Abstract: A method for controlling an ambient lighting element including receiving a content signal, analyzing the content signal to determine a motion vector of an object (120A) depicted in the content signal, presenting the content signal on a display device, and adjusting an ambient lighting effect provided by the ambient lighting element as determined by the motion vector The presented content signal may be portioned into macro-blocks (110A) and sub-blocks (230). A motion vector of each sub-block (230) may be resolved into components that are parallel and perpendicular to an outside edge of the display device. An average color of each sub-block (230) depicted within a macro-block (110A) in proximity to an outside edge of the display device may be weighted by the motion vector of the corresponding sub-block (230) for determining an average color of the macro-block (110A). The average color of the macro-block (110A) may be used to adjust the ambient lighting element.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: an imaging device that captures a subject image and outputs image signals; an image synthesizing device that performs image synthesis to generate a single image by using a plurality of sets of image signals obtained on different imaging conditions by the imaging device; and a control device that determines whether or not to perform the image synthesis with the image synthesizing device based on a predetermined determination condition, and, when it is determined to perform the image synthesis, controls the image synthesizing device so as to perform the image synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photo-sensor with a stable current limiting function and pixel reset function. When the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or less than a predetermined quantity and the base potential of the phototransistor is in a first potential of an operation point in a stationary state, an MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned OFF. In addition, when the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or more than the predetermined quantity, a MOSFET for detecting an electric current is controlled so as to operate in a saturation region. When the base potential of the phototransistor has changed to a second potential from the first potential, the MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned ON.

Abstract: An appropriate white balance coefficient is calculated using an evaluation value of a specific chromaticity or an imaging condition, in addition to face area detection information, in the following manner. A first white balance coefficient is calculated by a first white balance coefficient calculation unit based on a color image, and a second white balance coefficient is calculated by a second white balance coefficient calculation unit based on a specific subject of the color image. Then, a third white balance coefficient is calculated by a white balance combining unit by weighting the first white balance coefficient and the second white balance coefficient based on an evaluation result of a specific chromaticity evaluation unit or an imaging condition of an imaging condition control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active imaging device for imaging a scene, comprising a scene illuminator that illuminates said scene with radiation at multiple illumination frequencies or an illumination frequency range covering multiple illumination frequencies, a radiation detector that detects radiation received from said scene in response to said illumination and that generates detection data from said detected radiation, a feature identifier that analyses said detection data and identifies different features in said scene, a frequency selector that separately selects for the identified features one or more selected illumination frequencies resulting in the minimum speckle noise in an image of the respective feature constructed from the detection data, which have been generated from radiation received in response to the illumination of the scene with radiation at said one or more selected illumination frequencies, and an image constructor that constructs a final image from the detection data, wherein

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the frequency of the AC power supply of any pulsating light, such as fluorescent lights, for different purposes such as adjusting a camcorder's frame rate, is described in detail herein. In one embodiment a method is described that determines the frequency of the power supply, using a single sampling rate. In another embodiment two concurrent samplings of different rates are employed to determine the power supply frequency. Additionally, two exemplary systems describe the implementations of two embodiments of the presented methods.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus for picking up an image using a solid-state image pickup device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for providing an image, the method includes: exposing a first group of pixels located at a first location to light, during an intermediate exposure period, to provide analog signals representative of the light; and transferring the analog signals to a second group of pixels located at a second location; whereas a relationship between the first and second locations is responsive to an estimated inter-image shift; then further exposure of the second group of pixels etc.

Abstract: A system and method adaptively control sensitivity, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, of a digital imager. An illumination intensity level mapping controller determines a number of pixels of image data having illumination intensity levels within a first defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an illumination intensity level mapping function based upon the determined number of pixels within the first defined range of illumination intensity levels. An exposure controller determines a number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within a second defined range of illumination intensity levels and determines an integration time based upon the determined number of pixels having illumination intensity levels within the second defined range of illumination intensity levels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically detecting the presence or absence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera and/or for adaptively modifying video camera exposure level. A video camera system may be configured to enter and exit an adaptive exposure modification mode upon detection of the presence of a bright object in the field of view of a video camera.

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: A method and system are provided. In one embodiment, a video image is preprocessed from a video camera to separate objects to be tracked from the rest of the video image. Statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are computed. Further, a quality measure based on the statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are generated. The quality measure indicates the suitability of the video image for use by an object tracking system. The generating of the quality measure maximizes saturation of each of the tracked objects. Further, the video camera is tuned to increase the quality measure beyond a threshold.

Abstract: A flicker detection method of an image sensing device is disclosed. The image sensing device includes a sensor and a processor. The method comprises steps of: consequently detecting multiple frames according to a frame rate, wherein each of the multiple frames includes a light signal; generating a light intensity information based on the light signals; determining a sampling window according to a predetermined detection frequency and the frame rate; dividing the light intensity information into multiple light intensity groups according to the sampling window; distinguishing a feature of each light intensity group, and recording an index position of each feature of the light intensity groups; calculating, individually, a difference between the index positions of the adjacent light intensity groups; and determining whether the differences are patterned, in order to determine whether the light intensity information corresponds to a flicker.

Abstract: A circuit includes a luminance average value output unit for extracting luminance values from pixel data of the first and the second frames to generate first luminance average values for pixel lines of the first frame and second luminance average values for pixel lines of the second frame, a flicker curve generating unit for subtracting the second luminance average values from the first luminance average values, thereby generating a flicker curve, and a flicker detecting unit for extracting a plurality of local minimum points from the flicker curve, calculating a distance between each two neighboring local minimum points of the extracted local minimum points, and determining whether the flicker is present based on the distances and the frequency numbers of the distances.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for enhancing a dynamic range of an image with a multi-exposure pixel pattern taken by an image sensor of a camera for one or more color channels, wherein a plurality of groups of pixels of the image sensor have different exposure times (e.g., pre-selected or adjusted by a user through a user interface using a viewfinder feedback, or adjusted by a user through a user interface after taking and storing RAW image, etc.). Processing of the captured image for constructing an enhanced image of the image for each of the one or more color channels can be performed using weighted combination of exposure times of pixels having different pre-selected exposure times according to a predetermined criterion.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to suppress both the influence of a change in image quality by flicker and the influence of degradation of the image quality by a camera shake when an electronic still camera takes a picture under illumination having flicker. In an electronic still camera which captures a plurality of low-luminance images and composites them into one image of correct exposure, when the exposure time is shorter than the flicker interval of illumination light, the center of the exposure time is made to substantially coincide with the maximum value of the light quantity of illumination light. When the exposure time is longer than the flicker interval of illumination light, the exposure time is set again to a natural number multiple of the flicker interval.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method are provided. The image display apparatus includes an external light detection module which detects an intensity of external illumination; a storage module which stores a plurality of light emitting unit control values; and a control module which selectively performs, according to a result of a determination, a lightness compensation operation for compensating a lightness of a light emitting unit and a visibility adjustment operation for adjusting the visibility of the original input image. The method includes detecting an intensity of external illumination; determining whether a visibility of an original input image can be ensured according to an input light emitting control value and the detected external illumination intensity; and selectively performing, according to the determination, a lightness compensation operation for compensating a lightness of a light emitting unit and a visibility adjustment operation for adjusting the visibility of the original input image.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an image pickup device; a focal plane shutter including a shutter leading curtain and a shutter trailing curtain; a timer for measuring exposure time; a shutter controller which commences measurement of an exposure time when the shutter leading curtain starts traveling, and drives the shutter trailing curtain upon completing the exposure time measurement; and a charge readout controller which reads out electric charges accumulated by the image pickup device during the exposure time at least twice, first before the shutter trailing curtain commences traveling upon the shutter leading curtain commencing traveling and second upon the shutter trailing curtain commencing traveling. The charge readout controller carries out the electric charge readout, before the shutter trailing curtain commences traveling, at a scanning speed in synchronization with a travel speed of the shutter leading curtain in a same direction of the traveling shutter leading curtain.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image pickup apparatus that has an external sensor for detecting brightness separately from an image sensor for obtaining an image pickup signal and controls the insertion and removal of a filter into and from an image pickup optical system in accordance with the brightness of the subject, using brightness information obtained from the external sensor and the image pickup signal.

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: An imaging apparatus that images a photographic subject using an imaging device includes: a signal processing means for performing signal processing on an image signal of the photographic subject imaged by the imaging device and generating an exposure control signal; a photoelectric conversion device that detects an amount of light indicating the brightness under an environment where the brightness changes periodically; and a timing generating means for receiving the exposure control signal from the signal processing means when the amount of light detected by the photoelectric conversion device reaches a predetermined value set beforehand and generating a timing signal for start of exposure and then supplying the timing signal to the imaging device.

Abstract: A method of generating illumination characteristic data around an image display device, includes making predetermined illumination characteristic data around the image display device into a data format comprising a type block and an illuminance block. The type block indicates information on a type of illumination, and the illuminance block indicates information on the illuminance of illumination.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the power frequency of a light source includes a photo-sensitive transistor, a modulators and a logic unit. The photo-sensitive transistor generates an electrical signal that is responsive to light incident thereon from the light source. The modulator generates a modulated signal based on the electrical signal that toggles at a rate substantially proportional to the power frequency of the light source. The logic unit is coupled to receive the modulated signal and determine its toggling frequency.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to allow quickly, reliably confirming an in-focus state with a simple arrangement. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing element which photoelectrically converts an object image, a first image generation unit which generates a first image obtained from the image sensing element, a second image generation unit which generates a second image of a predetermined region from the image obtained by the image sensing element, and an exposure control unit which controls exposure so as to set the second image to appropriate brightness.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for reducing flicker effects in electronic devices (e.g., a video camera, a camera-phone mobile device, a portable electronic device, etc.) by reducing an optical intensity of a video image received by the electronic device. It is determined by the electronic device whether a flicker light source is present and if predetermined conditions are met. As long as that is the case, an optical attenuation of a video image taken by the electronic device is provided using a predetermined criterion and a video signal of the video image is generated by the electronic device using an exposure time substantially equal to or a multiple of an inverse of a flicker frequency.

Abstract: Even when the light intensity of the light source varies, the flicker correction can thus be made flexibly. The present invention provides a flicker correction method comprising the steps of predicting, from an image of a present flicker-corrected frame, a flicker of an image of a next frame to generate two types of flicker images having flickers different in level from each other added thereto, detecting a flicker component through comparison between the generated two types of flicker images and an image of an input next frame, generating a flicker correction value on the basis of the detected flicker component, and making flicker correction by adding the generated flicker correction value to an input image frame by frame.

Abstract: An image combined high sensitivity image and low sensitivity image is provided with well-adjusted white balance and broad dynamic range. The image is obtained by multiplying the combined data by total gain that depends on scene. A white balance is adjusted with gain value calculated from of high output image data. Lv value representing luminance is calculated and compared with a threshold to decide whether or not the high sensitivity image and the low sensitivity image should be combined. First gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the high sensitivity signal with first gamma character, second gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the low sensitivity signal with second gamma character that is different from the first gamma character, and addition unit combines the image signal from the first gamma correction unit and the image signal from the second gamma correction unit.

Abstract: An image sensor repeatedly receives a light from an object through a lens and generates images of the object. A differential image generating unit generates a differential image from at least two images. A detector detects a change cycle or an intensity of an external light. An evaluation unit evaluates an influence of the external light and derives an optimal timing in which a minimum influence of the external light is attained. A controller controls a timing of receiving the light of the image sensor, depending upon the optimal timing derived by the evaluation unit, and repeatedly synchronizes a term of two timings with the change cycle of the external light by shifting the term into the change cycle by a unit of predetermined phase difference.

Abstract: An image device, such as a digital camera, detects specific repeating patterns of signal variations by processing columnar information from the device's two-dimensional sensor array used to generate images. In one embodiment, the columnar information is derived from calculating row averages for two image frames, with each row average being a computed average of the multiple signal intensities generated from some or all of the sensors within a particular row. After the columnar information is determined for each of the two frames, a difference signal is generated as a sequence of the differences between the row averages for the first frame and the row averages for the second frame. This row averaging and frame differencing removes a large percentage of the signal energy that is not a result of the artifact of interest, such as the flicker generated by illumination having intensity fluctuations at 100 Hz or at 120 Hz.

Abstract: Automatic white balance of captured images can be performed based on a gray world assumption. Initially, a flat field gray image is captured for one or more reference illuminations. The statistics of the captured gray image are determined and stored for each reference illumination during a calibration process. For each subsequent captured image, the image is filtered to determine a subset of gray pixels. The gray pixels are further divided into a one or more gray clusters. The average weight of the one or more gray clusters is determined and a distance from the average weights to the reference illuminants is determined. An estimate of the illuminant is determined depending on the distances. White balance gains are applied to the image based on the estimated illuminant.

Abstract: In a camera apparatus of the present invention, a phase difference sensor, which is normally used for automatic focusing operation, is effectively used to detect a flicker of the fluorescent light (S104), and it is judged whether the flicker has been detected or not (S105). When the flicker has been detected, gain No. (3) prepared for the fluorescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit at a time of a capture (S106). The infrared light is detected (S107) based on an output used from an infrared light sensor, which is provided for receiving an infrared-light code signal from a remote control unit, and it is judged whether the infrared light has been detected or not (S108) . When the infrared light has been detected, gain No. (4) prepared for the incandescent light is selected to be set to a gain control circuit (S109).

Abstract: An image sensor comprising a number of light sensor circuits each representing a unit pixel and capable of outputting a sensor signal corresponding to a photo current produced in a photoelectric converting element in proportion to light falling thereon, which is provided with a way of detecting a period and a phase of flicker in light from a light source and a way of determining timing of obtaining the maximum brightness of the light source based on the flicker detection signal and reading sensor signals from respective pixels at the timing determined. This image sensor can easily prevent the effect of flicker resulting from flicker of the light source to an image taken and displayed by the image sensor with no need for adjusting the time of accumulating a charge in the capacitor in accord with incident light thereon and compensating an image signal to be displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed are digital imaging devices that embody a method for eliminating modulated light effects in rolling shutter CMOS sensor images. The digital imaging device comprises an image sensor utilizing an electronic rolling shutter, a processor and firmware for implementing the methods. Embodiments of the method comprise detecting the presence of light modulation and the frequency of the light modulation, and synchronizing the exposure times to the modulation cycle time.

Abstract: A digital image capture system and method uses a display device to illuminate a target with light for improved image capture under poor lighting conditions. Various characteristics of the flash (e.g., brightness, color, duration, etc.) can be adjusted to improve image capture. Users are provided with feedback (e.g., live video feed, audio and/or visual countdowns, etc.) to assist them in preparing for image capture. The captured images are seamlessly integrated with existing applications (e.g., video conferencing, instant text messaging, etc.).

Abstract: A flicker frequency detection method includes defining a plurality of adjacent sensing sections of the same size on a display panel based on an M Hz frequency, an N Hz frequency and the panel resolution, calculating a reference average signal detected by a first sensing section, calculating a first average signal detected by an (n+1)th sensing section, calculating a second average signal detected by an (m+1)th sensing section, calculating a first difference value between the first and reference average signals, calculating a second difference value between the second and reference average signals, determining a relationship between the first and second difference values, and outputting corresponding signals based on the relationship between the first and second difference values. The ratio between the area covered by the first through mth sensing sections and that covered by the first through nth sensing sections is proportional to the ratio between M and N.

Abstract: A method of generating illumination characteristic data around an image display device, includes: obtaining predetermined illumination characteristic data around the image display device; and making the predetermined illumination characteristic data into a data format comprising a type block and an illuminance block. The type block indicates information on a type of illumination, and the illuminance block indicates information on the illuminance of illumination.

Abstract: A method and system are provided. In one embodiment, a video image is preprocessed from a video camera to separate objects to be tracked from the rest of the video image. Statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are computed. Further, a quality measure based on the statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are generated. The quality measure indicates the suitability of the video image for use by an object tracking system. The generating of the quality measure maximizes saturation of each of the tracked objects. Further, the video camera is tuned to increase the quality measure beyond a threshold.

Abstract: In an imaging device having an all-pixel read mode for reading signals from all pixels and a pixel downsampling read mode for reading signals by appropriately discarding pixels, adjacent ones of pixels use a floating diffusion capacitance, an amplifying transistor, a reset switch and a selection switch in common. In the pixel downsampling read mode, not only a primary capacitance but also a photodiode in each pixel to be discarded are used as capacitances for storing signal charges transferred from transfer switches. This makes it possible to lower the gate voltage of the amplifying transistor as compared with the case of using only the primary capacitance as a capacitance for storing signal charges transferred from a transfer switch to reduce the sensitivity of the pixels, thereby reducing the occurrence of flicker.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes an AF sensor which converts received object light into electrical charges, integrates the electrical charges, and outputs the integrated electrical charges as a video signal in pixel units; a photometering sensor which converts received light into an electrical signal to output the electrical signal as a photometering signal; a flicker repetition period determining device for determining a flicker repetition period of the received object light from fluctuations of the photometering signal of the photometering sensor; and a controller which causes the AF sensor to start integrating the electrical charges in synchronization with the flicker repetition period.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a light source presumption unit adapted to presume a light source on the basis of a plurality of feature information including illuminance information of first image signals obtained by image capturing, information of signals belonging to a hue region of a predetermined color among the first image signals, and information of a color temperature associated with second image signals obtained by image capturing before the first image signals; and a white balance control unit adapted to perform white balance control in accordance with light source information presumed by the light source presumption unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for backlight in a mobile terminal with a camera, which includes a camera unit having a camera lens and an ultraviolet sensor, which are disposed adjacent to each other and oriented in a same direction; and a control unit for generating a photographing control signal when a photographing mode key is input and controlling compensation for backlight while in the photographing mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for integrating an image sensor capable of removing a flicker noise without causing any burdens on a hardware due to setting up additional logics. The method for integrating an exposure time of an image sensor employing a line scan method, including the steps of: performing an integration to a first line when an integer multiple of a light source frequency is different from an integration time; and performing an integration to a second line at a phase substantially equal to a phase in which the integration to the first line is started.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has: a white balance control circuit for detecting an achromatic portion of an image of an object and controlling gains of the chrominance; an object distance detecting circuit for detecting a distance to the object; and a zoom value detecting circuit for detecting a zoom value of the optical system. The imaging apparatus further has: an object brightness detecting circuit for detecting brightness of the object; and a white balance control amount adjustment value setting circuit for forming a white balance control amount adjustment value to adjust a control amount in the white balance control circuit on the basis of object brightness information, object distance detection information, and zoom value information, wherein the white balance control amount is adjusted on the basis of the white balance control amount adjustment value.

Abstract: Assessing visibility through an optical material by capturing a digital image of a target through the material, determining its intensity, and using such intensity to determine a visual acuity index for the material. An apparatus for performing the method can assess visibility through an optical material exposed to environmental conditions. The apparatus includes an imaging system with a camera for acquiring digital images of the target through the optical material, a system for exposing the material to environmental conditions, and a system for processing intensities of the target in the acquired digital images. The processing system includes programming for relating the intensity of the target to the visual acuity index, whereby visibility through the optical material is determined.

Abstract: A studio light having first and second light output regimes, and adjustable color temperature. The color temperatures of the first and second light output regimes may be different. The light module includes one or more emitters of light of at least two different colors. An external signal causes the light module to switch from a first light output regime to a second, higher intensity light output regime, and back to the first light output regime.

Abstract: A portable terminal apparatus includes a camera, loudspeaker, determination unit, and control unit. The camera senses an image. The loudspeaker outputs a notification sound. The determination unit determines whether it is bright around the portable terminal apparatus, at a predetermined time interval on the basis of a video signal from the camera. The control unit controls to increase/decrease the output volume of the loudspeaker by a predetermined value in accordance with the determination result every time the determination unit performs determination. A portable terminal apparatus control method and a recording medium which records a program are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for integrating an image sensor capable of removing a flicker noise without causing any burdens on a hardware due to setting up additional logics. The method for integrating an exposure time of an image sensor employing a line scan method, including the steps of: performing an integration to a first line when an integer multiple of a light source frequency is different from an integration time; and performing an integration to a second line at a phase substantially equal to a phase in which the integration to the first line is started.

Abstract: An image input apparatus. A detection section detects a change cycle of an intensity of an external light inputted to a camera. A timing control section synchronizes the change cycle of the intensity of the external light with a plurality of input timings of the camera by changing a phase difference in order. An evaluation section compares each storage quantity of the external light inputted to the camera at the plurality of input timings synchronized by the timing control section for each phase difference. A selection section selects the phase difference whose difference of the storage quantities of the external light is smallest from all phase difference changed by the timing control section.

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 electronic camera of the present invention has an image pickup part, an ambient light colorimetric part, an operation member, a colorimetric calculation part, and a white balance adjustment part. The image pickup part captures an optical image through a photo-taking lens to generate color image data. The ambient light colorimetric part measures color of ambient light without passing through the photo-taking lens. The operation member receives an instruction for the colorimetric timing of ambient light from a user. The colorimetric calculation part obtains the colorimetric result from the ambient light colorimetric part in synchronization with the colorimetric timing, and calculates and stores color gain bringing the colorimetric result near to achromatic color. The white balance adjustment part performs white balance adjustment of image data in accordance with the stored color gain. The structure of the electric camera like this allows preset white balance to be executed in freer timing.