Abstract: From among a group of taken images, an image suitable for inspection is identifiably displayed and can be arbitrarily selected. Also an image may be re-taken as a result of an instruction for re-taking the image and also displayed on a display. Images already taken prior to the re-taking of the image are displayed with a character or symbol, such as a cross mark, for easy identification by the operator. Also, the operator may arbitrarily select an image from the re-taken image and the already taken images.

Abstract: Row driving circuits drive a plurality of kinds of pixels in each scanning line. Column reading circuits read from the plurality of kinds of pixels in each column. A column selection circuit for GR colors selects outputs of the column reading circuits in even numbered columns, and a column selection circuit for GB colors selects outputs of the column reading circuits in odd numbered columns. In this way, in a predetermined line, only G signals are output from the column selection circuit for GR colors, and only B signals are output from the column selection circuit for GB colors. Similarly, in the next line, only R signals and only G signals are output from the selection circuits. By amplifying outputs of the column selection circuits with independent amplifications, pixel color based amplifications are possible. Amplifications can be changed in each line, and therefore the resolutions can be improved and outputs with good S/N ratio can be obtained with low speed devices.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: A computer assembly having a host computer and a detachably attached computer expansion module. The computer expansion module includes a 2D imaging module, and may include short range imaging optics. In a “picture taking” mode actuated by input into the host computer, the expansion module captures an image, and without launching a decoding algorithm, sends the captured image to the host computer which displays the image on an integrated display of the host computer. In a “decode” mode actuated by input to the host computer, the expansion module captures an image, executes a decoding algorithm, and sends a decoded out message to the host computer, which displays the decoded out message on an integrated display of the host computer.

Abstract: A digital imaging system such as a camera, in which the ISO sensitivity of a digital imaging sensor is dynamically adjusted in response to factors such as zoom, focal distance, available light, color of the image, charge status of the flash device, and so forth.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a data processing device includes an imaging unit for outputting a taken picture as image data, a memory for temporarily storing the image data output from the imaging unit every at least one frame, a power source for applying power to the imaging unit and the memory, and a plurality of operation switches. Only when a predetermined operation switch of the operation switches is operated, the device controls so as to apply power to the imaging unit and the memory.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses, and systems in which a digital photography device includes a rolling shutter, a sensor, and a flash are described. The sensor implements a rolling shutter timing mechanism. The shutter includes a material that has an alterable translucent state. The shutter is in the optical path of light going to the sensor. The flash generates a pulsed illumination. The alterable translucent state of the shutter controls the sensor's exposure to the photographic effects of ambient light during a picture using the pulsed illumination.

Abstract: A compensator for correcting a possible blur of image caused by a shake of an image pickup apparatus in which the compensator is arranged, and in which a downsize circuit board having a diminished area thereof and holding an image taking component is swung or moved. The compensator includes the circuit board with the diminished area for holding the image taking component, in which the circuit board is moved together with the image taking component. On the circuit board, there are arranged the image taking component and at least one other component. The at least one other component can be a component which is associated with reading of the signal(s) of the image outputted from the image taking element, and/or can be a component which is associated with the control to correct the possible blur of the image caused by the shake of the image pickup apparatus.

Abstract: A digital electronic camera which can accept various types of input/output cards or memory cards. When an I/O card is inserted into and connected with the camera, a processor within the camera determines the type of I/O card which has been connected by reading a memory location within the card. A control program which is contained in the I/O card is transferred to a memory within the camera in order for the camera to perform I/O functions which correspond to the type of the inserted card. Different types of I/O cards which may be used include a modem card, a LAN card, a SCSI card, or an ISDN interface. Image signals and audio signals are transmitted between the camera and an external processor, information describing the status of the camera is transmitted from the camera to the external processor, and commands to control the camera are transmitted to the camera from the external processor.

Abstract: An electronic camera of the present invention has an image pickup part, an ambient light colorimetric part, an operation member, a colorimetric calculation part, and a white balance adjustment part. The image pickup part captures an optical image through a photo-taking lens to generate color image data. The ambient light colorimetric part measures color of ambient light without passing through the photo-taking lens. The operation member receives an instruction for the colorimetric timing of ambient light from a user. The colorimetric calculation part obtains the colorimetric result from the ambient light colorimetric part in synchronization with the colorimetric timing, and calculates and stores color gain bringing the colorimetric result near to achromatic color. The white balance adjustment part performs white balance adjustment of image data in accordance with the stored color gain. The structure of the electric camera like this allows preset white balance to be executed in freer timing.

Abstract: A CCD has transferring gates to which gate pulses for transferring only pixel information of pairs of two adjoining lines with intervals of a plurality of lines to vertical transferring routes are applied when the image signals with the low definition are produced. Thus, a frame rate can be maintained high and reduced image signals without untrue colors can be obtained.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for manually adjusting the image-capturing parameters of a digital imaging device of the system utilizes a comparative image scheme that allows users to adjust the image-capturing parameters by selecting the most preferable image from a number of comparison images, which are produced using different settings of the image-capturing parameters. The comparative image scheme provides an intuitive technique for users to manually set the image-capturing parameters of the digital imaging device without having to learn about the image-capturing parameters and their effects on captured images.

Abstract: A device for the FPN correction of image signals which are generated by image cells of an image sensor comprises a discriminator for determining in which value range out of at least two value ranges a value of an image signal of an image cell is located at a predetermined instant of time. The result determined by the discriminator is feed to a correction device. The correction device selects correction coefficients from a plurality of sets of correction coefficients as a function of the result determined by the discriminator, and a transformation unit calculates the corrected value for the image signal by using the selected correction coefficients.

Abstract: A method for customizing a digital camera for at least one particular user is disclosed. The digital camera includes a reprogrammable memory for storing firmware which controls the operation of the digital camera and a camera graphical user interface responsive to the firmware stored in the reprogrammable memory. The method includes providing customization software executed external to the digital camera which can access a plurality of firmware components having different camera features. A user selects desired camera features to cause the customization software to access the corresponding firmware component(s). The selected corresponding firmware component(s) are provided to the digital camera and the reprogrammable memory is reprogrammed to store the corresponding firmware component(s) to thereby customize the digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the reference image of an image sensor comprising a matrix of detector pixels. The method comprises the acquisition of a black image IN and two images I1 and I2 acquired in linear detection zones of the sensor. The reference image is written: IR1=(Rm* I1?I2)/(Rm?1) with I R ? ? 1 = ( R m × I 1 - I 2 ) / ( R m - 1 ) ? with ? ? Rm = 1 N ? ? i , j ? I 2 ? ( i , j ) - I N ? ( i , j ) I 1 ? ( i , j ) - I N ? ( i , j ) , wherein IK (i,j) represents the value of the pixel of the image IK detected by the pixel detector situated at the intersection of the row i and the column j of the detector pixel matrix, and N represents the total number of pixels in the matrix.

Abstract: An entered image is divided into a plurality of blocks and it is determined, on a per-block basis, whether image data within an applicable block is indicative of the color white, based upon a condition, from among a plurality of conditions, that conforms to the position of each block in the image. A white balance correction is performed based upon data of a block determined to be indicative of the color white.

Abstract: A mobile telephone is connected to a camera, and their respective power supplies are turned on. A telephone number of the local station is read out and recorded in a flash ROM as registration number data. Moreover, the registration number data is input with image data. As the registration number data is the telephone number of the local station input from the mobile telephone, the image data may be secured without the complex encryption processing of conventional examples. That is, a sense of security may be obtained because forgetting the specific registration number is unlikely when the telephone number of the local station input from the mobile telephone is used as the specific registration number data. Accordingly, the collation procedure becomes easier when the image data is obtained or an order for photo prints is made, and access to the image data may be easily restricted since the image data can be secured without complex encryption processing.

Abstract: In a linear image sensor, a shutter structure includes: a shutter gate electrode provided between photodiode arrays; and a shutter drain provided below the shutter gate electrode. With this construction, a layout area is reduced and the number of scanning operations performed in the auxiliary scanning direction necessary to obtain image data for one line is reduced. As a result, the capacity of a memory used is reduced and the influence of color drift is suppressed.

Abstract: A composite image having a natural appearance is obtained when a synthesis target image is combined with a background image. By photographing a subject under different photographic conditions, a plurality of synthesis target images are obtained and the resulting image data is stored beforehand in a synthesis target image memory. A background image is acquired by photography and a suitable synthesis target image to be combined with the background image is selected by a circuit which searches synthesis target images. A color correction is applied to the selected synthesis target image by an image processing circuit and the synthesis target image following the color correction is combined with the background image. Since a synthesis target image suitable for combination with a background image is selected and then is subjected to a color correction and image synthesis processing, a composite image having a natural appearance is obtained.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is directed to a method and apparatus which allows a “rolling shutter” type of read out sequence in a pixel array that is read using a double sampling technique by having the rows of pixels reset a second time in each of their cycles for a second sampling while the rows are being accessed for reading. In this way, each pixel is sampled to compare its voltage level after integration to its voltage level as it is reset. In accordance with the present invention, the row access signal or a signal that is used to generate the row access signal, is used to generate a second reset signal at the correct time while the row is being accessed. The invention is particularly applicable to image sensors having light sensitive elements that are CMOS pixels, and in particular three transistor pixels.