Abstract: A mobile communication terminal having a camera and a controlling method thereof are provided. The controlling method may include: determining an operating state of the mobile communication terminal; converting a mode of the camera, installed in the mobile communication terminal, to a particular mode among at least one photographing mode according to the determined operating state of the mobile communication terminal; extracting a data value that is photographed in the converted particular mode; and adjusting a brightness of a display screen of the mobile communication terminal using the extracted data value.

Abstract: A method of processing data from a CCD 1 having a line of light sensitive CCD elements is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving measured illumination data readout from the CCD corresponding to measurements of charge associated with each element of the line of light sensitive CCD elements and removing from the measured illumination data in respect of each CCD element a component dependent upon illumination recorded by each of the other CCD elements through which the charge from the CCD element passed during the readout process.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus capable of properly setting a photographing condition in consideration of time allowable for each processing; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition while referring to an actually generated composite image; the image processing apparatus capable of properly setting the photographing condition even by a user who has no background knowledge; and the image processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not image composition processing is properly executed even by the user who has no background knowledge. A setting mode screen displays a composite image based on generated output image data, together with “processing time”, being expected time required for generating one output image data. The composite image is updated every time the output image data is generated.

Abstract: An image processing method and an image capture apparatus applying the method are disclosed. The image processing method comprises the steps of: capturing an image; detecting whether the image is captured in a low luminance environment; performing at least one image enhanced process for the image when the image is captured in the low luminance environment, so as to obtain a processed image; and outputting the processed image.

Abstract: A digital photographic camera with brightness compensation and a compensation method thereof are applied for the brightness compensation of the digital photographic camera when shooting under different environments so as to maintain a frame rate. The camera includes a light measuring unit, a sensor, a light source generator, a light modulation unit, an operational unit, and a storage unit. The light measuring unit is used for sensing the environment brightness of the camera. The light modulation unit is coupled to the light source generator and used for controlling luminance of the light source generator. The operational unit is coupled to the light measuring unit and the light source generator, and executes a brightness calibration process for calibrating a brightness sensing reference value of the light measuring unit and a brightness compensation process for adjusting the luminance of the light source generator according to the environment brightness of the camera.

Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image capturing section for forming an image of a subject via an optical system; a signal processing section for obtaining image center position information for an image data from the image capturing section to perform a shading correction; an image center position information extracting section for importing an image data from the image capturing section to obtain the image center position information; and a shading correcting section for performing a shading correction process using the image center position information as shading center position information so that the amount of light does not decrease at a peripheral portion of a captured image.

Abstract: Document image data is converted into luminance image data. Block image data is generated from the luminance image data. Start point block pixel data and end point block pixel data are set based on a change rate of luminance values of adjacent block pixel data. A luminance value of block pixel data between the start point block pixel data and the end point block pixel data is corrected based on a start point luminance value and an end point luminance value. The luminance value, of the block pixel data wherein each luminance value of an adjacent block pixel data cluster is less than an average value, is substituted by the average value. The luminance value of each pixel data is set based on the luminance value of the block pixel data. Post process luminance image data that includes each pixel data is reconverted into the document image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture temporally sequential images; a calculating unit configured to calculate weights of a plurality of luminance distributions; a classifying unit configured to classify a temporal change state of the luminance of one or a plurality of pixels into a plurality of classes; a class transition determining unit configured to determine temporal transition of the luminance change state; a reference luminance value updating unit configured to update a reference luminance value of the one or the plurality of pixels; a change-of-luminance detecting unit configured to detect whether the luminance of the one or the plurality of pixels has changed; and a detected change storing unit configured to store information to identify a position of the one or the plurality of pixels in the image where a change has occurred and information about the time when the change occurred.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to measure a three-dimensional position of a tracking object snapped by a camera. The invention is based upon a measuring device using an image provided with an image data input part for inputting an image of a tracking object snapped by a camera and a tracking part for calculating a position of the tracking object and the tracking part moves a frame for extracting image data based upon the image, extracts image data included in the frame from the image in each moved position, counts the number of pixels having a hue feature based upon the extracted image data, determines the position of the frame in which the counted number of pixels is maximum for every hue feature and calculates the position of the tracking object based upon the determined position of the frame.

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

Abstract: A device for creating a sound map of a three dimensional view area is provided. The device comprises a first camera configured to capture and transmit a first image and a second camera positioned a predetermined distance from the first camera configured to capture and transmit a second image. An image processing system is connected to the first camera and the second camera and is configured to create a three dimensional topographic plan of the three dimensional view area based on a comparison of the first image with the second image and the predetermined distance between the first camera and the second camera. The image processing system is further configured to transform the three dimensional topographic plan into a sound map comprising volume gradients and tone gradients. The present invention further provides methods of creating a sound map of a three dimensional view area.

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: An illumination-component extractor (illumination component extraction section) extracts an illumination component Log from a picked-up image (original image picked up an image sensor having a photoelectric conversion characteristic which comprises a linear characteristic region and a logarithmic characteristic region. A reflectance component determiner (subtraction section) extracts a reflectance component Log (R1). A compressor (illumination component compression section) subjects at least the illumination component Log of the logarithmic characteristic region to DR compression. Image production mean (image production section) produces a new image (synthetic image) based on the DR-compress illumination component and the reflectance component.

Abstract: Within a digital acquisition device with a built in flash unit, the exposure of an acquired digital image is perfected using face detection in the acquired image is provided. Groups of pixels that correspond to plural images of faces are identified within a digitally acquired image, and corresponding image attributes to the group of pixels are determined. An analysis is performed of the corresponding attributes of the groups of pixels. It is then determined to activate the built-in flash unit based on the analysis. An intensity of the built-in flash unit is determined based on the analysis. Alternatively based on similar analysis, a digital simulation of the fill flash is performed on the image.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light.

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

Abstract: The image taking system of the invention applies tone transformation processing to an image signal of an image taken through taking means (lens system 100, aperture 101 and CCD 102) while taking a taking situation into account. In the first embodiment, the image taking system comprises a taking situation assessment portion (108) adapted to make an assessment of a taking situation for the image, an amount-of-information change portion (107) adapted to change the amount of information of said image signal depending on the taking situation assessed at said taking situation assessment portion (108), and a tone transformation portion (110) adapted to implement tone transformation processing depending on tone transformation characteristics obtained using the image signal with the amount of information changed at the amount-of-information change portion (107).

Abstract: In a method and system for luminance noise filtering, a region of pixel data directly from the image sensor is used for determining a virtually filtered luminance for a pixel location within the region. Luminance noise reduction is performed using the region of pixel data directly from the image sensor such that frame memory is eliminated. In addition, the present invention provides adaptive noise filtering by selecting the virtually filtered luminance as a final luminance for a darker image and by selecting a reference luminance without virtual noise filtering for a brighter image.

Abstract: An image having the image quality desired by a photographer is provided by minimizing overexposure or underexposure, making the dynamic range wide, and specifying an optimum brightness level for a main subject.

Abstract: A digital camera having a camera-shake compensation mechanism and a luminance compensation processor is provided. The camera-shake compensation mechanism compensates for a camera-shake by adjusting a relative relation between positions of an optical axis of a photographing optical system and a center of an image of an imaging device. The luminance compensation processor compensates for luminance information of pixels of the imaging device, which are outside an image circle of the photographing optical system during a camera-shake compensation operation performed by the camera-shake compensation mechanism.

Abstract: A dynamic range is widened by effectively using an output range that is originally possessed by a solid-state image-capturing device, and an image having less color hue rotation is obtained. By using the fact that the margin until the amount of saturation electric charge is reached becomes large as a result of the amount of exposure being set to be low in a high sensitivity mode, an RGB signal having a wide dynamic range containing signal components of a subject on the high-luminance side is obtained. First, ? correction close to a power ? is performed and thereafter, the signal is color-space-converted into a luminance signal and color-difference signals. A non-linear compression process is performed on the luminance signal so as to be fit into predetermined gradations, and for the color-difference signals, color rotation is reduced using a power gamma and color-difference matrix clipping is performed.

Abstract: An image system comprises a light valve and an image capturing unit. The light valve comprises an array of individually addressable pixels capable of generating an image. The image capturing unit comprises a detector having an array of detector pixels capable of capturing images. The detector pixels are correlated with the light valve pixels.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus comprises an image capturing element which performs image capturing while utilizing a plurality types of color filters which are arranged based on repetition of a pattern determined in advance, a color change detecting part which detects a color change regarding the result of the image capturing while considering the pattern, and an adder and a core processing part which generate a luminance signal regarding the result of the image capturing based on the result of color change detection.

Abstract: A digital image processing apparatus and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a CCD to photoelectrically transform an optical image which is imaged through a lens part, using a mosaic color filter array pattern, a buffer to store a color data output from the CCD by a pixel, in a predetermined unit, and an ADSE logic to color-interpolate a spatially missing color data by adaptively applying a luminance significance element value to a certain color interpolation method, the luminance significance element value indicating contribution of each color to an entire luminance with respect to each pixel color data stored in the buffer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.

Abstract: In a system for converting an input image signal input from an image input device into an output image signal to be output by an image output device, an image compression unit converts a spectral image input via an image input unit into R, G, and B data, obtains principal component data by making principal component analysis of the spectral image, and stores these data in an input image storage unit. When the principal component data and R, G, and B data are loaded and stored in an output image storage unit, a spectral reflectance reconstruction unit reconstructs the spectral reflectance of each pixel using these data. A printer model determines the dot quantities of inks used to record each pixel in an image output device on the basis of the calculated spectral reflectance, and generates an output image signal for the image output device. In this way, image data which allows to estimate the spectral reflectance characteristics of an input image is provided, and faithful color reproduction can be realized.

Abstract: Detecting video phenomena, such as fire in an aircraft cargo bay, includes receiving a plurality of video images from a plurality of sources, compensating the images to provide enhanced images, extracting features from the enhanced images, and combining the features from the plurality of sources to detect the video phenomena. Extracting features may include determining an energy indicator for each of a subset of the plurality of frames. Detecting video phenomena may also include comparing energy indicators for each of the subset of the plurality of frames to a reference frame. The reference frame corresponds to a video frame taken when no fire is present, video frame immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames, or a video frame immediately preceding a frame that is immediately preceding each of the subset of the plurality of frames. Image-based and non-image based techniques are described herein in connection with fire detection and/or verification and other applications.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a synchronization processing unit for processing image pickup signals including three kinds of signals and luminance signals output from an image pickup device. The synchronization processing unit is used to interpolate other color signals than the above-mentioned respective color signals at pixel positions where the three kinds of signals respectively exist. This processing includes a luminance use estimating processing which estimates color signals to be interpolated at the above-mentioned pixel positions using not only the same kinds of color signals as the above-mentioned color signals to be interpolated but also the above-mentioned luminance signals respectively existing around the above-mentioned pixel positions.

Abstract: In a color-noise reduction circuit in which a color-difference signal of a target pixel is substituted in a random substitution circuit 104 by a color-difference signal of another pixel within an area including the target pixel, a pixel-substitution color-difference signal that is the substituted signal whose high-frequency components are removed in an LPF 106 and the color-difference signal of the target pixel are added together in a summation circuit 108 at a predetermined ratio obtained by a pixel-substitution utilization rate calculation circuit 107, and is outputted as a noise-reduced color-difference signal of the target pixel. Therefore, efficient color-noise reduction and suppression of occurrence of color jitters can be realized.

Abstract: The electronic camera has an imaging device that images a subject with subject reflectance R (%) with a dynamic range wider than that at displaying or printing to acquire image data and a recording device that converts the image data acquired by the imaging device with a predetermined function and records the converted image data and the information on the function as digital values (digit). Therefore, a printed image with an automatically or manually corrected density can be obtained at the displaying or the printing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.

Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, and a plurality of metering areas are assigned to an object scene captured by the image sensor. A CPU evaluates a luminance of the object scene for each metering area, and binarizes each of the plurality of obtained luminance evaluated values. Furthermore, on the basis of the plurality of binarized luminance evaluated values, a width of a high luminance area included in the object scene is calculated while a width of an adjacent area adjacent to the high luminance area out of a low luminance area included in the object scene is calculated. Then, each of the plurality of luminance evaluated values is corrected on the basis of a ratio between the width of the calculated adjacent area and the width of the calculated high luminance area. An exposure amount to the image sensor is adjusted on the basis of the luminance evaluated values thus corrected.

Abstract: Image acquisition device, method and computer program for digital image acquisition, where the image acquisition device comprises an actuated user interface, where the image acquisition device receives control information from a user indicative of actuation of the user interface, initiates an image acquisition process by receiving lighting data on its sensor and detecting light information. A processor in the image acquisition device analyzes then the detected light information and converts these to image data and acquires image data related to at least two different light configurations, where at least one of the light configuration comprises an image acquired by means of a flash output in the image acquisition device.

Abstract: An information processing method for processing a file containing reversibly compressed or non-compressed digital image data obtained by digitally converting a signal that has been output from an image sensing device makes it possible to execute selectively signal processing of a plurality of types by using any of at least a plurality of types of luminance signal generating processing methods and/or a plurality of types of color signal generating processing methods for converting the digital image data contained in the file to data having a prescribed format. The method includes automatically selecting signal processing to be used from among the plurality of types of signal processing based upon information contained in the file, and causing the selected signal processing to be executed so that the digital image data contained in the file is converted to data having the prescribed format.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a first image generator 3 that generates a first unit image based on a signal read from the image pickup device with each read cycle of the signal, a detector 5 that detects a luminance of the first unit image and detects a luminance variation in a plurality of the first unit images, a second image generator 6 that amplifies the first unit image in accordance with the luminance to generate a second unit image if the luminance variation exists, and a controller 8 or 9 that generates a focus evaluation signal based on the second unit image to perform a focus control using the focus evaluation signal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to improve quality of images that may be blurred or underexposed (e.g., because of camera shake, taken in dim lighting conditions, or taken of high action scenes). The techniques may be implemented in a digital camera, digital video camera, or a digital camera capable of capturing video. In one described implementation, a digital camera includes an image sensor, a storage device, and a processing unit. The image sensor captures two images from a same scene which are stored on the storage device. The processing unit enhances the captured images with luminance correction.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which unit pixels are arranged in a matrix shape and a signal processing circuit that obtains a first video signal and performs processing for combining the first and second video signals. The signal processing circuit includes judging means that judges whether a pixel of interest in the pixel array unit is a pixel to be saturated during an exposure period, calculating means that sets the pixel of interest as a correction pixel and calculates a correction amount on the basis of a luminance value of the second video signal of a peripheral pixel of the correction pixel, and correcting means that applies the correction amount to a luminance value of the first video signal of the correction pixel to thereby correct a noise signal amount due to photo-charges leaking from the peripheral pixel into the correction pixel.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: an image section having a plurality of pixel units arranged into a matrix, each pixel unit having at least one subunit consisting of an electric charge generation means for generating signal electric charges corresponding to the amount of incident electromagnetic wave and a signal transfer means for transferring signal electric charges generated by the electric charge generation means, an electric charge accumulation means for accumulating the transferred signal electric charges, a first reset means for resetting the electric charge accumulation means, an amplification means for amplifying a signal corresponding to signal electric charges accumulated at the electric charge accumulation means, and a select means for selectively outputting the amplified signal to a vertical signal line; and a signal transfer assisting means for making a gradient of potential in the vicinity of the electric charge generation means toward the signal transfer means to be greater at the ti

Abstract: A testing system including an image sensor, a transformer, and a display device is disclosed. The image sensor generates an image signal according to a light source. The transformer transforms the image signal into a processing signal. The display device displays a frame according to the processing signal.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit configured to generate a long-exposure image signal and a short-exposure image signal on the basis of light transmitted from a subject and output the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal as image capturing signals; a signal processing unit configured to generate a combined image signal by combining the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal, the combined image signal having a dynamic range that is relatively wider than that of at least any one of the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal; a detection unit configured to generate luminance information of the combined image signal; and a control unit configured to perform automatic exposure control for the short-exposure image signal using the luminance information in an exposure setting mode in which exposure control is performed in accordance with a user's setting.

Abstract: A histogram detecting unit detects a distribution of numbers of pixels by luminance level of a picked-up image signal. A maximum luminance value calculating unit calculates a maximum luminance value of the inputted image signal. A high luminance proportion calculating unit calculates a proportion of a high luminance signal out of all of the pixels composing one or a plurality of frames based on the detected distribution of numbers of pixels by luminance level. A knee point calculating unit calculates a knee point based on the calculated maximum luminance value and proportion of the high luminance signal. A knee processing unit generates a knee slope with a predetermined inclination starting at the calculated knee point. The knee processing unit does not change the value of the predetermined inclination, regardless of the value of the calculated knee point.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus having a multifunction lens and a method for capturing an image are disclosed. The multifunction lens has an imaging lens portion adapted to focus a scene onto an image sensor array and a luminance channel portion adapted to channel luminance of the scene onto a luminance photo detector. Due to a single piece design of the multifunction lens of the present invention, compared to the prior art built-in luminance metering system, the costs of manufacture are decreased, bulk to the imaging system is decreased, and reliability of the imaging system is increased.

Abstract: A video imager may be used to measure the natural and/or artificial light levels in a space. The lighting estimates may be passed to a controller via a communication network. The lighting estimates may be in the form of actual radiance values, brightness, or other forms. The controller may determine if and which areas of the space require more light or if and which areas of the space have more light than required. Based on the lighting estimates, the controller may issue commands to turn on/off or dim/brighten the light from various ones or combinations of light sources in or around the space via actuators. The controller may also directly interface with the light sources.

Abstract: A digital color imager provides an extended luminance range, enabling a method for an easy transformation into all other color spaces having luminance as a component. White pixels are added to hexagonal red, green and blue pixels. These white pixels can alternatively have an extended dynamic range as described by U.S. Pat. No. (6,441,852 to Levine et al.). Especially the white pixels may have a larger size than the red, green, or blue pixels used. This larger size can be implemented by concatenation of “normal” size hexagonal white pixels. The output of said white pixels can be directly used for the luminance values Y of the destination color space. Therefore only the color values have to be calculated from the RGB values, leading to an easier and faster calculation. As an example chosen by the inventor the conversion to YCbCr color space has been shown in detail.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise in an image comprises decomposing the image to generate wavelet coefficients at different scales. The wavelet coefficients are then modified based on the energy of the wavelet coefficients at the different scales. The image is reconstructed based on the modified wavelet coefficients.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that displays a monitoring image of an imaging result acquired by an imaging unit on a monitor and also displays information on the apparatus on the monitor in the form of an on-screen display on the monitoring image, the apparatus including a brightness level detection unit that detects the brightness level of the imaging result and outputs the brightness level detection result and a display control unit that controls the brightness level of the on-screen display according to the brightness level detection result to lower the brightness level of the displayed information on the apparatus in response to decrease in brightness level of the imaging result.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image pickup unit, a recording unit for recording image data obtained by the image pickup unit on recording unit, a display unit for displaying images relating to the image data obtained by the image pickup unit, and a control unit for making different the luminance of images to be displayed on the display unit in standby mode during which the recording of image data by recording unit is stopped, from the luminance in recording mode during which the image data are being recorded by the recording unit.

Abstract: A digital imaging system is described that provides techniques for reducing the amount of processing power required by a given digital camera device and for reducing the bandwidth required for transmitting image information to a target platform. The system defers and/or distributes the processing between the digital imager (i.e., digital camera itself) and the target platform that the digital imager will ultimately be connected to. In this manner, the system is able to decrease the actual computation that occurs at the digital imager. Instead, the system only performs a partial computation at the digital imager device and completes the computation somewhere else, such as at a target computing device (e.g., desktop computer) where time and size are not an issue (relative to the imager). By deferring resource-intensive computations, the present invention substantially reduces the processor requirements and concomitant battery requirements for digital cameras.