Abstract: The digital camera includes: a storage unit that stores a plurality of images captured by an image sensor when a multiple exposure photographic mode is set; a gain impartation unit that imparts, to the plurality of captured images, gains based upon the number of shots of multiple exposure photography and determined so that their sum equals unity; and a combination unit that creates a multiple exposure photographic image by combining the plurality of images, after the gains have been imparted by the gain impartation unit.

Abstract: An A/D converter 11 performs multiple-times sampling on a first signal S1 in a first period T1 while performing multiple-times sampling on a second signal S2 in a second period T2. An A/D converter circuit 17 provides a digital signal in response to a signal from an output 15b of a gain stage 15 in the second period T2. The digital signal may have a value “1” or a value “0”. The A/D converter circuit 17 includes a circuit 18 providing a signal SA/DM corresponding to the number of times the value “1” appears. A switch 24 operates in response to a clock signal ?s and is used to sample a signal from a pixel 2a. In a first capacitor circuit 27, a switch 29 and a capacitor 31 are connected to an inverting input 23a and a non-inverting output 23b, respectively. The switch 29 operates in response to a clock signal ?3 and is used for integration in the capacitor 31.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described for an image capture system that may include an image sensor, a flash for providing illumination, a data storage, and a processor operatively associated with the data storage. The processor may be adapted to execute computer implemented instructions to pre-store one or more image capture device characteristics in the data storage, acquire data in a pre-capture phase, model shadow effects based on either or both of the pre-stored data and the acquired data, modify one or more image capture device settings based on the modeled shadow effects, and record image data with the image sensor. Illumination may be provided substantially coincident with recording of the image data.

Abstract: According to the embodiment, a feedback clamp circuit is included, which increases or decreases a clamp parameter so that a black level approaches a target value while controlling a change amount of the clamp parameter, which sets the black level, based on the black level read out from OB pixels.

Abstract: A correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit is provided. The CDS circuit is configured to perform a CDS on a reset signal and an image signal during a CDS phase respectively. The CDS circuit includes a sampling circuit configured to output a difference between a correlated double sampled reset signal and a correlated double sampled image signal, and a feedback unit configured to feedback the difference output from the sampling circuit during a PGA phase to an input of the sampling circuit.

Abstract: An image processing method, applicable to a digital image device, includes the following steps. At least one original image of different brightness ranges is captured, and more images of different brightness ranges are generated from the original image by using an image post-processing technique. Based on characteristics of the image of each brightness range, the weights of the image of each brightness range are defined. Then, hierarchical fusion is performed on the images of the different brightness ranges according to weight relations, so as to form a high-dynamic-range image capable of presenting features of each brightness range.

Abstract: An image pickup device comprising visible color optimization under received near-infrared and infrared light conditions is disclosed. Color signals corresponding to light received through each of a plurality of color filters are processed to determine a near-infrared and infrared light energy contribution. The color signals are processed to optimize color of received images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image capturing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of photoelectric converter-containing pixels that are positioned horizontally and vertically and a gain circuit, has a gain controller that can control the gain of the gain circuit in N stages (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2). The gain circuit outputs each of a plurality of signals given by the product of the output signal from one of the plurality of pixels and the gain in each stage of the N stages.

Abstract: An overflow suppression technique that is effective for avoiding degradation in image quality is provided. A fundamental waveform and detail is extracted out of an input RGB signal. A suppression gain generation unit 614 generates a suppression gain from the extracted fundamental waveform. Multipliers 612a and 612b multiply the detail and the fundamental waveform by the generated suppression gain, respectively. Then, an adder 626 combines them together for a mixed output. Alternatively, equalization processing is performed as follows. A low frequency component fundamental waveform is obtained as a result of the passing of an input RGB signal through a low pass filter 622. A suppression gain is generated from the low frequency component fundamental waveform. Then, the input itself is multiplied by the suppression gain to obtain an output.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel.

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: An apparatus controls a backlight of a display panel of a camera system. The apparatus includes a sub-pixel extracting unit, an ambient light luminance calculating unit, and a backlight controller. The sub-pixel extracting unit extracts sub-pixel luminance values from image data, where the image data is indicative of a current image frame defined by a plurality of pixels, and where each of the pixels includes a plurality of sub-pixels. The ambient light luminance calculating unit calculates an ambient light luminance value of the current image frame from the sub-pixel luminance values extracted by the sub-pixel extracting unit. The backlight controller which generates a backlight control signal based on a comparison between the calculated ambient light luminance value of the current image frame and an ambient light luminance value of a previous image frame.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes: a signal-level detecting unit detecting a signal level of an input signal; a first signal-level converting unit including amplifiers, capturing the input signal and converting a signal level of the input signal; a switching unit switching an output of a converted level signal; a switching control unit selecting a specific amplifier and controlling the switching unit to select an output signal from the selected amplifier; a band-pass filter allowing only a predetermined frequency hand in the switched signal to pass; a second signal-level converting unit converting a signal level of an output signal from the amplifier into a predetermined signal level at which S/N of a mixer is maximized; the mixer mixing the converted signal passed through the band-pass filter, and an oscillation signal to generate an intermediate frequency signal; and a demodulating unit demodulating the intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging device, a drive control method, and a program configured to be capable of making sensitivity ratios constant and improving a S/N ratio. When a storage period of pixels (G pixels) with a green filter as a reference does not exceed a predetermined threshold value, an adjustment of the sensitivity ratio by gains by color is performed. When the storage period of the pixels with a green filter is larger than the predetermined threshold value, the storage periods of the pixels with a red filter (R pixels) and the pixels with a blue filter (B pixels) are calculated from the set sensitivity ratios, and if the calculated values do not exceed a maximum setting value, the adjustment of the sensitivity ratios by the storage periods by color is performed. In contrast, if the calculated storage period is larger than the maximum setting value, the adjustment of the sensitivity ratio is performed by combining the storage period by color and the gains by color.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tonal correction to images to obtain a more pleasing photographic image by redistributing low-key, mid-tone and high-key tones. Luminance is calculated by using formulas appropriate for the color space or directly inputted. Two color-difference components are computed for the original image. Luminance is subjected to a tonal correction function to obtain a tonal corrected luminance. Luminance gain is calculated and applied to the color-difference components to obtain two tonal corrected color-difference components. The tonal corrected luminance and two tonal corrected color-difference components can be directly output or used to calculate three color component signals for the desired color space.

Abstract: In the video signal processing device, the first color space converting section performs color space conversion on an input video signal, to generate a converted video signal configured of H, S and V signals. The first high-frequency separating section separates a high-frequency component from the luminance signal in the input video signal, to generate high-frequency luminance signals. The combining section performs a combining process based on the V signal or the S signal or both, and the high-frequency luminance signal, to generate a combined V signal or a combined S signal or both. The second color space converting section performs color space conversion on a video signal, configured of the H signal, the S signal or the combined S signal, and the V signal or the combined V signal, to generate an output video signal defined in RGB color space.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a gradation correction unit configured to perform gradation correction upon a subject image to be processed to generate a corrected image, the gradation correction including processing for lowering contrast in the subject image; a gradation information acquisition unit configured to acquire gradation information indicating relative balance of brightness in each portion of the subject image; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust brightness of the corrected image on a pixel basis based on the gradation information.

Abstract: The invention achieves a visual processing device that can execute precise contrast adjustment on image signals that have been input and that does not cause discrepancies in the output timing of the image signals that are output. The visual processing device is provided with a gain-type visual processing portion that outputs a first gain signal having predetermined gain characteristics with respect to the input image signal, and a correction portion that corrects the input image signal based on the first gain signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing an image. Respective local contrast values are determined for selected pixels of the image by, for each selected pixel, adjusting a respective luminance value of the pixel by an average luminance value of neighboring pixels to obtain the local contrast value. Respective tone-mapped values are determined for further selected pixels in the image based on a global luminance value representing the image. The local contrast values and the tone-mapped values are combined, respectively, for the corresponding pixels in the image to produce the enhanced image.

Abstract: The invention refers to a flash light compensation system and corresponding method for digital camera systems, wherein a luminance compensation is carried out on an image of a scene (3) picked-up by an image sensor (1), on the basis of a respective intensity field measured by a plurality of sensors (4, 5), when the scene is illuminated by flash light emitted by a flash device (2). Depending upon the output signals of the plurality of sensors a depth field of the scene is estimated, and this estimation provides a basis for the luminance adjustment on the scene picked up as an image while illuminated by the flash device. The system and method is suitable for effectively reducing the problem of unevenly distributed lighting on a picked-up image of the scene.

Abstract: An imaging method is provided. The method includes the steps of: amplifying an imaging signal obtained from an image sensor for converting imaging light into an imaging signal; carrying out nonlinear processing on the amplified signal; adding a predetermined plurality of frames of the imaging signal subjected to the nonlinear processing per frame; and carrying out the variable setting of amplification gain of each frame on the basis of a signal accumulation period of each frame in the plurality of frames subjected to the addition.

Abstract: An image correction apparatus includes an exposure-level calculating unit that calculates an exposure level using information on an image capturing unit, which captures image data, at the time of capture of an image, a brightness calculating unit that calculates brightness of the image using information on the image data captured by the image capturing unit, and an image correction unit that corrects the brightness of the image data in accordance with the exposure level calculated by the exposure-level calculating unit and the brightness of the image calculated by the brightness calculating unit.

Abstract: An imager architecture that utilizes column sampling circuitry that can support pixel-wise automatic gain selection (AGS). The column sampling circuitry samples the pixel output signals directly (e.g., with unity gain) or after amplification in a column level amplifier while supporting correlated double sampling (CDS) in both situations.

Abstract: Systems and methods (“utility”) for encoding digital linear image data into encoded image data. The utility may be included as part of a digital image capture device, such as a digital camera or a film scanner. The utility may include an encoder module that is operative to encode digital linear image data into encoded data according to an enhanced transfer function. The transfer function includes a linear portion and a logarithmic portion separated by a breakpoint. The transfer function may be continuous and continuously differentiable at the breakpoint. Further, the transfer function may operate to reduce the bit depth of the image data (e.g., from 12 bits to 10 bits, or the like) to provide compression for the image data.

Abstract: A low power color image capturing system having a power source, the system comprising: a narrow bandwidth illuminator adapted to provide illumination having a peak intensity defining a narrow bandwidth; an image capturing device adapted to capture a raw image from an object illuminated by the narrow bandwidth illuminator; and a processor adapted to control the system and having an algorithm operatable upon the raw image to provide a modified image; wherein the modified image has enhanced color intensities over substantially all visible wavelengths.

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: An imaging apparatus is equipped with: an imaging element having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements, each of which converts image information borne by input light into a pixel signal and outputs the pixel signal; pixel signal combining means, for combining the pixel signals output from each photoelectric converting element of the imaging element into groups of predetermined numbers of signals; and image signal processing means, for generating digital image data from the combined pixel signals. The pixel signal combining means combines the pixel signals such that pixel signals at the central portions of ranges of pixel signals to be combined are weighted to have higher gain than pixel signals at the peripheral portions of the ranges.

Abstract: A dynamic gain adjustment method and apparatus based on brightness are provided. The dynamic gain adjustment method and apparatus amplify or attenuate high frequency components of an input video signal by dynamically varying a gain that is applied to a peaking algorithm block for picture quality improvement in a video processing device, such as a digital television, based on an average picture level (APL) of the input video signal. The gain can be dynamically adjusted when the APL of the input video signal is high or low, and thus saturation of the video signal during the operation of the peaking block can be prevented.

Abstract: In acquisition of an image of cells, a focal position is accurately set at highly active cells rather than focusing on dead cells. Provided is an automatic focusing apparatus (8) used in a microscope (1) that image captures fluorescence emitted from cells to acquire a cell image, the automatic focusing apparatus (8) including a setting unit (5) that sets a luminance range indicating a region where viable cells exist on the basis of a luminance distribution of the acquired cell image; and a focus-detecting unit that detects a focal position on the basis of a luminance of an image of nuclei of the cells within the luminance range set by the setting unit (5).

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes: a gain inverse correction means for giving an inverse correction gain resulting in an inverse correction characteristic to a gain to a video signal subjected to automatic gain control and outputting the video signal; a texture component removing means for removing a texture component from the video signal output from the gain inverse correction means; a gain inverse-inverse correction means for giving an inverse-inverse correction gain to the video signal output from the texture component removing means; a texture component extracting means for extracting a texture component signal, utilizing the video signal output by the gain inverse correction means and the video signal output by the texture component removing means; and a signal synthesizing means for synthesizing a structure component signal based on the video signal output by the gain inverse-inverse correction means and the texture component signal to output a video signal.

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: In recent years, the performance of CMOS and CCD image sensors has dramatically improved, and to utilize the improved performance of these sensors, processing circuitry is provided here. This processing circuitry employs a adjustable gain that varies depending on the intensity of the signal from the image sensor so as to reduce noise, reduce area used, and reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An image processing method, applicable to a digital image device, includes the following steps. At least one original image of different brightness ranges is captured, and more images of different brightness ranges are generated from the original image by using an image post-processing technique. Based on characteristics of the image of each brightness range, the weights of the image of each brightness range are defined. Then, hierarchical fusion is performed on the images of the different brightness ranges according to weight relations, so as to form a high-dynamic-range image capable of presenting features of each brightness range.

Abstract: A method for reading out an image signal, the method comprising: providing at least two photosensitive regions; providing at least two transfer gates respectively associated with each photosensitive region; providing a common charge-to-voltage conversion region electrically connected to the transfer gates; providing a reset mechanism that resets the common charge-to-voltage conversion region; after transferring charge from at least one of the photo-sensitive regions, disabling all transfer gates at a first time; enabling at least one transfer gate at a subsequent second time; and transferring charge from at least one of the photosensitive regions at a subsequent third time while the at least one transfer gate from the second time remains enabled.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a noise reduction unit which performs noise reduction processing to image signals, a first noise presumption unit which presumes a first noise amount from a present image signal among the image signals, and a second noise presumption unit which presumes a second noise amount based on the first noise amount, the present image signal, and the image signal of the past which underwent the noise reduction processing. The noise reduction unit performs the noise reduction processing to the present image signal based on the second noise amount.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire a representative value of a luminance level in a main object area and a plurality of representative values of luminance levels in peripheral areas of the main object area in an image obtained by an imaging unit, a calculation unit configured to calculate a plurality of relative values between the respective plurality of representative values of luminance levels in the peripheral areas and the representative value of a luminance level in the main object area, which are acquired by the acquiring unit, a setting unit configured to set intensity of knee processing based on the plurality of relative values calculated by the calculation unit, and a knee processing unit configured to execute the knee processing on an image acquired by the imaging unit according to the intensity set by the setting unit.

Abstract: An image sensor and digital gain compensation thereof. The image sensor includes a variable amplification device for amplifying an inputted analog image signal as a variable first gain value, an analog-to-digital conversion unit for converting the amplified analog image signal into a digital image signal, and a digital gain compensation device for comparing the first gain value with a reference gain value and compensating the digital image signal as a digital second gain value when the first gain value is less than the reference gain value.

Abstract: An auto-exposure control method includes: creating an exposure table and an analog gain table including an exposure time and an analog gain of an image sensor set according to an index, respectively; calculating an average luminance value of an image frame obtained by the image sensor; checking whether or not the average luminance value is within a pre-set range including a prescribed final target value; if the average luminance value is not within the pre-set range, determining a shift step from indexes which have been applied to a current image frame according to the difference between the average luminance value and the final target value in order to determine indexes of the exposure table and the analog gain table to be applied to a next image frame; and repeatedly performing of reading an exposure time and an analog gain corresponding to the indexes shifted by the shift step determined from the indexes applied to the current image frame, from the exposure table and the analog gain table, applying the sam

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has a plurality of pixels arranged two dimensionally, each pixel containing a photoelectric converter that outputs a photoelectrically converted signal in response to a quantity of received light, an output unit containing a clamping circuit, a signal supply circuit that outputs a reference signal to the clamping circuit, a control unit that controls to clamp the reference signal prior to outputting the photoelectrically converted signal from the pixel to the clamping circuit, output the photoelectrically converted signal to the clamping circuit, and then output a noise signal from the pixel to the clamping circuit, and a differential circuit that subtracts the noise signal from the photoelectrically converted signal processed by the clamping circuit.

Abstract: Image capture systems capable of ensuring clear images are provided, in which an image capture module senses at least one image, and an operational module performs a compensation to the image capture system according to a modulation transfer function (MTF) value corresponding to the image, such that the image capture system can be operated under an optimized total gain thereby ensuring clear images.

Abstract: An appropriate white balance coefficient is calculated using an evaluation value of a specific chromaticity or an imaging condition, in addition to face area detection information, in the following manner. A first white balance coefficient is calculated by a first white balance coefficient calculation unit based on a color image, and a second white balance coefficient is calculated by a second white balance coefficient calculation unit based on a specific subject of the color image. Then, a third white balance coefficient is calculated by a white balance combining unit by weighting the first white balance coefficient and the second white balance coefficient based on an evaluation result of a specific chromaticity evaluation unit or an imaging condition of an imaging condition control unit.

Abstract: A portable terminal and a method for displaying an image using focus information are disclosed. An interested area of the captured subject image can be rapidly displayed on the display. The captured subject image can be displayed on the display, according to the features of an interested area image. At least one interested area is extracted from the captured subject image. When one of the extracted interested areas is selected, image information of the captured subject, which includes focus information of the selected interested area, is generated. When requesting that the captured subject image is displayed, an interested area image of the captured subject image is displayed according to focus information of the generated image information.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup apparatus having a pixel array unit composed by two-dimensionally arranging pixels for detecting a physical quantity in a row-column manner, pixel signals of a plurality of systems having different sensitivities are read from the pixel array unit in an analog manner, the pixel signals of the plurality of systems are amplified at respective basis amplification rates when a gain setting of the analog pixel signals is lower than a predetermined gain, and a pixel signal of at least one system having a high sensitivity among the plurality of systems is amplified at a plurality of amplification rates including an amplification rate higher than a basis amplification rate of the system having the high sensitivity when the gain setting is equal to or higher than the predetermined gain.

Abstract: A method of providing intensity correction for a video is disclosed. The method may comprise evaluating a portion of a frame of the video; determining a difference in intensity of a current block of the frame with the corresponding block of the previous frame; correcting all blocks of the frame with local intensity correction if a first set of parameters is met; and correcting the current block of the frame with both global intensity correction and local intensity correction if the first set of parameters is not met. An integrated circuit having a circuit for providing intensity correction for a video is also disclosed.

Abstract: An activity-based system for, and method of, reducing Gr-Gb gain imbalance and a digital camera incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a sensor configured to provide a input Bayer pattern array containing amplitudes corresponding to Gr and Gb cells and (2) a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to (2a) compute for at least some of the Gr and Gb cells: activity measures for pluralities of adjacent, same-type cells, green precompensation factors based on the activity measures, averages for the pluralities of adjacent, same-type cells and averages for pluralities of adjacent, opposite-type cells and (2b) use the green precompensation factors, the averages for the pluralities of adjacent, same-type cells and the averages for the pluralities of adjacent, opposite-type cells to form an output Bayer pattern in which the Gr-Gb gain imbalance is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gamma-correction circuit, which is capable to decrease the noise in graphic signal or make the noise not clearly sensible while carrying out gamma-correction on the graphic signals. In the circuit, a high-pass filter is used to decrease the noise in a graphic signal, a gamma-correction section is used for carrying out gamma-correction on the noise suppressed graphic signal, meanwhile a threshold handling section is used for threshold treatment on the high frequency component of the graphic signal to decrease noise, and then the output of the threshold handling section is combined with the gamma-corrected graphic signal through an adder.

Abstract: A system, method and medium correcting brightness of an image, and more particularly, a system, method and medium correcting brightness of an acquired image to achieve a target brightness. The system includes an initial brightness sensing unit to sense an initial brightness of the image from an initial exposure, and an image correction unit to correct the brightness of the sensed initial image toward a target brightness using predetermined brightness information corresponding to a sensed brightness environment of the image.

Abstract: A wide dynamic range image sensor method combines the response of high-gain sensing cells and low-gain sensing cells with better linearity than the prior art. A search is made in successive central regions within the response curve of the high-gain and low-gain cells to find a highest slope linear fit. This highest slope and the corresponding offset are used in mixing the high-gain and low-gain responses to achieve a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for capturing a moving image performs backlight correction of an image and outputs a natural image. The imaging apparatus electronically captures an image of a subject. An optical system has a light amount adjustment function. An imaging unit reads an optical image of the subject that is formed by the optical system. An A/D converter subjects an output of the imaging unit to A/D conversion. A backlight correction unit converts the tones of an image read by the A/D converter using a conversion characteristic selected differently according to a spatial position and at least increases the luminance level of a dark region of the image. An instruction unit instructs to start backlight correction. A control unit operates the backlight correction unit based on an instruction signal output from the instruction unit, and decreases an exposure light amount of the optical system by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image pickup apparatus (70) comprising an image pickup means (700) for forming a plurality of image signals (S,L) having different exposure conditions, combining means for combining said plurality of image signals (L,S) to form a combined image signal having an extended dynamic range, further comprising display and/or recording means (701) for displaying and/or recording said combined image signal, further comprising a function module (79) correcting at least one of the image signals (L,S) in order to achieve a smooth transition between the image signals (S, L) at a transition point.