Abstract: A digital video management system which provides live digital video signals from a number of cameras to a number of client terminals, via a computer communications network, in real time. The system stores live video signals in response to a video recording trigger which may be either a schedule, an event, or an operator action. The invention is particularly suitable for use in integrated security and process control environments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilizing image frames in a video data stream. A weighted average or centroid of the intensity or hue associated with pixels vs. the horizontal and vertical position of each pixel is calculated for a reference frame in the video data stream. A corresponding centroid is calculated for a subsequent frame in the stream. This image frame is then translated so that the centroid of the subsequent frame and the centroid of the reference frame coincide, reducing artifacts from shaking of the video capture device. Alternatively, the video stream frames may be divided into tiles and centroids calculated for each tile. The centroids of the tiles of a subsequent frame are curve fit to the centroids of tiles in a reference frame. An affine transform is then performed on the subsequent frame to reduce artifacts in the image from movements of the video capture device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for image exposure include capturing a first image under a first illumination condition, determining a luminance of the first image at a plurality of sectors, capturing a second image under a second illumination condition employing an artificial light source, determining a luminance of the second image at the plurality of sectors, and determining if the artificial light source should be used to capture a final image using the luminances of the first and second images at the plurality of sectors. If the artificial light source is to be used, an output level of the light source is determined.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, at least parts or all of the windows for tarry lamps are located in the outside of the front cover by constructing the front cover portion between the top face and left-hand side face of the front cover, and the front cover portion between the top face and right-hand side face of the front cover as the inclined planes respectively. That is, since the windows for tarry lamps are not covered by the front cover as conventional ones, visibility from the external improves.

Abstract: A portable type recording and reproducing device including recording means for converting sound information output from sound collecting means to files in message units and recording the files on a predetermined recording medium, and recording image information output from photographing means on the recording medium in association with a corresponding file of sound information in response to a first external operation, display means for displaying images based on image information associated with respective files of sound information, and reproducing means for reproducing a file of sound information associated with an image selected by a predetermined second external operation among the images displayed by the display means.

Abstract: In a solid state imaging device, signal charges are branched to be output to in the form of one or plural outputs. At a horizontal transfer speed not lower than a predetermined transfer speed, the imaging device transfers signal charges of color attributes classified by a branching section, to plural horizontal transfer paths, where the signal charges are converted into analog voltage signals, which will be output synchronously. At a horizontal transfer speed lower than the predetermined transfer speed, the analog voltage signal converted is output from, e.g. the horizontal transfer path which has been selected. Output amplifiers arranged on the horizontal transfer paths are differentiated in sensitivities in detecting signal charges, depending on color attributes of signal charges supplied, and output the analog voltage signals.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus which includes an imaging unit configured for obtaining object images, a notification unit configured to perform notification that images are being obtained by the imaging unit, a macro-mode setting unit configured to set the imaging unit in a macro mode, and a notification control unit configured to control the notification operation of the notification unit in accordance with whether the macro mode is set or not by the macro-mode setting unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has an image sensor recording image information; a dustproof glass for keeping hermeticity of the periphery of the image sensor, placed in front of the image sensor; an optical filter removably placed in front of the dustproof glass; and a camera mount placed in front of the optical filter. The image pickup apparatus further has a parfocal adjusting device in which a focal position where the optical filter is demounted can be adjusted so as to be nearly equal to the focal position where the optical filter is mounted.

Abstract: In a single plate type solid-state image pickup device having a color filter with primary color filters, gray filters are disposed at specific pixels of the arrangement of the primary color filters, whereby variation of the sense of resolution with respect to color can be prevented, and outline emphasis is applied to achieve an excellent image.

Abstract: An image capturing system includes a first camera, a second camera and a first rotating device. The first camera is configured to capture a first image. The second camera is configured to capture a second image whose scope is narrower than a scope of the first image. The first rotating device connects the first camera and the second camera. The first rotating device is configured to rotate the first camera and the second camera around a first rotational axis which is on the first rotating device.

Abstract: A dual-purpose camera cap functions as a camera lens protector and a white balance filter. The camera cap includes a camera cap body having a locking mechanism or a flexible member to engage with or fitted over a camera lens housing. The camera cap body also includes a ring-shaped area to be placed in front of a camera lens to partially cover the camera lens. The ring-shaped area defines a center cut-out region. A translucent piece is fitted into the center cut-out area of the camera cap body to protect the camera lens and provide the white balance filtering function.

Abstract: A shooting-location acquiring unit acquires a current location, and stores acquired current location as a shooting location. A distance acquiring unit acquires a distance between a subject and the current location, and stores acquired distance as an imaging subject distance. An orientation acquiring unit acquires an orientation of the subject, and stores acquired orientation as an imaging subject orientation. A subject-location calculating unit calculates an imaging subject location, based on the shooting location, the imaging subject distance, and the imaging subject orientation. An information recording unit records an image with calculated imaging subject location.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit wherein a unit pixel group with a portion of elements of a unit pixel being shared with a plurality of unit pixels is arrayed in a matrix form, the unit pixel having a detecting unit, a pixel signal generating unit, a transfer unit to transfer the charge, and an initializing unit to initialize the potential of the pixel signal generating unit; and a driving control unit; wherein the driving control unit controls blooming reduction potential which is the transfer control potential supplied to the transfer unit of the unit pixel to be thinned, so that the overflow charge at the detecting unit with the unit pixel to be thinned which has no shared relation with the unit pixel to be read transitions to a state readily transferable to the pixel signal generating unit side of the unit pixel to be thinned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for accomplishing in-camera stitching of a high-resolution panoramic photograph from a set of component photographs while providing a satisfactory user experience. A low-resolution panorama is stitched, and a user of the camera performs a review of the low-resolution panorama using a display comprised in the camera. During the review, a high-resolution panoramic photograph is stitched by the camera in a background process.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor and a display unit. The imaging sensor obtains image data. The display unit indicates a first white balance setting picture that is used for setting a white balance gain in a white balance adjustment of the image data and a second white balance setting picture that is used for setting a fine adjustment of the white balance gain. The second white balance setting picture has an adjustment state indication area that illustrates a state where the fine adjustment is tuned and an adjustment quantity indication area which has a cursor illustrating a quantity of the fine adjustment and a two-dimensional coordinate plane illustrating a range of movement of the cursor. Only the second white balance setting picture has the adjustment state indication area.

Abstract: A solid-state image-pickup device includes a pixel array unit including pixels that include photoelectric transducer two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a driving unit for reading out pixel information corresponding to a number of pixels less than the number of pixels included in the pixel array unit as monitoring image information and reading out pixel information corresponding to a predetermined region in the pixel array unit at a cycle shorter than the display cycle of the monitoring image as autofocus image information.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensing apparatus.

Abstract: A random noise evaluation method is comprised of: capturing and obtaining current image data; calculating a difference between the current image data and an average of previous image data; calculating a current difference square sum using a sum of the difference and a previous difference square sum; and calculating a random noise value using the current difference square sum. Since a noise evaluation algorithm obtains random noises without storing image data for all pixels of a*b*n, it is able to evaluate random noise evaluation for a high-resolution image sensor even with a relatively small size of memory.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup element is disclosed which includes: a semiconductor substrate at which a plurality of element rows, in which a plurality of light-receiving elements are aligned along a vertical direction, are disposed in parallel along a horizontal direction; a plurality of color filters disposed in a predetermined color pattern at a light incident side of the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of transfer paths transferring charge accumulated in the respective light-receiving elements of corresponding element rows. The sequence of lining-up in the horizontal direction of the element rows and the vertical transfer paths corresponding to the element rows at divisional regions, which are divided at a border line that runs along the vertical direction and includes a position corresponding to an optical axis of light incident from an optical unit on the semiconductor substrate, are opposite to one another. Also disclosed is an image pickup device using the solid-state image pickup element.