Abstract: In a case that a zooming magnification is less than 2 times, the switch (SW) is connected to the terminal “a” and a zooming process in the horizontal direction is performed when reading out from the line memory (13) in conjunction with performing the zooming process in the vertical direction in the CCD (10). Further, in a case that the zooming magnification is more than 2 times, the switch (SW) is connected to the terminal “b” and the zooming process in the horizontal direction is performed with combining occasions when reading out from the memory (12) and reading out from the line memory (13) in conjunction with performing the zooming process in the horizontal direction when reading out from the memory (12).

Abstract: A CCD image sensor 14 uses sufficiently more pixels than those in an output image. A pixel number conversion block applies pixel number reduction conversion to an image pickup signal from the CCD image sensor 14. This signal is output as a monitor output or motion-picture recording signal via a terminal 43. Converting the multi-pixel image signal to a reduced image can provide an output image with improved sharpness.

Abstract: According to the image taking apparatus and the method of controlling an edge enhancing level of an original image signal, as the electronic zooming rate for the original image signal increases, an amplitude level of the edge signal decreases in a direction contrary to the increase of the electronic zooming rate, and thereby, an edge enhancing level of the edge-enhanced image signal is automatically suppressed. Accordingly, even though the edge-enhanced image signal is applied a zooming processing, it is able to obtain an enlarged image signal having natural edges by suppressing excess enlargement of the edge signal added to the original image signal.

Abstract: A recording mode control circuit controls a first recording mode in which still image data having a first image size corresponding to the number of pixels of an image sensing element is generated and recorded and a second recording mode in which moving image data having a second image size smaller than the first image size is generated and recorded. In generating the moving image data in the second recording mode, a camera signal processing circuit executes electrical zoom processing to obtain the second image size. At this time, a maximum magnification ratio setting circuit sets the maximum variable magnification ratio of electrical zoom processing in the camera signal processing circuit. With this processing, an image recording apparatus which allows a user to select a zoom mode with a small degradation in image quality in electrical zoom processing can be implemented.

Abstract: A digital still camera includes a DRAM so that the DRAM is stored with pixel data having a Y, U or V component. A memory control circuit reads the pixel data out of the DRAM at a clock rate of 30 MHz, and writes it to SRAM. The memory control circuit then reads out the pixel data, that has been written from the SRAM to a first register, at a clock rate of 15 MHz and at a desired zoom magnification. An H/V interpolating circuit performs vertical interpolation and horizontal interpolation based on the data read out, and creates a zoom pixel. Since two pixels in a vertical direction is required to create one zoom pixel, the SRAM is formed with 2 lines of a memory area. Also, since only 1 line of data can read out of the DRAM at one time, the memory control circuit reads out the pixel data at a clock rate 2 times the value 15 MHz, i.e. 30 MHz.

Abstract: A zoom method of a small digital camera is provided that includes searching a center search line of a photographic screen according to a set photographic mode and searching upper and lower lines based on the center search line so as to extract a color average value and a deviation of a photographic object. A size of a photographic object may be calculated based on the average value and the deviation. A zoom ratio may be set according to a size of the photographic object. A portrait mode and a text mode may be implemented by software without influencing a size of a mobile communication terminal and so as to fast process the zoom function.

Abstract: A digital camera has an image sensor, and an optical system for focusing a scene on the image sensor. A zooming system is used for changing a zoom rate of the scene that is focused on the image sensor. By operating the zooming system during the recording of a series of images, each of the images has a different zoom rate and therefore a different level of detail and field of view. The images are combined to form one still image of super high resolution. The zoom rate between images is detected by using horizontal and vertical pixel intensity value projection distributions in both forward and backward prediction methods. Horizontal and vertical candidate projection distributions that are correlated to a range of possible zoom rates are compared with the horizontal and vertical projection distributions of the former and current images being processed to determine a least error match that is selected as the zoom rate between the adjacent images.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus operates in different orientations, producing a source image that may be either right-side up or upside down. The source image is stored in a memory circuit, read from the memory circuit on one order if right-side up, and read from the memory circuit in a different order if upside down, generating an output image that is always right-side up.

Abstract: A camera signal processing apparatus comprises an interpolated pixel data generating means for interpolating, at least on two directions, pixel data based on an imaging signal from a solid-state image sensor in which an imaging light enters through a color filter having a different spectral characteristic for each pixel separately generating interpolated pixel data in the at least two directions; a correlation detecting means for detecting a correlation value indicative of a degree of correlation in each of the at least two directions of the interpolated pixel data; a normalizing means for normalizing the correlation value of each of the at least two directions to generate a normalized value indicative of a relative value of the correlation value of each of the at least two directions; a correcting means for adding a predetermined correction value to the normalized value; a weighting means for weighting the interpolated pixel data in each of the at least two directions by the normalized value and adding toget

Abstract: Digital camera includes a CCD imager having VGA resolution. The camera signal of subject image taken by the CCD imager is subjected to a predetermined process by a signal processing circuit, whereby image data is created having 640 pixel×980 lines. Meanwhile, a CPU enables cut-out circuit when a 1-tims mode is set by a zoom button, and a cut-out circuit when a 2-times mode is set by the zoom button. The thin-out circuit performs thinning out pixel data, every other pixels and lines, on the image data having 640 pixels×480 lines, outputting image data having 320 pixels×240 lines. The cut-out circuit cuts 320 pixels×240 lines of image data from a center of the image data of 640 pixels×480 lines.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a one CCD, two CCD, or three CCD with spatial pixel offset imaging system. A parameter calculation section sequentially scans an image signal in units of pixels and calculates a parameter for region segmentation from at least one neighboring region containing the current pixel of interest. An image signal segmentation section segments the image signal into uniform regions having single color correlation on the basis of the calculated parameters. A regression section regresses, to a linear formula, the color correlation between color signals in the uniform region. A restoring section restores a missing color signal on the basis of the linear formula and the color signals present in the uniform region.

Abstract: A machine vision inspection system and method that increase the resolution of object image-data without physically manipulating the physical optics of cameras used during inspection. The exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a system and method that perform what may be characterized as a digital zoom. Using this digital zoom, the resolution of object image-data provided by a camera may be artificially increased. Moreover, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a determination may be made regarding whether portions of the object image-data are under-resolved, and based on that determination, a local digital zoom may be performed on that under-resolved portion of object image-data to increase the resolution of that portion of object image-data.

Abstract: An adaptive electronic zoom system is described which includes an electronic camera having an image sensor with pixels, a controller communicating with an address generator to select in response to an external input or feedback signals from the electronic camera a subset of pixels from the pixels of the image sensor, the subset of pixels defining a zoom area. The zoom area can be located at any position within the image sensor area. The zoom ratio/pan/tilt of the zoom area is automatically adjusted so as to maintain the location of the zoom area entirely within the image sensor area. The adaptive electronic zoom system is particularly suited for set-top boxes for video conferencing applications.

Abstract: An accumulation unit accumulates, in a 1-line element corresponding to the main scanning direction, an electrical signal prepared by photoelectrically converting optical image information obtained by scanning an original image to be formed with a carriage in the subscanning direction. A magnification setting unit sets the copy magnification. A speed change unit changes the moving speed of the carriage in accordance with the copy magnification, and when the set copy magnification is equal to or smaller than a certain magnification in reduction, changes the carriage moving speed to 1/n (n: a natural number larger than 1) from the relationship between the current magnification and the carriage moving speed.

Abstract: A portable electronic imaging device, in performing digital zoom, exploits barrel distortion in the original digital image to produce higher quality digitally zoomed images than can be obtained by simple cropping and rescaling. Such a portable electronic imaging device may be implemented using a moderately wide-angle lens of fixed focal length.

Abstract: An electronic imaging device produces higher quality digitally zoomed images than can be obtained by simple cropping and resealing. An array of imaging sensors that places more resolution near the center of the image than at the edges combined with geometrical distortion correction achieves the increase in image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of modifying a portrait image. The method comprises providing a digital still image comprising the portrait image; generating an image model of the portrait image; providing a plurality of modified portrait images generated by applying a plurality of pre-defined modifications to the image model; displaying the plurality of modified portrait images; providing an indicator for selecting at least one of the plurality of displayed modified portrait images; and displaying, transferring, storing, or printing the at least one selected modified portrait image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suitably perform a zooming control operation in the case that a zoom ring is provided at a lens-side portion and zoom switches are provided at a camera-body-side portion of a lens-interchangeable video camera. To achieve this object, in the case-that no zoom lens stop request is provided from the camera-body-side portion, it is judged from information sent from the camera-body-side portion which of a tele direction and a wide direction the moving direction of the zoom lens group is. Moreover, when the zoom angle is not placed at a tele end or at a wide end, lenses are driven by calculating data for driving the lenses. Thereafter, tele information is set or cleared according to whether the zoom lens group is placed at the tele end. Subsequently, zoom-ring operating information is detected. The detected zoom-ring operating information is sent to the camera-body-side portion.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a processor having an algorithm for comparing a set of resolution pixel values in a generated image file with corresponding ones of resolution pixel values in a user selected file and for providing as a final digital zoom image resolution the set of resolution pixel values in the generated image file when the corresponding ones of the resolution pixel values in the user selected file are at least equal but not less than the corresponding resolution pixel values in the generated image file, and a scaled down set of resolution pixel values when the corresponding ones of the resolution pixel values in the user selected file are less than the corresponding resolution pixel values in the generated image file.

Abstract: An information recording device capable of preventing a deterioration of quality of a display image. Pixel counts in each of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of an image represented by digital image data generated by a CCD, are greater than in an image for which electronic zoom has been implemented. A zoom rate of the electronic zoom to be applied to the image during execution of dubbing of an image file and/or display by an LCD of an image represented by the image file, is limited to not more than a magnification rate upper limit value, which is determined on the basis of the horizontal and vertical direction pixel counts of the image represented by the digital image data generated by the CCD and pixel counts in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image for which the electron zoom has been implemented.

Abstract: An image pickup device, method, computer program product, and information recording medium for recording image information corresponding only to a predetermined area at a given position in an image display device. An image pickup device, method, computer program product, and information recording medium for zooming in electrically an image in a predetermined area at an arbitrarily chosen given position and displaying the zoomed image in an image display device.

Abstract: In order to reduce the frame rate, when all photodiodes contributing to output of a video signal in a CMOS image sensor must be simultaneously exposed (at the timing of strobe flashing &Dgr;ts), as in a case where strobe is flashed, readout pixels composing the CMOS type image sensor are thinned such that the number of photodiodes contributing to the video signal outputted from the CMOS type image sensor is reduced. A time period &Dgr;tp2 required for processing (of the video signal caused by a row of photodiodes) in an analog processing circuit connected to the succeeding stage of the CMOS type image sensor is shortened, thereby reducing the frame rate.

Abstract: In an image processing method, a square submatrix formed from adjacent original pixels is equally divided into small square regions along the X- and Y-coordinate axes. Approximate points are set at the vertexes of the regions. Interpolation coefficients are derived based on a predetermined interpolation function. Interpolation coefficients normalized so as to adjust the sum of the coefficient values of interpolation coefficients used for one interpolation operation to 2k (k is a positive integer) are calculated, and stored in a coefficient buffer in advance. A new pixel position of each pixel constituting a new image is calculated in accordance with magnifications representing enlargement/reduction ratios along the X- and Y-coordinate axes for an original image. An approximate point closest to the new pixel position is selected as the approximate point of the new pixel position. Interpolation coefficients corresponding to the interpolation original pixels are read out from the coefficient buffer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image capturing apparatus having a function capable of setting a focus position in a subject not only in the center of a screen, thereby improving its operability on checking of a focus state in a checking mode. At the time of reviewing a captured image, the whole captured image is not displayed on a display but, to make the user easily check a focus state, a part of the captured image is enlarged and the enlarged image is displayed in the full screen on the display. In this case, according to an image capturing pixel mode, magnification M of an image is automatically changed. For example, in a very high resolution mode of 1600×1200, the magnification M is 8. In a high resolution mode of 800×600, the magnification M is 4. In a standard mode of 640×480, the magnification M is 3.2.

Abstract: In a digital camera, an AF position can be designated by an AF cursor which is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) and moves according to an operation input by the operator. At the time of recording captured image data into a memory card, information of the AF position in a whole image and an enlargement display magnification which is separately set is recorded in association with the image data. Thus, at the time of reproducing the recorded image, based on the information of the AF position and the enlargement display magnification in the memory card, desired enlargement display around the AF position as a center can be performed. As a result, convenience of the digital camera is improved.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes: an image-capturing unit that creates an image by capturing an image of a subject; an enlarged image generating unit that creates an enlarged image by enlarging a portion of the image created by the image-capturing unit; an optical viewfinder that enables verification of a subject range corresponding to a range of the image created by the image-capturing unit; and a warning output unit that issues a warning when the enlarged image generating unit is in operation.

Abstract: A camera has a body and a capture system mounted in the body. The capture system defines a photographic scene, An evaluator assesses a plurality of parameters for capture of the scene. A look-up table matches the parameters to one or more of a plurality of editorial suggestions to define a suggestion set. A display unit is selectively actuable to show depictions of the editorial suggestions of the suggestion set. In a method, the capture system of the camera defines a scene and an electronic image having a field of view inclusive of the scene is captured and evaluated. Responsive to the evaluating, one or more editorial suggestions relating to capture are displayed on the camera.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is provided with a visual line detecting device for detecting the position of a fixation point of the eye of the operator obtained within the image plane of an electronic viewfinder which displays an image of an object of shooting, and an image processing circuit for processing and enlarging the image with the detected position of the fixation point as the center of the enlarging action.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting regions of interest within an image in response to a selection signal, and panning across an image so as to keep the selected region in view is disclosed, together with an image processing system employing the method.

Abstract: An image sensor having an integrated address controller for use in an electronic camera. Providing both functions on a single integrated circuit reduces the number of external pins and external circuitry required to process an image. The integrated address controller also provides several addressing modes allowing for programmable format data transfer from the image sensor. This integrated controller not only allows addressing the sensor array in a raster scan, but it also allows other addressing modes including block addressing (useful for block based compression methods like JPEG, MPEG or H.261) and region addressing (by which one could implement pan and tilt functions). Thus, this sensor and address controller combination provides data in the format required for higher level functions, as opposed to forcing the user to convert raster scan to an appropriate format using complicated external circuitry.

Abstract: Bayer data is captured by a CCD and is store in a memory. Image data is read out from the memory in units of nine lines starting with (4n +1)-th (n: integer) line. YUV data of one pixel is formed based on 5×5 pixels in the read Bayer data. Thus, the YUV data is formed in units of five lines. The YUV data is enlarged by a pixel number converting unit.

Abstract: A digital camera according to the invention comprises a power switch, lenses, an optical finder, a shutter button, an auxiliary light emitting section, a recording media slot, an image monitor, and touch pads. The touch pads form part of the touch input section for selecting and inputting the items and selections displayed on the image monitor, part the touch input section for operating the display contents of an image displayed on the image monitor, and part of the touch input section for controlling the shooting magnification used in shooting an image. Such input operations are performed by way of a contact position signal of the touch pads as well as a movement in the touch state.

Abstract: A system controller controls a solid-state image sensor, and performs read-out at a predetermined subsampling ratio. In the event that the size of the image-taking area and the subsampling ratio do not agree, the system controller executes image size conversion processing with a digital processing unit, and converts the image size to an image size corresponding to a request from a peripheral device unit. Also, the system controller performs changing of the image-taking area following ending of the reading out from the solid-state image sensor, thereby obtaining normal frame signals. Accordingly, even in the event that zooming is performed by changing the subsampling ratio, zooming operations can be performed with an arbitrary zooming ratio, and reading out of the image-taking information is made to be suitable.

Abstract: A digital zoom apparatus includes an SDRAM. The SDRAM is stored with YUV data so that horizontal 4 pixels are assigned to each of addresses. A zoom start pixel is specified by a CPU on the basis of a zoom magnification. A memory control circuit transfers two lines of YUV data to a line memory with reference to an address to which the zoom start pixel is assigned, and furthermore, transfers part of the YUV data to a register. The line memory and the register are stored with the YUV data so that one pixel is assigned to each of addresses. The YUV data held in the register is subject to a zoom process with reference to the zoom start pixel, whereby, a through image subjected to an enlargement zooming process is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A method and system of regulating the computation load of an MPEG decoder in a video processing system are provided. The video processing system processes the header information of a compressed video data stream including a plurality of macroblocks with a motion vector associated therewith. Then, the computation load of each functional block of the MPEG decoder is adjusted according to predetermined criteria; thus, substantial computational overhead is desirably avoided.