Abstract: Long and short exposure time pixel information are input to pixel information. A long exposure time image set with the pixel values assuming all of the pixels have been exposed for a long time and a short exposure time image set with the pixel values assuming all of the pixels have been exposed for a short time are generated. A point spread function corresponding to the long exposure time image is computed as a long exposure time image PSF. A corrected image is generated using the short exposure time image, the long exposure time image, and the long exposure time image PSF. The corrected image is generated as a wide dynamic range image utilizing the pixel information for the long and short exposure time image. Utilizing the pixel information for the short exposure time image with little blurring, makes the corrected image a high quality corrected image with little blurring.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a high dynamic range synthesizing circuit includes an interpolation processing unit, a blur detection unit and a mix processing unit. The interpolation processing unit generates an interpolation signal. The blur detection unit uses a first image signal and a second image signal a signal level of which is adjusted for detecting the amount of blur. The mix processing unit performs processing of mixing the second image signal into the interpolation signal. The mix processing unit applies a weight of the second image signal depending on the amount of blur to the interpolation signal by the mix processing.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selectively capturing, retaining, and combining multiple sub-exposure images or brackets to yield a final image having diminished motion-induced blur and good noise characteristics. More specifically, after or during the capture of N brackets, the M best may be identified for combining into a single output image, (N>M). As used here, the term “best” means those brackets that exhibit the least amount of relative motion with respect to one another—with one caveat: integer pixel shifts may be preferred over sub-pixel shifts.

Abstract: An image recording playback apparatus which, when recording moving image data, performs image capture at high-speed read time Dt, records all the captured images, and records a playback rate Ft (Vt), the read time Dt and image valid time St, with the image data, on a recording medium. Then upon playback of moving image data, the image recording playback apparatus plays back the recorded image data within the image valid time St in accordance with the playback rate. The image recording playback apparatus having this configuration can perform playback intended by a user. Further, when sharpness is to be changed, a playback image with different sharpness can be obtained by changing the image valid time St upon playback.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a controller configured to perform an autofocus processing and an image pickup processing, the image pickup processing including a display of a live-view image, an exposure for recording of the image pickup element and a generation of a recording image from an image signal acquired by the exposure. The controller moves the image pickup element to a specific position closer to a center of the predetermined movable range of the image pickup element than the position of the image pickup element detected by the position detector, and subsequently performs a correction movement in which the focus lens moves so as to decrease generation of defocus for the image pickup element due to the movement of the image pickup element to the specific position after the exposure for recording before the display of the live-view image in the image pickup processing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical unit capable of changing a focusing position and converting an image of a subject into an electric signal, an image processing device configured to convert the electric signal from the optical unit into imaging data and acquire reference image data before a shooting is taken, a display device configured to display the imaging data, a control device configured to control the image processing device, and a movement-detecting device connected to the image processing device and the control device and configured to detect movement information representing a variation between the imaging data and the reference image data, about each of the imaging data. The image processing device includes a correcting part configured to correct a focusing-area frame representing a focusing position of the imaging data, based on the detected movement information.

Abstract: Electronic devices may include image sensors and processing circuitry. Image sensors may be used to capture multiple exposure images. Processing circuitry may be used to combine multiple exposure images into high-dynamic-range images. A motion correction method is provided that detects motion between multiple exposure images without using a frame buffer. A noise model is used to separate noise from motion for more accurate motion detection. A dilation operator may be used to enlarge a motion mask generated by the motion detector. Motion-corrected images may be generated from the multiple exposure images using a soft switch based on the motion strength. Motion-corrected multiple exposure images may be combined to generate a motion-corrected HDR image. A smoothing filter may be applied to the motion region of the motion-corrected HDR image. A blooming correction may be used to eliminate color artifacts in the motion-corrected HDR image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus and a control method thereof relate to an image capturing apparatus such as a camera array. The image capturing apparatus comprises a plurality of image capturing units. An image capturing unit to be activated out of a plurality of image capturing units is decided based on the capturing distance of an object included in a captured scene. Electricity is supplied to the image capturing unit decided to be activated.

Abstract: A method for generating values for one or more camera calibration parameters is described. The camera calibration parameters may include focal length, lens distortion, and optical center of the lens. A plurality of photographs are captured from a camera on a device which includes an accelerometer. Common features are determined between the captured photographs. Accelerometer data is analyzed for each captured photograph. The values for the camera calibration parameters are generated based on the common features and the accelerometer data and stored for future use with various applications.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a digital camera may coordinate focusing with compensation of camera shake. The digital camera may include a shutter-signal generating unit which outputs a first shutter signal corresponding to a start of a focusing operation and a second shutter signal corresponding to a start of a photographing operation. The digital camera may also include a digital signal processor which performs a centering operation of a compensation lens in response to the first shutter signal, and which performs a compensation operation of the compensation lens for compensating for a camera shake in response to the second shutter signal.

Abstract: An electronic device for reflecting a spatial motion to focus a subject and a method thereof. A method of operating an electronic device includes sensing a spatial motion of the electronic device, at the same time as sensing the spatial motion, determining the movement or non-movement of a subject being displayed, and reflecting the spatial motion of the electronic device and the movement or non-movement of the subject to focus the subject.

Abstract: This camera system comprises a novel or new combination of three elements or parts including a 1000 mm focal length Maksutov Cassegrain MTO or Rubinar mirror lens threaded to an M42 to Sony Alpha mount or M42 to Olympus 4/3 mount adapter, both with their own “dandelion chip”, programmed with the focal length of 1000 mm allowing for the only currently image stabilized lens of this length, also allowing the lens to communicate with the camera to allow proper metering and exposure as well as focus confirmation for faster, more certain sharp photos whether through “focus peaking” in the case of the Sony, or “catch in focus” and a confirmation beep with the Olympus, as well as 3 variable levels of zoom from 1500 mm to 3000 mm in the case of the Sony (incorporating both the crop factor of the sensor and the crop zoom push button feature) and 2× crop with Olympus.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an imaging device, comprising: an imaging unit for receiving subject light flux, that has been made incident by the photographing lens, on an imaging surface, and photoelectrically converting a formed subject image to output image data; a display unit for carrying out a live view display operation using image data acquired by the imaging unit; a first contrast AF unit for obtaining contrast information of the subject information from image data acquired by the imaging unit and guiding the photographing lens into a first in-focus permissible range based on the contrast information, and a control unit for, when the live view display operation has started, executing a focus adjustment operation using the first contrast AF unit at a first time interval.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of adapting an optical image stabilizer (OIS) for a camera, the methods comprising acquiring an image of the scene; obtaining image context associated with the image of the scene; selecting a mode of operating the OIS based on the obtained image context; and, applying the OIS using the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: An image processing unit which includes: an input section which inputs a plurality of images each of which is associated with a difference from an in-focus state detected in accordance with differences among images of a subject which is divided during production of each of the plurality of images, the images being produced in continuous shooting in which a series of images are produced continuously in time series; and a selecting section which selects an image with the highest focusing degree in accordance with the difference from the in-focus state from among the plurality of images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and an imaging method able to obtain images having no blurring with a small number of images under different exposure conditions and capable of shortening a processing time, wherein an imaging apparatus 10 captures a plurality of images including an image having a short exposure time and high resolution, but having much noise and an image having a long exposure time, but having little noise and low resolution by an optical system 11 and an imaging element 12. After the signal processing of a signal processing part 13, a CPU 14 detects positional deviation among the captured images and blurring, changes the ratio of the plurality of images according to the distances from the edge, and combines these to thereby form an image free from blurring and reducing noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging objects are provided. An imaging device includes a sensor to provide an image of an object. The sensor can have a sensor exposure time and a sensor gain and the image includes a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames that can depict at least a portion of the object. The imaging device includes a motion detector to determine whether there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames of the plurality of frames. The imaging device also includes a controller. The controller can set the sensor exposure time to a first value in response to a determination by the motion detector that there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames. The controller can also set the sensor exposure time to a second value in response to a determination that there is no movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to an image pickup apparatus for which, for example, a CMOS solid-state image pickup element is used. One screen image is divided into a plurality of blocks, and a motion is detected for each of the blocks to control the exposure time of the block.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus having auto focusing function using fractal dimension and an auto focusing method of an image pickup apparatus are disclosed, the apparatus characterized by comprising: a pickup unit; a fractal controller generating a fractal dimension value indicating chrominance information change per pixel of a pickup image of the pickup unit to determine whether the auto focusing has been adjusted; and an auto focusing adjustor adjusting a focus of the pickup unit in response to an auto focus adjustment signal from the fractal controller.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image capturing element which photoelectrically converts a subject image into electrical charge information, a driving device which drives a driving part related to image capturing, and a controlling unit which changes a driving frequency of the driving device at a timing to read the electrical charge information from the image capturing element.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, a control unit can operate in one of a first mode which corresponds to an image capturing mode and which controls an image-blur correcting unit, and a second mode corresponding to a playback mode. When the image capturing mode is switched to the playback mode, the control unit operates in the first mode during a predetermined time after switching to the playback mode, and then operates in the second mode after the predetermined time period has elapsed. This makes it possible to immediately obtain an anti-shake effect even if the playback mode is switched to the image capturing mode.

Abstract: An adaptive motion estimation and deblurring technique for acquired digital images includes acquiring multiple digital images with a moving digital image acquisition device that includes an image sensor, including a relatively sharp, underexposed reference image and a blurred image. Anb initial approximate point spread function (PSF) is estimated corresponding to the moving of the device. A different DC offset point is determined and a second PSF is calculated based on the different DC offset point.

Abstract: An imaging device is provided which includes an imaging unit for converting light passing through a focus lens into an image signal to obtain an image, an arrangement unit for arranging an evaluation frame on the image obtained by the imaging unit, a determination unit for determining a focusing position of the focus lens based on pixel value evaluation in the evaluation frame arranged by the arrangement unit, and a driving unit for moving the focus lens to the focusing position determined by the determination unit, in which the arrangement unit re-arranges the evaluation frame by modifying the evaluation frame when a straight-line component appearing on the image overlaps with the evaluation frame.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is such that in a case where an operation is instructed by an operation member, a mode changing unit changes operation modes or control amounts in the operation modes of at least two controllers from among a plurality of controllers.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises: a moving unit configured to move a focus position of a photographing lens relative to an image sensor at a predetermined amplitude by changing a distance in an optical axis direction between the photographing lens and the image sensor; detection unit configured to detect a focus state of an image obtained from the image sensor; and defocus correction unit configured to perform defocus correction on the image obtained from the image sensor during motion performed by the moving unit, based on the focus state detected by the detection unit, so that the focus state of each image for display on the display device at least approaches the focus state for an in-focus image.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes: a focus detection unit that includes a pair of light-receiving element arrays and lens systems via which a pair of focus detection light fluxes are each guided to one of the pair of light-receiving element arrays, and detects an image shift amount based upon output signals output from the pair of light-receiving element arrays; an acquisition unit that obtains a plurality of sets of opening data pertaining to sizes and positions of a plurality of openings; a function value calculation unit that calculates, based upon the plurality of sets of opening data, a function value pertaining to a gravitational center distance between gravitational centers of a pair of overlapping areas where a pair of specific focus detection pupils overlap an exit pupil; and a conversion unit that converts the image shift amount to a defocus amount based upon the function value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject to output image data, an optical system that includes a focus lens and is configured to form an image of the subject on the imaging unit, a finder that allows a user to view the subject, a proximity sensor configured to sense proximity of an object to the finder, and a controller configured to perform a focus operation to drive the focus lens to focus on the image of the subject when the proximity sensor senses proximity of an object, and fix the position of the focus lens after completion of the focus operation until a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: An auto-focusing apparatus controls backlash compensation driving of a focus lens during exposure preparation when focusing is performed by moving the focus lens to a target position of the focus lens. A shutter release time lag can be reduced, and in particular, the auto-focusing apparatus can be usefully applied to the case where a moving subject is photographed.

Abstract: An auto-focusing camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, a color separation unit, a controller, and a shape memory alloy. The lens module captures light signal of an object. The image sensor senses the light and forms an image. The color separation unit separates the image into red image, green image and blue image. The controller calculates MTF values of the image and determines a shooting distance between the lens module and the object. When the shooting distance is greater than a predetermined distance value, the controller processes the image according to the MTF values to compensate blurs of the image caused by out of focus; when the shooting distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance value, the controller controls the shape memory alloy drive the lens module to an optimum focusing position for focus according to the MTF values.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided which includes an imaging section which converts incident light which is incident from a subject via a lens and generates an imaging image; a selection section which, in regard to each of a plurality of ranging areas arranged in the generated imaging image, obtains a subject distance which is a distance from the lens to a subject included in the ranging area and an MTF for each of the ranging areas in relation to the lens, and selects a ranging area which includes a subject to be a focusing target as a focusing target area based on the obtained subject distance and MTF; and a focus control section which performs focus control so as to focus on a subject included in the selected focusing target area.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device having a pixel array section in which pixels including photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix form, and sweeping out unnecessary charges by setting a predetermined number, two or more, of adjacent rows or a predetermined number, two or more, of adjacent columns, in the pixel array section, to a single group, and by applying a shutter pulse in units of groups before storing signal charges, and sequentially reading the signal charges in the units of groups. In the solid-state imaging device, a pre-shutter pulse is applied to pixels belonging to at least a single row or a single column within a succeeding group and adjacent to a preceding group, prior to the shutter pulse, before a reading timing for the preceding group, to sweep out unnecessary charges stored in the pixels.

Abstract: A mobile multimedia device may be operable to crop a series of image samples received during an autofocus operation. Each of the cropped image samples may be scaled by the mobile multimedia device to fit a display unit in the mobile multimedia device. Each of the scaled image samples may then be displayed on the display unit for viewing during the autofocus operation. The received image samples may be cropped based on an operating mode in which the mobile multimedia device is currently operating. The autofocus operation may be initiated utilizing a shutter button in the mobile multimedia device. The autofocus operation may be terminated when a desired focus is achieved. After the autofocus operation is terminated, the mobile multimedia device may be operable to display one or more image samples received after the termination of the autofocus operation for continuous viewing, with or without further cropping and scaling.

Abstract: Several methods and apparatuses for implementing automatic exposure mechanisms for image capturing devices are described. In one embodiment, an orientation detector located in the device determines orientation data for the device, The automatic exposure mechanism projects an orientation vector into an image plane of an image sensor, Next, the automatic exposure mechanism adjusts an initial position of a metering area used for automatic exposure towards a target position based on the projected orientation vector. The automatic exposure mechanism optionally dampens the adjustment of the metering area.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus receives shake information detected by, for example, a sensor which detects a shake, and determines whether the hold status of the image capturing apparatus is handheld or fixed, based on the shake information (first shake determination). Also, the image capturing apparatus sequentially acquires images output upon photoelectric conversion by charge-accumulation type photoelectric conversion elements, and determines whether the hold status is handheld or fixed, based on an image displacement between the images (second shake determination). The exposure settings at the time of image capturing are changed between the case wherein it is determined by first shake determination that the hold status is fixed, and that wherein it is determined by second shake determination that the hold status is fixed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image capturing apparatus including, an optical zoom lens, an actuator for driving said optical zoom lens, an imaging device, a jiggling detection section, an optical jiggling correction section, an electronic jiggling correction section, and an optical zoom magnification change rate modulation section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus characterized by including; an area sensor unit that reads from an original document image a plurality of frames of image data having a shift of less than one pixel, an output resolution acquisition unit that obtains an output image resolution at which resolution the original document image read by the area sensor unit is output, an acquisition frame number control unit that controls a number of frames read by the area sensor unit according to a result of the output resolution acquisition unit, a correction unit that corrects an inclination of the frames of image data controlled by the acquisition frame number control unit, and a high resolution conversion unit that performs an interpolation processing using the plurality of frames of image data whose inclination is corrected by the correction unit to obtain image data in a resolution higher than a resolution during reading.

Abstract: A system and method for stabilization of an image capture device are disclosed. Also disclosed are a system and method for autofocus of an image capture device.

Abstract: An image-capturing device of the present invention includes an image-capturing element 10 including a plurality of light-sensing cells arranged on an image-capturing surface; an optical system (14, 20) for forming a first image which is in focus on an image-capturing surface 10a in a first state and forming a second image which is out of focus on the image-capturing surface 10a in a second state; and an image processing section 220 for processing a signal obtained from the image-capturing element 10. The image processing section 220 includes a camera-shake blur removing section for generating a restored image obtained by reducing camera-shake blur from an image obtained by the image-capturing element 10 in the second state.

Abstract: An imaging device for supporting the user to generate satisfactory synthesized images, not missing photo opportunities. The imaging device generates a plurality of still images continuously and generates a synthesized image from the still images. While the shooting button is pressed to instruct continuous shooting, the imaging device performs a process in which it writes still image data, which is obtained by the continuous shooting, into a recording medium sequentially. After the continuous shooting ends, the imaging device enters a wait state to wait for a new instruction, and then upon receiving an instruction to start generating a synthesized image, it performs a process of generating a synthesized image by using a plurality of pieces of still image data stored in the recording medium.

Abstract: Provided are a photographing control method and apparatus according to motion of a digital photographing apparatus. The photographing control method may prevent inconvenience when a subject is photographed while changing a viewing angle by using an additional zoom button, by sensing predetermined motion via a motion sensor comprised in the digital photographing apparatus and calculating a first motion value; comparing the calculated first motion value to predetermined threshold values; and controlling a zoom lens to be driven in a predetermined direction according to a result of the comparing.

Abstract: Background blurring is provided when capturing an image using an image capture device. Input is received for initiating an image capture process for capturing an image at an image capture device, the image including at least a subject and a background. The image capture device is automatically focused closer than the subject for capturing the image with the background blurred responsive to receiving the input for initiating the image capture process.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for calculating depth estimation for a digital imaging device are disclosed and claimed. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting a first image associated with a first focus parameter, detecting a second image associated with a second focus parameter, calculating a statistical representation of a region of interest in the first and second images, and determining a ratio for the region of interest based on the statistical representation. The method may further include determining one or more focus characteristics using a memory table based on the determined ratio for the region of interest, and calculating a focus depth for capture of image data based on the determined one or more focus characteristics associated with the memory table.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium for determining an optimal shutter fluttering sequence. The disclosed approach is based on the use of shutter flutter technology, which means that an image can be acquired in such a manner as to encode all information about the moving subject. The disclosed approach involves determining a shutter's fluttering pattern that optimally encodes information at all frequencies. The disclosed approach involves an optimization method for finding a shutter fluttering pattern that maximizes the minimum value of a function defining the plurality of flutter shutter sequences over a frequency domain. The disclosed approach involves eliminating all flutter shutter sequences that contain lost frequencies. The objective of the disclosed approach is to select an optimal flutter shutter sequence for implementation with a flutter shutter camera.

Abstract: A visible light (VL) and infrared (IR) combined image camera with a laser pointer. The laser pointer may be used for marking a hot spot on an object or for focusing an IR lens of a camera on an object. The laser pointer may be adjacent to the VL optics and offset from the IR optics. The VL sensor array may be much larger than the IR sensor array and the camera may also display the pixels of IR data with a much larger instantaneous field of view than the VL pixels. The camera may also provide audible alarms where the alarm is emitted with a tone of variable output to indicate the relative level of the alarm.

Abstract: This camera system comprises a novel or new combination of three elements or parts including a 1000 mm focal length Maksutov Cassegrain MTO or Rubinar mirror lens threaded to an M42 to Sony Alpha mount or M42 to Olympus 4/3 mount adapter, both with their own “dandelion chip”, programmed with the focal length of 1000 mm allowing for the only currently image stabilized lens of this length, also allowing the lens to communicate with the camera to allow proper metering and exposure as well as focus confirmation for faster, more certain sharp photos whether through “focus peaking” in the case of the Sony, or “catch in focus” and a confirmation beep with the Olympus, as well as 3 variable levels of zoom from 1500 mm to 3000 mm in the case of the Sony (incorporating both the crop factor of the sensor and the crop zoom push button feature) and 2× crop with Olympus.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is equipped with: imaging means constituted by a great number of first light receiving elements and second light receiving elements that photoelectrically convert light from subjects, which are capable of being controlled to be driven independently form each other and are arranged in a predetermined arrangement, for obtaining image signals based on the output of the first light receiving elements and/or the second light receiving elements; image signal processing means, for generating image data from the image signals obtained by the imaging means; subject discriminating means, for discriminating subject scenes based on the image signals; subject field data obtaining means, for obtaining subject field data based on the image signals; and control means, for selecting a drive mode to drive the imaging means and the image signal processing means, based on the discriminated subject scenes and the obtained subject field data.

Abstract: An image capture device of the present invention includes: a first image capture element 10A and a second image capture element 10B; and an optical system which is capable of forming a first image which is in focus on an image capture plane of the first image capture element 10A and forming a second image which is out of focus on an image capture plane of the second image capture element 10B. An image processing section 220 processes a signal obtained from the first image capture element 10A and a signal obtained from the second image capture element 10B and produces a restored image from an image obtained by the second image capture element 10B, the restored image having reduced camera shake blur and reduced out-of-focus blur.

Abstract: A method of estimating a point spread function (PSF) includes: estimating a global motion between a short-exposure image and a long-exposure image that are continuously captured using different exposure times, and compensating for the global motion; calculating a first resultant image by applying a band pass filter to the short-exposure image; calculating a second resultant image by applying the band pass filter to the long-exposure image; converting the first resultant image and the second resultant image into n-level images, where n is an odd natural number greater than or equal to 3, by deducing a first n-level resultant image and a second n-level resultant image from the first resultant image and the second resultant image, respectively; correlating the first n-level resultant image and the second n-level resultant image, and calculating a correlation map; and deducing the PSF from the correlation map.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a shutter button. When the shutter button is half-depressed, a focal level of an object is determined on the basis of an image signal outputted from an imaging device, and a moving start position of a focus lens is settled on the basis of the determination result. More specifically, a correction amount of the moving start position is settled in accordance with the determination result of the focal level, and a position that subtracts the correction amount from a lens position at a time the shutter button being half-depressed is settled as the moving start position. The higher the focal level, the more reduced the correction amount. The focus lens gradually moves toward the imaging device from the settled moving start position, and a focal position is specified on the basis of the image signal outputted from the imaging device at each step.