Abstract: An autofocus searching method includes the following procedures. First, focus values of images, which are acquired during the movement of the object lens, are calculated, in which the focus value includes at least the intensity value of the image derived from the intensities of the pixels of the image. Next, focus searching is based on a first focus-searching step constant and a first focus-searching direction, in which the first focus-searching step constant is a function, e.g., the multiplication, of the focus value and a focus-searching step size. If the focus searching position moves across a peak of the focus values, it is then amended to be based on a second focus-searching direction and a second focus-searching step constant, in which the second focus-searching step constant is smaller than the first focus-searching step constant, and the second focus-searching direction is opposite to the first focus-searching direction.

Abstract: If an image reproducing apparatus has a device-dependent color space conversion function that converts the color space of processing target image data to a device-dependent color space using a particular color space, (i) reproduction image data is generated by carrying out basic color space conversion to image data for which the color space specified by color space identification information is the standard color space, and (ii) reproduction image data is generated by carrying out device-dependent color space conversion to image data for which the specified color space is the particular color space.

Abstract: An integrated Internet camera system comprises a website archive and review center (WSARC) for storing and managing images and an Internet direct camera (IDC) for capturing an image, automatically transmitting the image to an account associated with said IDC on the WSARC upon image capture and receiving stored image from the WSARC. The IDC comprises a display for displaying the captured image and the received image. The IDC automatically connects to the WSARC over an Internet connection on power-up.

Abstract: A focus range is determined on the basis of an object distance, focal distance, and aperture value, after an autofocus operation. When SW2 is operated, an exposure is performed only during a period that a displacement of a blur in an optical-axis direction is within the focus range. If an exposure time for one exposure does not reach an exposure time to obtain an optimum exposure, a plurality of exposures are performed until a total exposure time reaches the exposure time to obtain the optimum exposure. When the plurality of exposures are performed, a plurality of images obtained are combined to generate an image with the optimum exposure.

Abstract: In one aspect, an image sensor is provided which includes an active pixel array and a control circuit connected to the active pixel array. The active pixel array of this aspect includes a plurality of first gate dielectric layers, and the control circuit includes a plurality of second gate dielectric layers, where the first gate dielectric layers are plasma nitrided silicon oxide layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides synchronization and control between the wavelength of a multi-wavelength illuminator and the image frames acquired by a video camera. In accordance with the present invention, the trailing edge of a camera expose-signal triggers a pre-loaded digital value to be output from a FIFO buffer. The digital value selects a particular illumination wavelength either directly or through a voltage from a digital to analog converter. The FIFO may be periodically refilled, or it may be a circular register.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to stabilize the image produced by the device or system.

Abstract: A imaging device includes an imaging element; a memory unit configured to temporarily store pieces of image data captured individually at predetermined timings via the imaging element; a comparator configured to compare the image data recorded in the memory unit to detect whether an image change greater than or equal to a first threshold has occurred; a determining unit configured to determine whether the image change has converged to an amount less than or equal to a second threshold by comparing the image data recorded in the memory unit when an image change greater than or equal to the first threshold has been detected; and a controller configured to exercise control so that image data captured via the imaging element is recorded on a predetermined recording medium when it is determined that the image change has converged to an amount less than or equal to the second threshold.

Abstract: An image processing system may include an imaging device for capturing an image and an image processing apparatus for processing the image. The imaging device may include an imaging unit for capturing the image, a first recording unit for recording information relating to the image, the information being associated with the image, and a first transmission control unit for controlling transmission of the image to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus may include a reception control unit for controlling reception of the image transmitted from the imaging device, a feature extracting unit for extracting a feature of the received image, a second recording unit for recording the feature, extracted from the image, the feature being associated with the image, and a second transmission control unit for controlling transmission of the feature to the imaging device.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed onto which an accessory device is detachably attached and which is capable of recognizing that an output from a light-receiving sensor is influenced by an attachment of the accessory device. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which is capable of outputting a signal corresponding to an object distance. The apparatus further includes a determining device which determines an attachment of the accessory device onto the image-pickup apparatus on the basis of a predetermined signal output from the first detector.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for offset compensation in an amplifier are disclosed, wherein the amplifier inputs may be exposed to large loads from an array of pixel columns coupled in parallel. During a sampling phase, an amplifier offset may be sampled by selectively coupling a first amplifier output to a first amplifier input and a second amplifier output to a second amplifier input. During a portion of the sampling phase, the first amplifier output may be buffered to a first storage element. During a different portion of the sampling phase, the second amplifier output may be buffered to a second storage element. To sense the pixel columns during an amplification phase, the first storage element and the second storage element are coupled to the first and second amplifier inputs, respectively, with the result that the amplifier offset is canceled from the amplifier output.

Abstract: An optical system forms an optical image on an imager, and a read control block selects a read rule for the imager depending on a magnification addressed by a magnification address block. The imager transforms an optical image at an addressed area into electrical signals in compliance with the read rule. The read image signals are stored in n image memories, where n is the number of images necessary for ultra-resolution processing. Ultra-resolution processing is built up of a motion estimation block and a high-resolution image estimation block adapted to estimate image data having a high-resolution image sequence. A selector selects a basic image for motion estimation and an image that is estimated in terms of motion.

Abstract: A camera module unit includes a printed wiring board overlaid on a shielding enclosure. A camera module is supported on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The camera module is located inside a recess defined in the printed wiring board. A shielding metal plate covers over the camera module. An elastic piece is defined in the shielding metal plate. The elastic piece is resiliently received on the surface of the shielding enclosure. The shielding metal plate realizes a sufficient shielding for the camera module in the camera module unit. Electric current is allowed to easily run from the charged shielding metal plate to the shielding enclosure through the elastic piece. The camera module is supported on the shielding enclosure inside the recess. The height of the camera module is reduced above the printed wiring board.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus comprises an angular velocity sensor and a controller. The angular velocity sensor detects an angular velocity. The controller controls the angular velocity sensor and performs an anti-shake operation based on the output signal from the angular velocity sensor. The controller calculates an angular velocity signal, based on the output signal from the angular velocity sensor before a predetermined period which is longer than a predetermined time interval and the output signal from the angular velocity sensor after the predetermined period, at the predetermined time interval, during the predetermined period.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of light-receiving elements which are arranged by rows and columns. A driving unit performs a driving, so that a signal packet and a plurality of dummy packets in an identical column are mixed together into a mixed packet in each holding units, charges of the mixed packet are held in a hold unit, the held charges of the mixed packet are vertically transferred to a horizontal transfer unit so that the mixed packet is mixed with a mixed packet of a different hold unit which is vertically transferred from the different hold unit to the horizontal transfer unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to photoelectrically convert light of an object image formed by an imaging optical system to generate a signal, a first detection unit configured to detect a focusing state of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the imaging unit, a sensor configured to generate a signal different from the signal generated by the imaging unit without using the imaging optical system, and a second detection unit configured to detect an in-focus position of the imaging optical system based on the signal generated by the sensor. The sensor is located such that an amount of overlap between a detection range of the first detection unit and a detection range of the second detection unit at a first object distance is equal to an amount of overlap between those at a second object distance that is close to an infinite distance side compared to the first object distance.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus is disclosed which can prevent focus control from being performed on the basis of incorrect information on an object distance externally measured. The image-pickup apparatus includes a first detector which produces first information corresponding to a contrast state of a picked-up image, a second detector which receives light from an object to detect second information corresponding to a distance to the object, and a controller which performs focus control by using the first information and the second information. The controller performs the focus control by using the first information without using the second information when a light-receiving luminance level in the second detector is lower than a first value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of compensating an imager-created image for a distortion.

Abstract: A portable information terminal and an image management program are provided. A portable information terminal includes: a display part which has a screen capable of displaying at least an image; an in-focus value computing part which computes an in-focus value from an original image; an image cutting part which cuts a thumbnail image from the original image based on the in-focus value computed at the in-focus value computing part; a data storage part which stores data of the thumbnail image cut at the image cutting part; and a control part which reads the data of the thumbnail image stored in the data storage part as necessary and displays it on a screen of the display part.

Abstract: A method of operating a handheld camera comprises sensing an image via an image sensor, controlling the sensing of the image via a camera manager, manipulating the image via an image processing manager, and controlling printing of the manipulated image via a print manager. The step of controlling printing of the manipulated image includes causing the print manager to activate a guillotine, which guillotine is adapted to cut a print media, upon receipt of a signal indicative of an attempt to pull the print media from the camera.