Abstract: In an imaging apparatus capable of selectively performing an imaging operation in normal imaging mode and that in composite imaging mode, an object is imaged by performing the imaging operation in normal imaging mode to generate an exposure image signal, a brightness rate of a bright portion and dark portion of the object is calculated by detecting the exposure image signal, an exposure rate, which is a ratio of a long-time exposure time and a short-time exposure time in composite imaging mode, is calculated, and the imaging mode of the imaging apparatus is switched from the normal imaging mode to the composite imaging mode based on a comparison result of the brightness rate and the exposure rate.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has a live view mode, and includes a computer configured to adjust an aperture value of an image pickup optical system so as to maintain constant a depth of field when a zoom position of the image pickup optical system is changed. In response to a signal indicative of an increase of the zoom position, the computer in the live view mode is configured to output a signal used to increase the aperture value and a signal used to increase a gain of the image pickup element, and to make the display unit display the image data with a changed zoom position, a changed aperture value, and a changed gain. In response to an instruction to obtain a still image, the computer is configured to obtain the still image with the changed zoom position, the changed aperture value, and the changed gain.

Abstract: An image brightness correction method is described. First, a pre-flash is fired and a pre-flash image is shot. After a main flash duration is estimated according to the pre-flash image and an automatic exposure time of a camera device, a main flash is fired and a raw image is shot. Then, a brightness gain of the raw image is compensated according to a preset gain threshold, and a digital brightness gain of the image is adjusted to enable the image shot each time to achieve the same brightness gain.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control circuit and a method for generating a hierarchical histogram for exposure control. The control circuit and the method result in the generation of a histogram with sub-histograms of differing resolutions. The sub-histograms are used to adjust an image exposure setting according to a distribution of pixel values determined from the histogram.

Abstract: A method for using a capture device to capture at least two video signals corresponding to a scene, includes: providing a two-dimensional image sensor having a plurality of pixels; reading a first group of pixels from the image sensor at a first frame rate to produce a first video signal of the image scene; reading a second group of pixels from the image sensor at a second frame rate for producing a second video signal; and using at least one of the video signals for adjusting one or more of the capture device parameters.

Abstract: In an exposure controller of a camera mounted on a robot for taking an image utilizing incident light from external world in which an object such as a human being is present, a brightness histogram of the image is generated and exposure parameters are set based on the generated histogram. Then, it is determined whether the set exposure parameters are within a predetermined range and when they are out of the range and if a high-brightness imaging region is present in the image due to high-brightness incident light, it is again determined whether it is necessary to remove the high-brightness imaging region. When it is determined to be necessary, the high-brightness imaging region is extracted and is removed from the image, thereby enabling the camera to image the object with suitable brightness even when a bright light source such as the sun is within the camera angle of view.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit capable of selectively executing an imaging operation in a normal imaging mode that outputs a normal exposure image signal in a unit period and an imaging operation in a combined imaging mode that outputs a long-time-exposure image signal and a short-time-exposure image signal, a pre-processing unit that performs gain processing on the normal exposure image signal, or the signals, a signal processing unit that, by combining the image signals, generates a combined image signal, and a control unit that performs control in which, by switching a reference gain setting value in the gain processing in the pre-processing unit in accordance with the normal or combined imaging mode, when the imaging unit is in the combined imaging mode, the reference gain setting value is set to be greater than the reference gain setting value when the imaging unit is in the normal imaging mode.

Abstract: An image sensor has an array of photo-sensitive pixels and supports a line-by-line read out of rows. In a normal resolution each row has the same nominal gain and exposure time. In a down-sampling mode the exposure times of the rows are varied according to an alternating sequence having at least two different exposure times. During down-sampling, raw pixel data from rows with different exposure times is combined to simultaneously achieve down-sampling and a high dynamic range.

Abstract: A shooting operation is performed using a short exposure time at least one to obtain frame image data “A”, and a shooting operation is performed a plurality of times using a long exposure time to obtain sequential frame image data “B”. The image data “A” and “B” are recorded in a single file. In a moving image displaying operation, a moving image consisting of the plural pieces of frame image data “B” sequentially shot using the long exposure time is displayed. When the moving image being displayed is paused, a still image is displayed based on the frame image data “A” shot using the short exposure time.

Abstract: An auto-exposure algorithm for controlling a camera flash uses image processing to identify important areas of the image affected by the flash, while disregarding highly reflective/illuminated areas and uses a ND filter to linearize the flash triggering with highly reflective scenes. The camera flash is controlled by the auto-exposure algorithm in two stages: a pre-flash stage followed by a main-flash stage. In the pre-flash stage, two images are captured under the same camera settings regarding the exposure time, gain, iris and resolution. One image is captured with flash and one without. From the difference between the two images, a reference pixel is used to determine the flash intensity in the main-flash stage.

Abstract: A camera system apparatus that includes an image sensor unit and an AFE unit for digitizing an analog output signal output from the image sensor unit into an digital video signal. A front end camera DSP unit, including a camera signal data path for accepting the digital video signal, and a measure unit operably connected to the camera signal data path for measuring picture characteristics or extracting picture parameters. A DSP unit processes the picture characteristics measured by the measure unit as parameters for initial camera control, and a parameter register into which the parameters are set to control the camera signal data path. A back end processor unit to which a video signal output from the camera signal data path is input, the back end processor including a general application process unit for processing the video signal and a scene analyzer operably connected to the general application process unit for precise camera processing.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range image sensor method combines the response of high-gain sensing cells and low-gain sensing cells with better linearity than the prior art. A search is made in successive central regions within the response curve of the high-gain and low-gain cells to find a highest slope linear fit. This highest slope and the corresponding offset are used in mixing the high-gain and low-gain responses to achieve a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: The application provides techniques for obtaining a relatively high dynamic range image of a scene using a relatively low dynamic range image sensor exposed to incident light from the scene for capturing an image. The image sensor has a multiplicity of light-sensing elements in an array and each light sensing element has a particular one of a plurality of sensitivity levels to incident light in accordance with a predetermined sensitivity pattern for the array of light-sensing elements and has a response function. Each light sensing element is responsive to incident light from the scene for producing a captured image brightness value at a corresponding one of a multiplicity of pixel positions of a pixel position array. Each one of the multiplicity of pixel positions corresponds to a particular one of the plurality of sensitivity levels of the light sensing elements.

Abstract: The matrix coefficient determining process of the present invention can determine linear matrix and color-difference matrix coefficients appropriate for a given type of light source at the same time. The coefficients can be used to perform color correction of RAW data to ensure good color reproduction. Furthermore, by performing the matrix coefficient determining process for a number of types of light sources, optimum color reproduction coefficients and for each of the light sources can be obtained.

Abstract: An electronic camera and method include an imaging device, a luminance detection device, a selection device, a first control circuit, a second control circuit and a third control circuit. The first control circuit re-executes an exposure calculation by adjusting the exposure sensitivity if a first control exposure determined in the first mode does not achieve the optimal exposure. The second control circuit automatically sets the exposure sensitivity at the imaging device in correspondence to a subject luminance detected by the luminance detection device. The third control circuit disallows the second control circuit from operating and allows the first control circuit to operate when the first mode is selected, and that disallows the first control circuit from operating and allows the second control circuit to operate when the second mode is selected.

Abstract: Maximum and minimum aperture sizes are regulated with regard to a diaphragm in order to secure predetermined optical capability in an optical unit which includes a taking lens and the diaphragm. In normal taking, the diaphragm is used within a normal taking range from the maximum to the minimum aperture sizes. In the present invention, an aperture size which is larger than the maximum size and a size which is smaller than the minimum size (extra aperture size or extra small size) are respectively set at outside the range that secures the capability. The aperture sizes of the diaphragm at outside the specified range are used at least for one of the following: automatic exposure (AE) adjustment, auto focus (AF) adjustment, electronic zoom, displaying a moving image, taking for recording the moving image, and taking under a low resolution by thinning out pixels.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for determining a shape of a signal. In particular, a kernel is applied to a portion of a signal to compute at least a first, first order derivative of the portion of the signal and a second, first order derivative of the portion of the signal in a single pass of the kernel. The shape of the portion of the signal is determined based on the first and second first order derivatives. In one example, the shape of the portion of the signal is determined based on the ratio of the first, first order derivative and the second, first order derivative. These techniques may be particularly effective for detecting edges within image signals. However, the techniques may be used to detect the shape of significant changes within any signal that represents a variable that is changing over time, space or other dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of smoothing the brightness of an image photographed in an image sensor without amplifying a noise component of a surrounding part of the image are disclosed.

Abstract: A brightness adjusting method used in an image-retrieving system for producing a suitable brightness adjusting value, the image-retrieving system having a filter and defining a first threshold value, a second threshold value set, a third threshold value, and a fourth threshold value, the second threshold value set including a high value and a low value.

Abstract: The timing adjustment unit gives a phase adjustment instruction of the pulse to the imaging device so as to converge to an optimum phase of the pulse set based on the calculation results of the luminance level detecting unit and the variance calculating unit. Furthermore, the timing adjustment unit controls the imaging device so that an exposure state of the analog imaged signal is suited for a luminance level detection process by the luminance level detecting unit and the variance calculation process by the variance calculating unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image pickup apparatus (70) comprising an image pickup means (700) for forming a plurality of image signals (S,L) having different exposure conditions, combining means for combining said plurality of image signals (L,S) to form a combined image signal having an extended dynamic range, further comprising display and/or recording means (701) for displaying and/or recording said combined image signal, further comprising a function module (79) correcting at least one of the image signals (L,S) in order to achieve a smooth transition between the image signals (S, L) at a transition point.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, a driving unit configured to successively reset signal charges stored in a photoelectric conversion unit at every predetermined line and successively read out a signal based on the signal charges at every predetermined line, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which a starting readout line of the pixels is fixed and a second mode in which the starting readout line of the pixels is changeable based on input control information. The control unit changes a reset timing of the pixels of the starting readout line in the second mode so as to cause a second charge storage period to be less or equal to a first charge storage period in the second mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, includes a viewfinder optical system for guiding an observation light beam to a viewfinder window, the observation light beam being output from an imaging optical system and then reflected from a main reflective surface, an imaging element for generating an image signal in response to the reception of the observation light beam, an exposure control unit for performing exposure control of the imaging element in response to the image signal from the imaging element, and a light sensing detector, arranged in the vicinity of the imaging element, for measuring light. The exposure control unit determines an exposure control value in the exposure control in response to a light measurement value provided by the light sensing detector if a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In a digital camera (10), an imaging sensitivity setting circuit (61) selects a pair of distance range selection parameters “A” and “B” according to a zoom position of a zoom lens (41), to compare an in-focus position of a focusing lens (43) with these parameters “A” and “B”, wherein the parameters “A” and “B” correspond to a farther distance and a nearer distance respectively. If the in-focus position is farther than the parameter “A”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a high level. If the in-focus position is in between these parameters “A” and “B”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a middle level. If the in-focus position is nearer than the parameter “B”, the imaging sensitivity is set to a low level. Based on the set imaging sensitivity level and a measured subject brightness value, a system controller (41) controls the exposure value and the flashlight volume.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus that includes a data path portion for processing a raw image signal and merging and concentrating with non-linear filtering portion. The apparatus also includes a color space transformation portion, geometry transformation portion, linear filtering portion and gain adjustment portion to output a processed signal. The apparatus also includes control and judgment portion for receiving the raw image and the processed signal from the data path portion and generating a plurality of adjustment signals for the non-linear filtering portion.

Abstract: Suppress deterioration in picture qualities while achieving expansion in a dynamic range. An image sensor readout method that reads out, from an area sensor where a plurality of image pickup elements are arranged in matrix, signal charges that are accumulated in the image pickup elements is constituted as follows. First, plural kinds of exposure time different in length from each other are set, and the exposure time is then individually allocated to each line of the area sensor. Next, the signal charges accumulated in the image pickup elements in the allocated exposure time are read out through a line unit of the area sensor. Then, the read out signal charges are synthesized through a screen unit of the area sensor.

Abstract: An imaging device (1) including; a fluctuation correcting section (13) for correcting fluctuation of the input/output characteristics of the imaging element (4), and the linearizing section (14) for converting the signals outputted from the imaging element (4) into the state where the output signals are uniformly converted by one conversion characteristic. The fluctuation correcting section (13) is provided with a first correcting section (13a) for correcting fluctuation based on a computing equation obtained by modeling a plurality of kinds of conversion characteristic, and a second correcting section (13b) for correcting the output signals in a region close to a switch point of a plurality of kinds of conversion characteristics among the output signals whose fluctuations are corrected by the first correcting section (13a), by using model equations of two characteristics on the sides of the switch point, so that the output signal overlaps the characteristic of the imaging element (4).

Abstract: Generation of an Interim Connection Space (ICS) of a full spectral space is provided. A space of illuminants is accessed, and the full spectral space is decomposed into a first subspace that is an orthogonal complement of a metameric black subspace for the space of illuminants. The Interim Connection Space is generated based on the first subspace. The generated ICS can be used, for example, for rendering an image on an additive color destination device. One image rendering workflow includes accessing color data of the image in an ICS, transforming the color data from the ICS into a device dependent color space of an additive color destination device, and rendering the transformed color data on the destination device.

Abstract: The first frame of captured image data is stored as raw data in a main memory, and parameters for exposure control and white balance control are calculated from the stored image data and are set in the RPU. The second and subsequent frames of captured image data are processed in real time in the RPU without being stored in the main memory after being output from a CCD. The second and subsequent frames of captured image data are subjected to exposure control, white balance control, and JPEG compression, and then, are stored in the main memory. After operations for continuously capturing images are finished, the raw data corresponding to the first frame stored in the main memory is read by the RPU, where exposure control and white balance control are performed, and then, is stored as JPEG data in the main memory.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for obtaining high dynamic range images using a low dynamic range image sensor. The scene is exposed to the image sensor in a spatially varying manner. A variable-transmittance mask, which is interposed between the scene and the image sensor, imposes a spatially varying attenuation on the scene light incident on the image sensor. The mask includes light transmitting cells whose transmittance is controlled by application of suitable control signals. The mask is configured to generate a spatially varying light attenuation pattern across the image sensor. The image frame sensed by the image sensor is normalized with respect to the spatially varying light attenuation pattern. The normalized image data can be interpolated to account for image sensor pixels that are either under or over exposed to enhance the dynamic range of the image sensor.

Abstract: This invention improves the response characteristic of exposure control while keeping the exposure control precision high in an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which photo-electrically converts an object image to output an image signal, an output interval control unit which controls the output interval of the image signal from the image sensor, a first detection unit which detects object luminance information from the image signal, a second detection unit which detects the object luminance information by directly receiving light from an object, and a control unit which controls the exposure of the image sensor by selectively using a detection signal from the first detection unit and a detection signal from the second detection unit based on the output interval of the image signal controlled by the output interval control unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photographic device that uses an image sensor and an electronic viewfinder. When a release button is pressed halfway, an aperture value, an electronic shutter speed and a photosensitivity are decided based on the present subject brightness to provide a proper exposure value for photographing a still image. So long as the release button is kept being pressed halfway, a timing generator drives the image sensor to shoot video images at a frame rate of 20 Hz, and the aperture value decided for still image photography is fixed, whereas the electronic shutter speed and the photosensitivity are adjusted according to the subject brightness by use of an aperture-priority type video program. When the release button is pressed to the full, an exposure for a still image is done with the fixed aperture value.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of an object, a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a first temperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a determination unit configured to determine an exposure time for the image sensor according to a brightness of the object, an adjustment unit configured to adjust the exposure time if a temperature difference between temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors is greater than a predetermined threshold, and an exposure control unit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensor based on the exposure time adjusted by the adjustment unit if the temperature difference is greater than the p

Abstract: An image apparatus (10) for providing an adjusted image (242) of a scene (236) includes a capturing system (16) and a control system (24). The capturing system (16) captures an underexposed first frame (240) that is defined by a plurality of pixels (240A), including a first pixel and a second pixel. The first frame (240) includes at least one of a first texture region (240S) and a second texture region (240T). The control system (24) can analyze information from the pixels (240A) and determine if the first pixel has captured a portion of the first texture region (240S) or the second texture region (240T). Further, the control system (16) can analyze information from the pixels (240A) and to determine if the second pixel has captured a portion of the first texture region (240S) or the second texture region (240T). With this design, the control system (16) can reduce the noise in the first frame (240) to provide a well exposed adjusted image (242).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a CCD sensor to perform exposure and output a plurality of captured images in response to a control signal, an image composer to combine the plurality of captured images and produce a composite image, and an exposure controller to supply a SUB signal to the CCD sensor such that an exposure start timing differs by the plurality of captured images if a timing to start exposure by the CCD sensor is included within an output period of the CCD sensor.

Abstract: Provided are a mobile communication terminal having a function of photographing a moving picture, and a method for operating the same. The terminal includes a camera, an input unit, a video processor, and a controller. The input unit inputs a section setting command while photographing the moving picture. The video processor calculates a brightness value per frame from a video signal received from the camera, and generates moving picture data. The controller sets at least one section to the moving picture data depending on at least one of the section setting command and a variation of the brightness value, and plays the moving picture data on a per-set section basis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for image exposure include capturing a first image under a first illumination condition, determining a luminance of the first image at a plurality of sectors, capturing a second image under a second illumination condition employing an artificial light source, determining a luminance of the second image at the plurality of sectors, and determining if the artificial light source should be used to capture a final image using the luminances of the first and second images at the plurality of sectors. If the artificial light source is to be used, an output level of the light source is determined.

Abstract: An image-pickup device including an image-pickup element converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal is provided. The image-pickup device includes a detection unit which detects brightness of the subject, a first determination unit determining an exposure-time period on the basis of the detected brightness, a second determination unit determining a divided-time period used for dividing the exposure-time period into a plurality of sections, an image-pickup-timing-control unit which divides the exposure-time period by the divided-time period, exposes the image-pickup element a plurality of times, and generates a plurality of time-division-image data items, and a combining unit which generates still-image data by combining the generated time-division-image data items with each other.

Abstract: A method of making a digital photograph composed of a moving water element and still element by applying a known computer image processing system, and a digital photograph made by this method, involves taking a basic photograph indicating a realistic image of still elements and photographs taken by applying a series of shutter speeds. A series of digital images corresponding to the above-mentioned photographs are indicated on a monitor of the processing system, and an image indicating a realistic image of the moving water element is selected from the series of digital images. A color matching operation is them applied to the selected digital image whereby a final digital image having a still element substantially color matched to that of the basic photograph and a realistic image of a moving water element is indicated on the monitor, and thereafter a realistic digital photograph is printed based upon the final image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprising a spectroscopy section for splitting a beam of object light; a first image pickup element and a second image pickup element for converting one of the object light split by the spectroscopy section to image data; a moving picture imaging control section for imaging a moving picture of the object using one image pickup element of the first image pickup element or the second image pickup element; a first still-image photographing control section for photographing a still image of the object using the first image pickup element and the second image pickup element; and a first recording control section for generating single still-image data by synthesizing still-image data acquired by the first image pickup element and still-image data acquired by the second image pickup element according to the first still-image photographing control section and for recording the generated single still-image data to a record section.

Abstract: Red-eye correction on a region of a digital image includes adjusting luminance of the region by generating a statistical measure of the luminance in the region, and computing an adjusted luminance based on the statistical measure according to a viewing condition.

Abstract: Immediately before regular image pickup, a reference image is taken through exposure control by center-weighted photometry. A histogram indicative of a luminance distribution of all pixels is generated on the basis of luminance information of the reference image. Then, a luminance point in the histogram where the accumulated number of pixels from the high-luminance side is equal to a half of the total number of pixels is obtained, and a difference is calculated between the luminance point and a luminance point (“118”) when the brightness is uniform in the reference image. At the time of regular image pickup, proper exposure determined in response to the brightness of the subject when the reference image is taken is compensated with the previously calculated difference, and exposure control for the compensated proper exposure is performed.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array section having a plurality of unit pixels, each including a photoelectric conversion element, arranged therein; driving means for performing a shutter operation for removing charge stored in the photoelectric conversion element and a read operation for reading the charge of an electric signal that is obtained by the photoelectric conversion of the photoelectric conversion element and is then stored in the photoelectric conversion element; and control means, when a unit pixel driving mode is changed from a first driving mode to a second driving mode in the units of frames, for changing the shutter operation to the second driving mode while keeping the read operation in the first driving mode for a period corresponding to one frame in the current frame, and changing the read operation to the second driving mode in the next frame.

Abstract: A method of adjusting exposure of a digital camera based on range information, including a digital camera capturing a first digital image at a selected exposure of a scene having objects; providing range information having two or more range values indicating the distance from the digital camera to objects in the scene; using the range information and pixel values of the captured digital image to determine an exposure adjustment amount for the selected exposure; and applying the exposure adjustment amount to the digital image to produce a second digital image with adjusted exposure.

Abstract: When switching a mode between an imaging mode imaging an object and an adjustment mode adjusting an image produced by the imaging, in accordance with the switched mode, one photometric region is selected from at least two photometric regions to an image signal obtained from incident light, and exposure of the incident light is controlled on the selected photometric region based on photometric information, thereby achieving accuracy in adjusting the image produced by imaging an object by preventing effect on exposure due to dispersion in field angle.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: a luminance detection device that detects a luminance of a photographic field; an image sensor that captures an image of a photographic subject; a light reduction device that changes over between reducing an amount of light from the photographic subject that is conducted to the image sensor, and not performing such light amount reduction; and a calculation device that, when moving image photography is started with the image sensor, decides whether or not to perform the light amount reduction with the light reduction device according to the luminance detected by the luminance detection device, and then calculates a control exposure for this moving image photography.

Abstract: A camera is provided that includes a face detection means, an AE&AWB detection circuit, and a processor. The face detection means detects a face from an input image signal and extracts a facial region comprising the face and an upper body region. The AE&AWB detection circuit calculates a brightness appraisal amount on the basis of brightness of the facial region and the upper body region extracted by the face detection circuit. The processor calculates an exposure amount on the basis of the brightness appraisal amount calculated by the AE&AWB detection circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a digital camera in which an aperture value is regulated between the open aperture value and a predetermined aperture value during acquisition of a movie image. The predetermined aperture value can be determined based on a range of a luminous flux for use in focal detection. The predetermined aperture value can be set, for example, such that the range between the open aperture value and the predetermined aperture value is suitable for a focal detecting operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a camera which analyzes an image signal output periodically from an image pickup device to determine a timing suitable for shooting a still image, and acquires an image signal for a still image having a larger number of pixels based on the determination result. The suitable timing can be determined by using a moment of, for example, a change in the moving direction of a moving subject, a pausing of a moving subject, or a change in a voice to be input. The image signal for a still image can stay recorded only when a camera user gives an instruction to shoot a still image within a predetermined period from the determination.

Abstract: A digital camera has an image sensor, a photographing processor, a driving signal controller, and a timing adjuster. The image sensor driver drives an image sensor by outputting a driving signal corresponding to a moving image. The photographing processor carries out an exposure in accordance with the operation of a release button, to record a still image. The driving signal controller outputs a control signal associated with a change of the driving signal to the image sensor driver in accordance with the recording operation and an output timing of the control signal. The image sensor driver outputs the driving signal corresponding to a still image in accordance with an update timing that synchronizes with the clock pulse signal. The timing adjuster shifts at least one of the output timing of the control signal and the update timing of the driving signal, from a synchronization timing of the clock pulse signal, in accordance with the operation.