Abstract: In recent years, the performance of CMOS and CCD image sensors has dramatically improved, and to utilize the improved performance of these sensors, processing circuitry is provided here. This processing circuitry employs a adjustable gain that varies depending on the intensity of the signal from the image sensor so as to reduce noise, reduce area used, and reduce power consumption.

Abstract: To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly. In the method for driving the MOS sensor having a plurality of pixels, after all the plurality of pixels are simultaneously reset, signals are then sequentially outputted from said plurality of pixels. The period from the reset time to the time just before said plurality of pixels output saturated signals is termed as the storage period.

Abstract: A method of generating a gain of an image frame according to a look up table of gain which is set up based on luminance sensitivity of human eyes is proposed. The method includes setting a gain of an image frame to 1, scanning images of a plurality of front rows of the image frame, averaging the images of the plurality of the front rows of the image frame to generate an average value of the images of the plurality of the front rows of the image frame, finding a gain from the look up table of gain according to the average value of the images of the plurality of the front rows of the image frame, and adjusting remaining rows of the image frame according to the gain to generate images of the remaining rows of the image frame.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device outputting, during a unit period of time, a long-exposure-time image signal having a relatively long exposure time and a short-exposure-time image signal having a relatively short exposure time; a first clipping processing mechanism clipping a part not lower than a first signal level of a luminance signal obtained from the long-exposure-time image signal; a second clipping processing mechanism clipping a part not higher than a second signal level of a luminance signal obtained from the short-exposure-time image signal; and a signal processing mechanism generating a synthesized image signal having a dynamic range wider than dynamic ranges of both of the image signals by synthesizing the clipped image signals, wherein the second signal level is not lower than a signal level obtained by dividing the first signal level by a ratio in time of the long exposure time to the short exposure time.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to obtain a high-quality image free from any variation between image sensing regions. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus according to this invention includes an image sensing element which is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which at least one of a semiconductor layer, a color filter layer, and a microlens layer is formed by a plurality of divisional exposure operations, and a correction device which corrects variations in a signal output from the image sensing element between a plurality of partial image sensing regions formed by the plurality of divisional exposure operations.

Abstract: A focus detection device includes an imaging element, a storage controller, and a focus detector. The imaging element is provided on a light path of a light flux incident via an optical system and has a plurality of pixels of charge storage type two-dimensionally arranged. The storage controller controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a first direction among the plurality of pixels and controls to sequentially store charges in pixels arranged in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The focus detector detects a focus adjustment state of the optical system based on a first output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the first direction and a second output obtained when the storage controller sequentially performs storage control in the second direction.

Abstract: An image sensor and method for column noise reduction may reduce decrease the visibility of fixed pattern noise. The image sensor may include an analog processing circuit and a digital processing circuit. The analog processing circuit may be configured to selectively permutate columns of pixel data based on a permutation signal, each column of pixel data including pixel data associated with at least one pixel in a pixel array. The digital processing circuit may be configured to convert the permutated pixel data into digital data and selectively re-order the columns of pixel data based on the permutation signal. The method for capturing an image may include selectively permutating columns of analog pixel data based on a permutation signal, converting the permutated analog pixel data into the digital domain and selectively re-ordering columns of the digital permutated pixel data based on the permutation signal.

Abstract: A driving method of a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements as defined herein, includes performing first driving which mixes a first electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion element with a second electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element for luminance detection, converts the electric charges obtained by the mixing into a signal, and outputs the signal.

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: An apparatus and method for controlling auto exposure (AE) that is used in digital imaging devices. The apparatus controlling the luminance of an image being outputted from an image sensor by controlling exposure time and analog gain of the image sensor includes: a luminance operation unit operating and outputting a mean luminance of the image outputted from the image sensor; a shutter index determination unit comparing a predetermined target luminance with the mean luminance of the outputted image and determining a shutter index in different manners according to the magnitude of the difference between the target luminance and the mean luminance of the outputted image; and an exposure time/analog gain determination unit generating exposure time and analog gain corresponding to the shutter index determined in the shutter index determination unit and applying the generated exposure time and analog gain to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a receiving unit and an image processing unit, where the image processing unit includes a plurality of line buffers. The receiving unit is utilized for receiving a rectangular image. The image processing unit is coupled to the receiving unit, and is utilized for receiving at least a portion of the rectangular image transmitted from the receiving unit, where the first image processing unit receives the portion in a line-based manner, and a length of each line is equivalent to a length of a short side of the rectangular image. In particular, each line buffer of the image processing unit is utilized for storing pixel data of one line of the rectangular image.

Abstract: In a case in which flickers are detected from a live-view image, at least one of a start timing and an end timing of charge accumulation at an image sensor is fixed by setting the image-sensing frame rate during execution of image-sensing plane AF to a value synchronized with the flicker cycle. In an image sensing apparatus for carrying out image-sensing plane AF with the use of live-view images, aperture control and accumulation time control with a high degree of freedom can be achieved even under a flicking light source.

Abstract: A system, device and method for constructing an in-vivo image stream from in-vivo raw data base files. The in-vivo imaging system may include, for example an in-vivo imaging device, a receiver/recorder and a computing device such as a workstation a portable device and/or a portable memory.

Abstract: In a digital camera (1), when a plurality of EV shift values are selected and operation of a set key is performed by a user, a CPU calculates shutter speeds that respectively correspond to the selected EV shift values (S6). Next, the CPU repeatedly picks up images in sequence at the individual calculated shutter speeds, sorts the picked-up frame image data by shutter speed, and generates moving image data for individual shutter speeds. Then, the CPU multiple-displays the generated moving image data for each shutter speed as through images (S9), and records the generated moving image data for each shutter speed (S17).

Abstract: A method for reading data from a holographic storage medium is described. An image sensor is used for acquiring data. The holographic storage medium, which contains binary information in the form of at least one two-dimensional data page, is illuminated by means of a laser beam bundle and the retrieved data page is read out by means of the image sensor, for which purpose the latter is provided with an activatable area having a multiplicity of pixels. It achieves the object of configuring a method of this type in such a way that the read-out of the information is accelerated with a number of pixels remaining the same. For this purpose, the activatable area of the image sensor is subdivided into different regions which are in each case assigned to a region having a specific intensity of the light beam. In this case, a longer exposure time and/or a higher sensitivity are/is determined for regions assigned to regions having lower intensity than for regions assigned to regions having a higher intensity.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of accurately detecting a flicker in a short time period without regard to a state of object and a photography scene. A signal processing circuit reads out an n-th line of an image subjected to collective reset/collective transfer readout, reads out an n-th line of an image subjected to rolling readout, and subtracts an output of a pixel section of a particular column of the n-th line of the image subjected to the rolling readout from an output of a corresponding pixel section of the image subjected to the collective reset/collective transfer readout. The signal processing circuit determines that a flicker is generated, if there is a differential value not less than a predetermined threshold value between each pair of outputs from the pixel sections of the same line and if there is a periodicity in an image vertical direction.

Abstract: A method of providing intensity correction for a video is disclosed. The method may comprise evaluating a portion of a frame of the video; determining a difference in intensity of a current block of the frame with the corresponding block of the previous frame; correcting all blocks of the frame with local intensity correction if a first set of parameters is met; and correcting the current block of the frame with both global intensity correction and local intensity correction if the first set of parameters is not met. An integrated circuit having a circuit for providing intensity correction for a video is also disclosed.

Abstract: In general this disclosure describes techniques for configuring an image sensor of an image capture device based on motion within the scene of interest. In particular, the image capture device analyzes motion between two or more images of the same scene of interest and adjusts the configuration parameters, e.g., gain and/or exposure time, of the image sensor based on the amount of motion within the scene of interest. For example, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a large gain and a short exposure time when the scene includes a relatively large amount of motion, thus reducing the blur caused by the large amount of motion. Conversely, the image capture device may configure the image sensor with a small gain and a long exposure time when the scene includes relatively little or no motion, thus reducing the noise caused by large gains.

Abstract: An image sensor system with an image sensor that generates a first image and a second image. The first and second images are transmitted to a processor in a time overlapping manner. By way of example, the images may be transferred to the processor in an interleaving manner or provided on separate dedicated busses.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device, a derive section and a signal processing section. The imaging device includes plural pixels arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The pixels include plural chromatic color pixels for plural colors and plural high-sensitivity pixels having a higher sensitivity to incident light than the chromatic color pixels. The drive section controls the imaging device to simultaneously start exposing the chromatic color pixels and exposing the high-sensitivity pixels, to read first signals from the high-sensitivity pixels during an exposure period, respectively and hold the read first signals, thereafter, to read second signals from the high-sensitivity pixels, respectively, and to read third signals from the chromatic color pixels, respectively. The signal processing section produces color image data based on the first signals, the second signals and the third signals.

Abstract: An image processing system for interpolating image data is comprised of a shift invariant point determining device, an illumination averager, a second order differentiator, and color data calculator. The shift invariant point determining device ascertains shift invariant points within the mosaic color element array pattern. The illumination averager determines average illumination values of clusters of a plurality of pixels. The second order differentiator determines a second order derivative of the average illumination values of the clusters of the plurality of pixels. The color data calculator determines color data for each of the plurality of pixels from the image data and second order derivative. A second order derivative scaler multiplies the second order derivative by a scaling factor for selectively smoothing and sharpening the second order derivative. A color data averager averages color data values of adjacent pixels to a resolution of the image data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a photoelectric conversion unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, the photoelectric conversion elements being disposed in a two-dimensional matrix, the photoelectric conversion elements converting received light into electric charge and accumulating the electric charge; a reset processing unit for performing a reset process, the reset process being a process of removing electric charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements of the photoelectric conversion unit in a first sub-frame period among the first to N-th sub-frame periods, the N being a natural number of two or more, the first to N-th sub-frame periods being obtained by dividing each frame period of a frame rate corresponding to a normal exposure time into an N number of periods in the first to N-th order; and a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal in a non-destructive manner, the pixel signal being an electric signal corresponding to an amount of electrical charge ac

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

Abstract: An image server includes: a focus position control unit for determining a focus position based on a maximum value of focus evaluation detected by a picture signal level detection unit; and a focus lens driver for moving the focus lens in predetermined control volumes based on an instruction from the focus position control means; characterized in that, in case the exposure time is changed to a longer cycle than a predetermined cycle, the focus position control unit determines a large control volume corresponding to the change in exposure time and moves the focus lens with the control volume to detect the maximum value of focus evaluation and performs focus control.

Abstract: A CCD Device of the type for providing charge gain by impact ionisation has a multiplication register. Gain provided by a subset of the elements of the multiplication register are independently controllable from other elements in the register. This enables the register to be used in one setting with the same gain applied to all elements and a different setting with a subset of elements arranged to provide a different gain. By comparing the two signals, the gain provided by each element and the register as a whole may be derived.

Abstract: The present invention is an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device having an image pickup plane on which pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, a mechanical rear curtain shutter that runs along the image pickup plane to control passage/shielding of light, a system control section that divides the image pickup plane into a plurality of pixel groups along the running direction ahead of running of the mechanical rear curtain shutter and collectively resets charge of all pixels in one pixel group sequentially at timing per pixel group according to running characteristics of the mechanical rear curtain shutter, and an image processing section that corrects a signal level of an image signal read from the image pickup device to approximate to an image signal obtained when the pixels have a same exposure time based on the running characteristics of the mechanical rear curtain shutter and reset timing for each pixel group.

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: On embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for automatically computing exposure parameters for a digital video camera (DVC) system. The exposure parameters include exposure gain, analog gain, and digital gain. Each frame is analyzed with respect to an image luma value. Exposure gain and analog gain are adjusted to reduce differences between a target image luma value and measured image luma values over sequential frames. Digital gain is adjusted with respect to each frame to reduce visually abrupt changes in sequentially captured video frames.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a solid-state image sensor which can reduce the pixel rate while restraining the reduction in the angle of view and the deterioration in image quality when image data is output from the image sensor, and an imaging apparatus using the image sensor. A solid-state image sensor includes: plural photoelectric conversion elements which respectively have color filters being divided into plural groups each including color filters of plural colors, the groups being cyclically provided; and an signal output unit which mixes up digital signals, which are output via the A/D converter, at predetermined sampling positions and at predetermined different rates, and outputs signals which are smaller in number than the photoelectric conversion elements, and sampling gravity centers of the signals output from the signal output unit are at equal intervals.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and a readout unit operable to read out pixel signals of the pixels included in the pixel array row by row. The readout unit (i) reads out pixel signals of a row of pixels in column order of the pixel array during a horizontal readout period, except during a readout-standby period that is within the horizontal readout period, and (ii) suspends reading out the pixel signals of the row of pixels in the column order during the readout-standby period.

Abstract: A video-signal-processing device has luminance conversion section that performs level compression on three input primary-color signals of a color video signal at a same luminance adjustment compression ratio with a hue and a saturation of the color video signal being kept constant, thereby generating three compressed primary-color signals. The device also has saturation conversion section that performs level conversion on the three compressed primary-color signals by using a saturation compression ratio if a maximum level of at least one of the three compressed primary-color signals exceeds a first level. The saturation conversion section sets the saturation compression ratio by using a minimum level one of the three compressed primary-color signals.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, a controller, and an exposure-mode-selecting device. The controller performs a photometric operation on a photographing subject and obtains a luminance value of the photographing subject based on the photometric operation. The exposure-mode-selecting device is used for selecting an exposure mode of the photographing apparatus that has a sensitivity priority AE mode. The photographing operation is performed with a sensitivity of the imaging sensor that is set by a user and a shutter speed and an aperture value that are calculated based on the luminance value and the sensitivity, while the photographing apparatus is in the sensitivity priority AE mode.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having an automatic exposure function includes: an imaging section which images a photographic subject, and which obtains image data according to the photographic subject; and a controller configured to: judge whether or not imaging conditions at the time of imaging by the imaging section are backlight conditions; perform a first exposure control in which a compensation for the backlight conditions is performed, when the imaging conditions are judged to be the backlight conditions; detect a face of a person from image data generated based on the image data obtained by the imaging section and on a result of the first exposure control; perform a light meter test on a face area of the detected face of the person as a light metering area; and perform a second exposure control in which an exposure-amount based on a result of the light meter test of the face of the person is calculated, and in which an exposure control for recording is performed based on the calculated exposure-amount.

Abstract: The image processing device performs image processing using image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information associated with the image data where the image generation record information includes at least operating information about the image generating device at the time of generation of the image data. A picture quality adjuster is able, when the image generation record information includes subject brightness information relating to the brightness of a subject at the time of generation of the image data, to adjust the picture quality of the image data using the subject brightness level derived from the subject brightness information.

Abstract: The central idea of the present invention is that a readout result of an optical detection unit which is based on accumulating photocharges can be improved when the charge carriers accumulated on a photodiode capacitance can be transferred to a readout capacitance before being read out by a readout unit, and when the state of the readout capacitance can be read out in a non-destructive manner by the readout unit, so that a noise portion in the readout signal can be corrected by reading out the readout capacitance during charge accumulation and again reading out the readout capacitance after the end of charge accumulation. Additionally, it becomes possible by the transfer to the readout capacitance to vary the sensitivity of the optical detection device within broad limits and to record a sequence of successive light pulses, without having to reset a photodiode before recording every single light pulse.

Abstract: The present invention provides a signal readout method of solid-state imaging device which can simultaneously readouts the signals having different properties that can generate multiple images obtained by capturing the same subject under different capturing conditions from one solid-state imaging device. A signal readout method of solid-state imaging device that is applied to a solid-state imaging device with a color filter array (CFA) and multiple pixels, the method characterized in that a pixel mixture of a different number of pixels is performed for every readout signal in the solid-state imaging device, and a signal after the pixel mixture is readout.

Abstract: On the basis of an image taken by a right image taking unit and/or an image taken by a left image taking unit, an imaging parameter common to the right and left image taking units is calculated. The calculated imaging parameter is set in the right and left image taking units.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for resetting an Active Pixel Sensor (APS) array comprises a controller for sequentially pre-resetting groups of one or more sensors in the array and then simultaneously resetting all of the sensors. The groups may be formed from one or more adjacent or non-adjacent individual sensors, rows or columns of sensors. The apparatus may further include a detector for sensing the bias voltage present on the array substrate in order for the controller to determine the number of sensors in the groups being reset. This method and apparatus assure that current flow is kept at a fairly steady level to avoid large variations in current flow that may disrupt other functioning circuits on the substrate including latch-up.

Abstract: When driven in an all-pixel read mode, a CCD (1) outputs, with each horizontal sync timing signal, captured image signals including signal charges arranged in a different order from that in which the pixels are actually arranged on a photosensitive surface of the CCD. During this time, the respective pixel signals are digitized sequentially by an A/D converter (5) to corresponding image data, which are then temporarily stored in units of a line in a line buffer (7) via a data distributor (6). In this case, an address generator (8) generates, for the respective image data, write addresses to store the respective image data in the line buffer (7) in the same order as the pixels of the photosensitive surface are actually arranged. In accordance with these write addresses, the data distributor (6) distributes the respective image data to appropriate addresses in the line buffer (7), thereby storing the image data there (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A driving method for a solid-state image pick up device that includes the steps of capturing an image with the pixel array, sharing at least two color pixel cells with a floating diffusion unit, adding an output signal of a first color pixel cell to an output signal of a second color pixel cell having the same color as the first color pixel cell with the floating diffusion unit in order to create a virtual pixel center, and controlling a ratio of integration time of the color pixel cells to the same colors based on pitches between virtual pixel centers with a control unit.

Abstract: In a pixel unit, cells are arranged in rows and columns two-dimensionally. Each of the cells accumulates signal charge obtained by photoelectrically converting light incident on photoelectric conversion section and outputs a voltage corresponding to the accumulated signal charge. On the cells, W, R, G, and B color filters are provided. Analog signals output from the W pixel, R pixel, G pixel, and B pixel are converted into digital signals by an analog/digital converter circuit, which outputs a W signal, an R signal, a G signal, and a B signal separately. A W signal saturated signal quantity is controlled by a saturated signal quantity control circuit. Then, a signal generator circuit corrects the R signal, the G signal, and the B signal using the W signal, the R signal, the G signal, and B signal output from the analog/digital converter circuit and outputs the corrected R, G, and B signals.

Abstract: The output terminal of a first voltage-current conversion circuit, which includes operational amplifiers and a resistor, is connected to the output terminal of a second voltage-current conversion circuit which includes operational amplifiers and a resistor, and also to the negative input terminal of the second voltage-current conversion circuit via a source follower as an impedance conversion circuit which is formed by an NMOS transistor and constant current source. Furthermore, the output terminal of the first voltage-current conversion circuit serves as the output terminal of a differential amplifier circuit. The positive-phase input terminal of the second voltage-current conversion circuit is connected to a reference voltage. Since the node of the current outputs of the first and second voltage-current conversion circuits has a high impedance, these circuits operate to equalize their output currents.

Abstract: A drive unit 120 sets a saturation amount in a read period in which charges generated in pixels are read to vertical CCDs to be lower in a combination mode than in an individual mode (see Vsub in count values 22 to 24 in FIG. 6). As a result, excess charges in the pixels are drained to an n-type substrate 11. The drive unit 120 also sets an accumulation period to be shorter in combination mode than in individual mode (see Vsub in each mode in FIG. 6).

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 determination.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has: a photo-detection unit; a charge transfer unit transferring charges generated by the photo-detection unit in response to a first and a second clock generated by a clock supply circuit. The charge transfer unit includes: a first charge transfer element; a second charge transfer element adjacent to the first charge transfer element; and a charge transfer element group adjacent to the second charge transfer element and including a plurality of charge transfer elements. In a time period, the clock supply circuit supplies the first clock to the first charge transfer element, the second clock to the second charge transfer element, and constant potentials to respective the plurality of charge transfer elements.

Abstract: An image pickup device having a photoelectric conversion unit having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix pattern for converting exposed light into electric charges and accumulating the same and an electronic shutter function for controlling the exposure time for each frame including: a first reader for reading out electric charges exposed during a standard exposure time from respective pixels including the photoelectric conversion elements in the exposed area of the photoelectric conversion unit in a destructive read-out method; a second reader for reading out electric charges exposed during a short exposure time, which is an exposure time shorter than the standard exposure time, from the respective pixels including the photoelectric conversion elements during the same exposure period as the first reader in a nondestructive read-out method; and a saturation predictor for predicting whether or not the amounts of accumulated electric charges in the respective pixels being expos

Abstract: An offset adjusting device includes a sample-hold unit that sample-holds an analog image signal obtained by converting reflected light from an original into an electric signal with a photoelectric conversion device to thereby obtain a sample-hold signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the sample-hold signal to obtain an amplified signal; an analog-digital converter that digitizes the amplified signal to obtain a digital signal; a difference detecting unit that detects a difference between a black-level detection value of the digital signal and a black-level target value; an selecting unit that selects an adjustment coefficient among a plurality of adjustment coefficients based on comparison of the difference and a reference value; and a feedback unit that subjects an offset adjustment value based on the adjustment coefficient selected by the selecting unit to feedback processing.

Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires multiple image data sets of pixels in array, having subject distortion due to focal plane shutter effects, corresponding to images taken at continuous exposure timings; a coefficient storage unit stores coefficients, determined by which number-in-order of multiple images that the image data set corresponds to, and by each pixel position in the image; a multiplying unit multiplies a pixel value of a predetermined pixel in the image data sets, by the coefficient stored in the coefficient storage means; and an adding unit adds each pixel value of a predetermined number of the image data sets. The coefficients include a coefficient wherein, at the earliest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted less and pixels exposed later are weighted more, and a coefficient wherein, at the latest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted more and pixels exposed later are weighted less.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus comprising an image capturing unit configured to capture an image; a generation unit configured to generate an exposure period map by assigning, to each of the plurality of image sensor pixels, exposure control information to control a charge accumulation time, based on preliminary capturing data obtained by preliminary capturing using the image capturing unit, the exposure control information including first exposure control information corresponding to a first accumulation time and second exposure control information corresponding to an accumulation time longer than the first exposure control information; a correction unit configured to expand a first region having the first exposure control information on the exposure period map; and a control unit configured to control the accumulation time for each of the plurality of image sensor pixels in accordance with the exposure period map corrected by the correction unit.

Abstract: High dynamic range image sensors and image reconstruction methods for capturing high dynamic range images. An image sensor that captures high dynamic range images may include an array of pixels having two sets of pixels, each of which is used to capture an image of a scene. The two sets of pixels may be interleaved together. As an example, the first and second sets of pixels may be formed in odd-row pairs and even-row pairs of the array, respectively. The first set of pixels may use a longer exposure time than the second set of pixels. The exposures of the two sets of pixels may at least partially overlap in time. Image processing circuitry in the image sensors or an associated electronic device may de-interlace the two images and may combine the de-interlaced images to form a high dynamic range image.