Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including a first shared pixel and a second shared pixel that are adjacent to each other in a row direction. The first shared pixel includes two or more photo diodes in a first row and two or more photo diodes in a second row, and the first shared pixel includes a first floating diffusion region shared by the photo diodes of the first shared pixel. The second shared pixel includes two or more photo diodes in the first row and two or more photo diodes in the second row, and the second shared pixel includes a second floating diffusion region shared by the photo diodes of the second shared pixel.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging optical system, an imaging device, an actuator, and control circuitry. The actuator changes a relative position of a plurality of pixel cells and an image of a subject. The pixel cells include a photoelectric converter and a charge accumulation region. The control circuitry sets the relative position to a first position, and a first signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter during a first exposure is accumulated in the charge accumulation region. The relative position is set to a second position different from the first position, and a second signal charge obtained at the photoelectric converter during a second exposure time that is different from the first exposure time is accumulated in the charge accumulation region in addition to the first signal charge.

Abstract: A photosensitive element driving mechanism includes a fixed assembly, a first movable assembly and a first driving assembly. The first movable assembly is movable relative to the fixed assembly, and the first movable assembly is configured to be connected to a photosensitive element. The photosensitive element corresponds to an optical element. The first driving assembly is configured to drive the first movable assembly to move relative to the fixed assembly. The first movable assembly includes a heat dissipation structure corresponding to the first driving assembly, the optical element or the photosensitive element.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging device that is able to obtain a clear image in a relatively long distance in an environment of precipitation. A rainy weather camera includes: a light source that emits pulse light; a fan-shaped pulse light radiation unit that performs scanning in one direction with the pulse light emitted by the light source, spreads, in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, the pulse light for the scanning when the scanning is performed, and radiates the pulse light, which is in a state of being polarized in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, to an object; an imaging unit that receives reflection light from the object and performs exposure to a pixel; and a polarization filter that transmits light that is included in the reflection light received by the imaging unit and polarized to be parallel to the scanning direction. The imaging unit performs exposure only to a pixel which is synchronized with the scanning with the pulse light.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a moving image data acquisition unit that acquires moving image data from one or more cameras connected via a network, a storage unit that stores the moving image data that is acquired and camera image related information used to generate a camera setting content of a setting item related to image capturing of a camera, a camera setting change unit that generates or changes the camera setting content associated with the camera image related information that is stored, and a camera setting transmission unit that transmits, to the camera, the camera setting content that is generated, in which the camera image related information includes at least a saving period in which the moving image data is saved in the storage unit.

Abstract: A method of determining adjustment of an image pipeline setting comprises determining, by a controller, one or more settings for image data processing in the image pipeline; associating the one or more settings with a tag; transmitting the one or more settings to the image pipeline, wherein the tag is transmitted in association with the one or more settings; transmitting, from the image pipeline to the controller, feedback regarding image data processed with the one or more settings, wherein the tag is transmitted in association with the feedback; and determining, based on the received feedback and the one or more settings associated with the tag, an adjustment of the image pipeline setting.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising at least one memory and at least one processor which function as: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a moving image; and a generation unit configured to generate a thumbnail image from the moving image, wherein in a case where the moving image is a high dynamic range (HDR) moving image, the generation unit generates the thumbnail image of which gamma is equal to a gamma of the moving image and bit depth is lower than a bit depth of the moving image.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image capturing apparatus capable of capturing an image while controlling an image capturing condition on a pixel-by-pixel basis or on a region-by-region basis comprises: an identification unit configured to identify a moving object region in the image on the basis of motion information on an object; and a setting unit configured to set the image capturing condition for each pixel or each region such that an identical shutter speed is applied to pixels corresponding to the moving object region.

Abstract: An aperture module includes a rotary plate disposed on an upper portion of a base, an aperture driving unit rotating the rotary plate, and four blades interlocked with rotation of the rotary plate, and forming entrance holes having various sizes through combinations. The four blades are disposed on respective fixing shafts disposed on the base and rotated and driven around the respective fixing shafts, and the fixing shafts are interconnected to form a rectangle having a long side and a short side.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus to which an accessory apparatus including a plurality of operation members is detachably attached includes a camera communicator configured to provide a communication path with the accessory apparatus, and a camera controller configured to communicate with the accessory apparatus via the camera communicator, and to transfer to a sleep state with the accessory apparatus when none of the accessory apparatus and the imaging apparatus are operated in a normal operation state. The camera controller designates a specific operation member among a plurality of operation members for the accessory apparatus. The camera controller in the sleep state returns to the normal operation state when receiving a communication from the accessory apparatus corresponding to an operation of the specific operation member.

Abstract: An imaging method includes irradiating an object, from an irradiator, with mixed light of light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelength band having an intensity higher than an intensity of the first wavelength band, the first wavelength band being a wavelength band correlating with a first filter having a first transmission wavelength characteristic, and the second wavelength band being a wavelength band correlating with a second filter having a second transmission wavelength characteristic different from the first transmission wavelength characteristic; imaging the object irradiated with the mixed light by using the imaging element; and generating composite image data by high dynamic range synthesis of first layer image data and second layer image data, among image data of the object output by the imaging element.

Abstract: A method capable of performing an automatic focus function upon a specific movable object in a real-time manner, the method being applicable to a photographic apparatus with the automatic focus function, includes: capturing real-time image within a field of view (FOV) of a lens; comparing images of a plurality of image areas of the real-time image with a feature image of the specific movable object to identify an image area corresponding to the feature image of the specific movable object; and, performing automatic focus on the identified image area.

Abstract: A camera module manufacturing apparatus includes: a chart unit configured to provide an image for optical-axis alignment to a substrate assembly including an image sensor; a substrate alignment unit disposed opposite to the chart unit, aligning the substrate assembly, and electrically connected to the image sensor; an optical axis alignment unit configured to allow an optical axis of a lens assembly including a lens and an actuator to be aligned with respect to an optical axis of the image sensor; and a camera module fixing unit positioned adjacent to the optical axis alignment unit, and fixing the lens assembly on the substrate assembly by applying an instantaneous curing adhesive, which is an inorganic material, to the lens assembly and the substrate assembly which are aligned.

Abstract: Visual content may be captured by an image capture device during a capture duration. The rotational positions of the image capture device may change during the capture duration. The rotational positions of the image capture device may be smoothed based on a look ahead of a rotation constraint. A punchout of the visual content may be determined based on the smoothed rotational positions. The punchout of the visual content may be used to generate stabilized visual content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a long-range optical device comprising at least one sight channel and an image capturing channel with a camera module, wherein the sight channel and the image capturing channel are coupled to one another by means of an adjusting mechanism such that a first image detail observed in the sight channel essentially corresponds to a second image detail captured by the camera module; at least one interface module for establishing a connection with an electronic terminal; a processing unit; at least one memory unit, wherein the memory unit is formed for storing parameters and/or functions, wherein an electronic operating button is provided for retrieving a preselected parameter and carrying out a function. The invention moreover relates to an observation and image capturing system and a method for the retrieval of parameters and/or the execution of functions with an observation and image capturing system.

Abstract: There is provided an image generation method and an image synthesis method each of which can achieve an entire image having excellent image quality. An image generation method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: arranging an image taking apparatus, a first polarizing plate, an object, and a second polarizing plate in the stated order; arranging a retardation plate between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate; and monochromatizing a color of the second polarizing plate recognized by the image taking apparatus to a color complementary to that of the object through use of the retardation plate.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an image combiner, at least one reflecting mirror, an image generating device and an indication mark. The at least one reflecting mirror is disposed with respect to the image combiner. The image generating device is disposed with respect to the at least one reflecting mirror. When the image generating device displays an image, a light projected by the image generating device is reflected by the at least one reflecting mirror to the image combiner, so as to form a virtual image through the image combiner. The indicating mark is disposed at a periphery of the image combiner.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for utilizing a focus state calibration object for determining calibration data for a variable focal length (VFL) lens system which includes a VFL lens (e.g., a tunable acoustic gradient lens). The calibration object includes a planar tilted pattern surface on which a set of focus state reference regions (FSRRs) are distributed (e.g., a tilted grating). The FSRRs have known geometric relationships relative to the planar tilted pattern surface and have known region relationships relative to one another. A plurality of camera images is acquired at different phase timings of the periodic modulation, and calibration data is determined based at least in part on analyzing the plurality of camera images. The determined calibration data indicates respective phase timings of the periodic modulation that correspond to respective effective focus positions of the VFL lens system.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a frame; and at least one camera provided on the frame, wherein the at least one camera includes: a lens; a sensor coupled to the lens and configured to obtain an image; a base coupled to the sensor, configured to receive external power, and rotatable on the frame; and a guide connected to the base to be rotatable along with the base, and contacting the frame.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which makes the load applied to a movable unit when it is displaced nearly uniform. The movable unit controlled by a control unit is capable of being in at least a predetermined direction. A first flexible board has a first connecting portion connected to the movable unit, a first wiring portion extended from the first connecting portion in a first direction different from a direction of an optical axis, and a second connecting portion placed at an end of the first wiring portion and connected to the control unit. A second flexible board has a third connecting portion connected to the movable unit, a second wiring portion extended from the third connecting portion in a second direction different from the direction of the optical axis, and a fourth connecting portion placed at an end of the second wiring portion and connected to the control unit.