Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image optical pick-up device, first and second driving mechanisms, a shutter, and a driving current controlling mechanism. The image optical pick-up device photoelectrically converts an incident light image of a subject of a photograph. The first driving mechanism drives the image optical pick-up device and performs a rapid sweep function for rapidly draining unnecessary electric charges remaining in the image optical pick-up device. The shutter opens and closes a light passage for passing the incident light image into the image optical pick-up device. The second driving mechanism generates pulses to drive the shutter. The driving current controlling mechanism performs a control such that a first duration in which the first driving mechanism operates the rapid sweep function and as second duration in which the second driving mechanism generates a pulse for closing the shutter do not overlap under predetermined imaging environmental conditions.

Abstract: A method to overcome a disadvantage that the signal charges decrease depending upon the storage time in a photo-electric conversion unit of a solid-state image pickup device. At the moment t2 when a prescribed exposure time (t1?t2) passes, the incident light is cut off by a cut off means such as a mechanical shutter of an interlace solid-state image pickup device. Then, at the time t3, a voltage VBsub is applied to N? semiconductor substrate 107 to raise up the potential barrier ?? of the vertical OFD for the signal charges, whereby the leakage of the signal charges due to the self-induced drift, or the thermal diffusion is suppressed. Then, signal charges are read out from the odd lines at the time t4, and signal charges are read out from the even lines at the time t5.

Abstract: A focal plane shutter apparatus is constructed by a light shielding blade, a fitting pin attached to the blade and an arm which is slidably engaged with the fitting pin to open or close the blade. A surface hardness of the fitting pin is higher than that of the arm. Concretely, the surface hardness of the arm is Hv300 to 600, and the surface hardness of the fitting pin is Hv450 to 1000. The arm and the fitting pin are subjected to chemical polishing treatment. Furthermore, the fitting pin is plated with nickel, chromium, palladium or rhodium. The fitting pin and arm have a substantially equal material hardness, or the material hardness of the fitting pin is higher. As the case may be, the fitting pin or arm may be plated with gold. Such an arrangement can suppress generation and accumulation of abrasion powder in the focal plane shutter apparatus assembled into a digital camera.

Abstract: An image photographing system in which one button is used in common for a function of prompt photographing and a function of photographing after a predetermined time has elapsed, comprises a button for instructing an execution of an image photographing process, a control unit for monitoring a depression of this button, and a timer. The control unit starts up the timer by setting a first count time upon detecting the depression of the button, and starts up the timer by further setting a second count time when the first count time has elapsed before the depressed button is released, and the image photographing process is executed after the second count time has elapsed.

Abstract: Image data having a high S/N ratio is obtained even when the exposure time is relatively long. To achieve the above object, there is provided an image input apparatus in which an accumulation mode is set with the shutter open, thereby acquiring image data A1. The shutter is then closed, and the accumulation mode is set to acquire subtraction data between the image data and black image data A2. This processing is repeated to acquire image data A1 and subtraction data A2, and these subtraction data are added. These operations A1, A2, and A3 are repeated a predetermined number of times to update addition data, and image processing is performed on the basis of the updated addition data.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video camera including a material element, arranged in a photographing optical system, for controlling the light transmission factor or amount, an image pickup element for receiving an optical image transmitted through the material element at the position of an imaging plane, and converting the optical image into an electrical signal, and a correction unit for correcting the light transmission factor wavelength dependency of the material element in accordance with the light transmission factor characteristics or light transmission amount characteristics of the material element.

Abstract: A rotor is constituted by a two-pole permanent magnet, and enabled to rotate by a predetermined angle in a direction corresponding to the direction electric current supplied to a stator coil. Two shutter blades are moved by a driving pin which is integrally provided with the rotor, to perform opening and closing operations. A fully opened state and a closed state, which are obtained by such operations, are maintained by an attractive force, which is obtained from a magnetic force of the rotor and acts between the rotor and each of four iron pins, even when the stator coil is not energized. Further, an exposure aperture regulating position established by a closing operation of the two shutter blades is beyond a midpoint position corresponding to an intermediate state from the fully opened state to the closed state.

Abstract: Light from an object is incident to an image sensing device and converted into an image signal. The image sensing device is exposed to the light by a shutter, provided between the object and the solid-state image sensing device, for a first exposure period and a second exposure period that directly follows the first exposure period. The first and the second periods are the same length in time. Each exposure period for exposing the solid-state image sensing device to the light corresponds to one frame or one filed of the object. A passage of the light that has passed the shutter and incident to the solid-state image sensing device is shifted in a predetermined direction with respect to the solid-state image sensing device at least in the second exposure period. Image signals converted for the first and the second exposure periods are combined to generate a composite image signal.

Abstract: A rangefinder according to the present invention includes light source section, camera section, distance-measuring sensor, exposure controller and shutter. The light source section projects light onto an object for 3D imaging purposes. The camera section receives the light that was emitted from the light source section and then reflected from the object. The distance-measuring sensor estimates an approximate distance to the object. Based on the approximate distance, the exposure controller controls the optical output power of the light source section and/or the open/closed states of the shutter. The rangefinder can control the intensity of the projected light even if the object is on the move. As a result, the rangefinder can obtain highly precise information about the 3D location of the object.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for cameras is constructed so that the second blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the shutter base plate side and the first blade group is placed in a blade chamber on the auxiliary base plate side. The auxiliary base plate is placed on the image sensor side in a camera and secures projecting members, each having a spherical convex portion whose surface is palladium-plated. In the first blade group, five blades are pivotally supported by two arms, and immediately before, at least, a joint shank for pivotally supporting a slit-forming blade is moved inside the aperture for exposure of the auxiliary base plate during operation and reaches a position corresponding to the edge of the aperture, the arm strikes on the projecting member and is shifted to the object side so that the head of the joint shank does not abut against the edge of the aperture. Consequently, it is avoidable that the head of the joint shank abuts against the edge of the aperture to produce wear dust.

Abstract: An image stabilizer for stabilizing an image against unexpected vibrations or shaking of a zoom lens includes a diaphragm arranged to vary its full-open aperture diameter according to a magnification varying (zooming) action from a wide-angle end position to a telephoto end position of the zoom lens for the purpose of preventing variations in light quantity which more conspicuously take place in the peripheral part than in the central part of an image plane when an image stabilizing action is performed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for controlling the shutter open time in an opto-electronic device is presented. A frame of pixel intensity data is collected and the average pixel intensity value is across said frame is calculated and compared to a first threshold. If the average pixel intensity is outside a first intensity range defined by said first threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in a first direction. Otherwise, the peak pixel intensity value across the frame is found and compared to a second threshold. If the peak pixel intensity value is outside a second intensity range defined by said second threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in said first direction. If the peak pixel intensity value is not outside a second intensity range, the peak pixel intensity value is compared to a third threshold. If the peak pixel intensity value is outside a third intensity range defined by the third threshold, the shutter open time is adjusted in a second direction.

Abstract: An image input device, in which a system controller controls, when successive operations for picking up images are to be executed, a second operation for picking up an image at the timing when image data obtained in a first operation for picking up an image is read out from an image pickup device, and controls, after the second operation for picking up an image, a light-shuttering operation at the timing earlier than the timing when the image data obtained in the second operation for picking up an image is read out from the image pickup device, shutters the light to the image pickup device with the optical mechanism, and controls an operation for strobo-light emission in a strobo circuit so that a time interval from starting of the second operation for picking up an image until the timing for emitting second strobo-light is shorter than a time interval from starting of the first operation for picking up an image until the timing for emitting first strobo-light.

Abstract: A moving object detecting sensor and a speed sensor for measuring the running speed of a moving object are provided, and a shooting timing is decided based on the outputs of these detecting sensor and speed sensor. Thus, since the shooting timing is decided considering the speed of the moving object, even if the speed of the moving object changes, it can be prevented that the center of camera angle deviates from a predetermined shooting position.

Abstract: An imaging device performs moving image shooting in which smearing does not occur and further performs a still image shooting by a sufficiently accurate shutter operation. The imaging device includes an imaging element that accumulates received light as a charge. A shutter travels so as to shade the imaging element. A first scanning circuit performs a charge accumulation start scanning of the imaging element at a timing and/or speed that matches the travel speed of the shutter. A second scanning circuit performs reading scanning of the charge accumulated in the imaging element. A controller controls the scanning of the first scanning circuit and the second scanning circuit and the travel of the shutter. When the still image is shot by the imaging device, the exposure time is adjusted by the controller controlling the scanning start time of the first scanning circuit and the travel start time of the shutter.

Abstract: An imaging module and light shuttering method for a digital image capturing device. The imaging module includes an electronic imaging sensor device including a plurality of pixel elements. The imaging module further includes an electronically actuatable shutter device including a plurality of individually addressable and actuatable shutter elements. Each shutter element substantially corresponds to at least one of the plurality of pixel elements of the image sensor device.

Abstract: A photo-taking apparatus includes a control switch, a laser module controlled by the control switch to generate a laser beam for producing a light frame around the field to be photographed, a shutter controlled by the control switch means to expose a film to the light of the view of the field to be photographed, and a processor controlled by the control switch means to control the operation of the laser module and the shutter for producing a light frame and taking photos.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels which are arranged in a horizontal and a vertical direction and which generate charges corresponding to optical signals, in which a color filter arrangement of a first order are arranged in horizontal pixel rows of odd numbers and a color filter arrangement of a second order are arranged in horizontal pixel rows of even numbers; and a drive circuit having a first mode for reading out pixel data of 2k+1 fields (k is a natural number) by an interlace operation from the plurality of pixels, a second mode for reading out pixel data of one field among the 2k+1 fields from said plurality of pixels, and a third mode for reading out images of a plurality of fields, the number of which is smaller than the of the 2k+1 fields, among the 2k+1 fields from said plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A shutter for reconnaissance cameras includes a digital signal processor (DSP) system which provides for control of motors moving two curtains. The curtains each define an edge, the gap between the edges of the curtains defines an exposure slit. The shutter replaces the prior art DC curtain motors and potentiometer curtain position sensing devices with AC motors having integral resolvers that provide motor shaft position feedback information. Furthermore, a mechanical clutch coupling the curtains together, which has been standard practice in the prior art, has been eliminated, with the precise movement of the curtains governed by the motors under control by the DSP. The marriage of DSP control with the AC motors and resolvers provides a direct coupling to the curtains, with built-in motor shaft position feedback via the resolvers.

Abstract: In a method for determining the frame rate and exposure time for each frame of a video collection, an image capture system acquires at least two successive frames of a scene, separated in time. The two images are compared to determine if objects in the scene are in motion. If motion is detected, then the speed and displacement of the objects that are moving is determined. If the speed of the fastest moving object creates an unacceptable amount of image displacement, then the frame rate for the next frame is changed to one that produces an acceptable amount of image displacement. Also, if the speed of the fastest moving object creates an unacceptable amount of motion blur, then the exposure time for the next frame is changed to one that produces an acceptable amount of motion blur.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for digital still cameras includes a first blade and a second blade, each having a plurality of arms and at least one blade component pivotally supported thereby; a driving member for the first blade, opening an exposure aperture through the first blade; a driving member for the second blade, closing the exposure aperture through the second blade; a retaining means for the first blade and a retaining means for the second blade, retaining individual driving members at positions where the exposure operation is started, immediately before the exposure operation is started, and releasing their retaining forces at preset timing when the exposure operation is started; and a cocking member for actuating the driving member for the second blade when moved from the initial position to the cocked position thereof, and actuating the driving member for the first blade in photography.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying a combined image of an auxiliary image and a main image includes a source of a main image signal and a source of samples representing an auxiliary image signal. A quincunx subsampler is coupled to the auxiliary image sample source and the quincunx subsampler. The sample combiner combines the main image signal and a signal representing the quincunx subsampled samples to generate a signal representing a combined image of the main and auxiliary images.

Abstract: In an electronic camera, an exposure amount S ({fraction (1/2000)} sec.), an exposure amount M ({fraction (1/250)} sec.) and an exposure amount L ({fraction (1/30)} sec.) are set in vertically synchronous signal timing directly before the fourth frame, the fifth frame, and the sixth frame. In the frame directly following that setting, exposure is performed corresponding to that exposure amount. The signal levels obtained from the three exposure amounts are compared in the eighth frame, and an added value &agr; is added to the shutter time in which the signal level obtained is closest to the optimum signal level. This time is set in vertically synchronous signal timing directly before the ninth frame. In the ninth frame, exposure is performed corresponding to this setting. In the tenth frame, the signal is readout according to this exposure. In the eleventh frame, the signal calculation is performed. The processing is repeated in the same way thereafter and the optimum exposure amount is determined.

Abstract: A digital camera with an anti-blur function is provided with simple structures. The digital camera comprises an automatic exposure control mechanism for an automatic exposure mode and inclinometer. As sub-modes, the automatic exposure mode comprises a normal program mode and a high-shutter-speed priority program mode. Output of the inclinometer is repeatedly checked at a predetermined period to detect camera-shake. Camera-shake is determined by stable or unstable output from the inclinometer. When the output is unstable, it is determined that camera-shake exists, and the high-shutter-speed priority program mode is selected. Contrarily, when it is stable, it is determined that no camera-shake exists, and the normal program mode is selected. Attitude of the camera, which is sensed by the inclinometer, is recorded to a detachable PC card with the image data when camera-shake is not detected. If camera-shake is detected, the sensed attitude data is invalidated.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter for digital still cameras is constructed so that a first driving member for a first blade connected to the first blade is biased by a cocking spring to rotate clockwise and a second driving member for the first blade is biased by a driving spring to rotate counterclockwise. A driving member for a second blade connected to the second blade is biased by a driving spring to rotate counterclockwise. An exposure aperture is fully opened before photographing, and when a cocking member is rotated in a clockwise direction in photographing, the first driving member is released from the holding of the cocking member and is rotated, and the exposure aperture is covered by the first blade. After that, when releasing members are separated from the iron cores of respective electromagnets, locks of locking members are released, and the driving members are rotated counterclockwise in turn. Consequently, exposure is carried out through a slit formed by the first blade and the second blade.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating an image indicating distances to objects in a scene, comprising: a modulated source of radiation, having a first modulation function, which directs radiation toward a scene; a detector, which detects radiation reflected from the scene, modulated by a second modulation function, and generates, responsive to said detected modulated radiation, signals responsive to the distance to regions of the scene; a processor, which receives signals from the detector and forms an image, based on the signals, having an intensity value distribution indicative of the distance of objects from the apparatus; and a controller, which varies at least one of the first and second modulation functions, responsive to the intensity value distribution of the image formed by the processor.

Abstract: A videophone system having an electronically controlled shutter to vary the amount of light falling onto the target by a shutter, e.g., for a greater or lesser length of time during a short exposure time rather than b y means of a controlled mechanical aperture. Data reduction is used for the transmitted signal, a control circuit is used for the exposure time, and the mains power supply, which produces ambient light, are coupled by means of a PLL circuit so that the exposure time occurs at the same phase of the mains voltage. In this way, interference occurring when data reduction is used for the signal to be transmitted is avoided and macroblocks are not formed when no difference signal is present.

Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope provided with a noncircular opening which is capable of stabilizing the rate of change of the quantity of illuminating light with the quantity of movement of the stop blade and thereby preventing the hunting phenomenon of the stop blade in close-up or the like. The device comprises: a gate portion with a noncircular opening for linearly changing the quantity of light from the light source formed therein; a stop blade for controlling the quantity of light passing through the noncircular opening of the gate portion; and a motor for driving the stop blade. The noncircular opening has two V-shaped portions having different opening angles. The stop blade is provided with a circular auxiliary opening for passing part of the light therethrough.

Abstract: An exposure control device of a still-video camera has a CCD and a photoreceptor element for sensing a photometry value of an object. First, the camera is aimed at the main object in such a manner that the main object is positioned in the center of the frame, and a first photometry value is obtained. Then, the aim of the camera is changed so that the main object is offset from the center of the frame, and a second photometry value is obtained. A provisional exposure is carried out in accordance with an aperture value and an electric charge accumulating time which are obtained based on the second photometry value, and thus an exposure value is obtained. A ratio of the proper exposure value and the provisional exposure value is obtained. A normal exposure is carried out in accordance with the aperture value and a normal electric charge accumulating time TT=T.times.(E0/E2).times.

Abstract: A digital electronic camera has a first stroke switch and a second stroke switch. When the first stroke switch is pressed, adjustment of focus, coarse adjustment of exposure and detection of light-source flicker are detected using a signal from an image sensing device such as a CCD. When the second stroke switch is pressed, main exposure is performed in accordance with the conditions that have been set. Thus, adjustment of focus and exposure can be performed by relying solely upon the image sensing device and without using various sensors. Moreover, processing is completed in a short period of time by the second stroke switch, which is pressed following the first stroke switch. As a result, focus and exposure adjustments can be carried out in a short period of time using solely an image sensing device without relying upon a rangefinder sensor and photometric sensor, and release time lag can be reduced.

Abstract: A camera apparatus in which a video camera and a photographic camera are integrally combined or which has a self-timer function, and an aspect conversion circuit for converting the orientation of an image are provided. A normal mode and a self-timer mode are provided, and in either mode, a shutter pulse synchronized with a vertical synchronizing signal is obtained from an output signal of a frequency divider, while in the self-timer mode, a timer is driven by the output signal of the frequency divider, whereby the frequency divider is used in both modes. Alternatively, a still mode and a video mode is provided, and in the still mode, a shutter pulse and a record pulse are output in response to an operation of a shutter switch, while in the video mode, the record pulse is output in response to an operation of a record switch and the shutter pulse is output in response to an operation of the shutter switch.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to control the lens iris and shutter speed such that automatic light quantity adjustment is made of an object the image of which is to be picked up without being influenced by the ambient quantity of light. Another object of the present invention is to control the shutter speed of an image pickup camera to pick up the image of a target object during the rotation of a rotational stand without allowing the image to flow asynchronously. An image pickup camera 1 comprises a vertical position detector 12 and a horizontal position detector 13 for detecting the rotational position of the camera 1. Data 21 on control over the quantity of light for the detected positional information 20 is beforehand stored in a correction data storage 14. Correction data 21 for the position information 20 is delivered to the camera 1.

Abstract: A video camera system for generating a shutter pulse for operating a photo-camera or other still image recording means in response to detecting a predetermined magnitude change in an average level of a pick-up signal representative of an image. As a detecting signal, both level detecting signals for an iris control and an AGC control, for example, are used. When the status of a foreground object zone is changed with movement of a person or an object, the level change of the image pick-up signal becomes a value larger than a predetermined value and a shutter pulse is automatically generated.

Abstract: A system has a first electrode, a second electrode, a photosensitive member located between the first and second electrodes, a recording member located between the first and second electrodes, and an optical shutter. In this system, light having information to be recorded is applied to the photosensitive member. The light information is recorded on the recording member. An exposure amount of the light with respect to the photosensitive member is set by setting a time during which the optical shutter remains open. A drive voltage of a predetermined variation is applied between the first and second electrodes during the recording of the light information on the recording member. The predetermined voltage between the first and second electrodes is controlled in response to a sensed intensity of reference light which passes through the photo-modulation member.

Abstract: A video camera includes a solid state image pickup element for converting a light image radiated thereon from an object to be photographed into an electric signal. The element is also operated as a shutter for controlling an amount of light radiated thereon by being controlled in its storage time. The video camera further includes a unit for inputting data for setting a storage time of the image pickup element, and a unit connected to the data inputting unit for controlling the storage time of the element in response to the inputted set data gradually to the set data by changing the storage time by a predetermined storage time for the lapse of every predetermined time period.

Abstract: An exposure device with a shutter operating in such a manner that the size of aperture opening defined by the shutter blades first increases from zero and then starts to decrease in predetermined timing, comprises a mechanism for opening the shutter with the help of an electric motor, while charging a spring as the drive source for closing movement of the shutter, an electromagnet arranged upon current supply to change the driving of the shutter from the opening mechanism to the spring, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the shutter in such a manner that when taking one picture, the shutter blades reciprocate two times continuously to recycle substantially twice the exposure operation, as the operation of each of the motor and the electromagnet is recycled twice.

Abstract: A system has a first electrode, a second electrode, a photosensitive member located between the first and second electrodes, a recording member located between the first and second electrodes, and an optical shutter. In this system, light having information to be recorded is applied to the photosensitive member. The light information is recorded on the recording member. An exposure amount of the light with respect to the photosensitive member is set by setting a time during which the optical shutter remains open. A drive voltage of a predetermined variation manner is applied between the first and second electrodes during the recording of the light information on the recording member.