Abstract: There is described an imaging method and an imaging device including first imaging circuitry that captures at least near infrared (NIR) light and outputs an NIR image, second imaging circuitry that captures far infrared (FIR) light and outputs an FIR image, wherein the FIR light has a longer wavelength than the NIR light, and processing circuitry configured to adjust color of the NIR image based on the FIR image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing device having an effective pixel area formed of a plurality of areas, the areas having different dark current characteristics. The image-capturing device also includes a light-shielded pixel area, a storage unit configured to prestore a correlation between dark current differences of the plurality of areas and dark current of the light-shielded pixel area, a detector, a dark current difference obtaining unit, and a correction processor. The dark current differences are obtained from the dark current of the light-shielded pixel area detected during image capture on the basis of the stored correlation, and a video signal captured in the effective pixel area is corrected based on the obtained dark current differences.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is arranged with an OB level difference correcting unit for performing a process by sectionalizing a vertical pre-stage OB unit to a first region positioned on a side opposite to an effective pixel unit along a vertical transfer direction and a second region positioned on the effective pixel unit side and read out after the first region, and calculating a correction amount for correcting the OB level difference using a signal corresponding to a dark current obtained from the first region, and a correction table described with a relationship of a signal corresponding to the dark current generated in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and an OB level difference which is a difference between a black level in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and a black level of an image signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is arranged with an OB level difference correcting unit for performing a process by sectionalizing a vertical pre-stage OB unit to a first region positioned on a side opposite to an effective pixel unit along a vertical transfer direction and a second region positioned on the effective pixel unit side and read out after the first region, and calculating a correction amount for correcting the OB level difference using a signal corresponding to a dark current obtained from the first region, and a correction table described with a relationship of a signal corresponding to the dark current generated in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and an OB level difference which is a difference between a black level in the vertical pre-stage OB unit and a black level of an image signal.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing device having an effective pixel area formed of a plurality of areas having different dark current characteristics and a light-shielded pixel area arranged in the region surrounding the effective pixel area; a storage unit configured to prestore a correlation between dark current differences among the plurality of areas and dark current of the light-shielded pixel area; a detector configured to detect the dark current of the light-shielded pixel area during image capturing; a dark current difference obtaining unit configured to, on the basis of the correlation stored in the storage unit, obtain dark current differences among the plurality of areas during image capturing from the dark current of the light-shielded pixel area; and a correction processor configured to correct a video signal obtained from the effective pixel area on the basis of the dark current differences during the image capturing.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a shutter button. When taking a still picture of a subject in response to operation of the shutter button, a TG carries out first exposure and second exposure. The first exposure and the second exposure are simultaneously started by the suspension of outputting a charge sweep-out pulse. Elapsing a first exposure period, the TG reads a first charge out of a part of the light-receiving elements, thereby ending the first exposure. Elapsing a second exposure period, a mechanical shutter is closed thereby ending the second exposure. A second charge produced due to the second exposure is read out after completing the transfer of the first charge. The first and second charges outputted from the CCD imager are combined together by an image combining circuit.

Abstract: Based on an output from a CCD, a luminance signal Y1 is extracted from an MTX circuit, and R gain and B gain of white balance information are extracted from a white balance control circuit. A luminance color gain conversion circuit generates a control signal for controlling the color gains of a high-luminance part based on the luminance signal Y1, R gain and B gain and supplies the generated control to a color suppression circuit. The color gains are varied as a color temperature of the high luminance part increasingly deviates from a color temperature associated with ordinary white light. Accordingly, an excellent color suppression characteristic for the high-luminance part is obtained relative to change in color temperature.

Abstract: An image data compression apparatus capable of reducing false color in image data to a minimum when image compression or decompression is performed, including a preliminary image compressing portion for compressing image data in a sampling region set in a specific position on an image plane for obtaining preliminary compressed image data; a data size evaluation value calculating portion for calculating a data size evaluation value from a data length of said preliminary compressed image data; a compression ration determining portion for determining compression ratios of the image data to color and luminance data in accordance with the data size evaluation value such that a data size of compressed image when image compression is performed for the entire image plane of the image data equals to a prescribed desired data size and such that the compression ratio of the image data to the color data equals to or exceeds the compression ratio of the image data to the luminance data; and an image compressing portion fo

Abstract: An image data compression apparatus capable of reducing false color in image data to a minimum when image compression or decompression is performed includes: a preliminary image compressing portion for compressing image data in a sampling region set in a specific position on an image plane for obtaining preliminary compressed image data; a data size evaluation value calculating portion for calculating a data size evaluation value from a data length of said preliminary compressed image data; a compression ratio determining portion for determining compression ratios of the image data to color and luminance data in accordance with the data size evaluation vale such that a data size of compressed image when image compression is performed for the entire image plane of the image data equals to a prescribed desired data size and such that the compression ratio of the image data to the color data equals to or exceeds the compression ratio of the image data to the luminance data; and an image compressing portion for p

Abstract: A CCD 10, a solid state imaging device is driven by a driving circuit 102 to perform an independent reading driving to all the pixels. A CLCRCB generation circuit 104 receives a signal output from CCD 10 to make RAM 106 store the signal, generates a luminance signal CL and color differential signals CR and CB for a pixel (x, y) in the y-th row and the x-th column in CCD 10 by an operation based on the output signal from the two rows and two columns stored in RAM 106. Matrix circuit 108 receives signals CL, CR and CB and separates and generates an RGB signal to each of all the pixels in CCD 10 by a prescribed linear operation.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a shutter button. When taking a still picture of a subject in response to operation of the shutter button, a TG carries out first exposure and second exposure. The first exposure and the second exposure are simultaneously started by the suspension of outputting a charge sweep-out pulse. Elapsing a first exposure period, the TG reads a first charge out of a part of the light-receiving elements, thereby ending the first exposure. Elapsing a second exposure period, a mechanical shutter is closed thereby ending the second exposure. A second charge produced due to the second exposure is read out after completing the transfer of the first charge. The first and second charges outputted from the CCD imager are combined together by an image combining circuit.