Abstract: A dolly zoom effect can be applied to one or more images captured via a resource-constrained device (e.g., a mobile smartphone) by manipulating the size of a target feature while the background in the one or more images changes due to physical movement of the resource-constrained device. The target feature can be detected using facial recognition or shape detection techniques. The target feature can be resized before the size is manipulated as the background changes (e.g., changes perspective).

Abstract: An image sensor and an image sensing method are provided. The image sensor includes a photodiode, a first storage circuit, a first readout circuit, a second storage circuit, and a second readout circuit. When the image sensor is operated in a dynamic vision sensing mode, the first storage circuit stores a first dynamic vision sensing signal provided by the photodiode during a first exposure period of a first frame period, and the second storage circuit stores a second dynamic vision sensing signal provided by the photodiode during a second exposure period of the first frame period. The first readout circuit and the second readout circuit output a first readout signal and a second readout signal to a first input terminal and a second input terminal of a differential amplifier at the same time according to the first dynamic vision sensing signal and the second dynamic vision sensing signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical lenses and provides a camera optical lens. The camera optical lens includes, from an object side to an image side: a first lens; a second lens; a third lens; a fourth lens; a fifth lens; a sixth lens; a seventh lens; and an eighth lens. The camera optical lens satisfies following conditions: 4.00?f1/f?7.50; f2?0.00; and 1.55?n4?1.70, where f denotes a focal length of the camera optical lens; f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens; f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens; and n4 denotes a refractive index of the fourth lens. The present invention can achieve high optical performance while achieving ultra-thin, wide-angle lenses having a big aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed are a storage apparatus, a mobile terminal and an image processing method thereof. The image processing method comprises the following steps: acquiring a feature index parameter of each image; acquiring an operation instruction, and classifying images according to the operation instruction; determining, according to the classification of the images, whether a user is satisfied with an image; and if it is determined that the user is satisfied with the image, correcting a photographing parameter of a camera of a mobile terminal according to a feature index parameter of the satisfactory image, such that an image photographed thereby better conforms to the requirements of the user. Therefore, the present invention can directly obtain an image that a user is satisfied with, thereby saving on the screening time for a user, and thus improving the user experience.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a reading circuit, a memory that is capable of storing read captured image data, and an output circuit that outputs output image data based on the captured image data to an outside, in which the reading circuit reads out the captured image data using a first reading method or a second reading method having a smaller read data amount than the first reading method, in a case of the first reading method, a first frame rate corresponds to a second frame rate, in a case of the second reading method, the first frame rate is a frame rate lower than in the case of the first reading method, and the first and second reading methods are switched in accordance with a motion of a subject.

Abstract: Changing the analog gain for each of columns while suppressing an expansion of area and an increase in power consumption. A solid-state imaging apparatus (1, 1A) according to an embodiment includes: converters (10A to 10D) connected to a vertical signal line (VSL) extending from a pixel array unit (30); a voltage generator (20) that is connected to a plurality of voltage lines and outputs reference voltages having mutually different voltage values individually to the plurality of voltage lines; wiring lines (L10 to L31, L20 to L23) connecting the converter and the plurality of voltage lines; and switches (SW0 to SW3) provided on the wiring line and configured to perform changeover of the voltage lines connected to the converter to one of the plurality of voltage lines.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light and generates a charge; and an A/D conversion unit that converts the analog signal generated due to charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit into a digital signal, wherein: the A/D conversion unit includes a comparison unit that compares the analog signal with a reference signal and a first circuit layer including a first capacitor for generating the reference signal and a second circuit layer laminated to the first circuit layer and including with a second capacitor for generating the reference signal.

Abstract: Imaging devices are disclosed. In one example, an imaging device has pixels circuits including an imaging pixel circuit and a dummy pixel circuit. Each of the pixel circuits includes an accumulation section that accumulates electric charge, a first transistor, and an output section. The first transistor includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to the accumulation section. The output section outputs a voltage corresponding to electric charge accumulated in the accumulation section. The first terminal of the first transistor in the imaging pixel circuit is coupled to a first light receiving element, and connected to the second terminal when the first transistor is in an ON state. The first and second terminals of the first transistor in the dummy pixel circuit are connected to each other.

Abstract: A comparator includes a first stage including a first output to generate a first output signal that transitions between an upper and lower voltage level in response to a comparison of first and second inputs of the first stage. A second stage includes an input coupled to receive the first output signal from the first output of the first stage, and a second output configured to generate a second output signal in response to the first output signal. A clamp circuit includes a first node and a second node. The first node is coupled to the first output of the first stage and the second node is coupled to a supply voltage. The clamp circuit is configured to clamp a voltage difference between the first node and the second node to clamp a voltage swing of the first output signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, a color filter array comprising a plurality of color filter clusters overlying the pixel array, and readout circuitry configured to concurrently provide the pixels sharing the common filter cluster and having a first exposure time to a readout line for digital data conversion. Each of the color filter clusters includes a group of same color filters, and pixels sharing a common color filter cluster have different exposure times.

Abstract: Digital image capture session and metadata association techniques are described. In one example, a user input is received to initiate an image capture session. At least one digital image is captured using a digital camera during the image capture session. Audio input data is also collected using an audio input device during the image capture session and is converted into text data, e.g., speech-to-text. Metadata is generated based on the text data and associated with the at least one digital image. The at least one digital image is output as having the associated metadata as completion of the image capture session.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a photodiode array including a 2×2 grouping of N×N groupings of photodiodes. Each N×N grouping includes N2?1 image sensing photodiodes and a single phase detection autofocus (PDAF) photodiode that is arranged proximate to a center of the 2×2 grouping. A shared floating diffusion is coupled to each photodiode of a respective N×N grouping of photodiodes. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is configured to generate a reference readout in response to charge in the shared floating diffusion after a reset operation. The ADC is next configured to generate a PDAF readout in response to charge transferred from the single PDAF photodiode to the shared floating diffusion. The ADC is then configured to generate a combined readout in response to charge transferred from the image sensing photodiodes combined with the charge transferred previously from the single PDAF photodiode in the shared floating diffusion.

Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, a display, and a controller. The controller operates the image sensor to record a video recording and operates the display to display a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface includes an elapsed time indicator that increases in length as time elapses to form a border around the display.

Abstract: A quantum dot includes an inorganic particle, and an organic ligand and an inorganic ligand on a surface of the inorganic particle, and the molar percentage of the inorganic ligand relative to the total amount of the inorganic ligand and the organic ligand is 25% or more and 99.8% or less.

Abstract: Techniques are described for per-color adaptive in-pixel programmable gain amplification (PGA) for CMOS image sensors. The sensor has an array of photodetectors that each receives light through a corresponding color filter of a color filter array. Different color filters can have different transmissivity characteristics. Embodiments receive analog pixel output signals from the array of pixels. A respective gain select signal can be generated based on the signal level of each received analog pixel output signal to indicate a selected one of multiple gain factors. A programmable gain amplifier can be controlled, based on each respective gain select signal, to amplify the corresponding analog pixel output signal in accordance with the selected one of the predetermined plurality of gain factors, thereby generating a respective adaptively amplified pixel output signal. The adaptively amplified pixel output signal can be output to an analog-to-digital conversion path for generation of a digital pixel output signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array having a plurality pixels arranged in a plurality of pixel clusters coupled to a plurality of column busses, a plurality of voltage supplies coupled to the plurality of pixel clusters, and ping-pong readout circuitry. Pixel clusters in adjacent column busses are supplied with different voltage supplies. The ping-pong readout circuitry includes multiplexing circuitry coupled to the plurality of column busses, and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters coupled to the multiplexing circuitry. The image sensor also includes a controller configured to selectively couple a pixel signal of a pixel cluster to a column bus to an ADC for signal conversion.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided that includes a pixel array having a plurality of columns with rows of pixels and with each pixel having a plurality of photodiodes and a common readout circuit that stores respective accumulation voltages from each of the plurality of photodiodes. Moreover, the system includes row driver circuitry that control the pixel array for pixel addressing and readout, such that the respective accumulation voltages of the photodiodes is read out on a readout channel coupled to a bit line column, and a hybrid multiplexer that multiplexes and routes output signals from the pixel array to a video imaging device to be displayed thereon.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, a color filter array comprising a plurality of color filter clusters overlying the pixel array, and readout circuitry configured to concurrently provide the pixels sharing the common filter cluster and having a first exposure time to a readout line for digital data conversion. Each of the color filter clusters includes a group of same color filters, and pixels sharing a common color filter cluster have different exposure times.

Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel array section in which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion units is disposed, and a comparator that compares an analog pixel signal output from the pixels to a predetermined reference signal, and outputs a comparison result according to a signal level of the pixel signal. The comparator includes differential pair transistors, a first load transistor connected in series with a first transistor of the differential pair, and a second load transistor connected in series with a second transistor of the differential pair. The first transistor of the differential pair accepts a signal obtained by combining the pixel signal and the predetermined reference signal as a gate input, the second transistor of the differential pair accepts a predetermined voltage as a gate input.

Abstract: An output buffer of a super source follower for driving a reference ramp signal of a column-parallel single slope type ADC of a solid-state imaging device is made as a class AB feedback configuration for controlling a feedback variable current source with a signal obtained by amplifying a current fluctuation flowing through an amplification transistor by an amplifier, and thereby, the upper limit of the drain voltage of the amplification transistor is not limited by the voltage between the gate and the source of the feedback variable current source.