Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens system including a first lens unit having a positive optical power, a second lens unit having a negative optical power, and a rear unit including at least one lens unit, which are disposed in the stated order from an object side to an image side. At least two lens units move for zooming so that a distance between adjacent lens units is changed. In this zoom lens system, the first lens unit includes a composite optical element in which a first optical element having a positive optical power and a second optical element having a negative optical power are cemented to each other. Refractive indexes and Abbe numbers of materials of the first optical element and the second optical element are set appropriately so that high optical performance is realized.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (20, 44) includes an array (22) of optical sensing elements (24), characterized by a pitch, which is adapted to generate a signal in response to optical radiation that is incident on the elements. Objective optics (26, 46), which have an optical axis (134) and are characterized by a cylindrical symmetry about the axis, are arranged to focus the optical radiation from an object onto the array with a point spread function (PSF) having an extent greater than twice the pitch of the array at an optimal focus of the objective optics.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a subject and outputs image data containing the image; a display unit configured to display a live preview image of the subject based on the image data output from the imaging unit; a processor configured to set an image size of the image to be recorded and perform image processing on the live preview image to control a display range of the live preview image to be displayed on the display unit based on the image size to be recorded.

Abstract: The display device contains a flat panel mounted in a frame and a camera module positioned inside a through opening in the top rim of the frame. A camera of the camera module is located at a lateral side of the camera module. With the increased space achieved, the camera is able to provide optical zoom capability. The top and bottom sides of the camera module are pin-joined to a top wall and a bottom wall of the through opening, respectively, so that the camera module could be revolved laterally inside the through opening of the flat panel's frame.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a focus lens, a driver configured to drive the focus lens, a controller configured to control a supply of power to the driver, and a setting unit configured to set a power supply mode for specifying a method of supplying power to the driver. When a predetermined power supply mode is set, the controller determines according to a magnitude of a depth of field of the optical system during whether holding power for holding the state of the focus lens is supplied to the driver when the focus lens is stopped, and controls the supply of the holding power to the driver according to the result of the determination.

Abstract: A zoom lens has a negative object side lens unit (or first lens unit G1), a positive image side lens unit (or third lens unit G3), a positive intermediate lens unit (or second lens unit G2), and an aperture stop. The distance between the object side lens unit and the intermediate lens unit is smaller at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the distance between the intermediate lens unit and the image side lens unit is larger at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the intermediate lens unit moves in such a way that it is located closer to the object side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the image side lens unit moves in such a way that it is located closer to the image side at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, the aperture stop moves integrally with the intermediate lens unit. The image side lens unit is composed of two lens component including a front lens component and a positive rear lens component arranged in the mentioned order from the object side.

Abstract: A method of generating manipulated images with a digital camera is provided in which objects within a digital image produced by the digital camera utilising an autofocus unit of the digital camera are detected by processing the digital image with a processor of the digital camera utilising focusing settings of the autofocus unit as an indicator of positions of said objects, and a manipulated image is generated by applying a digital image manipulating process of the processor to the detected objects.

Abstract: A lens control device, for controlling driving of a second lens unit for correcting image movement regarding movement of a variating first lens unit, comprises: a storage unit for storing data indicating the position of the second lens unit corresponding to the position of the first lens unit created for a predetermined focal distance; a control unit for generating information to control driving of the second lens unit based on the data, and for controlling driving of the second lens unit based on this information; and a distance detecting unit for detecting distance to the focus object; wherein the control unit restricts the range of the generated information based on the detection results from the distance detecting unit. Or, the control unit controls driving for the second lens unit to generate the information, and performs weighting based on detection results from the distance detecting unit relating to driving control.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an auto-focusing device capable of attaining focus on a subject in a short time even in the case where the lens is defocused to a large extent during zooming.

Abstract: To provide an image-capturing apparatus and an image-capturing method which keeps, even when an object or a photographer moves, the object-missing capturing to a minimum and which allows recording for a longer period of time.

Abstract: A zoom lens consists of, in order from its object side, a first lens group of negative refracting power, and a second lens group of positive refractive power wherein zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end is implemented by changing a distance between the respective lens groups. The first lens group consists of, in order from its object side, a front unit of negative refracting power, and a rear unit of negative refracting power. The front unit consists of, in order from its object side, a first lens that has negative refracting power and meniscus shape, and includes an aspheric surface, and a second lens that is smaller than the first lens in terms of an absolute value of refracting power, and includes an aspheric surface.

Abstract: A digital camera as one example of an imaging device includes an image sensor, and by utilizing this, an optical image of an object scene is repeatedly captured. A partial object scene image belonging to a zoom area of the object scene image produced by the image sensor is subjected to zoom processing by a zooming circuit, and the obtained zoomed object image is displayed on a monitor screen of an LCD by an LCD driver. A CPU detects a facial image from the produced object scene image through a face detecting circuit, calculates the position of the detected facial image with respect to the zoom area, and displays the position information indicating the calculated position on a mini-screen within the monitor screen by controlling a character generator and the LCD driver.

Abstract: A camera system that can maintain a good focus state regardless of the speed of zooming during variable proportion zooming is provided. The camera system has a control portion that, based on information on the speed of the change in the focal length, determines whether to control a focus lens drive portion in either a first control mode or a second control mode. If it determines that control is to be performed in the first control mode, then the control portion controls the focus lens drive portion so that it drives a focus lens in the direction that brings a predetermined captured object into focus based on estimated values for auto focusing that have been calculated from the image data at various positions by controlling the focus lens drive portion so that the captured object distance is moved forward and backward in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a viewfinder for viewing a subject. The viewfinder either forms an integral part of the device or is an external member that is attachable to, and removable from, the device. The device includes: an optical system; a generating section for capturing an image of the subject through the optical system and generating image data; a detecting section for detecting the degree of focusing of the subject's image represented by the image data; a display section on which the subject's image is presentable based on the image data; and a controller for accepting a decision to use either the display section or the viewfinder for viewing the subject to shoot. If the controller accepts the decision to use the viewfinder, the display section displays no subject's image, and displays information about the degree of focusing of the subject's image for at least a certain period of time. The information has been obtained based on a result of detection done by the detecting section.

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: Disclosed is an image pickup device capable of transmitting a focal length grid in which a photographing range is displayed on a real image of the subject so as to photograph the composition of the real image, without viewing a view finder or a LCD monitor. The image pickup device comprising a lens assembly for photographing an image of a subject, a lens drive for controlling a focus of the lens assembly and a driving of a shutter, a light-emitting unit for irradiating a light towards the subject, a light-irradiating control unit for determining a shape of a frame irradiated directly to the subject and an irradiating range based on a variation of a photographing range, a light-irradiating button unit for operating the light-emitting unit, an operating panel unit for inputting various control commands by means of a user, a zoom managing unit for performing a zoom function of the operating panel unit, and a main control unit for controlling overall photographing operations of each unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image capturing device for applying auto-focus processing triggered in response to an operation of half-pressing a shutter button, and initiating image capturing triggered in response to an operation of full-pressing the shutter button. In the image capturing device, an image capturing mode control section detects an operational interval T between the half-pressing operation to the full-pressing operation, and, when the operational interval is longer than a predetermined threshold interval T0, selects a focus priority mode in which auto-focus processing is continued and image capturing is initiated after completion of the auto-focus processing, and, when the operational interval T is shorter than the threshold interval T0, selects a shutter chance priority mode in which the auto-focus processing is stopped and image capturing is instantly initiated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an imaging apparatus which works for size reductions, power savings, the efficient attainment of the quantity of light sensed, and prevention of contrast decreases due to a diffraction phenomenon, is well fit for the taking and appreciation of common still pictures, and comprises a taking lens and electronic imaging device combination that takes full advantage of the characteristics of an imaging device. The imaging apparatus comprises a taking optical system, and an electronic imaging device which is located on an image side of said taking optical system, includes an imaging plane I with a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged light sensors, and is adapted to convert an image formed through said imaging optical system into electrical signals.

Abstract: An image pickup device by which the size of a device main body can be reduced and the assembly process can be easily automated. In the image pickup device, a wiring (118) and relay terminals (115, 116, 117, 119) for electrically connecting a shutter driving section (114) with a shutter driver (112) are integrally formed with a solid wring board (101) and a lens tube (106), respectively. An electric terminal (120) of the shutter driving section (114) for driving a shutter (107), i.e. an actuator, is electrically connected with a printed board (108) through the wiring (118) of the lens tube (106) and the wiring of the solid wiring board (101). Thus, the shutter driving section (114) is electrically connected with the shutter driver (112) which controls the shutter driving section (114) mounted on the printed board (108).

Abstract: A lens tube includes a lens guiding frame, a main unit, and a position detecting device. The lens guiding frame holds a zoom lens. The main unit holds the lens guiding frame to be movable in a direction of an optical axis with the zoom lens. The position detecting device detects a position of the zoom lens held in the main unit. The position detecting device includes an optical sensor and a detection target member. The detection target member includes a sensor cut unit and a sensor cover unit. The sensor cut unit is detected by the optical sensor. The sensor cover unit covers the optical sensor and the sensor cut unit during the detection.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image comprising: capturing the image utilizing an adjustable focusing technique; utilizing the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; and processing the image, utilizing the said focus settings to produce effects specific to said focus settings.

Abstract: A method of generating a manipulated output image by means of a digital camera. The method comprises capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing technique thereby generating focus settings. The focus settings are stored in a memory of the digital camera and used in manipulating the captured image to produce an enhanced image.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of optimizing the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to operations of a ring member without sacrificing the operability of the ring member, while using a small-sized, low-cost ring member for manual operations. The rotating operation state of a focus ring 600 is detected by ring rotation sensors 603, 604. A camera microcomputer 116 causes a focus lens 105 to be moved and stopped in an optical axis direction thereof based on results of the detection by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604. The camera microcomputer 116 controls the responsiveness of linear changes in focus to the rotating operation state of the ring member detected by the ring rotation sensors 603, 604 in accordance with at least the depth of focus.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes an imaging optical system including a focus lens unit, a branching optical unit disposed at the image side of the focus lens unit, a focus-state detecting unit including a focus detecting element having a focus detection area that receives light beams from the branching optical unit, and detecting a focus state by using the focus detecting element, an actuator that drives the focus lens unit in an optical axis direction thereof, a controller that controls the actuator, in accordance with an output from the focus-state detecting unit, and a movable image-side optical unit disposed at the image side of the branching optical unit. The controller changes the size of the focus detection area of the focus detecting element within a range in accordance with the position of the image-side optical unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto focus method. The peak value range is defined by a search step look-up table and several focusing parameters. By using the auto focus method, the search time and the number of the lens movement steps are largely reduced.

Abstract: A lens module with adjustable magnification is installed in a scanner. The lens module can be used to collect and focus a scanning light beam to form an image onto at least one optical sensing device, which may be replaceable. The lens module includes a primary lens and at least one correction lens. The correction lens is with respect to the size of the optical sensing device, such as the total length of the effective pixels, and is installed at a location in front of the light collection end or between the image output end and the optical sensing device. This allows the size of the image focused by lens module to match with the size of the optical sensing device, so that the image can be captured by the optical sensing device.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital image comprising: using a digital camera, capturing the image utilising an adjustable focusing technique; storing the focusing settings within a memory of the digital camera; utilising the focusing settings as an indicator of the position of structures within the image; processing the image within a processor of the camera utilising the said focus settings to produce a manipulated image having effects specific to said focus settings; and printing out the image using a printer inbuilt to the camera body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improves an auto focus system by altering, such as by positioning, at least one lens of a digital camera to a plurality of predetermined nonuniform lens positions corresponding to predetermined nonuniform lens position data. The method and apparatus selects a final lens position for the lens based on the predetermined nonuniform lens position data. In one example, a fixed number of predetermined nonuniform lens positions define a set of lens positions used to capture images during an auto focus operation. A final image is captured using a final lens position. The final lens position is determined by comparing focus metric information from each of the frames obtained at the various predetermined nonuniform focus lens positions and selecting the frame with, for example, the best focus metric as the lens position to be used for the final picture or image capture.

Abstract: A camera includes a CPU. The CPU individually detects a ratio of an object which exceeds a threshold value in a moving amount to a center area of an object scene and a ratio of an object which exceeds the threshold value in the moving amount to a peripheral area of the object scene. If differences between the respective detected ratios are large, the CPU sets a photographing mode to a sports mode. When a shutter button is operated, the object scene is photographed in accordance with a set photographing mode.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image capturing unit, a motion vector detection unit which detects a motion vector quantity representing a shift amount between images from image signals successively obtained by the image capturing unit, an angle conversion unit which converts the motion vector quantity into an angular displacement amount between the images on the basis of a zoom position of the zoom lens, a shift angle calculation unit which calculates a shift angle from an optical axis of the imaging optical system by calculating the angular displacement amount, a shift amount conversion unit which converts the shift angle into a shift amount on an image plane of the image capturing unit on the basis of the zoom position of the zoom lens, and a correction unit which corrects a shift on the basis of the shift amount on the image plane.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus, comprising: an image pickup optical system which forms an image of a subject; an imaging device which obtains an image by picking up the image of the subject via the image pickup optical system; a target detection device which detects a size of a target in the image; a first control device which controls a focus position of the image pickup optical system according to the size of the target detected by the target detection device; and a second control device which performs continuous AF that detects a focusing position where a contrast in the image reaches a local maximum by moving the focus position of the image pickup optical system, moves the focus position of the image pickup optical system to the focusing position and keeps an in-focus state.

Abstract: A camera is provided with a first stepping motor configured to move a zoom lens, second stepping motor configured to move a focus lens, first determination section configured to determine timings at which the zoom lens or the focus lens is started, second determination section configured to determine whether or not the zoom lens and the focus lens are to be simultaneously moved, by checking the timings the first determination section determines, timing setting section configured to synchronize output timings of excitation signals output to the first and second stepping motors, where the second determination section determines that the zoom lens and the focus lens are to be simultaneously moved, and an output section configured to output excitation signals to the first and second stepping motors in accordance with the output timings the timing setting section synchronizes.

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: The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, a method for capturing an image, and a method for designing the image pickup apparatus capable of realising a fixed focal length image pickup apparatus of high resolution and fine resolution at a low cost by disposing a plurality of image pickup elements therein. An image pickup device 31 is of a focal coincidence type having a plurality of image pickup elements, such as CCD sensors 62-1 to 62-3, arranged in an array.

Abstract: There is provided a zoom optical system having lens elements produced with less difficulty i.e. with substantially the same skill level as the conventional arrangement, with sufficient miniaturization. The zoom optical system includes a first lens group having a negative optical power, and a second lens group having a positive optical power in the order from the object side, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group being decreased in zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end The first lens group is constituted of a negative lens element and a positive meniscus lens element. The second lens group is constituted of a biconvex positive lens element and a negative meniscus lens element.

Abstract: An image capturing device may include a detector including a plurality of sensing pixels, and an optical system adapted to project a distorted image of an object within a field of view onto the sensing pixels, wherein the optical system expands the image in a center of the field of view and compresses the image in a periphery of the field of view, wherein a first number of sensing pixels required to realize a maximal zoom magnification {circumflex over (Z)} at a minimum resolution of the image capturing device is less than a square of the maximal zoom magnification times a second number of sensing pixels required for the minimum resolution.

Abstract: A zoom camera having enhanced focusing stability during high magnification zooming under environments of high temperatures or low temperatures. When the zoom camera performs zoom-in operations in an environment of high or low temperatures, aperture control is added as the zoom magnification becomes higher and the temperature becomes higher or lower whereby the depth of field is made deeper to assure the presence of a range with good focusability.

Abstract: A content shooting apparatus is provided, in which thresholds for generating metadata concerning shot images can be calibrated in accordance with shooting conditions. In a content shooting apparatus (Acc) for converting content data (Dc) into a stream (AV) and recording the stream (AV) to a recording medium (214) in combination with content-related metadata (Dm), a camera (101) shoots a subject (105) and generates the content data (Dc), a camerawork statistics portion (206s) detects movement (?) of the camera, a camera microcomputer (206) compares the detected movement (?) with a predetermined value (Th) to generate the metadata (Dm), and an automatic threshold setting portion (206t) changes the predetermined value (Th) in accordance with the detected movement (?).

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a zoom lens unit, a pan/tilt unit configured to at least one of pan the zoom lens unit and tilt the zoom lens unit, and a center-shift information storage portion configured to store a shift amount of an optical axis for every zooming position, and has a mechanism configured to correct a shift of the optical axis caused by zooming, by driving the pan/tilt unit by the shift amount of the optical axis stored in the center-shift information storage portion.

Abstract: The invention is an electronic viewer for placement in a door so that a person inside a residence may view, on an electronic screen, a person who is outside the door. The unit includes a zoom function which zooms to the lower center, to the right, left, lower left, or lower right of the screen in order to give the user inside the door a better view of a person or persons outside the door.

Abstract: The invention is an electronic security system for placement in a building so that a person may view, on an electronic screen, an image from one of several digital cameras placed around the building. The unit includes a zoom function which zooms to the lower center, to the right, left, lower left, or lower right of the screen in order to give the user inside the door a better view of a person or persons viewed in a digital camera inside or outside the building.

Abstract: Provided are a lens apparatus and an optical apparatus having the same, the lens apparatus including a lens holding member holding a lens, a supporting member for supporting the lens holding member movably in the direction of the optical axis of the lens, a first drive mechanism for moving the supporting member in the direction of the optical axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the lens holding member in the direction of the optical axis, wherein a focusing lens can be moved to an in-focus position within a short time and highly accurately by an AF system.

Abstract: A focusing controlling device is for a camera having a photographing lens and an imaging surface. The focusing controlling device includes a focus adjuster that adjusts a focus position of the photographing lens based on field curvature data. The field curvature data indicates a field curvature ratio which is a ratio of a distance between an image point of light transmitted through the photographing lens and the imaging surface to a focal distance of the photographing lens, the field curvature data being set for a partial area of the imaging surface as an average value of the field curvature ratios for the partial area.

Abstract: A method for generating a series of images at different zoom angles is disclosed. The method comprises providing an optical device (1) having a liquid-based zoom lens (10) and image recording means (20), recording a first image of an object at a first zoom angle responsive to a user input; and automatically recording a second image of the object at a second zoom angle after recording the first image. The switching speed of a liquid-based zoom lens (10), such as a zoom lens based on electrowetting principles is utilized to automatically generate additional images at different zoom angles, which can be advantageously combined with the image taken by the user of the optical device (1).

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

Abstract: A movement signal generation apparatus is disclosed which can convert an analog position signal of an optical adjustment unit into digital signals representing a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit and output the digital signals. The movement signal generation apparatus includes an analog signal output section which outputs an analog signal in accordance with the position of the optical adjustment unit, and a digital signal generation section which generates two digital signals in accordance with a movement amount and a movement direction of the optical adjustment unit based on the analog signal.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus and method using a face recognition function for obtaining an image in which a plurality of faces are focused by setting AF areas in the plurality of recognized faces and photographing the faces in a bracket mode based on the set AF areas. The digital photographing apparatus includes: a face recognition unit detecting face information from a real image; an AF region setting unit setting a plurality of AF areas based on the detected face information; and a control unit operating so that an image is captured by adjusting focuses of the set plurality of AF areas.

Abstract: An electronic camera includes an image sensor having an imaging surface for capturing an object scene through a focus lens. When the object scene captured by the imaging surface includes a face portion of a human, a CPU designates, as a focal-point search area a first imaging area for covering an outline of the face portion. The CPU also designates, as a frequency-component detection area, a second imaging area that is smaller than the first imaging area and is for capturing an inner side of the outline of the face portion. Subsequently, the CPU obtains a high-frequency AF evaluation value and a mid-frequency AF evaluation value detected corresponding to the frequency-component detection area, and designates, as a lens moving range, a range different depending upon a relative ratio between the high-frequency AF evaluation value and the mid-frequency AF evaluation value.

Abstract: A lens barrel rotation detection apparatus for detecting a rotational state of a lens barrel to which a lens for image pickup is attached and which is rotated in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction by driving force of a driving section, includes: a single rotatable member rotatable together with rotation of the lens barrel; and three rotation detection section for detecting a rotational state of the rotatable member. The rotatable member has a fixed pattern formed thereon so as to be detected by said rotation detection section and a rotation limit section indicative of limit positions of a range of rotation of the lens barrel. The rotation detection section is disposed for detection of presence or absence of rotation of the rotatable member and the limit positions of the range of rotation.