Abstract: Ping-pong readout architecture allows for faster frame rates in CMOS image sensors. However, various problems are created by this architecture due to cross-talk between components. Provided herein are novel ping-pong readout layouts which better isolate components to reduce crosstalk issues. Also provided herein are novel timing schemes for operating ping-pong readout circuits which prevent crosstalk signal spikes or readout corruption.

Abstract: A multi-camera control apparatus and method to maintain a location and a size of an object in a continuous viewpoint switching service are provided. The multi-camera control method of controlling a main camera configured to capture a moving object of interest and controlling at least one sub-camera configured to capture the object of interest at a different viewpoint from that of the main camera, may include extracting the object of interest from a first image generated by the main camera, controlling a capturing scheme of the main camera based on a change in a location and a size of the extracted object of interest, projecting the object of interest onto a second image generated by the sub-camera, and controlling a capturing scheme of the sub-camera based on a change in a location and a size of the projected object of interest.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus include an imaging processing unit, a dial operation unit, a boundary setting unit, and a control unit. The imaging processing unit acquires image data having a predetermined image effect. The dial operation unit receives a dial operation to set at least one boundary line in the image data. The boundary setting unit sets the boundary line in the image data in response to the dial operation. The control unit controls the imaging processing unit so that image data having different image effects are obtained in the respective partial regions of the image data that are divided by the boundary line set by the boundary setting unit.

Abstract: An image processing system is described herein in which a multi-line processing block has multiple inputs and multiple outputs. In order to provide the multiple outputs the multi-line processing block has multiple processing units operating in parallel on the multiple inputs. The multiple outputs of the multi-line processing block are coupled to corresponding multiple inputs of a subsequent multi-line processing block in the image processing system.

Abstract: An Internet protocol (IP) camera includes a housing having a capturing window, a capturing unit received in the housing for capturing images as data sets through the capturing window, and a card window arrangement which includes a card slot unit for replaceably receiving a digital memory card to store the data sets therein and a concealing cover detachably coupled at the housing to conceal the card slot unit in a waterproof and dustproof manner without disassembling the housing.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging device capable of expanding the dynamic range and eliminating differences in level occurring in low luminance regions between segments having different transmittances. A number of high luminance pixels calculation section calculates the number of high luminance pixels for each segment, on the basis of pre-image data obtained through pre-imaging while all the segments of a light modulation element have high transmittances. A main control section determines, as a dimming target segment, a segment having a number of high luminance pixels equal to or greater than a first number of pixels. A low luminance pixel specifying section specifies low luminance pixels among the pixels corresponding to the dimming target segment. A gain correction section performs gain correction on pixel signal values of the low luminance pixels, with a gain value corresponding to a ratio of the high transmittance to the low transmittance.

Abstract: An assembly structure for industrial camera has a camera module including an electric circuit board and a sensor component configured on the electric circuit board, a base of a camera seat combined onto the electric circuit board, a protrusive and hollow engaging portion installed on the surface of the base, an installation hole combined with a predetermined lens installed in the engaging portion, and a lens hole creating a closure state configured at the bottom of the installation hole.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus that includes a lens unit and a body unit, when a diaphragm value of a variable diaphragm is changed, the lens unit calculates an announcement value indicating the diaphragm value when a prescribed time period has passed since a detection time of a current diaphragm value of the variable diaphragm, and transmits the announcement value to the body unit, and the body unit controls exposure of an image sensor on the basis of the announcement value obtained from the lens unit.

Abstract: A focal point detection device according to the present invention comprising: an image sensor having an imaging pixel and a focal point detection pixel; a camera-shake preventing section which moves the image sensor in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the photographic lens to correct camera shake and also outputs information on the movement of the image sensor; a calculation section to calculate a focal point adjustment signal, based on the output of the focal point detection pixel; a memory to store a correction value for correcting the focal point adjustment signal, depending on the image height position of the focal point detection pixel; and a correction section to correct the focal point adjustment signal, depending on the output of the memory, the information output by the camera-shake preventing section, and the position of the focal point detection pixel.

Abstract: A problem in conventional semiconductor devices is that a frame rate for acquiring images cannot be increased. A semiconductor device according to one embodiment sets a slope of a ramp signal provided to an analog-to-digital converter for converting pixel signals into digital values such that it becomes large in a conversion process corresponding to short-time exposure whereas it becomes small in a conversion process corresponding to long-time exposure, sets a sweep time of the ramp signal such that it becomes short in the conversion process corresponding to the short-time exposure, whereas it becomes long in the conversion process corresponding to the long-time exposure, and generates two pieces of data such that the number of bits in a digital value corresponding to the short-time exposure will become smaller than the number of bits in the digital value corresponding to the long-time exposure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gimbal driving device comprising a holding arm, a first motor, a connecting frame for fixing an imaging device, a connector and a flexible wiring board. The first motor may comprise a shaft, a rotor holder connected with the shaft, and a shaft cover fixed to the holding arm, wherein the shaft may bring the rotor holder into swinging; the connecting frame may be fixed to the rotor holder to bring the imaging device into swinging; the connector may be connected between the shaft and the connecting frame; and the flexible wiring board may have one end connected to the holding arm and the other end thereof connected to the connecting frame, wherein a length of the flexible wiring board may remain unchanged while the imaging device is swinging. The invention also relates to a gimbal assembly using the gimbal driving device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image data selecting section that calculates a luminance equivalent value for each of regions of two or more images of different exposure amounts, compares a luminance equivalent value with a threshold value and selects an image to be used for each region; a white balance gain calculating section that calculates a white balance coefficient using an image that is selected for each region; and a basic image processing section that corrects a white balance of a combined image using the white balance coefficient calculated by the white balance gain calculating section.

Abstract: Stacked chip imaging system comprising pixel array partitioned into pixel sub-arrays (PSAs) disposed in first semiconductor die and ADC circuitry including ADC circuits disposed in second semiconductor die. Each PSA is arranged into pixel groups. Each pixel group generates pixel data signals. Pixel array captures image data of first frame with first exposure time, second frame with second exposure time, third frame with third exposure time, and fourth frame with fourth exposure time. First, second, third and fourth exposure times are different. At least one of the pixel groups in each of the pixel sub-arrays is coupled to a different ADC circuit from pixels groups remaining in each of the pixel sub-arrays. ADC circuitry acquires the pixel data signals. For each frame, ADC circuits converts pixel data signal received from pixel groups respectively coupled thereto from analog to digital to generate ADC outputs. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to control a camera from a wearable mechanism device, such as a watch, pendant or other device with its own limited display. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a wearable mechanism device for remotely controlling a camera with an intuitive user interface and sequencing of interface options. In one embodiment, the display on the wearable mechanism changes before a picture or video is taken with the electronic camera. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to partially control a camera from the wearable mechanism device, providing split control.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided, including: a first camera module and a second camera module configured to capture an image of a same subject; and a controller configured to map a second image obtained from the second camera module to a first image obtained from the first camera module, and to synthesize a third image of the subject using the first image and the mapped second image, wherein an image sensor included in the first camera module has a first pixel structure in which a pixel has a square shape, and an image sensor included in the second camera module has a second pixel structure that is different from the first pixel structure.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a bobbin in which a lens is mounted, a first coil and a magnet configured to electromagnetically interact with each other so as to move the bobbin, a housing configured to accommodate the bobbin therein, an elastic member including an inner frame coupled to the bobbin, an outer frame coupled to the housing, and a frame connection portion configured to connect the inner frame and the outer frame to each other, and a support member connected to the elastic member and configured to support the housing, and the outer frame includes a first coupling portion coupled to the housing, a second coupling portion coupled to the support member, the second coupling portion being spaced apart from the first coupling portion, and a single connection portion configured to connect the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion to each other.

Abstract: Systems for automatic white balancing (AWB) of a digital image and methods for making and using same. In response to a white balancing trigger, the relative positions of an image sensor and a reference region for white balancing are automatically adjusted such that the image sensor can acquire an image of the reference region. A white balance parameter reflecting the color temperature of the illuminating source is then computed and used to perform white balancing so as to remove color casts. The position of the reference region can be pre-recorded or scanned-for by the image sensor. The reference region can be rendered mobile so that it can be positioned within the image sensor's field-of-vision. The imaging systems can further include a gimbal that enables the image sensor to rotate about one or more axes. The present systems and methods are suitable for use, for example, by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus via a network includes, a combining unit configured to combine a plurality of images captured under different exposure conditions, an exposure setting unit configured to acquire an image under a set exposure condition, a reception unit configured to receive a command for specifying an operation of the combining unit and the exposure setting unit from the external apparatus, and a first control unit configured to control a timing of the operation of the exposure setting unit, specified by the command received by the reception unit, based on an operation state of at least one of the combining unit and the exposure setting unit.

Abstract: Systems for automatic white balancing (AWB) of a digital image and methods for making and using same. In response to a white balancing trigger, the relative positions of an image sensor and a reference region for white balancing are automatically adjusted such that the image sensor can acquire an image of the reference region. A white balance parameter reflecting the color temperature of the illuminating source is then computed and used to perform white balancing so as to remove color casts. The position of the reference region can be pre-recorded or scanned-for by the image sensor. The reference region can be rendered mobile so that it can be positioned within the image sensor's field-of-vision. The imaging systems can further include a gimbal that enables the image sensor to rotate about one or more axes. The present systems and methods are suitable for use, for example, by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Abstract: Provided is an a imaging device that acquires a distance image excluding influence of background light in one frame scanning period and acquires a visible image in a separate frame from a single imaging sensor, and includes an infrared light source that emits infrared light, and a solid state imaging device including a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, which respectively include vertical overflow drains, and are arranged in a matrix on a semiconductor substrate, the plurality of first pixels converting the infrared light into signal charges, and the plurality of second pixels converting visible light into signal charges.