公开(公告)号：US08305452B2

公开(公告)日：2012-11-06

申请号：US13151304

申请日：2011-06-02

Applicant: John R. Fredlund ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Andrew C. Gallagher ,  Andrew C. Blose ,  John N. Border ,  Kevin M. Gobeyn ,  Richard B. Wheeler ,  Michael J. Telek

Inventor： John R. Fredlund ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Andrew C. Gallagher ,  Andrew C. Blose ,  John N. Border ,  Kevin M. Gobeyn ,  Richard B. Wheeler ,  Michael J. Telek

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/222 ,  H04N7/18 ,  G08B23/00

CPC classification number: H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/23206

Abstract: Pre-image-acquisition information is obtained by a digital camera and transmitted to a system external to the digital camera. The system is configured to provide image-acquisition settings to the digital camera. In this regard, the digital camera receives the image-acquisition settings from the external system and performs an image-acquisition sequence based at least upon the received image-acquisition settings. Accordingly, the determination of image-acquisition settings can be performed remotely from the digital camera, where data-processing resources can greatly exceed those within the digital camera.

Abstract translation: 预图像采集信息由数码相机获得并传送到数码相机外部的系统。 该系统被配置为向数码相机提供图像采集设置。 在这方面，数码相机从外部系统接收图像采集设置，并且至少基于所接收的图像获取设置来执行图像采集序列。 因此，可以从数字照相机远程执行图像采集设置的确定，其中数据处理资源可以大大超过数字照相机内的数据处理资源。

公开(公告)号：US08253832B2

公开(公告)日：2012-08-28

申请号：US12480820

申请日：2009-06-09

Applicant: James E. Adams, Jr. ,  Mrityunjay Kumar ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  James A. Hamilton

Inventor： James E. Adams, Jr. ,  Mrityunjay Kumar ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  James A. Hamilton

IPC: H04N9/083

CPC classification number: H04N9/045 ,  G06T3/00

Abstract: A method is described for forming a full-color output image from a color filter array image comprising capturing an image using an image sensor including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a rectangular minimal repeating unit wherein for a first color response, the color pixels having the first color response alternate with panchromatic pixels in at least two directions, and for each of the other color responses there is at least one row, column or diagonal of the repeating pattern that only has color pixels of the given color response and panchromatic pixels. The method further comprising, computing an interpolated panchromatic image from the color filter array image; computing an interpolated color image from the color filter array image; and forming the full color output image from the interpolated panchromatic image and the interpolated color image.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于从滤色器阵列图像形成全色输出图像的方法，包括使用包括全色像素的图像传感器和具有至少两种不同颜色响应的彩色像素捕获图像，所述像素布置在矩形最小重复单元 其中对于第一颜色响应，具有第一颜色响应的彩色像素在至少两个方向上与全色像素交替，并且对于每个其他颜色响应，存在仅具有重复图案的重复图案的至少一个行，列或对角线 给定颜色响应和全色像素的彩色像素。 该方法还包括：从滤色器阵列图像计算内插全色图像; 从所述滤色器阵列图像计算内插的彩色图像; 以及从内插全色图像和内插彩色图像形成全色输出图像。

公开(公告)号：US20100309347A1

公开(公告)日：2010-12-09

申请号：US12480820

申请日：2009-06-09

Applicant: James E. Adams, JR. ,  Mrityunjay Kumar ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  James A. Hamilton

Inventor： James E. Adams, JR. ,  Mrityunjay Kumar ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  James A. Hamilton

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N9/045 ,  G06T3/00

Abstract: A method is described for forming a full-color output image from a color filter array image comprising capturing an image using an image sensor including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a rectangular minimal repeating unit wherein for a first color response, the color pixels having the first color response alternate with panchromatic pixels in at least two directions, and for each of the other color responses there is at least one row, column or diagonal of the repeating pattern that only has color pixels of the given color response and panchromatic pixels. The method further comprising, computing an interpolated panchromatic image from the color filter array image; computing an interpolated color image from the color filter array image; and forming the full color output image from the interpolated panchromatic image and the interpolated color image.

Abstract translation: 描述了用于从滤色器阵列图像形成全色输出图像的方法，包括使用包括全色像素的图像传感器和具有至少两种不同颜色响应的彩色像素拍摄图像，所述像素布置在矩形最小重复单元 其中对于第一颜色响应，具有第一颜色响应的彩色像素在至少两个方向上与全色像素交替，并且对于每个其他颜色响应，存在仅具有重复图案的重复图案的至少一个行，列或对角线 给定颜色响应和全色像素的彩色像素。 该方法还包括：从滤色器阵列图像计算内插全色图像; 从所述滤色器阵列图像计算内插的彩色图像; 以及从内插全色图像和内插彩色图像形成全色输出图像。

公开(公告)号：US07683962B2

公开(公告)日：2010-03-23

申请号：US11684036

申请日：2007-03-09

Applicant: John N. Border ,  Amy D. Enge ,  Efrain O. Morales ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Keith A. Jacoby ,  James E. Adams, Jr. ,  Russell J. Palum ,  Andrew C. Gallagher

Inventor： John N. Border ,  Amy D. Enge ,  Efrain O. Morales ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Keith A. Jacoby ,  James E. Adams, Jr. ,  Russell J. Palum ,  Andrew C. Gallagher

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  G03B13/34

CPC classification number: G03B15/00 ,  G01S19/45 ,  G03B13/36 ,  G03B29/00 ,  H04N5/2226 ,  H04N5/2258 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/23296 ,  H04N13/239 ,  H04N13/25

Abstract: An electronic camera for producing an output image of a scene from a captured image signal includes a first imaging stage comprising a first image sensor for generating a first sensor output and a first lens for forming a first image of the scene on the first image sensor, and a second imaging stage comprising a second image sensor for generating a second sensor output and a second lens for forming a second image of the scene on the second image sensor, where the lenses have different focal lengths. A processing stage uses the sensor output from one of the imaging stages as the captured image signal and uses the images from both imaging stages to generate a range map identifying distances to the different portions of the scene.

Abstract translation: 一种用于从拍摄图像信号产生场景的输出图像的电子照相机包括：第一成像台，包括用于产生第一传感器输出的第一图像传感器和用于在第一图像传感器上形成场景的第一图像的第一透镜; 以及第二成像台，包括用于产生第二传感器输出的第二图像传感器和用于在第二图像传感器上形成场景的第二图像的第二透镜，其中透镜具有不同的焦距。 处理阶段使用来自一个成像级的传感器输出作为所捕获的图像信号，并且使用来自两个成像级的图像来生成识别到场景的不同部分的距离的范围图。

公开(公告)号：US07561789B2

公开(公告)日：2009-07-14

申请号：US11427531

申请日：2006-06-29

Applicant: John N. Border ,  Russell J. Palum ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Lynn Schilling-Benz

Inventor： John N. Border ,  Russell J. Palum ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  Lynn Schilling-Benz

IPC: G03B7/099

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212

Abstract: A method for operating an autofocus system for focusing an image on an electronic imager includes providing an adjustable lens system defining an optical path for scene light and having at least one movable lens to focus an image of the scene onto the electronic imager; and causing a first portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a first autofocus image and causing a second different portion of the scene light to be obscured so that the electronic imager captures a second autofocus image wherein portions of the first and second autofocus images are offset. The method further includes moving the movable lens to a position so that an image to be captured will be in focus.

Abstract translation: 一种用于操作用于将图像聚焦在电子成像器上的自动对焦系统的方法包括提供限定用于场景光的光路的可调透镜系统，并具有至少一个可移动透镜以将场景的图像聚焦到电子成像器上; 并且使得场景光的第一部分被遮蔽，使得电子成像器捕获第一自动对焦图像并导致场景光的第二不同部分被遮蔽，使得电子成像器捕获第二自动对焦图像，其中第一 并且第二自动对焦图像被偏移。 该方法还包括将可移动透镜移动到使被捕获的图像成为焦点的位置。

公开(公告)号：US20090021810A1

公开(公告)日：2009-01-22

申请号：US11780510

申请日：2007-07-20

Applicant: James E. Adams, JR. ,  Michele O'Brien ,  John F. Hamilton, JR. ,  Bruce H. Pillman

Inventor： James E. Adams, JR. ,  Michele O'Brien ,  John F. Hamilton, JR. ,  Bruce H. Pillman

IPC: H04N1/46

CPC classification number: H04N9/045 ,  G06T5/007 ,  G06T5/50 ,  G06T2207/10024

Abstract: A method of providing an enhanced image including color and panchromatic pixels, includes using a captured image of a scene that was captured by a two-dimensional sensor array having both color and panchromatic pixels; providing an image having paxels in response to the captured image so that each paxel has color and panchromatic values; converting the paxel values to at least one luminance value and a plurality of chrominance values; and computing scene balance values from the luminance and chrominance values to be applied to an uncorrected image having color and panchromatic pixels that is either the captured image of the scene or an image derived from the captured image of the scene and using the computed scene balance values to provide an enhanced image including color and panchromatic pixels.

Abstract translation: 提供包括颜色和全色像素的增强图像的方法包括使用由具有彩色和全色像素的二维传感器阵列捕获的场景的拍摄图像; 提供具有响应于所捕获的图像的像素的图像，使得每个斑点具有彩色和全色值; 将所述paxel值转换为至少一个亮度值和多个色度值; 以及将来自亮度和色度值的场景平衡值计算到具有彩色和全色像素的未校正图像的未校正图像，所述彩色和全色像素是场景的捕获图像或从场景的拍摄图像导出的图像，并且使用计算出的场景平衡值 以提供包括颜色和全色像素的增强图像。

公开(公告)号：US07092017B2

公开(公告)日：2006-08-15

申请号：US10242865

申请日：2002-09-13

Applicant: Sean C. Kelly ,  Robert M. Guidash ,  Bruce H. Pillman

Inventor： Sean C. Kelly ,  Robert M. Guidash ,  Bruce H. Pillman

IPC: H04N5/217 ,  G06K9/40

CPC classification number: H04N5/361

Abstract: CMOS imagers can possess higher levels of imager noise than their predecessors, CCDs. This noise can be of the form of temporal variation and fixed pattern. The fixed pattern component of this noise can be removed, which is known already in the art. The invention in this disclosure is that proper correction can be developed for all imager conditions (imager integration time and imager temperature) using a single FPN (fixed pattern noise) dark map, a single FPN PRNU (pixel response nonuniformity) map, imager integration time and imager temperature. Without this invention, a dark frame capture and a flat field capture (integrating sphere), are required before every image capture, a practical impossibility in typical picture taking. Further, the estimates of both FPN maps (dark and PRNU) in this invention are improved estimates relative to such captured directly preceding image capture since such have be formed with multiple frame averaging at calibration time, thus removing any temporal noise from these map estimates. These dark FPN and PRNU FPN maps are modified by a scaling and biasing functional with the measured values of integration time and of imager temperature. A second approach is to make the biasing and scaling functions dependant only on mean dark response taken from the imager's dark pixels, at time of capture.

Abstract translation: CMOS成像器可以具有比其前身CCD更高水平的成像器噪声。 这种噪声可以是时间变化和固定模式的形式。 该噪声的固定图案分量可以被去除，这在本领域已知。 本公开的本发明是使用单个FPN（固定图案噪声）暗图，单个FPN PRNU（像素响应不均匀）图，成像器积分时间，对于所有成像器条件（成像器积分时间和成像器温度）可以进行适当的校正 和成像器温度。 没有本发明，在每次图像捕获之前需要暗帧捕获和平坦场捕获（积分球），在典型的拍摄中实际上是不可能的。 此外，本发明中的FPN映射（暗和PRNU）的估计是相对于所捕获的直接在前的图像捕获的改进的估计，因为在校准时间已经形成了多个帧平均，从而从这些映射估计中消除了任何时间噪声。 这些暗FPN和PRNU FPN图通过缩放和偏置功能被修改，具有积分时间和成像器温度的测量值。 第二种方法是使偏置和缩放功能仅取决于在拍摄时从成像器的暗像素获取的平均暗响应。

公开(公告)号：US06573932B1

公开(公告)日：2003-06-03

申请号：US10099835

申请日：2002-03-15

Applicant: James E. Adams, Jr. ,  John F. Hamilton, Jr. ,  Edward B. Gindele ,  Bruce H. Pillman

Inventor： James E. Adams, Jr. ,  John F. Hamilton, Jr. ,  Edward B. Gindele ,  Bruce H. Pillman

IPC: H04N973

CPC classification number: H04N1/6086 ,  H04N9/735

Abstract: A white balance correction method for a digital imaging device, including determining a scene illuminant type from a scene brightness and one or more color coordinate values; determining a white balance parameter value responsive to the scene illuminant type, the scene brightness, and one or more color coordinate values; providing at least one white balance correction curve; determining the white balance correction from the white balance parameter value and at least one white balance correction curve for the determined scene illuminant type.

Abstract translation: 一种用于数字成像装置的白平衡校正方法，包括从场景亮度和一个或多个颜色坐标值确定场景光源类型; 响应场景光源类型，场景亮度和一个或多个颜色坐标值确定白平衡参数值; 提供至少一个白平衡校正曲线; 从所述白平衡参数值和所确定的场景照明类型的至少一个白平衡校正曲线确定所述白平衡校正。

公开(公告)号：US20120300105A1

公开(公告)日：2012-11-29

申请号：US13541611

申请日：2012-07-03

Applicant: Aaron T. Deever ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  John T. Compton ,  Amy D. Enge

Inventor： Aaron T. Deever ,  Bruce H. Pillman ,  John T. Compton ,  Amy D. Enge

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/35572 ,  H04N5/3456 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/35581 ,  H04N9/045

Abstract: An imaging system and method for producing a digital image from pixel signals captured by a pixel array is disclosed. First pixel signals, generated during a first exposure period, are read out from a first group of pixels of the pixel array. The first group of pixels is reset after reading out the first pixel signals.Second pixel signals from the first group of pixel are read out after resetting the first group of pixels. The second pixel signals are generated during a second exposure period. Third pixel signals from a second group of pixels of the pixel array are read out. The third pixel signals are generated during a third exposure period that overlaps at least a portion of the first and second exposure periods. The first, second, and third pixel signals are used to produce the digital image.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于由像素阵列捕获的像素信号产生数字图像的成像系统和方法。 从第一曝光期间产生的第一像素信号从像素阵列的第一组像素读出。 在读出第一像素信号之后，第一组像素被复位。 在复位第一组像素之后，读出来自第一组像素的第二像素信号。 在第二曝光期间产生第二像素信号。 读出来自像素阵列的第二组像素的第三像素信号。 第三像素信号在与第一和第二曝光周期的至少一部分重叠的第三曝光周期期间产生。 第一，第二和第三像素信号用于产生数字图像。

公开(公告)号：US08228418B2

公开(公告)日：2012-07-24

申请号：US12407836

申请日：2009-03-20

Applicant: Bruce H. Pillman ,  Russell J. Palum ,  John N. Border

Inventor： Bruce H. Pillman ,  Russell J. Palum ,  John N. Border

IPC: H04N5/225

CPC classification number: H04N5/217 ,  H04N5/2254 ,  H04N5/23245

Abstract: A sensor module for an image capture device including an image sensor and a filter system, the image capture device having a high resolution mode of operation and one or more lower resolution modes of operation; the filter system includes an adjustable spatial filter associated with the optical path of the image capture device having an adjustable optical structure which in response to a first signal causes the adjustable spatial filter to be effective in a high resolution mode of operation and in response to a second signal causes the adjustable spatial filter to be effective in a lower resolution mode of operation.

Abstract translation: 一种用于包括图像传感器和滤波器系统的图像捕获装置的传感器模块，所述图像捕获装置具有高分辨率操作模式和一个或多个较低分辨率操作模式; 滤波器系统包括与图像捕获装置的光路相关联的可调节空间滤波器，其具有可调节的光学结构，响应于第一信号，可调节的空间滤波器在高分辨率操作模式下有效，并响应于 第二信号使可调节的空间滤波器在较低分辨率的操作模式下有效。