Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device of a focal angle and distance in an iris recognition system, in which the device includes: a distance measurer for measuring a distance between a user and an iris recognition camera, and an indicator for quantitatively indicating a forward-backward distance and a right and left or up and down direction the user should move, in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measurer.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a focal position adjusting device operable to adjust a focal position of an optical system to a predetermined position in a first image capture period and change the focal position of the optical system in a second image capture period; a display operable to display an image captured in the first image capture period; a distribution generator operable to generate a distribution of sharpness corresponding to focal positions based on an image captured in the second image capture period; and a focused position detector operable to detect the focal position of the optical system, at which an image of a subject is in focus, based on the generated distribution of sharpness.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for providing feedback to a user. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to analyzing levels of focus of discrete portions of an image, evaluating a relative focus of the image portions, and identifying to a user the image portions having the highest level of focus.

Abstract: The object distance display apparatus displays object distances according to actually measured object distance data entered in advance, matched with focusing lens positions acquired from a television lens device, and enables, when the apparatus is connected to the television lens device, any data entry error to be readily identified by graphically displaying the object distance data entered in advance. Actually measured object distance data entered in advance, matched with focusing lens positions, can be graphically displayed on an LCD panel with a touch panel function of the apparatus. If any abnormal datum such as an input error is detected, it can be deleted by touching a delete switch.

Abstract: An image processing system which processes an image signal, and determines, extracts and corrects defective pixel signals from defective pixels in a sensor array including a plurality of pixels. A given pixel signal from a pixel in the array is determined to be defective if it has a signal level below a threshold value, as determined by an extraction unit which then extracts each defective pixel signal from the defective pixels in the array. A block-forming unit forms positional information for each defective pixel having a defective pixel signal extracted by the extraction unit, with positional information for a group of such extracted defective pixel signals being formed into a block. A storage units stores, in units of blocks, positional information for the defective pixel signals. A correction unit corrects the defective pixel signals by using the positional information, in units of blocks, stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for using a display having a predetermined display resolution to show out of focus areas in an archival image having a greater resolution than the predetermined display resolution. In this method, a verification image sized for presentation on the display, is provided. Portions of the archival image that are out of focus are identified. The verification image is blurred so that portions of the verification image that correspond to out of focus portions of the archival image appear out of focus when the verification image is presented on the display. In another aspect a camera system is provided having a source of an archival image with a predetermined resolution and a verification display having an image display resolution that is lower than the predetermined resolution of the archival image.

Abstract: An indication of sharpness of focus is provided to a user to assist in focusing a camera. In one embodiment, the camera is coupled to a personal computer. An algorithm is implemented by the personal computer to determine a sharpness of focus based upon differences between the luminance of adjacent pixels in a selected region of an image produced by the camera. A visual or aural indication of the sharpness of focus is provided to the user to enable the user to focus the camera to the sharpest possible focus. Alternatively, the algorithm can be implemented by a processor within a camera so that a visual or aural indicator on the camera provides the indication of sharpness of focus as a user adjusts the focus of the camera.

Abstract: The image display apparatus reads image data, which is recorded by a digital camera etc., from a recording medium etc.; sets an in-focus frequency spectrum threshold for in-focus determination according to the resolution (pixel count) and compressibility of the inputted image data; analyzes a frequency spectrum of the image data; and determines whether a location where frequency components whose levels are higher than the threshold exist in an image. The location having the most frequency components whose levels are higher than the threshold is determined as an in-focus location. If an in-focus location exists, a mark showing the in-focus location is displayed on a screen of a display device. If no in-focus location exists in the image, the image display apparatus performs display of warning information and/or a warning by sound, and prompts the user to confirm necessity of printing.

Abstract: When a region of interest of an image is compressed with high quality by an image sensing apparatus, such as a digital camera or the like, the region of interest (ROI) can be compressed by a compression coefficient different from that of other regions of the image according to the so-called JPEG 2000 method. However, setting the ROI is a complicated operation for a user. In the present invention, when a continuous photographing mode is not set, a single image sensing operation is assumed and the ROI is automatically set in a first region, which is the largest of three regions. Whereas in the continuous photographing mode, if a low-speed mode is set, the ROI is set in a second region smaller than the first region, and if a high-speed mode is set, the ROI is set in a third region, which is the smallest.

Abstract: A photographing optical system photographs an object as an image. A data processing section converts an optical image of the object photographed by the photographing optical system into digital image data, and records the converted image data. A display section displayed the image data converted by the data processing section. A distance measuring section measures a distance to the object at a predetermined distance measurement point. An external operating member is capable of externally operating a state of the electronic photographing apparatus. A specification section specifies at least one point of the image displayed at the display section. A control section changes the predetermined distance measurement point caused by the distance measuring section based on information specified by the specification section and an operation caused by the external operating member.

Abstract: Provided is a digital camera in which the user can easily recognize that an image is out of focus by viewing a display image. At the time of live view display, image capturing is performed every predetermined time in an image capturing unit 3 and images for live view display are successively recorded on an image memory 209. An evaluation value computing unit 230 in an overall control unit 211 obtains an image stored in the image memory 209 and calculates an evaluation value indicative of the focus state of the image. A display image control unit 240 obtains the evaluation value, determines a focus state of the image, and controls a process to be performed by a display image processing unit 250 in accordance with the result of determination. When the image is out of focus, an image quality degrading process is performed in the display image processing unit 250 and an image of low image quality is displayed on a display 10.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can be used to capture high-quality iris images for identification of a person. The iris imager comprises a camera, a cold mirror, a lens, an illuminator, and a focus assessment processor. The imager has sensors and indicators which assist a user in aligning and focusing the device. The imager also automatically captures the image when proper positioning is achieved. The focus assessment processor accesses the image and applies certain measurement routines to assess the focus. The output of the focus assessment processor is used to control an indicator. A template representative of the iris features is extracted and then compared to a database of previously stored templates to identify the person.

Abstract: An image pick-up device comprises a central processing unit which obtains photography advisability information showing whether or not an image can be picked-up, and an image preprocessor which displays a target mark used as the photography criterion on a display. The image preprocessor changes a form of the target mark based on the content of the photography advisability information.

Abstract: In a digital camera, when flash shooting is performed, a maximum distance at which a subject can be illuminated to appropriate brightness is calculated based on the guide number of a flash and the open aperture value of an aperture stop, and the distance to the subject measured is compared with the maximum distance. If the distance to the subject is equal to or shorter than the maximum distance, the exposure time is set at a predetermined value, and the amount of the flash light emitted is controlled based on the amount of the light reflected from the subject, and white balance of the taken image is adjusted in accordance with the color characteristics of the flash light. If the distance to the subject is greater than the maximum distance, the exposure time is set to be longer than the predetermined value in order to use a larger amount of ambient light to illuminate the subject, and white balance of the taken image is adjusted in accordance with the color characteristics of the ambient light.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus suitable for capturing a image of one or more of a user's facial features is disclosed. The apparatus includes a spherical cold mirror which presents a concave surface to the user and is disposed between the user and the camera. The user is able to conclude that he is close enough to the camera for successful image capture when the reflection he sees in the mirror is the right way up. In a preferred embodiment, markings are provided on the front surface of the mirror to aid the user in placing his eye within a predetermined range of distances from the camera. The imaging apparatus is suitable for use in iris recognition apparatuses and provides a relatively inexpensive alternative to known apparatuses.

Abstract: A system for sensing and displaying lens data for a cinematography zoom lens and camera in real time. A plurality of sensors are connected to the lens for producing signals continually representing the present positions of focus, zoom and T-stop setting rings of the lens. A range finder is positioned adjacent the lens for producing a signal representing the distance from the lens to an object located in front of the lens. A printed circuit board with a microprocessor receives and processes the signals and has a memory with data representing the focus, zoom and T-stop characteristics of that lens. A display device is positioned adjacent the lens and selectively displays indicia representing the positions of the focus, zoom and T-stop settings, the distance to the object and the depth of field.

Abstract: A CCD imaging element 12 has a two-dimensional array of a plurality of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. A read-out mode switching circuit switches a full read-out mode and a horizontal line thinning-out mode with respect to the imaging element 12 one over to the other. A read-out circuit reads out an image signal from the imaging element 12. A defective pixel compensation circuit 15 executes compensation for defective pixels on the basis of adjacent pixel signals thereto. In the full read-out mode, the defective pixel compensation is executed by using four normal pixels adjacent to the defective pixel in the horizontal and vertical line directions. In the thinning-out read-out mode, the defective pixel compensation is executed by using two normal pixels adjacent to a horizontal line defective pixel in the horizontal line direction.

Abstract: A tone-scaling in a digital image with pixel intensities replaced by a linear combination of pixel intensities and cumulative intensity distribution values.

Abstract: At power-on, a digital camera starts to operate with a display unit off (state S1). At a subsequent half shutter press of a shutter button, a quick return mirror is flipped down and phase difference AF is performed with live view display off (state S3). At a subsequent full press of the shutter button, the digital camera enters an image capture operation. With a quick return mirror in the up position, a focusing lens is moved to its in-focus, front focus and rear focus positions, at each of which contrast in an AF area of predetermined partial portion of an image is obtained for comparison to select a position of the focusing lens with maximum contrast (state S4). Then, image data is obtained and recorded on a memory card (state S5). With the above processing, the digital camera can perform autofocusing, as circumstances demand, by a contrast AF method.

Abstract: An electronic camera having a lens, an image pickup element for converting an object image formed on an image pickup surface into an electrical signal, a focus detection means for dividing the object image formed on the image pickup surface into a plurality of areas, and performing focus detection on the respective areas, a drive circuit for adjusting the lens on the basis of an output from the focus detection means, and a display circuit for displaying simultaneously focus detection information of the plurality of areas of the focus detection circuit on its display screen.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is arranged to vary the size of a focus detecting area and/or a light measuring area when the aspect ratio of an image plane is changed, so as to optimize the focus detecting area and/or the light measuring area with respect to the image plane.

Abstract: A focus control apparatus comprises a first detector for detecting a focus state of an object image formed on an image screen, a second detector for detecting a dispersion (degree of spread) of an eye point of a photographer on the image screen, and a control unit for controlling the focus state using outputs from the first and second detectors.

Abstract: An image pick-up device capable of moving a detection region set on a picked-up picture by following the movement of an object image, wherein it is constructed to control a setting position of said detection region by detecting an object position on the picked-up picture, and further to control the moving range, response speed and size of said detection region, depending on the depth of field.

Abstract: A processing apparatus performs a pre-shooting to beforehand photograph a camera subject for a light metering through controlling a camera. Image data representative of a pre-shot image of the object formed through the pre-shooting is subjected to a reduction processing by a camera control, and then transmitted to the processing apparatus. The pre-shot image is displayed on a predetermined area of a display unit. Area information representative of a photometric domain in the pre-shot image and a photometric method is determined in accordance with operational information of which the processing apparatus is formed by an input device. An exposure value is calculated from image data representative of the pre-shot image on the basis of the determined area information. Exposure information representative of a shutter speed and a stop corresponding to the calculated exposure value is formed.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a focus detector for extracting a focus signal according to a focus condition and for executing a focus adjustment, a detector for detecting chrominance level and luminance level in an image pickup plane from an image pickup signal output from an image sensor, a discriminator for discriminating an image pickup condition of the image pickup plane on the basis of an output of the detector and discriminating a predetermined low contrast condition where the detected chrominance and luminance levels are less than predetermined levels and a controller for controlling the focus detector on the basis of the focus signal and inhibiting a focus adjusting operation of the focus detector or reducing a speed thereof in accordance with a discriminating result of the discriminator.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus makes it possible to precisely focus on an object to be photographed in each photographic mode by controlling the focusing of the object in accordance with the photographic mode.

Abstract: A video camera and apparatus for extracting an object from a video signal. The video camera and the extracting apparatus include units for setting a plurality of different parameters for distinguishing a plurality of areas in an input video signal according to the plurality of different set parameters, a unit for determining an extracting area in accordance with the plurality of areas distinguished by the setting units, and an extracting unit for generating extracting information for the extracting area for the video signal. The video camera includes a unit for controlling an operation of the video camera in accordance with the extracted information.

Abstract: A device for assistance in the optical focusing of the objective of a camera comprises a contour extraction circuit coupled to a marker generator, the output of which is connected to a combination circuit furthermore receiving the video signal from the camera. The resultant composite signal is applied to the viewfinder. Thus a marker, the position of which in the image is a function of the focusing, appears in the viewfinder, the focusing being obtained when the marker is in an extreme position on its axis of shift. The device can be applied notably to the focusing of high-definition television cameras.

Abstract: This is a film image input system wherein an image of the developed still photo film is made to focus on an image sensing plane of a charge coupled device through a taking lens to be converted into electric signals and the electric signals are input in a video monitor. The film image input system comprises: a zoom driving part for changing the image magnification of the taking lens; a scan mechanism for moving an image taking position on the film by the taking lens; and a control part for controlling the scan mechanism in such a manner that the moving speed of the scan mechanism is decreased with the increase in the image magnification of the taking lens and making the moving speed of a screen on the video monitor constant during scan.