Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer-program products for correcting image streaking, light scattering, and other effects in digital images generated by multispectral sensors. An image frame, a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to dark, and a plurality of image frames from the digital sensor when exposed to light are received. The received image frame is corrected based on the received plurality of image frames exposed to dark and the plurality of image frames exposed to light. The received image frames are enhanced based on characteristics of the digital sensor. Light scattering effects are removed from the corrected image frame based upon characteristics of the digital sensor.

Abstract: A method and a storage medium for auto exposure control are provided. A desired image is divided into a plurality of sample blocks, each includes red, green, and blue subpixels. A maximum exposure ratio and an average exposure ratio are obtained according to the maximum and average values of each red, green, and blue subpixel retrieved from each sample block and a predetermined desired maximum brightness and a predetermined desired average brightness. It is determined whether the maximum exposure ratio is smaller than the average exposure ratio. If it is, a strobe of the storage medium shines a flashlight based on the average exposure ratio, and, if it is not, the strobe shines a flashlight based on the maximum exposure ratio.

Abstract: Imaging system having a sensor array with photocells that permit the monitoring of light levels while the sensor is exposed to a scene, and the ability to accurately avoid saturation on a per column, row, or array basis. The sensor array supports variable dynamic range by allowing variable integration times for different columns or rows of the array, thereby improving image quality of a scene in which there are both strong and weak light areas. In one embodiment, the photocell includes a parasitic multi-emitter bipolar junction transistor (BJT) acting as a photodetector. The parasitic device is part of a saturation detection circuit and also supports an electronic shutter mechanism. The parasitic BJT also permits increased sensitivity over some previous CMOS approaches. The photocell design is also spatially efficient, using in one embodiment only four MOSFETs in addition to the parasitic BJT.

Abstract: A digital camera includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs an image signal; and a control device that engages the image sensor to capture an image at an exposure value having been set, makes a decision as to whether or not an overflow or an underflow deviating from a dynamic range of the image sensor manifests, calculates an exposure correction quantity with which the exposure value having been set is to be corrected in order to reduce the overflow or the underflow based upon results of the decision and engages the image sensor to capture a new image at an exposure value having been corrected in correspondence to the exposure correction quantity.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.

Abstract: Automatic white balancing and/or autoexposure as useful in a digital camera extracts color channel gains from comparisons of image colors with reference colors under various color temperature illuminants and/or extracts exposure settings from illuminance mean, illuminance variance, illuminance minimum, and illuminance maximum in areas of an image with a trained neural network.

Abstract: A method of exposure control for an imaging system. A predetermined number of images are captured by one or more imagers, wherein the images are defined by an image resolution matrix. The images are masked to establish a region of interest within the image resolution matrix and brightness of the images is analyzed within the region of interest. An exposure time is calculated for a subsequent image capturing step based on the brightness analysis, and an exposure time setting of the imager(s) is adjusted during the subsequent image capturing step based on the calculated exposure time.

Abstract: An automatic exposure control method and compensation apparatus are disclosed. It includes a coordinate system having sub-ranges with different corresponding exposure compensation values. It includes the setting of bright and dark regions threshold values and the calculation of the ratios of the pixel count in an image where the luminance of each pixel is higher than the bright area threshold value for obtaining a bright area ratio, and also includes the calculation of the ratio of the pixel count in an image where the luminance of each pixel is lower than the dark area threshold value for obtaining a dark area ratio. Afterwards, the image position in the coordinate system is determined. When the image position in the coordinate system is fallen inside one of the sub-ranges, the corresponding exposure compensation value of the sub-range where the image is located is given to compensate the exposure value of the image.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a light source, an image capture unit, a brightness detector, an object distance obtaining unit which obtains an object distance to the object, first and second controllers, and an amplifier which amplifies an image signal output from the image capture unit by an amplifying factor according to a sensitivity set by one of the first and second controllers. The first controller disables the light source and sets a sensitivity which is in accordance with the brightness of the object and which is lower than a predetermined sensitivity. The second controller enables the light source and sets a sensitivity which is lower than the predetermined sensitivity. The second controller includes a sensitivity obtaining unit which obtains a sensitivity according to the object distance and a maximum amount of light emitted from the light source, and a setting unit which sets the obtained sensitivity.

Abstract: In a first exposure condition calculating operation, proper exposure conditions in imaging are calculated by the imaging element including the effective exposure time and ISO sensitivity without preliminary light emission from the strobo part. In a second exposure condition calculating operation, the exposure condition is determined by compensating at least the ISO sensitivity among the exposure conditions calculated in the first exposure condition calculating operation by dimmer or light control operation with preliminary light emission of the strobo part. Exposure of the imaging element is executed as a regular imaging operation under the exposure condition calculated and determined in the second exposure condition calculating operation.

Abstract: A camera device and method for performing a shooting operation by converting image light into an electrical signal. The location of a dark distribution is determined, and a dark distribution histogram ratio is calculated. The location of a bright distribution is determined, and a high-brightness slice set value is set. A determination is made as to whether or not a subject is in a backlighted state based on whether a dark_ratio falls within a predetermined range. When the subject is not in a backlighted state, the previously-set high-brightness slice set value is used unchanged. On the other hand, when the subject is in a backlighted state, the dark_ratio is normalized, so that, for example, backlight correction is carried out so that a high-brightness component limiter value of an integration signal of a peak-value-detected output is decreased.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus is provided with an image sensor having a photoelectric conversion characteristic comprised of a linear characteristic area where an electrical signal is outputted after being linearly converted in relation to an amount of an incident light and a logarithmic characteristic area where the electrical signal is outputted after being logarithmically converted in relation to the amount of the incident light. An evaluation value detector of a signal processing unit detects evaluation values concerning an image sensing control from each of the linear characteristic area and the logarithmic characteristic area upon picking up an image of a subject based on pieces of subject luminance information in the respective areas. A central control unit (image sensing controller) carries out the image sensing control based on the evaluation values corresponding to the respective areas detected by the evaluation value detector.

Abstract: To realize a wireless imaging apparatus having excellent sensitivity to an environmental change, a wireless imaging device has an imaging unit with a function of imaging a subject and a communication unit with a wireless communication function. The imaging unit has, at least, an optical lens, an aperture 2 to limit incident light from the optical lens, an optical sensor 4 to convert the incident light passed through the aperture 2 into an electric signal, and an antenna for wireless communication, integrally formed with the aperture.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a low-sensitivity decision section made up of an arithmetic circuit and a data decision circuit. During RAW mode recording operation, the arithmetic circuit executes sensitivity correction on low-sensitivity pixel data. The data decision circuit compares the low-sensitivity pixel data thus corrected with high-sensitivity pixel data to thereby produce map data pixel by pixel. Subsequently, pixel data are omitted on the basis of an embedding condition assigned to basic data set beforehand and the map data, whereby recording data a regenerated. The recording data are then recorded in a recording medium together with the map data and high-sensitivity pixel data.

Abstract: Methods and related computer program products, systems, and devices for auto-focusing in an image-capturing system includes sampling output signals from an auto-focusing circuit in a first interval of lens distances and determining a first lens distance and a second lens distance corresponding to the two highest values of the sampled output signals in the first interval of lens distances.

Abstract: The invention concerns with an exposure control mechanism for use in an image pickup apparatus in which a diaphragm aperture formed by a plurality of diaphragm blades moving straightforward in opposite directions is covered by an ND filter, and intends to prevent deterioration of image quality caused by diffraction even in an image pickup device having a small picture size and a short pixel pitch. The image pickup apparatus comprises an exposure control mechanism for adjusting the quantity of light flux entering a shooting lens system. The exposure control mechanism comprises a diaphragm made up of diaphragm blades movable on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis in opposite directions to define a diaphragm aperture, and an ND filter made up of at least two ND filter elements having different transmittances.

Abstract: A camera includes an image sensor, and a plurality of metering areas are assigned to an object scene captured by the image sensor. A CPU evaluates a luminance of the object scene for each metering area, and binarizes each of the plurality of obtained luminance evaluated values. Furthermore, on the basis of the plurality of binarized luminance evaluated values, a width of a high luminance area included in the object scene is calculated while a width of an adjacent area adjacent to the high luminance area out of a low luminance area included in the object scene is calculated. Then, each of the plurality of luminance evaluated values is corrected on the basis of a ratio between the width of the calculated adjacent area and the width of the calculated high luminance area. An exposure amount to the image sensor is adjusted on the basis of the luminance evaluated values thus corrected.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus for capturing an object includes a distance calculating unit for measuring a phase difference (time difference) from the emission of light from a light emitting unit to the reception of reflected light by a light receiving unit for each unit composed of a predetermined number of adjacent pixels of the object to calculate a distance from the image-pickup apparatus to each corresponding pixel unit of the object, and an image processing unit for corresponding the distance calculated in units of the predetermined number of pixels to the image captured by the light receiving unit. The image processing unit supplies a display unit with only pixels corresponding to a predetermined range in the image generated by the distance calculating unit to display the pixels in units of the predetermined number of pixels on the display unit.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a finder optical system for viewing a subject image. An imaging section obtains the subject image. A display section displays the subject image based on image data associated with the subject image obtained by the imaging section. A mode selecting section selects either a first mode in which the electronic still camera performs imaging operation using the imaging section while a user views the subject image through the finder optical system or a second mode in which the electronic still camera performs imaging operation using the imaging section while the user views the subject image on the display section. A first focus detection circuit performs a first focus detecting operation when the first mode is selected by the mode selecting section. A second focus detection circuit performs a second focus detecting operation when the second mode is selected by the mode selecting section.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to eliminate cumbersomeness and improve the photographer's convenience by inputting settings to an image sensing apparatus by the user. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes a memory which stores information on a photographing frequency in association with object distance information and brightness information, an acquisition device which acquires an object brightness value on the basis of image information sensed by an image sensing device, and a control device which refers to the memory to detect an object distance having the highest photographing frequency among object distances corresponding to the acquired object brightness value, and controls image sensing operation on the basis of the detected object distance information.

Abstract: A digital imaging system such as a camera, in which the ISO sensitivity of a digital imaging sensor is dynamically adjusted in response to factors such as zoom, focal distance, available light, color of the image, charge status of the flash device, and so forth.

Abstract: There is provided an image-taking apparatus which sets a proper exposure time with repressing camera shake in accordance with a situation of an object. This image-taking apparatus comprises an image-pickup element which converts an object image into an image signal and a controller which determines an exposure time of the image-pickup element, wherein the controller sets a maximum value of an exposure time of the image-pickup element in accordance with a size of an area which satisfies a predetermined condition for a distance of the object.

Abstract: When a brightness level of an object is below a predetermined level, an ND filter is removed from an iris opening to fully open the iris opening, and when the brightness level of the object is above a predetermined level, the ND filter is placed to the iris opening to fully close the iris opening. When the ND filter is moved between the fully-opened state and the fully-closed state, an exposure change amount corresponding to an amount offsetting the exposure change amount due to a state transition is generated by controlling iris blades.

Abstract: An image pick-up apparatus includes an image pick-up device which picks-up an image of a subject and outputs an image signal, a first-amplitude changing portion which varies an amplitude of the image signal outputted form the image pick-up device, a second-amplitude changing portion which varies the amplitude of the image signal to be outputted, a comparing portion which compares the amplitude of the image signal with a value of a target amplitude, and a control portion which controls the first- and second-amplitude changing portions based on the comparison result of the comparing portion and changes the amplitude of the image signal so that it is approximate to the target amplitude so that an observed image of the subject displayed on display means has a desired brightness.

Abstract: A detecting section for detecting a high-luminance object signal is provided. By using resulting detection data, an exposure control is performed so that the white levels of high-luminance objects do not become unduly high. Low-luminance objects are blackened under such imaging conditions. A gamma correction circuit is provided that can make the low-luminance objects appear good by compensating for the blackening. A control of changing the characteristic of the gamma connection circuit in real time in accordance with the object condition is performed, whereby the luminance level is raised in a low-luminance range. As a result, when wide-dynamic-range objects including the high-luminance objects and the low-luminance objects are shot, unduly high white levels of high-luminance objects and blackening of low-luminance objects are prevented and a good image is thereby produced.

Abstract: A method and system generate an enhanced output image. A first image is acquired of a scene illuminated by a first illumination condition. A second image is acquired of the scene illuminated by a second illumination condition. First and second gradient images are determined from the first and second images. Orientations of gradients in the first and second gradient images are compared to produce a combined gradient image, and an enhanced output image is constructed from the combined gradient image.

Abstract: A method for adjusting backlight includes a series of operations. Providing a portable electronic device (10), the portable electronic device including an image sensor (12), a signal processor (14), a backlight adjuster (16) and a backlight module (18), which are all electronically connected together. The image sensor senses an outside light and transforms the sensed outside light to an optical image signal, and sends the optical image signal to the signal processor. The signal processor determines the backlight intensity that the backlight module should provide according to the received optical image signal, and sends a control signal to the backlight adjuster. The backlight adjuster dynamically adjusts the backlight provided by the backlight module based on the control signal sent from the signal processor. A portable electronic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the voltage supply of an image sensor pixel array to minimize pixel noise and maximize dynamic range is disclosed. The voltage supply is adjusted in response to the exposure level of the pixel array when it captures an image. The voltage supply is increased in higher exposure levels to expand the dynamic range of the pixel array. In lower exposure levels, when the full dynamic range of the pixel array is not utilized, the voltage supply is decreased to lower pixel noise level and reduce its effect on image quality.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus having an electronic shutter for controlling the charge accumulation time of an image sensing element and a mechanical shutter for releasing/shielding an optical path to the image sensing element includes an electronic shutter mode of controlling the image sensing time mainly by the electronic shutter and a mechanical shutter mode of controlling the image sensing time mainly by the mechanical shutter. In the electronic shutter mode, the operations of the electronic and mechanical shutters are controlled to overlap each other, and a charge reading period of the image sensing element and part of a release operation period of the mechanical shutter are controlled to overlap each other.

Abstract: A method for reducing residual signal from a first image from appearing in a second image, the method includes the steps of capturing the first image on an image sensor having a known exposure that includes exposure time and a peak light intensity; estimating a flush time for the second image based on the known exposure in capturing the first image; and capturing the second image using the estimated flush time for substantially reducing the residual signal.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus which improves accuracy of taken images by correcting image blurring is disclosed. The image-taking apparatus comprises an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an object image formed by an image-taking optical system; a detection sensor which detects vibration; and a control circuit which controls driving of a correcting lens unit being disposed in the image-taking optical system and correcting image blurring by moving within a plane substantially orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method for compensating an automatic exposure of a camera in a mobile communication terminal. The method includes determining a presumptive error value based on an average luminance value of an input current image frame and a particular target luminance value, selecting a convergent coefficient value based on the determined presumptive error value, determining a weight value of an adaptive filter based on the determined convergent coefficient value, and determining an exposure value for a next image frame based on the selected weight value, the determined presumptive error value and the exposure value of the current image frame.

Abstract: The electronic camera has an imaging device that images a subject with subject reflectance R (%) with a dynamic range wider than that at displaying or printing to acquire image data and a recording device that converts the image data acquired by the imaging device with a predetermined function and records the converted image data and the information on the function as digital values (digit). Therefore, a printed image with an automatically or manually corrected density can be obtained at the displaying or the printing.

Abstract: A portable camera-phone has a strobe consisting of LEDs emitting light with a determined quantity of light emission, as an auxiliary light source for image pick-up of an object by a camera. In an image pick-up mode, the light emission quantity is adjusted repeatedly until a total exposure value matches an optimal exposure value, based on a difference between a total exposure value of an image signal output from the camera with the light emission quantity determined last time and a total exposure value when emission is OFF. Therefore, in the image pick-up mode, two reference values are used for determining the light emission quantity to have the total exposure value match the optimal exposure value, and hence the light emission quantity can be determined with high accuracy. As a result, an optimal exposure level can be obtained with high accuracy.

Abstract: An image acquiring apparatus includes a pixel shifting section which changes the relative position between luminous flux incident on an imaging element and the imaging element to a plurality of specific positions, an imaging section which photographs in at least one of a plurality of specific positions including an initial position, an image creating section which creates a high-resolution new image based on at least one item of image data photographed by the imaging section, and a display control section which displays at least one image photographed by the imaging section before the high-resolution new image has been created.

Abstract: A photographic image is divided into a central area and a surrounding area, and video signals for the central and surrounding areas are integrated by an area integrator circuit. When an operator of video camera attached to a notebook personal computer is to photograph himself/herself with an imager of the video camera pointing toward the operator, a control microcomputer causes the integration result for the former to be multiplied by a larger weighting before both are summed. The control microcomputer generates exposure information according to the result, and compares the exposure level indicated by this information with the reference level to control an electronic shutter of an imaging device and the gain of an amplifier circuit so that the exposure level matches the reference level. Thus, the exposure of the video camera can be adjusted to an appropriate level. If the imager points towards an object on the opposite side of the operator, exposure control is performed as usual.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for digitally enhancing images are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes analyzing an acquired image to provide a high sensitive low light image and a low sensitive high light image, and then summing the high sensitive low light image and the low sensitive high light image to create an enhanced image.

Abstract: Backlight correction by the following steps. The location of a dark distribution is determined, and a dark distribution histogram ratio is calculated. Next, the location of a bright distribution is determined, and a high-brightness slice set value is set. A determination is made as to whether or not a subject is in a backlighted state. When the subject is not in a backlighted state, the high-brightness slice set value is used unchanged. On the other hand, when the subject is in a backlighted state, the dark_ratio is normalized so that, for example, backlight correction is carried out so that a high-brightness component limiter value of an integration signal of a peak-value-detected output is decreased.

Abstract: A received light quantity detection device where high-sensitivity pixels and low-sensitivity pixels are formed is used for photometry. It is possible to perform measurement over the low range (for example, 0[EV] through 8[EV]with a single occasion of photometry. In the case that both the high-sensitivity pixels and the low-sensitivity pixels are saturated, it is possible to perform further measurement over the high range (for example, 8[EV] through 16[EV]) by narrowing the aperture or increasing the electronic shutter speed for retried photometry with a retried photometry. This reduces the time required to calculate a correct exposure value on image pickup apparatus such as a camera.

Abstract: A brightness adjusting method used in an image-retrieving system for producing a suitable brightness adjusting value, the image-retrieving system having a filter and defining a first threshold value, a second threshold value set, a third threshold value, and a fourth threshold value, the second threshold value set including a high value and a low value.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an image-capturing element that captures a subject image and outputs image-capturing signals each corresponding to a pixel; and a control device that executes gradation correction on the image-capturing signals output by the image-capturing element.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital camera that forms, on a solid state imaging device, an object image resulting from object light transmitted via a photographing optical system, to obtain image data representative of the object image, the digital camera enabling a photographer to take his or her intended photograph accurately. After a composition determining operation has been finished and before an actual photographing operation is started, an image display section displays a composition and a through image in a superimposing manner. The distance to an object is measured when the composition determining operation is performed. During the actual photographing operation, focusing is carried out in accordance with the distance measured when the composition determining operation is performed.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: image-capturing pixels that generate first image signals with a charge storage time controlled by a first storage control signal; and focus detection pixels that generate second image signals with a charge storage time controlled by a second storage control signal generated independently of the first storage control signal.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor in which photosensitive cells, each consisting of a main and a subregion and including an optical opening, are arranged in a bidimensional array. A system controller adjusts the exposure times of the main and subregions in dependence upon the direction and amount of a sensitivity error in the vertical direction relative to an accurate optical opening. A timing signal generator feeds a timing signal to a driver in response to a control signal output from the system controller. The driver feeds, in response to the timing signal and a control signal also output from the system controller, the image sensor with a drive signal relating to the opening/closing of a mechanical shutter, thereby causing the above exposure times to end at the same time. Therefore, signal charges output from the main and subregions are free from errors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a digital multi function peripheral (MFP) body, an external controller that is connected to an external apparatus via a network and exchanges data with the MFP body, plural communication units that signal-connect the MFP and the external controller, and an operation panel provided in the MFP body. The MFP body displays operation content for setting a configuration of the external controller on the operation panel on the basis of screen data from the external controller.

Abstract: A camera module comprising an image sensor array, a gain amplifier, an indicator set to indicate whether a first flash device or a second flash device is present, and a plurality of storage locations. The plurality of storage locations is configured to store an exposure time and a gain. The exposure time and the gain are associated with the first flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the first flash device, and the exposure time and the gain are associated with the second flash device in response to the indicator indicating the presence of the second flash device. The image sensor array is configured to capture an image using the exposure time, and the gain amplifier is configured to perform processing on the image using the gain.

Abstract: A solid-state video camera is equipped with pixel addition logic such that, if the measured object brightness falls below a certain threshold value, a brightening of the image is effected without increasing the noise component accepting a loss in real-time representation. The pixel addition by way of the pixel addition logic is coupled to the gain control of the camera in a manner such that, in each case, the gain control compensates for jumps in brightness which arise by way of the pixel addition and creates for the user a flowing transition without noticeable jumps in brightness.

Abstract: A digital imaging device performs automatic focus and exposure adjustments based on high-resolution frames when a scene change has been detected based on the analysis of low-resolution frames. The digital imaging device reduces battery power consumption while simultaneously shortening shutter lag.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera. Herein, prior to actual photographing, pre-photographing is performed with a shutter speed set to a plurality of different values. A signal synthesizing circuit synthesizes the resultant image values to acquire information concerning a dynamic range required to photograph a photographic scene. A signal distribution arithmetic circuit produces a histogram using the acquired information. A signal distribution analyzing circuit analyzes the peak frequencies of the histogram. A shutter timing calculating circuit produces shutter timing signals optimal for actual photographing according to the result of the analysis. An image-pickup device or the like is driven in response to each of the produced shutter timing signals, whereby actual photographing is achieved.

Abstract: An automatic exposure (“AE”), control apparatus to prevent exposure errors resulting from “smear.” Image-capturing is performed at a single exposure time TI (I=1, 2, . . . n); a CCD output is applied with a CCD drive signal to perform an integrating operation for a signal in an AE area using an integration circuit, and then outputs integration value EI+SI at each exposure time. A shutter trigger operation presents readout of an exposure value. An integrator value En+Sn obtained just before the shutter trigger operation, and a smear value Sn? obtained just after the shutter trigger operation are provided to an exposure operation/control circuit. The exposure operation/control circuit then performs an AE operation to receive En+Sn?Sn?En and compares the value to a target value for determining exposure conditions, and provides an AE operation value containing almost no smear component to determine an appropriate exposure condition.