Abstract: A method for driving an image sensor includes the steps of: sensing temperature from the image sensor; selecting a voltage level of a control signal in accordance with the sensed temperature; and detecting an image in response to the control signal having the selected voltage level. An image sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the image sensor and a pixel array configured to detect an image in response to a control signal, wherein the control signal varies in voltage level as a function of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for displaying and recording image data can be smoothly performed in characteristic methods by computing a quantization parameter for use in compression of image data, obtaining a difference in the amount of processes between the display of image data and the recording of image data, and managing memory of temporarily stored image data for regeneration of recorded image data.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device has a differential output configuration for an output stage thereof and an IC in a next stage has a differential amplifier configuration for an input stage thereof. An output buffer unit buffers and outputs a digital signal from a horizontal bus line. At this time, in addition to the normal video signal, the output buffer unit generates an inverted output of the normal video signal. The normal video signal and the inverted output are outputted from a video signal output terminal and an inverted video signal output terminal, respectively, to the outside of a chip. Further, a clock, which is supplied from a timing generator to the output buffer unit, also is buffered and outputted to the outside together with an inverted clock. A differential amplifier is used in an input stage of an IC in a next stage, whereby even signals having blunter waveforms can be recognized.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided. A digital image is outputted by an optical sensor and includes M pixels. The ith pixel among the M pixels has an ith set of original gray levels, wherein i is an integer index ranging from 1 to M. In the method according to this invention, M sets of logarithm values are first generated. The ith set of logarithm values among the M sets of logarithm values is generated based on the ith set of original gray levels and a set of adjusting parameters relative to the optical sensor. Statistics of the M sets of logarithm values is then gathered. According to the statistics result, a target color temperature of the digital image is determined.

Abstract: A focus-adjustment signal generating apparatus includes a filter to extract a high-frequency component at a specific frequency or higher from a luminance signal of an input video signal, a comparator to compare an absolute value of the high-frequency component with a specific reference value, to output a first detection signal when the absolute value is equal to or larger than the reference value whereas a second detection signal when the absolute value is smaller than the reference value, an extender to extend an output period of the first detection signal according to a period indicated by a period-length setting signal, to output an extended first detection signal, and a selector to select a first chrominance difference signal indicating a specific color in response to the extended first detection signal whereas a second chrominance difference signal indicating an achromatic color in response to the second detection signal, the first or the second chrominance difference signal being output as a focus-adjus

Abstract: An electronic still camera, for recording the image signal in compressed state in a memory medium such as a memory card, is provided with a calculation circuit, for calculating the remaining number of still recordable frames in the memory medium in more reliable manner, and the number of already recorded frames and the remaining number of still recordable frames are simultaneously displayed in order to inform the photographer of the remaining state of the memory card in securer manner. The remaining frame number is calculated in securer manner by detecting the remaining capacity of the memory card and dividing the remaining capacity with the amount of compressed signal averaged over the latest 100 image frames. A display device is provided for indicating thus determined remaining frame number together with the number of already recorded frames.

Abstract: A method for managing an image photographed by two or more image pickup devices corresponding to two or more viewpoints, comprises: storing a 2D image photographed by the two or more image pickup devices, with identifier indicating that the image is two-dimensional; and storing a 3D image photographed by the two or more image pickup devices, with identifier indicating that the image is three-dimensional. Hence, it becomes possible to search and display quickly an object 2D or 3D image by performing an access per folder.

Abstract: An image is saved to a contact record or set as a home screen directly from a camera application of a portable electronic device. The method includes: capturing an image using a camera that is integrated into the portable electronic device, selecting at least a portion of the image, selecting a contact record from an address book application or selecting a set as home screen option.

Abstract: Camera shake which arises during flash (or stroboscopic) photography is corrected. A flashlight-exposed region and an unexposed region are distinguished from each other during flash photography. The flashlight-exposed region is not subjected to camera shake correction, and only the unexposed region is subjected to camera shake correction. After camera shake correction, the flashlight-exposed region having not undergone camera shake correction and the unexposed region having undergone camera shake correction are merged with each other. During merging operation, the flashlight-exposed region is merged over a blending range, thereby blurring a boundary between the regions.

Abstract: Various processes effectively execute updating of related information that is correlated to user selected information. For example, when a selected screen is touched by a pen or the like while an image corresponding to the selected image data is displayed on the screen, existing line drawing data (for example, a first character string) that is correlated to the image data and stored is displayed on the screen. In this instance, if new line drawing data (for example, a second character string) is input using the pen or the like, the new line drawing data is added to the existing line drawing data, and is correlated to the image data being displayed and stored. Different sound data can be correlated to selected image data. Different memo data also can be correlated user selected sound data.

Abstract: A removable storage device configured for use with a digital camera, computer or other processing device of an image processing system includes a first storage area configured for storing digital images, and a second storage area partitioned from the first storage area. The second storage area is configured for storing user-customized application information for directing the processing of one or more of the stored digital images by the processing device upon insertion of the removable storage device in a reader associated with the processing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of successively capturing high quality image data at high speed are provided. The image input apparatus includes an image sensor for capturing image data from a subject; an image signal processor encoding the image data transmitted from the image sensor to produce digital image data; and a memory for storing the digital image data. The image signal processor decodes the digital image data according to an operating signal from a user and provides the user with the decoded digital image data. Therefore, the high quality image data can be obtained at high speed, and the lifespan of an external memory can be increased.

Abstract: A method for predicting the quantity of pictures that can be taken is applied to a picture-taking function of a digital still camera. Firstly, a lookup table is individually built for different power using operations of a battery according to the operational modes of the picture-taking function. Next, the method looks up the corresponding lookup table according to an obtained battery voltage value of the digital still camera and the operational mode. Finally, a quantity of pictures that can be taken is obtained from the lookup table, and is displayed on a display unit of the digital still camera and is provided to the user. Thereby, the user can change the operational mode to reduce power consumption and take more pictures.

Abstract: A digital camera includes: a shooting unit for shooting a subject and generating an image signal; a recording unit for recording on a recording medium image data based on the image signal obtained by the shooting unit; a shooting mode selection unit for selecting and setting a shooting mode for setting a shooting condition under which the subject is shot by the shooting unit; a positioning unit for locating the position thereof by receiving a plurality of signals transmitted from a plurality of signal sources; a power supply for supplying electric power to at least the shooting unit, the recording unit, and the positioning unit; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the positioning unit in accordance with the shooting mode selected and set by the shooting mode selection unit, and for controlling the electric power supplied from the power supply to the positioning unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that displays a monitoring image of an imaging result acquired by an imaging unit on a monitor and also displays information on the apparatus on the monitor in the form of an on-screen display on the monitoring image, the apparatus including a brightness level detection unit that detects the brightness level of the imaging result and outputs the brightness level detection result and a display control unit that controls the brightness level of the on-screen display according to the brightness level detection result to lower the brightness level of the displayed information on the apparatus in response to decrease in brightness level of the imaging result.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a first digital zoom device, a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, a manipulation unit for performing manipulation of zoom, and a conversion unit for performing conversion between the first and second digital zoom devices when a predetermined magnification power is reached through the manipulation of the manipulation unit. A photographing method includes performing zoom manipulation, determining whether a magnification power according to the zoom manipulation reaches a predetermined reference magnification power to convert between a first digital zoom device and a second digital zoom device capable of zooming at a higher magnification power than the first digital zoom device, and converting the first digital zoom device and the second digital zoom device when the magnification power reaches the predetermined magnification.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method to optimize a center point of an image sensor. The photographing apparatus includes a lens unit to photograph a first object at a predetermined reference angle and to photograph a second object, and a control unit to extract a center value of a first position that indicates, center of the reference angle according to an image signal that corresponds to the first object photographed by the lens unit, to extract a center value of a second position that indicates a center of the photographed image of the second object on according to the image signal that corresponds to the second object, and to correct the center value of the second position according to the extracted center value of the first position.

Abstract: An image pickup system has a noise estimating unit which estimates the amount of noise contained in a digitized signal from an image pickup element composed of an array of a plurality of pixels, either for each pixel or for each specified unit area made up of a plurality of pixels, and a shooting conditions estimation unit which estimates the shooting condition when an image based on the signal is acquired. The amount of noise estimated by the noise estimating unit is corrected on the basis of the shooting conditions estimated by the shooting conditions estimation unit, and the noise in the signal is reduced on the basis of the corrected amount of noise.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image read from an image sensor in the digital domain includes analyzing a row or a column of the image; determining the row or column is defective; and replacing the row or the column with information from adjacent portions of the image when the row or image is found defective.

Abstract: A pixel section is divided into a plurality of segment regions 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d along one direction. The plurality of segment regions are formed so that signal charges generated from the respective segment regions are converted into image data in accordance with predetermined conversion conditions, segment regions at least partially overlaps each other along a direction perpendicular to the one direction. Pixels signals output from the overlapping portions R1, R2, and R3 are compared with each other. The pixel signals are corrected so that offset differences between the overlapping portions and gain ratio between the overlapping portions, which are caused when the signal charges are converted into the pixel signals, are equal to each other.

Abstract: A method of increasing the dynamic range of a captured image using a pixel array having a plurality of rows includes reading first pixel information corresponding to a long integration period from each pixel of a first row, reading second pixel information corresponding to a short integration period from each pixel of the first row, and merging the first pixel information and the second pixel information to thereby produce wide dynamic range pixel information for each pixel of the first row. Reading first pixel information takes place during a first interval, reading second pixel information takes place during a second interval, and at least a portion of the second interval takes place during a long integration period corresponding to a second row of the pixel array.

Abstract: An image sensor module according to an example of the invention comprises photoelectric conversion devices, a first terminal to input a line synchronization signal and a resolution information signal, a second terminal to input a clock signal, a first unit which detects the resolution information signal from a signal input from the first terminal based on the clock signal, and a second unit which generates a resolution control signal for setting a resolution indicated by the resolution information signal detected by the first unit and outputs the resolution control signal to the photoelectric conversion devices.

Abstract: An image capture method in a digital image sensor implements a continuous sampling technique with a massively parallel thermometer-code analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technique to generate pixel data having an intrinsic to an ultra-high dynamic range. In one embodiment, the method includes, after an initial exposure period, sampling pixel intensity values at the pixel elements of an image sensor at multiple sampling intervals within a snapshot of a scene; providing an analog reference voltage corresponding to a decrementing digital count value; and comparing the pixel intensity values to the analog reference voltage at each of the multiple sampling intervals. If the pixel intensity value of a first pixel element is less than the analog reference voltage at a first exposure time, an output signal having a first value is generated and the digital count value is recorded as pixel data associated with the first pixel element.

Abstract: In a MOS solid-state imaging device, each of a plurality of pixel cells has a charge holding unit 305. In order to reset the signal charge accumulated in the charge holding unit 305 in each pixel cell in an n-th row, the reset pulse supplied to the gate electrode of the reset transistor is switched to the high potential level Hi. Under this state, the reference voltage source VDDCELL is switched to the low potential level Lo. In response, the reset pulse n temporarily drops toward Lo because of the coupling capacity 308. The reset pulse n is switched to Lo after its potential rises back to Hi.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a sharing pixel block having k (where k is a natural number other than 1) pixel transistors corresponding to n (where n is a natural number other than 1) pixels and a row-selection circuit configured to select the pixel transistors every row in the sharing pixel block using logic of an address signal and a timing signal. In this solid-state imaging device, in a case of a 1/n row decimation operation in which a signal is read every n rows, the row-selection circuit simultaneously performs shutter operations for n rows corresponding to the k pixel transistors included in the sharing pixel block using an input of a simultaneous-shutter-operation signal.

Abstract: Each pixel includes a photo-electric converter, transfer switch, charge-voltage conversion node, amplifier, and control switch. A solid-state image sensor includes a voltage controller which controls the voltage of the charge-voltage conversion node of each pixel via the control switch of the pixel. A voltage set at the charge-voltage conversion node by the voltage controller via the control switch includes a first voltage (VD—1) for setting a pixel in a selected state, and a second voltage (VD—2) for setting the pixel in an unselected state. The voltage controller and the control switch of each pixel set the voltage of the charge-voltage conversion node of each pixel to the second voltage (VD—2) by using at least part of the horizontal scanning period.

Abstract: A digital still camera has a cylindrical image pick up portion with a lens, a strobe unit, and a display. The image pick up unit is cylindrical and is rotatably held at each end, so that the lens and strobe unit move in concert. The image pick up unit can be rotated to face the rear of the camera, where the display is located, so that the user can do self-images.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus includes a selector which selects output of the MPEG decoder in a reproducing mode. A connection detection unit detects whether a video monitor is connected to an output terminal and a result of the detection is sent to a CPU. When a video monitor is connected, the CPU reads out bit map data of an operation icon having an enlarged size from a ROM and sends the data to an OSD control unit. The OSD control unit determines whether a blue background is displayed on a touch panel. If the operation icon is not enlarged, the OSD control unit masks a background portion with a single color (for example, blue background) and displays an enlarged operation icon over the background portion.

Abstract: In an imager apparatus, an optical member protecting an imaging element is vibrated. Dust is thereby removed from the optical member. A vibration member can vibrate the optical member in a plurality of conditions. A photographing-mode setting unit sets a photographing mode. A vibration-condition changes unit changes the condition in which the vibration member vibrates the optical member, in accordance with the photographing mode set by the photographing-mode setting unit.

Abstract: The image capturing apparatus includes: a taking optical system which includes a focusing lens; an imaging unit which receives a subject light through the taking optical system and converts the subject light to image data representing frame images; a face detection unit which detects a face region of a person in a first frame image that is one of the frame images sequentially supplied by the imaging unit; a face detection setting unit which sets, for the face detection unit, a position and a size of a face region detection area in a second frame image supplied after the first frame image by the imaging unit, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the first frame image; a focus region defining unit which defines, in accordance with a position and a size of the face region detected by the face detection unit in the second frame image, a focus evaluation value calculation region in a third frame image supplied after the second frame image by the imaging

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a calculator that calculates a position of a focus lens for focusing on a subject, a setter that sets a permissible movable range of the focus lens, and a controller that sets, when the position of the focus lens calculated by the calculator is within the permissible movable range, the position to a target position to which the focus lens is moved. The setter redefines the permissible movable range based on position information showing one of the target position and a position of the focus lens after a movement of the focus lens toward the target position. The optical apparatus suppresses a focusing operation for a subject for which an operator does not intend to perform focusing.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and method for recognizing an object such as a face in an image. The photographing apparatus includes: an optical system comprising a focus lens; a photoelectric transformation element transforming light information into an electrical signal; an image signal processor outputting the electrical signal as an image signal; a first distance measurer detecting face region data corresponding to a face from the image signal, comparing the face region data with standard face data, and obtaining a first object distance from the photographing apparatus to the face; a second distance measurer detecting a focus position for the face and obtaining a second object distance from the photographing apparatus to the face; and a face recognizer comparing the first and second object distances and recognizing that the face region data includes data corresponding to the face.

Abstract: A brightness adjusting method used in an image-retrieving system for producing a suitable brightness adjusting value, the image-retrieving system having a filter and defining a first threshold value, a second threshold value set, a third threshold value, and a fourth threshold value, the second threshold value set including a high value and a low value.

Abstract: The present invention a gooseneck video device holder, consisting of a cradle for holding a personal video device attached to a flexible member, or “gooseneck” for multiple positioning possibilities, and thus is adaptable for a multitude of viewing positions and users.

Abstract: A camera module 100 includes a movable section 10 that includes a lens 11, a fixed section 30 having a hollow space extending in the optical axis direction of the lens 11, and an elastic body 40 that elastically supports the movable section 10 and the fixed section 30, an imaging element 3 that is fixed to the fixed section 30 and has a light-receiving surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 11, a plurality of magnets 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d arranged along the fixed section 30, and a coil section 22 provided in the movable section 10. The elastic body 40 includes an upper spring 41a and a lower spring 41b, which support the fixed section 30 between adjacent ones of the magnets 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d along the arrangement direction of these magnets on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 11. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a camera module with an automatic focusing control function, whose thickness can be reduced remarkably.

Abstract: A mouse adapted with a network camera to provide double benefits of operating as a mouse and a network camera includes a window disposed on a base of the mouse; a lens built in the window; a dustproof slide lid being placed on the window to protect the lens when not used; a recess being each disposed on both sides on the bottom of the mouse; a hook being received in the recess by having one end of the hook pivoted into one end of the recess; both hooks when pulled out of their respectively recesses to hang the mouse on an upper edge of a monitor for mouse to serve as a network camera; and when each hook being pushed into the recess and the dustproof lid being closed to protect the lens for the mouse to function as a mouse.

Abstract: Given an incoming stream of interlaced video, data for each field is analyzed to detect a progressive frame cadence. If a progressive frame cadence is detected, a set of instructions is generated to instruct a de-interlacing unit which fields were mastered from the same progressive frame. The similarity in motion between two consecutive fields and the correlation between two consecutive fields is used to detect the presence of cadences and breaks in cadences. Breaks in cadences are continuously detected in order to characterize the source as video and prevent false detection of cadences.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus and method for an angular-directed spatial deinterlacer are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a cost measure for each of multiple angle candidates for a target pixel block to be deinterlaced in a spatial-only domain, determining a horizontal angle measure for the target pixel block, establishing a global minimum angle from the multiple angle candidates by determining the lowest cost measure from the multiple angle candidates, establishing a local minimum angle from the multiple angle candidates by sifting through the angle candidates in a hierarchical manner, and filtering the global minimum angle and the local minimum angle to create a value for interpolating the target pixel block for deinterlacing. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of video signal fields, characterizing at least one portion of at least one of the plurality of video signal fields, determining a value for a pixel using inter-field de-interlacing if the characterization satisfies a first criteria, determining a value for a pixel using motion compensated de-interlacing if the characterization satisfies a second criteria, and determining a value for a pixel using intra-field de-interlacing if the characterization satisfies a third criteria. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a storage medium having stored instructions that when executed by a machine result in the method.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which output pixels of an output image are generated from one or more input images using motion vectors having a sub-pixel accuracy. A motion vector allocator allocates motion vectors in the pixels, and compares a current output pixel with test image areas pointed to by motion vectors in the pixels to detect a most suitable motion vector for the current output pixel. A pixel generator operates in a first mode if the output pixel is within a threshold displacement from an image region having substantially different motion characteristics to those of that output pixel, and in a second mode otherwise. The pixel generator includes a spatial filter generating an output pixel value at a required pixel position to a sub-pixel accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive de-interlace of a frame comprises a line-segment difference-value calculating module, a motion-vector calculating module, an intra-block calculating module, a trigger-value producing module, and an image processing module. The line-segment difference-value calculating module computes a difference value of a line segment within the frame. The motion-vector calculating module computes a motion vector of a macro block that is located in the frame and comprises the line segment. The intra-block calculating module computes the amount of intra blocks in the frame. The trigger-value producing module determines whether the amount of the intra blocks is larger than a first threshold or not, so as to select an algorithm for generating a trigger value. The image processing module determines whether the trigger value is larger than a second threshold or not and then selects a de-interlace algorithm for de-interlacing the line segment.

Abstract: A video display apparatus includes a controller that controls, when performing a two-picture display, other components to composite video signal output from a tuner to be input to a first color decoder via a first correction unit and to composite video signal output from an external input terminal to be input to a second color decoder via a second correction unit.

Abstract: A method of converting a video signal and an apparatus therefor are provided. According to the method, a type of film to be referred to in order to convert a video signal is selected, and by referring to the characteristic of the selected type of the film, an input video signal is converted.

Abstract: A display includes a mode switching portion capable of switching between mixed mode performing both processing of the analog broadcasting and processing of the digital broadcasting and digital mode preferentially performing the processing of the digital broadcasting and a control portion controlling the mode switching portion so as to switch the mixed mode to the digital mode when the analog broadcasting is terminated.

Abstract: A circuit, method and system for determining which type of video signal is to be generated by a media player are described herein. In the described embodiment, the media player has three video ports for transferring different types of video signal with each type of video signal requiring a predetermined number of ports for transferring its video signals, for example s-video requires two video ports. To determine which type of signal to generate, the detection circuit comprises a detector arranged to detect which of the video ports have a load coupled thereto, and is further arranged to control the media player to generate the type of video signal according to the number of ports detected that is coupled with the load.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting apparatus and a method for processing a key signal are provided. The apparatus includes a display part which displays application programs being received from a plurality of tuned channels on a main screen and a plurality of sub-screens; a signal receiver which receives a key signal requesting a specific function; a determiner which determines a target screen from among the main screen and the plurality of sub-screens, when the key signal is received; and a function module which applies a specific function corresponding to the received key signal to the determined target screen.

Abstract: A method of deserializing signals output from a master can include generating an indication signal based on occurrence of a first signal pattern input via a data line during a first period and occurrence of a second signal pattern input via a clock line during the first period and enabling a deserializer in response to the indication signal and deserializing serialized video data input via the data line during a second period following the first period, in response to a clock signal input via the clock line during the second period. Related circuits are also disclosed.

Abstract: An OSD plane circuit reads one pixel at a time from OSD plane image data stored in a memory and outputs to a compositing unit. A background selecting unit, referring to background selecting data, selects the output of one of a first background data outputting unit and a second background data outputting unit, which output background data different in color, and outputs to the compositing unit, which composites data from the OSD plane circuit and data from the background selecting unit on a per pixel basis and outputs to the display unit. The background selecting data has a pixel corresponding to each pixel of the OSD plane image data, data of the pixel indicating either the first background data outputting unit or the second background data outputting unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includes receiving video data, measuring a temporal feature of motion movement of the data, measuring per-pixel spatial content features of the data, performing a local content analysis to classify pixels; and performing noise reduction filtering on the pixels.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includes receiving video data performing pre-filtering on the data, performing content analysis is applied to identify an area of the data, applying a two-dimensional (2-D) 2nd gradient operation to extract a high frequency component and normalizing the high frequency component related to high frequency information from a previous picture.