Abstract: This invention provides an image processing device capable of appropriately generating a synthetic image with an enlarged dynamic range even when a measuring article is moving. A work to be a reference (reference work) is imaged a plurality of times under an exposure condition same as that for generating a synthesized image, and specified regions are registered as reference images from a plurality of input images acquired in the respective imaging processes. In an operation mode, a plurality of input images is acquired by imaging a work a plurality of times under a plurality of exposure conditions, and search processes based on the reference images are executed on the respective input images. A partial image having a predetermined size is extracted from each of the plurality of input images based on each specified position, and an image synthesizing process is executed on the plurality of extracted partial images to generate a synthesized image.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus for providing natural images fitting a surrounding environment or brightness to a user by automatically determining an image processing type and an image processing strength according to the surrounding brightness and a control method thereof.

Abstract: Lens cleaning warning systems and methods. A system includes an image processing unit configured to analyze image data to determine whether the image data indicates lens flare and, if so, provide an indication to the user that the lens is contaminated.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the appearance of an object comprises an illumination device (5) for providing enhancement illumination and a light recording device (1) for recording the reflection by the object of illumination on the object. A reference illumination is mixed (8) with the enhancement illumination. The information in the reflected light is filtered (9) to filter the reflection data (1) due to the reference illumination. These data are used for calculating the enhancement illumination in a processor (3).

Abstract: An image capture device includes a light sensor, a projector and a processing unit. The light source detects luminance value of ambient light. The projector projects images by using light generated by a light source included in the projector. The processing unit obtains luminance value from the light sensor in response to a capture operation; determines whether the obtained luminance value is less than a predetermined value; and controls the projector to adjust the luminance of the light source and capturing image simultaneously if the luminance value is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a luminance value calculation unit configured to calculate a luminance average value and a luminance peak value from an image obtained by image-capturing for each of frames formed by dividing one screen, a first calculation unit configured to combine the luminance average value and the luminance peak value obtained for each of the frames, a second calculation unit configured to calculate an average value of composite values equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value among composite values obtained by the first calculation unit, and a setting unit configured to set knee strength based on the average value of the composite values obtained by the second calculation unit.

Abstract: A tone adjustment method for a digital image and an electronic apparatus using the same are presented. A digital image is loaded. A detail image layer and a primary image layer are generated according to the digital image. A tone mapping procedure is performed on the primary image layer, for generating a tone mapping layer. A detail gain lookup table is loaded and then a corresponding gain is looked up according to each pixel value in the primary image layer, for generating a detail gain adjustment layer. A detail gain control procedure is performed and then a detail gain adjustment is performed on the detail gain adjustment layer and the detail image layer, for generating a gain correction layer. The gain correction layer and the tone mapping layer are combined, and then a combined layer is output, thereby completing the tone adjustment for the digital image.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus and system for demosaicing. The image processing apparatus comprises an edge determination module configured to determine whether a target pixel is an edge pixel and a direction of an image edge if the target pixel is an edge pixel; and a demosaicing module configured to extract a luminance component value of the target pixel using a Bayer image pattern having the target pixel in a central portion of the Bayer image pattern, wherein the demosaicing module is configured to extract the luminance component value of the target pixel using the Bayer image pattern by a weighting process if the target pixel is determined as an edge pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method are provided. The image processing apparatus includes a blur kernel estimator and an image restorer. The blur kernel estimator is configured to estimate a blur kernel of a first image using the first image and a second image, wherein the first image includes multi-channel color image data and the second image includes single-channel image data and is obtained with a shorter exposure time than the first image. The image restorer is configured to generate a blurred image of the second image using the blur kernel, and restore an image using residual images between images for respective channels of the first image and the blurred image of the second image, the second image, and the blur kernel.

Abstract: A first digital image is acquired of a framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a first lighting condition. A second digital image is then acquired of the same framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a second lighting condition. Preferably, the first lighting condition illuminates the background without illuminating the foreground object so that a silhouette of the foreground object is acquired in the first image. The second lighting condition illuminates the foreground object (e.g., with frontal lights). Due to the difference in the illumination between the background and silhouette in the first image, an alpha mask can be created from the first acquired image. Using the mask, the background from the second image can be removed and replaced by virtually any other desired background image.

Abstract: An aspect of a method and apparatus for generating a compressed image file, and a terminal including the apparatus is receiving frame data comprising encoded image data of at least one frame of a raw image, generating first encoded thumbnail image data of the encoded image data, correcting the encoded image data and generating the compressed image file by using the corrected image data and the first encoded thumbnail image data when the encoded image data has an illuminance value lower than a preset reference value, and generating the compressed image file by using the encoded image data and the first encoded thumbnail image data when the encoded image data has an illuminance value greater than the preset reference value.

Abstract: A camera device (1) includes an imaging unit (2) which outputs a long exposure signal and a short exposure signal in one field period. A face detection unit (8) detects a face area from an image captured by the imaging unit (2). The weighting processing unit (12) applies a weighting process to luminance data of the long exposure signal in the detected face area using a weighting constant for reducing the luminance level of the long exposure signal. If the luminance level of the weighting-processed long exposure signal rises to a predetermined saturation level or higher, an exposure control unit (15) performs exposure control using the long exposure signal and the short exposure signal. This can suppress occurrence of a noise due to a short exposure signal (flickering) in the face area, thereby improving visibility in the face area.

Abstract: An imaging device, capable of generating a movie or a live view that has a part that has been subjected to image processing within at least a frame, includes an imaging section for converting a subject image into electrical signals and outputting image data in live view, a bright spot region setting section for setting a bright spot detection region for the image data, a bright spot detection section for detecting bright spots within the bright spot detection region set by the bright spot setting section, a bright spot processing section for performing bright spot processing at the bright spot positions detected by the bright spot detection section, and an image output section for outputting an image that has been subjected to bright spot processing by the bright spot processing detection for display or for storage.

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: An object is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of restoring a deteriorated image to a high-resolution image when the deteriorated image is restored based on a PSF image captured by an optical system. An imaging apparatus (10) includes: an optical system (1); a PSF capturing unit (2) acquiring point spread function (PSF) information captured by the optical system (1), and outputting corrected PSF information; a subject capturing unit (4) acquiring subject information captured by the optical system (1), and outputting the subject information; and an image restoration unit (5) performing a restore operation for restoring the subject information, based on the corrected PSF information and the subject information, wherein the PSF capturing unit (2) subtracts a correction luminance value from the PSF information, and outputs the corrected PSF information, the correction luminance value being greater by a luminance value Is than a luminance value Nf of fixed value noise that does not fluctuate with time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imager pixel signals to reduce noise. The processing includes receiving a target pixel signal, receiving at least one neighboring pixel signal, formulating a dynamic noise signal based at least in part on a value of the target pixel signal, and controlling a noise reduction operation using the dynamic noise signal.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing an object is provided in the present invention. The system comprises: a background arranged behind an object, wherein the color of the background is allowed to be selected from a set of colors; a first unit for setting a given color for the background so that the given color is different from the color of the object; a second unit for taking a picture including the object and the background; and a third unit for detecting at least one feature relating to the object according to the picture taken by said second unit. In the system, the color of the background is allowed to be set so as to be different from the color of the object. In this way, it is easy to distinguish the object part from the background part in the taken picture. This results in stable recognition for different objects, especially objects of different colors.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an illumination sensor sensing the intensity of illumination; an image signal processing unit processing an input image signal obtained from an image sensor unit; and a codec unit coding image signal information obtained by the image signal processing unit to obtain a luminance coefficient representing a luminance signal of an image, and adjusting the luminance coefficient according to an ambient intensity of illumination sensed by the illumination sensor.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device that performs brightness conversion processing according to a brightness conversion coefficient on each pixel of an input image and produces an output image. The image processing device includes a division section dividing the region of the input image into a plurality of areas and a histogram calculation section calculating a histogram for each area. Here, the brightness conversion coefficient is determined based on the result of calculation by the histogram calculation section. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain, even when there is a portion of an image having a brightness level (or a brightness range) of low frequency in terms of an entire image, satisfactory contrast for the entire image including such a portion.

Abstract: In personal electronic devices including digital imaging capability, methods, devices and computer readable media are described for determining when image capture operations may benefit from using high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) operations. In general, techniques are disclosed for analyzing an image's luminosity and/or color/tonal histograms to automatically determine when HDRI operations can benefit scene capture. If the determination that HDRI operations can improve scene capture, the user is so notified.

Abstract: A method of generating one or more new spatial and chromatic variation digital images uses an original digitally-acquired image which including a face or portions of a face. A group of pixels that correspond to a face within the original digitally-acquired image is identified. A portion of the original image is selected to include the group of pixels. Values of pixels of one or more new images based on the selected portion are automatically generated, or an option to generate them is provided, in a manner which always includes the face within the one or more new images. Such method may be implemented to automatically establish the correct orientation and color balance of an image. Such method can be implemented as an automated method or a semi automatic method to guide users in viewing, capturing or printing of images.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus including a first corrected tone processing section for performing such a corrected tone process which extends a tone width of a high luminance region or a low luminance region in an image signal, a tone processing section for performing a space-variant tone process for all luminance regions in the image signal, and a second corrected tone processing section for performing a corrected tone process depending on a displaying apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for removing color noise including: a color interpolation unit performing color interpolation on a bayer pattern image output from an image sensor; a high-pass filter unit performing high-pass filtering on each of the pixels of the bayer pattern image to generate high-pass filtered values of each of the pixels; a high frequency region determining unit comparing pixel values of a target pixel, from which color noise is removed, and pixels adjacent to the target pixel with the high-pass filtered values to determine whether the target pixel is included in a high frequency region; and a color noise region determining unit using differences between color values of the target pixel interpolated by the color interpolation unit and determining whether the target pixel is included in a color noise region when it is determined that the target pixel is included in the high frequency region.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a clip part and an incremental processing part. The clip part sets a threshold value as an output luminance value of a process object pixel when a luminance value of the process object pixel of an image data having luminance values of a plurality of pixels is less than the threshold value set in advance. The incremental processing part finds and holds an incremental value of the output luminance value relative to the luminance value of the process object pixel, and finds the output luminance value of the process object pixel by subtracting the incremental value from the luminance value when the luminance value of the process object pixel is the threshold value or more.

Abstract: An image capturing module comprising a first optical system that focuses light in a first wavelength region; a second optical system that focuses light in a second wavelength region and has a different focal position than the first optical system; a first light receiving section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light from a subject through the first optical system; a second light receiving section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving light from the subject through the second optical system; and an image processing section that generates a composite image to have, as a brightness component over the first and second wavelength regions, an edge component extracted from a focused image, which is whichever of a first image captured by the first light receiving section and a second image captured by the second light receiving section the subject is more focused in.

Abstract: A color gamut component analysis apparatus having a histogram processing unit that performs histogram processing on color components in a video signal; a color gamut component calculating section that calculates a wide color gamut component larger than a signal by a predetermined standard from the result of the histogram processing by the histogram processing unit; and a graphic processing section that generates and outputs a user interface image which shows the presence of the wide color gamut component in the video signal or the ratio of the wide color gamut component to the video signal.

Abstract: Lighting control systems are disclosed that enable a combination of functions comprising natural illumination based lighting control, occupancy-based lighting control, and security control. One or more processors are used in conjunction with one or more cameras and a plurality of luminaires, to perform a combination of functions comprising natural illumination based lighting control, occupancy-based lighting control, and security control.

Abstract: An image generation device includes an image acquisition section for acquiring the first and second moving images having different resolutions and different frame rates or different exposure times; a light amount determination section for determining whether each pixel is saturated or blocked-up-shadowed; and an image processing section for generating, from the moving images, a new moving image having a frame rate which is equal to or higher than the frame rate of the moving images and having a resolution of each frame image which is equal to or higher than the resolution of the moving images. For a pixel not determined as being saturated or being blocked-up-shadowed, the image processing section generates a new moving image fulfilling a first condition; and for a pixel determined as being saturated or being blocked-up-shadowed, the image processing section generates a new moving image which does not fulfill the first condition.

Abstract: An image processing method that demosaicks a mosaic input image to generate a full color output image. The image processing method calculates both vertical and horizontal luminance-chrominance difference components for each pixel of the mosaic input image. Next, the image processing method calculates an enhanced version of both vertical and horizontal luminance-chrominance difference components for each pixel of the mosaic input image. Then, the image processing method interpolates a G component for each of the original R and B components. Next, the image processing method detects a signal overshoot or undershoot in each interpolated G component and to clamps each interpolated G component with a detected signal overshoot or undershoot to the closest neighboring original G component. Next, the image processing method interpolates missing R and/or B components in each pixel location of the captured image.

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 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: Image capture with an image capture device that includes an imaging assembly having a tunable spectral response. A default capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Preview image data of a scene is captured using the imaging assembly with the default capture setting. A user interface includes a preview image based on the captured preview image data of the scene. A user designation of a region of interest (ROI) in the preview image is accepted, and a user selection of a targeted imaging property for the ROI is accepted. A revised capture setting for the spectral responsivity of the tunable imaging assembly is computed, by revising the default capture setting based on the targeted imaging property for the ROI as selected by the user. The revised capture setting is applied to the imaging assembly. Image data from the imaging assembly is captured using the revised capture setting.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a computing unit which determines a first difference value between brightness of a first image data and brightness of a second image data in an overlap area of the first image data including a first brightness characteristic with the second image data having a peripheral area at the center of the first image data and including a second brightness characteristic; and a generating unit which generates a brightness correction parameter for the first image data corresponding to the first difference value.

Abstract: An electronic device for producing an image of an object is disclosed. The electronic device may include a black-and-white camera having a first sensor area configured to receive luma data pertaining to the object. The first sensor area may correspond to a first pixel array, the luma data associated with the first pixel array. The electronic device may also include a color camera having a second sensor area configured to receive chroma data pertaining to the object. The second sensor area may correspond to a second pixel array. The chroma data may be associated with the second pixel array. The electronic device may also include first logic configured to correlate pixels in the first pixel array with locations on the second sensor area.

Abstract: An image processing device for processing image data includes: a gray level transforming processing unit which receives input, of image data, performs gray level transforming, and outputs image data having all of multiple color information by each pixel being configured of one of the multiple color information; the gray level transforming processing unit further including a first gray value computing unit for computing a first gray value according to the brightness of a pixel of interest which exists in a pixel location of interest; a second gray value computing unit for computing a second gray value by gray value transforming as to the first gray value; and pixel value gray level transforming unit for computing a pixel value subjected to gray level transforming of the pixel of interest, based on the first gray value, the second gray value, and the pixel value of the pixel of interest.

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: A method for recording a monitored image is disclosed. The method includes the following steps. First, a monitored image is captured. A foreground image and a background image are obtained according to the monitored image and a previously monitored image. Brightness information and a threshold value are generated according to the foreground image and the background image respectively. It is determined that whether a moving object has displayed on the monitored image based on the brightness information and the threshold value. If so, the recording of the monitored image starts.

Abstract: A digital image capture device and a brightness correction method thereof are described. The digital image capture device is adapted to correct the brightness value of a shot object in a digital image through the compensation of a strobe during shooting. The method includes setting a shooting magnification of the digital image capture device to the shot object; capturing a pre-shot image at least including the image of the shot object; triggering a strobe to emit a main flash onto the shot object, so as to shoot a digital image; setting a plurality of light measuring areas in the digital image; calculating a corresponding object distance of the shot object from each of the light measuring areas; establishing a shading table according to each of the object distances; and loading the shading table to adjust the brightness value of each of the light measuring areas in the digital 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: An imaging apparatus estimates a distance based on a reflectance value of a subject estimated with improved precision. An illumination unit illuminates a subject with illumination light. An imaging unit captures a plurality of images each under a different condition of the illumination unit. An illumination light element obtaining unit obtains an image formed with an element of the illumination light from the plurality of images. A reflectance estimation unit eliminates illumination variations from one of the plurality of images or from the image formed with the illumination light element, and estimates a reflectance of the subject corresponding to each pixel. A distance information estimation unit estimates a distance to the subject corresponding to each pixel based on the image formed with the illumination light element and the reflectance of the subject.

Abstract: An image-capturing apparatus includes an image-capturing element configured to receive object light and generate image signals representing an object image; a display unit; a phase-difference detector configured to receive the object light using a range-finding sensor and generate a phase-difference detection signal; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection on the basis of the phase-difference detection signal; a display control unit configured to display a preview image before actual image capturing on the display unit on the basis of the image signals that are sequentially generated by the image-capturing element; and a setting unit configured to set whether or not an area display mode in which an area in which focus detection is possible on an image-capturing plane is combined with the preview image and displayed on the display unit should be enabled.

Abstract: A luminance signal generation apparatus capable of suppressing an occurrence of aliasing at near horizontal and vertical Nyquist regions in the case of an achromatic object. An OG signal is generated by interpolating a green signal on pixels other than green pixels, and an SWY signal is generated as luminance signals at positions of pixels for respective colors. An angle determination signal is generated according to a direction of an edge of an image signal, and hierarchical image signals having different frequencies are generated from the image signal. Based on results of determination of false color region in the hierarchical image signals, one of the hierarchical image signals is selected. According to an angle determination signal and a chroma signal obtained from the selected hierarchical image signal, the OG signal and the SWY signal are mixed to generate a final luminance signal.

Abstract: The multi-band image photographing method and apparatus photograph a subject by dividing a photographing wavelength region into plural bands and obtain spectral images of the subject corresponding to the respective divided plural bands. The method and apparatus detect a sensitivity balance among the respective plural bands from photographing data of each of the spectral images obtained by preliminary photographing performed prior to main photographing, determine photographing conditions for the respective plural bands based upon the detected sensitivity balance, and perform the main photographing in accordance with the determined photographing conditions to photograph a multi-band image. The program is used to cause a computer to execute this method or part thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of suppressing color fringing in a color image further effectively by image processing. A determination unit determines a region in which signal levels for a color plane in a color image produced by photoelectric conversion of an optical image of a subject exhibit a monotonic increase or a monotonic decrease, as a color fringing region in which color fringing occurs. An estimation unit estimates an intensity of the color fringing in the color fringing region determined by the determination unit. A removal unit deducts an estimate value of the intensity of the color fringing estimated by the estimation unit from the intensity of the color fringing in the color fringing region.

Abstract: An optical sight system that comprises a combination of a thermal scope with a CCD visual-range attachment connectable to the thermal scope with a quick-release connector. The system is equipped with a device that automatically activates the CCD visual-range attachment when the latter is connected to the thermal scope and with a comparator that compares the video signal of the CCD attachment with the video signal of the thermal scope for sending the brightest video signal to the thermal scope display.

Abstract: A plurality of image data different in exposure condition are separated into a plurality of luminance component image data and a plurality of color-difference component image data, and the luminance component image data and the color-difference component image data are inputted to an image combining portion 11. A luminance component combining section 21 averages and smoothes the plurality of image data different in exposure condition and sets combining rates of the plurality of image data different in exposure condition by using the smoothed average luminance component image data. The separated plurality of luminance component image data are combined by using the set combining rates with respect to each attention pixel. On the other hand, a color-difference component combining portion 22 combines the separated plurality of color-difference component image data by using the combining rates used in the luminance component combining section 21.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a mobile device that captures and produces images with high dynamic ranges. To capture and produce a high dynamic range image, the mobile device of some embodiments includes novel image capture and processing modules. In some embodiments, the mobile device produces a high dynamic range (HDR) image by (1) having its image capture module rapidly capture a succession of images at different image exposure durations, and (2) having its image processing module composite these images to produce the HDR image.

Abstract: A method for adjusting photosensitiveness is able to determine a relative distance of an object in an image capture area through images captured before and after pre-flash of a flash lamp, so that the relative distance serves as a reference for adjusting current photosensitiveness of the digital camera, thereby capturing an image having better quality in a status that the flash lamp provides a fill light.

Abstract: An adaptive color enhancer applies different scale factors to different pixels in a digital image. More color enhancement occurs for bright pixels and for dim pixels than for average-intensity pixels. Also, more color enhancement is applied to the more colorful pixels while less color enhancement is applied to dull, less-colorful pixels. Rather than enhance all pixels to the same extent, the bright, colorful pixels are enhanced further than the average. Likewise, dim areas are color enhanced more than average. A calculation unit receives a YUV pixel. The Y value is compared to range limits and a piece-wise-linear (PWL) function generates an intermediate scale factor. The absolute values of the U and V color values are combined to create a colorfulness factor. The colorfulness factor is also used with a PWL function and the intermediate scale factor to generate a final scale factor for that pixel. The final scale factor is then multiplied by the U and V values of the pixel to generate a color-corrected pixel.