Abstract: To improve sensitivity by adding pixels, and improve precision of pixel interpolation in an imaging device. An imaging device is provided in which pixels are added along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to improve sensitivity of an imaging element. An R pixel signal, a G pixel signal, and a B pixel signal in which pixels are added, for example, along the vertical direction are output from a CCD (12). A CFA interpolation unit (24) interpolates the G pixel signal using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction. The CFA interpolation unit (24) also interpolates the R pixel signal and the B pixel signal along the horizontal direction using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction and interpolates along the vertical direction using correlation of the interpolated G pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided which performs image restoration as necessary while a computing processing burden based on an image restoration algorithm is reduced. RAW data of a blurred image is input to an RGB interpolation section. The RGB interpolation section generates an R component image, a G component image, and a B component image based on the RAW data. The G component image is input to an image restoration processing section and the R and B component images are input to an RGB to YCC section. The image restoration processing section performs an image restoration process based on a predetermined image restoration algorithm by using a PSF image representing a predetermined point spread function. The RGB to YCC section generates a brightness component image Y and color difference component images CR and CB based on the G component image having been subjected to the image restoration process and the R and B component images which was not subjected to any image restoration process.

Abstract: To determine a more appropriate WB gain. A first image data, which is obtained by way of photographing essentially the same subject as that of a main image intended by a user without firing a strobe light for preliminary illumination, and a second image data, which is obtained by way of photographing the same while firing the strobe light for preliminary illumination, are captured. Subsequently, a typical value of each of blocks constituting the first and second image data and the type of a light source of the same are acquired as block information. The thus-acquired pieces of block information about the first and second image data are compared with each other, to thus acquire the tendency of a color change in subject before and after preliminary illumination. An environment light source is estimated on the basis of the obtained tendency of a color change.

Abstract: A digital camera capable of accurately detecting flicker even while a video image is displayed on a display device is provided. In a digital camera, a video image is displayed on a display device 40 serving as a viewfinder for photographing based on a display video signal supplied from a CMOS image sensor 120 while image data based on a recording video signal supplied from the CMOS image sensor 120 is recorded in a recording unit 50. The digital camera detects flicker based on a video signal supplied from a group of pixel circuits which do not supply the display video signal among the group of pixel circuits forming the CMOS image sensor 120.

Abstract: Accurately suppress chromatic aberration arising in a subject image is described. An image signal, which is obtained by a lens and a CCD and pertains to a subject image, is subjected to white balance adjustment performed by a white balance adjustment circuit. The signal is supplied to a color-blurring detection circuit before undergoing gamma correction. The color-blurring detection circuit has a low slice circuit, a high-pass filter, and a high clip circuit; detects an edge portion of a highlight of a G signal constituting the image signal; and supplies the detected edge portion as a color-blurring detection signal to a color-blurring suppressor circuit disposed subsequent to a ? correction circuit. The color-blurring suppressor circuit corrects color-difference signals CB, CR, which have been subjected to gamma correction, by use of the color-blurring detection signal, thereby suppressing the color-blurring having arisen in the edge of a highlight of the image.

Abstract: To improve sensitivity by adding pixels, and improve precision of pixel interpolation in an imaging device. An imaging device is provided in which pixels are added along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to improve sensitivity of an imaging element. An R pixel signal, a G pixel signal, and a B pixel signal in which pixels are added, for example, along the vertical direction are output from a CCD (12). A CFA interpolation unit (24) interpolates the G pixel signal using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction. The CFA interpolation unit (24) also interpolates the R pixel signal and the B pixel signal along the horizontal direction using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction and interpolates along the vertical direction using correlation of the interpolated G pixel.

Abstract: To improve sensitivity by adding pixels, and improve precision of pixel interpolation in an imaging device. An imaging device is provided in which pixels are added along a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to improve sensitivity of an imaging element. An R pixel signal, a G pixel signal, and a B pixel signal in which pixels are added, for example, along the vertical direction are output from a CCD (12). A CFA interpolation unit (24) interpolates the G pixel signal using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction. The CFA interpolation unit (24) also interpolates the R pixel signal and the B pixel signal along the horizontal direction using an adjacent pixel along the horizontal direction and interpolates along the vertical direction using correlation of the interpolated G pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided which performs image restoration as necessary while a computing processing burden based on an image restoration algorithm is reduced. RAW data of a blurred image is input to an RGB interpolation section. The RGB interpolation section generates an R component image, a G component image, and a B component image based on the RAW data. The G component image is input to an image restoration processing section and the R and B component images are input to an RGB to YCC section. The image restoration processing section performs an image restoration process based on a predetermined image restoration algorithm by using a PSF image representing a predetermined point spread function. The RGB to YCC section generates a brightness component image Y and color difference component images CR and CB based on the G component image having been subjected to the image restoration process and the R and B component images which was not subjected to any image restoration process.

Abstract: To determine a more appropriate WB gain. A first image data, which is obtained by way of photographing essentially the same subject as that of a main image intended by a user without firing a strobe light for preliminary illumination, and a second image data, which is obtained by way of photographing the same while firing the strobe light for preliminary illumination, are captured. Subsequently, a typical value of each of blocks constituting the first and second image data and the type of a light source of the same are acquired as block information. The thus-acquired pieces of block information about the first and second image data are compared with each other, to thus acquire the tendency of a color change in subject before and after preliminary illumination. An environment light source is estimated on the basis of the obtained tendency of a color change.

Abstract: Accurately suppress chromatic aberration arising in a subject image is described. An image signal, which is obtained by a lens and a CCD and pertains to a subject image, is subjected to white balance adjustment performed by a white balance adjustment circuit. The signal is supplied to a color-blurring detection circuit before undergoing gamma correction. The color-blurring detection circuit has a low slice circuit, a high-pass filter, and a high clip circuit; detects an edge portion of a highlight of a G signal constituting the image signal; and supplies the detected edge portion as a color-blurring detection signal to a color-blurring suppressor circuit disposed subsequent to a ? correction circuit. The color-blurring suppressor circuit corrects color-difference signals CB, CR, which have been subjected to gamma correction, by use of the color-blurring detection signal, thereby suppressing the color-blurring having arisen in the edge of a highlight of the image.

Abstract: A digital camera capable of performing more stable white balance adjustment is provided. In a digital camera for adjusting white balance of a video signal corresponding to an object and supplied from an image sensor, a white balance adjustment circuit 34 changes at least some of a plurality of light source regions predefined on a color difference plane based on a result of detection of flicker in a light source illuminating the object performed by a flicker detection circuit 70. The white balance adjustment circuit 34 then checks which of the plurality of light source regions containing the changed region includes the color difference component of the video signal, thereby estimating the light source of the object, and adjusting white balance in accordance with the estimation result.

Abstract: A digital camera capable of accurately detecting flicker even while a video image is displayed on a display device is provided. In a digital camera, a video image is displayed on a display device 40 serving as a viewfinder for photographing based on a display video signal supplied from a CMOS image sensor 120 while image data based on a recording video signal supplied from the CMOS image sensor 120 is recorded in a recording unit 50. The digital camera detects flicker based on a video signal supplied from a group of pixel circuits which do not supply the display video signal among the group of pixel circuits forming the CMOS image sensor 120.