Abstract: Various methods an apparatus to use facial recognition in a computing device are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of controlling a component of a computing device is provided. The method includes taking an IR image of a user and a background with an IR sensor of a computing device. The computing device is in a location. The IR image is segmented into user image data and background image data. An ambient temperature of the location is determined using the background image data. An aspect of the component is controlled based on the ambient temperature.

Abstract: This application is directed to a passively-cooled electronic device including a housing, a plurality of electronic assemblies and a plurality of thermally conductive parts. The electronic assemblies are enclosed in the housing, and include a first electronic assembly and a second electronic assembly. The first and second electronic assemblies are disposed proximately to each other within the housing, and the second electronic assembly is substantially sensitive to heat, including heat generated by operation of the first electronic assembly. The thermally conductive parts are coupled between the first electronic assembly and the housing, and configured to create a first plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct the heat generated by the first electronic assembly away from the second electronic assembly without using a fan. At least a subset of the thermally conductive parts mechanically supports one or both of the first and second electronic assemblies.

Abstract: This application is directed to a passively-cooled electronic device including a housing, a plurality of electronic assemblies and a plurality of thermally conductive parts. The electronic assemblies are enclosed in the housing, and include a first electronic assembly and a second electronic assembly. The first and second electronic assemblies are disposed proximately to each other within the housing, and the second electronic assembly is substantially sensitive to heat, including heat generated by operation of the first electronic assembly. The thermally conductive parts are coupled between the first electronic assembly and the housing, and configured to create a first plurality of heat conduction paths to conduct the heat generated by the first electronic assembly away from the second electronic assembly without using a fan. At least a subset of the thermally conductive parts mechanically supports one or both of the first and second electronic assemblies.

Abstract: A device and method for forming an image of a sample includes illuminating the sample with a light source; acquiring a plurality of images of the sample using an image sensor, the sample being placed between the light source and the image sensor, no magnifying optics being placed between the sample and the image sensor, the image sensor lying in a detection plane, the image sensor being moved with respect to the sample between two respective acquisitions, such that each acquired image is respectively associated with a position of the image sensor in the detection plane, each position being different from the next; and forming an image, called the high-resolution image, from the images thus acquired.

Abstract: A front camera module includes a camera and a substrate, and the camera is mounted on one surface (camera mounting surface) of the substrate. A rear camera module includes a camera and a substrate, and the camera is mounted on one surface (camera mounting surface) of the substrate. An IC mounting surface of the substrate of the front camera module and an IC mounting surface of the substrate of the rear camera module are opposed to each other in a front-and-rear direction. The camera of the rear camera module is oriented in a direction opposite to the camera of the front camera module. Moreover, a camera assembly includes a cooling fan configured to send air to a region between the two substrates. With this structure, temperature of the camera modules is prevented from exceeding an allowable operation temperature that has been defined in advance.

Abstract: A camera system is configured to capture video content with 360 degree views of an environment. The camera array comprises a housing including a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant, and a fourth quadrant, wherein each of the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant form a plurality of apertures, a chassis bottom that is removably coupled to the housing, and a plurality of camera modules, each camera module comprising a processor, a memory, a sensor, and a lens, wherein each of the camera modules is removably coupled to one of the plurality of apertures in the housing, wherein the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant each include a subset of the plurality of camera modules. Each of the plurality of camera modules includes a heat sink.

Abstract: Analyte arrays such as solutes in a slab-shaped gel following electrophoresis, and particularly arrays that are in excess of 3 cm square and up to 25 cm square and higher, are imaged at distances of 5 cm or less by either forming sub-images of the entire array and stitching together the sub-images by computer-based stitching technology, or by using an array of thin-film photoresponsive elements that is coextensive with the analyte array to form a single image of the array.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processing unit and at least one memory. The at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the apparatus to control a first set of pixels of an image sensor for exposure of a scene for a camera viewfinder, the image sensor having at least two sets of pixels enabling different exposure times, and control a second set of pixels of the image sensor for exposure analysis of the scene for images to be captured for a multi-exposure image.

Abstract: A display control device controls an image capturing sensor and a display. The display control device has an image data generation section and a display control section. The image data generation section generates first display data and second display data. The display control section outputs the first and second display data, the first display data that is outputted at first intervals having a first time length varying between “a” and “b” so as to be displayed on a first display region of the display within a first horizontal synchronization period having the first time length varying between “a” and “b”, and the second display data that is outputted at second intervals having a second time length of “a” so as to be displayed on the second display region of the display within a second horizontal synchronization period having the second time length of “a”.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a first light-shielded pixel region including two or more rows of pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is shielded from light, an aperture pixel region including pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is not shielded from light, and a control unit configured to perform control such that a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the first light-shielded pixel region is longer than a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the aperture pixel region and time to read signals from the pixels in a first row of the first light-shielded pixel region is different from time to read signals from the pixels in a second row different from the first row of the first light-shielded pixel region.

Abstract: A surface temperature management method of mobile device is provided. The method includes sensing a temperature of an application processor in an operation mode of the mobile device; and controlling the application processor using the sensed temperature and a surface temperature management table to manage a surface temperature of a target part of the mobile device. The surface temperature management table includes information related to the temperature of the application processor corresponding to the surface temperature of the target part in the operation mode.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including pixels each including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge accumulation unit; a transistor including a control electrode; a waveguide; and a light-shielding portion. The waveguide includes an incident portion and an output portion, the light-shielding portion includes a first portion that covers the control electrode of the transistor and a second portion that covers a part of the photoelectric conversion unit, the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit are arranged with an interval therebetween, the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is larger than an interval between a lower end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit, and the interval between the output portion and the photoelectric conversion unit is smaller than an interval between an upper end of the second portion of the light-shielding portion and the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate having a first conductivity type. A first well in the substrate has an opposite conductivity type and is doped with opposite conductivity type dopant. A second well in the first well has the opposite conductivity type and is doped with opposite conductivity type dopant. A first region in the second well has the opposite conductivity type and is doped with opposite conductivity type dopant. A second region in the first region has the first conductivity type and is doped with first conductivity type dopant. A third region in the second well adjacent the first region is of the opposite conductivity type and is doped with opposite conductivity type dopant. A temperature sensor is disposed between, and is connected to each of, the second region and the third region.

Abstract: A digital camera (1) includes: an imaging unit (16) having an imaging element that includes a plurality of pixels, and generates a pixel value for each of the plurality of pixels as image data; a position specification unit (53) that specifies a position of a defective pixel among the plurality of pixels, in the image data generated by the imaging unit (16); a region specification unit (54) that specifies a region in the image data in which image noise occurs due to the defective pixel, based on the position specified by the position specification unit (53); and a correction unit (55) that corrects a pixel value of each of a plurality of pixels included in the region in the image data specified by the region specification unit (54), based on a weighted average of pixels values of a plurality of pixels located at a periphery of the region.

Abstract: An image capturing device is provided that can effectively suppress moisture penetration into a chamber, caused by cooling a CCD, the image capturing device including the CCD serving as an image capturing element, a chamber that accommodates the CCD at the inside thereof, a Peltier element that is provided inside the chamber and that cools the CCD, a flexible substrate that is provided to be across over an inside and an outside of the chamber and that connects the CCD to an electronic circuit which is outside the chamber, at least both sides of a portion of the flexible substrate, which portion is outside the chamber, being covered with an aluminum foil.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a band gap reference (BGR) circuit, a voltage generation unit and a digital CDS circuit. The band gap reference (BGR) circuit generates a reference voltage proportional to a temperature. The voltage generation unit generates a first voltage and a second voltage based on the reference voltage, where the first voltage and the second voltage are proportional to the temperature. The digital CDS circuit generates a digital signal corresponding to the temperature by performing a digital correlated double sampling (CDS) operation on the first voltage and the second voltage. The temperature sensor is able to detect a temperature accurately.

Abstract: A camera a has an image sensor; an exposure controller that conducts a main exposure and a dark exposure, in order, when a long-exposure shooting is carried out; an image signal processor that processes image-pixel signals that are generated by the main exposure and are read from the image sensor; and a noise reduction processor that reduces dark current components in the image-pixel signals on the basis of dark current components in the dark exposure. The exposure controller operates the image sensor for heating between the main exposure and the dark exposure.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element; a heat dissipating member including a heat dissipating portion and thermally connected to the image pickup element; a housing that retains the image pickup element and the heat dissipating member such that the image pickup element and the heat dissipating member are movable, the housing having an opening at which the heat dissipating portion is exposed irrespective of the position of the image pickup element and the heat dissipating member in a movable range; a fan that generates an airflow; and a duct that forms an air flow channel that directs the airflow generated by the fan toward the opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting the display characteristics of an electronic display, such as a computer or television display. The display is color corrected, e.g., at the factory, to measure its white point correction, gamma and gray tracking correction, and the gain correction over time as the display warms up. Moreover the white point correction and the gamma correction are performed on a per unit basis for each individual display to be manufactured. The resulting correction parameters are stored in memory or firmware associated with the display. Thereby when the display is in use, it performs compensation for white point, gray tracking and gain correction as the display warms up, each time it is powered up or when its thermal operation conditions change.

Abstract: The radiation image pickup apparatus of this invention can obtain an accurate temperature characteristic of dark current noise, the dark current noise being caused by dark current flowing through an X-ray conversion layer, by obtaining dark image signals at varied times for accumulating in capacitors charge signals converted by an X-ray converting layer. Consequently, the noise due to the dark current can be removed with high accuracy by removing periodically acquired offset signals from X-ray detection signals acquired at a time of X-ray image pickup, and correcting variations of the dark current noise due to a difference in temperature between a time of offset signal acquisition and the time of X-ray image pickup, using the temperature characteristic of the dark current noise.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera is provided that includes: an image sensor configured to provide an image signal; an automatic gain control (AGC) unit configured to determine an AGC control signal for controlling a gain applied to the image signal; a cooler configured to cool the image sensor; and a thermal control circuit configured to compare the AGC control signal to a threshold, wherein the thermal control circuit is further configured to turn on the cooler if the comparison indicates that the AGC control signal exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with image sensors and verification circuitry. Verification circuitry may be configured to continuously verify proper operation of the image sensor during operation. Verification circuitry may include one or more heating elements formed on a common substrate with image pixels of the image sensor. Verification data may be generated by powering on the heating elements and collecting charges generated in image pixels of the image sensor in response to heat generated by the powered heating element. Heat image charges may be read out using the same readout circuitry that is used to readout imaging data generated in response to incoming light. Heat image data may be used to verify proper operation of all components of an imaging system. Based on a comparison of the verification data with a predetermined standard, an imaging system may continue to operate normally or corrective action may be taken.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, a shutter, a memory, a temperature acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an acquisition controller. The image sensor includes an effective pixel region and an optical black region. The memory temporarily stores photoelectric-converted image data after the shutter is opened. The temperature acquisition unit acquires an ambient temperature when the temperature is determined to be equal to or more than a threshold value when the image data is stored in the memory. The acquisition controller makes control for shutting the shutter and for acquiring photoelectric-converted image data at that time when the temperature is equal to or more than the threshold value. The writing unit cuts out image data of the effective pixel region from the acquired image data. Difference in optical black level is corrected using the cut-out image data.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a setting unit and a display controller configured to control the display unit. A plurality of recording modes include a first recording mode which generates heat so that the temperature in the case reaches a predetermined temperature, and a second recording mode which generates heat so that the temperature in the case cannot reach the predetermined temperature. The display controller determines the remaining recording time based on the temperature of a case, and determines whether the set-up recording mode is the first recording mode, and determines, based on a result of the determination, whether to display a remaining recording time which is determined based on the temperature in the case, on the display unit.

Abstract: A camera a has an image sensor; an exposure controller that conducts a main exposure and a dark exposure, in order, when a long-exposure shooting is carried out; an image signal processor that processes image-pixel signals that are generated by the main exposure and are read from the image sensor; and a noise reduction processor that reduces dark current components in the image-pixel signals on the basis of dark current components in the dark exposure. The exposure controller operates the image sensor for heating between the main exposure and the dark exposure.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section formed on a substrate and having an effective pixel area that converts incident light into an electric signal, and an optical black area placed around the effective pixel area; an optical communication section placed near a predetermined optical black area of the optical black area, and converts a signal read from the pixel section into an optical signal for output; a dark current level supplying section that generates an estimated dark current level varying with a pixel position from which a signal is read, on the basis of a dark current level acquired from the predetermined optical black area, and outputs the estimated dark current level in synchronization with a signal read timing from the effective pixel area; and a noise compensation section that subtracts the estimated dark current level from a signal read from the effective pixel area.

Abstract: A method of pixel correction is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) calibrating a per-pixel correction model of a sensor at a plurality of different illumination levels, (B) generating a plurality of pixel values from the sensor in response to an optical signal and (C) generating a plurality of corrected values by applying the per-pixel correction model to the pixel values.

Abstract: The radiation image pickup apparatus of this invention can obtain an accurate temperature characteristic of dark current noise, the dark current noise being caused by dark current flowing through an X-ray conversion layer, by obtaining dark image signals at varied times for accumulating in capacitors charge signals converted by an X-ray converting layer. Consequently, the noise due to the dark current can be removed with high accuracy by removing periodically acquired offset signals from X-ray detection signals acquired at a time of X-ray image pickup, and correcting variations of the dark current noise due to a difference in temperature between a time of offset signal acquisition and the time of X-ray image pickup, using the temperature characteristic of the dark current noise.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device including plural imaging planes each having different dark current characteristics, each of the imaging planes having an effective image area and an corresponding optical black (OPB) area. The image pickup apparatus also includes a memory that stores a dark current data table including difference data between dark current values pre-measured at upper and lower areas of the effective image area of each of the imaging planes and dark current values pre-measured at corresponding upper and lower areas of the OPB area. The image pickup apparatus further includes an image processing unit to calculate estimate dark current values for the effective image area based on the dark current data table and actual dark current values measured in the OPB area for each of the imaging planes, and eliminates the dark current components for the effective imaging areas.

Abstract: A method of and system for calibrating an imaging device is described herein. An iterative method that attempts to find the best calibration parameters conditional upon an error metric is used. Regression is used to estimate values in a color space where the calibration is performed based upon a training data set. More calculation steps are required than would be for a regression in raw RGB space, but the convergence is faster in the color space where the calibration is performed, and the advantages using boundary conditions in the color space is able to provide improved calibration.

Abstract: An image-processing device including a pulverization-core unit configured to divide input-image data into blocks, generate basic blocks by reducing each of the blocks in size, and arrange the basic blocks into the blocks so that processed-image data including at least one noise particle of the input-image data is generated, where the noise particle included in the processed-image data is reduced in size, an edge-detection unit configured to detect an edge degree from the input-image data, and an edge-blend unit configured to subject a pixel value of the input-image data and a pixel value of the processed-image data to load addition and output output-image data based on the detection result so that a weight to the pixel value of the input-image data increases as the edge degree increases is provided.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus configured to perform vertical-dark-shading correction with increased precision independently of photographing conditions and/or a photographing environment is provided. The image-pickup apparatus includes an image-pickup element having an effective-pixel part including plural pixel parts which are not shielded from light and a light-shielding-pixel part including plural pixel parts shielded from light, a signal-processing unit configured to set the reference level of output signals transmitted from the effective-pixel part, and a control unit configured to switch between plural areas used to set the reference level, the areas being provided in the light-shielding-pixel part, based on the photographing conditions and/or environmental conditions.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor that comprises a pixel portion having a plurality of pixel sensors configured to generate an image signal, and a plurality of temperature sensors disposed in an area of the pixel portion and configured to generate a temperature signal corresponding to a detected temperature, and a correction unit configured to correct the image signal from the plurality of image sensors according to the temperature detected by the plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: A method for driving an image sensor includes the steps of: sensing temperature from the image sensor; selecting a voltage level of a control signal in accordance with the sensed temperature; and detecting an image in response to the control signal having the selected voltage level. An image sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the image sensor and a pixel array configured to detect an image in response to a control signal, wherein the control signal varies in voltage level as a function of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A noise reducing device captures image data obtained by capturing a field with an image capturing part and a plurality of blackout image data obtained by capturing the field with the image capturing part under a light shielded state. This device reduces non-correlative random noise in the plural blackout image data. With random noise reduced, fixed pattern noise appears more accurately in resultant as blackout image data B. This device reduces the fixed pattern noise in the image data by using this blackout image data B.

Abstract: Defect correction and other de-noising as well as resolution maintenance and contour correction can all be appropriately performed in an image-signal processing device for processing an image signal from an image sensor. First through third de-noising parts 30a through 30c are provided separately to correspond to a brightness-processing part 36, a color-processing part 40, and a contour-processing part 38, respectively. Among defect-correcting parts 42a through 42c provided to the de-noising parts 30a through 30c, respectively, the defect-correcting part 42c provided to correspond to the contour-processing part 38 is set to a low defect-correction level and maintains contour information. The defect-correcting part 42a provided to correspond to the brightness-processing part 36 is set to an intermediate correction level and corrects pixel defects while maintaining resolution.

Abstract: A method for checking the functional reliability of an image sensor evaluates statistical fluctuations in the grey-scale values provided by the pixels of the image sensor. An actual noise factor, which is derived for light impinging on the pixels, is evaluated. A pixel failure is assumed if the actual noise factor misses a predetermined criterion defined by a reference noise factor. According to one embodiment, the reference noise factor is a dark noise factor. An electronic camera that operates in accordance with the above-described method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Driver current in digital retinal image transfer is significantly reduced for retinal cameras for reducing heat-induced dark current and resultant haze. In one embodiment line drivers are used whose current draw does not depend on data rate or frequency to eliminate the problem of high data rates creating high driver current draw. In a second embodiment the 14-MHz clock driver is inhibited by interrupting its free-running clock pulse input until such time as one wishes to output a picture from the retinal camera, at which time the clock driver draws only a quick burst of current. The result is much lower overall clock driver current draw, less heat, less dark current and less haze.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling dark photocurrent in a color sensor circuit is disclosed. A color sensor is described including a color sensor circuit, a dark color sensor circuit, and a differential amplifier circuit. The color sensor circuit receives photocurrent from a color component of a light input. The color sensor circuit outputs a first voltage indicating intensity of the color component. The dark color sensor circuit receives dark photocurrent and outputs a second voltage indicating an offset voltage. The differential amplifier circuit is coupled to the color sensor circuit and to the dark color sensor circuit. The differential amplifier circuit receives the first and second voltages and outputs a final output that cancels contributions of the offset voltage in the first voltage due to the dark photocurrent.

Abstract: A temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of an imaging element for imaging an image signal. A storage unit stores phase change of a pulse, which is used by the imaging element when imaging the image signal, involved in temperature change of the imaging element in association with the temperature change. A timing adjustment unit checks temperature information of the imaging element detected by the temperature detecting unit with the phase change stored in the storage unit, and adjusts the phase of the pulse.

Abstract: An imager temperature sensor and a current correction apparatus are provided which use dark pixel measurements from an imager chip during operation together with a fabrication process constant as well as a chip dependent constant to calculate chip temperature. The chip temperature may be used to generate a current correction signal. The correction signal is used to tune a current on the imager chip to correct for temperature variations.

Abstract: In an image pickup device and its sensitivity compensation method, the image pickup device includes an electron multiplying image pickup device for converting an image into an electrical signal, a temperature detection unit for detecting temperature of the electron multiplying image pickup device, and a control unit for controlling electron multiplication factor of the electron multiplying image pickup device in response to the temperature detected.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus for preventing linearity defect at the time of photographing in a high-sensitivity mode, when processing an image signal produced by a solid-state image pickup device under a predetermined condition, such as photographing in a super high-sensitivity mode, at a high temperature or with a long-time exposure, a signal processor increases a clamp level for clamping the image signal. A noise reducer then executes noise reduction for removing noise of random nature from the image signal before correcting the primary black level for the image signal, and thereafter the black level is corrected.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a solid-state imaging device in which plural pixel columns, each including plural pixels arrayed in a column direction, are arrayed in a row direction. The pixels of each pixel column include upper OBs, lower OBs, and PDs disposed between the upper OBs and the lower OBs. The digital camera includes: a dark current correcting unit that performs dark current correction based on a linear function for correction in order to correct a dark current; an OB average calculating unit that calculates an average of upper OB signals acquired from the upper OBs by imaging and an average of lower OB signals acquired from the lower OBs by the imaging; and a correcting linear function generating unit that generates the linear function for correction based on the average of the upper OB signals, the average of the lower OB signals, and the number of PDs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention can perform appropriate edge enhancement processing on any image while preventing increases in noise and chromatic aberration in the process of image processing. The image processing apparatus obtains photographic information present at generation of the image, determines, based on the photographic information, an edge enhancement coefficient to be used in performing edge enhancement processing, and performs edge enhancement processing to the image using the determined coefficient. Further, an image processing method of the present invention makes it possible to perform appropriate edge enhancement processing on any image while preventing increases in noise and chromatic aberration in the process of image processing.

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: A method of minimizing noise in an image produced by an electronic imager comprising: determining a correction system for a range of imager integration times and a range of imager temperatures for an electronic imager which has taken a series of dark capture images and a series of flat field capture images in a calibration mode; and applying the correction system to an image produced by the electronic imager in an image capture mode.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to reduce image sensing errors due to wrong white balance control using wrong color temperature information in an image sensing device capable of performing white balance control using a color image signal from an image sensing device. In order to attain the above object, when the color in the vicinity of the locus of a blackbody cannot be extracted in detection of a color temperature in a color image signal, color temperature information is corrected on the basis of a piece of color temperature information output from a calorimetric sensor, thereby controlling the white balance of a color image signal output from an image sensing element. The number of achromatic data extracted from the color image signal is counted. The color temperature is calculated by weighting a color temperature obtained from the color image signal and that obtained from the colorimetric sensor in accordance with the count, thereby performing white balance control.

Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor is provided that includes an on-chip temperature-sensitive element. The signal output of the temperature-sensitive element is used to determine a black level value for the image sensor and to calculate a color correction value to be applied to the signal output of the semiconductor image sensor. The signal output of the temperature-sensitive element may be determined by time-averaging a series of signal outputs from the temperature-sensitive element. The temperature-sensitive element signal output may also be determined by combining, e.g., averaging, the signal outputs of a plurality of on-chip temperature-sensitive elements.

Abstract: A system which operates to determine temperature of an image sensor using the same signal chain that is used to detect the image sensor actual outputs. A correlated double sampling circuit is used to obtain the image outputs. That's same correlated double sampling circuit is used to receive two different inputs from the temperature circuit, and to subtract one from the other. The temperature output can be perceived, for example, once each frame.