Abstract: A surveillance video router routes digital video streams to video receiving devices. The surveillance video router is coupled to a packet-switched network to enable communication with the video receiving devices and to receive respective digital video streams captured by remote surveillance cameras. The surveillance video router receives a request to route a first digital video stream generated by a first remote surveillance camera to a first video receiving device and then routes the first digital video stream to the first video receiving device via the packet-switched network.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to simplify an operation for calibration of a camera and to shorten a time necessary for the calibration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in calibrating imaging data, are provided that include using a calibration array to generate a test pattern. The calibration array can emit a test pattern having geometric, temporal, and electromagnetic characteristics. The collected data can be compared with the geometric, temporal and electromagnetic characteristics to determine an error factor that can then be used in analyzing the collected data.

Abstract: A cognitive radio band device uses information gleaned from a database inquiry based on geo-location information in combination with spectrum sensing to determine if cognitive radio channels are available for unlicensed use.

Abstract: User imaging terminals (such as mobile phones with camera or video functionality) may be used to take images that are used to create an image stream of an event. In one implementation, a device may receive the images and transmit the images to one or more second users. The device may receive indications, from the second users, of whether the images are approved by the second users for incorporation into an image stream; and generate the image stream, based on the images that are approved by the second users. The image stream may be transmitted to one or more display devices.

Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera that can reduce deterioration in image quality due to a camera shake or an object movement and easily pick up an image with a good image quality. In the digital single-lens reflex camera, when a body microprocessor judges that an object speed detected based on a detected object movement is smaller than a threshold value, a conversion lens camera shake correcting device in a conversion lens or a camera body shake correcting device in a camera body is controlled to carry out camera shake correction. If the object speed is equal to or more than the threshold value, the body microprocessor makes a digital signal gain setting unit high in gain so as to increase the ISO sensitivity or makes a shatter speed faster to set a shorter exposure time and has a plurality of images continuously picked up under different exposure conditions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, when a sleep mode is turned off, if vibration less than a limit value occurs, the sleep mode is turned on and a hand shake correction unit is turned off so that power consumption may be reduced. Moreover, when the sleep mode is turned on, if vibration greater than a limit value occurs, the sleep mode is turned off and the hand shake correction unit is turned on so that an image blur does not occur. In another embodiment, when the sleep mode is turned off, if vibration less than a limit value occurs, the hand shake correction unit is turned on in the state where the sleep mode is turned on and a HPF is turned on so that an image blur is prevented from occurring due to a shock caused by pushing a release button or shock caused by opening or closing a shutter.

Abstract: Detecting blur and defocusing in images is described. After detection, correction algorithms are applied. Detection provides an image processing system with parameters related to a blur (e.g., direction, strength) and noise levels, or may trigger a message to a user to re-take a photograph. Detection involves finding and analyzing edges of objects instead of an entire image. Disclosed detector may be used for OCR purposes, blur and defocusing detection in photographic and scanning devices, video cameras, print quality control systems, computer vision. Detection of blur and defocusing of an image involve second derivatives of image brightness. Object edges are detected. For points on edges, profiles of second derivative are obtained in the direction of the gradient. Statistics are gathered about parameters of profiles in various directions. By analyzing statistics, image distortions and their type (e.g., blur, defocusing), the strength of distortion, the direction of the blur are detected.

Abstract: A method for correcting a user's tremor of an imaging device includes determining intensities of tremors of a plurality of temporary images, comparing the intensities of tremors with a reference value, and selecting a temporary image having an tremor intensity equal to or less than the reference value from the plurality of temporary images.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a sequence of frames may include generating a transformed frame from an input frame according to a perspective transform of a transform matrix, wherein the transform matrix corrects for motion associated with input frame. A determination may be made to identify pixels in the transformed frame that have a difference with corresponding pixels in a neighboring frame below a threshold. An output frame may be generated by adjusting pixels in the transformed frame that are identified to have the difference with the corresponding pixels in the neighboring frame below the threshold.

Abstract: An anti-shake device furnished between a lens module and an image sensor. An optical path is defined along the lens module and image sensor. The anti-shake device comprises a base plate, at least one piezoelectric member and a circuit member. The base plate is located in the optical path and has a surface facing the lens module, wherein a first axial direction and a second axial direction are defined on the surface. The piezoelectric member is located on the base plate and contacts with the lens module. The circuit member located on the base plate comprises a control module for controlling the piezoelectric member to drive the lens module moving alone the first and second axial directions in order to adjust the deviation caused by shaking.

Abstract: An image processing device and an ISP chain constructing method are provided which can arbitrarily reconstruct an ISP chain structure. The image processing device is connected to an image sensor, performs a signal process and includes: N (where N is a natural number of equal to or greater than 2) ISP (Image Signal Processing) functional modules that each perform a predetermined image signal process on one, which is determined by an input selection signal, of data output from the image sensor and the other ISP functional modules; and an output module that outputs one, which is determined by an output selection signal, of output data output from the N ISP functional modules as final output data. Accordingly, it is possible to reconstruct an ISP chain even after the ISP chain is embodied as a chip, thereby providing image processing functions optimized for various product applications.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an evaluation unit that evaluates a plurality of images by designating predetermined image characteristics as an evaluation index; an image processing unit that executes image processing, which will affect the evaluation index, on at least one image among the plurality of images; and an image selection unit that selects an image with superiority in an evaluation value calculated in correspondence to the evaluation index, among the plurality of images evaluated by the evaluation unit by factoring in application of the image processing by the image processing unit.

Abstract: High-bit depth sensors often capture more information then can be displayed on a commercially available display. Due to this, image processing systems and methods are disclosed to ensure that as much information as possible is presented to a user in a meaningful and statistically significant manner. The image processing systems and methods disclosed herein allow a user to view and process data that would otherwise be invisible to the user.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device and terminal device that recommend a preferred image to a user. A terminal device having a photography function captures a plurality of images, identifies a plurality of subjects in each of the captured images, acquires a photographic degree of suitability for each of the identified subjects, calculates an evaluation value for each captured image based on the number of subjects in the captured image having a photographic degree of suitability of at least a predetermined threshold, and displays the captured images, displaying one of the captured images so as to be distinguishable from other captured images based on the evaluation value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generates first image data based on a first white balance correction value corresponding to a first light source, and second image data based on second white balance correction value corresponding to a second light source, selects one white evaluation region for determining a combination ratio from a plurality of white evaluation regions, compares a color evaluation value of the image data with the selected white evaluation region under the second light source, determines a combination ratio of the first image data and the second image data based on a result of the comparison, and combines the first image data and the second image data according to the determined combination ratio.

Abstract: A method for selecting a digital image having controlled sharpness characteristics from a set of candidate digital images of a common scene, each digital image having different sharpness characteristics. An image segmentation process is used to segment each of the candidate digital images into a subject region and a background region. For each candidate digital image the subject and background regions are analyzed to determine an associated subject and background sharpness levels. An output digital image is selected by comparing the determined subject and background sharpness levels to respective aim subject and background sharpness levels. In some embodiments, the aim subject and background sharpness levels are defined in accordance with a scene type classification.

Abstract: An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup section including a plurality of pixels, the pixels each including a photoelectric transducer and a field-effect transistor; and a drive section switching the transistor between an on operation and an off operation to perform a read operation and a reset operation of a signal charge accumulated in each of the pixels. The transistor includes a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode with a semiconductor layer in between, the drive section applies a first voltage and a second voltage to the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode of the transistor, respectively, to switch the transistor between the on operation and the off operation, and the drive section adjusts timings of switching the first and second voltages between an on-voltage and an off-voltage, on-voltage values of the first and second voltages, or both thereof to be different from each other.

Abstract: This invention includes an image sensor in which image forming pixels and focus detecting pixels which receive light beams from the exit pupil of the imaging lens which is partly light-shielded are arranged, the first vertical output line which outputs a signal from the image forming pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a second vertical output line which outputs a signal from the focus detecting pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a vertical addition unit which adds signals from a plurality of image forming pixels in the vertical direction, and a control unit which controls the vertical addition unit to add only signals from image forming pixels excluding focus detecting pixels, when the focus detecting pixels are included in targets for addition in the addition readout mode of making the vertical addition unit add signals from a plurality of image forming pixels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for processing an image of an image signal projected through a digital camera lens. The apparatus includes an image sensor module to transform an optical signal projected through the digital camera lens into an electric signal, to generate and output an image signal. The apparatus includes a light receiving module to receive a light source, wherein the light receiving module is disposed close to the image sensor module. The apparatus also includes a light source characteristic detector to detect a frequency of the light source received by the light receiving module. The apparatus further includes an auto color adjustment controller to identify a kind of light source based on the frequency of the light source, and control a white balance gain of the image signal based on the kind of the light source.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for determining picture resolution to optimize storage, wherein input is received from a user interface. The input includes a selected picture destination, such as a printer, a photograph processing service provider, a web application, a website, and/or a display. Attributes of the picture destination are determined with a processor, wherein the attributes of the picture destination include a print resolution, a print size, a screen resolution, and/or a image size. The processor determines the picture resolution based on the attributes of the picture destination.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating a motion blur in a mobile terminal are provided. It is determined whether motion halting occurs during video shooting. If the motion halting occurs, a motion vector of each block between first and second consecutive images where the motion halting has occurred is estimated. A motion blur is generated on the second image using the motion vector of each block, and the motion-blurred image is displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: A camera device includes an imaging unit generating an imaging area image in which an imaging area is captured from above, and a display-image generation unit generating a display image of an imaging object moving in the imaging area by use of an clipped image clipped from the imaging area image. In this case, an clipping reference position P corresponding to the imaging object in the imaging area image is determined, and a reference distance r between an imaging reference position O corresponding to the imaging unit and the clipping reference position P in the imaging area image is calculated. When the reference distance r is short, a rotation angle ?NEW for rotating the clipped image in generating the display image is calculated based on a reference angle ? corresponding to an inclination of the imaging object in the imaging area image and the reference distance r.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a detection unit in which a matrix of pixels converts radiation or light into analog electrical signals, a reading circuit configured to perform signal processing operation by reading the analog electric signals on a row-by-row basis, an A/D converter configured to convert a pixel signal output from the reading circuit into pixel data, and a correction processing unit configured to correct the pixel data. A control unit performs control processing so that the reading circuit outputs reset signals to the A/D converter in a period in which the signal processing operation of a predetermined row is performed, the A/D converter converts the reset signals into pieces of reset data in the period, and the correction processing unit averages the pieces of reset data output from the A/D converter and performs subtraction with the averaged reset data and the pixel data output from the A/D converter.

Abstract: An adjustment method of the present invention includes an evaluation step of evaluating an imaging performance of an optical image that is formed via an optical system, a classification step of classifying the imaging performance evaluated in the evaluation step, a restoration step of generating a restored image of the optical image based on a classification of the imaging performance, and an adjustment step of adjusting the optical system using an adjustment unit of the optical system based on the restored image.

Abstract: A response function of a device may be determined using rank minimization to transform a problem of determining a response function of the device into a framework of a rank minimization problem. A function is identified that minimizes a rank of an observation matrix which includes data of observations obtained by the device. This transformation may be used to determine a response function of the device under various conditions and to determine response functions of different devices in a unified framework.

Abstract: A first distortion correction unit generates one first output pixel based on two input pixels that are adjacent in a first direction out of a plurality of input pixels included in image data pieces of a captured frame. A second distortion correction unit generates one second output pixel based on two first output pixels that are adjacent in a second direction different from the first direction. The second distortion correction unit successively reads two first output pixels adjacent in the second direction from a storage unit based on input coordinates, which correspond to coordinate values of second output pixels, and generates the one second output pixel by applying linear interpolation processing to the read two first output pixels based on interpolation coefficient.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging lens configured to form a target optical image of a target, an imaging device configured to acquire a captured image by converting the target optical image formed by the imaging lens into image data by an imaging element, an image processor configured to perform image processing on the captured image acquired by the imaging device, and an image display configured to display an image obtained through the image processor, wherein the image processor has an edge extraction unit, a display processor, and a mode selection unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels composed of a photoelectric conversion section and a pixel transistor is arranged; an on-chip color filter; an on-chip microlens; and a multilayer interconnection layer in which a plurality of layers of interconnections is formed through an interlayer insulating film. The solid-state imaging device further includes a light-shielding film formed through an insulating layer in a pixel boundary of a light receiving surface in which the photoelectric conversion section is arranged.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and image capture program are provided that enable an image processing section compatible with a Bayer array to be employed without modification even in cases in which an image pickup device is employed that is provided with a color filter of an array other than a Bayer array. An imaging apparatus (10) includes a color filter (30) having repeatedly disposed 6×6 pixel basic array patterns C, a drive section (22) that drives an image pickup device (14) so as to thin and read pixel data only of pixels on lines at predetermined positions in the vertical direction, and a pixel conversion processing section (18) that converts pixel data of each line thinned and read from the image pickup device (14) into Bayer array pixel data that is in a Bayer array pattern.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; a plurality of amplifier circuits each arranged correspondingly to each of columns of the pixels, for amplifying a signal from the pixel; and a current source transistor whose source is supplied with a power source voltage and which supplies the amplifier circuit with a bias current. When the current source transistor is operating in the saturation region, the gate voltage of the current source transistor that is supplied from the bias line is sampled and held. The gate voltage of the current source transistor with respect to the power source voltage is controlled to the sampled voltage, thereby suppressing variation. This suppression can, in turn, suppress occurrence of line noise and a lateral smear due to difference of drop in voltage of a power source line concerning a column circuit on each row.

Abstract: An image having good image quality is obtained by discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus, which includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by light-exposing the image pickup device, includes: a detector for detecting a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller for controlling an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller for controlling a light-exposure start scan of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller discharges the charges accumulated in the image pickup device a plurality of times according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: An imaging device with (1) a substrate; (2) a substrate voltage supply that applies a first potential to the substrate during a light receiving period and applies a second potential to the substrate during a no-light receiving period; and (3) a plurality of pixels each including (a) a light conversion portion, (b) a storage portion that stores signal charges g from the light conversion portion when the first potential is applied to the substrate, (c) a first layer that is in the substrate and set apart from the storage portion by a predetermined distance and adjusts potential distribution in the substrate so that the signal charges generated in the light receiving portion when the second potential is applied to the substrate are swept to a rear surface side of the substrate, and (d) a vertical transfer portion that transfers a signal based on the signal charges in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels generating a photoelectric conversion signal, a column amplifying unit corresponding to columns of the pixels, for outputting a first and second signals generated by amplifying the photoelectric conversion signal at a smaller first gain and larger second gain respectively, an analog to digital converter (21) for converting the first and second signals from an analog signal to a digital signal, a comparing unit (224) for inputting the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, level-shifting into the same gain level the first and second signals converted by the analog to digital converter, and thereafter detecting a gain error between the level-shifted first and second signals, and a correction unit (226) for correcting the first and second signals based on the gain error.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus that is capable of preventing a harmful influence due to noise generated in a control line. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit for photoelectric converting to generate a signal; control lines for supplying control signals for driving the pixels; driving buffers for driving the control lines; and switching units for switching between a first path for supplying power source voltages from power source circuits to power source terminals of the driving buffers and a second path for supplying power source voltages from capacitors to the power source terminals of the driving buffers.

Abstract: A signal for focus detection is generated by a first operation, in which a signal of at least one photoelectric conversion element included in a photoelectric conversion unit is read to an input node of an amplification unit and the signal is supplied to a common output line by the amplification unit and signals for forming an image are generated by a second operation, in which a signal of another photoelectric conversion element included in the same photoelectric conversion unit as that including the at least one photoelectric conversion element from which the signal has been read in the first operation is read to the input node of the amplification unit while holding the signal read in the first operation using the amplification unit and the signals are supplied to the common output line by the amplification unit.

Abstract: The invention describes a solid-state CMOS image sensor array and discloses image sensor array pixels with global and rolling shutter capabilities that utilize multiple BCMD transistors for a single photodiode, for charge storage and sensing. Thus, the valuable pixel area saved by employing the BCMD transistor for charge storage and sensing is used by placing several BCMD transistors coupled to one photodiode. This increases the Dynamic Range (DR) of the sensor, since the same photodiode can integrate charge for different integration times, both long and short. This allows sensing of two different image signals from a single pixel without saturation, a low level signal with long integration time followed by a high level signal with short integration time. The signal processing circuits located at the periphery of the array can then process these signals into a single Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) output.

Abstract: Architectures for imager arrays configured for use in array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data, and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having negative refractive power, a second lens unit having positive refractive power, a third lens unit having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive refractive power, in which each lens unit moves during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, and a focal length of the first lens unit, a focal length of the second lens unit, and a focal length of the entire zoom lens at the wide-angle end are appropriately set.

Abstract: A backside illumination image sensor that includes a semiconductor substrate with a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a read circuit formed on a front surface side of the semiconductor substrate, and captures an image by outputting, via the read circuit, electrical signals generated as incident light having reached a back surface side of the semiconductor substrate is received at the photoelectric conversion elements includes: a light shielding film formed on a side where incident light enters the photoelectric conversion elements, with an opening formed therein in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element; and an on-chip lens formed at a position set apart from the light shielding film by a predetermined distance in correspondence to each photoelectric conversion element. The light shielding film and an exit pupil plane of the image forming optical system achieve a conjugate relation to each other with regard to the on-chip lens.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, managing one or more images, such as those related to an optical system.

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, including, in order from object side to image side: a positive first lens unit which does not move during zooming; a negative second lens unit for zooming; a positive third lens unit for zooming; a negative fourth lens unit which moves during zooming; and a positive fifth lens unit which does not move during zooming, in which: 0.6<|?3F|<1.0, ?4.0<f4/f3<?1.0, and 20<L2w/L3w<300 are satisfied, where ?3F is a lateral magnification of the third lens unit at a position at which a lateral magnification of the second lens unit becomes ?1; f3 and f4 are respectively focal lengths of the third and fourth lens units; L2w is a gap between the second and third lens units at a wide angle end; and L3w is a gap between the third and fourth lens units at the wide angle end.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging lens, an image sensor to output an image signal in accordance with an image of a subject captured via the imaging lens, a lens driver to move the imaging lens, an autofocus detector to determine a focal point according to image data obtained from the image signal, a point source detector to determine whether or not a subject is a point source subject on the basis of a brightness component included in the image data, and a driving mode setter to change a driving condition of the image sensor when the subject is determined to be a point source subject.

Abstract: An imaging device comprises a lens barrel including an optical system that collects light from a predetermined viewing area and that defines an optical axis; an imaging unit that receives the light collected by the optical system and generates image data, the image data defining a main image that includes a determined sub area; a ring-shaped operation ring that is provided on an outer circumference of the lens barrel and that is manually rotatable about the optical axis of the optical system; and an area change unit that changes at least one of (A) a size of the determined sub area, or (B) a position of the determined sub area, responsive to a manual operation of the operation ring.

Abstract: An adjustment apparatus for adjusting a camera lens with an adjustment pin includes a supporting bracket, a gear assembly installed to the supporting bracket, a motor mounted to the supporting bracket, a controller electrically connected to the motor, and an adjustment member movably installed to the supporting bracket. The adjustment member includes two spaced clamping poles clamping the adjustment pin of the camera lens. The controller controls the motor to rotate and the motor drives the gear assembly to rotate, to drive the adjustment member to move. Thereby, the adjustment pin is moved by the clamping pins to adjust the camera lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing dynamic range increase (DRI) or a high dynamic range (HDR) pictures, in which differently exposed individual images are combined by image processing to form an HDR or DRI picture. In order to also allow moving objects to be recorded more easily, and to overcome the restrictions relating to lack of mobility of a recording device, the exposure can be carried out by laser radiation containing wavelengths at different intensities.

Abstract: A solid state apparatus comprising, a printed circuit board having a first and a second surface that are opposite surfaces, a semiconductor chip for imaging arranged on the first surface, a sealing resin arranged to cover the printed circuit board and the semiconductor chip, and a translucent member arranged on the sealing resin, the solid state apparatus having a first region located inward of an outer edge of the semiconductor chip, and a second region located outward of the outer edge, the printed circuit board comprising, on the first surface, a first terminal electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, and comprising, on the second surface, a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal within the printed circuit board, the second terminal being arranged in the first region.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments directed to transcoding a bit stream in parallel. A bit stream may be divided into a plurality of segments, where a plurality of transcoders encode at least a portion of the segments in parallel. If encoding is performed using variable bit rate (BR) encoding, each encoder may encode a segment and vary a BR for the segment. A measured average BR is compared with a target average BR to determine whether to adjust a video quality level (VQL) or any other encoder parameter. A relatively constant subjective quality may be maintained using variable BR encoding while achieving a target average BR. When using constant BR encoding, a VQL or other encoder parameter is used by encoders to achieve relatively constant subjective quality. For example, a relatively continuous quantization parameter between adjacent encoded segments may be achieved.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for changing channel in a television appliance. Upon reception of a user command to tune on a desired channel (301), the television appliance is tuned on the desired channel (302) and audio and video packets are received. Video and audio packets are buffered in relative buffers, so that audio and video output can be generated by processing the buffered packets. Video output frame rate is increased from a first, slower, frame rate to a predetermined final frame rate. Independently from the frame rate increasing law, video output frame rate is raised to the final frame rate as soon as an audio output can be generated from the buffered video packets which is synchronized to the video output. A television appliance implementing the method is also disclosed.