Abstract: An image processing device for performing image processing for an image signal output from an image sensor and outputting the results, including: an internal memory having line memories for storing an image by row or column; an image processing section for performing the image processing using the internal memory; and a CPU for controlling the image processing section. The image processing section includes a plurality of processing circuits each performing predetermined processing as the image processing. At least one of the plurality of processing circuits is configured to allow use of an external memory provided outside the image processing device as required.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide optimization of color space conversion using a joint quality metric representing differences between reference human visual representations and converted device captured image representations in a perceptual uniform color space, where the conversion includes transforming a nonstandard color space (RGB) to a perceptual standard color space (sRGB) and where the joint quality metric includes a color portion, a noise portion, and a contrast portion. An optical sensor produces a digital reference signal when capturing an image of a reference source such as a Macbeth ColorChecker color rendition chart. After white balancing and color correcting the digital reference signal, the gamma curve parameters are determined by minimizing the joint quality metric which is based on differences, within a uniform perceptual color space such as CIELAB, between the gamma curve compensated signal and the standard values for the reference source.

Abstract: In some embodiments, images for the video conference may be white balanced and/or exposure controlled. White balancing may include dividing an image's pixels into multiple ranges according to their luminance and chrominance values. In some embodiments, blue and red analog gains may be modified to bring red and blue accumulations closer to green accumulations. In some embodiments, luminance values for an image may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing exposure. The decision whether to increase or decrease the exposure may be made by looking at statistics for luminance values of skin colored regions if there are sufficient skin colored regions on the image. Otherwise, luminance values for the entire image may be analyzed to determine whether to increase or decrease exposure.

Abstract: An information-added imaging method includes an imaging step, a receiving step of an imaging device (105) receiving information through a communication line (112), an adding step of adding additional information to picture data on the basis of the information, a displaying step of displaying, in the imaging device (105), picture data to which the additional information has been added while picture data is being captured, and a recording step of recording the picture data to which the additional information has been added.

Abstract: A printer and a digital camera are respectively provided with a radio interface. The printer loads identification information of the digital camera upon receiving radio transmission of the digital camera. The printer checks the identification information with communication admission information stored in advance. When the identification information is coincident with the communication admission information, the printer automatically changes a normal print mode to a radio communication mode. After that, the printer directly loads image data stored in a memory card of the digital camera to perform printing out thereof.

Abstract: A computer obtains a change amount of an image of a manuscript. If the change amount of the image of the manuscript is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, the computer determines that the image has movement, such as in a case where the manuscript is replaced, and switches the resolution of the image, which is possible to shorten the processing time, to low resolution. In a case where the manuscript is placed on a base, if the change amount of the image of the manuscript is less than the predetermined threshold, and the computer determines that the image does not have movement, the computer switches the resolution of the image to high resolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter device adapted for easier operation of a lid that opens and closes an opening through which a video camera is to be inserted and on which a viewfinder is to be installed. The present invention provides an adapter device to which a video camera device is to be attached, the adapter device including an adapter body having formed therein a receptacle in which the video camera device is to be installed and having formed at the rear end thereof an opening through which the video camera device is to be inserted first at a lens-unit mount thereof, a lid provided pivotably on a vertical pivot of the adapter body to open and close the insertion opening, and a mount base provided on the top of the lid on which a viewfinder is to be installed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel in an image output from an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, comprising detection of an edge direction based on the image data, detection of a defective pixel included in the image sensor based on the detected edge direction, and correction of the selected defective pixel.

Abstract: A used viewfinder determination section determines whether an optical viewfinder is being used or if a liquid crystal monitor is being used, based upon signals from an eye approach detection section. A blur correction operation changing section changes a blur correction operation by a blur correction lens in accordance with determination results from the used viewfinder determination section. When it is determined that the optical viewfinder is not being used, a blur correction operation using the blur correction lens is not carried out.

Abstract: On the external packing film 124 of the memory card insertion section vicinity of the bottom surface of the digital camera 100, the ROM chip and the print wiring 131 are surface-mounted, and one end of the print wiring 131 is connected to the ROM chip 130, and the other end is connected to the external connecting terminal 132 provided on the bottom surface of the digital camera 100. The identifying information in the ROM chip 130 is read out at the time of the operation of the digital camera 100, and is collated with the identifying information inside the camera, and when it can not be collated or it is not coincident, the power source of the camera is compulsively turned off.

Abstract: A subject of the present invention is to form simply a mapping table, which transforms a picked-up image of a real camera into an image viewed from a virtual viewpoint, by a small amount of computation. An image transforming system of the present invention has an imaging means (10) for picking up a real image, a coordinate recording means (32) for recording a three-dimensional position on a projection model corresponding to a previously-computed pixel position of a virtual camera, a means for computing a positional relationship between the virtual camera and the imaging means (10), means (20)(30) for forming and recording a mapping table, which transforms the real image into an image viewed from the virtual camera, based on information of the positional relationship and information of the three-dimensional position recorded in the coordinate recording means (32), and a means (40) for mapping the real image by using the mapping table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automatic exposure and gain control while minimizing oscillations as well as providing a good response time, for example, a lag time or a settling time of about one frame. The automatic exposure and gain controls are performed not only on the image as a whole but on a weighted region of interest. If the contrast in the image exceeds the dynamic range of the sensor array, then the image in the region of interest will improve at the expense of the remainder of the image. A region of interest is a selected subset of tiles upon which automatic exposure and gain control will be based. The tiles are defined by a grid system having grid coordinates, which are programmable. Image sensors have to receive feedback with regular updates of exposure and gain settings based on ever changing light conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-taking apparatus having an image-pickup device which accumulates charge in accordance with an amount of light received thereon, a light-shielding device which changes a light-shielded area in the image-pickup device by causing a light-shielding blade to travel, the light-shielding blade shielding a light-receiving surface of the image-pickup device, a scan circuit which performs first scan for starting accumulation of charge for each area of the image-pickup device and performs second scan for reading the accumulated charge for each area of the image-pickup device, and a control circuit which calculates a travel characteristic of the light-shielding device based on an amount of first charge accumulated in a time period between one of the first and second scans and the travel of the light-shielding device.

Abstract: A method for in a multi-pixel pick-up element reducing a pixel-based resolution and/or effecting anti-aliasing through selectively combining selective primary pixel outputs to combined secondary pixel outputs, comprises the following steps: row-wise, whether or not restrictively, selecting pixels for loading into a first parallel-in register; serial shifting of the load within the register for aligning selected first pixels in the first parallel-in register with selected second pixels not in the first parallel-in register; arithmetically combining pixel groups so aligned; and outputting combination results from preselected multi-pixel configurations as secondary pixels. The invention is applicable to a selection from amongst a two-dimensional pick-up array, an Interline Architecture, a Frame Transfer Architecture, a combination of those two, a TDI pick-up array, and a linear pick-up array, and for both mono-color and multi-color pick-up facilities.

Abstract: A digital camera including a CCD imager and a complementary color filter mounted on a light receiving surface thereof. The complementary color filter has color blocks each having 8 rows×4 columns while CCD imager has, at its light receiving surface, pixel blocks corresponding to those color blocks. The color block is assigned, in its each row, with all the kinds of color components, i.e., G, Mg, Ye and Cy, at least one in number per kind. A timing generator reads from respective columns pixel signals including all the kinds of color components at least one in number per kind, and transfers the read pixel signals in vertical direction. The timing generator also transfers the pixel signals in a horizontal direction each time vertical transfer by 8 rows has been completed.

Abstract: In a digital platform apparatus of the present invention, a position of a camera mounted on a screen in a display unit is detected by a position detection unit, and image data is transferred from the camera via a communication unit in accordance with a predetermined instruction operation. The transferred image data is supplied from a control unit to a projector via a display control unit. When the image data is transferred, the transferred image is displayed on the screen from the projector. All image data recorded in the camera is displayed in a demagnified form in the vicinity of the camera, and when image data specified by a predetermined operation is transferred into a recording area, a demagnified image of the transferred image data is displayed in the vicinity of the recording area.

Abstract: Electronic viewing devices including image sensors, image processing units, image displays devices, and optional viewfinders are disclosed. Optionally, the image processing unit is configured to produce a distorted image. In some embodiments, the production of the distorted image include using at least one distorting algorithm including coordinate transformations, time transformations, a color transformations a value transformation, and any combination thereof. Optionally, the distorted image is superimposed on a preserved image to form a hybrid image. Exemplary image sensors include but are not limited to visible light sensors, magnetic sensor, heat sensor, infra red sensor, echo location sensor, radio location sensor, remote location reporting sensor, proximity sensor, motion sensor, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of automatically checking digital camera images for dust on the image sensors of the associated cameras is disclosed that enables operators to check the performance level of digital cameras in real time and correct or take out of service those that do not pass the checking procedure.

Abstract: This invention provides a still image data generating apparatus for generating still image data from a plurality of frame mage data. The still image data generating apparatus comprises a positional relationship data generator configured to generate positional relationship data representing a relative positional relationship of images represented by the plurality of frame image data and an image data arrangement unit configured to generate still image data for which the plurality of frame image data are arranged in accordance with the positional relationship data.

Abstract: An adapter device is disclosed to which a video camera can easily be attached. The adapter is compatible with both small and large camera lenses which may be attached directly to it. The adapter includes a receptacle which enables the video camera to be located within the adapter after being inserted through a rear opening. Once inserted, the adapter includes both mechanical and electrical connections to enable the camera to be connected to the adapter. A key mechanical connection is located at the front end of the adapter and it interfaces with a lens-unit mount of the camera. The electrical connection is located on the bottom inner surface of the adaptor and the connection interfaces with a terminal block on the video camera.