Abstract: An electronic camera capable of exposure control is disclosed which flexibly responds to situations during the display of confirmation moving image before photographing.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a digital camera that enables to readily check a focus status of a principle subject by employing a new action sequence. The present invention includes a display device that displays image data, an extraction device that extracts a feature portion of a subject from image data, and a controller that controls so as to cut out a screen having a predetermined range including at least a part of a subject corresponding to the feature portion extracted by the extraction device from the image data and display a cut-out screen in a predetermined location on the display device and an area around the extracted subject is displayed separately in a part on the display screen by a small-sized screen. Furthermore, this feature portion is set as the AF area, so that a check of a focus status becomes easy.

Abstract: This invention includes an imaging device that photographs a subject, a display device that has a display screen displaying image data photographed by the imaging device, a zoom device that varies the display screen, an extraction device that extracts a predetermined feature portion from image data photographed by the imaging device, a directive device that directs the display device so as to display a predetermined feature portion extracted by the extraction device in a predetermined form, and a controller that controls the directive device so as not to direct a display on the display device in accordance with the varying magnification of the zoom device. Namely, an icon of the extraction result is not displayed while the zoom is in action, so that it can avoid an inappropriate display in which the icon display does not correspond to a photographed subject due to the subject's quick movement or a sudden change in its size within a picture frame.

Abstract: This invention includes an imaging device that photographs a subject image, a first storage device that stores image data output from the imaging device at a first time interval, a display device that reads the image data stored in the first storage device at the first time interval and display the image data, a second storage device that reads the image data stored in the first storage device at a second time interval and stores the image data and a feature extraction device that extracts a feature section of the subject based upon the image data stored in the second storage device. Therefore, image data output from the imaging device for an image display is once stored in the second storage device and the feature section is extracted from the stored image data, so an extraction is not affected by an update of the first storage device.

Abstract: A digital camera system capable of operating by detecting a feature point, which has not been accomplished, in addition to ordinary functions of a conventional camera is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, a digital camera system includes a detecting means that detects a given feature point from an image data, a receiving means that receives an order from a user, a selecting means that selects each feature point in accordance with a given order instructed by the receiving means when a plurality of feature points are detected, and a display that displays feature point information identifying the feature point selected by the selecting means.

Abstract: An electronic camera 100 automatically transmits captured image data and user identification information to a gateway server 160 over a wireless portable telephone link 130. The gateway server 160 manages image albums created on a per-user basis on multiple image servers on the Internet 170, automatically selects one of the multiple image servers based on the user identification information received from the electronic camera 100, and stores the image data received from the electronic camera 100 in an image album corresponding to the user identification information on the selected image server.

Abstract: A camera includes an imaging element that picks up an image of an object through a taking-lens, an evaluation value calculator that calculates focus evaluation value based upon a picked-up imaging signal, a selector that selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes, a focusing device that performs a focusing operation based upon the focus evaluation value and the selected focusing mode and a rebooting device that reboots the focusing operation after the focusing operation finishes, wherein further includes an evaluation value memory device that stores a plurality of focus evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculator in time sequence after the focusing operation finishes and a fluctuation evaluator that evaluates fluctuation in focus evaluation value stored into the evaluation value memory device, wherein, when the rebooting device reboots the focusing operation, the selector selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes.

Abstract: A camera includes an imaging element that picks up an image of an object through a taking-lens, an evaluation value calculator that calculates focus evaluation value based upon a picked-up imaging signal, a selector that selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes, a focusing device that performs a focusing operation based upon the focus evaluation value and the selected focusing mode and a rebooting device that reboots the focusing operation after the focusing operation finishes, wherein further includes an evaluation value memory device that stores a plurality of focus evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculator in time sequence after the focusing operation finishes and a fluctuation evaluator that evaluates fluctuation in focus evaluation value stored into the evaluation value memory device, wherein, when the rebooting device reboots the focusing operation, the selector selects one focusing mode from a plurality of focusing modes.

Abstract: A camera includes: an image-capturing element that captures a subject image through a photographic lens; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates a focus evaluation value based upon an image-capturing signal output from the image-capturing element; a focusing operation unit that performs a focusing operation at the photographic lens based upon the focus evaluation value; a decision-making unit that makes a decision as to whether or not a predetermined length of time has elapsed following an end of the focusing operation; a restart unit that engages the focusing operation unit in a focusing operation if the decision-making unit decides that the predetermined length of time has elapsed; and a time adjustment unit that changes the predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A camera includes: an image-capturing element that captures a subject image through a photographic lens having a focusing lens; an evaluation value calculation unit that calculates focus evaluation values at a plurality of lens positions assumed by the focusing lens based upon an image-capturing signal output by the image-capturing element; a weighting unit that weights the focus evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit in correspondence to the lens positions of the focusing lens assumed when the focus evaluation values are calculated respectively; and a focusing operation unit that performs a focusing operation for the photographic lens based upon the weighted focus evaluation values.

Abstract: An image playback apparatus and in image recording apparatus are designed to permit image playback from a selected position in an image file recorded to a directly accessible memory, such as a magnetic disk. During recording of an image file, the user can designate one or more candidate playback start positions in the file, and corresponding pointers are stored as part of the image file. When the file is to be played back, the playback apparatus accesses the pointer(s) and allows the user to select playback from the corresponding position(s) in the image file. Also the playback apparatus can rewrite pointers in an image file, whereby the user can designate candidate starting positions for future playback of the file.

Abstract: An image playback apparatus and in image recording apparatus are designed to permit image playback from a selected position in an image file recorded to a directly accessible memory, such as a magnetic disk. During recording of an image file, the user can designate one or more candidate playback start positions in the file, and corresponding pointers are stored as part of the image file. When the file is to be played back, the playback apparatus accesses the pointer(s) and allows the user to select playback from the corresponding position(s) in the image file. Also the playback apparatus can rewrite pointers in an image file, whereby the user can designate candidate starting positions for future playback of the file.

Abstract: If the final film frame is set to the image formation position, the winding on of the film from the cartridge is prohibited; and, if an operation member is operated to designate the winding on of the film from the cartridge, either by one film frame or by fast forwarding, a warning is emitted. Further, if the first film frame is set to the image formation position, the winding backward of the film into the cartridge is prohibited; and, if an operation member is operated to designate the winding backward of the film into the cartridge, either by one film frame or by fast rewinding, a warning is emitted.

Abstract: A film image reading apparatus and method which more quickly reads images from a cartridge of developed film for production of thumbnail images which are displayed on a monitor. The apparatus reads a first image from the film cartridge using imaging condition values associated with each frame image. These imaging condition values include photographic information such as, exposure value, white balance value and focus adjustment. In the event that the first or current image being read by the apparatus is the start of a series of photographic images, the film image reading apparatus will set the exposure value, the white balance value and the focus adjustment only once for the entire series. The remaining images of the series are then read using the imaging condition values of the first image of the series. In this manner, these imaging condition values are not reset for each image and time is saved in reading the series of images from the film.

Abstract: A film picture image viewing apparatus minimizes the effects of noise by prohibiting operation of an illumination device whenever a reading or a playback device is operated. The film picture image viewing apparatus includes a support substrate. The illumination device includes a discharge tube and a reflector. The discharge tube provides light when energized. The reflector is anchored to the support substrate and has a pair of oppositely-disposed ends with a receiving hole formed in each end. Each of the receiving holes is sized to receive the discharge tube in a manner to minimize thermal conduction from the discharge tube to the reflector after the discharge tube becomes energized.

Abstract: A film image signal generation apparatus according to the present invention, includes: a film displacement device which displaces a developed film, which is first in a film cartridge, to an image area; an image signal conversion device which converts an image of a film frame, which is opposed to the image area, into a first image signal; a control information storage circuit which stores control information which specifies at least an order for film frame display; a display information storage circuit which stores display information related to the film frame display as a second image signal; and a control circuit which controls the film displacement device, the image signal conversion device, and the display information storage circuit so as selectively to output either the first image signal or the second image signal according to the control information stored in the control information storage circuit.

Abstract: The thumbnail image signal output apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image input device which inputs an image; a storage device which stores a plurality of images each of which has been input via the image input device; an image processing device which processes the image which has been input; an update device which updates one of a plurality of images stored in the storage device which corresponds to the image processed by the image processing device to the image after such processing; an image conversion device which converts a plurality of images stored in the storage device into thumbnail images; and an output device which outputs an image signal for displaying converted thumbnail images upon a display device.

Abstract: A film image signal generation apparatus, includes: a film displacement device which displaces a developed film which has a magnetic recording layer to an image area; an image signal conversion device which converts an image of a film frame which is opposed to the image area into a first image signal; a magnetic writing device which rewrites old data written in the magnetic recording layer of the film into new data; a data storage circuit which stores the old data and the new data; an image signal generation circuit which generates a second image signal which shows data change information, based upon the old data and the new data which are stored by the data storage circuit; and a control circuit which controls the magnetic writing device, the data storage circuit, and the film displacement device so as to rewrite the old data which is recorded upon the magnetic recording layer into the new data which is stored in the storage circuit, and controls the image signal conversion device and the image signal genera

Abstract: A film image signal generation apparatus according to the present invention, includes: a film displacement device which displaces a developed film, which is first in a film cartridge, to an image area; an image signal conversion device which converts an image of a film frame, which is currently opposed to the image area, into a first image signal; an image signal generation circuit which generates a second image signal for displaying a display which is not a film frame which is currently opposed to the image area; and a control circuit which controls the image signal conversion device and the image signal generation circuit so as to output the second image signal without outputting the first image signal, when a predetermined film frame is not opposed to the image area.

Abstract: A magnetic data recording apparatus magnetically records various items of data on a film in accordance with a feed of the film by a PPM Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) recording method. The apparatus includes a PPM signal converting circuit for converting the data to be recorded into a PPM signal and outputting the PPM signal, a magnetic head and a head driving circuit for driving the magnetic head on the PPM signal outputted from the PPM signal converting circuit. The apparatus further includes a data quantity calculating circuit for calculating a quantity of the data to be recorded during a feed of the film. The PPM signal converting circuit determines a change-of-signal position of the PPM signal within one period on the data quantity calculated by the data quantity calculating circuit.