Abstract: A camera operates in cooperation with a wearable image display apparatus configured to be wearable on an eye region of a user. The camera includes an imaging unit, a vibration detection unit, a transmission availability judgment unit and a communication unit. The imaging unit acquires an image of a subject. The vibration detection unit detects vibration of the camera. The transmission availability judgment unit permits transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when the vibration detection unit does not detect the vibration of the camera, and prohibits transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when the vibration detection unit detects the vibration of the camera. The communication unit transmits the image acquired by the imaging unit to the wearable image display apparatus when transmission of the image acquired by the imaging unit is permitted.

Abstract: A method for enabling an auto-focus function, an electronic device thereof, a recording medium thereof, and a computer program product using the method are provided for the electronic device having a function of capturing images. In the present method, whether the electronic device is in a static state is first detected. If the electronic device is remained in the static state for a first time period, an auto-focus function is enabled and the electronic device is switched to the focusing mode. As a result, a user no longer needs to start the auto-focus function manually, and convenience and fluency of capturing images can be increased substantially.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a correction unit, a vibration detection unit, a filter passing and outputting frequency of a predetermined band of vibration signals periodically entered from the vibration detection unit: the filter setting, as intermediate value, sum of a value based on a vibration signal of current period and a value based on a vibration signal of last period and setting, as output signal, a value obtained by adding a value based on intermediate value of the current period and a value based on intermediate value of the last period, a calculation unit calculating vibration correction amount, a driving control unit driving the correction unit by using the vibration correction amount, and an offset unit performing feedback control so that an intermediate value is shifted to predetermined value by changing the intermediate value and an offset value added to a signal based on output from the vibration detection unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor and a processor that merges together a plurality of images captured by said image sensor to produce a composite image. The positions or the plurality of images being adjusted to reduce displacement of a reference area that is determined within each one of said plurality of images before the plurality of images is merged together. The reference area includes at least one of an in-focus area determined by a focusing operation, a face area determined by face-sensing processes, a predetermined-color area determined by white-balance information and predetermined color information, and a predetermined-brightness area determined by photometry.

Abstract: An image stabilizer includes a stationary frame with four sidewalls, a moveable frame including four side panels, magnets, a plurality of fine pattern coils, and a resilient plate holding the moveable frame in the stationary frame. Each sidewall includes a receiving hole, a support portion received in the receiving hole, and a raised engagement portion extending from the support portion. The magnets are fixed on the side panels. The fine pattern coils are fixed in the receiving holes and aligned with the magnets and compensate for vibration and movement of the device to which it is affixed. The resilient plate is configured for returning the moveable frame to a resting position when a power supply is cut off.

Abstract: Systems and methods are providing for navigating a three-dimensional model using deterministic movement of an electronic device. An electronic device can load and provide an initial display of a three dimensional model (e.g., of an environment or of an object). As the user moves the electronic device, motion sensing components, positioning circuitry, and other components can detect the device movement and adjust the displayed portion of the three-dimensional model to reflect the movement of the device. By walking with the device in the user's real environment, a user can virtually navigate a representation of a three-dimensional environment. In some embodiments, a user can record an object or environment using an electronic device, and tag the recorded images or video with movement information describing the movement of the device during the recording. The recorded information can then be processed with the movement information to generate a three-dimensional model of the recorded environment or object.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a correction member movable within a plane orthogonal to an optical axis, a vibration detection unit configured to detect vibrations applied to the imaging apparatus, a filter configured to pass a frequency of a predetermined band of vibration signals from the vibration detection unit, a calculation unit configured to calculate a vibration correction amount based on an output from the filter, a driving control unit configured to drive the correction member by using the vibration correction amount to perform vibration correction, and an intermediate value changing unit configured to change an intermediate value of the filter unit to a predetermined value immediately before exposure.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for continuous image capturing are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes continuously capturing a sequence of images with an image capturing device. The method may further include storing a predetermined number of the sequence of images in a buffer. The method may further include receiving a user request to capture an image. In response to the user request, the method may further include automatically selecting one of the buffered images based on an exposure time of one of the buffered images. The sequence of images is captured prior to or concurrently with receiving the user request.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes an extracting part extracting feature points in each of plural images sequentially generated by an image pickup apparatus, a calculating part calculating motion vectors at the feature points in each of the plural images, a clustering part performing clustering processing on the motion vectors calculated at the feature points, a determining part determining, among plural clusters, a specific cluster including a motion vector indicating motion of the image pickup apparatus. The apparatus further includes an estimation detecting part detecting, by using an estimation method which uses information relating to the specific cluster of a first image, the specific cluster of a second image generated after generation of the first image, and a processing part performing image stabilization processing on the second image based on the motion vector included in the specific cluster of the second image.

Abstract: Video data that includes a plurality of images acquired over time are processed in an apparatus immediately after acquiring the video data, or during some later post-processing of the video data, to reduce the effects of unintended motion in the acquired images. Coarse and fine compensation for motion is performed on video frames that correspond to the acquired images. A coarse compensation value is employed to compress each video frame that is both coarse and fine motion compensated.

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: A method and apparatus for smoothing an image in a plurality of video frames consisting of a current frame and at least one previous frame. The position of at least one pixel in each of the plurality of frames is determined to provide respective determined positions. An adjusted position of the at least one pixel in the current frame is calculated based on the determined positions.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods and apparatuses for camera motion analysis in a video, wherein one of the methods includes: analyzing, video segments with significant movement characteristics and video segments without any significant movement characteristic; for each segment without any significant movement characteristic, if a first motion type corresponding to a preceding neighboring video segment is different from a second motion type corresponding to a succeeding neighboring video segment, lowering detection criterions of the first type and the second type; judging whether the segment without any significant movement characteristic meets the lowered detection criterions; and merging the segment without any significant movement characteristic with a neighboring video segment according to the result of judgment.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus in which image stabilization is performed based on shake sensor and movement-vector-obtaining method which can perform accurate blur correction since shake components difficult to be detected by shake sensor can be detected by the movement-vector-obtaining method, the image blur due to high frequency vibration such as vehicle vibration cannot be corrected by the movement vector in low-frame-rate shooting since the detectable frequency band narrows in high frequency. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the combination of blur information from the angular velocity sensor and from the movement vector, according to the frequency band detectable by the movement vector depending on change in frame rate. The combination ratio of blur correction based on blur information from angular velocity sensor, acceleration sensor and blur correction based on movement vector is determined depending on frequency detectable by the movement vector which inevitably changes depending on frame rate.

Abstract: A method for photographing a panoramic picture, and for identifying motion of a photographing apparatus to automatically photograph respective images of a panoramic picture.

Abstract: When sensing an image using an image sensor driven by the rolling shutter method, a shake of an image sensing apparatus in the exposure period of the image sensor is detected, and the temporal characteristic of the detected shake is obtained. For the temporal characteristic of the shake, the frequency distribution of the distortion amount of an object image that is generated in the image owing to the shake is analyzed. For at least the center frequency, the temporal characteristic of the shake is compensated for to eliminate a phase shift generated when the temporal characteristic of the shake is obtained. An object image distortion arising from the shake for each line of the image sensor is corrected using a correction amount calculated from the compensated temporal characteristic of the shake.

Abstract: A digital camera system has integrated accelerometers for determining static and dynamic accelerations of the digital cameral system. Data relating to static and dynamic accelerations are stored with recorded image data for further processing, such as for correcting image data for roll, pitch and vibrations and for displaying recorded images with a predetermined orientation using information about, e.g., roll. Data may also be used on-the-fly for smear suppression caused by vibrations.

Abstract: An imaging device including an image sensor, includes an image obtaining control unit that obtains plural continuous images of an object taken by the image sensor; a size determining unit that determines an image size of reduced images based on photographing information of at least one of the images, and generates reduced images from the images obtained by the image obtaining control unit based on the determined image size; a motion vector detection unit that detects a motion vector of the reduced images; and an image synthesis unit that synthesizes the images obtained by the image obtaining control unit based on the motion vector detected by the motion vector detection unit to obtain a synthesized image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of preventing photographing sensitivity from being increased more than necessary, reducing image quality degradation caused by camera shake or object shake and easily photographing images in good image quality. The imaging apparatus includes an imaging optical system that forms an optical image of a photographing object. An imaging sensor receives the optical image and converts the optical image to an electrical image signal. A detector determines, based on the image signal, whether the photographing object is a specific photographing object likely to move while a photograph is being captured that corresponds to information stored in a memory device provided to the imagining apparatus. A control section establishes an operational mode causing the imaging apparatus to continuously take a plurality of photographs of the photographing object when the photographing object is determined to be the specific photographing object that is likely to move.

Abstract: Default image data and subject image data are stored separately in nonvolatile memory and when the subject image data stored in the nonvolatile memory is displayed in a standard playback mode, the subject image data is displayed on an LCD at a specific scaling factor (first scaling factor) determined by the image size of the subject image data regardless of whether or not default image data is set for the subject image data. On the other hand, when composite image data is displayed in a print preview mode, scaling processing to display the subject image data on the LCD at a smaller scaling factor than the first scaling factor is performed so that the whole of the composite image data can be displayed on one screen of the display.

Abstract: An image motion sensing method applicable for an image sensing device includes the steps of capturing a plurality of sensing frames, each sensing frame including image position information of an image; selecting a base frame from the sensing frames and a sampling frame disposed after the base frame; comparing image position information of images in the base frame and the sampling frame within a base comparison range of the base frame and a sampling comparison range of the sampling frame to generate displacement information; determining a comparison range size according to the displacement information; updating sampling comparison range according to the comparison range size; selecting a sensing frame after the sampling frame as an updated sampling frame; updating the base comparison range of the base frame according to the comparison range size; and returning to the foregoing step of comparing the image position information.

Abstract: A pixel output line (14) is independently provided for each of the pixels arranged in a two-dimensionally array within a pixel area so that pixel signals can be sequentially written in a plurality of memory sections (22) through the pixel output lines (14). When a plurality of frames of pixel signals are held in the memory sections (22), the pixel signals corresponding to two arbitrarily selected frames are read and respectively stored in sample-and-hold circuits (61 and 62), and their difference is obtained. Then, the difference signals corresponding to a predetermined range of the image are integrated, and the integrated value is compared with a threshold. If the integrated value exceeds the threshold, it is presumed that a change in an imaging object has occurred, and a pulse generation circuit (66) generates a trigger signal.

Abstract: A method of improving a video image by removing the effects of camera vibration comprising the steps of, obtaining a reference frame, receiving an incoming frame, determining the frame translation vector for the incoming frame, translating the incoming frame to generate a realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the spatial domain on pixels in the reference frame, determining the absolute difference between the filtered pixels in the reference frame and the filtered pixels in the realigned frame, performing low pass filtering in the temporal domain on the pixels in the realigned frame to generate the output frame if the absolute difference is less than a predetermined threshold, and providing the realigned frame as the output frame if the absolute difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for reducing undesirable motion in a video. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving a plurality of video frames that comprise at least one segment of a video, the plurality of video frames being captured by a capture device and determining a maximum undesired movement of the capture device for the plurality of video frames during the at least one segment. Some embodiments include trimming at least a portion of the video frames according to the determined maximum undesired movement such that the undesirable movement in the video is reduced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for correcting distortions of image-taking video signals are provided. The method and an apparatus adopting the method are capable of reducing distortion generated in a taken image by correction of inter-frame and intra-frame hand movements in an image-taking apparatus employing an image-taking device of an X-Y address type. To be more specific, this method is capable of correcting distortion observed in a taken image as distortion caused by a positional change, which occurs in the horizontal and/or vertical directions of the taken image at a photographing time as a positional change of the image-taking device. In accordance with the method, in a frame period of a taken image, an inter-frame correction quantity for a positional change of the device is detected and, on the basis of the detected inter-frame correction quantity, the positional change is corrected to eliminate a displacement observed when the frame changes to the next one as a displacement of the taken image.

Abstract: The invention includes a vibration reduction mechanism, a vibration detecting part, a reference signal generating part, a target drive position calculating part, and a driving part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces a vibration of a subject image. The vibration detecting part outputs a vibration detection signal. The reference signal generating part estimates a reference signal of the vibration detection part. The target drive position calculating part obtains a vibration component from a difference between the vibration detection signal and the estimated reference signal to obtain a target position to which the vibration reduction mechanism is driven. The driving part controls the vibration reduction mechanism to follow the target position. Particularly, the reference signal generating part corrects the reference signal according to a motion signal obtained from a captured image.

Abstract: A method for eliminating image blur, includes: performing motion detection on two successive images of a video signal to generate a motion index; and adjusting the luminance of the two successive images according to two transfer functions determined by the motion index, respectively.

Abstract: An image blur correcting unit allows the optical axis of a lens system to coincide with the center of an imager, thus correcting an image blur. The unit includes a stationary member and a holder member. The holder member holds either one of the elements of the lens system or the imager and moves relative to the stationary member in a first direction and a second direction, the first and second directions being orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis. The unit further includes a first guide section and a second guide section for guiding the holder member in the first and second directions during movement, and a driving section moving the holder member in the first and second directions. The one of the elements of the lens system or the imager is disposed outside an area surrounded by the first and second guide sections.

Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.

Abstract: An ocular motor controller for preventing an image blur by using the principle of vestibulo-ocular reflex in response to translational movement. The ocular motor controller comprises an image pickup section (20) used as an ocular device, an ocular drive section (30) for rotating the image pickup section, a distance information acquisition section (40) for acquiring information concerning the distance from the image pickup section (20) to a visual target (1), a translational movement sensor (50) for measuring the variation due to the translational movement of a moving object, and a correction section (60) for utilizing the rotational movement driven by the ocular drive section.

Abstract: A method executes an altimeter function to unlock a portable electronic device. A user can move the portable electronic device in an up-down direction to set a predetermined changed height for unlocking the portable electronic device. In an unlock procedure, an altimeter detects a changed height of the portable electronic device and outputs detected information of the portable electronic device. If the changed height is the same as the predetermined changed height, the locked portable electronic device is unlocked.

Abstract: A method of compensating for atmospheric turbulence when recording film sequences. A frame for an image that is being currently recorded is compared at pixel level with a number of frames recorded earlier. Each pixel value in a current frame is compared with pixel values in earlier frames. A matrix is adjusted upward by one unit at positions where a new value is encountered at the positions. Values adjusted upwards in the matrix are retained for a limited number of frame comparisons. A summing window is drawn over the matrix and movement is deemed to have occurred in areas where a sum from the summing window exceeds a limit value. A compensated frame is created. All pixel values in areas where the summing window exceeds the limit value are derived from the current frame. Other values are derived through a temporal median filtering of a number of earlier frames recorded.

Abstract: A method of pixel correction is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) calibrating a per-pixel correction model of a sensor at a plurality of different illumination levels, (B) generating a plurality of pixel values from the sensor in response to an optical signal and (C) generating a plurality of corrected values by applying the per-pixel correction model to the pixel values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a shaken image by using auto focusing. The method includes calculating a maximum AF value of a preview image and a maximum AF value of a captured image that is down-sampled according to the preview image and comparing the maximum AF value of the preview with the maximum AF value of the captured image to determine whether the captured image is shaken or not.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a first detection unit, a vector correction unit, and a second detection unit. The first detection unit is configured to detect a motion vector based on reference image data and input image data after aberration of a lens is corrected. The vector correction unit is configured to correct an error component included in the motion vector detected by the first detection unit according to an aberration characteristic of the lens. The error component is produced by aberration correction. The second detection unit is configured to set a search area of the motion vector based on the motion vector corrected by the vector correction unit and detect the motion vector in the search area.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus capable of preventing photographing sensitivity from being increased more than necessary, reducing image quality degradation caused by camera shake or object shake and easily photographing images in good image quality.

Abstract: In an image taking apparatus, an imaging unit senses an image of a subject, and a face detection unit detects a face in the image sensed by the imaging unit. A motion detection unit detects an amount of face motion indicating an amount of shake of an area of the face detected by the face detection unit in the image sensed by the imaging unit and also detects an amount of background motion indicating an amount of shake of an area other than the face area. A shake correction unit corrects the shake of the image sensed by the imaging unit according to the amount of face motion and the amount of background motion detected by the motion detection unit.

Abstract: The hand movement correction apparatus 10 which is capable of correcting hand movement includes: a position variation signal acquisition sections 13 and 17 that acquire a position variation signal; a gain controller 12 that controls the gain of the position variation signal; an exposure determination section 14 that determines whether exposure operation is in progress; a position variation signal switching section 14 that switches the position variation signal; and a hand movement amount calculation section 15 that calculates a hand movement correction amount based on the position variation signal.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus, and a recording medium storing a program for implementing the method are provided in a manner by which a user can enjoy maximized convenience in manipulating the digital photographing apparatus. The method includes (a) determining a motion direction of the digital photographing apparatus by analyzing image data obtained from light that is incident on an imaging device; and (b) switching from a current mode of the digital photographing apparatus to another mode corresponding to the motion direction determined in (a).

Abstract: Motion blur periods (bf) are detected (14) from gradation differences (g1) between a first image signal (d1) and a second image signal (d2), gradation differences (g2) between the second image signal (d2) and a third image signal (d3), and results of the detection of transition periods (h) in the gradations of the second image signal (d2), and the second image signal (d2) is corrected (3) only during the detected motion blur periods (bf). Transition periods (h) are deemed to occur when, for example, the absolute value of a gradation change in the second image signal is greater than a first predetermined threshold value (S1) and less than a second predetermined threshold value S2 (<S2). Motion blur in the image signal can be detected without increased circuit size, and accordingly, the detected motion blur can be reduced.

Abstract: A method is described for determining a description of motion of a moving mobile camera to determine a user input to an application. The method may involve capturing a series of images from a moving mobile camera and comparing stationary features present in the series of images. Optical flow analysis may be performed on the series of images to determine a description of motion of the moving mobile camera. Based on the determined motion, a user input to an application may be determined and the application may respond to the user input, for example, by updating a user interface of the application.

Abstract: Method for motion detection in a current picture (CP) with respect to a reference picture (RP), wherein for a plurality of locations in the current picture (CP) respective difference values (|D|) are determined (B100). A respective difference value is determined based on a difference between a first value and a second value, wherein the first value is descriptive of a photometric measure of one of the locations in the current picture (CP) and the second value is descriptive of the photometric measure of a corresponding location in the reference picture (RP). Based on the difference values, a histogram is determined (B102). The histogram is used as a basis for determining (B104) a threshold (T1, T2, T3). At a respective location in the current picture (CP), motion is detected by comparing the threshold (T1, T2, T3) to the difference value (|D|) of the respective location.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, includes: an imaging optical system; an image pickup device; and a control device which is configured to control the image pickup device, wherein the control device is configured to preliminarily decide an exposure order of a relatively short time exposure in a prescribed image size; an exposure with almost the same exposure time as the relatively short time in a smaller image size than the prescribed image size, and a relatively long time exposure in the prescribed image size, and to perform an imaging operation once by exposing the image pickup device by the decided exposure order.

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. And 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: In an image acquisition apparatus, RAW data obtained in image acquisition with an imager in which a color filter is disposed in a front face is divided into each identical color by a RAW data dividing unit, a compression coding processing unit produces coded data of each color by compressing the RAW data at a compression rate controlled for each color, and the coded data of each color is recorded in a recording unit. A motion compensation unit compensates a relative positional relationship between frames by estimating a motion of a subject between frames of plural images, using specific color division coded data which is decoded by the compression coding processing unit and a RAW format data reproducing unit, the specific color division coded data being coded data of a color close to a peak of spectral sensitivity of human vision in the coded data of each color.

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 apparatus includes: an imaging device that includes a plurality of pixels; a first curtain that travels to block incidence of light on the imaging device; a reset unit that sequentially reset-scans lines of the imaging device earlier than the traveling of the first curtain; and a correction controller that corrects a line reset-scanning time of the reset unit on the basis of a movement amount of the imaging device having been made to move on the basis of a camera shake detection result.

Abstract: A ball-rolling type orientation sensor includes a housing, a light emitter, two light receivers, and a rolling ball. The housing has a ring-shaped tunnel and a first opening connecting to the tunnel and two second openings respectively located on two sides of the first opening. The light emitter is arranged at the first opening and emitting light into the tunnel through the first opening. The light receivers are respectively arranged at the second openings and receiving light from the tunnel through the second openings. The rolling ball is arranged in the tunnel, whereby while the ball-rolling type orientation sensor is tilting, the rolling ball rolls toward the direction of gravity force, a portion of light emitted from the light emitter is reflected to one of the light receivers by the rolling ball, the light receivers respectively receive light with predetermined intensities and correspondingly output electric signals with predetermined strengths.

Abstract: An image recording device includes an obtaining module configured to obtain tilt information indicating a tilt direction and a tilt angle of an image with respect to a horizontal direction for a processing unit including frames, a rotational processing module configured to perform, in accordance with the tilt direction and the tilt angle indicated by the tilt information, a rotational process having a same rotational direction and a same rotational amount for correction of tilting with respect to images of the frames, and a storing module configured to store the images of the frames subjected to the rotational process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing motion blur in a video signal. The apparatus comprises motion estimation means (1) for providing motion information of a video signal, high pass filter means (3a, 3b) for high pass filtering said video signal, and first modulating means (4a, 4b) for modulating the high pass filtered video signal from said high pass filter means (3a, 3b) with motion information from said motion estimation means (1) and for outputting a motion dependent high pass filtered video signal.