Abstract: In a method for calibrating a stage-camera system, a travel distance of a stage is determined in a first coordinate system and an object displacement distance of at least one object is determined in a second coordinate system. A calibration measure for calibrating the coordinate systems is computed from the travel distance and the object displacement distance. The object displacement distance is determined by registering a calibration image with a reference image based on the at least one object. The method enables an automatic and accurate calibration of the stage-camera system.

Abstract: In an image sensing system having an image sensing optical system, and an image sensing element for photoelectrically converting incoming light from the image sensing optical system, a predetermined pattern image for adjustment, which is specified in advance, is read by the image sensing element, and the image sensing element is driven to adjust its position on the basis of an output from said image sensing element, thereby adjusting the relative position of the image sensing element with respect to the image sensing optical system prior to an image sensing operation.

Abstract: High frequency components are efficiently extracted from blurred images, and blur correction is efficiently performed. A blur analyzing means judges whether an image is a blurred image. If the image is judged to be a blurred image, blur data Q, which includes a blur width, is generated and transmitted to a blur correcting means. The blur correcting means extracts high frequency components from the image if the blur width is less than a predetermined threshold value, and performs blur correction by adding the high frequency components to the image. Meanwhile, if the blur width is greater than or equal to the threshold value, a reducing means reduces the size of the image to obtain a reduced image. Then, the blur correcting means extracts high frequency components from the reduced image, and performs blur correction by emphasizing and adding the extracted high frequency components to the reduced image.

Abstract: The invention describes systems and methods to obtain and present imaging data in absolute units. The systems and methods convert relative image data produced by a camera to absolute light intensity data using a compensation factor. The compensation factor accommodates for hardware and specific imaging conditions in the imaging system that variably affect camera output. The present invention determines the compensation factor based on assessing the output of the camera against a known light source for a specific set of imaging conditions in the imaging system. The compensation factor is then stored in memory corresponding to the specific set of imaging conditions. Upon subsequent imaging with the set of imaging conditions, the corresponding compensation factor is called from memory and applied to the camera output. A compensation factor may be determined and stored for each hardware state and imaging condition available to the imaging system.

Abstract: It is customary to produce a three-dimensional image using a camera pair in order to ensure that people are isolated in a lock for separating people and to check that no more than one person at a time passes through the lock for separating people. It is an object of the invention to improve known systems and to accelerate them. To this end, a plurality of camera pairs are used according to the invention, which monitor a spatial volume which is to be monitored from several spatial directions at the same time. To this end, each camera pair monitors the space, determines a height profile and supplements shadowed points in the height profile with data of other camera pairs. Monitoring of a spatial volume, for example a passage lock.

Abstract: An imaging device stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured with a CCD, and controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the CCD. An output adjustment value of the picture signal in the output control is set to become 50 to 70 IRE according to a peak value of the picture signal when a test pattern is captured under standard conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to have a typical imaging device display a captured image darker, and thus enable imaging suitable for nighttime imaging and the like.

Abstract: A method characterizes field of view (FOV) distortion and may correct machine vision measurements accordingly. A plurality of distorted images are acquired, with the same calibration target at a plurality of spaced-apart locations within the FOV. The method analyzes the images and determines distortion parameters that can correct the distortions in the images such that features included in the calibration target pattern achieve a sufficient or optimum degree of congruence between the various images. Distortion parameters may be determined for each optical configuration (e.g., lens combination, magnification, etc.) that is used by a machine vision inspection system. The distortion parameters may then be used to correct FOV distortion errors in subsequent inspection and measurement operations.

Abstract: A lens auto-focusing method in camera module testing includes the following steps: providing testing equipment including a range finder, a signal processor and a driving member; providing an imaged object (20); providing an camera module including a lens module (10) and an image sensor, the view angle and the biggest value of the modulation transfer function of the lens module are both certain values, the image (30) of the imaged object is formed in the image sensor; the imaged object and the image formed thereby in the other side of the lens module are fixed; the imaged object and the image formed in the other side of the lens module are fixed; inputting an image distance tested by the range finder into the signal processor, the signal processor calculates a displacement for the driving member; the driving member drives the lens module to a focusing point.

Abstract: Provided herein are teachings directed to overcoming the problem of erroneous color reproduction on a color output device such as a color display. The teachings herein provide a system and apparatus for correcting color image data input to a display device by displaying a target of color patches of known input values on the display device, and capturing an image of the target with a digital camera. This is followed by extracting camera signals from the image which correspond to the color patches, and deriving a tone response calibration for the projector from the camera signals and the input values.

Abstract: An image-capturing system diagnostic device includes: an image acquisition unit that obtains an image; and a monitoring unit that monitors a quantity of foreign matter present in an optical path by generating defect information indicating a defect at pixels caused by the foreign matter in the optical path based upon the image obtained by the image acquisition unit and calculating an areal ratio of defective pixels in the image based upon the defect information having been generated and issues a warning for a photographer if the areal ratio of the defective pixels exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: An oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending therethrough between a first and second surface. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from the first surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from the second surface. The liquid lens further includes an oscillator operatively coupled to either the first droplet portion or the second droplet portion for oscillating the liquid drop within the channel. The imaging system, in addition to the oscillating liquid lens, also includes an image sensor coupled to an image path which passes through the first and second droplet portions for capturing one or more images through the oscillating liquid drop.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a brightness value measured by a camera with an amount of light received by the camera includes creating a series of measurements, wherein for each measurement the amount of light received at an image plane in the camera is controlled to be a known ratio of two opposed irradiance values: a high irradiance value and a low irradiance value. Each ratio is correlated with the brightness value measured by the camera. A function is obtained describing the correlation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the performances of a camera including illumination, signal levels, signal to noise ratio, resolution, spectrum, color vectors and displaying the measured values in alphanumeric, waveforms, graphs and vectors onto a displayed scene generated by a camera under test, thereby enabling the user to better comprehend the meaning and verify the camera specifications and their fitness.

Abstract: According to the invention, an electronic module tester for engaging a camera module is disclosed. The electronic module tester includes a camera tester body, an engagement ring, and a camera back support. The engagement ring engages a lens holder of the camera module, where the engagement ring comprises an engagement surface, an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The engagement surface rotates and is not keyed for any key on the lens holder. The camera back support engages a back of the camera module, where the back is on the opposite side of camera module as the lens holder. The engagement ring and the camera back support are separated, but biased together to engage the camera module.

Abstract: An imaging sensor disposed in a vehicle includes an evaluation unit for monitoring the imaging sensor's operability based on an image signal, for example, by an evaluation of invariant patterns, empirical knowledge about measurement signal profiles, utilizing the redundancy of a network of sensors, or utilizing time-related redundancy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for calibrating image capture devices, such as the type used in electronic devices. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one array of pixels and a memory coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The electronic device may further include a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the memory and at least one color filter optically coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The memory may further include one or more storage locations that include a response of the at least one color filter to one or more predetermined wavelengths from a target test source, as well as, one or more storage locations that include a response of one or more baseline color filters.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for calibrating imaging systems are provided. The imaging system has a body, a scene image capture system that captures images using a taking lens system that can be set to a plurality of different focus distances, and a rangefinder that is capable of determining a distance between the imaging system and at least one portion of a field of view of the talking lens system. The method comprises: automatically capturing a first calibration image of a first field of view through the taking lens system with the taking lens system set to a first focus distance setting; identifying a portion of the first calibration image having a predetermined degree of focus; using the rangefinder to determine a first calibration distance from the imaging device to the identified portion. A focus correlation is determined based upon the first calibration distance and the first focus distance setting.

Abstract: Digital cameras are calibrated so that detailed highlights and shadows in scenes being photographed are reproduced in digital images of those scenes by calibrating holographic data obtained from target images at those scenes. In one embodiment the target image is obtained from an actual target having black and white, and optionally gray, target areas; and in another embodiment, the target image is obtained from the scene being photographed. In both embodiments, histographic data is manipulated so that shadow and highlight data spikes are automatically placed in boundary areas by automatically adjusting lens aperture and/or shutter speed prior to taking the desired photograph of the scene. The resulting photograph is adjusted for highlight and shadow details.

Abstract: A system is presented that applies M×N×K computational units to calculating image parameters on N picture images captured simultaneously by N digital camera devices, where there are N groups of frame grabber units, each containing M frame grabbers in which there are K computational units. The data operated on by a computational unit is separate and independent from the image data operated on by the other computational units. This results in a performance speedup of M×N×K compared to one computational unit making the same computations. A master frame grabber unit controls the illumination of the N digital camera devices, and synchronizes the illumination with the clocks of the N digital camera devices.

Abstract: A camera system comprises an image capturing device and an object classification module connected to the image capturing device. The image capturing device has a field of view and produces image data representing an image of the field of view. The object classification module is operable to determine whether or not an object in an image is a member of an object class. The object classification module includes N decision steps configured in a cascade configuration, wherein at least one of the N decision steps is operable to (a) accept an object as a member of the object class, (b) reject an object as a member of the object class, and (c) call on a next step to determine whether or not an object is a member of the object class.

Abstract: The present invention relates to calibration of camera parameters for converting a world coordinate system, which indicates a position in the real space, to a coordinate used in an image and vice versa. The apparatus according to the invention has a detection unit, which determines corresponding pixel pairs from the captured image and the model image and outputs corresponding data indicating determined pixel pairs, and a selection unit, which selects pixel pairs to be left in the corresponding data and removes data related to an unselected pixel pair from the corresponding data for generating selected corresponding data. The apparatus further has a calculation unit, which calculates camera parameters based on the selected corresponding data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating an imaging system comprising a processing unit communicatively coupled to one or more imaging devices. The imaging system may also include a display. In an embodiment, a sequence of display features are displayed on a display, and imaged by the imaging device or devices. Spatial data is compiled related to the display features and the corresponding image features. In an embodiment, the display, imaging device or device, or both may be repositioned and another sequence of display features may be presented and the spatial data compiled. Using optimization and calibration techniques, the compiled spatial data may be used to obtain one or more internal imaging device parameters, one or more external parameters, or both.

Abstract: A digital imaging signal obtained by converting an image data obtained by an imaging element into a digital value for each pixel is inputted to an automatic phase adjusting apparatus, and the automatic phase adjusting apparatus adjusts phases of pulses to be used for imaging based on the inputted digital imaging signal. The automatic phase adjusting apparatus is provided with a brightness level detector for calculating a brightness level of the digital imaging signal for a plurality of pixels in a first pixel region, a variability calculator for calculating a variability value which indicates signal variability of the digital imaging signal for each pixel for a plurality of pixels in a second pixel region, and a timing adjuster for adjusting the phases of the pulses in accordance with calculation results obtained by the brightness level detector and the variability calculator.

Abstract: This disclosure describes automatic self-calibration techniques for digital camera devices. In one aspect, a method for performing a calibration procedure in a digital camera device comprises initiating the calibration procedure when a camera sensor of the digital camera device is operating, accumulating data for the calibration procedure, the data comprising one or more averages of correlated color temperature (CCT) associated with information captured by the camera sensor, calculating one or more CCT vectors based on the one or more averages of CCT, and generating gray point correction factors based on the one or more CCT vectors.

Abstract: A microprocessor applies an analog test signal to an auxiliary signal input port of a motion sensor module. The motion sensor module processes the test signal and returns the signal in digital format to the microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the returned digital test signal to the original analog test signal to determine whether circuitry within the motion sensor module is operating properly.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for calibrating an optical camera and/or an infrared camera, in particular an infrared tele-camera, that is/are arranged in a motor vehicle and that has a checkered appearance with first and second fields. In order to make the known apparatus suitable for a plurality of camera systems, it is suggested that the first fields are heated or cooled.

Abstract: A system is presented that applies M×N×K computational units to calculating image parameters on N picture images captured simultaneously by N digital camera devices, where there are N groups of frame grabber units, each containing M frame grabbers in which there are K computational units. The data operated on by a computational unit is separate and independent from the image data operated on by the other computational units. This results in a performance speedup of M×N×K compared to one computational unit making the same computations. A master frame grabber unit controls the illumination of the N digital camera devices, and synchronizes the illumination with the clocks of the N digital camera devices.

Abstract: A calibration element (1) serves for calibrating the magnification ratio of a camera (3). The calibration element (1) has at least one calibration region (4) in which at least one perforation (5) or indentation is provided. The perforation (5) or indentation can be detected by the camera. The calibration element (1) is sufficiently slight in the calibration region (4) that the detection of an upper edge or lower edge of the perforation (5) or indentation produces only negligible differences. In order to determine the dependence of the magnification ratio on the thickness, the calibration element (1) additionally has at least one support foot (8), whose length (9) is selected in such a way as thereby to produce a variation in the measured magnification ratio of the camera image that can be evaluated.

Abstract: An image vision system (8) for calibrating two cameras (17) mounted on respective side rear view mirror housings (5) of a motor vehicle (1) for correcting for offset of the cameras (17) from ideal positions relative to the vehicle (1). The cameras (17) capture plan view images of the ground on respective opposite sides of the vehicle for display as images (10,11) along with a plan view image (14) of the vehicle (1) on an in-vehicle visual display unit (13), for assisting a driver parking or manoeuvring the vehicle (1) in a confined space. Calibration of the cameras (17) is carried out as the side mirror housings (5) are swivelled from a rest position to an operative position in response to activation of the ignition system of the vehicle (1). The calibration requires determining the offset of the actual position of a reference point (34) on the vehicle (1) captured in an image by the corresponding camera (17) from the ideal position of the reference point (34a) in an ideal image frame.

Abstract: Per one example embodiment, apparatus may be provided. The apparatus may include memory and representations of camera diagnostics code and of other code including machine vision code. An image acquirer assembly may be provided, which is configured to take source images. Source images are provided for a camera diagnostics system formed by the camera diagnostics code and for a machine vision system formed by the machine vision code. The camera diagnostics system includes an obscurant detector configured to determine when the source images include artifacts representative of one or more obscurants intercepting a light path between a target object substantially remote from the image acquirer assembly and an imaging plane of the image acquirer assembly. The machine vision system includes machine vision tools configured to locate and analyze the target object in the source images when the target object is not obscured by the one or more obscurants.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for approximating spectral sensitivities of a particular image sensor, the image sensor having a color filter array positioned over the image sensor. In one example of the method, the method involves measuring spectral sensitivities of a set of image sensors each having a color filter array positioned over the image sensor, calculating mean spectral sensitivities of the set of image sensors for each color within the color filter array, measuring outputs of a particular image sensor when capturing a picture of a plurality of color patches under a first illuminant and calculating spectral sensitivities of the particular image sensor using the mean spectral sensitivities and the output of the particular image sensor. In some embodiments, the method further comprises utilizing the calculated spectral sensitivities to determine outputs of the particular image sensor under a second illuminant.

Abstract: A test handler is controlled by a tester to transport, select, focus and test miniature digital camera modules. The modules are loaded onto a transport tray and moved on a conveyer to a robot. The robot selects the untested modules from the tray an alternately places the modules into two test stations. A first test station focuses and tests a first module while the second test station is loaded with a second module, thus burying the handling time for the modules within the test time. The robot returns tested modules to the transport tray, and when all modules on the tray are tested, moves the tray out of the test handler. A second tray with untested modules is positioned at the robot while the tested modules of the first tray are being focus fixed and sorted into part number bins. The overlap of operations buries handling time within the focus and test time so that the limitation of total test time is depending on focus and test operations.

Abstract: A test handler is controlled by a tester to transport, select, focus and test miniature digital camera modules. The modules are loaded onto a transport tray and moved on a conveyer to a robot. The robot selects the untested modules from the tray an alternately places the modules into two test stations. A first test station focuses and tests a first module while the second test station is loaded with a second module, thus burying the handling time for the modules within the test time. The robot returns tested modules to the transport tray, and when all modules on the tray are tested, moves the tray out of the test handler. A second tray with untested modules is positioned at the robot while the tested modules of the first tray are being focus fixed and sorted into part number bins. The overlap of operations buries handling time within the focus and test time so that the limitation of total test time is depending on focus and test operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating an imaging system comprising a processing unit communicatively coupled to one or more imaging devices. The imaging system may also include a display. In an embodiment, a sequence of display features are displayed on a display, and imaged by the imaging device or devices. Spatial data is compiled related to the display features and the corresponding image features. In an embodiment, the display, imaging device or device, or both may be repositioned and another sequence of display features may be presented and the spatial data compiled. Using optimization and calibration techniques, the compiled spatial data may be used to obtain one or more internal imaging device parameters, one or more external parameters, or both.

Abstract: An auto-exposure algorithm for controlling a camera flash uses image processing to identify important areas of the image affected by the flash, while disregarding highly reflective/illuminated areas and uses a ND filter to linearize the flash triggering with highly reflective scenes. The camera flash is controlled by the auto-exposure algorithm in two stages: a pre-flash stage followed by a main-flash stage. In the pre-flash stage, two images are captured under the same camera settings regarding the exposure time, gain, iris and resolution. One image is captured with flash and one without. From the difference between the two images, a reference pixel is used to determine the flash intensity in the main-flash stage.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a camera including (a) obtaining a two-dimensional (2D) homography that maps each of parallelograms projected onto images taken by two arbitrary cameras into a rectangle, wherein the 2D homography is defined as a rectification homography and wherein new cameras that have virtual images are defined as rectified cameras and a new infinite homography is generated between the two rectified cameras, the virtual images being transformed from original images by the rectification homography; (b) obtaining an original infinite homography by using the correlations among the new infinite homography, the rectification homography and the original infinite homography; and (c) obtaining intrinsic camera parameters based on the correlation between the original infinite homography and the intrinsic camera parameters, thereby calibrating the camera.

Abstract: A method and a system for self-calibrating a wide field-of-view camera (such as a catadioptric camera) using a sequence of omni-directional images of a scene obtained from the camera. The present invention uses the consistency of pairwise features tracked across at least a portion of the image collection and uses these tracked features to determine unknown calibration parameters based on the characteristics of catadioptric imaging. More specifically, the self-calibration method of the present invention generates a sequence of omni-directional images representing a scene and tracks features across the image sequence. An objective function is defined in terms of the tracked features and an error metric (an image-based error metric in a preferred embodiment). The catadioptric imaging characteristics are defined by calibration parameters, and determination of optimal calibration parameters is accomplished by minimizing the objective function using an optimizing technique.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus, which can automatically adjust parameters relating to image-taking regardless of variations in manufacturing errors and adjustment errors, is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus takes images by using an image pickup element. The image-taking apparatus successively shifts a parameter relating to image-taking so as to include a reference value, and takes a plurality of images with the parameters different from each other. Furthermore, the image-taking apparatus stores information on the parameter corresponding to an image selected by a user among the plurality of images in a memory, and determines the parameter to be used for image-taking on the basis of information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An image measuring instrument includes: a CCD camera having an objective lens; an orientation changer that changes an imaging direction; a movement mechanism that relatively moves the CCD camera and a workpiece for auto-focusing the objective lens; and a position detector for detecting a position of the CCD camera. A calibration method includes: a preparation step for preparing a reference gauge having a sphere of which radius is sized not more than a focus depth of the objective lens, a surface of the sphere defining a reference surface; an orientation-changing step for changing the imaging direction; a focus-adjusting step for focusing the objective lens on the reference surface using the auto-focusing of the movement mechanism; and a position-detecting step for detecting the position information of the imaging unit by the position detector, thereby calibrating the position of the CCD camera.

Abstract: A content shooting apparatus is provided, in which thresholds for generating metadata concerning shot images can be calibrated in accordance with shooting conditions. In a content shooting apparatus (Acc) for converting content data (Dc) into a stream (AV) and recording the stream (AV) to a recording medium (214) in combination with content-related metadata (Dm), a camera (101) shoots a subject (105) and generates the content data (Dc), a camerawork statistics portion (206s) detects movement (?) of the camera, a camera microcomputer (206) compares the detected movement (?) with a predetermined value (Th) to generate the metadata (Dm), and an automatic threshold setting portion (206t) changes the predetermined value (Th) in accordance with the detected movement (?).

Abstract: There is provided a position detection apparatus for detecting position of an image pickup device that outputs an output signal corresponding to intensity of detected light, having a light source for generating light, an illumination lens for illuminating the light generated by the light source onto the image pickup device, a position detecting section for detecting relative position of the image pickup device with respect to the illumination lens based on the output signal outputted out of the image pickup device corresponding to the light received via the illumination lens and a moving section for changing the relative position of the image pickup device to position set in advance by moving at least one of the image pickup device and the illumination lens based on the relative position detected by the position detecting section.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention concerns an image sensor test system (1) that performs processing on an image (I1-I3) supplied by the sensor (1), during which the same operation is performed for each pixel of the image, characterised in that it includes a plurality of processing modules (MT1-MT4), where each module has: a memory that includes an Image zone (I) in which the image is intended to be stored; a processor (P1-P4) connected to the memory and capable of executing the said operation on a group of pixels of the image stored in the Image zone (I).

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital apparatus, such as a digital camera, which generates a digital representation of an image. The digital apparatus includes an image sensor having an array of pixels. An analog-to-digital converter converts electrical signals from the array of pixels into digital data representative of the image. Information indicative of locations of defective pixels in the pixel array is stored in a pixel defect memory. Compensation circuitry compensates the digital data representative of the image using the information indicative of the locations of the defective pixels. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a digital apparatus having compensation for defective pixels.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus, which can automatically adjust parameters relating to image-taking regardless of variations in manufacturing errors and adjustment errors, is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus takes images by using an image pickup element. The image-taking apparatus successively shifts a parameter relating to image-taking so as to include a reference value, and takes a plurality of images with the parameters different from each other. Furthermore, the image-taking apparatus stores information on the parameter corresponding to an image selected by a user among the plurality of images in a memory, and determined the parameter to be used for image-taking on the basis of information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A test handler is controlled by a tester to transport, select, focus and test miniature digital camera modules. The modules are loaded onto a transport tray and moved on a conveyer to a robot. The robot selects the untested modules from the tray an alternately places the modules into two test stations. A first test station focuses and tests a first module while the second test station is loaded with a second module, thus burying the handling time for the modules within the test time. The robot returns tested modules to the transport tray, and when all modules on the tray are tested, moves the tray out of the test handler. A second tray with untested modules is positioned at the robot while the tested modules of the first tray are being focus fixed and sorted into part number bins. The overlap of operations buries handling time within the focus and test time so that the limitation of total test time is depending on focus and test operations.

Abstract: A multi-channel imaging head is calibrated in accordance with a pre-determined regular pattern to minimize swath-to-swath and inter-swath variations during the imaging of the regular pattern. The imaging parameters of the imaging head are optimized in accordance with the pre-determined regular pattern.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminated color-dependent vignetting in a digital camera includes: providing a raw array of data corresponding to an image of a scene for each color that the camera can image; and adjusting the raw arrays such that the array for each color exhibits substantially the same amount of vignetting.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an imaging subsystem is provided. The method includes manufacturing an image sensing device including a unique identifier. The image sensing device is incorporated into an imaging subsystem. The imaging subsystem is operated and characterization parameters of the image sensing device operation are determined based thereon. The characterization parameters are associated with the unique identifier in a repository of characterization parameters that is separate from the imaging subsystem.

Abstract: A programmable digital black level calibration circuit comprises a combining circuit, a digital programmable gain amplifier (PGA), and a black level feedback circuit. The combining circuit combines a digital image signal for optical black (OB) pixels and a feedback signal and outputs a digital PGA input signal. The PGA amplifies the digital PGA input signal by a PGA gain value and outputs a digital PGA output signal. The black level feedback circuit receives the digital PGA output signal and a target black level and in response outputs the feedback signal such that a black level of the OB pixels is calibrated with respect to the target black level. The programmable digital black level calibration circuit calibrates the black level in pure digital domain using signed data buses. The target black level is adjustable to a desired positive or negative value independent from the PGA gain value.

Abstract: A standard used to test imaging systems is imaged by a digital camera which expresses the image of the standard as a plurality of pixels having associated intensities. A computer automatically finds the image of the standard in the image and quantitatively compares intensities of pixels of a subsequent image of the standard to the first image to discern changes indicative of malfunction. A set of images of the standard may be collected and compiled to develop standard data, such as average of median values, that can be used to test imaging apparatus. The standard may be provided with a plurality of types of imaging standards occupying sub-areas that produce a different photoresponse to a plurality of different light sources. A fluorescent standard may be included that has a plurality of different fluorescence levels.