Abstract: Red-eye correction on a region of a digital image includes adjusting luminance of the region by generating a statistical measure of the luminance in the region, and computing an adjusted luminance based on the statistical measure according to a viewing condition.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an initialization module, an optical black detection module, a calculation module, an image capturing module, a gain-value acquiring module, a gain adjusting module, and a pixel value adjusting module. The calculation module is configured for calculating the gain-coefficient. The image capturing module is configured for capturing an image of an object and acquiring the pixel value of each pixel of the image. The gain-value acquiring module is configured for acquiring a gain value according to the pixel values of the image. The gain adjusting module is configured for multiplying the gain value by the gain-coefficient to obtain an adjusted-gain value. The pixel value adjusting module is configured for multiplying the pixel values by the adjusted-gain value to adjust the pixel values.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a Black Level Correction (BLC) processing operation on image data signal pixel values that results in little to no nonlinearity in the dark areas of the image due to black noise clipping, and avoids reducing image quality or adding cost, are provided. Image data signal pixel values are caused to maintain black level while being operated on by image data signal processor circuits that precede a Noise Reduction (NR) processing operation, thus allowing the BLC processing operation to be executed after the NR processing operation. With black noise mostly removed, little to no nonlinearity in the dark areas of the image due to black noise clipping results from the BLC processing operation.

Abstract: A photographing unit photographs an object “n” times respectively with exposure times T1(1) to T1(n) to generate “n” sheets of images of the same object per an exposure time T1, where “n” is a whole number and the exposure times T1(1) to T1(n) are obtained by dividing the exposure time T1 by the whole number of “n”, a displacement correcting unit (32a, 32b) calculates a correction value for correcting displacement of the images, and a limb-darkening compensating unit (32d) corrects a position of a limb-darkening characteristic component of each of the images, using the correction value. Meanwhile, the limb-darkening characteristic components of the images whose positions have been corrected are combined to generate a limb-darkening characteristic component for compensation. Limb darkening in a combined image is compensated for, using the limb-darkening characteristic component for compensation, whereby a time required for performing a limb-darkening compensating process is decreased.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging area having, in a vertical direction, a plurality of lines having a plurality of pixels in a horizontal direction, wherein each of the plurality of lines includes an light-shielded area and an effective pixel area that is not light-shielded, a first correction unit configured to correct a shading component in the vertical direction that is included in an image signal from the effective pixel area of the plurality of lines, according to a first correction signal from the light-shielded area of the plurality of lines, and a second correction unit configured to correct the image signal output from the first correction unit according to a second correction signal obtained by multiplying the first correction signal, which is in the same line as the image signal, by a coefficient for decreasing a signal level of the first correction signal.

Abstract: An image acquiring apparatus and an image processing method thereof. First, the apparatus acquires an image including at least one pixel corresponding to image data. A location of the at least one pixel of the image is represented by an actual coordinate. Next, the apparatus proceeds the stray processing according to the actual coordinate and generates a virtual compensation parameter. Then, the apparatus adjusts the image data into adjusted image data according to the virtual compensation parameter. Finally, the apparatus displays the image according to the adjusted image data.

Abstract: Surface generation and positional gain adjustment techniques for an imager are described. Embodiments of the techniques use zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The correction factors comprise coefficients that are different for each color channel and in some instances different for each corner of each color channel.

Abstract: A signal processor formed on a single semiconductor chip having an A/D conversion unit for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, includes an operation unit for performing a calculation based on a plurality of digital signals converted by the A/D conversion unit, and a selection unit for selecting one of the digital signals converted by the A/D conversion unit and a result calculated by the operation unit and externally outputting the selection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal processing apparatus and a method, a recording medium, and a program, in which portions except an edge can be smoothed while the edge whose change in pixel value is steep is held correctly. A pixel of attention is determined in step S11, and a neighboring pixel is determined in step S12. In step S13, a difference in pixel values between the pixel of attention and each neighboring pixel is calculated. In step S14, according to a relationship in size between the difference and a threshold value ?., flags are raised for the neighboring pixel and a neighboring pixel which are symmetrical. Furthermore, a flag is also raised for a neighboring pixel away from, in view of the pixel of attention, the symmetrical neighboring pixel for which the flag is raised. In step S15, 7-pixel taps centered around the pixel of attention are averaged by weight.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit (11) performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit (12) combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit (13).

Abstract: Surface generation and positional gain adjustment techniques for an imager are described. Embodiments of the techniques use zones having flexible boundaries which can be reconfigured depending upon the type of lens being used in a given application. Each pixel within each zone is multiplied by a correction factor dependent upon the particular zone while the pixel is being read out from the array. The correction factors comprise coefficients that are different for each color channel and in some instances different for each corner of each color channel.

Abstract: An exemplary shading detecting method for a camera module is provided. In the method, a plurality of brightness values are measured from a plurality of predetermined regions of a stable rectangular image generated by the camera module. A plurality of brightness differences, each based on a comparison between a respective two of the brightness values, chosen from among the brightness values measured, are calculated. Each brightness difference is judged as to whether it exceeds a corresponding predetermined threshold. If at least one brightness difference is judged to exceed the corresponding threshold, the camera module is a rejected. A corresponding shading detecting apparatus, for facilitating the shading detecting method, is also provided.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is disclosed which can provide a high-quality image by specifying an image corresponding to an image resulting from non-image forming light in image information obtained by taking an image of an object having a high brightness and conducting image processing to make the image difficult to recognize visually. The image processing apparatus processes image information which includes a first image component which was responsive to an image-forming light and a second image component which was responsive to a non-image forming light. The image processing apparatus has an image acquiring section which acquires the image information and an edge processing section which conducts edge processing with respect to the image information to distinguish the second image component with respect to the first image component.

Abstract: A shading compensation device which compensates for shading which differs for respective colors. A pixel counter counts co-ordinate positions of image data which is supplied from a black level correction section. A relative position calculation section compares the image data with compensation value tables and calculates relative co-ordinate positions of pixels which are objects of processing. A compensation value interpolation section refers to the compensation value tables, which are stored for the respective colors in a compensation value table memory, and interpolates shading compensation values for the relative co-ordinate positions calculated by the relative position calculation section. A multiplier multiplies the image data which is the objects of processing with the new shading compensation values obtained by the interpolation processing. Thus, shading-compensated image data is generated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure is corrected by synthesizing a first image and a second image, is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises a detection section which detects an amount of displacement of the second image with respect to the first image which is a reference image, a coordinate conversion section which performs coordinate conversion to the second image so as to conform to the first image, and a synthesis section which synthesizes the second image having been subjected to the coordinate conversion with the first image.

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: According to one embodiment, a shading correction circuit, which corrects for the influence of ambient light quantity shading, for input image light from three CCD sensors of R, G and B, based on a distance from the center of a screen. A shading correction circuit does not make correction for a maximum correction area which is out of a circle with a distance a from the central part of a screen, and corrects for the influence of ambient light quantity shading for a minimum correction area with a distance b from the central part of a screen, after calculating a square L2 of an address distance of each pixel of a correction object obtained by using a vertical distance and a horizontal distance from an address of the central part of a screen.

Abstract: The black level in raw image data captured from an image sensor does not always stay fixed at a constant level, but may change as a function of the analog gain and exposure time and may vary from one spatial location of the pixels to another. To carry out black-level correction on the raw image data, the black level of each of the color components is measured at one or more sampling locations. A look-up table is generated based on the measured black levels and a computation module is used to carry out black-level correction based on the information stored in the look-up table. The look up table may have information indicative of the analog gain level and the exposure time and the variations of black-levels in different spatial locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the correction of the brightness of a raw image generated by a sensor matrix, in which an intensity matching is carried out at picture elements defined by a line coordinate and a column coordinate and at least one intensity value. The intensity matching comprises the application to the intensity values of the picture elements to be corrected of two intensity corrections independent of one another, in dependence on the line coordinate, on the one hand, and in dependence on the column coordinate, on the other hand. The invention furthermore relates to an optoelectronic sensor comprising a correction device. This correction device is matched to carry out the initially described intensity matching.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining shading correction coefficients of an imaging device. An inversion surface is determined based on an image captured by the imaging device. The inversion surface is approximated using the captured image and eigenvectors associated with singular values of the inversion surface, to form multiple reconstruction weights. A polynomial fit is applied to: i) the multiple reconstruction weights to determine a first set of polynomial coefficients and ii) the eigenvectors to determine a second set of polynomial coefficients. The first and second sets of polynomial coefficients are used to form the shading correction coefficients.

Abstract: An anti-eclipse circuit of an image pixel includes a pixel coupled to a pixel output line and a circuit for receiving and storing a pixel reset voltage from the pixel on the pixel output line and for using the stored pixel reset voltage as a parameter to control a reset voltage level on the output line in a manner which maintains the pixel reset voltage on the pixel output line above a predetermined minimum voltage.

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: A method for compensating black cores includes detecting whether an external illumination level of an image device is greater than a predetermined illumination value. The method includes detecting whether an intensity of a first portion of input pixels is greater than a first predetermined threshold, an intensity of a second portion of input pixels is smaller than the first predetermined threshold and greater than a second predetermined threshold and an intensity of a third portion of input pixels is smaller than the second predetermined threshold when detecting a plurality of input pixels of a scan line. The method includes correcting the intensity of the third portion of input pixels that is smaller than the second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup apparatus, a preliminary pickup circuit performs, during preliminary pickup, divided photometry on a photometry signal outputted from the primary cells of photo-sensors, determines an exposure condition in which photometry data in all divided blocks do not exceed the saturation maximum value of the primary cells, and calculates the individual photometry data tints under the above exposure condition. During actual pickup, a shading corrector included in an image processing circuit divides subsidiary image data in the same manner as during the divided photometry, calculates shading correction gains in accordance with the photometry data tints and those of the subsidiary image data, and interpolates the shading correction gains in accordance with the pixel for thereby executing color shading correction on the subsidiary image data.

Abstract: A method used for the compensation of vignetting in digital cameras has been achieved. The compensation for vignetting is done in two steps. The first step is done during production of the camera unit and involves taking and analyzing an image of a test screen, preferably a gray test screen. This results in a set of e.g. 5×5 coefficients describing a polynomial surface. The second step is done for each image that is taken by the camera and involves calculating and applying a gain-table based on polynomial coefficients to all pixels of the image to compensate vignetting.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device in which an overall output image can be prevented from being affected by an image signal of a mask area. According to the image pickup device, a prescribed area in a pickup image is masked to keep the masked area non-displayed in the output image, and the image signal of the mask area is removed from a detection target for image processing to prevent the image signal of the masked area from affecting the image processing on the overall image, whereby the image processing such as automatic exposure processing, automatic white balance processing, etc can be properly performed and the image quality of the output image can be enhanced.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an optical system having distortion aberration characteristics for expanding a central part and compressing a peripheral part of an image plane; an image sensor for photodetecting an optical image via the optical system, converting the optical image to image signals, and outputting the image signals; a correction coefficient output circuit for outputting a correction coefficient for correcting the image signal with respect to a defect pixel of the image sensor, wherein the correction coefficient is determined based on the distortion aberration characteristics and a position of a peripheral pixel around the defect pixel; and a correction value computing circuit for computing a correction value with respect to the image signal of the defect pixel, based on the image signal of the peripheral pixel and the correction coefficient.

Abstract: A shading correction circuit of the present invention includes an image pickup device having photo detectors arranged on its receptive surface, and a shading correction part for performing shading correction on an output signal of the image pickup device. The image pickup device has an effective pixel area and an upper optical black part. The shading correction part has a correction coefficient generating part and a correction processing part. The correction coefficient generating part thereof extracts shading variation according to an output of the upper optical black part, and generates a correction coefficient for the shading variation. The correction processing part thereof performs shading correction on an image signal by using the correction coefficient generated by the correction coefficient generating part.

Abstract: The invention provides an image taking apparatus for shortening image taking time and obtaining a high quality image by preventing deterioration of the S/N ratio. A digital camera that performs image taking for generating image signals by capturing, with a CCD, object light sent via an image taking optical system includes: a shading correction section performing shading correction by adjusting gain depending on respective positions on the CCD; a scene determination section determining that a scene just shot is to be corrected if the scene just shot includes a uniform region with a predetermined or more area and a predetermined or higher bright ness; and a shading correction control section causing, if the scene just shot is determined by the scene determination section to be a scene to be corrected, the shading correction section to perform shading correction on an image signal obtained by image taking just performed.

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: Regions of interest in video image capture for communication purposes are selected based on one or more inputs based on sound source localization, multi-person detection, and active speaker detection using audio and/or visual cues. Exposure and/or gain for the selected region are automatically enhanced for improved video quality focusing on people or inanimate objects of interest.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for correcting shading non-uniformity in camera systems. A method includes capturing at least two sets of flatfield images from at least two sets of camera modules under first and second illuminant, respectively. Pixels for each image in the sets of flatfield images are then averaged to form first and second averaged flatfield images, respectively. The first averaged flatfield image is transformed using the second averaged flatfield image to create a transform image. The transform image is then saved in memory for calibrating the shading non-uniformity of the camera module.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an zoom position acquiring section for acquiring a zoom position representing a lens position condition of the optical zoom mechanism on taking the inputted image, a zooming-direction decoding section for decompressing correction parameter associated with the zoom position, which is acquired by the zoom position acquiring section, according to a zoom compression parameter, into which a correction parameter for distortion correction corresponding to each lens position condition is compressed by utilizing zoom partitioning points at which lens position conditions of the optical zoom mechanism are sequentially partitioned into plural levels that are set between a wide-end and a tele-end and that include both ends, and an image correction section for correcting distortion of the inputted image according to the correction parameter decompressed by the zooming-direction decoding section.

Abstract: A method and system for programming, calibrating and driving a light emitting device display is provided. The system may include extracting a time dependent parameter of a pixel for calibration.

Abstract: An abnormality detecting apparatus for an imaging apparatus that detects a presence of abnormalities in imaging apparatuses mounted on a vehicle to capture vehicle surroundings, which includes: a luminance variance value calculating device that calculates a luminance variance value of each image from the imaging apparatuses using the luminance value of each image from the imaging apparatuses obtained by the imaging apparatuses; and an abnormality detecting device that detects the presence of abnormalities in any of the imaging apparatuses in accordance with the luminance variance values calculated by the luminance variance value calculating device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention provide for systems and methods for correcting shading effects in image sensors. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the current invention provide methods and systems for dynamically correcting shading effects for digitally converted outputs from individual pixels on a pixel array in the image sensor, wherein the shading correction may be calculated according to a function of an elliptical-type equation from the radial location of the pixel on the pixel array. In embodiments of the present invention, the correction is performed at the Bayer domain before demosaicing processing to provide for accuracy of shading correction and low power consumption.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for processing sequences of video images involve receiving, on a computer, data corresponding to a sequence of video images detected by an image sensor. The received data is processed using a graphics processor to adjust one or more visual characteristics of the video images corresponding to the received data. The received data can include video data defining pixel values and ancillary data relating to settings on the image sensor. The video data can be processed in accordance with ancillary data to adjust the visual characteristics, which can include filtering the images, blending images, and/or other processing operations.

Abstract: The present invention corrects the insufficient peripheral light amount due to the lens shading and correcting the non-uniformity of light amount at the periphery due to a distortion resulting from a precision of the lens or a poor mounting precision of the lens. A peripheral light amount correction circuit is structured by an image synchronization signal generation circuit, a coordinate conversion circuit and a luminance value correction computing circuit. An integrated value of luminance values is calculated at the coordinate conversion circuit to extract light amount information. Coordinate values to be input to the luminance value correction computing circuit are generated based on an integrated/averaged value of the light amount information. In the luminance value correction computing circuit, peripheral light amount correction functions are converted based on the input coordinate values from the coordinate conversion circuit to perform appropriate correction on the input image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic camera having self-detection function of foreign materials and a control program thereof. The electronic camera includes: an image sensor having an image pickup plane on an image plane of an optical system; a formation changing section changing a state of image formation of the optical system on the image pickup plane; and a control section driving and controlling the image sensor and formation changing section. The control section drives the formation changing section to set a plurality of states of image formation different from each other, and it drives the image sensor to obtain a plurality of images in each of the states and compares the plurality of images to find a part of the image which has not varied with a change in the state of image formation, and determines the found part as image of a foreign material.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image includes applying an auto-level transformation to an original image to form a first image, applying an auto-contrast transformation to the original image to form a second image, and applying an auto-brightness transformation to the original image to form a third image. The method further includes applying a color cast correction to the first, the second, and the third images to generate a first group of images, applying a gamma correction to the first group of images to generate a second group of images, applying a sharpening correction to the second group of images to generate a third group of images, and presenting the third group of images to a user to select a final result.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an initialization module, an optical black detection module, a calculation module, an image capturing module, a gain-value acquiring module, a gain adjusting module, and a pixel value adjusting module. The calculation module is configured for calculating the gain-coefficient. The image capturing module is configured for capturing an image of an object and acquiring the pixel value of each pixel of the image. The gain-value acquiring module is configured for acquiring a gain value according to the pixel values of the image. The gain adjusting module is configured for multiplying the gain value by the gain-coefficient to obtain an adjusted-gain value. The pixel value adjusting module is configured for multiplying the pixel values by the adjusted-gain value to adjust the pixel values.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for correcting image data for a captured image for lens shading artifacts is provided. The method comprises determining a plurality of one dimensional correction curves that can be applied to the image data to correct for lens shading artifacts therein; and correcting the image data for lens shading artifacts based on the one dimensional curves.

Abstract: An image display system has a capsule endoscope for capturing an in-vivo image of a subject, a receiving device for receiving the in-vivo image from the capsule endoscope, and an image display apparatus for displaying a group of in-vivo images of the subject. The capsule endoscope has an imaging unit having a black region which optical rays do not reach in an effective pixel region contributing to image capture. By the imaging unit, an in-vivo image including the signal level of the black region is detected. The receiving device receives an image signal of the in-vivo image. The image display apparatus obtains an in-vivo image group from the receiving device. The image display apparatus does not display an in-vivo image in the in-vivo image group determined as an image influenced by fluctuations in the power source voltage but displays a stable in-vivo image which is not influenced by fluctuations in the power source voltage.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has an image sensing element for photoelectric conversion, a shutter for selectively creating a light-shielded state and non-light-shielded state for the image sensing element, a bright signal storage unit for storing a bright signal output from the image sensing element in the non-light-shielded state, a dark signal storage unit for storing a dark signal output from the image sensing element in the light-shielded state, an operation unit for subtracting the dark signal from the bright signal to obtain a signal with suppressed dark noise, and a control unit for controlling read of bright and dark signals from the image sensing element in accordance with the relationship between the exposure time of the image sensing element and the photographing time interval.

Abstract: A graduated processing method of digital image is adapted to a digital camera for immediately adjusting brightness in different regions of a shot digital image. The processing method includes the following steps. An image capturing device determines an image boundary of a digital image according to an image difference condition in the digital image. Then, a graduated layer is used in the digital image along a vertical direction of the image boundary, and a brightness difference in different regions of the digital image is adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, apparatus, imaging module and program for improving image quality in a digital image. The digital image according to the invention is captured with an imaging module including an imaging optics (101) and an image sensor (102), where the image is formed through the imaging optics (101) onto the light sensitive image sensor (102). According to embodiments of the present invention vignetting effect of the digital image captured with the imaging module (101, 102) is determined and compensated separately for at least two of the primary color components of the imaging module (101, 102).

Abstract: From horizontal and vertical coordinate values HC and VC of a pixel, a distance operation unit calculates a distance value RV indicating the distance from an optical-axis position to the pixel. A correction-data operation unit receives the distance value RV, and calculates correction data CD for the pixel by referring to an approximation function indicating relation between distance values and correction data. The approximation function is divided into a plurality of segments, and in each segment represented by a quadratic function defined by a predetermined number of sample points.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes photo-sensors arranged in the directions of row and column and each corresponding to a particular pixel included in an imaging frame. Each photo-sensor is made up of a higher- and a lower-sensitivity photosensitive cell for photoelectrically transducing incident light to electric signal charges. A corrector executes shading correction on an image signal derived from the higher-sensitivity photosensitive cell in accordance with the shading characteristic of the higher sensitivity photosensitive cell, and on an image signal derived from the lower-sensitivity photosensitive cell in accordance with the shading characteristic of the lower-sensitivity photosensitive cell.

Abstract: The invention concers a method for preparing a synthetic image of a scene from a camera, said scene comprising a plurality of objects defined by elementary meshes stored in a database, said method including: (a) a step of defining, via a central processing unit, a plurality of rays exiting from said camera towards said observed scene; (b) a step of processing said plurality of rays including: a sub-step (b4) of assembling the rays into beams; (c) a step of propagating said beams including: (d) a first step of determining, for each of said propagated beams, a subset of all the meshing elements which are intersected by said propagated beam; then (C2) a second step of calculating, via a graphics processing unit and for each of said propagated beams, intersections between the meshing elements of said subset and the rays of the propagated beams; (d) a step of generating said image of the scene following the propagating step.

Abstract: A method of correcting distortions in digital images captured by a digital camera system includes capturing a visual image with a digital camera having a camera body, converting the visual image to a digital format to form a captured digital image, determining camera angle position data by measuring relative lengths of a plurality of beams passing between the camera body and an object to be photographed, and removing distortions associated with camera angle position based on the camera angle position data to form a corrected digital image. The method further includes storing permanently both the captured digital image and the corrected digital image in a single memory, and storing the camera angle position data as a picture file header associated with the captured digital image. The camera angle position data is selectively employed to form the corrected digital image and to enable removal of corrections from a corrected digital image.