Abstract: The invention provides an imaging apparatus and a focus control method in which an optimal AF system can be selected in accordance with an environment in which an image of a photographic subject is taken, an imaging condition in which the image is taken, etc. so that the quality of the taken image can be improved. A system control portion 11 of the imaging apparatus selects and executes one from focus control based on a phase difference AF system and focus control based on a contrast AF system in accordance with the magnitude relation between a determination threshold set for an F-number and the set F-number in the case where an AF instruction has been issued. The system control portion 11 can vary the determination threshold in accordance with an exposure value in the case where the AF instruction has been issued.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a generation unit that generates a first display image on the basis of image signals from an imaging element that includes first and second pixel groups at which a subject image is pupil-divided and formed, and a second display image to be used for focus confirmation; a parallax calculation unit that calculates a parallax between pixels of a first image and pixels of a second image; a display unit that displays images; and a display control unit, wherein the generation unit generates the second display image by arranging the first divided image, which is a first image part, and the second divided image, which is the second image excluding regions corresponding to the first divided image, to be shifted by amounts corresponding to the parallax in opposing directions in an intersectional direction intersecting a division direction.

Abstract: An SMA actuation apparatus comprises a support structure, a movable element movably supported on the support structure and an arrangement of three or more SMA actuator wires mechanically connected between the support structure and the movable element. The SMA actuator wires have an interconnection at the movable element that electrically connects the group of SMA actuator wires together. This avoids the need to make a separate electrical connection to the movable element.

Abstract: An exposure value adjustment apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The exposure value adjustment apparatus includes a camera module and a processor. The camera module captures a reference image by a base exposure value. The processor generates a histogram of the reference image, divides the histogram into a low partial histogram, a middle partial histogram, and a high partial histogram by a first threshold and a second threshold, decides a high exposure value according to the low partial histogram and the middle partial histogram, decides a low exposure value according to the high partial histogram and the middle partial histogram, and decides a middle exposure value according to the high exposure value and the low exposure value. The low exposure value is lower than the high exposure value, and the middle exposure value is between the high exposure value and the low exposure value.

Abstract: The dynamic range of a pixel is increased by using selective photosensor resets during a frame time of image capture at a timing depending on the light intensity that the pixel will be exposed to during the frame time. Pixels that will be exposed to high light intensity are reset later in the frame than pixels that will be exposed to lower light intensity.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided, which realize image pickup processing in which setting of an exposure time is performed in units of regions in an image pickup apparatus. An electronic shutter control unit that controls an exposure start time of an image pickup device by an electronic shutter operation and a mechanical shutter control unit that controls an exposure end time of the image pickup device by a mechanical shutter operation. The electronic shutter control unit calculates the exposure start time in units of image regions based on an exposure time individually set in units of image regions, and an operation time of the mechanical shutter in units of image regions, and controls the electronic shutter to operate at the calculated exposure start time in units of image regions.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a camera includes an image sensor within a camera housing that converts light entering the camera housing through an optical filter into digital image data. The optical filter can have a variable opacity. A processor in communication with the image sensor identifies operation settings for the optical filter and adjusts an opacity level of the optical filter over an exposure period in accordance with the operation settings for the optical filter. In addition, the processor modifies values of the digital image data based at least on the operation settings for the optical filter.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes an image capturing apparatus and a processing apparatus connected to the image capturing apparatus. The image capturing apparatus includes an image obtaining unit that obtains a frame image; a frame image transmitting unit that transmits the frame image to the processing apparatus; a transformation parameter setting unit that sets transformation parameters received from the processing apparatus in the image capturing apparatus; an image transforming unit that applies an image transformation to the frame image using the transformation parameters thus set; and a transformed frame image transmitting unit that transmits a transformed frame image to the processing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for obtaining high dynamic range images using a low dynamic range image sensor. The scene is exposed to the image sensor in a spatially varying manner. A variable-transmittance mask, which is interposed between the scene and the image sensor, imposes a spatially varying attenuation on the scene light incident on the image sensor. The mask includes light transmitting cells whose transmittance is controlled by application of suitable control signals. The mask is configured to generate a spatially varying light attenuation pattern across the image sensor. The image frame sensed by the image sensor is normalized with respect to the spatially varying light attenuation pattern. The normalized image data can be interpolated to account for image sensor pixels that are either under or over exposed to enhance the dynamic range of the image sensor.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an object image to acquire a picked-up image; a display section capable of showing a display based on the picked-up image; a touch panel generating a signal corresponding to a predetermined operation; and a control section detecting a direction of a slide operation on the touch panel and performing control to select one of multiple items displayed on the display section on the basis of the direction of the slide operation; and the control section sets a display position of each of the multiple items to correspond to an operation direction for selecting the item on a one to one basis and selects one of the multiple items corresponding to the direction of the slide operation in the selection.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes an area dividing part that divides an input image produced by an image pickup system into plural image areas whose evaluation values are mutually different. The evaluation value is obtained by using a response function of the image pickup system. The apparatus further includes a processing part that performs image processing to produce an output image whose definition is higher than that of the input image by using the response functions different for the respective image areas.

Abstract: An image generating device includes an exposure timing control unit for controlling an electronic front curtain so as to adjust to a running characteristics of a mechanical rear curtain based on a plurality of the image data.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image capture unit, an image processing unit, an image quality adjusting unit, and an output unit. The image capture unit generates first image data using an image capture device. The image processing unit generates second image data from the first image data so that an image quality of the second image data corresponds to a flat image quality. The image quality adjusting unit converts the second image data into third image data by adjusting the image quality of the second image data to be a predetermined image quality. The output unit outputs the third image data instead of the second image data to an external apparatus if a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In one example, a method for glare and shadow mitigation by fusing multiple frames includes illuminating the target with light from a first illumination direction and capturing a first frame of the target with a camera while the target is illuminated in the first illumination direction. The method also includes illuminating the target with light from a second illumination direction and capturing a second frame of the target with the camera while the target is illuminated in the second illumination direction. The first frame and second frame are fused together to form a composite image that simultaneously mitigates glare and shadow areas.

Abstract: A focus detection apparatus comprises a pair of line sensors that generate a pair of image signals by photo-electrically converting an object image, calculation unit configured to calculate a defocus amount using the image signals, and control unit configured to control the line sensors to execute a charge accumulation operation until output levels of the line sensors reach a first voltage level based on a saturated voltage, wherein the control unit switches the saturated voltage based on luminance information.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus at least includes an insulating film, a plurality of high-refractive-index members provided so as to correspond respectively to individual photoelectric conversion portions, being surrounded by the insulating film and having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the insulating film, and a high-refractive-index film provided on the insulating film so as to connect the plurality of high-refractive-index members to one another and having a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the insulating film, and lens portions lying next to each other from among a plurality of lens portions border each other.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging sensor which has a first face and a second face, and includes an image sensing region and an electrode region, comprising a first portion including an insulating member and a wiring pattern, a second portion including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions in the image sensing region, and a third portion including a plurality of microlenses in the image sensing region, wherein an opening is formed on the side of the first face in the electrode region so as to expose the wiring pattern, and the sensor includes a first film covering the plurality of microlenses, and a second film covering a side face of the opening and exposing part of the wiring pattern in the electrode region, with covering the first film in the image sensing region.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a controller; an image sensor connected to the controller and outputting RAW data; and a memory connected to the controller. The image sensor is configured to output the RAW data to the controller at a predetermined pixel output rate. The controller generates first image data by reducing the RAW data output from the image sensor. The controller generates second image data by carrying out correction processing with respect to the first image data. The controller is configured to store the RAW data output from the image sensor and the second image data in the memory.

Abstract: A control for a power saving of an electronic device is disclosed. The device includes a camera configured to be activated and then obtain an image when no input event is received within a given time after activation of a selected function. The device further includes a control unit configured to, if the obtained image contains a specific pattern, determine whether the specific pattern corresponds to a human face pattern, and to, if the specific pattern does not correspond to the human face pattern, perform a power saving control of the electronic device.