Abstract: A multi-dimensional imaging device and method for automated exposure control that implement two distinct modules to control the exposure and gain settings in the imager so that processing can occur in a multi-tasking single CPU environment. The first module, referred to herein as the imager control module, controls the exposure and gain settings in the imager. The first module is typically implemented in a high priority routine, such as an interrupt service routine, to insure that module is executed on every captured frame. The second module, referred to herein as the histogram processing module, calculates a target contrast (the product of the targeted exposure and gain settings) based on feedback data from the first module and image data from memory. The second module is typically implemented in a low priority routine, such as a task level routine, to allow for the routine to be executed systematically in accordance with priority.

Abstract: A docking station assembly for transmitting digital images, the docking station assembly comprises a housing for forming an enclosure for the docking station assembly and the housing includes an insert-receiving portion for receiving any of a plurality of removable and replaceable inserts; and a removable and replaceable insert having a docking mating portion which mates with the insert-receiving portion, and having a camera mating portion having a shape of a portion of a particular digital camera.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus and image sensing method are capable of obtaining a still image without blurring even when a moving object is picked up with use of a solid image sensor capable of progressive scanning. An electronic shutter of a CCD image sensor 23 capable of outputting an image sensing signal in a progressive scan mode is controlled by a timing signal generator 28, with the field cycle according to the standard television system used as a basic cycle, to cause the CCD image sensor 23 to output an image sensing signal in the progressive scan mode.

Abstract: A self-aligning apparatus comprising a ball bearing assembly mounted on a base plate and supporting an axle on which is mounted a video camera. In response to the force of gravity, the axle rotates such that the camera maintains a line-of-sight parallel to the cable of a crane or similar heavy equipment such that the video camera constantly views the work site of the hook element of the equipment. The equipment operator can view in real time images transmitted by the camera there reducing dependency on ground observers and improving safety.

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 method and system for allowing a user to select actions to be taken by a server when uploading images from a hand-held image capture device is disclosed. The method and system include storing an action list on the image capture device that includes one or more items representing actions that the server should take with respect to uploaded images. After the user initiates an image upload process, the action list is displayed to the user on the image capture device for user selection. After the user selects at least one of the items in the action list, the images and the selected action list item are sent to the server, and the server performs the specified action on the uploaded images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention involves a method for processing an image. A sensor output is provided. An automatic gain control of the sensor output is performed to generate a first output. An automatic white balance correction to the first output is performed to generate a second output. A gamma correction of the second output is performed to generate a third output. A color interpolation is performed to the third output to generate a fourth output. A low-pass spatial filtration of the fourth output is performed to generate a fifth output. A color saturation and correction of the fifth output is performed to generate a sixth output, and a high-pass spatial filtration of the sixth output is performed to generate an image output.

Abstract: An image capture system is provided with a USB terminal to which a drive is connected. When a user drops a coin into a coin insertion slot, the fact that the user intends to use the system is verified. As a result, a message to the effect that image data can be read using the drive is displayed on the display screen of a display unit. By observing the display on the display screen, the user can ascertain that the drive has been added onto the image capture system.

Abstract: An apparatus such as an imager includes groups of sensors each of which includes subgroups of sensors. Subgroup select circuits are coupled to outputs from respective subgroups of sensors, and group select circuits are coupled to outputs from subgroup select circuits associated with respective ones of the groups. A bus is coupled to receive outputs from the group select circuits. A controller can provide control signals to the subgroup select circuits and the group select circuits to selectively enable the respective subgroup select circuits and group select circuits to pass signals from the sensors to the bus one sensor at a time.

Abstract: The digital camera has the function of registering a captured image or the like in an album file and includes a display such as an LCD and a switch button (QV button) for switching a display image on the display. An image to be displayed on the display is changed in response to depression of a switch button among a live view image in a capturing mode, a reproduction image regarding a data file in a reproduction mode, and an album image regarding an album file in an album reproduction mode. For example, in response to depression of the switch button, the images are sequentially displayed in the above-described order. Preferably, when a captured file is not stored, a reproduced image is not displayed. When an album file is not registered, an album image is not displayed.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image pick-up element which receives light reflected from an object and generates image data of the object, and a light-receiving element which receives light reflected form the object and outputs light-quantity data for the object. The light-receiving element differs from the image pick-up element. In the sequence photograph mode, the exposure amount of the image pick-up element is controlled based on the light-quantity data output from the light-receiving element. In the other modes, the exposure amount of the image pick-up element is controlled based on the image data generated by the image pick-up element itself.

Abstract: In an X-Y address imaging device having an electronic shutter function, a vertical driving section includes a vertical scanning circuit and a vertical shutter scanning circuit. A horizontal driving section includes a horizontal scanning circuit and a horizontal shutter scanning circuit. The horizontal shutter scanning circuit selects, on a pixel basis, a pixel for which to perform a shutter operation from the pixels of a read pixel row selected by the vertical scanning section. After a lapse of an exposure time that is an integral multiple of a one-pixel selection period, a signal of the selected pixel is read out by scanning by the horizontal scanning circuit. This realizes an electronic shutter that enables not only an exposure time that is an integral multiple of 1H but also an exposure time having a time shorter than 1H as a unit.

Abstract: An image processing system which processes an image signal, and determines, extracts and corrects defective pixel signals from defective pixels in a sensor array including a plurality of pixels. A given pixel signal from a pixel in the array is determined to be defective if it has a signal level below a threshold value, as determined by an extraction unit which then extracts each defective pixel signal from the defective pixels in the array. A block-forming unit forms positional information for each defective pixel having a defective pixel signal extracted by the extraction unit, with positional information for a group of such extracted defective pixel signals being formed into a block. A storage units stores, in units of blocks, positional information for the defective pixel signals. A correction unit corrects the defective pixel signals by using the positional information, in units of blocks, stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of using hue to interpolate color pixel signals includes the following. For a particular pixel location in a subsampled color image, differences in hue are compared for two mutually orthogonal directions across the particular pixel location. A color signal value for that particular pixel location for a color plane other than the color plane of the pixel signal value in the subsampled color image of that location is computed. The computation includes relatively weighing the differences in hue values, the relative weights depending, at least in part, on the difference in hue value in one direction relative to the other.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: a body unit entirely covered by a resin cover member; a supporting member provided inside the cover member; a unit linking member for linking with another unit, one end of which is inserted inside the cover member through an opening formed at the cover member, the one end being supported by the supporting member inside the cover member; a metal reinforcement member provided along an outside portion of the cover member; and a retaining member that secures together the supporting member provided inside the cover member and the reinforcement member provided along an outside portion of the cover member with the cover member clamped between the supporting member and the reinforcement member.

Abstract: The image pick-up apparatus is one in which a first image forming lens for forming as an image on a light-receiving surface a light entering from a first direction toward the light-receiving surface of an image pick-up device and a second image forming lens for forming as an image on the light-receiving surface a light entering from a second direction different from the first direction are mounted on a lens mount, and in which optical means for changing a direction of travel of at least one of the lights entering from these different directions to a direction perpendicular to the light-receiving surface is held in the lens mount.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a solid-state image pickup device in which a photoelectric conversion part having a photoelectric conversion region, and a logic circuit part are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and outputs a potential change caused by the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion region, and is provided with a light shielding layer that covers the logic circuit part, and a light shielding film that defines the region of beam incidence on the photoelectric conversion region, where the light shielding film is provided closer to the semiconductor substrate than the light shielding layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved Internet camera is described. The method of keeping a refreshed image from a camera on a user's system comprises sending the image to the user's system and refreshing the image when a refresh period has elapsed. The method further comprises decreasing a frequency of the refresh after a period of time.

Abstract: A digital image system and method for combining bad pixel correction and demosaicing in a single process is provided by interpolating sensor values for pixels immediately spatially adjacent to the current pixel being examined to detect defective pixels, and using the interpolated values for demosaicing. If the sensor value of the current pixel being examined is outside of a range of sensor values determined from the interpolated values by more than a configurable threshold amount, the current pixel is considered defective, and replaced using an estimated value from the neighboring pixels.