Abstract: A system and method includes operations and steps for obtaining a moving endoscopic image. An optical device stream is received from an optical device by data processing hardware. The data processing hardware identify image frames of the image stream, each including a plurality of rows of pixels. The data processing hardware determines a row exposure value for each of the rows of pixels in each frame, and identifies a defective image frame having at least one overexposed row and a reference frame having a replacement row corresponding to the overexposed row. The data processing hardware modifies the defective image frame by replacing the overexposed row with the corresponding replacement row of the reference frame.

Abstract: A variable aperture device is described that includes a casing, a base with a light transmission hole, conductive terminals on the base, a terminal connecting portion, a shape memory metal wire, a movable portion, and a driven portion for forming an aperture together with the movable portion. One end of the shape memory metal wire is connected to the terminal connecting portion and the movable portion is connected to the base via a first rotating shaft. A side of the movable portion far from the light transmission hole around the first rotating shaft is connected to other end of the shape memory metal wire. A side of the movable portion near the light transmission hole around the first rotating shaft is connected to an elastic structure of the terminal connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion is attached to the conductive terminal.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for generating motion extracted images having a high dynamic range (“HDR”) based on image data obtained from one or more image sensors at different times. The implementations described herein may be used with a single image sensor or camera that obtains images at different exposures sequentially in time. The images may be processed to detect an object moving within the field of view and pixel information corresponding to that moving object extracted. The non-extracted image data may then be combined to produce a motion extracted HDR image that is substantially devoid of the moving object.

Abstract: Image sensor having multiple pixels; a number of phase pixels which are included in the multiple pixels and which output a first signal indicating intensity of light; a first adjustment portion conducting gain adjustment on the number of phase pixels in reference to the first signal; an auto-focus portion adjusting a focal point of the image in reference to a second signal output from the number of phase pixels after the gain adjustment; a compensation portion generating and outputting a compensation signal indicating intensity of light received by the number of phase pixels in reference to signals output from the multiple pixels; a second adjustment portion determining exposure and gain for taking the image in reference to signals output from the multiple pixels and applying the exposure and the gain to the multiple pixels; and an image processing portion inputting both the compensation signal and signals and generating image data.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein concerns a privacy enhancing device for use with IP cameras and related methods. The privacy device includes an adjustable light filter and is configured to be placed over the lens of an IP camera such that the image captured by the IP camera passes through the filter. The transparency of the light filter is controlled using a control module in response to user inputs received using an on-board user interface so as to provide varying levels of privacy ranging from an opaque state and a transparent state. Inputs that serve to facilitate and enhance operation of the device can also be received from other input sources such as connected computing devices. For security, the control path defined by the control module and the on-board user input device can be isolated from other more sophisticated control devices that can be prone to hacking and remote control.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using long exposure video for virtual reality headsets. A video camera can capture video of a scene. An exposure generator can generate a long exposure time for at least one long exposure time video frame corresponding to long exposure video of the scene to display. A head mounted display can display the long exposure video of the scene that includes the long exposure video frame.

Abstract: A camera module includes: a lens module disposed in a housing and a stop module coupled to the lens module. The stop module includes apertures having different diameters from each other so as to selectively change an amount of light incident on the lens module, a magnet portion to select any one of the apertures by movement of the magnet portion, and a coil disposed on the housing facing the magnet portion to move the magnet portion.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can appropriately set an attention area in an image on which image correction processing is performed. An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present technology includes a speed detecting section that detects a moving speed of the mobile body; an attention area setting section that sets an attention area to an image imaged in an advancing direction of the mobile body on the basis of the moving speed detected; and an image correction processing section that performs the predetermined image correction processing on the image on the basis of a pixel value of a pixel belonging to the attention area on the image. The present technology is applicable to, for example, a vehicle-mounted sensor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus classifies areas included in an image in which one scene is captured, based on the distribution of brightness values of the image, accepts selection of an area that is to be processed, from among the classified areas, extends a first output range corresponding to an input range of brightness values of pixels in the selected area, so as to be wider than a second output range that is the output range when the area is not selected, and outputs an image for which an output range of brightness values has been extended to the first output range and that includes at least the selected area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for acquiring an iris image outdoors and indoors and, specifically, to an apparatus and a method for acquiring an iris image outdoors and indoors, the apparatus comprising: a lens for receiving the iris image; an image sensor for sensing the iris image inputted through the lens; and a memory for storing the iris image sensed by the image sensor, wherein a band-pass filter using all or parts of outdoor iris recognition wavelength bands (920-1,500 nm) in order to acquire the iris image in which a reflected image is prevented or a reflected noise is reduced, which are generated when the iris image is photographed indoors and outdoors and, particularly, outdoors, is provided at the front end of the image sensor, and an infrared lighting having at least one wavelength passing through the wavelength bands of the provided band-pass filter is provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having no synchronization support function by a time code and to cut down a system cost, in synchronizing respective moving images in the case of outputting and displaying moving images input from a plurality of imaging apparatuses through network transmission. A vertical synchronization signal input from a particular imaging apparatus among a plurality of imaging apparatuses is used as a reference to select frame image data items from moving image data input from the plurality of imaging apparatuses, and the selected frame image data items are integrated into a single stream and sent. Even in a case where the plurality of imaging apparatuses captures videos asynchronously, it becomes possible to select, from the respective moving images, frame images with a small imaging timing difference on the basis of the vertical synchronization signal of the particular imaging apparatus.

Abstract: Correcting image distortion during camera motion using a system including a processor and a camera having a rolling shutter. Multiple image frames are captured by the camera equipped with the rolling shutter. The captured image frames include a base image frame and a previous image frame. Multiple time stamps are recorded respectively for multiple corresponding image points in the previous and base image frames. For the corresponding image points, multiple ego-motions are computed responsive to the time stamps of the corresponding image points of the base image frame and the previous image frame to correct the image distortion caused by the rolling shutter.

Abstract: Provided is a device and a method in which an HDR image of which a setting luminance is higher than the highest allowable luminance of a display unit, can be displayed as a bright image in a bright audiovisual environment. An adjusted luminance for output is calculated by multiplying an output luminance calculated according to an input/output transfer function corresponding to an input HDR image, and a predetermined gain, together, and thus, a display image is generated. An image signal processing unit sets a reference point P to be in a position based on the highest allowable luminance of a display unit, and calculates the adjusted luminance for output by applying a gain function of setting a gain, based on the reference point P, to an input/output transfer function according to the input HDR image, and thus, generates the display image.

Abstract: An electronic device photographing method includes, after the electronic device enters a photographing screen, determining a folding angle of the flexible display screen based on a pixel coordinate parameter of a photographed object on the photographing screen; and/or determining target luminance of a display screen; and when detecting that a photographing button is pressed, adjusting luminance of the display screen to the determined target luminance. In this way, when the electronic device is used to take an image, fill-in light can be implemented for the photographed photo by improving target luminance of the display screen based on the pixel coordinate parameter of the photographed object on the photographing screen.

Abstract: An optical image capturing module is provided, including a circuit assembly and a lens assembly. The circuit assembly may include a circuit substrate, a plurality of image sensor elements, a plurality of signal transmission elements, and a multi-lens frame. The image sensor elements may be connected to the circuit substrate. The signal transmission elements may be electrically connected between the circuit substrate and the image sensor elements. The multi-lens frame may be manufactured integrally and be covered on the circuit substrate and the image sensing elements. The signal transmission elements may be embedded in the multi-lens frame. The lens assembly may include a lens base, an auto-focus lens assembly, and a driving assembly. The lens base may be fixed to a multi-lens frame. The auto-focus lens assembly may have at least two lenses with refractive power.

Abstract: A camera module includes a housing having a lens module, an aperture module provided above the lens module and including blades that form incident holes having different sizes in multiple stages or successively, a moving part configured to linearly reciprocate to drive the blades, including a driving magnet facing a driving coil, a position sensor configured to sense a position of the moving part according to interaction with the driving magnet, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the position sensor and confirm or correct the position of the moving part.

Abstract: Display characteristics are calculated using a first captured image for determining ambient light characteristics and a second captured image including the ambient light characteristics and the display characteristics by removing the ambient light characteristics from the second captured image, and display correction is performed based on the display characteristics. This can provide a device that saves time and effort such as moving a color-measurement device when correcting the display characteristics of one or more display devices and that is able to perform display configuration even if a large portion is illuminated by ambient illumination.

Abstract: A system, article, and method to perform deep learning-based automatic white balancing uses a neural network in conjunction with other non-neural network automatic white balancing algorithms.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprising: an optical element that changes a transmittance of light; an image sensor; an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a temperature of the optical element; a first control unit that controls a transmittance of the optical element; and a second control unit that controls exposure when a subject is captured using the image sensor and an image signal is output. The first control unit performs control so as to increase a target transmittance of the optical element in a first condition under which a temperature of the optical element exceeds a predetermined temperature, based on the information regarding the temperature, and the second control unit controls exposure excluding the transmittance according to a change in the transmittance of the optical element in the first condition.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided with a pixel array that has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels, a readout unit that reads out a pixel signal from the pixel array, an A/D conversion unit that has a first mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a first resolution and a second mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, and a control unit that switches between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the pixel signal read out from the pixel array.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include integrated circuits, merge circuits and methods of processing multiple-exposure image data, in which a single pre-processing circuit is used for pre-processing first input exposure data associated with a first exposure of the image, and then for pre-processing second input exposure data associated with a second exposure of the image, and the first and second pre-processed exposure data are merged to generate merged image data for tone mapping and other post-processing. An example merge circuit includes a configurable gain circuit to apply a gain to the first and/or second exposure data, as well as a configurable weighting circuit with a weight calculation circuit and a motion adaptive filter circuit to compute a first and second weight values for merging the pre-processed first and second exposure data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for performing automatic white balance (AWB). An example device may include a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to receive a first image of a scene, measure a first illuminant of the first received image, compare the first illuminant and a first illuminant value, determine the scene is changing between the first received image and a previous image based on the comparison, adjust a first AWB convergence rate to a second AWB convergence rate in response to determining the scene is changing, and converge from a first balancing factor to a second balancing factor for one or more white balance operations based on the second AWB convergence rate.

Abstract: An automatic exposure (AE) imaging system includes an image sensor that captures an analog image; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the analog image into a digital image; a single-frame image processor that processes the digital image; an exposure quantizer that generates a discrete number representing a determined exposure time according to an output of the single-frame image processor; a multi-exposure controller, under control of a motion-detect signal, generating a plurality of different exposure times in sequence in each frame period in a motion detection mode, and outputting the determined exposure time in a streaming mode; and a pixel controller coupled to receive an output of the multi-exposure controller, according to which the image sensor is controlled.

Abstract: A camera module includes a first lens barrel including a first lens, a second lens barrel including a second lens that is aligned with the first lens in an optical axis direction, and a stop module disposed between the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel. The stop module includes blades configured to form one or more incidence holes having various sizes. The stop module includes a magnet portion including a driving magnet opposing a driving coil, and the magnet portion moves back and forth rectilinearly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating long exposure images for high dynamic range processing. For example, methods may include receiving a short exposure image that was captured using an image sensor; receiving an additional image that was captured using the image sensor; determining a long exposure image based on the short exposure image and the additional image; applying high dynamic range processing to the short exposure image and the long exposure image to obtain an output image with a larger dynamic range than the short exposure image; and transmitting, storing, or displaying an image based on the output image.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method of operating the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes an imaging device configured to obtain an image of a subject, a light source including light-emitting elements configured to emit light in different directions, and a controller configured to determine a position of the subject and a distance to the subject in the image, and control a luminance of the light-emitting elements based on the position of the subject and the distance to the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, methods, and computer readable media for responding to a user snapshot request by capturing anticipatory pre-snapshot image data as well as post-snapshot image data. The captured information may be used, depending upon the embodiment, to create archival image information and image presentation information that is both useful and pleasing to a user. The captured information may automatically be trimmed or edited to facilitate creating an enhanced image, such as a moving still image. Varying embodiments of the invention offer techniques for trimming and editing based upon the following: exposure, brightness, focus, white balance, detected motion of the camera, substantive image analysis, detected sound, image metadata, and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. An image capturing control unit acquires a first image and a second image that require different time periods to read out electrical charge that accumulates due to exposure. A display control unit controls display of an image that is read out from an image sensor on a display unit. The second image has a lower resolution and requires a shorter time period for readout than the first image. The display control unit, when causing the display unit to cyclically display the first image and the second image, sets a first time period from readout of the second image to display start of the second image on the display unit, based on a difference between the time period to read out the first image and the time period to read out the second image.

Abstract: A camera module includes a housing to accommodate a lens module, a stop module coupled to the lens module and configured to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module, and a coil portion configured to drive the stop module to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module. The coil portion is disposed on the housing.

Abstract: A camera module includes a housing accommodating a lens module, and an aperture module coupled to an upper portion of the lens module. The aperture module includes a plurality of plates having an incident hole configured to change an amount of light incident on the lens module. At least one of the plurality of plates is configured to be driven by an interaction between a driving magnet provided in the aperture module and a driving coil provided on the housing opposing the driving magnet in a first direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction.

Abstract: The disclosure proposes a method for obtaining a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image. The method comprises storing a main set of selectable exposure times and a plurality of candidate reduced sets being respective subsets of the main set, controlling a capture of calibration images at respectively each exposure time of the main set, for each candidate reduced set, selecting the calibration images captured with the exposure times of the candidate reduced set and computing a score value depending on intensities of the selected calibration images, selecting a candidate reduced set from the candidate reduced sets on the basis of the computed score values, and controlling the capture of the plurality of images at respectively each exposure time of the selected candidate reduced set for obtaining the HDR image.

Abstract: An imaging device according to an embodiment includes an image sensor, and processing circuitry. The image sensor is a rolling-shutter type image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix and generate an electric signal due to light received and, on a frame-to-frame basis, repeatedly performs a process to sequentially start to conduct exposure on at least every line, starting from the first line of the pixels to the last line, and output the electric signal sequentially from the line for which exposure has been completed. The processing circuitry causes the pixels to receive light during only a period based on the blanking period that corresponds to the period from when the output of the electric signal from the last line is finished until the output of the electric signal from the first line is started. The processing circuitry generates images in accordance with the electric signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for generating High-Dynamic Range (HDR) images. An example device may include one or more processors and a memory. The memory may include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to identify a number of regions of interest (ROIs) in a preview image, wherein the number of ROIs is more than one, determine a number of images to be captured for an HDR image to be the number of identified ROIs, and for each ROI associated with a respective image of the number of images to be captured, determine an exposure value to be used in capturing the respective image of the number of images.

Abstract: An imaging system may comprise a plurality of pixels to selectively operate in a first operating mode or a second operating mode. When operating in the first operating mode, the plurality of pixels is binned during an exposure phase such that an output during a readout phase corresponds to a summed photocurrent that is a sum of a plurality of concurrent photocurrents, each corresponding to one of the plurality of pixels. When operating in the second operating mode, the plurality of pixels is not binned during the exposure phase such that an output during the readout phase corresponds to a set of separate photocurrents, each corresponding to one of a set of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Automatic exposure control of an in-vehicle camera is performed under dark driving environments such as at night. An in-vehicle camera system includes a vehicle camera mounted in a vehicle configured to capture surroundings of the vehicle, and control circuitry that controls an exposure level of an image captured by the vehicle camera, the control of the exposure level being based on brightness information of a detection area set within the image, the detection area being a portion of the captured image and configured to output the image having exposure control performed thereon to a display.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus determines whether there is an influence of external light from the outside of the image scanning apparatus on scanning; decides a correction value corresponding to each of a plurality of sensors based on received light amounts of at least some of the plurality of sensors; and corrects, using the correction value corresponding to each of the plurality of sensors and decided, data corresponding to a received light amount of each of the plurality of sensors when scanning the original, wherein if it is determined that there is the influence of the external light, the image scanning apparatus decides the correction value corresponding to a first sensor and the correction value corresponding to a second sensor arranged at a position that is readily influenced by the external light based on the received light amount of the first sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a lens part that receives light from the outside, an image sensor that changes the received light to electronic image data, and an image processing unit that processes the image data. If a saturated pixel is included in the image data, the image processing unit measures the amount of light of the saturated pixel by using an increasing or decreasing value of brightness of a plurality of unsaturated pixels around the saturated pixel.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for generating motion extracted images having a high dynamic range (“HDR”) based on image data obtained from one or more image sensors at different times. The implementations described herein may be used with a single image sensor or camera that obtains images at different exposures sequentially in time. The images may be processed to detect an object moving within the field of view and pixel information corresponding to that moving object extracted. The non-extracted image data may then be combined to produce a motion extracted HDR image that is substantially devoid of the moving object.

Abstract: “Programmed manual modes” mimic the processes a digital camera user goes through manually, but at the speed of the processor built in the camera. Each program preferably includes an exposure condition and a set of exposure parameters, with each exposure parameter having a plurality of exposure settings and a plurality of exposure setting priorities. The processor automatically applies an exposure value from each exposure setting and determines if the exposure condition is met. If the exposure condition is met, the processor captures and stores the image. If not, the processor applies a different exposure value and determines if the exposure condition is met based on the different exposure value.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for generating High-Dynamic Range (HDR) images. An example device may include a camera, one or more processors, and a memory. The memory may include instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to determine, from a preview image captured with an initial exposure value by a camera, a first exposure value for capturing a reference image, and a second exposure value for capturing a first non-reference image, wherein the second exposure value is based on a difference between the initial exposure value and the first exposure value. Execution of the instructions may further cause the device to capture the reference image using the first exposure value, capture the first non-reference image using the second exposure value, and blend the reference image and the first non-reference image in generating an HDR image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus mounted to a vehicle includes a lens, an image sensor, a light-blocking panel, and a control unit. The image sensor has a light-receiving surface which receives light from the lens and a plurality of pixels provided on the light-receiving surface. The image sensor acquires brightness of light at each of the pixels on the light-receiving surface. The light-blocking panel is disposed between the lens and the image sensor, which has a plurality of cells that are arranged so as to correspond to the plurality of pixels in the image sensor. In the light-blocking panel, transmittance of light of the cells is variable for each cell. The control unit sets the transmittance of each of the cells in the light-blocking panel corresponding to each of the pixels in the image sensor, based on the brightness of light at each of the pixels acquired by the image sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems that may improve and/or modify images captured using multiscopic image capture systems. In an example embodiment, burst image data is captured via a multiscopic image capture system. The burst image data may include at least one image pair. The at least one image pair is aligned based on at least one rectifying homography function. The at least one aligned image pair is warped based on a stereo disparity between the respective images of the image pair. The warped and aligned images are then stacked and a denoising algorithm is applied. Optionally, a high dynamic range algorithm may be applied to at least one output image of the aligned, warped, and denoised images.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer programs are provided for storing a set of sensor output images for multi-exposure high dynamic range processing to produce a processed image. The multi-exposure high dynamic range processing combines pixel values from one or more of the sensor output images to produce the processed image. In one example, a method comprises receiving from an image sensor a first sensor output image. The first sensor output image has a first exposure. The method also comprises receiving from the image sensor a second sensor output image. The second sensor output image has a second exposure different than the first exposure. First image pixels of the first sensor output image having pixel values which are unlikely to have a substantial contribution to the processed image are identified, and the amount of information stored in relation to the first image pixels is reduced on the basis of the identifying step.

Abstract: A camera for capturing video images in a series of frames includes an image sensor having an array of pixels. Each pixel receives an image and accumulates an electrical charge representative of the image during a frame. The camera also includes a pixel processor to sample a pixel output for each of the pixels of the image sensor during an intermediate portion of the frame to produce a signal representative of the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing an input are disclosed that detect a portion of a hand and/or other detectable object in a region of space monitored by a 3D sensor. The method further includes determining a zone corresponding to the region of space in which the portion of the hand or other detectable object was detected. Also, the method can include determining from the zone a correct way to interpret inputs made by a position, shape or a motion of the portion of the hand or other detectable object.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for generating a visual special effect image or video pair. The method mainly comprises: at least modifying the brightness of at least one region of an image or video of at least one view, so that the polarity of brightness contrast of the region in the view to perimeter regions is opposite to the polarity of brightness contrast of a corresponding region in the other view to the perimeter regions, and the absolute value of the difference between the brightness contrast of the region in the view to the perimeter regions and the brightness contrast of a corresponding region in the other view to the perimeter regions is greater than a critical value; and obtaining a new image or video pair. When the obtained image or video pair is viewed separately using both eyes, a fluctuating lustre sensation appears in a processing region. The present invention can add a special visual effect for content viewed in a binocular display mode.

Abstract: A camera module includes a housing to accommodate a lens module, a stop module coupled to the lens module and configured to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module, and a coil portion configured to drive the stop module to selectively change an amount of light incident to the lens module. The coil portion is disposed on the housing.

Abstract: A camera device includes a plurality of lenses and an annular body. The annular body is disposed between the object side and the plurality of lenses, between the plurality of lenses, or between the plurality of lenses and the image side. The annular body includes an annular main body, an outer circumferential portion, and an inner circumferential portion, wherein the annular main body connects to the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, the annular main body is disposed between the outer circumferential portion and the inner circumferential portion, and the inner circumferential portion is non-circular and surrounds the optical axis to form a hole. The camera device satisfies: Dx>Dy, 1<Dx/Dy<28, where Dx is a maximum dimension of the hole through which the optical axis passes, and Dy is a minimum dimension of the hole through which the optical axis passes.

Abstract: An apparatus that automatically monitors a display device includes a photo sensor configured to receive light from a display screen of the display device. The photo sensor provides signals representing detected light levels to a processor. The processor is coupled to the display device and is configured to cause the display device to present a test sequence including a plurality of images on the display screen. The processor is configured to capture data from the photo sensor during the presentation of the test sequence and to compare the captured data to an expected sequence corresponding to the test sequence displayed by a well-functioning display. The processor is further configured to report any mismatch between the captured data and the expected sequence as a possible malfunction of the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the optimal exposure time and the number of exposures in a structured light-based 3D camera system. The method includes capturing a reference image onto which first and second patterns are projected, calculating a slope related to brightness and an exposure time for a pixel of the reference image and categorizing a state of the slope, creating an upper loss pixel distribution chart and an accumulation pixel distribution chart by calculating the number of upper loss pixels and the number of accumulation pixels for the exposure time of the structured light-based 3D camera system, and determining the optimal exposure time and the number of exposures of the structured light-based 3D camera system using the upper loss pixel distribution chart and the accumulation pixel distribution chart.