Abstract: A method of generating a high resolution color image includes focusing a first image onto a monochrome image sensor having a P resolution and focusing a second image onto a color image sensor having a Q resolution, where Q<P, and where the first image is a same image as the second image. P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor is generated. Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor is generated. The P resolution pixel data representative of the first image from the monochrome image sensor and the Q resolution pixel data representative of the second image from the color image sensor are combined to generate an R resolution color image, where P<R?(P+Q).

Abstract: A system for brightness-sensitive automatic white balancing of an electronic color image includes a processor and a memory with (a) brightness-specific color-weighting maps each specifying illuminant-specific auto white balance parameters, (b) brightness range definitions respectively indicating applicability range of the brightness-specific color-weighting maps, and (c) instructions for white balancing the electronic color image according to scene brightness and based upon the brightness-specific color-weighting maps.

Abstract: A brightness-sensitive automatic white balance method includes (a) determining the brightness of a scene captured in an electronic color image, (b) selecting a color-weighting map based upon the brightness of the scene, (c) extracting auto white balance parameters from the color-weighting map, and (d) white balancing the electronic color image according to the auto white balance parameters. An adaptive automatic white balance method includes (a) refining, based upon a first electronic color image of a scene illuminated by an illuminant of a first spectral type, a color-weighting probability distribution for the illuminant of the first spectral type, wherein the color-weighting probability distribution may be brightness-specific, (b) extracting auto white balance parameters from the refined color-weighting probability distribution, and (c) white balancing, according to the auto white balance parameters, an electronic color image of a scene illuminated by the illuminant of the first spectral type.

Abstract: Generating an image with an imaging system includes capturing a first sub-image during a first exposure with a first pixel subset of an image sensor of the imaging system, capturing a second sub-image during a second exposure with a second pixel subset of the image sensor, capturing a third sub-image during a third exposure with a third pixel subset of the image sensor, and capturing a fourth sub-image during a fourth exposure with a fourth pixel subset of the image sensor. The first, second, third, and fourth exposures have different durations. A preferred exposure is selected from between the first, second, third and fourth exposures by analyzing the first, second, third, and fourth sub-images. Then, a full-resolution image is captured at the preferred exposure. An HDR image is generated based on the full-resolution image and the sub-images.

Abstract: Reducing consumption of image sensor processor bandwidth includes capturing an image containing subject matter with an image sensor and cropping the image to generate a cropped image. Cropping the image is performed by the image sensor in response to coordinates received from an image sensor processor. The cropped image is sent from the image sensor to the image sensor processor and new coordinates based on a position of the subject matter in the cropped image are determined with the image sensor processor. The new coordinates are then sent to the image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed of a process for high dynamic range (HDR) images using an image sensor with pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels to capture a first image having a first exposure time, a second image having a second exposure time, and a third image having a third exposure time, wherein of the first, second, and third exposure times the second exposure time is the shortest. The first, second, and third images are combined into a high-dynamic-range (HDR) image. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for JPEG encoding and decoding are disclosed. In the encoding method, an image is split into 8×8 pixel blocks and the 8×8 pixel blocks are grouped into a number of minimum coded units (MCU's), such that each MCU consists of a constant number of 8×8 pixel blocks. The MCU's are then scanned to forward discrete cosine transform, quantization, zigzag scanning and entropy encoding processes and are subsequently converted into bitstreams according to entropy encoding coding tables. In the entropy encoding process, AC coefficients are run-length encoded, while DC coefficients are not subjected to differential pulse-code modulation. The bitstreams are byte-aligned by stuffing zeroes and compression data for a special JPEG file are generated from the byte-aligned bitstreams. A position table is established, recording positions of the bitstreams in the compression data. The method enables fast positioning of bitstreams corresponding to an image region of interest.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an image includes a plurality of imaging units coupled together and a system controller coupled to the plurality of imaging units for providing at least one signal to each of the plurality of imaging units. Each of the imaging units comprises: an image sensing unit for generating an in-situ image, each in-situ image being a portion of the image; an input for receiving the in-situ image; a composition unit for receiving a first composite image and producing a second composite image, the second composite image being a combination of the first composite image and the in-situ image; and an output at which the second composite image is provided.

Abstract: A method for communicating from a mobile platform includes arranging a plurality of regions in a communication screen on a first mobile platform. Each one of the plurality of regions in the communication screen is populated with communication data. The communication data includes at least one or more of text data, image data, and video data. The communication screen is sent from the first mobile platform to a second mobile platform. A display of the communication screen on the second mobile platform appears substantially identical to a display of the communication screen on the first mobile platform.

Abstract: A system for obtaining image depth information for at least one object in a scene includes (a) an imaging objective having a first portion for forming a first optical image of the scene, and a second portion for forming a second optical image of the scene, the first portion being different from the second portion, (b) an image sensor for capturing the first and second optical images and generating respective first and second electronic images therefrom, and (c) a processing module for processing the first and second electronic images to determine the depth information. A method for obtaining image depth information for at least one object in a scene includes forming first and second images of the scene, using respective first and second portions of an imaging objective, on a single image sensor, and determining the depth information from a spatial shift between the first and second images.

Abstract: A method for embedding stereo imagery includes (a) transforming a foreground stereo image, extracted from a source stereo image captured by a first stereo camera, from a scale associated with the first stereo camera to a scale associated with a second stereo camera, to form a transformed foreground stereo image, and (b) embedding the transformed foreground stereo image into a target stereo image, captured by the second stereo camera, to form an embedded stereo image.

Abstract: An image transformation and multi-view output system and associated method generates output view data from raw image data using a coordinate mapping that reverse maps pixels of the output view data onto the raw image data. The coordinate mapping is stored in a lookup table and incorporates perspective correction and/or distortion correction for a wide angle lens used to capture the raw image data. The use of the lookup table with reverse mapping improves performance of the image transformation and multi-view output system to allow multi-view video streaming of images corrected for one or both of perspective and distortion.

Abstract: An image sensor for three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging includes a first, a second, and a third pixel unit, where the second pixel unit is disposed between the first and third pixel units. Optical filters included in the pixel units are disposed on a light incident side of the image sensor to filter polarization-encoded light having a first polarization and a second polarization to photosensing regions of the pixel units. The first pixel unit includes a first optical filter having the first polarization, the second pixel unit includes a second optical filter having the second polarization, and the third pixel unit includes a third optical filter having the first polarization.

Abstract: An image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging system includes an image sensor for generating N image data sets from an array of photodiodes, where N is an integer greater than one. The image sensor is adapted to generate each of the N image data sets with a different respective exposure time duration of the array of photodiodes. The system further includes an image data aggregating module for aggregating the N image data sets to obtain a virtual long exposure image data set.

Abstract: Video conferencing for mobile platforms is provided by logging a first mobile platform into a conference server, which finds a first peer-to-peer station on a network to connect with the first mobile platform. The first peer-to-peer station is a nearest available peer-to-peer station on the network to the first mobile platform. The first peer-to-peer station on the network is connected to the first mobile platform. First communication data is received at the first peer-to-peer station directly from the first mobile platform. The first communication data is sent directly from the first peer-to-peer station to a second peer-to-peer station through a peer-to-peer connection in the network. The first communication data is sent directly from the second peer-to-peer station to a second mobile platform connected to the second peer-to-peer station. The second peer-to-peer station is a nearest available peer-to-peer station on the network to the second mobile platform.

Abstract: Reducing consumption of image sensor processor bandwidth includes capturing an image containing subject matter with an image sensor and cropping the image to generate a cropped image. Cropping the image is performed by the image sensor in response to coordinates received from an image sensor processor. The cropped image is sent from the image sensor to the image sensor processor and new coordinates based on a position of the subject matter in the cropped image are determined with the image sensor processor. The new coordinates are then sent to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image transformation and multi-view output system and associated method generates output view data from raw image data using a coordinate mapping that reverse maps pixels of the output view data onto the raw image data. The coordinate mapping is stored in a lookup table and incorporates perspective correction and/or distortion correction for a wide angle lens used to capture the raw image data. The use of the lookup table with reverse mapping improves performance of the image transformation and multi-view output system to allow multi-view video streaming of images corrected for one or both of perspective and distortion.

Abstract: A mobile computing device includes first, second and third cameras coupled to produce first, second and third camera video streams, respectively. The first camera is on a first side of the mobile computing device, and the second and third cameras are included in a stereo camera on a second side of the mobile computing device. A video processor is coupled to generate an output video stream including a first video layer generated from the first camera video stream. The video processor is further coupled to generate the output video stream to include second and third video layers from the second camera video stream in response to the second and the third camera video streams. The video processor is further coupled to overlay the first video layer between the second video layer and the third video layer in the output video stream.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an image includes a plurality of imaging units coupled together and a system controller coupled to the plurality of imaging units for providing at least one signal to each of the plurality of imaging units. Each of the imaging units comprises: an image sensing unit for generating an in-situ image, each in-situ image being a portion of the image; an input for receiving the in-situ image; a composition unit for receiving a first composite image and producing a second composite image, the second composite image being a combination of the first composite image and the in-situ image; and an output at which the second composite image is provided.

Abstract: An image data aggregating high dynamic range imaging system includes an image sensor for generating N image data sets from an array of photodiodes, where N is an integer greater than one. The image sensor is adapted to generate each of the N image data sets with a different respective exposure time duration of the array of photodiodes. The system further includes an image data aggregating module for aggregating the N image data sets to obtain a virtual long exposure image data set.