Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Shinya Urisaka

Tomoaki Kawai

Takashi Oya

Koichiro Tanaka

Hiroaki Sato

Akihiro Katayama

Kazuko Suzuki

Eita Ono

Yoshinobu Ochiai

Takeshi Namikata

Hiroshi Okazaki

Koichi Yano

Fumihiko Ishizaki

A camera microcomputer sets a gamma characteristic that suits a luminance input value/output value relationship in the entire luminance region extending from lower luminance to higher luminance of a video signal to a luminance input value/output value relationship of a referential gamma characteristic, irrespective of input dynamic range. A gamma correction processing unit performs gamma correction processing on a captured video signal in such a way as to convert the input value into the output value based on the set gamma characteristic.

Video processing apparatus, video processing method, and medium

In an image capturing apparatus, a subject image is converted into an image signal, which undergoes automatic correction processing including white balance correction processing, and further undergoes image quality change processing. A first evaluation value indicating a largest value of an R signal, a G signal, and a B signal of the image signal undergone the image quality change processing and a second evaluation value indicating a luminance of the image signal undergone the image quality change processing are detected. A control evaluation value is calculated using weighted average of the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value according to at least one of an amount of image quality changing effect due to the image quality change processing and a reliability of the automatic correction processing, and exposure control is performed based on the control evaluation value.

Image capturing apparatus performing exposure control and exposure control method

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to convert an incident light flux from an optical system into an electric signal, a band-cutting element disposed between the optical system and the imaging unit, having a band-cut function of performing band-cutting to enable distinguishing between wavelengths corresponding to bright line positions of a light source having bright lines, a control unit configured to control the band-cut function of the band-cutting element, an identification unit configured to identify a light source of an image captured by the imaging unit through comparison between a first image signal captured by the imaging unit when the band-cut function of the band-cutting element is ON and a second image signal captured by the imaging unit when the band-cut function of the band-cutting element is OFF, and an image processing unit configured to perform image processing based on the light source identified by the identification unit.

Imaging apparatus having light source identification and image quality correction functions and method for controlling imaging apparatus

Image capturing apparatus and exposure control method

A flicker detection region in which an image signal has values relating to luminance and colors within predetermined ranges is extracted from a plurality of flicker detection regions allocated in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image. A flicker component is detected using the luminance information of the image signal in the extracted flicker detection region. A correction value to correct the flicker component is generated from the detected flicker component. This makes it possible to accurately correct, using a simple arrangement, a flicker component contained in an image sensed under a light source whose brightness periodically changes even when the object or the image sensing apparatus moves.

Flicker correction apparatus, flicker correction method and image sensing apparatus

Flicker correction apparatus, flicker correction method, and image sensing apparatus

An image sensing apparatus that controls exposure includes a signal processing unit for processing the output signal of a image sensing element, an aperture control unit for controlling aperture, and an external sensor for measuring the brightness of an object. In this case, exposure is controlled using the luminance information of both the image data and the external sensor, with the sampling period of the external sensor being set to be shorter than the accumulation period of the solid-state image sensing element. At least one of the aperture and the accumulation period is then controlled, based on the luminance information measured by the external sensor during the accumulation period.

Image sensing apparatus and control method

An image processing apparatus and an image processing method reconstruct a three-dimensional image of an object which expresses a texture, glossiness, and three-dimensionality with realism. The image processing apparatus produces, from a physical object, data representing a shape and a surface feature of the physical object, holds the data as a three-dimensional model, and presents a three-dimensional image under conditions of an illumination environment and line of sight designated by a user when the three-dimensional image is reconstructed. To present the three-dimensional image at a high speed with realism, the apparatus and method use new and particularly advantageous features in a generation process and in a data format used in the three-dimensional model.

Method, apparatus and program for processing a three-dimensional image

When an access request (a request for transfer of video and audio information or a request for a camera operation) to a camera apparatus connected to a network via a terminal is issued via the network, a camera management server processes the access request on the basis of an access right set by a user (or a manager) using the terminal to which the camera apparatus is connected. That is, the camera management server refers to an access right set file and grants or denies permission to access for the user whose has issued the access request. The user to whom the access permission is granted requests a camera control server to permit a camera operation via a camera control client and thereby can receive an image taken by the camera apparatus and voices collected by the camera apparatus and can perform panning, tilting, and zooming of the camera apparatus. Accordingly, to protect the privacy of a user using a terminal to which a camera apparatus is connected, it is possible to realize fine setting meeting the demand of the user at all times. Also, in a location where a camera apparatus connected to a network is installed, it is possible to prevent a leak of confidential information through the camera apparatus.

Remote control system and access control method for information input apparatus with limitation by user for image access and camemremote control

A system utilizes the camera control server of the CPU to transfer the camera control command, received through the network, to the camera control device to control the camera in order to vary the audio input/output characteristics in linkage with the camera operation and to thereby improve the realistic feeling. In more details, the camera control server also sends control commands to the audio input control device, the audio output device and the video display control device according to the camera control thereby controlling the input characteristics (spreading, direction and sensitivity) of the microphone and the output characteristics (spreading, direction and depth) of the speaker and varying the image displayed on the monitor. The system also includes technology for displaying, on the monitor, the information on the operator of the camera and on the receiver of the image, and for varying the direction of the monitor according to the panning or tilting operation of the camera.

Video/audio communication system with confirmation capability

An image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following steps: the multi-viewpoint image input step for inputting images obtained from a plurality of viewpoint positions arranged on different straight lines, the detection step ( ) for detecting a viewpoint position and its view direction in which a user is seeing at the viewpoint position, and the image generation step ( ) for generating a virtual image viewed from the predetermined viewpoint by using the images input in the multi-viewpoint image input step on the basis of the detected predetermined viewpoint position and the view direction. In the image generation step, optimal corresponding points are obtained by detecting a straight line having a width on an epipolar plane image corresponding to the input images, thereby generating an image.

Multi-viewpoint image processing method and apparatus

In a system in which a plurality of cameras and microphones, the image pickup directions and audio input directions of which can be remote-controlled, are arranged on a network, when an image pickup inhibited region is set, and when a network client remote-controls a certain camera to pickup a range including the image pickup inhibited region, a portion corresponding to the image pickup inhibited region is not displayed, and sound corresponding to the region is not output.

Camera control system, camera server, camera client, control method, and storage medium

In a head-mounted display apparatus arranged to support a left-eye display system and a right-eye display system, a mounting-state confirming figure for confirming a mounting state of the head-mounted display apparatus on the user is displayed, and the displaying state of the mounting-state confirming figure on the left-eye display system and the right-eye display system is changed according to the confirmation operation on the mounting-state confirming figure.

Head-mounted display apparatus

A camera control system is disclosed where the control system selects a camera from a plurality of cameras connected to a network, and displays an image taken by the selected camera and further performs control functions on the selected camera. The control system first contains a map display, which represents the relative area where the plurality of controllable cameras are set. The control system next contains a symbol display configuration for representing each camera, and also contains a display-not-permitted area setting configuration, which disallows display functions relative to each network client's status on the network. The control system subsequently transmits each client's respective view and information in accordance to their request and corresponding status.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Shinya Urisaka