Abstract: An image detection processing device which executes the processing at a high speed using a circuit constitution of a small scale best suited for calculating the centroid of an object, the circuit being arranged on the same chip as the image detection processing device. The image detection processing device or a so-called vision chip includes a plurality of image detection processing elements, and comprises a shift register for converting serial data representing the total sum or a portion of the pixel data into a first parallel data, an adder which receives the converted parallel data and outputs a second parallel data representing a first-order moment, and a serial divider which receives the first and second parallel data and divides them to produce serial data representing the centroid coordinates, featuring a circuit constitution of a small scale and realizing a high-speed processing.

Abstract: An image processor system for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes a histogram-based automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which first controls gain by adjusting said CCD system and then for yet a higher gain level makes gain adjustments in said CDSVGA circuit and a digital gain circuit to produce a combined target gain level. A processing system for an imager device includes a camera system for producing an imager signal, a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said CDS circuit, a digital gain circuit (DGC) coupled to said ADC, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to said DGC for controlling the CDS circuit and the DGC, as well as shutter timing for shutter gain.

Abstract: A personal computer loads image data with tag information, which includes position coordinates of an image capture position and a camera azimuth, from an electronic camera. A thumbnail image, which is a reduced image of the loaded image, is rotated in a camera azimuth direction and composited to a position, which corresponds to the position coordinates, on an electronic map. A composite electronic map, which is composited with the thumbnail image, is displayed in a monitor of the personal computer.

Abstract: An imaging processing apparatus for effecting imaging processing on imaging signals inputted from an imaging device having a plurality of pixels arranged on a plane and having color filters attached on an imaging surface, the imaging processing apparatus having: a region determining unit, a first retaining unit, a second retaining unit, a switching unit, and an accumulation unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is able to shoot an image of a wide range by a plurality of image pickup units, it is able to obtain excellent image quality and it can be miniaturized.

Abstract: To provide a digital camera that captures object light with a solid-state image pickup device to generate an image signal and is effectively made thinner by retracting a part of a taking lens into a suitable position when a lens barrel is collapsed. A rear lens group is rotated between a position on an optical axis and a retracted position in a recess section at the side of a CCD solid-state image pickup device, and a focusing lens is rotated between a position on the optical axis and a retracted position in a front lens group side space. When the lens barrel is collapsed, the rear lens group is placed in the recess section, and the focusing lens is placed in the front lens group side space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera realizing a high-speed operation, all operable to output signal charges so as to maintain the light sensitivity and generate high-quality video signals free from moiré and aliased signals even if the number of pixels making up one frame of an image is reduced. The solid-state image sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric converters, vertical transfer groups, and a horizontal transfer unit disposed at one side of the vertical transfer groups. Each vertical transfer group includes 2n+1 vertical transfer units, where n is an integer of 1 or more. Each vertical transfer unit includes a plurality of transfer electrodes arranged in columns and charge storage units receiving and storing charges from the photoelectric converters. In n out of the 2n+1 vertical transfer units, predetermined transfer electrodes disposed near the horizontal transfer unit are independent transfer electrodes.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device is provided in which noise caused by fluctuation of potential of a readout pulse is prevented from being superposed on the amount of signal charges even if the potential of the readout pulse fluctuates. The solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a charge-storage region and a signal readout circuit having a charge coupled element; and a photoelectric conversion film converting incident light into signal charges in accordance with the intensity of the incident light, the signal charges being accumulated in the signal charge-storage region and read out by the signal readout circuit; and a potential barrier unit provided around a connection portion for passing the signal charges through the signal charge-storage region so that the potential barrier unit serves as a potential barrier against charges in the wiring connection portions.

Abstract: A circuit for reducing a mismatch between a reference path to which a reference voltage is applied and an intensity path to which an intensity voltage is applied from an active pixel sensor comprises a first and a second pair of switches and a processing circuit. The first pair of switches couple an intensity input node to which the intensity voltage is applied to a first output node and couple a reference input node to which the reference voltage is applied to a second output node during a first operating period. The second pair of switches couple the intensity input node to the second output node and couple the reference input node to the first output node during a second operating period. A polarity reversing circuit is included in the processing circuit for coupling the first and second output nodes to the processing circuit with one polarity during the first operating period and in a reverse polarity during the second operating period.

Abstract: A focusing controlling device is for a camera having a photographing lens and an imaging surface. The focusing controlling device includes a focus adjuster that adjusts a focus position of the photographing lens based on field curvature data. The field curvature data indicates a field curvature ratio which is a ratio of a distance between an image point of light transmitted through the photographing lens and the imaging surface to a focal distance of the photographing lens, the field curvature data being set for a partial area of the imaging surface as an average value of the field curvature ratios for the partial area.

Abstract: A color solid-state imaging device used in combination with an interference-type infrared cut filter, the element comprises a coloring material which is contained in or formed on any of layers provided within an incident light path in the color solid-state imaging device, wherein the coloring material absorbs an incident light within a wavelength range in which a cut wavelength of the interference-type infrared cut filter shifts toward shorter wavelengths when the incident light obliquely enters the interference-type infrared cut filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for integrating an image sensor capable of removing a flicker noise without causing any burdens on a hardware due to setting up additional logics. The method for integrating an exposure time of an image sensor employing a line scan method, including the steps of: performing an integration to a first line when an integer multiple of a light source frequency is different from an integration time; and performing an integration to a second line at a phase substantially equal to a phase in which the integration to the first line is started.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which transforms a fisheye image into a perspective projection image and allows appropriate correction of image fluctuations with a reduced load of operation. The image-taking apparatus has an image-pickup element which photoelectrically converts a fisheye image and a transforming section which performs projective transformation processing of fisheye image data obtained by using the image-pickup element into perspective projection image data. The image-taking apparatus has a vibration detecting section which obtains vibration information about vibrations. The transforming section shifts a transformation area which is subjected to projective transformation processing in the fisheye image data based on the vibration information.

Abstract: A CCD linear sensor includes a substrate, sensing elements in a row on the substrate, electronic shutter gates at sides of the respective sensing elements, and an overflow barrier below the sensing elements. The potential at the overflow barrier is higher than the potential at the electronic shutter gates and varies with a voltage applied to the substrate.

Abstract: A digital camera of the present invention includes a CMOS sensor that captures a subject image formed by an interchangeable lens to generate image data, a liquid crystal monitor that displays the generated image data, and a microcomputer having a live view mode that controls so that the generated image data is displayed as a moving image in real time on the liquid crystal monitor, and a burst mode that generates a plurality of image data with a single image pickup operation, wherein the microcomputer controls so that, in a live view mode, every time image data is generated in a burst mode, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. Consequently, the generated image data is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor every time image data is generated in the burst mode, whereby the ease of use can be enhanced.

Abstract: A digital camera (10) includes a CCD imager (16). A long-time exposure image signal obtained by a long-time exposure of the CCD imager (16) is applied to a terminal (S1) of a switch (SW1), and a short-time exposure image signal obtained by a short-time exposure of the CCD imager (16) and a gain adjustment is applied to a terminal (S2) of a switch (SW2). A CPU (44) controls the switch (SW1) by comparing a Y level of the long-time exposure image signal with a reference value Ys so as to generate a combined image signal. More specifically, the CPU (44) connects the switch (SW1) with the terminal (S1) when a condition of Y level?Ys is satisfied, and connects the switch (SW1) with the terminal (S2) when a condition of Y level>Ys is satisfied. The CPU (44) detects a color deviation degree of an object prior to generation of the combined image signal and reduces the reference value Ys on the basis of a detection result.

Abstract: To realize a wireless imaging apparatus having excellent sensitivity to an environmental change, a wireless imaging device has an imaging unit with a function of imaging a subject and a communication unit with a wireless communication function. The imaging unit has, at least, an optical lens, an aperture 2 to limit incident light from the optical lens, an optical sensor 4 to convert the incident light passed through the aperture 2 into an electric signal, and an antenna for wireless communication, integrally formed with the aperture.

Abstract: From a pixel array where imaging pixels are arranged, pixel signals of respective columns on a selected row are read in parallel in a horizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals of the respective columns are output to horizontal signal lines in an effective period of the horizontal period via charge integrating amps provided respectively for the columns, i.e., provided respectively for vertical signal lines, and are thereby transferred horizontally. In the charge integrating amps, it is possible to enter a standby state while holding the pixel signals by a holding voltage. Furthermore, in the charge integrating amps, a reference potential for precharging feedback capacitors for amps at the time of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on a black level. Furthermore, pixel signals from the respective charge integrating amps are horizontally transferred in parallel using a plurality of horizontal signal lines.

Abstract: When an operation mode of a digital camera is the manual focus control mode and an auxiliary function is performed, a microcomputer serves to set an enlarged image generation region, a signal processing unit implements processing to an image signal of the enlarged image generation region, and a display processing unit generates an image enlarged so as to take a predetermined size from an image signal processed by the signal processing unit to display the enlarged image on a display unit. The microcomputer sets the enlarged image generation region at a position moved manually from a predetermined position.

Abstract: An analog circuit for an autofocus microscope system measures a degree of focus of an object directly from the video signal of a microscope CCD camera. The circuit then returns an index to a host computer for the purpose of adjusting the position of the microscope's objective lens to bring the object in focus. Best focus is found by comparing indices at several different vertical positions. The criterion adopted for determining the degree of focus is derived from the energy distribution of the video signal spectrum. The high frequency energy of the video spectrum is a maximum at best focus and as the optics defocus, the distribution shifts to lower frequencies. Low cost, real time autofocus is achieved with the analog circuitry of this invention, replacing more expensive dedicated, real time image processing hardware.