Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hyperspectral spectroscopy, and in particular, to systems, methods and devices enabling a single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device. Hyperspectral (also known as “multispectral”) spectroscopy is an imaging technique that integrates multiples images of an object resolved at different narrow spectral bands (i.e., narrow ranges of wavelengths) into a single data structure, referred to as a three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube. Data provided by hyperspectral spectroscopy allow for the identification of individual components of a complex composition through the recognition of spectral signatures of individual components within the three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube.

Abstract: An electronic device may include at least one image sensor that includes a plurality of photo-sensing devices, a photoelectric device on one side of the semiconductor substrate and configured to selectively sense first visible light, and a plurality of color filters on separate photo-sensing devices. The plurality of color filters may include a first color filter configured to selectively transmit a second visible light that is different from the first visible light and a second color filter transmitting first mixed light including the second visible light. The electronic device may include multiple arrays of color filters. The electronic device may include different photoelectric devices on the separate arrays of color filters. The different photoelectric devices may be configured to sense different wavelength spectra of light.

Abstract: A biological imaging device comprising: an irradiation unit which emits parallel light onto a first part in a living body; and an imaging unit which takes images of the first part and a second part that is connected to the first site.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for performing a demosaic operation are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a plurality of interpolation modules to perform a plurality of interpolation operations to generate color pixel values of a first color for a plurality of pixel locations in an image region that do not have color pixel values of the first color; a first module to generate a set of color pixel values of the first color for the image region, one or more color pixel values in the set of pixel values being generated based on color pixel values of the first color from one of the plurality of interpolation modules; and a second module to select the one interpolation module based on an interpolation direction determined by color intensity gradient calculations that involve pixel values of the first color and at least one other color.

Abstract: A gamut size metric is used in all phases of color image processing (e.g., capture, transmission, and display). In general, the gamut size metric is a single-valued metric that changes as image content changes. More particularly, a gamut boundary histogram is determined and used to estimate a gamut size metric. A gamut size metric identifies a minimum size gamut needed to encompass each pixel in an image, where the gamut size is limited at one end by a first device independent gamut (S1), and at another end by a second device independent color space (S2), where S1 is wholly enclosed within S2. The gamut size metric may be based on strict pixel color value differences. In other embodiments the gamut size metric may take into effect perceptual color differences and significance.

Abstract: An optical sensor device may include a set of optical sensors. The optical sensor device may include a substrate. The optical sensor device may include a multispectral filter array disposed on the substrate. The multispectral filter array may include a first dielectric mirror disposed on the substrate. The multispectral filter array may include a spacer disposed on the first dielectric mirror. The spacer may include a set of layers. The multispectral filter array may include a second dielectric mirror disposed on the spacer. The second dielectric mirror may be aligned with two or more sensor elements of a set of sensor elements.

Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems and computer-readable media storing executable instructions for computing, on a per material and per hyperspectrally imaged scene basis, an optimal set of spectrally filtering pass bands for detecting target materials in the scenes, and cueing multispectral imaging of the scenes with the set of pass bands.

Abstract: A chroma subsampling having reduced artifacts is achieved by detecting high contrast areas in a luminance channel of an image to be chroma subsampled so as to partition the image into a first region composed of the high contrast areas and a second region distinct from the first region, with chroma subsampling the image in the first region using a first chroma subsampler and chroma subsampling the image in the second region using a second chroma subsampler, with the first chroma subsampler having a higher edge preserving property than compared to the second chroma subsampler. Thereby, bleeding artifacts may be avoided at least partially, while the saturation of the image may be substantially preserved.

Abstract: An image generation device includes: a projector for projecting pattern light of a near-infrared wavelength at intervals; an imager for outputting an imaging signal of an imaged image; a unit for generating a pattern light image by obtaining a difference between the imaging signal when the pattern light is projected and the imaging signal when the pattern light is not projected, and generating an ambient light image from the imaging signal when the pattern light is not projected; a determiner for determining a type of the ambient light; and a generator for estimating, from the type, a component due to light of a near-infrared wavelength in the ambient light image, and generating a visible light image by subtracting the component from the ambient light image. The determiner determines the type from a proportion of R, G, and B components in the imaged image, ambient light image, or visible light image.

Abstract: An image device includes a plurality of red sub-pixels, a plurality of green sub-pixels, a plurality of blue sub-pixels, a plurality of white sub-pixels, and a plurality of yellow sub-pixels. A ratio of the total number of red sub-pixels to the total number of green sub-pixels to the total number of blue sub-pixels to the total number of white sub-pixels and to the total number of yellow sub-pixels is about 3:3:3:2:1.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) is described. The apparatus comprises a rotatable prism arranged such that a spatial offset between an entry region and a collection region at a sample is dependent upon an angle of rotation of the prism.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for tabulating votes and creating an audit trail is provided. A ballot processing device may include a paper feed mechanism, a computer, a ballot processing application loaded on the computer, and a digital scanning device linked to the computer. The ballot processing application may process the digital image to establish a series of processing results defining one or more voting results for the paper ballot, and also an audit trail. The ballot processing application may process the digital image to define the voting results based on criteria established by election officials, including ambiguous mark criteria. The audit trail enables election officials to verify that particular paper ballots have been processed correctly in accordance with these criteria.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of laminated photoelectric conversion sections; a reading section configured of a semiconductor region formed inside a semiconductor substrate and reading electric charge that has been subjected to photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion sections; a charge accumulation section accumulating the electric charge read by the reading section; and a light shielding structure shielding, from light, a portion other than the reading section and the photoelectric conversion sections.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor having a first output port and a second output port. The first output port is to transmit a first image stream concurrently with a second image stream transmitted from the second output port.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array having a Bayer pattern structure including a first pixel row in which first pixels and second pixels are alternately provided and a second pixel row in which additional ones of the second pixels and third pixels are alternately provided, a first element to control light of a first wavelength band to travel in directions toward left and right sides of the first element and to control light of a second wavelength band of the incident light to travel in a direction directly under the first element, and a second element to control light of a third wavelength band to travel in the directions toward the left and right sides of the second element and to control the light of the second wavelength band to travel in a direction directly under the second element.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor including a pixel array portion formed from a two-dimensional array of ordinary imaging pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion as a pixel signal, and focus detection pixels for detecting focus. The focus detection pixels include at least a first focus detection pixel and a second focus detection pixel each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to transfer and output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion to an output node. The first focus detection pixel and the second focus detection pixel share the output node. The first focus detection pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a first transfer gate for reading out an electron generated through photoelectric conversion in the first photoelectric conversion unit to the shared output node.

Abstract: A 3D imaging apparatus includes: a first image capturing camera generating a base image to be used for obtaining a first range image showing a three-dimensional character of an object; a second image capturing camera generating a reference image to be used for obtaining the first range image; a stereo matching unit searching for corresponding pixels between the base image and the reference image, and generating a first range image by calculating a disparity between the corresponding pixels; and a light source emitting to the object infrared light whose intensity is modulated. The first image capturing camera further generates a second range image by receiving a reflected light in synchronization with the modulated intensity. The reflected light is the infrared light reflected off the object. The second range image includes range information on a range between a point of reflection off the object and the first imaging unit.

Abstract: Disclosed here is the technical field of liquid crystal display, and in particular to a color filter and a liquid crystal display with the color filter. The color filter has a plurality of diaphragm groups, each diaphragm group consists of at least one red diaphragm, at least one green diaphragm and at least one blue diaphragm, wherein the diaphragms of at least one of said diaphragm groups are configured in such a sequence that color cast caused by a RC delay of a pixel signal can be compensated.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, which are formed in a semiconductor substrate; a red color filter formed on the first photoelectric conversion element; a cyan color filter formed on the second photoelectric conversion element; and an organic photoelectric conversion layer formed on the red color filter and the cyan color filter, the organic photoelectric conversion layer configured to absorb wavelengths in a green range.

Abstract: An image sensor capable of preventing generation of a line-type defect is disclosed. The image sensor includes a row driver, a pixel array, an analog signal processor, a data mapping buffer and a row data buffer. The pixel array has a layout configuration having a nonlinear pattern for a row path and a column path, receives optical signals and converts the optical signals into electric signals, and outputs the electric signals as image signals in response to the pixel control signals. The analog signal processor performs analog-to-digital conversion on the image signals to generate first signals. The data mapping buffer compensates position errors caused by the layout configuration of the zigzag pattern for the first signals to generate a second signals.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of phase difference detection pixels configured adjacent to one another; and an isolation structure arranged so as to isolate light entering each of light-receiving units of the plurality of phase difference detection pixels, in which the isolation structure is formed so as to have a inclined side wall surface whose cross section is tapered.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hyperspectral spectroscopy, and in particular, to systems, methods and devices enabling a single-sensor hyperspectral imaging device. Hyperspectral (also known as “multispectral”) spectroscopy is an imaging technique that integrates multiples images of an object resolved at different narrow spectral bands (i.e., narrow ranges of wavelengths) into a single data structure, referred to as a three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube. Data provided by hyperspectral spectroscopy allow for the identification of individual components of a complex composition through the recognition of spectral signatures of individual components within the three-dimensional hyperspectral data cube.

Abstract: An electronic device may include at least one image sensor that includes a plurality of photo-sensing devices, a photoelectric device on one side of the semiconductor substrate and configured to selectively sense first visible light, and a plurality of color filters on separate photo-sensing devices. The plurality of color filters may include a first color filter configured to selectively transmit a second visible light that is different from the first visible light and a second color filter transmitting first mixed light including the second visible light. The electronic device may include multiple arrays of color filters. The electronic device may include different photoelectric devices on the separate arrays of color filters. The different photoelectric devices may be configured to sense different wavelength spectra of light.

Abstract: Embodiments are described of a color filter array including a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units. Each minimal repeating unit includes a primary set of four rhombic color filters positioned so that at least two vertices of each rhombic color filter contact a vertex of an adjoining rhombic color filter and so that the four rhombic filters form a central interstitial space and four peripheral interstitial spaces, wherein the primary set includes at least one color filter with a first spectral photoresponse, at least one color filter with a second spectral photoresponse, and at least one color filter with a third spectral photoresponse.

Abstract: An array type light-receiving device includes a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the pixels including a light-receiving layer having a responsivity to a wavelength of light. The pixels arranged in the second direction constitute a plurality of pixel lines extending in the second direction, the plurality of pixel lines being arranged in the first direction to form an array. The pixels in each of the pixel lines have different pixel areas from each other. In addition, the pixel area of each of the pixels included in at least one of the pixel lines is determined in accordance with the responsivity to a wavelength of light received by each of the pixels.

Abstract: A pixel interpolation processing apparatus and an image capturing apparatus are provided that are capable of performing a pixel interpolation process properly even when the pattern of color filter array is unknown. An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit having a single-chip image sensor having four-color filter array for obtaining an image signal, and the imaging apparatus uses pixel data for a surrounding area around a target pixel to calculate a plurality of sets of correlation values in two directions orthogonal to each other, and determines the correlation direction based on these correlation values.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes an image-capturing unit 30 including a first image-capturing element 41, a second image-capturing element 51, a third image-capturing element 61, and a fourth image-capturing element 71, and includes an image processing unit 11, wherein a sensitivity of the fourth image-capturing element 71 is less than sensitivities of the first image-capturing element 41 to the third image-capturing element 61, and the image processing unit 11 generates high sensitivity image data on the basis of outputs from the first image-capturing element 41 to the third image-capturing element 61, and generates low sensitivity image data on the basis of an output from the fourth image-capturing element 71, and further, the image processing unit 11 generates a combined image using high sensitivity image data corresponding to a low illumination image area in the low illumination image area obtained from the low sensitivity image data or the high sensitivity image data, and using low sensitivity image da

Abstract: Provided is an organic pixel, which includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel circuit, an interconnection layer having a first contact and a first electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, and an organic photo-diode formed on the interconnection layer. For example, the organic photo-diode includes an insulation layer formed on the first electrode, a second electrode and a photo-electric conversion region formed between the first contact, the insulation layer and the second electrode. The photo-electric conversion region includes an electron donating organic material and an electron accepting organic material. The organic photo-diode may further include a second contact electrically connected to the first contact. The horizontal distance between the second contacts and the insulation layer may be less than or equal to a few micrometers, for example, 10 micrometers.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises: an image pickup device that generates an image data; a mechanical shutter that controls shielding and passing of object light; an image processing section that amplifies pixel values of respective pixels of the image data with a gain which is uniform irrespective of the pixel values; and a CPU that sets a shutter type to be used, controls the image pickup device when the electronic shutter is used, and sets the gain of amplification by the image processing section to have different values in accordance with which shutter is to be used.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor having a first output port and a second output port. The first output port is to transmit a first image stream concurrently with a second image stream transmitted from the second output port.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor that includes a pixel array section, a column processing section, and a row control section. The pixel array section is configured to include two or more shared pixel cells arranged in a two-dimensional array, the shared pixel cells each including a plurality of pixels that output electric signals by photoelectric conversion. The column processing section is configured to process the electric signals that are read at the same time from the shared pixel cells on a plurality of rows in the two-dimensional array. The row control section is configured to perform access control differently between one and another of the rows for reading the electric signals from the pixels in the shared pixel cells.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an image sensor and a light source driver circuit integrated in a same semiconductor chip package. The image sensor includes visible light pixels and depth pixels. The depth pixels are to sense light generated with a light source drive signal. The light source drive signal is generated with the light source driver circuit.

Abstract: Techniques related to demosaicing Bayer-type image data for image processing.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first photodiode made up of a first first-electroconductive-type semiconductor region formed on a first principal face side of a semiconductor substrate, and a first second-electroconductive-type semiconductor region formed within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first first-electroconductive-type semiconductor region; a second photodiode made up of a second first-electroconductive-type semiconductor region formed on a second principal face side of the semiconductor substrate, and a second second-electroconductive-type semiconductor region formed within the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the second first-electroconductive-type semiconductor region; and a gate electrode formed on the first principal face side of the semiconductor substrate; with impurity concentration of a connection face between the second first-electroconductive-type semiconductor region and the second second-electroconductive-type semiconductor region being equal to or greater than im

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes forming a stacked body including a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers on a substrate. The method includes forming a first slit and a second slit simultaneously by dry-etching the stacked body. The first slit causes a part of the stacked body to have a comb-shaped pattern including a plurality of line parts isolated in a first direction and extending in a second direction. The second slit surrounds the comb-shaped pattern with a closed pattern. The method includes forming a hole in the line parts of the stacked body. The method includes forming a charge storage film and a semiconductor body in the hole.

Abstract: An electronic sensor and a method for controlling the electronic sensor are provided. The electronic sensor includes at least two pixels having different light-receiving efficiencies and at least two pixel groups having different exposure settings. At least one of the at least two pixels corresponds to at least one of the at least two pixel groups.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device which includes, a photoelectric conversion film provided on a second surface side which is the opposite side to a first surface on which a wiring layer of a semiconductor substrate is formed, performs photoelectric conversion with respect to light in a predetermined wavelength region, and transmits light in other wavelength regions; and a photoelectric conversion layer which is provided in the semiconductor substrate, and performs the photoelectric conversion with respect to light in other wavelength regions which has transmitted the photoelectric conversion film, in which input light is incident from the second surface side with respect to the photoelectric conversion film and the photoelectric conversion layer.

Abstract: A back-illuminated sensor chip is disclosed, which includes one or more pixel areas each including a plurality of pixels located in a plane and arranged in a matrix. Each pixel area includes: a central portion consisting of a plurality of first pixels located in vicinity of a center of the pixel area; and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and consisting of the other pixels in the pixel area than the first pixels. The plurality of first pixels have a first height in a vertical direction perpendicular to the plane, and the pixels in the peripheral portion have a second height in the vertical direction that is greater than the first height so that the peripheral portion protrudes outward beyond the central portion and is thus located nearer to a light source during imaging than the central portion. As a result, light sensibility of the peripheral portion is increased.

Abstract: An image sensor having a pixel architecture for capturing a depth image and a color image. The image sensor may be configured in a pixel architecture in which a floating diffusion (FD) node is shared, and may operate in different pixel architectures in a depth mode and a color mode, respectively.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method of operating an image sensor to achieve a substantially uniform power signature. An array of pixels may be scanned using analog sensing circuitry to obtain an analog sensor output. The scanning is performed over a first time interval. The analog sensor output is converted to a digital data output using digital logic circuitry. The converting occurs over a second time interval that is subsequent to the first time interval and may be substantially the same duration as the first time interval. While the array of pixels are being scanned, the digital logic circuitry is operated over the first time interval and substantially coincides with the scanning of the array of pixels.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes: a light source; an image sensor having pixels, each performing photoelectric conversion on received light to output an electric signal, and the image sensor imaging a subject to generate image data of the subject; a difference calculation unit that calculates, for each pixel, difference data between a dark image and a dark reference image, the dark image being output from the image sensor during lights-out time when the light source is turned off, and the dark reference image having been preliminarily obtained by averaging dark images generated by the image sensor; a detection unit that detects in the difference data a pixel whose pixel value is a threshold or more, as a blinking defective pixel in the image sensor; and a correction unit that corrects the electric signal output from the blinking defective pixel, using electric signals output from neighboring pixels of the blinking defective pixel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to create and display panoramic images on a mobile device are disclosed. Such a mobile device can be a mobile phone. Apparatus is provided to control the position of a lens in relation to a reference lens. Methods and apparatus are provided to generate multiple images that are combined into a panoramic image. A panoramic image may be a static image. It may also be a video image. A controller provides correct camera settings for different conditions. An image processor creates a panoramic image from the correct settings provided by the controller. A panoramic camera is applied in a computer gaming system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to compress raw color-filter array (CFA) image data in a mathematically lossless manner using spatial processing techniques. The raw CFA data is transformed using a prediction algorithm and then partitioned into blocks having N rows and M columns. The blocks are clustered into groups using a clustering algorithm. Next, compression is performed on blocks within a cluster before the compressed blocks are further compressed using arithmetic coding. In some implementations, alphabet creation and correlation is performed on the CFA data before prediction transformation, and color-plane correlation is performed after prediction transformation but before partitioning into blocks. This spatial compression method can be performed efficiently on camera to compress data files, reducing the storage and data flow requirements of the camera.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element for converting incident light to an electric signal, color filters associated with the pixels and having a plurality of color filter components, microlenses converging the incident light through the color filters to the photoelectric conversion elements, a light shielding film disposed between the color filter components of the color filters, and a nonplanarized adhesive film provided between the color filters and the light shielding film.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes a D/A converting circuit generating a reference voltage to be used for an A/D conversion. The D/A converting circuit includes: a voltage generating circuit generating an analog voltage according to a digital signal; a buffer circuit (a resistor ladder upper voltage supplying buffer circuit) which buffers the generated analog voltage, the buffer circuit sampling and holding a bias voltage generated inside the buffer circuit, and outputting the buffered analog voltage using the held bias voltage; an analog signal outputting unit (a resistor ladder unit) outputting the reference voltage according to the inputted digital signal, by receiving an output from the buffer circuit; and a pre-charge amplifier which charges a noise-reducing capacitor in conjunction with the sampling and holding by the buffer circuit, the noise-reducing capacitor being connected to the analog signal outputting unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of phase difference detection pixels configured adjacent to one another; and an isolation structure arranged so as to isolate light entering each of light-receiving units of the plurality of phase difference detection pixels, in which the isolation structure is formed so as to have a inclined side wall surface whose cross section is tapered.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image sensor including a pixel array portion formed from a two-dimensional array of ordinary imaging pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion as a pixel signal, and focus detection pixels for detecting focus. The focus detection pixels include at least a first focus detection pixel and a second focus detection pixel each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to transfer and output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion to an output node. The first focus detection pixel and the second focus detection pixel share the output node. The first focus detection pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a first transfer gate for reading out an electron generated through photoelectric conversion in the first photoelectric conversion unit to the shared output node.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of executing noise reduction processing and defect compensation processing on an image in an RGBW arrangement are provided. In pixel value compensation processing of a color pixel that makes up image data in the RGBW arrangement that has each color pixel of R, G, and B and a white (W) pixel, the W pixel is interpolated at a position of an attention pixel that is a compensation target, and at a position of a reference pixel which has the same color as an attention pixel within a reference area, smoothing weight is calculated based on each pixel value of the interpolation W pixel, and thus a compensation pixel value of the attention pixel is calculated by executing smoothing processing to which the calculated smoothing weight is applied. Moreover, by applying the W pixel in the neighborhood of the color pixel, it is determined whether or not the color pixel is in a texture area, and only if the color pixel is not in the texture, defect compensation processing is executed.