Abstract: An imaging unit is configured with use of an imaging element including an image output pixel and a phase difference detection pixel. A control unit performs focus control based on image-plane phase difference information obtained using the phase difference detection pixel over a predetermined period, generates focus state change information indicating whether or not a change in a focus state is a monotonous change, and continues the focus control based on the image-plane phase difference information on the assumption of a large blur state in a case where the focus state change information indicates that a change in the focus state is a monotonous change. The control unit switches from the image-plane phase difference auto-focus operation to an auto-focus operation in a case where a change in the focus state is not a monotonous change. Thus, it becomes possible to perform a high-speed and high-quality auto-focus operation.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor comprising one or more processors and/or circuitry which functions as: a pixel portion in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, each pixel being provided with a sensor that includes an avalanche photodiode and a quenching resistor; and a controller that performs setting so that a bias voltage smaller than a breakdown voltage of the avalanche photodiodes is applied across the avalanche photodiode provided in an abnormal pixel among the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel may include a photodiode that generates first charge for a first frame and second charge for a second frame, first and second storage gates coupled to the photodiode, a floating diffusion coupled to the first storage gate through a first transistor, a second transistor coupled to the second storage gate, and a capacitor coupled to the floating diffusion through a third transistor. The image sensor pixel may output image signals associated with the first charge generated by the photodiode for the first image frame while the photodiode concurrently generates the second charge for the second image frame. The second storage gate may be used to store overflow charge. Overflow charge for the second frame may be stored at the second storage gate while image signals associated with the first image frame are read out from capacitor and the floating diffusion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for passive approaching object recognition are disclosed. A method includes: detecting, by a computing device, an object in an area monitored using a camera; determining, by the computing device, whether the object is a known object or an unknown object; and in response to determining that the object is the unknown object, the computer device sending an unmanned aerial vehicle to monitor the object.

Abstract: A dual-core focusing image sensor is disclosed. The dual-core focusing image sensor includes a photosensitive cell array including a plurality of focus photosensitive units, each of which including a first half and a second half and a plurality of dual-core focusing photosensitive pixels; a filter cell array disposed above the photosensitive cell array and including a plurality of white filter cells; and a micro-lens array disposed above the filter cell array and including a plurality of first micro-lenses, each of which having an elliptical shape and a plurality of second micro-lenses. The first half is covered by one of the white filter cells and the second half is covered by a plurality of the second micro-lenses, each of the white filter cells is covered by one of the first micro-lenses. Each of the dual-core focusing photosensitive pixels is covered by one of the second micro-lenses.

Abstract: The present application provides a combined camera, comprising a first camera housing inside which a first camera is provided. One side of the first camera housing is provided with a rotating disc that is rotatable relative to the first camera housing; a rotating bracket is fixed on the rotating disc, a second camera housing that is rotatable relative to the rotating bracket is provided on the rotating bracket, and a second camera is provided within the second camera housing. Obviously, the second camera housing of the combined camera directly rotatably connected to the first camera housing through both the rotating disc and the rotating bracket, thereby eliminating the mounting bracket and the base in the existing combined camera of a gun-ball linkage structure, thus simplifying the overall structure and reducing its height dimension.

Abstract: Provided are an excellent vehicle-mounted camera to be used by being attached to a windshield or the like of a vehicle, a vehicle-mounted camera apparatus, and a method of supporting a vehicle-mounted camera. The vehicle-mounted camera includes a substrate, an image pickup element mounted on the substrate, an image processing circuit that is mounted on the substrate and processes a captured image by the image pickup element, a light collection optical unit that collects incident light, and a reflection unit that reflects output light from the light collection optical unit to the image pickup element. The vehicle-mounted camera further includes a casing that accommodates the substrate on which at least the image pickup element and the image processing circuit are mounted, the light collection optical unit, and the reflection unit.

Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to devices and methods including a time-of-flight sensor and a camera. In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes a time-of-flight sensor, distance estimation circuitry, a camera, and processing circuitry. The time-of-flight sensor transmits an optical pulse signal and receives return optical pulse signals corresponding to portions of the transmitted optical pulse signal reflected by an object. The distance estimation circuitry estimates a minimum distance to the object based on a time between transmitting the optical pulse signal and receiving a first portion of the return optical pulse signals, and estimates a maximum distance to the object based on a time between transmitting the optical pulse signal and receiving a second portion of the return optical pulse signals. The processing circuitry controls a focus distance and an aperture setting of the camera based on the estimated minimum and maximum distances to the object.

Abstract: In a lens apparatus, an interchangeable lens includes an optical system including first and second focus lens units each configured to move in loci different from each other in focusing and a lens control unit configured to control positions of the first and second focus lens units. The lens control unit controls the positions of the first and second focus lens units based on target positions of the first and second focus lens units which are determined according to information about an optical element disposed between the optical system and an image sensor.

Abstract: A camera system with a body including an imager, a zoom lens having a variable focal length and a zoom control operable to adjust the focal length. The body may include a controller connected to the lens and configured to detect the focal length of the lens, and operable based on the focal length of the lens to establish a digital zoom factor. The digital zooming may occur in a limited portion of the zoom range, and this may be the upper end of the zoom range.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element and an electronic apparatus which are capable of utilizing almost all photoelectrically converted charges for signals during high capacitance. A pixel includes a selection transistor that is disposed on a drain side of an amplification transistor and selects a read-out row, the selection transistor selects the read-out row after reset by a reset transistor, and a transfer transistor performs reference potential read-out during high capacitance prior to reference potential read-out during low capacitance. For example, the present disclosure is applicable to a lamination-type solid-state imaging element.

Abstract: Provided are a CIS system and a method of processing the same using a low power multi-mode data path. In order to drive a circuit with low-power, the CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) system rearranges and transmits data in consideration of a color of pixel data and a most significant bit (MSB) and a least significant bit (LSB) of the pixel data using a low-power multi-mode data path. The CIS system can implement multi-modes including a low power mode and a high speed mode, reduce the number of data transitions by merging data of the same color in a always-on low-power mode and a photo-shooting low-power (PS-LP) mode to reduce power consumption and process data in a high speed using a pipeline in a photo-shooting high-speed (PS-HS) mode.

Abstract: A device can receive live video of a real-world, physical environment on a touch sensitive surface. One or more objects can be identified in the live video. An information layer can be generated related to the objects. In some implementations, the information layer can include annotations made by a user through the touch sensitive surface. The information layer and live video can be combined in a display of the device. Data can be received from one or more onboard sensors indicating that the device is in motion. The sensor data can be used to synchronize the live video and the information layer as the perspective of video camera view changes due to the motion. The live video and information layer can be shared with other devices over a communication link.

Abstract: A focus adjustment device comprising: a first detector which detects a focused state by a contrast detection system; second detectors which detect a focused state by a phase difference detection system; and a control unit which controls the first detector and second detectors so as to detect the focused state by the second detectors when detecting the focused state by the first detector.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging control device including a control unit and a flickering correction unit. The control unit adjusts a parameter of a correction signal for correcting a flickering component included in a captured image before imaging of the captured image starts. The flickering correction unit corrects the flickering component included in the captured image based on the parameter of the correction signal after adjustment.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described regarding a combined monochrome and chromatic camera sensor. A camera comprising a camera sensor and a processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The camera sensor may include pixel sensors, monochrome filters disposed over a first subset of the pixel sensors, and color filters disposed over a second subset of the pixel sensors. The first subset of the pixel sensors may be configured to capture a monochrome image of a scene. The second subset of the pixel sensors may be configured to capture, concurrently with the capture of the monochrome image, a color image of the scene, where a number of the first subset of the pixel sensors is greater than a number of the second subset of the pixel sensors. The processor may be configured to process the monochrome image and the color image to obtain an enhanced color image of the scene.

Abstract: An image file creation apparatus includes an acquisition circuit configured to acquire a picked-up image, and a processor configured to create an image file in recording the acquired image, in which the processor includes cooperation participation information for clarifying a relationship between the picked-up image and a cooperation image cooperating with the picked-up image as metadata in the image file, and the cooperation participation information includes at least one of (a) request information for requesting to provide the cooperation image cooperating with the picked-up image, and (b) provision information indicating whether or not the picked-up image can be provided as the cooperation image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device and electronic device with improved charge transfer efficiency from a charge storage unit to a charge-voltage conversion unit via a transfer gate are disclosed. In one example, the solid-state imaging device is configured so that, before an A/D conversion operation for signal level acquisition, a switching unit switches a state to the LG state at least once and to the HG state at least once. A transfer unit is configured to transfer the charge stored in the charge storage unit to the charge-voltage conversion unit at least twice when the state is being switched to the LG state and when the state is being switched to the HG state. A charge-voltage conversion unit adds the charge that is transferred for the LG state and the HG state and convert the added charge into a voltage signal.

Abstract: A miniature camera (1) comprising at least one SMA actuator wire (11) arranged to effect focus, zoom or optical image stabilization. The SMA actuator wire (11) is coated with an electrically insulating layer (40) of thickness in the range from 0.3 ?m to 10 ?m. The layer (40) provides electrical insulation whilst permitting cooling that provides a rapid response time of the SMA actuator wire (11).