Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed.

An imaging system for creating an image of a target object comprising a mirror mounted on a gimbal and arranged to rotate about at least one axis, a gimbal drive unit configured to control the orientation of the gimbal, and a camera having its optical axis directed onto the mirror in order that an image reflected in the mirror is within a field of view of the camera, wherein the control unit is arranged to position the gimbal such that a reflection of a target object is within a field of view of the camera.

A biological observation system includes: a light source apparatus configured to supply a first illuminating light, and a second illuminating light, while switching between the first illuminating light and the second illuminating light; an image pickup device configured to receive light from an object at each of a plurality of pixels having different sensitivities, and picks up an image; a color separation processing portion configured to separate, from respective color components, a color component obtained when an image of light of a predetermined wavelength band is picked up by a pixel having the greatest sensitivity to the light in the predetermined wavelength band; and a control portion configured to cause different processing to be performed between a case where an inputted image pickup signal corresponds to the first illuminating light and a case where an inputted image pickup signal corresponds to the second illuminating light.

A focus control device includes a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to implement: an area setting process that sets a plurality of areas, each including a plurality of pixels, on a captured image acquired by an imaging section, an evaluation value calculation process that calculates an AF (Autofocus) evaluation value for each of the plurality of set areas, a bright spot influence rate calculation process that calculates a bright spot influence rate for each of the plurality of set areas, based on whether or not the area includes a high luminance portion determined to have a size equal to or larger than a given size, and focus control based on the AF evaluation value and the bright spot influence rate.

An endoscope device includes: an normal light image acquisition unit that acquires an normal light image; a special light image acquisition unit that acquires a special light image; a blended image generation unit that generates a blend image by combining one color component image from among a plurality of color component images constituting the normal light image and the special light image; and a superimposed image generation unit that generates a color superimposed image by combining the blended image with another color component image. The blended image generation unit generates the blended image by replacing a part of the pixels of the one color component image with the corresponding pixels of the special light image such that they are blended in a substantially uniform distribution over the entire blended image.

An image pickup apparatus includes: an image pickup device that includes a light receiving surface, an opposite surface, a light receiving portion, and external electrodes connected to the light receiving portion; and a wiring board that includes a first main surface, a second man surface, and a wiring portion provided with first bonding electrodes bonded to the external electrodes, wherein the first main surface of the wiring portion is arranged at a first angle θ1 equal to or smaller than 90 degrees relative to the opposite surface, the wiring board includes a reinforced portion and a folded portion bent at the first angle θ1 between the reinforced portion and the wiring portion, and the second main surface of the reinforced portion is fixed to the opposite surface of the image pickup device.

A capsule endoscope configured to be introduced into a subject is provided. The capsule endoscope includes: a magnetic switch configured to operate depending on a magnetic field externally applied; a first device including an inductor and configured to execute a predetermined function; a second device including no inductor and configured to execute a function different from that of the first device; and a controller configured to drive the second device without driving the first device when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic switch.

An image calibration inspection tool includes: a plurality of substantially rectangular markers, two orthogonal sides of which are connected by an arc-shaped curve; and a calibration chart in which the plurality of markers are formed on a metal plate through machining, laser marking, or the like, wherein two of the markers in a diagonal direction are separated by a predetermined distance.

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments with luminance and chrominance emitted from a controlled light source.

A system includes a surgical instrument configured to perform a laparoscopic surgical operation, a location sensor configured to identify a spatial relationship between an anatomical structure and the surgical instrument, and a processor configured to receive a graphical representation of a patient, determine proximity of the distal end portion of the surgical instrument with the anatomical structure of the patient based on the spatial relationship, and generate a warning based on the determination of proximity.