Abstract: A photodetector is formed in a CMOS circuit using a junction field-effect transistor (JFET). The JFET/CMOS photodetector can be used to create an active pixel sensor for a CMOS digital imager, performing both photodetection and electrical signal amplification, allowing higher fill factors than with conventional APS imagers. A standard CMOS fabrication process is augmented with a small number of steps to integrate the JFET within the pixel, allowing the use of conventional CMOS fabrication plants.

Abstract: A method of orienting a digital image for viewing on a display of a digital imaging device. The method comprises the steps of: accessing the digital image, the digital image being defined by a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides being substantially linear; displaying the digital image in a first orientation on the display of the digital imaging device, the display having a top edge; providing a selection member for selecting one of the plurality of sides; and automatically displaying the digital image in a second orientation responsive to the selecting of the one of the plurality of sides, the second orientation configured such that the selected one of the plurality of sides is disposed in a substantially horizontal orientation and is disposed closer to the top edge of the display than the other of the plurality of sides.

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.

Abstract: The camera has a body and an electronic imager disposed in the body. The electronic imager captures an ambient light image as a multicolored electronic image. Memory is operatively connected to the imager and stores the electronic image as a stored image. The camera has a color adjuster that includes a user interface ambient light detector and color balancer. The user interface ambient light detector has a light sensor and measures ambient illumination to provide an ambient light color value. The color balancer generates a copy of the stored image and modifies the color balance of that copy, responsive to the color value, to generate a compensated image. An image display mounted on the body adjacent the sensor, shows the compensated image. A switch mounted on the body, is switchable independent of the imager, to actuate and deactuate the color adjuster.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which has an optical system, the focal length of which is variable, and an image sensing element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal, and can sense and record a moving image and still image, includes a focal length detection circuit for detecting the focal length of the optical system, and a control unit for inhibiting recording of the still image in accordance with the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit.

Abstract: An image captured with a CCD is divided into blocks. Light amount correction data each set for each one of the blocks are read out from a correction value table 211g, a correction value generator 211h weights the light amount correction data in accordance with the positions of target pixels to thereby generate correction values for the respective target pixels, and image field edge brightness reduction correction is performed on the respective pixels based on the correction values. Since one piece of the data is set for each block, the volume of the data is small. This also prevents boundaries between the blocks from becoming noticeable.

Abstract: A solid image capturing device outputs image data and characteristic data of the solid image capturing device on the same output signal line. Both outputs are processed by the same circuit. In one embodiment, the characteristic data is optically stored in the solid image capturing device. In another embodiment, the characteristic data is non-optically stored in the solid image capturing device. The image field of the solid image capturing device includes an invalid image field located outside the effective image field. Signals output from the invalid image field include those concerning the characteristic data of the solid image capturing device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a replacement unit and interpolation unit. For the pixel value of a pixel that need not be replaced among pixel values contained in original image data, the replacement unit adds replacement information indicating non-replacement of the pixel value to the pixel value, and outputs the pixel value as replacement information-added image data. For the pixel value of a pixel that needs to be replaced, the replacement unit replaces the pixel value by a predetermined pixel value, adds replacement information indicating replacement of the pixel value to the replaced pixel value, and outputs the pixel value as replacement information-added image data.

Abstract: A camera apparatus obtains a sharp, high-resolution image of an object which is difficult to focus in a single image at a fixed focus, such as the imaging of a document using a document camera held at an oblique angle to the document. The apparatus composites an image of an object from plural image segments of the object acquired at different focusing distances. High quality regions (i.e. sharply focused and/or high resolution) are extracted from each image to form the segments for compositing.

Abstract: A method and lens system for modifying the modulation transfer function of the light passing through the lens system to a camera or other imaging system that includes providing a spatial frequency response modifying (SFRM) filter within the lens system. The SFRM filter may be a thin film(s) or other type of modifying filter, including any conventional diffusion filters. The SFRM filter is located along the optical axis where the on-axis, zero field angle light rays are collimated in any lens system and form light beam(s) of a substantially constant cross sectional area throughout the range of focusing of a prime objective lens or throughout the ranges of zooming and focusing of an objective zoom lens for providing a consistent modulation transfer function of the light reaching the camera or other imaging system.

Abstract: An analog, single integrated circuit for providing centered video images. A light detector array which can be, e.g., a CCD or an array of phototransistors or silicon retinas, is scanned out to provide a video signal. Current summing lines along each row and column of the array are used as inputs to x and y position sensitive (computation) circuitry located on the edge of the pixel array. When the array utilizes silicon retinas, an absolute value circuit is added to restore low frequency information removed by the retinas to the current summing output. An on-chip sequencer uses the x and y position outputs to scan out the video image centered to the nearest pixel.