Abstract: According to the present invention, when a lens is moved in an operation of an operation device, the focal information calculated for each travel position of the lens can be graphed corresponding to the lens position, and the focal information about the current lens position can be identified from the focal information about another position. Thus, a manual focus adjustment can be made while checking the graph. Especially, since the history of the focal information calculated for each lens travel position can be graphed, the lens can travel to the lens position in which a desired peak can be obtained when there are a plurality of peaks of focal information on the graph.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus using a solid image pickup device includes a manual focus adjusting unit configured to control the position of a focus lens in response to a user's input operation; an edge detecting unit configured to detect edge components of each pixel from an image signal obtained by image pickup and to output detection levels of the detected edge components; a color signal replacement unit configured to replace a signal of a pixel corresponding to the detection level or signals of pixels in a predetermined range containing the corresponding pixel on the image signal with a predetermined color signal when the detection level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value; and a display unit configured to display an image based on an output image signal from the color signal replacement unit.

Abstract: In an AF camera having a two-stage capture button or a three-stage capture button, a timing control module or algorithm is used to control the type of image a user can obtain after the user presses and releases the capture button. The timing control allows the user to capture an image of the scene substantially as presented on the viewfinder when the automatic focusing algorithm carries out its focusing function, or to capture an image of a recomposed scene after the focusing function is completed. If the user releases the capture button before the automatic focusing algorithm finishes its focusing function, the image obtained is the image focused at the hyperfocal distance.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging apparatus capable of reproducing with ease a focus position desired by the user, and eliminating a displacement of a focus position which occurs due to a manufacturing error of the imaging apparatus, or the like. The imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens operable to adjusts a focus state of a subject image, an imaging unit operable to capture a subject image obtained through the optical system to generate image data, a controller operable to obtain a plurality of image data generated in the imaging unit while moving the focus lens along an optical axis, a display unit operable to display an image based on the plurality of generated image data; an receiving unit operable to receive an instruction of a user for selecting one of the plurality of images displayed on the display unit, a storage unit operable to store information on a focus lens position at which the image data selected by the receiving unit is captured; and an autofocus control.

Abstract: A focus information display system is provided in which focus state detection that is performed during automatic focusing (AF) and the like is also performed during manual focusing (MF) and the like to display focus information indicating a focus state. By arranging a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when a correct focus display is being performed to be wider than a focus position range at which a correct focus state is determined when an out-of-focus display is being performed, stabilization of a state of correct focus display is achieved without jeopardizing correct focusing accuracy when performing focusing according to a focus information display.

Abstract: A camera system 100 has an imaging optical system L, an imaging component 45, a liquid crystal monitor 16, and an image display controller 15. The liquid crystal monitor 16 allows a plurality of images acquired by the imaging component 45 to be displayed. The image display controller 15 controls the display component to display an image A1, which is part of the image acquired by the imaging component 45, as a reference image A on the liquid crystal monitor 16, and to display part of the image acquired by the imaging component 45 at a different timing from that of the image A1 as a comparative image B on the liquid crystal monitor 16. The image display controller 15 controls the display component to display the image A1 as a reference image A in a state of being inverted around a symmetry axis 51a.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus which includes an imaging unit configured for obtaining object images, a notification unit configured to perform notification that images are being obtained by the imaging unit, a macro-mode setting unit configured to set the imaging unit in a macro mode, and a notification control unit configured to control the notification operation of the notification unit in accordance with whether the macro mode is set or not by the macro-mode setting unit.

Abstract: The present invention further improves operability related to setting the position and size of a focus detection region. An image capturing apparatus of the invention is provided with an image sensor that photo-electrically converts an object image formed by an optical lens, a focus detection unit that detects the focus state of the object image using an image signal from a focus detection region that is a region that is a portion within a frame of the image sensor, a setting unit that sets one focus detection mode from among a plurality of focus detection modes in which the size and position of the focus detection region within the frame differ, and a storage unit that stores a focus detection region size and position for each of the plurality of focus detection modes.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to perform multi-focal plane image acquisition and compression are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a first image of a portion of an object at a first focal plane and at a first resolution, computing a contrast metric for the captured first image, comparing the contrast metric to a threshold to determine whether to capture a second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at a second resolution, wherein the second resolution is different from the first resolution, capturing the second image of the portion of the object at the first focal plane and at the second resolution, and storing a first representation of the second image in a file, the file containing a second representation of the portion of the object at a second focal plane, wherein the second representation is at the first resolution.

Abstract: A portable telephone 10 comprises: focus state judging means 30 for judging whether or not an image captured from a camera 12 is in a focus state; focus state display means 31 for indicating both the focus state and a focus direction with the LED 13 and/or through the speaker 14; focus state storage means 32 for storing the temporal progress of the focus states of images obtained by the focus state judging means 30 with the temporal progress of the captured images; focus direction judging means 33 for judging a focus direction from the temporal progress of the focus states obtained by the focus state storage means 32; display sections 15 and 16 for displaying character information, image information, and the focus state; an LED 13 for displaying the focus state by emitting light; and a speaker 14 for informing about the focus state with voice or sound.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus system comprising: a lens device interchangeably attached to a camera and provided with an autofocus device which controls focus so that a subject within a predetermined AF area range within the image-taking range of the camera is focused; a controller which is connected to the lens device as an accessory device and which gives AF area information specifying the AF area range to the autofocus device, the autofocus system; an AF area information acquisition device which acquires the AF area information given to the autofocus device from the controller; and an AF area display device which visibly displays the AF area range in a picture taken by the camera based on the AF area information acquired by the AF area information acquisition device.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus is disclosed which can record a still image in sharp focus during moving-image recording without a large change in the focus state of the recorded moving image. The image-taking apparatus includes a signal generator which generates a focus evaluation signal representing a focus state based on an output signal from an image-pickup device, and a controller which drives the focus lens such that an in-focus position is searched for based on the focus evaluation signal in performing moving-image recording, and drives the focus lens in a predetermined scan area to detect an in-focus position based on the focus evaluation signal and drives the focus lens to the detected in-focus position in performing still-image recording. The focus lens is driven in a first scan area in performing still-image recording in a still-image recording mode and the focus lens is driven in a second scan area smaller than the first scan area in performing still-image recording in a moving-image recording mode.

Abstract: A plurality of distance measuring points in a picture can be correctly and rapidly focused on. Images at a plurality of distance measuring points in the picture can be detected through a photographing lens by means of an image pickup element. These detected distance measuring points can be displayed on a monitor screen. Finally, a photographing lens can be controlled with respect to the displayed distance measuring points so as to cause the output from the image pickup element to reach its highest contrast.

Abstract: The present invention provides an AF-area display apparatus integrated in a lens unit that is interchangeably mounted on a camera and has an automatic focusing device for controlling focusing in such a way that the camera is focused on a photographic subject within an AF area in an imaging area of the camera, or connected as an auxiliary device to the lens unit, the AF-area display apparatus comprising: an AF-area obtaining device that obtains the AF area currently set in the automatic focusing device; a video signal generating device that generates a video signal for displaying the AF area obtained through the AF-area obtaining device; and a video signal outputting device that outputs the video signal generated by the video signal generating device.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes a shutter button. When the shutter button is half-depressed, a focal level of an object is determined on the basis of an image signal outputted from an imaging device, and a moving start position of a focus lens is settled on the basis of the determination result. More specifically, a correction amount of the moving start position is settled in accordance with the determination result of the focal level, and a position that subtracts the correction amount from a lens position at a time the shutter button being half-depressed is settled as the moving start position. The higher the focal level, the more reduced the correction amount. The focus lens gradually moves toward the imaging device from the settled moving start position, and a focal position is specified on the basis of the image signal outputted from the imaging device at each step.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implementing a camera restriction on a wireless handheld communication device. As more handheld devices incorporate camera functionalities, organizations and individuals with privacy concerns are more vulnerable to unauthorized disclosure. The camera restriction prevents a user from taking a picture of a subject if the device has not been steadily focused on the subject in question for a predetermined period of time. In short, this process extends the normal camera-taking procedure and thus requires the camera user to take pictures in a conspicuous manner—the rationale being that a camera user would be less likely to take unauthorized pictures if such actions could be easily recognized. The camera restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy.

Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus including: a photographing optical system (100); an image-pickup device (102) having a first driving mode for outputting charges in a predetermined number of pixels and a second driving mode for outputting charges in a number of pixels fewer than the predetermined number of pixels in the first driving mode; an image display device (110); and an auto focus arithmetic control unit (104, 111) for carrying out auto focus arithmetic control according to an output signal from the image-pickup device (102), wherein during an auto focus operation, the auto focus arithmetic control unit (104, 111) drives the image-pickup device (102) in the second driving mode, and updates and outputs an image data of an area used for auto focus calculation to the image display device (110), and wherein right after the auto focus operation, the auto focus arithmetic control unit (104, 111) makes the image display device (110) to display an image thereon to indicate a focused area in the displayed image.

Abstract: A lens system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a focus operation member for manual operation of a focus of a taking lens, a focusing direction detecting device which detects a moving direction of the focus for setting a focused state with respect to a present position of the focus, as a focusing direction, an operating direction display device which displays an operating direction of the focus operation member for moving the focus to the focusing direction on the basis of the focusing direction detected by the focusing direction detecting device, and a reversing device which reverses the operating direction displayed by the operating direction display device.

Abstract: A method of distance estimation is to be implemented using a digital camera, and includes: selecting a pre-established reference dimension corresponding to a target whose distance is to be estimated; enabling operation of the digital camera to capture a clear image containing the target; obtaining a focal length corresponding to the captured clear image; calculating an image dimension for each of predetermined distance values with reference to the selected reference dimension and the focal length; and showing the distance values on a display unit at positions based on proportions of the calculated image dimensions. The distance of the target can be estimated as one of the distance values corresponding to a dimension of the target image contained in the clear image and shown on the display unit.

Abstract: A camera includes a first transfer unit which transfers, in a first transfer time, pixel data of a first pixel range of a plurality of pixel data, a second transfer unit which transfers, in a second transfer time that is shorter than the first transfer time, pixel data of a second pixel range of the plurality of pixel data, a number of pixels of the second pixel range being less than a number of pixels of the first pixel range, a first control unit which causes the first transfer unit to transfer the pixel data, updates a display screen on the basis of the pixel data, and controls the autofocus adjustment, and a second control unit which causes the second transfer unit to transfer the pixel data, interrupts the updating of the display screen while the pixel data is being transferred, and controls the autofocus adjustment.

Abstract: An electronic camera detects a person's face image from an object image obtained by photographing an object, executes an enlarging process on the detected face image so as to obtain a face image whose face size is suitable, and displays the face image which is enlarged into the suitable size on a display device. When a plurality of people are present on the object image, the enlarged face images are switched by an image operating switch. As a result, the switched face image is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a control unit configured to perform an operation for moving a focusing lens at a first speed to detect a first position corresponding to an in-focus state and then moving the focusing lens at a second speed lower than the first speed in forward and backward directions across the first position to detect a second position corresponding to an in-focus state, and an output unit configured to output information indicating an in-focus state of the focusing lens recognizable by a user. The output unit outputs the information in response to the control unit detecting the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed are digital imaging devices that embody a method or algorithm for transitioning from a displayable focus process to a high speed focus process which can be displayed, and wherein the transition is accomplished in a seamless fashion. In addition, the digital imaging devices may embody a method for quickly verifying the focus quality of the image. If the focus quality is acceptable, the device indicates that focus is good and avoids a long auto-focus time.

Abstract: In a viewfinder for a single lens reflex camera, in which a focused image of an object formed on a ground glass by a photographing lens is transmitted to an ocular optical system through a pentagonal prism or a pentagonal mirror and an information image displayed on an indication surface of an indication block is transmitted to the pentagonal prism or pentagonal mirror, through an indication prism, so that the object image and the information image are indicated in the finder view field of the ocular optical system, the indication surface of the indicator is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to an incident surface of the image-erecting optical member toward the incident surface, and an angle between the indication surface of the indicator and the incident surface of the image-erecting optical member is smaller than 90°.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to prevent a conventional problem in that the focal point position cannot be determined before and after an in-focus point, even in a slow shutter mode. To this end, a camera control microcomputer of a video camera determines the drive amount of a focus lens for one field in accordance with the rotation angle of a manual focus dial when the shutter speed is 1/60 sec, 1/30 sec, or 1/15 sec, and controls a focus compensation lens driver and focus compensation lens motor to drive the focus lens by the determined drive amount in a direction corresponding to the detected rotation direction of the manual focus dial.

Abstract: An autofocus system includes: an imaging device which captures a subject image; a matching image detection device which detects an image that most matches a stored reference pattern image of a target subject to focus on; a determining device that determines that an image of the target subject was detected when a correlation value indicating a degree of matching of the detected image with respect to the reference pattern image is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and determines that an image of the target subject was not detected when the correlation value is less than the threshold value; a changing device which changes the threshold value; and an autofocus device which, only when an image of the target subject was detected, takes a position of the detected image as a position of the target subject to focus on and performs focus adjustment.

Abstract: An object to be imaged or detected is illuminated by a single broadband light source or multiple light sources emitting light at different wavelengths. The light is detected by a detector, which includes a light-detecting sensor covered by a hybrid filter.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus prohibits recording of an image in a recording medium according to an operation of a second switch while a first auto-focusing operation is performed based on a phase difference of an object image, and permits recording of the image in the recording medium according to an operation of a second switch while a second auto-focusing operation is performed based on a high frequency component of a signal from a sensor which photoelectrically converts the object image.

Abstract: In a still image shooting mode, when a user does not specify a position of an AF frame, an AF process is performed for an AF region of a comparatively large range whose center is in a center of a shooting frame. When the user taps on any position in an EVF area, a touch panel superimposed on a display detects its coordinates. An AF region smaller than the AF region when the user does not specify the position of the AF frame is arranged so that a center of the AF frame is on the coordinates. The AF process is carried out for the smaller AF region. When the user taps on the EVF area 221 twice at a short predetermined interval, a PDA returns the AF region to a state where the position of the AF frame 261 is not specified by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an autofocus system for controlling the focus of a taking lens by specifying a subject to be autofocused within an AF area, which is part of the field of view of a camera, and automatically focusing on the subject, comprising: a target subject specifying device which specifies a target subject to be focused, a target subject movement detection device which detects the movement of the target subject specified by the target subject specifying device, within the field of view, and an AF-area altering device which alters the extent of the AF area to track the movement of the target subject detected by the target subject movement detection device.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting a blur of a shot image. AF evaluation values are calculated before and after shooting for recording an image representing the subject image in a recording medium is performed. The correlation between the AF evaluation values calculated before the shooting and the signal indicative of the focus generated after the shooting is determined. It is determined whether the correlation is lower than a first threshold value and higher than a second threshold value.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises a setting unit which arbitrarily sets different auto focus search ranges, a selection unit which selects a desired auto focus search range from said different auto focus search ranges arbitrarily set by the setting unit, and an auto focus control unit which performs an auto focus operation based on the desired auto focus search range selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: An electronic camera (8) and corresponding method of operation for providing a viewable image to a display device, the camera comprising: an image sensor portion for receiving light from an object and generating image data representative of an image therefrom; and an image processing portion (30) for receiving and processing the image data for output to a display device; wherein the image processing portion is arranged to measure the state of focus of the image and to generate image focus data representative thereof, the image focus data providing a visual representation of the state of focus of the image for output to a display device, the image processing portion being further arranged to overlay the image focus data onto the corresponding image data, such that the visual representation of the state of focus of the image and an image representative of the image data may together be output to a display device.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes: a plurality of first pixels disposed along a first direction; a plurality of second pixels different from the first pixels disposed along the first direction in admixture with the plurality of first pixels; and an adder that adds a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of first selected pixels selected from the plurality of first pixels to each other and a plurality of outputs provided by a plurality of second selected pixels selected from the plurality of second pixels to each other in such a manner that outputs provided by the first pixels and outputs provided by the second pixels are not added one to another. Disposition of the plurality of second pixels conforms to positional relationship of the plurality of first selected pixels in the plurality of first pixels.

Abstract: A camera has a viewfinder that forms a subject image to be observed, a multipoint auto-focus adjuster that focuses the subject image on the basis of multiple focus points defined on the subject image, a superimposer that superimposes an indicator mark on a position of a given focus point, and a focus point luminance detector that detects a luminance of the position. Then, the superimposer superimposes the indicator mark such that a brightness of the indicator mark increases as the luminance of the position increases.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that images an image with a solid-state imaging device includes an area defining section that defines an unnecessary image detection area, which may contain an unnecessary image, at a position along an outer edge of an imaged image obtained by the solid-state imaging device, a focus evaluation value calculating section that calculates a focus evaluation value, which indicates the focal degree, based on an image signal of the imaged image obtained through a gradually moved focus lens, an unnecessary image detection processing section that determines that the imaged image contains the unnecessary image if the focus evaluation value calculated based on an image signal in the unnecessary image detection area has a peak while the focus lens is moving, and a warning processing section that performs processing for warning a photographer of the fact that the unnecessary image is contained if it is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying chemical projects a chemical image of an object back onto that object. At region (23) light travels from the object to the apparatus (20) and back from the apparatus as it projects onto the object. Light (24) from the object (22) (which is illuminated by natural light) passes through an objective lens (31) of the apparatus. In its path is rotating mirror (25) and when the mirror is parallel to the path of the rays of light (24), the light is allowed to pass on to hyperspectral camera (26) which is of the AOTF type. The output from the camera is transmitted to processor (27) where the chemical image is generated from the hyperspectral data. The camera generates a series of monochromatic images that are passed to the processor and the chemical image is built up as the camera scans through the appropriate wavelengths. The image data is then transmitted to a projector (28) whose output image is focussed by lens (30) towards the rotating mirror (25).

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus including: a mode determiner configured to determine a mode that is set; an automatic focus detectable frame display controller configured to, if a predetermined mode is found set by the mode determiner, control displaying an automatic focus detectable frame for a predetermined period of time to delete the displayed automatic focus detectable frame after passing of the predetermined period of time; and a main controller configured to, if an automatic focus point is set at a position outside the automatic focus detectable frame, make the automatic focus detectable frame display controller control redisplaying the automatic focus detectable frame.

Abstract: A digital imaging device automatically detects that a subject is too close to the device for acceptable focus to be achieved and informs the user, takes automatic corrective action, or both.

Abstract: A first area of a predetermined size is set as a focus area from which AF evaluation values are picked up in AF control when a focus mode is a normal one. When the focus mode changes to a macro mode, a second area narrower than the first area is set as the AF area. Thus, in the macro mode, focus search is performed automatically through the narrower area. AF frames indicative of the first and second areas are displayed on a through image.

Abstract: An evaluation on image information is indicated before operating a shutter operating section. For example, a method of evaluating image information includes: (a) a step of converting an optical image of an object to be photographed into electrical image information; (b) a step of evaluating the image information that has not yet been stored in a non-volatile memory, wherein the image information is evaluated in a state in which a shutter operating section, on which a predetermined operation is performed when storing the image information in the non-volatile memory, is not being subjected to the predetermined operation; and (c) a step of outputting an evaluation result.

Abstract: A storage unit is configured to store beforehand a table that shows a relation between spread parameters and command values supplied to a control unit to acquire a focused image of an object, and information that designates a command value corresponding to an inflection point on an approximated curve showing the relation that the spread parameters have with the command values, the control unit being configured to control a state of an optical system in accordance with an input command value. The luminance information about the object that lies at a distance falling within a range over which focusing should be detected is acquired, at the position of the optical system, which is obtained by the command value corresponding to the inflection point shown in the table.

Abstract: An image of a light beam, which has been totally reflected from an interface between a dielectric material block and a thin film layer of an analysis chip for supporting a sample, is detected with photodetector and as a two-dimensional image constituted of pixels arrayed in a beam width direction and an incidence angle direction, which are perpendicular to each other. An abnormal pixel row, which contains a pixel represented by abnormal pixel data, is extracted from among pixel rows, each of which extends in the incidence angle direction, in the array of the pixels constituting the two-dimensional image and in accordance with an output of the photodetector. A position of a dark line in the light beam, which has been totally reflected from the interface, is detected from the pixel data corresponding to the pixel rows other than the abnormal pixel row.

Abstract: An image of a region in which a blur tends to clearly appear is extracted from a digital photograph image as a blur checking regional image. Then, the extracted blur checking regional image is displayed in a size appropriate for the resolution of a display device.

Abstract: There is disclosed an imaging apparatus for displaying a live view image, in which an enlargement ratio of the live view image dynamically changes according to changes in in-focus state of a subject.

Abstract: A method of controlling a digital camera includes performing photographing of an object, determining whether the amount of exposure is appropriate and shakiness is present, and notifying a user of such information if the amount of exposure is not appropriate or shakiness is present. The determination step includes reading a focus value of the object, reading a lower limit value of a compressed file size set to correspond to the read focus value of the object at a compression rate and a resolution set by the user, and determining that the amount of exposure is not appropriate and shakiness is present if the size of a present compressed file of image data obtained from the photographing is smaller than the lower limit value of the compressed file size.

Abstract: Luminance components of image profile portions are extracted from luminance components (Y components) included in image data corresponding to an image within a focus frame. A profile component evaluation value is obtained by totalizing the absolute values of two-dimensionally-differentiated values of the extracted components. A distribution graph of a focus lens position and the profile component evaluation value is generated. A finder image is displayed by combining a photo-object image and the distribution graph. At this time, a bar corresponding to a current focus lens position is displayed in a different color from that of other bars in the distribution graph.

Abstract: An operational state of C-AF processing is judged. If the operational state is judged to not be a focused state, when the operational state is a state of fine adjustment, only a range in a vicinity of a current position of a focus lens is searched, and a focused state is set. When the operational state is a state where the focus lens is being driven to a focus position, only a range in a vicinity of a focus position already been detected is searched, and the focused state is set. When the operational state is a state during searching for a peak, searching is carried out in a current driving direction from a current position of the focus lens, and the focused state is set. When the operational state is none of above states, an entire region is searched, and the focused state is set.

Abstract: The autofocus apparatus determines a focus position according to a result of sampling an AF evaluated value and drives a lens system to the focus position. This autofocus apparatus further performs a flash in synchronism with a sampling timing of an AF evaluated value.

Abstract: Defective pixels in a CMOS array give rise to spot noise that diminishes the integrity of the resulting image. Because CMOS arrays and digital logic can be fabricated on the same integrated circuit using the same processing technology and relatively inexpensive and fast circuit can be employed to digitally filter the pixel data stream and to identify pixels having values that do not fall in the range defined by the immediately neighboring pixels and the deviate from the neighboring pixels by more than a threshold amount. Such conditions would indicate that the deviation is caused by a defective pixel rather than by desired image data. The threshold amount can be preprogrammed or can be provided by a user or can be dynamically set using feedback indicating image quality. The filter would also provide a solution for other sensors such as CCD, although a single chip solution would likely not be possible.