Abstract: A process for transforming digital source image data to provide a desired image look at the end of an imaging step chain is described comprising: defining desired values for at least two image look parameters associated with the desired image look; sensing the values of the defined image look parameters for the digital source image data; and modifying the digital source image data to provide digital output image data with at least one image look parameter value closer to the defined image look parameter value associated with the desired image look. The desired image look parameters may be defined with respect to an image to be displayed after further processing of the digital output image data downstream of the modifying step, information may be provided on the characteristics of the downstream processing, and the modifying step may be designed to compensate for effects of the downstream processing on the desired image look parameters.

Abstract: The still image generating apparatus of the present invention includes an image acquisition unit that obtains from among multiple image data multiple first image data that are arranged in a chronological fashion, an image storage unit that stores the multiple first image data obtained by the image acquisition unit, a correction amount estimation unit that estimates with regard to the multiple first image data stored in the image storage unit the amount of correction required to correct for positional deviation among the images that are expressed by the various items of image data, and an image synthesizer that corrects the positional deviation among the images expressed by the multiple first image data based on the estimated correction amounts, and synthesizes the corrected multiple first image data to generate as still image data second image data having a higher resolution than the first image data.

Abstract: A CCD image sensor 14 uses sufficiently more pixels than those in an output image. A pixel number conversion block applies pixel number reduction conversion to an image pickup signal from the CCD image sensor 14. This signal is output as a monitor output or motion-picture recording signal via a terminal 43. Converting the multi-pixel image signal to a reduced image can provide an output image with improved sharpness.

Abstract: An image pick-up device for producing a synthesized image signal having a wide dynamic range by partially exchanging a plurality of image signals from a solid state image sensing element in an image synthesizing unit (41), said image signals being obtained by picking-up a subject moving on a bright background with different exposure amounts, including a synthetic unsuitable portion detecting unit (42, 44) for detecting a synthetic unsuitable portion by comparing said plurality of image signals picked-up with different exposure amounts, a synthetic unsuitable portion correcting unit (46, 48) for correcting a pixel signal of said synthesizing unsuitable portion to derived a corrected synthesized image signal, and a low pass filter (47) for combining said corrected synthesized image signal from said synthetic unsuitable portion correcting unit with said synthesized image signal from said image synthesizing unit to derive a corrected synthesized image signal.

Abstract: The luminous elements of the three colours red, green and blue of a plasma video display have different time responses. Therefore, a coloured trail/edge appears behind and in front of the edges of a moving object. In order to reduce the disturbing character of such coloured trails/edges, correcting the video data for blue and red phosphor elements to compensate for the different time responses discolour them. Then only a discoloured trail/edge appears which is less disturbing.

Abstract: There is provided a shake correcting device that can prevent white defects of an image pickup unit from moving around on a display screen, thereby eliminating unsightliness of displays in correcting shakes of subject images, according to image signals that are output by the image pickup unit that converts the subject images into video signals. When an image stabilizing ON/OFF switch of a microcomputer of an image pickup apparatus is set to ON, and the image pickup apparatus is not in a static mode, if a level signal with a higher level than a predetermined reference level signal from a detection signal generating section, is input from a camera signal processing section to a comparison circuit of a white defect detecting section, then the white defect detecting section detects white defects in a CCD as the image pickup unit, and the microcomputer controls an image stabilizing operation to be set in the OFF state.

Abstract: A dynamic range expanding apparatus in an image processing system, capable of more stably expanding dynamic visual range by removing motion blurring caused when images each having different exposure levels are combined, and a dynamic range expanding method, are provided. In this apparatus, a video multiplexing unit divides a digital video signal, which is converted from an analog video signal output by a charged coupled device, into an over-exposed video signal and an under-exposed video signal having different exposure levels. A motion correction unit corrects the moving part of an excessively-exposed video according to the amount of movement of an image acquired by the charged coupled device, using the output of the video multiplexing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for correction of a deviation of an imaging sensor of a digital camera in which an image of an object or a scene is formed on an image plane of the imaging sensor to output an image signal, are disclosed. A quantity of rotation of the digital camera causing a deviation of the imaging sensor from a reference position to occur, is detected. A change of a positional angle of the imaging sensor is calculated based on the detected rotation quantity. A target vector is calculated based on the calculated positional angle change, the target vector describing a magnitude and a direction of an inverse movement of the imaging sensor needed to reach the reference position and cancel the deviation. Movement of the imaging sensor is controlled based on the calculated target vector, so that the imaging sensor is moved back to the reference position thus correcting the deviation.

Abstract: A surveillance system is formed from two video cameras viewing substantially the same region being monitored. One camera provides high temporal resolution, such as a conventional CCTV camera operating at 30 frames per second with 640 pixels per image width. The second camera provides high spatial resolution, such as a linescan sensor with a mechanical scanning assembly, providing 2 images per second with 5120 pixels per image width. The combination of these two cameras provides a video record of the monitored region with simultaneous high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution.

Abstract: The disclosed method uses empirically derived image quality data in order to determine an image resolution for a particular zoom and/or crop operation performed on an image. An acceptability value is specified for the image, e.g., a specific % acceptable, where the acceptability value relates to empirically derived image quality as perceived by a human viewer. Given selected input and output devices, an image resolution is then generated from a combination of the particular zoom and crop and the specified acceptability value. This resolution is specified as the image resolution, e.g., a minimally acceptable resolution, to produce the desired zoom and crop.

Abstract: This patent describes a print roll for use in an instant camera device, the print roll having a ink return tray for collecting excess waste ink from the printing process. The return tray can comprises a sponge-like strip affixed to a leaf portion of the print roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a system having a plurality of video cameras. The cameras are linked to a control unit which has a motion detection apparatus for monitoring the images received from the cameras and detecting motion therein. The cameras are adapted to operate in at least two modes: a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode. Under normal circumstances, cameras will be operating in low resolution mode to minimise use of system resources. If activity is detected within the field of view of one of the cameras, that camera is switched to high resolution, the other cameras remaining in the low resolution mode.