Abstract: Methods and systems for providing depth data and image data to an application processor on a mobile device are described. An example method involves receiving image data from at least one camera of the mobile device and receiving depth data from a depth processor of the mobile device. The method further involves generating a digital image that includes at least the image data and the depth data. The depth data may be embedded in pixels of the digital image, for instance. Further, the method then involves providing the digital image to an application processor of the mobile device using a camera bus interface. Thus, the depth data and the image data may be provided to the application processor in a single data structure.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a pair of light receiving elements which is disposed for each of two-dimensionally aligned lenses and receives light from a subject, one of the light receiving elements outputting a pixel signal constituting one of captured images in a pair, the other of the light receiving elements outputting a pixel signal constituting the other of the captured images in a pair, the captured images in a pair having a parallax for displaying a three-dimensional captured image of the subject; and a wiring layer disposed between the light receiving elements, the wiring layer including a plurality of wiring lines laminated spaced apart from one another for transmitting an input or output signal to and from the light receiving elements, in which the wiring layer shields light that otherwise goes beyond one picture element to be incident onto another picture element.

Abstract: In the present invention concerning an information sharing system, a connecting device sets a destination to share information. The connecting device communicates with a terminal device by wireless communication, and performs authentication of the terminal device, which obtains a captured image by capturing an image of a subject, and transfers the captured image received from the authenticated terminal device to the destination, and then generates display information for displaying the captured image. The connecting device transmits the generated display information to a display sharing device, which displays thereon a screen based on information acquired through communication.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for photographing an object. One or more shooting modes are selected and a photograph is taken in accordance with the one or more selected shooting modes.

Abstract: An image-pickup unit includes an image sensor and a color filter. Each filter segment of the color filter corresponds to one of a plurality of pixels of the image sensor, and the plurality of filter segments include first to Z-th (2L?1?Z?2L, where L is an integer equal to or larger than four) filter segments having spectral transmittances for transmitted wavelength bands different from each other among light from an object. Each pixel of the image sensor receives light of a plurality of wavelength bands. The plurality of filter segments are irregularly disposed.

Abstract: An optimum low-pass filter effect according to various photographing condition parameters related to photographing conditions is obtained with flexibility without forcing the user to perform a troublesome manual operation in a photographing apparatus which drives an image sensor to obtain an optical low-pass filter effect. The photographing condition parameter setters set parameters related to photographing conditions. The image sensor drive controller changes the drive range of the image sensor and the optical low-pass filter effect, which are defined by the image sensor driver, based on the photographing condition parameters set by the photographing condition parameter setters.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image sensor including a light collection member having a multi-layer step shape and an electronic device including the same. This technology can improve light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel since a corresponding pixel lens is included. Furthermore, light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel can be improved more effectively by controlling the width of a corresponding pixel lens so that the pixel lens corresponds to the wavelength of incident light whose color has been separated by a corresponding color filter. As described above, quantum efficiency in the photoelectric conversion element can also be improved since light condensing efficiency in a unit pixel is improved. As a result, performance of the image sensor can be improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing motion blur in images or video in ultra low light with array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for synthesizing an image from multiple images captured using an array camera includes capturing image data using active cameras within an array camera, where the active cameras are configured to capture image data and the image data includes pixel brightness values that form alternate view images captured from different viewpoints, determining sets of corresponding pixels in the alternate view images where each pixel in a set of corresponding pixels is chosen from a different alternate view image, summing the pixel brightness values for corresponding pixels to create pixel brightness sums for pixel locations in an output image, and synthesizing an output image from the viewpoint of the output image using the pixel brightness sums.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects brightness of light from an object, an XY addressing type of image sensor, a focal plane shutter having a mechanical second curtain shutter, an electronic first curtain shutter that resets the pixels in each line, and causes accumulation of charges in the pixels to start, a period detection unit that detects periodic variation in a light amount, a prediction unit that, based on the period of the variation in the light amount, predicts variation in the light amount in a predetermined exposure time, and a control unit that controls a reset time of the electronic first curtain shutter such that charge accumulation amounts of the pixels of each line fall within a predetermined range according to the variation in the light amount.

Abstract: An electronic device and an image capture method thereof are disclosed herein. The image capture method is suitable for an electronic apparatus including an image capture unit. The image capture method includes steps of: providing a first preview image by the image capture unit; detecting a first facial expression from the first preview image; providing a second preview image by the image capture unit after the first preview image; detecting the second facial expression from the second preview image; determining whether the second facial expression is matched to the first facial expression; and, automatically generating a second target image in response to the second facial expression is not matched to the first facial expression.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into electric charge, and a charge holding element that receives the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, and transfers the electric charge to a corresponding floating diffusion. The charge holding element further includes a plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: When the amplification ratio is low and strong incident light causes a large charge, the signal retrieved from regions where the incident light is weak is also weak, but when the amplification ratio is high in regions where the incident light is weak, the signal retrieved from regions where the incident light is strong becomes saturated. Therefore, the dynamic range of the imaging unit is narrow. Provided is an imaging unit comprising an imaging section that includes a first group having one or more pixels and a second group having one or more pixels different from those of the first group; and a control section that, while a single charge accumulation is performed in the first group, causes pixel signals to be output by performing charge accumulation in the second group a number of times differing from a number of times charge accumulation is performed in the first group.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera system. The camera system can receive a command to photograph an environment utilizing a camera. The camera system can identify a plurality of flash settings for a flash system of the camera. The camera system can drive the flash system in a sequence of flashes respectively corresponding to the plurality of flash settings. The camera system can then capture consecutive images utilizing the camera. The capturing of the consecutive images can be synchronized against the sequence of flashes such that a device can later combine the consecutive images to generate a composite image that represents a virtual photograph of the environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a an electronic device such as a digital camera 300 that includes a deletion mode whereby a camera/electronic device user can delete captured images or data files that have already been transferred in order to make room in the electronic device or digital camera memory for capturing further images. In one embodiment a digital camera keep track of which images have already been transferred to an external storage device and presents those to the user as potential images to be deleted. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a “delete all transferred images” which when selected deletes all the captured images that have already been transferred. In still another embodiment, a deletion criteria is used to prioritize which images are deleted first.

Abstract: An imaging control terminal includes a wireless communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with an imaging terminal, an imaging module configured to generate imaging data, a display interface configured to display an image corresponding to the imaging data generated by the imaging module, an operation interface configured to receive an operation of an operator designating an imaging area or an imaging target to be imaged by the imaging terminal for the image, an information generation unit configured to generate imaging area information representing the imaging area or imaging target information representing the imaging target, and a communication control unit configured to cause the wireless communication interface to wirelessly transmit the imaging area information or the imaging target information to the imaging terminal.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus for displaying a region in focus in a refocused image to be output in such a manner that a user can easily recognize this region compared to displaying the refocused image without any arrangement made thereto. The image processing apparatus includes a first generation unit configured to generate an image in which an image region corresponding to an in-focus position in the refocused image is emphasized as a display image, an input unit configured to input a user instruction, which is an image output instruction, input based on a display of the display image, and an output unit configured to output the refocused image according to the user instruction.

Abstract: An optical adjusting apparatus having an optical adjusting lens to perform image stabilization and auto focusing includes a base supporting a lens barrel on which the optical adjusting lens is mounted, a first driver to move the lens barrel in a first direction, a plurality of first ball bearings disposed between the base and the first driver, a second driver to move the lens barrel in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of second ball bearings disposed between the first driver and the second driver.

Abstract: A method for operating a camera network having a plurality of cameras, comprising the steps of: communicating with the plurality of cameras to determine one or more operation parameters for each of the plurality of cameras; synchronizing the one or more operation parameters for each of the plurality of cameras; and coordinating a capture of multimedia data using the plurality of cameras with the one or more synchronized operation parameters.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising: a pixel array that includes pixels arranged in rows and columns, each of the pixels outputting a pixel signal; vertical signal lines each of which is provided for each of the columns; a reference-signal generator that generates a reset signal corresponding to a reset voltage of the pixels; a signal processor that outputs a differential signal corresponding to a difference between the pixel signal and the reset signal; a first switch that is connected between one of the vertical signal lines and the signal processor, the first switch switching between input and interruption of the pixel signal from each of the pixels to the signal processor; and a second switch that is connected between the reference-signal generator and the signal processor, the second switch switching between input and interruption of the reset signal from the reference-signal generator to the signal processor.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into electric charge, and a charge holding element that receives the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, and transfers the electric charge to a corresponding floating diffusion. The charge holding element further includes a plurality of electrodes.