Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor including first and second pixels arranged in a first row, for outputting first and second pixel signals through first and third column lines during a unit row time; third and fourth pixels arranged in a second row, for outputting third and fourth pixel signals through second and fourth column lines during the unit row time; an alignment circuit for aligning the first to fourth pixel signals for each row, and outputting first to fourth alignment signals, according to control signals; a first signal conversion circuit for generating a first depth information signal corresponding to a difference in voltage levels between the first and second alignment signals, through one A/D conversion operation; and a second signal conversion circuit for generating a second depth information signal, corresponding to a difference in voltage levels between the third and fourth alignment signals, through one A/D conversion operation.

Abstract: A pixel region includes: pixels each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices; a light-shielding region; and an effective region. A reading circuit reads, from a first row of the pixel region, a pixel signal obtained by adding signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion devices, and reads, from a second row of the pixel region, a plurality of signals including phase difference information. A horizontal streak correction circuit performs one of a first offset correction based on a signal read from the light-shielding region and a second offset correction based on a predetermined value on a pixel signal obtained from a second row of the effective region. An image processing circuit processes image data according to a parameter. The horizontal streak correction circuit selects the first offset correction or the second offset correction according to the parameter.

Abstract: A camera module, may include: a lens module including a forwardmost lens disposed closest to an object: a housing configured to accommodate the lens module; a heater formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to heat the forwardmost lens by a first driving signal; and a dirt remover formed on the forwardmost lens, and configured to generate electrical vibrations or mechanical vibrations or a voltage difference to remove dirt attached to a surface of the forwardmost lens by a second driving signal.

Abstract: A camera assembly includes a first printed circuit board separated from a second printed circuit board. A flex circuit electrically connects the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board. An image sensor is attached to the first printed circuit board and a connector is attached to the second printed circuit board. The image sensor of the camera assembly is mechanically and physically separate from the connector. The first printed circuit board is connected to the second printed circuit board via a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit is elastically moveable between an assembled state and a disassembled state.

Abstract: An optical component driving mechanism is provided. The optical component driving mechanism includes a first movable portion, a fixed portion, a first circuit member, and a first reinforcing component. The first movable portion is connected to the first optical component. The first optical component has a first optical axis. The first movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The first circuit member is disposed on the fixed portion, and the first circuit member is configured to transmit electrical signals. The first reinforcing component is disposed on the first circuit member.

Abstract: A camera module is provided. The camera module includes a fixed body which has an internal space; a first movable body movably disposed on the fixed body; a substrate disposed on the first movable body, and on which an image sensor is mounted; a yoke disposed on one of the fixed body and the first movable body; a coil disposed on the other of the fixed body and the first movable body, and disposed to face the yoke; and an elastic member connected to the fixed body and the first movable body, and configured to provide a restorative force to the first movable body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging sensor system (26) having a high detection accuracy. The system (26) comprises a plurality of pixel sensors (1) and at least one light source. The pixel sensors (1) are grouped in clusters, wherein each pixel sensor (1) comprises a photodetector (2) and a local controlling circuit (18). The plurality of sensors (1) in each cluster are configured, using local controlling circuits (18), to output a global detection signal (15) when detecting a local detection signal (10) from at least two outputs of the photodetectors (2) of said cluster. The system (26) has a high detection accuracy due to ruling out false positive detections, since each detection requires at least two positive outputs of the photodetectors (2) of said cluster.

Abstract: Camera modules and associated electronic devices and systems are described. A camera module may include a set of housing elements that at least partially defines an interior cavity, a set of lens elements, an image sensor positioned within the interior cavity to receive light through the set of lens elements, and a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may include a set of rigid substrates, a first set of electrical contacts positioned on a first surface of the set of rigid substrates, and a second set of electrical contacts positioned on a second surface of the set of rigid substrates. The substrate assembly may be positioned such that a first portion of the substrate assembly is positioned inside the interior cavity and a second portion of the substrate assembly extends outside of the interior cavity.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set, when reproduction of an image stored in a storage unit is performed, whether to perform filtering reproduction that reproduces the image by performing filtering in which only images that match specific attribute information are selected, or to perform reproduction without performing filtering; and a control unit configured to control reproduction of images stored in the storage unit based on the setting by the setting unit. The control unit performs display for calling the attention of a user when an image that does not match the specific attribute information is included in images being added to the storage unit before performing the filtering reproduction.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a pixel array having a plurality of rows with active imaging pixels, and at least one row with test pixels. Each of the test pixels includes a test voltage generation circuit generating a test voltage, a switching circuit receiving the test voltage and an image pixel output signal and passing the test voltage as output when in a test mode, a comparison circuit receiving the output from the switching circuit and an analog to digital conversion signal and asserting a counter reset signal when the output from the switching circuit and the analog to digital conversion signal are equal in voltage, and a counter beginning counting at a beginning of each test cycle within the test mode, stopping counting upon assertion of the counter reset signal, and outputting its count upon stopping counting. The count is proportional to the test voltage when in the test mode.

Abstract: A portable electronic device with image capturing capabilities automatically or semi-automatically adjusts one or more image capturing parameters based on an input attribute of user engagement with a single-action haptic input mechanism. For example, the duration for which a single-action control button carried on a frame of the device is pressed automatically determines an image stabilization mode for on-board processing of captured image data In one example, an above-threshold press duration automatically activates a less rigorous image stabilization mode, while button release before expiry of the threshold automatically activates a more rigorous photo stabilization mode.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of cells includes at least one avalanche photodiode. A light projecting unit is arranged to project light having a cross-sectional shape whose longitudinal direction corresponds to a first direction. The light projecting unit is arranged to scan the light along a second direction intersecting the first direction such that the reflected light is incident on, among N cell groups each of which includes M cells aligned in a row direction, each cell group or each plurality of cell groups. A controller is arranged to apply, in accordance with the incidence of the reflected light, a bias voltage that makes the avalanche photodiode operate in a Geiger mode to each cell group or each plurality of cell groups, and is arranged to read signals from cells included in the cell group or the plurality of cell groups to which the bias voltage has been applied.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging element that images a subject through an imaging optical system; and a processor, and the processor is configured to: detect a moving object present in a plurality of pieces of pixel data obtained by the imaging element at different time points; perform detection processing of obstruction of the moving object by an object at a time point in a future based on a result of comparison between a first distance that is a predicted distance to the moving object at the time point in the future and a second distance that is a distance to the object present at a predicted positional coordinate of the moving object at the time point in the future; and perform an imaging control based on a result of the detection processing.

Abstract: One embodiment comprises: a fixed unit comprising first to fourth magnets; and a movable unit disposed so as to be spaced apart from the fixed unit. The movable unit comprises: a coil comprising first to fourth coil units facing the first to fourth magnets; a position sensor comprising a first sensor for outputting a first output by detecting a magnetic field of the first magnet, a second sensor for outputting a second output by detecting a magnetic field of the second magnet, and a third sensor for outputting a third output by detecting a magnetic field of the third magnet; a first control unit for receiving the first and second outputs and driving the first and third coil units; and a second control unit for receiving the second output and driving the second and fourth coil units, wherein the movable unit moves in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis or rotates about the optical axis, by means of an interaction between the first to fourth magnets and the first to fourth coil units.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a base member, a reference member fixed to the base member, an image sensor, a holding member holding the image sensor and being held by the base member such that a distance from the reference member to the image sensor is changeable, a biasing member generating a first force that biases the holding member in a direction in which the distance increases, and a correction member providing, to the holding member, a second force acting against the first force. The second force changes due to deformation of the correction member depending on its temperature.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array of a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a row direction and a column direction and including a first unit pixel that includes floating diffusion region configured to store photocharge generated within the first unit pixel in corresponding to incident light; a first gain conversion transistor connected to the first floating diffusion region; a first row booster block connected to the first gain conversion transistor and a second gain conversion transistor that is included in a second unit pixel adjacent to the first unit pixel in the row direction; and a first column booster block connected to the first gain conversion transistor and a third gain conversion transistor that is included in a third unit pixel adjacent to the first unit pixel in the column direction.

Abstract: An image processor includes a memory, a signal processing circuit to process a visible light component including an invisible light component and an invisible light component from an image sensor, a signal setting circuit to set a first enable signal valid in a first period based on execution of signal processing, and set a second enable signal valid after the first period elapses, an offset component removal circuit to remove an offset component from the visible light component and the invisible light component in a period in which the first enable signal is valid while storing data in process in the memory, and an invisible component removal circuit to remove the invisible light component from the visible light component, to output image data of a visible light component in a period in which the second enable signal is valid while storing data in process in the memory.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a first substrate that is provided with a photoelectric conversion unit which generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion, a signal line to which a signal based on the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit is output, and a supply unit which supplies a voltage to the signal line such that a voltage of the signal line does not fall below a predetermined voltage, and a second substrate that is provided with a processing unit which processes the signal output to the signal line and is stacked on the first substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metadata-based cinematography, production effects, shot selection, and/or other content augmentation. Effective cinematography conveys storyline, emotion, excitement, etc. Unfortunately, most amateur filmmakers lack the knowledge and ability to create cinema quality media. Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to, among other things, rendering media based on instantaneous metadata. Unlike traditional post-processing techniques that rely on human subjectivity, some of the various techniques described herein leverage the camera's actual experiential data to enable cinema-quality post-processing for the general consuming public. Instantaneous metadata-based cinematography and shot selection advisories and architectures are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the pre-processing of image data so as to enhance quality of subsequent encoding and rendering. In one embodiment, a capture device is disclosed that includes a processing apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable apparatus comprising a storage medium have one or more instructions stored thereon. The one or more instructions, when executed by the processing apparatus, are configured to: receive captured image data (such as that sourced from two or more separate image sensors) and pre-process the data to enable stabilization of the corresponding images prior to encoding. In some implementations, the pre-processing includes combination (e.g., stitching) of the captured image data associated with the two or more sensors to facilitates the stabilization. Advantageously, undesirable artifacts such as object “jitter” can be reduced or eliminated. Methods and non-transitory computer readable apparatus are also disclosed.