Abstract: Disclosed is a method for photographing a panoramic image including the steps of recognizing movement of a corresponding photographing apparatus by comparing a current real-time input image with a previous image through a motion estimation mechanism with exposure compensation, determining a time to photograph each next picture by determining whether movement in a photography direction reaches a preset threshold value, and photographing each next picture by manual or automatic operation at the determined time.

Abstract: A location-estimating device comprises a processor configured to acquire first locational information representing the location of a moving object for each first information acquisition time and calculate a first estimated location, acquire second locational information representing the location of the moving object for each second information acquisition time and calculate a second estimated location, and when the first estimated location has been determined, calculate the first movement amount and moving direction between the first information acquisition time and current time, and estimate the location at the current time based on the first estimated location, first movement amount and moving direction, or when the first estimated location is not determined, calculate a second movement amount and moving direction between the preceding second information acquisition time and current time, and estimate the location at the current time based on the second estimated location, second movement amount and moving

Abstract: Image sensors capable of dark current calibration and associated circuits are disclosed herein. The method for calibrating dark current includes acquiring at least one dark current frame of a first plurality of pixels of a pixel array of the image sensor. The dark current frame contains readings of individual dark currents for the corresponding pixels obtained during an exposure period when a transistor is turned on disabling the photodiode. The method also includes acquiring at least one normal frame of a second plurality of pixels of the pixel array of the image sensor. The normal frame contains readings of individual signals for the corresponding pixels obtained during the exposure period when the transistor is turned OFF. The method includes subtracting the at least one dark current frame from the at least one normal frame.

Abstract: An approach is provided for obscuring an individual likeness in a digital image based on a privacy policy. The approach identifies an individual whose likeness appears in a digital image taken by a digital camera with the digital image being stored. A determination is made, based on a privacy policy pertaining to the identified individual, whether to obscure the first individual's likeness in the digital image. Responsive to the determination being positive, the approach obscures the individual's likeness as it appears in the digital image.

Abstract: Aerial camera systems are disclosed, including an aerial camera system that comprises at least one camera arranged to capture a plurality of successive images; the at least one camera being rotatable such that the field of view of the camera traverses across a region of the ground that includes multiple different swathes extending in different directions, the at least one camera having a steering mirror to direct light reflected from the ground onto a lens assembly, the lens assembly having a central longitudinal axis extending in a direction generally parallel to a direction of movement of a survey aircraft; and the system arranged to control the at least one camera to capture successive images at defined intervals as the at least one camera rotates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more images include determining one or more current exposure settings for a current image of a current scene at a current time. One or more motion characteristics associated with an image sensor are determined. Based on the one or more motion characteristics, a location of a portion of the current image to use for determining one or more future exposure settings for the image sensor are determined, the one or more future exposure settings for capturing a future image of a future scene at a future time, the future time being subsequent to the current time. The one or more future exposure settings are determined based on the predicted portion of the current image.

Abstract: A lens apparatus including a focus lens is attachable to and detachable from an image capturing apparatus. An image sensor photoelectrically converts an optical image formed through the lens apparatus. An image generation unit generates an image based on an image signal output from the image capturing apparatus. An image magnification variation correction control unit receives information about a variation in focal length from the lens apparatus by a lens communication control unit configured to control communication with the lens apparatus, and the image magnification variation correction control unit corrects a magnification of the image based on the received information.

Abstract: The invention is drawn towards a method and apparatus for controlling a consumer based on motion detected in a data stream, comprising: receiving the data stream, extracting motion information from the image data, generating commands and parameters for the consumer according to the motion information and controlling the consumer according to the commands and parameters.

Abstract: An image processing device for stitching a plurality of input images together so as to generate a panoramic composite image is provided. An imaging control section sets a guide for photographing a photographing subject from different imaging directions as a guide information for obtaining a plurality of input images suitable for the image composition. A guide display setting section displays a photographing guide image based on the guide information. A user rotates a camera while checking the guide image and captures the plurality of input images from different imaging directions. An image compositing section stitches the plurality of input images together so as to generate a composite image.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for sensing and video capture include at least one camera with an optical sensor that captures video image data of a first sampling rate. An auxiliary sensor captures auxiliary data at a second sample rate. A processor is communicatively connected to the optical sensor and auxiliary sensor. The processor transmits video image data captured at the first sample rate auxiliary sensor data captured at the second sampling rate across a data connection to a centralized computer that receives the video image data and the auxiliary sensor data and operate to present the video image data and the auxiliary sensor data on a graphical display.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a receiver that receives, from an external apparatus, an instruction for changing a zoom position of a lens, a controller that performs control processing to change a zoom position of the lens based on a received instruction, and a determination unit that determines whether the external apparatus includes a function regarding zooming of the lens. When the determination unit determines that the external apparatus includes the function, the controller controls a zoom adapter, which performs a zoom setting of the lens and is attached to the lens, to change a zoom position of the lens based on a zoom setting notified by the external apparatus. When the determination unit determines that the external apparatus does not include the function, the controller controls the zoom adapter to change a zoom position of the lens based on a zoom setting performed in the zoom adapter.

Abstract: Described are techniques for determining one or more resources usable to produce an image from content data associated with existing images selected by a user. User preference data indicative of a set of images may be generated, and from the image data and resource data associated with the set of images, one or more resources used to produce the images may be determined. Output data indicative of the resources may be generated for provision to a user.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion substrate having photoelectric conversion units and a microlens array arranged above the conversion units, a light transmissive plate, a first member arranged between the photoelectric conversion substrate and the light transmissive plate, and that bonds the photoelectric conversion substrate and the light transmissive plate, and a second member arranged between the first member and the microlens array. The second member has at least one of a refractive index lower than the microlens array or a porosity higher than the microlens array. A surface on a side of the photoelectric conversion substrate of the first member has a plurality of steps from a portion over the plurality of photoelectric conversion units to a side surface of the photoelectric conversion apparatus.

Abstract: In aspects of flip position detection, a mobile device has a device housing with a base section and a flip section that folds onto the base section. The mobile device has a hinge that operates between open and closed positions of the device, and the flip section of the device housing operates to open relative to the base section of the device housing. An inductor is positioned in the device housing to have an inductance as the hinge operates to open and close the device housing. A metal plate is coupled to the hinge in a configuration that translates the metal plate relative to the inductor as the hinge operates between the open and closed positions. A sensor is implemented to detect the inductance between the inductor and the metal plate, where inductance values indicate the closed and open positions of the device housing.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a control device, a control method, a program, and a control system capable of more certainly increasing a degree of perfection of a multi-view video content. An obtaining unit obtains information regarding remaining operable time of each of a plurality of devices, and a setting unit sets an operation mode of at least one device out of the plurality of devices on the basis of the information regarding remaining operable time of each of the plurality of devices. The present technology may be applied to a controller which controls a plurality of GPS terminals, a controller which controls a plurality of portable game devices having a communication function and the like in addition to a controller which controls a plurality of cameras which records a multi-view video content, for example.

Abstract: A following apparatus which follows a target object while photographing the target object includes a driving apparatus configured to move a main body, a photographing portion configured to continuously photograph the target object, and a controller configured to obtain an area value of the target object in a live-view motion picture from the photographing portion, obtain a distance value according to the obtained area value, and control the driving apparatus to maintain a distance between the photographing portion and the target object at a reference distance value according to the obtained distance value.

Abstract: An electronic device may include: at least one lens; an image sensor that generates an image; and a first processor that determines a location of the at least one lens when an auto-focusing mode is executed. The electronic device also has a second processor configured to, when the location of the at least one lens is changed from a first location to a second location, change a size of a second image frame, which has a second viewing angle larger than a first viewing angle of a first image frame generated at the first location, among frames in the image, to a size corresponding to the first viewing angle.

Abstract: An electronic device generates, in accordance with an operation on an operation unit, a zoom control command for controlling a drive unit that mechanically drives a zoom position of a lens unit attached to an image capture apparatus from the outside of the lens unit, and transmits the zoom control command to the image capture apparatus via communication unit. The electronic apparatus obtains information related to the zoom position of the lens unit from the image capture apparatus, and displays, on a display apparatus, information indicating a current zoom position of the lens unit relative to a minimum zoom position and a maximum zoom position of the lens unit.

Abstract: An image of an object under a first illuminant is captured. The color of the ambient light at a device on which the image is to be displayed is identified. The image data is adjusted to compensate for the color of the ambient light as well as for the color of the first illuminant. An image based on the adjusted image data can then be displayed on the device. As such, the desired perception of the colors in the displayed image can be managed so that image quality is maintained even if the image is displayed under different ambient lighting conditions.

Abstract: A communication system is configured to automatically adapt an image sequence in response to movement of a camera used to capture the image sequence. The adaptation includes a reduction in the data size of the image sequence and can occur in real-time as the image sequence is captured. The adaptation further includes restoration of the data size of the image in response to a reduction in movement of the camera. This approach allows for the communication of quality images shortly after movement of the has been reduced.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for capturing a sequence of images and for capturing sensor data at or around the time the images are captured. The sensor data is associated with the sequence of images. During a playback time of the images, additional sensor data is captured. The playback of the images is based at least, in part, on a correlation between movement indicated by the sensor data that was captured at the capture time of the images and movement indicated by the additional sensor data that is captured at the playback time.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a control device, a control method, a program, and a control system capable of more certainly increasing a degree of perfection of a multi-view video content. An obtaining unit obtains information regarding remaining operable time of each of a plurality of devices, and a setting unit sets an operation mode of at least one device out of the plurality of devices on the basis of the information regarding remaining operable time of each of the plurality of devices. The present technology may be applied to a controller which controls a plurality of GPS terminals, a controller which controls a plurality of portable game devices having a communication function and the like in addition to a controller which controls a plurality of cameras which records a multi-view video content, for example.

Abstract: An object tracking apparatus is configured to determine, according to a predetermined object region containing an object in an initial image of an image sequence, an object region estimated to contain the object in each subsequent image of the image sequence. Moreover, the object tracking apparatus is allowed to adapt the size of the object region obtained through tracking to the change in the shape or size of the object, and to avoid a tracking error.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for securely sharing user-generated content using DRM principles, and for tracking statistics of content viewing. In this way, a user can generate protected content that can still be shared among friends on, e.g., a social network.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting photography parameters are provided. The method includes: determining a pupil size of a person; and adjusting one or more photography parameters according to the pupil size. The pupil size of the person is determined, and then one or more photography parameters such as the aperture size may be adjusted automatically according to the pupil size of the person. Since a current pupil size is subject to a light intensity in current surroundings, the photography parameters of a photographic device may be adjusted automatically and efficiently based on the pupil size.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup device including an image pickup unit, and a beam light control unit configured to control a state of a beam light based on living body detection information given by a living body detection unit.

Abstract: A computing device includes one or more camera systems, each camera system including software and/or hardware to provide various different camera-related capabilities. The camera system maintains one or more profiles, each profile identifying different capabilities of the camera system that the computing device is configured to use concurrently. The one or more profiles are provided to a program on the computing device, allowing the program to know which capabilities the computing device is configured to use concurrently. If a profile provided by the camera system indicates that the computing device is configured to use certain capabilities concurrently (e.g., capturing images and recording video at certain resolutions), then the program allows a user to select options for using those capabilities concurrently. However, if no such profile exists, the program does not allow a user to select options for using those capabilities concurrently.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit and an arranging unit. The obtaining unit obtains a first image, a second image, and a third image. The first image is an image captured with the focus set at a first distance. The second image is an image captured with the focus set at a second distance different from the first distance. The third image is an image captured using an f-number larger than an f-number used in capturing of the first image and the second image. The arranging unit arranges at least a part of the first image and at least a part of the second image at a position based on the third image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing the display of interactive television overlays. A condition related to the display of an overlay on top of video for a television channel may be defined for each of a plurality of television channels. A default set of information types for an interactive television overlay (e.g., a FLIP overlay, a BROWSE overlay, etc.) may be defined for the plurality of television channels. When the overlay is displayed on top of video for a given television channel of the plurality of television channels, the overlay may include information of the default set of information types. One or more television channels of the plurality of television channels may be identified as channels for which the default set of information types does not apply (e.g., channels for which the overlay is not displayed or for which a custom set of information types is defined).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus having a lens or a mount unit for mounting a lens on an object side surface of an apparatus main body and a grip unit at an end portion on one side of the apparatus main body, includes a setting unit to set a prohibit state that prohibits changing a setting value, an operation member for changing the setting value, a temporary cancel member, and a control unit to perform control. Where the prohibit state is set and if the temporary cancel member has not been operated and the operation member has been operated, the control unit controls not to change the setting value. Where the prohibit state is set and if the temporary cancel member has been operated and the operation member has been operated, the control unit changes the setting value according to an operation performed on the operation member.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed. The optical device may generate light for projection into a user's eye. The optical device may have a switch connected to an eyecup. When the eyecup is pressed against the user's face, the switch may be actuated, signaling the optical device to generate light for projection into a user's eye. When the eyecup is not pressed against the user's face, the switch may be unactuated, signaling the optical device to cease to generate light for projection into a user's eye. Various electronics of the optical device may remain active, for example, a controller may continue to generate an image for representation by the generated light, but the optical device may refrain from generating the light, such as by a display. In this manner, inadvertent light leakage may be ameliorated, and power consumption by the optical device lessened when the eyecup is not depressed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire restriction information about imaging functions from an imaging device connected to a network, a setting control unit configured to display a setting window in which after a parameter for one imaging function is selected, selectable parameters for other imaging functions are restricted in accordance with the selected parameter on the basis of the restriction information so that the imaging functions to be used are selected, and an information processing unit configured to acquire image information about an image captured using the selected imaging functions via the network.

Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes an image sensor and an image processor. The image sensor is disposed at a vehicle and has an exterior field of view. The image sensor is operable to capture image data. The image processor is operable to process captured image data. The vision system is operable to automatically synchronize the image sensor to an ECU reference timing. The vision system may power on the image sensor synchronous to the ECU reference timing, and the vision system may regulate the timing of the image sensor synchronous to the ECU reference timing. The vision system may regulate the timing of the image sensor between a fast mode and a slow mode to synchronize the timing of the image sensor to the ECU reference timing.

Abstract: An image collation unit determines whether input image data matches pre-registered image data or a feature quantity of the input image data matches a pre-registered feature quantity of the image data, and stores in a memory at least one of input image data which is determined to match and information which represents the input image data. A complexity computing unit computes complexity of the image data. An image flatness determination unit determines, on the basis of the computed complexity of the image data, whether the image data is data which denotes a flat image. An information processing execution unit executes, when it is determined that newly input image data is data which denotes a flat image and the input image data or the information which represents the input image data is stored in the memory, information processing specified by the input image data and the like stored in the memory.

Abstract: A multi-image capture device capturing images by means of circular motion controls the shift movement, along a semi-circular measuring rod, of a moving mechanism by a location control device. Furthermore, a rotary control device is used to control the positioning and image-capturing angle of a second image capture device fixed on the rotary mechanism. Thereby, a first image capture device and the second image capture device are of a co-circle configuration where the optical axis of the first image capture device and the second image capture device overlap to form a center of the co-circle. Such a configuration can broaden the visual range of the image capture device, and allows quick calibration of the image capture device according to positioning of shift movement and image-capturing angles.

Abstract: A universal remote control device (10) is programmed by determining layout properties of an existing remote control device (12) that must be replaced by the universal remote control device (10). Information identifying at least part of said layout properties is input into a selection system (14, 18). A command set for the universal remote control device (10) is selected dependent on said information. The universal remote control device (10) is programmed to implement the selected command set.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing functionality of an interface to control orientations of a camera on a device are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving an input on an interface indicating a command for an orientation of a camera on a robotic device, and the interface may be provided on a device remote from the robotic device. An indicator may be provided on the interface representing a location of the input, and the indicator may be representative of the command for the orientation of the camera on the robotic device. The method may also include determining that the location of the input on the interface is within a distance threshold to a pre-set location on the interface, and repositioning the indicator on the interface to be at the pre-set location.

Abstract: An end user is provided with an environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. For this purpose, on a client side, the content of camera control is described in file-transfer protocol description, and the description is transferred to a camera server on the Internet via a browser. The camera server interprets the description, controls a camera in accordance with the designated content, to perform image sensing, and returns the obtained video image as the content of a file to the client. The client performs various controls while observing the video image. When a desired angle has been found, the client instructs to register the angle in a bookmark, then angle information displayed at that time is registered. Thereafter, when the user of the client can see the video image obtained on the same image-sensing conditions by merely select-designating the angle information registered in the bookmark.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus according to an aspect of the invention comprises: an image pickup device which picks up an object image and outputs the picked-up image data; a face detection device which detects human faces in the image data; a face-distance calculating device which calculates the distance between the faces among a plurality of faces detected by the face detection device; and a controlling device which controls the image pickup device to start shooting, after a shooting instruction is issued, in the case where the distance between the faces calculated by the face-distance calculating device is not greater than a first predetermined threshold value. The image taking apparatus allows shooting the moment the distance between the faces is close enough not be greater than to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An energy conserving remote viewing system comprising an instantaneous analog video transmission camera, an analog video receiver that receives and transmits a video image to a video monitor and a remote transmitter that activates the analog video transmission camera. The remote camera device is normally in a low power, sleep mode that has a minimal power drain. The system includes a battery powered camera requiring a first voltage to operate and an RF transmitter to send an activation signal to the camera. The activation signal has a duration. A camera power circuit includes a normally sleeping signal receiving circuit and a first timer. The first timer periodically activates the signal receiving circuit to check for the presence of the activation signal and turns off the signal receiving circuit if the activation signal is not present and turns on the camera if the activation signal is present, and wherein the time the signal receiving circuit sleeps is less than the activation signal duration.

Abstract: A system for and method of generating a notification regarding post office box contents. The system comprises at least one indicator transmitter arranged to generate and transmit a notification signal regarding contents of the post office box responsive to an operator actuation, and at least one receiver/network interface communicatively coupled with the at least one indicator transmitter and arranged to transmit a first signal responsive to receipt of the notification signal from the at least one indicator transmitter. The method comprises generating a notification signal responsive to an operator actuation responsive to a change of the contents of a post office box, and transmitting the generated notification signal to a client device.

Abstract: Attempts to achieve a higher resolution and a higher frame rate of a distance image when a distance to an object within a target space is estimated using the TOF method would cause CCD saturation due to shot noise or environment light, and lower distance precision. A distance estimation apparatus illuminates an object with illumination light for distance estimation emitted from a light source that can emit light (electromagnetic wave) having a predetermined illumination frequency, receives reflected light of the illumination light, obtains information about the distance from the apparatus to the object, generates distance image data based on the distance information, extracts edge information of a color image formed using a visible light component obtained in synchronization with the reflected light, and corrects distance information of a target part of the distance image using distance information of a neighboring part of the target part based on the edge information.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus according to an aspect of the invention comprises: an image pickup device which picks up an object image and outputs the picked-up image data; a face detection device which detects human faces in the image data; a face-distance calculating device which calculates the distance between the faces among a plurality of faces detected by the face detection device; and a controlling device which controls the image pickup device to start shooting, after a shooting instruction is issued, in the case where the distance between the faces calculated by the face-distance calculating device is not greater than a first predetermined threshold value. The image taking apparatus allows shooting the moment the distance between the faces is close enough not be greater than to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An energy conserving remote viewing system comprising an instantaneous analog video transmission camera, an analog video receiver that receives and transmits a video image to a video monitor and a remote transmitter that activates the analog video transmission camera. The remote camera device is normally in a low power, sleep mode that has a minimal power drain. The system includes a battery powered camera requiring a first voltage to operate and an RF transmitter to send an activation signal to the camera. The activation signal has a duration. A camera power circuit includes a normally sleeping signal receiving circuit and a first timer. The first timer periodically activates the signal receiving circuit to check for the presence of the activation signal and turns off the signal receiving circuit if the activation signal is not present and turns on the camera if the activation signal is present, and wherein the time the signal receiving circuit sleeps is less than the activation signal duration.

Abstract: In a method for detecting facial expressions of a portrait photo by an image capturing electronic device, a face captured in the portrait photo is detected. The position and range of the opened and closed facial features are detected, and the facial features within an identified range are magnified according to a specific proportion. A patch of facial features and their surroundings within a specific range is cut according to the magnified identified range, so that the patch can show a change of facial expressions and a specific range of their surroundings. A facial feature classifier is trained by a specific number of opened and closed facial feature samples based on the Adaboost algorithm and used for detecting the facial features in the patch to determine whether the facial feature is situated at an opened state or a closed state.

Abstract: In an image display system which has a management station for saving, in a server, management data that contains at least names, identification numbers, and connection numbers of image sensing devices, and is described in the data description language, and the display style of the management data, and a display device, and which displays a video obtained from an arbitrary one or more image sensing devices connected, the management data of the image sensing devices is read out from the server, the display style of the readout management data is read out from the server, and an image is generated and displayed by applying the management data to the display style.

Abstract: An auto-focus apparatus including an evaluation value calculator periodically calculating evaluation values using high frequency components of image signals in a specific region of a subject image, a distance measurement unit measuring a distance to a subject and output a distance measurement result, a control unit outputting instruction values based on the evaluation values and determining whether a subject image is in-focus or out-of-focus, and a storage storing the distance measurement results and lens positions. In the apparatus, after searching the peak of the evaluation values, the control unit returns the lens to the position at which the relative maximum has been detected, obtains evaluation values, stores lens positions and distance measurement results when the evaluation values satisfy a prescribed condition, and retrieves distance measurement results and lens positions when the number of times that results are stored reaches a prescribed number, and computes a correction amount.

Abstract: An energy conserving remote power efficient viewing system comprising an instantaneous analog video transmission camera, an analog video receiver that receives and transmits a video image to a video monitor and a remote transmitter that activates the analog video transmission camera. The remote camera device is normally off, sleep mode that has a minimal power drain. The system includes a battery powered camera requiring a first voltage to operate and an RF transmitter to send an activation signal to the camera. The activation signal has a duration. A camera power circuit includes a normally sleeping signal receiving circuit and a first timer. The first timer periodically activates the signal receiving circuit to check for the presence of the activation signal and turns off the signal receiving circuit if the activation signal is not present and turns on the camera if the activation signal is present, and wherein the time the signal receiving circuit is off is less than the activation signal duration.

Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.

Abstract: A PC-based system for monitoring and storing representative images from video cameras may be utilized for security or other monitoring applications. Camera inputs from digital or analog sources are individually and independently digitized and displayed at a first set of image sizes, sampling rates, and frame rates, and may be stored in digital form on various recording media at a second set of image sizes, sampling rates, and frame rates, and these two sets of sizes and rates may or may not be identical. Provisions are included for adding detection or alarm systems which will automatically alter image size, sampling rate and/or frame rate of an individual input source, or activate other physical responses. In addition to security system monitoring, further applications of the invention are disclosed for process monitoring in manufacturing environments and also for applications in videoconferencing.