Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: an electronic camera includes: an image-capturing unit that creates an image by capturing an image of a subject; an enlarged image generating unit that creates an enlarged image by enlarging a portion of the image created by the image-capturing unit; an optical viewfinder that enables verification of a subject range corresponding to a range of the image created by the image-capturing unit; and a warning output unit that issues a warning when the enlarged image generating unit is in operation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a display section to sequentially display each of the images generated by the imaging section and an enlargement display control section to sequentially display parts of the images generated by the imaging section on the display section while enlarging the parts by a predetermined enlargement factor. The imaging section changes the enlargement factor of the enlargement display control section according to a shake quantity detected by the detecting section or an optical zoom magnification of an optical zoom section.

Abstract: A zoom lens and a photographing apparatus including the same. The zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and an additional lens grouping having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially arranged from an object side, wherein the additional lens grouping comprises a third lens group having a positive refractive power.

Abstract: In the image taking method where images of an object are taken by a running image taking portion provided with a zoom lens, and at least one image taking portion for measuring a distance provided with a fixed focus lens equal to the wide-angle-side end of the zoom lens to generate image data, an image taking method includes the steps of simultaneously taking an image by each image taking system and detecting and storing a zoom position at an arbitrary angle of view of the zoom lens. A search space in a photographing field in the stored zoom position is set. When it is determined that no corresponding point is on one of the end faces of the set space, a running image is taken after the zoom lens is moved to the stored zoom position by the zoom lens drive means.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has an optical zoom function, with which the image imaged on the imaging device (CCD) is enlarged and reduced by moving an optical system, and an electronic zoom function, with which the image data generated by the imaging device is electronically enlarged and reduced. In an imaging mode (pixel-number conversion mode) in which the image generated by the imaging device is recorded with the number of pixels lower than that of the imaging device, the imaging apparatus performs control so that only the electronic zoom is actuated when a total zoom magnification is not more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens including, in order from an object side to an image side: a positive first lens unit without moving for zooming; a negative second lens unit moving during zooming; a negative third lens unit moving during zooming; a positive fourth lens unit moving during zooming; and a positive fifth lens unit without moving for zooming, in which the second lens unit moves to the image side during zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, while the third lens unit moves along a locus convex toward the object side, and, when fw denotes a focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end, Z a zoom ratio, and fz a focal length of the entire system at a zoom position where the third lens unit is in the position closest to the object side, the following conditional expression is satisfied: fw×Z0.07<fz<fw×Z0.5.

Abstract: A method of capturing images in an imaging device in a burst zoom operation includes zooming the imaging device from a first zoom setting to a second zoom setting, and automatically capturing a plurality of still images during the zooming, each of the plurality of still images being captured at a different zoom setting.

Abstract: A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suitably perform a zooming control operation in the case that a zoom ring is provided at a lens-side portion and zoom switches are provided at a camera-body-side portion of a lens-interchangeable video camera. To achieve this object, in the case-that no zoom lens stop request is provided from the camera-body-side portion, it is judged from information sent from the camera-body-side portion which of a tele direction and a wide direction the moving direction of the zoom lens group is. Moreover, when the zoom angle is not placed at a tele end or at a wide end, lenses are driven by calculating data for driving the lenses. Thereafter, tele information is set or cleared according to whether the zoom lens group is placed at the tele end. Subsequently, zoom-ring operating information is detected. The detected zoom-ring operating information is sent to the camera-body-side portion.

Abstract: A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. The lens groups are arranged in order from the object side toward the image side. The focal lengths of the system at a wide angle end and a telephoto end, the focal lengths of the first and second lens groups, the distance between the position of the first lens group, the position being closest to the object side upon zooming, and the position of the first lens group at the wide angle end, and the difference between the largest distance between the first and second lens groups upon zooming and the distance between the first and second lens groups at the wide angle end are determined.

Abstract: An image processor includes a zoom lens for performing optical zooming by moving in a first range, an imaging unit for converting an object image obtained via a zoom lens into an image signal, and an electronic zooming unit for performing an electronic zooming operation on the image signal. The electronic zooming unit performs the electronic zooming operation as a result of moving the zoom lens into a second range when the zoom lens is in the first range and outside the second range.

Abstract: A position sensing device is provided which can include a first sensing unit for outputting a detection signal periodically changing in accordance with the movement of an object, a second sensing unit for sensing a reference position of the object, and an arithmetic unit for determining position data corresponding to the position of the object based on the detection signals, where the position sensing device can determine the relative position of a lens unit.

Abstract: An image pickup device has an image pickup element (20), a variable power lens (20) for changing image pickup magnification, a magnification converting lens (15) for converting the image pickup magnification into a predetermined multiple, a signal processing circuit (30) for outputting a signal from the image pickup element (20) as a picture image signal, an image recording section (31) for recording an image, and a control section (40). The signal processing circuit (30) outputs the image recorded to the image recording section (31) to a monitor when the magnification converting lens (15) is inserted onto an optical axis L. At the inserting time of the magnification converting lens, it is possible to prevent that a frame body of the magnification converting lens is displayed in the monitor.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has the function of an optical zoom which optically converts the magnification of an image and the function of an electronic zoom which changes the size of an image by electrical signal processing. The function of the electronic zoom at least operates when the optical zoom is not set at the telephoto end. A total magnification is determined by changing magnification by the optical zoom and changing magnification by the electronic zoom. A pixel count s1 of an electronic imaging device, a pixel count s2 of a rectangle including the pixels on an imaging device which are used by the electronic zoom, and a pixel count s3 of an output satisfy s1?s2>s3 or s1>s2?s3.

Abstract: Lens apparatuses are disclosed capable of smooth image-pickup operation by facilitating operations of functions provided separately between the lens apparatus and the image-pickup apparatus. The lens apparatus, which is detachably mounted on an image-pickup apparatus, comprises a controller which outputs a signal for controlling a function provided in the image-pickup apparatus in response to operation of a first operating member. The other lens apparatus comprises a controller which outputs a signal for controlling a first function provided in the lens apparatus in response to operation of a second operating member in a case where a first operating member is in a first state and outputs a signal for controlling a second function provided in the image-pickup apparatus in response to operation of the second operating member in a case where the first operating member is in a second state.

Abstract: A camera with a pair of lens/sensor combinations, the two lenses having different focal lengths, so that the image from one of the combinations has a field of view approximately two to three times greater than the image from the other combination. As a user of the camera requests a given amount of zoom, the zoomed image provided will come from the lens/sensor combination having the field of view that is next larger than the requested field of view. Thus, if the requested field of view is less than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by that combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary. Similarly, if the requested field of view is greater than the smaller field of view combination, the zoomed image will be created from the image captured by the other combination, using cropping and interpolation if necessary.

Abstract: Before performing a zoom in operation, a view angle candidate frame indicating an angle of view after the zoom in operation is superimposed on an input image to generate an output image. A user checks the view angle candidate frame in the output image so as to check in advance an angle of view after the zoom in operation.

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

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a zoom lens, a solid-state image sensor which photoelectrically converts an image formed by the zoom lens, a processing unit which processes image data obtained by the solid-state image sensor, and a correction units which processes the image data from the processing unit to correct distortion aberration of the image formed by the zoom lens, and outputs the corrected image data. The lens arrangement of the zoom lens, and the length of the diagonal line of the image capturing area in correcting distortion aberration are appropriately set.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an optical magnification changing mechanism which optically changes a magnification of an image, and an electronic magnification changing mechanism which reduces or expands a magnification with respect to image data by signal processing, the imaging apparatus providing a magnification-changed image according to a predetermined magnification based on the optical magnification changing mechanism and the electronic magnification changing mechanism. The optical magnification changing mechanism has at least two magnifications W and T (W<T) which are discrete each other, and has a switching mechanism which, when a predetermined magnification M (W<M<T) has been set, switches an image obtained by the magnification W and an expanding conversion using the electronic magnification changing mechanism and an image obtained by the magnification T and a reducing conversion using the electronic magnification changing mechanism.

Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of setting, when a digital zoom operation mode for enlarging an image imaged by a imaging part of an X-Y address type is selected, a zoom magnification and enlarging the image at the zoom magnification set. The imaging method includes the steps of: setting an imaging range in a vertical direction of the imaging part according to the zoom magnification set in the digital zoom step; outputting a driving signal for scanning the shutter signal and the readout signal to perform exposure in the imaging range set in the imaging range setting step and driving the imaging part; and discarding, when the zoom magnification is changed in the digital zoom step, images imaged by the imaging part before and after the change of the zoom magnification to prevent the images from being used.

Abstract: An imaging method and an imaging apparatus are provided in which information about white points determined is stored and operation is performed only between the stored white points. The imaging method includes the steps of: automatically or manually determining at least two white points (Steps S1-2, S1-3 and S1-4); storing the above described at least two white points determined (Steps S5, S8 and S13); and manually or automatically adjusting a white point with the range between the above described at least two white points stored as a white point adjustment range (Step S23).

Abstract: A method for generating a panoramic image that enables a user to obtain panoramic photographs with a digital camera without the aid of a computer system or specialized lenses. A digital camera according to the present techniques captures a series of image frames as a user pans the digital camera through a panoramic image scene and combines the captured image frames while the image frames are being captured.

Abstract: A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an image sensor. The image sensor has an imaging surface capturing an object scene through a zoom lens, and outputs an image representing the object scene. The image outputted from the image sensor is reduced in size by a zoom circuit arranged in a pre-processing circuit. A post-processing circuit extracts a reduced image belonging to an extraction area of a predetermined size, out of the reduced image created by the pre-processing circuit. Depending on a change of a magnification of the zoom lens, a CPU changes a size of the reduced image created by the pre-processing circuit in the same direction as a change direction of the magnification of the zoom lens. An angle of view of the reduced image extracted by the post-processing circuit decreases by a rate exceeding a decrease rate resulting from an increase in optical zoom magnification.

Abstract: A zoom method of a small digital camera is provided that includes searching a center search line of a photographic screen according to a set photographic mode and searching upper and lower lines based on the center search line so as to extract a color average value and a deviation of a photographic object. A size of a photographic object may be calculated based on the average value and the deviation. A zoom ratio may be set according to a size of the photographic object. A portrait mode and a text mode may be implemented by software without influencing a size of a mobile communication terminal and so as to fast process the zoom function.

Abstract: A digital camera has a first optical system having a wide zoom lens and a second optical system for a telephotography zoom lens. In an initial state where power is active, a controller and timing-generator controls the wide zoom lens so as to be situated at a wide position and the telephotography zoom lens so as to be situated at a telephotograph position. When zoom-in is effected, the wide zoom lens is actuated, and the telephotography zoom lens is maintained at the telephotograph position. When a zoom position of the wide zoom lens has reached a threshold zoom position set to a wider angle of view than that achieved at the telephotograph position, the telephotography zoom lens starts being actuated toward the wide position. When the zoom lens has reached the telephotograph position, an image signal is switched from the wide zoom lens to the telephotography zoom lens, and the selected image signal is output.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus calculates a depth of field, and when the calculated result is shallower than a set depth of field, the zoom operation at the telescopic side is switched to the electronic zoom. In addition, when face recognition may not be possible, the zoom is switched to the electronic zoom. Furthermore, when face recognition has become impossible, the optical zoom is returned to the wide angle side until faces can be recognized. When the number of faces that can be recognized has decreased, the optical zoom is returned to the wide angle side until the number of faces that can be recognized is restored. In addition, when subsequently carrying out zooming at the telescopic side, the zooming switches to the electronic zoom.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit which captures image data of an object, a zoom image data generating unit which generates items of zoom image data having different zoom magnifications, a display control unit which displays through images on a display unit based on the items of the generated zoom image data, a selection unit which selects one of the zoom magnifications by selecting one of the through images displayed on the display unit, and a recording control unit which records image data corresponding to the selected zoom magnification in a storing medium.

Abstract: A camera system and a method for zooming the camera system is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating an electronic image by sensing an optical image received by the camera, the sensing including electronic cropping to a window size to establish an initial resolution for the electronic image, (B) generating a final image by decimating the electronic image by a decimation factor to a final resolution smaller than the initial resolution and (C) changing a zoom factor for the final image by adjusting both of the decimation factor and the window size.

Abstract: A recording mode control circuit controls a first recording mode in which still image data having a first image size corresponding to the number of pixels of an image sensing element is generated and recorded and a second recording mode in which moving image data having a second image size smaller than the first image size is generated and recorded. In generating the moving image data in the second recording mode, a camera signal processing circuit executes electrical zoom processing to obtain the second image size. At this time, a maximum magnification ratio setting circuit sets the maximum variable magnification ratio of electrical zoom processing in the camera signal processing circuit. With this processing, an image recording apparatus which allows a user to select a zoom mode with a small degradation in image quality in electrical zoom processing can be implemented.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit which captures image data of an object, a zoom image data generating unit which generates items of zoom image data having different zoom magnifications, a display control unit which displays through images on a display unit based on the items of the generated zoom image data, a selection unit which selects one of the zoom magnifications by selecting one of the through images displayed on the display unit, and a recording control unit which records image data corresponding to the selected zoom magnification in a storing medium.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus which has an optical system, the focal length of which is variable, and an image sensing element that converts an image formed by the optical system into an electrical signal, and can sense and record a moving image and still image, includes a focal length detection circuit for detecting the focal length of the optical system, and a control unit for inhibiting recording of the still image in accordance with the focal length detected by the focal length detection circuit.

Abstract: Provided are a digital photographing apparatus having a zoom function, which may easily obtain still images having various viewing angles, a method of controlling the same, and a recording medium storing a computer program for executing the method. The digital photographing apparatus obtains data regarding a first still image at a first zoom ratio, and then automatically obtains data regarding a second still image at a second zoom ratio that is different from the first zoom ratio.

Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a variator lens group, a compensator lens group and a third lens group. The compensator lens group is arranged to only partially compensate for movement of the variator group. In order to provide further compensation for the zoom lens, an image enhancer implement wavefront coding and artifact reduction techniques. The compensator group may be fixed or alternatively, its movement relative to the variator may be effected by a simple cam mechanism.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a layout assistant image storage unit to store multiple layout assistant images representing position and size where an object is to be disposed within an imaging range; an imaging unit to perform imaging of a subject to generate an imaged image; an object detecting unit to detect the object from the imaged image, and the position and size of the object therein; and a display control unit to display one of multiple stored layout assistant images overlaid on the imaged image. If a position difference between the position of an object determined by the displayed layout assistant image, and a size difference between the size of an object determined by the displayed layout assistant image and the size of the detected object within the imaged image, are both within predetermined ranges, a layout assistant image other than that displayed is displayed overlaid on the imaged image.

Abstract: A recording mode control circuit controls a first recording mode in which still image data having a first image size corresponding to the number of pixels of an image sensing element is generated and recorded and a second recording mode in which moving image data having a second image size smaller than the first image size is generated and recorded. In generating the moving image data in the second recording mode, a camera signal processing circuit executes electrical zoom processing to obtain the second image size. At this time, a maximum magnification ratio setting circuit sets the maximum variable magnification ratio of electrical zoom processing in the camera signal processing circuit. With this processing, an image recording apparatus which allows a user to select a zoom mode with a small degradation in image quality in electrical zoom processing can be implemented.

Abstract: In the imaging apparatus, an image signal derived from an imaging element is supplied to color signal producing means so as to be separated into a R(red) color signal, a G(green) color signal and a B(blue) color signal. These R, G, B signals are supplied to color-depending frequency component changing means. While predetermined information has been stored in a memory with respect to each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and the predetermined information is used in order to change a signal level of a high frequency component every R, G, B signals, the color-depending frequency component changing means extracts a high frequency component from each of the R signal, the G signal and the B signal, and then, corrects frequency components of these extracted high frequency components in such a manner that the corrected frequency characteristics may constitute relevant signals.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which can achieve an appropriate AF control regardless of a zoom magnification. The image-taking apparatus has an image pickup element which photoelectrically converts an image of an object formed by an image-taking optical system including a focusing lens, and a signal processing circuit which produces an image signal based on an output signal from the image pickup element and has an electronic zoom function of electrically processing a part of the image signal to produce an enlarged output image. The image-taking apparatus also has a detection unit which detects a defocus amount between two image of the object, and a focus control circuit which controls a drive of the focusing lens in a first control method based on the output signal from the image pickup element and a second control method based on an output signal from the detection unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus has: a white balance control circuit for detecting an achromatic portion of an image of an object and controlling gains of the chrominance; an object distance detecting circuit for detecting a distance to the object; and a zoom value detecting circuit for detecting a zoom value of the optical system. The imaging apparatus further has: an object brightness detecting circuit for detecting brightness of the object; and a white balance control amount adjustment value setting circuit for forming a white balance control amount adjustment value to adjust a control amount in the white balance control circuit on the basis of object brightness information, object distance detection information, and zoom value information, wherein the white balance control amount is adjusted on the basis of the white balance control amount adjustment value.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an optical magnification changing mechanism which optically changes a magnification of an image, and an electronic magnification change mechanism which reduces or expands a magnification with respect to image data by signal processing. The optical magnification changing mechanism is configured so that a magnification is discrete and a focal position changes together with a focal distance. The electronic magnification change mechanism carries out an interpolation process such that the number of pixels is increased with respect to a predetermined region of read image data during an expanding process, and carried out a process for discretely sampling a wide region as compared with a readout region obtained by the sampling provided when no magnification conversion is made, during a reducing process, thereby offsetting a change of the focal position in the optical magnification changing mechanism.

Abstract: Digital imaging system and method in which user operation of a digital zoom selection switch to increase digital zoom of a portion of an evaluation image is interrupted for at least an interval of time as a warning to the user that the digital zoom selection has reached a digital zoom ratio that corresponds to a predetermined minimum image resolution quality level in an image of a given size to be rendered from the portion of the evaluation image. The user can then resume increasing digital zoom selection only by opening and re-closing the zoom selection switch. A graphical indicator is used to show changes in zoom settings and the appearance of the indicator is changed when one or more predetermined digital zoom settings are reached to reinforce the visual warning to the user.

Abstract: A camera adjusts the aspect ratio of a viewfinder image. The camera has a body and a capture unit mounted in the body. The capture unit has an imager and storage media operatively connected to the imager. The capture unit selectively captures an electronic image of a scene. A viewfinder of the camera displays a light image of the scene. A cropper is disposed in the body. The cropper is switchable among a plurality of settings. Each setting defines a different rectangular cross-sectioned window in the viewfinder. A cropping control is operatively connected to the capture unit and cropper. The cropping control has a cropping input element that is accessible external to the body. The cropping input element is movable between first and second opposed cropping control positions to change the settings. The cropping control positions define a cropping control axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the capture unit.

Abstract: An electronic imaging device includes a zoom lens that includes a plurality of lens groups and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by the zoom lens into an electric signal. The zoom lens includes at least a first lens group having a negative focal length and a second lens group having a positive focal length sequentially from an object side, and a diaphragm on the object side of the second lens group. The diaphragm includes a first diaphragm having an aperture size A and a second diaphragm having an aperture size B, where A is greater than B, and the diaphragm is controlled such that the first diaphragm is effective on a long focus end and the second diaphragm is effective on a short focus end.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that has an optical zooming unit and an electronic zooming unit includes a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the image pickup apparatus, and a controller configured to move the electronic zooming unit along with an operation of the optical zooming unit, and to move a telephoto end for control of the optical zooming unit toward a wide-angle side according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector. Along with control to move the telephoto end of the optical zooming unit to the wide-angle end, the controller sets smaller than a change rate of a zoom magnification of an electronic zooming unit in a first zoom region a change rate of a zoom magnification of an electronic zooming unit in a second zoom region that is adjacent with and closer to the telephoto end than the first zoom region.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that includes an optical zooming unit, an electronic zooming unit, and a controller, wherein when the optical zooming unit moves from a first zoom region to a second zoom region that is closer to a wide-angle end than the first zoom region, the controller discretely moves the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit at the first change rate, and when the optical zooming unit moves from the first zoom region to a third zoom region that is closer to a telephoto end than the first zoom region, the controller discretely operates the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit at the second change rate.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes optical and electronic zooming units, and a controller configured to control an operation of the electronic zooming unit. When the first aspect ratio is selected, the controller operates the electronic zooming unit along with an operation of the optical zooming unit between a first zoom state and a second zoom state that is closer to a telephoto end than the first zoom state. When the second aspect ratio is selected, the controller does not operate the electronic zooming unit between the first zoom state and a third zoom state that is located between the first zoom state and the second zoom state, and operates the electronic zooming unit along with the operation of the optical zooming unit between the second zoom state and the third zoom state.