Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conditional display of a stereoscopic image pair on a display device are disclosed. Particularly, some implementations include receiving a first image and a second image, determining a vertical disparity between the first image and the second images, and displaying a stereoscopic image pair if the vertical disparity is below a threshold. Some implementations provide for correcting the vertical disparity by generating at least one corrected image, and generating the stereoscopic image pair based on the corrected image. Some implementations may evaluate the quality of the stereoscopic image pair, and display either a two dimensional image or the stereoscopic image pair based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Present embodiments contemplate systems, apparatus, and methods to calibration a multi camera device. Particularly, present embodiments contemplate initiating a calibration of multiple cameras in response to a predetermined event. A calibration records current environmental conditions along with the sensor positions of each camera when focused. By recording a plurality of calibration points under a variety of imaging and environmental conditions, a more accurate synchronization of the multiple cameras' focus positions can be achieved.

Abstract: Described are a system, apparatus, and method to capture a stereoscopic image pair using an imaging device with a single imaging sensor. Particularly, discussed are systems and methods for capturing a first and second image through an image sensor, determining a vertical and horizontal disparity between the two images, and applying corrections for geometric distortion, vertical disparity, and convergence between the two images. Some embodiments contemplate displaying a directional indicator before the second image of the stereoscopic image pair is captured. By displaying a directional indicator, a more optimal position for the second image of the stereoscopic image pair may be found, resulting in a higher quality stereoscopic image pair.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for providing hands-free augmented reality on a wireless communication device (WCD). According to the techniques, an application processor within the WCD executes an augmented reality (AR) application to receive a plurality of image frames and convert the plurality of image frames into a single picture comprising the plurality of image frames stitched together to represent a scene. The WCD executing the AR application then requests AR content for the scene represented in the single picture from an AR database server, receives AR content for the scene from the AR database server, and processes the AR content to overlay the single picture for display to a user on the WCD. In this way, the user may comfortably look at the single picture with the overlaid AR content on a display of the WCD to learn more about the scene represented in the single picture.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to creating an inertial sensor aided depth map of a scene. An embodiment of the disclosure captures at least a first image and a second image during movement of a device caused by a user while framing or recording the scene, compensates for rotation between the first image and the second image, calculates an amount of translation of the device between the first image and the second image, calculates a pixel shift of a plurality of key points of the first image and the second image, and estimates a depth to one or more of the plurality of key points of the first image and the second image.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for producing high dynamic range images by applying a variable weighting factor to a sample prior to combining the sample with another sample. In one example, a method includes sampling a first pixel cell signal at a first time to produce a first sample, sampling a second pixel cell signal at a second time to produce a second sample, applying a variable weighting factor to the second sample, wherein the variable weighting factor is defined based on a function, and combining the first sample and the weighted second sample.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium to autofocus a lens of an imaging device. Parameters are received indicating a lens position. Lens actuator characteristics are determined. Lens damping parameters may be determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens actuator characteristics. In some aspects, lens damping parameters include a lens movement step size and a time delay between each step. In some aspects, the lens damping parameters include damping parameters for a plurality of regions of lens movement. Lens movement parameters are determined based, at least in part, on the input parameters and the lens damping parameters. The lens is then autofocused by moving it according to the lens movement parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve the white balance of a high dynamic range image are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an imaging device includes a camera sensor and a processor, the processor configured to capture a lighter image and a darker image of a scene. The processor is then configured to white balance the lighter image based on the lighter regions of the image, and to white balance the darker image based on the darker regions of the image. The two images can then be combined to produce a final image.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for improving functionalities of a back-end device, e.g., a video encoder, using parameters detected by a front-end device, e.g., a video camera. The techniques may involve detecting a scene change in a captured frame, based on one or more parameters of auto exposure (AE), auto white balance (AWB), and auto focus (AF) functions. If a scene change is detected in a captured frame, a video processing device, which may be a stand-alone device, or may be integrated into one of the front-end or back-end devices, provides an indication of the scene change. The video encoder interprets the signal as a trigger to encode the frame indicated as the frame where a scene change occurred as a reference I frame.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for triggering recording of digital video in a fast frame rate mode. In one example, a digital video recording apparatus includes a video sensor that captures digital video data at a fast frame rate in a fast frame rate mode, a video buffer that buffers the captured digital video data according to a first-in-first-out storage schema, a video storage that stores digital video data, and a motion detection unit that detects fast motion in the buffered digital video data, that stores digital video data from the video sensor in the video storage after detecting the fast motion, and that copies the contents of the video buffer to the video storage prepended to the stored video data. The digital video recording apparatus may be incorporated in a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone.

Abstract: An example image capture device determines a region of interest using a first image captured while a light source is powered off and a second image captured while a light source is powered on and uses the region of interest to automatically set configurations. In one example, an image capture device includes a controlled light source, an image sensor configured to capture images, and a processing unit configured to cause the image sensor to capture a first image of a scene while the controlled light source is powered off, cause the image sensor to capture a second image of the scene while the controlled light source is powered on, calculate luminance differences between a plurality of regions in the first image and a plurality of collocated regions in the second image, and determine that a region of interest includes those regions for which the luminance differences exceed a threshold.

Abstract: A method for adjusting parameters in a video capture device using motion information is disclosed. Motion information that indicates motion of a video capture device is determined. The motion information is compared to an upper bound and a lower bound. An aggressiveness level that indicates a change in a white balance gain for the video capture device is determined based on the comparison. A new white balance gain for the video capture device is determined based on the aggressiveness level. An exposure convergence holding time is adjusted based on the motion information. An exposure step size is increased based on the motion information. A brightness level of the video capture device is adjusted based on the convergence step size.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to creating an inertial sensor aided depth map of a scene. An embodiment of the disclosure captures at least a first image and a second image during movement of a device caused by a user while framing or recording the scene, compensates for rotation between the first image and the second image, calculates an amount of translation of the device between the first image and the second image, calculates a pixel shift of a plurality of key points of the first image and the second image, and estimates a depth to one or more of the plurality of key points of the first image and the second image.

Abstract: A mobile device uses data from one or more sensors to determine a user context, such as a motion state of the user, and adjusts at least one camera feature selected form a group consisting of continuous auto-focus, auto-white balance, video encode quality, frame rate, search range used for focusing, and exposure mode based on the user context. The user context may include, e.g., at least one of panning, walking, standing, sitting, and traveling in a moving vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided including an image signal carrier, a luminance information evaluator, and a chrominance information modifier. The image signal carrier is encoded with an image signal including luminance information and chrominance information. The luminance information evaluator evaluates the luminance information in the image signal for a given region within the image to identify when the given region is one of substantially white and substantially dark. The chrominance information modifier is provided to modify the chrominance information corresponding to the given region when the given region is one of substantially white and substantially dark.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for providing hands-free augmented reality on a wireless communication device (WCD). According to the techniques, an application processor within the WCD executes an augmented reality (AR) application to receive a plurality of image frames and convert the plurality of image frames into a single picture comprising the plurality of image frames stitched together to represent a scene. The WCD executing the AR application then requests AR content for the scene represented in the single picture from an AR database server, receives AR content for the scene from the AR database server, and processes the AR content to overlay the single picture for display to a user on the WCD. In this way, the user may comfortably look at the single picture with the overlaid AR content on a display of the WCD to learn more about the scene represented in the single picture.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for conditional display of a stereoscopic image pair on a display device are disclosed. Particularly, some implementations include receiving a first image and a second image, determining a vertical disparity between the first image and the second images, and displaying a stereoscopic image pair if the vertical disparity is below a threshold. Some implementations provide for correcting the vertical disparity by generating at least one corrected image, and generating the stereoscopic image pair based on the corrected image. Some implementations may evaluate the quality of the stereoscopic image pair, and display either a two dimensional image or the stereoscopic image pair based on the evaluation.

Abstract: Described are a system, apparatus, and method to capture a stereoscopic image pair using an imaging device with a single imaging sensor. Particularly, discussed are systems and methods for capturing a first and second image through an image sensor, determining a vertical and horizontal disparity between the two images, and applying corrections for geometric distortion, vertical disparity, and convergence between the two images. Some embodiments contemplate displaying a directional indicator before the second image of the stereoscopic image pair is captured. By displaying a directional indicator, a more optimal position for the second image of the stereoscopic image pair may be found, resulting in a higher quality stereoscopic image pair.

Abstract: A system and method of image capture parameter adjustment using face brightness information is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes determining a luma value based on a brightness variation within a selected portion of an image, where the selected portion of the image corresponds to at least a portion of a face. The method further includes adjusting an image capture parameter at least partially based on the determined luma value.

Abstract: Systems and methods of high dynamic range image combining are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a device includes a global mapping module configured to generate first globally mapped luminance values within a region of an image, a local mapping module configured to generate second locally mapped luminance values within the region of the image, and a combination module configured to determine luminance values within a corresponding region of an output image using a weighted sum of the first globally mapped luminance values and the second locally mapped luminance values. A weight of the weighted sum is at least partially based on a luminance variation within the region of the image.