Abstract: A method for automatic image capture control and digital imaging is described. An image buffer is initialized to store a digital image produced by an image sensor, through allocation of a region in memory for the buffer that is large enough to store a full resolution frame from the image sensor. While non-binning streaming frames, from the sensor and in the buffer, are being displayed in preview, the sensor is reconfigured into binning mode, and then binned streaming frames are processed in the buffer, but without allocating a smaller region in memory for the buffer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for sharpening image data are provided. One example of an image signal processing system includes a YCC processing pipeline that includes luma sharpening logic. The luma sharpening logic may sharpen the luma component while avoiding sharpening some noise. Specifically, a multi-scale unsharp mask filter may obtain unsharp signals by filtering an input luma component, and sharp component determination logic may determine sharp signals representing differences between the unsharp signals and the luma component. Sharp lookup tables may “core” the sharp signals, which may prevent some noise from being sharpened. Output logic may determine a sharpened output luma signal by combining the sharp signals with, for example, luma component or one of the unsharp signals.

Abstract: From an image pickup element, pixel signals of Bayer array are outputted. A correlation calculation part calculates correlation values with respect to a specified pixel in vertical and horizontal directions. A first interpolation part performs a pixel interpolation process while evaluating the correlation highly. A second interpolation part performs a pixel interpolation process while evaluating the correlation relatively low. A complete signal of RGB outputted from the first interpolation part is converted into a luminance signal in a first color space conversion part, and a complete signal of RGB outputted from the second interpolation part is converted into a color difference signal in a second color space conversion part.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a computing unit, a data input unit that inputs image data to the computing unit, a data output unit that outputs the image data computed by the computing unit, and a setting unit. The computing unit includes computing cells including multiple types of computing cells, input domain selectors, and at least one of output domain selectors. The setting unit sets the input domain selectors and the output domain selectors so that image data inputted by the data input unit to the computing unit on which desired computing has been performed by at least one computing cell among the computing cells is outputted from the data output unit.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element to measure a location at which the image is captured and to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element to create image information based on the acquired capturing location information; a memory element to store the created image information; a decision element to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to outside, decide whether the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information based on a result of the decision by the decision element.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element arranged to create image information based on the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element and the captured-image information; a memory element arranged to store the image information created by the creation element; a decision element arranged to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to the outside, decide whether or not the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element arranged to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information in accordance with a result of the decision by the decision element.

Abstract: A method for automatic image capture control and digital imaging is described. An image buffer is initialized to store a digital image produced by an image sensor, through allocation of a region in memory for the buffer that is large enough to store a full resolution frame from the image sensor. While non-binning streaming frames, from the sensor and in the buffer, are being displayed in preview, the sensor is reconfigured into binning mode, and then binned streaming frames are processed in the buffer, but without allocating a smaller region in memory for the buffer. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for sharpening image data are provided. One example of an image signal processing system includes a YCC processing pipeline that includes luma sharpening logic. The luma sharpening logic may sharpen the luma component while avoiding sharpening some noise. Specifically, a multi-scale unsharp mask filter may obtain unsharp signals by filtering an input luma component, and sharp component determination logic may determine sharp signals representing differences between the unsharp signals and the luma component. Sharp lookup tables may “core” the sharp signals, which may prevent some noise from being sharpened. Output logic may determine a sharpened output luma signal by combining the sharp signals with, for example, luma component or one of the unsharp signals.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a computing unit, a data input unit that inputs image data to the computing unit, a data output unit that outputs the image data computed by the computing unit, and a setting unit. The computing unit includes computing cells including multiple types of computing cells, input domain selectors, and at least one of output domain selectors. The setting unit sets the input domain selectors and the output domain selectors so that image data inputted by the data input unit to the computing unit on which desired computing has been performed by at least one computing cell among the computing cells is outputted from the data output unit.

Abstract: The first array register stores neighboring pixels of the same color as the pixel of interest, which are sorted according to the size of the pixel value. The maximum signal comparison circuit compares the value obtained by adding the threshold ThB to the pixel value maxC, which is the (b1)th largest pixel value of the pixels in the first array register and the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest. When the comparison shows that the pixel value of the pixel of interest P22 is larger, the pixel of interest P22 is determined to be noise, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC. The limit signal comparison circuit compares the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest and the signal upper limit LB. When the comparison shows that P22 is larger than LB and is equal to or larger than maxC, only the pixel of interest is determined to be totally overexposed, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC.

Abstract: An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element arranged to create image information based on the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element and the captured-image information; a memory element arranged to store the image information created by the creation element; a decision element arranged to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to the outside, decide whether or not the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element arranged to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information in accordance with a result of the decision by the decision element.

Abstract: Contour extraction circuits extract contour components YE, CbE, and CrE, respectively, from luminance signal Y, and color-difference signals Cb and Cr, respectively. The two contour components CbE and CrE of the color difference signals are inputted to the LUTs respectively, via the selectors respectively, and converted into the adjustment signals K1 and K2, respectively. The multiplier multiplies the contour component YE by the adjustment signal K1 so as to generate the modulated contour component E1. The multiplier multiplies the modulated contour component E1 by the adjustment signal K2 so as to generate the modulated contour component E2. The adder adds the modulated contour component E2 to the luminance signal Y so as to generate the luminance signal Ya, which has been contour-enhanced based on the contour component of the luminance signal and the contour components of the color-difference signals.

Abstract: The first array register stores neighboring pixels of the same color as the pixel of interest, which are sorted according to the size of the pixel value. The maximum signal comparison circuit compares the value obtained by adding the threshold ThB to the pixel value maxC, which is the (b1)th largest pixel value of the pixels in the first array register and the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest. When the comparison shows that the pixel value of the pixel of interest P22 is larger, the pixel of interest P22 is determined to be noise, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC. The limit signal comparison circuit compares the pixel value P22 of the pixel of interest and the signal upper limit LB. When the comparison shows that P22 is larger than LB and is equal to or larger than maxC, only the pixel of interest is determined to be totally overexposed, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced by maxC.

Abstract: Contour extraction circuits extract contour components YE, CbE, and CrE, respectively, from luminance signal Y, and color-difference signals Cb and Cr, respectively. The two contour components CbE and CrE of the color difference signals are inputted to the LUTs respectively, via the selectors respectively, and converted into the adjustment signals K1 and K2, respectively. The multiplier multiplies the contour component YE by the adjustment signal K1 so as to generate the modulated contour component E1. The multiplier multiplies the modulated contour component E1 by the adjustment signal K2 so as to generate the modulated contour component E2. The adder adds the modulated contour component E2 to the luminance signal Y so as to generate the luminance signal Ya, which has been contour-enhanced based on the contour component of the luminance signal and the contour components of the color-difference signals.

Abstract: A pixel signal of Bayer pattern output from an imaging device is subjected to interpolation in a pixel interpolation circuit, and converted into a YCbCr signal in a color space conversion circuit. A chroma value calculation circuit calculates a chroma value based on the pixel signal output from the imaging device. A look-up table converts the chroma value into a suppression signal. More specifically, when the chroma value is lower than a threshold value, the look-up table outputs a value lower than 1 as the suppression signal. The suppression signal is corrected in another look-up table, and then, works on Cr and Cb signals in multipliers. A signal in a low-chroma region is thereby suppressed.

Abstract: A first pixel group containing a pixel of interest, a second pixel group containing the first pixel group, and a third pixel group containing the second pixel group are defined. A first reference pixel value is calculated based on the first pixel group, and a second reference pixel value is calculated based on the third pixel group. The second pixel group is divided into two sub-groups with respect to the second reference pixel value. The sub-group containing the pixel of interest is selected as a target set. In the target set, a pixel with a pixel value close to the first reference pixel value is selected as a corrective pixel. The pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced with the pixel value of the corrective pixel.

Abstract: From an image pickup element, pixel signals of Bayer array are outputted. A correlation calculation part calculates correlation values with respect to a specified pixel in vertical and horizontal directions. A first interpolation part performs a pixel interpolation process while evaluating the correlation highly. A second interpolation part performs a pixel interpolation process while evaluating the correlation relatively low. A complete signal of RGB outputted from the first interpolation part is converted into a luminance signal in a first color space conversion part, and a complete signal of RGB outputted from the second interpolation part is converted into a color difference signal in a second color space conversion part.

Abstract: A pixel signal of Bayer pattern output from an imaging device is subjected to interpolation in a pixel interpolation circuit, and converted into a YCbCr signal in a color space conversion circuit. A chroma value calculation circuit calculates a chroma value based on the pixel signal output from the imaging device. A look-up table converts the chroma value into a suppression signal. More specifically, when the chroma value is lower than a threshold value, the look-up table outputs a value lower than 1 as the suppression signal. The suppression signal is corrected in another look-up table, and then, works on Cr and Cb signals in multipliers. A signal in a low-chroma region is thereby suppressed.

Abstract: A first pixel group containing a pixel of interest, a second pixel group containing the first pixel group, and a third pixel group containing the second pixel group are defined. A first reference pixel value is calculated based on the first pixel group, and a second reference pixel value is calculated based on the third pixel group. The second pixel group is divided into two sub-groups with respect to the second reference pixel value. The sub-group containing the pixel of interest is selected as a target set. In the target set, a pixel with a pixel value close to the first reference pixel value is selected as a corrective pixel. The pixel value of the pixel of interest is replaced with the pixel value of the corrective pixel.