Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a conversion unit configured to convert data, an estimation unit configured to estimate a size after conversion of the data by the conversion unit before the conversion unit converts the data, and a notification unit configured to notify another communication apparatus of the size estimated by the estimation unit.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is configured to accept input of a condition for selecting a communication apparatus to connect to, receive, from a first communication apparatus that is operating as a base station in a wireless network, information on the first communication apparatus and information on a second communication apparatus that is participating in the wireless network established by the first communication apparatus, and display, from among the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus, a communication apparatus or communication apparatuses that meet the condition input via the input unit, based on the received information.

Abstract: An approach for providing access to live video data from a plurality of cameras in a DVM system. The approach may incorporate maintaining, for each camera, data indicative of relatedness scores for one or more other cameras in the DVM system. The approach may also incorporate providing functionality via the user interface thus enabling convenient access to one or more cameras with highest relatedness scores for a camera that is currently being viewed by a user.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for stabilizing a video signal. A plurality of frames of the video signal are captured using a camera. A motion sensor associated with the camera is used to generate a plurality of samples representing motion of the camera. The samples are used to determine a displacement of the camera between a first time and a second time, wherein the first time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a first frame of the video signal and the second time corresponds to an exposure time midpoint of a second frame of the video signal. The determined displacement is used to compensate for motion in the video signal between the first and second frames caused by the motion of the camera, to thereby stabilize the video signal.

Abstract: A zoom lens including, in order from an object side; a positive first lens unit, a negative second lens unit; and a positive third lens unit, in which: an interval between the first and second lens units is increased, and an interval between the second and third lens units is decreased during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end; the second lens unit is an image stabilizing lens unit which moves with a component of motion in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis whereby an imaging position is moved in the direction of motion perpendicular to the optical axis; and a focal length of an entire system at the wide angle end, a focal length of the first lens unit, and a movement amount of the first lens unit during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end are each set appropriately.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes: an optical system which includes a movable lens group, the optical system including a first correction lens group which adjusts an optical performance of the optical system and a second correction lens group which adjusts a center position of an image which is formed by the optical system; and a control unit which controls driving of the first correction lens group so as to correct the change of the optical performance due to movement of the movable lens group based on position information of the movable lens group and controls driving of the second correction lens group so as to correct displacement of the center of an image due to the movement of the movable lens group and the first correction lens group based on position information of the first correction lens group.

Abstract: A camera device is disclosed. The camera device includes a sensor to capture an image, a sensor to detect direction of gravity and a processor configured to extract a part of the image to produce a horizontally aligned image from the image using the detected direction of gravity.

Abstract: Method, device and computer program product for transmitting a video signal from a user device includes capturing a plurality of frames of the video signal using a camera at the user device, determining a functional state of the device and selectively stabilizing the video signal prior to transmission based on the functional state.

Abstract: A sighting system is disclosed, comprising a housing with small upper minor mounted in its upper center, redirecting light from a single objective lens set, and a larger lower mirror mounted coaxially relative to the lens set and upper minor, both mirrors set at 45° and redirecting light at 90° angles to the lens set. The smaller mirror is positioned closer than the lower minor to the lens set. A night camera system is used for receiving an image through the lens set redirected by the lower mirror and amplified through an intensifier before transmission to a video display monitor(s). A day camera system receiving the image from the lens set redirected by the smaller minor transmits the image to the monitor(s) for separate display of the image, enabling simultaneous capture of the optimum amount of light by each camera, maximizing the housing's diametrical space to receive incoming light.

Abstract: When a blurring process is performed for an image, noise is reduced according to the characteristics of a blurring process filter in a target region of the blurring process. Accordingly, a difference occurs in noise amount with a non-target region of the blurring process. In view of such situations, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention adds noise to the blurring target region. Accordingly, the difference in noise amount can be reduced, and a blurring-emphasized image with a natural texture can be created. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the noise amount according to the blurring amount by the blurring process filter while considering that, the larger the blurring amount is, the more greatly the noise is reduced by the blurring process, and adds the noise.

Abstract: A method performed by a processing system includes determining device identifier corresponding to a device from a series of captured images that include a light signal emitted by the device.

Abstract: An image capturing method includes: continuously generating, using a processor, one or more OFF images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned OFF, for a first number of times; continuously generating, using the processor, ON images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned ON, for a second number of times; continuously generating, using the processor, one or more OFF images in which the subject is captured with the illumination turned OFF, for the first number of times; computing, using the processor, a difference image between each of the generated ON images and the OFF image corresponding to the ON image among the generated OFF images; and integrating, using the processor, the computed difference images.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a photographing unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. The photographing unit creates an image signal and captures a first image corresponding to a first shutter release signal. The processing unit creates a first quick view image of the first captured image and creates a live view image based on the image signal. The display unit displays the first quick view image and the live view image. If a second shutter release signal is inputted within a first reference time from a moment at which the first shutter release signal is inputted, the processing unit creates and displays, at the display unit, a second quick view image corresponding to the second shutter release signal. If the second shutter release signal is not inputted within the first reference time, the processing unit creates and displays, at the display unit, the live view image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (804) includes a function obtaining portion (804a) configured to obtain a first optical transfer function which is different depending on a shooting condition and on a position in an image, a corrected image generating portion (804b) configured to generate a corrected image from the image using the first optical transfer function, and an image restoration portion (804c) configured to perform blind deconvolution processing using the corrected image to generate a restored image.

Abstract: If a Hadamard matrix HN of order N=BF is a Kronecker product HF HB of an order F Hadamard matrix and an order B Hadamard matrix, then transformation by HN may be implemented by a fast Hadamard transform at coarse scale followed by fast Hadamard transforms at fine scale. Alternatively, transformation by HN may be achieved by performing order B transforms on columns of a two-dimensional array and order B transforms on rows of the array. As another alternative, transformation by HN may be achieved by computing intermediate values based on linear combinations of input elements and then computing linear combinations of the intermediate values. For compressive signal acquisition, any row of HN may be generated by concatenating selectively modified copies of a corresponding row of HB. Thus, modulation patterns may be generated on the fly.

Abstract: A control unit monitors a state of captured image sequentially outputted by an image capturing unit. The control unit carries out a first determination that determines whether or not the state of a captured image satisfies a prescribed condition. When the result is that the prescribed condition is satisfied, the captured image is recorded in a recording unit. The control unit also carries out a second determination that determines whether or not the state of the captured image is appropriate for being subjected to the first determination. When the result is that the state is not appropriate for being subjected to the first determination, a warning is issued to the user to this effect.

Abstract: Methods and devices for automatically white balancing an image are described. In one embodiment, a method includes: capturing a first image using a first camera associated with an electronic device and capturing a second image using a second camera associated with the electronic device, the first image and the second image being temporally related; determining one or more white balance correction values for the first image by analyzing the first image and the second image, the white balance correction value representing the effect of lighting conditions on the first image and the second image; and correcting one or more images captured by the first camera based on the white balance correction value.

Abstract: Certain cameras and systems described herein produce enhanced dynamic range still or video images. The images can also have controlled or reduced motion artifacts. Moreover, the cameras and systems in some cases allow the dynamic range and/or motion artifacts to be tuned to achieve a desired cinematic effect.

Abstract: A method for controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes entering, via a camera of the mobile terminal, a capture mode; receiving, via a controller of the mobile terminal, a start input for starting a grouping image process; capturing, via the camera, at least one image; receiving, via the controller, an end input for ending the grouping image process; and storing, in a memory associated with the mobile terminal, the at least one image captured between the start input and the end input in a group.

Abstract: A system for generating crowdsourcing-based image knowledge content, includes an image provision unit configured to provide image data; and an image crowdsourcing unit configured to generate, store, or manage image knowledge in order to provide an image-base knowledge service. Further, the system includes an image acquisition and processing unit configured to connect the image provision unit and the image crowdsourcing unit and actively or automatically provide a crowdsourcing technique.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has: a depth map acquiring unit configured to acquire a depth map that records information indicating a depth distance corresponding to each point on a photographed image; an in-focus position acquiring unit configured to acquire an in-focus position on the photographed image; a reference distance determining unit configured to acquire a depth distance corresponding to the in-focus position from the depth map and sets the acquired depth distance as a reference distance; and an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the photographed image by using the depth map and the reference distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a digital image that allow a user to selectively set a composition in an image by setting a selected location and a selected size of an image of a subject to be photographed in advance. The apparatus for processing a digital image includes a digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor sets the selected location and the selected size of an image of a subject to be photographed, zooms corresponding to the set selected size, and induces a composition change corresponding to the set selected location. An optimal image is obtained by enabling selective composition change in an image by a user by setting location and size of an image of a subject to be photographed in advance.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus is provided. The control method includes detecting a gesture of a user for the digital photographing apparatus using a plurality of video images sequentially generated according to live view photographing, changing an operation of the digital photographing apparatus to a zoom adjustment mode when the detected gesture of the user includes a preset first user gesture, and controlling a zooming state of the digital photographing apparatus step-by-step according to a moving path of a second user gesture after the first user gesture has ended, when the operation mode has been changed to the zoom adjustment mode.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to defect pixel correction for image data collected by a pixel array of an image sensor with spatially arranged exposures. The pixel array includes a first subset of pixels having a first exposure time and a second subset of pixels having a second exposure time. An exposure ratio (ratio of first exposure time to second exposure time) is received. A value of at least a particular neighbor pixel of a given pixel from the image data is adjusted based upon the exposure ratio. Neighborhood statistics for the given pixel from the image data are computed based on values of neighbor pixels of the given pixel from the image data as adjusted. Whether the value of the given pixel is defective is detected based on the neighborhood statistics. The value of the given pixel is replaced when detected to be defective to output modified image data.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device that outputs pixel signals picked up by a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional manner for picking up an image of an object; a white spot positional information storage portion that stores positional information of a white-spot pixel that exists in the image pickup device; an image pickup device drive portion; and a white spot correction portion that, based on positional information of the white-spot pixel that is read out from the white spot positional information storage portion, performs correction with respect to the pixel signal of the pixel that is determined to be the white-spot pixel based on a white spot correction value calculated based on seven pixels that surround a pixel that is determined to be the white-spot pixel.

Abstract: An imaging method includes setting a manual focus mode for moving a focus lens according to an operation of an operation unit, generating a contrast image, which is an image in which an edge of a taken image is enhanced or extracted, and superimposing and displaying, in the case of the manual focus mode, the contrast image on an optical image of the object in an optical finder.

Abstract: An image capturing element 5 has a phase difference detecting region 50a in a light receiving region 50 in which pixel cells are arranged, in the region 50a, some of pixel cells mounted with G filters, among the pixel cells which are arranged in a Bayer pattern, serve as phase difference detecting pixel cells 51R and 51L, the pixel cell 51L and the pixel cell 51R receive light which passes through different pupil areas of the image capturing lens 1, the pixel cell 51L includes two types of pixel cells (3) and (4) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51 and the pixel cell 51R includes two types of pixel cells (1) and (2) having different arrangement patterns of the adjacent pixel cells 51.

Abstract: Disclosed is a WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination by using the 4T pixel structure representing high sensitivity under the low intensity of illumination. According to the embodiment, the overflow charges generated under the very high intensity of illumination are not discarded or partially stored, but read through the 3T pixel operation, so that the WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination can be obtained based on the 4T pixel structure without additionally providing a transistor or a photodiode for the high intensity of illumination in the WDR pixel array.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel region in which shared pixels which share pixel transistors in a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions are two-dimensionally arranged. The shared pixel transistors are divisionally arranged in a column direction of the shared pixels, the pixel transistors shared between neighboring shared pixels are arranged so as to be horizontally reversed or/and vertically crossed, and connection wirings connected to a floating diffusion portion, a source of a reset transistor and a gate of an amplification transistor in the shared pixels are arranged along the column direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module capable of selectively using according to a mode by disposing an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor within a view angle of a lens, the camera module including: a sensor die including a silicon substrate and a sensor implemented on the silicon substrate; and a lens barrel hermetically holding the sensor die and including at least one lens, wherein the silicon substrate includes an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor implemented adjacent to each other so as to be included within a view angle of the lens.

Abstract: In a reference signal comparison AD conversion scheme, a reference signal SLP_ADC and each of P and D phases of a pixel signal voltage Vx are compared. A count clock CKcnt1 is counted based on the comparison result. The counting result data is converted into signal data Dsig, i.e., the difference between the P and D phases, which is also subjected to CDS. At this time, the n-bit AD conversion is performed on each of the P and D phases of the pixel signal voltage Vx, followed by summation for digital integration. This prevents any possible detrimental effects that may be caused by summation in the analog domain. Although the signal data becomes W times greater, noise will likely become ?W times greater. This alleviates the problem of random noise resulting from AD conversion such as quantizing noise and circuit noise that do not exist in the analog domain, thus reducing the noise.

Abstract: A vertically stacked image sensor having a photodiode chip and a transistor array chip. The photodiode chip includes at least one photodiode and a transfer gate extends vertically from a top surface of the photodiode chip. The image sensor further includes a transistor array chip stacked on top of the photodiode chip. The transistor array chip includes the control circuitry and storage nodes. The image sensor further includes a logic chip vertically stacked on the transistor array chip. The transfer gate communicates data from the at least one photodiode to the transistor array chip and the logic chip selectively activates the vertical transfer gate, the reset gate, the source follower gate, and the row select gate.

Abstract: An embodiment image sensor includes a pixel region spaced apart from a black level control (BLC) region by a buffer region. In an embodiment, a light shield is disposed over the BLC region and extends into the buffer region. In an embodiment, the buffer region includes an array of dummy pixels. Such embodiments effectively reduce light cross talk at the edge of the BLC region, which permits more accurate black level calibration. Thus, the image sensor is capable of producing higher quality images.

Abstract: Provided are an image pickup device and a camera system that are capable of performing high-precision image pickup with less noise both at low illuminance and high illuminance without increasing the speed of a sense circuit and power consumption. The image pickup device includes a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels arranged in an array, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion device, a storage section, and an amplifier device configured to output an accumulated charge as an electrical signal, each of the pixels configured to output an electrical signal to an output signal line in response to photon incidence; and a sense circuit section including a sense circuit, the sense circuit configured to perform decision as to whether or not a photon is incident on the pixel in a predetermined period, in which the sense circuit includes an AD conversion device connected to the output signal line, the AD conversion device is allowed to operate by at least two modes, i.e.

Abstract: A solid-state image capture element includes a pixel, which receives light of one of a pair of light beams which pass through iris regions of different locations on a photographic lens, and a pixel which receives light of the other, in a pair of said pixels. The pair of pixels are positioned shifted from one another in a direction which intersects the x-axis which is the phase difference direction. The pair includes a plurality of first pairs and second pairs which respectively have mutually inverse location relations with respect to the pixels and the pixels therein. The first pair and the second pair are alternately positioned in either the phase difference detection direction or the direction which is orthogonal thereto.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus 100 is achieved, capable of processing an analog pixel signal Ag obtained by photoelectric conversion in a CCD image sensor 1 such that noise will be reduced and S/N will be improved by interpolation in an area with low brightness or saturation on a display screen and resolution will be increased by edge emphasis in an area with high brightness or saturation on the display screen. The signal processing apparatus 100 for performing A/D conversion on the analog pixel signal Ag from the CCD image sensor 1, comprises an interpolation processing section 104 for adaptively switching interpolation processing for determining brightness or saturation of pixels for each pixel, and calculating a digital pixel signal of a target pixel from pixel signals of peripheral pixels positioned in the periphery of the target pixel based on the determined brightness or saturation of the target pixel.

Abstract: A solid-state image capture device includes; a solid-state imaging element having output portions configured to output signals read from pixels; samplers provided for the respective output portions and configured to sample the signals output from the output portions of the solid-state imaging element; and a controller configured to vary, at the samplers, sampling timings at which the samplers sample the signals or to vary, at the output portions, output characteristics with which the output portions output the signals read from the pixels.

Abstract: An electronic device and a camera switching method thereon are provided. The electronic device includes a first camera module, a second camera module, a touch screen and a processor. The touch screen is configured to detect a touch event, wherein the touch event is triggered as the touch screen is touched and dragged from a first position to a second position. The processor is configured to switch between the first camera module and the second camera module in response to the touch event. The camera switching method is applied to the electronic device to implement the operations.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a photographing optical system; an image capturing element; and a viewfinder device, in which the viewfinder device includes at least one variable magnification lens that may be inserted on and removed from an optical path of the viewfinder device, and a drive mechanism configured to drive the variable magnification lens, in which the image capturing apparatus further includes: a variable magnification lens control unit configured to supply a drive signal to the drive mechanism so as to control the insertion and removal of the variable magnification lens on and from the optical path, and perform a high-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through a maximum moving distance for a first time, and a low-speed control to move the variable magnification lens through the maximum moving distance for a second time that is longer than the first time.

Abstract: A lens system for a camera, includes: an image formation optical system including a movable lens group and a correction lens group; a drive section driving the correction lens group; a lens position acquisition section acquiring a lens position of the movable lens group; a specification section specifying a partial image of a part of region in an image; a storage section storing a data table; and a control section, in accordance with the lens position of the movable lens group acquired by the lens position acquisition section, on the basis of the data table, acquiring a position for the correction lens group that improves optical performance of the partial image specified by the specification section and then controlling the drive section such as to move the correction lens group to the acquired position.

Abstract: A method and a system for creating a context based dynamic collage while capturing images are provided. The method facilitates a user to create an image collage while capturing images. Each snapshot captured by the user shall be added sequentially to the collage based upon the context. In a case where the context changes, a snapshot will be added to the new context collage. The user can have an option to view the collages being created in real time.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus includes a focus area setting unit that sets a first focus area in a first captured image, an auto focusing control unit that performs focusing according to a first focus evaluation value that is calculated from the first focus area by automatically adjusting a focus lens, an information deriving unit that derives focus aid information corresponding to a second focus evaluation value that is calculated from a second focus area in a second captured image by manually adjusting the focus lens, and a storage unit that stores at least one of first focus area information about the first focus area and second focus area information about the second focus area, wherein the focus area setting unit sets a third focus area in a third captured image from among the first focus area information and the second focus area information stored during another focusing.

Abstract: A user attempting to obtain information about an object can capture image information including a view of that object, and the image information can be used with a matching or identification process to provide information about that type of object to the user. In order to narrow the search space to a specific category, and thus improve the accuracy of the results and the speed at which results can be obtained, the user can be guided to capture image information with an appropriate orientation. An outline or other graphical guide can be displayed over image information captured by a computing device, in order to guide the user in capturing the object from an appropriate direction and with an appropriate scale for the type of matching and/or information used for the matching. Such an approach enables three-dimensional objects to be analyzed using conventional two-dimensional identification algorithms, among other such processes.

Abstract: A camera 10 has an imaging optical system, an imaging device 21a, and a finder device 15. The finder device 15 includes a variable magnification lens 64 which can be inserted into and removed from an optical path, and a shutter 62 which can switch between a closed state in which it interrupts light coming from a finder window 16 and an open state in which it allows passage of light coming from the finder window 16. The camera 10 is equipped with a driver 54 for controlling insertion and removal of the variable magnification lens 64 in accordance with the focal length of the imaging optical system, a driver 53 for controlling the state of the shutter 62, and a CPU 82. The CPU 82 controls the shutter 62 so that it is kept in the closed state while the variable magnification lens 64 is being moved.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising: a camera mount; an imaging element; an optical finder capable of observing an optical image of an object which goes through an optical system different from the interchangeable lens; an electronic viewfinder capable of superimposing and displaying a taken image based on the image signal and the optical image; a lens information acquiring unit for communicating with the interchangeable lens mounted on the camera mount and acquiring information concerning the interchangeable lens; a communication determination unit configured to determine whether or not the interchangeable lens is communicable with the lens information acquiring unit; and a first display control unit for causing the electronic viewfinder to superimpose and display the taken image and the optical image if the communication determination unit determines that the interchangeable lens is not communicable with the lens information acquiring unit.

Abstract: An imaging method includes imaging light from an object passed through an imaging optical system to acquire a taken image, changing an imaging magnification of the imaging optical system, and switching a finder magnification of a finder optical system different from the imaging optical system from a first finder magnification to a second finder magnification when the imaging magnification increases and switching the finder magnification from the second finder magnification to the first finder magnification when the imaging magnification decreases.

Abstract: A system for authenticating an object includes a label (12) with invisible indicia (14) on the object which rotates a polarization of incident light; a digital camera (18) having a light source (20), an image sensor (22), a first polarizing filter (24) having a first orientation, and a second polarizing filter (26) having a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation; illuminating the label with light from the light source through the first linear polarizer; forming an image with the image sensor using reflected light from the label wherein the reflected light passes through the second polarizer prior to reaching the sensor; wherein the second linear polarizer makes the invisible indicia visible; and authenticating the object.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical device includes a substrate and a first optical layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface is on an opposite side of the first surface. The first optical layer is provided on the first surface and includes a plurality of first refractive index setting units disposed along the first surface. Each of the first refractive index setting units has a plurality of metal patterns. The metal patterns provide different permeability to the each of the first refractive index setting units. The each of the first refractive index setting units has a refractive index in accordance with the permeability.

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes an image sensor and an optical assembly, which is configured to focus optical radiation via an aperture stop onto the image sensor. The optical assembly includes a plurality of optical surfaces, consisting of a first, curved surface through which the optical radiation enters the assembly, a final surface through which the rays exit the assembly toward the image sensor, and at least two intermediate surfaces between the first and final surfaces. An interference filter, which has a center wavelength and a passband no greater than 4% of the center wavelength, and includes a coating formed on one of the optical surfaces. All rays of the optical radiation passing through the aperture stop are incident on the coating over a range of incidence angles with a half-width that is no greater than three fourths of the numerical aperture of the optical assembly.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power, and includes an aperture stop which is disposed between the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit, and the first lens unit includes a negative lens and a plurality of positive lenses, and at the time of zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit widens, a distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit narrows, and a distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit changes, and the zoom lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.