Image processing

I have found many companies making interesting image processing or sensor chips.
They all fill some niche market. Here are several of them.

Pixim - makes a cmos sensor and processor that independently controls the exposure of each pixel. This means the shadows get increased exposure so you get the details without washing out the bright areas. It is low resolution but targets markets like security cameras.

Stretch Inc.- makes an image processor chip with stretch instruction set extension fabric. The ISFE is a on the fly programmable logic that is configured as a logic block that executes software. Stretch is able to examine the customers C code and optimize parts of it into custom instructions that are executed in the programmable logic.

Canesta - cmos sensor and processor chip that measures distance for each pixel in real time. This means it creates a 3d map of the image in the picture since it measures the distance from the camera to each point in the image. Part of the system is a IR source that pulses for each pixel measurement. Also low resolution but target applications like auto bumper cameras and video game controlling.

Marseille Networks - makes decoder chips for quad HD tv. Now it is a niche market for large business displays or advertising.