Abstract: A flash-based strategy is used to separate foreground information from background information within image information. In this strategy, a first image is taken without the use of flash. A second image is taken of the same subject matter with the use of flash. The foreground information in the flash image is illuminated by the flash to a much greater extent than the background information. Based on this property, the strategy applies processing to extract the foreground information from the background information. The strategy supplements the flash information by also taking into consideration motion information and color information.

Abstract: This invention is to provide an image sensing apparatus capable of improving white balance adjustment when an electronic flash device is used. In order to achieve this object, the image sensing apparatus has a control device for acquiring a first control value, acquiring a second control value by applying the first control value to a predetermined function, and adjusting the white balance of an image signal to be output from an image sensing device on the basis of the first and second control values.

Abstract: Systems, computer readable media and methods for digital processing of images captured by a sensor to enhance intensity uniformity of the images. The sensor captures an image of a white light source. Then, using the captured image, a compensation factor for each pixel of the image sensor is calculated and stored in a memory. Next, an actual image is captured by the image sensor. Subsequently, the signal intensity of each pixel is modified using the corresponding compensation factor to enhance the uniformity of the actual image.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus includes an image pick-up device which picks-up an image of a subject and outputs an image signal, a first-amplitude changing portion which varies an amplitude of the image signal outputted form the image pick-up device, a second-amplitude changing portion which varies the amplitude of the image signal to be outputted, a comparing portion which compares the amplitude of the image signal with a value of a target amplitude, and a control portion which controls the first- and second-amplitude changing portions based on the comparison result of the comparing portion and changes the amplitude of the image signal so that it is approximate to the target amplitude so that an observed image of the subject displayed on display means has a desired brightness.

Abstract: A method and system generate an enhanced output image. A first image is acquired of a scene illuminated by a first illumination condition. A second image is acquired of the scene illuminated by a second illumination condition. First and second gradient images are determined from the first and second images. Orientations of gradients in the first and second gradient images are compared to produce a combined gradient image, and an enhanced output image is constructed from the combined gradient image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a white balance correcting method and image-pickup apparatus which are able to perform white balance correction on a main subject even if mixed light of flash light and ambient light is radiated on the main subject, as the method and the apparatus are adapted to correctly predict the amount of flash reached, which is the amount of light reached a main subject in the main emission, for performing white balance correction according to the predicted amount of light reached.

Abstract: An imager apparatus comprises a pixel and a first filter positioned in an incident light path for a portion of the pixel, the filter being operable to alternate between transmitting and reducing incident light on the pixel portion.

Abstract: An electronic camera controls an imaging section to generate a test image without flash and a main image with flash. Then, the electronic camera judges correlation between histogram distributions of the test image and the main image. If the correlation between the histogram distributions is low, the electronic camera judges that the flash illumination is uneven and performs white balance adjustments, placing greater importance on the color temperature of the flash. Conversely, if the correlation between the histogram distributions is high, the electronic camera judges that the flash illumination is uniform and performs white balance adjustments, placing greater importance on the color temperature of the main image.

Abstract: An electrical signal output from an image sensing device is converted into digital image data and stored in a non-compressed form or a lossless-compressed form, in a storage medium. A user sets parameters associated with a white balance via a setting screen. The setting of the parameter is performed either in a first adjustment mode in which a color temperature is displayed as a parameter of the white balance is displayed together with the image data on the setting screen such that the user can adjust the color temperature or in a second adjustment mode in which a parameter of the white balance other than the color temperature is adjusted in a direction different from the direction in which the color temperature is adjusted. The image data is read from the storage medium and subjected to a white balance correction according to the parameters set via the setting screen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a spectrum of light not following characteristics of a blackbody source of light with a camera module programmed for use with light sources following characteristics of blackbody sources of light, wherein a white-balance patch is transmitted to the camera module to cause the camera module to accept color coordinates representing a point on a chromaticity chart that partly defines a region of color coordinates on the chromaticity chart into which color coordinates of the light source fall and to which color coordinates of a reference white color derived by a white-balance routine of the camera module are constrained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of recovering a high pixel image are provided. The apparatus includes a camera module including a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of sub image sensors corresponding to the plurality of lenses, the plurality of sub image sensors each including a color filter having a single color, an original image generation module receiving a plurality of original color-separated images, an intermediate image generation module rearranging pixel information of pixels at identical positions at the plurality of original color-separated images provided from the original image generation module and generating an intermediate image having a higher resolution than each of the original color-separated images, and a final image generation module performing demosaicing on the intermediate image, performing deblurring on the demosaiced intermediate image, and generating a final image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic camera and a white balance correction circuit both capable of setting white balance correction values properly at stroboscope imaging by relatively simple processing. The electronic camera has a stroboscope unit or a connection terminal to a stroboscope unit; an imaging unit for capturing an image of a subject; a calculating unit for calculating, from the image captured with double illumination of both field light and strobe light emitted by the stroboscope unit, the color temperature of the double illumination; and a reflection unit for allowing the calculated color temperature to be reflected in white balance correction values to be applied to the image. When the calculated color temperature is in a predetermined range, the reflection unit decreases the degree of the reflection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating the power spectral density of an unknown illuminant that does not require direct spectral measurements. The apparatus and method allows calibration of color images taken with commercially available digital cameras in arbitrary illumination. Besides an imaging system, a digital computer, a means for transferring image information from the imaging system to the digital computer, and software to carry out the method, the only additional equipment a photographer needs is a set of color standards.

Abstract: Object color data without an effect of illumination light is stored together with thumbnail image data generated on the basis of the object color data and data regarding illumination light so as to have a relationship therebetween, whereby the object color data is controlled visually.

Abstract: A complementary-color-filtered array interpolation by first interpolate each color subarray so each pixel has four colors and then adjust each color at a pixel with addition or subtraction of a color imbalance factor for the pixel. For yellow and cyan the adjustment is subtraction but for magenta and green the adjustment is addition.

Abstract: In order to reduce image degradation due to image capture problems, a method utilizes image data corresponding to a captured image and image capture metadata that refers specifically to information that is associated with capture of the image. A database of correction parameters is provided in order to reduce degradation present in the captured image, whereby each correction parameter is associated with particular image capture metadata. The method involves using the image capture metadata to determine whether the database contains one or more correction parameters associated with that image capture metadata, and then producing correction parameters from the database of correction parameters when the database contains correction parameters associated with the image capture metadata. One or more new correction parameters are produced when the database does not contain correction parameters associated with the image capture metadata. The database then may be updated with the new correction parameters.

Abstract: A first image processing device uses image data, and image generation information that is associated with the image data and that includes at least aperture information, operating mode information, and lens focal length information at the time of generation of the image data, to perform sharpness adjustment of the image data on the basis of the aperture information, the operating mode information, and lens focal length information included in the image generation information.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus such as a video camera has the capability of automatic white balance control whereby the white balance is quickly adjusted for any object even just after an operator has turned on a power supply. An image pickup element converts an optical image of an object into an electrical image signal. The image signal is applied to a signal processing circuit and separated into a luminance signal and color signals. The separated color signals or the R and B signals are amplified by gain control circuits under the control of the correction signals supplied by a correction signal computing part, and then applied to a color-difference signal forming circuit which in turn produces color-difference signals (R-Y) and (B-Y). An encoder circuit generates a television signal in the standard form from the above color-difference signals and the luminance signal.

Abstract: An image processing device for an endoscope, wherein a wavelength band filter for shielding at least a part of the blue wavelength band is disposed in front of an image pickup element built into the endoscope, for image processing the signal output by said image pickup element includes means for generating color image signals whilst switching between a normal-light image mode using white light and a fluorescence image mode including fluorescence information and adjusting means for adjusting the gain of a prescribed color signal of said color image signals.

Abstract: A method of capturing a color image includes steps of operating a first sensor of a camera to integrate a first charge over a first time interval, operating a second sensor of the camera to integrate a second charge over a second time interval and scanning the first and second sensors to readout the respective first and second charges during a third time interval. The first time interval overlaps the second time interval. The third time interval includes no overlapping time with the first time interval. The third time interval includes no overlapping time with the second time interval.

Abstract: A process for performing white balancing of an image is performed by subdividing an image into a plurality of subframes, and then analyzing each subframe to determine if that subframe is predominantly monochromatic other than gray. If so, that subframe is excluded from the computation of the gain adjustments in the white balancing operation. As a result, the white balance process is performed using only the multicolored and/or gray subframes, thus allowing the overall white-balance of the image to be shifted only when a change in the color average is due to a change in the spectra of illumination, and not a presence of large monochromatic areas in the image.

Abstract: An image processing method of performing various image correction processes to a photographed image and printing the photographed image comprises the steps of: inputting image information to which photographing condition information is added; analyzing the characteristic of the input image information; performing an image correction process of improving image quality to the photographed image on the basis of the characteristic of the analyzed image information; discriminating the photographing condition information added to the photographed image; and determining an image correction process to be performed in a step of performing the image correction process on the basis of the photographing condition information discriminated in the discriminating step, whereby it becomes possible to provide a high quality print-output result of reflecting the intention of a user at a time of photographing.

Abstract: A digital camera having small time lag for recording the object after releasing a shutter by employing less movable parts, and by employing an image sensor for other purpose as well as actual forming picture image for recording the object is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a digital camera includes an image sensor having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged pixels capable of selectively reading out signals from desired pixels and capable of adding signals of at least two pixels prior to getting the output from the image sensor, a first processor for processing outputs got from the individuals of the pixels of the image sensor to form a picture image of an object of the camera and a second processor for processing the added signal of the image sensor for light metering of the object.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the color characteristics of a digital image includes receiving a digital image including a plurality of pixels, receiving non-pixel data relating to camera capture parameters including an aperture value, an exposure time value, and a speed value specific to the received digital image; using the aperture value, time value, and speed value to calculate a scene brightness value; and using the calculated scene brightness value to adjust the color of the digital image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a constitution in which an area with strobe light rays dominant therein, which corresponds to strobe light dominant area, is extracted in accordance with various extraction conditions, and a white balance adjustment suitable for a property of the area is set in order to enhance a result of an indoor strobe photographing. Moreover, it is judged whether or not correction is appropriate for each white balance area in accordance with a result of evaluation exposure of a steady light amount.

Abstract: R, G and B LEDs are used as a light source of an electronic flash. Electric energy is supplied to a capacitor to the LEDs. A system controller controls light emitting amounts of the LEDs so that a color temperature of the electronic flash light becomes a color temperature that has been manually set with a color temperature setting switch or a color temperature of a light source determined by color temperature sensors.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which has an optical system, the focal length of which is variable, and an image sensing element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal, and can sense and record a moving image and still image, includes a focal length detection circuit for detecting the focal length of the optical system, and a control unit for inhibiting recording of the still image in accordance with the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit.

Abstract: The state of exposure of a video zone corresponding to position information from a two-dimensional position selecting circuit that allows a photographer to select a desired video zone is detected, an exposure correction is performed by an exposure control circuit based upon a signal indicative of the detected state, and the state of exposure which prevails when optimum exposure has been attained is maintained. As a result, the state of exposure of a subject is corrected to an optimum exposure and the optimum exposure of the subject is maintained even if the state of exposure of the surroundings change owing to a change in zoom magnification or movement of the subject.

Abstract: A camera for use with a flash apparatus is capable of achieving excellent color balance when a picture is taken using the flash apparatus. The camera comprises a flash control circuit that controls the amount of light generated by the flash apparatus, and a color adjusting circuit including a linear matrix circuit and a gain control circuit that controls hues or color saturation. A color correcting circuit controls the color adjusting circuit such that the hue or color saturation is properly adjusted in accordance with the amount of light determined by the flash control circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video camera including a material element, arranged in a photographing optical system, for controlling the light transmission factor or amount, an image pickup element for receiving an optical image transmitted through the material element at the position of an imaging plane, and converting the optical image into an electrical signal, and a correction unit for correcting the light transmission factor wavelength dependency of the material element in accordance with the light transmission factor characteristics or light transmission amount characteristics of the material element.

Abstract: An image processing method for compensating for light falloff in a digital image provides individual compensation values to correct light falloff in the image pixels of an input digital image; however, the individual compensation values induce a balance change in the digital image. Therefore, a balance value is determined for correcting the balance change of the digital image and the individual compensation values and the balance value are applied to the pixels of the input digital image to provide a corrected image having compensation for light falloff with minimal change to the light balance.

Abstract: A light amount adjusting apparatus is constructed by a driving source, a plurality of light shielding members each having a notched portion adapted to form a light passing port, in which the light shielding member is moved by being driven by the driving source to thereby vary an area of the light passing port which is formed in the notched portion, and at least one filter provided for the notched portions of the plurality of light shielding members, in which the filter is provided so as to cover a part of the notched portion and has a first area having first light transmittance and a second area having second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance.

Abstract: Red-eye detection based on red region detection with eye confirmation initially identifies pixels that correspond to the color of red-eye within an image. A determination is then made as to whether these identified pixels and surrounding areas are part of an eye or not part of an eye. Those identified pixels that are determined to be part of an eye are the detected red-eye regions.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus using an image sensing device, such as a CCD, to be used by connecting to an external device, such as a computer, an operating rate of the CCD is changed in accordance with a rate at which the computer receives image signals from the image sensing apparatus. Further, when the operating rate of the CCD is changed, a proper exposure value is conjectured to obtain an image sensed at a proper exposure on the basis of operating rates of the CCD before and after the operating rate is changed, and a proper exposure value of the CCD before the operating rate is changed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for obtaining high dynamic range images using a low dynamic range image sensor. The image of a scene is captured with an image sensor using a spatially varying exposure function. The spatially varying exposure function can be implemented in a number of ways, such as by using as an optical mask with a fixed spatial attenuation pattern or by using an array of light sensing elements having spatially varying photosensitivities. The captured image is then normalized with respect to the spatially varying exposure function. The normalized image data can be interpolated to account for pixels that are either saturated or blackened to enhance the dynamic range of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic flash is provided for a body of a portable phone with a camera, and the electronic flash emits light by a release operation of a shutter release button, thereby photographing a subject by illuminating with a light. A backlight of a liquid crystal display and an electronic flash discharge tube of the electronic flash which correspond with a noise source are contained in containers which are formed on the surface of an electromagnetic shield frame, and an electronic circuit board of the portable phone with a camera is mounted on the back side of the electromagnetic shield frame, so that a shield unit is constructed. Therefore, radio waves generated from the electronic flash and the liquid crystal display are attenuated before reaching the electronic circuit board, and misoperations of the portable phone due to the radio waves can be prevented.

Abstract: A CPU 200 reads out an image file GF from a memory card MC and stores the read out image file GF temporarily in an RAM 210. The CPU 200 acquires shooting information EI from the read out image file GF and determines the noise reduction level according to the ISO speed. When the ISO speed or the shutter speed exceeds a predetermined value, the CPU 200 increases the noise reduction level and executes noise reduction process.

Abstract: A method is provided for attenuating image color-cast corrections. The method comprises: selecting a highlight color; accepting a digital image of colored pixels; calculating the difference between the color of at least one pixel and the highlight color; determining an illuminant correction for the digital image; and, attenuating the image illuminant correction for at least one pixel in response to the calculated color differences. In some aspects of the method, a highlight color with a plurality of color components is selected, for example, white. Then, calculating the difference between the color of at least one pixel and the highlight color includes calculating the difference of at least one color component of the pixel from the corresponding component in the highlight color.

Abstract: A portable image analyzing system (100) for capturing and processing sampled images for features of interest in a compact and portable instrument includes an image capture unit (112) and a very small sized processor (122). The processor (122) should be miniaturized to be palm sized or smaller. The image capture unit (112) captures images of the samples (142) within a field of view and the palm sized processor (112), which is operatively communicative with the image capture unit, analyzes features of the image for the predetermined information obtained from the image. Additional features allow communication with remote sites to transfer the predetermined information for viewing or for more powerful analyzing and to further enable local downloading of information and desired software by the user in the field.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus for reducing the light-dark contrast between a main subject and a background when an image photographed by a camera or the like using an electronic flash is read optically. An image portion corresponding to a wall as a background, where the light amount is reduced, and an image portion corresponding to a person are separated from each other. Only the wall image portion is sampled, the decreased light amount thereof is corrected (addition is carried out) on the basis of the photographing distance to the wall and the light distribution characteristics of the electronic flash, and the light-darkness contrast between the wall image portion and the main subject image portion can be reduced. As a result, image quality can be improved, and an appropriate photographic image can be taken even with an inexpensive and simple camera such as an LF.

Abstract: A method for compensation at least one digital image for light falloff. The digital image may be generated for example from a conventional image frame on a film roll. A plurality of pixel values is provided for each of at least one digital image. A light falloff compensation function is applied and according to that a light falloff correction parameter is determined. Both the light falloff compensation function and the light falloff correction parameter are used to generate an individual compensation value for each pixel element. The compensation value is applied to each pixel element. The method is also able to differentiate and correct the images according to light falloff generated by pure lens falloff or a light falloff generated by the lens and the flash falloff.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus, an image capturing method, and a computer-readable medium storing program for correcting appropriately an image for each area independently. A digital camera for capturing a subject includes an image pick-up unit for capturing a first image of the subject using an electric flash flashing at a first flash intensity, and a second image of the subject using the electric flash flashing at a second flash intensity; a distance judging unit for judging distance to a first partial subject out of the subject based on the first image and the second image; and an image correction unit for correcting a first partial image of the first partial subject, which is a part of the first image based on the distance to the first partial subject judged by the distance judging unit.

Abstract: For an image photographed by a digital still camera or the like, color matching cannot be performed because photographing conditions of the image cannot be specified. The effect of a CMS cannot be expected even when one profile is prepared for such an input device as a digital still camera. In this invention, a photographed image and the photographing conditions of the image are input. An input profile closest to the photographing conditions is selected from a plurality of input profiles stored in an external storage. On the basis of the selected input profile, color matching processing is performed on the input image.

Abstract: The invention makes a suitable selection from zoom modes and lens elements so thin that the thickness of each lens group can reduced, thereby slimming down a zoom lens with great thoroughness and, hence, an electronic image pickup system. The electronic image pickup system a zoom lens and an electronic image pickup device located on the image plane side of the zoom lens. The zoom lens comprises, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 comprising two lens components and having generally negative power and a second lens group G2 comprising two lens components and having generally positive power. The focal length of the zoom lens can be varied by varying the air separation between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. The zoom lens should satisfy at least one of conditions (a) to (n).

Abstract: A white balance correction method for a digital imaging device, including determining a scene illuminant type from a scene brightness and one or more color coordinate values; determining a white balance parameter value responsive to the scene illuminant type, the scene brightness, and one or more color coordinate values; providing at least one white balance correction curve; determining the white balance correction from the white balance parameter value and at least one white balance correction curve for the determined scene illuminant type.

Abstract: A white balance control for a video camera compensates for a large change in brightness level, color of an object and photographic conditions by controlling the timing of output control signals for controlling gains of amplifiers to control white balance and changing the signal processing of a picture image in accordance with a percentage of white color shared in the picture image.

Abstract: An image processing method for compensating for light falloff in a digital image provides individual compensation values to correct light falloff in the image pixels of an input digital image; however, the individual compensation values induce a balance change in the digital image. Therefore, a balance value is determined for correcting the balance change of the digital image and the individual compensation values and the balance value are applied to the pixels of the input digital image to provide a corrected image having compensation for light falloff with minimal change to the light balance.

Abstract: The weak light color imaging device according to the present invention comprises; a white light source (21) having variable output for illuminating a subject A; an excitation light source (22) for irradiating excitation light onto the subject A; an RGB filter (33) for respectively transmitting the red, green and blue wavelength components of the weak light from the subject A; a light amplifying tube (35) for amplifying the intensity of the light of each respective wavelength component of the weak light from the subject A being transmitted by the RGB filler (33); a CCD camera (37) for capturing images of the respective amplified wavelength components from the subject A; an RGB frame memory (41) for respectively storing image signals of the respective wavelength components thus captured; a scan converter (44) for superimposing the image signal of the respective wavelength components stored by the ROB frame memory (41), and converting the scanning thereof to a color image signal; and a monitor (27) for displayin

Abstract: A semiconductor based image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels formed upon a major surface of a semiconductor substrate, a majority of the pixels having a photodetector with a plurality of color filters of at least two different colors arranged over a second majority of the pixels a sense node formed within each of the pixels and operatively connected to CMOS control circuitry a plurality of busses arranged such that there is at least one unique bus operatively connected to the pixels for each color and interface means for providing an electrical connection to a timing circuit, the interface means having individual connections to each of the busses and capable of providing the predetermined voltage on the busses at a desired time.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including a pixel area including a plurality of pixels, and a substrate on which the pixel area is integrated, wherein the centers of the pixel area and substrate substantially coincide with each other. This apparatus can attains reduction of the size thereof.