Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric converting units arrayed in the horizontal and vertical directions, and an adder for adding signals including the same color component from the a plurality of photoelectric converting units such that the centers of gravity of the signals after addition are at the same pitch for respective signals.

Abstract: A method and system for aiding user alignment of two or more partially overlapping digital images. A first image is captured. A portion of a first image is displayed with a preview of a portion of a second image. The second image is adjusted by movement of an used to capture the first image and generate the preview of the second image). Once satisfactory alignment is achieved, the second image is captured.

Abstract: A column A/D converter includes two column A/D converting elements. Each of the column A/D converting elements is operable to divide a pixel signal read out from a pixel array into two blocks i.e. an upper block constituted of upper two bit data, and a lower block constituted of lower two bit data, and sequentially perform A/D conversion with respect to the blocks in the unit of one horizontal scanning period. A controller causes each of the column A/D converting elements to concurrently perform A/D conversion with respect to different blocks of pixel signals at different rows.

Abstract: A memory access control apparatus includes a memory controller controlling a memory adopting a DDR format; a DDR-PHY adjusting the timing of an interface signal between the memory controller and the memory; a DDR-PHY controller controlling the DDR-PHY; and a clock controller controlling the frequency of a clock signal. A first request signal for controlling the operation of the memory in a self-refresh mode is supplied to the memory controller, a second request signal for resetting the DDR-PHY is supplied to the DDR-PHY controller, a third request signal for changing the clock frequency is supplied to the clock controller, a fourth request signal for setting a parameter for the DDR-PHY is supplied to the DDR-PHY controller, and a fifth request signal for canceling the operation of the memory in the self-refresh mode is supplied to the memory controller in order to change the clock frequency of the memory.

Abstract: In general this disclosure describes techniques for configuring an image sensor of an image capture device based on motion within the scene of interest. In particular, the image capture device analyzes motion between two or more images of the same scene of interest and adjusts the configuration parameters, e.g., gain and/or exposure time, of the image sensor based on the amount of motion within the scene of interest. For example, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a large gain and a short exposure time when the scene includes a relatively large amount of motion, thus reducing the blur caused by the large amount of motion. Conversely, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a small gain and a long exposure time when the scene includes relatively little or no motion, thus reducing the noise caused by large gains.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture image data of a subject and to store the captured image data in an image-capturing operation; a speed detector configured to detect speed information; and a controller configured to control the image-capturing unit so that, in an automatic image-capturing process that is not based on a shutter operation of a user, a distance moved by the image-capturing apparatus is computed on the basis of information from the speed detector, and the image-capturing operation is performed in response to the fact that a computation result indicating that the image-capturing apparatus has moved a predetermined distance is obtained.

Abstract: A multifunctional video apparatus and a method of providing a user interface (UI) thereof. The multifunctional video apparatus has diverse functions such as image capturing, image reproduction, image editing, image input/output from/to an external device, etc., and provides a UI capable of performing the above-described functions more conveniently.

Abstract: A shooting apparatus includes a shooting section that shoots a subject, an acquiring section that acquires sound of surroundings, and an assigning section that assigns an electronic mark indicating a characteristic feature of the sound to a position in the image with sound corresponding to the sound, in each of a case when a level of the sound has become equal to a first threshold or more for a first period of time or more, and a case when, thereafter, the level of the sound has become less than a second threshold for a second period of time or more.

Abstract: An image display device has a function that displays plural frame images by high-speed frame advancing, and includes: an operation portion for a high-speed frame advancing display operation for carrying out high-speed frame advancing display, and a stopping operation for stopping high-speed frame advancing; and a controlling unit controlling a display unit such that, when the high-speed frame advancing display operation is carried out, plural frame images are displayed at the display unit in a predetermined frame advancing order. The controlling unit controls the display unit such that, when the stopping operation is carried out, the high-speed frame advancing is stopped and frame images that were displayed are displayed at the display unit again by frame advancing in a reverse order that is opposite the frame advancing order.

Abstract: An image sensor holder a frame, a first slidable holder, a second slidable holder, a first and a second driving arms, a first and a second driving device and at least two restoration devices. The first slidable holder is slidably mounted on the frame. The second slidable holder is slidably mounted on the first slidable holder. The first and second driving devices are separately mounted on the frame. The first driving arm rotatably is mounted on the frame and contacts the first slidable holder and the first driving device by both opposite ends thereof. The second driving arm slidably is mounted on the frame and contacts the second slidable holder and the second driving device respectively by both opposite ends thereof. The restoration devices are respectively positioned on the frame and the first holder for restoring the first and second holders back to original positions.

Abstract: An improved non-uniform sensitivity correction algorithm for use in an imager device (e.g., a CMOS APS). The algorithm provides zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The amount of sensitivity adjustment required for a given pixel depends on the type of lens being used, and the same correction unit can be used with multiple lenses where the zone boundaries and the correction factors are adjusted for each lens. In addition, the algorithm makes adjustments to the zone boundaries based upon a misalignment between the centers of the lens being used and the APS array.

Abstract: A self-balancing remote sensing device, and a system comprised of the remote sensing devices and one or more base stations, is provided for remotely monitoring both terrestrial and maritime environments. Specifically, a spherically-shaped self-balancing remote sensing device having one or more cameras and various sensors is provided, which may ascend and descend within the water column as desired, by altering its buoyancy, while maintaining proper orientation of the camera and sensors. Further, the remote sensing system comprised of the devices and base stations is provided, wherein the devices and base stations may form an ad hoc network, thereby greatly extending the range and coverage of the system. The devices, due to their small size, may be quickly and easily deployed using various vehicles, including flight vehicles, land-based vehicles, water craft, and subsurface water vehicles.

Abstract: A grip device and an image photographing apparatus are provided in which a user can photograph an object at any intended angle by freely changing a position of his or her hand while holding the image photographing apparatus. The image photographing apparatus includes a main body including a lens unit to photograph an object, and a button unit to input a plurality of manipulation signals, and a grip device rotatably mounted on one side of the main body. The grip device includes a rotation unit including a grip unit and a connection unit to connect the rotation unit to the main body so that the rotation unit is rotatable about the main body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, a method for capturing an image, and a method for designing the image pickup apparatus capable of realizing a fixed focal length image pickup apparatus of high resolution and fine resolution at a low cost by disposing a plurality of image pickup elements therein. An image pickup device 31 is of a focal coincidence type having a plurality of image pickup elements, such as CCD sensors 62-1 to 62-3, arranged in an array.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device with an improved heat release-ability for releasing a heat generated in the amplifier unit of the solid-state image sensing element includes an elongated substrate (molded case 18), a metallic layer 16 exposed in a surface of the molded case 18 and extending along an elongating direction of the molded case 18, and an elongated solid-state image sensing element 20 mounted on the metallic layer 16, in which a thickness in a region of a metallic layer 16 right under an amplifier unit of the solid-state image sensing element 20 is larger than thicknesses in other regions of the metallic layer 16.

Abstract: In an exposure controller of a camera mounted on a robot for taking an image utilizing incident light from external world in which an object such as a human being is present, a brightness histogram of the image is generated and exposure parameters are set based on the generated histogram. Then, it is determined whether the set exposure parameters are within a predetermined range and when they are out of the range and if a high-brightness imaging region is present in the image due to high-brightness incident light, it is again determined whether it is necessary to remove the high-brightness imaging region. When it is determined to be necessary, the high-brightness imaging region is extracted and is removed from the image, thereby enabling the camera to image the object with suitable brightness even when a bright light source such as the sun is within the camera angle of view.

Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a stereoscopic pair of images, for example as they are captured by a camera or from an existing collection of captured images. A first image is selected and a cursor overlaid on the first image is aligned with an image feature. The cursor is then shifted by a predetermined amount and a second image is selected such that the cursor is overlaid on the second image and is substantially aligned with the feature.

Abstract: In this photographing apparatus, when it is recognized that communication with an external device is possible, the operating mode is set to the communication mode, in which communication can be carried out with the external device. Once there is communication connection with the external device, signals to change the mode from the mode selecting device, which directs the operating mode of the photography apparatus, are ignored, and a shift from the communication mode to another mode is prohibited.

Abstract: An image recording comprising: an initialization step of generating a predetermined number of search points in a specified region of an image, a filtering step of updating coordinates of a plurality of search points, comparing a characteristic value of the specified region with a characteristic value of each of the search points after updated in the image, assigning to the search points weights determined so as to be increased in proportion to a degree of similarity therebetween, screening the search points according to the weights, calculating a variance and a weighted average of the coordinates of the screened search points, and an image recording determination step of determining, based on the variance and weighted average of the coordinates of the screened search points, and the tracking range, whether or not to record the image, and recording the image if it is determined to record the image.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image sensing unit for sensing an image of a human face, an image processing unit, and a memory device. The image processing unit includes a face detection module, a brightness obtaining module, a comparing module, and an adjustment module. The face detection module is configured for detecting human faces in images sensed by the image sensing unit. The brightness obtaining module is configured for obtaining the brightness of a set of areas in the image corresponding to a set of preset portions of each human face. The comparing module is configured for comparing brightness of each of the areas to a threshold value. The adjustment module is configured for adjusting the image by decreasing the brightness of the areas whose brightness is greater than the threshold value. The memory device is able to store the images adjusted by the image processing unit.