Abstract: A video recording device is described having an orientation sensor. The recording device rotates video data received from an image sensor according to signals received from the orientation sensor. The rotation occurs before the video data is compressed according to a video codec and stored on a tangible storage device. By rotating the video data before compression, the need for intensive, post-capture video rotation on the compressed video file is eliminated.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a solid state imaging device, an imaging device, and an electronic device capable of improving color resolution and luminance resolution, and reducing a false color. White W as a luminance main component is arranged in a checkered pattern. A unit of two green G pixels are arranged in each of rows and columns in a range of 8 pixels×8 pixels to increase uniformity of green G and thereby improve resolution of green G. Moreover, rows and columns containing blue B are separated from rows and columns containing red R to improve resolution. Furthermore, white W, blue B, and red R are arranged to surround isolated point pixels corresponding to lost pixels of white W, blue B, and red R for easy interpolation.

Abstract: A moving image generation system includes a CPU and memory storing programs which when executed by the CPU cause the CPU to perform: receiving a determination of whether a designated subject is present in each of a plurality of photographed frame images in moving images acquired by image capture devices that are disposed such that respective photographing areas thereof overlap; at certain timings, selectively clipping a subject-included image area from at least one of the photographed frame images, wherein the subject-included image area is a partial image area in which the subject is detected and included at a predetermined position and in a predetermined size in which all of the subject is provided and a predetermined margin can be provided around the subject; and coupling a plurality of selectively clipped image areas so as to generate a single moving image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving image data captured by an imager array including a plurality of focal planes are described. One embodiment of the invention includes capturing image data using a plurality of active focal planes in a camera module, where an image is formed on each active focal plane by a separate lens stack, generating lines of image data by interleaving the image data captured by the plurality of active focal planes, and transmitting the lines of image data and the additional data.

Abstract: The disclosure proposes an auto-focus method and an image capturing device including a distance sensor and an image sensor having a lens and a sensing array. The method includes the following steps. First, distance sensor data and phase detection data are respectively obtained from the distance sensor and the sensing array. The lens is controlled to perform a course search within a focusing range by switching between a distance sensor auto-focus mode and a phase detection auto-focus mode based on the distance sensor data and the phase detection data so as to determine a fine-search range. The lens is further controlled to perform a fine search within the fine-search range in a contrast detection auto-focus mode so as to determine an optimal focusing lens position. Next, the lens is controlled to move to the optimal focusing lens position.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for dynamically configuring frame skip for AWB calculations. For example, if RGB gains are deemed to be stable across a number of frames, the frame skip value used for AWB calculations can be increased. Changing RGB gains are indicators of image changes such as a changing scene and/or changing illuminant, which can indicate a need for updated AWB calculations, and accordingly the frame skip value can be set to zero or a low number of frames.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes: a pixel portion in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in matrix; and an Analog-Digital converter. The Analog-Digital converter converts pixel signals, which are generated in the pixel portion, from analog signals into digital signals. The Analog-Digital converter includes: a comparator; and a counter. The comparator compares the analog signals, each of which corresponds to each of the plurality of pixels, with a reference signal. The comparator includes: a first differential transistor to which the reference signal is input; a second differential transistor to which the analog signals are input; a first load transistor; a second load transistor; and a current source transistor. A fluctuation of a voltage between a gate and a source of the first differential transistor is suppressed. This fluctuation follows a voltage fluctuation of a node connected commonly to the second differential transistor and the second load transistor.

Abstract: An imaging unit includes a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture images of an object; a circuit substrate configured to generate image data based on the images captured by the imaging devices; a chassis that holds the imaging devices; and a heat transfer member including a contacting portion configured to contact an installed member in a case where the imaging unit is installed on the installed member. The heat transfer member contacts the chassis or the circuit substrate, and heat conductivity of the heat transfer member is greater than the heat conductivity of the chassis.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of performing image display that allows a user to more effectively check images of a group composed of a plurality of images generated in response to a single shooting instruction, includes a control unit configured to perform control to cause an imaging unit to generate a plurality of images in response to a single shooting instruction, and a display control unit configured to, as automatically performed review display after shooting in response to the shooting instruction, perform control to sequentially display the plurality of generated images one by one on a display unit, and then display the plurality of images in a multi-display form on the same screen.

Abstract: It is possible to consider an image as a composite wave that is the result of layering waves having differing periods and amplitudes. An image captured via a lens having a water droplet attached thereto has a higher occurrence of changes such as image blur than an image that does not have a water droplet attached thereto, which means that this type of change in an image results in changes in the composite wave thereof as well. Provided is a lens dirtiness detection device that suitably determines whether a lens is dirty without being affected by a background image by: focusing on the occurrence of large changes in the composite wave of an image that accompany an increase in the dirtiness of a camera lens; extracting each of the image frequency components that constitute the composite wave; and analyzing changes in the magnitude relation between the frequency components.

Abstract: A lens mount design is presented. The mount can be used on a variety of imaging systems but is targeted at small camera systems such as might be used on mobile phones, cameras, sports cameras, computers and computer peripherals where interchangeable lenses are currently not common place. Embodiments include different attachment mechanisms, environmental barriers, electrical connections, a serial number marking system on the replaceable lens body and methods for using the lens mount and system.

Abstract: A shutter for an optical system, such as a small infrared camera, for alternately blocking and exposing an optical sensor to light includes an electrically conductive coil, having a center long axis, a magnet element rotatably mounted within the coil with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the center long axis of the coil, a shutter flag element connected to the magnet element, and a shutter base element supporting the shutter flag, magnet, and coil. Energizing the coil in a first manner causes the rotatable magnet to rotate from a first position to a second position and energizing the coil in a second manner returns the magnet to the first position, causing the flag to alternately block and expose the optical sensor.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge accumulating portion accumulating signal charges transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion portion accumulating signal charges transferred from the charge accumulating portion, and a read-out unit transferring signal charges from the charge accumulating portion to the floating diffusion portion and output a signal corresponding to the signal charges, and a control unit controlling the read-out unit to start, after starting read-out of signals of one frame from the charge accumulating portions, an accumulation of signal charges for a next frame at the photoelectric conversion units simultaneously, and to start, before completing the read-out of the signal of the one frame, an accumulation of signal charges at the charge accumulating portion of a pixel among the plurality of pixels from which the signal of the one frame is already read out.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced functionalities by an electronic device includes detecting whether a charging stand is attached to or is in proximity to the electronic device; automatically performing a pairing procedure by the electronic device and the charging stand to pair the electronic device with the charging stand when it has been detected that the charging stand is attached to or is in proximity to the electronic device; and operating in a driving recorder mode by the electronic device to provide video recording and positioning functionalities when the pairing procedure has been successful.

Abstract: A blurless image capturing system sequentially acquires images with little blur, even in a situation where a camera moves. An image capturing camera unit and a mirror unit are both capable of continuous movement in at least a one-dimensional direction. The image capturing camera unit acquires an image of a physical object present within an object region by directing line of sight direction towards the object region by means of the mirror unit. The mirror body changes the line of sight from the image capturing camera unit. The drive unit changes an angle of the mirror body in a given angular velocity in accordance with movement of the image capturing camera unit and the mirror body In this way it is possible to keep the line of sight from the image capturing camera unit directed towards a physical object for a given time. The drive unit directs the line of sight from the image capturing camera unit towards another object region by driving the mirror body. The control unit controls operation of the drive unit.

Abstract: A module device for a camera system having a housing device, which is provided with an inner opening and configured to allow an adjustment of an installation position of the module device in a motor vehicle; it also includes a sensor holder device which has an upper region and a base region, is coupled to the housing device via at least one support element and configured to accommodate an image sensor; a lens apparatus which is coupled to the sensor holder device in the upper region via at least one connection element and configured to generate an optical image on the image sensor; and a retaining spring device which is coupled to the housing device and the base region of the sensor holder device and is configured to press the image sensor against the sensor holder device.

Abstract: An automatic astronomical observation system includes an astronomical telescope (1), a star finding servo motor (2) for driving the astronomical telescope (1), and a control system (4). A focusing servo motor (3) is connected to a lens regulation mechanism of the astronomical telescope (1); a CMOS sensor (5) used for obtaining a starry sky image is disposed on the astronomical telescope (1); the control system (4) includes a control chip, a gyroscope, a memory, and a WIFI communication interface; the control chip is electrically connected to the CMOS sensor (5), the gyroscope, the memory, and the WIFI communication interface; a handheld device provided with a WIFI communication interface is disposed by being fitted to the control system (4); and a GPS module is disposed in the control system (4) or the handheld device. Also provided is an automatic astronomical observation method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image acquisition device comprising a sensor composed of an array of photosensitive pixels, and an array of elementary filters covering the sensor. Pixels may be of three different types: panchromatic pixels, primary colour pixels and infrared pixels. Under low illumination conditions, the device displays a monochrome image using panchromatic pixels, and under high illumination conditions, a colour image with a high signal to noise ratio, by combining primary colour images and subtracting the infrared image.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an object to acquire image data; a part judgment section judging a particular part of the object in the image shown based on the image data; a change-in-part judgment section judging change over time of the part of the object judged by the part judgment section; and a control section changing a photographing condition in accordance with a result of the judgment by the change-in-part judgment section, wherein the part judgment section judges a first part of the object in the image and a second part presumed from the first part; and the change-in-part judgment section judges change over time of the second part.

Abstract: A display device includes a display section, a visual line detecting section, a visual line judging section, a display control section, and a display changing section. The visual line judging section acquires a visual point position on the display screen corresponding to the visual line direction detected by the visual line detecting section, and judges whether or not the visual point position has entered into the a display region. The display changing section changes the display of at least one of a first display region and a second display region, if it is judged by the visual line judging section that the visual point position has entered into the second display region in the state where the visual point position is in the first display region.