Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is configured such that if a monitoring unit detects that a focus evaluation value changes as much as or more than a predetermined threshold, a monitoring state caused by the monitoring unit transitions to a focus adjustment state by minute driving. The predetermined threshold in the monitoring performed in an in-focus position obtained by hill-climbing driving is greater than the predetermined threshold in the monitoring performed in an in-focus position obtained by the minute driving.

Abstract: A focus adjusting process and apparatus are described which can optimize a balance between AF performance and appearance of moving image, regardless of a position or size of an enlarged area to be recorded in a moving image.

Abstract: A monitoring device, system, and blur detection method of images separate a monitored area into an in-focus area and an out-of-focus area after focusing is done and then analyze the following captured images for how the blocks that makes up the in-focus area change in the blurriness and the proportion of the blocks with changed blurriness to overall blocks in the in-focus area. When the proportion of a captured image meets a specific condition, the captured image is then determined as a blur image. A consecutive number of determined blur images will trigger an auto focus procedure.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for light-field based autofocus. In response to receiving a focusing request at a camera, a light-field autofocus system captures a light-field image. An image crop that contains a region of interest and a specified border is determined. A series of refocused images are generated for the image crop at different scene depths. A focus metric is calculated for each refocused image. The scene depth of the refocused image with the best focus metric is identified as the appropriate focus. The focus motor position for the appropriate focus is selected and the focus motor is automatically driven to the selected focus motor position.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus with a photoelectric converter which photoelectrically converts at least a pair of optical images formed by light fluxes that have passed a focus lens to output at least a pair of image signals, a phase difference detector which detects a phase difference between the pair of output image signals, and a driving amount calculator which calculates a driving amount of the focus lens based upon the detected phase difference. The driving amount calculator changes the calculated driving amount, in accordance with a first driving amount corresponding to a detected phase difference when the focus lens is located at a first position, a second driving amount corresponding to the detected phase difference when the focus lens is located at a second position, and a relationship between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an imaging lens, an image sensor, and a plurality of microlenses. The apparatus also comprises an image processing unit configured to generate a reconstruction image at a predetermined refocus plane by performing refocus processing on the image data that was output from the image sensor, and determine whether or not a subject appears in the reconstruction image. The recording unit of the apparatus records the image data that was output from the image sensor and record information regarding the subject that was determined to appear by the image processing unit as auxiliary information in association with the image data.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus includes a focus lens, a focus detection unit that detects focus in a contrast auto focusing (AF) method by moving the focus lens, and a controller that calculates a velocity of a subject from a first focus detection result and a second focus detection result in a continuous shooting operation. The controller restricts a U-turn driving for correcting backlash of the focus lens when the calculated velocity of the subject is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. An AF initiating location and a final correction operation are adaptively adjusted based on the velocity of the subject in each process of the continuous shooting, thereby improving an AF performance and the continuous photographing speed.

Abstract: Lh indicates the amount of image-surface movement of a photographic subject; Ls, a scan driving range; Lps, a scan driving range required to detect a peak; Li, the amount of initial position driving. Based on the speed of a photographic subject (inclination of a photographic-subject movement amount profile H), a body controlling unit sets Li as a driving amount and a driving direction of initial position driving in such a manner as to satisfy Lh<(Ls?Lps+Li), and performs initial position driving to move a focus lens, with the result that the profile H and a scan driving amount profile S of the focus lens intersect with each other within a section k4 where contrast AF is performed. Then, a scan driving operation is performed within the section k4, thereby detecting an in-focus position without fail regardless of the image-surface movement speed of the photographic subject (inclination of the profile H).

Abstract: The distance calculating apparatus detects an object distance to an object based on a first object image signal formed by a luminous flux passing through a first pupil region of an imaging optical system and a second object image signal formed by a luminous flux passing through a second pupil region of the imaging optical system, which are generated by using an imaging device including multiple pixels. The imaging device includes a first and a second photoelectric conversion sections. The first and the second photoelectric conversion sections generate the first and the second object image signals, respectively. The first and the second pupil regions have asymmetric pupil region shapes in an exit pupil of the imaging optical system. An object distance calculation unit detects the object distance by a DFD method based on a difference in bokeh of the first and the second object image signals.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium related to autofocusing a camera lens system. An initial image is captured at a first lens position and focus information is extracted with respect to a first plurality of focus windows. A second image is captured at a second lens position and focus information is extracted for a second plurality of focus windows that correspond to the first plurality of focus windows in the initial image. The focus information for corresponding windows is compared to determine whether the focus status in each window is improving or degrading; this determination reveals whether the lens is positioned in a desirable position with respect to the data revealed by the data extracted from the focus windows.

Abstract: An optical image capturing system, from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has a positive refractive power and may have a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements has a refractive power and the object-side and image-side surfaces of these lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a negative refractive power and may have a concave image-side surface. The object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and at least one of the two surfaces has inflection points. When specific conditions are satisfied, the optical image capturing system may has a large aperture value and a better optical path adjusting ability to acquire better imaging quality.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus that achieves a focused state even when a subject is a point light source includes a contrast signal generator that divides a captured image screen into a plurality of areas, extracts a frequency component based on a video signal for each of the divided areas, and generates a first contrast signal based on the frequency component. A controller extracts a luminance intensity based on the video signal for each of the divided areas, determines, for each of the divided areas, a second contrast signal generated by increasing or decreasing the magnitude of the first contrast signal from the divided area based on the magnitude of the luminance intensity, determines a lens position evaluation value that is the sum of the second contrast signals, and performs the focus control based on the lens position evaluation value.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including a focused area judgment unit that judges a focused area in target image data, a distribution information generation unit that generates distribution information of an edge evaluation value with the focused area judged by the focused area judgment unit as a target, a threshold value setting unit that variably sets a threshold value for judging an emphasis display portion using the distribution information generated by the distribution information generation unit, and a display data generation unit that selects an emphasis display portion in the image data using the threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit and generates display data for displaying the selected portion with emphasis.

Abstract: A video conferencing device for improving video quality when a communications device is used for a video conference. In one embodiment the device includes (1) a data collection module for collecting data regarding the location and orientation of a user's face relative to a camera on a communications device; and (2) a facial correction module associated with the data collection module, the facial correction module modifying a user's facial orientation and characteristics for transmission during a video conference based on data from the data collection module and from an associated database of relevant facial characteristics.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus comprising an image sensor has focus detection pixels and image forming pixels, a calculation unit calculates first and second charge accumulation periods, a control unit reads out an image forming signal from the image forming pixels accumulated for the first charge accumulation period and a focus detection signal from the focus detection pixels accumulated for the second charge accumulation period, a display unit displays the image forming signal, and a focus control unit performs phase difference focus control process based on the focus detection signal. When the second charge accumulation period is longer than the first charge accumulation period, the control unit reads out the focus detection signal and the image forming signal in parallel, and sets a readout rate of the focus detection signal to be lower than that of the image forming signal.

Abstract: There is provided a solid-state imaging device including: an imaging pixel including a photoelectric conversion unit which receives incident light; and a phase difference detection pixel including the photoelectric conversion unit and a light shielding unit which shields some of the light incident to the photoelectric conversion unit, in which the imaging pixel further includes a high refractive index film which is formed on the upper side of the photoelectric conversion unit, and the phase difference detection pixel further includes a low refractive index film which is formed on the upper side of the photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus reduces the degree of out-of-focus of an image of an intense point light source during zooming in contrast-based autofocus control. A zooming lens moves in an optical axis direction to perform magnification change and a focusing lens moves in the optical axis direction to perform focus adjustment and is driven in accordance with a trace curve corresponding to the distance to a subject. A controller evaluates, during the magnification change operation, based on the rate of change in the number of high-luminance pixels at which the number of high-luminance pixels in an output image from the imaging apparatus changes with the zoom magnification, whether or not the focusing lens is driven in accordance with a trace curve corresponding to the distance to the subject before the magnification change operation is performed or a trace curve corresponding to a distance to the subject of infinity.

Abstract: An autofocus method determines that a ranging device of a digital camera has failed in an attempt to provide a distance estimation. The ranging device provides one or more parameters indicating conditions related to the failure of the ranging device to provide the distance estimation. An autofocus sequence based on the one or more parameters is then performed.

Abstract: An optical device comprises an image blur compensation unit which compensates a blur in an image formed by an imaging optical system, the image blur compensation unit being movable in directions not parallel to an optical axis of the imaging optical system, a shake detection unit which detects shake of a device, a position detection unit which detects a position of the image blur compensation unit, the position detection unit having a detection accuracy that is variable, a driving control unit which calculates a driving target position of the image blur compensation unit based on an output from the shake detection unit and position information of the image blur compensation unit, and a control unit which controls detection accuracy of the position detection unit to set the detection accuracy of the position detection unit to a greater value in still image capture than a value in video capture.

Abstract: In a camera unit that is mountable to a lens unit having a focus lens, an AF signal processing unit generates an AF evaluation value from an imaging signal obtained by an imaging element, and a camera control unit generates drive information for moving the focus lens to an in-focus point using the AF evaluation value and transmits the drive information to the mounted lens unit. The camera control unit transmits drive information including a focus lens position served as a reference for micro vibration and an amount of movement of the focus lens indicated by shift amount of an image plane with reference to the focus lens position to a lens unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inspecting a flat panel. The method for inspecting the flat panel includes the steps of: arranging a camera at a measurement location of the flat panel by horizontally moving at least one of the flat panel and the camera; automatically focusing the camera with respect to a measuring target of the flat panel at the measurement location; acquiring a plurality of images for the measuring target by vertically moving the focused camera within a set region on the basis of the present location of the camera when focusing the camera; selecting the image having the most definition for the measuring target among the acquired images; processing the selected image; and determining whether the measuring target is defective or not.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that is capable of performing a focusing control with sufficient accuracy without restricting a settable range of a focus detection area. An image pickup device has pixels each of which has sub-pixels that receive light beams passing through different pupil areas. A correlation operation area including a focus detection area and a shift area is set in an image indicated by an output from the image pickup device. A defocus amount is calculated in response to a correlation amount found by applying a shift process to image signals from the sub-pixels. If the focus detection area is set at a position where the correlation operation area is set with a default width, the shift area is set with a predetermined width. Otherwise the shift area is set with a narrower width and the correlation operation area is set with a width narrower than the default width.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a focus detection unit configured to detect, based on a signal output from an image sensor, a focus evaluation value using one of a plurality of different focus detection methods, a correction unit configured to correct the focus evaluation value in accordance with the focus detection method used for the detection, and a storage unit configured to store information for calculating a reference correction value for correcting a focus evaluation value detected using a predetermined one of the focus detection methods, and information for calculating, from the reference correction value, a correction value for correcting a focus evaluation value detected using another of the focus detection methods. The correction unit calculates a correction value using the information stored in the storage unit, and corrects the focus evaluation value using the calculated correction value.

Abstract: Fast Focus control is to be performed. The imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus that includes a focus control unit. The focus control unit performs focus control based on the contrast in an image and the processing result of a two-image matching process. The image is an image generated by an imaging unit. The two-image matching process is a process to be performed with the use of two images that are generated by the imaging unit, with the focus lens being located in different positions.

Abstract: Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens may comprise an aperture stop and four lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. By controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements and designing parameters satisfying at least two inequalities, the optical imaging lens may exhibit better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens may be shortened.

Abstract: A display device includes control electronics and a pixilated liquid crystal (LC) panel. The control electronics receives inputs of main image data for a main image and side image data for a side image. The control electronics outputs combined image data combining the main and side images such that an on-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the main image, and an off-axis viewer perceives from the combined image the side image. The output image data comprises data values chosen from a set of available output data values for the pixels selected from multiple sets of available data values depending on at least on the side image data. For a pixel currently being processed, the output data value is chosen from the selected set of available output data values for which a resulting luminance value is closest to a target luminance value for the current pixel.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure related to a method for configuring one or more imaging sensors of an imaging device to capture digital images for digital pulse recognition demodulation. In some embodiments, the method includes initializing one or more imaging sensors of the imaging device, determining a subset of the one or more imaging sensors to configure, setting a configuration for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset by defining a region of interest as a metering area for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset and automatically adjusting a setting for each of the one or more imaging sensors of the subset, and adjusting input parameters of a demodulation function based on a device profile of the imaging device. In some embodiments, the adjusted setting is locked to prevent further adjustment of the adjusted setting.

Abstract: An image processing device of the present invention comprises an image sensor having phase difference detection pixels for focus detection arranged at positions of some imaging pixels, a crosstalk effect level estimating section for estimating crosstalk effect level for respective pixel values, from pixel values of pixels that are subject to the effects of crosstalk from the phase difference detection pixels, and pixel values of nearby pixels that are not subject to the effect of crosstalk from the phase difference detection pixels, and a correction processing section for correcting pixel values of pixels that have been affected by crosstalk from the phase difference detection pixels based on the crosstalk effect level that has been estimated by the crosstalk effect level estimating section.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus which includes a range-finding region arrangement unit which arranges range-finding regions of which region sizes are different by hierarchizing thereof, a range-finding region selection unit which selects the range-finding region in a predetermined order from the arranged range-finding regions, and a control unit which performs a focusing operation by generating an evaluation value which denotes degree of focusing with respect to the range-finding regions which are selected in the range-finding region selection unit, and controlling a position of a focus lens based on the evaluation value.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes the image capture unit 16, the focus information acquisition unit 53, the frequency distribution calculation unit 54, and the photographing position determination unit 55. The focus information acquisition unit 53 calculates a subject focus position for each of a plurality of regions into which a photographed screen of a captured image captured by the image capture unit 16 is divided. The frequency distribution calculation unit 54 counts the number of regions that corresponds to each of the subject focus positions acquired by way of measuring. The photographing position determination unit 55 determines the focus position for photographing according to the number of regions that corresponds to each of the subject focus positions calculated by the focus information acquisition unit 53.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a touch detection unit detecting if a particular region of the image of the object displayed by the display unit is touched, a memory unit stored with an auto focus calibration code of the particular region detected by the touch detection unit, and an auto focus driving unit receiving a coordinate of the particular region detected by the touch detection unit, reading out from the memory unit an auto focus calibration code corresponding to the particular region of the image of the object displayed on the display unit, and driving an auto focus actuator.

Abstract: A camera module includes a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) installed with an image sensor, a base mounted on the PCB, and a bobbin reciprocatingly mounted above the base. A bottom elastic member is fixed to the base to support the bobbin, and a terminal is installed at the base, one end of which is conductively connected to the PCB and the other end of which is conductively connected to the bottom elastic member at a solder part. A solder cut-off part is formed at the base to cut off movement of overflowing solder from the solder part.

Abstract: A system and a method for motion estimation are disclosed. The system for motion estimation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of motion sensors mounted near joints of a body and configured to provide motion information; a depth sensor configured to provide 3-dimensional image information having a 3-dimensional coordinate for each pixel; and a motion estimation device configured to estimate a motion by use of the motion information and the 3-dimensional image information, wherein the motion estimation device includes: a converging unit configured to compute mounting position information of the motion sensors by performing an initialization process by converging the motion information and the 3-dimensional image information; and an estimating unit configured to estimate the motion by computing a state vector including the mounting position information and the motion information.

Abstract: An image acquisition device includes: an imaging unit which has a plurality of light receiving elements; a condensing unit which condenses light which is input to the light receiving elements, and includes a plurality of microlenses which are arranged one to one with the light receiving elements on a plane; and a band pass filter including amorphous silicon films on a path on which light from an object is input to the light receiving elements.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens barrel supporting a lens; an autofocusing driving unit disposed on one side of a plane perpendicular to an optical axis direction based on the lens barrel to thereby drive the lens barrel in the optical axis direction; and a hand-shake prevention driving unit disposed on sides of the plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction other than the one side on which the autofocusing driving unit is disposed, to thereby drive the lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An auto focus camera module includes a camera module housing defining an aperture and an internal cavity to accommodate camera module components, an image sensor coupled to or within the housing, a lens barrel within the housing that contains an optical train including at least one movable lens disposed relative to the aperture and image sensor to focus images of scenes onto the image sensor along an optical path, and a fast focus MEMS actuator coupled to one or more lenses of the optical train including the at least one movable lens and configured to rapidly move said at least one movable lens relative to the image sensor to provide autofocus for the camera module in each frame of a preview or video sequence or both.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for compensating for lens motion includes estimating a starting position of a lens assembly associated with captured pixel data. The captured pixel data is captured from an image sensor. In some embodiments, the method further includes calculating from the starting position and position data received from the one or more position sensors lens movement associated with the captured pixel data. The lens movement is mapped into pixel movement associated with the captured pixel data. A transform matrix is adjusted to reflect at least the pixel movement. A limit factor associated with the position data is calculated. The captured pixel data is recalculated using the transform matrix and the limit factor.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a decimating unit configured to decimate pixels in a target image to obtain a decimated image containing a smaller number of pixels than the target image; an extracting unit configured to extract similar pixels at each of which a similarity to a pixel of interest is a threshold or more, from a region containing the pixel of interest among pixels of the decimated image; a first calculating unit configured to calculate a correction candidate value based on pixel values of the similar pixels; a second calculating unit configured to calculate a correction candidate value for each decimated pixel, based on the correction candidate value calculated for each pixel of the decimated image; and a correcting unit configured to correct a target pixel value of a target pixel in the target image, based on the correction candidate value calculated by the first or second calculating unit.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems and software for focusing a camera are disclosed. The camera focusing system includes a distance measuring device, a video receiver that receives video/images, a graphics overlay unit, and a monitor. The distance measuring device includes an emitter that emits a radiation beam, a detector that detects reflected radiation, and logic that determines and processes distance information for subject(s) or object(s) in detection zones from the reflections. The graphics overlay unit receives video/image information from the video receiver and the distance information from the distance measuring device, and includes a video overlay and data processing unit that generates graphics indicating a field of detection and position for each detection zone and a direction and/or magnitude of a change in focus setting(s) to bring subjects or objects within each detection zone into focus. The monitor displays the video/image and the graphics overlaid thereon.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that compresses image data according to a compression parameter, includes: a data acquisition section that acquires information on whether photographing condition data is added to the image data inputted or not and content of the photographing condition data; a compression parameter determination section that determines the compression parameter according to an acquisition result of the photographing condition data in the data acquisition section; and a compression processing section that applies compression processing to the image data according to the determined compression parameter, wherein the photographing condition data includes information related to presence or absence of an optical low-pass filter at time of photographing an image of the image data.

Abstract: Techniques related to autofocus for imaging devices and, in particular, to generating reliability values associated with phase autofocus shifts are discussed. Such techniques may include performing a curve fitting based on accumulated phase difference values and phase shifts for phase autofocus images and generating a reliability value for a focus phase shift based on the curve fitting.

Abstract: The defocus amount of an imaging optical system is detected based on a pair of image signals that are obtained from an image sensor and are used for phase-difference detection automatic focusing. In a first mode, the drive of a focusing lens is controlled so that the focusing lens is driven at a first speed if the reliability of the pair of image signal is at a first level, and at a second speed lower than the first speed if the reliability of the pair of image signals is at a second level higher than the first level.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a lens barrel supporting a lens; an autofocusing driving unit disposed on one side of a plane perpendicular to an optical axis direction based on the lens barrel to thereby drive the lens barrel in the optical axis direction; and a hand-shake prevention driving unit disposed on sides of the plane perpendicular to the optical axis direction other than the one side on which the autofocusing driving unit is disposed, to thereby drive the lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a camera having a depth which is less than the maximum length of the outer lens of at least one optical chain of the camera are described. In some embodiments a light redirection device, e.g., a mirror, is used to allow a relatively long optical chain with a relatively large non-circular outer lens. In some embodiments the light redirection device has a depth, e.g., front of camera to back of camera dimension, which is less than the maximum length of the aperture of the outer lens in the aperture's direction of maximum extent. Multiple optical chains with non-circular outer lenses arranged in different directions may and in some embodiments are used to capture images with the captured images being combined to generate a composite image.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus that recommends a suitable auto focus (AF) candidate area to a user before photographing, allows a user to select an AF area or automatically selects the AF area, and allows a user to conveniently and accurately capture a desired image, and a method of controlling the digital photographing apparatus are disclosed. A method is provided that includes calculating information about a distance to an object existing in an image stereoscopically input through a first lens and a second lens; matching the information about the distance to red green blue (RGB) information of the image; displaying a plurality of AF candidate areas on the image based on the matched RGB information; and capturing an image centered on an AF candidate area having a first priority when a photographing button is pressed.

Abstract: A defocus amount is corrected according to the difference between the focus state of an imaging optical system that corresponds to the accumulation period of multiple image signals used to generate an added image signal and the focus state of the imaging optical system when the focal point is adjusted. Here, when calculating the focus state of the imaging optical system that corresponds to the accumulation period of the image signals used to generate the added image signal, the focus state of the imaging optical system that corresponds to the accumulation period of an image signal used to generate the added image signal is weighted higher the higher the sharpness of that image signal is.

Abstract: A method for shooting a multi-focused image in an electronic device includes selecting a plurality of focus targets in a preview mode, calculating camera lens moving distances of the focus targets, and shooting an image of each focus target from a single fixed angle by reference to the camera lens moving distances of the focus targets. Thus, a user does not have to move the focus several times from the fixed angle.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup device including: an image pickup pixel group including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix; a focus detection pixel group of focus detection pixels discretely arranged in the image pickup pixel group; a first readout circuit including a first AD converter that converts only pixel signals from the image pickup pixel group to digital signals; and a second readout circuit including a second AD converter that converts only pixel signals R, L, T and B from the focus detection pixel group to digital signals.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for an all-in-focus implementation are described herein. A system to for operating a camera, comprising an image sensor in the camera to capture a sequence of images in different focal planes, at least a portion of the sequence of images occurring before receiving a signal to store an all-in-focus image, a user interface module to receive, from a user, the signal to store an all-in-focus image, and an image processor to fuse at least two images to result in the all-in-focus image, wherein the at least two images have different focal planes.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element for outputting focus detecting signals. A DFE performs phase difference detection-type focus detecting calculation using an output signal of the imaging element. A CPU controls a focus drive circuit depending on the result of calculation and a focus lens is driven so as to perform a focus adjusting operation. The CPU controls the DFE to intermittently execute focus detecting calculation at a predetermined frequency set for a plurality of image frames. In the first mode, AF processing is executed at a rate of once in a few frames and the operation of a circuit unit for performing correlation calculation or the like is stopped in a frame period during which no focus detecting calculation is performed, whereas in the second mode, AF processing is executed for each frame so as to perform a focus adjusting operation following the movement of an object.