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 digital camera having a camera-shake compensation mechanism and a luminance compensation processor is provided. The camera-shake compensation mechanism compensates for a camera-shake by adjusting a relative relation between positions of an optical axis of a photographing optical system and a center of an image of an imaging device. The luminance compensation processor compensates for luminance information of pixels of the imaging device, which are outside an image circle of the photographing optical system during a camera-shake compensation operation performed by the camera-shake compensation mechanism.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminated color-dependent vignetting in a digital camera includes: providing a raw array of data corresponding to an image of a scene for each color that the camera can image; and adjusting the raw arrays such that the array for each color exhibits substantially the same amount of vignetting.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided in which a picked-up image having no light-amount unevenness with respect to an arbitrary shutter speed is obtained in the case where the center of the brightness is deviated in accordance with the shutter speed. The imaging apparatus includes a shading correction center-position correction-function unit 11 which changes the center position of the shading correction by a shading correction unit 6 in accordance with the shutter speed of a mechanical shutter 2? that switches the exposure timing of the imaging by a CCD 3 or in accordance with the zoom position of a lens.

Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera includes a lens unit, a storage medium and a camera body. The lens unit has a photographing lens and an identification data memory for storing identification data to identify the photographing lens. The storage medium stores lens data that indicates shading characteristics of the photographing lens. The lens unit and the storage medium are detachably attached to the camera body. The camera body has an imaging device, a lens data reader, and an image corrector. The imaging device receives light transmitted through the photographing lens to generate an image corresponding to a subject. The lens data reader reads the lens data based on the identification data. An image corrector corrects an error in the image of the subject caused by shading, based on the lens data read by the lens data reader and imaging device data that indicates shading characteristics of the imaging device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for correcting red eye phenomenon in photographic image data.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a pixel correction function for compensating for vignetting in an optical device include exposing an optical device to a reference object in order to generate pixel data of at least part of an image of the reference object. A pixel correction function is provided including a first number of unknown constant values. Pixel data of a second number of sample points is provided from the pixel data of the at least part of the image. The second number is equal to the first number or the first number plus one. The constant values are determined using the pixel data of the second number of sample points. The method allows a pixel correction function to be calibrated with a small number of sample points, thereby simplifying calibration processes for individual optical devices, and thus reducing the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An image processing device for the detection and suppression of shadows in a camera image of a surveilled scene, the camera image optionally showing static objects with static shadow regions and moving objects with dynamic shadow regions, includes a long-term module, which is designed to generate a long-term reference image of the surveilled scene by evaluating a long-term observation of a particular scene, a mid-term module, which is designed to generate a mid-term reference image of the surveilled scene by evaluating a mid-term observation of the particular scene, and a shadow detection module, which is designed to process camera image—using information technology—with long-term reference image and mid-term reference image, in order to detect and suppress shadows.

Abstract: A method and digital camera module is provided for taking a digital picture of an image. The digital camera module includes a plurality of light sensitive pixel elements, a first memory buffer, a second memory buffer and a controller. The controller is coupled to the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements and the first and second memory buffers and records a first plurality of pixel values representing an image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a first predetermined manner and stores the first plurality of pixel values in the first buffer. The controller then records a second plurality of pixel values representing the image by activating the plurality of light sensitive pixel elements in a second predetermined manner and stores the second plurality of pixel values in the second buffer. The controller further processes the first and second plurality of pixel values in a compressed domain to generate a third plurality of pixel values representative of the image.

Abstract: Imaging devices, such as digital cameras, scanners, displays and projectors, and related processing methods that implement calibration and post-capture image processing that quickly and accurately corrects image quality resulting from lens and CCD imperfections using a minimum amount of computation and memory storage space.

Abstract: A gamma correction device performs gamma correction on an input signal from an image capturing element based on at least one correction curve having a predetermined input-output characteristic in an image capturing apparatus. The correction curve is composed of a logarithmic curve whose slope at the origin is 5.0 or less or a composite of a curve segment lying from the origin to a predetermined level of an input signal complying with the ITU-709 standard and a logarithmic curve segment lying above the predetermined level of the input signal, wherein both curve segments are continuously combined and have the same slope at the predetermined level.

Abstract: A signal processing unit or an electronic camera according to the present invention performs signal processing on an output signal from an image pickup part in the order of horizontal shading correction and OB clamp. In the horizontal shading correction, shading correction is also pre-performed on a lateral OB signal serving as a standard of the OB clamp. The OB clamp is performed using the shading-corrected lateral OB signal as a standard, whereby a noise generated due to shading correction can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, an imaging device has a black level reference generator for generating a reference value of a black level by calculating an average value of the accumulated pixel values for which the maximum values and/or minimum values has been replaced by the compensational pixel values, and an output compensator for compensating an output from the light sensitive pixels with the reference value of the black level.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging circuit is formed by including an imaging unit and an image processing unit. The imaging unit is formed by including a pixel array in which plural pixel circuits performing a photoelectric conversion of an optical image image-formed by a photographic optical system are arranged. The image processing unit performs a first shading correction using plural first correction factors having extreme-value positions at positions different from a position corresponding to an optical axis of the photographic optical system, for a two-dimensional image obtained by the imaging unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a lens shading compensation apparatus and a lens shading compensation method in an image sensor that compensate the difference in signal amplitude according to the position of pixels to preserve the quality of a primitive image. The lens shading compensation apparatus includes a pixel value analyzing part, an auto exposure value setting part, a central pixel detecting part, a table generating part, a pixel location calculating part, a mask image generating part and a compensation part. The above apparatus and method perform a color interpolation individually for red, green and blue, and then compensate a lens shading image for each color in accordance with its characteristics. Also the above apparatus and method can analyze and compensate a lens shading phenomenon without considering other colors or being interrupted by other colors.

Abstract: A method used for the compensation of vignetting in digital cameras has been achieved. The compensation for vignetting is performed by multiplying pixel output of the sensor array with a correction factor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention all pixels are multiplied with an adequate correction factor. Alternatively pixels, being close to the center of the sensor array, can be left unchanged. Said correction factor can be calculated in a very fast and efficient way by using two constant factors describing the specific geometry of the lens/sensor array system and by multiplying a first of said factors with the square of the distance between a pixel and the center of the sensor array and by multiplying a second of said factors with the distance between a pixel and the center of the sensor array to the power of four. The result of the second multiplication is subtracted from the result of the first multiplication and this result is added to one to get the final correction factor.

Abstract: A technique for modifying data of an image, such as can be implemented in a still camera or video recorder in order to correct for defects in its optical and/or electronic systems, includes generating data to modify the image as a function of radial position across it. A variation of the intensity across an image (lens shading) that appears in data from a two-dimensional detector is an example of an application of the technique. In order to make modifications to the data, positions of a two-dimensional raster scan pattern of an image sensor are converted to radial positions and this is then used to generate the modification data. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: A black level correcting device includes: an A/D converting section converting a result of subtracting a feedback signal from an input pixel signal into a pixel value to be output; and a feedback controlling section generating the feedback signal and having a holding section, a feedback gain adjusting section, etc. The holding section clamps a maintaining level to the level of the feedback signal while pixel signals of OB pixels are output, and maintains and outputs the maintaining level while pixel signals of valid pixels are output. The feedback gain adjusting section multiplies the feedback signal by clamp accelerating gain in synchronization with starting readout of the pixel signals from the OB pixels. Accordingly, clamp time of the holding section is shortened, enabling stabilization of the maintaining level at a convergence level before starting readout of the pixel signals from the valid pixels. Consequently, a sag can be reduced.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to quickly complete white balance calculation in photographing. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing element in which a line on which first and second color filters are arranged and a line on which first and third color filters are arranged are alternately arrayed on pixels, an image sensing controller which forms an image of one frame by n fields (n is an odd number), and reads out pixel data of the image sensing element so as to contain all color components in each 1-field period, a white balance calculation device which performs process on the basis of image data read out from the image sensing element by the image sensing controller, and starts the process before read of one frame from the image sensing element is completed by the image sensing controller.

Abstract: A screen correction method and image pick-up device suitable for use in, for example, digital cameras. Horizontal and vertical signals from a signal generator (SG) are supplied to a semiconductor image pick-up device (CCD) via a timing generator (TG). Horizontal and vertical counter values from the signal generator are supplied to a distance calculation block, and the distance from optical axis center position information, provided from terminals 5X, 5Y, is calculated. This calculated distance value d is supplied to a converter (conv), and a distance value, converted according to information from the terminal on the number of pixels of the semiconductor image pick-up device, is supplied to a lookup table (LUT), to output the correction coefficients according to the distance from, for example, the optical axis center position.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an input section, an adjusting section, and a correcting section. The input section acquires image data and information about subject condition at the time of photographing the image data. The adjusting section determines a brightness enhancement amount of dark area gradation of the image data, depending on the subject condition at the time of photographing. The correcting section performs image correction of brightness enhancement on the dark area gradation of the image data according to the brightness enhancement amount determined by the adjusting section.

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: A brightness level detector detects a brightness level of the digital imaging signal for each of the plurality of pixels. A shading detector sets a group of pixel regions distant from each other in a horizontal direction in the imaging element and then detects whether or not shadings are generated in the analog imaging signal based on a difference between the brightness levels of the group of pixel regions. A timing adjuster adjusts a phase of a peak sample pulse for detecting a peak level of the analog imaging signal, a phase of a reference sample pulse for detecting a signal level used as a reference in the correlated double sampling executed when the digital imaging signal is generated and a phase of a horizontal transfer pulse in the imaging element based on outputs of the brightness level detector and the shading detector.

Abstract: An image processing method to reduce streaking on a printed sheet uses a negative feedback system to reduce streaking. The method scans a printed sheet to produce image data. The method further measures gray-levels of the image data and computes a compensation vector from the measured gray-levels as the difference between a nominal tonal-resproduction-curve and local tonal-reproduction-curves. The compensation vector is applied the image data to be printed. The compensation vector emphasizes ranges of frequencies sensitive of the human eye.

Abstract: A technique for modifying data of an image, such as can be implemented in a still camera or video recorder in order to correct for defects in its optical and/or electronic systems, includes generating data to modify the image as a function of radial position across it. A variation of the intensity across an image (lens shading) that appears in data from a two-dimensional detector is an example of an application of the technique. In order to make modifications to the data, positions of a two-dimensional raster scan pattern of an image sensor are converted to radial positions and this is then used to generate the modification data. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detect and correct for over-saturation lighting conditions in a CMOS Image Sensor.

Abstract: A digital camera system includes a camera body; a lens mounted to the camera body, and an image processor operatively coupled to the lens. The image processor converts a visual image passing into the lens to a digital format to form a captured digital image. The digital camera system also includes an angle sensor mounted in the camera body. The angle sensor, in the form of a multi-spot focus angle sensor, determines a camera angle position and outputs camera angle position data. A distortion processor operatively coupled to the digital camera receives the camera angle position data obtained from the sensor and the captured digital image from the image processor to selectively remove distortions associated with the camera angle position to form a corrected digital 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 image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: Rather than storing a table within a digital camera or other optical device of defective pixels within its image sensor, defective pixels are dynamically identified by comparing the output values of individual pixels under test with those of neighboring pixels. If the neighbors are all above or below the pixel under test by a defined threshold amount, the output of the pixel under test is replaced with a value calculated from the outputs of neighboring pixels.

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 Image image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. Image data from individual pixels are corrected on the fly by interpolating individual pixel corrections from the stored modification data, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the correction takes place without slowing down data transfer of picture data from the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, which calculates the histogram of an image on the basis of moving image information that is input in real time, and corrects and outputs the brightness of the image using the histogram in real time. The apparatus for controlling the brightness of moving image signals according to the present invention includes a cumulative difference function detection means, an image storage means and a brightness adjustment means. The cumulative difference function detection means calculates a cumulative difference function using upper n bits of each input image. The image storage means stores therein the input image. The brightness adjustment means adjusts the brightness of the image in real time using the cumulative difference function calculated by the cumulative difference function detection means when the input image stored in the image storage means is displayed.

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: The present invention relates to a method for determining the reference image of an image sensor comprising a matrix of detector pixels. The method comprises the acquisition of a black image IN and two images I1 and I2 acquired in linear detection zones of the sensor. The reference image is written: IR1=(Rm* I1?I2)/(Rm?1) with I R ? ? 1 = ( R m × I 1 - I 2 ) / ( R m - 1 ) ? with ? ? Rm = 1 N ? ? i , j ? I 2 ? ( i , j ) - I N ? ( i , j ) I 1 ? ( i , j ) - I N ? ( i , j ) , wherein IK (i,j) represents the value of the pixel of the image IK detected by the pixel detector situated at the intersection of the row i and the column j of the detector pixel matrix, and N represents the total number of pixels in the matrix.

Abstract: A lens correction is applied to image data by first converting the image data to a YUV color space, if the image data is not already in the YUV color space. Image processing procedures are applied to the image data in the YUV color space to form image processed YUV data. A corresponding correction value is then applied to each component, i.e., Y, U and V component, of the image processed YUV data.

Abstract: An image scanning device and a shading compensation method include reading out a second region of a reference white sheet spaced by a predetermined distance from a white roller prior to reading out a to-be-scanned document to generate a reference shading compensation value; comparing the generated reference shading compensation value and a stored initial sheet shading compensation value for the second region to calculate a final shading compensation value of a first region of the white roller; and compensating for image data of the read document according to the calculated final shading compensation value. Accordingly, the present invention generates a shading profile and compensates for shading distortions according to characteristic changes of an image readout unit, such as a CIS, thereby enabling more precise image data to be obtained.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a light source discrimination device which discriminates a light source in a photographing environment; and a shading correction device which makes shading correction according to the light source discriminated by the light source discrimination device for an image photographed under the light source in the photographing environment. According to the image taking apparatus of the present invention, the shading correction is made according to the light source in the photographing environment, whereby the excellent image quality can be maintained by appropriately making shading correction even if the light source is changed.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a computer system platform the ability to create image content is provided. Captured image data of an original image is received and information corresponding to colorimetric points is measured. Automatic determinations are made as to whether information of additional colorimetric points need to be measured to reproduce an accurate color representation of the original image. In response, the computer system platform can identify portions of a displayed image where information of colorimetric points needs to be measured. In addition, the system can automatically measure information of the additional colorimetric points needed. An image and color gamut representation are displayed allowing a user to manipulate measured information of colorimetric points and change the view of the color gamut representation, thereby allowing a user to create an accurate color representation of the original image.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus which is capable of detecting foreign substances with ease and reliability regardless of a shooting condition. A foreign substance in the camera main body 101 is detected. The camera CPU 409 provides control such that a foreign substance detecting process is started when the power switch is turned on.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus including a clamp pulse generation circuit for generating a clamp pulse in synchronization with an image signal, a clamp circuit for clamping a signal of a black reference value in response to the clamp pulse, and a defect detection circuit for detecting a defective pixel included in an optical black area, wherein the clamp pulse generation circuit cancels a rise of the clamp pulse when a position of the defective pixel detected by the defect detecting circuit and a position of a rise state of the clamp pulse overlap with each other.

Abstract: A distance calculation method and an imaging device that can be applied to a digital camera. The method includes calculating a distance between a point corresponding to an optical axis of a lens sub-system of the imaging device and an input point, and using the calculated distance to correct defects such as shading that occur in formed images due to peripheral light fall-off in the lens sub-system. The distance is approximated by a polygon having five or more sides, preferably having 8 or 16 sides. The distance is calculated by a disclosed function having constant coefficients, so that distances can be calculated by simple hardware.

Abstract: A method of automatically correcting dust artifact regions within images acquired by a digital image acquisition system including a digital camera with a lens assembly includes determining probabilities that certain pixels within multiple digitally-acquired images correspond to one or more dust artifact regions. A statistical dust map is formed including mapped dust artifact regions based on the dust artifact determining. The mapped dust artifact regions are separated into aura regions partially obscured by dust and shadow regions substantially obscured by dust inside the aura regions. Digital data are corrected corresponding to pixels within one or more digitally-acquired images including dust artifact regions separated into aura regions and shadow regions correlated with mapped aura and shadow regions of the statistical dust map.

Abstract: A method of processing image data comprises obtaining a set of weighting coefficients to be used in calculating replacement pixel values associated with defective sensing elements of a detector array, the set of weighting coefficients including at least one negative weighting coefficient, obtaining information identifying one or more defective sensing elements of the detector array, receiving image data from the detector array, calculating a weighted average of pixel values from sensing elements adjacent to a first defective sensing element of the detector array using at least some of the weighting coefficients, and assigning the weighted average to be a replacement pixel value for the first defective sensing element. An apparatus for processing image data according to the method is also described.

Abstract: In image input devices such as digital still cameras, processing is speeded up and power consumption is reduced by arranging in a RPU (23) performing real time processing of a pixel data from a CCD (21), such that only special exceptional image processing not being prepared previously is subjected to a software program processing in a CPU (24) and, in post processing in which a general image processing is carried out, a pixel data temporarily stored in a main memory (29) is inputted again to the RPU (23) and then processed. This enables to sharply speed up processing, and minimize a prolonged processing in the CPU (24) to reduce power consumption, when compared to the case of executing by software problem processing.

Abstract: Reducing or eliminated color-dependent vignetting in a digital camera includes: providing, for each color that said camera can image, a raw array of data corresponding to a desired scene; and changing the raw arrays such that the array for each color exhibits substantially the same amount of vignetting so as to reduce color-dependent vignetting in a composite image based upon each of the changed arrays.

Abstract: An image processing device for emphasizing a specified luminance area of an image taken by an image sensor. The contrast between a bright portion and a dark portion of an image taken by the image sensor having a wide dynamic range of a logarithmic output characteristic can be increased by selectively emphasizing the image sensor output of any luminance area by using an output characteristic conversion table.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes a CCD which picks up an image of a subject, and a front end process or which corrects data for the picked-up image by a light quantity distribution correction table for correcting the data for the picked-up image based on a light quantity distribution when the image is photographed using a flash.

Abstract: A method of imaging and a system therefore are provided. The imaging system includes an image forming device for generating a first image and a second image and a controller coupled to the image forming device. The controller receives the first image and the second image. In the method the controller generates an image ratio of the first image and the second image, regularizes the image ratio of the second image with respect to the first image to form a regularized image ratio and filters the image ratio to form a filtered ratio. The controller then multiplies the second image by the filtered ratio to form an adjusted image.

Abstract: Images having been subjected to image processing optimal for each user or each output device are obtained. Correction function calculation means calculates correction functions for correcting image data sets for each user ID or for each device ID, and correction function storing means stores the calculated correction functions. When the image processing is carried out on the image data sets, the correction functions corresponding to the user ID or the device ID added to the image data sets are searched for and correction parameter calculation means calculates correction parameters based on the correction functions. The image processing is then carried out on the image data sets according to the correction parameters to generate corrected image data sets.

Abstract: A CCD photoelectrically converts image information obtained from optically reading an original image, line by line, and outputs an image signal. Several of the photoelectric sensors of a CCD of the CCD portion form an optical black portion. A black shading correcting portion corrects the image signal using a black reference level. The black reference level is obtained from the optical black portion of the CCD for each line during an operation of the reading of the original image. The black reference level used by said black shading correcting portion for each line is obtained using black reference values, each of the black reference values being data of the optical black portion for a respective one of a plurality of lines.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is disclosed, which can take high-quality images by using light transmitted through a beam splitter. The optical apparatus comprises a light-receiving element and a beam splitter. The first surface of the beam splitter reflects part of incident light and transmits the other part of the incident light toward the light-receiving element. The second surface transmits other incident light other than the incident light to the first surface toward the light-receiving element. The transmittance of the second surface is set so that a light amount distribution on the light-receiving element may be substantially even in a case where the light is incident to the first and second surfaces from an object having a substantially even luminance.