13th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 21 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110074918 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Systems and methods for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first selectable media guidance object may be displayed on a screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a first plane. A second selectable media guidance object may be displayed on the screen that when viewed through the stereoscopic optical device may appear in a second plane. The first and second planes may be perceived to intersect an axis normal to the display in different locations. A user selection of at least one of the first and second selectable media guidance objects may be received. An action of moving a cursor in 3D space or selecting one of the selectable media guidance objects displayed in the 3D space may be performed based on the user selection. The user selection may be performed with an input device having an accelerometer. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074919 | Signal generation apparatus and shutter spectacles - A signal generation apparatus includes: a bit-clock extraction section configured to receive a digital audio signal output by an apparatus for displaying a 2-d video image used for sensing a 3-d stereoscopic video image on a screen determined in advance and to extract a bit clock signal from the digital audio signal; and a timing-signal generation section configured to generate a timing signal having the same period as a vertical synchronization signal of the 2-d video image from the bit clock signal extracted by the bit-clock extraction section. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074920 | Transmitting device, receiving device, communication system and program - A transmitting device of present invention includes a framing portion that outputs a video image signal which is acquired per frame after extracting data of the video image signal at every predetermined number of lines in a vertical direction within a frame and positioning the data in a different area within the same frame, and an encoder that encodes an output from the framing portion such that the video image signal is transmitted to a receiving device, when the framing portion is compatible with a progressive image, the framing portion produces the output after swapping the data positioned in the different area between two consecutive frames, and when the framing portion is compatible with an interlaced image, the framing portion produces the output without performing the swapping. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074921 | Transmitter, transmitting method, receiver and receiving method - A transmitter includes: a transmission data generation section generating transmission data having a format of video field period as a unit including a horizontal blanking period, a vertical blanking period and an active video period which are separated by vertical synchronization signals, the active video period including a main video area and an auxiliary video area; and a transmission data transmitting section transmitting, in a differential signal format, the transmission data generated in the transmission data generation section to an external device through a transmission path and through a plurality of channels. The transmission data generation section allocates picture data to the main video area and allocates, to the auxiliary video area, additional information relating to the picture data allocated to the main video area. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074922 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR 3D VIDEO CODING USING SVC SPATIAL SCALABILITY - A 3-dimensional (3D) video transmitter may be operable to encode a 3D video to generate a scalable video coding (SVC) base layer and a SVC enhancement layer. A first half-resolution view and a second half-resolution view of the 3D video in the SVC base layer may be packed in a first single frame. A first view such as a first high-resolution view and a second view such as a second high-resolution view of the 3D video in the SVC enhancement layer may be packed in a second single frame. The high-resolution may comprise a resolution that may be greater than half resolution. The first single frame in the SVC base layer may be used as a base-layer reference for the second single frame in the SVC enhancement layer for inter-layer prediction of spatial scalable coding. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074923 | IMAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF NETWORK-BASED ROBOT AND METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed herein is a system which transmits an image using a lossless compression method in a robot to provide a service over a network and a method thereof. The network-based robot separates an image acquired by a stereo camera into various image formats and transmits the various image formats to a service server. The service server synthesizes the separated image formats to suit an image request such as face recognition, object recognition, navigation or monitoring to restore and provide an original image. When the network-based robot transmits the separated image formats to the server, the original image is transmitted using the lossless method to improve the performance of the server. Even when a service using a new image is added, separated images are transmitted with respect to the image format requested by this service to more flexibly cope with the service using the new image. Since channels are separated in order to receive lossless data, network gain is obtained. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074924 | VIDEO SIGNAL WITH DEPTH INFORMATION | 2011-03-31 |
20110074925 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING PRE-EXISTING IMAGE LAYERS OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE TO CREATE A STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE - Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for converting a 2-D multimedia image to a 3-D multimedia image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image. The layers may comprise one or more portions of the 2-D image and may be digitized and stored in a computer-readable database. The layers may be reproduced as a corresponding left eye and right eye version of the layer, including a pixel offset corresponding to a desired 3-D effect for each layer of the image. The combined left eye layers and right eye layers may form the composite right eye and composite left eye images for a single 3-D multimedia image. Further, this process may be applied to each frame of a animated feature film to convert the film from 2-D to 3-D. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING 3D VIDEO - A system and method for generating 3D video from a plurality of 2D video streams is provided. A video capture device for capturing video to be transformed into 3D video includes a camera module for capturing a two-dimensional (2D) video stream, a location module for determining a location of the video capture device, an orientation module for determining an orientation of the video capture device, and a processing module for associating additional information with the 2D video stream captured by the camera module, the additional information including the orientation of the video capture device and the location of the video capture device. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074927 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING EGO-MOTION OF MOVING PLATFORM AND DETECTION SYSTEM - A method for determining ego-motion of a moving platform and a system thereof are provided. The method includes: using a first lens to capture a first and a second left image at a first and a second time, and using a second lens to capture a first and a second right image; segmenting the images into first left image areas, first right image areas, second left image areas, and second right image areas; comparing the first left image areas and the first right image areas, the second left image areas and the second right image areas, and the first right image areas and the second right image areas, so as to find plural common areas; selecting N feature points in the common areas to calculate depth information at the first and the second time, and determining the ego-motion of the moving platform between the first time and the second time. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074928 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CAMERA, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - When multiple face frames are displayed along with multiple faces, disturbance of stereoscopic effect of an observer having stereoscopic vision is prevented and in addition, visual weariness is suppressed. A stereoscopic photographed image composed of multiple photographed images respectively captured with multiple image pickup devices is input. Positions of faces in each of the photographed images are identified. Focusing states in the positions of faces based on in-focus positions and distance information on the positions of faces. Face frames indicating the positions of faces are blurred according to the focusing states in the positions of faces. A stereoscopic display image is generated from the generated face frames and the stereoscopic photographed image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074929 | AUTO-REFERENCED SENSING DEVICE FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNING - An auto-referenced sensing device for scanning an object to provide three-dimensional surface points in an object coordinate system, comprising: a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) light source emitting light for illuminating and enabling image acquisition of at least a portion of a set of retro-reflective target positioning features, wherein each of the retro-reflective target positioning features is provided at a fixed position on the object; a laser pattern projector, additional to the LED light source, for providing a projected laser pattern on a surface of the object for illuminating and enabling image acquisition of dense points between at least two of the retro-reflective target positioning features in the portion of the set; at least a pair of cameras each for simultaneously acquiring a 2D image of the object, wherein both the projected laser pattern and the portion of the set of retro-reflective target positioning features are apparent on the simultaneous images, a spatial relationship between the pair of cameras being known, the LED light source being provided in close proximity to the at least the pair of cameras; wherein the portion of the set of retro-reflective target positioning features reflect at least part of the light emitted by the LED light source towards the cameras; wherein the simultaneous images acquired by the pair of cameras contain both positioning measurements made available from the portion of the set of retro-reflective target positioning features apparent on the images and dense surface measurements made available from the points enabled by the projected laser pattern apparent on the images. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074930 | AUTO-REFERENCED SENSING METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNING - There is provided a method for obtaining three-dimensional surface points of an object in an object coordinate system having two groups of steps. The method first comprises providing a set of target positioning features on the object. In a first group of steps, acquiring at least a pair of 2D first images of the object, at least a first portion of the set of target positioning features being apparent on the pair of first images, extracting, from the 2D first images, at least two first sets of 2D positioning features from a reflection of the target positioning features of the first portion on the surface; calculating a first set of calculated 3D positioning features in the sensing device coordinate system using the first sets of 2D positioning features; computing first transformation parameters for characterizing a current spatial relationship between the sensing device coordinate system and the object coordinate system, cumulating the first set of transformed 3D positioning features to provide and augment the set of reference 3D positioning features. In a second group of steps, providing a projected pattern on a surface of the object using a pattern projector; acquiring at least a pair of 2D second images of the object by the cameras, the projected pattern and at least a second portion of the set of target positioning features being apparent on the pair of second images, extracting, from the 2D second images, at least one set of 2D surface points from a reflection of the projected pattern on the surface, and at least two second sets of 2D positioning features from a reflection of the target positioning features of the second portion on the surface; calculating a set of 3D surface points in the sensing device coordinate system using the set of 2D surface points; calculating a second set of calculated 3D positioning features in the sensing device coordinate system using the second sets of 2D positioning features; computing second transformation parameters for characterizing a current spatial relationship between the sensing device coordinate system and the object coordinate system, transforming the set of 3D surface points into a set of transformed 3D surface points in the object coordinate system using the second transformation parameters. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074931 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN IMAGING SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE IMAGE SENSORS - Systems and methods may employ separate image sensors for collecting different types of data. In one embodiment, separate luma, chroma and 3-D image sensors may be used. The systems and methods may involve generating an alignment transform for the image sensors, and using the 3-D data from the 3-D image sensor to process disparity compensation. The systems and methods may involve image sensing, capture, processing, rendering and/or generating images. For example, one embodiment may provide an imaging system, including: a first image sensor configured to obtain luminance data of a scene; a second image sensor configured to obtain chrominance data of the scene; a third image sensor configured to obtain three-dimensional data of the scene; and an image processor configured to receive the luminance, chrominance and three-dimensional data and to generate a composite image corresponding to the scene from that data. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074932 | Accurate 3D Object Reconstruction Using a Handheld Device with a Projected Light Pattern - A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. A projector projects an optical pattern toward a surface. The camera has at least two off-axis apertures thereon, arranged to obtain an image of the projected pattern including defocused information. The camera is movable between different positions to image the surface from said different positions, and the projector is at a specified angle of at least 5° relative to said camera. A processor carries out a first operation using information received through the apertures to determine a pose of said camera, and to determine three dimensional information about the object based on a degree of deformation of said optical pattern on said surface indicative of a three dimensional surface. An embodiment projects a grid of laser dots and uses laser-dot defocusing for approximate Z and thus grid correspondence, which can greatly increase the working depth of the system. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074933 | Reduction of viewer discomfort for stereoscopic images - A method for modifying images for display on a three dimensional display includes receiving a first image and a corresponding second image which together represent a three dimensional image when displayed on the three dimensional display. Based upon the first and second image, the method determines whether their content is expected to cause substantial discomfort to a viewer when displayed on the three dimensional display. At least one of the first and second images are modified based at least in part on a physical value related to the pixel pitch of the display, in such a manner to reduce the expected discomfort to the viewer. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074934 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL VIDEO SIGNAL DISPLAYING METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus and method which display a three dimensional (3D) video signal, the apparatus comprising: a receiver which receives a video signal; a video signal processor which processes the received video signal; a display unit which displays thereon the processed video signal; and a controller which, in response to the received video signal being a 3D video signal, controls the video signal processor to convert the received 3D video signal into a two dimensional (2D) video signal, and displays the 2D video signal on the display unit. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074935 | Image Display Viewing System and Image Display Device - Systems, methods, and display apparatuses consistent with the invention may generate control signals to control n light-passing devices such that the n light-passing devices each are sequentially operated between ON and OFF states, and such that each of the n light-passing devices are in the ON state no less than 1/n of the viewing period. This may allow different images to be viewed through different light-passing devices. The embodiments may be used, for example, to present a three-dimensional image to a viewer or to present different videos to different viewers. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074936 | DISPLAY DEVICE FOR DISPLAYING CROSS-SECTIONAL REPRESENTATIONS OF AN OBJECT - There is described a display device for displaying cross-sectional representations of an object, the display device comprising: a frame; and a plurality of display units mounted on the frame, each one of the plurality of display units adapted to display a cross-sectional image of the object, the cross-sectional image comprising at least one internal feature of the object and being dependent on a spatial position in a three-dimensional environment of a corresponding one of the plurality of display units on which the cross-sectional image is to be displayed, the plurality of display units being connectable to a processor adapted to generate the cross-sectional image for each one of the plurality of display units as function of the spatial position. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074937 | Image displaying apparatus, image display observing system and image displaying method - An image displaying apparatus includes a signal control unit for receiving an input image signal and converting the signal into a signal for alternately displaying a right-eye image and a left-eye image, display panel into which the signal converted in the signal control unit is input for the right-eye image and the left-eye image, a surface light source for illuminating the display panel from its back, a shutter control unit for generating a timing signal indicating a period in which the right-eye and left-eye shutters are opened for a pair of viewing glasses with the right-eye and left-eye shutters, and for relatively changing the shutter-opened period for the emission timing of the surface light source, and a surface light source control unit for emitting the surface light source in a shorter period than the shutter-opened period in response to the switching between the right-eye image and the left-eye image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074938 | Image display device, image display viewing system and image display method - An image display device of present invention includes a signal control portion that receives input of an image signal, and outputs a signal that causes an image for a right eye and an image for a left eye to be displayed alternately, a display panel to which the signal converted by the signal control portion is input, and which alternately displays the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye, and a polarity reversing portion that performs polarity reversal of a drive voltage of the display panel due to the signal, at least every time both the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye are displayed. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074939 | Image Display Viewing System, Optical Modulator and Image Display Device - There is provided an image display viewing system including an image display device including a signal control portion that receives input of an image signal and outputs a signal that causes each of multiple different images to be displayed at least twice consecutively, and a display panel to which the signal output from the signal control portion is input and which alternately displays each of the multiple different images at least twice consecutively, and an optical modulator including a liquid crystal layer on which an image having a predetermined polarization direction output from the image display device and external light having random polarization are incident, and which periodically changes the polarization direction of the incident light, and a polarizing plate on which light emitted from the liquid crystal layer is incident and which has a polarization axis in a predetermined direction. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074940 | Electronic Magnification Device - Disclosed is a magnification device for use by blind and/or low vision individuals. The device includes an X-Y table upon which an item to be magnified can be placed. A stationary camera arm and a pivotal monitor arm are oriented over the X-Y table. The monitor arm includes a video monitor pivotally mounted at its distal end. The camera arm also includes two laterally disposed lighting arms. A series of controls are provided along a lower edge of the monitor via a mounting bracket. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074941 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND ENDOSCOPE - An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a spacer surrounding a light receiving surface of the image pickup element; a cover glass attached to the spacer, the cover glass being disposed opposing to the light receiving surface; and an insulative resin configured to thermally couple the image pickup element with the cover glass, and to have a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK. An endoscope includes: the image pickup device; an image pickup optical system; a drive circuit; a light guide configured to radiate light from a illumination light source; a tubular body configured to accommodate the image pickup device, the image pickup optical system, the drive circuit, the light guide, and a forceps opening; and a first insulative resin having a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK, and adapted to thermally couple the image pickup device with the drive circuit. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074942 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE - An electronic endoscope includes an illumination unit, an imaging unit and an image generating unit. The illumination unit switches among plural light beams having different spectra so as to illuminate a subject. The light beams include white light and excitation light for exciting the subject to produce fluorescence. The imaging unit includes a solid-state imaging device, and an objective optical system. The objective optical system guides, to the solid-state imaging device, light returning from the subject which the illumination unit illuminates. The image generating unit generates image data based on image signals output from the imaging unit. The solid-state imaging device further includes a sensitivity adjusting unit that only lowers sensitivity, to the excitation light, of pixels which are sensitive to the fluorescence among a plurality of pixels of the solid-state imaging device. The light guided by the objective optical system is incident directly onto the solid-state imaging device. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074943 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING DURING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an imager configured to generate a plurality of frames at a frame frequency greater than an electromagnetic energy emission pulse frequency of a medical device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames may include a first plurality of rows. The apparatus may also include an electronic shutter module configured to offset a start time of each row of the first plurality of rows in each frame from the plurality of frames from a start time of an adjacent row in that same frame. The apparatus may further include an image processing module configured to generate a plurality of valid frames based on at least a portion of the plurality of frames, wherein the plurality of valid frames may include a frame frequency lower than the frame frequency of the plurality of frames. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074944 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A BRIGHTFIELD IMAGE USING FLUORESCENT IMAGES - A method for generating a brightfield type image, which resembles a brightfield staining protocol of a biological sample, using fluorescent images is provided. The steps comprise acquiring two or more fluorescent images of a fixed area on a biological sample, mapping said fluorescent image into a brightfield color space, and generating a bright field image. Also provided is an image analysis system for generating a brightfield type image of a biological sample using fluorescent images. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074945 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit for capturing a subject and generating image data of the subject, an operation input unit for receiving inputs of operation signals containing a release signal for instructing the imaging unit to shoot, an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration of the imaging apparatus, a state detector for separately detecting a case in which the imaging apparatus is overland, a case in which the imaging apparatus is underwater and a photographer shoots while swimming, and a case in which the imaging apparatus is underwater and the photographer shoots while changing a water depth, and a control unit for performing operation control depending on an input into the operation input unit and/or into the acceleration detector according to a state detection result by the state detector. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074946 | Visual appearance measurement method and system for randomly and regularly arranged birefringent fibers - Methods and apparatus to measure visual appearance of birefringent fibers are disclosed. One method comprises emitting light, creating N | 2011-03-31 |
20110074947 | Speed Measurement System With Dynamic Image Capture And Speed Measurement System With Static Image Capture - A speed measurement system with dynamic image capture includes a dynamic camera, a velocimeter and an image combining unit. The dynamic camera is adapted to continuously shoot a predetermined region to capture a first dynamic image. The velocimeter is adapted to measure a moving speed of a moving object in the predetermined region. The image combining unit is adapted to combine the first dynamic image and the moving speed of the moving object into a second dynamic image. The speed measurement system with dynamic image capture achieves a speed measurement function and a dynamic image capture function. Further, a speed measurement system with static image capture is also provided. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074948 | PARTICLE ANALYZER AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A particle analyzer is disclosed that comprises:
| 2011-03-31 |
20110074949 | Apparatus and method for determining the center of annual rings of a wood block - An apparatus and a method for determining the annual ring center of a wood block are disclosed. A plurality of lines of path is figured out and generated. Each line of path is composed of a plurality of lines each extending normal to a line that is tangential to an annual ring in an image of the wood block end. The normal line may be figured out, for example, by calculating the variance of values of pixels lying on each of a plurality of straight lines of a filter and the sum of the variances for the plurality of straight lines at a plurality of different angular positions of the filter. The annual ring center in the image of the wood block end is determined through calculation based on the points of intersection of the generated lines of path. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074950 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAYING METHOD AND RECORDING MEDIUM, IMAGE DISPLAYING PROGRAM BEING RECORDED THEREON - An image capturing apparatus for capturing the image of the physical object and displaying the captured image is provided for combining and displaying in real time the shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, the apparatus comprising a graded scale generating part for generating the graded scale to be used for indicating the dimension of the physical object in the captured image; a data storing part for storing the data for correction to be used in order to correct the graded scale shape by adding the distortion to the generated graded scale in the similar degree to the distortion caused by the distortion aberration; a graded scale shape correcting part for generating the shape-distorted graded scale by correcting the graded scale shape according to the data for correction; and an image combining part for combining the generated shape-distorted graded scale with the captured image, and displays the captured image combined with the shape-distorted graded scale. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074951 | UTILIZING PRESENCE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE - Surveillance system endpoints communicate with each other to send and receive presence information. The surveillance endpoints may react to the received presence information. For example, if one surveillance camera stops functioning, one or more other cameras can react to the presence information, or lack thereof, sent from the malfunctioning camera. Thus, one or more of the other cameras can cover the area normally covered by the malfunctioning camera. Thus, the surveillance endpoints can automatically react to presence events in a network of surveillance endpoints. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074952 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING A BLOCKED APERTURE IN LETTER OR FLAT MAIL IMAGE SENSOR - Embodiments include systems and methods of detecting a blocked aperture in an image device. In certain embodiments, the system and method is used in mail processing of letters and flats. In certain embodiments, the image sensor captures an image of the front of an item. If the aperture of the image sensor is obstructed, a void will appear on the image of the item. The system can detect the void and increment an alarm count until a pre-defined threshold is reached wherein the system signals an alarm so that the blockage can be removed and the affected items can be re-introduced for correct processing. In another embodiment, images obtained when the aperture is expected to be clear of any items. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074953 | Image Data Collection From Mobile Vehicles With Computer, GPS, and IP-Based Communication - A system and method to capture a plurality of images and store the captured images. The system has multiple camera systems capable of transmitting image data. At least one camera system is equipped with an apparatus for determining location coordinates such as GPS. A computer system monitors location coordinates, retrieves image data from the camera systems, and stores the image data into a file. A contiguous array of location coordinates is entered and the computer system locates camera systems within the contiguous array of location coordinates; retrieves image data from the located camera systems; and files the image data taken from each of the camera systems to obtain a file of image data. The system provides the ability to serially interleave frames or video captured from multiple sources. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074954 | IMAGE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE - An image monitoring system for vehicles is provided. The system includes plural image sensing modules, one or more hub, a central processing module, and a display module. The images captured by the image sensing modules are respectively digitally processed, compressed, and then transmitted to the hub. The hub integrates the compressed signals and generates an integrated signal. The central processing module is used for decompressing the integrated signal, so as to generate at least one recovered video signal. The at least one recovered video signal can be displayed on the display module. This system can also include a storage module for storing image data. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074955 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WEATHER CONDITION DETECTION WITH IMAGE-BASED ROAD CHARACTERIZATION - The present invention relates to video-based driver assistance systems being used in vehicles today to perform a variety of functions, such as lane or road departure warning. These functions often require that parts of the video image be identified as, for example, a traffic sign, a bridge, lane markings, etc. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074956 | DEVICE, CAMERA, AND METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGES OF THE SURROUNDING OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A device for a motor vehicle ( | 2011-03-31 |
20110074957 | Apparatus for Vehicle Surroundings Monitorings - There is provided apparatus for vehicle surroundings monitorings that assists so as to make it possible for a driver to check the periphery of the vehicle with ease. Plural images are obtained by capturing the periphery of the vehicle with mutually differing exposure. A process of image recognition is then performed for a target within the thus obtained images. The images are then compared, and images for which the accuracy of image recognition of the target is favorable are selected from among the images. The selected images are joined and composited to generate a host vehicle periphery composite image. Thus, an image with a wide dynamic range and high visibility is generated, thereby making it easier for the driver to check the periphery of the vehicle. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074958 | EXTERIOR MIRROR VISION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An exterior mirror vision system includes a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of an equipped vehicle and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle. The driver-side exterior mirror assembly including a mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior minor housing, and a driver-side reflective element. The driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera. The passenger-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing, and a passenger-side reflective element. The passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074959 | CALCULATING ENERGY DISSIPATION IN AN IR IMAGE - An IR camera comprises: a thermal radiation capturing arrangement for capturing thermal radiation of an imaged view in response to input control unit(s) receiving user inputs from a user of the IR camera; a processing unit arranged to process the thermal radiation data in order for the thermal radiation data to be displayed by an IR camera display as thermal images; and a IR camera display arranged to display thermal images to a user of the IR camera. The IR camera is characterized in that the processing unit is further arranged to: determine at least one temperature reference value representing the temperature of the surrounding environment of the imaged view; and calculate at least one output power value indicative of an amount of energy dissipated in a part of the imaged view by using the temperature value of the thermal radiation data corresponding to said part of the imaged view and the at least one determined temperature reference value. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074960 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device has a semiconductor substrate. First, second and third photoelectric conversion portions are provided in a surface region of the semiconductor substrate. A blue color filter has a film thickness to give a first light path length. A green color filter has a film thickness to give a second light path length longer than the first light path length. A red color filter has a film thickness to give a third light path length longer than the second light path length. A flattening film is formed on the blue color filter, the green color filter and the red color filter. The flattening film flats steps of the color filters. Micro lenses are provided on the flat film. Each of the micro lenses is formed at a position corresponding to each of the first, second and third photoelectric conversion portions. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074961 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING A DIGITAL CAMERA MODULE - A method for testing a digital camera module reads a digital image from the digital camera module under test, extracts a tricolor coefficient of each pixel of the digital image to form a measurement array, and compares the measurement array with a reference array to find tricolor coefficient differences. The method extracts an edge of the digital image, processes the edge of the digital image using binarization to obtain measurement binary values, and compares the measurement binary values with reference binary values to find binary values differences. The method further compares a count of the tricolor coefficient differences with a first acceptable value, and compares a count of the binary values differences with a second acceptable value to determine quality of the digital camera module. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074962 | NETWORK CAMERA APPARATUS AND DISTRIBUTING METHOD OF VIDEO FRAMES - When a request for a transmitting method of video frames of the client apparatus is received in a communicating unit to communicate with said client apparatus, whether the received request for the transmitting method of the video frames is a request for the transmitting method of the video frames for recording or a request for the transmitting method of the video frames for a live display is discriminated. If the received request for the transmitting method of the video frames is the request for the transmitting method of the video frames for recording, each of the video frames formed in an image sensing unit is temporarily stored in a memory and each of the stored video frames is transmitted. If the received request for the transmitting method of the video frames is the request for the transmitting method of the video frames for the live display, a process for transmitting the latest frame among the video frames formed in the image sensing unit is repetitively executed. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074963 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup element; a shake detection device configured to detect a vibration applied to a main body of the image pickup apparatus; and an image blur correction device configured to perform a correction of removing an image blur of the image due to the vibration, the image blur correction device including: a holding member configured to hold the image pickup element; a first driving device configured to move the holding member between a first position where the center of the image pickup element substantially corresponds to the optical axis and a second position; a heat exhausting member arranged to be in contact with the holding member when the holding member is located at the second position; and a control device configured to drive the first driving device based on the vibration. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074964 | IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF - When a photographed image is recorded using a detachable recording medium having a transmission function, to easily distinguish an image corresponding to the transmitted image and an image corresponding to the image that has not been transmitted yet, when the image data is recorded in the recording medium having a wireless communication unit, the image corresponding to the transmitted image and the image corresponding to the image that has not been transmitted yet are separated and stored in separated folders formed on the recording medium. For example, the image data is stored in the DCIM2 folder and the DCIM folder. When the image data is stored, the image data corresponding to the transmitted image data is reduced and stored in the DCIM2 folder, while the image data corresponding to the transmitted image data is deleted from the DCIM folder. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074965 | VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A video processing system includes a number of time-of-flight (TOF) cameras and a video card. The number of TOF cameras shoots different regions of a scene to obtain a number of images. The number of images includes distance data between the scene and the number of TOF cameras. The video card combines the number of images to obtain a full image of the scene. The full image of the scene has a larger size than that of each of the number of images, same resolution with that of each of the number of images, and distance data between the scene and the number of TOF cameras. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074966 | METHOD FOR MEASURING PHOTOGRAPHER'S AESTHETIC QUALITY PROGRESS - A method for measuring a photographer's progress over time toward producing images with a high level of aesthetic quality by assessing the aesthetic quality of a set of digital images captured by the photographer comprising: providing a set of digital images captured by a particular photographer, each digital image having and associated capture times captured by a particular photographer; using a processor to compute an aesthetic quality parameters for each digital image in the set; and producing an indication of the photographer's progress toward producing images with a high level of aesthetic quality using the aesthetic quality parameters for each digital image in the set and the corresponding associated capture times. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074967 | TARGET BIT RATE DECISION METHOD FOR WAVELET-BASED IMAGE COMPRESSION - A method of deciding a target bit rate for wavelet-based image encoding based on the wavelet coefficients is described. The target bit rate is used for maintaining a high quality image. A minimum target bit rate and a maximum target bit rate are determined. A pseudo code length corresponding to the minimum target bit rate is calculated. The pseudo code length is calculated as a function of the wavelet coefficients. The corresponding pseudo code length is calculated for the maximum target bit rate. A curve between the pseudo code length and target bit rate is derived. Slope of the curve depends on buffer fullness. Using the curve, for a given pseudo code length, an appropriate target bit rate is derived. The derived target bit rate depends on the image content, and computing resources are able to be optimally used to attain similar quality for each image block of an image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074968 | Multiple data rate counter, data converter including the same, and image sensor including the same - A counter includes a buffer unit and a ripple counter. The buffer unit generates at least one least significant signal of a count by buffering at least one clock signal until a termination time point. The ripple counter generates at least one most significant signal of the count by sequentially toggling in response to at least one of the least significant signal. The counter performs multiple data rate counting with enhance operation speed and reduced power consumption. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074969 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device, including a pixel, the pixel including: a light receiving section; a charge transfer path; a transfer electrode; a readout gate section; and a readout electrode. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074970 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a plurality of image input modules configured to input images, a detection module configured to detect object regions from an image input by any image input module, a feature extracting module configured to extract feature values from any object regions detected by the detecting module, and a control module configured to control processes the detection module and feature extracting module perform on the images input by the plurality of image input modules, in accordance with the result of detection performed by the detection module. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074971 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE BASED ON SCENE MODE DISPLAY - A method and apparatus for processing an image based on a scene mode. An image processing apparatus is disclosed including a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to select scene modes applicable to a live-view image and configured to display the selected scene modes as icons on the live-view image. An image processing method is disclosed including selecting scene modes applicable to a live-view image; and displaying the selected scene modes as icons on the live-view image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074972 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes a fetcher. A fetcher fetches an original image. A first converter converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a first recording image. A second converter converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converter. A first editor edits one of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, in response to an editing instruction. A second editor edits the other of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, corresponding to the editing process of the first editor. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074973 | CAMERA AND RECORDING METHOD THEREFOR - An image captured with an imaging section is thinned out to generate a low resolution image. A face detection section obtains the low resolution image. The face detection section detects a face image from the low resolution image. A still state detector judges whether the face image is in a still state. The still state detector counts the number of frames which has been judged still by the still state detector. When the number of frames judged still reaches a predetermined value during half-pressing of a release button, a CPU automatically records the low resolution image as a substitute for a still image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074974 | OPTICAL FLOW BASED TILT SENSOR - A method is described for determining a description of motion of a moving mobile camera to determine a user input to an application. The method may involve capturing a series of images from a moving mobile camera and comparing stationary features present in the series of images. Optical flow analysis may be performed on the series of images to determine a description of motion of the moving mobile camera. Based on the determined motion, a user input to an application may be determined and the application may respond to the user input, for example, by updating a user interface of the application. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074975 | Detecting Red Eye Filter and Apparatus Using Meta-Data - A method of filtering a red-eye phenomenon from an acquired digital image including a multiplicity of pixels indicative of color, the pixels forming various shapes of the image, includes analyzing meta-data information, determining one or more regions within the digital image suspected as including red eye artifact, and determining, based at least in part on the meta-data analysis, whether the regions are actual red eye artifact. The meta-data information may include information describing conditions under which the image was acquired, captured and/or digitized, acquisition device-specific information, and film information. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074976 | METHOD OF DETECTING THE EXISTENCE OF VISUALLY SENSITIVE THIN LINES IN A DIGITAL IMAGE - A method of detecting existence of visually thin lines in images is described herein. The method includes profile generation, profile analysis and deciding the existence of thin lines. The profile generation includes generating a profile in each direction of the input image. Multiple projection lines are projected along the direction and all of the pixel values along the projection lines are added and averaged to obtain a profile. The profile analysis includes determining presence of thin lines in the input image and also noticing if the direction of the thin lines is similar to that of the projection lines. At the third step, according to the analysis made, existence of thin lines in the image is decided. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074977 | COMPOSITE IMAGE CREATING METHOD AS WELL AS PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE METHOD - In an aspect of the composite image creating method according to the present invention, an information processing apparatus executes the steps of: inputting material candidate images which are images composed of frames of a moving image and/or a plurality of still images that were taken by an image-taking apparatus; detecting a movement of the image-taking apparatus at image-taking time points of all or some of the material candidate images or analysis time points that are time points in a neighborhood of the image-taking time points; determining a condition for generating a composite image from among the material candidate images based on the movement of the image-taking apparatus detected; and creating a composite image based on the material candidate images and on the condition determined. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074978 | IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided an imaging apparatus which can prevent a privacy zone from being shifted from a mask when a magnification converting lens is switched. The imaging unit ( | 2011-03-31 |
20110074979 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - An image capture device includes a face recognition module, a determination module, and an image edition module. The face recognition module recognizes a facial portion of a portrait photo. The determination module zooms the portrait photo until the facial portion satisfies first predetermined sizes, calculates the center of the facial portion, and determines a boundary of a photo identification to be created in the zoomed portrait photo according to second predetermined sizes, which interprets the center of the facial portion as the center thereof. The image edition module cuts the zoomed portrait photo along the boundary to create the photo identification. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074980 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074981 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074982 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHING - A digital photographing apparatus is provided that includes: a lens unit through which image light is transmitted; an image capturing unit for converting the image light transmitted through the lens unit into an image signal; a subject detection unit for detecting a subject from the image signal of the image capturing unit to designate a subject area; a distortion correction unit for converting the image signal into a correction image signal for correcting distortion of the image light caused due to the lens unit, after the subject detection unit has detected the subject; and a subject area converting unit for designating a corrected subject area corresponding to the subject area from the correction image signal. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074983 | Dual site imaging camera - An imaging system or camera having an array of elements switchable between two states for measuring of light received by the imaging system on a pixel by pixel basis to form two separate images simultaneously over a common integration time in which switching takes place faster than the integration time of the camera. Optical switching may be provided by a spatial light modulator along one of two paths each associated with a detector for one of the images, or each path being associated with one of two non-overlapping regions of the same detector, where each region provides one of the images. Electronic switching may be provided in which for each pixel a photodetector provide an electrical signal onto a switching element which switches the signal onto one of two sites for integrating the signal and providing a pixel value, where the two sites are each associated with a different one of the images. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074984 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DATA CORRECTION METHOD - In an image sensing apparatus, an image sensing unit generates image data formed via an optical member, a storage unit stores correction information for correcting deterioration of image quality of the image data, a reading unit reads correction information corresponding to a plurality of setting values close to a parameter used to control the optical member from the correction information stored in the storage unit, a conversion unit converts a pixel position of the image data to polar coordinates, a generation unit generates correction information by interpolating the read correction information, and a correction unit corrects the image data at the pixel position at the polar coordinates using the correction information. The storage unit stores correction information corresponding to more polar angles in a range having a greater degree of change in the deterioration of image quality in an angular direction centered on the optical axis of the optical member. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074985 | Method and Apparatus of Correcting Hybrid Flash Artifacts in Digital Images - A method for digital image eye artifact detection and correction include identifying one or more candidate red-eye defect regions in an acquired image. For one or more candidate red-eye regions, a seed pixels and/or a region of pixels having a high intensity value in the vicinity of the candidate red-eye region is identified. The shape, roundness or other eye-related characteristic of a combined hybrid region including the candidate red-eye region and the region of high intensity pixels is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the eye-related characteristic of the combined hybrid region, it is determined whether to apply flash artifact correction, including red eye correction of the candidate red-eye region and/or correction of the region of high intensity pixels. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074986 | BLACK LEVEL ADJUSTING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a black level adjusting apparatus includes a black-level correcting unit that generates a clamp parameter based on an OB value (a pixel signal value) obtained by A/D-converting, with an A/D conversion circuit, an imaging signal of an optical black section of a solid-state imaging device and feeds back clamp voltage corresponding to the clamp parameter to the A/D conversion circuit. The black-level correcting unit updates the clamp parameter using a linear relation between the clamp parameter and the OB value. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074987 | IMAGING DEVICE - An A/D conversion section ( | 2011-03-31 |
20110074988 | Dual-Mode Extended Depth-of-Field Imaging Systems - A digital-optical imaging system can be operated in two modes, which shall be referred to as broadband mode and grayscale mode. In broadband mode, different color images are captured and then image processed together. The optics are intentionally aberrated to increase the depth of field, with the image processing compensating for the aberrations. In grayscale mode, the different color images are captured and then image processed separately. The color images are assumed to be correlated so that it is not necessary to have clear images of all color channels. Accordingly, the optics are designed so that the different color images focus at different locations, thus increasing the overall depth of field where at least one color image is in focus. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074989 | IMAGE SENSORS - Provided is an image sensor having a depth sensor. The image sensor includes a substrate including a visible light region and a non-visible light region, a first well and a second well having a first conductivity type and in the non-visible light perception region, and a first gate and a second gate configured to receive voltages of opposite phases, respectively, and apply voltages to the first well and the second well, respectively. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074990 | DIGITAL CAMERA HAVING A DISPLAY MENU USED TO SELECT EITHER COLOR PHOTOGRAPHING OPERATION OR A BLACK/WHITE PHOTOGRAPHING OPERATION - A digital camera includes: an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts light to output a color image; a selecting unit that selects any one identifier from identifiers which are colored in different colors from each other; and a black/white image producing unit that produces a black/white image by weighting gradation values of respective colors for each of pixels of the output color image and adding the weighted gradation values to each other. When the light entered to the imaging unit is entered to a color filter having a color equal to a color of the selected identifier, a correlation between a light amount of light having a wavelength which penetrates the color filer and a light amount of the entered light becomes stronger than a correlation between a light amount of light having a wavelength which is absorbed by the color filter and the light amount of the entered light. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074991 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Light shielding films for preventing color mixture are disposed between Green filters | 2011-03-31 |
20110074992 | MULTISPECTRAL IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A multispectral image capturing apparatus has different spectral sensitivity characteristics of at least four bands. Three primary bands of the at least four bands have spectral sensitivity characteristics of standard RGB. At least one auxiliary band of the rest of the at least four bands excluding the three primary bands has a spectral sensitivity characteristic of a narrower bandwidth than bandwidths of the RGB. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074993 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND CAMERA - An image pickup device, wherein a part of the carriers overflowing from the photoelectric conversion unit for a period of photoelectrically generating and accumulating the carriers may be flowed into the floating diffusion region, and a pixel signal generating unit generating a pixel signal according to the carriers stored in the photoelectric conversion unit and the carriers having overflowed into the floating diffusion region, is provided. The expansion of a dynamic range and the improvement of an image quality can be provided by controlling a ratio of the carriers flowing into the floating diffusion region to the carriers overflowing from such a photoelectric conversion unit at high accuracy. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074994 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, A/D CONVERTER AND A/D CONVERSION METHOD - In a reference signal comparison AD conversion scheme, a reference signal SLP_ADC and each of P and D phases of a pixel signal voltage Vx are compared. A count clock CKcnt | 2011-03-31 |
20110074995 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGING SYSTEMS - Imaging arrays comprising at least two different imaging pixel types are described. The different imaging pixel types may differ in their light sensitivities and/or light saturation levels. Methods of processing the output signals of the imaging arrays are also described, and may produce images having a greater dynamic range than would result from an imaging array comprising only one of the at least two different imaging pixel types. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074996 | CCD IMAGE SENSORS WITH VARIABLE OUTPUT GAINS IN AN OUTPUT CIRCUIT - An output circuit in a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor includes a charge-to-voltage conversion region, a gain control transistor connected to the charge-to-voltage conversion region and a reset transistor connected in series with the gain control transistor. One or more additional gain control transistors can be connected between the reset transistor and the gain control transistor. The one or more gain control transistors are used to set a capacitance of the charge-to-voltage conversion region to two or more difference capacitance levels. For each capacitance level, a reset voltage and a signal voltage are measured from the charge-to-voltage conversion region. A signal processing device computes multiple signal values for a single charge packet using the measured reset and signal voltages. The signal processing device selects one of the multiple signal values to be the signal value for the pixel. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074997 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074998 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110074999 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075000 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075001 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075002 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device includes vertical transfer units each including first and second transfer units. A drive control unit controls transfer processes of the vertical transfer units so that (i) after transferring a packet, the first transfer unit stops transferring another packet in a period during which the packet is horizontally transferred, (ii) the second transfer unit in the same group transfers the packet to a horizontal transfer unit at a timing different from a timing at which another second transfer unit in the same group transfers a different packet to the horizontal transfer unit, (iii) the horizontal transfer unit horizontally transfers the received packet in a horizontal transfer period different from another horizontal transfer period during which the different packet is horizontally transferred, and (iv) at least one charge transfer stage serving as the well region differs between these horizontal transfer periods. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075003 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA INCLUDING THE SAME - The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: vertical transfer units provided to each column of photoelectric conversion units in rows and columns, and which vertically transfer generated signal charges; a horizontal transfer unit which horizontally transfers signal charges; and a first transfer unit and second transfer unit provided between the vertical transfer units and the horizontal transfer unit. The first transfer unit selectively holds and transfers signal charges from the vertical transfer units to the second transfer unit to mix signal charges of m same-color photoelectric conversion units nearest each other in horizontal direction, m being an integer not less than two, and the second transfer unit selectively holds and transfers signal charges from the first transfer unit to the horizontal transfer unit to mix signal charges of n same-color photoelectric conversion units nearest each other in the horizontal direction, n being an integer greater than m. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075004 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGES USING BLACK CHARACTER SUBSTITUTION - An image correction section in an image processing section performs a resolution-enhancing process for an input R signal from a RED photodiode array | 2011-03-31 |
20110075005 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device | 2011-03-31 |
20110075006 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075007 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075008 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075009 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075010 | METHODS FOR CAPTURING AND READING OUT IMAGES FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075011 | Real-Time Remote Image Capture System - One system for remotely capturing an image, among others, contains a first image capture device coupled to a communications network. The first image capture device has a touch-screen display and adapted to display a map image retrieved from a map database, wherein the first image capture device enables a first user to draw markings on the map image via the touch-screen display and to transmit the markings to a second image capture device. After receipt of the markings by the second image capture device, the first image capture device concurrently displays with the second image capture device the markings on the map image. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075012 | PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A method for controlling a photographing apparatus is provided. The photographing apparatus includes a touch screen. In the method, it is first detected whether a user keeps touching a focus point on the touch screen for a specific duration. If the detected result is YES, the photographing apparatus is controlled to perform an automatic focusing procedure corresponding to the focus point and then an automatic photographing procedure. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075013 | LENS ASSEMBLY AND CAMERA MODULE HAVING SAME - A lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes an optical axis, and a first engaging face facing toward the optical axis and a first engaging structure formed on the first engaging face. The second lens is used for engagement with and coaxially alignment with the first lens. The second lens includes a second engaging face facing away from the optical axis and a second engaging structure formed on the second engaging face for engagement with the first engaging structure of the first lens. The second lens is rotatable about the axis but non-movable along the optical axis relative to the first lens when the second lens is engaged with the first lens. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075014 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING COATING AND LENS MODULE UTILIZING THE SAME - An electromagnetic shielding coating covers a lens coated with an optical coating. A light shielding coating covers the optical coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating covers the light shielding coating. The electromagnetic shielding coating includes a first stainless steel layer and a second copper layer. The first stainless steel layer contains stainless steel, and is formed on the light shielding coating directly. The second copper layer is formed on the first metal layer. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075015 | AUTOMATIC FOCUS IMAGING SYSTEM USING OUT-OF-PLANE TRANSLATION OF AN MEMS REFLECTIVE SURFACE - The present invention provides an automatic focus imaging system comprising a lens unit, an image sensor, and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) unit fabricated by microfabrication technology to improve the portability and focusing speed of the automatic focus imaging system. The MEMS unit for automatic focusing comprises a substrate having a control circuitry, at least one reflective surface movably connected to the substrate, and at least one actuation unit comprising a micro-actuator having a large in-plane translation and at least one micro-converter configured to convert the large in-plane translation of the micro-actuator to the large out-of-plane translation of the reflective surface. The MEMS unit changes a distance between lens unit and the image sensor by controlling the out-plane translation of the reflective surface in order to form in-focus mage on the image sensor. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075016 | IMAGER PROCESSING A CAPTURED IMAGE - An endoscope is provided having an imaging sensor, a focusing lens, and an image processor. The imaging sensor converts an optical image to an output image signal. The focusing lens focuses on an object. The image processor calculates a contrast value based on the image signal while the focusing lens moves to focus on an object, and in the case where the image processor detects a region in which the amount of variation in the contrast value is within a predetermined range, while the focusing lens moves in a close range around a focusing point the image processor processes at least one output image in which either the image has been cropped to exclude the region, an ornament has been added to the region, or the region has been softened. | 2011-03-31 |
20110075017 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING DISTANCE BY PERFORMING AUTO FOCUS FUNCTION - A portable electronic device for measuring a distance of an object by performing an auto focus function and a distance measuring method are provided. The portable electronic device includes an image pickup module and a distance measuring program. The image pickup module includes a lens, an optical sensing element and a transmission mechanism. The distance measuring program includes a distance look-up table. The distance look-up table is established by correlating a plurality of lens moving step numbers with corresponding object distance values. The auto focus function is performed to capture an image of an object by the image pickup module, thereby obtaining a current lens moving step number required for performing the auto focus function. A current object distance value corresponding to the current lens moving step number is acquired according to the distance look-up table. | 2011-03-31 |