Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus. An obtainment unit obtains a first image that has been generated through photoelectric conversion of incident light, and temperature distribution information indicating a temperature distribution that has been detected based on an incident electromagnetic wave. A detection unit detects a subject and an obstacle that exists in front of the subject from the first image. An estimation unit estimates a temperature corresponding to the subject in the temperature distribution information based on a result of detection of the obstacle. An identification unit identifies a subject region that includes the subject in the temperature distribution information based on the estimated temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated circuit chip comprising a plurality of signal processing circuits formed by stepping exposure, a bus formed by one-shot exposure, an arbitration circuit that arbitrates between the plurality of signal processing circuits and the bus, and an input unit that inputs a captured image signal from an image sensor, wherein the plurality of signal processing circuits formed by stepping exposure includes a processing unit that generates a RAW image by carrying out predetermined signal processing on the captured image signal and outputs the RAW image to the exterior, and a generating unit that generates image evaluation information using the bus formed by one-shot exposure and the arbitration circuit, in addition to the generation of the RAW image.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated circuit chip comprising a plurality of signal processing circuits formed by stepping exposure, a bus formed by one-shot exposure, an arbitration circuit that arbitrates between the plurality of signal processing circuits and the bus, and an input unit that inputs a captured image signal from an image sensor, wherein the plurality of signal processing circuits formed by stepping exposure includes a processing unit that generates a RAW image by carrying out predetermined signal processing on the captured image signal and outputs the RAW image to the exterior, and a generating unit that generates image evaluation information using the bus formed by one-shot exposure and the arbitration circuit, in addition to the generation of the RAW image.

Abstract: Whether a user of a video camera can discern an unnatural motion or the discernable unnatural motion is permissible is evaluated based on an taken image so as to make a change between mixing of still image shooting driving and maintaining of motion image shooting driving.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a function of performing cut-out processing for an image for electronic image-stabilization and detecting a particular object of the image is provided. The image pickup apparatus detects a particular object from an image that has not been subjected to cut-out processing for electronic image-stabilization, adjusts position information of the detected object in accordance with a cut-out position of the image for electronic image-stabilization, and combining an indication indicating the position of the particular object with a display image based on positional information after the adjustment is performed.

Abstract: When determining an area in which color blur occurs from an image, there may be an area where color blur suppression is performed in an area even though color blur does not occur, and the area becomes more noticeable or less noticeable depending on a degree of gamma correction processing. To solve this problem, an image processing apparatus obtains a color blur suppression coefficient based on a gradient value obtained from the image, performs color blur suppression on the image data using the color blur suppression coefficient, and changes the color blur suppression coefficient corresponding to the gradient value according to brightness.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving unit configured to successively reset signal charges stored in a photoelectric conversion unit at every predetermined line and successively read out a signal based on the signal charges at every predetermined line, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which a starting readout line of the pixels is fixed and a second mode in which the starting readout line of the pixels is changeable based on input control information. The control unit changes a reset timing of the pixels of the starting readout line in the second mode so as to cause a second charge storage period to be less or equal to a first charge storage period in the second mode.

Abstract: Whether a user of a video camera can discern an unnatural motion or the discernable unnatural motion is permissible is evaluated based on an taken image so as to make a change between mixing of still image shooting driving and maintaining of motion image shooting driving.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel in an image output from an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, comprising detection of an edge direction based on the image data, detection of a defective pixel included in the image sensor based on the detected edge direction, and correction of the selected defective pixel.

Abstract: When determining an area in which color blur occurs from an image, there may be an area where color blur suppression is performed in an area even though color blur does not occur, and the area becomes more noticeable or less noticeable depending on a degree of gamma correction processing. To solve this problem, an image processing apparatus obtains a color blur suppression coefficient based on a gradient value obtained from the image, performs color blur suppression on the image data using the color blur suppression coefficient, and changes the color blur suppression coefficient corresponding to the gradient value according to brightness.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel in an image output from an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, comprising detection of an edge direction based on the image data, detection of a defective pixel included in the image sensor based on the detected edge direction, and correction of the selected defective pixel.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having a function of performing cut-out processing for an image for electronic image-stabilization and detecting a particular object of the image is provided. The image pickup apparatus detects a particular object from an image that has not been subjected to cut-out processing for electronic image-stabilization, adjusts position information of the detected object in accordance with a cut-out position of the image for electronic image-stabilization, and combining an indication indicating the position of the particular object with a display image based on positional information after the adjustment is performed.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving unit configured to successively reset signal charges stored in a photoelectric conversion unit at every predetermined line and successively read out a signal based on the signal charges at every predetermined line, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which a starting readout line of the pixels is fixed and a second mode in which the starting readout line of the pixels is changeable based on input control information. The control unit changes a reset timing of the pixels of the starting readout line in the second mode so as to cause a second charge storage period to be less or equal to a first charge storage period in the second mode.

Abstract: When a high-frequency component of a video signal that is output from a CCD image sensor (1-2) can be extracted from band-pass filters (1-13, 1-14), the band-pass filters (1-13, 1-14) are changed in accordance with the number of pixels in the video signal. Even if the spatial sampling frequency (high-frequency component) of the video signal changes, a frequency component of an optimum band can be extracted.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for detecting and correcting a defective pixel in an image output from an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, comprising detection of an edge direction based on the image data, detection of a defective pixel included in the image sensor based on the detected edge direction, and correction of the selected defective pixel.

Abstract: When a high-frequency component of a video signal that is output from a CCD image sensor (1-2) can be extracted from band-pass filters (1-13, 1-14), the band-pass filters (1-13, 1-14) are changed in accordance with the number of pixels in the video signal. Even if the spatial sampling frequency (high-frequency component) of the video signal changes, a frequency component of an optimum band can be extracted.

Abstract: When a luminance level detector detects that a luminance level of an image signal which is photoelectric-converted by a CCD is smaller than a predetermined value, a gate is opened. Then, the image signal temporary stored in a memory is added with newly inputted signals by an adder until its level becomes greater or equal to the predetermined value. This operation is applied on an image each time when focusing position of the image is shifted to a different position on a photo-sensing surface of the CCD by a VAP. Thereafter, obtained image signals are read and processed in a signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A gamma correction circuit for converting N-bit input data into M-bit output data by using a gamma correction curve approximated by a polygonal line having a plurality of straight line sections each having a different slope, the gamma correction circuit including a calculation circuit for executing conversion calculation for each the straight line section; and a control circuit for controlling the calculation circuit in accordance with a value of the input data so that the calculation circuit executes the conversion calculation for each the straight line section corresponding to the value.