Abstract: Camera heads configured to provide digitally articulated images or video, at adjustable resolutions and/or offsets and orientations, to a camera control unit (CCU) or other electronic computing system for display, storage, and/or transmission to other systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A radial based approach to electro-optic imagers, rather than the conventional rectilinear approach, would have basic overall system design advantages. Those system design advantages would apply to the components and the entire system implementation and include approaches to objective optical design, focal plane array FPA with fill factor, FPA layout and associated read-out integrated circuit ROIC, support electronics architecture and associated memory requirements, image processing IP algorithms, display layout and format, and eyepiece optics. A radial based approach to EO imagers would yield a device/system with attributes requiring less complicated optical components, with potentially fewer elements, for both the objective and eyepiece lenses. In addition, alternative objective optics could be more easily employed, such as holographic or wave front coded, due to reduced complexity of implementing correction algorithms as a result of referencing the system around its optical axis.

Abstract: Real-time access by a requestor to surveillance video is conditionally pre-authorized dependent on the existence of at least one pre-specified automatically detectable condition, and recorded in a data processing system. A requestor subsequently requests real-time access to the surveillance video (e.g., as a result of an alarm), and if the pre-specified automatically detectable condition is met, access is automatically granted, i.e., without the need for manual intervention. An automatically detectable condition could, e.g., be an alarm condition detected by a sensor at the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a locational proximity of the requestor to the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a previously defined time interval.

Abstract: A method for correcting images acquired via an asynchronous triggered acquisition, wherein image acquisition is triggered by a trigger signal based on the motion and/or position of the sample to be imaged by an image sensor, the method including: measurement of the motion and/or position of the sample; determination of an exposure time based on the aforementioned measurement; and correction of an acquired image based on the determined exposure time and a desired exposure time.

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

Abstract: The invention provides an imager readout architecture utilizing analog-to-digital converters (ADC), the architecture comprising a band-limited sigma delta modulator (SDM) ADC; and a serpentine readout, which can be configured to allow the band-limited SDM to multiplex between multiple columns by avoiding discontinuities at the edges of a row. SDM ADC image reconstruction artifacts are minimized using a modified serpentine read out methodology, the methodology comprising using primary and redundant slices with the serpentine read out in opposite directions and averaging the slices. Advantageously, the invention can be used to develop a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) for strained layer superlattice imagers (SLS) using sigma delta modulator (SDM) based analog to digital converters (SDM ADC).

Abstract: A method, system and reference target for estimating spectral data on a selected one of three spectral information types is disclosed. Spectral information types comprise illumination of a scene, spectral sensitivity of an imager imaging the scene and reflectance of a surface in the scene. The method comprises obtaining a ranking order for plural sensor responses produced by the imager, each sensor responses being produced from a reference target in the scene, obtaining, from an alternate source, data on the other two spectral information types, determining a set of constraints, the set including, for each sequential pair combination of sensor responses when taken in said ranking order, a constraint determined in dependence on the ranking and on the other two spectral information types for the respective sensor responses and, in dependence on the ranking order and on the set of constraints, determining said spectral data that optimally satisfies said constraints.

Abstract: It is a method of driving a MOS type imaging element in which pixels having sensitivities for different colors are arranged two-dimensionally, in which the imaging element has at least two types of read-out lines having different pixel arrangements to read out a charge signal of the pixels, and the method includes driving such that a read-out time interval of a charge signal of at least one type of read-out line among the read-out lines is longer than a read-out time interval of another type of read-out line and a charge accumulating period of each pixel of the one type of read-out line is longer than a charge accumulating period of each pixel of said another type of read-out line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a light-sensitive device comprising a matrix of light-sensitive points arranged into lines and columns. The invention can essentially but not exclusively be used in light-sensitive devices used for detecting X-ray images. The method includes a step (E2) of acquiring an image during which each light-sensitive point can accumulate a charge, and a step (E3) of reading said image. The reading step (E3) comprises a preliminary sub-step (E31) of converting the charges accumulated at the different light-sensitive points into analog signals representative of said charges, and a sub-step (E32) of processing the analog signals in order to obtain a digital image.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of correcting a captured image for lens shading artifacts, comprising for a given lens determining a function L(x,y) being a lens shading correction function to be applied to images captured by the lens in order to correct for lens shading artifacts; applying a sampling technique to sample the function L(x,y) at selected points; and storing the sampled function L(x,y) in memory.

Abstract: The amount of resources needed to provide automatic exposure control (AEC) for a camera of a computing device, as well as the amount of latency required to determine an appropriate exposure setting for current conditions, can be improved utilizing an ambient light sensor (ALS) that is integrated with a camera module corresponding to the camera. The ALS can capture data regarding the amount of ambient light around the device, and a microprocessor or other component of the camera module can analyze the data using an AEC algorithm or other such process to determine one or more initial exposure settings for the camera. This process can be completed without sending image data to a host processor or other such component. Providing relatively accurate initial exposure settings can, in at least many situations, enable the AEC algorithm to more quickly converge to proper settings than is possible using conventional approaches.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided with an image sensor that has a first pixel group and a second pixel group, a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment of an imaging lens based on the signal from the second pixel group, a readout unit that has a first thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels at a predetermined thinning ratio and thinning phase, and a second thinning and readout mode that thins and reads out signals from the plurality of pixels with a difference in at least one of the thinning ratio and the thinning phase from the first thinning and readout mode, and a selecting unit that selects in which mode to operate the readout means from among the first and second thinning and readout modes in accordance with the state of the image capturing apparatus.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that makes it possible to achieve both high picture quality and a wide dynamic range is provided. Each pixel unit included in the image pickup apparatus includes: four photodiodes; four transfer transistors; a charge storage portion (four floating diffusions) for storing electric charges generated at the photodiodes; an amplification transistor; a select transistor; and a reset transistor. The image pickup apparatus further includes multiple coupling transistors. Each coupling transistor couples together the charge storage portions of two pixel units of the pixel units. A scanning circuit switches on or off the coupling transistors according to read mode.

Abstract: An imaging system may include an image sensor array and circuitry that rotates and encodes images from the image sensor array. The circuitry may encode images from the image sensor into an image format such as a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. The circuitry may perform rotations of the images during encoding into Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. Image rotations during encoding and compression may include redefining minimum coded units of the encoded image such that minimum coded units of a rotated image are processed in the same order as minimum coded units in a non-rotated image. Redefinition of minimum coded units may include rewriting of parameters in a start of frame segment of an image data stream such that the height and width of minimum coded units are reversed during rotation.

Abstract: A radial based approach to electro-optic imagers, rather than the conventional rectilinear approach, would have basic overall system design advantages. Those system design advantages would apply to the components and the entire system implementation and include approaches to objective optical design, focal plane array FPA with fill factor, FPA layout and associated read-out integrated circuit ROIC, support electronics architecture and associated memory requirements, image processing IP algorithms, display layout and format, and eyepiece optics. A radial based approach to EO imagers would yield a device/system with attributes requiring less complicated optical components, with potentially fewer elements, for both the objective and eyepiece lenses. In addition, alternative objective optics could be more easily employed, such as holographic or wave front coded, due to reduced complexity of implementing correction algorithms as a result of referencing the system around its optical axis.

Abstract: This invention includes an image sensor in which image forming pixels and focus detecting pixels which receive light beams from the exit pupil of the imaging lens which is partly light-shielded are arranged, the first vertical output line which outputs a signal from the image forming pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a second vertical output line which outputs a signal from the focus detecting pixel in the vertical direction of the image sensor, a vertical addition unit which adds signals from a plurality of image forming pixels in the vertical direction, and a control unit which controls the vertical addition unit to add only signals from image forming pixels excluding focus detecting pixels, when the focus detecting pixels are included in targets for addition in the addition readout mode of making the vertical addition unit add signals from a plurality of image forming pixels.

Abstract: A method of operating a camera with a microfluidic lens to identify a depth of an object in image data generated by the camera has been developed. The camera generates an image with the object in focus, and a second image with the object out of focus. An image processor generates a plurality of blurred images from image data of the focused image, and identifies blur parameters that correspond to the object in the second image. The depth of the object from the camera is identified with reference to the blur parameters.

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: Electronic devices may include image sensors. Image sensors may be used to capture images having rows of long-exposure image pixel values that are interleaved with rows of short-exposure image pixel values. The long-exposure and short-exposure values in each interleaved image frame may be interpolated to form interpolated values. A combined long-exposure image and a combined short-exposure image may be generated using the long-exposure and the short-exposure values from the interleaved image frames and the interpolated values from a selected one of the interleaved image frames. The combined long-exposure and short-exposure images may each include image pixel values from either of the interleaved image frames in a non-motion edge region and image pixel values based only on the image pixel values or the interpolated values from the selected one of the interleaved images in a motion or non-edge region. High-dynamic-range images may be generated using the combined long-exposure and short-exposure images.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processor including a phase difference detection part configured to acquire a pixel value of one light-shielding pixel having a part of a light-receiving region shielded therein and pixel values of a peripheral pixel row of the light-shielding pixel in a light shielding direction. A corrected pixel value obtained by subjecting the pixel value of the light-shielding pixel to a reduced sensitivity correction is compared with the pixel values of the peripheral pixel row to detect a phase difference of the light-shielding pixel.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a response speed of a display panel is provided. The measuring device includes a microcontroller and at least one photo sensor. The microcontroller provides a control command, according to which a display controller of the display panel provides test pattern to the display panel. The photo sensor senses a test frame displayed corresponding to the test pattern by the display panel, and provides a corresponding sensing signal associated with brightness and a response signal. According to the response signal, the response speed of the display panel is calculated.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a binning unit configured to calculate, based on, as a binning area, an area including two or more adjacent pixels in a unit area including m pixels in a lateral direction and n pixels in a perpendicular direction on an image sensor, a sum of output values of the pixels in the binning area as an addition output value for each of m×n binning areas that are different to each other; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a pixel value of each pixel in the binning area based on m×n addition output values obtained for the unit area.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section and a signal processing section. The pixel array section is configured to include a plurality of arranged rectangular pixels, each of which has different sizes in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of adjacent ones of which are combined to form a square pixel having the same size in the vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing section is configured to perform a process of outputting, as a single signal, a plurality of signals read out from the combined plurality of rectangular pixels.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system having a light engine module and an optical engine module. The light engine module can provide narrow-band laser light to the optical engine module which modulates the laser light according to video signals received from a video processing engine. Some embodiments provide for an optical engine module having a sub-pixel generator configured to display video or images at a resolution of at least four times greater than a resolution of modulating elements within the optical engine module. Systems and methods for reducing speckle are presented in conjunction with the modular video projector system.

Abstract: A sense amplifier having a negative capacitance circuit receives differential input signals via a pair of data lines, and senses and amplifies a voltage difference between differential output signals corresponding to the differential input signals as loaded by the negative capacitance circuit using a differential-to-single-ended amplifier to generate a corresponding data output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the brightness of a captured image from a digital camera includes calculating a reference exposure value using the capture parameters and calculating an actual exposure value as a function of ambient illumination parameters. The reference exposure and actual exposure values are compared to determine an actual image saturation value. The actual image saturation value is compared with the saturation value of the image sensor to determine a brightness adjustment factor, and the captured image is adjusted to compensate for overexposure or underexposure in response to the brightness adjustment factor. The image is scaled up or down using the brightness adjustment factor if the actual image saturation value is less than or more than the saturation value of the image sensor used to capture the image.

Abstract: This invention includes an imaging device that photographs a subject, a display device that has a display screen displaying image data photographed by the imaging device, a zoom device that varies the display screen, an extraction device that extracts a predetermined feature portion from image data photographed by the imaging device, a directive device that directs the display device so as to display a predetermined feature portion extracted by the extraction device in a predetermined form, and a controller that controls the directive device so as not to direct a display on the display device in accordance with the varying magnification of the zoom device. Namely, an icon of the extraction result is not displayed while the zoom is in action, so that it can avoid an inappropriate display in which the icon display does not correspond to a photographed subject due to the subject's quick movement or a sudden change in its size within a picture frame.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device which eliminates the need for image processing different from one frame to another, and is capable of eliminating centroid displacement without additionally performing a centroid correction process, thereby improving an S/N ratio and image quality. A controller 140 sequentially reads signals from all pixels when an operation mode control signal designates all-pixel readout mode, whereas, controls to read a signal from a different pixel while varying a readout position from one field to another when the operation mode control signal designates selective readout mode, and a signal processing section 150 performs signal processing on a set of field data of a single field to output resultant data as frame data when the operation mode control signal designates all-pixel readout mode, whereas, adds up plural sets of field data over a plurality of fields to output resultant data as frame data when the operation mode control signal designates selective readout mode.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus and a control method thereof relate to an image capturing apparatus such as a camera array. The image capturing apparatus comprises a plurality of image capturing units. An image capturing unit to be activated out of a plurality of image capturing units is decided based on the capturing distance of an object included in a captured scene. Electricity is supplied to the image capturing unit decided to be activated.

Abstract: When detecting an objective body from a taken image, a scene of the image is determined, and a parameter to be used in detecting the objective body is controlled according to result of the determination.

Abstract: A method for generating a glare-reduced image from images captured by a camera device of a subject vehicle includes obtaining a short-exposure image and a long-exposure image and generating a resulting high dynamic range image based on the short-exposure and long-exposure images. Pixel values are monitored within both the short- and long-exposure images. A light source region is identified within both the short- and long-exposure images based on the monitored pixel values. A glaring region is identified based on the identified light source region and one of calculated pixel ratios and calculated pixel differences between the monitored pixel values of the long- and short-exposure images. The identified glaring region upon the resulting high dynamic range image is modified with the identified light source region within the short-exposure image. The glare-reduced image is generated based on the modified identified glaring region upon the resulting HDR image.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of generating a final exposure setting, including, (a) selecting one of a number of predetermined exposure settings as a current exposure setting for a solid state camera having a camera imager, (b) generating a captured scene by the camera imager using the current exposure setting, (c) selecting according to an automated search methodology another one of the exposure settings to be the current setting in response to the captured scene being underexposed or overexposed, and, (d) repeating (b) and (c) until the captured scene is neither underexposed or overexposed.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for generating frames and changing lens positions based on the analysis of the frames. In one example, a controller coupled to a first camera and a second camera is to change a lens position of the first camera for a second frame based on the identification of a focal target in a frame generated by the second camera.

Abstract: A multi-spectral imaging device includes pixels R, G, B, ?1, ?2, . . . , ?12 composing color sensors for four or more colors having mutually differing spectral sensitivity characteristics. In a first signal readout mode, an image signal including all of four or more types of signals read from the pixels composing the color sensors for the four or more colors is read from the multi-spectral imaging device. In a second signal readout mode, an image signal having a smaller number of colors than that of the first signal readout mode is read such that a narrower gamut than a gamut that can be reproduced by the image signal read in the first signal readout mode is formed.

Abstract: Charge generated in a photodiode is properly split for difference processing. An imaging element is constituted by a semiconductor such that a charge accumulation portion is connected to a light receiving portion using a buried photodiode and charge is split from the charge accumulation portion by a plurality of gates and is accumulated. An imaging device includes a control device performing control so as to accumulate charge that is generated by a photoelectric conversion at an exposure cycle synchronous with the light emission of a light source. The exposure cycle includes a first period for receiving reflection light from a subject illuminated by light from the light source and a second period for receiving light from the subject illuminated by an environmental light not including the light from the light source.

Abstract: High-dynamic-range images may be produced by combining multiple integration periods of varying duration, wherein each integration is obtained using a global shutter operation. Charge accumulated during a first integration period may be stored on a first storage node while charge accumulated during a second and third integration time are carried out. Storage of charges accumulated during the second and third integration periods on a second storage node within a pixel while charge is stored on the first storage node allows capture of a global-shutter-based, high-dynamic-range image. A global-shutter-based image capture base on at least three integration time periods may provide enhanced dynamic range.

Abstract: A method for a compressive sampling to capture an image of the object by using a spatial light modulator and a photo-detector, the method includes driving the spatial light modulator in a first rough sampling mode which is executed by using first coded patterns; detecting signals from the photo-detector to obtain a first data at t=t1; detecting signals from the photo-detector to obtain a second data at t=t2, where t2>t1; and changing the first rough sampling mode to a second rough sampling mode which is executed by using second coded patterns finer than the first coded patterns when a difference between the first data and the second data is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device of one embodiment includes a light receiving section including of a plurality of pixels 11 having respective photodiodes, the pixels being two-dimensionally arrayed in M rows and N columns; N readout lines disposed for the respective columns and connected with the photodiodes PD included in the pixels of a respective columns via readout switches; a signal output section for outputting a voltage value according to an amount of charge input through each of the readout lines; and a vertical shift register for controlling an opening and closing operation of the readout switch for each of the rows. A contour between one side along a row direction of the light receiving section and a pair of sides along a column direction has a stepped shape. A dummy photodiode region is formed along the stepped contour of the light receiving section.

Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with image sensors and verification circuitry. Verification circuitry may be configured to continuously verify proper operation of the image sensor during operation. Verification circuitry may include one or more heating elements formed on a common substrate with image pixels of the image sensor. Verification data may be generated by powering on the heating elements and collecting charges generated in image pixels of the image sensor in response to heat generated by the powered heating element. Heat image charges may be read out using the same readout circuitry that is used to readout imaging data generated in response to incoming light. Heat image data may be used to verify proper operation of all components of an imaging system. Based on a comparison of the verification data with a predetermined standard, an imaging system may continue to operate normally or corrective action may be taken.

Abstract: An image sensor for electronic cameras includes a plurality of light sensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns for generating exposure proportional signals, wherein the pixels of a respective column are coupled to at least one respective column read-out circuit via at least one respective column line, and wherein the respective column read-out circuit includes at least two column amplifiers which are connected in parallel, and includes a control device for controlling a read-out process of an image, wherein the read-out process for the respective pixel includes at least one read-out cycle. The gain factor of at least one of the two column amplifiers of the respective column read-out circuit is adjustable.

Abstract: A photometric device includes a storage-type photometric sensor, a first control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon an average value of an output of the photometric sensor, a second control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon a maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor, and an accumulation control means that controls the second control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor on which the accumulation control is performed by the first control means exceeds a saturation output level of the photometric sensor, and controls the first control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor does not exceed the saturation output level of the photometric sensor.

Abstract: An image capture device includes an imaging assembly having a spectral sensitivity tunable in accordance with a spectral capture mask. A pre-capture captures a sample image of a scene using the imaging assembly tuned by a first spectral capture mask. A second spectral capture mask is constructed by calculations which use image data of the sample image. The second spectral capture mask is constructed to tune the spectral sensitivity of the imaging assembly so as to adjust respective capture parameters for different objects in the scene. The second spectral capture mask is applied to the imaging assembly. An image of the scene is captured with the second spectral capture mask applied to the imaging assembly.

Abstract: A photography control method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for prohibiting the use of a flash. The method includes recognizing a sensitive face from an obtained image and prohibiting the use of the flash when the recognized face is a sensitive face. The method may include determining whether or not the image is taken from a dark environment and if the image is taken from a dark environment, then increasing the optical sensitivity and optionally performing advanced shake reduction.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging element which obtains an image, and an imaging sensor processing unit which resets an exposure of the imaging element by a feedback control based on an image data obtained by the imaging element. The imaging sensor processing unit continuously executes, by pipeline processing, the following processing of setting an exposure time of the imaging element in a first frame just after start-up of the imaging device, making the imaging element accumulate light with an exposure time set at a former frame in a second frame, and outputting the image data by applying a gain set by the second frame in a third frame.

Abstract: This invention provides an image pickup apparatus that performs an image pickup operation that alternately repeats a long exposure LE and a short exposure SE. The image pickup apparatus drives an image pickup device in a first driving mode that makes a first time interval between an exposure end time of a pixel in an SE and an exposure start time of the pixel in an LE immediately thereafter and a second time interval between the exposure end time of the pixel in the LE and the exposure start time of the pixel in the SE immediately thereafter equal.

Abstract: A 3D image capturing device includes a first lens module, a second lens module, a single sensor, an image sensor; a cross dichroic prism; a first mirror; and a second mirror. The first and second lens module have a first optical axis and a second optical axis, respectively. The second lens module is located juxtaposed with the first lens module. The second optical axis is parallel with the first optical axis. The first and second mirrors are arranged at opposite sides of the cross dichroic prism. The first and second mirrors are configured for reflecting and directing light beams from the first and second lens modules to the cross dichroic prism. The cross dichroic prism is configured to redirect the reflected light beams from the first and second mirrors to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of light sensitive elements and a filter array. Each filter element is in optical communication with a respective light sensitive element. The image sensor receives filtered light having a repeating pattern. Light sensitive elements in at least two successive rows alternately receive light having a first color and a second color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the successive rows alternately receive light having the first color and the second color. Light sensitive elements in at least two additional successive rows alternately receive light having a third and a fourth color, and light sensitive elements in common columns of the additional successive rows alternately receive light having the third color and the fourth color. Output values of pairs of sampled light sensitive elements receiving light of a common color and from successive rows are combined to generate a down-sampled image.

Abstract: A method of controlling an image capturing system comprising an interface for receiving an external trigger to capture an image, and an image capturing device provided with a photosensitive area and an array of pixel cells, each pixel cell including a device for generating a signal indicative of the intensity of light falling on an associated part of the photosensitive area, which image capturing device is further provided with readout circuitry for generating an array of pixel values to capture an image frame at a set spatial resolution, such that each pixel value represents an integral of the signal or signals generated in at least one of the pixel cells in an associated one of a number of areas over an exposure time interval, the number of areas being determined by the set spatial resolution, the areas together covering a region of the photosensitive area corresponding to a region in the image, comprises receiving an external trigger to capture an image, and, in response to the external trigger, directing

Abstract: A method of implementing high dynamic range bin algorithm in an image sensor including a pixel array with a first super row having a first integration time and a second super row having a second integration time is described. The method starts by reading out image data from the first super row into a counter. Image data from the first super row is multiplied by a factor to obtain multiplied data. The factor is a ratio between the first and the second integration times. The multiplied data is then compared with a predetermined data. The image data from the second super row is readout into the counter. If the multiplied data is larger than the predetermined data, the multiplied data from the first super row is stored in the counter. If not, the image data from the second super row is stored. Other embodiments are also described.