Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for sensing an image of a scene includes receiving incident light at a image sensing device including an array of at least two regions of pixel elements, providing one or more control parameters where each of the control parameters modifies the sensitivity of the pixel elements, generating control signals for the one or more control parameter for each region of pixel elements where the sensitivity of the pixel elements is varied on a region by region basis. In another embodiment, method for sensing an image of a scene includes generating control signals for controlling two or more control parameters for controlling the pixel elements of an entire array to provide continuous fine grain control of the sensitivity of the pixel elements.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging unit outputting two kinds of imaging signals, that is, a first imaging signal and a second imaging signal. A first calculating unit selectively processes the two kinds of imaging signals to generate an AE evaluation value. A second calculating unit selectively processes the two kinds of imaging signals to generate a luminance signal, and generates an AF evaluation value from the generated luminance signal. An image processor executes image processing with respect to the two kinds of imaging signals to obtain an image data.

Abstract: An imaging processing device and method where, when areas having a luminance difference set by a user, for example, 45 dB or more, are preset in an image captured by a camera, an area, the luminance level of which exceeds a predetermined threshold level, may be displayed as a gray level or a black level, with the luminance thereof decreased by a certain luminance level, or may be displayed while a mask, having a gray or black level, and the area, the luminance level of which exceeds the predetermined threshold level, overlap each other. Therefore, glare caused by a high luminance subject can be decreased, or other subjects present in a backlit image can be easily recognized.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an initialization module, an optical black detection module, a calculation module, an image capturing module, a gain-value acquiring module, a gain adjusting module, and a pixel value adjusting module. The calculation module is configured for calculating the gain-coefficient. The image capturing module is configured for capturing an image of an object and acquiring the pixel value of each pixel of the image. The gain-value acquiring module is configured for acquiring a gain value according to the pixel values of the image. The gain adjusting module is configured for multiplying the gain value by the gain-coefficient to obtain an adjusted-gain value. The pixel value adjusting module is configured for multiplying the pixel values by the adjusted-gain value to adjust the pixel values.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: a luminance detection device that detects a luminance of a photographic field; an image sensor that captures an image of a photographic subject; a light reduction device that changes over between reducing an amount of light from the photographic subject that is conducted to the image sensor, and not performing such light amount reduction; and a calculation device that, when moving image photography is started with the image sensor, decides whether or not to perform the light amount reduction with the light reduction device according to the luminance detected by the luminance detection device, and then calculates a control exposure for this moving image photography.

Abstract: A digital still camera having a photographing lens system set in a lens tube, a CCD solid image-capturing device, and a mechanical shutter. The mechanical shutter is set on a light path between the photographing lens system and the CCD solid image capturing device. The CCD solid image-capturing device divides a frame of an image into a plurality of fields and transmits the fields serially. The camera compares at least two fields of them, and detects abnormality caused by, for example, abnormal operation of the mechanical shutter or light leakage of the lens body. The camera also displays or announces the abnormality to a user.

Abstract: A camera is provided that includes a face detection means, an AE&AWB detection circuit, and a processor. The face detection means detects a face from an input image signal and extracts a facial region comprising the face and an upper body region. The AE&AWB detection circuit calculates a brightness appraisal amount on the basis of brightness of the facial region and the upper body region extracted by the face detection circuit. The processor calculates an exposure amount on the basis of the brightness appraisal amount calculated by the AE&AWB detection circuit.

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: According to the present invention, an imaging unit, comprising an imaging device, an imaging device driver, and a signal-processing block, is provided. The imaging device has pixels which are arranged in a first direction. The pixels are alternately and repeatedly covered with N1 kinds of different color filters along the first direction. The imaging device driver drives the imaging device. N1*N2 pixels successively arranged in the first direction are defined as a pixel block. The imaging device driver orders the N1 pixels covered with the different color filters in the pixel block to output pixel signals when a first output method with thinning out is carried out.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image sensor which photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an objective lens, a shutter which is arranged between the objective lens and the image sensor, opens to set the image sensor in an exposure enable state, and closes to set the image sensor in a light-shielding state, a dark image acquisition unit which acquires a dark image by closing the shutter and causing the image sensor to accumulate charges, and a control unit which controls an aperture size of an aperture stop arranged at the objective lens, wherein if the aperture stop has a aperture size more than a predetermined aperture size before acquiring the dark image, the dark image acquisition unit acquires the dark image after the control unit controls the aperture stop to an aperture size not more than the predetermined aperture size.

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: The present invention relates illustratively to a video camera for recording image pickup results constituting moving pictures, an electronic still camera, and a monitoring apparatus. The invention envisages varying the charge storage time TE or the frame period of image pickup means 3 or the processing time TC of data compressing means 8 in accordance with the processing time TC of the data compressing means 8.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixel cells, each of which includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, is arranged, and an adder for performing an addition operation on a plurality of signals output from the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixel array in a predetermined combination of the photoelectric conversion elements, while setting between the signals to be added a ratio determined according to the arrangement of the photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A photographic device includes an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed. A vertical scan circuit selects horizontal drive lines of the image sensor in order. And a horizontal scan circuit reads out in order voltages due to electric charges from the pixels in the horizontal row which is selected by the vertical scan circuit. A plurality of optical lenses are arranged in a direction parallel to the vertical drive lines, and these optical lenses form images of the same photographic regions upon respective pixel regions which face them. The voltages due to electric charges are read out in order from the pixels, and a plurality of images are acquired with some time difference between them. The emission of light by a light source is controlled, so that photography in each of the pixel regions is performed in different photographic conditions.

Abstract: An imager in which a column line bias current control signal is pulsed at some time during and/or after the pulsing of the reset control and the transfer control signals to increase a bias current in a pixel column line during reset and transfer operations. The bias current is then decreased by removing the pulse before the sampling and storing of reset and image signals. Pulsing the bias control voltage signal and thus, the bias current, decreases the settling time of the column line, while maintaining the required low current during sampling and storage of the reset and image signals.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having an image sensing element that senses an object and outputs image data and an electronic zoom function, either a first processing mode or a second processing mode is set and an angle of view is designated. In the first processing mode, the image sensing element is driven by switching reading regions and reading methods of image data from the image sensing element based on the designated angle of view and the image data is read, processed, and the angle of view determined by the switched reading region is changed to the designated angle of view. In the second processing mode, the reading region and the reading method of the image data are fixed and the image data output from the image sensing element is processed, and the angle of view determined by the fixed reading region changed to the designated angle of view.

Abstract: An imaging device driver that drives an imaging device, comprising a detector and a controller, is provided. The imaging device has a light-receiving surface. A plurality of pixels are arranged on the light-receiving surface. Each individual pixel generates a pixel signal according to the intensity of light received by the pixel. The imaging device is capable of mixing a plurality of the pixel signals. The detector detects the brightness of a partial or entire optical image of an object captured by the imaging device. The controller determines the number of the pixel signals to mix according to the brightness of the partial or entire optical image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a control unit which has a first mode in which image signals are read out successively from every predetermined line of a first photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a first region of an imaging plane; and a second mode in which image signals are read out successively from every predetermined line of a second photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a second region which is different from the first region of the imaging plane. In addition, the control unit performs control so as to cause a period from starting readout of the signal of the predetermined line to starting next readout of the signal of the predetermined line in the first mode to be the same as that from starting readout of the signal of the predetermined line to starting next readout of the signal in the second mode.

Abstract: To reliably obtain a captured image expected by a user, such as an image precisely showing the shades of a blue sky or a flower, or an image captured under flat illumination and having high contrast, an apparatus comprises an aperture, shutter, CCD, and an AGC, and applies gamma correction to an image signal using gamma correction values. Maximum reflectance, being an index of the amount of incident light according to the maximum output from the CCD, is increased or decreased in multiple levels depending on the subject being photographed, and the exposure amount is accordingly adjusted, thereby changing a dynamic range. A microcomputer revises the gamma correction values in response to changes in maximum reflectance so as to substantially maintain a relationship between an incident light reference amount being a reference for appropriate exposure and the corresponding gamma corrected output value.

Abstract: Imagers reproduce an image by converting photons to a signal that is representative of the image. A sensor readout module reads reset and signal voltages corresponding to a plurality of integration times for each of a plurality of pixels. The sensor readout module is capable of determining whether the differences between reset and signal voltages corresponding to respective integration times indicate a saturation condition of the pixel. Accordingly, the sensor readout module may provide an output signal based on reset and signal voltages corresponding to an integration time that is less than an integration time for reset and signal voltages that indicate the saturation condition. A normalization module may normalize the output signal to correspond with a linear response curve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus which enables a desired image quality to be maintained regardless of transfer efficiency of a CCD image capturing element. R, G and B signals (CCD-RAW data) are acquired from the CCD image capturing element. In addition, various information, namely transfer efficiency of the CCD image capturing element, camera sensitivity upon photography, drive frequency of the CCD image capturing element, WB gains of the acquired R, G and B signals, pixel count, internal temperature of camera or temperature of the CCD image capturing element, and CCD color filter array of the CCD image capturing element are acquired. Signal processing on the acquired R, G and B signals is changed according to the acquired information in order to suppress image quality deterioration due to transfer efficiency degradation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus applied to a digital camera, includes: a frame memory that inputs and stores, via a bus, image data obtained by capturing an optical image through an optical system by a CCD; a first data-order converting unit that reads and inputs the image data from the frame memory in units of a block in the row direction, and converts and outputs the image data in the column direction; an image processing unit that is connected to the first data-order converting unit for pipeline processing and performs image processing; a distortion correction processing unit that is connected to the image processing unit for pipeline processing and performs the distortion correction processing; and a second data-order converting unit that is connected to the distortion correction processing unit for pipeline processing, returns block data in the column direction into that in the row direction, and outputs the converted data to the frame memory.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image-capturing device which can include an imaging unit that performs photoelectric conversion on incident light that is formed on an imaging screen, a luminance-data extracting unit that extracts luminance data from data read from the imaging unit, and an exposure-adjusting unit that sets and controls an exposure value on the basis of set control values, corresponding to the result of comparing the luminance data with predetermined target luminance values.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus includes an image sensor that applies photoelectric conversion to incident light and accumulates charge, a first output unit that outputs electric signals based on the charge accumulated in the image sensor through multiple channels, and a focus detection unit that detects a phase difference on the basis of the electric signals outputted from the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A method for image capture includes providing an image sensor having at least one segmented row of pixels, wherein the at least one segmented row comprises at least first and second disjoint row subsets of pixels, wherein the reset and readout operations for each row subset are controllably independent of each other; timing the exposure interval of the first subset to be photographically centered with the exposure interval of the second subset; and combining the image data obtained from the first and second row subset exposures to form a row of pixel values.

Abstract: Imaging devices—as well as methods for operating such devices—that include active pixel sensors and a transistor that, when paired with the transistor in an adjacent pixel, will form a differential input pair of an operational amplifier. At least some portion of the operational amplifier circuit is located off the active pixel sensor, and shared by the rows or columns of the active pixel sensor array.

Abstract: During a first horizontal blanking period, signal charges on a first row are transferred from a vertical transfer channel to a line memory. During a second horizontal blanking period, the transferred signal charges are partly transferred from the line memory to a horizontal transfer channel. During a third horizontal blanking period, the remaining signal charges on the first row are transferred from the line memory to the horizontal transfer channel. Thereafter, the signal charges on the second row next to the first row are transferred from the vertical transfer channel to a line memory that is vacant.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device reduces the load of outputs from pixels and suppresses a decrease in gain, a reduction in a speed, and the like using a circuit for adding (averaging) a plurality of pixel signals. The device has a plurality of pixels which are one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged and output photoelectrically converted signals, and a plurality of output lines to which the output signal(s) from one pixel or the pixels arranged on one column is/are outputted. A signal adder circuit for arbitrarily adding the output signals from the plurality of output lines and outputting an addition signal and a signal output circuit for outputting each of the output signals, as individual signals, from the plurality of output lines without adding them are independently provided.

Abstract: An image signal processing unit comprising an image signal receiver, a first addition block, a compression block, and a determination block, is provided. The image signal receiver receives an image signal. The image signal is generated by an imaging device. The imaging device has a plurality of pixels generating pixel signal. A receiving surface of the imaging device is divided into a number of pixel blocks. A number of pixels are arranged in the pixel block. The first addition block generates high-sensitivity signal by adding up the pixel signals generated by some pixels arranged at a predetermined position in the pixel block. The compression block generates low-sensitivity signal by compressing the high-sensitivity signal so that the low-sensitivity signal is lower than the maximum signal level of the pixel signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting the backlight of a camera are disclosed. When the camera for photographing a moving image by a photographing device, such as a general-purpose CCD or a general-purpose CMOS, enters into a backlight shooting state for simultaneously photographing an object with a very high luminance level and an object with a very low luminance level, as the shutter speed of the photographing device is varied to a long shutter speed and a short shutter speed, an image shot with the long shutter speed and an image shot with the short shutter speed are synthesized and outputted, thereby enabling a proper luminance level object photographing operation for each of the objects. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently prevent the phenomenon that the object with the low luminance level looks dark due to the object with the high luminance level.

Abstract: An inter-line CCD (IT-CCD) capable of reading signals in two read modes, a field read mode and a frame read mode, is used to control, by a system control means, a CCD exposure and a signal read mode, a short-time exposure signal (Short signal) acquires an image by a field read and a long-time exposure signal (Long signal) acquires an image by a frame read, and these two images are synthesized by a signal synthesizing means to expand a dynamic range.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for approximating spectral sensitivities of a particular image sensor, the image sensor having a color filter array positioned over the image sensor. In one example of the method, the method involves measuring spectral sensitivities of a set of image sensors each having a color filter array positioned over the image sensor, calculating mean spectral sensitivities of the set of image sensors for each color within the color filter array, measuring outputs of a particular image sensor when capturing a picture of a plurality of color patches under a first illuminant and calculating spectral sensitivities of the particular image sensor using the mean spectral sensitivities and the output of the particular image sensor. In some embodiments, the method further comprises utilizing the calculated spectral sensitivities to determine outputs of the particular image sensor under a second illuminant.

Abstract: To improve a sensor resetting method and thereby implement a high rate at which a moving image is read, the invention provides an image pickup apparatus and a radiation image pickup apparatus including: a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate in row and column directions, each pixel having a conversion element and a transfer switching element; a drive wiring connected to a plurality of the transfer switching elements in the row direction; and a conversion element wiring connected to a plurality of the conversion elements in the row direction, wherein a reset switching element is disposed between the conversion element wiring and a reset wiring for supplying a reset voltage for resetting the conversion element, and a bias switching element is disposed between the conversion element wiring and a bias wiring for supplying a bias voltage for operating the conversion element.

Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit of an image pixel includes a clamping circuit for pulling up a voltage of a reset signal output by the pixel and an eclipse detection circuit for controllably coupling the clamping circuit output to the output of the pixel. The clamping circuit includes a source follower transistor and a switching transistor. The eclipse detection circuit includes a comparator that is operated to detect an eclipse condition. The eclipse detection circuit outputs a control signal to cause the switching transistor to conduct only when a eclipse condition is detected while the pixel is outputting a reset signal.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control method and compensation apparatus are disclosed. It includes a coordinate system having sub-ranges with different corresponding exposure compensation values. It includes the setting of bright and dark regions threshold values and the calculation of the ratios of the pixel count in an image where the luminance of each pixel is higher than the bright area threshold value for obtaining a bright area ratio, and also includes the calculation of the ratio of the pixel count in an image where the luminance of each pixel is lower than the dark area threshold value for obtaining a dark area ratio. Afterwards, the image position in the coordinate system is determined. When the image position in the coordinate system is fallen inside one of the sub-ranges, the corresponding exposure compensation value of the sub-range where the image is located is given to compensate the exposure value of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of integrating optics into an IC package is for detecting light from at least one light source is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing, which has a predetermined spectral transmittance. A sensor is positioned within the housing. An opaque mask is applied to the housing, where the opaque mask has a hole aligned with the sensor such that the light's centroid is detected by the sensor. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a substrate for positioning and stabilizing the sensor in the housing, an analog filter and amplification module (“AFA”) for filtering and amplifying signals from the sensor and generating a second signal, and a digital signal processor (“DSP”) for generating a coordinate system by extracting frequency components from the AFA output signal.

Abstract: In a digital camera including a digital signal processing portion processing a digital image and a display device displaying the image according to a digital signal from the digital signal processing portion, and a control portion controlling overall operation, after the user takes a picture, image data is analyzed by the digital signal processing portion to determine picture quality and, when it is determined that the picture quality is inadequate, the user is informed of information regarding the quality of the picture.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a low-sensitivity decision section made up of an arithmetic circuit and a data decision circuit. During RAW mode recording operation, the arithmetic circuit executes sensitivity correction on low-sensitivity pixel data. The data decision circuit compares the low-sensitivity pixel data thus corrected with high-sensitivity pixel data to thereby produce map data pixel by pixel. Subsequently, pixel data are omitted on the basis of an embedding condition assigned to basic data set beforehand and the map data, whereby recording data a regenerated. The recording data are then recorded in a recording medium together with the map data and high-sensitivity pixel data.

Abstract: Exposure adjustment methods and systems are provided. First, image data including a plurality of pixels is obtained. A plurality of sample regions is set based on respective pixels. A parameter calculation is performed according to a plurality of specific pixels in the sample regions to obtain a plurality of groups of adjustment parameters. At least one of the pixels is performed with a parameter adjustment according to the adjustment parameters.

Abstract: A camera operating apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a signal processor for rotating and storing a shot image so that a storage direction of the image shot with the camera rotated 90° or 180° may be a reference storage direction. The shot image is stored in such a way that a storage direction of the image shot with the camera rotated may be the reference storage direction, which provides convenience that a user needs not to rotate the camera to check the shot image when playing the image.

Abstract: A digital imaging system such as a camera, in which the ISO sensitivity of a digital imaging sensor is dynamically adjusted in response to factors such as zoom, focal distance, available light, color of the image, charge status of the flash device, and so forth.

Abstract: An automatic exposure (AE) sensor includes a line-selecting circuit for line selection between horizontal lines and vertical lines, in addition to components of a typical AE sensor. The line-selecting circuit temporally filters a SYNC pulse for notifying a subsequent circuit about a pulse timing of an imaging signal to select a line to be read out and to cause the subsequent circuit to change an active pixel region. The number of selected lines is determined by an external input. The active pixel region is reduced when the AE sensor is incorporated in a device having a low performance CPU, thereby reducing load on the CPU. The active pixel region is increased when the AE sensor is incorporated in a device having a high performance CPU, thereby effectively using the CPU performance to achieve higher density control.

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: The present invention provides digital imaging architectures comprising detectors coupled to readout circuitry, wherein the readout circuitry is capable of providing large amplification to small, noise sensitive input signals to improve their noise immunity, as well as capable of providing a fast pixel readout time. The readout circuitry comprises an on-pixel amplification transistor as well as additional transistors used to read out the amplified signal and/or to reset the amplified output signal stored by a portion of the circuit prior to reading a subsequent signal. The present invention also provides readout circuitry that is capable of providing large amplification and thus additional noise immunity to the input signal from the detector by implementing another amplification stage within the readout circuitry.

Abstract: A plurality of low-sensitivity pixels 10 and a plurality of high-sensitivity pixels 20 are arranged like a tetragonal grid respectively, and are provided in positions shifted by ½ of an array pitch from each other in a row direction X and a column direction Y. The detected charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 are transferred in the column direction Y by a vertical transfer section 31. The charges of the low-sensitivity pixel 10 and the high-sensitivity pixel 20 which are adjacent to each other in the column direction are transferred through the vertical transfer sections 31 which are different from each other.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for manually adjusting the image-capturing parameters of a digital imaging device of the system utilizes a comparative image scheme that allows users to adjust the image-capturing parameters by selecting the most preferable image from a number of comparison images, which are produced using different settings of the image-capturing parameters. The comparative image scheme provides an intuitive technique for users to manually set the image-capturing parameters of the digital imaging device without having to learn about the image-capturing parameters and their effects on captured images.

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: An electronic image sensor is used for evaluating an image. Several individual sensors, each of which is provided with several pixels, are utilized in the electronic image sensor. The pixels of at least one individual electronic image sensor are read out only in part. Individual image sectors are thus effectively masked to reduce the amount of image data to be processed.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided with an imaging element for outputting both a color signal of high-power image data and a color signal of low-power image data; gamma correcting means for gamma-correcting the high-power image data and for gamma-correcting the low-power image data; image synthesizing means for adding the high-power image data which has been gamma-corrected by the gamma correcting means to the low-power image data which has been gamma-corrected by the gamma correcting means, and also for multiplying the added image data by a total gain value in response to a scene so as to perform an image synthesizing operation; converting means for converting the synthesized image data synthesized by the image synthesizing means into both a luminance signal and a color difference signal; and saturation correcting means for performing a saturation correcting process operation with respect to the color difference signal in response to the luminance signal obtained by the converting means and a dynamic range of

Abstract: A photosensor system includes an image read section which includes an image read region formed by arranging a plurality of photosensors in a matrix form. The image read region includes a sensitivity adjustment image read region, which is constituted of at least one of rows of the photosensors and columns. The image read section performs a read operation of a subject image by the image read region in accordance with an image read sensitivity. Read operation section is provided for sensitivity adjustment for performing a read operation for sensitivity adjustment which includes setting a charge accumulation period, reading an image for adjustment in the sensitivity adjustment image read region, and deriving an optimum image read sensitivity.