Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure having a channel region protruding from an isolation insulating layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate is formed, a cleaning operation is performed, and an epitaxial semiconductor layer is formed over the channel region. The cleaning operation and the forming the epitaxial semiconductor layer are performed in a same chamber without breaking vacuum.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image processing method includes the following steps: blending a plurality of exposure frames captured by one or more image capturing devices using a plurality of exposure times to generate a real-time image; analyzing one or more regions of interest (ROIs) of the real-time image according to ROI information about the one or more ROIs of the real-time image, and accordingly generating an analysis result; and utilizing an image processor for referring to the analysis result to locally adjust image data within the one or more ROIs of the real-time image to generate an adjusted real-time image in real time.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) image capture method, employed in an electronic device with a monocular camera and a 3D display, includes at least the following steps: while the electronic device is moving, deriving a 3D preview image from a first preview image and a second preview image generated by the monocular camera, and providing 3D preview on the 3D display according to the 3D preview image, wherein at least one of the first preview image and the second preview image is generated while the electronic device is moving; and when a capture event is triggered, outputting the 3D preview image as a 3D captured image.

Abstract: A method for performing depth information management in an electronic device, an associated apparatus, and an associated computer program product are provided, where the method includes the steps of: modifying a two dimensional (2D) image, and selectively modifying a depth map of the 2D image based on modification of the 2D image before, when, or after the 2D image is modified, wherein the 2D image is retrieved from a storage module, wherein, for example, the storage module may be positioned within or outside the electronic device; and saving the modified depth map into an image file of the modified 2D image. For example, the modified depth map and the modified 2D image may correspond to each other.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. The image processing method includes the following steps: blending a plurality of exposure frames captured by one or more image capturing devices using a plurality of exposure times to generate a real-time image; analyzing one or more regions of interest (ROIs) of the real-time image according to ROI information about the one or more ROIs of the real-time image, and accordingly generating an analysis result; and utilizing an image processor for referring to the analysis result to locally adjust image data within the one or more ROIs of the real-time image to generate an adjusted real-time image in real time.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for producing an output image. The systems and methods can produce an output image by detecting motion in a scene and taking a corresponding action based on whether motion is detected in the scene. If motion is detected, the systems and methods employ images captured by two or more image sensors to produce an output image. If motion is undetected, the systems and methods employ images captured by one image sensor to produce an output image.

Abstract: Method for controlling motions and actions of an apparatus including an image capture device having a moving device connected thereto using a controlling device is provided, wherein the moving device is capable of moving the image capture device. The method includes: displaying preview image provided by the image capture device on a display device of the controlling device; detecting inputs to alter the preview image from an input device of the controlling device; obtaining a first image to be captured based on the detected inputs; generating one or more first control commands according to the first image; and transmitting the one or more first control commands to the apparatus via a communication link to control motions and actions of the image capture device and the moving device to capture a second image to be returned, which is the same as the first image, to the controlling device.

Abstract: A method for performing depth information management in an electronic device, an associated apparatus, and an associated computer program product are provided, where the method includes the steps of: modifying a two dimensional (2D) image, and selectively modifying a depth map of the 2D image based on modification of the 2D image before, when, or after the 2D image is modified, wherein the 2D image is retrieved from a storage module, wherein, for example, the storage module may be positioned within or outside the electronic device; and saving the modified depth map into an image file of the modified 2D image. For example, the modified depth map and the modified 2D image may correspond to each other.

Abstract: A portable device and a method for display delay enhancement in a depth application running on the portable device are provided. The portable device includes: a dual camera device, continuously capturing a sequence of frame pairs; a video encoder; a display; a processor, configured to obtain a first depth map associated with one or more previous frame pairs of the frame pairs, and generate a first output image based on a current frame pair of the frame pairs and the first depth map associated with the one or more previous frame pairs, and sends the first output image to the display. The processor obtains a second depth map associated with the current frame pair, and generates a second output image based on the current frame pair and the second depth map associated with the previous frame pair, and sends the second output image to the video encoder.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising: (a) acquiring a first depth value for a first object in a first image; and (b) altering image effect for the first object according the first depth value when the first object is pasted onto a second image.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising: (a) acquiring a first depth value for a first object in a first image; and (b) altering image effect for the first object according the first depth value when the first object is pasted onto a second image.

Abstract: An image processing method comprising: (a) acquiring a first depth value for a first object in a first image; and (b) altering image effect for the first object according the first depth value when the first object is pasted onto a second image.

Abstract: A stereoscopic camera device and an associated control method are provided. The stereoscopic camera device includes: a first image capturing device, a second image capturing device, and a processor. The first image capturing device is configured to capture a first image with a first field of view along a first optical axis. The second image capturing device is configured to capture a second image with a second field of view along a second optical axis simultaneously with the first image capturing device, wherein the first field of view and the second field of view are overlapped. The processor is configured to dynamically adjust the overlapping of the first field of view and the second field of view according to an operational mode of the stereoscopic camera device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving images and video captured by a device is provided. The methods and systems may involve a virtual 3D model for a scene that is in view of a device's sensors. The virtual 3D model may be generated using the sensor information and be used to produce a 2D lighting image. The lighting image may be applied to a captured image of the scene to improve lighting of the captured image or video. A virtual light source may be implemented as part of the process, which if desired, can be moved, adjusted, or modified in the virtual 3D model to adjust the lighting image and consequently adjust alighted image or a final image.

Abstract: Techniques and examples pertaining to frame synchronization for dynamic frame rate in dual-camera applications are described. A change in brightness in ambient lighting may be detected when an electronic apparatus operates in a dual-camera mode utilizing images captured by a first image sensor and a second image sensor. In response to the detected change in brightness in the ambient lighting, frame rates of the first image sensor and the second image sensor may be synchronized.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) image capture method, employed in an electronic device with a monocular camera and a 3D display, includes at least the following steps: while the electronic device is moving, deriving a 3D preview image from a first preview image and a second preview image generated by the monocular camera, and providing 3D preview on the 3D display according to the 3D preview image, wherein at least one of the first preview image and the second preview image is generated while the electronic device is moving; and when a capture event is triggered, outputting the 3D preview image as a 3D captured image.

Abstract: An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.

Abstract: A picture sharing method for a portable device is provided. First, a picture to be shared is retrieved. A face recognition procedure is then performed on the picture to recognize at least one facial image in the picture. Thereafter, personal information corresponding to the recognized facial image is obtained. Next, the picture is transmitted to at least one specific network location according to the obtained personal information via a network.

Abstract: An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.