Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an object image, a selection unit configured to automatically select a sensitivity of the image sensor from a predetermined selectable range, and an image processing unit configured to execute correction processing in which a signal of an image captured by the image sensor which has the sensitivity selected by the selection unit is amplified. When the image processing unit is set to execute the correction processing, the selection unit sets an upper limit of the selectable range lower, compared with the upper limit thereof when the image processing unit is not set to execute the correction processing.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an assumed deteriorated image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate a pixel value of an assumed deteriorated image, wherein deterioration of a target image configured of multiple channels is assumed, for each of the channels as an assumed deteriorated image pixel value; a pseudo target image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate, regarding a pixel of interest that is a pixel of the target image corresponding to the assumed deteriorated image, a pixel value estimated for each of the channels as a pseudo target image pixel value for each of the channels based on the pixel values of the pixel of interest, and pixels adjacent thereto; and a restored image creating unit configured to create a restored image restored from the target image based on the calculated assumed deteriorated image pixel value and the calculated pseudo target image pixel value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has an input unit for inputting an image captured by an image sensor, a shading correction amount calculation unit for calculating per pixel a shading correction amount to be applied to the image inputted from the input unit, a ? correction gain calculation unit for calculating a ? correction gain depending on the shading correction amount and pixel values of the image sensor pixels, and a gain correction unit for applying gain correction to the pixel values based on the ? correction gain, wherein shading correction and ? correction are performed simultaneously by the gain correction with the gain correction unit.

Abstract: A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an estimated plane calculation portion calculating, for inputted image data, estimated planes defined by luminance values in blocks each containing a predetermined number of pixels including a reference pixel; an optimal estimated plane selection portion selecting an optimal estimated plane having a least summation of errors between luminance values of respective pixels in a block and an estimated plane among the estimated planes; a weighting factor calculation portion calculating a weighting factor for the reference pixel base on luminance values of the reference pixel and in the optimal estimated plane; and a weighted smoothing portion computing a sum of products of relative luminance differences between the luminance values of the respective pixels in the block and in the optimal estimated plane and the weighting factor for the reference pixel and adding a luminance value in the optimal estimated plane at a reference pixel position to a result of computation.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a contrast and an apparatus for enhancing a contrast are provided. The method of enhancing the contrast includes: dividing an image into a plurality of blocks and calculating an average luminance value of each block; interpolating a peripheral luminance value for each input pixel of the image by using the average luminance value; and enhancing the contrast of the input pixel by using the interpolated peripheral luminance value of the input pixel and a unique luminance value of the input pixel.

Abstract: A photometric calibration method includes: obtaining a target image and a reference image by a light field camera and transforming the reference image into a revised target image corresponding to the target image; calculating a photometric calibration ratio according to a function for correlating the target image and the revised target image by using a numerical algorithm; and the intensity of the target image is divided by the photometric calibration ratio to obtain a calibrated target image. A light field of a scene is formed by all of the calibrated target image so as to improve the quality of the light field.

Abstract: A lens shading correction method and apparatus are provided for removing vignetting occurring in digital images due to lens shading. A white image captured by an image pickup device and an image pickup unit is separated into reference white images corresponding to color channels. A vignetting center having a maximum light intensity is estimated in each of the reference white images. Multiple reference segments on each of the reference white images are defined. A lens shading correction value corresponding to each pixel constituting the reference segments are calculated using a corresponding light intensity. A lens shading correction function corresponding to each reference segment is derived using a corresponding lens shading correction value. Vignetting of a general image received in a general image processing mode is removed, using the derived multiple lens shading correction functions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains a photographic image captured with an image sensor; a flat portion extraction unit that extracts a flat portion area within the photographic image having been obtained; and a defect information generating unit that generates defect information corresponding to the extracted flat portion area.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a frame operation unit configured to perform addition to or subtraction from a frame and a storage unit configured to store a result of an operation performed by the frame operation unit. A data bus including two channels, one for writing to the storage unit and the other for reading from the storage unit, is provided between the frame operation unit and the storage unit.

Abstract: A gradation conversion processor performs gradation conversion processing on image data on the basis of a predetermined gradation conversion characteristic, and a noise reduction processor performs noise reduction processing on the image data. Subsequently, a combining-ratio calculator calculates a combining ratio between the image data before the noise reduction processing performed by the noise reduction processor and the image data after the noise reduction processing on the basis of the gradation conversion characteristic, and a combiner combines the image data before the noise reduction processing performed by the noise reduction processor and the image data after the noise reduction processing on the basis of the combining ratio.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a semiconductor substrate and a color image sensor array on the substrate. The color image sensor array has a first configuration of color pixels for collecting color image data, and at least one crosstalk test pattern on the substrate proximate the color image sensor array. The crosstalk test pattern includes a plurality of color sensing pixels arranged for making color crosstalk measurements. The test pattern configuration is different from the first configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a method of calculating a compensation factor to compensate for lens shading due to the characteristics of an image capturing device, which requires a small amount of memory. A reference image is captured, and a compensation factor is calculated using the characteristics of a lens shading pattern of the captured reference image. A distribution of pixel values is approximated using an exponential spline function, and a compensation factor is calculated using the approximated distribution. In addition, a method and an apparatus for compensating for lens shading by using a calculated compensation factor are provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise in an image captured using a digital image sensor having pixels being arranged in a rectangular minimal repeating unit, comprising: computing first weighted pixel differences by combining first pixel differences between the pixel value of a central pixel and pixel values for nearby pixels of the first channel in a plurality of directions with corresponding local edge-responsive weighting values; computing second weighted pixel differences by combining second pixel differences between pixel values for pixels of at least one different channel in the plurality of directions with corresponding local edge-responsive weighting values; and computing a noise-reduced pixel value for the central pixel by combining the first and second weighted pixel differences with the pixel value for the central pixel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing device includes a shading correcting unit, a distortion correcting unit, a lens-characteristic estimating unit, and a resolution restoring unit. The shading correcting unit, the distortion correcting unit, the lens-characteristic estimating unit, the resolution restoring unit carry out signal processing for each of image data obtained by a plurality of sub-camera modules.

Abstract: A shading correcting device includes a correction-coefficient interpolation unit that calculates a color shading correction coefficient used at a position of a pixel at which the color shading correction coefficient is not set among pixels in an image signal by an interpolation process using a color shading correction coefficient set at a predetermined position. A color shading correction coefficient sent to the correction-coefficient interpolation unit is a color shading correction coefficient that is for a first color and corresponds to a pixel value of a second color adjacent to a pixel of the first color.

Abstract: An amplifier control device controls an amplifier which amplifies a first signal supplied from an image-pickup element, and supplies a second signal acquired by amplification of the first signal to a signal processing unit which is a following stage. The amplifier control device comprises a control unit which changes a current supplied to the amplifier depending on whether or not the first signal supplied to the amplifier is used for image data.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a characteristic value generating circuit and an imaging device that can generate anticipated variation in the performance of an imaging device due to the individual difference and can easily evaluate the result of correction processing for the variation. A variation generating circuit 30 has a command receiver 31 that acquires characteristic value data S40, a characteristic value generator 33 that refers to the characteristic value data S40 and generates a characteristic value of a limit of correction possibility for input image data S20, and an adder 34 that adds a characteristic limit value S33 generated by the characteristic value generator 33 and the input image data S20.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effecting a non-uniformity correction of images of a scene obtained with an array of detector elements are disclosed. A first image of the scene having a first integration period is acquired using the array of detector elements. A second image of the scene having a different integration period is acquired, and a corrected image of the scene is generated by computing a difference of the images. In some embodiments, the first and second images are images of substantially identical scenes. According to some embodiments, the images are infrared images. Optionally, the corrected image is subjected to further correction using pixel dependent correction coefficients, such as gain coefficients. Exemplary image detection elements include but are not limited to InSb detector elements and ternary detector elements, such as InAlSb, MCT (Mercury Cadmium Telluride), and QWIP technology (Quantum Well Infrared Photodiodes).

Abstract: A method including using an optical image stabilization function in an imaging apparatus comprising a lens and an image sensor; acquiring system change information, the system change information concerning changes that affect optical path through the lens to the image sensor during capturing of an image through the lens; adjusting a lens shading correction function on the basis of the acquired system change information; and applying the adjusted lens shading correction function to image data representing the captured image.

Abstract: An image processing device that performs color shading correction on an image formed by a plurality of pixel signals with correction data includes: a correction execution decision unit that decides whether or not color shading correction is to be executed for each pixel signal in order to perform color shading correction for a part of the plurality of pixel signals and not to perform color shading correction for another part of the plurality of pixel signals; and a correction unit that performs correction of the pixel signal of which execution of correction is decided by the correction execution decision unit for each color component thereof.

Abstract: A method for is provided for creating a shadow-reduced image from a captured image for distinguishing a clear path of travel. Each pixel of a captured input image is plotted according to a two dimensional logarithmic graph. A specific color set relating to an associated color value of a clear path. A linear illumination-invariant axis is determined as a function of the specific color set. An illumination direction for the linear illumination-invariant axis is determined. A log-chromaticity value of each plotted pixel of the specific color set is projected on the axis. Edges in the input image and the illumination-invariant image domain are identified. The identified edges of the input image are compared to identify edges in the illumination-invariant image domain. A determination is made whether a shadow edge is present in response to comparing the edges. A shadow-reduced image is generated for scene analysis by a vehicle vision-based system.

Abstract: To compensate an image, a profile thereof is obtained from pixel values in a marginal area of the image. A background value of the image determined from the profile and correction to the image is performed in accordance with the background value and the profile.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, computer readable medium, and method for radially-dependent noise reduction in image capturing devices involving an edge-preserving blur window are disclosed. In one embodiment, the edge-preserving blur includes only those pixels in the blur window that are within a threshold value of the blur window's current center pixel in its blurring calculation. By creating a threshold function that varies radially from the center of the image sensor's light intensity falloff function, a more appropriate threshold value can be chosen for each pixel, allowing for more noise farther from the center of the image, and allowing for less noise closer to the center of the image. Light-product information taken from the image's metadata may be used to scale the threshold value parameters dynamically. This allows the method to perform the appropriate amount of processing depending on the lighting situation of the image that is currently being processed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a camera module includes a second imaging optical system and an image processing section. The second imaging optical system forms an image piece. The image processing section has at least one of an alignment adjustment section, a resolution restoration section, and a shading correction section and has a stitching section. The stitching section joins the image pieces, subjected to at least one of alignment adjustment, resolution restoration, and shading correction, together to form a subject image.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for non-uniform illumination appearing in data obtained using one or more illumination sources from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the optical system. According to a specific embodiment, non-uniform illumination correction factors are derived during a calibration procedure by illuminating a surface having uniform optical properties with the non-uniform illumination source and imaging that illuminated surface onto the photo-sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting source-based artifacts in a compressed video data set formed by outputting a baseband video data set from a source device and applying a codec algorithm thereto to generate the compressed video data set. In some embodiments, the compressed video data set is decompressed to provide a decoded video data set, and at least one source-based artifact in the decoded video set is detected responsive to a luminance value of at least one pixel in the decoded video data set, the at least one source-based artifact induced by the source prior to the compression encoding of the input video frame and detected independently of the input video frame.

Abstract: A method of processing image data includes generating image data including luminance and chrominance data representing a selected object, separating the luminance and chrominance data, storing the separated luminance and chrominance data in corresponding separate spaces in memory, and separately compressing the stored luminance and chrominance data.

Abstract: A compensation method for alleviating color shading in a digital image is adapted to correct a color shading phenomenon in a digital image that causes luminance differences between regions in the digital image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for applying lens shading correction to image data captured by an image sensor are provided. In one embodiment, multiple lens shading adaptation functions, each modeled based on the response of a color channel to a reference illuminant, are provided. An image frame from the image data may be analyzed to select a lens shading adaptation function corresponding to a reference illuminant that most closely matches a current illuminant. The selected lens shading function may then be used to adjust a set of lens shading parameters.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for changing the look of an image. In some implementations a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes decomposing a first image using a first plurality of wavelet transforms, each first wavelet transform creating a first transformation resolution, each first transformation resolution having respective first data, and decomposing a second image using a second plurality of wavelet transforms, each second wavelet transform creating a second transformation resolution, each second transformation resolution having respective second data. The method also includes determining a first measure of texture for each first transformation resolution's respective data, applying each first transformation resolution's first measure of texture to each corresponding second transformation resolution's data, and recomposing the second image based on the modified second transformation resolutions.

Abstract: When clamping a signal from a solid state image sensor, float of an optical black pixel output due to incoming of infrared light avoids a malfunction of a clamp from occurring. When clamping a signal from the solid state image sensor, the difference between the optical black pixel output and a clamp target level is output as a difference output, the difference output is compared with a comparison level to integrate the number of times larger than the comparison level every horizontal line. When the number of times is equal to or more than a certain rate (?) from the number of optical black pixels on the horizontal line, an optical black float state is determined and clamping operation is performed in accordance with a held value immediately before.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of correcting a captured image for lens shading artifacts, the captured image being captured by an image capture system, the method comprising: determining a function L(x, y) being a lens shading correction function to be applied to images captured by a lens of the image capture system in order to correct for lens shading artifacts; if a focal length associated with the captured image is less than a focal length associated with, the function L(x, y) then cropping the function L(x, y) based on the focal length associated with the captured image; and scaling the cropped function L(x, y) to a size of the tin-cropped Junction L(x, y).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method, for capturing an electronic image using a CMOS imager having an electronic shutter and a reduced dark current component in its image output signal. The dark current is reduced by—reading out each line of the CMOS imager in normal and reversed order and subsequent processing.

Abstract: In camera systems with more than one aperture plane, light from different object points can be shaded by either the lens' pupil, the system's aperture or both. depending on pupil and aperture diameters, separation and camera system field of view. In an aperture shading correction (ASC) algorithm, the shading that results from the convolution of the lens' pupil function and its aperture function is determined over the image plane for any given pupil and aperture diameter and separation. A shading correction function is then calculated, and/or its parameters are determined, that will undo the adverse relative illumination degradations that result from the tandem pupil and aperture. This can be done in separate color planes. This can be done in tandem with standard lens shading correction that must also be corrected for (i.e., the lens shading correction (LSC) can be performed in the sensor for the case of no aperture shading, then the ASC multiples the LSC during aperture shading).

Abstract: A request recognition section (373) recognizes an input operation for a source switching request to switch broadcast program contents extracted from broadcast waves to contents recorded in a recording and reproducing apparatus to display the contents on a display unit (350). Values of a plurality of setting factors such as brightness, contrast, and black level related to picture quality, which correspond to the source to be switched, specified corresponding to the previous contents source are read from a memory (360). Predefined values of the setting factors set corresponding to the previous contents source are compared with values newly read, and the values of the respective setting factors are sequentially changed stepwise. It is possible to prevent a flicker on a screen caused by a sudden change in the picture quality during processing of changing the picture quality, thereby favorably adjusting the picture quality.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which pixels having photoelectric converting elements configured to accumulate electric signals in accordance with the quantity of received light and detecting units configured to detect the electric signals accumulated using the photoelectric converting elements are arrayed in a matrix and a timing signal generator configured to generate a timing signal with which an electric signal accumulation time period of each of respective pixels constituting the pixel array unit is set to be a time period obtained by adding a time period calculated on the basis of a position where each of the respective pixels constituting the pixel array unit is arranged to a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An image sensing system provides for accurate lens shading correction even when there is significant lens shading asymmetry and non-uniformity. A two-dimensional B-spline technique is used to determine lens shading correction surfaces. The number of zones is selected to achieve accurate correction of center, edge, and corner regions of an image. Separate lens shading correction surfaces are calculated for a set of standard illuminants to permit lens shading correction to be adapted based on the illuminant used to capture the image.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image display method that are able to display images without motion blur without increasing the transmitted amount of image signal. An image display apparatus of the invention comprises an image reception unit that receives an image signal; a gray-level correction unit that corrects image signals each corresponding to sub-frames consisting of a plurality of pixel groups split from the received mage signal, using respective grayscale characteristics different from sub-frame to sub-frame; and an image display unit that displays the frame image by successively displaying the sub-frame images each having been gray-level-corrected.

Abstract: A Optical Black Pixel (OBP) cancellation circuit corrects offsets in sensors in a CCD/CMOS image sensor when reading dark pixels such at the periphery. A pixel voltage is switched to a sampling capacitor during two phases of the same pixel pulse. Sampling capacitors and feedback capacitors connect to differential inputs of an amplifier. An accumulating capacitor accumulates voltage differences and generates a common-mode voltage that is fed back to another sampling capacitor that stores an amplifier offset. The sampling capacitor and accumulating capacitor and their associated switches form a discrete-time first-order low-pass filter that filters the pixel voltage during the first phase. In the second phase the amplifier acts as a unity-gain amplifier to output an average of the pixel voltage differences generated during an OBP time when blackened or covered pixels are read from the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention is an image pickup apparatus provided with a pixel section in which pixels each including a photoelectric conversion section and a signal storage section that temporarily stores a signal charge of the photoelectric conversion section are two-dimensionally arrayed, that resets the signal storage sections before exposing a still image and reads reset data used to remove reset noise of a still image, configured to divide the pixel section into a plurality of pixel groups and sequentially reset the signal storage sections of the respective pixel groups by a transistor, sequentially read reset signals by a selection transistor and cause the selection transistor to read one or more times an LV signal charge generated by exposure of a predetermined pixel group within a time segment during which the signal storage sections are sequentially reset before the signal storage sections of the predetermined pixel group are reset.

Abstract: A histogram stretching apparatus and a histogram stretching method are disclosed to enhance image contrast by stretching a histogram of an input image within a range of a preset maximum expansion level and a preset minimum expansion level. The histogram stretching apparatus performs proper stretching suitable for a characteristic of the input image in due consideration of a saturation portion and a distribution range of a histogram of the input image. The histogram stretching apparatus can improve stretching effects by removing the saturated portion of the input image, and can prevent image distortion even for a monochromatic image. The histogram apparatus can improve histogram stretching effects by adjusting entire image levels of an image having a histogram frequency distribution skewed to a dark or bright side before a stretching operation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus in which a matrix of pixels converts light into electric charge. The pixels are disposed in an optically black area that receives no light so as to output optically black signals and in an effective pixel area that receives incident light. An analog amplifier applies predetermined gain to the electric charge read from the pixels in the effective pixel area. A vertical line detector calculates a correction value to remove vertical line-shaped fixed pattern noise. A vertical line corrector adds each of the correction values to the corresponding effective pixel signal to remove the vertical line-shaped fixed pattern noise; and a multiplier multiplies the corrected pixel signals by the digital gain so that the ouput pixel signal contains no vertical line-shaped fixed pattern noise caused by the digital gain.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus, comprising an image generating section that generates a converted image by performing a coordinate conversion on a captured image captured through an optical system, such that a spread of light from the optical system has a shape that is spatially substantially uniform; a correcting section that corrects the converted image based on the spread of the light modified by the image generating section to have the shape that is substantially uniform; and an inverse converting section that performs an inverse conversion of the coordinate conversion on the converted image corrected by the correcting section.

Abstract: In one aspect, lines in image data of an event are automatically found and repaired. For example, the event may be a sporting event which is played on a field, and the line segment is a field line on the field which may be obscured by a player, game ball or other object. The line segment is automatically detected in a mask image, and a portion of the line segment which is occluded by the object is automatically determined, and the object is automatically removed. The line segment can also be repaired. Optionally, a virtual viewpoint of the event is provided from the image, with the line repaired and the object removed. In another aspect, an object in an image of an event is automatically located by detecting blobs in the image which meet at least one specified criterion, such as size, aspect ratio, density or color profile.

Abstract: The ratio between an image A and an image B is calculated as the comparison result of the images A and B obtained from a pair of optical images. The variance is then calculated in order to evaluate the statistical fluctuation of the ratio obtained for each pixel. The fluctuation due to the variance is evaluated for each phase difference while the phase between the image A and the image B is shifted. The phase difference detection is performed on the basis of the evaluation result of the fluctuation.

Abstract: Foreign substance information including information on a position and size of a foreign substance in an imaging unit is acquired. When correcting a shadow of the foreign substance of the moving image data using the acquired foreign substance information and playing back the corrected moving image data, a selection is made whether to perform processing for correcting the shadow of the foreign substance of a frame based on the data size of the frame of the moving image data to be played back.

Abstract: In the imaging apparatus, an image signal derived from an imaging element is supplied to color signal producing means so as to be separated into a R(red) color signal, a G(green) color signal and a B(blue) color signal. These R, G, B signals are supplied to color-depending frequency component changing means. While predetermined information has been stored in a memory with respect to each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and the predetermined information is used in order to change a signal level of a high frequency component every R, G, B signals, the color-depending frequency component changing means extracts a high frequency component from each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and then, corrects frequency components of these extracted high frequency components in such a manner that the corrected frequency characteristics may constitute relevant signals.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, a computer readable medium and the like in which a dither effect in a neighborhood of a highlight area can be obtained easily and certainly. For this purpose, an image processing apparatus includes an inputting unit which inputs a pixel signal group representing a field image, an averaging unit (21-2 and 21-3) which performs a processing having an averaging effect among the pixel signal group input by the inputting unit, and an irregularizing unit (21-4) which irregularizes mutually continuous signal-values at least near a saturated level among the pixel signal group after having been processed by the averaging unit, into discontinuous signal-values.