Abstract: An image brightness compensation method and a digital camera device with an image brightness compensation function are suitable for adjusting a brightness of a digital image shot by a digital camera device, especially when the shot object is located outside a maximum output range of a flash lamp. The method includes the steps of pre-capturing a target image, and recording target information; triggering a flash lamp, and meanwhile capturing a raw image; determining whether the raw image satisfies a brightness threshold or not according to a brightness difference between the target information and the raw image; if the raw image fails to satisfy the brightness threshold, executing a brightness compensation program on the raw image according to the target information; and finally, generating an output image.

Abstract: Original image data has original luminance data and color difference data. The original luminance data is separated into first luminance data and second luminance data. The second luminance data undergoes low-pass filter process so as to produce the third luminance data. The first luminance data and the third luminance data are synthesized. Due to this, the soft focus picture image, which consists of the synthesized luminance data and the difference luminance data, is generated.

Abstract: A system for backlight detection using the brightness values of the subareas in a focus area and method therefor are provided, which are applicable to an image capture device. The focus area is divided into a plurality of subareas and the brightness values of each of the subareas are calculated. Then, the brightness values of each of the subareas are converted into 0 and 1 codes, and then the codes are combined to generate the codes representing the entire focus area. The status values corresponding to each of the codes are determined with reference to a backlight detection table established in advance, so as to determine whether an object to be shot is in a backlight condition.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing spectral image data of an object includes a normalization unit configured to normalize spectral data in each pixel of the spectral image data with respect to luminance level, a deviation amount calculation unit configured to calculate a deviation amount between the spectral data of a reference pixel and the spectral data of a target pixel to be clustered, which are normalized by the normalization unit, among each of the pixels of the spectral image data, and a segment determination unit configured to determine an affiliated segment of target pixel in the object of the spectral image data based on the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation unit.

Abstract: A video image pickup apparatus (10) includes an image sensor (120), a knee processor (132) for performing a compression in a high-luminance characteristic interval of a picture signal based on an output signal of the image sensor, a block luminance calculator (151) for dividing a frame of image based on the output signal of the solid-state image pickup device into a set of blocks, calculating a set of luminance indices of respective blocks, an extreme extractor (152) for extracting a block having a highest luminance index, together with the luminance index, a display information generator (153) for generating a set of pieces of image information for exposure guide display including an image representing a region of the extracted block and an image representing the luminance index, an image superposer (160) for superposing the set of pieces of image information for exposure guide display on a frame of image based on the compressed picture signal to generate a frame of superposed image, and a view finder (170)

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that generates a look-up table which can be used to preview digital motion picture content. During operation, the system receives an analytical model for a digital motion picture workflow. Next, the system selects a set of input pixel values. The system then determines a set of output pixel values using the set of input pixel values and the analytical model. Finally, the system generates the look-up table by associating the set of input pixel values with the set of output pixel values. The analytical model comprises a number of models that capture the various stages in the digital motion picture workflow. These models can include a recorder model, a negative film model, a printer model, a positive film model, and a projector model.

Abstract: The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided and includes a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and a image data-generation unit that generates image data represented by a first luminance signal and a color-difference signal, based on signals from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion elements. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements include a photoelectric conversion element for obtaining a second luminance signal. In the image data-generation unit, a signal in each pixel position of image data to be generated is interpolated, a third luminance signal is generated in the each pixel position from the interpolated signal, and the first luminance signal in the each pixel position is generated by synthesizing the second and third luminance signals.

Abstract: A luminance signal in which the occurrence of spatial aliasing in a diagonal direction component has been suppressed for a red or blue imaging subject is generated from an image signal read from an image sensor. A V-LPF and a H-LPF generate a first luminance signal in which the spatial frequency bandwidth has been limited. Also, a V-LPF and a H-LPF, which limit the spatial frequency bandwidth so as to be even lower than the V-LPF and the H-LPF, generate a second luminance signal in which the bandwidth has been limited. A first GR weighted-addition circuit generates a final luminance signal for a pixel of interest by performing weighted-addition on the first luminance signal and the second luminance signal such that the ratio of the second luminance signal increases as the intensity of the redness or blueness of the pixel of interest increases.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising: a light source for illuminating a scene with a known intensity light; a camera having an optic axis and center that images the scene responsive to light reflected by the scene from the illuminating, known intensity light; a range finder controllable to determine distances to surface elements of the scene imaged by the camera; a controller configured to determine reflectivity of a surface element of the scene imaged by the camera responsive to a distance of the surface element from the camera, the known intensity of illuminating light and light from the surface element imaged by the camera.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus that reduces the degree of occurrences of false colors and of differing line concentration by performing knee processing properly, thereby providing desirable video signals. In the apparatus, at the occasion of generating luminance signals and color differences based on the result of knee processing, it is possible to properly generate a luminance signal which is derived from the addition result of pixels which are next to each other and generate a color difference signal which is derived from a difference of the pixels next to each other, achieved by performing the knee processing while keeping the signal level ratio at least between the pixels next to each other on video signals made up of color components arranged on a pixel by pixel basis. In this way, it is possible to keep a balance in hue of a color signal even after being subjected to knee processing.

Abstract: The image pickup system for performing noise reduction processing on signals from an image pickup element comprises a first noise estimating unit for estimating a first amount of noise on the basis of a target pixel in the signals for which noise reduction processing is performed, an extraction unit for extracting similar pixels that resemble the target pixel from the neighborhood of the target pixel on the basis of the target pixel and the first amount of noise, a second noise estimating unit for estimating a second amount of noise from the target pixel and the similar pixels, and a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise of the target pixel on the basis of the second amount of noise.

Abstract: According to the method and apparatus of the present invention, when a non-flash image that is taken without a flash emitted before main photographing and a flash image that is taken with the flash pre-emitted before the main photographing are obtained so that an amount of flash emission light for the main photographing (amount of main emission) based on the obtained non-flash image and flash image, a moving body in the angle of view is detected. If the detected moving body is a main object, the amount of main emission is calculated based on the image of the moving body. If the detected moving body is not the main object, the amount of main emission is calculated based on the image other than the moving body.

Abstract: An imaging control apparatus inputs an image signal from an image sensing unit, controls, based on a first image signal from the image sensing unit for a first region, a mechanical component which controls an aperture for image sensing by the image sensing unit, and electronically controls, based on the first image signal and a second image signal from the image sensing unit for a second region, the image luminance represented by an output from the image sensing unit for the second region.

Abstract: Foreign substance information about at last including a position of a foreign substance adhered to an optical element disposed in front of an image sensor is detected, and whether the position of the foreign substance overlaps a predetermined area of an object is determined by analyzing an image signal of the object generated by the image sensor. When it is determined that the position of the foreign substance overlaps the predetermined area of the object, a relative position of the image of the object formed on the image sensor and the image sensor is changed.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the exposure of an image sensor includes an average luminance value calculation unit, a first exposure control unit and a correction exposure value calculation unit. The average luminance value calculation unit calculates the first total average luminance value of pixels that are output from the image sensor. The first exposure control unit controls the exposure value of the image sensor based on a previously set exposure value. The correction exposure value calculation unit calculates a correction exposure value by multiplying the exposure value, which is previously set on the first exposure control unit, by the ratio of a target luminance value to the first total average luminance value. Additionally, the first exposure control unit receives the correction exposure value from the correction exposure value calculation unit and controls the exposure value of the image sensor based on the correction exposure value.

Abstract: An image obtainment apparatus images an observation target to obtain an ordinary image by illuminating the observation target with illumination light and by receiving, at an imaging device, reflection light reflected from the observation target. Further, the apparatus generates spectral estimation image signals of a predetermined wavelength by performing spectral image processing on image signals output from the imaging device. A spectral image processing unit generates spectral estimation image signals of a specific wavelength related to an agent administered to the observation target, as spectral estimation image signals for obtaining luminance information, based on the image signals output from the imaging device. Further, a luminance information obtainment unit obtains luminance information about each of the spectral estimation image signals for obtaining luminance information that have been generated at a predetermined time interval, and obtains a rate of change in the luminance information.

Abstract: A graphical scanner for scanning a graphical image includes a source for producing an optical beam, a monochromator for dividing the optical beam into a plurality of component beams for hyperspectral bandpasses, a director for directing the component beams to illuminate portions of the graphical image, a sensor for measuring a light intensity for the one or illuminated portions, and a translator for transforming the measured light intensities for each of the one or more portions into hyperspectral traces each representing a spectral power distribution. The translator further transforms the hyperspectral traces into one or more device-independent representations of color.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus of a wide dynamic range can be achieved at low cost while making improvement in contrast and the maintenance or reduction of a circuit size compatible with each other. The apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion part that converts a signal from a light receiving element into a voltage in accordance with an amount of incident light, an analog signal processing part that processes an analog video signal output from the photoelectric conversion part, an A/D conversion part that converts the analog video signal into a digital video signal, and a high frequency emphasis part that emphasizes a high frequency component of the video signal. The high frequency emphasis part suppresses a low frequency component of brightness in the video signal to emphasize the high frequency component, whereby image data of good contrast can be obtained while keeping a dynamic range of the signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for improving image quality in an image sensor, where a black level of a photographed image is calibrated and luminance of an image signal is expanded within the allowable range of luminance through knee correction for the image signal in which the black level is calibrated. Interpolation for restoring a dead pixel may be achieved before gamma correction for image signal.

Abstract: A method of automatic mapping of image data includes representing image data for an image as luminance values, determining a key value as a function of an average luminance value of the image and of minimum and maximum luminance values of the image, generating offset-adjusted luminance values including applying an offset to each of the luminance values, the offset being a function of the determined key value, and computing a tone reproduction curve for at least a region of the image which includes applying a mapping function to the offset-adjusted luminance values.

Abstract: In a color separation circuit, a camera comprising such a color separation circuit and a color separation method, an adapted luminance signal is recovered from an image sensor signal using an adaptive wide band filter, wherein the adaptive wide band filter is controlled by the amount of a diagonal energy in the image sensor signal.

Abstract: A device may establish a distance of a device from a reference object. The device may also determine a difference or change in the distance, obtain a zoom value based on the difference or change, and zoom in or out on a view based on the zoom value.

Abstract: A method of automatic mapping of image data includes representing image data for an image as luminance values, determining a key value as a function of an average luminance value of the image and of minimum and maximum luminance values of the image, generating offset-adjusted luminance values including applying an offset to each of the luminance values, the offset being a function of the determined key value, and computing a tone reproduction curve for at least a region of the image which includes applying a mapping function to the offset-adjusted luminance values.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of smoothing the brightness of an image photographed in an image sensor without amplifying a noise component of a surrounding part of the image are disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging device 11, in which photoelectric conversion is performed by an imaging element 16 for acquiring an image of a subject formed by the photographing lens 12, comprising a light source estimation unit 31 for generating estimated light source information for estimating a light source of the subject, on the basis of an image signal acquired by the imaging device 16; an light source sensor 18 for detecting a spectrum of the light source; a light source sensor information calculation unit 32 for generating a light source sensor information including the spectrum based on the spectrum; a color conversion parameter calculation unit 33 for calculating the color conversion parameters of the image signal based on the estimated light source information and the light source sensor information; and, a color conversion processing unit 34 for performing color conversion of the image signal by using the color conversion parameters.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit for processing a luminance signal received from an image sensor, including: a correction circuit correcting characteristics of a luminance signal from the image sensor in reverse relation to luminance characteristics of a display device; and a gain control section performing gain control of the luminance signal from the image sensor based on the luminance signal from the image sensor, wherein the gain control section receives an input signal corresponding to the luminance signal before correction in the correction circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing apparatus and an image processing method. An area to which image data belongs is discriminated, and a correction coefficient to be used for correction of a pixel value of the image data is produced based on a result of the discrimination. Then, the pixel value of the image data is corrected with the correction coefficient. The relationship in magnitude among pixel values in the same area is maintained because the same coefficient is used, but pixel values which belong to different areas can be varied or even reversed. This allows the gradation of an entire image to be corrected while preventing partial deterioration of the contrast.

Abstract: A method and an associated system, for digital image-processing, intervening for any relative illumination phenomenon, including that of a colored relative illumination. To this end, it is provided to take account of an illuminant of a photographed scene in order to provide the appropriate modifications to any digital image to be processed.

Abstract: The present invention is applicable to, for example, a camera-integrated video tape recorder, displaying a marker M so that a luminance level, converted into a specific pattern by zebra display, can be specified on a histogram 80.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for sharpening imaging pixel signals. Embodiments provide methods of sharpening that preserves the pixel's saturation and apparatuses therefor. In essence, rather than changing only the pixels' luminance, the effective exposure of the pixel is changed.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes an optical system having a wide angle, wherein at least magnification chromatic aberration is large; an image sensor configured to read an image picked up through the optical system; and a magnification chromatic aberration correction unit configured to perform magnification chromatic aberration correction by performing coordinate conversion on the image read by the image sensor. The magnification chromatic aberration correction unit includes plural coordinate conversion parameters used for the magnification chromatic aberration correction, and switches the coordinate conversion parameter used for the magnification chromatic aberration correction in the event that there is a change in a light source or an illumination light.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a digital imaging apparatus enabled to maintain a ready-to-capture state, with a shutter opened, the method comprising (a) displaying an image of a target subject in a live-view, with the shutter opened; (b) obtaining live-view information of the image; (c) when an imaging start signal is input, before a main exposure, metering a reflected light from the target subject by using a lighter sensor; (d) obtaining metering information; (e) determining a condition for the main exposure by using the live-view information and the metering information; and (f) performing an imaging operation while performing the main exposure by using the determined condition for the main exposure.

Abstract: When an area desired to be displayed with high accuracy and an area desired to be inspected and measured with high accuracy in a measuring object are smaller than a photographing range, the entire area of a composite image is displayed and designation of an area is received, to thereby generate an image of the entire area in which composition processing of optimizing luminance of pixels included in this area is performed. Therefore, an input part is provided for receiving the setting of a designated area in image data, a composite luminance distribution is calculated based on the size of a standardized luminance distribution value in the designated area, and composite image data is generated.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing a moving image performs backlight correction of an image and outputs a natural image. The imaging apparatus electronically captures an image of a subject. An optical system has a light amount adjustment function. An imaging unit reads an optical image of the subject that is formed by the optical system. An A/D converter subjects an output of the imaging unit to A/D conversion. A backlight correction unit converts the tones of an image read by the A/D converter using a conversion characteristic selected differently according to a spatial position and at least increases the luminance level of a dark region of the image. An instruction unit instructs to start backlight correction. A control unit operates the backlight correction unit based on an instruction signal output from the instruction unit, and decreases an exposure light amount of the optical system by a predetermined amount.

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

Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an operation control unit which controls a black image acquiring operation, in which the operation control unit controls an imaging unit and an illuminating unit in such a manner the imaging unit conducts an image acquiring operation in a state the illuminating unit does not conduct an illuminating operation. The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus also includes an average calculating unit which calculates the average value of pixel value in a predetermined determining area, and a black image determining unit, which determines whether the image information acquired by the image acquiring operation is the black image by comparing the average value with a predetermined threshold value. The image information determined as the black image by the black image determining unit is transmitted, as the black image information, to an external apparatus by radio.

Abstract: Contour extraction circuits extract contour components YE, CbE, and CrE, respectively, from luminance signal Y, and color-difference signals Cb and Cr, respectively. The two contour components CbE and CrE of the color difference signals are inputted to the LUTs respectively, via the selectors respectively, and converted into the adjustment signals K1 and K2, respectively. The multiplier multiplies the contour component YE by the adjustment signal K1 so as to generate the modulated contour component E1. The multiplier multiplies the modulated contour component E1 by the adjustment signal K2 so as to generate the modulated contour component E2. The adder adds the modulated contour component E2 to the luminance signal Y so as to generate the luminance signal Ya, which has been contour-enhanced based on the contour component of the luminance signal and the contour components of the color-difference signals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing images in a camera are provided. Even lines and odd lines of a photographing device are respectively read at different points of time to obtain even line data and odd line data and motion estimation is performed on one of the even line data and the odd line data on the basis of an image related to the other of the even line data and the odd line data right of an immediately prior point in time to the one of the even line data and the odd line data to generate a motion-compensated image. Accordingly, a quantity of electric charges charged in the photographing device comes to be increased such that a bright image of an object can be taken and a motion of an image comes to be accurately estimated such that a more distinct moving image can be obtained.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for processing an image signal, luminance signals are generated for an object pixel and local pixels. A luminance dispersion value is then generated for the object pixel from the luminance signals of the object and local pixels. A control factor is determined from the luminance dispersion value, and at least one image signal of the object pixel is low-pass filtered according to the control factor.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire a representative value of a luminance level in a main object area and a plurality of representative values of luminance levels in peripheral areas of the main object area in an image obtained by an imaging unit, a calculation unit configured to calculate a plurality of relative values between the respective plurality of representative values of luminance levels in the peripheral areas and the representative value of a luminance level in the main object area, which are acquired by the acquiring unit, a setting unit configured to set intensity of knee processing based on the plurality of relative values calculated by the calculation unit, and a knee processing unit configured to execute the knee processing on an image acquired by the imaging unit according to the intensity set by the setting unit.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing device generating a luminance signal by scanning a picked-up digital image signal, evaluating the contrast of the luminance signal, and driving its focusing based on the evaluation; the scanning includes at least a part where scan is performed in a zigzag-like manner. With this configuration, focusing is facilitated for an object having no high frequency components in the horizontal direction. This invention can be understood as an invention of a method.

Abstract: A digital camera that corrects a captured image. A memory for storing the image data of an image for which tone correction is to be performed in a standard color space format. A tone correction circuit for performing tone correction. The image data is read out from the memory, and the tone correction is performed. In automatic tone correction, luminance signals of the image are statistically analyzed to categorize the image, and an appropriate correction curve is used to correct the image.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a shutter-operation accepting unit that accepts a shutter operation; an image capturing unit that captures an image of an object and generates a captured image; a brightness-information extracting unit that extracts, from the captured image, brightness information indicating brightness of the whole captured image; a luminance-value-distribution-information extracting unit that extracts, from the captured image, luminance-value-distribution information indicating a distribution of luminance values in the captured image; a scene determining unit that determines a scene of the object included in the captured image based on the extracted brightness information and luminance-value-distribution information; and a control unit that performs control to record captured images using at least two different image capturing/recording parameters if, when the shutter operation has been accepted, the scene of the object included in the captured image is determined to be a predetermined s

Abstract: A decision as to whether to perform backlight adjustment processing is executed using both image data and image generation record information, and when it is decided to execute the same, backlight adjustment processing to increase brightness value of at least some pixels in the image data is executed.

Abstract: There is provided a color processing apparatus that performs color reproduction in accordance with the brightness of a subject at the time of photographing. An acquisition unit acquires image data. A setting unit sets viewing environment parameters for a plurality of luminance ranges based on a luminance histogram of the image data that is acquired. A processing unit performs color conversion processing using a color appearance model, using the viewing environment parameters that are set in accordance with the luminance of pixels of the image data that is acquired.

Abstract: An image signal generated by a CCD image sensor is processed by the block-generating section 28 provided in an image-signal processing section 25. A class tap and a prediction tap are thereby extracted. The class tap is output to an ADRC process section 29, and the prediction tap is output to an adaptation process section 31. The ADRC process section 29 performs an ADRC process on the input image signal, generating characteristic data. A classification process section 30 generates a class code corresponding to the characteristic data thus generated and supplies the same to an adaptation process section 31. The adaptation process section 31 reads, from a coefficient memory 32, the set of prediction coefficients which corresponds to the class code. The set of prediction coefficients and the prediction tap are applied, thereby generating all color signals, i.e., R, G and B signals, at the positions of the pixels which are to be processed.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a CCD imager. A first specific evaluation area is assigned to one end in a horizontal direction of an effective area formed on an imaging surface, and a second specific evaluation area is assigned to the other end in a horizontal direction of the effective area. Also, a first clamp area is assigned in an optical black area in vicinity of the first specific evaluation area, and a second clamp area is assigned in an optical black area in vicinity of the second specific evaluation area. A luminance evaluation circuit obtains a first luminance evaluation value with respect to the first specific evaluation area and obtains a second luminance evaluation value with respect to the second specific evaluation area. In addition, a clamp circuit performs a clamping process on a raw image signal taking note of the first clamp area or the second clamp area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which suppresses appearance of a color moire of a color image signal of a wide dynamic range which is produced using an image signal acquired using, for example, a CCD image sensor of the single plate type or the like. A gradation conversion section 71 performs a gradation conversion process for a color mosaic image M to produce a modulated color mosaic image Mg. Color difference image production sections 72 and 3 use the modulated color mosaic image Mg to produce color difference images C and D, respectively. A luminance image production section 74 uses the modulated color mosaic image Mg and the color difference signals C and D to produce a luminance image L. A color space conversion section 75 performs a color space conversion process for the color difference images C and D and the luminance image L to produce modulated images.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive an input image to be processed; a brightness-information extracting unit configured to extract, from the image, brightness information indicating brightness of the whole image; a luminance-value-distribution-information extracting unit configured to extract, from the image, luminance-value-distribution information indicating a distribution of luminance values in the image; and a scene determining unit configured to determine a scene of an object included in the image on the basis of the extracted brightness information and the extracted luminance-value-distribution information.