Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electronic device including a display device and an image sensor. The device may include a processor configured to cause the display device to output an illumination image in response to a command to capture one or more digital images of a scene. The processor can also be configured to cause the image sensor to receive the one or more digital images of the scene while the illumination image is displayed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an image capturing apparatus capable of capturing an image while controlling an image capturing condition on a pixel-by-pixel basis or on a region-by-region basis comprises: an identification unit configured to identify a moving object region in the image on the basis of motion information on an object; and a setting unit configured to set the image capturing condition for each pixel or each region such that an identical shutter speed is applied to pixels corresponding to the moving object region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling camera settings of a camera to improve detection of faces in an uncontrolled environment are described. A first image is received from the camera, where the first image is captured by the camera at a first set of camera settings. A face is detected in the first image. The camera is adjusted to a second set of camera settings based on the detected face, where the second set of camera settings different from the first set of camera settings. A second image is received from the camera, where the second image is captured by the camera at the second set of camera settings. The face is detected in the second image. A quality metric of the face in the second image is determined where the quality metric is indicative of an image quality of the face in the second image.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an aperture stop, a driving device configured to drive the aperture stop, a storage storing a driving instruction value for driving the aperture stop, and a controller configured to perform control of the driving device based on the driving instruction value. The storage stores the driving instruction value, among a plurality of ones of the driving instruction value, by which an absolute value of a difference, between a target aperture value and an actual aperture value obtained by the control, that is largest with respect to a plurality of ones of the drive amount is minimized.

Abstract: An image processing method, a backlight brightness adjustment method, an image processing system, and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The image processing method includes: acquiring a display image; dividing the display image to obtain one or more initial local regions; calculating an average brightness value of each of the one or more initial local regions respectively; acquiring an output image according to the average brightness value of each of the one or more initial local regions and the display image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining a first image of a scene while an illumination component is set to an inactive state; obtaining a second image of the scene while the illumination component is set to a pre-flash state; determining one or more illumination control parameters for the illumination component for a third image of the scene that satisfy a foreground-background balance criterion based on a function of the first and second images in order to discriminate foreground data from background data within the scene; and obtaining the third image of the scene while the illumination component is set to an active state in accordance with the one or more illumination control parameters.

Abstract: An imaging element that outputs an image signal acquired by an imaging unit which has a plurality of pixel units is provided that includes a gain unit that sets gain with respect to an output signal of the imaging unit; a control unit that controls an accumulation time of the pixel units; and an arithmetic operation unit that receives a target luminance value and exposure control information, calculates the gain or the accumulation time by detecting a luminance value using an image signal read from the pixel units, and causes the gain unit or the control unit to perform exposure control of the imaging unit.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus capable of presenting an object that is easy to be in a fusion state where connection is natural regardless of a distance, an information processing method, and a recording medium. In the information processing apparatus, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are output to acquire position information of an object in a depth direction to be perceived by a user, and a luminance correction region to be subjected to luminance correction is set to at least one of a first display region that is included in a display region for the left-eye image and overlaps a display region for the right-eye image, or a second display region that is included in the display region for the right-eye image and overlaps the display region for the left-eye image on the basis of the position information. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a transmissive HMD.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image data acquirer configured to acquire pieces of image data at a plurality of relative movement positions to which an imaging surface of an imaging sensor is relatively moved with respect to an object light flux; an exposure changer configured to change an exposure when acquiring the pieces of image data at the plurality of relative movement positions; a dynamic range adjuster configured to adjust a dynamic range of the acquired pieces of image data; and an image data combiner configured to obtain composite image data of the pieces of image data, based on a positional shift amount between the pieces of image data and the dynamic range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photograph-capture method. The method includes: obtaining an image for an image capture area, and obtaining an image quality assessment value of the image, where the image quality assessment value is configured to characterize a quality of the image; and when the image quality assessment value is determined to satisfy a preset quality condition, generating a photograph-capture instruction, executing the photograph-capture instruction, taking the image as a target image, and saving the target image. Also disclosed are a photograph-capture apparatus and a terminal.

Abstract: An image sensor, comprises: a pixel area that includes first and second pixel groups each constituted by a plurality of pixels; first and second output channels that output image signals obtained from the first and second pixel groups, respectively; and a driver that performs drive according to a first drive method in which the first pixel group is alternately exposed in a medium exposure period and a short exposure period in a first cycle so that a first and second image signals are read out, and in which the second pixel group is exposed in a long exposure period in a second cycle longer than the first cycle so that a third image signal is read out. The reading out of the third image signal and reading out of the first or the second image signal are performed in parallel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining a first image of a scene while an illumination component is set to an inactive state; obtaining a second image of the scene while the illumination component is set to a pre-flash state; determining one or more illumination control parameters for the illumination component for a third image of the scene that satisfy a foreground-background balance criterion based on a function of the first and second images in order to discriminate foreground data from background data within the scene; and obtaining the third image of the scene while the illumination component is set to an active state in accordance with the one or more illumination control parameters.

Abstract: A movement amount detection circuit detects a movement amount from image data that has been imaged. A shaking amount calculation circuit calculates a shaking amount of an imaging apparatus that has imaged the image data. An intensity determination circuit sets intensity of cyclic noise reduction (NR) processing. The cyclic NR processing circuit performs cyclic NR processing on the image data with the set intensity. A shaking correction circuit performs shaking correction processing that suppresses shaking of the image data subjected to the cyclic NR processing based on the shaking amount. The intensity determination circuit controls the intensity of the cyclic NR processing in units of areas based on the movement amount when the shaking correction processing is not in operation and controls the intensity of the cyclic NR processing uniformly to all areas of the image data when the shaking correction processing is in operation.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for modifying images are presented. The system receives a user interface selection initiating an image capture and detects a first image capture parameter. The system identifies an object of interest within a field of view of an image capture device and identifies a set of object characteristics of the object of interest. The system generates a parameter notification indicating a suggested modification of the first image capture parameter based on one or more object characteristics of the set of object characteristics. The system causes presentation of the parameter notification at the image capture device.

Abstract: A pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor is exposed to light representative of a scene during a first frame interval and then oversampled a first number of times within the first frame interval to generate a corresponding first number of frames of image data from which a first output image may be constructed. One or more of the first number of frames of image data are evaluated to determine whether a range of luminances in the scene warrants adjustment of an oversampling factor from the first number to a second number, if so, the oversampling factor is adjusted such that the pixel array is oversampled the second number of times within a second frame interval to generate a corresponding second number of frames of image data from which a second output image may be constructed.

Abstract: An image processing method and relative products are provided. The image processing method may include: acquiring an image to be processed when shooting a picture; acquiring N shooting brightness parameters for adjusting a camera corresponding to the shooting, where N is a positive integer; determining a current environment according to the N shooting brightness parameters; determining a light spot area of the image to be processed according to the current environment; and performing different processing operations on the light spot area and other areas of the image to be processed, so as to acquire an output image.

Abstract: A system, a camera, and a method. The system may include a light device and a camera. The light device may be configured to emit light having a lighting frequency defined by on states and off states of the light device. The camera may be in view of the emitted light. The camera may have an image acquisition frequency configured to capture all images during the on states of the light device.

Abstract: All image capturing apparatus includes an interval shooting section (51) that performs an interval shooting process, a lighten compositing section (54) that performs a lighten compositing process using images captured one by one by the interval shooting process, and a composite-image-in-progress displaying section (55) that, when a first operation is performed, causes a composite image in a first memory area, which is used as a compositing buffer for the lighten compositing process, to be displayed on an LCD monitor without causing the interval shooting process to be stopped.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image receiving unit configured to receive a picture sent by a remote shooting apparatus, an image analysis unit configured to analyze the picture to obtain exposure situations of respective parts in the picture, an exposure evaluation unit configured to evaluate exposure conditions of the respective parts in the picture based on the exposure situations of the respective parts in the picture to determine whether the respective parts in the picture are overexposed and determine overexposed parts, and an exposure information prompt unit configured to prompt an evaluation result in accordance with evaluation of the exposure evaluation unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels forming pixel rows, and a scanning circuit that performs a reset operation of a photoelectric converter and a readout operation of a pixel signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric converter including charge transfer from the photoelectric converter to the holding unit. The pixel rows include imaging rows and focus detection rows. The scanning circuit performs an image capture scan of the imaging rows and a focus detection scan of the focus detection rows, independently, such that signals of the focus detection rows are output after signals from the imaging rows. The scanning circuit performs the focus detection scan such that the reset operation on the focus detection row does not overlap with a charge transfer period on an imaging row belonging to a unit pixel row neighboring a unit pixel row to which a focus detection row under the reset operation belongs.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to (a) receive (i) a plurality of first samples selected from a first picture of a sequence of pictures, (ii) a plurality of smooth first samples corresponding to the plurality of first samples, (iii) a plurality of second samples selected from a second picture of the sequence of pictures, and (iv) a plurality of smooth second samples corresponding to the plurality of second samples, and (b) generate a plurality of adjusted first samples by combining the smooth first samples, the first samples, and the smooth second samples. The second circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of values based on the plurality of adjusted first samples and at least one of the plurality of first samples and the plurality of second samples. The first samples and the second samples generally have different levels of a lighting condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shooting device, a shooting method, and a program capable of suppressing shooting of an image including large blurring due to motion of a camera such that an image with less blurring may be shot. The camera motion is detected, a distribution degree of a trajectory of the camera motion based on a camera motion detection result is calculated to be compared with a predetermined threshold, and start and finish of exposure is controlled on the basis of a comparison result. The present disclosure may be applied to the shooting device.

Abstract: A vehicular image pickup device includes an image capturing unit, a fill light unit and a processing unit. The image capturing unit captures driving images. The fill light unit provides a fill light. The processing unit obtains a grayscale quantity distribution of pixels of the driving images on a plurality of grayscale levels. The processing unit numbers the pixels sequentially in the direction from the highest grayscale level to the lowest grayscale level according to the grayscale quantity distribution until the numbering reaches a predetermined number. The processing unit adjusts a fill light intensity of the fill light unit or a gain of the image capturing unit according to the grayscale level of the pixel whose number is the predetermined number.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a shake detection unit in the main body and detects an amount of the shaking. A system control unit acquires frequency information by communication from an external device mounted on the main body. If the system control unit determines that a drive frequency of the external device mounted on the main body interferes with a drive frequency of the shake detection unit in a case where a mode that supports panning is set and panning of the imaging apparatus is performed, it corrects a shutter speed for panning and suppresses the influence caused by the interferences.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an image pickup unit that generates an image signal by shooting an object when light from the object is focused on an image pickup element by a lens unit, an image processing unit that generates an image from the image signal, an edge detection unit that detects an edge based on a window frame of an accessory accommodating the apparatus in the image, a calculation unit that determines an area on the basis of edge information and obtain a central position of the area, a lens driving unit including an adjustment unit that drives the lens unit and adjusts a zooming position such that the area is adjusted with respect to an image shooting range and a storage unit that stores the adjusted zooming position, and an exposure adjustment unit that performs an exposure adjustment in the image at the at least one adjusted zooming position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor circuit and a correction circuit. The processor circuit may be configured to receive a sequence of pictures. The correction circuit may be configured to (i) generate multiple smooth first samples by spatially smoothing multiple first samples selected from a first picture of said sequence of pictures, (ii) generate multiple smooth second samples by spatially smoothing multiple second samples selected from a second picture of said sequence of pictures, (iii) generate multiple adjusted first samples by combining said smooth first samples, said first samples and said smooth second samples, and (iv) generate multiple values based on said second samples and said adjusted first samples. The first samples and the second samples may have different levels of a lighting condition. The adjusted first samples and the second samples may have similar levels of the lighting condition.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus that performs intermittent image capturing to acquire a moving image composed of combined plural images includes an imaging means, a luminance value acquisition means configured to acquire a luminance value of a subject of which image is to be captured, an exposure control means configured to control exposure according to the acquired luminance value, and a range setting means configured to set a predetermined range in which changing the exposure according to a change of the luminance value is not executed. The range setting means sets the predetermined range based on information related to time when intermittent image capturing is performed.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a reference image selector configured to select one image of an image group as a reference image; a processing target image selector configured to select, as a processing target image, each of images of the image group other than the reference image; an arrangement order setting unit configured to set arrangement order of the images included in the image group; a conversion information estimation unit configured to estimate conversion information between the images adjacent to each other; a deformed image creation unit configured to create a deformed image by subjecting the processing target image to an image conversion using the conversion information cumulatively from the processing target image to the reference image in the arrangement order; and a color image creation unit configured to create a color image using the deformed images created based on the respective images and the reference image.

Abstract: An image sensor control device includes an image sensor including focus detecting pixels; an object brightness detecting unit that detects brightness of an object; a mode determining unit that determines a first readout mode or a second readout mode based on the detected brightness of the object; a read-out unit that reads out the focus detecting pixels in the determined readout mode; and a focus detecting unit that performs focus detection by using focus detection data read out from the focus detecting pixels. In an implementation, in the first readout mode, the read-out unit reads out the focus detecting pixels in a first interval, and, in the second readout mode, the read-out unit reads out the focus detecting pixels in a second interval, which is longer than the first interval.

Abstract: A method, medium, and system encoding and/or decoding a moving picture. The moving picture encoding method may include selecting a prediction mode that is optimal for the macro blocks, which correspond to each other, of the color components of a current image based on the characteristics of a predetermined image, generating a predicted image for the current image according to the selected prediction mode, and encoding a moving picture using the predicted image. An optimal prediction mode can be adaptively applied to the macro blocks, which correspond to each other, of the color components, thereby increasing the moving picture's encoding and decoding efficiencies.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that is capable of generating a wide-angle composite image in which halation and black collapse are reduced without needing lots of memory quantity. An obtaining unit obtains images that are photographed with different exposure values while changing a photographing target area continuously. A detection unit detects an overlapped area where an object overlaps between adjacent images among the images obtained by the obtaining unit. A generation unit generates a composite area in which overlapped areas detected by the detection unit are overlapped so as not to exceed a predetermined count. A computation unit computes composition ratios of the images obtained by the obtaining unit based on the exposure values and signal values at the times when the images are photographed. A composition unit generates a wide-angle composite image by compositing images in the composite area with the composition ratios computed.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: an imaging unit configured to capture an image in a temporally continuous manner; a change rate setting unit configured to variably set a change rate of brightness of image continuously captured by the imaging unit; a parameter setting unit configured to be capable of variably setting a light adjustment parameter for altering the change rate of the brightness of the image such that the change rate set by the change rate setting unit is obtained; a photometry unit configured to acquire a photometric value indicating the brightness of the image; and a light adjustment unit configured to generate, based on the photometric value, a light adjustment control signal in line with a light adjustment profile for causing the photometric value to reach a predetermined target value of the brightness within a certain time period.

Abstract: A scene recognition method includes acquiring an image and sensor data corresponding to the image and determining, in accordance with the sensor data, whether a scene of the image is a non-high-dynamic range (HDR) scene. The method also includes extracting an image feature of the image when it is not determined whether the scene of the image is the non-HDR scene and determining, in accordance with the image feature, whether the scene of the image is an HDR scene.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of calculating a light amount change characteristic of light from an object according to a state of the object. In the image pickup apparatus, the luminance change-based flicker detection for detecting flicker of a light source by calculating the light amount change characteristic of light from a photographing object based on sequential image data obtained by an image pickup device, and the luminance distribution-based flicker detection for detecting flicker by calculating the light amount change characteristic based on luminance distribution data generated from the image data are selectively performed according to the brightness of the photographing environment.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for discontinuously capturing and transmitting images from a camera. The camera initializes and powers down on-demand components, awaiting a signal on an interrupt pin. Upon receiving a signal on the interrupt pin, the camera powers up the on-demand components, captures a series of images and transmits the series of images. The discontinuous transmission of images allows the camera to reduce a power consumption and a memory usage while reducing a latency between a capture request and the transmission of images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a light painting live view. A method includes, in a device comprising at least a processor, a memory, a display and a camera device having an on-screen viewfinder, accessing the camera, capturing individual frames of footage, each of the captured frames being displayed through the on-screen viewfinder in cumulative succession, rendering the captured frames on a graphical processing unit (GPU), sending the captured frames through a shader program, generating at least two images, a first image saved to the memory and a second image displayed on the display, and rendering the first image into the second image to generate a final image.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging device capable of expanding the dynamic range and eliminating differences in level occurring in low luminance regions between segments having different transmittances. A number of high luminance pixels calculation section calculates the number of high luminance pixels for each segment, on the basis of pre-image data obtained through pre-imaging while all the segments of a light modulation element have high transmittances. A main control section determines, as a dimming target segment, a segment having a number of high luminance pixels equal to or greater than a first number of pixels. A low luminance pixel specifying section specifies low luminance pixels among the pixels corresponding to the dimming target segment. A gain correction section performs gain correction on pixel signal values of the low luminance pixels, with a gain value corresponding to a ratio of the high transmittance to the low transmittance.

Abstract: The amount of resources needed to provide automatic exposure control (AEC) for a camera of a computing device, as well as the amount of latency required to determine an appropriate exposure setting for current conditions, can be improved utilizing an ambient light sensor (ALS) that is integrated with a camera module corresponding to the camera. The ALS can capture data regarding the amount of ambient light around the device, and a microprocessor or other component of the camera module can analyze the data using an AEC algorithm or other such process to determine one or more initial exposure settings for the camera. This process can be completed without sending image data to a host processor or other such component. Providing relatively accurate initial exposure settings can, in at least many situations, enable the AEC algorithm to more quickly converge to proper settings than is possible using conventional approaches.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided, which includes an image capturer configured to generate a plurality of short-exposure images by performing continuous imaging for a first time in a first imaging mode in which imaging is performed through exposure over the first time, a processor configured to control the image capturer to generate at least one short-exposure image by performing additional imaging after the first time if an imaging command is input in a state where the first imaging mode and an HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode are set, and an image processor configured to synthesize the short-exposure images generated by the image capturer by successively accumulating the short-exposure images.

Abstract: Evaluation values relating to image capture are detected from at least two out of a plurality of images having different exposure amounts, which are used to generate a composite image. From a plurality of detected evaluation values relating to image capture, an evaluation value relating to image capture used to control an operation of an image capture apparatus is selected under a predetermined operation, thereby improving the detection accuracy of evaluation values relating to image capture in an HDR moving image capture operation.

Abstract: A dark exposure control device comprises a dark exposure performing processor, an aperture-stop, and an aperture-stop driving processor. The dark exposure performing processor detects an image signal generated by an imaging device while the shutter is closed. The aperture-stop adjusts the amount of light incident on the imaging device. The aperture-stop driving processor adjusts the opening degree of the aperture-stop to smaller than the opening degree set for a main exposure while the dark exposure performing processor is operated.

Abstract: This disclosure provides techniques for assessing quality of a deposited film layer of an organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) device. An image is captured and filtered to identify a deposited layer that is to be analyzed. Image data representing this layer can be optionally converted to brightness (grayscale) data. A gradient function is then applied to emphasize discontinuities in the deposited layer. Discontinuities are then compared to one or more thresholds and used to ascertain quality of the deposited layer, with optional remedial measures then being applied. The disclosed techniques can be applied in situ, to quickly identify potential defects such as delamination before ensuing manufacturing steps are applied. In optional embodiments, remedial measures can be taken dependent on whether defects are determined to exist.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus that carries out image sensing continuously and inputs a plurality of images, having a digital signal processing circuit that detects, at each input image, from image data thereof, an object that satisfies a preset condition, a first exposure value determination unit that calculates a first exposure value from the image data, a second exposure value determination unit that calculates a second exposure value based on the detected object, and a selection unit that selects either the first exposure value, the second exposure value, a currently set exposure value, or an exposure value calculated based on a luminance of an area referenced when calculating a currently set exposure value as an exposure value to be used for a next image sensing based on object detection results obtained by the digital signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performing scene-adaptive auto-focusing for image capture with a variable-focus lens. The array of color pixels includes a array of half-covered light sensors to obtain lens-focus state information. The exposure time of the plurality of partially-covered light sensors is dynamically selected as long-exposure or short-exposure, based upon a current measurement of a property (e.g., brightness, or color-specific brightness) of a selected region of interest within a scene to be captured by the array. Then, focus state information corresponding to the selected region of interest is obtained by capturing light from the selected region of interest with first and second partially-covered light sensors. The exposure time of the partially-covered light sensors can be changed based on whether the brightness is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels of a preset plurality of colors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix shape, a vertical signal line corresponding to a pixel column of the pixel region, a trigger line corresponding to a pixel row of the pixel region and supplying a trigger pulse corresponding to each of the colors of the plurality of pixels, and a trigger pulse supply part supplying, via the trigger line, the trigger pulse in a manner that a signal voltage of each pixel of a predetermined color in the pixel region is read out for each pixel row via the vertical signal line, and thereafter, a signal voltage of each pixel of another color in the pixel region is read out for each pixel row via the vertical signal line.

Abstract: The exposure control apparatus is for performing exposure control for a camera mounted on a vehicle in accordance with brightness of a recognition area set in an image ahead of the vehicle taken by the camera. The exposure control apparatus includes a measuring means for measuring brightness of a photometric area showing a landscape more distant from the vehicle than a landscape shown by the recognition area in each of images successively taken by the camera, a detection means for detecting brightness variation with time of the photometric area based on measurement results by the measuring means for images taken by the camera at different times, and a control means configured to predict a timing at which the brightness of the recognition area changes based on the brightness variation with time of the photometric area, and perform exposure control of the camera at the predicted timing.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus which is capable of enlarging dynamic range and taking images at high frame rate. The solid-state image pickup apparatus has a pixel unit having first pixels with a first sensitivity to the light and second pixels with a second sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity, and the first pixels and the second pixels being alternately arranged in a row direction. Pixel signals are read out from the first pixels as first pixel signals, and analog-to-digital conversion of the first pixel signals is performed to obtain first digital signals. Pixel signals are read out from the second pixels as second pixel signals, and analog-to-digital conversion of the second pixel signals is performed to obtain second digital signals. The first digital signals and the second digital signals are output as image data.

Abstract: A multi-step exposure method using an electronic shutter and a photography apparatus using the same are provided. The photography apparatus includes an image sensor, and a control unit which divides an area of the image into a first area and a second area using brightness information of the acquired image, and controls so that a first row group and a second row group of the second area have different exposure times. As a result, an image with a wider dynamic range is provided.

Abstract: In an image within which a face pattern is detected, when a ratio of a skin color pixel is equal to or smaller than a first threshold value in a first region and a ratio of a skin color pixel is equal to or greater than a second threshold value in a second r region, the vicinity of the first region is determined to be a face candidate position at which the face pattern can exist. Face detection is carried out on the face candidate position. The second region is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the first region.

Abstract: The number of images to be composited used to generate a dynamic range-extended image, and exposure conditions for respective images to be composited are determined. A proper exposure condition is determined for a subject corresponding to a moving object region, and one of the exposure conditions of the images to be composited is changed to the proper exposure condition. An image capture apparatus specifies a moving object region for a plurality of images to be composited, which are captured under the exposure conditions of the images to be composited including the proper exposure condition. A dynamic range-extended image is generated using pixels of the image to be composited, which is captured under the proper exposure condition, as those of the moving object region, which is specified for the plurality of images to be composited.