Abstract: A system including an imaging device with a sensor having at least two dimensions operating in a long wave infrared emission spectrum to collect images of a latent print or a contaminant at different illuminating wavelengths, a storage device comprising a database of known material spectra, and a processor configured to determine an absorption spectrum per image based on a detection of high contrast being associated with low optical transmission and a detection of low contrast being associated with a high optical transmission and to compare the determined absorption spectrum with the known material spectra to determine a material identification of the latent print or the contaminant is disclosed. A method and a non-transitory processor readable storage medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A camera image processing subsystem processes image data corresponding to observations taken through a lens of focal point f using a spherical pin-hole model that maps the image data through a perspective center of a pin-hole prospective plane located within the lens onto a model sphere that is a focal length f in diameter and has its center at the perspective center of the pin-hole prospective plane. The subsystem models systematic distortion as rotation about coordinate axis of the pin-hole prospective plane, and maps all of the data, over the entire field of view of the lens, to corresponding spherical coordinates.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods optimize illumination of objects for purposes of detection, recognition and/or tracking by tailoring the illumination to the position of the object within the detection space. For example, feedback from a tracking system may be used to control and aim the lighting elements so that the illumination can be reduced or increased depending on the need.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has a display control unit that causes a display unit to display target information indicating a direction to a target position with an optical axis of the imaging apparatus being a reference, based on an azimuth angle of the imaging apparatus detected by an azimuth detecting unit and an elevation angle detected by a tilt angle detecting unit.

Abstract: An image sensor frame rate can be increased by “interlaced” mode operation whereby only half the number of lines (alternating between odd and even lines) of an image is transported to the readout circuitry. This halves the integration time but also halves the resolution of the sensor. The reduction is tolerable for motion characterization as long as sufficient image resolution remains. Accordingly, in one embodiment, an image sensor operated in an interlaced fashion is first exposed to a scene under a first form of illumination (e.g., narrowband illumination), and a first set of alternating (horizontal or vertical) lines constituting half of the pixels is read out of the array; the sensor is then exposed to the same scene under a second form of illumination (e.g., existing ambient illumination with the illumination source turned off), and a second set of alternating lines, representing the other half of the pixel array, is read out.

Abstract: Automatically tracking and photographing celestial objects and a celestial-object auto-tracking photographing apparatus, in which the burden on the CPU can be reduced by eliminating unnecessary arithmetic processes and can clearly photograph an object(s) so as to appear stationary without using an equatorial, and without using an actuator, which must be precisely controlled. The method includes moving relative to a photographic apparatus due to diurnal motion, to photograph a trimming area that has been electronically trimmed from a part of an imaging area of an image sensor, moving while the celestial object is photographed, including obtaining movement information of an image on the imaging area; setting movement data for the trimming area based on the obtained movement information of the image; and carrying out a photographing operation while moving the trimming area based on the movement data of the set trimming area at each trimming area, upon being moved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection problem determination method and a connection problem determination apparatus for an image input device, and the connection problem determination apparatus, for an image input device, which includes: a network connection sensing unit which senses the network connection between a network video record system and a network-connectable image input device which provides a specific image; a timer which generates signals at regular time intervals in accordance with a clock pulse; a time delay measuring unit which measures a time delay on the basis of the signals from the timer if no network connection is sensed; and a connection problem determination unit which determines that there is a connection problem if the time delay is a predetermined threshold value or greater.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a camera and a display monitor is provided. The method includes identifying a parameter for optimization, assigning to a test color a target color relevant to the parameter, repeatedly performing, two or more times, a set of steps, determining a direction and timing of color divergence for the target color from obtained images, and adjusting the parameter based on the direction and rate of color divergence for the target color. The set of steps includes instructing the display monitor to display the test color on a portion of the display monitor, obtaining an image captured by the camera while the display is executing the instruction, and reassigning, to the test color, a color obtained from a portion of the image in which the portion of the display monitor was captured. The obtained image includes the portion of the display monitor.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including multiple imaging units included in a stereo camera, the multiple imaging units configured to photograph a chart pattern including a pole, and a correction parameter calculation unit configured to calculate a correction parameter that corrects a gap between the multiple imaging units, based on the pole and a pattern included in the chart pattern photographed by the multiple imaging units.

Abstract: The method for controlling a digital device comprises the steps of acquiring at least one image data, wherein the image data includes a still image or moving picture image; extracting additional information of the acquired image data, wherein the additional information includes position information and time information of a recording device corresponding to actual time and location when the image data are recorded by the recording device; generating path information on a map related to the image data, on the basis of the additional information; and displaying a path of the image data on the map in a form of line on the basis of the generated path information, wherein the step of displaying the path includes dividing the path into one or more sections, and adjusting line thickness of the divided sections in accordance with amount of the image data according to a distance within the divided section.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processing circuit including a color separation unit, a first development unit, a first resolution conversion unit, a second development unit, and an interface unit.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a streamlined photo distribution procedure is disclosed. A source device initially captures a photographic image of a target or subject using known techniques. The term “photographic image” as used herein is not limited to single photographs but includes moving pictures, video images and any other known or future means of capturing an image of an event. The source device is likewise broadly defined and includes, but is not limited to, digital cameras, video cameras, cell phones with digital photo capture means, computers, including PDAs or other devices or combination of devices with communication and photo capture means, and other image capture means.

Abstract: A photographic exchange network may allow individuals taking photographs to share those photographs with other individuals having their photograph taken. An example technique may include receiving an indication of a physical location of a first user and, responsive to receiving the indication of the physical location of the first user, determining at least a second user at the physical location of the first user. The example technique may also include transmitting information identifying the first user to a mobile device associated with the second user and then receiving an image of the first user from the mobile device associated with the second user.

Abstract: A camera driving apparatus includes a camera section including an imaging plane; a movable unit having the camera section built therein, having an attracting magnet therein, and having a convex partial spherical surface along an outer surface thereof; a fixed unit having a magnetic member therein and having a recess loosely fitted with the movable unit, wherein a magnetic attracting force of the attracting magnet with respect to the magnetic member puts the convex partial spherical surface of the movable unit into point or line contact with the recess and thus the movable unit is freely rotatable around a sphere center of the first convex partial spherical surface; a panning driving section; a tilting driving section; a rolling driving section; a first detector for detecting a tilt angle of the camera section in the panning and tilting directions with respect to the fixed unit; and a second detector for detecting a rotation angle of the camera section in the rolling direction.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a super-resolution image using an image capturing device. In one embodiment, an electronic image sensor captures a reference optical sample through an optical path. Thereafter, an optical image stabilization (OIS) processor to adjusts the optical path to the electronic image sensor by a known amount. A second optical sample is then captured along the adjusted optical path, such that the second optical sample is offset from the first optical sample by no more than a sub-pixel offset. The OIS processor may reiterate this process to capture a plurality of optical samples at a plurality of offsets. The optical samples may be combined to create a super-resolution image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises: at least one vibration detection unit configured to detect a vibration applied to the image capturing apparatus and outputting a vibration signal; a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the vibration signal output from the vibration detection unit, respective vibration correction signals for a plurality of correction units for performing a plurality of different correction processes, respectively; the correction units configured to correct the vibration based on the respective vibration correction signals calculated by the calculation unit; and a control unit configured to, when stopping the plurality of correction processes based on the vibration correction signals, shift the correction units to initial states serving as states of the correction units obtained when the vibration is not detected, wherein the control unit controls to simultaneously start moving the correction units to the initial states, and simultaneously stop moving the correction units.

Abstract: During zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distance between the first lens unit having a positive refractive power and the second lens unit having a negative refractive power, the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and the distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power vary. In zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit is located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. The first lens unit consists of two lenses including a negative lens and a positive lens. The first lens unit has at least one aspheric surface in the optical path. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditional expression (1): 0.5<(LTLt/?rear)/FLG1<1.0??(1).

Abstract: An image stabilization apparatus mounted on an image capturing apparatus, comprises a correction member capable of changing a position of an image on an image sensing plane by moving in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the correction member, a control unit configured to control driving of the correction member so as to have an amplitude larger than a pixel pitch of an image sensor, and an exposure control unit configured to control exposure of the image sensor, wherein the exposure control unit performs the exposure when the position of the correction member detected by the position detection unit moves by the pixel pitch.

Abstract: To provide a studio camera adaptor capable of easily controlling a remote controller even when shooting takes place at audience seats in a studio The present invention provides a studio camera adaptor for using a portable video camera as a studio camera, the studio camera adaptor including: a main body unit having: a bottom part for having the portable video camera attached thereto; and a side wall part rising from the bottom part; and a remote controller attachment unit provided to the side wall part for having a remote controller attached thereto, the remote controller being used for adjustment of at least one of zoom, focus, and aperture of the portable video camera.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a first image capturing unit configured to shoot an object side; a second image capturing unit configured to shoot a photographer side; and a control unit configured to, in a shooting mode in which the first image capturing unit performs shooting and the second image capturing unit also performs shooting, when a setting upon shooting meets a predetermined condition, perform first recording processing of recording image data captured by the first image capturing unit and image data captured by the second image capturing unit in association with each other, and when the setting does not meet the predetermined condition, perform second recording processing of recording image data captured by the first image capturing unit without associating the image data with image data captured by the second image capturing unit.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method performed by an electronic device. According to the method, the electronic device first receives a shutter instruction. Then, in response to the shutter instruction, the electronic device automatically captures a plurality of images of a scene using a plurality of different focal distances, respectively.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing device including N first clock conversion units (N is an integer) that convert image data as parallel data into image data having a specific clock cycle, a serial conversion unit that converts N pieces of the converted image data into one-system serial data and outputs the converted data, a parallel conversion unit to which the converted image data is input and that converts the data into N pieces of parallel data having a predetermined number of bits, a synchronized data generation unit that generates synchronized data of the image data, and N second clock conversion units that reconvert the N pieces of converted image data to an original clock cycle from the specific clock cycle and set the clock cycle of the converted image data to be in a phase in synchronization with the synchronized data generated by the synchronized data generation unit.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a first image capturing unit configured to shoot an object side, a second image capturing unit configured to shoot a photographer side, a detection unit configured to detect an object from image data shot by the second image capturing unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether the object detected by the detection unit is a predetermined object, and a control unit configured to, when the determination unit determines that the detected object is the predetermined object, control to prioritize setting of shooting parameters of the second image capturing unit over that of the first image capturing unit.

Abstract: In a display apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus which detects the change amount in an input image and stores, as a detected image, an image during a period with a change amount equal to or more than a predetermined amount, the change log of the change amount and the detected image are received, the change log is displayed by using a graph, and information related to the detected image is displayed on the graph in a superposed manner.

Abstract: A device to capture visual media, transiently store the visual media on a circular buffer, detect for a trigger from an environment around the device, and store the visual media on a location of a storage component separate from the circular buffer in response to detecting the trigger.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for robust weighting of gray patches in automatic white balancing in an image-capture device by utilizing kernel density estimation techniques with dynamically variable bandwidth to determine the probability density of samples to create an initial estimate, then verifying the initial gray point estimate to account for outliers. In one embodiment, given a set of image data, an initial gray point estimate in a color space is determined for the set of image data. The initial estimate is then refined by weighting the sub-population with the greatest probability of being gray. A final evaluation that includes a further comparison to pre-programmed constraints determines a final estimate, which can still be further tuned according to user preferences by adjusting color biases. The resulting final gray point estimate provides greater stability, and greatly improved accuracy over traditional techniques and solutions.

Abstract: Digital camera systems and methods are described that provide a color digital camera with direct luminance detection. The luminance signals are obtained directly from a broadband image sensor channel without interpolation of RGB data. The chrominance signals are obtained from one or more additional image sensor channels comprising red and/or blue color band detection capability. The red and blue signals are directly combined with the luminance image sensor channel signals. The digital camera generates and outputs an image in YCrCb color space by directly combining outputs of the broadband, red and blue sensors.

Abstract: An image sensor may have an array of image sensor pixels arranged in unit pixel cells each having at least one modified clear image pixel. Each modified clear image pixel may include a modified clear color filter element formed from a transparent material such as an oxide material that is modified with a colored pigment or colored dye such as yellow pigment. Each unit pixel cell may include one or more color pixels of other colors such as red pixels, blue pixels, and green pixels. Image signals such as yellow image signals from the modified clear pixels may be processed along with other color image signals such as red image signals and blue image signals to generate standard red, green, and blue image data. Image processing operations may include chroma demosaicing or point filtering of the image signals from the modified clear image pixels.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce display delay time in a live view display. An image capturing device has an image data generation unit that generates image data per line of a display section based on an output of an image capturing sensor in which a start and an end of charge storing are controlled per line, a display control unit that causes the display section to display generated image data sequentially per line, and a control unit that ends charge storing after a first amount of time passes since charge storing of an image capturing target line is started, and starts displaying image data of a display target line corresponding to the image capturing target line after a second amount of time passes since charge storing of an image capturing target line is ended. The second amount of time is time required for starting displaying image data in a display target line after charge storing of an image capturing target line is ended.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: An imaging device, a method of capturing an image, and a program product used to capture a plurality of images, reduce the captured images, transfer second image data correspondent to each of the reduced images, display first images and identify a second image correspondent to the first image, which is instructed by a user.

Abstract: There is set forth herein an imaging terminal having a picture taking mode of operation. In the picture taking mode of operation the terminal can capture a frame of image data into a buffer memory prior to activation of a trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal, the terminal transmits one or more frames of the buffer memory to a storage memory. The terminal can further be operative so that responsively to activation of a trigger signal an operator is presented with indicators of frames captured both prior to and subsequent to the activation of the trigger signal. The terminal can be operative so that an operator can select for archiving one or more frame.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that records image data on a detachable storage medium in a previously set recording format is provided. The apparatus sets the recording format of image data, and determines whether or not a storage medium attached to an attachment unit has a communication function that communicates with a different apparatus than the image processing apparatus. If it is determined that the storage medium has a communication function, and that the recording format of image data that can be transferred by the communication function does not match the recording format that has been set, the apparatus issues a warning.

Abstract: A converted reference image generated from a reference image is searched for a first corresponding point corresponding to a first standard point included in a converted standard image generated from a standard image. Based on a position of the first corresponding point in the converted reference image, a second search standard point is determined on the reference image. Further, based on phase information on each frequency component regarding a second standard area including a second standard point corresponding to the first standard point of the standard image, and based on phase information on each frequency component regarding a second reference area including the second search standard point of the reference image, the reference image is searched for a second corresponding point corresponding to the second standard point. The information on a frequency component obtained in the computation on another stage is reused in the search on the two stages above.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-capture device including an image-capture module, a display device, an input device, and a processing unit. The image-capture module is arranged to capture a preview image. The display device is arranged to display the preview image. The input device is arranged to receive at least one first selection signal and at least one second selection signal, wherein the first selection signal corresponds to a first area of the preview image, and the second selection signal corresponds to a second area of the preview image. The processing unit is arranged to calculate a light-metering value according to the first selection signal and the second selection signal, and force the image-capture module to capture an image according to the light-metering value.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images. The apparatus includes a camera unit configured to capture images of target objects, and a processing unit configured to control the apparatus to detect close-up photography conditions, and to automatically zoom said camera unit in response to said detection.

Abstract: A direction being across the defective pixel and along which pixels used to calculate a signal level of a defective pixel are located, is determined. A ratio between signal levels of pixels that are adjacent to the defective pixel and that have a different color from the defective pixel, and signal levels of pixels that are adjacent to pixels being located along the determine direction with respect to the defective pixel and having the same color as the defective pixel and that have a different color from the defective pixel, is acquired. A value obtained by multiplying an average value of the signal levels of the pixels used to calculate the signal level of the defective pixel by the calculated ratio is output as the signal level of the defective pixel.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.

Abstract: Fabricating optical devices can include mounting a plurality of singulated lens systems over a substrate, adjusting a thickness of the substrate below at least some of the lens systems to provide respective focal length corrections for the lens systems, and subsequently separating the substrate into a plurality of optical modules, each of which includes one of the lens systems mounted over a portion of the substrate. Adjusting a thickness of the substrate can include, for example, micro-machining the substrate to form respective holes below at least some of the lens systems or adding one or more layers below at least some of the lens systems so as to correct for variations in the focal lengths of the lens systems.

Abstract: In an image pickup element, basic array patterns are repeatedly arranged in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, each of the basic array patterns being made of I×J color filters, the color filters of each of three or more colors being arrayed in a mixed state, an arrangement cycle (I×J) of a basic array pattern is different from an arrangement cycle (2×2) of a sharing configuration pattern, the basic array pattern includes at least one same-color square array pattern which is made of 2×2 color filters of a same color respectively arranged on the 2×2 pixels of the sharing configuration pattern, a characteristic information storage unit stores information on sensitivity calculated from output values of the 2×2 pixels, and a control unit and a digital signal processing unit correct a sensitivity difference between all the pixels of the image pickup element with use of the information on the sensitivity.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for manufacturing a solid-state imaging device, including thinning a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of masking patterns, and forming a groove having inclined surfaces that are inclined relative to a front surface of the semiconductor substrate at a back surface of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of light receiving sections are provided in a lattice pattern at the front surface of the semiconductor substrate to be thinned. A wiring layer including metal wirings is provided on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate to be thinned. The plurality of masking patterns are arranged in a lattice pattern on the back surface of the thinned semiconductor substrate. The groove is formed by etching the semiconductor substrate between the masking patterns using an etchant having an anisotropic etching property.

Abstract: A controller for an image sensor includes a mode selector that receives a selection between image capture mode and data capture mode. An exposure sensor collects exposure data for a scene falling on the image sensor. A command interface sends commands to the image sensor to cause the image sensor to capture an image with a rolling reset shutter operation in which an integration interval for the image sensor is set based on the exposure data if the image capture mode is selected. The integration interval for the image sensor is set to less than two row periods, preferably close to one row period, without regard to the exposure data if the data capture mode is selected. An analog gain may be increased to as large a value as possible in data capture mode. All pixels in a row may be summed before AD conversion in data capture mode.

Abstract: There is set forth herein in one embodiment an image sensor array including a global shutter shared by first and second pixels. The global shutter can include a charge storage area having an associated shield for reducing charge build up on the charge storage area attributable to incident light rays. There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having one or more configuration. The one or more configuration can include one or more of a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has unbinned pixel values, a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has binned pixel values corresponding to an M×N, M>=2, N>=2 arrangement of pixel values, and a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has binned pixel values corresponding to a 1×N, N>=2 arrangement of pixel values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of acquiring physical information that acquires physical information by using a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes unit elements, each of which has a detecting unit and a unit signal generating unit. The method includes the steps of: providing an operation current supply unit supplying an operation current such that the unit signal generating unit outputs a unit signal, and a signal processing unit receiving the unit signal output from each of the unit elements forming the semiconductor device and outputting an output unit signal; and when a selective read mode is designated for reading the unit signal from a portion of the respective unit elements, an operation current of the output signal line of the unit signal generating unit not to be read is reduced so as to be smaller than an operation current of the output signal line of the unit signal generating unit to be read.

Abstract: A support for image processing is provided, comprising: (a) detecting respective face regions from images consecutively photographed for a first person at predetermined time intervals by an image pickup unit to display images of the face regions detected in relation to the first person in a first region of a screen, and providing a user interface for indicating that a specific face image is selected from the face images of the first person displayed in the first region; (b) additionally displaying the specific face image through a second region adjacent to the first region; and (c) displaying a synthesized image using the specific face image as a representative face of the first person, when the specific face image displayed through the second region is selected.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Though controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.

Abstract: The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens group including one or more lens units and having as a whole a positive refractive power. The first and rear lens group are moved during zooming so that a distance therebetween decreases at a telephoto end as compared with at a wide-angle end. The first lens unit includes an image side aspheric lens having a negative aspheric amount and one or more object side aspheric lenses disposed on the object side further than the image side aspheric lens. A condition of 0.060<?Aspi×Ndi/BLD1<0.200 is satisfied where Aspi represents an aspheric amount of an i-th object side aspheric lens, Ndi represents a refractive index of the i-th object side aspheric lens, BLD1 represents a length of the first lens unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an autofocus camera system and a control method thereof. A CCTV camera system which includes a main processor installed in a CCTV, a memory unit connected with the main processor, an input unit, a CCD camera, a video processing unit, a focus lens, and a zoom lens is provided. The CCTV camera system is designed to input and output control instructions through RS-485 communication and is controlled by a focus motor driver and a zoom motor driver which are connected to the main processor in which a focus motor and a zoom motor are comprised of stepping motors.

Abstract: A method and system for image processing comprising an opening for entrance of light for forming an image by the system; at least one optical element through which the light passes; a variable aperture operatively associated with the at least one optical element placed in the optical train at an image plane and comprising a plurality of settings comprising first mask settings for shielding portions of the light and second mask settings for selectively masking portions of the light that pass through the first mask settings; an imager, the at least one processor being operatively connected to the variable aperture and imager for controlling the passage of the light through the variable aperture by selecting one of plurality of first mask settings and associated second mask settings, obtaining image results using the settings, comparing image results obtained by the respective mask settings, and determining the optimal first mask setting.