Abstract: An image processing method operable in a hand held image acquisition device comprising at least one camera comprises obtaining an image with the camera and identifying at least one face region detected within the image. A mean intensity of intensity values for pixels of at least one identified face region is determined. Responsive to the mean intensity for a face region being less than a threshold amount, at least some of the pixels of the image are lightened. A contrast of pixels of the image is enhanced as a function of pixel intensity distribution within the image and a contrast of pixels of the face region is enhanced as a function of pixel intensity distribution within the face region. The contrast enhanced pixels of the face region are blended with pixels of the image which have been lightened and/or whose contrast has been enhanced to provide a processed image.

Abstract: A camera apparatus and method enabling a user to conveniently control an operation of the camera apparatus according to a gesture of a subject for photography input through a lens of a camera, and a method of controlling the camera apparatus are provided. The method includes generating a current frame by receiving an image input through a camera; comparing the current frame and one or more previous frames stored before the current frame and detecting a gesture of a subject for photography included in the current frame and the one or more previous frames; determining whether the gesture is a gesture UI; and when the gesture is the gesture UI, executing an operation corresponding to the gesture UI.

Abstract: One example discloses an illumination apparatus, including: a first illumination source, having a pulsed illumination output structure; and a capture sensor, having an image capture structure synchronized with and responsive to reflection signals generated by the pulsed illumination output signal structure. Another example discloses an article of manufacture including at least one non-transitory, tangible machine readable storage medium containing executable machine instructions for illumination which include: transmitting a first pulsed illumination signal from a first illumination source; capturing an image; and synchronizing the transmitting and capturing with a synchronization trigger.

Abstract: The zoom lens according to the present invention includes, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens unit having a positive refractive power that does not move for zooming; a second lens unit having a negative refractive power that moves during zooming; a third lens unit having a negative refractive power that moves along a locus convex toward the object side during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end; a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power that moves during zooming; an aperture stop; and a fifth lens unit having a positive refractive power that does not move for zooming, in which the fourth lens unit has a lens surface having an aspherical shape with which the positive refractive power is weakened.

Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels has an active region including a first region and a second region with an electrode therebetween in plan view. A portion that is a portion of the active region and that is located under the electrode forms at least a portion of a capacitor. The first region includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type that forms at least a portion of a floating diffusion, and the second region includes a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type. An insulating film is disposed on the second semiconductor region.

Abstract: An image sensor comprises: a first semiconductor including a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged, and a plurality of divided output lines, in a first direction, configured to read out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels in the first direction; and a second semiconductor including a plurality of signal processing units, corresponding to the plurality of output lines, respectively, configured to process the readout pixel signals, and a readout unit configured to read out the signals output from the signal processing units in a second direction, wherein the first semiconductor and the second semiconductor are stacked, and the plurality of output lines and the plurality of signal processing units are connected in correspondence with each other.

Abstract: A camera system and method provide a trailing motion blur effect without the use of a flash. In one embodiment, a variable light-transmissive filter is positioned in front of an image sensor. While the light-transmissive property of the filter is lower, the blurred image of the object in motion is produced. The light-transmissive property of the filter is increased during the exposure in order to produce a clearer image of the object. In a method, a plurality of images taken in rapid succession are combined to produce a clear image of the object with a trailing blurred image of the object.

Abstract: An image shake correcting device includes a shake detecting unit configured to detect a shake of an image pickup apparatus; a first optical correcting unit and a second optical correcting unit configured to correct optically an image shake by using a shake signal output from the shake detecting unit; a first position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the first optical correcting unit and output a first position detection signal; and a calculating unit configured to calculate a target position signal for controlling the first optical correcting unit based on the shake signal. The calculating unit calculates a target position signal for controlling the second optical correcting unit by using the signal that is obtained by subtracting the first position detection signal for detecting the position of the first optical correcting unit controlled by the target position signal from the target position signal.

Abstract: An image pickup element generates an AF evaluation value to be used for image-pickup in accordance with an image signal corresponding to a voltage signal obtained from a first pixel group among a plurality of pixels. The image pickup element further outputs an image signal corresponding to a voltage signal obtained from a second pixel group among the plurality of pixels as a live-view display signal for image display. In accordance with the AF evaluation value, a control unit controls a mechanical optical unit having a focus lens and performs live-view display on an image display unit in accordance with the live-view display signal.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes: a movable optical member; a driving unit that drives the movable optical member; an operating unit that operates the driving unit; a first controller that derives an input value for operating the driving unit based on an operation amount of the operating unit; a second controller that corrects the input value input from the first controller to calculate a control value and outputs the control value to the driving unit; and a deriving unit that derives a matching position from the control value. When an operation from the operating unit becomes effective, the deriving unit outputs the matching position to the first controller, and the first controller sets the matching position to the input value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including a setting unit configured to set a focal plane of a still image, which is generated from moving image data including a plurality of frames, each of which is refocusable; a reconstruction unit configured to reconstruct a predetermined number of the frames of the moving image data in accordance with the focal plane of the still image, which is set by the setting unit, to thereby generate the predetermined number of refocused images; and a combining unit configured to combine the predetermined number of the refocused images, which are generated by the reconstruction unit, to thereby generate the still image.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a digital image. The method may compensate for cross-talk between adjacent pixels and reduce the effect of auto-focus elements integrated into a pixel array of an image sensor. A set of coefficients is obtained, where the set of coefficients represent a relative measurement between two or more pixels in the pixel array and may be obtained from a calibration operation. A predictive function is constructed based on the set of coefficients. A compensated pixel value for at least one pixel of the image sensor is calculated using the predictive function. A digital image is created based in part on the compensated value.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array. The image sensor may include a photoelectric conversion device generating electric charges according to photoelectric conversion in each of a plurality of pixels, a shutter of each of the plurality of pixels controlling movements of the generated electric charges according to a drive signal, a driving line connecting the shutters of all of the plurality of pixels of the pixel array, through which the drive signal is transmitted, and a plurality of driving buffers applying the drive signal to the driving line.

Abstract: A method of reading out a pixel includes photogenerating charge carriers during a single integration time in photodetectors of each one of a plurality of sub-pixels included in the pixel. Each one of the plurality of sub-pixels of the pixel has a same color filter. A floating diffusion node of the pixel is reset. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a reset output sample signal. Charge carriers that were photogenerated in a first portion of the plurality of sub-pixels are transferred to the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a first output sample signal. Charge carriers that were photogenerated in a second portion of the plurality of sub-pixels are transferred to the floating diffusion node. The floating diffusion node is sampled to generate a second output sample signal.

Abstract: A back side illuminated image sensor includes a pixel array including semiconductor material, and image sensor circuitry disposed on a front side of the semiconductor material to control operation of the pixel array. A first pixel includes a first doped region disposed proximate to a back side of the semiconductor material and extends into the semiconductor material a first depth to reach the image sensor circuitry. A second pixel with a second doped region is disposed proximate to the back side of the semiconductor material and extends into the semiconductor material a second depth which is less than the first depth. A third doped region is disposed between the second doped region and the image sensor circuitry on the front side of the semiconductor material. The third doped region is electrically isolated from the first doped region and the second doped region.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic device with high portability, a highly browsable electronic device, or an electronic device having a novel light source that can be used in shooting photographs and video. The electronic device includes a camera and a flexible display portion. The display portion has a first region and a second region. The first region has a function of emitting light to a photographic subject. The second region has a function of displaying an image of the photographic subject shot by the camera. The display portion can be bent so that the first region and the second region face in different directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a hardware feature of an electronic device includes the electronic device detecting 302 a predetermined motion of the electronic device and measuring 304, in response to detecting the predetermined motion, an orientation of the electronic device. The method further includes the electronic device activating 306, based on the orientation, a hardware feature from a plurality of selectable hardware features of the electronic device, wherein each selectable hardware feature can be activated based on different orientations of the electronic device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a lens or a mount unit for mounting a lens on an object side surface of an apparatus main body and a grip unit at an end portion on one side of the apparatus main body, includes a setting unit to set a prohibit state that prohibits changing a setting value, an operation member for changing the setting value, a temporary cancel member, and a control unit to perform control. Where the prohibit state is set and if the temporary cancel member has not been operated and the operation member has been operated, the control unit controls not to change the setting value. Where the prohibit state is set and if the temporary cancel member has been operated and the operation member has been operated, the control unit changes the setting value according to an operation performed on the operation member.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image pickup device including ADCs that can be arranged in a limited space. The potential of a pixel signal outputted through a vertical readout line is held at a node. A plurality of capacitors are capacitively coupled to the node at which the pixel signal is held. The potential of the node is decreased in a stepwise manner by sequentially switching the voltages of the counter electrodes of the capacitors by the control of transistors. A comparator compares the potential of the node with the potential of the dark state of the pixel, and determines the upper bits of a digital value when the potential of the node becomes lower than the potential of the dark state. Following this, the conversion of the lower bits of the digital value is started. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of each ADC and arrange each ADC in a limited space.

Abstract: Aspects relate to autofocus systems and techniques for an array camera having a low-profile height, for example approximately 4 mm. A voice coil motor (VCM) can be positioned proximate to a folded optic assembly in the array camera to enable vertical motion of a second light directing surface for changing the focal position of the corresponding sensor. A driving member can be positioned within the coil of the VCM to provide vertical movement, and the driving member can be coupled to the second light directing surface, for example by a lever. Accordingly, the movement of the VCM driving member can be transferred to the second light directing surface across a distance, providing autofocus capabilities without increasing the overall height of the array camera.