Abstract: A method and a circuitry for exposure compensation applied to a high dynamic range video are provided. The circuitry is adapted to an image-acquisition device. In the method, when a video is received, the pixel values for each of the sequential frames can be obtained. Next, an exposure value ratio between two adjacent frames is obtained. A processor exposure value ratio of an image signal processor can be regarded as an initial exposure value ratio. A fixed adjustment ratio is used to control the image signal processor and an image sensor of the image-acquirement device so as to calculate an exposure value ratio for each of the frames. The exposure value ratio is referred to for performing the high dynamic range compensation for the frames so as to output an HDR video.

Abstract: A VCM is disclosed, the motor including a stator including a first driving unit, a rotor arranged inside the stator, including a second driving unit responding to the first driving unit and mounted therein with a lens, a base fixing the stator, and an elastic member coupled to the rotor to float the rotor from the base in a case a driving signal for driving the first and second driving units is not applied to the first and second driving units.

Abstract: An image capturing control apparatus to control image capturing of an image capturing apparatus includes a first instruction unit configured to instruct the image capturing apparatus to capture a first image by applying an exposure time to each region on an image capturing surface divided into a plurality of regions, a calculation unit configured to calculate an exposure time to be equally applied to the plurality of regions based on the exposure time applied to each region in the first image, and a second instruction unit configured to instruct the image capturing apparatus to capture a second image by equally applying the exposure time calculated by the calculation unit to the plurality of regions.

Abstract: In order to realize a photoelectric conversion device having a photoelectric conversion element for outputting a signal according to the incidence of a photon that has a low power consumption, the photoelectric conversion device includes: at least one pixel including a photoelectric conversion element that outputs a signal according to an incident photon; a photon counter that measures the number of photons incident to the pixel; a time counter that measures a time until the photon counter reaches a first threshold after starting measurement and outputs the measured time as a pixel value; and a first threshold changing unit configured to change the first threshold.

Abstract: There is provided an image capturing apparatus. A shooting control unit carries out continuous shooting. A detection unit detects, from an image obtained through the continuous shooting, a plurality of object classes. The object classes are organized hierarchically according to a hierarchical structure in which an object class in a higher hierarchy level contains an object class in a lower hierarchy level. A selection unit selects a specific hierarchy level on the basis of a predetermined selection criterion. A notification unit notifies a user of one or more of the plurality of object classes, with priority given to an object class belonging to the specific hierarchy level.

Abstract: A terminal having a camera and a method of processing an image in the camera are disclosed. The method includes collecting, using a camera, a user image captured at a user focal length and a link image captured at a selective focal length, and storing the user image and the link image by linking the link image with the user image. Using this method, a user can capture a subject and circumstances around the subject when the image is captured.

Abstract: To improve user convenience as to adjustment for vibration correction of a captured image captured by an image capturing apparatus, a feature portion evaluation unit refers to feature portions selected by a feature portion selection unit and determines whether feature portions necessary for vibration isolation have been acquired from a reference image. The feature portion evaluation unit has the function of notifying information about the feature portions of the reference image in a case where the acquired feature portions do not satisfy a predetermined condition, that is, in a case where the reliability of the acquired feature portions does not reach a predetermined level.

Abstract: Techniques are described for efficient high-resolution output of an image captured using a high-pixel-count image sensor based on pixel binning followed by luminance-guided umsampling. For example, an image sensor array is configured according to a red-green-blue-luminance (RGBL) CFA pattern, such that at least 50-percent of the imaging pixels of the array are luminance (L) pixels. Pixel binning is used during readout of the array to concurrently generate a downsampled RGB capture frame and a downsampled L capture frame. Following the readout, the L capture frame is upsampled (e.g., by upscaling and interpolation) to generate an L guide frame with 100-percent luminance density. An upsampled RGB frame can then be generated by interpolating the RGB capture frame based both on known neighboring RGB information (e.g., from the RGB capture frame and previously interpolated information), as adjusted based on local luminance information from the L guide frame.

Abstract: An exposure time controller for controlling an exposure time (ET) variable of a video camera, which is associated with an auto-exposure algorithm configured to reduce an exposure mismatch (?E) by incrementing and decrementing the ET variable, which comprises: a memory for recording ET values applied while the video camera is imaging a scene and the algorithm is active; and processing circuitry configured to: determine that the exposure mismatch exceeds a threshold while the video camera is imaging the scene; estimate a distribution of the recorded ET values; based on the estimated distribution, identify multiple relatively most frequent ET values; and, in reaction to determining that the exposure mismatch exceeds the threshold, assign one of the identified ET values to the ET variable.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for registering a fingerprint based on optical fingerprint recognition. A fingerprint recognition window is displayed and a fingerprint frequency of a user fingerprint is analyzed based on reflected light received through the fingerprint recognition window using a fingerprint recognition sensor driven by a pixel binning scheme based on a first binning size. The first binning size may be evaluated based on the fingerprint frequency. If the first binning size is not appropriate for registering the user fingerprint, a second binning size is selected. Fingerprint information of the user fingerprint may be obtained again based on using the fingerprint recognition sensor driven by a pixel binning scheme based on the second binning size.

Abstract: Each of pixels of an image sensor has a first read-out path for reading an electric charge that is once stored in a first storage circuit, and a second read-out path for reading an electric charge without going through the first storage circuit. An image capture apparatus controls operation of the image sensor so that: an electric charge obtained by the photoelectric conversion device related to capturing based on an instruction by a user is read via the first read-out path; an electric charge obtained by the photoelectric conversion device related to capturing for information detection is read via the second read-out path. The reading via the second read-out path is executed in a period overlapping a period for reading an electric charge via the first read-out path.

Abstract: A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes an insertion section, a stiffness variable unit that changes a bending stiffness of the insertion section and a detection unit that detects an advance that is a movement toward a distal end of the insertion section and a retreat that is a movement toward a proximal end of the insertion section. A controller controls the stiffness variable unit to change the bending stiffness of the insertion section to a first bending stiffness when the detection unit has detected the advance of the insertion section, and that controls the stiffness variable unit to change the bending stiffness of the insertion section to a second bending stiffness higher than the first bending when the detection unit has detected the retreat of the insertion section.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating a manufactured light source are disclosed. Methods and systems of the present disclosure include sensor assemblies having first and second light sensors to retrieve light spectrum data at a target location, such as from a surface in an interior space at a home, office, or commercial building, that also receives daylight exposure. The first light sensor retrieves the light spectrum data within a spectrum of the manufactured light source. The second light sensor retrieves light spectrum data outside of the spectrum of the manufactured light source, yet within the spectrum of daylight. The light spectrum data is used to define spectral characteristics at the target location, such as a ratio of daylight to the manufactured light source, phase of daylight, and average overall quantity, which are used to maximize light-associated benefits of the spectral composition for the occupants at the target location, such as humans, plants, and animals.

Abstract: Adaptive bracketing techniques for photography are described. An adaptive bracketing logic/module directs an imaging device to capture an adaptive bracket. The adaptive bracket can include a first image captured at a first exposure value, a second image captured at a second exposure value, and a third image captured at the first exposure value. The first exposure value can be underexposed in comparison to the second exposure value. The adaptive bracketing logic/module can determine that a difference between the first and second images; determine that the third image is more similar to the second image than the first image; and generate a composite image using the first image and the third image. The adaptive bracketing logic/module can also update the adaptive bracket to include the composite image. Optionally, the updated adaptive bracket can be used to generate one or more high dynamic range (HDR) images. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Apparatus for binning an input value into one of a plurality of bins which collectively represent a histogram of input values, each of the plurality of bins representing a corresponding range of input values, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving an input value; a noise source configured to generate an error value according to a predetermined noise distribution; and a binning controller configured to mix the received input value with the error value so as to generate a modified input value and to allocate the modified input value to the bin corresponding to that modified input value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus uses an image pickup device. A manual focus adjusting unit is configured to control a focus lens in response to a user's input operation. An edge detecting unit is configured to detect edge components from an image signal obtained by the image pickup device and to output detection levels of the detected edge components. A color signal replacement unit is configured to replace a signal of a pixel corresponding to the detection level with a predetermined color signal when the detection level satisfies a predetermined condition. A display unit is configured to display an image based on an output image signal from the color signal replacement unit.

Abstract: The recorder includes: a converter acquiring external sound and converting the sound into a first signal; an amplifier amplifying the first signal to generate a second signal; a recording unit recording the second signal; a display unit displaying a level of the second signal; and a controller controlling the amplifier and the display unit. The amplifier includes an ALC (automatic level control) unit adjusting an amplification degree for amplifying the first signal according to the level of the second signal. The controller allows a choice of whether or not to cause the ALC unit to operate, allows a choice of whether to display or hide the level of the second signal on the display unit when the automatic level control unit operates, and keeps the level of the second signal displayed on the display unit when the automatic level control unit does not operate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for generating a high dynamic range image using a plurality of images obtained by capturing images of a same object with different exposure values, has: an input unit for inputting a correctly exposed image generated with correct exposure and an incorrectly exposed image generated with exposure other than the correct exposure; a filter unit for performing low pass filter processing on the incorrectly exposed image; and a composition unit for generating a high dynamic range image by composing an output image of the filter unit with the correctly exposed image.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, an imaging device has a black level reference generator for generating a reference value of a black level by calculating an average value of the accumulated pixel values for which the maximum values and/or minimum values has been replaced by the compensational pixel values, and an output compensator for compensating an output from the light sensitive pixels with the reference value of the black level.

Abstract: An image sensor system using offset analog to digital converters. The analog to digital converters require a plurality of clock cycles to carry out the actual conversion. These conversions are offset in time from one another, so that at each clock cycle, new data is available. A system includes a CMOS active pixel image sensor having an array for photoreceptors to convert an image into an analog signal. The CMOS image sensor converts the analog signal into a digital signal using a pipelined analog to digital converter.