Abstract: In a video signal processing apparatus for generating a video signal in a prescribed format by capturing output of a solid-state imaging element that is driven by corresponding to each timing of horizontal scanning and vertical scanning, a first signal processing circuit generates a first video signal by performing the first signal processing on an analog video signal that is continuously outputted from the solid-state imaging element by a horizontal-line unit. An A/D converter circuit generates the first video data by converting the first video signal to digital information. A memory circuit stores the first video data at least by one horizontal-line unit, and reads out the first video data with a delay of a prescribed delay period. A second signal processing circuit generates the second video data by performing the second signal processing on the first video data that is read out from the memory circuit.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a matrix of active pixels (PXA). A pair of sampling capacitors (C1) and (C2) per matrix column processes the information delivered by the active pixel matrix. Each matrix column further includes a differential amplifier configured in follower mode connected between the pixels of the column and the pair of sampling capacitors via a pair of switches (I1) and (I2).

Abstract: A variable sensitivity imaging device comprises: a substrate; a photosensitive layer which is stacked above the substrate, and which is interposed between a pixel electrode layer and an opposing electrode layer; a signal reading section, formed on the substrate, that reads a signal corresponding to photo-charges which are generated by incidence of light into the photosensitive layer; and a pulse voltage applying section that applies a variable pulse-width pulse voltage between the pixel electrode layer and the opposing electrode layer.

Abstract: A delay circuit is provided that delays the sampling signal by a selected amount in order to ensure that sampling does not occur concurrently with the occurrence of a noisy event. The noisy events on the IC tend to be periodic and occur at regular intervals. The invention allows the delay in the sampling signal to be adjusted such that sampling does not occur at the same time as the reoccurring noisy event. This ensures that the sample signals will not have noise in them resulting from the occurrence of the noisy event. In addition, the delay circuit is programmable to allow the amount of delay to be set on the fly.

Abstract: A variable sensitivity imaging device comprises: a substrate; a photosensitive layer which is stacked above the substrate, and which is interposed between a pixel electrode layer and an opposing electrode layer; a signal reading section, formed on said substrate, that reads a signal corresponding to photo-charges which are generated by incidence of light into the photosensitive layer; and a voltage applying section that applies a voltage for making a sensitivity variable between the pixel electrode layer and the opposing electrode layer.

Abstract: The image pickup system for performing noise reduction processing on signals from an image pickup element comprises a first noise estimating unit for estimating a first amount of noise on the basis of a target pixel in the signals for which noise reduction processing is performed, an extraction unit for extracting similar pixels that resemble the target pixel from the neighborhood of the target pixel on the basis of the target pixel and the first amount of noise, a second noise estimating unit for estimating a second amount of noise from the target pixel and the similar pixels, and a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise of the target pixel on the basis of the second amount of noise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera module that includes: a camera body including a lens-barrel, a substrate, an image pickup device, and a signal processing unit; and a shield case. The shield case has a substrate-covering plate part and a lock part. An insulating and elastic cushion material is disposed between the substrate and the substrate-covering plate part. The cushion material is disposed in a compressed state between the substrate and the substrate-covering plate part by the locking of the lock part to the camera body.

Abstract: At least either of image data and image generation record information is analyzed to determine an image quality parameter relating to image quality, and an output target decision regarding selection of image data as an output target is performed on the basis of the image quality parameter.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible, by using the first and second light source loci, to tone down the influence of the object color of the color information in the image and detect the light source based on the color information having the influence of the object color toned down so as to detect the light source accurately. It is thereby possible to reduce the color failure when controlling the white balance.

Abstract: A multi-viewpoint image generation apparatus includes: a generation screen display unit that controls a two-dimensional image display device to display a two-dimensional image indicating an arrangement of the object in a multi-viewpoint image to be displayed on a the three-dimensional image display device; a modification command acquisition unit that acquires a modification command; a camera control unit that modifies a camera condition including a number of cameras corresponding to the multi-viewpoint image, a placement position of each of the cameras, a size of the projection plane of each of the cameras, a point of regard, and a projection method, based on the modification command acquired by the modification command acquisition unit; and a multi-viewpoint image generation unit that generates the multi-viewpoint image acquired by the cameras being configured according to the camera condition modified by the camera control unit.

Abstract: A method for driving a charge-transfer type solid-state image pick-up device, wherein the charge-transfer type solid-state image pick-up device comprises: high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements for executing photoelectric conversion with relatively high sensitivity; low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements for executing photoelectric conversion with relatively low sensitivity; and vertical transfer channels for transferring signal charges from said high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements and said low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements, the method comprising a charge transfer step of individually reading/transferring first signal charges from said high sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements and second signal charges from said low sensitivity photoelectric conversion elements onto said vertical transfer channels, without executing a high speed charge transfer operation for the vertical transfer channels after exposure of said solid-state image pick-up device.

Abstract: A digital video camera (10) includes a CPU (52) mounting a multitasking OS. A plurality of frames of YUV data forming a motion image are recorded in a recording medium (50) in a compressed manner under the control of the CPU 52. Here, a plurality of tasks to be executed by the CPU (52) includes an imaging processing task in relation to a compression process of the plurality frames of the YUV data and a BG processing task in relation to a recording process of a plurality of frames of JPEG data. Furthermore, the imaging processing task includes a determining process for periodically determining a recording processing speed of the JPEG data and a changing process for changing a compression ratio of the YUV data on the basis of the determination result.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes: a plurality of light receiving elements provided within an imaging region on a semiconductor substrate; a color filter with a plurality of colors provided on the plurality of light receiving elements for filtering with a predetermined color; a vertical shift register disposed adjacent to the light receiving elements for transferring a charge from the light receiving elements; and a first horizontal shift register and a second shift register disposed interposing the imaging region therebetween for transferring a charge transferred from the vertical shift register and outputting a signal in accordance with the charge, respectively; wherein a respective charge of the light receiving elements accumulated therein in accordance with a light transmitted through filters of the same color in the color filter is transferred exclusively via either one of the first horizontal shift register or the second horizontal shift register to be outputted as the signal.

Abstract: An electronic device powered by a fuel cell and a power supply system using a fuel cell include a first generating cell supplied with fuel directly from a fuel tank and a second generating cell supplied with fuel through the first generating cell. The second generating cell has a capacity different from the capacity of the first generating cell.

Abstract: An imaging device having a lens focusing light from a selected scene within an optical footprint, and a substrate including a primary array and at least one navigation array which are positioned within the optical footprint. The primary array acquires a desired image of a portion of the selected scene during an integration period and the at least one navigation array acquires a series of images during the integration period, including a first and a second image having common features from the selected scene. A correlator determines location differences of the common features of the first and second images relative to the at least one navigation array and provides a displacement signal indicative of imaging device translation in two planar dimensions during an interval between the first and second images based on the location differences.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes an electronic image pickup portion for picking up an image of a subject and generating image data, an angular velocity detecting portion for detecting an angular velocity of the electronic image pickup portion, an rotational angle detecting portion for detecting a rotational angle of the image pickup device on the basis of the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detecting portion, a hand-waggling level judging portion for judging the level of hand-waggling on the basis of the rotational angle detected by the rotational angle detecting portion, and a hand-waggling level display portion for displaying a judgment result of the hand-waggling level judging portion.

Abstract: A signal processing unit subjects to signal processing first image signals, obtained as the output from a three-sensor-system sensor unit which uses CMOS sensors or the like, thereby obtaining high-image-quality second image signals. The three sensors are positioned at placement positions which are suitable for signal processing at the signal processing unit. The suitable placement positions have been obtained by learning performed beforehand. In one arrangement, the signal processing unit evaluates the second image signals, and controls the placement positions of the three sensors according to the evaluation results. In another arrangement, the first signals are evaluated in a predetermined region, and the capabilities of the sensors at the predetermined region are changed according to the evaluation results. In another arrangement, the sensor unit is controlled according to the level distribution of the first image signals. The present invention can be applied to still or video digital cameras.

Abstract: A digital camera for use with a media cartridge with a supply of media substrate, and an information store with information about the media substrate. The camera has an image sensor for capturing an image, an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor and transmitting processed data to a printhead, and a cartridge interface for accessing the information such that the image processor can utilize the information relating to the media substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multispectral imaging comprising an array of filters in a mosaic pattern, a sensor array and an acquisition and processing module. The sensor array being disposed to receive an image that has been filtered by the array of filters. The acquisition and processing module processes the output of the sensor array (or mosaic acquired data) to provide a processed image. The acquisition and processing module processes the mosaic acquired data by performing first interpolation on the mosaic acquired data by the sensor array to provide a first approximation and performing second interpolation on the values of the first approximation to provide a second approximation.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which records a digital image signal by taking a picture of an object and which transfers the recorded digital image signal to an external device. The apparatus includes a buffer memory, an image saving memory, an image memory accumulation state judgment unit, and a transfer unit. The buffer memory is adapted to temporarily accumulate the digital image signal obtained by picture taking. The image saving memory is adapted to save the digital image signal. The image memory accumulation state judgment unit is adapted to judge whether or not a new digital image signal can be accumulated in the buffer memory. The transfer unit is adapted to transfer to the external device the digital image signal accumulated in the buffer memory if the image memory accumulation state judgment unit determines that any new digital image signal cannot be accumulated in the buffer memory.