Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing an image signal, including: an operation processing section performing an operation according to a detected value of the image signal; a latch signal generation section for generating a plurality of latch signals, which indicate a timing of processing for the operation processing section and are based on a plurality of different picture rates applied to the image signal; a latch signal selection section selecting one of the plurality of latch signals inputted from the latch signal generation section and outputting the selected latch signal to the operation processing section; and a latch signal selection indication section indicating to the latch signal selection section a latch signal to be selected from the plurality of latch signals.

Abstract: A solid-state image device is provided which has a semiconductor substrate, pixels A each containing a photoelectric conversion portion in which at least two PN junction parts are provide in a depth direction of the semiconductor substrate, pixels B each containing a photoelectric conversion portion in which at least one PN junction part is provided, first color filters provided above the pixels A, second color filters provided above the pixels B; and a detection mechanism for detecting a first color signal and a second color signal from the two PN junction parts of each of the pixels A and a third color signal from the PN junction part of each of the pixels B. According to the above solid-state image device, light can be more efficiently used than a color filter separation method, and superior color reproducibility to that of a three-well structure can be realized.

Abstract: An image determination apparatus is provided which obtains a first image which is picked up by illuminating the subject of image pickup from a first position and a second image which is picked up by illuminating the subject of image pickup from a second position. The image determination apparatus determines whether or not the subject of image pickup is a living body from a change in shading on the first picked up image and the second picked up image. Further, an individual authentication apparatus that includes an image pickup unit and a control unit determines whether a subject is a living body from a change in shading on a first picked up image and a second picked up image. If the subject is a living body, an authentication function is initiated using a third picked up image, the authentication function determining whether or not to authorize the subject.

Abstract: A distance calculation method and an imaging device that can be applied to a digital camera. The method includes calculating a distance between a point corresponding to an optical axis of a lens sub-system of the imaging device and an input point, and using the calculated distance to correct defects such as shading that occur in formed images due to peripheral light fall-off in the lens sub-system. The distance is approximated by a polygon having five or more sides, preferably having 8 or 16 sides. The distance is calculated by a disclosed function having constant coefficients, so that distances can be calculated by simple hardware.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing special effects for wide-angle video images. The special effects include replacing a selected portion of a wide-angle video image with a predetermined image or an associated portion of a video image captured in a subsequent frame. Other special effects include image intensity scaling for wide-angle video images.

Abstract: When the camera is performing the pan or tilt operation on performing image blurring correction, the image blurring correction is stopped and a vibration-proof lens is returned to a reference position at a speed that is changed according to a focal length of the zoom lens and is reduced if the zoom lens is set on a wide-side in particular so as to prevent a sense of discomfort due to swingback on the pan or tilt operation. The vibration-proof lens may be kept at a fixed position for a fixed time and returned to the reference position after the fixed time elapses so as to alleviate disorder of an image. The control subject for correcting the image blurring may be returned to the reference position by a predetermined function of which variable is time so as to exert control after stopping the image blurring correction on the pan or tilt operation suitably as intended.

Abstract: There is provided a digital camera to which external programs can be installed for appending desired functions thereto. Print image data generating programs to be stored in a recording medium in the digital camera are transmitted from a personal computer, an external extended recording medium of the digital camera, or an external device via a modem and a communication line. In any cases, the stored programs are read out at desired time to execute an print image data generating processing which transmits the print image data to a printer for printing the image. The stored program can be deleted at a desired time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a MOS-type solid-state image pickup device having a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer MOS transistor, a gate electrode disposed on an insulating film and a semiconductor substrate on which the photoelectric conversion unit and the transfer MOS transistor are disposed, includes a first step of forming a second semiconductor region by ion implanting an impurity of a second conductivity type at a first angle with a first energy using the gate electrode as a mask, and a second step of forming a fifth semiconductor region by ion implanting an impurity of the second conductivity type at a second angle with a second energy using the gate electrode as a mask. A fourth semiconductor region is formed by ion implanting an impurity of the second conductivity type.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus includes a slot which holding a magnetooptical disk. A plurality of image folders are formed in the magnetooptical disk. The folders manage a plurality of image files. When the magnetooptical disk is inserted in the slot and an information search mode is selected, folder Nos. of the folders are detected by a CPU. The detected folder Nos. are displayed on a screen by a character generator. When any folder No. displayed on the monitor is selected, the number of image files managed by the folder holding the selected folder No. is detected by the CPU. The detected number of image files is displayed on the monitor screen by the character generator.

Abstract: A CMOS imager includes an array of active pixel sensors, wherein each pixel is associated with a respective column in the array. The imager also includes multiple circuits for reading out values of pixels from the active sensor array. Each readout circuit can be associated with a respective pair of columns in the array and can include first and second sample-and-hold circuits. The first and second sample-and-hold circuits are associated, respectively, with first and second columns of pixels in the array. Each readout circuit also includes an operational amplifier-based charge sensing circuit that selectively provides an amplified differential output signal based on signals sampled either by the first sample-and-hold circuit or the second sample-and-hold circuit. The readout circuit also has an analog-to-digital converter for converting the differential output to a corresponding digital signal using a successive approximation technique.

Abstract: The number of images recordable in a plurality of recording media, which are used for recording sensed image data in different purposes, is notified to a user. First, an available recording capacity of a recording medium incorporated in an image processing apparatus and an available recording capacity of a recording medium which is detachable from the image processing apparatus are calculated. Based on the calculated results, the smaller capacity is determined, and an indication with respect to this capacity is displayed.

Abstract: A hybrid pixel interpolating apparatus (1) has a function of converting raw image data (D1) having one color component for each pixel into pixel interpolated data in which each pixel has a plurality of color components. This hybrid pixel interpolating apparatus (1) includes: a register (2) for holding pixel data in a predetermined pixel region in the raw image data (D1) to be inputted; a plurality of pixel interpolating parts (41, 42, . . . , 4n?1, 4n (n: integer not less than 2)) for sampling pixel data (D2) inputted from the register (2) to execute a pixel interpolating process; and a mixing coefficient calculating part (3) for calculating mixing coefficients (?1, ?2, . . . , ?n), and also includes a mixing part (5) for fetching and mixing interpolated data (DI1, DI2, . . . , DIn) outputted from the respective pixel interpolating parts (41 to 4n) to output the resultant.

Abstract: A video monitoring device is constructed to include a casing formed of a hollow bottom shell and a top cover, which covers the bottom shell and is horizontally rotatable on the bottom shell, a camera turnable about a horizontal pivot at the top cover, and a driver mounted inside the bottom shell and controlled to rotate the top cover and the camera horizontally on the bottom shell and to turn the cameral vertically about the horizontal pivot.

Abstract: A digital camera allowing searching of an image in a simple manner is provided, in which an image folder is formed for each session of continuous image pickup operations, and each of the plurality of images picked up in one session of continuous image pickup operation is stored as an image file in the corresponding image folder. Therefore, as compared with the conventional example in which continuously picked up images are stored in the order of pickup similar to the images picked up normally, searching of an image is facilitated. Further, as the images can be handled as an image group folder by folder, efficiency in processing can be improved.

Abstract: A decoder apparatus for selecting column lines of a CMOS imager pixel array is disclosed. The decoder apparatus is made up of at least one first decoder and at least one set of second decoders, each set being associated with respective first decoder. The first decoder decodes a first portion of an address representing a desired pixel array column and, depending on the results of the first decoding operation, selectively enables the associated second decoder set which decodes a second portion of the address to select a column line.

Abstract: In image input devices such as digital still cameras, processing is speeded up and power consumption is reduced by arranging in a RPU (23) performing real time processing of a pixel data from a CCD (21), such that only special exceptional image processing not being prepared previously is subjected to a software program processing in a CPU (24) and, in post processing in which a general image processing is carried out, a pixel data temporarily stored in a main memory (29) is inputted again to the RPU (23) and then processed. This enables to sharply speed up processing, and minimize a prolonged processing in the CPU (24) to reduce power consumption, when compared to the case of executing by software problem processing.

Abstract: A charge transfer device whose output end is electrically connected to a charge detector circuit is driven by negative pulse voltage trains to reduce power consumption of the charge detector circuit.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided which an operator (photographer) has not an abnormal but favorable feeling from a design (aesthetic) viewpoint and which enables the operator to know an area in which a photograph can be successfully taken or a position of a subject to be photographed. A control section has an auxiliary display section display present time, notification of arrival of data and/or messages, or a like when no photograph is taken. When the operator presses down a photographing mode selecting key, the control section controls a liquid crystal panel so that its all pixels are put into a light transmitting state and causes reflected light from a mirror reflecting plate to be visually viewed by the operator. That is, the auxiliary display section operates as the mirror to look therein at an image of a subject to be photographed.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device is provided which can reduce crosstalks between range finding photoelectric conversion elements (AF sensor) and photometry photoelectric conversion elements (AE sensor). The solid state image pickup device has an n-type epitaxial semiconductor region, a p-type first well region formed in the semiconductor region, a p-type second well region formed in the semiconductor region and electrically separated from the first well, an n-type first impurity doped region formed in the first well region and an n-type second impurity doped region formed in the second well, wherein a photometry photoelectric conversion element is formed by using the p-type first well region and n-type first impurity doped region, and a range finding photoelectric element is formed by using the p-type second well region and n-type impurity doped region.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a mode change switch to select a camera mode. When the camera mode is selected by this switch, a real-time motion image of a subject is displayed on the monitor. If an operator operates the shutter button, a still image of the subject upon the operation is recorded in a compressed state to a recording medium. Furthermore, a black image is displayed on the monitor during a time period of from pressing the shutter button to a completion of recording the still image. If the shutter button remains pressed after completing the recording, a same still image as an image recorded is displayed on the monitor. The still image is kept displayed over a time the shutter button is being kept pressed.