Abstract: The invention provides an image pickup apparatus with a blur correcting unit which has a display function of causing a photographer to easily confirm a photographed image. The image pickup apparatus includes photographing lens which forms an object image, a photoelectric conversion unit which is disposed on a predicted image plane of the photographing lens, a display unit which displays a photographed image obtained by the photoelectric conversion unit, an image display control unit which displays the photographed image by the display unit after the photographed image is obtained by the photoelectric conversion unit, a distance information acquiring unit which obtains distance information in the photographed image, and a blur correcting unit which performs blur correction on the photographed image based on the distance information obtained by the distance information acquiring unit. The image display control unit displays the photographed image where plural distances in the photographed image are focused.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for displaying useful countdown timers on a media capture device. A media capture device can increase contrast between countdown timer and the video of a scene to be captured by a media capture device and adjust the position and size of a counter displayed on the device based on whether the object is determined to be closer or further than a predetermined threshold distance. Countdown timers can be triggered by detection of objects and gestures.

Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera system. The camera system can receive a command to photograph an environment utilizing a camera. The camera system can identify a plurality of flash settings for a flash system of the camera. The camera system can drive the flash system in a sequence of flashes respectively corresponding to the plurality of flash settings. The camera system can then capture consecutive images utilizing the camera. The capturing of the consecutive images can be synchronized against the sequence of flashes such that a device can later combine the consecutive images to generate a composite image that represents a virtual photograph of the environment.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hearing aid using a portable terminal is provided. The method includes taking a photo, generating a control signal to control a hearing mode of the hearing aid according to an analysis of a surrounding condition based on the photo, and transmitting the control signal to the hearing aid.

Abstract: An ophthalmic system including an ophthalmic apparatus for acquiring an image of an anterior portion of a subject's eye and a tomographic image of the subject's eye includes a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the image of the anterior eye portion and the tomographic image, and an instruction unit configured to, if a pointer which indicates a point on the display unit is on the image of the anterior eye portion, give an instruction to change a distance between the subject's eye and the ophthalmic apparatus, and if the pointer is on the tomographic image, give an instruction to change the position of a coherence gate.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for generating a digital image is disclosed. The system includes a first image sensor configured to capture a first image that includes a plurality of chrominance values, a second image sensor configured to capture a second image that includes a plurality of luminance values, and an image processing subsystem configured to generate a resulting image by combining the plurality of chrominance values with the plurality of luminance values. The first image sensor and the second image sensor may be distinct image sensors optimized for capturing chrominance images or luminance images.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electronic device configured to use the device's own display to provide an illumination source for front-facing image sensors and to a method of using the same. An electronic device for capturing a digital image using a front-facing image sensor and a digital display device includes a command input module configured to receive a command to capture the digital image, an illumination adjustment module configured to adjust the display device to an imaging illumination condition in response to the command, and a front-facing image sensor module configured capture the digital image using the front-facing image sensor under the predetermined illumination condition.

Abstract: A first line passing through a coordinate point which represents the light-source color of ambient light is drawn so as to cross a line segment connecting two coordinate points which points respectively represent colors of light emitted from the two light-emitting sources. An image of a subject is captured while light is emitted from the two light-emitting sources toward the subject in such a manner that the volumes of light emitted from the two light-emitting sources respectively correspond to those represented by a predetermined point which is, or close to, the intersection point of the first line and the line segment on the basis of the intersection point and light volume information. A White Balance adjustment correction value is obtained on the basis of light volume information with respect to the two light-emitting sources, the predetermined point, and the point representing the light-source color.

Abstract: A portable terminal, a hearing aid, and a method of indicating the position of a sound source in the portable terminal are provided. The method includes receiving sound signals of a plurality of sound sources, determining respective distances between the plurality of sound sources and the portable terminal, and respective directions of the plurality of sound sources from the portable terminal, based on the received sound signals of the plurality of sound sources, determining positions of the plurality of sound sources on the touch screen based on the determined distances and directions of the plurality of sound sources, and displaying the determined positions of the plurality of sound sources on the touch screen.

Abstract: The invention includes: specifying a face direction in an image including a face; detecting a red-eye area in the face included in the image; and correcting the detected red-eye area in accordance with a correction standard depending on the specified face direction. Alternatively, the invention includes specifying a face direction in an image; and detecting a red-eye area in a face included in the image in accordance with a detection standard depending on the face direction.

Abstract: A mobile device having a camera control system and a method of controlling a camera are provided. The camera control system determines a specific brightness value from at least one of a brightness value of a subject and a surrounding brightness value, and performs a camera setting to adjust exposure time and gain according to the determined specific brightness value.

Abstract: Methods of generating a three dimensional representation of an object in a reference plane from a depth map including distances from a reference point to pixels in an image of the object taken from a reference point. Weights are assigned to respective voxels in a three dimensional grid along rays extending from the reference point through the pixels in the image based on the distances in the depth map from the reference point to the respective pixels, and a height map including an array of height values in the reference plane is formed based on the assigned weights. An n-layer height map may be constructed by generating a probabilistic occupancy grid for the voxels and forming an n-dimensional height map comprising an array of layer height values in the reference plane based on the probabilistic occupancy grid.

Abstract: Provided is a document reading apparatus for identifying irregular shadow generated when reading document and for correcting the identified irregular shadow. Lights are irradiated toward the reading areas of the document from a plurality of directions with different light amount. Through the photoelectric conversion of the reflected light, the first image data of a target pixel and the second image data of the target pixel are obtained. Then, through the determination of the type of the document of the target pixel based on the first data and the second data of the target pixel and through the verification (re-determination of the document type) based on the type of the document of peripheral pixel adjacent to the target pixel, irregular shadow is accurately identified.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: an optical system which obtains an optical image of a photographic subject; an image sensor which converts the optical image to an electric signal; a digital signal processor which produces image data based on the electric signal; a display section which displays a photographic subject image expressed by the image data; and an operating section which performs a necessary setting regarding imaging, the digital signal processor including: an autofocus operation section which performs an autofocus operation based on data of an autofocus area set in the photographic subject image; a main area setting section which sets a main area in the photographic subject image; and a blurring operation section which performs a blurring operation on an area other than the main area in the photographic subject image, wherein the autofocus area is set automatically to overlap with at least a part of the main area.

Abstract: There are provided a retaining unit that retains a basic model indicating a plurality of relations for a plurality of subject conditions between a plurality of illuminances and a plurality of luminance of a plurality of captured images, which are obtained when a subject is imaged by changing an illuminance condition under the subject conditions; a reference image acquiring unit that acquires a captured image captured in a target space for illuminance estimation as a reference image; a reference illuminance acquiring unit that acquires illuminance of the target space at a time of imaging the reference image as reference illuminance; and an illuminance estimation model generating unit that generates an illuminance estimation model indicating a relation between illuminance and luminance in the target space from a data value indicated as a pair of the reference illuminance and luminance of the reference image based on the basic model.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for obtaining status information of a crystalline lens and equipment including the same. The apparatus generates a reference light and directs the reference light to be perpendicularly incident to the crystalline lens. At least one light receiving unit that is disposed beyond a visual field of the eyeball is configured to directly receive scattered lights generated when the reference light incident from the light source unit to the crystalline lens is scattered against the crystalline lens. The apparatus calculates thickness information of the crystalline lens using information about the scattered lights received by the at least one light receiving unit.

Abstract: An image capture device can include an analysis unit that can be configured to determine a refined light model that models a light source based on first and second image signals sampled with first and second exposure times, respectively, and corresponding to first and second rows of pixels. A compensation unit can be coupled to the analysis unit, and can be configured to generate an output image signal by compensating the first and second image signals and the second image signal using compensation gains associated with the refined light model.

Abstract: A system for aligning a camera view and the illumination of a lighting fixture is disclosed. The system includes a camera contained with a housing and a lighting fixture that is pivotedly attached to the housing. An angle adjuster attached to a proximate end of each of the housing and the lighting fixture converts a linear movement to the adjuster into an angular adjustment of the lighting fixture with regard to an optical axis of a camera contained with the housing. In another aspect of the invention, the system of aligning a camera view and light fixture may be attached to a magnification lenswear and a focal point of the magnification lenswear may be aligned with the aligned camera view and the illumination of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: The system includes a camera contained with a housing and a lighting fixture that is pivotedly attached to the housing. An angle adjuster attached to a proximate end of each of the housing and the lighting fixture converts a linear movement to the adjuster into an angular adjustment of the lighting fixture with regard to an optical axis of a camera contained with the housing. In another aspect of the invention, the system of aligning a camera view and light fixture may be attached to a magnification lens in order to align the magnified view with the camera view and the illumination of the lighting fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging device that has a base and a plurality of image capture devices. The base includes a bottom portion and an elongate stem portion that is pivotally attached at one of its ends to the bottom portion. An arm is pivotally attached to the stem portion. The arm has an elongate flap pivotally attached to the arm's mid-portion. A plurality of image capture devices are embedded in at least one of the bottom portion, the stem portion, the arm and the flap. An additional embodiment of the image capturing system includes a housing, a light capture mechanism and an image display mechanism The housing, includes a base and a linkage having a plurality of elongate sections. The light capture mechanism simultaneously captures first and second images and is contained within at least one of the elongate sections. First and second lenses make up the light capturing mechanism.

Abstract: An image processing device configured to be installed in a vehicle includes an image acquirer, an image selector, a first luminance adjuster, a synthetic image generator, and an image provider. The image acquirer acquires camera images captured by cameras provided on the vehicle. The image selector selects one of the camera images as a representative image based on luminances of the camera images. The first luminance adjuster adjusts a luminance of at least one of the other camera images based on a luminance of the representative image. The synthetic image generator generates a synthetic image showing a periphery of the vehicle, based on the representative image and the other camera images the luminance of at least one of which has been adjusted by the first adjuster. The image provider outputs, to a display device installed in the vehicle, information corresponding to the synthetic image.

Abstract: An illumination control method and an illumination control system for controlling at least one illuminating device are disclosed. The illumination control method includes following steps: capturing an image through an image capturing device; analyzing a characteristic of the image; and generating a first control signal.

Abstract: An image capturing system includes an image capturing unit configured to photograph the medium on a medium installation face, a lighting configured to irradiate the medium installation face, a lighting control unit configured to control the lighting, and a non-readable area determining unit configured to determine whether there is a non-readable area from which the image capturing unit is unable to read information of the medium due to reflected light of the lighting. The non-readable area is determined based on an image acquired by photographing the medium in a turned-on state of the lighting. When the non-readable area determining unit determines that there is the non-readable area, the medium is photographed in different lighting states set by the lighting control unit, and among the image data generated in photographing process, image data corresponding to the medium is generated by synthesizing areas except an area corresponding to the non-readable area.

Abstract: Provided are a micro electric liquid device and an apparatus including the device. The micro electric liquid device includes a first fluid that is opaque, a second fluid that is transparent a first channel configured to have the first and second fluid flow therein without mixing, a second channel overlapped and spaced apart from the first channel, wherein the second channel is configured to have the first and second fluids flow therein, and a connection part connecting the first and second channels, wherein an aperture is adjusted by a positional change of an interface between the first and second fluids in the first and second channels, and wherein the second channel includes a first sub channel configured to have the first and second fluids flow therein and having a non-uniform height and a second sub channel configured to have the second fluid to flow therein and having a uniform height.

Abstract: A system of recognizing signal pattern for recognizing a signal pattern of an electronic device includes a determining unit coupled to the electronic device for outputting an operating command to the electronic device according to an operating state, wherein the electronic device generates a light signal according to the operating command, and an image capturing unit coupled between the determining unit and the electronic device for capturing the light signal to generate a first signal pattern to the determining unit, such that the determining unit determines whether the first pattern corresponds to the operating state.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize novel information processing which uses light field data. To attain the object, light field data which represents directions of light beams which are emitted from an object to an image pickup unit and intensity of the light beams is obtained, and the light field data is corrected on a coordinate of the light field data.

Abstract: A camera system includes a wireless indicator that emits light to provide signals to a user. This wireless indicator is attached to a lens casing that covers the front face of the camera to protect components of the camera such as the lens. A wireless signal interface on the front face of the camera is configured to emit ultraviolet light in response to control circuitry within the camera. The ultraviolet light is transmitted through the lens casing to an excitable element. The excitable element produces visible light in response to the ultraviolet light. Any re-emitted visible light that travels back towards the camera lens and image sensor is reflected by a reflective layer, which is configured to transmit ultraviolet light while reflecting visible light. Therefore, the wireless indicator does not cause light artifacts or image flaws to appear in images captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for back light of an image are provided. The method includes receiving an image at a preset time interval, upon receiving the image, dividing pixels constituting the received image according to preset ranges, determining whether the received image is a back light image by confirming a distribution degree of pixels of each of the divided ranges, adjusting the brightness of the back light image when the received image is the back light image, and storing the received image and the back light compensated image.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an exposure difference value calculator that calculates an exposure difference between a flash turned-off image and a flash turned-on image, a flash mixture ratio calculator that calculates first flash mixture ratio in blocks, a subject area selector that selects a block having maximum first flash mixture ratio and selects an area including the selected block and a block having first flash mixture ratio ranging between the maximum value and a threshold value, a flash light color balance calculator that calculates color balance of the selected area from the flash turned-on image, a flash mixture ratio correction unit that calculates second flash mixture ratio by multiplying the first flash mixture ratio by a coefficient, and a white balance gain calculator that calculates white balance gain in the blocks based on the second flash mixture ratio, the calculated color balance, and a color balance of normal light.

Abstract: A light speed camera system, with a camera module, which has a light speed photo sensor, preferably based on mixed photo detection, having at least one reception pixel, and with an illumination module which has an illumination light source, wherein the illumination module and the camera module each have a transmission circuit which is formed in such a way that a first signal as a differential signal and a second signal as a modulated basic voltage can be transmitted between the camera module and illumination module via a differential signal line is provided.

Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image, a detection unit configured to detect each object region from the image acquired by the acquisition unit a luminance distribution calculation unit configured to calculate a luminance distribution for each object region detected by the detection unit, a representative luminance value calculation unit configured to calculate a representative luminance value for each object region detected by the detection unit; and a determination unit configured to determine tone characteristics for each object region based on the luminance distribution for each object region calculated by the luminance distribution calculation unit and a relationship between the representative luminance values for the respective object regions calculated by the representative luminance value calculation unit.

Abstract: A line depth augmentation system and method for conversion of 2D images to 3D images. Enables adding depth to regions by altering depth of lines in the regions, for example in cell animation images or regions of limited color range. Eliminates creation of wireframe or other depth models and complex modeling of regions to match the depth of lines therein. Enables rapid conversion of two-dimensional images to three-dimensional images by enabling stereographers to quickly add/alter line depth without artifacts in images for example lines in monochrome regions. Embodiments may output a stereoscopic image pair of images with lines having desired depth, or any other three-dimensional viewing enabled image, such as an anaglyph image. Although the lines may be of a different depth than the region they appear in, the human mind interprets the monochromatic region as having depth associated with the line.

Abstract: An imaging module is provided with: a front case, in which a lens unit is mounted on a side of the subject to be imaged; a back case, which is attached to the front case and seals an imaging substrate in an inside space formed with the front case; and a bracket attached to the back case, and the back case is attached to the front case by case a case fastening screw that is screwed into a screw hole and a case screw-fastening through-hole, and the positioning protrusion 5a is inserted into the case screw-fastening through-hole, so that the back case is positioned on the bracket.

Abstract: An image pickup system causes a first illumination unit to emit light toward a subject at a first angle without causing a second illumination unit for emitting light toward the subject at a second angle different from the first angle, and causes an image pickup unit to capture the image of the subject so as to obtain a first captured image. The image pickup system causes the second illumination unit to emit light without causing the first illumination unit to emit light, and causes the image pickup unit to capture the image of the subject so as to obtain a second captured image. The image pickup system associates the first captured image with the second captured image.

Abstract: A method, system and reference target for estimating spectral data on a selected one of three spectral information types is disclosed. Spectral information types comprise illumination of a scene, spectral sensitivity of an imager imaging the scene and reflectance of a surface in the scene. The method comprises obtaining a ranking order for plural sensor responses produced by the imager, each sensor responses being produced from a reference target in the scene, obtaining, from an alternate source, data on the other two spectral information types, determining a set of constraints, the set including, for each sequential pair combination of sensor responses when taken in said ranking order, a constraint determined in dependence on the ranking and on the other two spectral information types for the respective sensor responses and, in dependence on the ranking order and on the set of constraints, determining said spectral data that optimally satisfies said constraints.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating image capture using multiple devices, including for example multiple image capture devices (cameras), multiple lighting devices (flash), and/or the like. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is configured to collect image information from multiple image capture devices, such as cameras, and/or to collect multiple images having different lighting configurations. The collected image data can be processed to generate various effects, such as relighting, parallax, refocusing, and/or three-dimensional effects, and/or to introduce interactivity into the image presentation. In at least one embodiment, the system of the present invention is implemented using any combination of any number of image capture device(s) and/or flash (lighting) device(s), which may be equipped to communicate with one another via any suitable means, such as wirelessly.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, an illuminating unit, and an image-characteristic setting unit. The imaging unit images an object to acquire an image of the object. The illuminating unit includes a light source configured to apply illumination light beams different in optical characteristics to the object. The image-characteristic setting unit sets the image characteristics of the image data, then refers to light source characteristic information, and sets to the illuminating unit, the intensity, distribution pattern, spectrum distribution or polarization characteristic of at least one illumination light beam. The imaging unit acquires effectively image data having the image characteristics set.

Abstract: A communication device in a system including a first device and a second device includes an input unit configured to receive a predetermined control command, and a shift unit configured to cause the wireless communication unit to shift to any of operation modes including a reception mode for receiving a signal from another device and a transmission mode for not receiving a signal from another device. In a case where the input unit receives a control command, the shift unit causes the wireless communication unit to shift to the transmission mode without shifting to the reception mode.

Abstract: A system for photographic exposure via real-time broadcast of lighting parameters. The system includes a light source that emits light at different color temperatures and intensities controlled by a controller. The controller generates light source data that is transmitted to a digital imaging device. The digital imaging device includes a receiver for receiving the signal from the light source and a processor processing the light source data for determining color temperature, intensity, and timing of light emitted by the light source for generating exposure data. The exposure data determines when to commence capturing an image of a desired exposure and color temperature for achieving a desired exposure. The digital imaging device includes a display for displaying the exposure data to a user for allowing the user to select when to actuate the shutter release for capturing the image with the desired color temperature and exposure.

Abstract: An image capture device includes an image sensor having an array of pixels therein, which are configured to receive light reflected from an object during an image capture time interval. A light source is provided, which is configured to project light to the object during at least a portion of the image capture time interval. A control circuit/unit is provided, which is electrically coupled to the image sensor and the light source. This control circuit is configured to drive the light source with signals that cause the light source to project light to the object without interruption during at least a first time interval when all rows of a frame of pixels within the array are being sequentially read and during a second time interval when all rows of the frame of pixels within the array are being sequentially read.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for creating an indirect image of an object. The apparatus includes a light source and an imaging system. Light emitted from the light source is reflected by a first non-specular surface toward the object. Light reflected by the object is further reflected by a second non-specular surface toward the imaging system. The imaging system is configured to create the indirect image from the reflected light.

Abstract: A device for measuring three dimensional shape includes a first irradiation unit, a first grating control unit, a second irradiation unit, a second grating control unit, an imaging unit, and an image processing unit. After performance of a first imaging operation as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said first light pattern of multiply varied phases, a second imaging operation is performed as imaging processing of a single operation among a multiplicity of imaging operations performed by irradiation of said second light pattern of multiply varied phases. After completion of the first imaging operation and the second imaging operation, shifting or switching operation of the first grating and the second grating is performed simultaneously.

Abstract: To provide an electrochromic light control element in which a response speed in a low temperature environment can be easily and also efficiently improved. The electrochromic light control element includes a pair of transparent electrodes provided on a pair of substrates and an electrochromic layer and an ion conductive layer arranged between the pair of the transparent electrodes, in which one of the pair of transparent electrodes is connected via a heater that generates heat through a power distribution and an electrical insulation heat conductive layer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a lighting device, an imaging device, and a photographing system. The lighting device emits visible light. The imaging device views a subject. Prior to an image capture, the photographing system recognizes blocking of a bright light by a subject's hand or arm, where the bright spot of light and the photographing system controls the bright light to switch off and immediately capture an image.

Abstract: In the imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the aperture area ratio between the plurality of regions of the multifocal lens is appropriately configured. Thereby, it is configured such that, when a plurality of images are simultaneously imaged via the plurality of regions using the illumination light source, brightness of the image of the subject at an in-focus distance corresponding to one region of the plurality of regions, the image imaged via the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light, is substantially equal to brightness of the image of another subject at an in-focus body distance corresponding to another region, the image imaged via the other region except the one region, the brightness arising from the illumination light. Accordingly, the subject at any of the distances does not suffer excess or deficient exposure.

Abstract: A flash detection unit is configured to detect whether or not each frame of image data includes a high luminance portion due to a flash. A holding unit is configured to hold a past frame of the image data. A correction processing unit is configured to, if it is detected by the flash detection unit that frames include high luminance portions, correct the image data so as to consolidate a first image data and a second image data into one frame. The first image data is included in a first portion in a first frame stored in the holding unit. The second image data is included in a second portion in a second frame which is adjacent to the first frame. The first and second portions are high luminance portions.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus (10) for the generation of an illumination field (102) for an optoelectronic sensor (100) is provided which has at least one light source (12) and an illumination optics (14), in particular comprising a TIR lens (16) in order to guide the light of the light source (12) into the illumination field (102) in a directed manner, wherein the illumination optics (10) has a light entrance region (20), a light guidance region (22) having a jacket surface (24) and a light exit region (26) such that the light (28, 30) of the light source (12) is guided from the light entrance region (20) to the light exit region (26) in the illumination optics (14) by means of total reflection at the jacket surface (24). In this connection the illumination optics (10) has an adaptable optical beam forming element (18) at the light exit region (26) in order to set the light distribution of the irradiated light (28, 30).

Abstract: An illumination apparatus (10) for the generation of an illumination field (102) for an optoelectronic sensor (100) is provided which has at least one light source and an illumination optics, in particular having a TIR lens, in order to guide the light of the light source in the illumination field (102) in a directed manner, wherein the illumination optics (10) has a light entrance region, a light guidance region having a jacket surface and a light exit region such that the light of the light source is guided in the illumination optics from the light entrance region to the light exit region by means of total reflection at the jacket surface. In this connection the light guidance region is at least partly formed from a deformable material such that the geometry of the jacket surface can be changed by means of exertion of a force at the light guidance region.