Abstract: An image-capturing device that captures a subject image through an exchangeable lens, a color sensor that receives the subject image and outputs color data and a white balance detection circuit that determines a white balance adjustment gain by using a correlated color temperature ascertained from the color data read out from the color sensor in correspondence to the focal point detection area used for a focal point detection at a focal point detection device are provided. If the average value of the color data read out from the color sensor does not indicate achromatic color data, the white balance detection circuit reads out the correlated color temperature having been obtained and stored in memory previously from the memory to determine the white balance adjustment R gain and the white balance adjustment B gain.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter in an active pixel sensor array includes on board memory elements for storing results. The stored results can be read out in a different order than the order in which they were converted.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensing apparatus having a function of removing a dark current noise component of an image sensor. This image sensing apparatus includes an image sensor such as a CCD, at least two noise component storage areas, a CPU for controlling an operation of writing a noise component of one frame generated by the image sensor into a noise component storage area selected from the at least two noise component storage areas, and a subtracter for correcting an object image photographed by the image sensor, on the basis of the noise component stored in one of the at least two noise component storage areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for information processing allowing a personal computer to pick up an image through operation of a single button. When a half-push switch is turned on, a CPU activates a window of an image pickup application program, causing the window to appear in front of the windows of all other application programs. An image displayed in the window of the image pickup application program is held still even if a personal computer is altered in its orientation. When a full-push switch is turned on, the image in the window of the image pickup application program is stored onto an HDD in a suitable format.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval.

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: To obtain a high-quality image, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit for converting an optical signal from an object into an electrical signal and a read unit for reading out the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a difference circuit for performing difference processing on a noise component contained in the signal read by the read unit, a detection circuit for detecting image pickup conditions, and a correction circuit for performing correction of execution of difference processing in accordance with an output from the detection circuit.

Abstract: In a solid-state image-sensing device, when image sensing is performed, in each pixel, MOS transistors T1 and T5 are turned on and a MOS transistor T6 is turned off so that a MOS transistor T2 operates in a subthreshold region. When resetting is preformed, in each pixel, the MOS transistors T1 and T5 are turned off and the MOS transistor T6 is turned on so that the gate voltage of the MOS transistor T2 is kept constant. In this state, the MOS transistor T2 is brought first into a conducting state and then, by turning a signal ?VPS to a high level, into a cut-off state. This permits a signal proportional to the threshold value of the MOS transistor T2 to be output as compensation data.

Abstract: A proportional counting circuit generates count values for use in variably adjusting gain and exposure time of an image sensor array. The count values are adjusted in proportion to the current count value. This technique allows for fast and accurate adjustment of gain and exposure time without sacrificing the visual performance defined by the contrast difference. At least one break-in signal disables counting in some lower bits when a particular higher bit is asserted and allows the count values to be adjusted by a different increment when the count value reaches a predetermined value by asserting the particular higher bit. Break-out signals are used in less significant bits to disable counting in all lower bits than the bit being disabled by the break-in signal from the more significant bit.

Abstract: Detection information for shake is detected by a shake detection unit, predictive shake information is calculated based on the shake detection information, a start position (center) of a correcting operation on an imaging surface of a shake correction unit is determined, and driving of the shake correction unit at the correcting-operation start position is controlled. Accordingly, it is possible to make effective use of a movable range of the shake correction unit for actual hand shake or the like. Thus, a high degree of correction effect can be obtained, so that imaging failures due to hand shake or the like can be remarkably reduced.

Abstract: A grenade cam is provided and is designed as a surveillance camera projectile. It is manually thrown or propelled by means of a grenade launcher into a visually restricted area or location of surveillance. Once the grenade cam lands in the desired position, four legs automatically spring open and stand the primary housing portion upright. This is achieved by a leg release motor assisted by spring and worm-drive devices. This occurs in unison with the deployment of the camera through the top end of the primary housing. The grenade cam then transmits a video signal along with an audio signal to a remote portable receiver monitored by the user. The internal components include of a camera housing, a 360 degree rotation motor, a camera tilt motor, leg release pins, a circuit board, a spring, a worm drive guide, video/audio receiver and transmitter, battery, timer and leg release motor. The camera housing can be fully or partially transparent for the camera view.

Abstract: Conventionally, in image processing using a smoothing filter, the large amount of calculation for 25× the number of pixels takes much processing time. A computer 21 as the nucleus of image processing determines whether or not a pixel of interest is a color blur pixel, based on the intensity of a low-density element color, at steps S130 and S140. If the pixel is a color blur pixel, the computer 21 determines whether or not the color blur pixel is an edge pixel at step S150. If the pixel is not an edge pixel, the computer 21 uses a smoothing filter at step S152, while if the pixel is an edge pixel, the computer 21 uses a median filter at step S154, in image processing to reduce the color blur. This reduces the amount of calculation and realizes high-speed image processing.

Abstract: A method and a system for processing images using interpolating. A variation value for different sets of pixels is determined, and the set of pixels with the highest correlation (lowest numeric value) is selected. A missing color at a given pixel is expressed in terms of the information contained in the selected set of pixels. If the variation value is below a certain threshold, due to noise or other factors, an alternative set of pixels using a different variation method may be selected. The missing color is estimated as a weighted sum of, e.g., the green samples divided by the weighted sum of, e.g., the red samples multiplied by the sampled value from the pixel to be estimated.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a photocell array for accumulating signal charge for each pixel in accordance with progress of exposure, and a read circuit for reading out information on the accumulated signal charge from the photocell array. With an insulating structure between its input and output, an amplifier in the read circuit generates an output signal without resetting the accumulated charge in the photocell. Information on the accumulated charge is read out at different exposure times while signal charge is accumulated during exposure, and a plurality of image signals can sequentially be obtained without destroying the information.

Abstract: Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state.

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 use of the orientation-sensitive interpolation filter coefficients generates the RGB signal values that are substantially same as those with the prior art filter coefficients for image data without abrupt intensity gradients. At the same time, the use of the same orientation-sensitive interpolation filter coefficients also helps generate the RGB signal values that represent the substantially reduced colors on the black-and-white horizontal stripes.

Abstract: An electronic zoom image input method that enables zooming without declining the resolution by receiving an input image transmitted through a fixed focal distance optical system having a function of compressing the circumferential part of the input image by means of a photo detector with a uniform pixel density and subjecting the received image to image correction and conversion to obtain an output image. Three dimensional image input system is realized by preparing each image input system of both left and right view with this electronic zoom image input method.

Abstract: In a digital camera (1), when a “+” key (17a) or a “?” key. (17b) is depressed to select reproduction/display of a panorama image after the reproduction mode is designated, the CPU (36) reads out the selected panorama image data from a flash memory (31), and stores it in a VRAM (26). When the “+” key (17a) or the “?” key (17b) is depressed after the first 1-frame image data of the panorama image data stored in the VRAM (26) is reproduced/displayed on the display screen of the display unit (12), the CPU (36) starts scrolling the displayed image on the display screen of the display unit (12).

Abstract: A rolling electronic snap enables each row to integrate for a defined period of time. A control system for the rolling electronic snap includes a latched row logic which latches into reset. The device can be removed from reset in order to integrate. After integrating, the row is selected to receive the information therefrom and then the reset is again maintained. By latching the row in and out of reset, its state can be maintained for longer periods of time.