Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction section that extracts a first high brightness region from a source image where brightness is a first threshold value or greater, a mask generation section that performs blur processing and binarization processing on the first high brightness region and generates a mask containing the first high brightness region, a mask application section that based on the mask performs elimination processing, thinning processing, or both on the first high brightness region, a bright line generation section that generates a bright line based on a second high brightness region contained in output of the mask application section, and a synthesizing section that synthesizes the bright line onto the source image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction section that extracts a first high brightness region from a source image where brightness is a first threshold value or greater, a mask generation section that performs blur processing and binarization processing on the first high brightness region and generates a mask containing the first high brightness region, a mask application section that based on the mask performs elimination processing, thinning processing, or both on the first high brightness region, a bright line generation section that generates a bright line based on a second high brightness region contained in output of the mask application section, and a synthesizing section that synthesizes the bright line onto the source image.

Abstract: A circuit for auto-focus adjustment includes a calculating unit configured to calculate an indicator of randomness of pixel values in a captured image, a direction determining unit configured to compare a first value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit in a preceding focus adjustment process with a second value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit after the calculation of the first value, thereby to determine a direction of focus shift in response to a result of the comparison, and a control unit configured to start a focus adjustment process by which a focus position is first moved in the direction of focus shift determined by the direction determining unit.

Abstract: A circuit for auto-focus adjustment includes a calculating unit configured to calculate an indicator of randomness of pixel values in a captured image, a direction determining unit configured to compare a first value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit in a preceding focus adjustment process with a second value of the indicator calculated by the calculating unit after the calculation of the first value, thereby to determine a direction of focus shift in response to a result of the comparison, and a control unit configured to start a focus adjustment process by which a focus position is first moved in the direction of focus shift determined by the direction determining unit.

Abstract: To reliably obtain a captured image expected by a user, such as an image precisely showing the shades of a blue sky or a flower, or an image captured under flat illumination and having high contrast, an apparatus comprises an aperture, shutter, CCD, and an AGC, and applies gamma correction to an image signal using gamma correction values. Maximum reflectance, being an index of the amount of incident light according to the maximum output from the CCD, is increased or decreased in multiple levels depending on the subject being photographed, and the exposure amount is accordingly adjusted, thereby changing a dynamic range. A microcomputer revises the gamma correction values in response to changes in maximum reflectance so as to substantially maintain a relationship between an incident light reference amount being a reference for appropriate exposure and the corresponding gamma corrected output value.

Abstract: To reliably obtain a captured image expected by a user, such as an image precisely showing the shades of a blue sky or a flower, or an image captured under flat illumination and having high contrast, an apparatus comprises an aperture, shutter, CCD, and an AGC, and applies gamma correction to an image signal using gamma correction values. Maximum reflectance, being an index of the amount of incident light according to the maximum output from the CCD, is increased or decreased in multiple levels depending on the subject being photographed, and the exposure amount is accordingly adjusted, thereby changing a dynamic range. A microcomputer revises the gamma correction values in response to changes in maximum reflectance so as to substantially maintain a relationship between an incident light reference amount being a reference for appropriate exposure and the corresponding gamma corrected output value.