Abstract: A method of displaying an interactive geographical representation associated with a video content item is described. The method includes: playing the video content item, wherein the video content item includes at least one scene; requesting relevant metadata associated with the at least one video scene, the relevant metadata including a geographical representation and geolocation metadata associated with the at least video scene; receiving the relevant metadata; and displaying an interactive geographical representation along with at least one visual indication, wherein the at least one visual indication is associated with the at least one video scene and positioned at a location indicated by the geolocation metadata. Related systems, apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A portable device and a method of executing the fast association function of a camera are provided. The method includes activating the camera, capturing a gathering image using the camera, activating a user function registered as an associated function of the camera when the gathering image is captured, and performing the registered user function based on the gathering image.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes: an image sensor that generates a first image signal string and a second image signal string in correspondence to a pair of images formed with a pair of light fluxes passing through an optical system; an image shift amount detection unit that generates a plurality of synthetic image signals each by adding together a first image signal and a second image signal, the first image signal and the second image signal corresponding to each other, each time the first image signal string and the second image signal string are shifted relative to each other by a predetermined extent, and detects an image shift amount indicating an extent of relative image shift between the pair of images based upon an evaluation value for the plurality of synthetic image signals; and a defocus amount calculation unit that calculates a defocus amount based upon the image shift amount.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes a photographic scene selection section and a parameter setting section. The photographic scene selection section selects a photographic scene. The parameter setting section independently sets, according to the photographic scene selected by the photographic scene selection section, each of a photographing parameter relating to time-lapse photography that captures images at a predetermined interval and generates a moving image with a shorter playback time than photographing time, and a playback parameter relating to playback of a time-lapse moving image photographed at the photographing parameter.

Abstract: An automated system and method for managing a tracking and an automated real-time remote reporting thereof of a participant's participation in an event having a participant event management system (PEMS) that receives a request for tracking of the participant, a participant proximity detector detects the proximity of the participant to a detection point, a location detection system receiving and transmitting participant location data, the timing system receives the preorder request from the PEMS, determines a time of passing of the detection point of the participant, receives the location data and associates the participant event number with the participant identifier number, and transmits the location data forming at least a part of the participant tracking data to an output interface.

Abstract: An image capture accelerator performs accelerated processing of image data. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator includes accelerator circuitry including a pre-processing engine and a compression engine. The pre-processing engine is configured to perform accelerated processing on received image data, and the compression engine is configured to compress processed image data received from the pre-processing engine. In one embodiment, the image capture accelerator further includes a demultiplexer configured to receive image data captured by an image sensor array implemented within, for example, an image sensor chip. The demultiplexer may output the received image data to an image signal processor when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in a standard capture mode, and may output the received image data to the accelerator circuitry when the image data is captured by the image sensor array in an accelerated capture mode.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method performed by a digital slate. The method receives input of a first set of metadata for a particular video clip from a user. The method receives a second set of metadata for the particular video clip from a camera as the camera films the particular video clip. The method embeds the first and second sets of metadata in a data storage structure. The method transmits the data structure for later use in matching the first and second sets of metadata with the particular video clip. Some embodiments display at least a portion of the stored metadata about the particular video clip in front of a camera at the start of the particular video clip.

Abstract: A photographing device according to the present invention comprises: an imaging section that captures a subject image and outputs image data; a motion picture recording section that records a motion picture based on the image data; a parameter setting section that sets a photographing parameter to change a photographing state; and a parameter control section that automatically changes the photographing parameter during the recording of the motion picture regardless of the set photographing parameter.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a capture device, e.g., a camera, that is configured to have multiple capture modes including an image capture mode and a video capture mode. The capture device can be set to the image capture mode in which images or photos are periodically, automatically captured. Upon detection of a particular event, such as an audibly detectable event, the capture device automatically triggers the video capture mode and begins to capture video. After a period of time, the capture device can transition back to the image capture mode. Transition to the image capture mode can occur in various ways, e.g., after passage of a period of time, after the audibly detectable event terminates or attenuates, by way of user input and the like. In some embodiments, the capture device can be embodied as a wearable camera that is worn by a user.

Abstract: A method and electronic device reproducing a multiple shutter sound that reproduces a same shutter sound or a series of different shutter sounds during the period where an image is being processed by transmitting two or more interrupts to a controller by an image signal processor and an electronic device thereof. The repetitive shutter sounds can indicate to a user that the image is still being processed, so that the user does not move the camera and affect the capture of the image. The method of reproducing a multiple shutter sound includes: receiving a command for shooting a photograph; processing an image in response to the command; and transmitting at least two interrupt to a controller such that the shutter sound is reproduced at least twice while processing the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: an image processor configured to generate movie data based on image capturing data obtained in response to a shooting instruction that has been given by a user; and a controller configured to write the movie data on a storage medium. When any movie file has already been written on the storage medium, and when the movie data is related to the existent movie file or when the user decides to add the movie data, the controller adds the movie data to the existent movie file.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target-image detecting device configured to detect a target image as a part of photographed images and as an image of a target object from the photographed images, includes sequentially obtaining a plurality of the photographed images that form a moving image, detecting a target image included in the obtained photographed image, generating a detection result and accumulating the generated detection result in memory as detection history, referring to the detection history of the memory and deciding whether the detection result of the target image of the same target object is included in a latest predetermined number of detection results, outputting the detection result when the detection result is included, and not outputting the detection result when the detection result is not included.

Abstract: An image display apparatus which displays an image, and selectively reads out one of a RAW image and a first developed image obtained by performing a developing process and a compression process for the RAW image, as a candidate image to be displayed following a currently displayed image, from a storage medium storing the RAW image and the first developed image, in accordance with the currently displayed image The apparatus also performs a developing process for the RAW image with higher image quality than the first developed image, performs a decompression process for the developed image, stores the candidate image which is processed by the development or the decompression so as to be displayed, and controls to display the stored candidate image on a display unit by switching from the currently displayed image to the candidate image, in response to an instruction to switch the displayed image.

Abstract: An image display control apparatus includes a division unit and a display controller. The division unit divides a rectangular display area into plural rectangular sub-areas in a direction in which one side of the display area extends. The display controller performs display control to enlarge or reduce rectangular images so that while aspect ratios of the images are maintained, a length of each of the sub-areas in the direction in which the one side of the display area extends is equal to or substantially equal to a length of each of the images in the direction in which the one side of the display area extends, and to display at least some of the enlarged or reduced images in the sub-areas.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided in which an image sensor, operatively coupled with an electronic device, is operated in a first state based on a determination that the image sensor is to be operated in a low power mode. When the image sensor is operating in the first state, a setup value corresponding to a photographing mode is preserved, and the image sensor is refrained from outputting a stream of data.

Abstract: An image sensor of a camera system captures an image over an image capture interval of time, and waits a blanking interval of time before capturing an additional image. The captured image is provided to a frame controller, and is buffered until an image signal processor accesses the captured image. The image signal processor processes the accessed image over an image processing interval of time, producing a processed image. The image processing interval of time is selected to be greater than the image capture interval of time, but less than the sum of the image capture interval of time and the blanking interval of time. By reducing the image capture interval of time but maintaining an image processing interval of time, rolling shutter artifacts are beneficially reduced without increasing the processing resources or power required by the image signal processor to process the image.

Abstract: A controller determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied and, in response to a recording instruction, controls a recorder to record still image data on a recording medium, and in a case that the predetermined condition is determined to be satisfied, the controller controls the recorder not to record the moving image data on the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods to control the power consumption of a battery powered platform comprising at least one depth camera. The battery powered platform may adjust the consumption of one or more systems of the depth camera, or other systems on the battery powered platform to alter the power consumption of the battery powered platform.

Abstract: A remote device includes an image sensor, a readout circuit and a processing unit. The image sensor successively captures a first image and a second image containing at least one reference beacon image. The readout circuit is configured to read first image data of the first image and second image data of the second image from the image sensor. The processing unit is configured to calculate an image feature of the at least one reference beacon image according to the first image data and control the readout circuit to only read the second image data of a range of interest in the second image according to the image feature. There is further provided a power saving method of an interactive system.

Abstract: A method of operating an image-sensing device includes detecting a trigger. The method also includes, in response to detecting the trigger, changing an operating mode of the image-sensing device from a first operating mode having a first spatial resolution and a first temporal resolution to a second operating mode having a second spatial resolution and a second temporal resolution. The second spatial resolution may be lower than the first spatial resolution and the second temporal resolution may be higher than the first temporal resolution. The method may also include capturing video data in the second operating mode, the video data having the second spatial resolution and the second temporal resolution.

Abstract: An imaging element having a layered structure including a first chip having a pixel portion in which pixels for photoelectrically converting an optical image of an object and generating a pixel signal are arranged two-dimensionally and a second chip in which a drive means of the pixel portion is arranged, and having a first output path to output the pixel signals of at least a first pixel group in the pixel portion and a second output path to output the pixel signals of a second pixel group, comprises the a conversion means for converting the pixel signals of the first and second output paths into digital signals and a control information generation means for generating control information of a photographing operation of the object by using the digital signal converted by the conversion means, wherein at least a part of the conversion means is arranged in the first chip.

Abstract: A computerized mask edit guided processing method for time-lapse image analysis performs by a computer program an assisted mask editing on an input image sequence to generate mask edit data, and performs a mask edit guided processing using the image sequence and the mask edit data. A computerized track edit guided processing method for time-lapse image analysis performs by a computer program an assisted track editing on an input image sequence to generate track edit data, and performs a track edit guided processing using the image sequence and the track edit data. A computerized edit guided processing method for time-lapse image analysis performs by a computer program a combination of assisted mask editing and assisted track editing on an input image sequence to generate edit data, and performs a combination of mask edit guided processing and track edit guided processing using the image sequence and the edit data.

Abstract: A method of displaying an interactive geographical representation associated with a video content item is described. The method includes: playing the video content item, wherein the video content item includes at least one scene; requesting relevant metadata associated with the at least one video scene, the relevant metadata including a geographical representation and geolocation metadata associated with the at least video scene; receiving the relevant metadata; and displaying an interactive geographical representation along with at least one visual indication, wherein the at least one visual indication is associated with the at least one video scene and positioned at a location indicated by the geolocation metadata. Related systems, apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Algorithms for improving the performance of conventional tone mapping operators (TMO) by calculating both a contrast waste score and a contrast loss score for a first tone-mapped image produced by the TMO. The two contrast scores can be used to optimize the performance of the TMO by reducing noise and improving contrast. Algorithms for generating an HDR image by converting non-linear color space images into linear color space format, aligning the images to a reference, de-ghosting the aligned images if necessary, and merging the aligned (and potentially de-ghosted) images to create an HDR image. The merging can be performed with exposure fusion, HDR reconstruction, or other suitable techniques.

Abstract: Until a face detection result is obtained after a moving-image recording operation starts, a focal-point detection area may be set at a position based on a face detection result before the moving-image recording operation. The focal-point detection area may be set so as to fit within the angle of view after the moving-image recording operation.

Abstract: A multi-purpose camera system includes an image capture block and an image signal processing block. The image capture block is arranged for generating an image signal, wherein the image capture block has an image sensor, an optical system, and a control circuit. The image signal processing block is arranged for processing the image signal. When the multi-purpose camera system is operated in a first operation mode, the multi-purpose camera system acts as a camera for generating a captured image output; when the multi-purpose camera system is operated in a second operation mode, the multi-purpose camera system acts as part of a user input apparatus for receiving a user input; and an overall configuration of the control circuit and the image signal processing block in the first operation mode is different from an overall configuration of the control circuit and the image signal processing block in the second operation mode.

Abstract: When a captured image having the first aspect ratio is to be output, the first captured image obtained by imaging the first imaging range is output. When a captured image having the second aspect ratio smaller at the ratio of the length in one of the vertical and horizontal directions to the length in the other direction than the first aspect ratio is to be output, the second captured image with an imaging range in the one direction corresponding to the first imaging range is output.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an imaging device; a main memory that stores motion picture data acquired by the imaging device; a motion picture compressing unit that compresses the motion picture data stored in the main memory; a still image frame acquiring unit that acquires a still image frame at arbitrary timing from the motion picture data acquired by the imaging device; a line memory that stores still image data that is a part of the still image frame acquired by the still image frame acquiring unit; and a still image compressing unit that performs a compression process of the still image data stored in the line memory. The still image compressing unit compresses the still image data in real time. The main memory stores the motion picture data and stores compressed data that is compressed in real time by the still image compressing unit.

Abstract: There is provided a display control apparatus including an external memory accommodating unit for accommodating a removable external memory; a database recognizing unit for recognizing a database stored in the external memory, the database being recorded with an image stored in the external memory and information related to the image in correspondence to each other; a display method setting unit for setting either display method of a stored first display method or a second display method of displaying the image stored in the external memory without using the database based on a recognition result of the database recognizing unit; and a display controlling unit for displaying the image stored in the external memory by the display method based on the set display method.

Abstract: An imaging device is configured so that the user can select either automatic determination mode or selection mode. In automatic determination mode, when a first combination imaging mode is selected for capturing and combining a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific first number of combinations. In selection mode, when a second combination imaging mode is selected for capturing a plurality of sets of image data, the number of sets of image data to be combined is set to a specific second number of combinations. The first number of combinations is set to be different from the second number of combinations.

Abstract: Mechanisms are described for capturing video images using a multi-stage trigger button, where the effect of the trigger button is dependent on how a user interacts with the trigger button, such as during what timeframe the user releases the trigger button. For example, if the user ceases actuating the trigger button during a first time period following actuation, the capture of the video image is halted. If the user ceases actuating the trigger button during a second time period, the capture of the video image is continued. If the user ceases actuating the trigger button during a third time period, the capture of the video image is halted. Thus, for short actuations and long actuations, video images are only recorded while the trigger button is continued to be depressed. For video images in between, the video is continued to be recorded until a second actuation is received from the user.

Abstract: Focus adjustment apparatus and methods for effectively auto-focusing on a subject by adaptively changing a shape of a focus area according to a determined image condition, and in particular, setting the focus area in a shape of which a width of an upper part is narrow according to the condition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for capturing a moving image and a still image. Moving-image capturing is ceased, when a still image-capturing request is generated. Still-image capturing operation parameters are set in the image sensor. The image sensor is exposed to generate still-image data. Moving-image capturing operation parameters are set in the image sensor, when generation of the still-image data is complete. The image sensor is exposed to generate the moving-image data. The still-image data is quality-processed and compressed to generate still-image frame data. Moving-image frame data generated by quality-processing and size-adjusting the moving-image data are connected and compressed to generate a moving-image stream. Quality-processed virtual moving-image frame data is generated using the still-image data. The quality-processed virtual moving-image frame data is inserted into a loss section of the moving-image stream corresponding to a period in which the moving-image capturing is ceased.

Abstract: An exposure adjusting apparatus, which comprises: an image sensor, for catching an image according to an exposure parameter; a computing apparatus, for computing an exposure amount of the image and for determining whether the exposure amount is in a predetermined exposure range or not; and an exposure updating apparatus. If the exposure amount is in the predetermined exposure range, the exposure updating apparatus does not adjust the exposure amount. If the exposure amount is not in the predetermined exposure range, the exposure updating apparatus generates at least one adjusting amount according to at least one of the predetermined exposure range, the exposure amount and the exposure parameter, and utilizes the adjusting amount to increase or decrease the exposure parameter to generate a new exposure parameter.

Abstract: A lens protector is provided for a wide-angle lens of an imaging device, the wide-angle lens including a curved surface projecting towards a subject and forming an image circle partially protruding from an imaging plane on which an image of the subject is formed. The lens protector includes at least two projections opposing each other with an optical axis of the wide-angle lens in-between, extending along the curved surface of the wide-angle lens from a subject side of a device body, and projecting further towards the subject than the curved surface to cover a part of the curved surface which corresponds to a part of the image circle protruding from the imaging plane.

Abstract: Image data may be processed via one or more stages by a hardware image sensor pipeline (ISP) wherein one or more software processing steps may be inserted at any point within the hardware ISP. Output from any stage of the hardware ISP may be stored in memory. Stored hardware ISP output may be retrieved from memory and processed via one or more software processes. Results from the one or more software processes may be stored in memory and communicated to any stage of the hardware ISP for additional processing. In this regard, the hardware ISP and one or more processors may simultaneously process portions of image data. In addition, the hardware ISP and the one or more processors may be integrated within a chip.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of changing a live view photographing drive mode without causing freezing of live view display is demonstrated. When a switch is operated in a state where image signals output from an image pickup device sent via a first path are used for live view and image signals output from the image pickup device sent via a second path are used for AF, a drive mode of the image pickup device is changed such that image signals from the second path can be used for live view, then an acquisition destination of the live view signals is changed from the first path to the second path, then the drive mode is changed such that high-definition live view image signals are output from the first path, and then the acquisition destination of the live view signals is changed from the second path to the first path.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a technique that processes captured images derived from selected targeted objects in a field of view. The captured images may be transferred via a communication link to a storage location for future availability. A possible aspect may provide a cross-reference association between saved multiple exposures having different quality characteristics. In some instances an identifier record is provided to enable future accessibility to selected captured data by one or more authorized parties or approved devices or authorized recipients. In some embodiments the captured data may include both a video data stream and one or more still image frames derived from related fields of view. Stored versions of the captured images may be provided in original or altered form to be incorporated in a composite visual work.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a video input section to which live video obtained by picking up an image of an object is inputted; a frame interpolation processing section which, by inserting an interpolated image between images of frames constituting the live video, performs processing for generating and outputting interpolated video of a frame rate set in advance; and a control section which, when an instruction for freezing video displayed on a display section is made, operates so as to cause a still image of a frame constituting the live video to be displayed on the display section.

Abstract: An automatic tracking camera system includes: a rotating unit for panning and tilting an image pickup unit including a lens apparatus and an image pickup apparatus; a tracking object detector; a motion vector detector for detecting a motion vector of the object to be tracked; a capture position setting unit for setting a capture position of the object to be tracked in the picked up image; and a controller for controlling drive of the rotating unit. The controller controls the rotating unit in a capture mode to capture the object to be tracked at the capture position based on the motion vector detected by the motion vector detector after the tracking object detector has detected the object to be tracked in the picked up image, and a maintenance mode to continuously capture the object to be tracked at the capture position after the capture mode.

Abstract: Provided is a recommendation apparatus including a determination unit configured to determine an application to be recommended to an imaging apparatus, based on information on an image selected in accordance with an operation mode of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power. During change of magnification from a short focal end to a long focal end, the first lens group is fixed, the second lens group is moved to an image side, the third lens group is moved, and the fourth lens group is fixed. The first lens group and the fourth lens group include diffraction surfaces and satisfy the Condition Expressions 50<f1doe/f1<200 (1) and 100<f4doe/f4<300 (2).

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels; a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a ramp signal; a counter performing a counting operation according to the changing of the ramp signal; a read out circuit having a comparator comparing a signal read out from the pixel with the ramp signal, and converting an analog signal outputted from the pixel to a digital signal; and a control circuit configured to adjust a reset potential to be used when the comparator is reset, wherein the control circuit obtains a conversion value derived by converting an analog signal derived of a reset level of the pixel to a digital signal, and adjusts a reference potential based on the conversion value to make a dynamic range of A/D conversion follow the fluctuation of the reset level of the pixel.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus and an image pickup device thereof include an image pickup device of which an image pickup area includes a plurality of pixels and is divided into a plurality of sub-image pickup areas, and at least one pixel included in each of the sub-image pickup areas outputs image signals at a same time.

Abstract: A single user input element in an image capture device is used for both photo and video capture. Based on a first user interface activity, a timing reference is engaged at a first reference time. In a first case, photo capture is performed. In the first case, a second reference time is based on a second user interface activity, and the timing reference indicates a passage of time between the two reference times is shorter than a particular time interval. In a second case, video capture is performed. In the second case, the timing reference indicates a passage of time since the first reference time is equal to or longer than the particular time interval. Video capture is stopped based on a subsequent user interface activity. The user interface activities may comprise detecting actions based on the same type of physical manipulation of the single user input.

Abstract: A moving image data recording apparatus and method that records a moving image file and a still image file and associates them with each other in the same directory.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a moving image special effect image processing unit that performs image processing of applying a first special effect causing a visual effect over a plurality of frames corresponding to image data of a moving image, and image processing of applying a second special effect corresponding to the first special effect to a still image captured during moving image capturing using image data of a moving image captured before the still image, and a control unit that controls an application form of the first and second special effects in the moving image special effect image processing unit.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor including a first semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode is arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a storage element is arranged, and a connection unit configured to electrically connect the photodiode and the storage element, a first transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a first pixel group to the storage element, a first readout unit configured to read out the pixel signals of the first pixel group, a second transfer unit configured to transfer pixel signals of a second pixel group to the storage element, and a second readout unit configured to read out some of the pixel signals of the second pixel group, wherein an image of one frame is generated by composing the pixel signals of the second pixel group and the first pixel group.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a frontmost lens unit, which is located closest to the object side and a plurality of lens units located closer to the image side than the frontmost lens unit. All the distances between adjacent lens units vary during zooming in the state in which the zoom lens is focused on an object at infinity. One of the plurality of lens units is a first focusing lens unit. During focusing from an object at infinity to an object at a short distance in a first shooting mode, only the first focusing lens unit moves. During focusing from an object at infinity to an object at a short distance in a second shooting mode, two lens units in the zoom lens move.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes: a scanning endoscope including a light-guiding section that guides illumination light, a driving section that causes the light-guiding section to swing such that an irradiation position of the illumination light draws a trajectory corresponding to a predetermined scanning pattern; and a light-receiving section that receives return light of the illumination light; a test chart device including a plane portion having first and second regions; a light detection section that outputs a signal corresponding to an intensity of the return light; a pixel generation section that generates pixels on the predetermined scanning pattern; a first correction value calculation section that calculates a correction value based on a pixel value of each of the pixels in the first region; and a second correction value calculation section that calculates a correction based on a pixel position of each of the pixels in the second region.