Abstract: A remote vision analysis system for a vessel containing a process liquid having gas bubbles or particles floating therein. A probe extends into the vessel and enables in-situ observation of the process liquid, gas bubbles or particles, and/or surfaces within the vessel. The probe has a proximal end that includes a camera for recording still or motion images of the process liquid, gas bubbles or particles, and/or surfaces within the vessel. An elongate distal end of the probe extends within an interior of the vessel and is housed within a hermetically sealed protective shroud having a lens, or window, through which images are recorded by the camera. The probe is modular and includes interchangeable parts.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes a first imaging unit and a second imaging unit that include photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix, and output a video signal according to incident light; a first light introduction unit which introduce light into the first imaging unit; a second light introduction unit installed apart from the first light introduction unit which introduces light into the second imaging unit; and a driving unit which outputs, in common to the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, a first control signal for controlling transfer of a signal obtained from the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a row, a second control signal for controlling transfer of a signal obtained from the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a column, and a third control signal for controlling light exposure time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a closed circuit television that allows a focus and a focal distance of a lens located inside a camera body to be adjusted in the outside, without disassembling the camera body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for notifying a user of a video monitoring system event while other video monitoring system related functions may be performed in the background of a multi-use computing environment. For example, a graphical pop-up, priority image, and/or notification sound may be transmitted to a user within a multi-use environment to alert the user that a particular video monitoring system related event has occurred. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a video monitoring system disposed within a multi-use computing and communication environment. The system includes a video input source, and a control module disposed within a multi-use computing environment. The control module includes a user notification system configured to continuously monitor the video data for local video monitoring related events and transmit a notification to a user of the multi-use computer system.

Abstract: The device comprises an intrusion detection module (6), an image acquisition module (14), an energy management module (13) and an autonomous power source (9), the said detection module (6) being designed to furnish a detection signal having a first predetermined state when an intrusion is detected and a second predetermined state otherwise, and the said management module (13) being designed to make the said device change over from a waiting mode to a working mode by activating the supply of the image acquisition module (14) by the said autonomous power source (9) when the said signal changes over from the second state to the first state. The method includes a step consisting in furnishing the detection signal and, when the detection signal changes over from the second state to the first predetermined state, a step consisting in making the said device change over from the waiting mode to the working mode and a step consisting in achieving image acquisition.

Abstract: To provide an image pickup device and image pickup method for displaying the optimum range of observation without relying on the conditions in which the vehicle enters the road or the installation situation of the plurality of cameras. To provide a plurality of periphery image pickup means 10 and 11 that obtain images of the periphery of a vehicle wherein periphery image pickup means 10 and 11 that obtain the images displayed for the driver of the vehicle and the image range of the images obtained by periphery image pickup means 10 and 11 that are displayed to the driver of the vehicle are selected.

Abstract: A system for evaluating and monitoring driver proficiency, performance and safety is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus having a controller that is in operative association with one or more video cameras mounted within a vehicle for providing audio/video data to the controller as well as with an OBD connection for the collection and transmission of vehicle data from the vehicle to the controller. The controller further includes a microprocessor for synchronizing the recorded vehicle data from the vehicle with the video/audio data collected from the video cameras in order to evaluate and monitor a driver's performance and proficiency.

Abstract: An image display apparatus combines vehicle-surroundings images photographed by cameras and displays a top view image. The image display apparatus includes image memories for storing images of landscapes ahead of the vehicle, at the left side of the vehicle, at the right side of the vehicle, and behind the vehicle which are photographed by the corresponding cameras, a mapping-table determining unit for determining a mapping table to be used by detecting the number of passengers in back seats, and a mapping unit for reading image data from the image memories by using the mapping table corresponding to the number of passengers and mapping the read image data to a frame memory to display a top view image.

Abstract: A video surveillance camera is provided that includes a first camera objective directed towards a primary surveillance field of view and at least a second camera objective that is concealed within the camera and directed towards a second covert field of view. The second camera objective is mounted within the camera body in a manner that makes it undetectable, while allowing the camera objective to freely observe the covert field of view. In a first embodiment, the video camera includes a first camera objective affixed to the front of the camera housing and at least a second camera objective mounted in a fixed, concealed position within the housing. Alternately, the at least one second camera objective may be mounted within the housing in an adjustable fashion to allow the second camera objective to be aimed independently of the camera housing orientation itself.

Abstract: A video quality objective assessment device includes a temporal/spatial feature amount derivation unit (12) which derives a temporal/spatial feature amount (PC) which is the feature amount of deterioration which has occurred in a deteriorated video signal (PI), from the deteriorated video signal (PI) to be assessed and a reference video signal (RI) which is a signal before deterioration of the deteriorated video signal, and a subjective quality estimation unit (14) which weights the temporal/spatial feature amount (PC) according to the relationship between the deteriorated video obtained in advance and the user subjective assessment value, thereby estimating the subjective quality (Y) of the deteriorated video signal (PI). Thus, it is possible to estimate a video subjective quality even when deterioration occurs locally in the video in the temporal/spatial direction.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a mark quality verifier assembly wherein the assembly includes a camera including a camera field of view (FOV) and a processor for running software programs that are stored in a memory that is accessible to the processor, the method comprising the steps of providing a calibration program in the memory that is accessible by the processor, providing a calibration code on a surface of a calibration tool wherein the calibration code includes calibration information, positioning the calibration tool adjacent the camera so that the calibration code is within the FOV, obtaining at least one image of the calibration code via the camera, using information in the calibration code to determine that a verifier calibration process should be performed and commencing the calibration program when the calibration code indicates that a calibration process should be performed.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an image supplied from an imaging apparatus that captured an original image and that performed gamma processing on the original image to generate the image to be supplied to the image processing apparatus, inverse gamma processing means performs inverse gamma processing on the image supplied from the imaging apparatus so that the image has characteristics the same as characteristics of the original image, which corresponds to the image before the image was subjected to the gamma processing in the imaging apparatus, and correction processing means performs correction processing on the image subjected to the inverse gammas processing using the inverse gamma processing means so that blur in the image is corrected.

Abstract: Deblurring digital camera images captured in low-light, long-integration-time conditions by capturing multiple short-integration images and fusing with on-the-fly motion estimation and alignment to limit the frame memory requirements. In one embodiment, an image stabilization system includes: (1) a frame memory and (2) a processor coupled to the frame memory and configured to store a first short-integration digital image in the frame memory, determine a displacement of a second short-integration digital image relative to the first short-integration digital image, combine the second short-integration digital image with the first short-integration digital image to form a fused digital image and overwrite the first short-integration digital image with the fused digital image.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for image stabilization of an image taken with a fixed (i.e., pre-selected) multi-exposure pattern for at least one color channel by an image sensor of a camera, wherein a plurality of groups of pixels of the image sensor have different pre-selected exposure times for said at least one color channel. The camera can be a part of, e.g., an electronic device such as mobile phone or a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A camera arrangement comprising a plurality of camera elements and a corresponding method of arranging camera elements is described. The camera arrangement improves the resolution of a stitched image by maintaining a uniform overlap between the fields of view of adjacent camera element. The uniform overlap is achieved. This is because the amount of unnecessary overlap required to achieve the required degree of overlap is reduced.

Abstract: A method of executing an image processing procedure is disclosed. The method is used in a digital image capturing device. The image processing procedure comprises a readout period and a sweep period. The method comprises the steps of: dividing an image of a frame into a plurality of regions; choosing at least one region for the readout period; choosing at least one region for the sweep period; and executing the image processing procedure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for white balance correction using illuminant estimation includes calculating a weighted average of the color coordinates of points in a color image to determine an estimated illuminant of the color image in the color space of an image sensor and selecting white balance correction factors for the color image using the estimated illuminant of the color image and color coordinates of one or more of a number of reference illuminant points in the color space of the image sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a technique of preventing occurrence of a shift in white balance even when the ratio of a dark area is greater than the ratio of a bright area as in the case of a night view. A white balance gain calculator calculates white balance gains for an image from color of pixels whose luminance levels are at equal to or greater than a reference luminance level among all pixels of an image. When the ratio of dark pixels whose luminance satisfies a predetermined condition, among all pixels of the image, is equal to or greater than a reference ratio, a correction coefficient calculating section determines a correction coefficient from at least one of factors; namely, image-capturing sensitivity corresponding to an image, the ratio of dark pixels, and firing/non-firing of flash light; and instructs the white balance gain calculator to make a correction to the white balance gain in accordance with the correction coefficient.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: A method of automatic white balance for an image capture system is disclosed. The automatic white balance mechanism ascertains the illuminant source of an image by analyzing the number of white pixels within a predefined white area in a color space diagram. The automatic white balance mechanism also determines gain adjustments based on the evaluating the average RGB values to achieve white balance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for detecting flicker DC voltage offset. The method includes receiving an output signal of an image sensor, the output signal comprising a reference signal and an image signal, and generating a combined signal by combining the image signal with a peak flicker DC voltage signal during a first time period. The method also includes performing an auto zero function in an auto zeroing comparator during the first time period between the reference signal and the combined signal and comparing the reference signal and the image signal with the auto zeroing comparator during a second time period subsequent to the first time period. The method further include storing a first charge corresponding to the image signal during a second time period and storing a second charge corresponding to a current peak flicker DC voltage signal.

Abstract: When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM.

Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device, acquisition parameters of a digital image are perfected as part of an image capture process using face detection within the captured image to achieve one or more desired image acquisition parameters. Default values are determined of one or more image attributes of at least some portion of the digital image. Values of one or more camera acquisition parameters are determined. Groups of pixels are identified that correspond to an image of a face within the digitally-captured image. Corresponding image attributes to the groups of pixels are determined. One or more default image attribute values are compared with one or more captured image attribute values based upon analysis of the image of the face. Camera acquisition parameters are then adjusted corresponding to adjusting the image attribute values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for configuring an imaging system to compensate for fixed pattern noise, variations in pixel values captured from an image sensor that vary according to a fixed pattern. In a method for configuring an imaging system for compensating an additive term component of fixed pattern noise, a pixel array is exposed to a scene of known radiance and an average white value is determined for each pixel of an array. Each average white value is compared to a predetermined reference value to determine a correction value for each pixel. In a method for configuring an imaging system for compensating both an additive and multiplicative component of fixed pattern noise, a pixel array is exposed to a first scene having a first known radiance, and frames of the scene are captured, and then the array is exposed to a second scene having a second known radiance and frames of the second scene are captured.

Abstract: Rather than storing a table within a digital camera or other optical device of defective pixels within its image sensor, defective pixels are dynamically identified by comparing the output values of individual pixels under test with those of neighboring pixels. If the neighbors are all above or below the pixel under test by a defined threshold amount, the output of the pixel under test is replaced with a value calculated from the outputs of neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A system and method for making an image processor. A system for processing an image may include a target image processing element, a distorted image calculating element coupled to the target image processing element, an eccentricity estimator coupled to the distorted image calculating element, an eccentricity compensator coupled to the distorted image calculating element, a distorted foveated image modeler coupled to the eccentricity compensator, a log-polar image generator coupled to the eccentricity compensator, and an unreliable feature omitter coupled to the eccentricity compensator. Methods to make the foregoing system are also described.

Abstract: An image sensor equipped with imaging pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array, which converts an image formed through an optical system to an electrical signal, includes: first focus detection pixel groups each formed by disposing in the array of the imaging pixels a plurality of first pixels adopting a split pupil method; and second focus detection pixel groups each formed by disposing in the array of the imaging pixels a plurality of second pixels adopting a split pupil method different from the split pupil method adopted in the first pixels, and a relationship between a number of the first focus detection pixel groups and a number of the second focus detection pixel groups is determined in correspondence to directions of positions assumed by the first focus detection pixel groups and the second focus detection pixel groups relative to a center of the image sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging device having a pixel cell with a transparent conductive material interconnect line for focusing incident light onto a photosensor and providing an electrical connection to pixel circuitry, and the method of making the same.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a pixel, a current source, and a signal processing circuit. The pixel outputs signal charge, obtained by imaging, as a pixel signal. The current source is connected to a transmission path for the pixel signal and has a variable current. The signal processing circuit performs signal processing on a signal depending on an output signal to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with the result of signal processing.

Abstract: Photosensitive cells each includes a photodiode (1), a transfer gate (2), a floating diffusion layer portion (3), an amplifying transistor (4), and a reset transistor (5). Drains of the amplifying transistors (4) of the photosensitive cells are connected to a power supply line (10), and a pulsed power supply voltage (VddC) is applied to the power supply line (10). Here, a low-level potential (VddC_L) of the power supply voltage has a predetermined potential higher than zero potential. Specifically, by making the low-level potential (VddC_L) higher than channel potentials obtained when a low level is applied to the reset transistors (5), or channel potentials obtained when a low level is applied to the transfer gates (2), or channel potentials of the photodiodes (1), a reproduced image with low noise is read.

Abstract: According to this invention, even when an image capturing apparatus has a plurality of read modes, the frame rate can be prevented from decreasing in a high-resolution video photographing mode. The image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor and drive unit. The image sensor includes an effective image sensing area having a plurality of pixels at the center portion of the image sensor, and a light-shielded pixel area having a plurality of light-shielded pixels at the peripheral portion of the image sensor. The drive unit can drive the image sensor in a plurality of modes, and drives the image sensor such that the plurality of read modes are almost equal to the light-shielded pixel read time BL-MIN for reading pixel signals in the light-shielded pixel area.

Abstract: An imaging device outputs brightness information according to an amount of incident light and includes: an imaging unit that includes a plurality of unit cells arranged one dimensionally or two-dimensionally, each unit cell including a photoelectric conversion part that generates a first output voltage in a reset state and a second output voltage according to an amount of incident light, and each unit cell generating a reset voltage that corresponds to the first output voltage and a read voltage that corresponds to the second output voltage; and an output unit operable to output, in relation to each unit cell, brightness information indicating a difference between the reset voltage and the read voltage when normal light is incident to the imaging device and the read voltage is in a predetermined range, and brightness information indicating high brightness when strong light is incident to the imaging device and the read voltage is not in the predetermined range.

Abstract: An image pickup device provided on a base board, comprises an image pickup element provided on the base board and including a photoelectrically converting section in which pixels are arranged, a peripheral surface formed around the photoelectrically converting section and a side surface crossing the peripheral surface; an optical member including a lens section to form an image of an object onto the photoelectrically converting section of the image pickup element, a leg section to support the lens section and a contact surface to be brought in contact with the image pickup element, wherein the lens section, the leg section and the contact surface are made in a single body. The optical member is mounted on the image pickup element such that the contact surface is brought in contact with the peripheral surface or with a surface member when the surface member is provided on the peripheral surface.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an extraction unit configured to extract feature points of an object from picked-up image data, a focus adjustment unit configured to, before starting pickup of an image for recording and/or storage, detect an in-focus position by moving a focus lens in a direction of an optical axis over a scan region which is decided based on the extracted feature points, and to control movement of the focus lens to be matched with the in-focus position, and an operation timing control unit configured to operate the focus adjustment unit and the extraction unit in a synchronous relation (inter-shooting AF(1) and AF(2)) in a continuous shooting mode in which the pickup of an image for recording and/or storage is repeated plural times.

Abstract: A camera having a focus adjusting system and a face recognition function includes a photographing optical system; an image pickup device; a focus adjusting device which performs a focus search process in which the image pickup device captures object images at different positions while the focusing lens group moves between near and far extremities thereof to detect an in-focus lens position; and a face recognition device for recognizing a face image based on the image signals, wherein if the face recognition device recognizes the face image and an in-focus state is previously achieved on the face image previously recognized, the focus adjusting device determines a range of movement of the focusing lens group based on sizes and positions of the face image captured when the in-focus state was previously achieved and the face image currently recognized on a picture plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-cost zoom lens which has high optical performance specifications such as a wide angle of view and a high zoom ratio of as high as 5, is extremely small in depth and ensures that the optical path of the optical system can easily be bent by a reflecting optical element. A zoom lens includes a first lens group G1 with a positive power, a second lens group G2 with a negative power, a third lens group G3 with a positive power, a fourth lens group G4 with a positive power, a fifth lens group G5 with a negative power, and a sixth lens group G6 with a positive power, wherein upon zooming from a wide-angle end to telephoto end, the first lens group G1 remains fixed relative to an image surface I and at least second and fourth lens groups G2 and G4 move, the first lens group G1 includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a reflecting optical element P for bending an optical path, and a positive lens, and conditional expression (1) is satisfied.

Abstract: A camera module for imaging a plurality of types of light such as visible light and infrared light with a single lens unit and sensor unit. The camera module includes a lens unit and a housing capable of attaching the lens unit so that it is in opposition to a photosensitive element. A filter unit, in which there are disposed a plurality of light cut filters having different wavelengths is disposed between the lens unit and the photosensitive element or outside of the lens unit. A filter positioning device passes imaging light from a photographic subject through a desired light cut filter in the filter unit before the imaging light reads the photosensitive element.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided with a power source, a power supply circuit connected to the power source and having power supply lines for supplying a positive voltage and a negative voltage, an image pickup element, plural drivers for generating multi-phase driving signals and applying the generated multi-phase driving signals to the image pickup element, a discharging circuit connected in parallel with the plural drivers, and a conducting circuit for allowing unnecessary charge accumulated in the power source to discharge through the power supply circuit for a negative voltage to the discharging circuit at the time when the power source is turned off, wherein the power supply circuit for a negative voltage is connected to the plural drivers.

Abstract: A camera module unit includes a printed wiring board overlaid on a shielding enclosure. A camera module is supported on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The camera module is located inside a recess defined in the printed wiring board. A shielding metal plate covers over the camera module. An elastic piece is defined in the shielding metal plate. The elastic piece is resiliently received on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The shielding metal plate realizes a sufficient shielding for the camera module in the camera module unit. Electric current is allowed to easily run from the charged shielding metal plate to the shielding enclosure through the elastic piece. The camera module is supported on the shielding enclosure inside the recess. The height of the camera module is reduced above the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A camera module having a ground dummy board, the camera module including: a lens holder having at least one lens; an image sensor having an image region where light passed through the lens is imaged; a board having the image sensor mounted at one side assembled to a lower surface of the lens holder; and a ground dummy board disposed on an outer surface of the board to electrically connect to ground via holes exposed to the outer surface of the board. The camera module minimally experiences electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge, thereby improved in electrical properties thereof.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image capturing device disposed on a housing and including a casing that is disposed partly in an inner receiving space in the housing and that is pivotable relative to the housing, an imaging lens mounted on the casing for generating an optical image of an object, an image sensing module disposed in the inner receiving space in the housing and adjacent to the casing for sensing the optical image generated by the imaging lens, and a reflector disposed in the case so as to reflect the optical image from the imaging lens toward the image sensing module such that the optical image is received by the image sensing module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a video interface between a handheld video player and a television are disclosed herein. Aspects of the method may include activating a video processing interface that enables processing of input video signals in a compressed format suitable for display on a handheld video player; and generating corresponding output video signals suitable for display on a television. The input signal may be received via a dedicated connector on the television. The activation of the video processing system may utilize a menu selectable software button or a hardware selector video input button. The dedicated connector may be labeled on the television. The processing of the video input signal may utilize digital noise reduction (DNR) such as mosquito noise reduction (MNR) and block noise reduction (BNR). The video signal processing may comprise compression artifact reduction.

Abstract: A video apparatus for processing an input video signal in synchronization with an external reference signal is provided. The video apparatus includes a phase compensation FIFO memory and a measuring device. The phase compensation FIFO memory is configured such that the input video signal is written in synchronization with a clock demodulated from the input video signal and the video signal is read in synchronization with an internal reference clock of the apparatus generated from the external reference signal. The measuring device is configured to measure an amount of jitter/wander of the input video signal based on a calculation of a difference between data volume of the video signal obtained in the FIFO memory and a predetermined reference volume.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a plurality of digital video data streams is provided. A plurality of digital video data streams are captured at a plurality of nodes. Each digital video data stream comprises a plurality of video clips and includes data identifying the content of each of said video clips in the data stream. Video clips from at least two of the plurality of digital video data streams can be synchronized to create a single synchronized video data stream that includes synchronized content from the video clips. The resulting synchronized video data stream can be extracted and output to an output medium for delivery to a consumer.

Abstract: A video signal identification system including an input module configured to receive an unknown video signal, a video signal processing module configured to process known video signals, and a processor coupled to the input module and to the video signal processing module and configured to determine and store information indicative of characteristics of the unknown video signal such that the unknown video signal becomes a known video signal that can be processed by the video signal processing module.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus uses information related to an image quality of an inputted video signal which is to be displayed on a display apparatus and a determination table in which video display sizes previously set in accordance with video resolution or bit rate are held to determine an optimal size for displaying the inputted video signal.