Abstract: A plurality of images are obtained in photography according to a plurality of photography methods, and photography result scores are calculated for the respective images. Judgment is made as to whether a highest score among the scores calculated for the respective images is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value. If a result of the judgment is affirmative, the image having the highest score is recorded in a recording medium. If the result of the judgment is negative, the images are displayed on display means to receive selection of a desired one of the images. The selected image is recorded in the recording medium.

Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a focus detecting optical system which forms a plurality of object images. A photoelectric conversion element array includes a plurality of pixels and subjects each of the plural object images formed by the focus detecting optical system to photoelectric conversion. An electric charge transfer path transfers an electric charge obtained by the photoelectric conversion subjected by the photoelectric conversion element array. A focus detecting section performs focus detection with respect to a plurality of focus areas on the basis of a signal associated with an electric charge transferred by the electric charge transfer path. A plurality of effective pixel regions corresponding to the plural focus areas are arranged in the arrangement direction of the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element array, and ineffective pixel regions are arranged between the plural effective pixel regions.

Abstract: According to the present invention, by providing operation members dedicated for an operation of switching on/of the face detection processing, a face image switching operation, and proceeding to the next image taking, operations related to the face detection processing can be simplified. Furthermore, by displaying a taken image and an face image at the same time, the operation of proceeding to the next image taking after confirming the condition of focus and exposure and the face expression of a subject person can be performed easily.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus that has an external sensor for detecting brightness separately from an image sensor for obtaining an image pickup signal and controls the insertion and removal of a filter into and from an image pickup optical system in accordance with the brightness of the subject, using brightness information obtained from the external sensor and the image pickup signal.

Abstract: A multicamera system including: a controller having a reset phase transmitting unit for transmitting information showing a reset phase corresponding to a position in a frame synchronized with a sync reference signal to one or each of plural image pickup apparatuses within a frame period of a one-precedent frame of the frame; and the one or plural image pickup apparatuses each having an image pickup unit for photographing light from an object, an image pickup driving unit for driving the image pickup unit so as to start the photographing of one image pickup frame on the basis of the reset phase information transmitted from the controller, and an output unit for outputting image pickup data of the one image pickup frame photographed by the image pickup unit on the basis of the sync reference signal transmitted from the controller.

Abstract: A solid-state image pick-up device is configured for more effectively reducing dark current of an interlace scanning type of CCD so that electrodes connected to transfer shift gates are sequentially arranged on two adjacent vertical transfer paths and are driven such that signal charges are prevented from staying longer in the vertical transfer path below the electrodes connected to the transfer shift gates. This prevents signal charges from waiting longer for vertical transfer during a horizontal transfer period, thereby reducing dark current otherwise caused in the vertical transfer paths.

Abstract: In some embodiments, images for the video conference may be white balanced. White balancing may include dividing at least a subset of an image's pixels into multiple ranges according to their luminance and chrominance values. For example, at least a portion of the pixels in an image may be sorted into different groups (i.e., by incrementing counters respective to each group) according to the luminance and chrominance values of the pixels. If enough pixels are found to be in a particular group, a portion or all of the image may be adjusted by a ratio corresponding to that particular group. For example, blue and red analog gains (corresponding to the selected pixels) may be modified by a corresponding ratio to bring red and blue accumulations closer to green accumulations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining missing color pixel values in image data. Pixel values are interpolated in a horizontal or a vertical direction based on gradient scores and optionally chroma and local statistical scores. Several techniques for refining the interpolation direction determination are also disclosed, including applying a low-pass filter, applying one or more digital filters, and growing an interpolation direction region to nearby pixels. A technique for interpolating corner pixel values is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup device, it is difficult to match an optimum incidence angle corresponding to an image height of a pixel array region with light incidence characteristics of a camera lens, thereby causing image quality deterioration due to sensitivity shading. Respective microlenses are disposed in a two-dimensional manner, i.e., in a row and a column directions. In particular, the microlenses are disposed such that each side of a disposition region where the microlenses are disposed has a concave curve with respect to a line connecting adjacent vertexes of the disposition region. In other words, a distance AH (AV) between center points of a pair of facing sides of the disposition region is set to be smaller than a distance BH (BV) between neighboring vertexes of the disposition region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for image exposure include capturing a first image under a first illumination condition, determining a luminance of the first image at a plurality of sectors, capturing a second image under a second illumination condition employing an artificial light source, determining a luminance of the second image at the plurality of sectors, and determining if the artificial light source should be used to capture a final image using the luminances of the first and second images at the plurality of sectors. If the artificial light source is to be used, an output level of the light source is determined.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, at least parts or all of the windows for tarry lamps are located in the outside of the front cover by constructing the front cover portion between the top face and left-hand side face of the front cover, and the front cover portion between the top face and right-hand side face of the front cover as the inclined planes respectively. That is, since the windows for tarry lamps are not covered by the front cover as conventional ones, visibility from the external improves.

Abstract: A solid-state image-pickup device includes a pixel array unit including pixels that include photoelectric transducer two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a driving unit for reading out pixel information corresponding to a number of pixels less than the number of pixels included in the pixel array unit as monitoring image information and reading out pixel information corresponding to a predetermined region in the pixel array unit at a cycle shorter than the display cycle of the monitoring image as autofocus image information.

Abstract: In order to display help information at the time when each of a self-timer button, an illumination button, AE lock button and the like is operated, an image pickup apparatus displays help information with understandable wording by the use of simple terms in consideration of the possibility that the user is not proficient in camera operations in the case that the apparatus operates in a full-automatic mode or a photographing mode of an image zone, and displays help information with concise and easily recognizable wording inclusive of technical terms in accordance with necessity in consideration of the possibility that the user is proficient in camera operations to a certain extent in the case that the apparatus operates in a photographing mode of a creative zone.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup element is disclosed which includes: a semiconductor substrate at which a plurality of element rows, in which a plurality of light-receiving elements are aligned along a vertical direction, are disposed in parallel along a horizontal direction; a plurality of color filters disposed in a predetermined color pattern at a light incident side of the semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of transfer paths transferring charge accumulated in the respective light-receiving elements of corresponding element rows. The sequence of lining-up in the horizontal direction of the element rows and the vertical transfer paths corresponding to the element rows at divisional regions, which are divided at a border line that runs along the vertical direction and includes a position corresponding to an optical axis of light incident from an optical unit on the semiconductor substrate, are opposite to one another. Also disclosed is an image pickup device using the solid-state image pickup element.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method for using the same are disclosed. The image sensor includes an array of pixel sensors, a signal digitizing circuit, and a digitizing controller. The array of pixel sensors includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a photodetector, a charge conversion circuit, and a gate transistor. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is related to a charge on the photodiode, and the gate transistor couples the voltage signal to a bit line in response to a first signal. The signal digitizing circuit converts the voltage signal to a plurality of output digital values. Each output digital value has a different level of digitization noise. One of the output digital values is selected for output in response to an output selection signal that is generated by the digitizing controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed which allows a user to grasp recording image regions for a moving image and a still image to be recorded actually to perform accurate image recording. An image pickup apparatus which can record moving images and still images determines forms of guide frames for a moving image and a still image based on aspect ratios for moving images and still images set in advance by a user. The guide frames are displayed on a monitor screen in response to a situation of an actual recording process. Where the image pickup apparatus is not in a state wherein image data can be recorded such as where a medium does not exist, only a guide frame for an image of a category which can be recorded is displayed together with a picked up image.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit generates an image signal by performing signal processing to an imaging signal obtained through a picked up optical system that includes a lens, a diaphragm, an image sensor, and a lens barrel. A main light source detector detects a main light source contained in a picked up image of the image signal. An estimated ghost generator generates an estimated ghost based on layout information of the main light source and the imaging optical system, and structural information of the lens barrel. A matching device extracts an estimated ghost image by searching the estimated ghost in the picked up image through pattern matching. A ghost subtractor subtracts the estimated ghost image from the picked up image.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of operation circuits. The operation circuit operates pixel signals read out from a group of pixels included in a readout area to generate a pixel signal in the thinning readout mode. A plurality of column selecting switches are arranged between the output terminals of the plurality of operation circuits and a plurality of output channels. A control circuit controls the plurality of column selecting switches such that pixel signals the number of which is equal to the number of the plurality of output channels are output to the plurality of output channels in parallel in the thinning readout mode. The circuit arrangements, each included in the corresponding one of the plurality of operation circuits and each viewed from the corresponding one of the column selecting switches used in the thinning readout mode, are equivalent to each other.

Abstract: A pixel sensor cell of improved dynamic range comprises a coupling transistor that couples a capacitor device to a photosensing region (e.g., photodiode) of the pixel cell, the photodiode being coupled to a transfer gate and one terminal of the coupling transistor. In operation, the additional capacitance is coupled to the pixel cell photodiode when the voltage on the photodiode is drawn down to the substrate potential. Thus, the added capacitance is only connected to the imager cell when the cell is nearing its charge capacity. Otherwise, the cell has a low capacitance and low leakage. In an additional embodiment, a terminal of the capacitor is coupled to a “pulsed” supply voltage signal that enables substantially full depletion of stored charge from the capacitor to the photosensing region during a read out operation of the pixel sensor cell. In various embodiments, the locations of the added capacitance and photodiode may be interchanged with respect to the coupling transistor.

Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels arrayed to form a plurality of columns. The sensor includes a plurality of readout circuits which generate pixel signals based on signals supplied from the pixels of respective columns, a plurality of output channels, a plurality of column selecting switches, and a control circuit which controls the plurality of column selecting switches. The control circuit controls the plurality of column selecting switches so as to output the pixel signals of target readout pixels to output channels selected based on a selection rule in the spatial order of the pixels in the full pixel readout mode. The control circuit controls the plurality of column selecting switches so as to output the thinned-out pixel signals of target readout areas to output channels selected based on the same rule as the selection rule in the spatial order of the areas in the thinning readout mode.