Abstract: A switchable autostereoscopic display device comprises a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display, the display pixels being arranged in rows and columns; and an imaging arrangement for directing the output from different pixels to different spatial positions to enable a stereoscopic image to be viewed. The imaging arrangement is electrically switchable between at least three modes comprising a 2D mode and two 3D modes. The imaging arrangement comprises an electrically configurable graded index lens array. The display can be switched between a number of modes to enable the display to be adapted or to adapt itself to the image content to be displayed and/or the display device orientation.

Abstract: A display apparatus has a switchable birefringent lens array. The display apparatus produces a substantially linearly polarised output. The lens array comprises birefringent material arranged between a planar surface of a first substrate and a relief substrate of a second substrate defining an array of cylindrical lenses. The lens array has electrodes for applying a control voltage across the birefringent material for electrically switching the birefringent material between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the lens array modifies the directional distribution of incident light polarised in a predetermined direction. In the second mode the lens array has substantially no effect on incident light polarised in said predetermined direction.

Abstract: A video mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element and a video display screen module. The video display screen module may have a metallic enclosure and at least one of (a) a polarizer film and (b) a brightness enhancing film, and includes a liquid crystal display panel that is back lit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes. The video display screen module is fixedly disposed to the rear of the reflective element or near the reflective element or is extendable from a position at the rear of the reflective element to a position near the reflective element. The video display screen module, when activated, displays video images viewable by the driver and having a driver-viewable display luminance of at least about 700 candelas per square meter when viewable by the driver during daytime viewing.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a marine vessel underdeck utilizes a video camera such as a digital video camera with a magnifying or telephoto lens. The method produces a magnified image on a monitor for viewing by an inspector that appears to be no more than about 24 inches (61 cm) away. The method includes the step of filming the underdeck of a distance of about 40-70 feet (12-21 m). The lens provides a focal length of between about 15 feet (4.6 m) and 150 feet (46 m). Thus the method is conducted at a workable focal range of between about 15 feet (4.6 m) and 150 feet (46 m). The lens preferably has a focal length of between 30 feet (9 m) and 75 feet (23 m). The method includes the step of scanning the suspect area of the underdeck of a speed of about 1 inch (2.54 cm) per second to three feet (91.4 cm) per second. The preferred method contemplates scanning of the suspect area of a rate of between about 0.5-1 foot (15.2-30.5 cm) per second.

Abstract: An image measuring apparatus for acquiring an image captured by an optical system and a method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus includes a CCD camera for capturing the object and outputting the captured image, a lamp for generating light to illuminate a capturing area of the object, an illumination controller for controlling the lamp to be turned on, a projection grating formed with gratings, a projection grating driving unit for adjusting a distance between the projection grating and the object, an image capturing device for acquiring the image captured by the CCD camera, a driving signal generator for outputting a driving signal to the illumination controller, the projection grating driving unit, and the image capturing unit simultaneously according to an enable signal generated from the CCD camera, and an image signal processor for estimating a three-dimensional image of the object from data transmitted from the image capturing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distance adjusting and focus adjusting Infra Red Closed Circuit Television (IR CCTV) surveillance camera offering distance adjusting and focus adjusting in a single unit, enabling a smaller sized camera while lowering production costs. A focus adjusting shaft, configured to drive a focus adjuster that adjusts focus by enlarging or reducing the lens aperture, is configured as a single unit with a distance adjusting shaft, configured to drive a distance adjuster that adjusts distance to the subject, by rotational adjustments.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Infra Red Closed Circuit Television (IR CCTV) surveillance camera equipped with IR LEDs that can irradiate IR light on a subject, properly illuminating the entire subject according to the distance to the subject, by moving the IR LEDs back from the subject and retracting the LEDs into reflecting sections when the subject is at a far distance, to thereby concentrate the IR light at a distance via a focused, concentrated, and/or collimated beam. The camera moves forward the IR LEDs toward the subject when the subject is nearby, such that the LEDs protrude from the reflecting sections to provide a dispersed beam to properly illuminate the entire nearby subject.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an audio module for a video surveillance system, a video surveillance system and a method for keeping a plurality of locations under surveillance. Video surveillance systems are widely used to monitor critical locations of public or private buildings or institutes like private homes, museums, prisons, factories, hazardous areas and so on from one or more central surveillance rooms. Commonly, the surveillance rooms are equipped with a plurality of monitors each displaying one of the critical locations or a mosaic display, which is divided in a plurality of cameos, whereby each cameo displays one of the critical locations. Additionally audio signals corresponding to the images displayed on the single monitors or cameos can be played.

Abstract: A surveillance system allows a user to characterize the user's environment and/or the user s surveillance application, via a selection from among a variety of predefined environments and/or applications. Preferably, the selection is from among a variety of scene configurations, such as the expected number and type of targets in a typical scene, the lighting conditions of the scene, and so on. The selected environments and/or applications effect a determination of the parameters that are used in the various algorithms and processing modules within the surveillance system. Because the selection is preferably from a variety of common scene configurations, no technical skills are required to effect an optimization of the performance of the surveillance system for a particular environment.

Abstract: A method is provided using a system mounted in a vehicle. The system includes a rear-viewing camera and a processor attached to the rear-viewing camera. When the driver shifts the vehicle into reverse gear, and while the vehicle is still stationary, image frames from the immediate vicinity behind the vehicle are captured. The immediate vicinity behind the vehicle is in a field of view of the rear-viewing camera. The image frames are processed and thereby the object is detected which if present in the immediate vicinity behind the vehicle would obstruct the motion of the vehicle. The processing is preferably performed in parallel for a plurality of classes of obstructing objects using a single image frame of the image frames.

Abstract: The unit is an apparatus that can capture the surroundings of a motor vehicle while travelling on the motorways or while parked unattended and allows the owner to remotely access & control the unit and retrieve the captured data if necessary via the internet. The unit also has the capability to surf the internet, receive and send email, play audio/video data and exchange data with external sources either through USB connections or wirelessly via the internet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of measuring a test video frame. A test video input is provided, along with an artifact measurement control, a gradient change measurement is performed based upon the test video input and a gradient change measurement map is provided.

Abstract: An image processing device including an encoder processor and a decoder circuit. The encoder processor receives image data from a sensor and encodes the data with padding data if a series of bytes indicative of command sequence occur within the image data. The decoder circuit receives the image data and the padding data, and removes the padding data from within the image data.

Abstract: A testing system including an image sensor, a transformer, and a display device is disclosed. The image sensor generates an image signal according to a light source. The transformer transforms the image signal into a processing signal. The display device displays a frame according to the processing signal.

Abstract: An electronic device with a variably positionable imaging device comprises a housing having a recessed area for receiving the imaging device therein, the imaging device being disposed within a periphery of the housing when disposed in the recessed area, the imaging device removable from the recessed area and insertable in the recessed area with a lens of the imaging device disposed in each of at least two orientations.

Abstract: A method and devices for linking an audiovisual capture device, which enable an operator to use a terminal device at his end to locate an audiovisual capture device installed at another end through a network architecture, thereby facilitating the Implementation of the subsequent installation and setting operations. The method includes: execution of a first processing procedure by the audiovisual capture device, and execution of a second processing procedure by the terminal device. After the two processing procedures have been completed, the information linking is effected between the terminal device and the audiovisual capture device, which enables the operator to use the terminal device to execute installation and setting up of the audiovisual capture device.

Abstract: A universal printing method for printing out non-image file documents is executed by installing a universal printer driver on a smart phone or a PDA that supports PictBridge, and includes activating an application program and opening a non-image file document, converting the non-image file document into at least one image file through the driver and an OS rendering module, and finally transmitting the at least one image file to a printing device through PictBridge. The method permits conversion of multiple pages of non-image file documents that originally cannot be printed using PictBridge to image files for printing by a printing device supporting PictBridge.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes: an image pickup optical system; an image pickup element; and a plurality of reflection members including first to n-th reflection members in order from the subject. The first reflection member is arranged at a position to bend an optical path of an incident light flux to enter the image pickup optical system. An (n?1)-th reflection member is arranged at a position to bend an optical path in a direction in a plane perpendicular to the optical path of the incident light flux. The n-th reflection member is arranged at a position closest to the image plane to bend an optical path in a direction parallel to the optical path of the incident light flux. The lens barrel further includes an actuator for moving the image pickup element in a plane perpendicular to an optical path bent by the n-th reflection member for stabilizing an image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a first imaging sensor configured to acquire an image relating to a subject at the time of main photography; a second imaging sensor configured to acquire an image relating to a subject before the time of main photography; a display unit having a display screen capable of image display; an electronic viewfinder unit configured to perform consecutive image display on the display screen, based on images sequentially acquired by the second imaging sensor before the main photography; a position changing unit configured to change the position of the first imaging sensor; and a sensor-shift shaking correction unit configured to perform shaking correction at the time of the main photography, by changing the position of the first sensor with the position changing unit; the electronic viewfinder unit further including an electronic shaking correction unit configured to perform shaking correction of the consecutive image display, by changing the display position of the images on the displ

Abstract: A method of compensating for camera shake includes reading a sequential series of images from an image sensing array, establishing a sharpness value for each of the sequential series of images, and performing an image selection based upon each sharpness value. The sharpness value is calculated for each image of the sequential series thereof during the reading.

Abstract: A method of personalizing an interface of a portable electronic device comprises the steps of interfacing the portable electronic device to a workstation, modifying the existing version of the user interface so as to define a personalized version of the user interface, transferring information defining the personalized version of the user interface from the workstation to the portable electronic device, and implementing the personalized version of the user interface on the portable electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and method for generating a panorama image, and a computer readable medium stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the method. The apparatus for generating a panorama image according to the present invention comprises an input unit for receiving a plurality of input object images for panorama image generation; an edge detecting unit for outputting edge data of the input object images; a matching area output unit for outputting a matching area, namely, a standard area for pattern matching, within the edge data; a pattern matching unit for matching patterns of a plurality of the object images based on the matching area; and a stitching unit for generating a plurality of the object images into a panorama image based on the matched patterns.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for contactlessly measuring surface profiles and can be used for person identification in security systems. The inventive device for contactlessly controlling surface profile comprises a pulse illumination unit which is provided with a transparency and forms the transparency image on an object surface, an image recording unit and a computer. Said device also comprises a control unit which is connected to the image recording unit in the form of a TV camera with field interlacing, the pulse illumination unit and to the computer for synchronising the illumination of the object surface by said pulse illumination unit with the TV camera field and for synchronising the image processing by the computer with the TV interlacing.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to imaging apparatuses including video cameras for recording moving pictures, electronic still cameras, monitoring devices and such. An image pickup means 3 and an image compressing means 5 are connected integrally by a wiring layer formed on a surface of the image pickup means 3 opposite a light-receiving surface of the image pickup means 3. The image pickup means 3 provides processing units of image data S1 relating to an image compressing process sequentially. Image data on a partial area in an effective image area is compressed to detect a code amount in advance. A data compressing ratio is determined on the basis of the code amount, and the image data is compressed at the image compressing ratio.

Abstract: During remote communication session, there can be situations where information needs to be sent at a high resolution. Sending information at a high resolution allows for the capture of detail that can be lost without the use of a high resolution. A web camera can obtain information in both a higher resolution and standard resolution. A sending component can send this information encoded with markers that allow a receiving component to process and display the information.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus to easily change setup information and a method of controlling the same. The photographing apparatus displays setup information applied to the photographed image as well as a photographed image on an LCD. As a result, a user can change setup information easily, and confirm quickly an image according to the changed set values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the effect of applying a kernel to a signal is provided. The adjustment may be based on the magnitude of an effect that a kernel matrix is intended to have on the signal matrix. The adjustments can be based on factors including, but not limited to, a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal data, properties of a device (e.g., lens) used to capture the signal data, or a metric that is derived based on an analysis of the signal data. Processing image data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is aimed at regaining lost contrast that may be due to properties of optics that are used to capture the image data.

Abstract: A composite photographing method and mobile terminal using the same are disclosed. The composite photographing method includes receiving a composite shooting request, demarcating a target scene into individual shooting areas on the basis of a touch event signal from a touch screen;, and photographing the individual shooting areas to produce a single composite photograph.

Abstract: A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The method of processing an image signal in accordance with the present invention extracts valid data only from image data encoded and sequentially inputted by an encoding unit, and sequentially outputs the valid data to a receiving part, and, in case the valid data finish outputting before coming to an end of a predetermined duration, outputs dummy data to the receiving part for a remaining time of the predetermined duration. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: A measurement line segment projection unit (400) projects, onto a sensed image, a three-dimensional model which is arranged at the position and orientation of a physical object (199). A search range is set for each side of the virtual object projected onto the sensed image, near the side of the virtual object in the sensed image based on a positional relationship between the side and other sides of the virtual object. A side of the physical object (199) on the sensed image is searched for within the search range for each side of the virtual object. The position and orientation relationship between the physical object (199) and an image sensing device (50) is calculated using the correspondence relationship, determined based on the search result, between each side of the three-dimensional model projected onto the sensed image and each side of the physical object (199) located on the sensed image.

Abstract: A white balance adjusting device includes a dividing unit which divides an image to be processed into plural small areas, a calculating unit which calculates evaluation values of each small area based on color information of the image, a judging unit which judges whether to use the evaluation values of a small area of attention for white balance calculation based on a relationship between the evaluation values of the small area of attention and the evaluation values of small areas adjacent to the small area of attention among the evaluation values of the plural small areas, and a calculating unit which performs white balance calculation based on a judgment result of the judging unit. Therefore, color failure is suppressed and white balance adjustment can be performed properly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an image is provided. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images using different exposure amounts, white-balancing each of the raw images, and synthesizing the white-balanced images producing as a result an absolute HDR image.

Abstract: A method is operable in an image acquisition device for controlling an instant of exposure. A face is detected in a first image a scene, and further images are acquired substantially of the same scene. When a new face is detected in at least one of the further images, then a final image of the scene is acquired.

Abstract: A personal computer to which electronic equipment, such as, an electronic camera is connected reads recording units that are recorded in the electronic camera and displays a table consisting of recording information. In recording information such as a main image, a sub image and sound in the electronic camera, data within the electronic camera are inter-related by an index which indicates that the information is part of a common recording unit. The date having the same index are output and displayed in a same thumbnail area. When a recording unit for deletion is designated from the table, check boxes are displayed according to information contained in the recording unit. For example, an “x” is displayed in the check box of the information to be deleted, indicating that the information is a target of deletion. After the selection of information is completed and an “OK” button is pressed, the personal computer sends a control command to the electronic camera and deletes the designated information.

Abstract: An image capture device includes: an imager for imaging an object and generating image data; an image file generator for generating an image file by adding, to the image data generated by the imager, a header portion which stores at least one type of information concerning shooting circumstances; a timer for outputting information indicating a current time; and a manipulation section which is used to set period information specifying a period. The image file generator changes the type of information to be stored in the header portion depending on whether a time of imaging as indicated by the information which is output from the timer at the time of the imaging falls within the period specified by the period information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of video processors, a video memory for recording video data, a plurality of ports, each connected between the video processor and the video memory, for accessing the video memory in response to supplied information, a plurality of memory map table units, each including at least one table for being set with management information for managing a memory area of the video memory in which video data is recorded, for selectively supplying the management information set to the table to a corresponding ports, and a processing unit having a function of setting the management information to the table of the memory map table unit.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus capable of reducing degradation of a signal-to-noise ratio property occurring when a driving frequency of an image sensing element is high, depending on a state of an operation mode. An information table is stored in a memory section, which includes information on a timing of a horizontal transfer driving signal for performing charge transfer in the horizontal direction in an image sensing element, information on a timing of a reset gate signal for performing charge sweep per pixel, and information on a timing of a feed-through sample-hold signal for sample-holding a feed-through section of the output signal of the image sensing element which becomes a black reference per pixel, in association with an operation mode of an image sensing apparatus. The information table associated with the set operation mode is selected from the memory section, and the element is driven based on the information table.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit configured to generate a long-exposure image signal and a short-exposure image signal on the basis of light transmitted from a subject and output the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal as image capturing signals; a signal processing unit configured to generate a combined image signal by combining the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal, the combined image signal having a dynamic range that is relatively wider than that of at least any one of the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal; a detection unit configured to generate luminance information of the combined image signal; and a control unit configured to perform automatic exposure control for the short-exposure image signal using the luminance information in an exposure setting mode in which exposure control is performed in accordance with a user's setting.

Abstract: A method and digital imaging device, such as a digital camera module, is provided for digital imaging. The method includes the step of determining a signal-to-noise ratio associated with a first pixel location of a plurality of pixel locations and a signal-to-noise ratio associated with a second pixel location of the plurality of pixel locations, and the steps of assigning a first exposure time to the first pixel location in response to the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the first pixel location and assigning a second exposure time different from the first exposure time to the second pixel in response to the signal-to-noise ratio associated with the second pixel location. The method further includes the step of exposing the first pixel location for the first exposure time while exposing the second pixel location for the second exposure time to create a digital image.

Abstract: To provide a digital camera which can correct a formed image within the digital camera immediately the image is formed and which utilizes easy calculation formulae and reduces the number of times of calculations for correction, so as to provide least load to be borne by not only the digital camera but also the photographer, there is provided a digital camera having an imaging unit, a display unit, a main control unit, a distortion correction unit, a main storage unit, and an auxiliary storage unit, the distortion correcting unit including a contour retrieval module, an image correction module and a correction control module, the contour retrieval module including a pixel number conversion module, a color space conversion module, a dividing module, a straight line retrieval module and a contour straight line selection module, the image correction module including an intersection point calculation module, a geometric projective conversion formula calculation module, a trimming module and a resize module, an int

Abstract: Picture quality measurement systems and methods are provided for measuring DC blockiness within video blocks. Block boundaries are located within a test video frame. The relative AC differences within each block are measured using a reference video frame, a statistically estimated reference or a default value of the white video level divided by two. An objective DC blockiness map, a subjective DC blockiness map or both may be generated.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus which uses a defect correction circuit to perform predetermined signal processing with respect to image signals output from an imaging section in which a plurality of pixels each formed of a photoelectric transducer with a color filter provided thereon are two-dimensionally arranged. The defect correction circuit includes a pattern extraction circuit which extracts image pattern information based on a signal of an adjacent pixel that is adjacent to a judgment target pixel and signals of peripheral pixels that are close to the adjacent pixel and have the same color as the adjacent pixel in the image signals, and a substitution circuit which substitutes a signal of the judgment target pixel by signals of peripheral pixels that are close to the judgment target pixel and have the same color as the judgment target pixel.

Abstract: A system comprising a sensor having a photosensitive element that is adapted to capture images. The system also includes processing logic adapted to determine the probability that the photosensitive element is defective, based on digital values from multiple images. The digital values are associated with the photosensitive element. If the probability exceeds a threshold, the processing logic adjusts a digital value of another image captured using the photosensitive element.

Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a camera is provided. The camera comprises a lens and a sensor to record an image focused by the lens in N color bands, wherein N equals a number of color bands, with the number and respective locations and widths of the N color bands being selected to optimize the image for processing.

Abstract: A sensor includes a first pixel for measuring a distance to an object by detecting reflected light applied from a light source and reflected by the object, wherein the first pixel includes a first charge increasing portion for increasing signal charges stored in the first pixel by impact ionization.

Abstract: An image pickup system for processing a signal from a CCD includes a noise reducing unit for performing a noise reduction processing on the signal from the CCD, an edge direction detection unit for detecting an edge direction from the signal having been subjected to the noise reduction processing, and an edge extraction unit for extracting an edge component from the signal from the CCD on the basis of the edge direction.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, bus lines are provided at both sides of an imaging area vertically to send vertical-transfer clock pulses to shunt wires disposed on or over the imaging area at both ends of the signal lines of the shunt wires. Bus lines disposed closer to a horizontal transfer register are placed at a boundary area of the imaging area and the horizontal transfer register. Since the bus lines pass through an upper layer of the boundary area, imaging performed by light receiving elements is not performed but dummy pixels having almost the same structure as the light receiving sections are disposed and vertical transfer registers are provided in the boundary area to just transfer signal charges by the vertical transfer registers with a characteristic similar to that in the imaging area to the horizontal transfer register.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device and an optical sensor, which can enhance a wide dynamic range while keeping a high sensitivity with a high S/N ratio, and a method of operating a solid-state imaging device for enhancing a wide dynamic range while keeping a high sensitivity with a high S/N ratio are disclosed. An array of integrated pixels has a structure wherein each pixel comprises a photodiode PD for receiving light and generating and accumulating photoelectric charges and a storage capacitor element CS coupled to the photodiode PD through a transfer transistor Tr1 for accumulating the photoelectric charges overflowing from the photodiode PD. The storage capacitor element CS is structured to accumulate the photoelectric charges overflowing from the photodiode PD in a storage-capacitor-element accumulation period TCS that is set to be a period at a predetermined ratio with respect to an accumulation period of the photodiode PD.

Abstract: A method of operating an imager pixel that includes the act of applying a relatively small voltage on the gate of a transfer transistor during a charge acquisition period. If a small positive voltage is applied, a depletion region is created under the transfer transistor gate, which creates a path for dark current electrons to be transferred to a pixel floating diffusion region. The dark electrons are subsequently removed by a pixel reset operation. If a small negative voltage is applied to the transfer gate, electrons that would normally create dark current problems will instead recombine with holes thereby substantially reducing dark current.

Abstract: A transfer pulse supplying circuit for supplying transfer pulses to a solid-state imaging apparatus including a charge transfer unit includes N (N is an integer of two or more) transfer pulse supplying wirings to which the transfer pulses are supplied, and lead-in wirings connecting the transfer pulse supplying wirings to corresponding lead-out wirings from the charge transfer unit. The respective lead-in wirings have almost the same width and length as one another. At least part of the lead-in wirings is divided into a first region and a second region by slits, and the first region is connected to the transfer pulse supplying wirings and the lead-out wiring, the second region is connected to the lead-out wiring. Regions of the respective lead-in wirings connected to the transfer pulse supplying wirings have almost the same ratio of width to length as one another.