Abstract: There is provided an image correction device including a flash band detection unit configured to detect a flash band, the flash band being a step occurred between levels for respective lines in a frame by a flash of light, the step being occurred by a difference in exposure time between the lines of a video signal output for each frame from pixels included in a rolling shutter image sensor, a shutter operation determination unit configured to determine whether or not shutter operation has been performed in an imaging device including the image sensor, and a flash band correction unit configured to, when the shutter operation determination unit determines that shutter operation has been performed and the flash band detection unit has detected the flash band, output a video signal of a previous frame output from the image sensor earlier than a frame containing the detected flash band.

Abstract: A method and a device for obtaining a high dynamic range image are provided. The method includes: obtaining a pixel value of each pixel in two images of a same scene; determining a brightness value of each pixel in the two images; determining an objective brightness value of each pixel in a combined image combining the two images; determining a color value of each pixel in the two images; determining a color value of each pixel in the combined image; correcting the color value of each pixel in the combined image so as to obtain a corrected color value of each pixel in the combined image; determining a pixel value of each pixel in the combined image; and obtaining a high dynamic range image.

Abstract: An exposure value adjustment apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The exposure value adjustment apparatus includes a camera module and a processor. The camera module captures a reference image by a base exposure value. The processor generates a histogram of the reference image, divides the histogram into a low partial histogram, a middle partial histogram, and a high partial histogram by a first threshold and a second threshold, decides a high exposure value according to the low partial histogram and the middle partial histogram, decides a low exposure value according to the high partial histogram and the middle partial histogram, and decides a middle exposure value according to the high exposure value and the low exposure value. The low exposure value is lower than the high exposure value, and the middle exposure value is between the high exposure value and the low exposure value.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a flash ratio calculator calculating a flash ratio based on a flash image and a non-flash image, a main subject flash ratio selector selecting a flash ratio of an area of a main subject, a preliminary white balance coefficient determination unit determining a preliminary white balance coefficient used in adjusting a white balance, a flash ratio range calculator calculating an upper limit value and a lower limit value of a range of the flash ratio based on the flash ratio of the main subject and the preliminary white balance coefficient, a flash ratio processor altering the flash ratio so that the flash ratio is in the calculated range, and a white balance coefficient calculator calculating a white balance coefficient based on the altered flash ratio.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes facilitating capture of at least one image of a scene including a foreground object by at least one rolling shutter sensor. The at least one image includes a pattern in an image region of the foreground object comprising a series of alternate dark and bright pixel regions. The at least one image is captured by setting exposure time of the sensor as equal or less than a read-out time of a set of pixel rows of a plurality of pixel rows, and by facilitating a repeating sequence of ON and OFF of flash such that flash is ON while capturing the set of pixel rows, and OFF while capturing subsequent set of pixel rows. The method includes determining a contour of the foreground object in the at least one image based on the pattern.

Abstract: The invention discloses a camera with a built-in polaroid switching mechanism, including a polaroid switching mechanism and a camera body, wherein a front end of the camera body is provided with a front cover, the front cover is provided with a light aperture, the polaroid switching mechanism is located behind the front cover and inside the camera body, behind the polaroid switching mechanism is provided a CCD image sensor, which directly faces the light aperture and fixes onto a CCD circuit board, a rear end of the CCD image sensor is bonded with a heat sink, and the camera body is further internally equipped with a main circuit board electrically connected with the CCD circuit board. In the invention, the polaroid switching mechanism is integrated inside the camera, thereby facilitating to reduce the volume of the switching mechanism and the camera.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged so that an optical image of an object obtained by emitting a flash is converted into an electric signal to obtain a first image regarding photographing of the object, the same optical image of the object is converted into an electric signal to obtain a second image, a distance from the object is measured for each image area of the first image on the basis of the second image, and the first image is corrected on the basis of the distance from the object measured for each image area and light distribution characteristic data of a flash stored beforehand corresponding to the distance of the object.

Abstract: A video sequence control system comprising: a video frame sequence component for providing video frames for display by a projector, the video frames having a sequence of at least one crosstalk reduction frame followed an image frames; and a synchronization control component, the synchronization control component communicatively coupled to an image capture device the synchronization control component providing a timing signal to synchronize image capture with the occurrence of the at least one crosstalk reduction frame in the video frame sequence.

Abstract: Techniques are described for balancing an exposure of a photograph using a software-implemented Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter. Portions of a visual representation of a scene may be defined. Camera settings, such as aperture and/or shutter speed, may be set based on characteristics of the software-implemented GND filter and the portions of the visual representation of the scene.

Abstract: A method characterizes manufacturing imperfections in a camera and variations in its operating environment to allow images captured by the camera to be compensated for these defects. The method includes: (a) illuminating a field of view of the optical elements under a controlled condition; (b) exposing multiple images onto the image sensor under the controlled condition; (c) extracting from the multiple images parameter values for pixels of the image sensor; and (d) compensating images taken subsequently in the camera using the parameter values. The controlled condition includes an external light source for illumination, and the image sensor is sensitive to color components.

Abstract: Image compensation value computation techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an image key value is calculated, by a computing device, for image data based on values of pixels of the image data. A tuning value is computed by the computing device using the image key value. The tuning value is configured to adjust how the image data is to be measured to compute an image compensation value. The image compensation value is then computed by the computing device such that a statistic computed in accordance with the tuning value approaches a target value. The image compensation value is applied by the computing device to adjust the image data.

Abstract: Embodiments of an image sensor are provided. The image sensor includes a sensing layer, a filter unit and a microlens. The filter unit is disposed on the sensing layer, and the microlens is disposed on the filter unit. The filter unit has a gradient refractive index. Therefore, the sensitivity of the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: Systems and method for improving the quality of document images are provided. One method includes identifying a plurality of image fragments within a previously received document image that includes text. The method further includes separating the plurality of image fragments into a plurality of classes. Each class includes a subset of the plurality of image fragments that are substantially similar to one another. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of classes: (1) processing a class of image fragments to generate a combined and substantially enlarged image fragment for the class; and (2) filtering the combined and substantially enlarged image fragment to generate a filtered image fragment for the class. The method further includes generating an improved document image by replacing or modifying the image fragments within the document image based on the filtered image fragments.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for generating an image set for a photographic scene. The method comprises sampling evaluation images comprising an ambient evaluation image and a strobe evaluation image, enumerating exposure requirements for each image comprising the image set, selecting exposure coordinates for each image comprising the image set based on a corresponding exposure requirement and a corresponding evaluation image, generating camera subsystem exposure parameters for each image comprising the image set based on corresponding selected exposure coordinates, storing camera subsystem exposure parameters for each image comprising the image set, sampling each image comprising the image set based on corresponding camera subsystem exposure parameters, and storing each sampled image comprising the image set. Techniques disclosed herein advantageously reduce inter-frame time for images sampled sequentially, and in particular image sets that include both ambient and strobe images.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may include a light source such as a light-emitting diode and a light detector such as a photodiode. The light-emitting diode may be driven with an alternating current drive signal so that alternating current light is produced. The alternating current light may reflect off of an external object and may be received by the photodiode. The photodiode may receive a direct current light signal associated with the presence of ambient light. The efficiency of the photodiode may be affected by the level of ambient light and the efficiency of the light-emitting diode may be affected by the temperature of the light-emitting diode. Ambient light correction circuitry and temperature correction circuitry may be used to ensure that proximity sensor readings are not adversely affected by changes in operating temperature and ambient lighting conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for face detection and tracking using an image-based capture device are disclosed herein. The method includes generating a depth image of a scene, generating a mask image from the depth image, and detecting a position of a face of a user in the scene using the mask image. The method also includes determining an intensity of the face using a first color channel of the mask image and adjusting a gain level of a first color channel of the image-based capture device directed at the scene to achieve a target intensity of the face.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging element section, an imaging optical system, a transmission/block section, an actuator, and an output section. The imaging element section includes a plurality of pixels, and the imaging optical system forms an image on the imaging element section, the image being formed by an electromagnetic wave from the outside. The transmission/block section transmits and blocks the electromagnetic wave to/against the imaging element section, the transmission/block section being disposed at an aperture stop position in the imaging optical system. The actuator drives the transmission/block section to move back and forth to be changed in state between transmission and blocking. The output section produces an image signal output being differential signaling between a pixel output from the imaging element section when the transmission/block section is in the transmission state, and a pixel output from the imaging element section when it is in the blocking state.

Abstract: An illumination source for a camera includes one or more LEDs, and an electrical circuit that selectively applies power from the DC voltage source to the LEDs, wherein the illumination source is suitable for handheld portable operation. In some embodiments, the electrical circuit further includes a control circuit for driving the LEDs with electrical pulses at a frequency high enough that light produced has an appearance to a human user of being continuous rather than pulsed, the control circuit changing a pulse characteristic to adjust a proportion of light output having the first characteristic color spectrum output to that having the second characteristic color spectrum output. Some embodiments provide an illumination source including a housing including one or more LEDs and a control circuit that selectively applies power from a source of electric power to the LEDs, thus controlling a light output color spectrum of the LEDs.

Abstract: A first WB correction coefficient for modifying a tint of an image captured in an auxiliary light non-emission condition to a tint of a peripheral light of the auxiliary light non-emission condition is set by a first WB correction coefficient setting unit, and a second WB correction coefficient for modifying the tint of an image captured in an auxiliary light emission condition to the tint of the auxiliary light non-emission condition is set by a second WB correction coefficient setting unit. The tint of the image captured in the auxiliary light emission condition is then modified to the tint of the auxiliary light non-emission condition by an image processing unit on the basis of the first WB correction coefficient and the second WB correction coefficient.

Abstract: A system for acquiring digital images for a device having an integrated camera includes an Application Program Interface (API). The API is adapted to receive preprocessing and other instructions from a discrete application operating on the device. The API is also adapted to process multiple image capture requests using a pipeline configuration.

Abstract: A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an exposure difference value calculator that calculates an exposure difference between a flash turned-off image and a flash turned-on image, a flash mixture ratio calculator that calculates first flash mixture ratio in blocks, a subject area selector that selects a block having maximum first flash mixture ratio and selects an area including the selected block and a block having first flash mixture ratio ranging between the maximum value and a threshold value, a flash light color balance calculator that calculates color balance of the selected area from the flash turned-on image, a flash mixture ratio correction unit that calculates second flash mixture ratio by multiplying the first flash mixture ratio by a coefficient, and a white balance gain calculator that calculates white balance gain in the blocks based on the second flash mixture ratio, the calculated color balance, and a color balance of normal light.

Abstract: The present invention generates first developed image data by correcting image data with use of a first white balance correction value corresponding to a first light source, generates second developed image data by correcting the image data with use of a second white balance correction value corresponding to a second light source, calculates a color evaluation value of each of blocks by adding and averaging color evaluation values of pixels in the image data for each of the divided blocks, calculates a combining ratio based on a difference between the calculated color evaluation value of each of the blocks and a color evaluation value of white under the second light source, and combines the first developed image data and the second developed image data according to the calculated combining ratio.

Abstract: A white-balance color temperature measuring device for image pick-up device includes a white or gray light transmitting sheet and a color temperature sensing element and installed in a camera body of a camera, camera phone, video camera or any other image pick-up device such that when focusing or pressing the shutter, incident light is changed by white or gray light transmitting sheet into a neutral light that falls upon the color temperature sensing element, causing the color temperature sensing element to induce a spot color temperature signal and to provide the signal to a CPU for processing, and thus, the color of the captured photos or images can be close to the natural colors of the shooting scene.

Abstract: An optical system includes, in order from the object side, an aperture, a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface facing the image side, and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power. The optical system satisfies a certain condition.

Abstract: A lens-interchangeable camera system includes: an interchangeable lens unit storing lens characteristic data corresponding to parameters of lenses in a discrete manner; and a camera body unit to which the lens characteristic data is transmitted from the interchangeable lens unit when the interchangeable lens unit is mounted. The camera body unit includes an acquisition data storage unit storing the transmitted lens characteristic data, a closest data acquisition processing unit, a close data acquisition processing unit, and an unacquired data acquisition processing unit. Processing is performed in the order from the closest data acquisition processing unit, the close data acquisition processing unit and the unacquired data acquisition processing unit.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method of the present invention process light-field image data so as to reduce color artifacts, reduce projection artifacts, and/or increase dynamic range. These techniques operate, for example, on image data affected by sensor saturation and/or microlens modulation. Flat-field images are captured and converted to modulation images, and then applied on a per-pixel basis, according to techniques described herein.

Abstract: In an image sensor pixels in an array of binary pixels are sampled with a first oversampling factor during a first frame interval, and then sampled with a second oversampling factor during a second frame interval, the second oversampling factor exceeding the first oversampling factor.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an image sensor that includes a color filter array in which normal image generation color filters corresponding to three or more bands and correction information generation color filters differing in spectral sensitivity characteristics from the normal image generation color filters are placed in an array; a normal image generation section that generates a normal image in which pixel values of missing pixels are interpolated; a spectral estimation section that performs a spectral estimation process based on pixel values obtained using at least the correction information generation color filters; a correction information generation section that generates correction information that corrects the normal image based on a spectral estimate value; and a corrected image generation section that performs a correction process on the normal image based on the correction information to generate a corrected image.

Abstract: A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and/film information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to systems and methods for dynamic color shading correction, which can estimate the color shading in a captured image on the fly. The color shading may be estimated from the scene statistics of the captured image, and the estimated shading may be used for color shading correction. The color shading estimation method may separate out the color shading component from the actual image content by its unique characteristic in the gradient domain.

Abstract: It is inter alia disclosed a method comprising: capturing an image with a flash; forming at least one weighted masked area of the image by masking at least one area of the image with a weighting mask; and determining an impact metric indicating the combined impact of the brightness and pixel colour components for the at least one weighted masked area.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using infra-red light provide for enhanced operation in camera applications. In an embodiment, a safety camera includes an optical filter that provides an input to an imager from received light having wavelengths in the infra-red spectrum. Output from the imager can be analyzed to determine safety hazard events in an area viewed by the safety camera.

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: Embodiments of the present invention are operable to perform automatic white balancing operations on images captured by a camera system through the use of weights derived through crowdsourcing procedures. Embodiments of the present invention use crowdsourced weight data resident on the camera system in combination with sampled image data of a captured image to determine a likely illuminant source. When performing automatic white balancing operations on the captured image, embodiments of the present invention may also compute a confidence score which may present the user with a choice to either use the likely illuminant determined using the crowdsourced weights or the camera system's default or normal automatic white balancing correction algorithm.

Abstract: In an image capturing and processing system, a device and method is provided. The lens is made of simple lens with high diffractive materials and known strong color aberrations. The method includes the steps of: calibrating or measuring a Point Spread Function (PSF) for each color components at a set of distances, capturing image data, and calculating the image obtained using a de-convolution method based on the PSF found.

Abstract: An optical system includes, in order from the object side, an aperture, a first lens having a positive refractive power, a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens having a positive refractive power and having a meniscus shape with a convex surface facing the image side, and a fifth lens having a negative refractive power. The optical system satisfies a certain condition.

Abstract: Sub-regions within a face image are identified to be enhanced by applying a localized smoothing kernel to luminance data corresponding to the sub-regions of the face image. An enhanced face image is generated including an enhanced version of the face that includes certain original pixels in combination with pixels corresponding to the one or more enhanced sub-regions of the face.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus arranged so that an optical image of an object obtained by emitting a flash is converted into an electric signal to obtain a first image regarding photographing of the object, the same optical image of the object is converted into an electric signal to obtain a second image, a distance from the object is measured for each image area of the first image on the basis of the second image, and the first image is corrected on the basis of the distance from the object measured for each image area and light distribution characteristic data of a flash stored beforehand corresponding to the distance of the object.

Abstract: A first plurality of images of a scene may be captured. Each image of the first plurality of images may be captured with a different total exposure time (TET). Based at least on the first plurality of images, a TET sequence may be determined for capturing images of the scene. A second plurality of images of the scene may be captured. Images in the second plurality of images may be captured using the TET sequence. Based at least on the second plurality of images, an output image of the scene may be constructed.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus (10) includes: an image pickup device (14) including plural photoelectric conversion elements arrayed in a predetermined first direction and second direction; a color filter that has a repeatedly disposed basic array pattern that includes a first filter corresponding to a first color that contributes most to obtaining a brightness signal, and second filters corresponding second colors, placed in a predetermined pattern; a drive section (22) that drives the image pickup device (14) such that, for an array of pixels to read from the image pickup device (14), pixel data of pixels placed at a set cycle in at least one direction of the first direction or the second direction is read to give a second array that is different from a first array expressing an array of all the pixels read from the image pickup device (14); and an image processing section (20) that corrects pixel data of a subject pixel for color mixing correction based on pixel data of a pixel that is the same color as an adjacent

Abstract: A system for estimating an illuminant of a scene that was captured by an input image includes a control system that generates an input gamut that includes the input colors for the input image. Further, the control system compares the input gamut to an illuminant database that includes separate information from a gamut of observable colors for a plurality of possible illuminants to estimate the possible illuminant. Each illuminant can be represented by a separate illuminant gamut. Moreover, each gamut can be organized as a matrix. Additionally, the control system can combine the input gamut with each of the illuminant gamuts to generate a separate union gamut for each of the possible illuminants. The control system can compare the union gamut and the corresponding illuminant gamut for each possible illuminant to estimate the illuminant. After estimating the possible illuminant, the control system performs color correction on the input image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for facilitating the capture of an image of an illuminated area of interest. A method, apparatus and computer program product may tailor the operation of the illumination source based upon the illumination conditions of one or more regions within the area of interest. Additionally, the method, apparatus and computer program product may coordinate the operation of the illumination sources and one or more image sensors to facilitate improved image capture.

Abstract: There is provided a television camera that can automatically adjust a detected video signal balance without using a grayscale chart in order to satisfactorily capture a subject. The television camera adjusts the detected video signal balance by using a white (achromatic) subject and without using the grayscale chart. The television camera firstly captures a white (achromatic) subject. The television camera detects a level of a G signal on a detection gate, and sequentially and automatically adjusts a lens iris in order that the level of the G signal becomes a predetermined signal level (level 71, level 72, level 73, level 74). For each signal level (level 71, level 72, level 73, level 74), the television camera aligns signal levels of R signal and B signal with respect to the G signal, thereby automatically adjusting the detected video signal balance.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit that acquires data of a first image captured with light and a second image captured without light, a white balance gain calculation unit that acquires gain values of each color component of the first and second images, an image partitioning unit that divides the first and second images into areas, a luminance acquisition unit that acquires luminance values for each area of the first and second images, a luminance acquisition unit that calculates relative values with respect to luminance values for each area of the first image and second image, and a luminance acquisition unit that selects specific relative values among the relative values. The white balance gain calculation unit corrects the gain value for each color component of the first image, based on the specific relative values.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a red color filter, a blue color filter, and two kinds of first and second green color filters. The first green color filter has a peak spectral sensitivity in a longer wavelength region than a wavelength of a peak spectral sensitivity of the second green color filter.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a light receiving surface having pixels, and a low-pass filter device configured to focus predetermined light on a predetermined pixel of the pixels of the light-receiving surface.

Abstract: An imaging device is configured to include an optical system which captures an image of a subject, an image sensor which converts the image captured by the optical system into an electric signal, a classifying unit which classifies the captured image into a plurality of areas according to brightness information and color information, a white balance correcting unit which set different white balance correction coefficients for the plurality of areas; and a white balance correction coefficient adjusting unit which adjusts a difference in the white balance correction coefficients for the plurality of areas to be within a first predetermined range.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a color filter having repeatedly disposed basic array patterns configured with first and second array patterns disposed symmetrically about a point, wherein the first array pattern has a first filter placed at the 4 corner and center pixels of a 3×3 pixel square array, a second filter placed in a line at the horizontal direction center of the square array, and a third filter placed in a line at the vertical direction center of the square array, and the second array pattern has the same placement of the first filter as the first array pattern and has placement of the second filter and placement of the third filter swapped over to that of the first array pattern; and phase difference detection pixels placed at positions corresponding to the first filter at a top and bottom edge sides in the array pattern.

Abstract: A digital camera system having at least two independent digital cameras, which capture image signals in different narrow-band spectral ranges, wherein each of the at least two independent digital cameras comprises at least one separate two-dimensional digital image sensor, preferably a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and at least one filter element corresponding to the particular narrow-band spectral range connected upstream of the at least one two-dimensional digital image sensor and having at least one filter region. The at least one color filter element additionally comprises at least one neutral region, which is translucent in a spectral range that includes at least the different narrow-band spectral ranges of the at least two independent digital cameras, in particular in a panchromatic spectral range, and which is assigned to at least one specific neutral, in particular unused, pixel region of the associated at least one two-dimensional digital image sensor.