Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including: an imaging pixel region where a plurality of imaging pixels is disposed; a vertical selecting circuit for outputting pixel signals from imaging pixels of respective columns on a selected row of the imaging pixel region to vertical signal lines provided respectively for the columns; charge integrating amps provided respectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so as to receive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respective columns; holding elements that allow the input pixel signals to be held in the charge integrating amps even in periods when the charge integrating amps are in a standby state; and a horizontal selecting circuit for transferring pixel signals output from the respective charge integrating amps by a horizontal signal line.

Abstract: A control unit converts image information into differential signals to transmit to a controller. The control unit receives control signals (differential signals) for controlling a lens unit or an illumination unit, to control the lens unit or the illumination unit. Only a signal cable is used for being connected between an imaging device and the controller to remotely control the lens unit or the illumination unit from the controller. Therefore, compact wiring can be realized between the controller and the imaging device.

Abstract: In a digital camera, when a motion image reducing mode is set, a pointer is displayed on a monitor. When the operator operates on cursor key, the pointer moves, and when the operator operates a determination key at two different pointer positions, a rectangular frame is formed. Namely, the two pointer positions represent upper left and lower right coordinates of the frame. The picked up real time motion image is displayed in the rectangular frame. The displayed motion image is reduced to a magnification corresponding to the ratio of the rectangular frame with respect to the monitor frame. When the operator operates a shutter button at this time, the image in the motion image frame is recorded on a memory card.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device includes: a plurality of unit pixels 21 arranged in rows and columns each of which outputs a pixel signal according to incident light; and a plurality of floating diffusion portions 22 each of which receives the pixel signals. Each of the floating diffusion portions 22 is shared by two unit pixels 21 which are respectively arranged in adjacent rows and which are respectively adjacent columns.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus has a color conversion mode in which it generates color conversion data for color conversion based on an input color which is a source color and an output color which is a destination color. Using the generated color conversion data, the apparatus performs color conversion processing on image data acquired by means of an imaging section. To make the generated color conversion data reproducible, the apparatus outputs the image data obtained through the color conversion processing, associated with color conversion information including, for example, the source color and destination color. The apparatus generates a data file containing, for example, the color conversion information and image data, and records it on a recording medium.

Abstract: An electronic device can perform photographing by an AF (Auto-Focusing) function and a PF (Pan-Focus) function, and can give improvement of quickness of the taking of an image by automatically selecting an image, which is taken into the device, from a relation between the AF function and a shutter operation. The electronic device has an imaging part which catches an image obtained through an optical system, and also has a focusing mechanism which moves the optical system to an auto-focusing position or a fixed focus position. The electronic device further comprises a switch and a control part. The switch functions as a focusing switch ordering the focusing mechanism a focusing action, and also functions as a shutter switch ordering taking of an image caught by the imaging part. By this, the switch orders the focusing action or the taking of the caught image.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising an array of pixels fabricated using a microelectronic technology such as CMOS is disclosed. The imaging device provides information regarding rapid increases in incident radiation. The sensor is sensitive to a variable quantity to be imaged, such as visible or non-visible radiation, and a signal representative of the quantity is output. The quantity is measured over a monitoring period, and the timing of the incidence may also be output.

Abstract: From a pixel array where imaging pixels are arranged, pixel signals of respective columns on a selected row are read in parallel in a horizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals of the respective columns are output to horizontal signal lines in an effective period of the horizontal period via charge integrating amps provided respectively for the columns, i.e., provided respectively for vertical signal lines, and are thereby transferred horizontally. In the charge integrating amps, it is possible to enter a standby state while holding the pixel signals by a holding voltage. Furthermore, in the charge integrating amps, a reference potential for precharging feedback capacitors for amps at the time of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on a black level. Furthermore, pixel signals from the respective charge integrating amps are horizontally transferred in parallel using a plurality of horizontal signal lines.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixel cells, each of which includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, is arranged, and an adder for performing an addition operation on a plurality of signals output from the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixel array in a predetermined combination of the photoelectric conversion elements, while setting between the signals to be added a ratio determined according to the arrangement of the photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A control method for a digital photographing apparatus is provided in which one of operating modes associated with a button is set according to the length of time the button is pressed and a digital photographing apparatus using the method. The method includes setting a next operating mode in a forward direction if a first setting signal is generated by pressing the button and setting a next operating mode in a reverse direction if a second setting signal including the first setting signal is generated by pressing the button. Also, a system for controlling the operation of a digital photographing apparatus is provided. The system includes means for a digital photographing apparatus to operate in at least two selectable operating modes, means for showing the available operating modes in both a forward and reverse direction and means for selecting one of the operating modes.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a capturing unit configured to capture a subject; a generating unit configured to generate a request packet to request information of an image stored in an external apparatus, wherein the request packet includes a parameter of the capturing; a request packet transmitting unit configured to transmit the request packet to the external apparatus, a response packet receiving unit configured to receive a response packet corresponding to the request packet, wherein the response packet includes the information of the image stored in the external apparatus; and an image acquiring unit configured to acquire the image from the external apparatus based on the information included in the response packet, wherein the generating unit generates the request packet in response to instructions to allow the capturing unit to perform capturing.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector configured to generate first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector configured to detect second information that is used for focus control and different from the first information, a controller configured to provide the focus control, and a first operating member operable by a user, wherein the controller provides the focus control that uses the first information but does not use the second information when the first operating member is not operated, and provides the focus control that uses at least the second information when the operating member is operated.

Abstract: A system is used to remotely control camera positioning. A transformation model is used. By in putting image coordinates of the monitored position form camera, the object coordinates is obtained and displayed on a digital map. By inputting object coordinates on a digital map, image coordinates for the camera is obtained. After transferring parameters for camera positioning, the camera is moved to a desired position for monitoring an area and taking a photo.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic imaging device and method of expanding its dynamic range. The invention comprises modifying the imaging device by providing a comparator and reset trigger circuit located at or near the site of each of the pixels. The comparator triggers a reset mechanism when the voltage in the charged pixel reaches a reference voltage. During the global exposure time each individual pixel can be self-reset several times, depending on the intensity of the radiation incident upon it. At the end of the global exposure time, each pixel contains only the “residual value” of voltage that remains from the last individual self-reset to the end of the global integration time. An algorithm is implemented, which estimates and determines the number of resets undergone by each pixel during the global exposure time. From this number of resets the algorithm is able to reconstruct the true image.

Abstract: An electronic imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system which forms an optical image of an object. A photoelectric conversion element converts the optical image into an electric signal. The optical element is arranged between the imaging optical system and the photoelectric conversion element. An excitation unit vibrates the optical element at a set frequency, and vibrates the optical element at least in an imaging operation of the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: An image sensor, a reading device and a method for setting a resolution are provided for setting the resolution to multiple levels without increasing signal types.

Abstract: A device, for processing each pixel signal output from a solid-state imaging device, has a determination processor and an interpolation processor. Each pixel is defined as a center pixel of a k×k matrix. The interpolation processor presumes which pixels have the same color as one another in the k×k matrix, according to the plurality of pixel-array patterns, and conducts a pixel interpolation in each case of presumed color arrangement according to the plurality of pixel-array patterns, so as to generate signal groups of presumed interpolation signals of the center pixel. The determination processor determines a pixel-array pattern in the k×k matrix to be a pattern selected from the plurality of pixel-array patterns. One of the signal groups that is generated according to the determined pixel-array pattern is selected as interpolation signals of the center pixel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention comprise imaging systems and methods for an interlaced scan of an image sensor array. An exemplary method is described in which an image sensor array is exposed to light for a period of time to generate voltage levels representative of array pixels. The voltage levels of a first field of the array are scanned, the first field comprising a number of row-pairs of the array. The voltage levels of a second field of the array are also scanned, the second field comprising a different set of row-pairs interlaced with the row-pairs of the first field. A set of image data from the first field and a set from the second field are generated. Various row-pairs may be averaged in generating the sets of image data. Additionally, exemplary imaging systems are described with various configurations for scanning an image sensor array in interlaced mode.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus includes an image pick-up device and a filter circuit. The image pick-up device includes a pixel portion for converting a subject image into an electric signal, a scanning circuit for dividing the pixel portion into a plurality of areas, for non-linearly dividing the boundary of the areas of at least one side of the adjacent areas based on the unit of pixel, and a plurality of output circuits for individually outputting video signals. The filter circuit performs filter processing of the video signals outputted from the plurality of output circuits for the pixels near the boundary of the areas. Thus, the image quality can be improved in the multi-channel output system.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device wherein, in order to obtain an output of large amplitude from a low-contrast object without using a bottom detecting circuit to thereby increase a capturing rate, an accumulation end is determined when a maximum value signal in a photosensor array reaches a predetermined accumulation end level, and an amplifier circuit unit is provided for amplifying a signal, which is outputted from each of the pixels of the photosensor array, with reference to the maximum value signal of the photosensor array and for outputting the signal.