the substrate bounce compensation circuit which provides a video pedestal reference signal for the reset FET. The substrate bounce compensation circuit includes a capacitor that capacitively coupled the output of the CCD array to the drain of the reset FET, and a resistor that resistively couples the drain of the reset FET to a reset drain bias capacitor.

Abstract: The number of terminals for a timing signal generating device and the vertical drive device for a solid-state image pickup element is to be reduced, and at the same time the circuit dimensions of the timing signal generating device and the vertical drive device which are increased by the reduction in the number of terminals are to be kept to the minimum. A timing signal generating circuit is provided with a time-division multiplexing circuit, and this time-division multiplexing circuit subjects timing signals vertical transfer pulses and timing signals for read pulses to time-division multiplexing. On the other hand, a vertical driver is provided with a demultiplexing circuit, and the demultiplexing circuit separates four-bit signals subjected to time-division multiplexing into the original timing signals and timing signals. This enables the number of terminals (the number of signal lines) of the timing signal generating circuit and the time-division multiplexing circuit to be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the gain and offset in an AFE as the pixels are sequentially processed. Although the method can be used for any purpose, it is directed in particular to light source non-linearity, such as edge effects of a scanner. A unique clocking method clocks the gain and offset values into the register at a higher clock rate than the image sampling rate.