Abstract: An image capture apparatus comprises a first signal processing circuit that generates image data for display by applying signal processing for display to image data obtained from an image sensor and a second signal processing circuit that generates image data for recording by applying signal processing for recording to the image data obtained from the image sensor. The image capture apparatus further comprises a recording circuit that records, in association with the image data for recording, information from which settings of the signal processing for display can be identified.

Abstract: An Internet facilitated fire safety system and real time monitoring system is disclosed. The fire safety system comprises a plurality of smart fire safety devices and equipment, including fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire doors, exit lights, emergency lights, sprinkler tank and sprinkler system, system to monitor CO2 and/or carbon monoxide levels, and the like. Each of these safety devices and equipment is connected by an IOT interface device and a wireless gateway to computer servers an electronic communications network. The IOT interface devices have a plurality of sensors to detect the operational condition of each safety device and equipment. Data obtained from the sensors is analyzed and interpreted using software and algorithms by servers in the system. Since each fire safety device and equipment is electronically connected, transmitting data and information on its operational status occurs in real time and 24/7.

Abstract: An aircraft including at least one turbine engine and a monitoring device associated with the turbine engine, the turbine engine being linked firstly to circuits including fluid circuits and electric circuits, and secondly to sensors for monitoring the turbine engine and the circuits, the sensors including at least one fire sensor and sensors for monitoring the fluid circuits, sensors for monitoring the electric circuits and sensors for monitoring the operation of the turbine engine, the monitoring device being linked to the sensors and including a central processing unit to generate a signal indicating the occurrence of a fire on the turbine engine only if a fire sensor and a sensor for monitoring a fluid circuit or an electric circuit or the operation of the turbine engine transmit a signal indicating an anomaly.

Abstract: A method remotely monitors an operation of a household appliance by a portable communication end device by receiving status data of the appliance. A current operating state of the appliance is detected based on received status data via a control unit and by actuating a display for displaying a graphical user interface for remote monitoring of the operation by the control unit. The current operating status of the appliance is output. The outputting of the current operating status includes an image depiction which characterizes the current operating status. To generate the image depiction, differential features between the current operating status and a reference status of the appliance are identified and a basis image, in which the appliance is shown in the reference status, is overlaid by an overlay image illustrating the differential features, which overlay image illustrates the appliance in the current operating status in interaction with the basis image.

Abstract: A recording control apparatus includes a recording unit to record a moving image, a stop instruction unit to instruct the recording unit to stop, and a control unit. Based on that the recording of the moving image by the recording unit continues for a predetermined time, the control unit performs control to automatically stop recording of a moving image and display a receiving screen that receives an instruction for a moving image recorded most recently on a display. When a stop instruction is issued from the stop instruction unit before the recording of the moving image by the recording unit continues for the predetermined time, the control unit performs control to stop the recording of the moving image and shift to a recording standby screen without displaying the receiving screen on the display.

Abstract: To provide a mobile phone which can be used without hampering convenience in a condition where functions of the mobile phone are switched and can improve operability. The mobile phone includes an optical sensor, a display element, a pixel circuit portion where a plurality of pixels having a plurality of transistors are arranged in matrix, an optical sensor control circuit which is connected to an optical sensor driver circuit for driving the optical sensor and reads a signal from the optical sensor, a display portion control circuit which is connected to a display element driver circuit for driving the display element and outputs an image signal for displaying an image on a display portion, a gradient detection portion for outputting a signal in accordance with a gradient of the mobile phone, and an arithmetic circuit for performing display in the pixel circuit portion by switching image signals output to the display portion control circuit with a signal from the gradient detection portion.

Abstract: To provide a mobile phone which can be used without hampering convenience in a condition where functions of the mobile phone are switched and can improve operability. The mobile phone includes an optical sensor, a display element, a pixel circuit portion where a plurality of pixels having a plurality of transistors are arranged in matrix, an optical sensor control circuit which is connected to an optical sensor driver circuit for driving the optical sensor and reads a signal from the optical sensor, a display portion control circuit which is connected to a display element driver circuit for driving the display element and outputs an image signal for displaying an image on a display portion, a gradient detection portion for outputting a signal in accordance with a gradient of the mobile phone, and an arithmetic circuit for performing display in the pixel circuit portion by switching image signals output to the display portion control circuit with a signal from the gradient detection portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for parking lot occupancy determination. Video of an entrance to a parking lot (or other facility) can be acquired utilizing one or more video cameras focusing on a pre-defined vision-based region of interest and a pre-defined video-based region of interest. The video can be video processed via a classifier that is pre-trained to take into account potential camera shake disturbances to generate video output data thereof. The video output data can then be trajectory smoothed. The video output data (following trajectory smoothing) can then be analyzed for parking lot occupancy data such that the impact of camera shake with respect to the video camera(s) is minimized to determine parking lot occupancy.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for assisting in recording video content on a video recording device. The method involves displaying a cross which comprises two orthogonal intersecting lines, displaying an indicator token, and changing the state of at least one of the cross and the indicator token in response to a control signal from the video recording device to provide visual notification to a user of the video recording device.

Abstract: Provided is an image capture apparatus that can perform focus detection based on a focus evaluation value indicating contrast of a subject image included in a focus detection area using an image signal output from an image sensor. In accordance with the extent of a blur amount of the subject image, the image capture apparatus determines how to use a method for performing focus detection through a reciprocating motion of a focus lens and a method for performing focus detection by moving the focus lens in a direction toward which the focus evaluation value increases. Focus detection is performed based on the determination.

Abstract: An information processing device, which acquires a face image of a person to be imaged that is captured by an imaging device, executes: a determination step of determining whether a distance between a face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is within a predetermined range; and a display step of, if the distance between the face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is determined to be within the predetermined range in the determination step, displaying, on a display device, a target position for alignment of at least one feature point contained in the face image of the person to be imaged, together with the face image of the person to be imaged repeatedly captured by the imaging device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of a video is provided. The method comprises: generating a frame loss pattern of the video by indicating whether each frame in the video is lost or successfully transmitted; and evaluating the quality of the video as a function of the generated t came loss pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining a video quality parameter and an electronic device. The method includes dividing a target video segment into at least one video subsegment, where duration of every video subsegment is at least time perceivable by human eyes; obtaining a video quality parameter of the video subsegment; and processing the video quality parameter of the video subsegment, and obtaining a video quality parameter of the target video segment.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for obtaining a video quality parameter and an electronic device. The method includes dividing a target video segment into at least one video subsegment, where duration of every video subsegment is at least time perceivable by human eyes; obtaining a video quality parameter of the video subsegment; and processing the video quality parameter of the video subsegment, and obtaining a video quality parameter of the target video segment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a video communication device and a method thereof, the method comprises: obtain a current battery energy level of a device; load information of the battery energy level to a ready-to-send video; execute video encoding to the ready-to-send video and sending the same. The present invention can display the information of the energy level of one party's device on the video communication image of another party's device, so that another party can realize the actually current battery energy level of one party's device, tempos of the video communication can be controlled well, effects of the video communication can be raised.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing distance-based distortion in a camera image of an object, where the distanced-based distortion is due to differences in distance from the camera to different parts of the object. In one approach, the distortion is reduced by estimating distances to different parts of the object and then generating a reprojected image of the object dependent upon the estimated distances and upon a virtual viewpoint that is more distant than the camera from the object. In a further approach, the image is warped such that points in the image match corresponding points in one or more stored templates. In a still further approach, if excessive distortion is present in the image, the camera zoom is increased and a magnified image is displayed, prompting a person to move farther from the camera thereby reducing the distortion.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image recording unit configured to record captured image data on a first recording medium with no wireless communication function and a second recording medium with a wireless communication function, which is detachable, a recording destination setting unit configured to set a recording destination on which to record the image data by the image recording unit, and a transmission setting unit configured to set whether to transmit the image data to an external apparatus by the wireless communication function of the second recording medium. If the transmission setting unit sets the image data to be transmitted to the external apparatus, the recording destination setting unit automatically sets the second recording medium as the recording destination of the captured image data.

Abstract: Effects due to user operation are reduced in scene discrimination. In an image pickup apparatus, when performing scene discrimination based on information that includes detected movement of a subject and vibration of the image pickup apparatus, and an picked up image, the degree to which one of the movement of the subject and the vibration of the image pickup apparatus while an operating instruction is being received from a user contributes to scene discrimination is restricted.

Abstract: Described is a system and methods for embedding standard video-taking heuristics into video-recording devices to help improve the quality of captured video for consumer devices. The described approach uses a combination of audio, visual, and haptic feedback that responds to video as it is recorded. This feedback can help users compose better shots as well as help them develop an understanding of the fundamentals of good video-taking.

Abstract: A method for estimating the horizon in an image of a camera to provide camera auto-calibration in the pitch direction. The method includes taking an image of a scene and generating a texture map of the image using horizontal edge detection analysis to locate horizontal edges in the scene. The method also includes providing a motion map by providing image differencing between subsequent images to find areas in the scene with no motion while the vehicle is moving. The texture map and the motion map are combined to identify the areas in the image that do not move and contain horizontal edges. A horizontal projection is generated from the combined map by counting white dots in the map in the horizontal direction. The horizontal projection is smoothed to eliminate noise and the location of the horizon is estimated in the image by identifying the maximum peak in the horizontal projection.

Abstract: Provided is an image capturing apparatus capable of outputting an image in a form displayable by a display apparatus, while making use of a space resolution and a temporal resolution of a captured image. A monitoring system includes an image capturing section that captures an image; an output image generating section that generates an output image from the image captured by the image capturing section; a matching determining section that determines whether an object that matches a predetermined condition exists in the image captured by the image capturing section; and an output section that outputs, by embedding in the output image, an image of a subject indicated by the object having a data amount larger than a data amount of an image of the object in the output image.

Abstract: Multiple images of a scene are acquired over a contemporaneous period of time. Most of the multiple images are lower resolution images acquired with a lower resolution than the other of the multiple images. A corrected set of images is formed at least by correcting for motion present between at least some of the lower resolution images. In addition, a synthesized image is formed at least by merging (a) at least a portion of at least one of the images in the corrected set of images, and (b) at least a portion of at least one of the other of the multiple images. The synthesized image is stored in a processor-accessible memory system. The synthesized image exhibits improved image quality including reduced motion blur, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and higher resolution over conventional techniques.

Abstract: An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator for providing a user with a variety of information using an avatar. The present invention comprises a storage device for storing avatar data including a figure and/or a motion of the avatar, a display device provided on an outer surface of the refrigerator to display the avatar, a control device for selecting the avatar to be displayed on the display device among the avatar data stored in the storage device and causing the display device to display the avatar, and an input device for receiving a command or information input from the outside. According to the present invention so configured, there is an advantage in that the display device can display a variety of avatars stored in the storage device in conformance with a condition.

Abstract: In a mode in which a lens barrel need not be extended, if it is determined that a vibration is larger than a reference value, the lens barrel is driven so as to be retracted to a predetermined position.

Abstract: There are provided a camera system which operates the proper image blur corrector when image blur correction devices are incorporated in a camera body and in an interchangeable lens, and a method for controlling this camera system. The camera system (1) includes the camera body (3) and the interchangeable lens (2), which is removably attachable to the camera body (3). The camera body (3) has an imaging unit (71), the body image blur corrector (75), and a body microprocessor (12) configured to control the operation of the imaging unit (71) and the body image blur corrector (75). The interchangeable lens (2) has the lens image blur corrector (82) and a lens microprocessor (20) configured to control the operation of the lens image blur corrector (82). The body microcomputer (12) selects either the body or lens image blur corrector (75 or 82), sets the selected image blur corrector to a correction enabled state, and sets the other image blur corrector to a correction disabled state.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is disclosed which provides an appropriate inclination guide display in accordance with an aspect ratio of a picked-up image and the like. The image pickup apparatus includes an inclination detector which detects an inclination of the image pickup apparatus, a display device capable of superimposedly showing an inclination guide display corresponding to a detection output from the inclination detector, on a picked-up image, and an aspect ratio setter which sets the aspect ratio of a picked-up image. The apparatus includes a display controller which controls whether or not to show the inclination guide display on the display device on the basis of the aspect ratio set by the aspect ratio setter.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus that judges an in-focus degree of a motion picture related to a motion picture signal based on control information inputted along with the motion picture signal and related to an operation of photographing the motion picture signal. The image processing apparatus then changes a form in which an image related to the motion picture signal is displayed or printed, in accordance with a result of the judgment.

Abstract: A vehicle surroundings monitoring apparatus that extracts a body present in the surroundings of a vehicle as an object, based on an image captured by an infrared imaging device, including a binarized object extraction device that extracts a binarized object from image data obtained by binarizing a gray scale image of the image; a search region setting device that sets a search region at the lower part of the binarized object extracted by the binarized object extraction device; a vertical edge detection device that detects a vertical edge in the search region set by the search region setting device; and an object type determination device that determines a type of object based on a detection result of the vertical edge detection device.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus which includes an imaging unit configured for obtaining object images, a notification unit configured to perform notification that images are being obtained by the imaging unit, a macro-mode setting unit configured to set the imaging unit in a macro mode, and a notification control unit configured to control the notification operation of the notification unit in accordance with whether the macro mode is set or not by the macro-mode setting unit.

Abstract: A smoke detection method for identifying, in a current input image, an area indicative of the presence of smoke, there being a sequence of two or more input images, the method comprising the steps of: storing a background estimation for a current input image; and comparing the current input image with the background estimation to detect a partial obscuring of the background estimation indicative of the presence of smoke in the current input image.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus of the present invention is for taking a static image during a predetermined exposure period. The image pickup apparatus includes: a shaking motion detecting section for detecting an amount of shaking motion between a plurality of frames representing the static image; a shaking motion correcting section for correcting a plurality of frame information indicating the plurality of frames in accordance with the detected amount of the shaking motion; a storage section for storing the plurality of frame information subjected, to the correction of the shaking motion; and an information generating section for generating static image information indicating the static image based on the plurality of frame information stored in the storage section.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing distance-based distortion in a camera image of an object, where the distanced-based distortion is due to differences in distance from the camera to different parts of the object. In one approach, the distortion is reduced by estimating distances to different parts of the object and then generating a reprojected image of the object dependent upon the estimated distances and upon a virtual viewpoint that is more distant than the camera from the object. In a further approach, the image is warped such that points in the image match corresponding points in one or more stored templates. In a still further approach, if excessive distortion is present in the image, the camera zoom is increased and a magnified image is displayed, prompting a person to move farther from the camera thereby reducing the distortion.

Abstract: A method facilitating the transfer of information from a media or data capture device to a larger device while providing valuable feedback about the transfer is described. A transfer device including a simple user interface that can be easily implemented on a media or data capture device provides feedback about the transfer operation, enabling the user to take action when necessary. For example, the user is advised if the transfer is complete or, alternatively, that the transfer has failed and needs to redone. Feedback is provided by visual signals and may also be accompanied by audible signals. All necessary transfer functionality is included on the media capture device, thereby avoiding the requirement for dedicated software on a host (or pipeline) device, such as a cellular phone. This expands the number of pipeline devices that can be utilized with particular media capture devices.

Abstract: A face detector detects a person's face from a through image. When the face is not found, and a shutter button is pressed fully, a correction lens is moved in the direction and at the speed to offset a camera shake detected by an angular velocity sensor and a still image is shot. When the face is found, and the shutter button is pressed halfway, a motion vector detector reads two through images from a SDRAM to detect a subject shake. During the shooting of the still image by full press of the shutter button, the correction lens moves in the direction and at the speed to offset the subject shake.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes an electronic image pickup portion for picking up an image of a subject and generating image data, an angular velocity detecting portion for detecting an angular velocity of the electronic image pickup portion, an rotational angle detecting portion for detecting a rotational angle of the image pickup device on the basis of the angular velocity detected by the angular velocity detecting portion, a hand-waggling level judging portion for judging the level of hand-waggling on the basis of the rotational angle detected by the rotational angle detecting portion, and a hand-waggling level display portion for displaying a judgment result of the hand-waggling level judging portion.

Abstract: An image-taking device is capable of effectively utilizing a shake correcting section and thereby shooting an image with little blur. The image-taking device includes: an angular rate sensor which detects a shake; a shift lens which travels within a predetermined moving range to correct the shake; a shift lens driving section which pulls the shift lens, which has moved to a biased position from a predetermined center, back to the center; a central processing unit which calculates a correction effect for the shake; and a liquid crystal monitor. The central processing unit calculates the correction effect based on a distance between the position of the moved shift lens and the center, and displays the correction effect on the liquid crystal monitor.

Abstract: An image pickup terminal includes an image pickup section, a data storage section which stores shutter sound setup data that sets a shutter sound generating when the image pickup section performs an imaging, a shutter sound generating section which generates a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section, a shutter sound appropriateness checking section which determines whether a shutter sound based on the shutter sound setup data stored in the data storage section is appropriate or not, and a control section which inhibits data setting of a shutter sound determined as being inappropriate by the shutter sound appropriateness checking section.

Abstract: In a digital camera including a digital signal processing portion processing a digital image and a display device displaying the image according to a digital signal from the digital signal processing portion, and a control portion controlling overall operation, after the user takes a picture, image data is analyzed by the digital signal processing portion to determine picture quality and, when it is determined that the picture quality is inadequate, the user is informed of information regarding the quality of the picture.

Abstract: A camera according to the present invention comprises a sensor array wherein multiple pixels are arrayed in the base-length direction, a focusing unit for performing focusing of the camera based on the image output from the sensor array, a first detection unit for detecting the movement of the image signals in the base-length direction, a second detection unit for detecting the change in a predetermined pixel signal of the image signals over time, and a movement detection unit for performing movement detection based on the output from the first and second detection units.

Abstract: A camera which can obtain an image without image blur is disclosed. The camera which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure has been corrected by synthesizing a plurality of images obtained through successive image-taking, comprising: a detection unit which detects, with respect to a reference image, amounts of displacement on other images; a coordinate conversion unit which applies coordinate conversion to the other images based on the results of detection of the detection unit; and a synthesis unit which synthesizes the other images subjected to coordinate conversion and the reference image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for estimating a camera reference horizon ?0. Operations include receiving images including projections of objects including horizontal edges. Vertical motion is estimated for the images and is stored. The projection of horizontal edges in the images is computed. The projected edges are segmented out and motion is compensated. Projections of the horizontal edges from image to image are used to generate tracks. Active track storage is maintained by adding data to update the storage from each subsequent image. The tracks are screened using a criteria set to produce a subset of tracks to enhance track reliability. Distances to, and heights of, the objects are then estimated. Further screening is performed by calculating an error criteria for each track and selecting a subset satisfying the error criteria. The remaining tracks are used to generate a camera reference horizon estimate ?0.

Abstract: A camera includes a movement detection unit which detects camera movement. A blurring detection unit reduces image deterioration due to camera movement based on an output from the movement detection unit. A notifying unit provides a notice of information regarding camera movement when the output of the movement detection unit exceeds a predetermined judgment value. A mode setting unit is used to set the blurring reduction unit in an operable or non-operable state.

Abstract: A camera comprises an optical photographing system, an image pickup device which receives a luminous flux via the optical photographing system to output image data, a monitor on which an image is displayed based on the image data, an actuator which controls a position of the image pickup device to obtain the image data in which an influence of camera shake is reduced, and a camera shake detecting section which detects a camera shake state. In the camera, the image data at the time of non-operation of the actuator is processed/formed from the image data obtained at this time and the camera shake state detected by the camera shake detecting section, and a control is executed in such a manner that the image data at the time of the non-operation of the actuator and the image data at the time of operation of the actuator are displayed on the monitor.

Abstract: A system and method for creating still images by utilizing a video camera comprises a cradle device that transports the video camera across a target object during a scanning procedure that captures and stores video data. During the scanning procedure, a motion detector captures and provides scan motion data to a scanning manager from the video camera. The scanning manager may then responsively utilize the scan motion data to accurately extract still frames corresponding to the target object from the captured video data at pre-determined time intervals. A stitching software program may then access and combine the still frames generated by the scanning manager to thereby create composite still images.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed to enhance the quality and usefulness of picture taking and other image acquisition for pleasure or business purposes. In a preferred embodiment, stereo photogrammetry is combined with digital image acquisition to acquire or store scenes and poses of interest, and/or to interact with the subject in order to provide data to or from a computer. This data may be utilized to maximize the effectiveness of photographic sessions, particularly digital still photography or cine-photography. A further embodiment discloses associated displays and teaching apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing and processing images from a portion of a system in order to detect a warning condition for providing warnings to users or operators of the system. One or more image capture devices capable of capturing an image, for example, a continuous video, monitor at least a portion of the system. An image processing assembly processes the image captured by the image capture devices in real time for determining if the warning condition exists. Upon determining that the warning condition exists the image processing assembly causes a warning device to provide a warning to the user. The captured image may then be displayed to the user or operator if desired.