Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to capture and process high dynamic range (HDR) images when appropriate for a scene are disclosed. When appropriate, multiple images at a single—slightly underexposed—exposure value are captured (making a constant bracket HDR capture sequence) and local tone mapping (LTM) applied to each image. Local tone map and histogram information can be used to generate a noise-amplification mask which can be used during fusion operations. Images obtained and fused in the disclosed manner provide high dynamic range with improved noise and de-ghosting characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image processing and analysis and in particular automatic segmentation of identifiable items in an image, for example the segmentation and identification of characters or symbols in an image. Upon user indication, multiple images of a subject are captured and variations between the images are created using lighting, spectral content, angles and other factors. The images are processed together so that characters and symbols may be recognized from the surface of the image subject.

Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating rotational offset in a device includes obtaining an image captured by a camera of the device. Orientation information of the device at the time of image capture may be associated with the image. Pixel data of the image may be analyzed to determine an image orientation angle for the image. A device orientation angle may be determined from the orientation information. A rotational offset, based on the image orientation angle and the device orientation angle, may be determined. The rotational offset is relative to the camera or orientation sensor. A rotational bias may be determined from statistical analysis of numerous rotational offsets from numerous respective images. In some embodiments, various thresholds and predetermined ranges may be used to exclude some rotational offsets from the statistical analysis or to discontinue processing for that image.

Abstract: Motion sensor data may be used to register a sequence of standard dynamic range images for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image, reducing use of computational resources over software visual feature mapping techniques. A rotational motion sensor may produce information about orientation changes in the imaging device between images in the sequence of images sufficient to allow registration of the images, instead of using registration based on analysis of visual features of the images. If the imaging device has been moved laterally, then the motion sensor data may not be useful and visual feature mapping techniques may be employed to produce the HDR image.

Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating rotational offset in a device includes obtaining an image captured by a camera of the device. Orientation information of the device at the time of image capture may be associated with the image. Pixel data of the image may be analyzed to determine an image orientation angle for the image. A device orientation angle may be determined from the orientation information. A rotational offset, based on the image orientation angle and the device orientation angle, may be determined. The rotational offset is relative to the camera or orientation sensor. A rotational bias may be determined from statistical analysis of numerous rotational offsets from numerous respective images. In some embodiments, various thresholds and predetermined ranges may be used to exclude some rotational offsets from the statistical analysis or to discontinue processing for that image.

Abstract: For cameras that capture several images in a burst mode, some embodiments of the invention provide a method that presents one or more of the captured images differently than the remaining captured images. The method identifies at least one captured image as dominant image and at least another captured image as a non-dominant image. The method then displays each dominant image different from each non-dominant image in a concurrent presentation of the images captured during the burst mode. The dominant images may appear larger than non-dominant images, and/or appear with a marking that indicates that the images are dominant.

Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating rotational offset in a device includes obtaining an image captured by a camera of the device. Orientation information of the device at the time of image capture may be associated with the image. Pixel data of the image may be analyzed to determine an image orientation angle for the image. A device orientation angle may be determined from the orientation information. A rotational offset, based on the image orientation angle and the device orientation angle, may be determined. The rotational offset is relative to the camera or orientation sensor. A rotational bias may be determined from statistical analysis of numerous rotational offsets from numerous respective images. In some embodiments, various thresholds and predetermined ranges may be used to exclude some rotational offsets from the statistical analysis or to discontinue processing for that image.

Abstract: Motion sensor data may be used to register a sequence of standard dynamic range images for producing a high dynamic range (HDR) image, reducing use of computational resources over software visual feature mapping techniques. A rotational motion sensor may produce information about orientation changes in the imaging device between images in the sequence of images sufficient to allow registration of the images, instead of using registration based on analysis of visual features of the images. If the imaging device has been moved laterally, then the motion sensor data may not be useful and visual feature mapping techniques may be employed to produce the HDR image.

Abstract: Image enhancement by separating the image signals, either Y or RGB, into a series of bands and performing noise reduction on bands below a given frequency but not on bands above that frequency. The bands are summed to develop the image enhanced signals. This results in improved sharpness and masking of image processing pipeline artifacts. Chroma signals are not separated into bands but have noise reduction applied to the full bandwidth signals. The higher frequency band is attenuated or amplified based on light level. The noise reduction has thresholds based on measured parameters, such as signal frequency, gain and light level, provided in a lookup table. The window size used for the noise reduction varies with the light level as well, smaller windows sizes being used in bright light and increasing window sizes as light levels decrease. Panoramic images are handled in a similar fashion.

Abstract: Lens flare mitigation techniques determine which pixels in images of a sequence of images are likely to be pixels affected by lens flare. Once the lens flare areas of the images are determined, unwanted lens flare effects may be mitigated by various approaches, including reducing border artifacts along a seam between successive images, discarding entire images of the sequence that contain lens flare areas, and using tone-mapping to reduce the visibility of lens flare.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing image registration. A few generalized steps may be used to carry out the image registration techniques described herein: 1) acquiring image data from an image sensor; 2) selecting a pair of overlapping image portions from the acquired image data for registration; 3) determining an area of “maximum energy” in one of the image portions being registered; 4) placing an image registration window over both image portions at the determined location of maximum energy; 5) registering the overlapping image portions using only the image data falling within the image registration windows; and 6) determining, according to one or more metrics, whether the image registration window should be shifted from a current location before registering subsequently acquired image portions.

Abstract: A pointing device system includes a moveable puck, a first surface on which a puck field of motion is defined, a controller, and a pressure-sensing mechanism. The pressure sensing mechanism measures an amount of pressure applied to the puck. The controller determines whether the measured amount of pressure meets a touch threshold value or a click threshold value. The touch threshold value is re-calculated when the measured amount of pressure meets or exceeds the previous touch threshold value but does not meet the click threshold value. The click threshold value is re-calculated when the measured amount of pressure meets the previous click threshold value. Changes in a position of the puck or a review of previously measured pressure values or events may also be analyzed prior to re-calculating the touch or click threshold values.

Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for providing three-dimensional motion inputs to a device includes measuring characteristics (e.g., capacitances) between sense electrodes and a reference electrode on a movable pad, determining three-dimensional displacements of the movable pad from the capacitances, determining the three-dimensional motion inputs from the three-dimensional displacements of the movable pad, and providing the three-dimensional motion inputs to the device. In another embodiment of the invention, a pointing device mounted on a surface of a host device includes sense electrodes, a frame, a movable pad flexibly mounted in an opening of the frame. The movable pad includes a reference electrode opposite the sense electrodes. The opening limits the motion of the movable pad to a single axis on the surface and to an axis into the surface.

Abstract: A device such as an optical mouse includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The device also includes an optical motion sensor for generating one-dimensional projection data based on the reflected images, filtering the projection data, and generating movement data based on the filtered projection data. The movement data is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the device.

Abstract: A method performed by a slide pad system is provided. The method includes generating a first direction measurement using a first capacitance measurement, generating a calibration measurement using a second capacitance measurement, and computing a first position using the first direction measurement and the calibration measurement. A system including a slide pad including a slide disk, a sense module, and a control module is also provided.

Abstract: A pointing device system includes a moveable puck, a first surface on which a puck field of motion is defined, a controller, and a pressure-sensing mechanism. The pressure sensing mechanism measures an amount of pressure applied to the puck. The controller determines whether the measured amount of pressure meets a touch threshold value or a click threshold value. The touch threshold value is re-calculated when the measured amount of pressure meets or exceeds the previous touch threshold value but does not meet the click threshold value. The click threshold value is re-calculated when the measured amount of pressure meets the previous click threshold value. Changes in a position of the puck or a review of previously measured pressure values or events may also be analyzed prior to re-calculating the touch or click threshold values.

Abstract: A pointing device includes a moveable puck, a first surface on which a puck field of motion is defined, and a controller. The total distance the puck can move from its centered or resting position is divided into N regions using one or more transition points. Each transition point corresponds to a puck position at which the cursor speed changes. The controller determines the position of the puck within the puck field of motion and, based on the current puck position and at least one transition point, the controller determines a speed at which the cursor is to be moved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interpolating color image information are provided. One or more image data values for a portion of a digital image in a vicinity of a target pixel are received and stored in a local array. A processor determines whether there is an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel based on the data values in the local array. If there is not an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel, then long scale interpolation is performed on the image data values in the local array, in order to result in interpolating color information that is missing from the image. If there is an edge in the vicinity of the target pixel, then short scale interpolation is performed using image data values in a subset of the local array in a closer vicinity of the target pixel. As a result, accurate color rendering of a digital image is achieved, even in the presence of an edge portion that exhibits great contrast between regions of the image.

Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.